Caste - No Barrier to Learning

“O Grandisre! Is it against Dharma to teach Veda and other Sastras to a person who was endowed with good qualities and virtuous behaviour but born in lower caste.”asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! in this connection, a story will clear your doubt. Listen. Several virtuous brahmins were performing tapas on Himalayas. One day, a sudra who was virtuous with righteous qualities and good behaviour approached them.

“O Brahmins! you are performing tapas. Kindly tell me how to perform tapas and the procedure to be followed toperform tapas.” asked Sudra.

“O virtuous man! you are a Sudra born in lower caste. It is not proper on our part to teach Vaidika Vidya to you. You are fit to serve us but not to perform tapas.” said the brahmins.

Sudra lived there serving those brahmins. But daily he was observing the daily procedure adopted by Brahmins and he also began to adopt the same procedure to perform tapas.

One day, the chief priest who was guiding those brahmins came to the hut of Sudra. The chief priest was pleased with his behaviour and the rituals he was performing daily. The chief priest taught him the lapses in his rituals and guided him properly to perform all vedic rituals. Sudra also devotedly followed the chief priest and was performing vedic rituals in right manner.

In course of time, both Sudra and the chief priest died. In next birth, Sudra was born as the son of a King and the chief priest was born as the son of a virtuous brahmin, studying Vedas. Later, the chief priest born in a virtuous brahmin family became the chief priest of the King and he was serving the son of that King who was Sudra in his previous birth.

Beholding the Brahmin who was serving him as a chief priest, the son of the King was smiling. The brahmin could not understand the reason for his smiling. One day, the brahmin asked the King:

“O King! why you are smiling while looking at me. Is there any fault on my part in performing vedic rituals?” asked the brahmin.

“O virtuous brahmin! fortunately, I got the knowledge of my previous birth. In my last birth, I was a Sudra and you taught me the skills in Vedic rituals. As a result, you are now born as a Purohit to serve a king. Hence I am smiling at you.” said the King.

Therefore, O Dharmaja! Vedic rituals and mantras and trantras shall be taught to Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas that too, to those who are eligible to learn.” said Bhishma.

Fox and Monkey

O Grandsire Bhishma! I am entertaining another doubt. If anybody evades to pay or give anything, which he promised to pay or give, to a Brahmin, what would be his fate?” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! In this connection, I narrate a story in reply to your question. In a forest, there lived a fox and monkey. They are friends. One day monkey told fox:

“O friend! I do not know which sin you have committed in your past birth, you are consuming dead bodies in this birth?” said monkey.

Miraculously, fox got its rememberances of its previous birth. “O friend! in my previous birth, I promised a brahmin to give some money. But I evaded to pay. Hence I have taken this birth and consuming dead bodies.” said fox.

Therefore, O Dharmaja! that was the effect of evasion.” said Bhishma.

Garuda

“O Grandisre Bhishma! It is heard that Garuda is a greatest of all. I want to know about Garuda.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! Kashyapa Prajapati got two wives, Vinata and Kadruva. Beholding his wives, Kashyapa asked about their desire to beget children. Kadruva desired to have 1000 sons. Vinata satisfied with two sons. Kashya blessed them with such desires. In course of time, Kadruva delivered one thousand eggs and Vinata two eggs. They preserved those eggs in mud pots.

1500 years elapsed. The eggs of Kadruva broke and one thousand serpants with mighty personalities came out. The eggs of Vinata were intact. While elder Sister Kadruva was enjoying with her sons, Vinata enraged with great wrath and jealousy. Unable to control that jealousy, Vinata by force broke one egg. A mighty bird with half body came out. His name was Aruna. His body was formed upto waist. Beholding his son with incomplete body, Vinata cried aloud.
“O mother! Had you not broken the egg in advance, a mighty personality would have come out. You deprived me of that fortune. You are influenced by jealousy and anger for which you have to reap the consequences for your fickle mind. You will become the slave of Kadruva for long time.” cursed Aruna.

Vinata trembled with motherly anguish. On one hand, son with halfbody and on the other hand slavery. She cried aloud. Aruna pitied her.

“O mom! dont cry. This is all our fate. None can avert it. Kindly dont break the second egg in hurry. After 500 years, one more son born to you with mighty personality. He may release you from this slavery.” said Aruna.

Both mother and son were waiting for the arrival of second son for five hundred years. On expiry of 500 years, the second egg broke of its own accord. A mighty personality with long neck, strong body, glorious face, reddish eyes, huge head and with beautiful wings was born like a sun rising on the east. He was Suparna (Garuda), a mighty bird. After the birth of Suparna, Aruna took leave from his mother and went to Soorya Loka to serve Sun God.

(The charioteer of Sun God is Aruna, also called as Anoora.).

From the time of his birth, Garuda didnot stay with his mother even for a moment. He was going on flying in the sky seeking food. Grandfather Brahma and other divine bodies were so affectionate towards Garuda.

After the birth of Aruna, and before the birth of Garuda, during the period of 500 years, a strange thing had happened. After the birth of Aruna, Vinata gradually forgot about the curse given by Aruna. During one spring season, Vinata and Kadruva went for a stroll to the sea shore. While they were walking leisurely, at a distance they saw a white horse called Uchaisrava, a divine horse.

Beholding that horse, Vinata said: “O sister Kadruva! look at that horse. It is pure white like pure milk.” said Vinata.

(It is the nature of some peole not to accept other’s words. Whatever be the argument, they counter it. To substantiate their argument, they go to any extent. It is their nature. Such was the nature of Kadruva.)

Immediately Kadruva countered it. “No Vinata. It is not pure white. Its tail is black” said Kadruva.

Vinata was astonished. “No Kadruva. Are you joking. The entire body of that horse is pure white. No question of even a black spot.” said Vinata.

Kadruva became adament. “No Vinata. Its tail is black. I am sure” argued Kadruva.

Vinata also was firm in her stand. “No. the horse is white, not black” affirmed Vinata.


“What is the bet?” asked Kadruva.

“Your wish. I am ready for any bet as the horse is white.” said Vinata.

“If I win the bet, you have to serve me as slave throughout your life. If you win the bet I serve you as slave.” said Kadruva.

Vinata agreed for the bet. She simply forgot the curse of her elder son.

“Now it is sunset. The visibility is poor. Let us go back and come tomorrow and observe the horse in day light.” said Kadruva, to gain time. Unable to understand the wicked plan of Kadruva, Vinata innocently agreed for it. They both went home.

In fact, Kadruva knows pretty well that the tail of horse was pure white. By some hook or crook it shall appear to be black. It was her desire. She called all her sons, the serpants. “O my sons! today, myself and Vinata saw a white horse. I bet that its tail was black, though it was white. I have to win the bet. Somehow or other, tomorrow, you have to make the tail appear to be black. said Kadruva.

Vasuki and others did not agree for the proposal. “O Mom! it is unscrupulous. We cannot do it. Yourself and Vinata are same for us. We got motherly affection towards Vinata. We cannot be trecherous towards my mother, Vinata. It is also not proper on your part also.” said Vasuki.

“No. You have to obey my command. The tail of the horse shall appear black” affirmed Kadruva.

“We prefer to leave you than be trecherous to Vinata” Vasuki replied.
“Then listen. In future, Janamejaya, grand son of Arjuna, perform Sarpa Yaga. In that Sarpa Yaga all you will perish. This is my curse for your disobeyance.” said Kadruva.

Having afraid of the curse, some of the serpant-sons fell on the feet of Kadruva. “O mom we are here. We make the tail appear black” assured those serpants. Kadruva was very happy. During the night all the black serpants went and curled round the tail of the horse, so that the tail appears to be black from a distance.

Next day morning, Kadruva and Vinata went to the sea shore and looked at the horse from a distance. The tail of the horse appeared to be black. Unable to realise the fraud played by Kadruva, Vinata agreed that the tail was black. As per the bet, Vinata became the slave of Kadruva. Vinata was waiting for the birth of Garuda.

As said earlier, the second egg broke and Garuda came out. From the date of birth, Garuda was flying in the sky in search of sufficient food.

Oneday, Saint Narada came there and told Garuda: “O Garuda! what is this! While your mother is doing slavery to Kadruva, you are flying here in search of sumptuous food. Why for your strength, vigour and valour? Your vigour and valour, not useful for releasing your mother from slavery, is waste.” said Narada.

Garuda was astonished. “What! is my mother a slave to Kadruva? What is the reason for my mother undergoing slavery? Kindly tell me.” requested Garuda.

Narada told Garuda what happened and the fraud played by Kadruva. Gruda was enraged with great wrath.
“My mother is slave. I have to save her and release her.” thought Garuda.

Garuda went to his mother and saluted her. Then he went to Kadruva and said: “O mother Kadruva! do you feel it great to have my mother as your slave? Kindly release my mother from slavery and be kind towards us. O mother Kadruva! you got 1000 sons. Treat me also as one of your sons. Atleast for my sake, release my mother from slavery. I feel happy.” said Garuda.

“O Garuda! I have no objection to release your mother from slavery but on one condition. You bring Amruta vessel from Svarga. I release your mother.” said Kadruva.

“O mother Kadruva! Be on your word. Now itself, I am proceeding to bring Amruta vessel.” said Garuda.

Garuda went to his father and explained him about his conversation with Kadruva. “O father! bless me and wish me to bring Amruta vessel from heaven”saluted Garuda before his father.

Kashyapa blessed his son, Garuda. “O Garuda! Your intention is good but it is very difficult. Indra kept Amruta vessel in a secret place safely. Even divine bodies do not know about it. I heard that Indra kept it in a big iron mesh, amidst huge flames, guarded by able bodied Asuras.” said Kashyapa.

“O father! out of affection towards me, you are telling like that. I got extraordinary physique. Nothing is impossible for me. I certainly bring Amruta vessel.” said Garuda firmly.

Kashyapa was very happy for the bravery of his son. “O my son! To achieve this task, you require enormous strength. On the way to heaven, you find one elephant and one tortoise. They are meant for you. You eat both of them and get enormous energy. Your task will successfully be accomplished.” blessed Kashyapa.

“O father! kindly tell me where they are?” asked Garuda.

“O my son! near the eastern sea, there is a tall mountain called Uraga. Near that mountain there is a tank. There is a tortoise living in that tank. One elephant daily goes to that tank to drink pure water. Always the tortoise picks up quarrel with elephant on some pretext or other. In their previous birth, the tortoise and elephant were two Rakshasas called Madhu and Kaitabha. As they do not know about their previous births, they were fighting as enemies. While catching them you have to be more skilful.You have to catch both of them at a time.” said Kashyapa.

“How is it? Tortoise is in water whereas elephant is on land.” asked Garuda.

“You have to use your own skill. While elephant drinks water, tortoise comes out of water to catch elephant. At that time, you have to catch them at a time skilfully.”said Kashyapa.

Garuda saluted Kashya and flew away to the tank. Garuda transformed himself into a small bird and was waiting for the arrival of elephant. Meanwhile, elephant arrived there and was about to drink water.

“You cannot drink water. This tank is mine” cried tortoise aloud. Elephant pressed the tortoise under its feet. Tortoise came out of the tank and caught the legs of elephant tightly. Elephant thrashed tortoise with its trunk. There was a fiercest fight between tortoise and elephant. Tortoise was enraged with great wrath. It came fully out of waters and caught both the feet of elephant.

Awaiting for this opportunity, Garuda resumed his original form and caught both elephant and tortoise with his claws and flew into the sky. Both elephant and tortoise lost consciousness with this unexpected happening. While flying, carrying both elephant and tortoise, Garuda saw a huge tree, branches of which are spread over five yojanas. Garuda tried to sit on one of the branches. But due to the heavy weight of Garuda coupled with the weights of elephant and tortoise, that branch was broken with thunderous sound. Beholding that some Valakhilya saints were hanging to that branch, Garuda hurriedly caught that branch with his nose and again began to fly in the sky.

The saints were astonished for the devotion of Garuda towards them. Garuda slowly dropped those saints on the ground safely and threw the huge branch in Kulinda kingdom which has already been tainted with immoral and illegal activities, killing the entire population in that kingdom. Then Garuda landed on a flat peak of a huge mountain and ate the elephant and tortoise. As per the words of his father, he got enormous strength. Garuda flew towards heaven and reached the place where the Amruta vessel was kept.

Around the Amruta vessel, huge flames were raising into the sky and Garuda was unable to reach that spot, with the fear that his wings be burnt away. Garuda flew to his Grandfather, Brahma and requested him to show way out. As per the advise of Brahma, Garuda brought huge quanties of butter and threw it into the flames. The flames subsided and completely extinguished. Garuda killed the Rakshasas guarding the Amrutha vessel and tried to carry the Amrutha vessel to his place.

On the way, Devendra attacked Garuda with his Vajruyudha but in vain. Devendra could not stand before the vigour and valour of Garuda and returned back. Garuda flew back to his place with Amrutha vessel.

Beholding Kadruva, Garuda said: “O mother Kadruva! I brought Amrutha vessel. Kindly release my mother from slavery.” requested Garuda.

Beholding Amrutha Vessel, Kadruva was overjoyed. “Yes. Garuda! Your mother is freed from my slavery. She can go as she likes.” proclaimed Kadruva in the presence of one and all.

Vinata came to his son Garuda. Garuda was about to leave that place along with his mother.

“O Garuda my son! Give me the Amrutha vessel, brought by you.” hurriedly asked Kadruva.

“O mother Kadruva! Kindly remember what you told me. You asked me to bring Amrutha vessel only. I brought it. You freed my mother from slavery. It is over. I did not say that I will give Amrutha vessel to you.” so saying Garuda flew away along with his mother and Amrutha vessel.

Garuda went back to heaven and handed over Amrutha vessel to Devendra and prayed excuse. In the presence of all divine bodies and sages, Garuda said:

“O Divine bodies! Kadruva played fraud upon my mother and made my mother as her slave. In order to liberate my mother from slavery, I have taken Amrutha vessel by force. As my work is finished, I am returning Amrutha vessel safely to you. Kindly treat me as your friend and excuse me.”

Everybody appreciated Garuda and excused him. Garuda was burning with great anger. “O Devendra! These snakes and serpants are the cause for my mother’s slavery. Hence, from today onwards, snakes are the food for eagles and other similar birds. We kill them on sight and consume them.” proclaimed Garuda.

Everybody acclaimed Garuda’s words and requested Devendra to give Garuda a boon. “I am too small to give Garuda any boon. Garuda is the incarnation of Vishnu. In the coming years, Garuda will born as Sri Krishna to instal dharma.” said Devendra.

Therefore, O Dharmaja! Sri Krishna standing by your side is no other than Garuda.” said Bhishma.

http://garudainfo.blogspot.com/ 

krishna

Bheeshma To Yudhistira

In the past, Salya, King of Madra kingdom, asked Saint Vyasa:

“ O Saint Vyasa! Kindly tell me which dharma is best of all and which gives more knowledge than other Dharmas?”.

Vyasa said thus: Knowing about Vishnu is best of all Dharmas. That Vishnu is no other than Sri Krishna. Once, some brahmins, to the hearing of Sri Krishna, commented thus:

“How Sri Krishna, a yadava lad, son of Vasudeva and Devaki, sister of Kamsa, is worshipped as Yajna Purusha?”.

On hearing those words, Krishna asked me to give a fitting reply. I told them thus:

“Sri Krishna is embodiment of all Vedas. He likes those who knows the meaning of Vedas and who knows much about Vedas. The result of best brahminism is knowing Sri Krishna as Vishnu.” said Vyasa.

http://krishnainformation.blogspot.com/

Brahiminism

“O Grandsire Bhishma! I got one doubt. Will, other castes other than Brahmins, by virtue of their righteous character and virtuous deeds, attain Brahminism?” asked Dharmaja.

“Dharmaja! Attaining Brahminism is too difficult.Even after several births, one cannot attain brahminism.

Note:  Brahiminism is Not by Birth - But Attaining Nature of Soul 

O Gransire Bhishma! if attaining Brahminism is such a difficult task, how Visvamitra, a Kshatriya was transformed into Brahmin?” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dhamaja! There was a Kshatriya King called Gaadhi in the clan of Jahnu, father of River Jahnavi (Ganga). Satyavati was the daughter of Gadhi. Saint Rucheeka, born in Bhrigu clan, intended to marry Satyavi. Gadhi did not agree for his proposal by putting a condition that if Rucheeka offers one thousand white horses with one ear black, he can marry Satyavati. Rucheeka agreed for the condition and went in search of white horses with one ear black.

Rucheeka approached Varuna who agreed to supply such horses. On the advice of Varuna, Rucheeka went to the banks of Ganges . He sat there in Padma Aasana and prayed Ganges for grant of one hundred one ear black, white horses. Next moment, such horses stood before him. Since then that place was known as Asva Teertha. Rucheeka gave those horses to Gadhi and married his daughter, Satyavati.

Years passed. Rucheeka performed a Yajna for the sake of children. Mother of Satyavati also requested her daughter to recommend her case also for children. Rucheeka performed Yajna and put the Havis in two distinct vessels. Rucheeka showed both the vessels to Satyavati and said:

“O Satvati! you consume the Havis in this vessel. You beget a Satvika son who is a virtuous brahmin with glory. You give the other vessel to your mother. If she consumes the Havis in that vessel, she begets a son with Rajasa qualities. Then you embrace a Medi tree and let your mother embrace Ravi tree. You both beget children.” said Rucheeka.

While consuming the Havis, there was a confusion. Satyavati consumed Havis intended for her mother and her mother consumed Havis intended for Satyavati. While embracing trees also, such confusion prevailed. In course of time, they both became pregnant. Rucheeka realised the mistake.
One day Rucheeka told his wife Satyavati: “O Satyavati! While consuming Havis, you exchanged your vessels. Hence, you are bearing in your womb, a cruel kshatriya instead of a virtuous brahmin.” said Rucheeka.

On hearing this, Satyavati trembled. “No, It cannot be. You are a virtuous brahmin. How can you become father of a cruel kshatriya. Kindly avoid this calamity with your power.” prayed Satyavati.

“I can postpone the evil for one generation. Now you beget a virtuous brahmin. But his son i.e, your grandson will be a cruel kshatriya.” said Rucheeka.

Accordingly, Satyavati gave birth to Saint Jamadagni. Jamadagni’s son was Parasu Rama who vanquished the entire Kshatriya community.

Wife of Gadhi i.e., mother of Satyavati, gave birth to Visvamitra who later transformed into a virtuous brahmin.

Dharmaja! though Visvamitra was born as Kshatriya, brahminism sprouted in his mind. Though Parasurama was born as Brahmin, he adopted Kshatra.” said Bhishma to Dharmaja.

“O Grandsire Bhishma! In this connection, I remember a story of Veetahavya who attained Brahmanism. Kindly tell me that story in detail.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! King Haihaya, a kshatriya, was born in Saryati clan. He was the King of Vatsa kingdom. Haihaya was also called Veetahavya. He married ten wives and begot one hundred sons. The sons of Haihaya waged war against King Haryasva, king of Kasi and killed him. Later his son, Sudeva was made the King of Kasi. Sons of Haihaya again went against Sudeva and killed him. Then Devodasa, son of Sudeva was made the king of Kasi. Sons of Haihaya invited Devodasa for war and defeated him. Devodasa fled away with fear and sought refuge at Saint Bharadwaja. Devodasa told Bhardwaja the entire sotry of their fore fathers’ defeat at the hands of son of Haihaya.

“Dont worry. I bless you with a son who kills them in retaliation.” said Bharadwaja. Under the guidance of Bharadwaja, Devodasa performed Putrakameshti Yaga, as a result of which he begot a son called Pratyardhana. Pratyardhana, with the blessings of Bharadwaja learnt Vedas, Sastras, archery skills etc. Devodasa enthroned him as King of Kasi. With the permission of his father Devodasa,Pratyardhana invited Haihaya’s sons for war and killed all of them.

Then Pratyardhana rushed against Haihaya. Unable to resist Pratyardhana, Haihaya fled away and sought refuge with Saint Bhrigu. Bhrigu asked Haihaya to join his sishyas as a Brahmin. Pratyardhana arrived there in search of Haihaya. Pratyardhana saluted Bhrigu.

“What made you to come over here?” asked Bhrigu.

Pratyardhana told Bhrigu about the killing of his father and fore father by the sons of Haihaya and that he has come to kill Haihaya. On hearing the above, Bhrigu said: “O Pratyardhana! there are none here who belong to Kshatriya community. They are all Brahmins, my sishyas.”

On hearing these words, Partyardhana gladly replied: “O Saint Bhrigu! the purpose of my arrival is accomplished. You said Haihaya is not a Kshatriya, which results in excommunicating Haihaya from Kshatriya community. That much I want. I hope you never speak falsehood. Bless me.” saluting Bhrigu, Pratyardhana went away.

From then onwards, Haihaya abandoned Kshatra, attained Brahmanism and did great tapas and begot a son Kritsamada. In his clan, Suteja, Varchasa, Nihavya, Satya, Santa, Sravasa, Damasa, Prakasa, Vaageendra, Pramati, Ruru, Samuda, Sunaka, Sounaka were born. A new Brahmin clan commenced from Haihaya, also called Veetahavya.” told Bhishma to Dharmaja.

“O Grandsire! Amongst divine effort and manual effort, which is great? Tell me.” asked Dharmaja.

“O Dharmaja! in the past, the same question was asked by Vasishta. I tell you what Brahma said in answer to that question.

Earth, manual effort and seed are different and separate. With the combination of these three only, plants sprout. If we sow seeds in earth, plants sprout. For sowing seeds, manual effort is required. Having land and seeds does not yield result. Therefore manual effort is necessary. There is no use of sitting idle throwing the entire burden on God. Manual effort is compulsory. God’s effort coordinates with our manual efforts. Simply putting manual efforts never yield results. God’s effort also shall coordinate.

If we help others, they help us. If we harm others, they also harm us. Therefore, all manual efforts must be intended for the welfare of the mankind and society. Then only, God also help us. For example, small fire with the help of wind, will turn into great flame. Similarly, whatever small our effort is, God’s help will be more. We light lamp with ghee. If the ghee is exhausted, lamp will diminish. Similarly, if virtues are lacking in our efforts, God never help us. They never fructify. Parasurama, Bhrigu, Bali are great people. But their efforts lack in purity. Hence God was not in their favour. Therefore, for all our efforts, God’s coordination is compulsory. Therefore, Dharmaja! for any manual effort, God’s coordination is compulsory.” said Bhishma to Dharmaja.

Summary 

1. Rigveda says that whoever insults Brahmin, all his Punyas vanish.
2. Adharvana Veda says that there is no greater trouble than disregarding brahmins.
3. Samaveda says that all the sins vanish if brahmins are worshipped for one month.
4. Yajurveda says that all the rituals viz., Japa, Homa etc shall be performed under the guidance of Brahmins. 

Note : Here Bhishma is Explaining Not at Platform of Body But Spiritualy inclined people Brahmins)

Fate

“O Dharmana! dont feel sorry. Every thing is destined by fate. None can avert the fate. After all we are humans. We are not responsible for anything. Nothing is in our hands. In this connection I narrate you a story.

In a village there was a brahmin lady, called Goutami. Her son died due to snake bite. She was lamenting for the untimely death of her son. Meanwhile, one hunter caught the snake and brought it before the woman.

“Oh mom! this is the snake which killed your son. Tell me how to kill it. Either by cutting it into pieces or crushing with a stone. Your wish.” said the hunter.

“Kindly rleave the snake. Let it go free” asked the brahmin lady.

“No mom. This snake killed your son.” said the hunter.

“No. my son was killed due to fate. Lamenting for his death or killing the snake is quite unwise. Virtuous and wise people never resort to such acts, except forgetting the past and think about future. Even if you kill that snake, my son will never come alive. Hence leave the snake.” said the brahmin lady.

“Mom. I am a rustic. I cannot understand your words. I know only revenge. Hence I kill this snake.” said the hunter.

“Your name is Arjunaka means person of whitish complexion. You are pure and innocent. How can you behave curelly. How can I accept this kind of nonviolence.” said brahmin lady.

“Mom! Listen. Killing the creatures which harm people is not a sin.” said the hunter.

“Killing even an enemy who was imprisoned is against Dharma.” said the brahmin lady.

“Mom! Is it not dharma to save others from snake bite by killing this snake? Did Devendra not kill Vritrasura? Did Maha Siva not destroy the Yajna of Daksha? While those are Dharmas, killing this snake also is Dharma.” argued the hunter.

After hearing the above conversation between brahmin woman and hunter, the snake told them thus: “I am not at fault in killing this boy. Only on the directions of Goddess Mruthyu, I killed this boy. I have no anger or hatredness upon this boy.” said the snake.

“Oh is it so. Therefore, you are a tool in the hands of Mruthyu. Then I should certainly kill you.” said the hunter.

“O hunter! listen. Potter turns the wheel for making pots. If the pot is broken, is it the fault of the wheel or potter. I have no power to kill anybody. If I am seen by humans, I will be killed mercilessly.” said the snake.

“Well said serpant! If anybody shoots another person with an arrow, will that person keeps quiet by discussing whether it is the fault of the arrow or the person who shoots. Or whether he cuts that arrow in between with another arrow. Cutting the arrow rushing towards him is not a sin. Do you kill this innocent boy on the pretext that you are ordered by Mruthyu. Even if you are cut into pieces, it is not a sin. Not only you, all the snakes which are the tools in the hands of Mruthyu shall be killed mercilessly.” said the hunter with great anger.

The snake smiled and said: “O hunter! On behalf of the masters, Purohits perform Yajnas and Yagas. But the result of Yajnas and Yagas goes to the master not to the Purohit. Therefore, the sin accrued by killing this boy goes to Mruthyu not to me.” said snake.

Meanwhile, Goddess Mruthyu arrived there. Beholding the snake, Mruthyu said: “Oh snake! you have not committed any sin. You killed that boy as per my directions. But I am also not at fault as I was directed by Yama to get this boy killed through you. I simply followed his direction. You also dutifully followed my direction. Therefore, we both are not responsible for the death of this boy. Besides that, sun, moon, agni, sky, water, wind and the entire nature is under the control of Yama. He is the controlling authority. We acted according to his directions.” said Mruthyu.

“O Mruthyu! same thing I said. I amnot capable of deciding whether it is your fault or fault of Yama. I have no such capacity.” said snake.

Turning to the hunter, snake said: “Have you heard the words of Mruthyu. Still you say I am at fault. It is not proper on your part to find fault with me. Hence leave me.” prayed the snake.

“ No No. Yourself and this Mruthyu are sinful as you are taking away the lives of humans. I am not afraid of both of you. Your death is certain in my hands.” said hunter.

Meanwhile, Yama arrived there. “I have come here to clear off your doubts. The fact is either myself or Mruthyu, or for that matter, this snake are not responsible for the death of this boy. His death depends upon his past deeds. Because, as per the results of past deeds, birth, death, joys and sorrows occur in the present birth. Non can avert them. Even Parama Siva cannot avoid undergoing the result of his own karma. After all, this boy is nothing. Hence, dont blame anybody for the death of this boy.” said Yama.

When her words are repeated by Yama, Brahmin lady said: “This is nothing but the result of my past deeds. I am destined to undergo this kind of grief. None need be blamed for my fate. Therefore, leave that snake.” said the Brahmin lady.

After hearing the teachings of Yama and Brahmin lady, hunter became wiser and left that snake.

http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m13/m13a001.htm

Coronation

http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m05/m05154.htm

"Vaisampayana said, Dhritarashtra's son, accompanied by all the kings, then addressed Bhishma, son of Santanu, and with joined hands said these words,

'Without a commander, even a mighty army is routed in battle like a swarm of ants. The intelligence of two persons can never agree. Different commanders, again, are jealous of one another as regards their prowess. O thou of great wisdom, it is heard (by us) that (once on a time) the Brahmanas, raising a standard of Kusa grass, encountered in battle the Kshatriyas of the Haihaya clan endued with immeasurable energy.

O grandsire,

the Vaisyas and the Sudras followed the Brahmanas, so that all the three orders were on one side, while those bulls among the Kshatriyas were alone on the other. In the battles, however, that ensued, the three orders repeatedly broke, while the Kshatriyas, though alone, vanquished large army that was opposed to them. Then those best of Brahmanas enquired of the Kshatriyas themselves (as to the cause of this). 

O grandsire,

those that were virtuous among the Kshatriyas returned the true answer to the enquirers, saying, 'In battle we obey the orders of one person endued with great intelligence, while ye are disunited from one another and act according to your individual understanding.' The Brahmanas then appointed one amongst themselves as their commander, who was brave and conversant with the ways of policy. And they then succeeded in vanquishing the Kshatriyas. Thus people always conquer their foes in battle who appoint a skilled, brave, and sinless commander, observing the good of the forces under him. As regards thee, thou art equal to Usanas himself, and always seekest my good. Incapable of being slain, thou art, again devoted to virtue. Be thou, therefore, our commander. Like the sun among all luminaries, like the moon unto all delicious herbs, like Kuvera among the Yakshas, like Vasava among the gods, like Meru among mountains, Suparna among the birds, Kumara among the gods, Havyavaha among Vasus, thou art amongst ourselves. Like the gods protected by Sakra, ourselves, protected by thee, will assuredly become invincible by the very gods. Like Agni's son (Kumara) at the head of the gods, march thou at our head, and let us follow thee like calves following the lead of a mighty bull.'

"Bhishma said,

'O mighty-armed one, it is even so, 'O Bharata, as thou sayest. But the Pandavas are as dear to me as ye yourselves. Therefore, O king, I should certainly seek their good as well, although I shall certainly fight for thee, having given thee a pledge (before) to that effect. I do not see the warrior on earth that is equal to me, except that tiger among men, Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti. Endued with great intelligence, he is conversant with innumerable celestial weapons. That son of Pandu, however, will never fight with me openly. With the power of my weapons, I can, in a trice, destroy this universe consisting of gods, Asuras, Rakshasas, and human beings. The sons of Pandu, however, O king, are incapable of being exterminated by me. I shall, therefore, slay every day ten thousand warriors. If, indeed, they do not slay me in battle first, I will continue to slaughter their forces thus. There is another understanding on which I may willingly become the commander of thy forces. It behoveth thee to listen to that. O lord of earth, either Karna

should fight first, or I will fight first. The Suta's son always boasts of his prowess in battle, comparing it with mine.'

"Karna said,

'As long as Ganga's son liveth, O king, I shall never fight. After Bhishma is slain, I shall fight with the wielder of Gandiva.'

"Vaisampayana continued,

'After this, Dhritarashtra's son duly made Bhishma the commander of his force, distributing large presents. And after, his installation in the command, he blazed forth with beauty. And at the king's behest, musicians cheerfully played upon drums and blew conchs by hundreds and thousands. And numerous leonine roars were sent forth and all the animals in the camp uttered their cries together. And although the sky was cloudless, a bloody shower fell and made the ground miry. And fierce whirl-winds, and earthquakes, and roars of elephants, occurring, depressed the hearts of all the warriors. Incorporeal voices and flashes of meteoric falls were heard and seen in the welkin. And jackals, howling fiercely, foreboded great calamity. And, O monarch, these and a hundred other kinds of fierce portents made their appearance when the king installed Ganga's son in the command of his troops. And after making Bhishma--that grinder of hostile hosts--his general, and having also caused by abundant gifts of kine and gold to the Brahmanas to pronounce benedictions on him, and glorified by those benedictions, and surrounded by his troops, and with Ganga's son in the van, and accompanied by his brothers, Duryodhana marched to Kurukshetra with his large host. And the Kuru king, going over the plain with Karna in his company, caused his camp to be measured out on a level part, O monarch, of that plain. And the camp, pitched on a delightful and fertile spot abounding with grass and fuel, shone like Hastinapura itself.'"

"Janamejaya said, 'When Yudhishthira heard that Bhishma, the high-souled son of Ganga, the foremost of all wielders of weapons, the grandsire of the Bharatas, the head of all the kings,

1. the rival of Vrihaspati in intellect,
2. resembling the ocean in gravity,
3. the mountains of Himavat in calmness,
4. the Creator himself in nobleness, and
5. the sun in energy, and
6. capable of slaying hostile hosts like great Indra himself by showering his arrows, was installed, till his removal by death, in the command of the Kuru army on the eve of the great sacrifice of battle, terrific in its mien and capable of making one's hairs stand on their ends,

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