Thakur Ranjit Singh
As
Janam Astmi and Father’s Day tend to fall almost around same time in Southern
hemisphere, a comparison of some father-son relations of Dwapar Yug (during
times of Krishn) would be relevant, as they are very rarely told. These are
summaries of some father-son relations, which are not exhaustive-there are
others.
Hope our Parcharaks/ Pundits could add on to them and make their
parvachan a bit more interesting which relate to, and be relevant to our present
day, rather than in abstract (out of touch, intellectual) stories.
1) KRISHN-
VASUDEV/NAND: we always talk about two mothers of Krishn, but fail to mention
His TWO FATHERS. Vasudev who faced all sorts of troubles and dangers to take his
son away from life-threatening situation (in Mathura) to safety and care of Nand
(in Gokul) who looked after that son who was not his, like his own. This story
balances off all the negative tales of "sautelapan (of adopted children).
A very
exemplary relationship where the son shone as a pride for both pairs of His
parents.
2) ARJUN -ABHIMANYU: Abhimanyu was a son who raised the profile of his
warrior father by sacrificing his life, knowing that he would not be able to
complete the "Chakravyuh" - he could only enter it but could not come out of it
alive.
This episode also substantiates the medical science that children are
affected by their environment when in the mother's womb. Abhimanyu was still in
his mother's womb when he first heard his uncle Krishn telling Subhadra
(Krishn’s sister) about the secret of the almost impenetrable military formation
known as the Chakravyuh. But then Subhadra fell asleep while listening to
Krishn's story, and so the unborn child was able to hear only part of the
secret. Hence he could not break out of it alive, and hence sacrificed his life
for honour of his father and clan.
Any father would be proud of a son like
Abhimanyu.
3) DHRITRASTRA- DURYODHAN: This was the most unholy relation between
a father and a son. It is a lesson to all fathers that they should not spoil
their sons and submit to all their demands in selfishness for glory of their
sons, and accept their unrighteous (sinful, wrong) acts silently. That resulted
in complete annihilation (destruction) of Kauravs and vansh (lineage) of the
blind father, who was literally as well as spiritually blind.
While this aptly
applies to a father-son relation in Fiji politics, I will refrain to name them.
At times the downfall of a father is the "ucchi - kanchaaye" or selfish greed
for success of the son, who, like Duryodhan, turns out to be an evil devil. A
father who blindly overlooks the bad deeds of his son would end up like complete
destruction of Kaurav lineage. Love for a son should never blind the father of
the choice between the right and the wrong. Dritrastra was such a blind father,
in all respects of blindness.
Pray you do not have a son like Duryodhan (or even
a ‘blind’ father.)
4) BHIM-GHATOTKATCH - Very rarely mentioned in our parvachan,
but a son of Bhism, born through an ogre (rachasi) woman from lineage of
Hidimba. This son was the salvation of Pandavas in Mahabharat and was
instrumental in victory of Pandavs. Karan was forced to use the deadly and
sure-shot weapon reserved for death of Arjun on Ghatotkach. Even born in a
rachas kul or of low-maternal association, we pray that we have a son like him
who stand for his father and his lineage and heritage.
Ghatotkach was an
exemplary son.
5) UGRASEN-KANS: The less said, the better. Ugrasen was Nana
(maternal grandfather) of Krishn, and was imprisoned by his own son, Kans.
But
we still have present-day sons like Kans who usurps the property of their
parents and disown and discard them. Pray nobody has a son like him who was also
very unkind and brutal to his sister Devaki and brother – in-law (Bahnoi)
Vasudev.
Contrary to belief of some that Kans was equivalent to Ravan of Treta
Yuga, this was not so. Equivalent of Ravan and Kumbhkaran in Dwapar Yug were
Shishupal and Dantavakr, who both were killed by Krishn.
Pray none of you get a
son, brother or Mama like Kans.
6) SANTANU-BHISHAM PITAMAH: Thankful are fathers
who have a son like Bhisham, who sacrifices his 'Jawani" and whole life, and
vows not to marry for the happiness of his father. How many sons we have now,
who will agree to their father remarrying, for the happiness of his father,
after death of their mother? I have seen sons who object to happiness of their
widower fathers having a companion after death of their mother. Great are those
who can be as understanding and act like Bhisham for happiness of their fathers.
Pray that we have sons like Bhisham Pitamah.
7) GURU DRON - ASHWATHAMA: While
considered an avatar of Lord Shiv and being son of such a sage, the fact that
Ashwathama sided with unrighteous (sinful) Kauravas, he lost all praises,
especially when he vents on killing the Pandavs. Hence, it teaches us "sangat
seh gunn aaye, sangatt se gunn jaaye (the company of a child determines his
character). Even born of good and righteous parents, a child in wrong company
will be like this son of Guru Dron.
Hence all fathers need to be wary of this.
To remain a pride to them, parents need to ensure their sons are in the right
company.
I hope these synopsis and thoughts on father-son relationships will
generate interest to delve deeper into these subjects. After a happy and
fruitful Janam Astmi, FIJI PUNDIT wishes you all a very Happy Father’s Day
coming shortly in the Southern Hemisphere. (First Sunday in September)
[About
the Author: Thakur Ranjit Singh is a journalist and a media commentator, and
runs his blog FIJI PUNDIT. He is originally from Fiji and is based in Auckland,
New Zealand. E-mail: thakurjifj@gmail.com]
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