Section LIII - Origin of Death: King Yudhishthira Seeks Comfort from Vyasa
Book index: Mahabharata (English)
This page contains a summary of the Mahabharata Section LIII including examples of moral lessons in daily life. The Maha-Bharata is one of the largest epics ever written containing roughly 100,000 Sanskrit verses. It deals with the legendary history of ancient India and contains a large number of interwoven tales.
Short summary of the chapter:
King Srinjaya had a son named Suvarnashthivin, whose body was made of gold due to a boon granted by the Rishi Narada. However, some robbers seized the prince in hopes of finding gold within him, but upon realizing there was none, they killed him. The robbers themselves met a tragic end, and the gold disappeared, causing great sorrow to King Srinjaya. Despite the loss of his son, Narada reminded Srinjaya of the inevitability of death and recounted the story of King Marutta who, despite his great wealth and sacrifices, also met his end.
King Marutta, renowned for his opulent sacrifices and generosity, was blessed by Lord Mahadeva with great wealth and success in his rituals. Celestials, including Indra and Vrihaspati, frequented his sacrifices, and his wealth and offerings were unparalleled. He contributed generously to the Brahmanas, gods, Rishis, and Pitris, making them happy and earning their blessings. Despite his virtuous deeds and the favor of the deities, King Marutta eventually passed away, leaving behind a legacy of wealth and prosperity to his descendants and subjects.
King Srinjaya was reminded of the impermanence of life and the importance of performing righteous deeds by Narada's tales of Marutta's fate. Despite possessing great wealth and performing grand sacrifices, both Marutta and Srinjaya ultimately faced death. The stories served as a reminder to Srinjaya of the transient nature of life and the importance of virtue and noble actions. Srinjaya was encouraged to accept his son's death as part of the cycle of life and to focus on righteous conduct to attain a favorable destiny in the afterlife.
The tales of Marutta and Srinjaya's son highlighted the fleeting nature of material possessions and the need to prioritize spiritual wealth and righteous actions. Both kings, though wealthy and powerful, succumbed to mortality, emphasizing the inevitability of death for all beings. The lessons conveyed by Narada's stories reinforced the importance of virtuous living, sacrifice, and generosity in creating a positive legacy and securing a favorable destiny beyond death. King Srinjaya learned to find solace in the transient nature of life and the eternal value of good deeds in the eyes of the divine.
Through the tales shared by Narada, King Srinjaya gained a deeper understanding of the impermanence of material wealth and the significance of virtuous conduct in shaping one's destiny. The tragic fates of Marutta and Srinjaya's son served as cautionary tales about the transitory nature of life and the importance of focusing on spiritual riches. Srinjaya was reminded of the ultimate fate of all beings and the need to prioritize righteous actions and selfless deeds to secure a favorable outcome beyond death. The stories of Marutta and Srinjaya's son ultimately guided Srinjaya towards acceptance and a renewed commitment to leading a life of righteousness and virtue.
Full English translation:
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Section LIII, online text
English translation by Kisari Mohan Ganguli.
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Mahabharata (English Summary)
by Kisari Mohan Ganguli | ISBN-10: 8121505933
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FAQ of Mahabharata, Section LIII:
Who was Srinjaya and what did he ask for from the Brahmanas?
Srinjaya was a king who asked for a son with extraordinary qualities. He desired a son with golden excreta, urine, phlegm, and sweat.
Daily life: Origin of Death: King Yudhishthira Seeks Comfort from Vyasa:
The story told by Vyasa to King Yudhishthira showcases the power of acts of generosity, the transient nature of wealth, and the inevitability of death, even for those of great virtue and power. The tale of King Srinjaya and his son, who could produce gold through his bodily excretions, illustrates how wealth can quickly attract negative forces, leading to tragic outcomes. Despite the miraculous boon they received, Srinjaya and his son couldn't escape the harsh realities of greed and violence in the world. This narrative also reflects on how even the mightiest and wealthiest, like King Marutta, must eventually face the end of their journey on earth. King Marutta, despite his unparalleled generosity and the splendor of his sacrifices, could not avert death, showing that material achievements and spiritual deeds might make life meaningful but do not offer immortality.
Incorporating the essence of this story into daily life means recognizing the importance of living a life filled with good deeds, generosity, and the pursuit of righteousness without attachment to the outcomes or the material wealth we might accumulate. It teaches us to conduct ourselves with humility and to cherish the virtues of compassion and generosity over temporal and material success. This approach can guide us to lead fulfilling lives while being mindful of the impermanence of our earthly achievements. Essentially, the story encourages us to focus on what truly endures beyond our physical existence, suggesting that moral and spiritual investments yield lasting peace and contentment, transcending the fleeting nature of physical possessions and worldly accolades.