The Echo of Our Actions
Karma never forgets. No matter how powerful we are, no matter how much we possess—our past actions never leave us. They are like shadows, inseparably tied to us, silently shaping our destiny. The law of karma spares no one. The pain we inflict on others finds its way back to us, shattering our peace. This is why even the wealthiest, most successful people can be haunted by anxiety despite having everything that anyone in this world could aspire for. True power is not in possession, but in purity. True peace is not in luxury, but in righteousness.
The Bhagavad Gita opens with a single question from Dhritarashtra, a question that reveals the deepseated fear lurking in his heart.
‘O Sanjaya, after my sons and the sons of Pandu assembled in the place of pilgrimage at Kurukshetra, desiring to fight, what did they do?’
This question, on the surface, seems ordinary but in reality reveals the deep-seated fear consuming his heart. He is not an ordinary man—he is a king, the ruler of an empire. He commands a vast army, boasts of the support of invincible warriors like Bhishma and Drona and sits upon the throne of Hastinapura. Yet, despite all of this, he is restless. His mind is clouded with anxiety, his heart heavy with dread.
When Silence Becomes Sin
The law of karma is merciless—it does not discriminate between a king and a beggar, between the mighty and the weak. It is an eternal force, ensuring that the consequences of our actions return to us, whether we are prepared for them or not. Dhritarashtra, though blind in sight, was never blind to the injustice that his sons, led by Duryodhana, inflicted upon the Pandavas. He knew of their deceit, their cruelty, their numerous attempts to destroy their noble cousins. Yet, he chose silence. He chose inaction. And by doing so, he became as guilty as the wrongdoers themselves.
Now, Dhritarashtra is extremely fearful about the aftermath of the war, and he anticipates the worst possible outcome for his sons, who stand on the battlefield facing the mighty Pandavas. He is well aware of the strength of the Pandavas, but his fears are magnified by the knowledge that the place chosen for the war is the holy land of the Kurukshetra.
Why a Holy Place Feels Like a Curse
A holy place adds to the powers of holy people and takes away from the powers of unholy people. He knows that his sons, headed by Duryodhana, are unholy at heart and hence, fears for their lives.
In addition, Krishna is on the Pandavas’ side as Arjuna’s charioteer, always willing to guide them. Thus, the powers of the already mighty Pandavas have received a major boost. The king is also worried that due to the positive influence of the Kurukshetra, Duryodhana might have a change of heart and return the kingdom to the Pandavas without a fight. Dhritarashtra does not want any such compromise. He would like to hold on to the throne till his last breath. His concerns multiplying with the minute, he asks his secretary about the events on the battlefield.
However, if we analyse carefully, we realize that he hardly has any reasons to worry. His sons’ army is
much bigger than that of the Pandavas. Duryodhana enjoys the support of invincible warriors like Bhishma and Drona and the finances and other logistics are on his side since he rules the kingdom.
What Goes Around, Comes Around
Then why is Dhritarashtra still fearful? It is because he is sinful. As per the law of karma, three people must share the fruits of karma equally: the doer, the director and the supporter. Dhritarashtra has been a constant supporter of his sons’ conspiracies to harm and even kill the Pandavas. Thus, he shares the sin equally with his sons.
Sin is always accompanied by fear.
When we wrong or hurt someone, that person may not retaliate, either as a voluntary choice or due to them not being strong enough to do anything. It may prompt us to think: ‘What can he or she do to me?’ But the pain that we have caused to a person, will certainly return to us from a different source in some way or the other, such that despite having everything, we will not be able to live in peace.
Creating mental distress, fear or anxiety in the mind is one of the ways in which the law of karma punishes wrongdoers. Thus, Dhritarashtra, despite apparently having everything in his support, is not peaceful. This is why even the wealthiest, most successful individuals— those who seemingly have everything—often battle inner demons of anxiety, guilt and restlessness.
Outwardly, they may bask in luxury, but within, they are prisoners of their own conscience. They have comforts but no real happiness and peace because in the pursuit of success, or due to the ego brought on by this success, they have wronged others.
On the other hand, when we do good to others, they may not be in a position to, or choose to not, do good to us, but the rewards of the good work that we have done will certainly return to us in some way or other from a different source. Thus, we must keep up the good work and take extra care to not cause any deliberate inconvenience to anyone.
A life built on deception and wrongdoing may rise high, but it will never stand firm. But a life rooted in truth, in goodness, in selfless action—that is a life unshaken, a life of real strength and above all, a life of peace.
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