Impostor met Chhaya’s mother when she was in Delhi with Mummy. Mrs. Bhanti told Impostor a beautiful story from the Hindu mythology’s Mahabharata that involves a dog.
Five Pandavas brothers, after a long reign were embarking on their final journey to Heaven. They had to trek up the mountain. Along the way, a dog accompanied them. The climb was arduous and as they climbed, four of the Pandavas fell to their deaths, dragged down by the weight of their guilt for their sins.
Only Yudhisthira, the eldest, along with the dog reached the mountain peak, because he was unblemished by sin or untruth. He was greeted by Indra, the king of gods who invited Yudhisthira on board his chariot. Instead the dog boarded the chariot first.
Indra was infuriated and asked Yudhisthira to abandon the dog before entering the Heaven. But Yudhisthira refused to do so, citing the dog’s unflinching loyalty as a reason – “Through my journey up the mountain, my queen and my brothers left me. Only this dog stayed with me – I cannot leave him now.”
Indra exclaimed, “What! Are you mad? Dogs do not belong in heaven! Do you want to give up your place for a dog?”
Yudhishthira replied, “The dog stayed faithfully by me, I will not desert him – even for heaven.”
Just then the dog transformed himself into Yama the god of the underworld and spoke: “You have chosen rightly, my son. In life all shall leave us, our passions, our acquaintances and even those we love dearest. Only our Dharma, like the dog, stays with us regardless. To this Dharma, we must be true.”
Hooray!
May’s comment: Even from ages past, dogs have been credited with their loyalty – and of all the beings, dogs deserve a place in heaven for all the goodness they bring out of us humans.
