Education of Kaurav and Paandav

So on one auspicious day Vidur took Paandav to Gurukul and handed them over to Guru Kripaachaarya for their education. Kaurav were learning from him - "Raaj Dharm (Dharm of a Raajaa) and Raaj Neeti (politics) are two different things. Whoever Raajaa accepts politics leaving Raaj Dharm, it is natural to go astray from his path, because politics is not so necessary as Raaj Dharm. But what is Raaj Dharm? What is its definition? Wherever Dharm is present, there is no place for Moh, because Moh is blind and Dharm is only light. Who follows the path lighted by Dharm does not need any help. Therefore when Raajaa follows Dharm, he doesn't need help of anything.

Moh is the first enemy of a Raajaa. It can misguide him, that he is not the owner of the treasury, but only the representative. "My son" "My father" etc are such a prison that, there is no means to come out from there once you are in there. All have the right on Raajaa like all have the right on Bhagvaan, or Raajaa belongs to all as Bhagavaan belongs to all. Since Raajaa is the representative of all the public, whoever Raajaa will be, he will be in Moh prison, he can never belong to all. Reeti (traditions), Neeti (good policies), knowledge and humility are the four doors of a good wisdom. One must follow them."

To give education is the job of Guru, but to give favorable environment is the job of household elders. In olden times, Guru was considered highest after Bhagvaan. He used to educate his pupils alike, but sometimes there used to come such pupils that they proved extraordinary and used to attract Guru considerably.

Dhritraashtra did not want that Paandav should get the same quality education as his own sons were getting. So he called Kripaa back before Paandav's education began, and instructed him - "Kul Guru, Paandav should not get any less education than others." Kripaa said - "You don't worry at all, Raajan. A pupil is like a piece of land. If it is fertile, then the seed will surely sprout there; and if it is not then what is the fault of seed in it? Paandu's sons are very able."

Dhritraashtra asked curiously - "And Duryodhan?" Kul Guru said - "There is no shortage of ability in the prince, but along with that one has to hold one's heart back also, otherwise it runs here and there and goes astray. But you don't worry."

New Saarathee for Dhritraashtra

There was another work for Kripaa. Dhritraashtra's Saarathee (charioteer) Adhirathcame to take leave from him. He told that now his son was grown up for education so he wanted to give him good education and wanted to retire from his services. In fact one day a Muni came to Adhirath's house to take alms and asked for a handful grains. Raadheya gave him a large pot full of grains. Muni said - "I asked only for a handful grains and you gave me a full pot." Raadheya said - "Mahaaraaj, My handful is like that only." Muni got very pleased with his reply, he said - "Ask son, ask any Var." Raadheya said - "Mahaaraaj, I don't like to ask anything." Then he blessed him with that he will be counted as the best soldier in the world."

Bheeshm said - "Do you know Adhirath, that what type of life a blind Raajaa can lead without a good Saarathee?" Adhirath said - "I know that, that is why I have brought Sanjay with me. You will not find Sanjay less than me in any way."

Vidur asked Sanjay - "What is Saarathee's first duty?" Sanjay said - "That he takes oath to live an die for his master." "And what is second duty?" Sanjay said - "His second duty is that he should say only that which is good for his master without getting scared and caring of his anger." "And..." Sanjay again said - "To protect his master from sunshine and dust like a mother's lap." "And..." Sanjay said - "And to give respect to his master's respect more than his life."

So Sanjay was accepted by all present there - Bheeshm, Dhritraashtra, Drone, Kripaa and Vidur and he was appointed as the new Saarathee of Dhritraashtra.

Education of Kaurav and Paandav-2

One day Vidur saw Yudhishthir in the palace, so he said to him - "Yuvaraaj (Crown Prince), You here?" Yusdhishthir said - "Uncle, at least you don't call me Yuvaraaj (Crown Prince)." Vidur said - "A person should never forget his place. Every person has his path like planets. Among those planets if any planet leaves its path, or leaves its place then Pralay will come. Kripaachaarya cannot teach you accepting greetings, only a maid's son can do this. The knowledge of politics has put me in trouble, that this time you should have been in Gurukul, what are you doing here in palace."

Yudhishthir said - "Great Father had called Kul Guru in your presence only. Then he went to his sister's house from there. So I thought that we should stay here in palace until he comes back. Because you already know this that Duryodhan and Bheem are not even. I always tell him that Duryodhan is our younger brother, you should not mind his childish behavior, but you know Bheem also..." Vidur said - "Then it means that you have run away from Gurukul. When you cannot live in Gurukul, then how will you spend your life in future. Raajaa's Dharm is very strict and difficult. He is ready to sacrifice a person on family, a family on village, a village on country and his own life on the whole country. If you cannot stay in Gurukul then how will you stay in war field? You accept the challenge of your duties and go back to Gurukul along with your brothers."

On the other side Shakuni was preparing Duryodhan for kingship of Hastinaapur. He told him that a good player is that whose orders are followed even by dice. If you need six, then you should six only, because what will do of 12. Second, a good player should always play to win, and he should also know that what does he need to win the game.

Many years before, Bheeshm played a political game through Vidur. If he had not done so, then your father had been the king today. The same Bheeshm is now planning another new arrow for Yudhishthir through Vidur. Bheeshm always calls him "the eldest Kuru son", but how does it matter if he is "the eldest Kuru son", He is only "the eldest Paandu son", but you are "the king's eldest son", therefore you have the birth right on the throne, never forget this. That is why do the same as your Maamaa says, then even Kaal (time) cannot take away this throne from you."

Duryodhan said - "Then what should I do?" Shakuni said - "There are five fingers in a hand, and when they unite among themselves, they make a fist. And fist has an enormous power." Duryodhan interfered - "But we are 100 brothers." Shakuni said - "But you are not five. Even one hundred fingers cannot make a fist. You should pretend of your friendship to them. You cannot compete Yudhishthir in wisdom and strength; Bheem is not less than you in strength; and Arjun in glory and power, and Nakul and Sahadev in peace power are more than you. They don't have only one power and that is "cheating power". Bheem is fond of eating, so let us use it as your weapon."