Sanjayayana Parva is the fiftieth upa parva included in the fifth maha parva, named as Udyoga parva, in the epic Mahabharata. The original epic was composed by Vyasa in Sanskrit. Vyshampayana had narrated the historical events that had taken place in the life of his fore fathers to Janamejaya on his queries.
Why Dritarashtra had sent Sanjaya to Yudhishtira as an ambassador?
Dritarashtra was afraid of Pandava brothers since he thought that, if a war happens in future, and in that battle, if his son Duryodhana had to face Arjuna or Bhima, then Duryodhana would die. In order to know the real temperament of Pandava brothers, Dritarashtra had sent Sanjaya as a royal ambassador towards Yudhishtira at Upaplava.
Indraprastha was under the control of Yudhishtira thirteen years back, but now under the rule of Duryodhana and it was denied by him to grant it back to Yudhishtira. Hence Dritarashtra had given instructions to Sanjaya to assess the future happenings from the side of Yudhishtira, and try to persuade Pandavas to live peacefully, without entering into his ruling area and not to claim their parental properties.
What was the personal message given to Yudhishtira by Sanjaya?
Sanjaya had visited Upaplava and met with Pandavas. He conveyed all the messages to the concerned persons of the royal family of Kurukshetra, at the palace that was then also called as Nagasahvaya, near the Yamuna River. But Sanjaya had personally opined and told to Yudhishtira that it may be better to live by begging alms, and follow a beggar’s life after their completion of thirteen years of exile in the forests, for the remaining period of their life.
What was the original message given to Sanjaya by Yudhishtira?
The original message given to Sanjaya by Yushishtira was the claim to return back their legally admissible parental properties, say fifty percent of land of the emperor, but if that is not admissible, then they would be satisfied if at least five villages are granted for their livelihood.
How Krishna argued with Sanjaya in support of Yudhishtira?
या वै विद्याः साधयन्तीह कर्म तासां फलं विद्यते नेतरासां । तत्रेह वै दृष्ट फलं तु कर्म पीत्वोदकं शाम्यति तृष्णयार्तः ॥
Meaning: One must use such of his studied skills which provides useful results, not of any other guessed items; there itself lays the result of the works, as a thirsty one would be satisfied only by drinking water.
Krishna had supported Yudhishtira in procuring the land of Indraprashta for two reasons. The first reason is, Krishna had helped to build the palace buildings at Indraprastha for his sister Subhadra to live with Arjuna and his brothers. So Pandava brothers were eligible to regain them.
Also, Yudhishtira and Pandava brothers were educated in administrative ruling subject matters in Kurukshetra, under the tutorial of Drona, entitling them to post them as rulers of any kingdom. Their education was provided at the exchequer scholarship of the royal treasury along with Duryodhana. As per the opinion of Sanjaya, if Yudhishtira started begging alms for his livelihood, then the education received by them would be of no use for their life. It would be better to try to get the parental land than begging, as Krishna repeated and expressed in his opinion.
What was the reply message given to Sanjaya by Yudhishtira?
Yudhishtira had the message of peaceful living sent to Duryodhana . Even though Duryodhana had involved in various unjustifiable matters with them, they may tolerate them or leave them unconcerned, but in future, they could not live as beggars. They expected their half of the kingdom or at least five villages inclusive Indraprastha, and this was agreeable to Krishna.
How Sanjaya reported back to Dritarashtra on returning from Upaplava?
When Sanjaya returned to Kurukshetra, it was late night. He knew the sons of Dritarashtra had cheated Yudhishtira to grab their wealth and the land of Indraprastha and he had to carry messages to avoid war, which he thought was not correct for a king. Hence Sanjaya lightly scolded Dritarashtra saying he was tired of travelling and would be disclosing the respone to the messages fully on the next morning in the court session hall.
Sanjaya had told, when the dice game was played by Duryodhana in the same hall, Dritarashtra would have objected it as a king but now the result for not stopping it, is the repenting always. This reply caused restlessness in the mind of Dritarashtra, he being both, a responsible father and an Emperor.
The upcoming posts, an article on Shri Madhvacharya and Mahabharat: Jagarana Parva would be more interesting.
Mahabharat: Sanatsujatha Parva would be presented separately in another article.
On reading this story, children would gain more memory power, great moral strength in their future life; create a sense of self-reliance, leading to peace and progress.
It is humbly prayed for the blessings of God Krishna upon us.
Readers may share this story with children, friends and family.
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