September 2, 2025

In a fascinating conversation from the Mahabharata, Yudhishthira shares his worries about sages wishing to follow him into the forest. He loves their wise company yet fears how he can care for them. As Kidambi Narayanan explains in his discourse, Yudhishthira says, "I do not desire wealth for myself." But he understands that wealth is necessary to look after the interests of these sages who wish to accompany him. According to the ancient epic, a householder has a sacred duty: to care for sanyasis. This means always providing them with basic needs like darbha grass, clean water, and a proper space to perform their duties. Along with these, a householder must give water to the thirsty, a resting place to the tired, and food to the hungry. Sadly, Yudhishthira has been stripped of all his riches and wonders how he can fulfill these duties if the sages insist on joining him. The Mahabharata also teaches that respect should be shown to guests, relatives, and family alike. Even the act of cooking must be done selflessly—not just thinking of oneself but with a heart ready to share with those who lack food. Imagine meeting a stranger, exhausted from travel—offering food to such a person becomes a sacred duty for every householder. In this moment of deep reflection, Yudhishthira turns to the wise sage Saunaka and says that "the highest dharma is for a man to carry out all the duties of a householder without fail." Though Yudhishthira is wise himself, he seeks the opinion of Saunaka, showing humility and the importance of guidance. This episode reminds us how the duties of a householder are noble and vital, ensuring that even in hardship, the needs of the learned and the vulnerable are never forgotten.

Read More at Thehindu →

Tags: Yudhishthira, Sages, Mahabharata, Dharma, Householder duties, Sanyasis,