Dharmaraj Rath

Dharmaraj Rath

Mahaballipuram, Pallava Dynasty,7th Century CE

     A larger version of the Arjun Rath,  and the most imposing structure is the Dharamraj Rath or the Yudhisthir Rath. It is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Like the other temples  this temple is also unfinished.  But has sufficient number of sculptures of Lord Shiva in his different manifestation to tell us that it is a Shiva temple.  We can see two images of Lord Shiva in this picture itself. On the left is Bhairav, the violent form of Lord Shiva;  on the right is his peaceful form. Both co - exist side by side as the ancient Indians believed that creativity and destruction go hand in hand. 

      Yudhisthir is an interesting character in Mahabharata.  Said to be the son of Yama,  the Hindu god of Justice and death, Yudhisthir is personification of Dharma  ( righteous conduct ).  If Bhim is brute force, Arjun is intellectual,  then Yudhisthir is wise. Yet, at times his wisdom fails him and he gives into temptation as when he played the dice game and wagered, his brothers, his wife and even his Kingdom.  He spends the rest of his life in remorse for his faults. Like us, he is constantly caught up in dilemma about what is right and what is wrong. But his answers to the questions posed by Dharamraj, Lord Yama prove his steadfastness to Dharma.  

        After he has answered all the questions, Dharamraj asks him to chose one of his brothers who should be resurrected as all the four brothers were lying dead before him. Yudhisthir asks that Sehdev, the youngest brother, should be revived. Dharamraj is puzzled at this choice. He asks Yudhisthir to explain his choice. For, Yudhisthir has not asked that Arjun or Bhim should be revived. Yudhisthir says, " in the dice game I had waged my brothers.  Arjun and Bhim and I are from the same mother. But Nakul and Sehdev are from Madari, my younger mother ( step-mother). If I ask for Arjun or Bhim it would be unfair. For neither of Madri 's children would live. I must be fair to both my mothers. Sehdev is the yongest of us all. He has to be protected by the eldest. Let him be resurrected. " Dharmaraj was pleased with Yudhisthir ' s sense of fairness and justice. He revived all the four brothers. 

        The sense of equality, of fairness is the heart and soul of Justice.  For justice cannot exist in their absence. We are duty bound to protect and promote the "younger" brothers. If we don't, then we are being a tyrant. Mahabharata teaches us that were Dharma exists, where the sense of fairness lives, peace and prosperity thrive.  As a nation, we should not forget this.