Kritagnatha Bhava (Gratefulness) is a state of mind
born out of Compassion. It is not something to hold on to, as in to return the
favour, or gesture that has a subtle meaning of bondage; though often,
unnoticeable. That is altogether another thing. In fact, that itself is no
longer gratitude, but referred to as Runattva Bhava (Indebtedness) which is
born out of Guilt. And we know that no debt can carry an experience of joy and
freedom but for a sense of obligation. Gratefulness reinstates while Indebtedness
annihilates us. They both are from different roots and the outcome of
experience is different. An act that is born out of Compassion always has joy
and freedom in it, what arises from Guilt will carry resentment, discomfort and
slavery in it.
When we hear someone say “I am indebted to you” then
it is s a momentary expression and they make it into an obligation, to a point
of stressfulness; forgetting the initial intent of an act which was to bring about joy and freedom itself. Sometimes, these kinds
of expressions are held on so tightly in the mind that it lasts a lifetime, or sometimes
even beyond.
In the Kurushetra war on the tenth day Bhishma was
wounded by the arrows inflicted of Arjuna. The arrows had pierced the chest of
the grand old man in such a way that his body was unable to touch the ground
when he fell from the chariot. As he remained lying on the support of the
arrows and his head was hanging. He requested Arjuna to make some provision and
Arjuna immediately stuck three arrows to the ground beneath Bhishma’s head to
support it.
Bhishma was bestowed with boon of “Iccha Mrithyu” (death when
desired) by his father Santanu. Starting from that day Bhishma was on the bed
of arrows for 58 days waiting for Uttarayana Punya Kala. The war ended eight
days after Bhishma was injured. Sri Krishna along with Pandavas and Draupadi
went to see Bhishma. Yudhisthira questions Bhishma about the Supreme to
whom one has to surrender, then as an answer flows the lovely Thousand Names of
Sri Hari, the famous Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stotra. Further while still on his
bed of arrows, Bhishma clears the doubt on Dharma that Yudhishtira had.
Draupadi was amazed and gave a sarcastic smile. She wondered how the grand old
man of Kuru clan can now talk about Dharma now while at the Kuru Sabha when Dushasana was disrobing her he remained tight lipped.
Looking at Draupadi and knowing her qualm, Bhishma
tells her that the arrows from Arjuna had leaked away all the blood which was
produced due to the food consumed from the Kaurava kitchen. Here one has to
understand that Bhishma did not mean to say that the food he consumed was the
cause for him to stay loyal, but the word he had given to his step mother
Satyavathi that he will safeguard the interest of the Kuru clan. This is what
is called being “Indebted” to.
Just imagine what a person who says “I am indebted
to a Party and not to the Public” may have to face in future…….!
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