Section CLXXXII - Aurva's Wrath: Casting Fire into the Ocean for World's Salvation
Book index: Mahabharata (English)
This page contains a summary of the Mahabharata Section CLXXXII including examples of moral lessons in daily life. The Maha-Bharata is one of the largest epics ever written containing roughly 100,000 Sanskrit verses. It deals with the legendary history of ancient India and contains a large number of interwoven tales.
Short summary of the chapter:
Aurva, filled with anger at the extermination of his Bhrigu race by Kshatriyas, vowed to destroy all worlds. He believed that repressing his wrath would make him incapable of fulfilling his duty to protect and punish sin. The Pitris advised him to cast the fire of his wrath into the waters, as the worlds are dependent on water. He obeyed their advice and threw the fire into the ocean, where it became the Vadavamukha, a horse's head that consumes the waters.
The Pitris assured Aurva that by casting his anger into the waters, he would not destroy the worlds. The fire of his wrath transformed into the Vadavamukha and continued to consume the ocean's waters. Aurva's vow to destroy all worlds was thus fulfilled without causing actual destruction. This story highlights the importance of controlling anger and using it for the greater good instead of causing destruction. The wisdom and guidance of the Pitris helped Aurva channel his rage effectively.
Full English translation:
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Section CLXXXII, online text
English translation by Kisari Mohan Ganguli.
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Mahabharata (English Summary)
by Kisari Mohan Ganguli | ISBN-10: 8121505933
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FAQ of Mahabharata, Section CLXXXII:
What was Aurva's vow and why did he make it?
Aurva vowed to destroy all the worlds out of anger. His vow stemmed from witnessing the genocide of his Bhrigu race.
How did Aurva's wrath affect him and the world?
Aurva's uncontrolled anger could have led to the destruction of the worlds. The fire of his wrath threatened to consume everything.
How did Aurva ultimately control his anger?
Aurva followed the Pitris' advice and cast the fire of his wrath into the ocean. It manifested as Vadavamukha, consuming the waters.
Daily life: Aurva's Wrath: Casting Fire into the Ocean for World's Salvation:
The story of Aurva and his immense anger towards the Kshatriyas for their atrocities against his kin offers a profound lesson about managing anger and seeking constructive outcomes. Aurva, driven by wrath, desired to destroy all worlds, believing it to be the only way to honor his vow and address the wrongs committed. However, upon counsel from the Pitris, he was persuaded to redirect his destructive anger into the ocean, thus preventing mass destruction and finding a way to make his anger serve a good purpose without harming the innocent.
In daily life, this story teaches us the value of not letting anger control us and drive us to actions that could harm others and ourselves. Anger, while a natural emotion in the face of injustice or wrongdoing, should be channeled into productive actions that seek to rectify the situation without creating additional harm. It's about finding a balance between standing up for what is right and considering the broader consequences of our actions.
We learn the importance of seeking wise counsel during moments of intense emotion, as their perspectives can help us see alternative solutions we might have missed. Ultimately, it’s about striving for justice in a manner that is mindful of the well-being of the wider community, ensuring our responses to wrongdoing contribute positively to the world around us.