Perfect understanding

The Pandavas are in the forest, and Draupadi, addressing Yudhishthira, says a good man cannot bear to see others suffer. But a wicked man takes pleasure in tormenting others. Duryodhana’s heart must be as hard as iron, for he did not shed a tear when the Pandavas left for the forest although they were his cousins. Karna, Dushasana and Sakuni also had felt no pity for the Pandavas, while all the other Kaurvavas had shed tears. Draupadi recalls Yudhishthira’s days in his palace as the king, said Kidambi Narayanan in a discourse.

He would apply sandal paste on his body, and wear the best silk clothes. Draupadi always shared the joys and sorrows of the Pandavas. In Bhavabhuti’s Uttara Rama Charita, Rama tells Sita that for peace of mind, there must be perfect understanding between husband and wife. Their mutual affection must continue into old age. In old age the skin shrinks.

But the mind must not. It must be open to ideas and must continue to be capable of analysing things. Anyone who has all these will have a happy life.