Divine Love in Relationships

The Mahabharata’s Lesson on Love and Righteousness

There is an exquisite story about the commitment to love that comes at the conclusion of the great epic, the Mahabharata. The war is over, and the Pandavas know it is time for them to renounce their kingdom, leave this realm, and journey to the heavens. Yudhisthira leads the way, followed by his brothers Bheema, Arjuna, Nakula, Sahadeva, their wife Draupadi, and a dog who faithfully accompanies them.

Along the way, Draupadi, then one brother after another, falls by the wayside due to various shortcomings that impede their ascent into the heavenly realms. Soon, only Yudhisthira and the dog remain and continue the journey together.

Then Indra, the king of heaven (the abode of the gods), appears with his chariot, commends Yudhisthira for his righteousness, and tells him to get in to ascend to heaven. When Yudhisthira motions for the dog to get in, Indra says no, dogs are not allowed in heaven.

Yudhisthira says, then I will not come either. How could I leave this being who has been so faithful, only giving love to me? Why would I cause this being grief? No, I will not come, and he turns to go back.

Then Indra calls to him and says turn around and look! Miraculously, the true identity of the dog is revealed as Dharma, the God of Righteousness, Divine Truth, and Order — the very foundation of love. Thus, through his commitment to beholding the One in all, Yudhisthira ascends to the heavenly realms.

Those who know we recently adopted a dog into our family might be suspicious of me telling this story. I don’t blame you.

Yesterday afternoon, as I was contemplating this story, I took our new dog, Nimisha, out for her afternoon walk. It was raining and we stopped at an intersection to let the oncoming traffic go by. One car passed by us, and then the next, a red truck, stopped with three cars waiting behind it. He motioned for us to cross.

As we moved in front of him with Nimisha leading the way on her leash, he rolled down his window in the rain, stuck his head out, and said, God always goes first. It’s the law, right?

It’s possible he might have said, Dogs always go first. It’s the law, right? But either way, it fits. Love loves love.