Story of Vishwamitra and the Chandala!

(Apadharmanusashana parva -Shanti Parva-Mahabharata.)

Pitamaha Bhishma told this story to King Yudhishthira.

Dharmaraj Yudhishthira asked Bhishma, ‘O Pitamaha! What is the duty of a king when virtue has deteriorated and sin prevails in his kingdom? How should he act without deviating from virtue and profit.’

Bhishma said, ‘O son of Pandu, there is an old story regarding this. I will narrate you that story.’ Thus, Bhishma narrated the story———-

Hunger kills humanity! At that crucial time of prolonged drought where food is unavailable anywhere, no one thinks about the merits or demerits of a theft! One should preserve his life first by any means in one’s power when he is dying! Life is better than death! One’s self is the best judge! What exactly happened with the great Rishi Vishwamitra? 

Once Rishi Vishwamitra faced a severe drought of twelve years! It happened at the end of Treteya Yug and the beginning of Dvapara Yug. No water and no food were found anywhere. There was no rain at all not even a dew drop! The rivers were reduced into narrow streamlets. People started killing each other to satisfy their hunger! Due to water scarcity, Brahmanas left their rituals, Yanga, and recitation of scriptures. Markets, businesses, and all festivals, everything was abandoned. Every place was filled with pitiful cries of all living creatures!

Distrust, fear, and robbery grabbed everywhere! Temples and worshiping places were desolated. For the sake of food, and fear people fled away. The cities and villages became empty without the presence of inhabitants! It looked like a barren land. The Rishis giving up their rituals began searching for food to survive. In that horrible situation, Vishwamitra left his family searching for food. Wandering across many places, he reached a hamlet amid a forest.

The little hamlet was the dwelling place of the wicked hunters who lived their lives killing the living creatures. The hamlet was abounded with broken jars and earthen pots. Dog skins were spread here and there. Bones and skulls gathered in a heap lie in different places. Afflicted with hunger, Vishwamitra entered the hamlet and tried his best to get food to satisfy his hunger. At that time he didn't mind cleaning or unclean food!

Stricken with hunger, he thought, ‘What is the best thing for me to do now? Let me save my life from immediate death! No matter what the food is cleaned or uncleaned and good or bad!’ He saw a piece of flesh spread on the floor of the hut. That was the hut of a Chandala. Vishwamitra thought for a while how to obtain it. But he couldn't get any option except stealing. He justified his idea thinking that at the time of distress, even a great man or a great Brahmin can do that low-grade work. Stealing from a degraded person was also welcome to save one’s life! Vishwamitra cast his eyes on that piece of haunch of dog’s meat.

The great rishi entered the hut when night fell and the Chandal members were asleep. With the opening sound of the latch, the Chandal woke up and threatened to kill whoever attempted to steal. Hearing his harsh words, the holy sage said, ‘O righteous one! I am Vishwamitra! Out of the pang of hunger, I am going to die. There is no option to save my life except stealing!’

The Chandala was taken aback when he heard the name of that great rishi! Joining his hands with respect and eyes filled with tears, he said, ‘What do you want, O Holy sage? How can I help you!’

Seeing his humility,  Vishwamitra expressed his wish for that haunch of dog meat. He said, ‘O wise man! I wandered from place to place in search of food but nowhere I got anything to sustain my life! Knowingly I have decided to do this sinful act. Know that fire consumes everything without thinking clean, unclean, good or bad!’

Having heard his words, the Chandala spoke softly, ‘O noble rishi! After hearing my truthful words,  act accordingly so that you may not endure the loss of merits! Know that- a dog is worse than a jackal. And the haunch is the most rejected part of the dog’s body! Being a pious sage do not destroy your reputations and highly virtuous deeds by adopting a thing which belongs to a Chandala to save your life! These are not wise decisions of a noble rishi like you!’

Hearing his ethical words, Vishwamitra said, ‘O Chandala what you say is true, but remember one thing- Life is more important than death! One can restore his merits once again in due time by penances! But, in a crucial juncture of life and death, one should never think of pure and impure or about judging the character. Let me survive this hunger! Rishi Agastya ate the Asura like Vatapi to satisfy his hunger. I am also in distress. Do not try to stop me from eating the dog’s meat. Give me your permission to take this and save my life!’

Thenceforth, Chandal concluded his arguments with Rishi Vishwamitra reminding him of his duty and not to be bent upon doing the sinful act! However, Vishwamitra explained to him the importance of the body which is the root of everything. On that basis, he urged to have that meat at any cost to save his body and life. Following the path of duty and righteousness, he could regain his merits in the future. He assured the Chandala that no sin was there if he would eat a haunch of the dog’s meat to save his life from the dire situation. He then asked the Chandala, ‘After saving my life I shall practice virtue and purify my soul. O wise man, tell me which one is best preferable?’

The Chandala said that one’s self is the best judge! Thus, when the conversation was ended, Vishwamitra went to his wife and prepared a sacrificial Charu. Offering that Charu to his Pitris and gods both Vishwamitra and his wife ate that meat. 

Later, he observed the hard penances and gained the most wonderful success in life!

Pitamaha Bhishma said, ‘O son of Pandu! A wise learned person should preserve his life by all means of his power. A person can acquire all the religious merit and enjoy happiness only if alive! Therefore, O Yudhishthira, applying your intelligence act in this world!’

Life is very precious! It must be rescued from anything and everything!