The story of Sage Ourva (Meaning: Born from “Uru” or the ‘thighs’) is
told by Sage Vasishta to grandson Sage Shakti in the Mahabharata. What concerns
us with regards to title is not the story in itself. Sage Ourva (और्व/ಔರ್ವ) decided to exterminate the
Kshatriya clan (Kings men). This is decides after he gets enraged by the
massacre of his forefathers by the kings of those time. It was a bloody
massacre, not even children or even pregnant women were spared. The Kshatriya's
had decided to exterminate the entire “Brigu” clan i.e. the entire family of
Ourva. It is at this trying situation that Sage Ourva gets angry and decided to
avenge the death of this forefathers. At this juncture some elders of the clan
come to pacify Sage Ourva. What he says as an answer to them is the crux of
our discussion. Sage Ourva deliberates on anger and on punishing the wicked. He
says thus –
- He who cannot sublimate anger against injustice, instead suppresses the same, is verily incapable of protecting Dharma (Righteousness).
- To not get angry against the criminals and the wicked is blasphemy.
- As long as there is opposition for bad deeds, as long as there is punishment for the crimes, and as long as people are aware that they will punished for the wrong deeds, there shall exist no crimes in the world.
- When the wicked realise that there is no opposition or punishment for their deeds, verily their numbers will increase.
- A man who passively witnesses the crime, knowing the wilful acts of the criminal to be wrong, is equally guilty of the offence committed by the criminal.
- Righteous men and women must be protected, while the unrighteous must be punished. This will ensure the protection of Dharma (Order in the Society).
He says thus, "And now, farewell to kindness, humanity and gratitude… I have substituted myself for Providence in rewarding the good; may the God of vengeance now yield me His place to punish the wicked."
In prayer, "May the Righteous be protected and may the wicked be punished".
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