This blogpost discusses the beautiful character and vision of Sanjay, the closest aide to King Dhritarashtra.

The blind king Dhritarastra listens as the visionary narrator Sanjaya relates the events of the battle between the Kaurava and the Pandava clans; Image Source: Europeana

EARLY LIFE

Born a Suta

Sanjay was born as the son Gavalgana, a charioteer in the kingdom of King Dhritarashtra. He was also a student of Rishi Ved Vyasa. Since, he was born to a charioteer he was called a Suta. He later became the charioteer to King Dhritarashtra and played a pivotal role in narrating the whole Mahabharat to his master, Dhritarashtra who was blind. His role in the narration of the epic depicts the extraordinary talent of his vision. He became increasingly crucial in the epic since he gave sound and good counsel to Dhritarashtra and that also displayed the fact that despite, he was on the side of the Kauravas he still followed the path of Dharma.

LIFE EVENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO SOCIETY

Gifted with Divya Drishti

Sanjay was gifted with an incredible gift of Divine Vision or Divya Drishti by his teacher Ved Vyasa. This gift was optimized beautifully by Sanjay. He used it to narrate the events of Mahabharat to his master Dhritarashtra and tried to tell him the horrifying acts with complete honesty. In the most sincere and honest ways, he tried to display the events to his master and told him about all the immoral acts committed by the Kauravas. However, during the whole narration he remained unbiased and honest.

In fact, he was one of the only two people in the Mahabharat who saw the Vishwaroop or the universal form of Lord Krishna due to his exceptional talent and gift of Divine Vision.

LIFE AFTER MAJOR EVENTS

Devoted to Dharma

After the war of Mahabharat concluded, Sanjay followed Dhritarashtra, his master and Kunti to live as sanyaasis. He chose to move to Haridwar and spend his life meditating. After the death of Dhritarashtra, he went to the Himalayas and was never seen again.

LIFE LESSONS

Honest to all his duties

The story and character of Sanjay is respected for many reasons. With him as a dutiful and ardent follower of Dharma and his duties as the narrator, he maintained the perfect balance between Dharma and his job. He is known as the most admirable ambassador who tried his best to strike peace between the Kauravas and the Pandavas. His character was one of the most respected in the epic of Mahabharat because he was always honest and dutiful towards the path of Dharma. He followed his master, Dhritarashtra till the end.

BOOKS/ LITTERATURE PUBLISHED

Narrator of Bhagavad Gita

Sanjay is known as the narrator of the whole epic of Mahabharat during which he also narrated the whole Bhagwat Gita. His narration plays a pivotal role in the understanding of the events of the Mahabharat.

Sanjay, the charioteer, counsellor, narrator and much more

Sanjay’s role in the epic of Mahabharat was more than a charioteer, narrator and advisor to King Dhritarashtra. His character displayed the utmost sincerity one can only aspire for. He stuck to his path of Dharma and honesty with his honest yet compassionate narration of every event to Dhritarashtra, even the deaths of his sons. His effort to stop the war also shows his devotion towards Dharma and the welfare of the people of the kingdom.