Parented by Dushyanta and the famous Shakuntala, Bharata poses as an ideal example for someone who wants to pursue leadership. Bharata realized that his sons could make for no good rulers and had to make a tricky choice in the matter, even consider elimination. It was his sons versus his subjects. His sons were a potential threat to the entire Kuru dynasty. If they were left to live, they could create havoc, and even bring out the dance of death. But if they were put to rest, the subjects would benefit immensely. With great pain, Bharata made a choice that was difficult but constructive. He decided to eliminate his sons and offered the throne to someone worthy of it, someone who could rule the kingdom keeping Dharma in centre. The new ruler was not one of his biological sons, but Bharata adopted him and the Kuru dynasty continued.
On the other hand, Vidura warned Dhritarashthra upon the birth of Duryodhana, “Abandon this child so that your entire Kuru Kula survives”. For Dhritarashtra, this was too harsh to hear. He couldn’t give up his child. And paying a deaf hear to that advice cost him all his children and endless curses from his subjects.
Leaders like Bharata are motivated by the greater good and are therefore willing to sacrifice what comes in their way, even if it personally dear to them. Leaders like Dhritarashthra chase personal gain and small good, and eventually even that small good is eliminated, leaving a large number to suffer.
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