“O grandsire Bhishma! During the great war we fought, several warriors and soldiers were killed. What are the Lokas attained by them. Generally people live only for the sake of enjoying worldly pleasures and death is a misery. Hence they do not stake their lives for the sake of war.” asked Dharmaja.
“O Dharmaja! in this connection, I tell you a conversation between said Vyasa and a small ant. Once Veda Vyasa was going on a pathway. On that pathway, several vehicles were passing this side and that side. In between those vehicles, one ant was running escaping those vehicles. Beholding that ant, Vyasa said: “O ant, you are a small insect. why you are running on the pathway with great fear. What is the reason?” asked Vyasa.
“Please see how the vehicles are moving and animals are running. I struck with fear. If I fell under the wheels of vehicles or feet of animals, I will be crushed. Life is a pleasure whereas death is a misery. Hence I am running.” said the ant.
“After all you are a small insect. You cannot enjoy sensual pleasures. This body is full of miseries. Why are you afraid of death? It is better to die than leading this miserable life?” said Vyasa.
That ant smiled and said: “O saint! how can you say that we cannot enjoy sensual pleasures. We got our own way to enjoy such pleasures as humans. Hence we also got the desire to live for ever and enjoy pleasures and we also fear for death. Don’t you know this much. In my last birth, I was a Rich Sudra but I was so cruel and unkind towards others. I was addicted to all vices. But I served my mother with greatest devotion. Once a Brahmin came to my house as guest. I worshipped him and offered him food. Hence I am blessed with knowledge of previous birth.” said that creature.
“O ant! beholding you, I know about your previous birth. I know that due to the sinful deeds committed by you, yout got this birth like an ant. As you have done some pious deeds, you could speak to me. As you are strongly desirous of getting a human birth, with the power of my Tapas, I could fulfil your desire, but in due process. First you take birth as animals, then humans. In humans you take birth as Soodra, Vysya, Kshatriya and atlast Brahmin. But in all these births, you will have the knowledge of your previous births.” said Veda Vyasa.
After touching the feet of Vyasa, that ant left its body. Vyasa went away. That ant, while taking birth by birth, was born as Kshatriya and became King of a Kingdom. One day, that King went to the Ashram of Vyasa and prostrated before him. Then Vyasa advised the King to perform Tapas and leave the body for the sake of Brahmins and cows. Then only he will born as Brahmin. That King performed Tapas and died in battle field. In next birth, he was born as Brahmin. In that birth also he performed Yajnas and yagas and visited several holy places and made charities to poor and needy. O Dharmaja! there is no doubt that those who died in battle field also attained higher regions.” said Bhishma.
“O Dharmaja! in this connection, I tell you a conversation between said Vyasa and a small ant. Once Veda Vyasa was going on a pathway. On that pathway, several vehicles were passing this side and that side. In between those vehicles, one ant was running escaping those vehicles. Beholding that ant, Vyasa said: “O ant, you are a small insect. why you are running on the pathway with great fear. What is the reason?” asked Vyasa.
“Please see how the vehicles are moving and animals are running. I struck with fear. If I fell under the wheels of vehicles or feet of animals, I will be crushed. Life is a pleasure whereas death is a misery. Hence I am running.” said the ant.
“After all you are a small insect. You cannot enjoy sensual pleasures. This body is full of miseries. Why are you afraid of death? It is better to die than leading this miserable life?” said Vyasa.
That ant smiled and said: “O saint! how can you say that we cannot enjoy sensual pleasures. We got our own way to enjoy such pleasures as humans. Hence we also got the desire to live for ever and enjoy pleasures and we also fear for death. Don’t you know this much. In my last birth, I was a Rich Sudra but I was so cruel and unkind towards others. I was addicted to all vices. But I served my mother with greatest devotion. Once a Brahmin came to my house as guest. I worshipped him and offered him food. Hence I am blessed with knowledge of previous birth.” said that creature.
“O ant! beholding you, I know about your previous birth. I know that due to the sinful deeds committed by you, yout got this birth like an ant. As you have done some pious deeds, you could speak to me. As you are strongly desirous of getting a human birth, with the power of my Tapas, I could fulfil your desire, but in due process. First you take birth as animals, then humans. In humans you take birth as Soodra, Vysya, Kshatriya and atlast Brahmin. But in all these births, you will have the knowledge of your previous births.” said Veda Vyasa.
After touching the feet of Vyasa, that ant left its body. Vyasa went away. That ant, while taking birth by birth, was born as Kshatriya and became King of a Kingdom. One day, that King went to the Ashram of Vyasa and prostrated before him. Then Vyasa advised the King to perform Tapas and leave the body for the sake of Brahmins and cows. Then only he will born as Brahmin. That King performed Tapas and died in battle field. In next birth, he was born as Brahmin. In that birth also he performed Yajnas and yagas and visited several holy places and made charities to poor and needy. O Dharmaja! there is no doubt that those who died in battle field also attained higher regions.” said Bhishma.
