On the Bed of Arrows: Vaishnava Theodicy Beyond Karma: Journal of Vaishnava Studies

Abstract

In the Mahābhārata, Vidura tells Dhṛtarāṣṭra the story of a man who found himself in a dense, dangerous forest teeming with beasts of prey. The man shuddered with fear and ran from these animals, only to be met by a large, frightful woman standing with outstretched arms. Running blindly in any direction, the man eventually fell into a deep chasm and ended up hanging upside down, caught in the creepers and vines growing from its sides. He was menaced by a large snake and by a twelve-footed elephant at the bottom of the
chasm, while rats chewed away at the vines holding him from certain death. And yet, there was a silver lining—a beehive laden with honey hung from the branch of a tree above. Honey dripped from the hive and landed upon his face. Intent on drinking more of that honey, the man never gave up hope for prolonging his life.