Moses and Māṇḍavya: The Resemblances in Their Life

Moses and Māṇḍavya are two prominent figures in the religious traditions of Judaism and Hinduism, respectively. Both of them are revered as prophets, teachers, and leaders who played a crucial role in shaping the history and identity of their communities. But did you know that there are some striking resemblances in their life stories as well? In this blog post, we will explore some of the similarities and differences between these two sages, and what they can teach us about faith, justice, and destiny.

One of the most obvious parallels between Moses and Māṇḍavya is that both of them were wrongfully punished by a king for a crime they did not commit. Moses was born in Egypt at a time when the Pharaoh ordered the killing of all Hebrew male infants, fearing that they would grow up to overthrow him. Moses was saved by his mother, who put him in a basket and floated him on the Nile river, where he was found and adopted by the Pharaoh's daughter. When Moses grew up, he witnessed an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave, and killed him in anger. He fled from Egypt, fearing the Pharaoh's wrath. Later, God appeared to him in a burning bush and commanded him to return to Egypt and lead his people out of slavery. After performing many signs and wonders, Moses confronted the Pharaoh and demanded that he let his people go. The Pharaoh refused, and God sent ten plagues upon Egypt, until the Pharaoh finally relented. Moses led his people across the Red Sea, which parted miraculously for them, and then received the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai. He founded the religious community known as Israel, and gave them the laws and traditions that shaped their identity.

Māṇḍavya was a sage who practiced severe penance in front of his ashrama for many years. One day, some thieves who had stolen property belonging to the king passed by his ashrama, and left their loot there, hoping to escape from the king's men who were pursuing them. The king's men seized Māṇḍavya, thinking that he was an accomplice of the thieves. Māṇḍavya refused to talk to them, as he was absorbed in his meditation. The king sentenced him and the thieves to death by impalement on a trident. The thieves died, but Māṇḍavya remained alive, even though he had a trident stuck in his body. He was later released by cutting off the trident, but its tip remained in his form, earning him the name Aṇi Māṇḍavya (the one with a tip). He approached Dharma (the god of justice) and asked him why he had suffered such a cruel fate for no fault of his own. Dharma told him that it was because he had tortured small birds when he was a child. Māṇḍavya argued that this was an unjust punishment, as no one should be held accountable for their actions before the age of twelve. He cursed Dharma to be born as a śūdra (a member of the lowest caste) on earth. Dharma incarnated as Vidura, a wise counselor in the Mahabharata epic.

Another similarity between Moses and Māṇḍavya is that both of them had an encounter with death or its personification, and challenged its authority or validity. Moses faced death several times in his life: when he was an infant threatened by the Pharaoh's decree; when he killed an Egyptian and fled from the Pharaoh's vengeance; when he crossed the Red Sea with his people pursued by the Egyptian army; when he ascended Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments; and when he died on Mount Nebo before entering the Promised Land. In each of these occasions, Moses defied death by trusting in God's power and promise. He also confronted death as a reality for his people: he interceded for them when they sinned against God and provoked his wrath; he instituted the Passover ritual to commemorate their deliverance from death in Egypt; he taught them how to live according to God's will so that they may enjoy long life in the land.

Māṇḍavya also faced death several times in his life: when he was impaled on a trident; when he cursed Dharma and challenged his authority; and when he was reborn as Vidura and witnessed the deaths of the Kauravas in the Mahabharata war. In each of these occasions, Māṇḍavya defied death by asserting his rights as a living being, and refusing to accept unjust punishment. He also confronted death as a reality for his people: he taught them the importance of justice and righteousness in order to avoid unnecessary suffering; he instituted the system of four castes to ensure that everyone had the opportunity to fulfill their dharma and lead a meaningful life; and he advised the Pandavas in the Mahabharata war, warning them of the consequences of their actions and guiding them away from death.

Finally, both Moses and Māṇḍavya were granted a vision of the future, given by God or Dharma. Moses was shown the Promised Land, where his people would one day live in freedom and prosperity. Māṇḍavya was shown Vidura, the incarnation of Dharma, and the future generations of men and women who would live according to the higher laws of justice and righteousness that he taught.

In short, Moses and Māṇḍavya were two sages who faced great challenges in their life, but triumphed through faith in a higher power and a commitment to justice. Both of them had an encounter with death, and were granted a vision of the future. They also shared some striking resemblances in their life stories, which can teach us valuable lessons about faith, justice, and destiny.