Copyright@shravancharitymission
By Kamlesh Tripathi
After losing in dhyut-krida (gamble)
to Duryodhana, Pandavas along with Maharani Draupadi had exiled to Kamyaka forest.
But even after driving Pandavas out of the kingdom Duryodhana was not in peace.
And how to completely destroy them was his perennial worry.
And it was a coincidence, as just around that time Maharishi (saint) Durvasa landed up at Duryodhana’s palace, and
stayed with him for some time. And during his stay, Duryodhana looked after him
quite well, and happy with his hospitality Maharishi
granted him a vardan (blessing) is
when treacherous Duryodhana very politely said—‘Maharishi! Pandavas are my elder brothers. And if you are happy
with me, I desire the way you gave me an opportunity to serve you, which has
given me a sense of fulfilment, I wish you kindly give a similar opportunity to
my elder brothers also, at least for a day. And I wish you visit them with all
your shishayas (pupils) to enjoy
their hospitality and arrive there when Maharani
Draupadi has eaten, so that my brothers don’t have to remain hungry for
long.’
But the real story was something different. When, Pandavas went on exile
to the forest; at that time many Brahmins who loved them and were their
followers, too accompanied them. And they somehow never came back. But feeding
so many people in the forest was not easy. And so Dharmaraj Yudhistir performed
a long and deep tapasya (meditation)
to please Lord Surya. When Lord Surya was happy he gave Yudhistir a vessel and
said—‘if you cook roots and vegetables in this vessel that food will become
endless. And you will be able to feed hundreds of people till such time
Draupadi has not eaten. And after Draupadi has eaten nothing will be left in
the vessel for the day.’
Duryodhan knew about this secret. And because of this secret only he had
requested Maharishi Durvasa to visit
Pandavas after Draupadi had finished eating. Durvasa muni (sage) acceded to what Duryodhan had requested for and visited
Pandavas. Duryodhana was now extremely happy thinking Pandavas will not be able
to provide food to Maharishi Durvasa
after Draupadi has eaten and then shot-tempered Maharishi Durvasa will curse and destroy Pandavas. And this was an
example of his evil intentions.
But because Maharishi Durvasa had given a word, to Duryodhana, he along
with his thousands of shishyas (pupils) one day in the afternoon arrived at the
Pandavas, in Kamyaka forest. Dharmaraj Yudhistir and his brothers got up to
receive them and did a prostrate pranam
to the Maharishi. And with folded hands requested him to occupy the main asanas (seats)
Maharishi said—‘Rajan! (King) may,
God bless you. We all are very hungry, but we have not performed our prayers. So
you please arrange for our food. In the meanwhile we will soon return from the
nearby lake after our daily rituals and prayers.’
And as a habit Dharmraja Yudhistir with folded hands said—‘As you wish Guruvar (Guru). Food will be ready, so
kindly return at your earliest after your daily kriya (chores) and prayers. But when Maharishi Durvasa left with
his shishyas, Yudhistir and his brothers
were terrified.
They enquired from Draupadi and came to know she had already eaten; and now
shot tempered Maharishi Durvasa on not getting food would definitely curse them
to ashes; this much was definite—and giving him food on time seemed impossible
and so, there was no way out. And upon finding her husbands worried she said—‘why
are you’ll worried? Krishna will arrange for everything.’
Dhrarmaraj Yudhistir said—‘had Sri Krishna been here we wouldn’t have
been worried at all; but only recently he left for Dwarka and I’m sure by now
he must not have even reached Dwarka.’
Draupadi with a lot of confidence said—‘who knows where he comes and
goes? And which is that place where he is not present? He must be somewhere
here only and will appear soon.’
And after saying all this, Draupadi left for her cottage and started
praying to madhusudhan (one who killed
demon by the name of madhu) Krishna. And soon Pandavas saw, Krishna’s chariot
with four white horses and his insignia Garoor atop coming and stopping near
him at great speed. And even before the chariot could come to a complete halt
Krishna jumped and rushed towards Draupadi’s cottage.
And, since he was in great hurry, neither did he wish anyone nor anyone
could wish him. He straightway entered Draupadis cottage and in great urgency he
said—‘krishne! I’m extremely hungry, so give me something to eat at once.’
‘So you have come, Krishna my brother! I knew you will come at my
distress call; Druapadi, was as if was rejuvenated. Just then she suddenly got
up flabbergasted and said—‘Oh I have to serve food to Maharishi Durvasa.’
‘First you give me food, then talk
of giving food to someone else, as I am unable to even stand because of
hunger.’ Said Krishna.
‘But I have finished eating. The vessel given by Lord Surya has been
cleaned and washed for the day and kept. So where is the food? Your penniless sister
therefore called for you, only to arrange for food.’
‘Don’t just say anything you feel like. I’m extremely hungry. Show me
the vessel.’ Replied Krishna. Draupadi quietly handed over the vessel to
Krishna. Krishna took the vessel in his hand and started inspecting it by
having a close look at it, all over. On the inner side of the vessel he found a
piece of vegetable leaf stuck in the vessel. He picked it up and said—‘you were
saying nothing is there, but what is this? This can feed the whole universe.’
Draupadi quietly kept watching Krishna when he put that small piece of
leaf in his mouth and said—‘may this satiate the world.’ And then he burped and
said again, ‘may that satiate the world.’
And out there in the lake, Maharishi
Durvasa and his shishyas had a very
strange time as everyone out there started burping and burping. Everyone
suddenly started feeling they have eaten and there tummy is full. And surprised
they started looking at each other. Looking, at his own condition and that of
his shishyas, Maharishi Durvasa said –‘today I am reminded of the episode of Ambrish.
Pandavas are in the forest where they are struggling for their own food and it
was not right on our part to come here, and now I am not hungry and won’t be
able to eat at all. And now their food
will get wasted which will irk them; and they can easily destroy us in seconds
as they have the blessings of Lord Krishna. So there is only one way out and
that is to quietly leave this place.
When Maharishi Durvasa wanted to leave, how could his shishyas stay behind. And when they left
they did not think of stopping anywhere till they had reached Brahmalok (where Lord Brahma resides)
After having the leaf that was stuck in the vessel, Lord Krishna came
out of Draupadi’s cottage smilingly. Then he greeted Dhramraj Yudhistir and his
brothers and as he sat he asked Sahdev to remind Maharishi Durvasa about the food.
Sahdev left but came back soon, because Maharishi Durvasa and his shishyas
were not there as they had left for Brahmalok.
‘Not knowing when Maharishi Durvasa might suddenly return for food,’
Dharmaraj Yudhistir started worrying again; because Maharishi Durvasa was known
for his habit of asking people to cook for him and then return in the night,
midnight or next day or even after some days to eat the food. And after
returning he wanted the food just immediately and if there was even a slight
delay he would curse.
‘Now, Maharishi Durvasa will not come here. And he came here only because
of treacherous Duryodhana. So there is no need to worry,’ said Lord Krishna as
he began narrating the entire story to Dharmaraj Yudhistir and his brothers.
Truly God is very close, only if you have trust in him.
***
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