When the Pandavas were
living in the forest, they spent their days without much luxury but happily
with the hermits there and enjoying the fruits and the various kinds of venison
that they hunted there. But driven by jealousy, even this simple lifestyle of
theirs became an eyesore for Duryodhan who tried many times to either kill them
or make their life very difficult.
With his coterie of Karna, Dushasan,
Sakuni and others he always tried to devise some plans to harm the Pandavas.
One day the famous Rishi (sage) Durvasa arrived at the city gates with his ten thousand
disciples. Now Durvasa was a great virtuous and celebrated ascetic. But he was
feared for his hot temper and fickle nature of being offended at the slightest reason.
Kings and businessmen, even celestial beings, were afraid of him for the fear
of invoking his wrath, even if by a mistake done unknowingly. Hearing the
arrival of this irascible ascetic, Duryodhan himself, accompanied by his
brothers, welcomed him at the gates and keeping
all his pretentious behaviour
aside served them day and night with great humility. He himself attended upon
the Rishi as a menial, even massaging his feet.
The Rishi tested him
severely with his mischiefs. Sometimes, he would say that he was hungry and
demand food immediately. Sometimes, he would go out for a bath and, returning
at a late hour, would say- “I shall not eat anything today as I have no
appetite.” And saying so he would disappear. And appearing suddenly, he would demand
for food. At other times, bent on some mischief, he would awake at midnight and
after getting the meals prepared would not have it at all. But the Rishi found the personal service of Duryodhan.
He became graciously inclined towards him.
After staying for a few days,
he prepared to leave. Summoning Duryodhan, he wanted to do something that would
be in his favour. He asked Duryodhan to ask anything within religion and moral
boundaries to be granted as a boon. The cunning Duryodhan was waiting for such
an opportunity. He had already planned with his advisors what to ask for,
should such occasion arise. Immediately bending in supplication, he asked the
sage -” My elder brother Yudhishthir is now living in the forest with his
brothers and their wife Draupadi. I request you to be their guest too, as you
have been mine. And as a favour to me, please arrive at their place when
Draupadi has finished eating herself after feeding her husbands and lie down to
rest. “
The sage replied – “Tathastu
(Your wish be fulfilled)” and marched off with his disciples. Duryodhan and his
pals were very happy with this. They rightly expected that the Pandavas were now
exposed to the fire of Durvasa's wrath.
So, one day, after previously
by his ascetic powers that the Pandavas and Draupadi were about to repose after
lunch, the sage Durvasa, surrounded by ten thousand disciples reached their
cottage in the forest. Yudhishthir, along with his brothers welcomed them.
Durvasa told him that he and his disciples were hungry and wanted to eat. Yudhishthir
with folded hands asked them to freshen up with a bath in the river and
promised them that food would be ready when they came back.
When they went to the river,
he told Draupadi to prepare food for the sage and his disciples, though all of
them knew how impossible the task was. Finding no way to satisfy Durvasa and
fearing his wrath, Draupadi only remembered Shri Krishna to deliver her out of
the trouble. She made a silent prayer to Krishna with her eyes closed and
folded hands.
Sitting miles away in Dwaravati,
Krishna the incarnation of Lord Vishnu was moved by the power of prayers made
by hapless Draupadi invoking him to extricate her from the difficulty. Through
his transcendental powers, he apparated before Draupadi and gently asked her
the reason of calling him so urgently. Beholding him before her, Draupadi bowed
down to him and narrated everything. As he heard her, a mischievous smile
played upon the lips of the omniscient Krishna.
Very playfully and casually
he said- “O Draupadi, we will do something about the Rishi later. But now I’m myself
feeling so hungry. Please bring some food for me. “
A surprised Draupadi shamefully
replied- “O Lord, why are you joking with me. You know very well that my pot of
meal cooked remains full till I finish my meal. But as I have already taken my
meal today, there is no food in it now.”
The lotus-eyed Krishna looked at her, smilingly
as ever and said – “There is no time for any zestful conversation now. I’m
serious about this. You bring me whatever you can by scrounging the bottom of
your pot.”
Draupadi was confused. She
brought the vessel to Krishna to show him it was empty. But Krishna looked
inside it and brought out a single grain of cooked rice with a piece of Shaag (cooked
green leaf) attached to it. Putting it to his mouth he swallowed it saying – “May
the whole world be satiated.” And asked for water. Then he called Bhim to
immediately invite Durvasa and his followers for lunch.
Meanwhile, these ascetics,
having plunged into the river, were rubbing their bodies. Suddenly all of them felt as if their
stomachs were filled. Coming out of the stream, they began to stare at one
another. And turning towards Durvasa, all of them said that they were feeling
so full that they won’t be able to have even a morsel of food. Durvasa too was
feeling the same way. Now he was worried that having told Yudhishthir to
arrange for lunch as he was hungry, how could he refuse to eat if offered. He
decided to slip off without facing Yudhishthir again. With his ten thousand
apprentices, he quickly left the place. As Bhim came to call them, he found
them retreating. Surprised, he ran after them, shouting at them to stop.
Hearing him, they only sped away, afraid that he may catch them.
A very puzzled Bhim returned
to inform Krishna, Draupadi, Yudhishthir and his brothers about the flight of
the sage with his entourage. Krishna laughed aloud but Yudhishthir was worried.
He thought that true to his form, Durvasa may come again at night. But Krishna
dispelled his doubts and told them that there was no reason to worry. Then
Draupadi told them what had happened. All of them knelt in reverence and prayed
to him for delivering them out of trouble.
Durvasa probably got the
lesson of his life.
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