The last hours of Shri Krishna

After watching the sad spectacle of Yadavas being decimated by a crazy self-destructive internecine fight with nothing but twigs, which were as strong as iron, Krishna realised that it was time for him to leave this world. The curse which Gandhari sprang upon him was fulfilled as all the able-bodied men of his own clan lay dead on the sea shore of Dwaravati. With his two followers Daruk (his charioteer) and Vabhru he left the spot of carnage to search for the whereabouts of his elder brother Balaram.

They found him sitting thoughtfully, reclining his back against a tree, in a solitary place a little far away. Spotting him Krishna commanded Daruka to visit Hastinapur and inform Arjun about the great self-inflicted slaughter of the entire Yadava clan and ask him to arrive quickly to arrange safe passage of the women from Dwaravati. Filled with grief and sorrow, Daruk left for Hastinapur. Now Krishna asked Vabhru to proceed immediately to the city of Dwaravati and protect the females. Soon after Vabhru left and proceeded to a distance, a bolt of iron , attaching itself to a mallet in the hands of a hunter, suddenly sprang of itself upon him and he too was slayed.

With Vabhru slain, Krishna was now all alone. He called out to Balaram saying – “O brother, wait for me here till I place the ladies under the care of kinsmen. "

Entering the city of Dwaravati, Krishna then met his father. He addressed him with a lot of sadness – “O father, the protection of all the ladies of our house, till Arjun comes now depend on you. Brother Balaram is waiting for me in the forests and I have to meet him. I have just experienced the great carnage of the Yaduvangshis (Yadavas). Just as I witnessed the end of Kurus. It is impossible for me to live in this city anymore without my friends, followers and comrades beside me. Therefore, I will be now proceeding to the woods where I shall practise penances with brother Balaram as company. “

Having said these words, Krishna touched the feet of his father with his head, and quickly left his presence. A loud wail of sorrow arose from the ladies and children of his house. Hearing them weep he retraced his foot-steps and tried to console them saying- “Arjun will come. He will ensure your safety. All of you wait for him. “

Reaching the forest, he found Balaram sitting at the same place in the same position. But now a mighty white snake of thousand heads issued out from his mouth. This was the soul of the great Naga (serpent) which was leaving the human body it had occupied for so many years. It went ahead and got submerged into the sea and thereafter in eternity.

After watching his brother departing the mortal world of humans in this manner, Krishna could understand that it was now time for him also to bid goodbye to all things mortal. He remembered the whole life he spent on this earth and went into a yogic posture.

Restraining his senses, speech and mind in that posture, Krishna waited to establish the certainty of mortal existence, by death. Just then a fierce hunter named Jara came thereabout looking to hunt a deer. Mistaking Krishna to be one, he shot an arrow which pierced him at the heel. Coming up to the spot to capture his prey, Jara was stricken with grief and fear at his own handiwork. He fell down on the ground to touch the feet of the Lord and begged forgiveness. Comforting him, Krishna left the body and ascended heavenwards.

A life that was destined to change the world and set upon a new order thus ended. Krishna is revered and regarded as the part and mortal reincarnation of Narayana or Vishnu, one of the trinities that rule the three Lokas (dimensions). His life is an inspiration for many humans till this day.

#TALESFROMMAHABHARAT

The story of the sage Chyavan

 

The Mahabharat by itself is a story narrated. It has many stories within it told by one or other characters within it. Some of them relate to the Puranas and date back to times much before Mahabharat. The Pandavas, in particular, during their sojourns and travails, individually or as family met many saints and oracles who narrated them various stories. One such story is that of the Rishi (sage) Chyavan and the lake named after him. This story was narrated by the sage Lomasa to Yudhishthir.

The great saint Bhrigu had a son named Chyavan. From a very young age he started practicing austerities by the side of the great lake. By constant meditation, he assumed the Vira posture- quiet and still like an inanimate post. He remained like this at the same spot of ground for ages and gradually an anthill grew upon him covered with creepers. In this position he continued his meditation for years.

Now it so happened that after a long space of time, the ruler of earth, Saryati by name, visited that pleasant and excellent lake for amusement with the women of his palace. He was also accompanied by a retinue of his soldiers. The beautiful princess Sukanya, his only daughter, while walking about, approached the anthill which grew on Chyavan. With the company of other women, they began to frolic around the mound of earth. Sensing them around him, Chyavan’s meditation was interrupted and his eyes opened. Through the holes on the mound he could see the princess and amorous desire arose in his soul. He called her out in a very low voice but she couldn’t hear him.

Noticing the shiny eyes of the sage through the mound of earth, she felt curious and took them to be glow worms. As natural with young people, she took a twig and poked it into the anthill. This pierced his eyes and he experienced terrible pain. Angered by the pain, he used his ascetic powers and obstructed the calls of nature of Saryati's forces. This was very unpleasant for everybody and the king ordered for a detailed enquiry. The transgression by Sukanya was revealed.

Saryati immediately came to the ant-hill, and found the old sage. He folded his hands and begged apology asking forgiveness for the rash act of his daughter due to ignorance and inexperience. Chyavan agreed with the condition that she be married to him as his wife. Saryati without thinking twice, bestowed his daughter to the sage and left for  his palace with his entourage. Sukanya started living in the forest with her husband who was very old for her.

Once, Sukanya the young and beautiful wife of the old hermit Chyavan went to have a bath in the lake. The twin Ashwin brothers, the celestial beings happened to see her glorious body resplendent with its bounty of youth, they approached her saying – “O young beauty, who are you and what are you doing in this forest?”

Bashfully, covering herself Sukanya replied – “O celestials, I am Sarayati’s daughter, and Chyavan's wife.”

The twins smiled at her word and said – “Don’t understand why your father chose to hand you over to that old man on the verge of death. O beautiful girl, you shine like a jewel in this wood. Not even in the celestial regions have we seen a woman like you. Even unadorned with costly robes and jewellery you are so excellent to behold.”

Sukanya didn’t answer and filled with a mixture of shame and pleasure started leaving.

The Ashwins further tried to seduce her saying- “O young lady, we understand your plight that you have to serve such a decrepit old husband who has become incapable of realising pleasure and also maintain you. Why don’t you forsake Chyavan and accept one of us for husband? Don’t spend your youth fruitlessly.”

Hearing this Sukanya answered the celestials saying. 'I am devoted to my husband, Chyavan. Don’t entertain any doubts regarding my fidelity.”

They again said “Well, then. We two are the celestial physicians. We can make your husband young and graceful. After that you chose any one between us three as your partner. “

Agreeing to this Sukanya went to her husband and told him everything. Hearing her, Chyavan to agreed. The Ashwins asked Chyavan to enter the water and dip into the water along with them. Eager to regain his youth, Chyavan did so and the three males dipped in the lake. And the next moment they all came out of the tank in exceedingly beautiful forms of youth and vigour. But they all appeared the same. Then one of them called out to Sukanya – “O, beautiful one, you can choose any one of us as your spouse. “

She was bewildered as all the three persons looked the same. After deliberating for quite some time, she chose one of them and the pleasant surprise was that it was indeed her husband, Chyavan. The Ashwins were dejected as their ploy to have Sukanya failed. But the sage Chyavan was elated to get back a youthful form and energy along with his coveted wife. He addressed the twins in a happy mood – “O kind celestials, I am grateful to you for regaining my youth and beauty. Therefore, I wish to repay you by offering you the Soma juice in the presence of the lord of celestials himself. I promise you this. “

Hearing this the Ashwins too were happy and they bid farewell to the couple and went back to their heavenly domain. Needless to say, after this, Chyavan and Sukanya too passed their days happily and in the most romantic manner exploring the fruits of youth in each other’s arms.

In no time the news of Chyavan having regained his youth reached Saryati and he was mighty pleased for his daughter and son-in-law. Accompanied by his troops he visited the hermitage in the forest where they lived and he and his queen were overjoyed to find the young couple there. As they sat together in discussion, the sage said – “O king, please arrange for an auspicious ceremony to rejoice on the event on a suitable day, I will myself officiate as the priest.”

Hearing this the king Saryati was delighted and he immediately asked his men to provide everything required to perform a Yagna (Sacrificial ceremony). On the next auspicious day, a shrine was erected and splendidly furnished with all things necessary for the ceremony. Chyavan officiated as the high priest in the ceremony. After the initial deliberations he proceeded to pick up the pot of Soma juice in order to invoke the Ashwin brothers and offer them the juice, as promised by him.

Suddenly there was a rumbling in the sky and the voice of Indra, the king of celestials pronounced his dictat – “O sage, the two Ashwins are just physicians and lowly placed in the hierarchy of the celestials and have no right to the offering of Soma made by you.”

Chyavan looked skyward and replied- “O lord Indra, I find them to be kind souls possessed of mighty enterprise and endued with beauty and grace. Moreover, they have converted me into an eternally youthful person, like a celestial. Why should only you and the other celestials have a right tothe distilled Soma juice, and not they? O lord of the celestials, O demolisher of hostile towns! be it known that the Ashwins also rank as gods.”

At this, Indra again thundered from the skies – “These two brothers practice the art of healing, so they are but servants. They assume forms at their pleasure and roam about in the world of mortal beings. How can they then rightfully claim the juice of the Soma?”

Saying this, Indra repeated his warning. But Chyavan, the great son of Bhrigu, did not pay any more attention to him. As he proceeded to offer the Soma Juice to the Ashwin twins, Indra appeared in person and prepared to hurl his Vajra (thunderbolt). But as he was about to do so the sage cast a spell on him through his ascetic powers that paralysed his arms. After having paralysed his arm, Chyavan recited sacred hymns, and made offering on the fire. Then by his ascetic energy, he created a huge evil looking demon – Mada to destroy Indra. The demon rushed at the celestial with the intent to devour him. The whole world resonated with the sounds of his fury. Finding his own arms paralysed, the king of Gods, Indra was frightened as the demon approached him. Then in fervent prayer to the sage he begged mercy and promised him that from that instant itself the two Ashwins will be ranked along with the Gods. They would also be eligible for the Soma juice.

Finding the king of the celestials praying to him so pathetically, Chyavan was appeased, and he reverted his curse to cure Indra of paralysis. And then, using his powers, he concentrated Mada into a very small form and distributed it amongst Sura (alcohol) as intoxication, in women as attraction, in gambling as addiction and in sports as zest to win.

The fame of Chyavan spread far and wide. He spent many years of conjugal happiness with his wife at the banks of the lake which came to be named after him. Even today, the ayurvedic medicine called Chyavanprash, considered to be an elixir for maintaining youth and vitality, bears his name. And the demon Mada distributed by him in wine, women, gambling and sports rule the world, we all must have experienced that.

Bhishma and his severe vows

After Ganga departed from his life leaving their son Devabrata, King Santanu returned sorrowfully to his palace and immersed himself to the governance. He became respected widely for his wisdom, virtues, truthfulness and the qualities of self-control, liberality, forgiveness, intelligence, modesty and patience. As a monarch, he was the protector of the race of Bharat and all human beings.

The son, Devabrata grew up to resemble him in person, both in appearance and qualities. He acquired great skills in worldly and spiritual knowledge and was endowed with extraordinary strength and energy. Everyone was sanguine that he was destined to be a great king and worthy successor to Santanu. But fate had something else in store for him.

Like all kings, Santanu too was fond of Mrigaya (hunting deer) in the woods. One day, he had gone to woods on the bank of the Yamuna for such pastime. While rambling there, suddenly he felt a sweet scent in his nostrils. Curious about the source of such fragrance, he followed the trail and soon came upon a beautiful young maiden rowing a boat on the river. Santanu was struck by the beauty of this black-eyed damsel of enchanting fragrance and inquired her whereabouts.

She was Satyavati, the daughter of the fisherman chief. On Santanu’s wish, she took him to her father. There, the love-struck king proposed marriage with the girl to the chief. But the chief of the fishermen replied- 'O king, my daughter is born beautiful and it is understood that she would be bestowed to a worthy person of stature as wife. But I cherish a desire in my heart and if you wish to have my daughter as your wife, you have to pledge that you will fulfill it.”

"Hearing this, Santanu replied- “I can give my word only when I hear what you exactly want me to pledge. “   

The fisherman said- “O king, I want that the son born of my daughter be installed on your throne and none else to be your successor.”

Hearing this, Santanu was taken aback. As he felt no inclination to grant such a boon, he retreated, giving up all hopes to marry Satyavati. But the fire of passion consumed his virtuous soul and desire tore him from within. Thus smitten, he passed his time lacking the verve and energy. Noticing him forlorn and sad, Devabrata asked him the reason for it, but Santanu tried to evade the matter with some ruse. Being of great intelligence, his son realised that something was amiss. So, he went to the old minister and extracted the information about the cause of his father’s recent affliction. He decided to take matters on his own hands.

Accompanied by many Kshatriya chiefs of venerable age, Devabrata personally visited the chief of the fishermen and begged of him his daughter on behalf of the king. The man expressed his happiness at the proposal but once again repeated his desire that he did not want his daughter to be accorded a secondary status and would like to see her as the mother of the future king. He added that this was not possible as long as Devabrata remained in the way. 

Hearing the fisherman Devabrata addressed the assembled chiefs – “O learned and respected elders, I take this solemn vow before you all as witness. I shall accomplish all to fulfill what the fisherman chief demands. The son that may be born of this maiden shall be our king.”

The fisherman chief replied- “I praise you for your virtuous soul and accept your word of honour. But when you get married and your son is born, he will get precedence according to the custom, thereby creating difficulty in future for my desire to be fulfilled. O mighty prince, I have no doubts on you violating the promise made. But I have my doubts in respect of the children you may beget. “

Devabrata then calmly announced the assembly again – “ O chief of fishermen, listen to what I say in the presence of these assembled kings. All you chieftains have heard me. I have already relinquished my right to the throne, I shall now settle the matter of my children. O fisherman, from this day I adopt the vow of Brahmacharya (celibacy). If I die sonless, I shall yet attain to regions of perennial bliss in heaven. “

Upon these vows uttered by Devabrata, the son of Ganga, all were stunned. Even the celestial beings began to rain down flowers from their firmament. Devabrata then approached Satyavati and said- “O mother, ascend this chariot, and let us go to our house.”

Devabrata took Satyavati to Hastinapur and told his father about everything that had happened. All the chieftains and courtiers assembled were highly impressed with the severe vows he had taken. Jointly and individually, they applauded his extraordinary act and said-“He is really Bhishma (the terrible).”

Santanu too was gratified and moved by the moral courage of his son and bestowed upon his son the the boon of death at will, saying-“For the most severe vows that you have taken , I grant you the boon that death shall never come to you as long as you desire to live. Death will only occur when you command it on your own will.”

Santanu married Satyavati and had two sons. The Kuru dynasty flourished. Bhishma became the patriarch of the family and met his fate in the battle of Kurukshetra. His life is the biggest example of duty and renunciation cited till this day.

Devabrata the son of Ganga

King Pratip was a great king of the Kuru dynasty from which both the Pandava and Kaurava clans rose. He was a person who was an ascetic at heart though being a great king. After many austerities he could beget a son of his wife at a very advanced age. The son was named Santanu because he was born when his father had controlled his passions by ascetic penances. Santanu grew up to be a virtuous soul. When he reached his youth, his father installed him as the king and retired to the woods for meditation.

Before going away, Pratip called Santanu and told him something which he had to do as his last wish and command from his father. He said – “O dear son, some time ago, a celestial nymph came to me for your sake. If you meet the beautiful damsel again in some secret place and she desires to have children from you, please accept her as your wife. Do not question her antecedents nor judge her of propriety or impropriety. Just marry her. This is my command. “

Days passed and once Santanu went to the woods for a hunt. As he was wandering along the bank of the river Ganga he came upon a secluded place where he saw a lovely maiden of blazing beauty. Decked with celestial ornaments she was attired in garments of such fine texture that it resembled the filaments of the lotus in splendour. The king was enamoured with the beautiful girl and could not hold himself of proposing love to her.

The girl replied to her offer of union, saying – “O, great king, I am willing to marry you and be your dutiful wife. But you have to promise me that you will never interfere with what I do and also never speak harshly to me. Because, the moment you do this, I will leave you forever.

Eager to have her, Santanu agreed to this stipulation by the beautiful girl. They both were united and led a most romantic and enjoyable conjugal life. Santanu never asked her past or family. He never knew who she was. Both spent times continually loving each other. One by one, seven sons were born to them and after every birth, the mother threw the newborn into the river Ganga saying – “This is for your good. “Santanu bore with this strange ritual with a lot of pain and frustration as his own sons were destroyed this way by his loving wife. But being bound to his word, he never uttered anything about it.

His patience, however ended when the same thing was about to be repeated with the eighth son born to them. No longer able to hold himself, he spoke out against this heartless conduct of his wife, calling her out to spare the life of this child. His wife replied, 'O king, let your desire to have your offspring be fulfilled. I will not destroy this child of yours. Have him and nurture him with your love. But according to our agreement, the period of my stay with you is at an end. I will therefore, leave now. “

Hearing this the king realised his folly and became sad. He asked his wife- “O fair lady, I regret my action and now can’t do anything about it to keep you with me. Before you go, at least tell me who you are and why did you destroy our seven sons, one by one.”

The wife replied – “O king Santanu, I am Ganga, the daughter of Jahnu. I am ever worshipped by the great sages as the holiest. I have lived with you so long just for accomplishing the purposes of the celestials. These eight sons born to us were the eight illustrious Vasus (celestial beings) who were cursed by the sage Aparva  for their transgression. They had to assume human form on earth. No woman on the earth could be their mother and hence I had also to assume a human form to give birth to them. You too earned the right to father them due to your great virtue. It was also agreed between myself and the Vasus that I should free them from their human forms as soon as they would be born. I have thus freed them from the curse. The eighth one has been cursed with a longer stay and I will come back to release him from the curse, when his time comes. “

She carried on – “O, king. rear this child carefully. He will grow up into a mighty person of rigid vows and he will be known through history for this. Stay blessed. “

Saying this Ganga left for her celestial abode as King Santanu held the eighth child, his son. He named his son Devabrata , who grew up to be the most famous warrior in the history of the Kuru dynasty.

 As prophesied by Ganga, history will always remember Devabrata as Bhishma, the ultimate for his unbroken and strict pledges and vows. But then, that is a story for another day.

Yayati and his quest for youth

Apart from the story of the Pandavas and Kauravas, the Mahabharat has many stories in the sequel and prequel structure. They are not necessarily related to the main story but are connected to the whole narrative by way of history, insights or threads. In the Adi parva, there are many stories about the ancestors. Of them, there is an interesting story about King Yayati and his quest for youth.

Yayati was the son of King Nahusha. He became the monarch after his father. With great prowess and virtue, he ruled the whole earth, performed numerous sacrifices, worshipped the ancestors with great reverence, and always respected the gods. He brought the whole world under his sway and was never vanquished by any foe. He had two wives -Devayani and Sarmishtha. Through them, he had five sons Yadu, Turvasu, Drahyu, Anu and Puru .

After a long spell of rule, Yayati was attacked with old age and debility which also made him hideous in appearance. But he had a tremendous desire to remain youthful and enjoy life with full vigour. So, he called his five sons and requested them - O, my dear sons, I wish to remain a young man and gratify my bodily appetites. I seek your help in this regard. "

The eldest son asked - " What do you need father? How can you regain your youth? "

 Yayati then told him- " It is possible if any of you accept this decrepitude of mine, O dear sons and let me have your youth , in exchange for it .The one who takes my old age will rule the kingdom with my body while I will enjoy the fruits of youth through his body ."

 But none of his sons four elder sons were ready for this exchange. They refused him, one by one. Then his youngest son Puru accepted to do so. By virtue of his ascetic powers acquired through a lot of sacrifices and prayers, Yayati then conducted the transfer and regained youth. His son Puru, now became the king.

For many years hence, Yayati remained as strong as a tiger and enjoyed for a long time, the companionship of his two wives. And in the gardens of the Gandharvas, the king also enjoyed the company of the Apsara Viswachi. But even after all this, the great king found his appetites unsatiated. The king, thus became aware of some basic truths as detailed in scriptures.

·        One's appetites are never satiated by enjoyment. On the other hand, like sacrificial butter poured into the fire, they flame up with indulgence.

·        Even if one enjoyed the whole Earth with its wealth, diamonds and gold, animals and women, one may not yet be satiated.

·        It is only when man does not commit any sin in respect of any living thing, in thought, deed, or speech, it is then that he attains purity of the highest order.

·        When one fears nothing, when one is not feared by anything, when one wishes for nothing, when one injures nothing, it is then that one attains such high level of purity.

 The wise monarch truly understood the conundrum of satisfaction and set his mind at rest by meditation. Then he took back the decrepit form from his son and gave him back the youth. He also installed him on the throne and blessed him, saying - " O Puru, you are my true son by whom my race is to be continued. In the world shall my race be known by your name." 

Yayati then retired to the mount of Bhrigu for devoting himself to asceticism. And, having acquired great levels of an ascetic life after many years, he succumbed to the inevitable influence of time. He left his human body by observing the vow of fasting, and ascended to heaven with his wives.

Jatugriha – The escape

Thus, the Pandavas decided to stay at the new house and spend their time getting familiar with the terrain to find an escape route.  Soon, a secret emissary of Vidur came to visit them. He was actually a miner experienced in digging underground tunnels. Working clandestinely, he began to dig a subterranean passage. As the tunnel was finished, Yudhisthir decided to put his plan of escape into action.

On the pretext of giving alms and food to the needy they organised a function where people were fed sumptuously. Driven by fate, a Nishad(tribal) lady with five sons also came to the feast and after the meal, intoxicated with the wine they drank, they lost consciousness and lay down in that mansion to sleep.

When everybody went to sleep, in the middle of night, Bhim first set fire to the room where Purochan was sleeping. Then he set fire at other places of the house too. Satisfied that the fire was set well, the five brothers along with their mother entered the passage and made their escape. To make haste, Bhim the strongman of great energy and strength carried his mother on his shoulder, the twins Nakul and Sahadev on his sides, and Yudhishthira and Arjuna on both his arms. He ran in the darkness through the woods carrying his family upon him. They reached the banks of the river soon.

Vidur had arranged for their escape through a trusted person. A boat was floating mid river which carried them across the river. The man who helped them to flee too took leave after saluting them and wishing them well. The Pandavas entered a dark forest and resumed their journey into wilderness.

Meanwhile the people of Varnavat had gathered around the burning Jatugriha and tried to douse the fire. They found the charred bodies of Purochan and also the six Nishads who slept there at night. Taking these bodies to be of Pandavas, they lamented on their death. The news reached Hastinapur. Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Gandhari were saddened by this tragedy, Dhritarashtra too was sad but also relieved that his son was now without a competitor. Duryodhan was happy. They even carried out the final rites. Only the wise Vidur knew the truth and he kept silent.