Naïve dada put Sri in a quandary in front of all without even mentioning the name of the groom. But Sri was one up! Without any delay, he smiled and asked a counter question, “Dada, you are seeking my approval without even mentioning the name of the groom. Will even Revativahini be able to answer, if she is asked about the position of the sun before dawn?
Dada immediately realized that now his dear brother was going to bombard him with such questions and corner him. He became wary and hastily put forth another question again like a puzzle – “The groom is from the Kuru family. He is valiant. Now you tell me Dhakatya – who could he be?” He put forth another question again.
“From the Kuru family? Valiant? Who else could it be but one of the Pandavas?” Uddhavabhauji interrupted.
“When you speak Uddhava, I take it that Srikrishna has spoken through you. The groom that I have chosen for Subhadra is from the Kuru family, but not one of the Pandavas. He is one of the Kauravas – he is the prince. Soon he will be formally crowned king of Hastinapura. The groom I have chosen for Subhadra is the son of Maharaja Dhritarashtra of Hastinapura – Prince Duryodhana!”
Hearing dada’s choice the entire family fell silent. Dada continued further under the misconception that everybody was bedazzled after hearing the unexpected name – “Duryodhana is my disciple in mace-fighting. He came to Mithila and obtained this Vidya with diligence and humility after serving me well. In my opinion, if at all I understand anything about mace-fighting, then Duryodhana is an unmatched mace warrior in the entire Aaryavarta. Our Dwaraka kingdom will gain more strength if we form familial relations with the Hastinapura kingdom. I have complete faith, that my favourite disciple Duryodhana will never disobey my word. Therefore, as a suitable match for my dear sister I have chosen Duryodhana as her groom. What do you say Srikrishna? Share your honest opinion about the groom with all, in this council itself. I want no confusion later. I am asking you because you have a tendency to create confusion at the last minute. I am a wrestler from the red soil, outspoken and open-minded. You are a wrestler of diplomacy – crafty and cunning!”
Dada’s direct question left the family council shaken, and silent. Everybody began staring at Sri in anticipation of how he was going to answer that question. Only Sri said with a smile, without getting disturbed at all, “Dada, how can your choice of the groom for our dear sister be wrong at all? After all you are the senior – the prince; your choice is bound to be perfect. How can we disobey your word? Even I have heard that the valiant Kuru warrior Duryodhana is the ultimate in mace-fighting. He is unmatched in the entire Aaryavarta. But it is Subhadra’s Swayamwar; not yours or mine! Taking the meaning of ‘Swayamwar’ into account shouldn’t we at least ask her if she has anybody in mind whom she would like as her groom? If it is the Kaurava prince Duryodhana itself, then there is no problem at all. In that case, tomorrow itself we will get our dear Subhadra married with great pomp. What do you say?” Everyone spoke in unison responding to Sri’s perfect solution saying, “What Srikrishna is saying is right.” I breathed a sigh of relief, in satisfaction that I had sensibly made Bhimsena and Subhadra leave after today’s luncheon.
Oh, how naive I was! Even after taking so much precaution the news of Subhadra’s wedding spread throughout Dwaraka within no time. Curious Yadavas began whispering in low voices on the streets ‘Groom – Duryodhana, Subhadra’s husband – Duryodhana’. Somehow the news reached Subhadra too. After all she was also a Yadava daughter. She stormed into my chamber and said, “Sushri, what’s all this that I hear? Are all of you going to forcibly marry me off to that insolent, egotistical son of a blind man? Have I become that much of a burden to the Yadavas? Sushri, I am explicitly telling you to tell both my brothers firmly that I will never go to Hastinapura as the daughter-in-law of the Kauravas! If such a time ever comes, I will take shelter in the womb of western ocean!” After all she was also a Yadava by birth! Even more obstinate and headstrong than Balaramadada.
In Indraprastha itself I had recognized that she had given her heart to the archer – Dhananjaya. Still, acting as if I had no clue I said, “Subhadra, why are you acting so silly? You will be the Maharani of Hastinapura tomorrow. Have you even realized how wealthy and powerful you will be?”
Usually she would talk to me with respect, but since I touched her sore spot, the ‘Yadava’ woman in her awoke. She stared at me and said, “Then why didn’t you choose to be the Maharani of the Chedis? Why did you choose to spend the rest of your life with a cowherd?” She spoke intensely in her outburst, and then on her own she realized that she had called her dear brother a cowherd. Instantly she hid her face in her palms, which reddened with her sobbing.
I affectionately embraced her and said while patting, “Bhadre, be calm, be quiet. Your heart’s desire will be fulfilled. Do only one thing – if Balaramdada asks you, tell him that you will get married to whoever your Srikrishnadada approves. Don’t keep crying like a weakling henceforth, and stay closer to Sri. Listen carefully to whatever he tells you and follow it precisely. Your wish will be fulfilled for sure.” She became sentimental now and embracing me tightly she spoke while sobbing, “Forgive – forgive me Sushri. I spoke wrongly with you. How come I behaved like an insolent person while calling somebody else the same!” She couldn’t even weep properly as her love and respect for me was outpouring in heaving sobs.
Then without speaking a word, I gently kept patting her and consoled her just like I would do for my Charu. After some time when she regained her composure I said, “Bhadra, Sri is indeed a matchless cowherd whom I love, the best one in the entire Aaryavarta. Just now I shared with you a few of his thoughts that I was lucky to have the opportunity to hear. Even I have no clue as to how many more such thoughts that extraordinary cowherd carries with him! For the same reason, as his wife I am always extremely proud of him. You are his sister after all. What can I tell you?”
Now Subhadra put her head on my shoulder and kept weeping. I continued patting her like her own mother Rohinimata.
Now in Dwaraka the drama of Subhadra’s wedding, of the beauteous and virtuous daughter of all the Yadavas, got more and more intriguing.
Soon Bhimsena’s training was over. The Yadavas felicitated him in a grand celebration in the Sudharma assembly to bid farewell to him. Muscular, mighty, well-built Bhimsena was honoured in an overcrowded hall. Sri himself put a six-feet-long, fresh, red lotus garland around his muscular neck. A huge mace which dada had gotten moulded like his own, was charmed with chanting of mantras that imparted energy. Amidst the continuous applause of thousands of Yadavas, dada put the shining mace on Bhimsena’s shoulders as strong as an elephant, and embraced him deeply. Dada, who usually did not speak in the assembly couldn’t hold himself back today. He signalled to Sri and got up. Speaking expressly, he said, “From today Pandu’s son Bhimsena has become my disciple who has successfully completed training in wrestling and mace-fighting. Actually, Duryodhana, venerable Kuru prince, the son of Dhritarashtra, is my first disciple. There is no doubt that both of them are equally proficient in these skills. Yet it is true that as my first disciple I love Duryodhana a bit more. Soon I am going to forge a bond of relations between the Yadavas and Hastinapura. I believe that Duryodhana and Bhimsena will always support the kingdom of Dwaraka. I give my heartiest blessings to valiant Bhimsena for the journey of his life. May all be well with Pandu’s son Bhimsena, may victory be with him!”
This time Sri was not going to speak, but the eyes of thousands of amassed Yadavas were stuck only on him. First there were whispers. Then there was a clear demand – “Arise oh Lord of Dwaraka, speak. Give your best wishes to dear Bhimsena.” At that point Sri looked at me and Uddhavabhauji sitting next to him with a smile and got up. As he raised his right hand and lifted the index finger the assembly fell silent. The twin tooth shone, and rosy lips smiled. Selected but meaningful luminous words were showered in the Sudharma assembly – “Dear Yadava brothers, as long as our dear mace warrior and wrestler Balaramadada is there, I do
n’t think Dwaraka will ever be in need of Bhimsena’s assistance. On the contrary the newly built Indraprastha kingdom may need the valour of dada, if at all. I can understand dada’s inclination towards Duryodhana as his first disciple and as a prince like himself. At this moment, I wish to say only this much – mighty Bhimsena’s invincible strength will always be required – but for a very different reason! Hence, I have a plan for a future bond of relations with Indraprastha. Even today Bhimsena is our relative, our aate bandhu. Soon he will be much more closely related to us. For that, I give him my heartiest best wishes. Hail Bhimsena. May victory be with you!”
Bhimsena bade farewell to the Yadavas of Dwaraka and left for Indraprastha.
Balaramadada had now reached the decision to form a marriage alliance with the puissant Kuru kingdom of Hastinapura. He had shut his eyes to Sri’s frequent, straightforward or indirect suggestions of ‘seeking Subhadra’s approval’. He had already dispatched minister Vipruthu and his loyal brother Gada to Hastinapura in order to get Subhadra betrothed to the Kuru prince Duryodhana. After all Sri was younger than him. Dada was the prince. Sri was indeed very clever, but this familial situation had put him in a predicament. I immediately realized how stifling the situation was for him. Now, first and foremost, faster moves had to be made to halt the Duryodhana-Subhadra wedding. Otherwise our virtuous, dear Bhadra was going to droop in the company of Duryodhana and his ninety-nine brothers like a delicate creeper slumping in a windy storm.
Nowadays, Sri talked only to me about Subhadra in a low, whispering voice. This was indeed a war of intellect – against the mace warrior prince. Revativahini was obviously going to support dada as his wife. What to do? Restless Sri once said to me, “There is no clue where that master archer Dhananjaya is wandering throughout Aryavarta for his pilgrimage. Our best spies have hunted for him in all directions.”
What was I going to suggest to him after all? I couldn’t keep quiet and said, “You always visit the holy place of Prabhas for your peace of mind. You should try it this time. The charities and bathing in the holy place will calm down your mind. Then you will be able to think better.”
Hearing my suggestion Sri laughed cheerfully, and said, “Rukmini, you are such a mind reader! Even I was thinking about the holy place of Prabhas.”
Sri gave orders to prepare for the journey to the holy place. Then Sri went to meet his brother and urged him, “Dada, you also come to the holy place of Prabhas. Subhadra’s royal wedding is due. So, let us offer some charities and bathe in the holy water.”
Dada lovingly patted his shoulders and said, “You go and perform all the rituals on my behalf. I cannot move from here. Prince Duryodhana will be in Dwaraka any time now for the betrothal ceremony.”
Sri left alone for Prabhas along with select Yadava warriors. I had estimated that he won’t be back for at least a fortnight. But something unexpected happened. He returned immediately from Prabhas, with complete peace of mind! As soon as he came he met me in private in our inner chambers and said, “Rukmini, I met Partha at Prabhas! Everything has become easy now. He is dressed up as an ascetic in saffron vestures. He is not easily recognizable as he has grown a beard. I have instructed him to come immediately to the Shiva temple of Somanath near Veravala. Uddhava will leave tomorrow itself for Somanath. He will return with joyful news for the citizens of Dwaraka that an ascetic ‘Shivayogi’ who has performed penance in the cave of the Himalayas, has arrived in the Shiva temple of Somanath to make up for the lack of such an ascetic here. The citizens of Dwaraka will believe this blindly as it is going to come from Uddhava. Men and women will form queues at Somanath to visit the Shivayogi. You should also go with Subhadra to meet him! How does that sound?”
The drama of Subhadra’s wedding was now going to take place across the region of Prabhas, Somanath, Dwaraka and Raivataka. The main stage of this drama was going to be Mount Raivataka and the family deity temple of the Raivatakas.
Now I started getting a very rare glimpse of Sri that I had never experienced in my life. He was the courageous one who determinedly punished the unjust and insolent ones. He was an expert ruler who immediately put his plans into action. A brilliant philosopher who discussed philosophy with great sages. A Premayogi who loved all young and old people of Dwaraka from the bottom of his heart. Was there any quality that he did not possess? He was a brave commander, a maestro of music, an expert in the war of maces, daggers, bow and arrows, an inspiring orator who left the audience of Sudharma royal assembly spellbound and captivated. He was an accomplished expert of all fine arts, skills and Vidyas. But these days I had started experiencing that in the matters of our delicate, familial issues he had become a fine actor. Even I was astonished to see that.
He would welcome Balaramadada in our chamber with a broad smile on his face. He never explicitly told Balaramadada, ‘You are making a big and irreversible mistake by betrothing Subhadra to Duryodhana’. Had he said so, it might have been a blow to the honour of his elder brother that he had been respecting since childhood. He didn’t want that to happen at all. He had already realized that Subhadra had given her heart to Arjuna. Her life was to be saved from getting nipped in the bud. He had already knew in his heart that only Arjuna was the perfect groom for his sister Subhadra.
I went to the Shiva temple at Somanath with Subhadra as per Sri’s plan. I visited and paid obeisance to Lord Shiva. Subhadra visited and paid obeisance to Lord Shiva as well as the Shivayogi. I waited outside the temple, listening to the sound of the western ocean so that both of them could talk freely. At that time, I strongly remembered the urgent epistle that I had sent from Kundinpura so many years before. Subhadra was also standing at a similar crossroads of her life. But I had full faith that Subhadra was indeed going to be Arjuna’s wife.
On Revativahini’s insistence and as per the Yadava tradition Subhadra was to travel to Mount Raivataka as the new bride to be. She was going to visit the mountain goddess and seek blessings for her future life. That was exactly when Arjuna was supposed to abduct her. The Raivataka king Kakudmin was going to be the major hurdle in this process. Kakudmin was renowned for unerringly capturing huge roaring lions alive in the hidden traps placed by his hunting troops. It was impossible for saffron-clad Arjuna to escape from his army. Above all, ascetic Arjuna didn’t even have the much-needed armed chariot that he could have placed at the base of the mountain to abduct Yadava-daughter Subhadra. He didn’t have any armed guards essential for this thrilling act. The distance between Mount Raivataka and Indraprastha was also quite a bit.
It was a specialty of Sri that in any campaign he would first try to anticipate what all could possibly go wrong or be a hindrance and with his transcendental genius he would find perfect solutions well in time.
He himself had suggested the ‘abduction of Subhadra’ which Arjuna on his own could have never thought of. He had also smilingly removed all doubts from Arjuna’s mind.
The news arrived that Prince Duryodhana had begun his journey for Dwaraka from Hastinapura for the betrothal ceremony. An informer presented the news in the council of Balaramadada and Sri that the mammoth four-fold army of the Kurus was accompanying him. Then the Prince ordered elaborate adornment of the four gates including Shuddhaksha. Dada did not let Satyaki and Anadhrishti rest even for a moment. Sri was directing their attention to the subtle details of dada’s commands. Exhausted, Balaramadada sat down after giving detailed instructions about the preparations for the welcome. At that time, while ordering his attendants to make preparations for his visit to the ocean Sri casually presented an idea. It seemed very attractive and was going to be effective.
Sri presented himself in front of dada and bowing with respect he said, “Balaramadada, sometimes we miss the big things inadvertently; things easy to think of and applying while otherwise taking care of every small detail. Once the time is gone, however, we end up regretting not doing them.”
Exhausted and drained Balaramadada smilingly said, “Dhakatya, why are you talking in ridd
les? Whatever it is just say it freely. Do you think there is something missing in our preparations for the welcome of Prince Duryodhana?”
“I have a humble request. See if you agree with it, dada. There is nothing amiss actually. What could possibly be lacking when you are the Prince of Dwaraka? But still I think that we should invite your father-in-law, Raivataka Maharaja Kakudmin along with his army, to welcome the puissant Kuru prince Duryodhana. Prince Duryodhana will be elated to see both of us and him to welcome him. I think it will be as wonderful as gold and fragrance put together.
Hearing that, dada who was sitting tired and exhausted, stood up at once and said, “You are right. I am not good at such subtleties. I will send Satyaki with the invitation to Raivataka today itself.”
Sri gave a very charming smile and said, “Also convey my humble obeisance to Maharaja Kakudmin through him.” Sri left for a swim in the ocean.
The very next day, after confirming that commander Satyaki has left for Raivataka, carrying gift salvers for the Raivataka king from the prince’s chamber, Sri also dispatched his special informers in two directions. One of the troops left to visit all those kingdoms lying between Raivataka and Indraprastha which Arjuna and Subhadra would be passing through in a chariot. They were going to offer gift salvers sent by the Lord of Dwaraka to kings of countries like Aanarta, Dasharna, and Matsya and deliver a special message to them. The message was, ‘Our aate bandhu, Arjuna along with our sister Subhadra is passing through your kingdom towards Indraprastha, in a chariot with the Kapidhwaja pennant. Please offer your heartiest support to him and strengthen the friendship with Dwaraka’.
The second troop was led by Sri’s most loyal brother – Uddhavabhauji. It was going directly to the Shiva temple of Somanath, with an embellished, armed chariot with Arjuna’s Kapidhwaja pennant on its flagpole. The chariot also carried royal attire and weapons for Arjuna.
Srikrishna- the Lord of the Universe Page 41
