First, Maharishi inquired about the wellbeing of Maharaja Vasudeva and Devakimata and Rohinimata. Then the three of them had a profound discussion on various subjects such as royal precepts, justice-injustice, truth and untruth, and proper respect for womanhood. Even the Maharishi’s wife participated in those discussions. While concluding the visit Maharishi Vyasa said, “Yadunandana Srikrishna, this Rajasuya Yajna of the Pandavas is indeed going to be a memorable event from various aspects. The eldest Pandava asked for my recommendation about who should be bestowed with the honour of Agrapooja in the yajna. Who else is suitable for this task but you? I have full faith that with your blessings and your Agrapooja, this Rajasuya Yajna of the Pandavas will be accomplished properly without any obstacles. You will certainly take care of any problem if at all that arises!” Maharishi Vyasa smiled from the bottom of his heart, reminding us exactly of Aacharya Sandipani.
The day of the Rajasuya Yajna dawned. The grand Yajna pandal spread along the banks of the Yamuna was shining in the sunrays. Many encampments for the soldiers of the kings invited from various kingdoms were also erected along the banks of the Yamuna. Thatched huts were raised in many places for the sages and hermits coming from various places. The pennant of Hastinapura fluttered on the army camp of the contingent which had come from there. Prince Duryodhana and a few of his select brothers, the king of Anga – Karna, his brother Shona and his commander and chief minister, Shakunimama and a few of his select brothers, and the royal adviser Kanaka had arrived from Hastinapura. Grandsire Bhishma and Mahatma Vidura had come along with Vrishavarma, the chief minister of the Kurus. Many camps for the armies and many pandals were erected for lodging various kings including the Panchala king Drupada and Dhrishtadyumna, the kings and princes of the kingdoms of Matsya, Vatsa, Ayodhya, Kosala, Videha, Avanti, Shursena, Sindhu, Sauvira, Kamboj, Kashir, Kaushika, Kamarupa, Kirata, Kuntibhoja, Ashmaka and Aanarta.
My Lord was staying in the royal palace of the Pandavas along with Rukminidevi. Both of them knew beforehand that they were going to have to perform various rituals as part of the Agrapooja. Therefore, they had taken a holy bath and were fasting – even without taking a sip of water.
From the camp of the Kurus grandsire Bhishma and Mahatma Vidura, after finishing their morning rituals, visited the Lord. Panchala king Drupada and Dhrishtadyumna also paid a visit. Notably, Rukmi, the prince of Kundinpura, who had learnt his lesson after the killing of Jarasandha, had also come with his brothers. The Lord’s best friend, Sudama had also arrived from Sudampuri along with his wife.
As the news about the Mayasabha that Maya had constructed in front of the royal palace of the Pandavas, had spread across all the camps, huge crowds of spectators were drawn towards the royal palace. The spectators were wonderstruck after watching the miraculous optical and auditory illusions that Maya had created. Various auspicious musical instruments were being played in the entire Indraprastha since early morning itself. Similar instruments were played in the Yajna pandal. Dhaumya rishi was in a flurry looking after the arrangements for the yajna.
He was giving instructions to his disciples while moving swiftly around the pandal. Piles of proportionately cut sacrificial sticks bunched in fixed numbers, were stacked around the grand Yajna pit. Those holy sticks were taken from trees like Audumbara, Bela, Banyan, Champaka, Sandalwood, Fig, Mango and many more. Golden platters containing food grains, flowers, Yajna materials, and different soils were arranged in a row. There were copper, golden and silver pots filled with freshly made ghee. Their oblation in to the Yajna fire was going to cleanse the atmosphere. Thus, thorough preparations had been made for the Rajasuya yajna.
The news of a peculiar incident reached the Lord’s pavilion as the evening was approaching. Duryodhana who visited the royal palace out of curiosity to take a look at the Mayasabhaa along with Karna, the king of Anga, was humiliated. Due to the optical illusion, he mistook a water pond for a floor carpet and fell into it in front of all! Karna helped him recover and pulled him out of the pond. While this was happening the Pandavas’ wife Draupadidevi had ridiculed Duryodhana from the balcony. Duryodhana got furious when he came to know about it later.
Though my Lord was fasting his face was shining radiantly today. Uddhava Maharaja and I helped the Lord to put on his pearl necklaces with the Kaustubh diamond, carved golden armlets, a saffron coloured golden-bordered upper garment, and a similar blue shawl. Uddhava Maharaja put the peacock-feathered golden crown on his head. After that, in the end, the Lord himself picked up the white, fragrant Vaijayanti garland and put it around his neck.
His face and eyes reflected exceptional radiance. Was it only the radiance of being a Kshatriya? Not at all. That radiance was very different. While putting decorative, golden ornaments on his slender toes Uddhava Maharaja said, “Dada, you are looking exceptionally handsome. I really feel I must perform the ritual to cast off any evil eye.”
We came out of the inner chambers. All five Pandavas were waiting outside. Rukminidevi arrived from the ladies’ chambers, surrounded by maid servants. She was wearing a light orange coloured attire. She was also looking radiant. As the prince of the Yadavas, Balaramadada ascended the chariot along with Revatidevi.
After him, all Pandavas except Yudhishthira climbed in a single chariot. Behind them were the chariots of Kuntidevi, Draupadidevi and other Pandava ladies. Ahead of all I took a seat as the charioteer of the Garudadhwaja chariot. In the back of the chariot sat the Lord – venerable Aarya – Maharaja Srikrishna, whose acclaim had spread across Aaryavarta even without any conquests of any kind; Rukminidevi, and his brother Uddhava Maharaja, politeness incarnate.
There the Yajna pandal was all set for the yajna. On the northern side, Maharishi Vyasa’s grand seat was located in the front. Behind it seating arrangements were made for all the invited kings. On the eastern side seats were arranged for sages coming from various places and their disciples. On the southern side, Maharishi Vyasa’s wife, mata Ghrutachidevi was seated in the front and behind her sat the elite men and women and select erudite women. On the west, the royal ladies of the major dynasties like Pandava, Yadava and Kurus sat. Thus, the pandal was full to its capacity.
I steered the Lord’s Garudadhwaja chariot drawn by four white horses in front of the main entrance on the eastern side. Dhaumya rishi approached the Lord with his palms joined. The Lord descended from the chariot smiling and affectionately held Dhaumya rishi’s right hand in his own. Maharishi Vyasa stood behind Dhaumya rishi, smiling gently. The Lord humbly touched their feet and took their blessings. He began walking slowly and steadily towards the Yajna pandal, bowing gently to all. Many auspicious musical instruments played in unison at that time. His blue body like the blue Anjani flower was dazzling in the soft rays of the setting sun. On his right walked Balaramadada, his brothers Gada, Sarana, and Rohitashwa and Uddhava Maharaja. On the left, I walked next to Revatidevi and RukmiNidevi, with the dutiful mind of a protector! Dhaumya rishi and Maharishi Vyasa along with their disciples, four Pandavas, Yadava commander Satyaki, Brahmagargya, all ministers of the Sudharma assembly along with Akrura, Pradyumna, Samba, my son Daruki, aged Anadhrishti, his son Yashaswi and many more Yadavas followed us.
As soon as we entered the Yajna pandal grandsire Bhishma approached the Lord immediately along with Yudhishthira and took him in a deep embrace. The Suvasinis of Pandavas came forward one by one and washed the Lord and Rukminidevi’s feet with water. Draupadidevi and other Pandava wives welcomed both of them with lamps. On behalf of the Kurus, Sanjaya and Mahatma Vidura put thick white lotus garlands around their necks. Both of them touched the feet of rajmata with humility and sought her blessings. Everybody in the pandal arose automatically out of respect now. Only two people continued to sit – Chedi king Shishupala and Kaurava prince Duryodhana.
As we reached the Yajna altar Pandava Maharaja Yudhishthira lovingly held the Lord’s right hand in his hand and escorted him along with Rukminidevi to the grand, golden seats near the Yajna altar. The Pandavas’
chief minister escorted Balaramadada and Revatidevi to the designated golden seats for the prince and the princess. I didn’t even know when, from among the Pandava brothers the master archer Dhananjaya moved forward swiftly after seeing the Lord and respectfully stood to his left. The Lord casually and lovingly put his left hand on Arjuna’s bare, robust shoulder. Both of them looked at each other and smiled gently from the bottom of their hearts. Due to their blue complexions, I was baffled for a moment – it seemed as if the Lord was smiling into a mirror. I noticed at this time that there was a small difference between their gaits. My Lord walked with casual ease. Arjuna’s gait displayed the awareness of a warrior walking firmly.
Maharaja Yudhishthira seated the Lord and Rukminidevi with utter respect on the golden royal seats near the Yajna altar. I remained standing behind their seats. After the Lord took his seat everybody in the pandal sat down. Now the sages and hermits sat in the Padmasana pose on their tiger-skin mats. Maharishi Vyasa sat right at the front, on a separate high seat – he was amidst all and yet alone.
Maharaja Yudhishthira stood near the Yajna pit and started speaking, “Respected Maharishi Vyasdeva, mata Rukminidevi, Bhagvan Vaasudeva Srikrishna, honourable Uddhavadeva, venerable grandsire, Yadava Prince Balarama, motherly Revatidevi, gurudeva Drona and Kripacharya, Kuru prince Duryodhana and Shakunimama, Karna – the king of Anga, Chedi king Shishupala, Madra king – Shalyamama, honourable sages, invited kings and citizens! On behalf of my brothers I cordially welcome you all to Indraprastha with a great deal of happiness. We are performing this Yajna for the prosperity and peace of our kingdom. It is our great fortune that Bhagvan Srikrishna is present here today with his wife as the Yajnavetta of this grand yajna. Maharishi Vyasadeva, who is not partaking in any of the Yajna rituals has come here today along with his wife only to give us his blessings. All of us have already welcomed all of you. As the formally crowned king of Indraprastha, on today’s auspicious day I am going to wash the feet of theYajnavetta couple as part of the commencing rituals. The first holy sacrificial stick of Bela will be offered in the Yajna fire at the auspicious hands of the Yajnavetta in your presence. I have confidence and full faith that with your blessings our Indraprastha kingdom will scale new heights.
Agnihotri rishi incanted the mantras of Pranava. A platter full of burning embers was offered in the Yajna pit as the Agnihotra.
Pandava Maharaja Yudhishthira indicatively glanced at his chief minister. He brought a golden jar full of water made auspicious by chanting of mantras, from various rivers of Aaryavarta and a big golden platter that was kept ready. Yudhishthira himself put the golden platter at the feet of the Lord; gently picked up the auspicious feet of the Lord of Dwaraka – Bhagvan Vaasudeva and put them in the platter. With full faith, venerable Pandava Yudhishthira began pouring water from the golden jar in a single stream on the Lord’s feet. The sages and hermits around began incanting mantras. All invited kings were curiously watching the extremely rare occasion, rare even for the gods.
The Mantras were continuously being chanted slowly and steadily by a group of Brahmanas near the Yajna pit. After washing the feet of the Yajnavetta, the king of Indraprastha, venerable Pandava, Maharaja Yudhishthira sipped a few drops of the water that was collected in the salver, like holy water. He gently wiped the Lord’s blue feet with his exclusive, fine royal garment with ardent devotion. He also washed the feet of Rukminidevi.
Now the Lord arose from his seat amidst the escalating chanting of the mantras. Rukminidevi followed him, and both of them walked towards the Yajna pit. The Lord glanced around the Yajna pandal with his virtuous, divine eyes. The next moment he bent and picked up a small bunch of Bela sticks smilingly.
Rukminidevi touched his hand holding the sacrificial Yajna sticks. The Lord muttered something and was about to offer the sacrificial sticks into the Yajna pit when –
The Chedi king Shishupala sitting in the section of the invited kings suddenly stood up. He was the lord’s aatebandhu. He pulled up the huge mace in his hand and put it on his shoulder. He shouted loudly in a tone of strong objection, “Stop…!”
Everybody stared at him, terrified and shocked. He moved his head on his thick neck left and right, looking around the pandal once. Finally, his eyes locked with the eyes of Maharaja Yudhishthira. With nostrils flared he roared loudly, “Oh Yudhishthira, a descendant of the highly-esteemed Kuru dynasty, how come you honoured this low-life son of a cowherd to be the Yajnavetta of this grand yajna? Yudhishthira, have you invited all the valiant Kshatriyas of Aaryavarta only to humiliate them?”
Balaramadada, Bhima-Arjuna, and Satyaki had already stood up in fury, brandishing their mace, bow and sword.
The Lord threw the bunch of sacrificial sticks back onto the pile of sticks and with a mere gesture of the hand he restrained all of them.
Shishupala, who noticed that nobody was objecting him, walked briskly towards the Yajna altar leaving his seat, and began speaking derisively whatever came to his mind, even more furiously. “What were you thinking while disregarding so many warriors in this pandal, way more gallant than this cowherd? How did you come to wash the feet of this runaway, defector cattleman in front of such gallant warriors like grandsire Bhishma, Prince Duryodhana, Shalya – the king of Madra, Sindhu king Jayadratha, Shakuni – the son of Subala, Matsya king Virata, and Panchala king Drupada?”
Grandsire Bhishma stood up as he heard Shishupala mentioning his name. Trying to control Shishupala who had clearly lost his faculty of discretion he said, “That is enough, oh son of Damaghosha, the prince of Chedi. Control yourself and be seated.”
Shishupala who harboured deep in his heart the pain of the killing of Magadha emperor Jarasandha, the one who had made him a commander and the torment of his broken engagement with Rukminidevi, was in no mood to listen to anybody. He simply discarded grandsire’s experienced words of caution. Instead he retorted insolently, “Son of Ganga, you have become old now. You better sit down.” Grandsire Bhishma sat down, humiliated and dejected. Then Shishupala became uncontrollable like an insolent bull that has broken free from his tethers. Looking at Maharaja Yudhishthira and the Lord alternately, he shouted again, “Didn’t you notice the splendid scholarly Brahmins in the pandal like Paila, Dhaumya, Yaaja Upayaaja, Drona, Kripa, Vidura and Ashwatthama? Instead of them how could you wash the feet of a black cowherd? Oh, Son of Kunti, how come you didn’t feel even a bit of remorse while performing such a low act of putting the glory of the Kuru dynasty to shame? If you are impressed by his black-blue complexion, how come you missed gallant Karna – the king of Anga, much more attractive and possessor of the wondrous sparkling golden impenetrable Kavacha-kundala from his birth, the one who is a philanthropist?”
Shishupala waited momentarily to see if there was any objection. Karna, the king of Anga whose name he had just mentioned stood up and warning him, he said, “Oh king of Chedi, you are going overboard. Gather yourself. Be calm.” Discarding even his advice, Shishupala screamed, “I am not a cowherd like this one to listen to a charioteer like you! You better sit down.”
Now going completely berserk, Shishupala’s blood-red tongue went loose, jabbering indignations uncontrollably. “Yudhishthira, how could you forget all the elderly and valiant people in the pandal? How dare you assign a lowlife cattleman that wanders in the forest, as the Yajnavetta of such grand Yajna today? What else is this if not utter humiliation of all present?” I could not bear his utter nonsense now. Sitting on the northern side of the pandal grandsire Bhishma, Vidura, Sanjaya, the king of Anga were boiling with rage; Balaramadada, Satyakee, Uddhavadeva, Bhima, Arjuna, and Nakula-Sahadeva who were sitting in our section stood up at once. But…the Lord made all of us sit down with only a single stern glance! For the first time, today I realized the power of his stern eyes.
Completely demented Shishupala was still ranting insanely. Intoxication by the idea of revenge is even stronger than that by liquor. Anybody would agree with this after watching the way Shishupala was frantically moving a
round the Yajna pit and the way he was ranting insanely. He wanted to take revenge on the Lord as the commander of Jarasandha who went up to Mount Gomanta, and as the humiliated rival of the Lord who returned empty-handed from Kundinpura after being unsuccessful in becoming the bride groom of Rukminidevi. That was the reason he was talking whatever nonsense came to his mind.
He began using all possible vulgar words that he could think of in an indecent language as if he had lost his mind; publicly defaming the Lord in a way that nobody had done before or heard before. “You traitor of the family that murdered his own mama, the runaway deserter who turned tail and fled, unable to face the Magadha emperor Jarasandha’s mettle. You are only fit to deliver cow’s milk from the cowshed of Mathura for this holy Yajna organized by the Kshatriyas and the sages, get paid for it and walk away! Why didn’t you do that? How dare you sit at all on the divine throne reserved for the Yajnavetta? Didn’t you feel ashamed of yourself while getting your dirty feet washed by an elite Kshatriya?”
With each word that came out of his mouth the audience got anxious with fear. My Lord’s head was gradually rising like the hood of a cobra. He put his left hand on his waist and to warn Shishupala in time he said in a stern, resolute and calm voice, “Shishupala, I have tolerated ninety-nine offences of yours till this moment. I have promised your mother – my aatya – that I will condone up to a hundred offences of yours. Every moment henceforth is bringing your life closer to its end! Beware and control yourself!”
“You coward, teaching everyone useless philosophy, if valour is the true Dharma of a Kshatriya, and if you are a true Kshatriya then come here at the centre of the Yajna pandal and agree to a wrestling duel with this king of Chedi! Or else, you, runaway cowherd, just get lost from this holy place!!” He threw away the mace in his hand, and staring at my Lord he actually thumped his arms.
Srikrishna- the Lord of the Universe Page 46
