Srikrishna convinced us how it was appropriate that Draupadi should become the wife of all five of us. He also explained to her who she was. Kuntimata seconded his word. That day I realized one truth – only Srikrishna stood like the Himalayas behind my widowed mother who had faced many calamities courageously!
It was only after that event during Draupadi’s Swayamwar that the firm bond between Krishna and me was initiated. Had there been any other gallant Kshatriya in my place, he would have mistakenly harboured a grudge against Srikrishna for supporting the sharing of his wife whom he had won in the Swayamwar. I never harboured such grudge. Later Draupadi became Krishna’s beloved Sakhi. Even that didn’t bother me at all. In fact, as time passed, I came to understand my wife Draupadi more through Krishna. Not only Draupadi but I also came to understand Kuntimata more as a ‘mother’ than my brothers. Not only did I understand my mother but I also came to understand life in its entirety.
Srikrishna and Kuntimata were the two people who prepared the code of conduct for the time to be spent privately by us five brothers with our wife. Krishna instructed us about how to treat Draupadi in privacy. Our experienced Kuntimata advised Draupadi how she should behave as a woman.
The code of conduct that was drawn made all of us realize how thoroughly Krishna thinks about others rather than himself.
Kuntimata guided Draupadi about parenting. When our sons began talking Draupadi would teach each one of them to address all of us as ‘Taata’ meaning father. But there was a subtle difference in it. They would add ‘Taata’ at the end of the name for all of us except for the biological father and address us as – Arjuna taata, Bhima taata and so on. All of us brothers considered Draupadi’s five sons – Prativindhya, Sutasoma, Shrutakirti, Shatanika, and Shrutasena – as our own. Our sons were a tight-knit third generation of Pandavas.
It was at the time of the burning of Khandavavana that I grew closer to Srikrishna. Duryodhana and Shakuni, the leaders of the Kurus, pretended to be generous, and offered us the region of Khandavavana, full of thick forests, as our share of the kingdom. Here I must tell you clearly what I understood of Duryodhana. He was very difficult to win over in a war just as his name suggested. Even in normal life, he was difficult to comprehend. In front of the citizens of Hastinapura he made a great show of his deep love for his ninety-nine brothers, but in his heart, he had no love and affection for any of them except for five-six of his favourite brothers. He considered the other brothers only as his obedient servants. He was well aware of the fact that he did not hold any right over the Kuru throne either by law or by age. He knew it quite well that our eldest brother Yudhishthira was the rightful heir. Except for his subtle pride and addiction for gambling, Yudhishthira was a loving person who treated the Pandavas and Kauravas with affection. He was loved by the citizens of Hastinapura. They also considered him as their prince. Grandsire Bhishma also very thoughtfully supported him to be the prince.
Shakuni, the son of the Gandhara king Subala was the one who had crept between the Kauravas and Pandavas like a thorn of Kikar. Shakuni made the blind king Dhritarashtra and Maharani Gandharidevi who had blindfolded herself for the sake of her husband, dance to his tune, along with Duryodhana and his ninety-nine brothers. He had eleven more brothers. They moved about freely in Hastinapura as his loyal spies. All of them were supported by a shrewd politician called Kanaka. Duryodhana treated his beloved brother Dushasana who was born after him like his own shadow. The four of them always tried to drag world conqueror Karna into their crafty plans. Duryodhana had obliged Karna by making him the king of the Anga kingdom. But for some reason Karna insisted on only one thing, ‘Challenge the Pandavas directly. Let us fight them on the battlefield.’
The house of lacquer was the first ordeal for us Pandavas. We escaped that because of the timely warning from Mahatma Vidura. Only one good thing came out of that calamity. Our Bhimsena got associated with the Rakshasa clan due to his marriage with Hidimba. Her son Ghatotkacha was growing up in the forests. The second ordeal in our lives was the burning the Khandavavana. But today it is becoming clear why Srikrishna accepted the Khandavavana region on behalf of us in the royal assembly of Hastinapura. What if he hadn’t accepted it? There would have been no strong friendship between him and us at all. It is true that we were his aate bandhus. He had many more aate bandhus like us. But he had already proved it by executing his unjust, cruel mama Kansa that he was never going to get tangled in such false blood relations. He did not hesitate to punish his paternal cousin Shishupala who assisted Jarasandha. He had also severely punished Viduratha and Dantawakra, two more of his aate bandhus.
Krishna had given as much importance to the construction of the well-planned royal city of Indraprastha by clearing Khandavavana, as he had given for the construction of Dwaraka. During the construction of Indraprastha many a times he had come to visit us and had guided us. His guidance was so insightful that in our future life we never had to turn to anybody else for such guidance. The only reason for all this was that he loved us from the bottom of his heart. He reverently loved Kuntimata much more than his other aatyas. He was never seen regarding his other aatyas as highly, during the journey of his life.
Srikrishna was a family man and sociable, always surrounded by relatives and friends. Each one around him felt that he or she was the only one whom Srikrishna loved the most. That was his specialty indeed. His close brothers Balaramadada and Udhodeva thought him to be closest to them. But his feelings of love for both of them were quite different. Just as those two brothers thought that he was closest to them, all of us, his aatebandhus, chulatbandhus and mavasbandhus too thought the same. Not only that, the young and old Yadavas of the eighteen clans of Dwaraka also thought of him as their own brother. Considering the energetic way in which the Kurus always welcomed him, how can one deny that the distant Kurus also considered him as their own brother? In each and every visit of ours Uddhavadeva and I talked about him. These talks were a delightful experience in my life. Both of us could never forget the invaluable truth that we discovered about Srikrishna through these discussions of ours. Everything has two ends; one at the top and one at the bottom; one at the beginning and one at the end. Even this multifaceted earth has the southern and northern pole. The truth that touched both of us was that our Srikrishna has been easily connecting these two ends; at every stage of life.
He had two fathers – his biological father Vasudevababa and his foster father Nandababa from Gokul who nurtured him. He also had two mothers, his biological mother Devakimata and his foster mother Yashodamata, the gopa woman who took care of him diligently and inculcated sansakaras in him.
Just as he had two mothers and two fathers, he also had two gurus. The first one was Aacharya Sandipani from the Ankapada aashrama of Avanti and the other was Ghor Angirasa from Prayaga aashrama. Aacharya Sandipani had given him the fundamental knowledge of Brahmacharyashrama, comprising the Shastras and Astras, fourteen Vidyas and sixty-four fine arts. Ghor Angirasa had imparted the complete knowledge of Brahman to him.
As I happened to come into his company, no one else butI realized that though Guru Drona and Aacharya Kripa imparted the knowledge of the Shastras and Astras to us, we never got a guru who imparted Brahmavidya to us. We never went to any aashrama at all. We never experienced that aashrama life is a powerful centre of imparting values. Lately I had started to strongly feel that the reason for the enmity that grew between the Kauravas and us was probably because we were deprived of the aashrama life.
I don’t know if my brothers felt it but while talking to him I always felt that Krishna was my greatest guru.
At the time of burning the Khandavavana and erecting Indraprastha in its place I developed a more affectionate and close relationship with Srikrishna. I will always remember what he said to me while setting the forest on fire, “Oh Arjuna, my heart breaks while destroying such a beautiful treasure of Mother Nature created after years of penance. I have experienced it once before on Mount Gomanta how agonizing
it is for a heart that longs for creation. I will never forget these two events in my life. That is why I could never forgive Jarasandha who left me no choice but to destroy the forests of Mount Gomanta. We had to set the Khandavavana aflame to erect the royal city of Indraprastha for you Pandavas; I will never forgive Duryodhana and Shakuni for that. Remember that just as sometimes one is required to set ablaze thick forests clearly visible to the eyes, one also has to destroy the forests of insolence, injustice, and arrogance in human life. Without that the flow of life does not proceed. Even in the new royal city one has to raise well-planned, beautiful forests.
It was in this Khandavavana that I obtained the Nandighosha chariot of four pure white horses with the pennant of Kapi, and a very auspicious bow named Gandiva along with two inexhaustible quivers. I could never forget the extreme joy that he felt when I received it, which was even more than what I felt. How did his joyous face look at that time? Now after so many years today I realize that it was like his face at the time of the Rajasuya yajna when he projected the Sudarshan chakra towards Shishupala in front of all of us. He always emphasized the significance of the Gandiva bow that I had obtained. One time he told me very firmly, ‘You should guard this difficult to obtain Gandiva bow just as vigilantly as you would protect Draupadi during your privacy!’ After that, many a times the thought of the divine Sudarshana chakra that he had obtained, kept revolving in my mind. Sometimes, I would get lost in myself, wondering what could be the association between his twelve spoked, Vajra centered Sudarshana and the bow string of my Gandiva bow, the hair-raising sound of which can be vividly heard at a far away distance? Why was my complexion blue just like his – like the multi-coloured shades congealed on a hot iron rod after splashing water on it? Whenever such a basic question arose in my mind I would simply keep looking at him for a long time. At that time, it felt as if I was looking into the mirror. Ultimately, I would ask him only one question, “Oh Hrishikeshaa, who exactly are you? Tell me at least once, who exactly am I to you?”
Then he would give me a charming smile and say, “You are my beloved friend! There is one more like you” – I would look deep into his eyes and say promptly, “Udhodeva!” Then he would give me a very different kind of smile and say, ‘Right! You correctly guess what is on my mind. That is why you are my beloved friend!’
It was only as per his direction that I went to the Shiva temple of Somanath near Dwaraka at the time of Subhadra’s abduction. I was disguised in a saffron robe of an ascetic. My beard had grown long. During the mission of Subhadra’s abduction, I obeyed all his instructions to the letter. There was only one thing I did spontaneously. Leaving the Shiva temple of Somanath I crossed the creek in a boat and reached Dwaraka. That was to visit his Srisopana to my heart’s content before abducting Subhadra. No citizen of Dwaraka could recognize me due to my saffron attire. Passing by the check posts one after the other I reached the Srisopana. Oh, how sparkling and grand it looked! It was so tall with so many steps. I went close to the lowest step in front of me. My heart got filled with mixed emotions. I bowed down to the Srisopana from the bottom of my heart and touched my head to the step. For a few moments, I kept my head rested on the step.
I had no idea or expectation whatsoever. I raised my head while thinking only about Krishna and simply kept looking. On the highest step of the Srisopana he stood – so tall. Srikrishna himself! Climbing down the steps one by one he came closer. No one else had recognized me yet, but he recognized me in the very first glance. Generally, he never put his hand on the shoulder of any ascetic. But looking deep in my eyes he did it. He spoke to me that which only I would understand and not any of the attendants who were around, “Yogiraja, I know you. Of late the Raivatakas are in strong need of an ascetic like you. You should immediately go there. Tomorrow itself my sister Subhadra will leave here to visit the temple of the family deity before her wedding to the great Kuru Duryodhana. I have instructed her to visit you also. I am sure you will give her appropriate blessings. You should!” I received my clue from the person I wanted it from. For me it was like his blessing. From that moment, the Srisopana occupied a precious spot in my heart – just as Subhadra did later!
There are so many such incidents which are engraved on my heart, as Krishna’s beloved friend. For the naming ceremonies of our sons he came from Dwaraka to Indraprastha without fail. Kuntimata named Yudhishthira’s son Prativindhya. Prativindhya means resembling Mount Vindhya. Balaramadada who had accompanied Krishna at that time also liked it. All of us liked it. The right to name the first child of the third generation of the Pandavas went of course to Kuntimata. For the naming ceremony of Bhima’s son, he came to Indraprastha along with Balaramadada, his son Pradyumna, two more of his brothers and two step-brothers. This big and healthy child of Bhimsena was named ‘Sutasoma’. Balaramadada himself gave him this name saying, “Bhima is my disciple. I will name his son”. He also gave a funny and convincing explanation as to why the name ‘Sutasoma’. Dada said, “We Yadavas always love Soma! He is the son of this Soma – hence Sutasoma.” Hearing that, Srikrishna smilingly said, “Dada, Soma means the Moon. So, you mean to say that he is the son of Pandavas who belong to the Chandravansha. Right?”
For my son’s naming ceremony, he came along with Uddhavadeva, Rukminivahini and Balaramadada. Srikrishna himself named my son ‘Shrutakirti’. He explained the name in the following way, “His father – our Arjuna has struggled through days and nights to obtain great acclaim. He had to travel throughout Aaryavarta for conquering. This son of his will get acclaim right from his birth. He cannot be anybody else but ‘Shrutakirti’! Born with acclaim!”
He also came for the naming ceremonies of the sons of my two younger brothers, Nakula and Sahadeva. Our Udhodeva named both of them. That was also as per Srikrishna’s wish. Uddhavadeva himself named Nakula’s son ‘Shatanika’ and Sahadeva’s son as ‘Shrutasena’. Those two names were also meaningful.
All the five brothers wholeheartedly loved all the five sons of Draupadi. Our love for Draupadi and the good qualities in all the sons were the reasons for that, but one more reason was that we had been bereft of our father’s love since childhood. We never experienced our father’s affection. All of us strongly felt that our sons should not miss what we had missed. Whenever the subject of ‘fatherly love’ was discussed my heart would fill up with deep respect for two people. The first person was Kuntimata. Whether it was in the forest or the royal palace of Indraprastha she never let us feel the lack of anything. The second person was Srikrishna. He was our mentor and guru; our exemplary elder mame bandhu. My brothers may not have felt it but I strongly felt that he was also our loving father!
His love for me had so many facets. No matter how hard I tried I couldn’t comprehend them all.
The way he protected me with vigilance gave me the feel of his fatherly love. It had happened many times. But it was impressed on my mind the most during the mission of Jarasandha in Girivraja. In the royal palace of the Magadhas he put forth Bhimsena and himself, and not me!
If I had to fight a duel with Jarasandha… then? With his genius, he had astutely avoided the possibility of what…if.
He could have easily fulfilled the condition of Draupadi’s Swayamwar but he refrained from it. He recognized me correctly, just by the Virasana pose that I took and assumed the position of a silent spectator. This act of his befitted only a father. He had silently loved me like a son. Many times, he behaved in a way that only I could understand. I also reciprocated his fatherly love with equally appropriate respect.
His elder brother Balaramadada was like an elder brother to us too. I used to call him dada. I had subtly noticed that Krishna called him dada in many different ways. Whenever he wanted to point out a mistake to his Balaramadada he would act more humbly. Occasionally, he stood in complete opposition to him. But even while opposing him he never spoke with disrespect.
Srikrishna’s favourite, beloved wife Rukminidevi was my favourite vahini. Many a times I felt that it was
as a result of Rukiminivahini’s influence that Srikrishna’s speech became so charming to the audience. When I would ask him so, he would simply smile. If I tried to get an answer from Rukminivahini, her round face would glow with a smile that seemed like a reflection of his divine smile, and say, “Oh Arjuna, is it ever possible for anybody to do that? How can anyone bring high tide to the ocean by pouring one’s bowl of water in it?”
Whenever Rukminivahini and Draupadi talked to each other for whatever reason, I would unwittingly assume the position of a silent spectator. Draupadi was loquacious and talked in an insistent manner. Rukminivahini would occasionally utter a sentence or two resembling a question, while taking precaution not to reduce Draupadi’s fervour. Draupadi’s bullock cart of chatter would then sprint forward. The funny part was, both of them would forget that I was listening. At such times if Krishna arrived there, it would have a magical impact. Both of them would stop talking at once and simply keep looking at him. Then he would also skilfully remind them that they had ignored me so far. Talking to me solemnly he would say, “Our Abhimanyu has complete knowledge of breaking into the Chakravyuha formation. He has learned it from me. But he doesn’t know how to break out from the centre, towards the first ring of the formation! Why don’t you bring him to Dwaraka sometime? I will give him the demonstration in person.”
Srikrishna- the Lord of the Universe Page 69
