Dada’s job was done. He also smiled casually and said, “As you wish. Whenever they leave you can go with them. But for now, give me all your blessings to go to Dwaraka.” Dada and Rukminivahini both put their heads on the divine feet of Kunti aatya.
With utmost respect, I also put my head on the feet of Pandavas’ forbearing old mother.
We came to the border of Hastinapura to go to Dwaraka. The five separate chariots of the five Pandavas following our chariot and the chariots of their commander, Chief Minister and royal ministers following them also stopped. I climbed down from the Garudadhwaja chariot along with dada. All five Pandavas approached dada. Dada pulled Yudhishthira
and Bhimsena aside along with me. In a low voice, he said to Yudhishthira, “Oh Pandava Maharaja, remember one thing
that I tell you for sure. Take every minute precaution not to insult Maharaja Dhritarashtra and Gandharidevi who are
grieving the loss of their sons, even by the simplest action or words. Especially, don’t let Bhimsena go in front of them
even by mistake. Bhimsena, you should also follow this in particular.”
Bhimsena retorted, “I am least interested in seeing the faces of the Maharaja and Maharani who forced us into the forest, who meekly listened to the brutal humiliation of my dear Draupadi in the gambling hall with feigned helplessness, who sacrificed forty lakh soldiers in the war of Kurukshetra!”
I patted Bhimsena’s sweaty shoulder and said persuasively, “Dada has given them his word that the Pandavas will not humiliate them even the slightest! And the moment it happens Maharaja Dhritarashtra and Maharani Gandharidevi will not stay in Hastinapura. They will immediately leave for the forest – and your mother, aatya Kuntidevi will also go with them. That is why Bhimsena, you should make sure that you don’t go in front of them.” I tried to convince Bhimsena in my own mild manner. Notably, Bhimsena nodded in affirmation accepting my advice.
We sailed across the creek and arrived in main Dwaraka where dada faced one more new issue. Banasura, the king of Shonitpura, had captured dada’s grandson- young Aniruddha and put him in prison. Banasura was from the Rakshasa clan. His daughter Usha had fallen in love with Aniruddha, the son of Pradyumna and Rukmavati. Rukmavati was the daughter of Rukminivahini’s brother Rukmi. Aniruddha was already married to Rochana, the daughter of Rukmi’s son. They also had a son named Vajra. During the wedding ceremony of Rochana and Aniruddha, Rukmi had said something bad about the Yadavas of Dwaraka while playing a game of dice as a part of tradition. At that point Balaramadada had got furious with Rukmi and had hit Rukmi with the dice board itself, killing him on the spot. That is why Rochana had lost contact with her parental home in Bhojakataknagar forever.
Aniruddha’s wife Rochana was agitated as Banasura had imprisoned Aniruddha and so she had come to see dada with his great grandson Vajra. Sharing her story and her pain she put her infant son Vajra in front of dada and said, “The Lord of Dwaraka has done justice to everyone in the world. What about me? My husband is in the prison of Shonitpura. Banasura’s daughter Usha is behind all this. I am ready to accept Usha as my sister, my co-wife. But the Lord of Dwaraka should liberate my husband and bring him back to Dwaraka.”
This was a new domestic problem dada faced. Once before, Jambavativahini’s son Samba also had gotten involved in a similar situation. Samba who had gone to Hastinapura for the Swayamwar ceremony of Duryodhana’s daughter Lakshmanaa had tried to abduct her from the ceremony hall itself. And Duryodhana had caught up with him at the border of the city with his daughter and put him in prison in a similar manner. Balaramadada had travelled to get him liberated, brought him back to Dwaraka and got him married to Lakshmanaa.
Now dada was facing the same problem in case of Aniruddha. He summoned Satyaki and the new Chief Minister Sukrita and gave them detailed information about the mission of Shonitpura. They prepared the fourfold army. After seeking the blessings of Maharaja Vasudeva and both mothers, even in that old age dada sailed across the creek. This was going to be the last battle of his life. In this war, he intentionally did not take Balidada with him. But he didn’t forget to take Aniruddha’s father Pradyumna. Both father and son attacked Shonitpura with their army. A great battle took place between dada and Banasura. Rakshasas always considered themselves to be very powerful. As they were experts in the strategy of deceitful war they considered the Kshatriyas to be feeble. That is why Banasura vehemently opposed the idea of getting his dear daughter Usha married to a Kshatriya. The fierce battle continued till evening. Ultimately Banasura surrendered. He was compelled to surrender as valiant Satyaki along with Pradyumna had vehemently beaten up countless Rakshasas. In the evening with his commander he handed over Aniruddha and Usha to Satyaki.
Within a week’s time Dwaraka received the news that the Lord of Dwaraka, Satyaki, Pradyumna and Aniruddha are bringing the Rakshasa daughter Usha with them. Dwaraka rejoiced again. The citizens of Dwaraka greeted the Rakshasa daughter amidst the cheering for dada. Aniruddha’s wife Rochana also accepted Usha. In spite of being a daughter of a Rakshasa, Usha was incredibly beautiful. She was fond of arts such as dance, drawing and music.
Within a fortnight, the night of Kojagiri Paurnima descended on Dwaraka. As per the Yadava tradition all the royal men and women gathered in a big garden at the centre of the city to welcome the newly married bride.
The platter-sized round moon dispersing moonlight started shining in the skies of Dwaraka. Cauldrons full of cow’s milk put on the stone stoves located in the garden were getting drenched in the milky white moonlight. Almost the entire garden was filled with Yadava men and women.
The white horses of dada’s chariot harnessed to the Garudadhwaja, steered by Daruka galloped towards the garden in the milky white starlight. This was the third generation of the horses of his chariot. Their names were still the same – Meghapushpa, Balahaka, Shaibya and Sugreiva. Balidada, Satyaki and I accompanied dada in the chariot. Behind us Aniruddha’s father Pradyumna was sitting in the chariot with his brothers. This chariot was followed by the chariots of all the other brothers. Maneuvering our embellished Garudadhwaja chariot Daruka brought it in front of the eastern gate of the garden.
Chief Minister Sukrita came forward to welcome all of us. All men and women who had gathered to play Rasa were waiting for dada.
Walking with me, dada entered the ring of Rasa. The Vaijayanti garland was resting on his chest as usual. The peacock feather tucked in his golden crown was fluttering in the western wind. But now his curly locks of hair peeking out of his golden crown had turned pure white like the shining stars. The brilliance on his face was the same though, competing with the radiance of hundreds of suns.
After entering the ring of Rasa, first dada picked up palms full of vermillion from the platter as it was his privilege and for which everyone was waiting. Raising his head skyward he tossed it in the air shouting, ‘Hail Goddess Ida’. Then nodding his head, he gestured to me and Balaramadada to do the same.
A mixed sound of musical instruments like the kettledrums, tabor, and horns arose at once. By this time Rukminivahini and her seven sisters – all of dada’s wives had entered the Rasa ring.
In the company of Yadava men and women dada and Balaramadada began dancing Rasa as swiftly as they brandished their swords in a war.
The reflection of the moon on the lake water was oscillating. The Rasa dance of the Yadavas’ first, second and third generation got more and more engaging, teasing the starlit night.
Once, dada and I were sitting on the stone veranda of the Shiva temple located near the Bhallata gate on the north side. We had just worshiped Lord Shiva. Daruka was also with us. Nowadays wherever dada went in Dwaraka, Yadava men and women would gather around him like bees gathering around a fragrant flower. Today also they came. They were sitting on the floor. Dada listened to all their complaints. He was speaking in his melodious voice indirectly solving their various problems. All the citizens were listening to him attentively.
Dada spok
e for about half a ghatika and then suddenly pulled me in front of everyone and said, “Our Uddhavadeva – our Avadhuta has been travelling through the Himalayas. He is thinking of raising an aashrama in future at Shiva’s feet in Badri-Kedara. All of you should listen attentively to what he says. Remember each word of his, as the essence of his experience. If possible every one of you should try to practise at least one of his thoughts in real life.”
I regarded dada like my own parents. He was as venerable as Aacharya Sandipani. For me he was so much more than all of them. I could not disrespect his word. So, paying obeisance to dada respectfully in my mind I said –
“My dear brothers and sisters of Dwaraka”. As I was about to begin, Chief Minister Sukrita entered hastily along with Satyaki and a few Yadava soldiers. The eyes of the audience turned to him. Seeing Dhaumya rishi and his disciples with the Chief Minister I automatically stopped. As they approached him dada arose. Both of us bowed first and sought the sage’s blessings. While going back to the royal palace along with him dada asked, “Oh venerable rishi, is everything fine at Hastinapura?”
“Apparently, everything is okay! I have brought an invitation and a message with me. Maharaj Dhritarashtra and Gandharidevi have left to live in the forest for Vanaprasthashrama.” Dada surmised what the rishi was going to say further and said, “Surely, some kind of altercation must have taken place between Bhimsena and Maharaja Dhritarashtra! Bhimsena must have lost his temper and said something humiliating to him! That is why he must have gone to the forest – and following in their footsteps Kunti aatya must have also left for the forest!”
Dhaumya rishi who was walking stopped for a moment and looking at dada in surprise he said, “Yes, that is what exactly happened. Kuntidevi has sent a message for the Lord of Dwaraka.” The sage stopped.
“What message?” dada asked. I also listened attentively.
While going to the forest Pandavamata Kuntidevi said, “Tell Krishna, you have done everything possible. I am going to the forest to serve the elders. Whether it is the royal palace of Hastinapura or the forest – both are the same for me. We are going towards the forests at the foothills of the Himalayas. Just as you had come to visit us in the Kamyakavana, come and visit us here too sometimes!”
Dada got lost in some deep thought. Then composing himself he said, “What is the invitation for, oh sage?”
“The Maharaja of Hastinapura, founder of the new Shaka era, Maharaja Yudhishthira has invited both you and Baladeva. The Pandavas are organizing an Ashwamedha yajna. On the forthcoming full-moon day the auspicious horse chosen for the Yajna is going to be worshiped in a ceremony in front of the citizens of Hastinapura in the central square of the city. It is the wish of Pandava Maharaja and all the Pandavas that the ceremony should take place at the hands of both of you. I have come here on their behalf with a formal invitation.”
I looked at dada’s contemplative face wondering what reply he was going to give. After some time, he said, “Oh rishi, hereafter I am not going to leave Dwaraka! Take our commander Satyaki with you as a representative of Dwaraka. I will also send my blessings and gifts for the Pandavas for their Ashwamedha yajna. Please check with Balaramadada what he wants to do.”
The next day Dhaumya rishi formally presented the invitation of Hastinapura in front of Maharaja Vasudeva in the Sudharma royal assembly. As dada was not going Balidada also declined the invitation. As decided, commander Satyaki left for Hastinapura with the gifts and a few soldiers along with Dhaumya rishi after a week.
Planning something in his mind, one day dada summoned the chief of the smithy. The middle-aged Yadava who came was an expert in moulding the blades of swords, maces and spears. He had come wondering what kind of weapon-moulding responsibility would the Lord of Dwaraka assign him. As soon as he stood in front of dada with his palms joined, dada asked him a completely unexpected question, “Ironsmith, the tolls given on the time-indicating iron disc that you have installed in the square near the Shuddhaksha gate of Dwaraka get merged with the roaring sound of the ocean. They are not clearly audible. How big an iron disc can you create that will make the sound loud enough for everyone to hear it clearly?”
The ironsmith was confused. This order was completely different from what he had expected. He was lost in thought. Dada indeed had this naughty habit of keeping others puzzled, confused and diverting their attention from one thought to another completely different thought. He was waiting for the response of the ironsmith.
“Oh, Lord of Dwaraka, please give me two days’ time. I will give you precise information of how soon and how big and durable an iron disc that will carry the sound of the toll to the farthest can be created.”
Not just the ironsmith but all big and small artisans, soldiers, troop leaders had come to know since the Great War of Bharata that dada does not take a baseless statement for an answer! You have to think carefully before you speak and keep the promise that you make.
“Okay. You may go now and think about it.” Dada dismissed the chief of the smithy.
Bhamavahini who was transformed inside out, was consistently urging dada to visit the island of Queens’ mansions. But dada was turning a deaf ear to her request. Upset Bhamavahini would then send her six sisters one after the other to convince dada.
Jambavativahini who was now residing in original Dwaraka along with four-five of her sons would plead with dada saying, “The Lord should visit the island of Queens’ mansions at least once just to check the progress all of his sons in weaponry and horse-riding.” In her talk and her behaviour, she was now so much like all the other vahinis, that it was impossible to accept that once upon a time she had been a tribal woman. She was utterly exhausted with telling her eldest son Samba to give up his naughtiness that kept backfiring on him. But he was not changing for the better at all.
As Bhadravahini and Lakshmanaavahini both were from the Panchanada region they were always together. They would even come together to make a request to dada. Whenever they came, their clamorous bunch of twenty sons and two daughters always accompanied them. While amongst them dada would spend time merrily, brushing aside the memories of Bhishma, Drona, Karna, Uttara, Abhimanyu, Ghatotkacha, Duryodhana, and Ashwatthama and such from the Great War of Bharata.
Lakshmanaavahini’s son Praghosha had a rough voice just as his name indicated, and would shout shrilly. Pulling the legs of his younger brothers like Bala, Prabala, and Aparajita he would say in his shrill voice, ‘Your names are Bala and Prabala, but you have no strength at all!’ To make fun of Aparajita he would say, ‘Why do you call yourself Aparajita – an invincible conqueror? I defeat you all the time in all kinds of fights such as sword, mace and pestle!’
Satyavahini’s three older sons Vira, Chandra and Ashwasena would harshly tease their youngest brother named Kunti saying, ‘Kuntidevi – Kuntidevi why do you live here? Go to Hastinapura!’
One of the sons of Mitravindavahini had quite a long neck and was hence named Grudhra. His own brothers would tease him calling him a vulture and would incite him by shaking their necks like a vulture.
Only all the sons of Kalindeevahini always spent their time in the company of Rukminivahini’s sons. But all of them were in awe of the eldest and valiant son Pradyumna. As soon as he came in front of them all sons of dada would automatically fall silent, nudging each other with their elbows, whispering ‘Here comes Jyeshtha’.
All seven vahinis pleaded with dada to come to the island of Queens’ mansions, but none succeeded. Rukminivahini had now started noticing dejection on their faces. She was innately and temperamentally very different from all other vahinis. She decided in her mind to convince dada to visit the island of Queens’ mansions at least once.
For that, first of all she approached me. One day she casually said to me, “Avadhuta bhauji, it’s been a while since you ate the soft rice with salt prepared by me! Why don’t you visit the island of Queens’ mansions sometime! But don’t bring your dada along. You have renounced everything and become Avadhuta.
You also show it in your attire, wearing saffron clothes. But on the other hand, he too has become Avadhuta while still donning the warrior costume! He has forgotten his daughters, sons and wives!”
I conveyed Rukminivahini’s message to dada verbatim. This emotional blackmail of Rukminivahini worked perfectly! Dada said, “Udho brother, I would also like to visit the island of Queens’ mansions with you to taste the soft rice with salt. I haven’t eaten it since the Great War. But don’t tell Rukmini that I am coming with you!”
Soon the chief ironsmith who had taken the task upon himself to create a time-indicating iron disc to dada’s liking presented himself in front of dada. He had come with an iron disc six feet in diameter, made of a perfect combination of various durable metals, and was carried by eight–ten ironsmiths. Images of the full moon, Goddess Ida with her weapons, an eagle ready to take flight, a lion with his jaw wide open, a healthy cow fearlessly grazing in front of him, and weapons such as the sword, chakra, mace and pestle, which were symbolic for the Yadavas were embossed on it. As soon as dada saw the iron disc his face lit up. The ironsmiths had held the disk dangling on a thick rope passing through a big hole on the edge, without touching it. Eagerly moving forward dada took a big iron hammer handed over to him by the ironsmith, and gave a powerful strike on the iron disc in front of us all. The loud sound almost deafened our ears. Dada’s chamber reverberated with the sound of the toll. Indeed, that sound overpowered even the roar of the ocean. The sound of the toll kept echoing in our ears for quite some time.
Very impressed, dada said to the ironsmith, “Get this properly installed on a platform at the final intersection on the royal highway near the Shuddhaksha gate on the east side of Dwaraka.”
As per his instruction I got the time-indicating iron disc installed at the final intersection on the royal highway on the east side of Dwaraka. Dada had given strict instructions, ‘The old time-indicating iron discs in Dwaraka should be continued to be used as before for the citizens. The usual routine of tolls should not be disturbed. The newly installed time-indicating iron disc should be used only when a prominent guest comes to visit just me.’ As per dada’s instruction the public announcement was made all over Dwaraka.
Srikrishna- the Lord of the Universe Page 99
