॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
Saturday, 3 September 2022 - Chapter 10 of the first skandha - All is well in Hastinapur. Sri Krishna proceeds to Dwaraka.
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निशम्य भीष्मोक्तमथाच्युतोऽक्तं प्रवृत्तविज्ञानविधूतविभ्रमः।
शशास गामिन्द्र इवाजिताश्रयः परिध्युपान्तामनुजानुवर्तितः॥
T: On his heeding the advice of Bhishma and the counsel of Achyuta Krishna, wisdom dawned in Yudhishthira and his confusion was dispelled. He then took over the kingdom and ruled without hindrance like Indra ruled heaven, and his kingdom extended to the ocean shores. He was ably and obediently supported by his brothers.
Sage Vyasa describes how nature smiled on the kingdom and there was plenty and prosperity. People were at peace. The rains, crops, all were good. There was no disease or pestilence.
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Sri Krishna spends a good amount of time in Hastinapur respecting everyone’s wishes. Now the time comes for him to leave. He is given a tearful, most loving farewell that unites everyone-Pandavas, elders, womenfolk, citizens and priests and sages.
There are many verses beautifully crafted to take us into experiencing that farewell. I shall quote a few shlokas.
न्यरुन्धन्नुद्गलद्बाष्पमौत्कण्ठ्याद्देवकीसुते ।
निर्यात्यगारान्नोऽभद्रमिति स्याद्बान्धवस्त्रियः॥
T: Just as Bhagavan Sri Krishna moved out of the palace premises, his dear relatives and womenfolk had tears welling up and throats choked at the thought of farewell. But they held back their emotions not to invite anything inauspicious for his journey ahead.
There were musical instruments sounding, and a grand celebration of the Lord’s presence all this time. Imagine the Ganesh Visarjan mood.
सितातपत्रं जग्राह मुक्तादामविभूषितम् ।
रत्नदण्डं गुडाकेशः प्रियः प्रियतमस्य ह ॥
T: Arjuna, one who had conquered sloth, who was dear to Krishna, stood on the chariot, holding a white umbrella proudly over Sri Krishna, his dearest friend. It was decorated with ropes of pearls and jewels on its bejewelled staff too.
प्रासादशिखरारूढाः कुरुनार्यो दिदृक्षया ।
ववृषुः कुसुमैः कृष्णं प्रेमव्रीडास्मितेक्षणाः ॥
T: The Kuru women stood on the high palace balcony to catch a perfect view of Sri Krishna, and showered fragrant flowers on him, their eyes filled with their love and coyness too.
Priests and Brahmins sang hymns propitiating the Lord and conferring blessings. Sage Vyasa reminds us that the Lord is the Supreme Being beyond name and form and needs no such rituals, but yet where there is devotion, He reigns supreme!
स वा अयं सख्यनुगीतसत्कथो वेदेषु गुह्येषु च गुह्यवादिभिः।
य एक ईशो जगदात्मलीलया सृजत्यवत्यत्ति न तत्र सज्जते ॥
T:”This is our dear Sri Krishna, He alone who has been sung about so much and whose stories are legion, who has been worshipped in the Vedas and esoteric Tantras! He alone is the Supreme Lord who by his Yoga Maya Leela (divine sport) creates, protects and dissolves the Universe, being totally unaffected Himself!”
“Oh the good fortune of Vrishni people of Dwaraka who rise at dawn to catch a glimpse of Sri Krishna, and who move about with him constantly! He is the Lord who ensures justice and law in the world, and blesses all that he touches!”
“Oh, how blessed are the women of Dwaraka!”
एताः परं स्त्रीत्व मपास्तपेशलं निरस्तशौचं बत साधु कुर्वते।
यासां गृहात्पुष्करलोचनः पतिर्न जात्वपैत्याहृतिभिर्हृदि स्पृशन् ॥
T: “And all his wives, including princesses like Rukmini and Satyabhama, as well as the legions of women Sri Krishna rescued from Narakasura - how sanctified are they by their lotus-eyed husband and Lord who never leaves their company and is enshrined always in their hearts!”
As the royal women were saying these words and celebrating the Lord, Sri Krishna looked with a most loving glance at all, and smilingly made his way on the chariot, along with his people and accompanied by a well-equipped army sent as an escort by King Yudhishthira. The people of Hastinapur travelled quite some distance with the entourage.
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Passing several regions, including Kurujangala, Panchala, Surasena, Yamuna, Brahmavarta, Kurukshetra, Matsya, Saraswata and the deserts of Marudhanva, Sauveera, Abheera and Anarta, Lord Sri Krishna reached Dwaraka. He halted en route for resting the horses. Many came and offered their tributes as he passed their lands.
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Sri Krishna got down from his chariot and went and completed his Sandyavandana for the evening.
॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
