॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
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श्रीशुक उवाच
अथोषस्युपवृत्तायां कुक्कुटान् कूजतोऽशपन् । गृहीतकण्ठ्य: पतिभिर्माधव्यो विरहातुरा: ॥
वयांस्यरोरुवन्कृष्णं बोधयन्तीव वन्दिन: । गायत्स्वलिष्वनिद्राणि मन्दारवनवायुभि: ॥
मुहूर्तं तं तु वैदर्भी नामृष्यदतिशोभनम् । परिरम्भणविश्लेषात् प्रियबाह्वन्तरं गता ॥
T: Sage Shuka describes how all the queens, especially Rukmini, were so fond of Sri Krishna's presence in their royal beds that they hated day-break and the crowing of cocks announcing dawn! They were most loathe to be freed from his embrace by Sri Krishna.
But Bhagavan rose promptly at Brahmamuhurta, and went through an elaborate process of bathing, prayer and meditation, and was most prompt and conscientious in greeting and honouring everyone. See what Sage Shuka describes:
उपस्थायार्कमुद्यन्तं तर्पयित्वात्मन: कला: । देवानृषीन् पितॄन्वृद्धान्विप्रानभ्यर्च्य चात्मवान् ॥
धेनूनां रुक्मशृङ्गीनां साध्वीनां मौक्तिकस्रजाम् । पयस्विनीनां गृष्टीनां सवत्सानां सुवाससाम् ॥
ददौ रूप्यखुराग्राणां क्षौमाजिनतिलै: सह । अलङ्कृतेभ्यो विप्रेभ्यो बद्वं बद्वं दिने दिने ॥
T: Each day the Lord worshipped the rising sun and propitiated the gods, sages and forefathers, who are all his manifestations alone! The self-possessed Lord would then carefully worship his elders and the Brahmins, to whom he gifted large numbers of wonderful cows, well decorated, along with calves. He also offered them traditional auspicious gifts.
Sri Krishna, dressed magnificently, then proceeded to his royal assembly, called Sudharmaa in his wonderful chariot, accompanied by Satyaki, Uddhava and others. Sage Shuka says he looked like the radiant sun on the edge of huge mountains. Sri Krishna's Sudharmaa royal assembly was a sacred space where no untrue or evil thing ever occurred even in people's minds!
तत्रोपविष्ट: परमासने विभुर्बभौ स्वभासा ककुभोऽवभासयन् ।
वृतो नृसिंहैर्यदुभिर्यदूत्तमो यथोडुराजो दिवि तारकागणै: ॥
तत्रोपमन्त्रिणो राजन् नानाहास्यरसैर्विभुम् । उपतस्थुर्नटाचार्या नर्तक्यस्ताण्डवै: पृथक् ॥
मृदङ्गवीणामुरजवेणुतालदरस्वनै: । ननृतुर्जगुस्तुष्टुवुश्च सूतमागधवन्दिन: ॥
T: As the almighty Supreme Lord Sri Krishna would seat himself upon his exalted throne there in the assembly hall, his divine effulgence illuminated all the quarters of space. Surrounded by the Yadus, lions among men, that best of the Yadus appeared like the moon amidst many stars.
Royal entertainers and comedians would come and regale the Lord by displaying various comic moods. Expert entertainers would perform for him, and female dancers would dance energetically. These performers would dance and sing to the sounds of mridangam, veena, dholaks, flutes, cymbals and conch shells, while professional poets, chroniclers and panegyrists would recite the Lord’s glories. Exalted Brahmins would recite Vedic mantras.
The Lord Sri Krishna would address every single issue of administration and redress grievances and decide on matters of royal administration speedily and with an ever-smiling face.
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One day, a messenger came and was ushered into Sri Krishna's presence. He had a sordid tale to tell. Jarasandha, who possessed the strength of ten thousand elephants, had imprisoned twenty thousand kings and princes who refused to side with him. He had achieved a reputation that although he had been defeated by Sri Krishna seventeen times when he attacked Mathura, in his eighteenth attack, Jarasandha had managed to defeat Sri Krishna and drive him away to the remote island of Dwaraka. These kings were now imprisoned and experienced utter suffering. Their message acknowledged Sri Krishna's divinity and assiduous support to Dharma and efforts to eliminate Adharma. They also knew that whatever fate they were suffering was also their own Karma Phala. But even then,
तन्नो भवान् प्रणतशोकहराङ्घ्रियुग्मो बद्धान् वियुङ्क्ष्व मगधाह्वयकर्मपाशात् ।
यो भूभुजोऽयुतमतङ्गजवीर्यमेकोबिभ्रद् रुरोध भवने मृगराडिवावी: ॥
T: " Oh Lord Sri Krishna, with your reputation being that of one with lotus feet that relieve the distress of anyone surrendered to them, kindly come and free us from the imprisonment of the King of Magadha, Jarasandha, reputed to have the strength of ten thousand elephants in his limbs! We are like lambs collected by a ferocious lion in his den for his devouring. "
Sri Krishna heard the message most compassionately. Just then, Sage Narada entered the assembly, radiant like the sun,. He was most respectfully received by Sri Krishna and honoured. sage Narada said he had his own report. King Yudhishsthira of Indraprastha wanted to conduct the Rajasuya Yajna to honour Sri Krishna among the constellation of kings who would be invited! So would Sri Krishna be so kind as to proceed to Rajasyua Yajna in Indraprastha!?
So here was the desperate plea of Jarasandha's imprisoned kings on the one hand, and the invitation to Rajasuya from Yudhisthira on the other! Remember that Sri Krishna had asked Balarama during those earlier attacks to spare the life of Jarasandha as he was destined to fulfill some purpose.
Sri Krishna now solemnly turned towards his great friend, cousin, and counsellor, Uddhava.
श्रीभगवानुवाच
त्वं हि न: परमं चक्षु: सुहृन्मन्त्रार्थतत्त्ववित् । अथात्र ब्रूह्यनुष्ठेयं श्रद्दध्म: करवाम तत् ॥
इत्युपामन्त्रितो भर्त्रा सर्वज्ञेनापि मुग्धवत् । निदेशं शिरसाधाय उद्धव: प्रत्यभाषत ॥
T: Bhagavan addressed Uddhava: " You are our supreme eyes (i.e. the ones to see outside and intuit inside), wellwisher, and one adept in the aspects of Dharma, and administration too. Therefore, dear Uddhava, pray tell us what should be done by us in this situation, and we shall do so!"
Uddhava, thus requested by the Lord, who himself was omniscient but now spoke like an innocent king, took the request as a solemn order for elucidating his considered recommendation and began to speak.
What he said follows tomorrow!
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