|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 46 – The legend of Lord Krishna – The legend of King Pareekshith

King Pareekshith who has the grace of supreme Lord Krishna while he was in mother’s womb, born in the righteous clan of Pandavas had a constant association with the saintly men and ascetics ruled the Kingdom wisely. He was married to Devi Iravathi, performed several Ashwamedha Yaga and sacrificial rites.  Once he undertook a journey through the Kingdom and happened to witness a unique incident.  He saw a bull and cow, and the bull had severely damaged three legs, standing on its one leg, also saw a dark-complexioned man adorned in crown beating the bull roughly. King Pareekshith could not withstand the merciless sight, who is that deceitful person in his Kingdom famous for righteousness, and how brave enough to commit a grave sin in his Kingdom.  King Pareekshith was extremely raged, rushed towards the bull and cow; they were talking to each other, and shedding tears of extreme pain. 

Dhrama/bull speaks to the cow “Oh! Bhadhre, why are you shedding tears? Are you crying after watching my pathetic state? Oh! Devi, are you shedding tears thinking of your relative or family? Or crying watching the miserable state of my leg? Or seeing inabilities of the Kings ruling the Kingdom to protect the animals? Or thinking about the women who are constantly mistreated and abused by their selfish husbands? Or are you crying thinking about the children who are not taken care of by their parents or abandoning their children immediately after birth? Are you crying over thinking about the future of twice-born who sells the knowledge for money? Oh! Mother, why are you crying? Are you feeling overburdened? Oh! Mother, you are emaciated, you are starving too long, you look so dull and unfortunate, what’s the cause for your misery?”

Sathyam  Shaucham  Dhaya Kshanthi Thyaga  Santhosha Arjavam| Shamo Dhama Sthapa: Samyam Thithkshoparathi: Shrutham || Gnanam Virakthi Aishwaryam Shauryam Thejo Balam Smrithi: | Swathanthryam Kaushalam Kanthir Dhairyam Mardhavamevacha || Pragalbhyam Prashraya: Sheelam Saha Ojo Balam Bhaga: | Gambheeryam Sthairamasthikam Keerthirmanoanahankrithi: ||

Devi Dharani speaks “ Oh! Dharmarajan, the Earth is facing the evil effects of Kali era, the people of Kali era lacking truthfulness/Sathyam, Shaucham/ cleanliness, Dhaya/kindness, Kshanthi/ endurance, Thyagam/self-sacrificing nature, Santhosham/happiness, Arjavam/sincerity and straightforwardness, Shama/appeasement, Dhama/control over senses, Thapa/austerities, Samyam/equality, sense of oneness-in all, Thithiksha/forbearance, Gnanam/wisdom, Virakthi/sense of abandonment, Aishwaryam/auspiciousness, Shauryam/might, Thejas/brilliance, Balam/physical strength, Smrithi/memory, Swathanthryam/freedom, Kaushalam/skill, Kanthi/attractiveness, Dhairyam/courage, Mardhav/compassion, Pragalbhya/self-confidence, Prashraya/courtesy, discipline/Sheelam, Saha/sense of togetherness, Ojas/vigor, Bhaga/dignity, Gambeeryam/profoundness, Sthairyam/stability, Asthikya/faith in the supreme Lord, Keerthi/fame,  and Ahamkara/delight.”

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 45 – The legend of Lord Krishna – Pandava Swargarohanam

Yudhishtira decided to leave for  Mahaprasthanam/ leaving the Kingdom and its people forever, practice meditation upon the Supreme Lord.  He crowned Pareekshith, son of Uththara as the Emperor of the Kingdom, Vajranabha, the son of Aniruddha has undertaken the ruling of the city of Mathura. Thus, Yudhishtira, Beema, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva attired in a saffron robe, left the Kingdom of Hastinapura followed by Devi Draupadi.  They walked several miles in utter silence did not consume a meal or take shelter in any homes, meanwhile, they took shelter in the hermitages of Rishis and Sages, the pathways they have crossed on Earth were famously known as Chathurdham/Chardham.  They have conducted journey through Haridwar, Rishikesh, Yamunotri,  Uttara Kashi, Gangotri, and visited the hermitages of illustrious Rishis and Sages, like Parashara, visited Kedar, Badrinath, visited Maharishi Vedavyasa, further crossed the river Saraswathi, constantly contemplating upon the supreme Lord Narayana, they have crossed several miles.   Devi Dharaupadhi realized the body is not co-operating with her for the further journey, she did not expect or ask for the assistance of her five husbands, she took immense pleasure in the Supreme Lord Vasudeva who resides as a soul in her, and left her mortal coil.

Whoever reads or listens to the Pandava Mahaprasthanam and Swargarohanam, with intense devotion and faith, would attain firm devotion at the lotus feet of Supreme Lord Hari.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 44 – The legend of Lord Krishna - The preparation for Mahaprasthana of Pandavas

Sutha Pauranika speaks “Oh! Shaunakadhis, in this way Arjuna got relieved from extreme grief, he remembered that glorious Gita that was revealed by the Supreme Lord Krishna in the middle of the battlefield, once again he recollected all those nectar-like speeches of Krishna, the body has to undergo constant transformations and ruin, and the supreme soul resides as a soul has no birth or death.  He remembered the advice of Krishna about the practice of Bhakti Yoga/Anananya Bhakti, to realize the presence of the supreme soul as a soul to attain union with the Supreme Lord.  Immediately, Arjuna got relieved from the grief of separation from Krishna, there was no misapprehension left, elevated himself from the ‘I’ consciousness to supreme consciousness.”

Further, Arjuna revealed his intention to leave the palace of Hastinapura, and contemplate upon supreme Lord who resides as a soul in living beings; he was already sacrificed material comforts.  Yudhishtira supported  the idea of Arjuna and all of them decided to leave the Kingdom of Hastinapura.  Devi Kunthi heard all the conversation took place between Arjuna and others, came to know the departure of Lord Krishna and the destruction of Yadhu clan, decided she has no more responsibility or duties left to perform, she contemplated upon Lord Adhokshaja who resides as a soul in her and attained union with the supreme Bhramam, left her mortal coil.

The Supreme Lord Krishna, who has assumed the chief of Yadhu, destroyed the wicked rulers and reduced the burden of the Earth, finally left to his supreme abode, like the thorn removed with the thorn and finally, discard them both.  He has assumed several forms like giant fish, tortoise, wild boar, etc. performed his duties and responsibilities like an eminent actor, performed various amusements and freed the Mother Earth from the burden, ultimately abandoned the form he has assumed and proved that the body undergoes transformation and ruin and the supreme soul have neither birth nor death.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 43 – The legend of Lord Krishna

Bhagavanapi Govindo Bhramanyo Bhakthavathsala: | Kacchith Pure Sudharmayam Sukhamasthe Suhrithdhritha: || Mangalayam Cha Lokanam Kshemaya Cha Bhavaya Cha| As the  Yadhukulambhodhavadhyo Anantha Sakha: Puman ||

Yudhishtira lifted Arjuna from the ground, patted on his head affectionately, and enquired about the welfare of Vasudeva, Devi Devaki, Ugrasena, Balarama, Pradhyumna and Samba.  Thus, Yudhistira enquired about all those beloved members of the family Krishna, but Arjuna remains unanswered. Finally, Yudhishtira enquired “Oh! Arjuna, how is our dearest companion, Bhagavan Govinda who is prominent among Yadhu, supreme Bhramam, beloved of devotees, provider of auspiciousness, and source of the welfare of the Universe and its living beings. Oh! Arjuna, why are you quiet? Did you commit any sin? Did you refuse to protect anyone? Did you refuse to protect Bhramin, children, Go, elderly people, women, or patients who took shelter in you? ” Yudhishtira looked at Arjuna whose eyes were overflown with tears running down through the cheeks, could not speak a word.

Vanchithoaham Maharaja Harina  Bandhuroopina | Yena Meyapahritham Thejo Devavismapanam Mahath ||

Arjuna wept bitterly and spoke “ Oh! Maharaja, we have lost that supreme Lord Hari who was our relative and constant companion, I have lost my brilliance; I have lost Lord Hari who was my constant companion and all my brilliance.”

Arjuna recollects all those crucial incidents in their lives and the compassion of Lord Krishna, “Oh! Brother, do you remember that moment we were heaved to death in the wax house by Duryodhana, was protected by uncle Vidura, we have assumed the form of twice-born and visited the Kingdom of Panchala, participated in the challenge and won Devi Draupadi in marriage, the entire Kshatriyas were raised voice against us, it was Krishna who supported us, it was the compassion of the Supreme Lord Krishna I got Devi Draupadi as a wedded wife.  Oh! Brother, do you remember another incident, Krishna crushed the pride of Lord Indra and pleased Lord Agni setting fire in the forest of Gandeeva, later a magnificent palace was constructed in Indraprastha at the order of Krishna by the celestial architect Mayan. He was all through the establishment of the Kingdom of Indraprastha and Rajasuya Yagna and crowned you as the King of the glorious Indraprastha.  It was the extreme compassion of Lord Krishna we have achieved all the glories in our lives.  Oh! Brother, King Jarasandha who imprisoned thousands of kings and prepared to kill them, me and Bheema disguised as twice-born and went with Krishna to fight against him. It was the mercy of Krishna, Jarasandha got killed in the hands of Bheema, released all those kings.   Later, we have invited all those Kings for Rajasuya, and it was the kindness of that Supreme Lord Krishna. Oh! Brother, Devi Draupadi was pledged in the board game, consequently, the wicked Kauravas humiliated her in the crowded assembly, it was the kindness of Krishna Devi Draupadi saved from further humiliation. Oh! Brother, it was during the exile form Hasthinapura, while living in the woods, wicked Duryodhana sends Maharishi Durvassa and his thousands of his disciples to visit us and get cursed. We were helpless without a grain in the hermitage, Devi Draupadi called out for Krishna was appeared before us and took grain from the Akshayapathra that was received as the blessing of Lord Surya.  Krishna swallowed that leftover grain and eventually Maharishi Durvassa and his disciple felt relieved from hunger, while taking bath in the river, and returned to their hermitage.  Oh! Bhagavan, intellectuals worship you as a preceptor and elevate their soul to the supreme Lord who resides as a soul in them, I am ignorant, I have assumed the supreme Lord Krishna as my charioteer, and you have sincerely performed all the duties with extreme compassion, inspired me while I was grief-struck in the battlefield of Kurukshetra, encouraged me to battle against preceptors, and great warriors like Bheeshma Pithamaha and Karna. Oh! Bhagavan, you have performed various amusements and cheered us, I can’t forget that boundless love towards me, I cannot forget your various pastimes and addressing me in various names.  Oh! Bhagavan, we have been inseparable while sleeping, consuming the meal, walking, and performing various tasks, whenever I make the dull remark, you inspire me and encourage me. You have forgiven all those mistakes of mine and accepted me as your dearest companion.  I cannot control the grief of separation from you.  Oh! Bhagavan, you have killed all those enemies in the battlefield of Kurukshetra with a single glance of yours, and kept me an instrument to fight against them, and offered all those honors of victory to us.  We cannot forget that compassion of you.” In this way, Arjuna repeatedly remembering the compassion of the Supreme Lord Krishna, all his impurities were washed off and finally attained the serenity of the mind.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 42 – The legend of Lord Krishna - The grief of Arjuna

Devi Uththara who is the wife of Abhimanyu was conceived with the child, prominent astrologers were received to the palace to predict the future of the infant.  The predictions were made to Yudhishtira that the child born would be highly intellectual, possessed with immense might, virtuous will have the sense of charity like King Ranthideva, and righteous like King Yayathi, but he will have death by serpent bite Thakshaka due to the curse of a Vipra, he will attain the supreme knowledge of ‘Athma’/soul from Shukha Bhramam, son of Maharishi Vedavyasa, ultimately he will attain the supreme abode of Lord.

Several years have passed Pareekshith got married to Devi Iravathi, and this couple had a son Janamejaya.  It was almost thirty-six years after the great battle of Kurukshetra, Arjuna decided to go to Dwaraka to meet his soul mate Krishna, thus he bade-farewell to Yudhishtira, Bheema, Nakula and Sahadeva and left Hastinapura.

Arjuna visited Dwaraka and got the news of Krishna’s departure from Daruka who was the charioteer of Krishna, he conveyed the final message of Krishna to take the elderly people, children, and Krishna’s parents from Dwaraka to Hastinapura, before the ocean swallows the entire Dwaraka.  Arjuna could not withstand the grief of departure of Krishna and the upcoming troubles of Dwaraka that submerges in water, he was already shattered and the responsibility to protect the people of Dwaraka seemed impossible for him, cannot ignore the command of his dearest companion and his last wish, so he gathered the remaining people in the Dwaraka and proceeded to Hastinapura. On the way, he was attacked by a few Mlecchas/Yavanas and harassed the young women.  Arjuna had faith in Gandiva that would protect the people from the attackers, Alas! He could not remember any of the usages of weapons, in a moment he realized that all his knowledge has lost, became helpless; eventually, he couldn’t help a single person from the clutches of Mlecchas. Finally, he had to run for his life, was chased by Yavanas and physically wounded.  Arjuna had to flee from the sight of Mlechasa, was stopped by Lord Varuna, and instructed him to give back the Gandiva that has lost all its divinity and prowess. Arjuna returned his powerful Gandiva, which raised his glory as an eminent archer, was always favorable with him had to return to Lord Varuna.  Arjuna was completely devastated at the grief of separation from his dearest companion Krishna, and the loss of his promising weapon Gandiva.

 It was almost six months,  Arjuna did not return to Hastinapura. Once Yudhishtira revealed his anxiousness about the safety of Arjuna, he explained his concerns to Bheema. Yudhishtira was witnessing too many bad omens, owl producing hoot and screeches, crows have no sleep in the night hours, repeated earthquake and tornado, the ocean water level is increasing causing the flash flood, all these were increased the restlessness in Yudhishtira.  He remembered the warning of Maharishi Narada about Krishna’s departure to his abode was nearing, the thought itself made his extremely unease, he instructed Bheema to go to Dwarak and check on Arjuna.  Suddenly there appeared Arjuna in ragged clothes, disheveled hairs, unshaven face, had lost all the brilliance on his face, Gandeeva was missing, and not adorned a crown.  Arjuna approached Yudhishtira with face hung down and tears overflowing, prostrated before him.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 41 – The legend of Lord Krishna - The grief of Yudhishtira

Maharishi Narada arrived in the palace of Hastinapura and found Yudhishtira in utter grief of separation form elderly parents like Dhritarashtra and Devi Gandhari.  Maharishi Narada advises Yudhishtira about the destructible nature of Sthoolashareera/body and the eternal Sookshmashareera/Purusha/soul, “Oh! Rajan,  Prakrithi is under constant clutches of ‘Time’, it is fastened with the rope of ‘Time’, all that under the influence of ‘Time’ has to undergo destruction, it is the law of Prakrithi no one has control over it, all that taken birth has to face death.  Oh! Rajan, you need not get anxious about King Dhritarashtra and Devi Gandhari, he is equivalent to your father, let him elevate his soul to supreme Purusha who symbolizes ‘Time’ and the provider of fruits of Karma. Oh! Rajan, they have gone with Vidura to Haridwar, they will reside there for some time, Dhritarashtra will learn the highest of knowledge of supreme Purusha who resides as a soul in living beings/Kshethrajja, contemplate upon the supreme Lord and attain union with him, like the air inside the mud pot diffuse with the air in the atmosphere, likewise when the body like mud pot undergo destruction, the Jeeva will take refuge in the supreme soul. Oh! Rajan, you should be happy for them, do not grieve for them and get relieved from distress.”  Thus, Yudhishtira regained his mental peace after listening to Maharishi Narada. Yudhishtira mentally offered salutations to Vidura, King Dhritarashtra, and Devi Gandhari, and once again, enthusiastically returned to the ruling of the country.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 40 – The legend of Lord Krishna - Dhritharashtra and Devi Gandhari leaving the mortal coil

Vidura speaks to Dhritarashtra “Oh! Rajan, the body has to undergo ruin and death, the supreme soul resides as a soul in us has no birth and death. Your body will face ruin at any moment; therefore the time has arrived to leave this palace. Oh! Rajan, you have to get rid of worldly bondage and attachments and practice the mind and intellect to attain union with the Supreme Lord.” Dhritarashtra was immensely pleased with Vidura, thus they have decided to leave the palace of Hastinapura on the very next day before Pandava visit his chamber in the early hours of dawn, to prostrate before him.  Devi Gandhari followed Dhritharashtra, led by Vidura moved out the palace was witnessed by Sanjaya.  Dhritarashtra strictly ordered Sanyaja do not let Pandavas to know that he and Devi Gandhari left the palace forever. Sanjaya could not bear the grief, shed tears of utter distress.  Thus, Dhritarashtra hold the hand of Vidura and followed by Devi Gandhari left the palace of Hastinapura.

Vidura brought Dhritarashtra and Devi Gandhari on the riverbank of Ganga in Haridwar. Vidura taught him the highest of the spiritual knowledge, with the constant practice of meditation and contemplation upon supreme Lord, recitation of glorious myths and listening to his various pastimes, Dhritharshtra and Devi Gandhari got rid of all the impurities and sins.  Thus, Dhritharashthra got his sight of wisdom and supreme knowledge; he realized the presence of the supreme Lord in him, left his mortal coil.  Vidura performed the last rite of his elder brother; Devi Gandhari who has already attained the highest state of spirituality sacrificed her life in the funeral pyre of her husband. Vidura felt highly pleased for them and conducted his spiritual journey.

In the palace of Hastinapura, it was the daily practice of Pandavas to perform religious rites in the early hours and prostrate before Dhritharashtra and Devi Gandhari.  As usual, on that day Pandavas entered the chamber of Dhritarashtra and found it was empty. They conducted rigorous search all over the palace, but did not find them, they enquired Sanjaya who was in extreme grief, and shedding tears could not utter a word.  Dharmaputhra became grief-stricken, wept bitterly “Oh! Bhagavan, I have committed a grave sin towards my elderly parents-like King Dhritarashtra and Devi Gandhari, they have lost all their children in the war field, no one to look after them, they might have felt shame to live with us and consume the meal.  I have lost them due to my inefficiency; I have not taken care of them appropriately.”