Unique Ways Of The Divine For Helping His Devotees

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Unique Ways Of The Divine For Helping His Devotees

How Krishna Protected The Pandavas From Romarishi's Curse

"On one occasion, the Pandavas, during their exile from the kingdom, had strayed

into the forest of Romarishi. Romarishi was a sage whose body was covered with

hair so long that it spread as a carpet into the surrounding forest. There was

a holy tree in that forest, yielding a very special fruit. The unique quality

of that fruit was that once it was tasted one would not have hunger for years

and years. But that fruit should not be plucked. It should be eaten after it

dropped by itself. So, waiting for the fruit to fall, Romaarishi was doing

Tapas there.

One day, when Dharmaraja and Draupadi were on a stroll in the woods, Draupadi

happened to look at this particular tree and saw the luscious big fruit hanging

from it. 'Can we not take this,' she said to her husband, 'so that all of us

could share it today?' Then Dharmaraja shot an aaow and uk; fruit fell to the

ground. Holding hi; baw in his right hand, he went to lift the fruit with his

left hand. It was so heavy that he could not move it. Draupadi also tried to

help. Dharmaraja used both his hands, still the fruit would not move. In the

meantime, Arjuna also came there and all three, Arjuna, Dharmaraja and

Draupadi, tried to lift the fruit. But, however, hard they tried it was of no

use; it would net move. Finally came the strong man, Bhima. He asked the

others to move away and said, 'I will lift this.' But even Bhima could not succeed.

Meanwhile, the hair of Romarishi, which had spread over all that area, began to

- stir. Because these six people were trampling about to lift the fruit,

Romarishi felt the disturbance, as strands of his hair were being trodden and

pulled. He realised that there was someone trying to steal the fruit and he

became angry. Immediately his long hairs started coming together and coil round

the Pandavas and tie them up.

Draupadi realised the danger, and immediately prayed to Lord Krishna. Draupadi

called on Lord Krishna whenever she sensed any trouble. Krishna appeared before

her. Draupadi fell at His (Lotus) Feet and prayed to Him for help to protect the

Pandavas from the danger that was about to engulf them. Krishna told Draupadi

that there was nothing He could do, since Romarishi was a great sage. As Lord,

He resided in the hearts of all Rishis (sages), including Romarishi. So, how

could he do anything against the wishes of that Rishi? But Draupadi held on to

his (Lotus) Feet and said,' You alone can save us. You can do anything you wish

to do, in all the three worlds.' Then Krishna said, 'All right, I will help you,

but all of you should be totally silent, not to say a word. You should do

exactly as I tell you.

Do not have any doubt or hesitation, but do exactly as I direct.'

Draupadi promised that they would obey Krishna's orders. Krishna went to each of

the Pandavas and whispered his plan, in their ears. He told them: 'I will now

goto Romarishi's Ashram. A little later, you must follow me there.'

 

In the meantime, Romarishi was furious with anger. He was about to curse the

poachers. At that very moment, Krishna entered the Ashram. Romarishi fell

prostrate at Krishna's (Lotus) Feet. He was overjoyed to see him and asked Him,

'What is it I can do for you. Lord?' Krishna kept Romarishi occupied, making a

few casual inquiries, till the Pandavas arrived.

 

As soon as the six reached the Ashram and entered it, Krishna fell at the feet

of the Pandavas. The Pandavas were feeling very embarrassed, but remembering

Krishna's command, they said nothing. Romarishi, seeing Krishna fall at the

feet of the visitors, also fell at their feet. Then Krishna introduced the

Pandavas to the Rishi.

As Romarishi listened to the words of Krishna praising the greatness of the

Pandavas, he totally forgot his anger. When Krishna explained that these were

the people who were tempted by the fruit he had awaited, Romarishi was so

transformed that he said, 'Let them take the fruit. I would like them to have

it.' By eating that fruit the Pandavas were able to live without hunger for a

long time." Sai Baba, SS, 6/86, pp. 174 & 175

How Krishna Protected The Pandavas From Ashwatthama

"Soon after the Battle ofKurukshetra, Krishna used the good offices of sage

Durvasa to keep in hiding the Pandava brothers, whom Ashwatthama had vowed to

exterminate, before the dawn of another day. Krishna approached the sage, who

was reputed for his quick temper as well as his adherence to truth, and told

him about the peril confronting the Pandavas and requested him to keep them

hidden in a cellar under his seat. The sage told Krishna that he would not be

able to utter falsehood if Ashwatthama came to him enquiring about the

whereabouts of the Pandavas. Krishna suggested that the sage could tell the

truth in a tone, which would deter Ashwatthama from questioning the sage

further. The strategy was eminently successful. When Ashwatthama after the

futile search for the Pandavas came to sage Durvasa and

requested him to reveal to him their whereabouts, the sage ejaculated gruffly:

'The Pandavas? They are beneath me!' The roar rattled Ashwatthama so much that

he did not dare to pursue the matter further, lest the sage lose his temper and

curse him.' Thus, the Pandavas, beneath him, were saved." Sai Baba, SS, 6/86, p.

175