Bhagavatha Vahini, Chapter 16 - Reverence for Krishna

[Guest guest]

Bhagavatha Vahini

The story of God and his DevoteesWritten by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai BabaDownload this Vahini

 

Chapter 16

Reverence for Krishna

Whenever Maharaja Parikshith toured any region, the rulers and kings of that

area welcomed him enthusiastically, with appropriate honours, military and

civil. They declared that they were ever ready to render him loyal service,

whatever the nature of service that he required them to do. Parikshith replied

that he had no need of their services and that he expected from them only the

promotion of the happiness and prosperity of the people entrusted to their

care. He advised them to devote special attention to the protection of Brahmins

and women, guarding them against harm. He exhorted them to foster the worship of

God throughout their dominions. Those were the only requests he made to those

who were his tributary kings.

In some important regions of his empire, the people entertained him with

folk-songs, depicting the fame and prowess of his ancestors; they sang of the

excellences and exploits of the Pandava brothers. The songs extolled the mercy

and grace which Lord Krishna showered on the Pandavas and the devotion and

faith with which the Pandavas revered Lord Krishna at all times. They also

enacted folk-plays, taking on the roles of Pandavas and Kauravas, with Krishna

in their midst, unravelling the story that He had planned with these

instruments.

When Parikshith heard these songs and saw these plays, tears rolled down his

cheeks, in spite of his efforts to control his emotions. The ministrels and

story-tellers, the actors and stage-men - all discovered that their Emperor was

fascinated by plays and songs having these themes only - so, they gave up other

fields in their search for material and concentrated their attention on the

dynastic history of Parikshith and the overpowering Grace with which Krishna

saved it at every turn. The Emperor listened reverentially and sat through with

great devotion; his gratefulness was shown in other ways too. He was supremely

happy; he confirmed from his ministers and elders that the tales were

completely true; at this, his faith and devotion multiplied and he sought these

chances more often and enjoyed them even more. He treated the performers and

musicians with intense affection and honoured them with lavish prizes.

When news spread that Parikshith delighted in hearing songs about his

forefathers and Krishna, those, who had personal experience of these, gathered

around him, wherever he went. They were themselves eager to see a ruler, who

was so full of devotion. One day, while returning from Mathura, an old Brahmin

was among those who stood on the side of the road, to catch the imperial eye.

The Maharaja did not fail to notice him. He approached him and enquired

lovingly about his welfare. The Brahmin said, "Maharaja! Years ago, when your

grandfather Dharmaraja performed the horse-sacrifice, in the Divine Presence of

Krishna, I officiated as a Rithwik, as the chief priest, to conduct the rites.

On that occasion Krishna approached me and enquired lovingly about my welfare,

with as much affection as you are now showing me. Your words bring those words

to my memory". The rest of the Brahmin's words were smothered by his sobs and

tears. At this, Parikshith exclaimed, "O, how

fortunate you are! To be spoken to by the Lord in the Yajnasala!" He took off

the cloth he had on his shoulders and placing it folded on the floor, he

pleaded with the old man to sit upon it comfortably and tell him more about his

experiences at the Yajnasala and other places, with the Lord.

Saying feebly, "My heart is torn to pieces because it cannot endure the grief at

the error I committed that day," the old man wept. The Maharaja enquired,

"Master! What is the error? If it can be revealed to me, I would like to know".

He held both the hands of the old man, clasping them together and prayed to him

to disclose it to him.

The Brahmin replied: "That day, all of us, who were initiated into the holy

order of priests for the Yajna, put on the sacred clothes gifted to us and

entered the sanctified enclosure. Then, Lord Krishna sitting on a golden

plankseat, in front of a golden plate, poured water from a golden vessel on -

no, I cannot tell further - I do not get words". The old man wept and sobbed

and could not proceed with this narrative.

This sudden stoppage of the story just when it had reached a critical point only

heightened the curiosity of the Emperor. He prayed, "What happened, Master! Tell

me please". The Brahmin took courage to comply. "O King, what shall I say? We

rithwiks were asked to place our feet on that gold plate and the Lord washed

the feet of each one of us; He dried the feet later, with the cloth on His

shoulder; He sprinkled the water from our feet on His Head. Since I was the

Chief among them, He was consulting me about all the details of the riter.

Lastly, on the day of the Valedictory Offering in the sacrificial Fire, He

granted us a vision of Himself, with Sankha Chakra and Gada in His

Divine Hands, and that Vision liberated us all from bondage for ever. Now, that

Merciful Lord is away from us, I feel that seeing you is like tasting a few

drops of refreshing water by a poor fellow, dying of thirst in the raging sun

of the desert.

The Brahmin concluded his account and holding the hands of Parikshith, he placed

on the king's head a few grains of sanctified rice, which he had with him tied

in a knot at the corner of his dhothi. Parikshith acknowledged the blessing and

exclaimed "Master! I am indeed fortunate. Though I could not see Lord Krishna in

person, I have today the good luck of meeting the feet that He revered", and, so

saying, he fell at the old Brahmin's feet. He called the ministers to his side

and instructed them to place the Brahmin in a palanquin and take him to his

home. He also gave him large quantities of valuable gifts and treasure. (see

also Srimad Bhagavatam Chapter 2: The Lord in the heart)

 

 

Hotjobs: Enter the "Signing Bonus" Sweepstakes