Bhagavatha Vahini, Chapter 18 - The Escape of Thakshaka

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Chapter 18The Escape of Thakshaka

 

Observing the fight between the disappointed groups of suitors and the Pandava

brothers, Krishna and Balarama were smiling within themselves in appreciation

of the successful feat of Arjuna. Your grandfathers had no knowledge who they

were; they had not seen them any time previously.

But when the Pandavas reached their residence, the humble home of a potter, with

the newly-won bride, the daughter of Drupada, and when Dharmaraja, the eldest

brother, was describing with great exultation the events of the day, Balarama

and Krishna, dressed in yellow silk and magnificent to behold, entered that

lowly cottage. They fell at the feet of aged Kunthi, mother of your

grandfathers. "Auntie! We are your nephews", they said. "We are the children of

Nanda and Yasoda", they introduced themselves. Then, they touched the feet of

Dharmaraja, prostrating themselves before him. Krishna approached Arjuna and

drew him aside, with a sweet simple expression of affection. "I know you; but

you do not know me, I am seeing you now for the very first time. I am the son

of Vasudeva; my name is Sri Krishna. I am younger than you are; still, when you

achieved that victory in the Royal Palace, I recognised that you are the Pandava

brothers and so, I understood that you had

escaped from the palace of lac wherein you were when it was set on fire. From

the moment my eyes fell on you at the gathering of suitors there, I somehow

felt that you are Arjuna; I told my brother so. This is my brother, Balarama. I

was very happy that I recognised you and my brother too shared the joy. At last,

I am able to meet you. The bride is the embodiment of virtue and intelligence."

Speaking thus, Krishna called Arjuna to a distance and whispered in his ear,

"Cousin! It is not advisable that you come out in the open, so soon. Stay on,

in disguise, for short periods, in one place or other, for some more time".

Then, He took leave of His aunt and others and left, with His elder brother

Balarama.

>From that day, the affection between Krishna and Arjuna grew more and more

intense; it grew into a huge tree and yielded fruits rich with sweetness, which

they shared; in that sweetness, their minds merged and became one. Mark! The

first time your grandfather met the Lord Sri Krishna, He was at the Wedding

Hall of Droupadi, the Kalyana Mantapa. The significance of this lies in the

fact that they too were bound throughout the years in bonds of love and

affection of unfailing friendship. To consum- mate that friendship, Krishna

taught him the Highest Wisdom. "Did you note how chummy that Consummate

Trickster was with your grandfather?" With that question, Vyasa rose and

collected his things, in an attempt to depart.

Observing this, Parikshith pleaded piteously, wiping the tears of joy that

filled his eyes, "Master! You have made the Lord stand clear before me, with

your description of His leela and His Grace. Please tell me more of the many

occasions on which the Lord showered His Mercy on my grandfathers, how He moved

close with them and rescued them from calamity; sleep is deserting my eyes and

prompting me to listen to the stories of God. Make this night holy by relating

to me the glory of the Lord. That alone can give me satisfaction. Let me spend

the night in His thoughts....Your silence is causing me great agony."

Vyasa saw the steadfastness and devotion of Parikshith and changed his decision.

He said, "Son! Were the mighty miracles of Krishna one or two in number, I could

have described them to you. If one had a billion tongues, and the whole of

eternity before him, description of His Majesty can never be exhausted. All the

Gods bowed before Him with folded hands. Sometimes He would raise His Bhakthas

to the skies; very soon He will drag them down into the depths. He treated the

world as a puppet show. He was always radiant with His smile. He never knew

anxiety, disappointment or distress.

He behaved sometimes like a common man, sometimes as an innocent child, at other

times as a near kinsman, or as an intimate friend, or as a masterful monarch.

Sometimes He behaved as a playful cowherd boy. He had the capacity and

cleverness to play all roles with unique distinction. He loved your

grandfather, Arjuna, with special fervour. He used to take him with Him,

whatever the occasion or place. Why, Arjuna could move about freely even in the

inner apartments of the residence of the Lord. The Lord used to play with your

grandfather in the waters of the Yamuna, diving at one place and rising at a

distant spot to surprise him, calling on him to do like-wise if he

could, competing with him in various games, games which defy description and

identification. All of a sudden, He would take Arjuna to a solitary place and

converse with him there on some mysteries. He used often to discard the smooth

silken bed and sleep with His head on Arjuna's lap, instead.

Your grandfather too, reciprocated that love to the full. Though sometimes they

were found angry against each other, talking as if they were enraged, they made

up very soon and resumed friendly conversation quickly. My dear son, it can be

said that they were Nara and Narayan, like the body and the breath; there was

no Arjuna without Krishna and no Krishna without Arjuna. There was no secret

which your grandfather did not share with Krishna or which Krishna did not

share with your grandfather, which particular episode in their relationship am

I to tell you now? Ask me any one which you would like to hear and I shall

gladly relate it to you."

The Escape of Thakshaka

When Vyasa yielded thus to his importunity, Parikshith who was all attention

replied in a voice stuttering with emotion, "Master! I do not see clearly the

reason why my grandfather destroyed the Khandavavana (the Khandava Forest) by

means of a conflagration. Tell me how the Lord Krishna helped him in the

exploit. Make me happy by relating to me this episode". Parikshith fell at the

sage's feet and prayed that this may be described to him. Vyasa complimented

him and said, "Right, you have made a request which does credit to you. I shall

comply."

He continued, "Once, when Krishna and Arjuna were resting happily on the sands

of Yamuna, oblivious of the world and its tangles, an aged Brahmin approached

them and said, 'Son! I am very hungry. Give me a little food to appease it. I

cannot keep alive, unless you give me this'. At these words, they were suddenly

made aware of a strange presence. Though outwardly he appeared natural, there

was a divine effulgence around him which marked him out as some one apart.

Meanwhile, Krishna came forward and accosted him. 'Great Brahmin! You do not

appear merely human. You will not be satisfied with ordinary food, I can

surmise. Ask me the food that you desire for; I shall certainly give you that'.

Arjuna stood at a distance watching this conversation with amazement. For, he

heard Krishna, who allayed the hunger of all beings in all the worlds, asking

this lean hungry Brahmin, what food will satisfy him! Krishna was enquiring so

quietly and with so much consideration that

Arjuna was filled with curiosity and surprise."

The Brahmin suddenly burst into laughter and said, "Lord! Do you not recognise

me? There is nothing in this world - nay - in all the fourteen worlds that is

beyond your ken. I am Prana, one vital principle, in your Creation. I am Agni

the Fire-Principle. I regret to inform you that even I have fallen ill. To cure

my indigestion I feel I must consume the arboreal juice of the Khandava Forest.

That forest must be burnt in flames. That alone can appease my hunger and

restore my appetite."

At this, Krishna asked him, "Well, consume it; why did you come to Me for this?

This is indeed amazing; you have power to reduce the universe into ash! Why do

you crave another's help?" When Krishna asked him thus, pretending that he did

not know, Agni answered, "Lord! You know everything. Does not the great

serpent, Thakshaka live in this Khandavavana, with his kith and kin, his

attendants and associates? Indra, the god of Rain, is his close friend; so, He

has undertaken the responsibility of guarding that forest against fire and

other calamities. He has given his word of honour that he will save the forest

and thus, save Thakshaka. So, as soon as I start eating up the forest, Indra

will send his minions and soak the place with rain. I will be scotched into

inaction; I cannot eat any more. So, I am taking refuge in You."

Krishna laughed at his fears; he said, "If so, we shall help you out. Tell us

what we should do and we are ready." Agni was delighted. He exclaimed, "I am

indeed blessed; I am saved. You can, if you only decide to keep back the rain

that Indra showers by covering the forest with a roof of arrows that will allow

me to consume the Vana undisturbed." Krishna assured him that his request will

be fulfilled.

Your grandfather addressed Agni thus: "You can burn up the Vana, without

hesitation. My arms have enough strength to oppose and overwhelm not one Indra

but even ten millions of them. But, I have not got with me the arrows necessary

for this operation and the chariot that can carry all that weight. If these are

supplied, I shall carry out your task, with the gracious permission of

Krishna."

 

Coontents of this Vahini

Source: http://www.vahini.org/bhagavata/chapter18.htmlVahini.org: 'Vahini' Books

written by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

 

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