Bhagavatha Vahini, Chapter 5 - Yajnas and the Penance of Elders

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Bhagavatha Vahini

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

 

Chapter 5

Yajnas and the Penance of Elders

Dharmaraja accepted the advice of Vasudeva, as well as the benedictions of

Vyasa. He sent his brothers, with the army, to bring the gold that had been

thrown aside by the Brahmins. They left after purifying themselves by partaking

consecrated offerings. They discovered the quantities of gold that had been

given as presents to the priests at the conclusion of the Sacrifice by Emperor

Maruth in the past. They had dropped the gold on the sides of the roads along

which they returned home. The army collected these and conveyed them to the

Capital on camels, elephants, chariots and carts. It took them some days to

reach Hasthinapura with all that load. They unloaded the gold, amidst the

acclamations of the people.

The citizens were amazed at the success of the expedition; they extolled the

good fortune of the Pandavas. They welcomed into the City the princes and the

gold shouting "Jai, Jai" until their throats were hoarse, jumping and dancing

in joy. They pictured among themselves the grandeur and magnificence of the

sacrifice, for which this gold was brought.

Preparations were started that very day for the construction of the ritual altar

and the necessary adjuncts on the bank of the Ganga; the sacred area was many

square miles in extent. The ground was levelled and cleaned. The dais was

built; beautiful buildings arose on the vast area. Porches and verandahs were

added. Decorations like flags and festoons embellished the structures.

When the holy day neared, Chieftains, Brahmins, Scholars and Sages moved from

all directions towards the sacred place, hastening each other in their

enthusiasm to reach early. They took residence in the quarters allotted to

them, according to their status and needs. They spent the night counting

minutes, in joyful expectation of the extravagant but efficacious Yajna that

they could witness when the dawn brings in another day.

The morning came. The auspicious moment approached. The priests took up their

positions and got ready to take the vows of initiation. They stood up facing

Lord Krishna and the King and said, "0 King! We understand that you have

resolved to perform not one but three Aswamedhas (Horse Sacrifices). Is that

correct? If so, do you desire us to perform them, one after the other? Or,

shall we repeat every formula and rite, thrice and have them all concurrently?

If you make it known, we shall arrange the participants and performing priests

accordingly ."

At this, Dharmaraja replied, "What can I say when you know best; I shall agree

to whatever advice you offer. I seek on1y the consent of Vasudeva for whatever

course we adopt" and he turned towards Krishna with pleading eyes. Krishna left

the decision to the Brahmins. They discussed among themselves for a while and

announced at last that the effect of "Three Aswamedhas" can be secured by

repeating each manthra thrice and presenting the Brahmins presiding over the

rituals thrice the usual fees. Vasudeva indicated His approval of this

suggestion, and taking his cue from this, Dharmaraja declared that he was

agreeable. He desired that the Yajna might be inaugurated.

The recitation of the manthras by the Brahmins shook both earth and sky. The

preliminary rites were gone through and the sacrificial horses proceeded on

their planned round. They were caparisoned in great style and they carried on

their foreheads the Declaration challenging any one to take them into custody

if he dared. When He, who is the recipient of all Yajnas, (Yajnaswarupa) has

taken the role of the presiding authority, no words can describe the fortune of

the participants and the witnesses. It drew to a successful close with the

Valedictory Oblation (Poorna-ahuthi).

The experts in sacrificial manthras, the sages and the Brahmins were loaded with

presents and fees. Enormous numbers of cows, large areas of land, and vast

quantities of gold were gifted away by the King. The whole nation was filled

with happiness. Every one was praising the Yajna as indescribably superb. All

who came were fed sumptuously at all hours. Sages and ascetics who saw all this

lavishness extolled the Yajna of Dharmaraja as grander even than the Yajna

performed by Emperor Maruth in the past! They were delighted they got the

chance to partake in this Yajna. People once claimed that the Yajna of Maruth

was presided over by Indra, the Ruler of the Gods and they felt that it made it

incomparably superior to any other sacrifice. But now, they congratulated

Dharmaraja on securing the Yajnaswarupa (Vasudeva) Himse1f to preside over the

Yajna, a piece of good fortune far superior to Maruth's and far more difficult

to secure.

At the end of the Yajna, those who had come from far off places returned; others

too turned home. The kings and chieftains took respectful leave of Dharmaraja

and went back to their own principalities. The kinsmen of the King stayed for a

few days more and left at their convenience to their places.

 

 

(See also Srimad Bhagavatam Chapter 11: Lord Sri Krishna's entrance into Dvaraka)

 

However, Krishna chose to spend some more time with the Pandavas; so, He stayed

on in Hastinapura. The Pandavas were delighted at this signal act of Grace;

they made suitable arrangements for the residence of the Lord; they served Him

every day, they filled their eyes with His Beauty, they filled their hearts

with His Gracious Words of Instruction; they spent the days in supreme Joy.

After some time spent thus in the Pandava Capital, Krishna returned to Dwaraka,

taking Arjuna with Him. The inhabitants of Dwaraka were overjoyed when their

Lord returned to His capital.

 

 

(See also Srimad Bhagavatam Chapter 11: Lord Sri Krishna's entrance into Dvaraka)

 

They welcomed Him in enthusiastic reverence. They feasted on the Darsan of the

Lord and were immersed in Ananda.

The Penance of Elders

Meanwhile, news came to Hasthinapura that Vidura his uncle was moving about on

the environs of the city in the guise of a monk; it travelled from mouth to

mouth and at last reached the ears of Dharmaraja, the King. The news was

received with surprise and joy. He sent a few scouts to discover whether the

news was authentic, and soon, they brought the welcome information that Vidura

had actually come and was present. Dharmaraja could not contain himself with

excitement.

"Ah! How happy you have made me!", he exclaimed. "This holy moment has made the

dried trunk of the tree of hope put forth leaves again. Oh, I can now see and

serve Vidura who fostered us and guarded us and guided us, I who feared I might

not get the chance at all."

The heartening news was spread by courtiers among the queens and princesses and

women of the royal household. Dharmaraja did not rest; he spoke about the great

event to everyone around him; he sought out others to share with them the joy.

He issued orders to the army that appropriate arrangements should be made to

welcome into the Capital the brother of his late father, Sage Vidura, foremost

among the votaries of the Lord. The citizens too were alerted and asked to

prepare a grand reception.

They decorated the streets and mansions on each side of them; they erected

arches and hung festoons and hoisted flags. They allotted galleries and seats

on every road for children, women, and the aged, so that they might have a fine

and clear view of the procession and of the great Sage. It was an inspiring

sight to see many old men and women hobbling on with their sticks, eager to get

a glimpse of Vidura, whom they extolled as the very embodiment of Dharma, as the

very God-father of the Pandavas. Some thought at first that the sighting of

Vidura on the outskirts of the City must have been in someone's dream, and not

in actual fact. They had lived long enough to swallow the rumour without

personal verification. For, they never could believe that Vidura would ever

come back to Hasthinapura. They grouped themselves on vantage points and got

ready for the great moment when they could rest their eyes on the saint. All

along the route, every building was

overflowing with humanity; the trees carried strings of adventurous youth, full

of excitement and expectation, shouting in acclamation of the oncoming guest.

The King decked in ceremonial robes ascended the royal chariot and started out

of the palace with his brothers to bring home the famous votary of the Lord.

Vidura appeared before them walking barefoot, slow and dignified, with matted

hair and wearing the robes of a monk. The King and his brothers stepped down

from their vehicles, bowed reverentially to the Feet of Vidura and walked

behind him, at a respectful distance. The citizens ran forward and fell at

Vidura's Feet, in spite of the earnest entreaties of the guards that they

should desist. The Pandavas could not express Welcome in words; their joy was

immeasurable. So, their eyes spoke it, with tears of gratitude. They clasped

Vidura in their arms and prayed to him that he should get into the chariot so

that the thick ranks of onlookers on all the roads might get Darsan to their

hearts' content. Vidura was persuaded to agree. Seated in the Royal Chariot of

the King, Vidura gave Darsan to the people who had amassed en route. At last,

the Procession reached the Palace. It was a sweet flood of song and joy that

flowed along the roads of the city that

day.

Some of the citizens were so overcome with joy that they were rooted to the

spot. The arduous life of Thapas that Vidura had undertaken had so transmuted

his personality that he appeared a different person, a person glowing with

divine aura, like Indra, the king of Gods. The people were describing their

exultation in their own words to one another. Many shed tears remembering the

trials and tribulations which Vidura had undergone and the peace that he had

acquired. The queens and princesses too had Darsan from inside the purdah and

they were supremely happy.

Bhajan: Radhe Govinda Krishna Murari

 

 

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