Bhagavad Vahini ---- Chapter 4

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Bhagavad Vahini by Sathya Sai Baba

 

Chapter 4

The Penitential Yajña

 

The Namakaranam Ceremony of the prince gave great delight to the

subjects of the state as well as the inmates of the palace, and

members of the royal household. But, Yudhisthhira, the eldest of the

Pândava brothers felt that something more had to be done, he was not

content with the joyous festival alone. He called for an assembly the

same evening of all the elders, the scholars, the pundits, the

subordinate rulers and leaders of the people. He prayed that Lord

Krishna preside over the gathering and confer joy on all. The sages

Vyâsa and Kripa also attended.

 

Coming to the assembly, Yudhisthhira stood before the gathering a few

seconds in silence, before he fell at the feet of Lord Krishna and

sage Vyâsa. He then turned towards the rulers, scholars and leaders

and said, " I was able to defeat the foes through your help,

cooperation and best wishes, as well as the blessing of the Lord who

is present here and of the sages and saints who have installed Him in

their hearts. We were able by means of that victory to win back the

kingdom that we had lost. Again, through these blessings, the light

of hope has gleamed in hearts, darkened by despair about the

continuation of this dynasty. The Pândava line will be continued by

the prince who was named today by the Lord as Parîkchit.

 

While all this delights me, I must announce before you that I am

overwhelmed with sorrow at the contemplation of another side of the

picture. I have committed countless sins, killing kith and kin. I

feel I must do some expiation for this; or else, there will be no

happiness for me or for my dynasty or for my people. Therefore, I

wish to take this opportunity to seek your advice on this matter.

There are among you many who have known the reality and attained

Brahmajñâna; we have also the great sage Vyâsa here. I expect you to

suggest some expiatory rite by which I can rid myself of this

colossal quantity of sin that I have accumulated as a result of this

war. "

 

When Yudhisthhira posed this problem in great humility and with great

contrition, Lord Krishna said, " Yudhisthhira, you are famous as

Dharmaraja and you ought to know dharma. You know the intricacies of

dharma and morality, of justice, of right and wrong conduct.

Therefore, I am surprised that you are afflicted with grief over this

war and this victory. Do you not know that a kshatriya incurs no sin

when he kills a foe who has come to the battlefield armed with

intention to kill? Whatever injury or pain or loss is inflicted on

the battlefield during the fight with armed foes is free from sin. It

is the dharma of a kshatriya to take up the sword and fight to the

very end, without any thought of self, to save his country. You have

only observed your dharma. How can karma (activity) along the lines

of dharma be sinful? It is not proper to doubt this and give way to

despair. Sin cannot touch you, surround you or bother you. Instead of

exulting over the festival of the naming of the new-born prince, why

should you dread imaginary calamities and seek remedies for non-

existent sins? Be calm, be happy. "

 

Vyâsa too rose from his seat and addressed the King. " Sinful and

blame-worthy acts are inevitable in battle. They should not be the

cause for grief. The chief aim in battle should be the protection of

dharma from its foes. If that is kept before the mind, the sin will

not affect the fighters. A putrid wound has to be treated with the

knife; it is not sinful to inflict the surgery. A doctor who knows

the surgery, and knowing, does not save the man by doing it, incurs

sin. So too knowing that the foe is the source of injustice, cruelty,

terror and vice, if these boils are not treated by the surgeon,

knowing the cure, because he is reluctant to use the knife (the

surgeon being the kshatriya), he incurs sin by remaining quiet, not

by using the sword. Dharmaraja, you are speaking under a delusion. I

can understand others less wise being afflicted by these doubts, but,

I wonder how you are worried over this fear of sin?

 

If however our words do not carry conviction, I can suggest another

remedy too. That will remove all fear. Some rulers in the past have

resorted to it, after the conclusion of wars, for the removal of the

effects of sin. It is the rite of As'vamedha, the Horse Sacrifice. If

you desire, you can also perform this rite, as an expiatory ceremony.

There can be no obstacle for that. But, believe me, you are innocent

of sin even without any expiation. Since your faith is shaky, I am

suggesting this rite for your satisfaction " . After this statement,

Vyâsa resumed his seat.

 

At this, all the elders, scholars and leaders rose as one man and

applauded the valuable suggestion given by Vyâsa. They shouted, Jai

Jai, in order to demonstrate their approval and appreciation. They

exclaimed, " o! how auspicious, how significant " and they blessed

Dharmaraja in the endeavor to free himself from the sinful

consequences of war. But, Dharmaraja was still heavy with grief; he

was not free from fear. His eyes were wet with tears.

 

He pleaded with the assembly, most piteously. " However much you

assert my innocence, I am not convinced. Somehow, my mind does not

accept your argument. Rulers who were engaged in wars might have

cleansed themselves by means of the As'vamedha yaga. Those were

ordinary wars; they were the usual type. But my case is something

very extraordinary. My sins are three times more sinister, for, (1) I

have killed kith and kin (2) I have killed holy elders like Bhîshma

and Drona and (3) I have killed many crowned heads. Alas, my fate!

How monstrous have been my actions? "

 

" No other ruler could have done so much of iniquity. Not one, but

three As'vamedha Yagas have to be performed to cleanse this quantity.

Then, only can I have peace. Then only can my dynasty be happy and

secure. Then only can the administration of my kingdom be safe and

meritorious. This must be kindly accepted by Vyâsa and other elders

and sages. "

 

When Yudhisthhira spoke thus, tears dropped on his cheeks; his lips

quivered with sorrow; his body was bent with remorse. Seeing this,

the heart of every sage melted with pity. The subjects of the King

were moved in sympathy. Vyâsa and even Vâsudeva were affected. Many

pundits shed tears, without being aware of it. The assembly was

struck dumb with astonishment. All knew in a flash how soft the heart

of Dharmaraja was. The brothers too, Bhîma, Arjuna, Nakula and

Sahadeva were standing with folded palms, in reverential humility,

awaiting the word that will assure relief, from the Lord who was in

the Presidential Seat.

 

Then, the assembly, with one voice, approved the three As'vamedha

Yagas, to relieve the distress of Dharmaraja. One sage gave

expression to the opinion of the assembly. He said, " We shall not

stand in the way of your desire. We accept it whole-heartedly. We

shall celebrate the Yagas in the best sastric way, until the final

rites. For, we seek peace of mind for you, more than anything else.

We are prepared to do anything which will give you satisfaction. "

This was acclaimed by every one in the gathering.

 

Hearing this, Dharmaraja said; " I am indeed blessed; I am blessed

indeed. He gave his grateful thanks for the promised cooperation. He

walked towards the place where Krishna and Vyâsa were seated and he

fell at their feet. He held the feet of Krishna and pleaded, " 0

Madhusûdana! (killer of Madhu) name of Krishna as the one who kills

the demons) Didn't you hear my prayer? Didn't you witness my grief? I

pray that you grant us your Divine presence at the coming Yaga, that

you ensure me the fruit thereof and save me from this burden of sin. "

 

Krishna smiled and lifted him up from the ground before Him. He

said, " Dharmaraja! I shall certainly answer your prayer. But, you

have taken upon your shoulders a burden as heavy as a range of

mountains. This Yaga is no small affair. Moreover, the performer is

the celebrated King, Dharmaraja! That means, it has to be celebrated

on a scale befitting your status. I know that you have no where-

withal for this very expensive undertaking. Kings derive money only

from their subjects. To spend on a Yaga, the money squeezed out of

them is not desirable.

 

Only well earned money can be used for such holy rites; else it will

bring evil instead of good. Nor can your subordinate rulers come to

your help, for they too have been miserably impoverished by the late

war. It is clear they have nothing to spare. Aware of all this, how

could you accept to celebrate three As'vamedhas in a row? I wonder

how you found such audacity in spite of these adverse conditions.

And, you have already announced it publicly in this great and

distinguished gathering. You did not give Me even a hint about this

costly idea. Then, we could have thought out some plan. Well, it is

not too late. We shall take a decision after some more deliberation.

It does not matter if some delay is caused. "

 

Dharmaraja listened to these words of the Lord and laughed a hearty

laugh! " Lord, you are playing a drama with me, I know. I have never

decided upon an act without deliberation. Nor have I ever worried

about money or the wherewithal. When we have as our guardian, You

with Your inexhaustible Grace, why should I worry about anything?

When I have the Kalpatharu (wishfulfilling tree) in my garden, why

should I worry, seeking roots and tubers? The all-powerful Lord, who

has been guarding us all these terrible years as the eyelids guard

the eye, will not give us up, at this juncture.

 

For You who can whiff huge mountains into dust, this little pebble is

no problem at all. You are my Treasure, my treasury. You are the Very

Breath. Whatever You may say, I will not hesitate. All my strength,

all my wealth is You and You alone. I place all my burdens, including

the burden of state and this new burden of the three Yagas on Your

Feet. You can do anything you like. You may value my word and carry

out my intention or You may discard it and cancel the Yagas. I have

no concern. I am equally happy, whatever You do. It is Your Will, not

mine. "

 

Of course, with the Lord who resides in the heart, no special

pleading is needed. The Lord melted; He lifted Dharmaraja and helped

him to stand. " No, I spoke in jest to test your faith and devotion. I

wanted to demonstrate to these subjects of yours how strong is your

faith in Me. You need have no worry on any score. Your wish will be

fulfilled. If you follow My instructions, you can procure very easily

the money needed for the celebration of the Yagas. You can get it

without harassing the rulers and squeezing the subjects. "

 

On hearing this, Dharmaraja was delighted. He said, " Lord, we shall

honor Your command. " Then Krishna said, " Listen. In bygone times, a

ruler named Maruth performed a Yaga, in a style that no one since

then could approach. The hall where the Yaga was celebrated along

with every item connected with it were of gold. Gold bricks were

given away, as gifts to the priests who officiated; golden images of

cows were given instead of cows and plates of gold were distributed

instead of lands! The brahmins were not able to carry them home and

so, they took only as much as they could lift or carry. The rest they

just cast away. Those pieces of gold are now available in large

quantities, for your Yagas. You can collect them. "

 

Dharmaraja did not agree; he had qualms about it. He said, " Lord,

that is the property of those to whom it was given. How can I make

use of it, without their permission? " Krishna replied, " They have

cast it away, fully conscious of what they were doing and what they

were discarding. They are not alive today. Their children know

nothing about the existence of this treasure. It is now under the

earth. Remember that all treasure inside the earth, which has no

master or owner, belongs to the king of that realm. When the king

wants to take possession of it, no one has the right to object. Bring

that treasure soon and prepare for the celebration of the Yagas, "

commanded Lord Krishna.