Bhagavada Vahini - Chapter 16

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Bhagavada Vahini by Sathya Sai Baba

 

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.