Bhagavada Vahini ---- Chapter 20

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Bhagavada Vahini by Sathya Sai Baba

 

Chapter 20

Krishna's Grace on Draupadi

 

Parikshith continued his wailing of protest. " Even ogres and

barbarians respect their women-folk. Among them, if one woman is thus

insulted, they avenge it as if the entire tribe is ill-treated. When

such is the case, the elders of the clan, the emperor, their

preceptors, sages and learned men, were all present there and

watching in open assembly, this atrocious act; did the intelligence

of those high placed witnesses suddenly disintegrate? Were their eyes

suddenly blinded by some dire disease? Did they feed on grass that

their taste became so beastly? Did they forget in their animality the

honour of the race? And the elders! Their sense of discrimination

deserted them and they must have looked pathetic caricatures of

themselves. "

 

Vyasa interrupted this tirade against those elders who sat quiet

during those awful moments; he said, " Son! Parikshith! Do not jump to

conclusions and confusion. No one of the elders in that assembly was

in favour of the wicked behaviour of Duryodhana, Dussasana and

others; they warned them of the consequences of their iniquity; what

could they do if those foul men perpetrate sin? When Dussasana was

dragging Droupadi by the hair, right into the royal hall which was

tilled with courtiers and others, the agony of Vidura, Bhishma, and

Drona was beyond control. Words are inadequate instruments to

describe it. Tears flowed in streams down their cheeks. They could

not lift their faces and cast their eyes upon the abominable gang.

 

There was another reason, too. Sparks flew from the angry eyes of

Droupadi when she was so tortured and, if they had fallen on any one

in the Hall he would have been reduced to ashes! Luckily, she was

looking only at your eldest grandfather, Dharmaraja; his fortitude

and equanimity were imprinted on her mind; so, the assembled men were

saved from destruction. Or else, Duryodhana, Dussasana and the rest

of that foul brood would not have survived at all.

 

The face of Dharmaraja, so full of equanimity, had such transforming

effect. Your grandfathers, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva were

watching that face, while their hearts were being torn by Droupadi's

struggles; but as they watched, their tempers cooled. Dharmaraja's

unruffled face saved every one from cataclysm that day; else, all

would have been consumed in the fire of her anger, making the battle

of Kurukshethra superfluous.

 

Nothing can happen unless God wills it so, isn't it? How can any one

over-ride the Will of Lord Krishna? She wailed that no one of her

masters rose to save her, though she called upon them and reminded

them of their prowess and valour. Just then, the thought of Krishna,

the Saviour, flashed like lightning, and filled her drooping heart

with courage. " 0 Shyamsunder! " she cried out, " This is not an insult

dealt to me. Nor is it an infamous injury dealt to the Pandavas. It

is an insult, an injury, dealt on you. You are our all. We depend on

you for everything. Is it then just that you should now tolerate this

cruel injury being perpetrated on our honour? We have dedicated our

hearts to you. Listen! I have dedicated myself to you. Perhaps, you

are not content with what we have so far offered at your feet. Let

your will prevail. " Thus, she surrendered, fully and unreservedly, to

the Lord.

 

At this, the Guardian of the Forlorn, the Saviour of those who

surrender, the Lord, took upon Himself the burden of rescuing her

from distress; He moved in silent and unseen, and blessed her,

unnoticed. And, wonder of wonders, the sari which the human ogres

were attempting to remove in order to disgrace her was rendered

endless; every one, including the tormentors, were stunned at the

demonstration of Krishna's Grace and Droupadi's devotion.

 

Good men and wise realised that Sathya and Dharma can never come to

harm. The tears of joy that rolled from their eyes gave proof of the

exaltation they experienced. The wicked Dussasana fell down,

exhausted and humiliated. Droupadi did not suffer the least

dishonour. All the dishonour fell to the lot of the Kauravas, and the

Pandavas were unaffected.

 

Can God permit the just and moral Pandavas to suffer humiliation? The

harm that the Kauravas planned to inflict on the Pandavas recoiled on

them only. This was the direct consequence of the Grace that Lord

Krishna showered on your grandfathers and grandmother and of the

devotion and faith they had reposed on Lord Krishna.

 

Intending to declare to the world the intense devotion of the

Pandavas and its efficacy, and also to hold them up as examples for

the Kali Age that was to come, the Lord contrived this thrilling

drama; there is nothing more in this than that purpose of the Lord.

You may be subjected to calumny, insult and dishonour; You may be

plunged in poverty or pain; but, the person who has surrendered to

the Will of God will welcome each of these gladly and bear it with

equanimity. The Lord will never give up His children; those devoted

to God have to be patient and calm, under the most poignant

provocations. The fact is, the pious and the God-fearing are those

who are visited by travails and troubles: in order to teach mankind

these great truths, Krishna enacted this drama, with the Pandavas as

the cast. Every incident in their lives is but a scene in His Play.