MAHABHARATA

HARE KRISHNA

The Pandavas, having passed thirteen years in exile had returned to Indraprastha. They asked Dhritrashtra to return their kingdom as the condition of the game had been duly fulfilled. But Duryodhana was not ready to part with what he had been possessing for over thirteen years. So, a war between the two became inevitable. Preparations started to be made for a big trial of strength between the Kauravas and the Pandavas. Alliances started to be made on both sides. In the course of these moves, both Arjuna and Duryodhana approached Krishna far help. Incidently Krishna was enjoying a sound sleep at that time. Duryodhana was lucky to reach earlier than Arjuna. So, he sat towards Krishna's head. Ariuna, when he reached, sat near Krishna's feet. So, when Krishna got up and sat down, his eyes first fell on Arjuna because he was just in front of his face. He asked him to narrate the purpose of his visit. Duryodhana interrupted saying that he had come earlier and the first choice of demanding anything should be given to him. Krishna shook his head and allowed Arjuna to have his say asking him, "Arjun! I will help both of you. Choose one thing out of myself and my large army." Arjuna chose Shri Krishna and Duryodhana laughed at his folly. He was damn happy to have Krishna's powerful army. He was damn happy to have Krishna's powerful army.

Yudhishthir, we know, was a sagacious person who hated war though he was a great worrier. His very name means--unshakable in war. He tried his level best to put off the war against Duryodhana but all in vein. As his last effort, he sent Krishna as his envoy to advise Duryodhana to give up the war-path and settle the matter through negotiations. Just on the eve of Krishna's departure, Draupadi came to him and showing her ruffled locks of hair said, "O Krishna! you are going with a message of peace to Duryodhana. I request you not to forget about my hair that was drawn and dragged in the open court by Dushasana. I have not dressed them for the last thirteen years." Krishna retorted, "Be consoled ; my peace-mission is not going to put the war off because it is inevitable. Rest assured that you will be duly avenged. Nevertheless my visit to Hastinapur will certainly prove that the Pandavas, on their part, did their best to avert the war and thus the entire blame will rest on the shoulders of the Kaurvas for which the posterity will never pardon them."

When Krishna got to the Kaurava court, he was accorded a warm welcome. Dhritrashtra entertained Krishna duly and asked him about the purpose of his visit. Krishna talked of avoiding the war by giving a small territory--five villages-to the Pandavas and thus restoring peace to the entire family. He argued with Duryodhana from every angle on this point in order to convince him that the impending war would be highly disastrous. Unluckily Duryodhana was in no mood to reconcile. He announced most indignantly." No, not at all no territory, not equal to a needle-point even. I have won their kingdom. It can't be returned until and unless they win it back with the force of their arms. Why shouId they beg for it like urchins?" When Krishna asked Duryodhana to restrain himself from using disgraceful words for the Pandavas, he flew into a rage and ordered his men to capture Krishna and imprison him. Hearing Duryodhana's words, Krishna felt upset not out of fear but due to disappointment over the failure of his mission. But he was not ready to take chances because Duryodhana could be wicked to any extent. So, he decided to exhibit to Duryodhana a glimpse of his divine power. He assumed his fearful colossal form and everybody present there was amazed as well as afraid to see it.

In spite of being offended with Krishna, Duryodhana could do no harm to him because according to the prescribed norm, an envoy could not be harmed or punished even if he used harsh words against the king to whose court he had been sent. As for Krishna, he was so displeased with Duryodhana that he rejected his stately hospitality and left the court at once. Vidur, a cousin of Dhritrashtra, was a godly person who knew that Krishna was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Having left the court, Krishna went to Vidur's house where he was received warmly. Vidur's wife was equally God-fearing and pious. She was beside herself with joy to see Krishna in her house. Lost in deep emotion and profound devotion, she decided to entertain Krishna with bananas. How strange ! Vidur's wife was offering banana-peels to Krishna for eating while the inner fruit was being thrown away into the dust-bin. She was, in fact, lost to herself in emotion and could not pay attention to what she was doing. As for Krishna, he enioyed the peels as if they were more delicious than the bananas. He did not even point out to her about what she was doin