In the previous episode, we had witnessed the significance of the Sriranga-Kshetra, as part of our discussion about “Chaar-Dhaam”. We’ve witnessed how the “Sriranga-Vimaana” (Idol or Sanctum sanctorum of the temple) was once at Bhagawan Brahma’s Satya-Lokha, then came down to Ayodhya amidst the Iksvaaku Dynasty and then finally to the present-day Srirangam near the city of Tiruchirapalli in the South-Indian state of Tamil Nadu, India. This is the headquarters of the entire “Sri Vaishnava Sampradaaya” even today and is worshipped by thousands of devotees to this date. Thus, the point here is that, Bhagawan Krishna establishes the Dwaaraka city, which is also one amongst the four important “Punya-Kshetras” of our Bhaarata Desha, along with Srirangam, Badrinath, Puri and Rameshwaram.
Moving on thus, Sage Sukhaachaarya explains the sequence of events that followed, wherein Bhagawan Krishna had to make His way to Dwaaraka. We’ve already witnessed the events in brief in our previous episodes, however, for the sake of continuity, let us re-visit them as we move forward.
“Asthih praatpthischa kamsasya mahishau bharata rishabha!
Mrite bhartari dukhaarthe eyatusma pitaa gruhaan!!
Pitre Magadha raajaaya jaraasandhaaya duhkite!
Satatah priyakaakarna shokaamrishayanonrupa!!”
We’ve thus witnessed that Bhagawan Krishna kills Kamsa and because of that, his wives were extremely aggrieved. Thus, they make their way to their father, Jaraasandha who was the king of the Magadha Raajya. Understanding the situation thus, Jaraasandha decides to take on Bhagawan Krishna, come what may. He came with a huge army and he himself was armed with enormous powers. However, Bhagawan Krishna defeats him and destroys his entire army quite easily. This doesn’t unfaze Jaraasandha in any way. Not once, but he invaded Mathura city for seventeen times, only to meet the same fate over and over again. It is at this time, Bhagawan Krishna discusses with Balarama that it is becoming increasingly difficult for people in Mathura, because of this Jaraasandha and his atrocities. As this is the case, Bhagawan Krishna suggests that they leave Mathura city and go somewhere else, where this Jaraasandha might not be able to find them out anymore. If not for anything else, atleast the people of Mathura city would be relieved of seeing too many useless wars.
As Bhagawan Krishna suggests thus, Balarama did not accede to it and instead, motivated Bhagawan Krishna to fight Jaraasandha for one last time before taking a decision further. In the meanwhile, Jaraasandha comes again with a huge army, led by his assistant by name Kaalayavana. As Jaraasandha and Kaalayavana approaches thus, Bhagawan Krishna thinks thus, “Oh! There’s no use of fighting these fellows. It is only going to result in heavy loss of artillery and human lives. Instead of fighting this Jaraasandha for the seventeenth time now, let me run away secretly somewhere!” Thinking thus, Bhagawan Krishna adorns a garland made of lotus flowers on His neck and starts running towards the western direction!
In the meanwhile, Kaayayavana did not know who Bhagawan Krishna was, and Jaraasandha is trying to explain His features to Kaalayavana as they’re approaching Mathura. At this juncture, Sage Naarada appears in front of Kaalayavana! He takes over the job of describing the features of Bhagawan Krishna to Kaalayavana. We might wonder here, whether Sage Naarada is making Bhagawan Krishna falling into the trap of Kaalayavana! It’s not the case! Only if Sage Naarada explains all of these, would Kaalayavana come forward and fight with Bhagawan Krishna, isn’t it? Only if he comes and fights, would Bhagawan Krishna be able to kill him, isn’it it? We would witness in many instances that Sage Naarada’s actions might be inducing fights and communication gaps everywhere, but finally it would all result in the establishment of “Dharma” in the world!
We’ve witnessed a similar pattern in the past as well – As Kamsa was in a dilemma whether to kill the first baby of Devaki and Vasudeva, Sage Naarada appears in front of him and “motivates” him to “go for the kill”! It was because, only if Kamsa kills a new-born, will his sins increase! Only if his sins increase, will Bhagawan Krishna have a case to put Kamsa to an end. Similarly, when Hiranya-Kashibu was trying to establish himself as the supreme power in the world, Sage Naarada comes and “motivates” him to do further – Only for Bhagawan Narasimha to appear soon and finish him off! Thus the point here is that, Sage Naarada’s actions might sound a bit weird, but he only enables and makes Bhagawan’s job easier in this world!
Thus coming back to this context again, Sage Naarada explains all the important features of Bhagawan Krishna, in a way that Kaalayavana gets more and more interested in fighting Him out! As Bhagawan Krishna starts making His way in the western direction, Kaalayavana spots Him! Upon knowing that Kaalayavana has spotted him, Bhagawan Krishna starts running and Kaalayavana starts chasing Him down! As both were running one after the other, Kaalayavana shouts thus, “Oh Krishna! Why are you running like a coward? Stand at one place and fight with me, if at all you have an iota of courage to take on my might!” However, Bhagawan Krishna never paid heed to Kaalayavana’s words! He was running, running and running! He thus comes across a person by name Muchukundha!
Now who is Muchukundha? We might have heard this name before. What was his role in this entire Bhagawan Krishna-Kaalayavana fiasco? Where did Bhagawan Krishna meet this Muchukundha? Let us wait till the next episode to find out! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 