In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Bala-Krishna and Balarama being sent to the “Gurukula” for formal education under the able leadership of Saandeepani. We’ve in due course of yesterday’s episode witnessed why Bhagawan Krishna, although He is Bhagawan Vishnu incarnate, should go for formal education. He is all-pervasive and all-knowing, and yet, He underwent the formal education under Saandeepani. This is just to set the tone for the world to follow His footsteps. Even though Bhagawan has incarnated in this world, He too has to follow certain norms of being a human being. He has to perform the “Nitya-Anushtaana”, “Sandyavandana”, undergo formal “Gurukula” education, etc. and only with this, the rest of the world would understand the significance of all these. If Bhagawan lets go of all these, then the world would start talking, “Oh! Bhagawan Himself didn’t do anything! So why should we do?” To avoid such talks and arguments, Bhagawan took it upon Himself to show the path. This is how leaders “walk the talk” with their actions, so that followers can follow suit. This is a very important concept in modern-day leadership and management.
Moving on thus, Bhagawan Bala-Krishna and Balarama make their way to Saandeepani’s hamlet to commence their formal education. The tenure of Bhagawan Krishna’s education was 64 days and within this time period, the children learnt all the important lessons that needed to be learnt as a “Kshatrya” prince. Along with the war art forms, Bhagawan Krishna also learnt other important things such as Vedas, Upanishads, etc. At the end of the 64’th day, Bhagawan Krishna and Balarama are ready with all the 64 different art forms and thorough with all their lessons. As per the tradition in our Sanaatana Dharma, every student should give the “Guru Dakshina” to the teacher who has taught the lessons. This is in a way to show respect to the “Aachaarya” who has taken efforts to impart the knowledge to us. Thus, Bhagawan Bala-Krishna too decides that He would follow all what is there in the tradition. He thus requests Saandeepana for the same. Bhagawan Bala-Krishna asks thus, “Oh Aachaarya! Now that I’ve learnt all the lessons from you, please tell me what is the “Dakshina” that I need to offer you!”
As Bhagawan Bala-Krishna asks thus with a pure and innocent heart, Guru Saandeepana was moved to tears. Saandeepana knows that the person who is asking this to him is Bhagawan Vishnu Himself. So what can he ask Bhagawan Vishnu? The very opportunity to be Bhagawan Vishnu’s “Aachaarya” is itself something that is extremely high in nature. This is the biggest “Dakshina” that Saandeepana can get, isn’t it? Thinking all of this, Saandeepana replies back to Bhagawan Krishna thus, “Oh Krishna! You’ve given me the greatest “Dakshina” ever, by giving me an opportunity to be your “Aachaarya”! What more can I ask you for? Hence, I do not want anything else from you!” However, Bhagawan Bala-Krishna was in no mood to relent from His stance. He wanted to offer something significant to Guru Saandeepana. As Bhagawan Bala-Krishna insisted repeatedly thus, Guru Saandeepana consults with his wife and asks Him thus, “Oh Krishna! Fine. Since you’re repeatedly asking me, I’m requesting you a favor – My son has been missing for over a month now. We do not know his whereabouts. Since we’re in the midst of a dense forest, we fear that some animal might have preyed upon him. We’re scared about our son’s safety. So please, could you find out the whereabouts of our son? Let this be the “Dakshina” that you’re giving to your Guru. If you’re fine with it, then please do this favor for me!”
As Guru Saandeepana says thus, Bhagawan Bala-Krishna readily accepted the favor. He went in pursuit of Saandeepana’s son, and after a long and a treacherous search, Bhagawan Bala-Krishna was able to find him unscathed. Thus, Bhagawan Bala-Krishna reunited Saandepana’s family together along with their son, and with this, the formal education of Bhagawan Krishna comes to an end. So for today, let us enjoy this important experience of Bhagawan Bala-Krishna’s “Gurukula” days, and let us wait till the next episode to start the next event on how Jaraasandha started his vengeance against Bhagawan Krishna for killing Kamsa. Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 