In the previous episode, we had witnessed Sage Naarada commencing his detailed accord on how the Indra Lokha’s “Sabhaa Mandapa” (Courtroom) looks like. He gives a beautiful description about the length and breadth of the courtroom, which is around 1,300 kilometers long and 2000 kilometers in breadth. This is almost the distance of Chennai to Delhi in today’s calculation! Hence, we can see how big Indra’s courtroom would be! Moreover, the height of the courtroom is around 65 to 70 kilometers! We can imagine the enormity of what we’re seeing here! Thus, at the center of the courtroom, there is a beautiful throne upon which Indra sits. He is surrounded by his wife, Indrani and the others who constantly keep fanning him. The other speciality of the Indra Lokha courtroom is that, if anybody sits there, they would be completely devoid of hunger, thirst, etc. and would be completely satisfied with various aspects that we require in life! With this, Sage Naarada highlights the importance of the Indra Lokha to Yudishtra, who was awestruck with Sage Naarada’s description.
Now moving on further, Sage Naarada is going to commence the next description – The “Yama-Lokha”. Subsequently, he talks about the “Varuna Lokha”, “Kubera Lokha” and finally the “Satya-Lokha” of Bhagawan Brahma. We shall quickly move on further from this description, as we’ve got loads of other important things to discuss here. As Sage Naarada explains all this, he concludes his discussion and is preparing to start! As Sage Naarada departs from Indraprastha, Yudishtra and the others meet together and decide to perform a “Raaja-Suya Yaaga” as quickly as possible. It is only when the king performs the “Raaja-Suya Yaaga” successfully, will he be accepted as a “Chakravarty” (Righteous and a Noble King) by the country and the world. Thus, with the advice given by Arjuna and the others, Yudishtra decides that a Raaja-Suya Yaaga should be conducted very soon. Thus with this, we come to the end of the “Loka-Paalaka-Sabhaa-Aakhyaana Parva”.
After this Upa-Parva under the main Sabhaa Parva, we now move into the “Raaja-Suya Aarambha Parva”. Here, we have the entire discussion on the various aspects of the planning process as to how to conduct the Raaja-Suya Yaaga and who all should be invited for the same. As the Paandava brothers suggested to Yudishtra that he has to perform the “Raaja-Suya Yaaga” in a grand manner, Yudishtra asks them back thus, “Oh Arjuna and Co. Of course, all of you are right! We should perform the Raaja-Suya Yaaga as soon as possible. But I only have one doubt – Whether will I be able to perform such a huge Yaaga? Do I have the right qualifications to even think about it? Normally, the Raaja-Suya Yaaga is performed by those Kings who are epitomes of “Dharma”. I’ve just taken over as a new king and I do not know whether I’m an epitome of “Dharma” to that extent of those kings, to take up such a huge thing! Anyways, let us do one thing – Let us call some experts and discuss this matter with them. We shall proceed as per what they advise!”
Hearing this from Yudishtra, Arjuna and Co. agreed to the idea and various Raaja-Rishis and Brahma-Rishis were invited to Indraprastha. As all of them arrived, Yudishtra expressed his concern to them for advice. As Yudishtra expressed himself thus, all the Maharishis unitedly said thus, “Oh Yudishtra! There is absolutely no doubt that you’ve to perform the Raaja-Suya Yaaga immediately. You are completely qualified for it. Please do not delay it further. Instead of doubting yourself as to whether you are qualified or not, please focus on how to perform it meticulously!” As the Maharishis opined thus, Yudishtra was still not very convinced. He asks them back, “Oh great Sages! I understand the point that I’ve to perform this great task. My only concern however is that, if I commence it, what would happen if I’m not able to complete it properly? Won’t it become a great sin? If the Yaaga stops mid-way due to some reason or the other, or due to some fault / mistake from my end, what would happen to the welfare of the kingdom? Won’t an incomplete Yaaga affect the kingdom and it’s people very badly?”
As Yudishtra expressed further concerns thus, the Maharishis once again join together and advice him. They say thus, “Oh Yudishtra! What you’re expressing is right! However, you should have the confidence within you that you can complete it perfectly. Please do not keep thinking too much on the negative consequences. Imagine this for a moment – If you’re not performing the Raaja-Suya Yaaga, that is also a sin on your part as a king, isn’t it? Hence, instead of fearing the negatives, focus on your positives and start it. Give it a start from your end, and we shall cooperate with you to give the Yaaga the perfect finish! All what is important from your end as a king, is to plan and start the Raaja-Suya Yaaga as soon as possible!”
As the Maharishis advised thus, Yudishtra was fine with it, but he still had something in his mind. He wanted to ask the opinion of Bhagawan Krishna on this. He wanted to consult and ask Bhagawan Krishna whether He is fine with this idea. Depending on whatever Bhagawan Krishna says, Yudishtra decides to proceed further. Hence, he instructs his officials to invite Bhagawan Krishna to Indraprastha one more time! So for today, let us understand up to this point, and we shall continue further in the next episode as to what Bhagawan Krishna opined on this! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 