In the previous episode, we had witnessed the commencement of the grand “Raaja-Suya Yaaga” of Yudishtra at Indraprastha in a greater detail, wherein the ritual of Agra-Puja is being conducted. As there was a question as to who would be the most eligible person to offer the “Agra-Puja” to, Bhishmaachaarya opined that there is no other person who is more qualified than Bhagawan Krishna Himself and hence, the “Agra-Puja” should be offered to Him directly. As Bhishmaachaarya said thus, the entire courtroom filled with thousands of people including great Maharishis, accepted his words and Sahadeva commenced the “Agra-Puja” proceedings to Bhagawan Krishna. Accordingly, Sahadeva washes Bhagawan Krishna’s divine lotus feet with holy water and performs the “Paada-Puja” to Him. As this was being done, the entire courtroom worships Bhagawan Krishna, except for one person. This person is none other than Sishupaala, who is Bhagawan Krishna’s cousin brother.
Many of us might know that Sishupaala has had a very bad experience with Bhagawan Krishna during the “Rukmini-Kalyanam” episode. We’ve already discussed this during our Shrimad Bhaagawatha Puraana project earlier, wherein, Bhagawan Krishna allegedly “picked up” Rukmini Devi from the cusps of Sishupaala, who was actually supposed to marry her. Subsequently, a war broke out between Bhagawan Krishna and Sishupaala’s army, and eventually Sishupaala was defeated, insulted and sent back by Bhagawan Krishna, and subsequently Rukmini Devi married Bhagawan Krishna. I’m going a bit fast here, as we’ve already witnessed the entire story behind this earlier. Thus, Bhagawan Krishna had a “Raakshasa-Vivaaha” with Rukmini Devi and Sishupaala was at the receiving end of this. Post this insult, Sishupaala was having an enormous amount of vengeance burning in his mind – To somehow give it back to Bhagawan Krishna at an apt time and place. As time progressed and after many years, this “Raaja-Suya Yaaga” was happening and Sishupaala came to know of it. He also knew that since Yudishtra is performing this Yaaga, Bhagawan Krishna would definitely mark His presence there. Thus, Sishupaala came to Indraprastha with a savage resolution to take on Bhagawan Krishna in front of the entire audience! This would prove an insult to Bhagawan Krishna and this would in turn settle affairs between Sishupaala and Bhagawan Krishna!
Having this in mind, Sishupaala has come to Indraprastha and when he witnessed Bhagawan Krishna receiving the prestigious “Agra-Puja”, Sishupaala burst out in anger in front of everyone! Sishupaala gets up and talks in front of everyone thus, “Oh! I do not understand why this “Agra-Puja” is being given to someone who doesn’t know morality, ethics and Raaja-Dharma! What does this fellow know? What is his qualification? Who is he afterall? Is he a king by birth? Not at all! He’s afterall a servant-clan born guy! Did his father own a big kingdom? Never! All he knows is to abduct someone else’s wife and claim that she is his! All through his life, he has done only this, and for such heinous acts, instead of punishing him, he is receiving royal treatment! Long live Indraprastha!”
Saying thus, Sishupaala vents out all his anger towards Bhagawan Krishna! He continues further thus, “Oh Yudishtra! When you have stalwarts in your courtroom like Bhishmaachaarya, Guru Dhronaachaarya, etc. isn’t it appropriate to select any one of these people and offer the “Agra-Puja”? There are enormous “Pandithas” like Sage Vyaasa and the others. Why can’t you offer the “Agra-Puja” to such people who really deserve it? Instead of all these people, you’re going and offering this to someone who thinks too much about himself? He thinks that he’s a great Panditha and should be respected. But in reality, what does he know? Right from day one of his birth, he has only stolen things from others! He has never been truthful to anybody till today. He doesn’t even know the spelling of the word “Dharma”. Do you even know how many people have suffered because of him? Please realize that this Krishna who is standing in front of all of you is a thief! He is a womaniser! He goes behind hundreds and thousands of women without even an iota of shame in him! He has married 16,000 women in his life so far! Is this a normal act of a human being? In spite of having 16,000 wives, he still desired the woman whom I wanted to marry, and even without my knowledge, he abducted Rukmini Devi and married her! What kind of an act is this? Isn’t it shameful? Therefore, given all his track records in the past, I don’t think Krishna even deserves to be part of this elite crowd – Forget obtaining the “Agra Puja”! Hence, I request you to offer it to someone who really deserves it!”
Saying thus, Sishupaala went on with his ranting against Bhagawan Krishna in public. So for today, let us understand up to this point, and in the next episode we shall witness what was the reaction from the audience and from Bhishmaachaarya for Sishupaala’s allegations on Bhagawan Krishna! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 