In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhishmachaarya narrating the entire “Shri Krishna Avatara” right from His incarnation to Devaki and Vasudeva till how Bhagawan Krishna managed to kill innumerable Raakshasas and established “Dharma” in this world. By narrating Bhagawan Krishna’s “Charitra”, Bhishmachaarya moved Bhagawan Krishna Himself to tears when the narrative of the Gopikas and Gokula were being given. Bhishmaachaarya made sure that the Gopika narrative was so heart-touching that the entire audience was moved into Bhakti towards Bhagawan Krishna. Eventually as Bhishmachaarya completed his accord, the entire audience decided that if at all there’s any person who is qualified for the “Agra-Puja”, it should be Bhagawan Krishna and nobody else! In fact, Bhishmachaarya himself concludes his lengthy accord by saying thus, “Oh Yudishtra! Such is the significance of Bhagawan Krishna! Hence, you should go ahead and offer the “Agra-Puja” to Bhagawan Krishna, without listening to voices that go against Him. Some people talk nonsense about Bhagawan Krishna, which is not at all true. It is only because of vengeance, Sishupala is ranting that way. Hence, please proceed forward!”
As Bhishmachaarya concludes thus, the Yaaga continues further. Sahadeva once again comes with the pot of holy water, with which, the “Agra-Puja” was to be offered to Bhagawan Krishna. Bhagawan also takes His position once again and the offering commences. At this point, Sahadeva claims to the entire audience thus, “Oh people! As per Bhishmachaarya’s words, if there’s anybody who is totally eligible for the “Agra-Puja” to be offered, it is none other than Bhagawan Krishna Himself! We’re very fortunate to have Him amidst us, to grace this divine occasion. If anyone dares to talk even one word against Bhagawan Krishna anymore, I would make sure that I would chop off that person’s hands and legs in this “Sabhaa” itself in front of the entire audience! I pledge this as I commence the offering!”
As Sahadeva exudes thus, all the Devas showered divine flowers and water from the “Aakaasha” and encouraged Sahadeva to go ahead with the “Agra-Puja”. We might be wondering this – When Bhishmachaarya explained length and breadth about Bhagawan Krishna, the Devas did not shower flowers. However, when Sahadeva mentioned that one sentence, the Devas were showering flowers! Why is this so? Why is Bhishmachaarya sidelined like this? Isn’t this unfair? In fact, it is the same Bhishmachaarya who is going to gift all of us with the auspicious “Vishnu Sahasranaama” later on. Even with that, nobody talks high or celebrates Bhishmachaarya’s significance. Why is that so? The main reason here is that, even though Bhishmachaarya knew that Bhagawan Krishna is all-pervasive, he failed to stand by the “Dharma” which Bhagawan propagated to the world! Even during the Kurukshetra war, Bhishmachaarya, instead of taking the Paandavas’ side, ended up taking Duryodhana’s side although he did not want to really do that. The reason why Bhishmachaarya and even Guru Dhronaachaarya took Duryodhana’s side was just that one “Attachment towards the family of King Dhridiraashtra”! It is because of this, Bhishmachaarya failed to establish “Dharma” at various occasions all throughout the Mahabharata and we’re going to witness them one after the other. Even in this “Sabhaa Parva”, we’re going to see that when Draupati’s saree was being pulled by Duchaasana, Bhishmachaarya and Guru Dhronaachaarya remained mute spectators to the gross “Adharma” that was happening right in front of everybody’s eyes! As senior people in the family, both of them should have raised objections and stopped Duchaasana and Duryodhana from doing such things, isn’t it? This is where Bhishmachaarya lost his reverence and respect, even though he was extremely scholarly, invincible with power, name and fame, and even though he also knew that Bhagawan Krishna is none other than Bhagawan Vishnu who had incarnated to protect “Dharma”!
Moving on thus, the “Agra-Puja” commences and goes on in full swing, even as Sishupaala was on-looking. He was fuming with anger within himself because, even after he said so many things about Bhagawan Krishna, his words weren’t taken seriously. Even though the entire audience got convinced with Bhishmachaarya’s detailed and heart-touching accord on Bhagawan Krishna, Sishupaala was never convinced even a bit! He stuck to his stance! So for today, let us understand until this point, and in the next episode, we shall witness how Sishupaala reacted to it and how Bhagawan Krishna countered him! Stay tuned for an interesting accord! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 