In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna talking with Vidura and subsequently with Kunthi Devi. Bhagawan Krishna makes it a point to visit Kunthi Devi, so as to pay His salutations to Yudishtra’s mother. We should also remember that Kunthi Devi is Vasudeva’s (Bhagawan Krishna’s father) own sister and in that way too, He wanted to offer His respects to her. Thus, moving on further from here, Bhagawan Krishna now wants to visit Duryodhana in his chamber. Of course, Bhagawan Krishna knows the wickedness of Duryodhana very well, but still, He wants to test Duryodhana to see to what level he can stoop down to. Thus, Bhagawan Krishna makes His way to Duryodhana’s palace and we shall continue from here on in today’s episode.
As Bhagawan Krishna enters Duryodhana’s palace, He sees the astounding nature in which the palace is built. There is a throne which is made fully of gold and all along the pathway that leads to the throne, gold decorations are made everywhere. As Bhagawan Krishna walks inside through the pathway, Duryodhana comes running and welcomes Him with all the due respects. Perhaps, Duryodhana did not expect Bhagawan Krishna to come on a personal visit to his palace, and hence, Duryodhana quickly scrambles around to give the best welcome possible for Bhagawan Krishna. Thus, as Bhagawan Krishna walks through the golden carpet, Duryodhana offers one of the highest “Aasanas” (Seat) for Him to be seated. As Bhagawan Krishna sits in the “Aasana”, He remarks to Duryodhana thus, “Oh Duryodhana! Thank you for the wonderful hospitality you’re providing me! However, I do not know if I’m eligible for all these things! I was born in a poor family in Mathura! I was chased out of Mathura to Gokula even before I opened my eyes as a baby! I was brought up amidst cowherds for the next ten years of my life. Subsequently, even after I came back to Mathura, I was chased away by Jarasandha’s brother, Kalayavana, all the way to Dwaraka! Hence, I’ve been running here and there all through my life! Given this case, I really do not know if I deserve all these levels of hospitality! Instead, you should be offering all these to someone else who really deserves it!”
As Bhagawan Krishna opines thus, Duryodhana is quick to respond in a nice way. He says thus, “Oh Krishna! You shouldn’t be saying all these. You are a great king and you are the ruler of the great kingdom called Dwaraka. You are Dwaraka-Deesha! Hence, you have all the right to experience this kind of hospitality!” As Duryodhana explains thus, he then quickly comes to the important point of discussion without wasting any further time. Duryodhana says thus, “Oh Krishna! Please tell me one thing clearly – Do both of us have any sort of enmity between us? Did I do anything wrong to you? Did I come to you for any stake in your property or anything? Did I ever invade your kingdom once? For all these questions, the answer is a “No”, isn’t it? In that case, why do you want to align yourself with my enemy and fight against me? What wrong did I do to you? The feud is between myself and Yudishtra, and we both shall sort it out in the way we want! Hence, why don’t you switch sides and come to my fold? I shall give you enormous respect and hospitality and take care of you in every way possible!”
Even as Duryodhana says thus, a grand feast for Bhagawan Krishna has already been arranged! Duryodhana offers the best-in-class food items for Bhagawan Krishna and requests Him to consume. Duryodhana says thus, “Oh Bhagawan Krishna! Please accept my hospitality and provide me with your divine “Anugraha”. Please accept the food varieties that I’ve specially prepared for you. I request you to consume how much food you would want to, and rest here in my palace tonight, before you get ready for tomorrow morning’s session in the Hastinapura courtroom!”
As Duryodhana tempts Bhagawan Krishna with all these offerings, Bhagawan Krishna bursts out laughing! He pats Duryodhana on his back and replies thus, “Oh Duryodhana! Many thanks for the wonderful hospitality once again! Wow! The food really looks so tempting and I’m sure it would be extremely tasty too! However, oh Duryodhana! I cannot accept any of these offerings that you’re giving me! My role today is as a messenger. A messenger should first finish his duty before consuming any food items or before accepting any kind of hospitality! Hence, I shall first finish my task tomorrow and then accept everything whatever you give me!”
Now this seems to be a very tactical reply from Bhagawan Krishna, isn’t it? So it is clear and evident that Bhagawan Krishna is trying to avoid Duryodhana’s hospitality and food offering, because, if He consumes any of what Duryodhana is offering, Bhagawan Krishna would become indebted to Duryodhana, like we’ve witnessed earlier. So for today, let us understand up to this point, and in the next episode, we shall witness what is Duryodhana’s reaction going to be for Bhagawan Krishna’s refusal! Stay tuned for an interesting accord! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 