In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna visiting Duryodhana’s palace and Duryodhana in turn trying his best to entice Bhagawan Krishna towards his side. For this, Duryodhana had prepared the best-in-class food items along with the best of the best hospitality for Bhagawan Krishna, in a bid to make Him reside in his palace itself for the rest of the day. The ploy here is very simple – Just like the case of King Shalya earlier, if Bhagawan Krishna accepts Duryodhana’s hospitality and consumes food at his palace, He would become indebted to Duryodhana and would be indirectly blackmailed to fight for Duryodhana’s cause. However, Bhagawan Krishna is too good to be fooled in such ways! As Duryodhana offers all these things, Bhagawan Krishna tactfully rejects them by saying that He isn’t really worthy of all this! Moreover, Bhagawan Krishna also says that He has come here to Hastinapura as a messenger and not as a king, and hence, He would only act in the capacity of a messenger and not accept such hospitality services at the moment!
Even as Bhagawan Krishna says thus, Duryodhana is not very convinced. He says further thus, “Oh Bhagawan Krishna! I know that you’ve come here to Hastinapura as a messenger. But you are more than just a messenger for us. You are one of our family members too. Hence, in that capacity atleast you can stay with me for the day and accept my hospitality, can’t you? Moreover, I’m seriously not understanding why you’re ditching one brother against the other. The feud is between myself and Yudishtra, and not between myself and you in any way. I would always like to maintain good terms with you at all times. Hence, please accept my hospitality!”
As Duryodhana explains his stance thus, Bhagawan Krishna quips immediately back, “Oh Duryodhana! How can you say that I’m your relative? I’m not related to you in any way! Moreover, you are my enemy! How can you say that I’m not your enemy?” As Bhagawan Krishna asks counter questions like this, Duryodhana doesn’t know what to answer for a moment! He once again asks thus, “Oh Bhagawan Krishna! How can I be your enemy? How am I not related to you? I’m not able to understand what you’re saying!” Bhagawan Krishna replies thus, “Oh Duryodhana! Let me explain to you – You are dead against the Paandava brothers, aren’t you? Please understand that the Paandavas are so dear to me. If you are against the Paandavas, it automatically implies that you’re against me as well! Hence, in this way, you’ve automatically become my enemy. According to the “Dharma-Shaasthra”, if I’m consuming food at an enemy’s place, it is a blunder. Rather, even if I invite an enemy to my place for offering food, it is a blunder! Hence, it is not right for me to consume the food that you’re offering me, or, to accept your hospitality as well! I shall be better off staying with Vidura, who is my ardent “Bhakta”. I shall accept whatever Vidura gives me!”
As Bhagawan Krishna says thus, Duryodhana fumes with anger! He now raises his voice against Bhagawan Krishna and replies thus, “Oh Bhagawan Krishna! Till now I had so much respect for you. However, with whatever you’ve spoken with me, you’ve insulted me in a great way! You’re ready to accept the hospitality of Vidura who has nothing at all in his possession. However, you’ve rejected the hospitality offered by me, Bhishmachaarya, Guru Dhronachaarya, and also my father King Dhritarashtra! This is totally unfair on your part to encourage so much enmity with all of us!”
Even as Duryodhana continues ranting thus, Bhagawan Krishna walks away from Duryodhana’s palace with a beaming smile! His mission of meeting Duryodhana has been fulfilled to a great extent! 🙂 So for today, let us understand up to this point and in the next episode, we shall witness how Bhagawan Krishna and Vidura spend time with each other for the rest of the day! Stay tuned for an interesting accord! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 