We’re in the midst of a beautiful and heart-touching incident that is unfolding between Bhagawan Krishna and Vidura. As we’ve witnessed earlier, Bhagawan Krishna rejects Duryodhana’s hospitality and lunch / dinner offers at his palace by saying that He cannot consume anything that is given by an enemy. Thus, the decision is made that Bhagawan Krishna would go to Vidura’s place for the rest of the day. Accordingly, Bhagawan Krishna holds Vidura’s hands and walks to his residence along with him. Escorting Bhagawan Krishna thus, Vidura is all tensed as to how he would be able to offer the best-in-class hospitality to Bhagawan Krishna, who is coming as a guest for the first time to his place! As the duo reach Vidura’s residence and as Vidura offers a seat for Bhagawan Krishna, he touches it with his hands multiple times, in a bid to check whether nothing “sharp” would poke Bhagawan Krishna when He sits on it! Subsequently, as Bhagawan Krishna makes Himself comfortable, a long conversation ensues between the two of them over various subjects.
Now as it is time for dinner, Bhagawan Krishna opts to take a few bananas and accordingly, Vidura’s wife serves a plate full of bananas for Bhagawan Krishna. As the conversation goes deeper and deeper, Vidura peels off the bananas’ skins and instead of giving the fruit to Bhagawan Krishna, he gives the skins by mistake! Bhagawan Krishna too happily consumes the banana skins whatever are being offered by Vidura, knowing the fact that Vidura is committing a mistake! However, after a while, Vidura’s wife realizes the huge blunder that is taking place and immediately alerts her husband of the same! Quickly realizing what is going on, Vidura now offers the banana fruit instead of the skins and seeks unconditional apology for what had happened!
Now as Vidura offers the bananas, Bhagawan Krishna replies thus, “Oh my dear Vidura! My hunger has come down now! I think I’ve had enough! Thank you for the wonderful dinner that you’ve served me!” Upon hearing this, Vidura is shell-shocked! He’s feeling guilty too at the same time! Vidura slowly replies with tears in his eyes thus, “Oh Bhagawan Krishna! What are you saying? I’ve merely offered the skins of four bananas and you’re saying that your hunger has been satisfied! Are you trying to pin-point my mistake and are you angry on me? I’m terribly sorry for the mishap that has happened! Of course, it is my fault that I got carried away with the conversation and my “Bhakti” towards you in such a way that did not even realize what I was offering you! Please accept one fruit atleast from me now, so that your hunger is really satisfied!”
As Vidura says thus, he falls on Bhagawan Krishna’s divine lotus feet and sheds tears of Bhakti and Sharanagati! Upon seeing Vidura in this state, Bhagawan Krishna immediately lifts him up and explains thus, “Oh Vidura! I’m moved by your exemplary Bhakti and Sharanagati! I know that you were offering me the banana skins unknowingly! Those banana skins that you offered me tasted really good, because they were from the hands of my ardent devotee! How can I say a “No” to what my devotee offers me with complete faith and surrender? Oh Vidura! Please understand one thing clearly – Amidst this world full of people who come to me for fulfilling their desires and agenda, ardent and selfless Bhaktas like you are my real-go-to place! Do you think these bananas that you’re offering you will increase / decrease my appetite? The whole of creation is under my directions and guidance. Hence, I’m someone who is beyond worldly hunger! So, please do not worry about what happened! All what I want from my Bhaktas is unconditional love and devotion towards me! If this happens, my hunger gets automatically satisfied! Hence, Vidura! Let us move on and get prepared for tomorrow’s accord at the Hastinapura courtroom!”
As Bhagawan Krishna says thus, Vidura is in tears of joy! How fortunate is Vidura to experience Bhagawan’s divine presence at his place! How fortunate is Vidura to have an opportunity to exhibit his ardent Bhakti to Bhagawan in person! How fortunate is Vidura to have an opportunity to feed Bhagawan! So for today, let us enjoy this beautiful incident and learn our lessons of Bhakti and Sharanagati from this! We shall wait till the next episode to commence witnessing what is going to happen in the Hastinapura courtroom the next day! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 