We’re at the midst of a very important conversation wherein Bhagawan Krishna is acting as the “Paandava-Dhoota” (Messenger to the Paandavas) at Hastinapura courtroom. Bhagawan Krishna addresses King Dhritarashtra and explains His stance clearly – Even now it is not too late. If King Dhritarashtra mends Duryodhana’s ways and duly balances his stance between Duryodhana and Yudishtra, the disastrous war can be avoided. Duryodhana should come forward to hand over Indraprastha to Yudishtra immediately and call it truce. If this is not happening, Hastinapura and the entire Kaurava clan is going to face disaster very soon. Reiterating Bhagawan Krishna’s point, Bhagawan Parasurama also explains how the “Nara-Narayana Combo” is currently in the form of Arjuna and Bhagawan Krishna combine. This combine is extremely lethal when it comes to a war and it cannot be destroyed at any cost!
Moving on thus, Parasurama also explains the “Garuda-Charitra”, to highlight how Garuda Bhagawan (Bhagawan Vishnu’s divine vehicle – The Eagle) tested Bhagawan Vishnu’s patience and got hit! Once upon a time, there was a snake by name “Sumuka”. This Sumuka snake got into a huge tangle with Garuda Bhagawan, who was chasing Sumuka for his prey. Ultimately after running here and there, Sumuka snake goes and surrenders under Bhagawan Vishnu’s divine lotus feet, seeking refuge from Garuda. Chasing Sumuka thus, Garuda Bhagawan understands that this snake is extremely smart and has gone to Bhagawan Vishnu for refuge. Garuda Bhagawan arrives at Bhagawan Vishnu’s abode and talks to Bhagawan Vishnu thus, “Oh Bhagawan! This snake Sumuka is none other than my prey. Please give him to me and satisfy my hunger. I’m very hungry at the moment and I need something to eat!”
Upon understanding Garuda’s request, Bhagawan Vishnu replies calmly thus, “Oh Garuda! I can understand your hunger and I feel pity on you! However, I cannot give this Sumuka snake to you as your prey because he has come and seeked refuge under me. As per my “Dharma”, I will always protect all those living beings who seek refuge under my divine lotus feet! Hence, you may feel free to go around and search for another prey!” Upon hearing this from Bhagawan Vishnu, Garuda Bhagawan becomes furious! He replies to Bhagawan Vishnu thus, “Oh Bhagawan Vishnu! What are you talking? Don’t you think I’ve also surrendered to your divine lotus feet? By protecting this snake Sumuka, don’t you realize that you’re leaving me alone? Don’t you understand that you’re failing to protect your ardent Bhakta? Oh Bhagawan Vishnu! This is the problem with you! If someone comes to you newly, you will show all your love and affection to them, and you will leave behind the others! Till today I’ve been of service to you by lifting you in my shoulders wherever you go! You’ve proved to me today that you’re someone who forgets all the help that others do to you! If you realize how much service I’ve offered to you in the past, you wouldn’t be talking like this today! Hence, it is quite obvious that you do not recognize the importance of the service that I’ve offered to you all these years!” As Garuda Bhagawan vents out his frustration thus, Bhagawan Vishnu laughs within Himself! He knows that Garuda Bhagawan is talking angrily because of his hunger! 🙂 However, Bhagawan Vishnu wants to teach Garuda Bhagawan a befitting lesson for what he has alleged! Bhagawan Vishnu slowly replies to Garuda Bhagawan thus, “Oh Garuda! You’ve said now that you’ve been the one who was carrying me all the time, isn’t it? Now let me give you a test!” Saying thus, Bhagawan Vishnu points out downwards and continues – “Oh Garuda! Here’s my index finger! If you have all the strength in the world, try to lift this index finger of mine in your hands and prove your point to me!”
As Bhagawan Vishnu gives an open challenge thus, Garuda Bhagawan immediately accepts it and goes for it! He tries his best to lift Bhagawan Vishnu’s index finger for several hours together, however, all his efforts are going in vain! Alas! Garuda Bhagawan cannot even lift Bhagawan Vishnu’s index finger in his hands! So for today, let us understand up to this point wherein Bhagawan Vishnu has given a befitting reply to Garuda Bhagawan’s arrogance! In the next episode, we shall witness how Garuda Bhagawan reacted to this failure and how Bhagawan Parasurama is going to link this story with Duryodhana’s case! Stay tuned for an interesting accord! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 