We’re at the midst of a very important event in the Mahabharata text, wherein Bhagawan Krishna is being cursed for the first time (perhaps the only time) during His divine incarnation in this world. This happens at a time when King Dhritarashtra and Mother Gandhari are touring Kurukshetra to assess the extent of damage that has happened on the battlefield after the war has ended. Everybody is of the opinion that Bhagawan Krishna is the sole reason behind this vast destruction. However, little do people realize the extent of “Paapa Karma” the Kaurava brothers had accumulated over time and the resultant of their “Paapa Karma” ended their lives! Unable to withstand the fact that her sons are no more in this world, an aggrieved Gandhari could not hold back her frustration. She vents herself out to Bhagawan Krishna, who tries His best to console her with the fact of life in this world. Even though whatever Bhagawan Krishna explains is the truth, Mother Gandhari is in no mood to accept all those. Her immediate thought is that she has lost all her sons, and if one person can be blamed for all this, it is Bhagawan Krishna. Even though Bhagawan Krishna is a “Paramatman”, Mother Gadhari feels that He hasn’t done His duty towards her sons by protecting them. Hence, Mother Gandhari inflicts a heavy curse on Bhagawan Krishna that His “Yaadava Kulam” will also meet a similar end, thirty-six years from this point.
As Mother Gandhari vents out all her frustration through her curse thus, Bhagawan Krishna is still unmoved and smiling at her. He takes everything upon Himself without talking a single word back! This is where we’ve to understand that if a “Bhakta” tries to walk the path of “Dharma” and if the “Bhakta” is ready to follow Bhagawan Krishna’s advice, He goes to any extent to protect them. Here also we’re seeing how Bhagawan Krishna goes on to even take upon Mother Gandhari’s severe curse on Himself, in order to protect Yudishtra and Co. Bhagawan Krishna could have easily passed it on to Yudishtra and Arjuna, couldn’t He? Yet, He did not do so. Even though it meant His own destruction, Bhagawan Krishna happily takes it upon Himself, so that Yudishtra and the Pandava brothers are protected. This is why we say that Bhagawan is an embodiment of never-ending compassion towards His “Bhaktas”.
Moving on further thus, as Mother Gandhari inflicts such a heavy curse, Bhagawan Krishna slowly replies to her. It is now Bhagawan Krishna’s turn to talk back to Mother Gandhari, as the entire gathering around them is stunned to bits! Yudishtra couldn’t not believe his ears as Mother Gandhari inflicted such a heavy curse on Bhagawan Krishna! Arjuna could not hold back himself and came forward to fall on Mother Gandhari’s feet to seek forgiveness. Despite all this, Bhagwan Krishna replies thus, “Oh Mother Gandhari! Till now I’ve been thinking deeply about this – I’ve done enough and more in this world to protect “Dharma”. My time in this world is coming to an end, and how do I call it “quits”? I should need some reason in this world to depart back to “Vaikunta”. Maybe your curse can be the best reason upon which I could complete my incarnation in this world! Even though no “Karma” can touch me eternally, I shall take your curse upon myself voluntarily to end my “Avatara” in this world. Oh Mother Gandhari! Let me declare in front of you and everyone today – My incarnation in this world will come to an end, thirty-six years from now! My “Yaadava Kula” will face unprecedented destruction at Dwaraka and through which, I shall also depart from this world, marking the culmination of my divine “Avatara”! If this is destined to happen, let it happen!”
Saying thus, Bhagawan Krishna makes a very important declaration here. It is evident from this reply that Bhagawan Krishna was waiting for such a situation to take place, wherein He could convert a curse into an opportunity! This is how “Deiva Sankalpam” works. So for today, let us understand up to this point and we shall continue this discussion further in the next episode as well! Stay tuned!
The Indian Dharma 