Sukha had paused for a while before narrating the next story of Krishna. Parikshit followed his gaze that had rested on a huge tree nearby. He was curious after a while. He asked, “What is it about the tree that so interests you?”
Sukha answered, “Krishna was a prankster but at times he really spoke words of wisdom. One day, when he and his friends were roaming around in the forest to play, he suddenly began reflecting. He looked at the trees. He admired their grace. Their interlaced branches and leaves provide a natural umbrella for the tired who are looking for shelter. Without any complaint, they bear the intensity of summer, the violence of the rains and storms and the chilling fire of the frost. They try their level best to help people from the fury of nature. They nurture people and provide leaves, flower, fruit, shade, root, and bark. They are in use even after they die. They live only to provide unconditional service to others. All sacred texts say that one should be of use to others – the trees exemplify more sincerely than human beings.”
“That is so true,” Parikshit agreed.
Sukha went back to the next story, “While an emotional Krishna went on appreciating the selfless service that is provided by the trees, his playmates were getting fidgety. That particular day they had not carried any lunch. As they became hungry, they asked Krishna to help them. Krishna guided them to a spot nearby where some Brahmins (priests) well versed in Vedas were performing rituals and prayers. He asked his friends to go there and ask for some food since no ritual can be complete in the absence of food. The young cowherds rushed to the holy spot. They saw a few Brahmins who had completed one set of rituals and were waiting to perform the next one. The hungry cowherds asked for food. The Brahmins looked at them silently and did not budge. The boys asked a few more times and even mentioned that Krishna’s name. But the Brahmins did not care. They were performing these rites for their own moksha (liberation) and were not interested in helping others out. Their ego, which they had acquired owing to the pride of their rigorous spiritual practices, had perhaps made them self-centered. Moreover, they also thought that they were very wise. They did not pay any heed to these boys and continued with their rituals.
“Meanwhile, the boys came back to Krishna empty-handed. Krishna laughed, “Look, a beggar may have to go through such moments of humiliation. But never mind. Go to the wife of these men and they will definitely not disappoint you. They may not be very well-versed in Vedic knowledge but they have unquestioning devotion towards me. They will definitely give you food.”
Now, it is believed that God always awaits devotees. Even Krishna dressed himself up to welcome his guests. He wore a vanamala (flower garland) to match his golden garment. His knotted his hair on the crown and placed the feather of a peacock there. He colored his cheeks with the powder of the pink shell that was lying on the ground. He held a lotus in his right hand and the left one was rested on the shoulder of his companion.
This picturesque pose greeted the women who had come to meet Krishna with food. They had heard so many stories about him and now they could behold him with their mortal eyes. They were oblivious to the entire world since divinity masquerading as a mortal had completely taken over all their senses. This state is often known as sushupti(where the ego is totally absent).
Krishna happily welcomed them. He addressed them as his mother. He acknowledged their devotion towards him, towards the divine. This devotion is complete in itself and does not expect anything in return. But he also reminded them that in their devotion towards him they have forgotten their dharma, that is, the duty that they are expected to complete in this mortal life. The things of the world mean nothing to them – life, mind, intellect, family, relatives and other entanglements. This state is often called the Brahmi state – selfless love for the divine. However, they have other roles to play as well. Hence Krishna requested them to go back to their respective roles. Besides the presence of the wives are mandatory for completing the yajna that the Brahmins are performing with so much concentration.
The women, his devotees, were hurt. They had left everything to the divine and now it felt like they were being abandoned here too. Krishna assured them that nobody will doubt their sincerity. Besides, he will dwell in their hearts forever. They can hear his stories, think of him, contemplate on his form and sing his praises. That will ensure that they merge with him once they complete their mortal journey.
The yajna-patnis went back to the yajnashala (a place where the rituals were being performed) and completed their duty.
In some time, the Brahmins realised their mistake. They realised that their behavior was far from appropriate. They began chiding themselves for not having seen the truth. Though they considered themselves thrice purified (being born of noble parents, being initiated to the Gayatri* mantra and having undergone special purification to conduct the rituals that they were performing), they missed the truth. All their expertise had made them “proud of the knowledge” and hence they forgot the basic duties of a grihasta(householder) – that feeding the needy before the yajna is over is not wrong in the given circumstances. Though the cowherds reminded them, they did not pay any heed to that. They were fully aware that divinity had taken birth in the form of a mortal and that everyone is just a part of the cosmic soul, and yet their arrogance had led to this act of ignorance. On the contrary, their wives were no experts in knowledge but had their hearts in the right place.
The Brahmins were so ashamed that they could not dare to meet Balarama and Krishna.
Another Krishna story was narrated this way to Parikshit.
[To be continued]
*The Gayatri mantra – The priestly class in the traditional Indian caste system is often initiated to this mantra through a ceremony called ‘Upanayana’. The mantra is dedicated to the Sun God.
Footnote: Srimad Bhagavatam is often called the Bhagavad Purana. Authored by Ved Vyasa, the stories are about the various avatars(incarnations) of Lord Vishnu, also known as Narayana. These stories are narrated by Sukhadeva to King Parikshit.
©Nilanjana Dey
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