The Role of Lord Sri Krishna in the Mahabharatam -9.

23/09/2018
The Role of Lord Sri Krishna in the Mahabharatam -9.
Swami Krishnananda
(Spoken on Sri Krishna Janmasthami in 1972)

He went to the hut of Vidura, a poor man who was in consternation to see Krishna coming to his cottage for no reason whatsoever, uninvited, at an unearthly hour.  In his ecstasy, as the story goes, he offered him whatever he had – a few plantains – and his ecstasy rose to such a height that he forgot what he was doing. He offered the peels and threw away the plantains. Very politely, smilingly, Sri Krishna enjoyed the peels. He did not say anything, and ate the peels. These are the peculiarities of a great man. I cannot describe them in a few minutes. You have to read between the lines in the Mahabharata, not merely the lines.

The greatness of a perfect person, the greatness which is identical with humility and goodness and unselfishness – that can be read not only in the lines of the Mahabharata, but also between the lines of the Mahabharata. The peels were swallowed, and when Vidura realised it, he wept, “Oh, what have I done!” He then offered plantain. Then Sri Krishna said, “The peel was more tasty than the plantain now, because the peel was offered in the ecstasy of love.  So the peel was better; it was tastier.” Vidura puts the same doubt, “I am afraid of your going there alone, knowing what they are.” Sri Krishna gave the same reply, “Don’t bother about it. I shall look to the matter.”

When Sri Krishna arrived in the court of the Kauravas, wonderful arrangements for reception were made on the order of Bhishma and Dhirtarasthra, against the wish of Duryodhana. Beautiful, grand arrangements were made. The roads were sprinkled with water and there were festoons and flower garlands, etc. Everything was ready. The rishis Narada, Parasurama and others were also present there, and Sri Krishna said, “How did you happen to come here?”

“Oh, we heard that you have a mission here in the court of the Kauravas. Naturally you’ll be speaking something interesting. We want to hear it. So we have come to listen to you.”

“Oh, very good,” Sri Krishna said. Narada and Parasurama and other great rishis were uninvited, so they were standing outside. They did not enter the hall. But when Sri Krishna entered and all sat down, Sri Krishna did not sit. He said, “Let all the rishis sit first. Let them be seated. Then I will sit.” Then Bhishma ordered seats, and hundreds of seats were brought and the rishis were made to sit in their proper places. Then Sri Krishna sat down.

To be continued ...