ॐ कृष्णाय नमः
Om Krishnaya Namah
Accept my salutations, Oh Sri Krishna
Once there lived a renowned sage named Sage Durvasa. He had many celestial powers and could grant people blessings and boons. However Sage Durvasa had a short temper and if he lost it, his curse could be as powerful as his blessings.
One day the revered sage visited Duryodhana, son of the blind king Dhritarashtra and Queen Gandhari and the eldest of the Kaurava brothers. Duryodhana was a very shrewd man. He knew that Sage Durvasa must be treated with great respect and reverence. He also knew that the sage’s displeasure could create havoc for him. Accordingly, Duryodhana made sure that the arrangements for the great sage were absolutely perfect.
Duryodhana had been most solicitous. Sage Durvasa was very pleased with the hospitality extended to him. The holy man had been so well cared for that before leaving he said to Duryodhana, “Son, you have shown me respect and courtesy. You have personally taken care of all my needs and those of my many followers. I wish to show my appreciation for your efforts by granting you your most cherished desire. Ask and it shall be yours.”
The crafty Duryodhana saw this as an opportunity to create even more misery for his cousins - the Pandavas. The Pandavas were in exile for thirteen years and were living in the forest. Duryodhana did not feel that the hardships of a life of exile in the jungle were sufficient punishment for his cousins. He wished to inflict even more suffering on them. So folding his hands respectfully he said to the sage, “Holy sage, I do not wish to ask for anything for myself. But just as you have blessed me with a visit, I request that you visit Maharaja Yudhishthira, the eldest of my cousins the Pandavas.”
The sage readily agreed and he along with his band of men set off for the forest to meet Yudhishthira.
Duryodhana’s devious plan was that it would take time for the sage to reach Yudhishthira’s cottage. It would be late afternoon and by then all the brothers and the brahmins gathered there would have finished their noon meal. Queen Draupadi too would have eaten. Duryodhana was aware that Yudhisthira had received a magical copper pot from the Sun God. This Akshaya Patra or inexhaustible vessel could provide food for an infinite number of people. No matter how small the amount of fruit, vegetable, milk or food grain cooked in this vessel it would remain inexhaustible. It would never empty until everyone was fed, no matter how large the number of people were. The pot would empty only once Queen Draupadi had eaten her meal. Hence Draupadi ensured that she always ate last. This gift from the Sun god fed the Pandavas for the thirteen years of their exile.
Duryodhana knew that by the time Sage Durvasa and his many disciples reached Yudhisthira’s cottage it would be so late that Draupadi would certainly have eaten her meal too. Having eaten her meal the magic vessel would be empty. Draupadi would have no food to offer the holy men. Sage Durvasa and his disciples would undoubtedly be tired and hungry. Duryodhana was certain that the sage would be enraged when he and his men were not offered any food at all. In his anger he would curse the Pandavas. This is exactly what Duryodhana had desired all along.
Duryodhana smiled in glee as he thought, “I have conceived of such a clever plan. On the one hand the sage will think highly of me for requesting him to visit my cousins. On the other hand he will be angered at them for being unable to offer him proper hospitality and will curse them. I am truly a genius at plotting my cousins' destruction.”
Just as Duryodhana had anticipated, Sage Durvasa and his many disciples reached Yudhisthira’s humble abode late in the afternoon. Their arrival was well after all the Pandavas had eaten. Draupadi too had finished her meal.
The Pandava brothers and Draupadi welcomed the sage with all due respect. They washed his feet and prostrated before him. The sage then said, “We will now head to the river for a bath and pray before we sit down to eat.” Saying this he and his followers left for the river.
Draupadi rushed into the kitchen. Having already had her meal she knew that the pot would be completely empty. She was distraught. She feared that the wrath of the sage could destroy the Pandavas. In her moment of desperation she turned to her saviour Lord Krishna, “Lord,” she cried, “Please save us from this terrible humiliation. Please, I beg you come to my aid. I have only you to turn to and I know you will never desert me, your ardent devotee.”
Draupadi was right. Lord Krishna, in his unconditional love for his devotees would never deny them his assistance. The Lord immediately appeared before Draupadi. Lord Krishna then with his inimitable smile and a gleam in his eye said to Draupadi, “I have come at your bidding. I am hungry. Do serve me some food.”
The Lord’s request made Draupadi even more sorrowful. With tears welling up in her eyes she said to Lord Krishna, “Oh Lord that is my problem. The powerful Sun god had blessed us with a pot that provided us with an abundance of food that lasted until I had eaten. Today after all the others had eaten, as was my custom, I too ate my meal. Hence the pot is completely empty. I am deeply distressed that I cannot feed the sage and his men. Now look at my misfortune. I have not even a single grain to offer you, my beloved Lord, when you have blessed me with your presence.”
The Lord smiled and said to her, “Draupadi, go bring me that pot. Let me see whether it is truly empty as you say.”
Knowing for certain that the pot was indeed empty Draupadi sadly, picked up the vessel and brought it to the Lord. Lord Krishna looked in and found a minuscule piece of vegetable stuck to the bottom of the pot. Putting his finger in Lord Krishna picked up the vegetable piece and ate it. Then turning to Draupadi he said, “Now invite Sage Durvasa and his many disciples to eat.”
Draupadi’s faith in her Lord was so immense that with not even the slightest hesitation she sent Bhima to call the sage and the many brahman’s to come in to eat the meal.”
When Bhima reached Sage Durvasa and requested them to come for the meal Sage Durvasa seemed to hesitate. Bhima said, “Revered Sir’s, I request you to come as the food has been prepared and is ready to be served.”
What Bhima did not realise was that when Lord Krishna had eaten that tiny particle of food something strange and magical had occurred. Sage Durvasa and all the others, while still bathing in the river, suddenly felt they had eaten a very heavy banquet. They felt completely full. Their hunger had totally vanished. In fact their hunger was so entirely satiated that they could not eat another morsel.
The sage thought to himself, “I nor my people have any hunger now. How can we eat anything? Yudhishthira has welcomed us so graciously. He must have prepared a great feast for us. It would be most impolite to go to his house and not partake of all the delicacies that have been prepared especially for us. I do not wish to be rude and hurt or sadden the good Yudhishthira. It is better that we carry on with our journey and not return to his cottage.”
Turning to Bhima sage Durvasa said, “We are grateful to Yudhishthira for his kind offer to feed us. He has welcomed us with honour and respect. This in itself is more than sufficient. We have bathed and said our prayers and it is time we move on. May my blessing be with you and your brothers.”
So saying the Sage Durvasa and his company began their onward journey. Duryodhana’s wicked plan had completely failed. Lord Krishna had, as always, come to the aid of his devotees.
The Lord who is the sustainer of dharma and righteousness had once again ensured that he will not permit injustice towards those who have faith in him.
LIFE LESSONS
1. Let us never be like Duryodhana who wished only misery on his cousins.
2. Like Draupadi we can always turn to the Lord in our hour of need.
3. Like Draupadi we should have complete faith in the Lord and
accept his guidance.
4.This story reaffirms that good will always win over evil.
5. Even the smallest offering we make to the Lord is sufficient if offered with devotion and love. Just a scrap of vegetable is all Draupadi could give and it was more than enough to satisfy Lord Krishna’s hunger.
6. Remember Lord Krishna is always there for his devotees
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