As we all aware of, Lord Shri Krishna and Arjuna were the closest of cousins among the Pandavas. This was not only due to the fact that Arjuna idolised Krishna but also because they are a pair of divine twins. "Nara-Narayanargal" as they are hailed. Also as Jishnu-Vishnu.
But as a human that he is, Arjuna could not escape the folly of ego and self pride. He pompously went about saying that he was Krishna's favorite and there can be none other who could beat him in his devotion to Lord Krishna.
But Krishna in a number of occasions took time off to prove that there was no measure to bhakti and also that He was impartial to all His devotees.
I can recall atleast five occasions in this context. Once with Anjaneya, once with Karna, once with a brahmana,once with Bhima and one more time with satyeki.
The encounter with the brahmana is my favorite and here goes:
Once Arjuna thinking that he was the most favored of Krishna was behaving very arrogantly. Lord Krishna who observed this decided to teach him a lesson. He took Arjuna aside for a walk in the forest.
As they proceed into the depths, they see a "Brahmana", who is a Vedic scholar by profession wielding arms with dexterity. He was sword fighting with an invisible opponent and doing it extremely well.
In those days, the kshatriyas were the only warriors and all others were protected by them. Lord Krishna pointed him to Arjuna and asked him to enquire the reason without revealing his identity.
As Arjuna was a kshatriya, he went to the brahmin and said "Oh, Learned scholar, It is not right according to the dharma of your caste to wield arms. Can you tell me the nature of your foe and the cause of your anger? If it is justified, I shall protect you as I am a Kshatriya by birth".
The brahmin stopped practising and said, "No. It is my personal score.I shall need none to fight on my behalf. But I can tell you why. I am a devotee of Lord Krishna. I need to find and kill,
Draupadi, Narada and Arjuna ".
Now. You could imagine the fright that Arjuna got at those words. He went on to enquire why and what enimity he possessed with the above named.
The brahmana replied, "Draupadi without even realising that the Lord was enjoying a day of rest with His consort, summoned Him to the court of the Kauravas to help her from humiliation.
Narada without even realising that the Lord might be sleeping keeps of calling "Narayana Narayana!". As the Lord hearing the bhakta's voice keeps His eyes open and can never sleep.
Arjuna! The worst of the three!!! He, with his ego made the Lord his "sarathy"(Charioteer). The Lord suffered from innumerable cuts on His face while that fellow escaped without a scratch. When I get my hands on him!!!!"
The brahmana went on the give the invisibe foe aka Arjuna a sound thrashing...
Arjuna left the scene without so much a glance at the Lord. He had got the message of the drama enacted and realised that there were more devotees, beyond count who would do anything for their Lord though they might not be as mighty as him..
Sri Hari:
But as a human that he is, Arjuna could not escape the folly of ego and self pride. He pompously went about saying that he was Krishna's favorite and there can be none other who could beat him in his devotion to Lord Krishna.
But Krishna in a number of occasions took time off to prove that there was no measure to bhakti and also that He was impartial to all His devotees.
I can recall atleast five occasions in this context. Once with Anjaneya, once with Karna, once with a brahmana,once with Bhima and one more time with satyeki.
The encounter with the brahmana is my favorite and here goes:
Once Arjuna thinking that he was the most favored of Krishna was behaving very arrogantly. Lord Krishna who observed this decided to teach him a lesson. He took Arjuna aside for a walk in the forest.
As they proceed into the depths, they see a "Brahmana", who is a Vedic scholar by profession wielding arms with dexterity. He was sword fighting with an invisible opponent and doing it extremely well.
In those days, the kshatriyas were the only warriors and all others were protected by them. Lord Krishna pointed him to Arjuna and asked him to enquire the reason without revealing his identity.
As Arjuna was a kshatriya, he went to the brahmin and said "Oh, Learned scholar, It is not right according to the dharma of your caste to wield arms. Can you tell me the nature of your foe and the cause of your anger? If it is justified, I shall protect you as I am a Kshatriya by birth".
The brahmin stopped practising and said, "No. It is my personal score.I shall need none to fight on my behalf. But I can tell you why. I am a devotee of Lord Krishna. I need to find and kill,
Draupadi, Narada and Arjuna ".
Now. You could imagine the fright that Arjuna got at those words. He went on to enquire why and what enimity he possessed with the above named.
The brahmana replied, "Draupadi without even realising that the Lord was enjoying a day of rest with His consort, summoned Him to the court of the Kauravas to help her from humiliation.
Narada without even realising that the Lord might be sleeping keeps of calling "Narayana Narayana!". As the Lord hearing the bhakta's voice keeps His eyes open and can never sleep.
Arjuna! The worst of the three!!! He, with his ego made the Lord his "sarathy"(Charioteer). The Lord suffered from innumerable cuts on His face while that fellow escaped without a scratch. When I get my hands on him!!!!"
The brahmana went on the give the invisibe foe aka Arjuna a sound thrashing...
Arjuna left the scene without so much a glance at the Lord. He had got the message of the drama enacted and realised that there were more devotees, beyond count who would do anything for their Lord though they might not be as mighty as him..
Sri Hari:
1 comment:
Very interesting and your writing has been very good. Seriously, you are a good story-teller. You could have written the other stories as well.
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