Krishna's Friend

Treason, treachery, destruction, disloyalty, dishonesty, betrayal, jealousy and lust for power lead to the impelling doom of the Kauravas. The war of Kurukshetra nevertheless could have been prevented if the stated expressions never existed amidst the brothers, Pandavas, and Kauravas. But, who can challenge destiny, when it had already prophesied the future differently. 

Every war always has a happy ending for the victorious. But, were the Pandu putras really happy? The so called victory was perceived as a big defeat by the eldest, Dharmaraja. The battle proved to be the symbol of triumph winning the Pandavas their lost lands and wealth. However, the loss was so personal that the grandsire Bheeshma, half-brother Karna, preceptors Kripa and Drona and many more passed heaven ward.

After performing the final rites for all the lost family, the eldest, Dharmaraja could never be normal again. Even after fruitful efforts to appease him, all remained futile for their king and brother could never come out his ever haunting thoughts.

But, to all those in misery and bewilderment, “ The ever pervading lord comes to the rescue”. 

With Krishna’s counsel, Dharmaraja’s disheveled hesitancies were dispelled in no time. 

Time had come for Krishna to proceed towards his Dwaraka. After a grand and teary farewell, he embarked on his journey.

Krishna’s love for his devotees and friends are forever permeating, just like his existence. He decided to meet his hermit friend Uthanga. The innocent Brahmin who was always engrossed in acquiring knowledge and wisdom and never once wished to transgress from the path of Dharma was excited to meet his dear friend. After the well-being inquiries, the Brahmin proceeded to inquire about the Pandavas and Kauravas.

“Krishna, my dear friend, tell me at once, tell me about the Kuru clan. Tell me about the beautiful brothers. I have heard their glory far and wide. Tell me that they are united and have shared lands and wealth amidst themselves and have been living in prosperity. Tell me ‘O’ lord, I wish to know all about them”, he urged Krishna rather excitedly.

Realising that his friend was righteous and unimpeachable, Krishna narrated in entirety, the war of Kurukshetra to his dear friend.

“Alas!” He began, covering his mouth in distress.

Without any hesitation, the Brahmin implored, “Krishna, you have failed; indeed, it was your duty to protect the clan of Kuru; but here you stand with unscrupulous defeat. I am extremely disappointed about the turn of events.”

 “What you could have prevented from happening, you have never tried to once stop. I must at once curse you for, you have failed in your duties of protecting the clan”, he announced.

To Uthanga’s surprise, Krishna assumed the Vishwarupa form and preached to him the essence of the Gita, that he had already addressed in the war of Kurukshetra to another dear friend, Arjuna. 

That was adequate to calm a scholar like Uthanga to rise to an understanding. Before leaving, Krishna told his friend, “You must ask me for a boon, since you have never once approached me for any goodwill.”

The well learned Brahmin calmly responded, “Dear Friend, what more do I need after seeing your Vishwarupa? Is there anything left for me to ask? You have given me more than I can ever expect and that purifies my soul.”

But Krishna was insistent and unable to let go of himself from the love of Krishna, he said, “Friend, I am a wandering hermit. I do not stay in one place. I am more or less a vagabond and have no demands to enjoy. All that I seek is knowledge and wisdom. Since, you wish to grant me a boon, please make sure I get water whenever I feel thirsty during my wandering.”

“So shall be”, promised Krishna and took leave.

While the Brahmin continued his journey, he had to pass through a desert. The blazing sun and the dry sand made it impossible for him to go further. He felt thirsty and wished for water. He made use of the boon that he had acquired from his friend.

In a moment, there appeared a dirty looking hunter clothed in deer skin and carrying a bag of rags. He had in his bag, a bamboo spout filled with water. He opened his dirty bag and pulled out the bamboo spout and offered it to Uthanga to quench his thirst. Aghast by his appearance, the Brahmin refused to drink water from the spout. Even after efforts to convince the Brahmin about the unavailability of any water source nearby, he wouldn’t agree.

To his amazement the hunter disappeared and his dear friend Krishna stood in front of him, spreading his ever pervading gay of positivity.

“Oh Keshava! I am an ordinary hermit. After your incessant persuasion, all that I asked from you was water to quench my thirst. Unfortunately, you sent me water through an out-caste. How right was it for you to do so?” The Brahmin implored.

Undaunted by his plea, the lord replied, “Dear friend Uthanga, I didn’t commit any mistake. I sent my emissary Deva, Devendra from heaven to give you ambrosia and not water. Indra questioned me about my action. He was worried that I had ordered him to share the elixir of immortality with a mortal being. But I insisted that you must receive the ambrosia. In order to test you, I asked him to change his form into an unkempt looking man. Instead of accepting the bamboo spout, you repeatedly rejected it. Even though you knew that it was ‘I’ who sent it for you, you failed to believe me. I challenged Indra that you had attained the greatest level of understanding and yet you have failed me.”

Left with no words to respond to his dear friend, the Brahmin mercifully begged for forgiveness.

Water can never be equated to the ambrosia of the Gods. With immense love that he bore in his heart for a dear friend, Krishna didn’t hesitate once to send him the elixir. How many of us have become Uthangas at many phases of our life?

Think!!!

Never equate God’s causeless mercy to anything else. Belief and utmost devotion will certainly save us from the ocean of evil demeanor.