Stories From The Bhagavatham - When Hastinapur Bid Farewell To Krishna

 


After the birth of Parikshit, things went back to normalcy in the royal palace and in the city of Hastinapur. It was time for Krishna to leave for Dwaraka.

He personally visited everyone in the palace to bid farewell – his sister Subhadra, Draupadi, King Dhritarashtra and his wife Gandhari and finally, the Pandavas who were unwilling to let go of him.

Krishna went to Kunti’s room and touching her feet, asked for leave.

Kunti’s conversation with Krishna forms a very beautiful prayer which is recited even today by devotees. I am producing a very brief version of the same below.

Kunti said to Krishna. “Even now you are playing the role of my brother’s son, Krishna!? I may be ignorant; I have not studied the Vedas, nor do I have any knowledge of Brahma – Vidya. But this I know that you are Ishvara, the lord of everyone, the creator of the Universe and the only truth that exists. The entire universe is made up of you. Maya hides your real nature from us and we are unable to perceive you around us. However, it is you who makes up our five senses. I do not know much but this I know that you are the Absolute Truth. I do not even know the proper way to worship you. I can only salute in respect and fall at your feet in humility.”

Kunti continued further. “Like the actor who performs his role to such a brilliant extent that he becomes one with the character he played, you too have performed the role of Krishna to perfection. Your real nature is not visible to everyone, especially not to those lost in the delusion of ‘I’ and “mine’. Even sages who have attained mastery over their emotions and dispassion cannot find you. How can I then have any chance of perceiving you?! To me, you are Krishna, son of Vasudeva and Devaki, of Nanda and Yashoda; the cowherd of Vrindavan. But you are the Lord Narayana. You freed your mother once and for all from the prison of Kamsa. But again and again, you have freed me from the miseries of life. My sons got back their kingdom because of you. You have been our savior and have protected us from troubles time and again. It has been our good fortune that you took a name and form and stood by us to help us.”

“I have only one boon to ask of you, Krishna. May there be one misfortune after another surrounding us always so that you will be with us all the time. There are many theories speculating about the reason for your arrival on earth. I do not presume to know why the infinite took on a name and a form. How can we live when you go away?! Krishna, grant me the boon that like the river Ganga who with single-minded dedication always flows into the sea, similarly, my mind should always be bent on you.”

Krishna wiped Kunti’s eyes and with a smile, blessed her. “So be it.”

The chariot was waiting for Krishna at the gates of the palace. Arjuna stood beside Krishna holding a white umbrella over his head. The other Pandav brothers walked beside the chariot. The entire city assembled on the streets to bid farewell to their beloved Krishna. When they reached the outskirts of the city, Krishna bid them to leave and return to their homes. Daruka, Krishna’s charioteer flicked the reins and the horses took off at a great speed while the five brothers stood rooted at a spot and watched the chariot until it turned into a mere speck far off and disappeared.

Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaaya!

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