Krishna cared for Pandavas so much that it appears as if his entire avatara seems to be revolving around taking care of them. The first recorded event happens when he sends Akrura to Hastinapura on a fact finding mission, as soon as he dethrones Kamsa. (Read more in Practical Krishna – Caring for others). The very last message is to fetch Arjuna and share him a lesson that all the exalted glories we achieve is through his grace alone. Some rootless desert cults peddle an idea of saving based on a fantasized dogma. All a person with limited understanding of Karma has to ponder is how the mere sign up bonus can wipe out all the sins and the original sin was placed on the unborn humanity by the very short tempered ignorant entity they deem as God. Contrast this with the countless instances of recorded episodes where Krishna bends over backwards to save his bhaktas. We will study a series of such wonderful instances and dive deep to get a deeper practical understanding.
Let us commence the series with Akshayapatra, the copper vessel given by Surya to the Pandavas. The story is detailed in different segments of Vana parva of the Mahabharata.
Storytime:
Obtaining the Akshayapatra: The Pandavas lost everything in a loaded dice game that ended in the abuse of Draupadi in the Raja saba, studded with stalwarts like Bhishma and Drona. Dhritarashtra merely witnessed it as a mute spectator. He tried to mend the fences by returning the Pandavas everything they had lost. But Duryodhana and his coterie had a firm backup plan to bring them back to the dice game. They made the Pandavas go to the forest for twelve years, followed by a year of remaining incognito. A break in the terms meant a repeat of the terms.
Aggrieved by the scale of deception and the burning rage of abuses heaped, they proceeded towards the north gate. Many citizens rooted in dharma were deeply distressed by the actions of Duryodhana, who was the epitome of materialism. (Read more in Jaabali’s naastikavada and Rama’s response). They extolled the virtues of Satsangha during these distressed times and followed the Pandavas into the forests. Yudhishtra pleaded them that they must return to Hastinapura and try to revive Dharma and be a support to people like Bhishma and Vidura. With a heavy heart, the citizens returned. The Pandavas spent the night on the banks of Ganga. After a bath, all they had was Ganga water as food. They were followed by many Brahmanas who began their evening Veda gosha.
The Pandavas keen to enter the forest did not want any more trouble for the Brahmanas. They pleaded them to return only to hear a more firm resolve. Yudhishtra highlighted that he was powerless, had lost everything and unable to even provide food. The Brahmanas asked Yudhishtra not to burden his mind about them, as they can sustain themselves even in the forest. Yudhishtra was used to feeding hundreds of thousands of such Brahmanas daily in Indraprastha. His inability demoralized his heavy mind. Seeing the utter dejection of Yudhishtra, a renowned Vedic Brahmana who was expert in Yoga and Sankhya, by the name Saunaka advised him at length.
Saunaka explained how desire results in raaga and dvesha for objects, thereby fueling the unquenchable thirst (thrishna) for them as kama. This results in constant mental turbulence and the propensity to do papa. One who gives up thrishna stays contented. Since Yudhishtra was worried about lack of wealth, Saunaka reminded him that a wealthy man dreads the ruler (raja), water, fire, thief, relatives, people who seek his wealth and death. A wealth seeker never seeks the Moksha as his mind is bonded in the pursuit of more. He reminded Yudhishtra not to confuse his mind on the lack of wealth.
Yudhishtra reminded Saunaka that his desire to have Artha was firmly grounded in his need to abide in Dharma. He wanted to not give up his grihastashrama responsibilities, though he was confined to the forest. As a grihasta he was duty bound to provide hospitality to the people around, especially the Brahmanas and Sannyasis. Eating without sharing is a huge papa. Saunaka understanding his crisis gave more pearls of wisdom. He thundered that one must perform Karma but not hanker after the fruits. He advised the path of renunciation.
A calm Yudhishtra fell at the feet of his purohita, Dhaumya, for helping him out of this predicament. After meditating, Dhaumya shared the secret of all food and energy on earth is Surya. Having learnt the ashtakshara mantra from Dhaumya, Yudhishtra went into Surya upanasana. He invoked the Brahman in the form of Surya, standing neck deep in water. (Worship of Surya as the primary deity, sauram, was more prevalent in the past). Surya was overjoyed with the devotion and appeared in person. He gave a copper vessel, akshayapatra, which will yield food for twelve years. It will provide the four types of food – lehyam, soshyam, bakshyam and peyam. The last food for the day will be decided by Draupadi (as she was the hostess who eats last after serving everyone). Surya blessed that Yudhishtra will regain his Kingdom at the commencement of the fourteenth year from that day. Overjoyed, he came back on land, fell at Dhaumya’s feet and embraced his brothers. Draupadi was delighted to provide food to all the Brahmanas, Pandavas and finally after she ate, the ever overflowing food ceased for the day.
Duryodhana’s boon: The Akshayapatra had solved the food crisis permanently. The Pandavas were living happily surrounded by Rishis and Brahmanas. Many years passed. Seeing the opposite outcome, Duryodhana was raging in jealousy and riling in misery. His counsel – Dushshasana, Karna and Sakuni were constantly coming up with potential ideas to harm the Pandavas. We see a modern class of Karna lovers, who never have gotten to read Mahabharata, yet know it all. This class will find many such incidents hard to digest.
Once Durvasa Maharishi, renowned for his temper and his interest to test others, visited Hastinapura with ten thousand of his disciples (Read more in Mudgala – the man who rejected svarga). Duryodhana afraid of his tendency to curse offered him excellent hospitality. He devoted his entire time to personally address his needs. Durvasa tested him by asking for food and came back many hours later declaring he lost his appetite. He would randomly ask for food when it was least expected. The fear of curse had tamed Duryodhana’s emotions temporarily. Seeing no visible trace of frustration, Durvasa declared that he is pleased to give Duryodhana any boon that does not violate Dharma.
Having rehearsed for this situation ahead with his counsel, he sought a simple boon. Duryodhana wanted Durvasa to pay a visit to Yudhishtra in the forest with his disciples. He pleaded that the visit must happen when Draupadi was done using the Akshayapatra for the day. Durvasa gladly agreed as it appealed to his mind that was constantly testing others. Duryodhana and his evil counsel was now certain that Durvasa‘s visit will doom the Pandavas. They were happy of this assured outcome. One can recall that Duryodhana was already licking his wounds from his defeat at the hands of Gandharva Chitrasena and his subsequent release by Bhimarjuna. He was also burning in jealousy at the growing power of Arjuna, who had mastered Pasupatastra. So he thought this plan will certainly doom the Pandavas.
Durvasa’s visit: To fulfill his words, Durvasa descended upon the Pandavas with his ten thousand disciples, when Draupadi was done using the Akshayapatra for the day, like a missile locked firm on its target. Yudhishtra welcomed him with great hospitality. Durvasa agreed to accept his food after having a bath. Having informed, the rishis headed out to the nearby river.
Draupadi was caught in such a deep predicament, launched into an anxious prayer, seeking Krishna to come to her rescue immediately. It was impossible to procure food for ten thousand people in such a short time. She recalled how Krishna alone came to her aid when Dushasana violated all lines of honor. Krishna who was lying down with Rukmini at his feet, rose suddenly from Dwaraka to appear in front of her. Even as Draupadi tried to explain her dilemma, Krishna asked her to feed him immediately, as he was extremely hungry. Draupadi felt ashamed while expressing her inability to feed him, as she had washed the Akshayapatra after her meal. Krishna refused to accept her words, asked her to bring the vessel immediately, so he can confirm. When Draupadi brought it, he found one grain of rice and a small green leaf stuck to the Akshayapatra. He offered the grain and leaf to Hari, who adorns this universe as his body and sought his heart be pleased with the offering and consumed it.
Krishna then asked Bhima to go and fetch the Rishis for their food. Meanwhile the Rishis who were chanting Vedas in water, found their bellies full, as it they were stuffed. They also were busy burping as if they just had completed a heavy meal. They addressed Durvasa on the impossibility to eat and the fact they had caused the Pandavas so much pain. Durvasa realized that the Pandavas who are Dharmatmas, support Vedas had completely surrendered and were under the protection of Krishna. Having made the Pandavas cook so much food only to waste will cause their outrage which is enough to burn the rishis. With no option but to run away, they scattered in all directions.
Bhima unable to find them informed Yudhishtra. They patiently waited as Durvasa could come back to test any time, afraid that there was no solution. Krishna informed that having sought by Draupadi’s prayers, he came to the rescue. Durvasa will never come back as he was now afraid of the Tejas of the Pandavas. The Pandavas felt relieved being under the protection of Sri Krishna. The Akshayapatra continued to serve the Pandavas during the remainder of vanavasa.
What has Akshayapatra got to do with me?
Saunaka’s advice: Some of the nuggets from Saunaka are timeless and priceless -
- Everyday a thousand reasons to grieve and a hundred reasons to be happy approach and overwhelm the fool, but not the wise (pandita).
- Eight attributes of buddhi - Keenness to listen, active listening, grasping the content, to remain steady on an idea, guessing, removing the doshas, understanding completely and finding truth.
- Disease, contact with painful objects, toil and want of desired objects cause bodily suffering. Medicine can alleviate disease, but calming the mind though yoga/dhyana will aid the mental afflictions. Just as a hot iron rod continues to heat the water in which it is placed, the mental agony continues to affect the body as well. Only jnana can quench this mental misery.
- The root of mental agony is desire and the attachment to the desire. This desire attachment leads the Jiva to Karma and eventually misery. This fondness results in fear, joy, grief and pain. (Read more in Desire – a genealogical approach)
- Youth, form, means of livelihood, pile of gems, wealth and contact with desired objects are all ephemeral, hence the pandita is alert not to get attached to them.
- To rise above Abhimana the Vedas prescribe the following eight methods - Yaga, (veda)adhyayana, dana, tapas, sathya (in thought, words and actions), forbearance, subduing the senses and renunciation of desires. The first four lead to pitruloka and the latter four to devaloka.
Nature of Tamas: Duryodhana and his evil counsel, which definitely included Karna, were burning in jealousy that the Pandavas were living like royalty in all their glory despite living in the forest. When Durvasa gave a boon, instead of using it to benefit it himself, all he could think was cause harm to others. Tamas is a very odd guna. Tamas makes one drink poison, convincing that others will be impacted. Duryodhana could have easily asked that Pandavas should be detectable during Ajnathavasa. But all he wanted was their complete destruction.
Satsangha: Yudhishtra surrounded himself with Rishis and Brahmanas even in the forest. His heart was set firmly on Dharma. Saunaka’s words consoled him, yet he sought refuge with his Rajapurohita Dhaumya for finding a solution to feed the Brahmanas. This relationship of surrounding with elevated mahatmas led them to meet many great rishis like Markandeya, Vyasa. Being rooted in Dharma attracted Sri Krishna to be literally their guard protecting their welfare and mental peace.
Food: A lot of practical tips have been already extracted from these incidents into the Indian culture for millennia. Since Athithi like Durvasa could pop at any minute, there was a long standing tradition to never go foodless. The host is always prepared to handle the unexpected athithi. Today we have unfortunately readapted this by creating leftovers in refrigerator. Yudhishtra went at great lengths to obtain Akshayapatra. Feeding others, especially the ones engaged in the study of Vedas or Brahmavichara is the highest duty for every grihasta. Lastly, Krishna demonstrates the wonderful message of performing Brahmarpana before every meal. He repeatedly highlights this from every angle in the Bhagavad Gita. The Chaandogya Upanishad reminds us that every meal we have is a golden opportunity to do it in the Yagna spirit
Why only Draupadi, why not us: Krishna was not fonder of the Pandavas than Duryodhana. But the converse was truer. The Pandavas were committed to Dharma under all circumstances and looked up to Krishna to help them be rooted in Dharma. (Read more in Choose Krishna, even if for wrong reasons). While the Pandavas did every action within their might, they realized when their 110% doesn’t get the job done; they must invoke the special blessing of Bhagawan. They were completely in Saranagati. It was not a relationship whenever they were in despair, they sought special help. A thankful mind understands that despite all our Karma, Karmaphala is only from HIS grace. The question is do we seek Bhagawan only as a problem solver or do we realize that everything is his grace. Bhagawan’s equation towards us doesn’t change. The only variable is us.
Why did they get Akshayapatra: Yudhistra was deeply troubled at the fact he could not feed the Brahmanas who were adamant to live around him. The purpose of Artha is to support Dharma. Dharmatmas think about dharma, the average person thinks only about Artha or Kama, thus stuck in selfish mire. If one can elevate their mind to do actions for the benefit of others, in an altruistic way, performing duties without seeking compensation, the resources begin to trickle in proportion to the Purushartha done.
The Pandavas typically represent the average human being. On Day two of their Vanavasa after obtaining Akshayapatra along with the word from Surya that they will obtain their Kingdom after the stipulated time. Yet these truthful words were completely forgotten by Pandvas. They continued to be burnt by their past, though the rishis provided them comfort and direction. They collect the blessings and words of assurance from many Devas be it Yama or Indra and wonderful Divyastras. Yet their mind is oppressed by the humiliation and abuse of the past. The message for each one of us is if we let the past dictate, especially the burden, it grows heavier with the passing day. Despite the blessings, the mind gets roiled in misery as the drag effect is bigger than all the blessings.
One might wonder that Pandavas got so many blessings; I have none, so it is not fair comparison. The first point to remind is can we increase our Dharma commitment to the level of the Pandavas? Can we constantly remind ourselves of our real nature? (Read more in Our real nature – Ribhu Nidhaga and Practical Krishna – our stolen identity). Remember our real nature is Atmaswaroopa. We keep confusing ourselves as Body, mind or intellect or the trappings of this loka. This constant reminder will keep us always on the path of Dharma, which will attract us to Satsangha which will remind us again on our real nature. This ecosystem and positive feedback loop is a factor of our efforts. May we constantly strive to remind ourselves of our real nature – Sat Chit Ananda. May our life be a reminder of HIS glories! May we seek complete refuge in Krishna’s lotus feet.
ॐ तत् सत
Excellent one . Many many thanks
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