Sri told me all this in detail. I invited Subhadra to my chamber and explained it to her thoroughly. Subhadra had transformed a lot in the meantime. Her face glowed with resolve. Seeing her in front of me, I thought whether I looked the same when I sat in the chariot with Sri. Sri had planned everything thoroughly; still I was getting more and more anxious every moment, due to only one fear. Once Balaramadada comes to know all this, will Sri once again be left bereft of his love like before? Will the peacock feather of brotherly love that once was tucked into Sri’s crown in front of all remain intact or will it come loose?
It was indeed my duty to assist Sri in this mission as much as possible. Therefore, I started visiting Revativahini’s chamber under some pretext or the other. She realized that and said to me, “Oh Rukmini, I see how much you love Subhadra!”
Maharaja Kakudmin arrived in Dwaraka as per the invitation. Uddhavabhauji also returned after finishing his important task.
Now the climax of the drama began. The news arrived that Prince Duryodhana would soon be reaching the Shuddhaksha gate. Subhadra also left for Mount Raivataka along with Revativahini, a bevy of maids and a troop of guards. The ascetic devotee of Shiva in the temple of Somanath blessed all devotees of Shiva and changed his saffron clothing. The year of his pilgrimage was also over. During this time, though he was a pilgrim he had wedded the Naga-daughter Uloopi by the Gandharva custom of marriage, on the banks of Ganga in the north. Uloopi was the daughter of the Naga king Kauravya, and she was a child widow. Her father-in-law Airavata had granted permission for the Gandharva marriage. Arjuna was also wedded to Chitrangada – the daughter of Chitravahana – the king of Manipura. Notably, Arjuna had conveyed all these details to me through Uddhavabhauji. He had also not forgotten to request that all these details be conveyed to Subhadra and see if she was still ready for this marriage. I had already done that at the right time.
I shared all these details with Subhadra in private. After hearing all this she fell silent for a moment. She was lost in thought. At that point alerting her I said, “After all Arjuna is your Sri dada’s aate bandhu. More than that, he is Sri’s most favourite disciple. What else is he going to do but follow in his Guru’s footsteps? You are lucky, that he has only three previous wives. Like me…”
At that point she immediately raised her head and breaking her silence she said, “Sushri, I am not worthy enough to be compared with you. I have considered only you as my idol in my life. No matter what, I will get married to the son of Pandu.” She had left no doubts at all. She had left for Mount Raivataka only after expressing her firm resolve.
The temple of Raivataka’s family goddess was at the base of the mountain. On the fixed Muhurta,Subhadra descended the mountain to visit the goddess, along with Revativahini, female attendants and a troop of guards. Many sages and Brahmin priests had gathered at the entrance of the temple. As soon as Subhadra entered the temple with Revativahini Arjuna brought his Kapidhwaj chariot inside the temple area. Subhadra paid obeisance to the goddess and was coming out of the temple with vahini. At that time, as per Sri’s instructions the Brahmin priests surrounded Revativahini for Dakshina, chanting acclamations in the name of Maharaja Kakudmin. Arjuna grabbed this opportunity and blew his Devadutta conch from his chariot, raising his head high. Subhadra picked the signal of the conch and keeping her eyes on the Kapidhwaja she briskly walked towards the chariot. Arjuna also leapt down from the chariot, approached her, and lovingly offered his hand to gently take her into the chariot. Instantly he tugged at the reins and signalled the horses to run. Immediately the four bright white horses galloped from the base of Raivataka towards Indraprastha, carrying the Kuru archer and the Yadava daughter.
Subhadra’s abduction was successfully carried out without any hurdle, as per Sri’s plan. I breathed a sigh of relief when the news of the successful mission arrived at Dwaraka. But a furore erupted amongst the Yadavas of Dwaraka. Still, Sri climbed up onto the charity platform to offer golden jewellery and cows in charity on the occasion of the wedding of his sister. Kuru prince Duryodhana who was travelling towards Dwaraka and had reached Saurashtra, became uncontrollably furious. He could not send any harsh message to dada who was his Guru. Therefore, he just sent a message ‘We are returning to Hastinapura’ and returned along with his army, fretting and fuming. At least for now he was out of luck with regard to his arrival in Dwaraka and being honoured by the Yadavas. Getting Yadava-daughter Subhadra was out of the question!
Enraged, Balaramadada directly approached the platform for charities. With eyes glaring he roared furiously, “Dhakatya, what’s all this drama? Who do you think you are?” He couldn’t even speak further as he was shaking with anger. Sri quietly gave him a charming smile as usual, and first touching Maharaja Kakudmin’s feet and then dada’s feet, he pulled out his ultimate weapon that left everybody stunned. Looking at Maharaja Kakudmin with a smile he said, “Respected Maharaja, I request you to explain to this prince of the Yadavas that Subhadra has selected her own groom of her own accord. Master archer Dhananjaya has abducted her as per the tradition that the Kshatriyas are proud of. I have nothing to do with this – I am not at any fault at all. Still, of my own accord I am going to leave Dwaraka before he gives me any punishment as the prince. Just as he had abandoned me and gone to Mithila, I am going to Indraprastha leaving Dwaraka and him, forever. Henceforth, for any kind of problem, he should consult you as his father-in-law!”
This strong dose abated Balaramadada’s royal fury instantly. He was totally shaken. Aged Maharaja Kakudmin moved forward, patted Sri’s shoulder and said, “Oh Lord of Dwaraka, only you have the sole right to offer any consultation to your prince-brother. We the Raivatakas approve of Subhadra’s choice. I will return today itself, and send gifts to the newlywed couple. I believe that this will help resolve the dispute among you brothers.” He silently preached dada how to treat his brother. Dada didn’t speak a word and mutely accepting Subhadra’s abduction he went to his chamber.
Now our Subhadra was going to receive a grand welcome on the borders of Indraprastha. I was confident that Subhadra who had found her inner feminine strength, was going to obtain an honourable position among the Pandavas.
Daruka
I am Daruka! Just a charioteer! Of Lord’s Garudadhwaja chariot. The first time I met him was in Mathura, after the execution of Kansa. Even today I remember that moment very clearly, as if it happened only yesterday. Before meeting the Lord, I was a shy charioteer who was just an errand boy. Since meeting him I transformed gradually, unbeknownst to myself.
I was a charioteer but just in name. The Lord was the real charioteer. He always said – a chariot of thoughts gallops along with every human being at all times, even in slumber. The Lord not only steered the chariot of thoughts of thousands and lakhs of Yadavas throughout his life, but also of lakhs on the rival side, wherever he went. I was fortunate enough to be the charioteer of this epoch-maker who steered the thoughts of millions; that too not for a day or two, but from ever since we met till his final moments!
The chariot of the Lord’s life resembled his own chariot Garudadhwaja. He just loved speed. I can recall one of his thoughts verbatim as I heard it frequently. He used to say, “Remember, growth and development characterize life”. I ended up asking him once impatiently, “Doesn’t growth itself mean development?” He gave a charming smile as usual and said, “Daruka, growth is outward, the increase in the size of a body whereas development is the broadening of the mind through Sanskaras.” I thoroughly experienced this life-principle of his. I could feel a drastic change in myself ever since I met him.
The Lord silently initiated me into going to the depth of things in any quest. That is why I tried to find out the roots of our charioteer family as much as possible before starting my duty as a charioteer in the Shursena kingdom of the Yadavas. Those clues led me to the region around river Ganga in the Magadha kingdom. I could never forget the knowledge of the Ashwagita that the Lord imparted to me.
Wheneve
r I said, ‘The horse is the fastest animal’, the Lord would smilingly correct me and say, ‘Brother Daruka, the human mind is faster than the horse. Disciplining the human mind and keeping it under control is true charioting. Don’t forget that horses also have a mind of their own! They express their feelings through their eyes, ears and by swishing their tails. To understand that language is true charioting.’
My wife Hayamati accompanied me throughout my life like my shadow. She was the loving mother of our sons – Daruki, Hayaketu, Hayagriva, and Darukaksha. Our eldest son Daruki was a little older than the Lord’s firstborn son Pradyumna. He became the charioteer of Pradyumna later. We had only one daughter named Darukaa. She became a close friend of the Lord’s daughter Charumati.
It was due to the Lord’s way of thinking and affectionate demeanour that everybody would get drawn to him automatically. He was striving to make the newly built kingdom of Dwaraka well renowned all over. For that purpose, he constantly travelled in his Garudadhwaja chariot throughout the entire Aaryavarta – from Sindhu-Sauvira in the east to Anga-Vanga in the west and from Kashmir to Vanavasi, from north to south. I was fortunate enough to offer my services as a charioteer during this journey, and because of that I came to know how thoroughly pure and flawless Maharaja Srikrishna – the Lord of Dwaraka is. Just as there is a difference between charioting for a daily seashore ride, covering the distance between the royal capitals of two kingdoms at a constant pace,and steering a chariot on the actual battlefield, in the same way, the Lord’s life has different shades as a family man, as a social leader, as a great Yadava on the battlefield and as a disciple of Sandipani lost in contemplating on philosophy in the company of sages and hermits.
The rain descends in many rhythms, coming down heavily as if from a jar, drizzling and swaying on the wind, intermittent and the rain in the month of Shravana that plays hide and seek with the sunrays, and in many more ways. The life of Lord Srikrishna was also like that.
I am going to try to hold all the reins of this narration in my hands and see if I can steer this chariot. Will I be able to do it? I must try though. Oh, how can I catch the epoch-maker Yadava with my charioteer’s eyes? He is as vast as the sky! I am going to attempt to see as much as I can of that sky-high man through the window of my charioteer life. Whatever I see I will present in front of you. It will be only a small glimpse of the Lord and not the complete view. He himself had convinced his beloved wives Rukminidevi and Satyabhamadevi at the time of his ‘suwarnatula’ when he was weighed with gold that, ‘If offered with true devotion and piety, even a leaf of holy basil can weigh me out’. This narration is just like that leaf of holy basil.
Rukminidevi had a nature and disposition that was very distinct from the other seven queens. The moment I would see her, I would automatically be reminded of the Lord. She was like the shadow of the Lord. ‘Love’ was the innate mantra of the Lord’s life. As his wife, the innate mantra of Rukminidevi’s life was also ‘Love’.
Nowadays the island of Queens’ mansions was full of bustle with the chatter of the Lord’s sons and daughters. By this time his eight queens had begotten ten sons each. The number of Yadava children had surpassed eighty. Charumati had also got a few half-sisters.
Since the first time my Lord met the Pandavas and their mother Kuntidevi at Kurukshetra on the day of the solar eclipse, his behaviour had changed drastically. He had been safeguarding the Pandavas much more than his own eighteen families of Yadavas. As an important part of that policy we recently travelled from Dwaraka to Upaplavya. From there, along with the Lord, in the Garudadhwaja, commander Satyaki and I went to Hastinapura of the Kurus accompanied by a troop of chosen warriors. I can never forget the enthusiasm with which the citizens of Hastinapura welcomed us this time. This visit of the Lord was very valuable. This was the moment that could have led to war due to the disagreement between the Kauravas and Pandavas on the burning topic of the division of the kingdom. This visit of the Lord was for the royal mediation in Hastinapura. I somehow escorted him to the assembly hall of the Kurus. He was almost besieged by the citizens of Hastinapura, who had gathered in large numbers. Not just the Kurus and Yadavas, but also all other countries of Aaryavarta, were eagerly awaiting the result of this arbitration.
I escorted the Lord to the assembly hall of the Kurus and waited outside in the impenetrable circle of commander Satyaki and armed warriors. I couldn’t know the proceedings of the assembly on that day. But after about half an hour my Lord, Maharaja Srikrishna – the Lord of Dwaraka came outside along with venerable Kurus – grandsire Bhishma, Mahamantri Vidura, minister Sanjaya, maharathi Karna and minister Vrishavarma. His face looked very different today. It had become determined after taking a stern and difficult decision. Usually he would walk easily like the gentle breeze of wind. Today he walked like Bhima the wrestler, balancing his body and as if planting each step in the ground. I pulled the Garudadhwaja chariot near him. The Lord signalled commander Satyaki to board the chariot at the back. Unexpectedly for all, the Lord who was sitting in the chariot stretched his left arm and held it in front of only Karna – the king of Anga, and said, “Come, I want to talk to you about something.” maharathi Karna also boarded the chariot readily, without any reservations. Then the Lord ordered me, “Daruka, take the chariot to the outskirts, and don’t stop anywhere now.”
I called the names of the four horses and signalled them to run. The chariot sprinted forward. The chariots of Satyaki and other warriors followed us. I had already guessed that the Lord wanted to say something important to Karna – the king of Anga. He was looking for privacy. I was fortunate enough to carry my Lord with this maharathi who was a philanthropist, possessor of the Brahmastra and had achieved the title of the king of Anga in spite of belonging to our charioteer community.
I dropped off both the gallant warriors under a sprawling banyan tree on the outskirts of Hastinapura. I waited far away in the shade of a tall Khadira tree along with the Garudadhwaja chariot.
After some time both the valiant men returned and approached the Garudadhwaja. The Lord looked at me and ordered, “Daruka, drop the king of Anga at the assembly hall in the royal capital.” Now the philanthropist held the Lord’s hand and pressing it for a moment or two he said, “No need Madhava, I will walk.” He turned his back and started walking.
My Lord whispered like talking to himself, “The war is indeed inevitable now! Daruka, let’s go.”
I have been thinking since the Lord has returned after meeting Karna. How all these twists and turns came to be between the Kurus, Pandavas and Yadavas! So much water had flowed over the wide beds of the Ganga and Yamuna, which I had crossed so many times with the Lord.
The most significant turn in this journey was the execution of Jarasandha, the self-proclaimed emperor of Magadha.
I am talking about the time when the Pandavas had settled down in Indraprastha. It happened while the venerable Pandava Yudhishthira was planning to organize the Rajasuya yajna. The venerable Pandava informed our Lord about his wish to perform a proper Rajasuya Yajna along with all the rituals and the incantation of mantras. By this time the valiant Pandavas had returned after finishing the conquest in all four directions of Aaryavarta. Along with them they had brought to Indraprastha milk-yielding cows, immense wealth, herds of elephants, horses and camels, and male and female attendants gifted to them by various kingdoms. The conquests of valiant Bhima and gallant archer Dhananjaya became well known for many thrilling battles. We had heard the news of the victories of all the Pandavas while in Dwaraka along with the Lord. Indraprastha had now become a prosperous, booming royal capital. Dwaraka had also rejoiced with the expansion of the Pandava family. Maharani Draupadidevi had begotten five gallant sons, one from each valiant Pandava. They were Yudhishthira’s son Prativindhya, Bhimsena’s son Sutasoma, Arjun’s son Shrutakirti, Nakula’s son Shatanika and Sahadeva’s son Shrutakarmana. After a few days, another son was born to Arjuna, and Dwaraka celebrated that event ecstatically. He was the son of Subha
dradevi and archer Arjuna. As per the Lord’s command I myself had escorted Subhadradevi to Dwaraka for her first delivery. He was the very first offspring born out of the firm familial relation between the Pandavas and the Yadavas. The Lord and Balaramdada were ecstatic to see him for the first time as his mamas. My Lord himself named him Abhimanyu with love. The five gallant warriors had spread the awe of Indraprastha throughout Aaryavarta.
Since his arrival from Indraprastha my Lord had rarely been to the Sudharma royal assembly. He would mostly go to the western gate Aindra in his chariot with Uddhava Maharaja. Sitting on the boulder there, he would discuss the Pandavas with his brother for hours on end. During these talks, they would discuss the subject of the Rajasuya Yajna and the possible interference in it of the self-proclaimed invincible Magadha emperor Jarasandha.
Even after many deliberations with Uddhava Maharaj for hours, the issue of Jarasandha in the Lord’s mind was not getting resolved. He had become extremely restless. On one such evening the Lord was returning with Uddhava Maharaja from the western ocean after offering evening oblations to the sun god. I was awaiting them in the chariot. Suddenly an elderly Brahmin approached him from somewhere. He stood courteously in front of them with his palms joined with respect. To offer him something in charity the Lord started thinking. He instantly removed the pearl necklace around his neck and held it in his hands. Uddhava Maharaja sprinkled on it some water of the ocean waves brushing against his feet. At that point the Brahmin said, “Oh Lord of Dwaraka, I am not here to ask for charity. I am here only to see you. I am blessed to see Uddhava Maharaja along with you. One may not understand the feeling of being blessed by meeting a selfless and valiant Kshatriya in person unless one is a Brahmin.” Saying thus the contented Brahmin prostrated in front of both of them on the sandy field. Both of them pulled him up affectionately and bade farewell to him. I noticed that the Lord was lost in deep thought. After a few moments, he lovingly patted his brother’s shoulders and muttered to himself, “Brother Udho, finally the solution for Jarasandha’s problem is in sight!” Then they both kept talking and I kept steering the chariot.
Srikrishna- the Lord of the Universe Page 42