4) Krishna's Vision
Krishna could not sleep well that night. He was changing his sleeping positions irritably again and again, but was not able to make himself comfortable.
Rukamani woke up due to frequent movements of Krishna and asked worriedly: 'What happened, dear? Are you all right?'
'Yes, Darling, I am all right,' replied Krishna.
Although words were soothing, Rukamani felt that the usual cheerful tone of Krishna was missing. She caught the hand of Krishna lovingly and asked again: 'No Krishna, your tone says that something is wrong. Please tell me, what is it? Any bad news or wild dreams? Something must be there. Will you not share all your worries with your dearest wife?'
'Oh Darling! I have always shared all my worries and happy moments with you and never concealed anything from you. But today actually there is no such matter to share with you.'
'Then why are you so upset?'
'Just I feel that something bad has happened or is going to happen,' Krishna candidly confessed.
'O my God! It is really worrisome then,' Rukamani got frightened to hear, as she had experienced that when Krishna was feeling that something good or bad was going to happen, it was actually happening. She prayed with closed eyes: 'O Lord Mahadev! Please have mercy on all of us and keep us all safe and sound.'
'Rukamani, don't worry so much. Give your worries to Lord Somnath, he will take care of all.'
'You are right. But now I will not be able to sleep. Better I go for prayers.'
'I am also quitting the bed and going to take a bath in the holy Gomti river.'
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Krishna left the palace and walked towards Gomati River. He entered the river, took several holy dips and swam for a long time. Then he completed his daily routine of prayers, meditation, yog and pranayam. Cold water, cool weather and yogic practice calmed down Krishna's mind to a large extent.
Now it was almost dawn and the Sun was about to rise. With the first rays of the Sun the blue sky started to change its colours. In a few seconds nature brushed the sky with bright orange, yellow and red stripes. Krishna enjoyed the magnificent scene and welcomed the Sun with bowed head and folded hands.
Krishna returned to his palace and continued to enjoy nature's beauty from the balcony of the palace situated at the highest location of Dwarika City.
On eastern side of the city, river Gomati, the life-line of the city, was flowing gracefully. She was protecting the city from the outside aggressions like a silent but vigilant watchman. While on the western side of the city, the roaring sea, the main contributor to the wealth of the city, was reprimanding the enemies.
Krishna had selected the location of his dream city very carefully. All the sides of the city were protected by natural barriers. River Gomati was supplying an endless and perennial supply of water to citizens for drinking and farming purposes, while the sea was a great source of income generation through duties collected on export and import of goods.
When Krishna was in Mathura, he had observed that most of the Aryavarta countries were surrounded by land area only. Hence entire trading business with other states and countries was carried out only by the road route, where transportation costs were high and the speed of movement of goods was very slow. No one from Aryavarta had so far foreseen the requirement of an alternate cheap water-way route for export-import business.
However, Krishna had understood the importance of a port facility very early. Hence when he was required to shift Yadavs from Mathura to save them from the frequent attacks by King Jarasandh of Magadh Kingdom, he had preferred to settle near the sea. He therefore chose the Anarta region situated in the westernmost part of Aryavarta, having a nice port facility.
Although Krishna was the most powerful and most popular Yadav, he had made up his mind not to be a king. He was more interested in strengthening the whole Aryavarta. So, he continued Agrasen, king of Mathura as the king of Dwarika. His elder brother Balram was made Crown prince and he himself accepted responsibility as a Chief commander of the army.
Krishna had not forgotten the skills and foresights of his childhood friend and classmate Sudama, who had protected him from the attacks of Demons sent by Kamsa, on several occasions. He therefore called Sudama from Gokul and made him the prime minister of Dwarika. Sudama was as sharp and efficient as he was in childhood and he was managing internal administration of the Dwarika kingdom in such a professional way that Krishna had become absolutely free to handle only external affairs with other kingdoms, without worrying for protection or administration of Dwarika Kingdom.
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Initially Yadavs were not ready for shifting their establishments to such a remote and distant place from Mathura. However, in due course of time, they realised the importance of safety and security against outside invasions, along with lucrative trade business prospects.
Dwarika was at such a distant location that neither Jarasandh nor any other enemy king dared to attack it. Moreover, Dwarika was well protected by natural barriers from all sides. When a city becomes fully secured, naturally citizens tend to do business freely without any worries. So, the trade business of Dwarika flourished.
Visionary Sudama started to build large size barges, trained local people as skilled boatmen and encouraged export-import trade business on a large scale through sea route. However, sea pirates were obstructing their trade business.
Krishna, therefore formulated a special Navy division to protect their trade barges from pirates of the sea. Krishna deputed his loyal General and brave warrior Satyaki as Commander of the navy division. Powerful Satyaki and his soldiers eliminated most of the sea pirates from their trade routes within a year and made all the routes absolutely safe and secure.
As a result of these combined efforts, the export and import trade through the sea route became so cheap and so fast that within 2-3 years the entire trade of Aryavarta started to be routed through Dwarika only. The city exchequer and people of Dwarika earned so handsomely from this sea transport business that within a few years the people started to use real gold for decorating their homes. Eventually most of the houses of Dwarika got converted into golden houses and Dwarika city became famous as Suvarnanagari of Aryavarta. Foresight of Krishna had benefited citizens of Dwarika so much that they became the wealthiest persons of Aryavarta.
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With the rise of the sun, birds started to leave their nests and started moving in different directions. Krishna was watching hordes of birds flying in the sky and making amazing designs, with keen interest. Suddenly he observed that one of the birds was flying straight from the north-east direction towards his palace. He immediately realized that it must be a messenger pigeon coming from Hastinapur or Panchal kingdom.
Sudama had understood the need of fast delivery of updated news of different countries of Aryavarta for devising political strategies. Usual practice of getting the messages was through horse or camel riders, which was costly and also time consuming. Hence Sudama had started a message delivery system using trained pigeons, which was an easy, cheap and fast delivery system. Pigeons were able to deliver messages in five times lesser time than the time taken by horse riders and expenses of training and maintaining the pigeons were hundred times cheaper than those of the horses!
Sudama had also appointed Communication officers in all the major cities of Aryavarta. They were collecting important information and latest political news of their region, writing it on a fine piece of cloth and then the roll of that cloth was being tied with a leg of the trained pigeon. When such a pigeon was released, it was flying nonstop and lending only upon reaching its destination. This fast communication system had provided much advantage to the Dwarika kingdom against its opponents, particularly during war times.
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The pigeon reached the palace directly and landed on the wooden barricade of the balcony. Krishna whispered: 'Oh! It's Golu from Hastinapur,' Krishna was able to recognize all his pigeons by its name!
Krishna extended his hand and said softly: 'Sweet Golu, come.' Golu flew again and landed on the extended hand of Krishna. Krishna caressed Golu softly and lovingly by the other hand. Golu was breathing fast due to fatigue of the long journey undertaken, but soon became stable due to soft touches of its master.
Krishna took out the message roll tied with the leg of Golu and called his assistant: 'Shiva, come fast.'
Shiva came running from the inner room.
'Give Golu some good food and let it take complete rest today,' Krishna handed over Golu to Shiva.
Krishna opened the message and became sad to read it.
Meanwhile, anxious and desperate, Rukamani came almost running to know the message received through Golu and asked hurriedly: 'Krishna, what is the message about? Is everything all right?'
‘Nothing is all right in Hastinapur. Read it yourself.’
Rukamani read the message. It was a detailed report of the previous day describing how Yudhishthir lost everything in the game of dice, how Draupadi was humiliated in Kuru Rajyasabha and how Pandavs along with Draupadi left for the forest for thirteen years.
‘O my God! This is very shocking news. I don’t believe that a king can lose his entire kingdom without any battle, by just losing in a game of dice. More painful is the humiliation of Draupadi. Disgusting! I am really shocked. The King and the Rajyasabha is supposed to protect the dignity of all its citizens. Instead, its own daughter-in-law has been disrobed in presence of all the stalwarts of Hastinapur state. Shameful and cowardly act by Duryodhan and Duhshasan!’
‘Yes, Ruku, it's really shocking and shameful! I feel that with this heinous act Duryodhan has hammered the last nail on the coffin of Hastinapur. Now no one can save Hastinapur from devastation.’
‘I am worried about Draupadi. How painful it would have been for the graceful princess of Panchal and magnificent queen of Indraprasth when she was disrobed in public by her own brother-in-law!’
‘I also feel equal pain in my heart. You know how Draupadi is near to my heart,’ Krishna confessed.
‘Yes, I know you love and respect Draupadi very much,’ said Rukamani, caressing the head of Krishna lovingly to console him, as she was well aware of the intimate friendship of Krishna with Draupadi. ‘But Krishna, I am surprised why Grandsire Bhishma has not stopped Duryodhan from doing such a heinous act!’
‘Grandsire is a noble, wise and august person, but simultaneously he is too rigid to follow the decided principles verbatim. He has forgotten that true intentions are more important than spoken words. His father would have never intended to protect the wrongdoings of the emperors sitting on the throne of Hastinapur. Bhishma perhaps knows that his stand to fulfil his promise verbatim will prove to be a costly affair for Hastinapur State, but he is too rigid to be practical. He is giving more importance to his promise than the safety of Hastinapur Throne, for whose benefit the promise is given,’ Krishna expressed his views frankly.
Krishna was an ardent fan of Bhishma for his qualities like immense power, deep knowledge, admirable wisdom, rich experience, great sacrifice and absolute devotion, however he was not agreeable to Bhishma’s rigid attitude towards keeping his promise and not opposing wrong decisions of Dhritarashtra and Duryodhan.
‘You are right, Krishna. But I am still not able to believe that a wise man like Yudhishthir could keep own brothers and wife as security in a gamble game,’ said Rukamani expressing her displeasure.
‘Addiction is such a bad habit, Ruku, that sometimes, wise persons also get carried away. Even worse, when an addicted person starts losing, he becomes hyper to win at any cost. He then loses control of mind and behaves irrationally. Yudhishthir is a good person otherwise, however, the game of dice is his major weakness. He, therefore, became an easy prey for vultures like Shakuni.
‘Yudhishthir is also having a wrong notion that true kshatriya should not refuse the challenge of a game of dice or a war. I believe that Kshatriya or any other person should accept any challenge only when it is beneficial in some respect. When such a person is a king, his responsibility increases many folds, because a king is not supposed to act on wrong assumptions. Indraprasth kingdom was built up and prospered after hard toil and sacrifices by many persons for many years and Yudhishthir lost it in a few seconds. Just ridiculous!
‘Last but not the least, Yudhishthir had no right to keep Draupadi or his brothers as a security. Wife and brothers are not a piece of property which can be placed as a security. Yudhishthir has taken such a nasty step that it needs to be condemned harshly.’ Krishna condemned the suicidal act of Yudhishthir in straight words. Even though Krishna respected Yudhishthir as an elder brother and as a wise man, he didn’t hesitate in criticising wrong decisions of Yudhishthir.
‘I think you should go to meet, console and support Pandavs and Draupadi at the earliest,’ Rukamani said.
‘Yes, I will have to go. When they have lost everything, I must go to console them and also to encourage them to regain everything. You know very well how I love and respect Pandavs.’
‘Yes, I remember how you have helped them right from saving them from disaster at Palace of lac to winning the swayamvar of Draupadi to establishment of Indraprasth…’ said Rukamani with a satisfying smile.
With these words, their minds flashed back into the memories of the disaster at the Palace of lac and the swayamvar of Draupadi.
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About six years ago, one day Krishna was returning from Mathura to Dwarika, after attending a religious function. He had chosen a short route passing through the Naimish Forest.
When his chariot was passing through the narrow road of the forest, he found a large number of fully loaded bullock carts coming from the opposite side. Krishna curiously asked one of the cart owners: ‘O dear brother, what is loaded in your carts?
The Cart owner replied: ‘Sir, it is lac from this forest.’
Krishna was surprised as lac was a highly inflammable product having limited commercial uses. He, therefore, inquired further: ‘So much lac at a time? Where are you taking it, brother?
‘Sir, we have received an order for the supply of a hundred cart loads of lac. So, we are taking it to our destination,’ The Cart owner was very happy to receive such a large order.
‘Hundred cart loads of lac at a time? For what purpose will it be used? There is not a known use of lac in such a large quantity.’
‘That I don’t know, but Duryodhan, prince of Hastinapur has ordered this much quantity.’
Krishna got suspicious with the reference of Duryodhan. His mind started to think and analyze: ‘Why Duryodhan has ordered this much lac at a time? A quarter cart load of lac is adequate for sealing requirements of the Hastinapur kingdom for a full year. Against this, a hundred cart loads of lac? Something is wrong.’
He asked to confirm: ‘So you are going to Hastinapur to supply lac?’
‘No Sir, we have to deliver these goods to Varnavart City.’
‘I see... Nice of you. Have a safe journey,’ Krishna wished them and continued his journey towards Dwarika, however he had made up his mind to find out why Duryodhan had ordered this much lac at Varnavart.
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Upon reaching Dwarika, Krishna immediately called Sudama and asked him to inquire where the large quantity of lac was to be used in Varnavart city. Sudama sent a message to their representative at Hastinapur through a pigeon and asked to inquire what was going on at Varnavart and why a large quantity of lac was ordered.
Within a week, Krishna received a detailed report. Krishna read it over to Rukmani:
“A grand religious function is due next month at Varnavart. It will be inaugurated by Yuvraj Yudhishthir. Prince Duryodhan has started to beautify and decorate the whole Varnavart city for the grand welcome of Yudhishthir. He has also started to construct a grand palace for the comfortable stay of Yudhishthir.
Hundred cart loads of lac have been delivered at the site of the new palace under construction. Actual use of lac could not be ascertained, as tight security is kept around the palace site and no one is allowed to go near the site.
The construction of the palace is being carried out by Purochan, a skilled architect from Gandhar and all the labourers are also from Gandhar.”
Confused, Rukmani asked: ‘These details are not adequate. I am not able to understand anything.’
However, Krishna’s mind started to link all these clues... construction of the palace... the stay of Yudhishthir in the palace... hundred cart loads of lac… tight security… labourers called from far away Gandhar…
Suddenly he whispered with a shock: ‘O my God! Rukmani, it’s a crooked plan by scoundrel Shakuni to kill Yudhishthir!’
‘How can you say so confidently?’ Surprised, Rukmani asked.
‘Highly inflammable lac would be used for constructing the palace of Yudhishthir. Therefore, when they would set fire, no one would be able to save Yudhishthir. Shakuni has called labourers from his own state Gandhar and kept tight security to hide the use of lac in the palace construction.’
‘O my God! It’s a terrible plan! You should immediately ask Yudhishthir not to go to Varnavart.’
‘It’s not of much use, Ruku. Because Duryodhan and Shakuni will plot some other plan to kill Yudhishthir. I feel, Yudhishthir’s life is at risk, so far, he is in Hastinapur.’
‘Then what do you propose?’ Rukmani asked eagerly.
‘I think Yudhishthir should leave Hastinapur kingdom at present to save himself from the malicious plans of Duryodhan and Shakuni. He should try to get support from some powerful state, who can pressurise Dhritarashtra to give him the throne of Hastinapur.’
‘And what about his Varnavart visit?’ asked Rukmani.
‘I think he should play a counter plan against Shakuni’s plan.’
‘How?’
‘Pandavs should go to Varnavart as usual and set ablaze the palace, before Shakuni’s men do it. Then they should escape safely and leave Hastinapur kingdom. Duryodhan and Shakuni will declare them dead in the accidental fire and forget them. Meanwhile Pandavs would get adequate time to contact other kingdoms to get their support,’ Krishna presented a detailed plan.
‘Seems a good plan, but why should they allow the declaration about their death, when they are alive?’ Rukamani asked.
‘To get sympathy from the people of Hastinapur and also from other kingdoms. People would apprehend that it was not an accident, but a crooked plan by Duryodhan to kill Pandavs. So, people will start to hate Duryodhan. When Pandavs come back to Hastinapur safely, they will get sympathy and support from the public and also from other kingdoms.’
As per this plan, Krishna sent a message to Yudhishthir through his representative at Hastinapur advising him to follow the counter plan and to hide their identity in the nearby Panchal kingdom for time being.
Pandavs followed Krishna’s advice meticulously. They went to Varnavart along with mother Kunti, participated in religious functions and declared many generous schemes for the benefit of people of Varnavart, so as to gain popularity. In the evening they invited Purochan and his associates to reward them for constructing a beautiful palace. In the late night they set a fire in the palace and escaped away on prearranged horses to the nearby Panchal kingdom.
Purochan and his associates who had helped Shakuni in a crooked plan to kill Pandavs, got trapped in the fire of the palace, made inflammable by them only. Next day, seeing their corpses, Duryodhan thought that they were corpses of Pandavs. So he became happy as his wish to kill Pandavs was fulfilled at last.
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Meanwhile Krishna received an invitation from the Panchal kingdom. Rukamani asked with a surprise: ‘Krishna, why is King Drupad calling you to Kampilya?
‘They have already mentioned that it is a friendly tour.’ Krishna replied.
‘Don’t fool me, Krishna. I know that political invitations have always hidden purposes. I do know that King Drupad’s daughter Draupadi has now reached up to the age of marriage.’ Rukamani said in taunting words.
‘Oh! So, you are jealous that I will bring one more queen!’ Krishna also said teasingly.
‘Why should I be jealous of her? I will welcome her as my younger sister. If you say, I am ready to even forgo my title of Chief queen in her favour. Krishna, I love you so much that I am prepared to do anything for you,’ Rukamani became emotional.
Krishna embraced Rukmani and said lovingly: ‘Please Ruku, don’t be in such a hurry to conclude. Whether I have said that I want to marry her?’
‘But when you are not saying anything, I have to assume something.’ Rukamani complained.
‘All right, Dear. I clarify that I am planning to go to Kampilya to arrange the marriage of Draupadi, with Arjun, my cousin.’
‘What interest have you got in marrying Arjun with Draupadi? They both are capable enough to find out their match. Why should you interfere?’
‘I have interest in this relationship for two reasons. One is for short term purposes and the other is for the long-term goals.’
‘O Krishna! You always have long term plans for everything!’
Krishna said with a smile: ‘What can I do, Rukamani, I am like that only.’
‘I know it well. Now please explain your plan.’
‘My short-term purpose is that Pandavs get the throne of Hastinapur.’
Confused, Rukamani asked: ‘How can the marriage of Arjun with Draupadi help for that?’
Krishna explained elaborately: ‘Look, Pandavs are brave and powerful warriors. They are also good-hearted ethical persons and always follow the path of dharma. They are wrongfully deprived of their right on the throne of Hastinapur by Dhritarashtra and Duryodhan. Even stalwarts of Hastinapur like grandsire Bhishma, Guru Dron and Kulguru Krip are not able to support them openly. Pandavs have also not got any powerful support from other kingdoms. So, they are not able to get their rightful throne of Hastinapur.
‘If Pandavs could get support from some powerful state, Dhritarashtra will be compelled to give Pandavs their rights. Now Panchal is a very powerful state comparable to Hastinapur. If Arjun gets married to Draupadi, Pandavs will get powerful support from the Panchal State, which will help them in getting the throne of Hastinapur.’
‘You have thought it perfectly. I also feel that it is possible that way,’ Rukamani endorsed.
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‘Now tell me what is the long-term purpose?’ Asked Rukamani.
‘For the bright future of Aryavarta, this marriage is essential,’ Krishna Replied.
Rukamani baffled: ‘O my God! I fail to understand how the future of Aryavarta is related to this marriage?’
‘I will explain. The answer is a bit lengthy, so listen with patience.
‘You know about my lifetime dream that the whole Aryavarta should get united under the leadership of one strong and powerful empire, which also should be an ideal, ethical and dharma following kingdom. If such an Empire is established, the people of Aryavarta would be safe, secure and happy for many generations, like they were during Ram Rajya in Treta Yug. In short, I wish to bring Ram Rajya to Aryavarta once again. I wish dharma to prevail everywhere in Aryavarta.
Rukmani asked again: “Krishna, you always talk about prevailing dharma. What do you exactly mean by dharma?’
Krishna replied: ‘Dharma is not just a religious activity as per common belief, but it is much more than that. As per my thinking, Dharma means truth, dharma means ethics, dharma means honesty, dharma means equality, dharma means righteousness, dharma means justice, dharma means duty, dharma means virtue, dharma means morality, dharma means harmony, dharma means love and respect to others, dharma means fulfilling social obligations, dharma means protection of women and children, dharma means care, help and service to the downtrodden, dharma means wealth to be acquired ethically, dharma means wealth, power and strength to be utilised for benefit of others, dharma means wellbeing of all and so on.
‘Dharma is the power that maintains society. Different people have different obligations and duties according to their age, gender and social position. Each person, therefore, has his own dharma known as swadharma.’
‘Oh, I see. So, you do not relate dharma to a particular religion, but it is a much broader term to indicate an ideal lifestyle by the society.’
‘Yes, Rukmani, you have understood it correctly.’ Krishna said with satisfaction.
‘So how do you propose to establish a dharma following empire?’ Rukamani asked.
‘Presently none of the kingdoms of Aryavarta has any visionary leader who can establish such a strong, powerful, ideal, ethical and dharma following empire, covering the entire Aryavarta.
‘Hastinapur is a large and powerful state, but it is headed by a blind King. Their yuvraj Duryodhan is also a short-sighted man. So, I don’t see a bright future for the present Hastinapur Kingdom.
‘Magadh is an equally large and powerful state, but headed by cunning Jarasandh, who is a cruel, unjust and unpopular king.
‘Another large and powerful state, Panchal is headed by mighty king Drupad. However, he is interested in achieving only a small personal goal of taking revenge against guru Dron. He is therefore not able to lead Aryavarta.
‘Chedi is a powerful kingdom; however, its king Shishupal is an arrogant and egoistic person.
‘King Bhagdatta of Prag Kingdom is a powerful king, but his kingdom is located in the northernmost part of Aryavarta. So, he cannot control and manage the whole Aryavarta sitting in a corner of Aryavarta.
‘Similarly, we Yadavs are also located in the easternmost part. So Dwarika is also not an ideal location to be the leader of Aryavarta.’
Rukamani interfered: ‘None of the great kingdoms are good in your view, then whom do you consider fit to be a leader of Aryavarta?’
Krishna replied with patience: ‘I am coming to that point. In my opinion Hastinapur headed by Pandavs can be the ideal leader of Aryavarta.’
‘Pandavs? Hastinapur headed by Pandavs? Are you crazy? How can Pandavs be a leader of Aryavarta, when they are not having any kingdom at present and even, they are absconding after the tragedy of the palace of lac. Krishna, many times your talks are ridiculous.’ Rukamani was not at all agreeable to Krishna’s views.
‘But dear Ruku, every time you agree with me afterwards that they were not ridiculous!’
‘Yes, it happens so. But explain to me how it would be possible.’ Rukamani said.
‘Look, Hastinapur is centrally located in Aryavarta. The kingdom is quite large and powerful. It is protected by the Himalayas in north and the east directions. Surrounding area is made up of plains of river Ganga and Yamuna, having very fertile soil. So bumper agricultural produce gives handsome earnings to the exchequer by way of levies and taxes, making it a wealthy state.
‘Moreover, presently the kingdom has a very large armed forces of three Akshauhini, along with unconquerable warriors like Grandsire Bhishma, Guru Drona, Ashwatthama, Karna, Duryodhan and many more.
‘If the power and dharma of Pandavs is added in present Hastinapur along with the full support of the equally powerful and strong Panchal kingdom, also having armed forces of three Akshauhini, it would become an unbeatable association and can lead Aryavarta for many generations. It would be possible, only if Arjun could marry Draupadi.’
‘My God! How distant and unthinkable you can think! Hats off to you, dear Krishna. I am proud of you and feel lucky to have associated with you.’ Rukamani hugged Krishna lovingly.
‘I am equally lucky to get an intelligent and understanding partner like you,’ said Krishna lovingly caressing the head of Rukamani.
Rukamani blushed red with the praise and hugged Krishna more tightly.
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