SRI KRISHNA LEELAMRUTHAM (THE NECTARINE STORIES OF THE DEEDS OF LORD KRISHNA)

 57. SATRAAJITH AND SHATADHANVA KILLED

Akrura, after visiting Hasthinapur, informed the status of five Pandavas were killed in the devastating fire when they transfered to a house. The citizens and everyone in the Hasthinapur understood that five Pandavas along with Their mother, Kunti had been killed in that ablaze. This information when reached the ears of Lord Krishna and Lord Balaram, They decided to go to Hasthinapur. They saw Bhishmadev and Dronacharya who were very sorry due to their death. But When the Supreme Lords saw the Gauravas, they were not sorry. Infact they wanted to kill five Pandavas. Despite the Supreme Lords knew that both Pandavas and Mother Kunti had not been killed, They didn't disclose the situation to anybody. On the other hand, the city of Dwaraka in the absence of the two Supreme Lords, was disturbed by imbalance in righteousness. In the absence of the two Lords, greed over the Syamantaka jewel took place in the minds of Akrura, Kruthavarma and Shatadhanva. Both Akrura and Kruthavarma stimulated Shatadhanva to take away the Syamantaka jewel from Satraajith. Although Sathyabhama was given to Lord Krishna, Satraajith was not satisfied without the Syamantaka jewel. So, understanding his mind, Lord Krishna accepted his daughter Sathyabhama and returned the auspicious Syamantaka jewel to Satraajith. Therefore, Satraajith was having the jewel. Knowing this, Akrura, Kruthavarma and Shatadhanva joined the unlawful plan in order to get the auspicious jewel. Although, Akrura was a great devotee of the Lord, his mind was also conquered by the greed. Even though Kruthavarma was a great devotee of the Lord, he was also lost in greed. This is because, once Akrura was cursed by the Gopis of Vrindavan due to Their separation from Lord Krishna. Kruthavarma had a close association with King Kamsa so, he had some demoniac nature. One night, Shatadhanva entered the palace of Satraajith and mercilessly killed him when he was sleeping. The daughter of Satraajith, Sathyabhama cried helplessly, "O My dear father! How mercilessly the arrogant Shatadhanva killed you". She screamed out of sorrow and thought to inform the situation to Lord Krishna. As She wanted the Lord to see His body, She preserved Her father's body in an oil tank and started to Hasthinapur. When Lord Krishna heard all these, tears shed in His eyes out of sorrow. Sathyabhama wanted the Lord to kill the merciless Shatadhanva. After knowing this, Lord Krishna, Lord Balaram and Sathyabhama returned back to Dwaraka and made plans to kill the merciless Shatadhanva. Though Shatadhanva killed Satraajith, he was afraid of the Lord's ultimate power. He thought that They might kill him. In order to take shelter, he approached Krutavarma to save him. But Krutavarma as a devotee of the Lord said, "One thing you need to know. Krishna and Balaram are the Supreme Lords. Even though the demoniac King Kamsa was strong, he was not saved from his death. I cannot do anything". Then Shatadhanva took under the shelter of Akrura to save his life. Akrura as a great devotee of the Lord said, "Krishna is the creator of the whole universe. This entire cosmic manifestation is under His control! How supreme He is! He lifted up the great Govardhan Hill with His little fingers for seven days! How can I fight against the Lord who is the ultimate cause of all the entities". When both Akrura and Kruthavarma refused to help him, Shatadhanva handed over the Syamantaka jewel to Akrura and fled the dwaraka city. Knowing this, Lord Krishna and Lord Balaram prepared Their journey and swiftly drove the chariot which was marked by a simple of Garuda. Suddenly Shatadhanva's horse died so he began to run faster. Krishna and Balaram also ran on Their foot. Lord Krishna while following him, took His disk and cut off the head of Shatadhanva. Shatadhanva immediately died. Lord Krishna searched for the jewel but He couldn't find that. 

Lord Balaram told that the jewel might be in Dwaraka kingdom. He also told Krishna to return to Dwaraka. As Lord Balaram wanted to see the king of Mithila, He entered the Mithila city. The King of Mithila city was so elate to see Lord Balaram. Lord Balaram was welcomed warmly and received valuable gifts from the King of Mithila, Janaka Maharaja. When Duryodhana came to know about the arrival of Lord Balaram, he used this opportunity to learn the art of fighting. On the other hand, Lord Krishna and Sathyabhama finished all the necessary ceremonies of Their father's death. When Akrura and Kruthavarma left the city after hearing the news of Shatadhanva's death. There occurred some natural disturbances like famine in the Dwaraka city. The Supreme Lord Krishna understood all these. The inhabitants of Dwaraka began to spread rumors that due to the absence of Akrura, disturbances were occuring. Lord Krishna decided to summon all these. He affectionately met Akrura, His uncle and spoke as follows, "O My dear uncle Akrura. I very well know that you are now having the auspicious Syamantaka jewel. This jewel belongs to the grandson of Satraajith. Satraajith was once having this but due to his death, the Syamantaka jewel now belongs to the grandson of Satraajith. I also know the auspiciousness of the Syamantaka jewel which makes one disease free and saves from all famine and other disturbances".

Once there was a King of Kasi. The city was suffering from drought and famine. There was no rainfall. So, he asked a wise astrologer to find a permanent solution for this. As per the astrologer's advice, the King of Kasi given his daughter Gandhini to Svaphalka, the father of Akrura. They both were married. After thing, there was a sufficient rainfall in the city. The city was then freed from all disturances. Lord Krishna continued, "No problem for Me if his Syamantaka jewel is with you. But one thing to say that My elder brother Balaram didn't know that the jewel is actually with you. And He does not believe that the jewel is with you. So, I'm requesting you to reveal the jewel in front of everyone, so that they can be calm. I'm telling you all these because people are believing that you are an auspicious and pious person. And due to your presence, the city is free from all the other disturbances. Therefore, you kindly reveal that in front of other relatives". 

Lord Krishna told Akrura not to deny in giving the jewel back because, the impression of His auspiciousness that people were having would get vanished. Due to the super natural power of Svaphalka, Akrura was also regarded as an auspicious man in the city. Lord Krishna wanted His devotee not to defame in this way. Akrura received many pounds of gold and spent lavishly. He then realized that whatever the Lord tells, it is only for his welfare. So, he covered the blazing Syamantaka jewel with a cloth and presented in front of Lord Krishna and other relatives. The Supreme Lord then took the jewel and revealed in front of everyone. Everyone were pacified on seeing that. Then the Lord returned the jewel back to Akrura.

TO BE CONTINUED..