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

59. LORD KRISHNA'S MERCY UPON THE FIVE QUEENS

The rumor of Pandavas along with Their Mother Kunti died in the fire accident was spread like a forest fire in the city of Hasthinapura. But during Draupadi's swayamvar, everyone witnessed the five Pandavas. Yet there was a gossip that the five Pandavas and Their Mother were not dead. They returned to the city of Hasthinapura. When this news reached the ears of Lord Krishna and Lord Balaram, They wanted to meet the five Pandavas and Mother Kunti directly. Lord Krishna, the King of Dwaraka visited Hasthinapura city along with His Commander-in-Chief Yuyudhana and soldiers without sending any warning. Immediately when the Pandavas saw Lord Muraari, They stood up with great respect and were much elated. Out of causeless mercy and affection upon the prodigious devotees, Lord Krishna personally met Pandavas and Mother Kunti in Hasthinapura. They felt lively as if They regained consciousness. Lord Muraari embraced everyone affectionately. Though He is the Supreme Controller, He instantly touched the feet of His elder brothers, Yudhisthira and Bhima and embraced His best friend Arjuna. Nakula and Sahadev touched the lotus feet of the Lord. Everyone were so satisfied on seeing the most beautiful one and were smiling with eternal bliss. Lord Krishna was warmly received and He was offered comfortable seat. Pandavas and Queen Draupadi offered Their respects to the Supreme. After meeting all, Lord Krishna went to personally meet Mother Kunti and touched Her feet. Her eyes was filled with tears and with great love she embraced the Lord. She then enquired about the welfare of His family members. She recollected the pastimes of how They escaped from the dreadful calamity by the mercy and grace of Shri Hari. With choked voice, She uttered, "O Madhusudhana! I recall the day when You sent Akrura to ask our welfare. This reveals that You are always remembering us! Though we are put into dreadful situations by the evil minded Gauravas, I'm sure that You will keep Us safe. O My Dear Krishna! undoubtedly there is no bad luck as You have kept Us in an auspicious position. You are the Supreme Protector who protects all His children!". King Yudhisthira with much delight uttered, "O Krishna! What to say about Your mercy. I really don't know why are you very much merciful upon Us. It is my humble request to kindly stay with Us for the four months". On King Yudhisthira's request, Lord Krishna stayed in Hasthinapura for four months.

Once Lord Krishna and Arjuna planned to go to the forest for hunting. They prepared Themselves, sat on the chariot and drove the chariot towards forest. Arjuna set foot in the forest with unerring arrows and started His practice to kill enemies. Arjuna killed many ferocious and other animals with His unerring arrows. As many Sages would stay in forest, Arjuna killed the ferocious animals and other animals were sent to Yudhisthira for sacrifice. Due to hunting, Arjuna felt fatigue and thirsty and went to bank of river Yamuna to have some water. They drank the pure water and washed Their feet and hands. In the mean time They were resting, They saw a magnificent girl walking alone in the spot. Lord Krishna told Arjuna to approach her and to ask about her. Arjuna went in front of her and asked, "O beautiful girl, may I know who are you. Your body is attractive and teeth is blazing. Why are you present here. We guess that you have came here to find an appropriate husband. You can frankly disclose if you never mind. I shall attempt to please you". On hearing Arjuna's disclosure, the girl replied, "My name is Kalindi, the daughter of Sun God and I'm living in the Yamuna river. I'm currently performing austerity to get Lord Narayana as my Husband. I declare my desire that I search for my suitable Husband. I will not accept anyone except Lord Krishna as He's the ultimate Protector. I will be thankful if You pray for me to get Lord Krishna as my Husband". Kalindi knows that Arjuna is the great devotee of the Lord so, if a great devotee prays to the Lord, He will accept the wish. The Lord of mercy accepted the beautiful girl Kalindi and asked her to sit on the chariot. Everyone approached King Yudhisthira. 

Later, King Yudhisthira asked Lord Krishna to help in constructing a suitable house to live in. Lord Krishna then called Vishvakarma and He constructed a great place on Yudhisthira's demand. When it was constructed, Lord Krishna was asked to stay some days with Them. Lord Krishna agreed and stayed with Them for few more days. Once Lord Krishna wanted to offer the Khandava forest to the fire God, Agni which belonged to Indra deva. As the forest was contended with different kinds of drugs which required for Agni. So he requested the Lord to help him. Arjuna and Krishna sat on the chariot.  Lord Krishna drove the chariot and entered Khandava forest. Agni was so much pleased and offered Gandiva bow, four horses, one chariot and two infallible arrows to Arjuna. When the forest was set into fire, Arjuna rescued a demon named Maya. So, Mayasura a became friend of Arjuna and in order to please Arjuna, he constructed a well architectural assembly within the city with more puzzling and magical corners. When Duryodhana visited this assembly formerly, he was confused and misdirected thinking the land as water and vice versa. As he was insulted, he determined to kill the pandavas. 

After that Lord Krishna returned to Dwaraka along with Khalindi and Their marriage ceremony was celebrated with a great pomp. Mitravinda was a daughter of King Jayasena and sister of Kings of Avantipura namely Anuvinda and Vinda. Mitravinda was a qualified and humble princess who loved Lord Krishna and wanted to marry Him. There was Swayamvar arrangement for Mitravinda to choose a suitable husband. Many princes including Duryodhana were present.  She strongly desired to get Lord Krishna as her Husband. Knowing this, Lord Krishna abducted Mitravinda from the assembly and thereby defeated the princes of Avantipura, Duryodhana and other princes. After this, Lord Krishna married the princess of Koshala, the daughter of Nagnajit namely Satya. Satya was referred to as Naagnajiti. The King wanted to giver her daughter to the strongest person who could defeat the seven stalwart bulls. Many princes attempted to defeat but none could not defeat the seven bulls. When this news reached Krishna, He visited the King of Koshala to accept her daughter. The King was much pleased and warmly welcomed the Lord in the kingdom. They offered humble respects to the Supreme and Lord was given a comfortable seat, eatables and residence. Princess Satya became so elated and pleased to have the Supreme as her Husband. Lord Krishna said, "My dear King, I'm ready to accept your beloved daughter Satya and in return you need not offer or pay anything". On hearing this the King was much pleased and uttered, "O Narayana, You are the Supreme Controller. Nobody can be suitable husband for my daughter with the exception of You, O Keshava. Who can be better than You?! Krishna, I have one request too. If You kindly defeat the seven bulls, undoubtedly You will be the desired husband for Satya". Lord Krishna thought to fulfill the King's wish. He divided Himself into seven Krishnas! Lord Krishna defeated the seven bulls by bridling their noses and pulled them strongly. 

The King of Koshala was astonished on seeing the Lord's unbeatable strength and thus handed over his daughter Naagnajiti to Lord Krishna. Before the marriage ceremony, the princes who failed in the competition became frustrated.  The marriage ceremony of Lord Krishna and Naagnajiti was celebrated with a great pomp. Lord Krishna was offered a dozen of maidservants and cows, 9000 elephants 9,00,000 chariots and 90,00,000 horses in dowry. While the Supreme Lord was returning to Dwaraka, the envy princes encircled Him and began to shower many arrows. When Krishna's party was defeated, Arjuna took charge of defeating the opposite party alone by showering torrents of arrows through Gandiva and defeated the challenge to please His best friend. Then Lord Krishna and His newly married wife entered the city of Dwaraka with great pomp. 

Lord Krishna's father, Vasudeva had a sister named Shrutakirti. She had a daughter named Bhadra who wanted to marry the Supreme Personality of Godhead. His brother with much elate handed over her to the Supreme Lord. Lord Krishna accepted Bhadra as His beloved wife. After that Lord Krishna married the princess of Madras province named Lakshmana. She was so qualified and a humble princess. Lord Krishna kidnapped Lakshmana in the midst of Swayamvar in front of all princes. 

TO BE CONTINUED..