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

61. PARIJATA - THE HEAVENLY FLOWER!

Lord Krishna once presented Parijata flower to His senior wife Rukmini Devi. Parijata is a flower from celestial planet, Heaven. When Devas and Asuras were churning the ocean using Mount Meru as rod and the King of snakes Vasuki as rope in order to get Soma (one who drinks it, will never die) 14 things emerged from the ocean. Of those, the divine Parijata tree was one of the 14 things which is the tree of all trees with amazing aromatic flowers, golden bark and fruits. It was considered as divine and Indra instantly claimed it and kept in the Heaven, Amaravati. This Amaravati is in Heaven where Indra planted the Parijata flower. Indra and his wife Sachidevi looked after it with much affection. It is known for producing jewels which one thinks in his or her mind. 

Samudra Mathan

    Sathyabhama remembered the promise made by Krishna. When Krishna gave the flower to Rukmini, Sathyabhama felt down and had a inferiority complex. As Lord Krishna is the Supreme Well wisher of all our minds, He could understand His wives' combative nature and smiled. He asked, "O Dear, why are You asking for only one flower? I can bring even the whole tree of Parijata to You!". Therefore, Lord Krishna and Sathyabhama went to Amaravati with Garuda. The denizens of Heaven  so gladly welcomed the Lord and Sathyabhama. Krishna returned the stolen earrings of Aditi. Mother Aditi became extremely happy and blessed Krishna and Sathyabhama. After which Lord Krishna and Sathyabhama set back on Garuda and landed Indra's garden. 

Krishna and the Parijata tree

  When Sathyabhama witnessed the magnificent Parijata tree with golden bark, copper leaves, mind blowing aromatic flowers, She demanded Krishna to take that tree to Dwaraka. The moment when Lord tried to touch the tree, the chief of Indra's guards ordered not to touch the celestial tree. Sathyabhama then asked whether they've forgotten who slayed the demon Narakasura and also challenged as they could stop Them from taking way the Parijata tree to Dwaraka. The chief guard ran towards Indra's palace and narrated the happenings. Sachidevi, Indra and other denizens in the heaven became irritated by the incident. Indra along with his mount Airavata marched towards the garden to fight against the Lord. Lord Krishna told Sathyabhama that She would receive the tree by Indra itself. But Indra rushed towards the spot for the purpose of his own profit. Lord Krishna blew His conchshell. When Indra began to flow torrents of arrows, Krishna cut those arrows into pieces. Garuda tore the noose threw by denizens of heaven into shreds and all of a sudden they began to run away from Garuda's clutches. Yama when about to set on his mace, Lord hurled it into pieces. Garuda began to attack Indra's Mount, Airavata. Due to this, Airavata started to run swiftly giving rise to pandemonium. Furious Indra when began to attack the Lord with his thunderbolt, Krishna raised His arm and caught that. When Indra was only remaining in the place, he thought to move away. But Lord Krishna asked him to wait and told that the Parijata tree would remain there itself. Indra became remorse and apologize the Lord for his blunt mistake. Then he would offer the Parijata tree to Krishna and Sathyabhama. 

    Materialistic people are always selfish. When Lord Krishna fought against Narakasura and returned Mother Aditi's earrings and the mount Meru, Indra was happily bowing down to the lotus feet of the lord to receive those. But the moment when Lord wanted to take the Parijata plant from his city, he began to fight against the Lord who is the Supreme Creator. Therefore one must necessarily take Krishna consciousness as precaution to get rid of all material senses.

TO BE CONTINUED..