THE ANNIHILATOR

The creation is inevitably followed by destruction.  When we get tired of entertainment we prefer either to meditate if we are a yogi or sleep if we are a bhogi. That is the period to take rest and recharge the system with energy. This is not our choice but because it has been planned by Lord Srikrishn to be so. He also gets tired of all hullabaloos prevalent in various creations and prefers to withdraw to relax.  That is called pralaya or annihilation. As are there several kinds of creations so are there a number of types of Pralayas narrated in Purans.

When one begins to practice yog and meditation one also realizes that one is in this world to perform certain unfulfilled wishes and tasks wished in the past. As one advances in meditation life seems to be a mere dream where nothing is real for real and permanent bliss is felt in meditation. The human body is needed to stay on the earth and to perform tasks. One involves oneself in worldly pursuits so long as one has desire and ego. When desires die and ego dries, life becomes light. Death and fear of death vanishes. Renouncing ego permanently is almost impossible. Only in certain moments ego spares us for a short time. Such precious moments are the most blissful moments of life. When we are able to feel as free as wind, as buoyant as a wave, as sweet as a blooming blossom

Lord Srikrishn being an embodiment of bliss keeps performing the role of annihilator of ego in the life of his chosen ones. W e don’t  realize that our own existence is dependent on others. For food we eat, clothes we wear and sundry of items we need for our existence are provided by others. Innumerable persons we do not know produce such comforts.  Nature is rearing us quietly. Unaware of her incessant care we begin to feel that we are superior to other beings. Those who realize her generosity thank her and rejoice in her lap as infants frolick in their mother's lap while those who care not to explore, remain in their self created prison and torture themselves as well as others. Those who realize their oneness with nature, become saints and yogis. They are lovable to all. Such great souls have been everywhere in all times. Only their proportion to masses keeps changing. Purans are replete with tales narrating the divine plan to annihilate pride of every being through some other being. Lord Srikrishn does not allow anybody to nourish one's pride permanently. As we inflate a balloon and with the passage of time it automatically deflates so with the passage of time every body tastes deflation of one's pride.

 During Lord Srikrishn's Maharaas with Radha and other gopis he took Radha away from all and narrated several stories of annihilation of pride of several deities himself to his beloved Radha to amuse her.

Ashamed Lord Brahma.

Lord Srikrishn demolished Lord Brahma's pride through a curse given by Mohini in Lord Brahmalok. On earth also when Lord Srikrishn took birth in Mathura he demolished his pride himself.

Lord Srikrishn used to graze his cows and calves in the forest. He would then sit with his friends and play around like an ordinary boy. He loved sporting with calves, deers, and peacocks, ate roti with pickle and played tunes on flute or horn. Lord Brahma intended to test him. He locked the cows, calves and cowboys in a cave. When Lord Srikrishn did not find his herd around, meditated and learnt that Lord Brahma had played a trick. He created new cows, calves and cowboys. Even the parents of boys could not guess that the original ones were lying unconscious in a cave in the forest. One earth year elapsed and no disturbance in life and routine occurred. Lord Brahma failed to discriminate between the original and duplicate. He realized his ignorance and tendered apology to Lord Srikrishn, the cowboy of Vrindavan. Lord Srikrishn was bemused and forgave Lord Brahma. He withdrew the duplicates and Lord Brahma revived the original ones and returned to his lok ashamed.

 Asuras  baffle  Lord  Shiv

Lord Srikrishn always appreciates Lord Shiv and loves him dearly. He says in Gita that among Rudras he is Lord Shiv. Lord Shiv also adores Lord Srikrishn. Once  Lord Shiv, an incarnation of dispassion and wisdom, also developed pride. He remained in samadhi for sixty thousand yugas and become as powerful as Lord Srikrishn. A demon named Vrika also performed great tapasya  at Kedarnath. Lord Shiv appeared before him to bless him but the demon did not ask for any boon. Lord Shiv was so impressed with him that he did not leave him at all. There stood an officious Lord Shiv eager to grant him everything but the devoted asura did not accept anything. He only meditated at the feet of Lord Shiv. Lord Shiv became so overwhelmed with love and fear both that he began to cry. This disturbed the demon. He stopped meditation and found Lord Shiv sobbing in front of him. Lord Shiv was all set to oblige him in lieu of his rigorous tapasya.

Vrika then asked Lord Shiv to grant him a boon to turn anyone into ashes merely by touching the head. Lord Shiv being innocent and unsuspecting granted the boon. The clever demon felt delighted and began to follow the bestower of boon to try his newly acquired power. Lord Shiv ran around in all directions. His tiger skin and dumbbell fell apart. Even though the demon wanted to burn him, Lord Shiv did not want to harm him being a lover of devotees and yogis. He could not enlighten him also as he felt that the demon had attained spontaneous oneness with Lord Shiv after performing such hard tapasya. All his pride vanished and he decided to seek help form prudent Lord Srikrishn. He flew to Golok.

Lord Srikrishn saw Lord Shiv entering his lok with a dry throat and nervous face. He stopped Vrikasur merely by will and asked the demon what the matter was. As the demon narrated the story, Lord Srikrishn hypnotized him and he began to dance. While dancing he touched his own head and turned into ashes. Lord Shiv who had begun to believe that he was as powerful as Lord Srikrishn, dropped his pride. The difference between him and Lord Srikrishn had become clear to him.

Lord Srikrishn smiled having seen his pale face and advised him not to forget one who is the bestower of power to all.

On another occasion Lord Shiv again developed pride and proceeded to fight Tripurasur, a powerful demon all alone. "What can a moth like Triparasur do in front of me when I alone am capable of destroying three lokas." he intoned and called upon the demon in the fray. Lord Shiv had even forgotten to take with him the kavach and trident given to him by Lord Srikrishn. The fierce battle continued for one whole year, day in day out. Both of the warriors proved to be of equal strength. The demon possessed magical powers. He therefore, lifted up himself in the air and went very high in the sky. Lord Shiv also raised him up high in sky and fought him valiantly. Another month elapsed. The demon destroyed Lord Shiv's chariot and armaments. Lord Shiv then got enraged and punched him. The demon fainted for a while but soon regained his senses and got even more furious. He found Lord Shiv asleep and lifted him up to throw him down on the earth. When deities in Swargalok saw this battle, they were terrified and began to pray to Lord Srikrishn to protect Lord Shiv from the demon. Lord Shiv also realized that he could not defeat the demon himself. He also prayed to Lord Srikrishn. Lord Srikrishn immediately took to the form of a bull and placed Lord Shiv upon his back, lest he should fall down on the earth. Lord Srikrishn also gave Lord Shiv his kavach and trident. Lord Shiv regained his confidence and killed the demon with trident. He then felt ashamed of his overconfidence and prayed to please Lord Srikrishn. When deities saw Lord Shiv killing the demon, they all appreciated Lord Shiv and honoured him. Lord Shiv gave up pride forever and became constantly aware of Lord Srikrishn's might and sportiness. Lord Srikrishn as Nandi bull became his vehicle, out of love.

Sati  in sheer confusion

Durga who was born as daughter of Daksh was named Sati. Lord Shiv was never interested in marriage but Lord Srikrishn asked him to marry Sati and perform important role in his creation. Sati adored Lord Shiv and married him. Once when Lord Vishnu took birth as prince Ram on earth, his wife Sita was stolen by the demon king of Srilanka named Ravan. Ram along with his younger brother Lakshman wandered in the forest, searching for his wife, Sita.  Sati saw him behaving like an ordinary man. She was intrigued to see Lord Shiv saluting prince of Ayodhya. Sati asked Lord Shiv as to why did he salute a mortal prince? Lord Shiv smiled and told her that Lord Vishnu is playful by nature and keeps creating tales on earth to enlighten the masses. But Sati was not convinced. She thought of testing Ram. Disguised as Sita, she stood in the way, waiting, Ram. Ram saw her. He bowed before and said,-“Mother, how come you are here all alone? Where is Lord Shiv?” Sati felt ashamed as Ram had recognized her. Later on, as she moved back to see Lord Shiv she found everywhere Ram accompanying Sita and his brother Lakshman. Sati was even more confused. She reached before Lord Shiv who remained immersed in meditation. Seeing his reluctance, Sati got apprehensive. Lord Shiv had removed Sati's seat from his left and placed it in front of him to tell her that having disguised as Sita whom Lord Shiv regarded as mother, Sati could not occupy the seat of his wife. Sati felt terribly bad of what she had done. She suffered day and night but Lord Shiv would not relent. He remained aloof and immersed in meditation all the time.

After some time Sati learnt that her father Daksh had organized a Yajna where all deities were invited but for Lord Shiv. Daksh despised Lord Shiv because of a past incident.

Once when Daksh entered a meeting in Swargalok every body saluted him but for Lord Shiv who was steeped in samadhi. Proud Daksh took it as his insult and looked for an opportunity to disgrace Lord Shiv. He therefore, deliberately did not invite Lord Shiv in his Yajna. Sati had been sulking. She asked Lord Shiv to let her visit her parental place. Lord Shiv refused, knowing fully well the intention of cunning and ignorant Daksh. But Sati insisted. Lord Shiv then allowed her to go to attend the Yajna. When Sati reached there her mother and sisters welcomed her. But her father did not even talk to her. Sati was deeply hurt. When she entered the main hall she found that there were seats for all deities except Lord Shiv. This was most insulting to her as she adored Lord Shiv.   The intended insult of Lord Shiv by her father Daksh infuriated her. She effused her anger on her father and gave up her life in the Yajna to desecrate the celebration. Lord Shiv sent his other ganas to demolish the Yajna. Daksh was badly humiliated by the army of Lord Shiv. He knelt down before Lord Shiv. Lord Shiv pardoned him but felt terribly moved by the death of his wife. He lifted her charred body in his arms and roamed around like a lunatic, shedding streams of tears that grew up as trees of Rudraaksh. Devotees of Lord Shiv wear ornaments made of Rudraaksh. Lord Vishnu knowing that Lord Shiv could not be normalized so long as the charred body of Sati remained in his arms, applied his Sudarshan and chopped the corpse into fifty-one pieces that fell around forming shaktipeeth where Goddess Durga is worshipped under various names.   Lord Srikrishn had planned and told Lord Shiv the entire series of events in advance. He had planned to demolish Sati's pride, thus.

Parvati's elation scuttled

Sati took rebirth as daughter of of Mount Himalaya and his wife Maina. She was aware of her past life. When she grew up, a celestial voice told her to do tapasya to win Lord Shiv as her husband. For nothing can be attained without tapasya. Parvati laughed at it. She knew that Lord Shiv loved only her. She had heard that Lord Shiv used to roam around with Sati's ashes smeared all over his body and a necklace of her bones around his neck. Lord Shiv had demolished Daksh's Yajna to please Sati. She also believed that whoever is wedded to each other in one life also recognizes the partner in subsequent lives. Proud of her matchless beauty and divine qualities, she did not perform tapasya and enjoyed life with her friends at parental palace.

One day a messenger informed her father that Lord Shiv had arrived there. Her father went to worship Lord Shiv. Parvati presumed that Lord Shiv had come there only to woo her. She therefore, put on most attractive attire, decorated herself with ornaments and flowers. She looked so charming that as she looked into the mirror she got enamoured to herself. She meditated only on her husband Lord Shiv and did not think of anybody else. Accompanied by her parents she reached on the mount Himalaya where Lord Shiv was staying. She saw Lord Shiv walking along the bank of river Ganga, smiling and telling Lord Srikrishn's mantra on his rosary. Endowed with a scintillating aura, he looked resplendent surrounded by Mahakaal, Nandikeshwar, ghosts, genies, prets, demons, Sanak, Sanandan, Sanatkumar, Sanatan and a number of great sages. God of mount Himalaya saluted everybody and prostrated before Lord Shiv. His wife Maina also worshipped him. Lord Shiv appeared youthful and handsome. The womenfolk accompanying her mother Maina were deeply impressed and felt instantly enamoured towards Lord Shiv who had taken to an attractive form only to attract women. They whispered amongst themselves that how fortunate was Gauri who was going to get Lord Shiv as her husband. Himalaya and Maina also happily discussed the matter with each other and sent Parvati to Lord Shiv. Parvati looked scintillating in her bright attire. She had made up herself beautiful with the choicest articles of shringar. Her heart was full of love and pride. She walked carefully and elatedly reached near Lord Shiv. She reverentially took seven rounds around him and bowed with folded hands to salute him. Lord Shiv looked at her and blessed her, -" O the beautiful one! You will get a most loving, accomplished, immortal, wise and handsome husband. You will blissfully remain married forever. Your son will be accomplished like Narayan. You will be worshipped in three lokas. You have taken seven rounds around me I am therefore satisfied for seven lives." he said and closed his eyes in meditation. Parvati washed his feet and offered throne, fruits flowers etc. by performing shodash upachar. She bowed before him in salutation repeatedly. She was convinced that Lord Shiv was pleased with her.  She would daily go to Lord Shiv and worship him whole-heartedly thus.

When King of deities, Indra learnt that Lord Shiv seemed to have accepted Parvati as his consort, he celebrated and sent for Kamdev to invoke attraction and desire in the heart of yogi Lord Shiv towards Parvati. Kamdev applied all his five arrows, creating erotic ambience to swerve meditating Lord Shiv but faced fiasco. Instead of feeling excited, Lord Shiv got furious. He opened his eyes and turned Kamdev into ashes. The wife Of Kamdev, Rati was aghast to see the horrendous act of Lord Shiv. She bemoaned his death. Deities consoled her and advised her to keep his ashes safely so that he could be revived later. Deities were in awe and Parvati was dumbfounded. On seeing Rati wailing, Parvati fainted in sorrow. Her pride was completely shattered.

Lord Shiv got up from meditation and left for his abode on mount Kailash leaving a desolate Parvati behind. This was so planned in advance by the Master Planner of Universe to teach Parvati a lesson to renounce her pride in her beauty and past life's achievements. Parvati realized that God cannot be enamoured or attracted by physical beauty or emotional wishing. The only way to please God is purification of heart through performing tapasya. She later on performed tapasya and won Lord Shiv as her husband.

Indra's blunder

Indra performed hundreds of Yajna, and did great tapasya at Pushkar. He attained siddhi and became very arrogant. Once when his guru Brahaspati arrived in his court, Indra did not bother to stand up and salute him. Brahaspati felt hurt and retreated in solitude. In his solitude in the forest, he inwardly cursed Indra that all his wealth would be lost. Indra later on realized his error and reached Brahaspati's palace. He bowed with folded hands to salute gurumata Tara, the wife of Brahaspati. She gave him a seat and listened to him. Indra then cried in regret before Tara. She also felt bad and advised him to go back home, as whatever was destined to Indra was sure to take place. Indra was unhappy and worried. He therefore, went to take bath in river Mandakini flowing on mount Himalay. There amidst enchanting surroundings he saw the matchlessly beautiful and chaste wife of sage Gautam named Ahilya.  Indra got so attracted to Ahilya so much so that he always fantasized about her only. He called his bosom friend Chandrama and disclosed his desire to him. Both of the friends plotted together to fulfill the desire of Indra. Chandrama planned that Indra should disguise as sage Gautama. To wake the sage early, Chandrama disguised as a cock and crowed aloud to wake the sage up. The sage got up and went out to take bath at the river. Indra entered his home and slept with Ahilya, imposing as her husband Gautam. Sage Gautam arrived after taking bath in the river and found his innocent wife with Indra. He lost no time in knowing the truth. Depravity of Indra enraged Gautam. He thrashed him and cursed, -"Fie upon you! You are the son of great sage Kashyap and Aditi. How could you stoop to such meanness? You have learnt Vedas but actually are lewd only of vulva. I curse that you will have a thousand vulvas all over your body and for one whole year you will keep  smelling it. Afterwards, on worshipping God Surya, the vulvas will turn into eyes. You have desecrated my wife so you will have to loose your kingdom soon." Indra trembled with fear and hung his head in shame. He had fallen too low to raise his head as king ruling Swargalok. Reeling in repentance, he departed for Pushkar to do tapasya to purify himself. Thus the pride of Indra licked the dust as ordained by Lord Srikrishn.

Surya challenged by asuras

God Surya is the father of planets. He generates and sustains life on earth. Aware of his significant role he also became very arrogant. During that time, two great demons named Mali and Somali became too powerful. Blessed by Lord Shiv they became very influential. Even after God Surya departed from earth, proclaiming night, they created light on earth. There could be no night on earth. Hurt and annoyed with their mischief, God Surya furiously attacked them with his javelin. Both of the demons fainted and fell on earth. Lord Shiv being benevolent, revived them. The demons regained consciousness and resumed their activity. Lord Shiv got rather furious against God Surya. He reproachfully followed Surya to kill him. Terrified God Surya had to take shelter in Lord Brahmalok. But angry Lord Shiv did not stop even there and attacked Lord Brahma's palace in Lord Brahmalok. Lord Brahma saw Lord Shiv in anger and began to chant stotra in his praise. Lord Shiv was pleased. Lord Brahma asked Surya to beg pardon from Lord Shiv and renounce his pride. God Surya was so nervous to see Lord Shiv's wrath that he helplessly followed Lord Brahma's advice. He fell on the feet of Lord Shiv. Lord Shiv pardoned him. God Surya realized that the master of creation- Lord Srikrishn had planned this episode to teach him a lesson. He learnt a lesson and shed his pride. Whatever role has been assigned to any being in the creation is performed by every one through the power bestowed by Lord Srikrishn alone. He empowers every one and takes back all power if one becomes proud and takes to its misuse.

Agni's fiasco

God of fire, Agni has been accepted by Lord Srikrishn as his mouth for whatever is assigned to fire becomes pure energy and goes up to higher spheres in a subtle form. Fire is all purifying and omnipresent.  Electricity, generated from water, is also a form of fire. Fire is a kind of energy and energy never dies. It merely changes forms. Thus energy is all pervasive and most rampant. Once, God Agni became very arrogant. Intoxicated with pride he began to spread out huge flames to devour three lokas. All were in awe. No one could blow the fire out. When fire became gigantic, then water failed to douse it. People were in grave fear. Finding no solution around helpless masses prayed to Lord Srikrishn to save them.

Lord Srikrishn appeared on earth as a little boy. He sweetly asked God Agni, -"God, why are you so enraged? If sage Bhrigu has enraged you then why do you not take him on, instead of devouring the three lokas? Lord Brahma creates, Lord Vishnu sustains and Lord Shiv destroys the creation. Why have you taken up the task entrusted to Lord Shiv in your hands? If you desire to end the creation then better win over Lord Vishnu, the sustainer first." The boy gave a dry leaf to God Agni and asked him to burn it. God Agni tried his best but neither could he burn the dry leaf nor the little boy throwing the challenge.

Agni realized that the little boy was no ordinary child. His arrogance was soiled. The boy disappeared with an enchanting smile. Ashamed God Agni withdrew the flames. Normalcy was restored. Agni gave up pride, rooted in ignorance. He realized that he acts only on the behest of all-powerful Lord Srikrishn and had no independent existence in nature.

Sage  Durvasa  tastes  humiliation.

Sage Durvasa is the son of great sage Atri and siddhayogini Anusuya. His mother Anusuya was spiritually so accomplished that she could bring rains to the parched lands by sprinkling washing of the feet of her husband. Narad divulged the power of her chastity before the three goddesses who were the chaste wives of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Mahesh. The jealous goddesses instigated their husbands to go to test Anusuya. Disguised as mendicants, the three deities came to her door and begged for food. As she offered them food they asked her to feed them with a  bare bosom. Anusuya was intrigued to hear the condition. On meditation, she soon learnt the identity and purpose of visit of beggars. She sprinkled Atri's padateertham (washing of feet) over them and turned them into infants. Putting them in her lap, she breast-fed them one by one. The three deities rejoiced in her motherly affection. They did not even bother to let their anxious wives learn of their plight. The three goddesses got tired of waiting for their husbands and came searching for them in the ashram of Anusuya.  They were nonplussed to see the trinity reeling in delight in a cradle as sons of Anusuya. The goddesses fell on the feet of their earthly mother-in-law. The great lady took pity and turned the infants back into deities. Thus Anusuya proved the mettle of her spiritual accomplishments. All deities and sages gathered to have vision of the Trinity. This place is now called Suchindram. The three deities then went back leaving a baby boy created afer them named Dattatreya who became the first son of Anusuya.

Durvasa was her second son. He is famous for his quick-tempered nature. He was once meditating in a cave. The sound of bangles clinking around the wrists of nymph Tilottama, who was mating with Sahasik, the son of demon king Bali, distracted his mind. He opened his blood red eyes and found the shameless couple before him. Displeased Durvasa cursed them, -"O Shameless One! You are acting like a donkey.  Go and be a donkey. Tillotama you are also shameless.  Go and be the daughter of a demon!" Both of them came back to their senses. Trembling in fear they fell on his feet and praised the sage to assuage his wrath. Their entreaties melted the heart of Durvasa. He calmed down and convinced Sahasik that as cursed, he would be born as a donkey but would be liberated by Lord Srikrishn himself. The son of Bali became a demon named Dhenukasur who was killed by baby Lord Srikrishn in Vrindavan. Tilottama became the daughter of Baanasur and was absolved of her sin when she saw Lord Srikrishn.

Durvasa had cursed them for acting in a beastly manner. However, having seen their luscious sport, Durvasa got mentally stimulated. His mind soared in fantacy and longed to get married. Seething with desire he came out of his cave and began to walk, restlessly. He knew not how to curb his violently flickering mind. Soon he saw sage Aurv coming towards him with a marriageable girl. Sage Aurv was a great ascetic, born from the 'uru' (thigh) of Lord Brahma, in meditation. Being a celibate, Sage Aurv had created a daughter named Kandali from his thigh. Kandali, had attained puberty and wished to marry only sage Durvasa. Durvasa was taken aback to see the sage Aurv who warmly embraced him and expressed the desire of his daughter. He extolled his extraordinary daughter and told Durvasa that she was a little short tempered. Durvasa was enamoured to see the beautiful damsel. He however, said, -"A woman is a great barrier in the path of liberation. She is like a shackle that imprisons a man in this world. Even wisemen like Lord Shiv fail to cut this shackle. But she is superior to even one's own shadow in giving company. She causes great suffering by binding a man in repeated cycles of death and rebirth. Only Lord Srikrishn's love is the most fulfilling. I was steeped in his love but God alone knows, why and how, I happened to see a mating couple in my cave and got excited. Lord Brahma has sent you here to fulfill my desire. I promise that I would forgive her hundred bitter talks but will punish her if she utters more of it." Sage Aurv gave him his daughter in marriage and went away. Durvasa lived joyfully but could not tolerate her bitter speech always. Once she enraged the sage to such an extent that he turned her into ashes. When sage Aurv came to know it, he fainted in shock and cursed Durvasa to face unbearable humiliation for having killed his innocent daughter.

Some time later the great devotee Ambarish, who was the son of king of Ayodhya, undertook the fast of ekadashi to please Lord Srikrishn. Sage Durvasa reached Ayodhya. King Ambarish and his wife waited upon him. Durvasa did not reach to have his share and the muhoort was passing by. Ambarish took water to break his fast before offering meals to the sage. Seeing this Durvasa got enraged. Inflated with the pride of his tapasya, he unlocked his one jata and banged it on the earth. From it appeared a fiery celestial being called Kritya who pounced upon the innocent Ambarish to kill him. The king being a great devotee of Lord Srikrishn meditated on him. The Sudarshan chakra, appointed by Lord Srikrishn for safeguarding his devotees immediately appeared and killed Kritya. The chakra then began to chase Durvasa. He was aghast and being a yogi flew up to seek help of Lord Brahma in Lord Brahmalok. Lord Brahma expressed his inability, as Sudarshan was not under his command. Durvasa reached mount Kailash and appealed to Lord Shiv to save him from Sudarshan. Lord Shiv also expressed his inability. Durvasa asked him to guide as to who could after all save him. Lord Shiv advised him to go to Vaikunthalok.  An ashamed sage reached Vaikunthalok and fell on the feet of Lord Vishnu begging pitiably to save him. Lord Vishnu lifted him up and said, -"O Sage, be fearless. You are a great yogi and dear to Lord Shiv. What brings you here, tell me." "Sudarshan chakra is after my life. Please stop him first. I beg your pardon," implored a tearing sage. Lord Vishnu stopped Sudarshan and asked the sage to be fearless. Durvasa begged for his life. Lord Vishnu explained that in Vaikunthalok Sudarshan could not harm him but as he would go out, Sudarshan would start chasing him. "Then, what should I do?" asked the helpless sage. "Sudarshan has been deputed by me to save my sincere and true devotees. He is merely performing his duty," calmly replied Lord Vishnu. "Then who can grant me relief from him?" asked a flabbergast sage. "Only, Ambarish. No one else, including me can stop Sudarshan from following you." Lord Vishnu explained. Durvasa was appalled. Begging pardon from a man whom he had sought to kill in anger was beyond his imagination. But he had no option. Lord Vishnu had shown him a way unpalatable to him. He shed tears of regret for having acted arrogantly. Recalling the curse of sage Aurv, he realized that the entire episode was a corollary of his own wrath. He finally agreed to beg pardon from King Ambarish. As he reached back Ayodhya he found gentle Ambarish still fasting and praying Lord Srikrishn to save the sage from Sudarshan with his wife. Benevolent Ambarish lifted Durvasa prostrating in his feet and asked Sudarshan to spare his life. Durvasa's pride was completely soiled as Ambarish lifted him up and gave an embrace.

Dhanvantari's debacle

God Dhanvantari is an expert of Vedas and knows cure for all ailments. He appeared from Kshirsagar when deities and demons churned the ocean. He held a pitcher containing ambrosia in his hands. Lord Lord Vishnu immortalized deities by distributing Ambrosia amongst them. It is believed that this was done in Ujjain where after every twelve years Kumbha mela is organized to commemorate the great event.

Lord Dhanvantari was once going to mount Kailash along with his pupils. On his way, he came across a powerful serpent named Takshak who was lolling out his tongue to bite Dhanvantari. One of the pupils of Dhanvantari ridiculed him arrogantly and stilled the serpent by applying a mantra and snatched his Mani. The friends of serpent informed their king Vasuki about it.  Enraged Vasuki sent other dreadfully poisonous serpents named Dron, Kaaliya, Karkotak, Pundareek and Dhananjaya to take on Dhanvantari. All pupils of Dhanvantari were turned unconscious merely by the exhalation of serpents. Dhanvantari sprinkled Ambrosia and revived them. He also applied mantra and stilled them. No snake was left alive to inform the king Vasuki. But Vasuki, having supernatural powers, learnt it. He called his sister Mansa Devi and asked her to help the snakes. Mansa was fearless. She said, -"It is no big task for me. I have received mantra from Lord Sheshanag who bears Lord Vishnu in his lap. The trailokya mangal kavacch of Lord Vishnu is in my throat. I am capable of turning the entire creation into ashes." Mansa meditated upon Lord Srikrishn, Lord Shiv and guru and rushed to take on Dhanvantari. She revived all snakes through her glance and turned pupils of Dhanavantari inert. Dhanvantari failed to revive them. She attacked Dhanvantari with a lotus empowered by mantras. He turned the flower into ashes. Mansa threw Shakti. Dhanvantari destroyed it with a javelin received from Lord Vishnu. She furiously applied naagpaash on him. Dhanavantari called Garud who immediately devoured all serpents. Mansa threw handful of ashes received from Lord Shiv. Garud scattered the ashes all around with his wings and saved Dhanvantari.  She then, picked up her javelin received from Lord Shiv. Lord Brahma and Lord Shiv got alarmed and rushed to stop the fight. On seeing Lord Brahma and Lord Shiv, goddess Mansa stopped and bowed before them. Garud and Dhanvantari also bowed before them. Lord Brahma said, -"O Wise One! This battle with Mansa doesn't behove you. Better please her with shodash upachaar. She will herself bless you, then." Lord Shiv also seconded Lord Brahma.

Dhanvantari followed the wise counsel, worshipped goddess Mansa after taking bath. Goddess was pleased and revived his pupils. Every one departed with a happy heart. Dhanavantari realized his pride and renounced it, forever.

Satyabhama’s Pride Shattered

Satyabhama performed Punyak Vrat to have a son. She was proud of her hold over husband Lord Srikrishn who had uprooted the Parijaat tree from the garden of Indra to please her. Lord Srikrishn and Satyabhama honoured sage Narad and feasted him. In the ritual of punyak vrat Satyabhama put a garland of flowers around the neck of Lord Srikrishn and tied him along with the Parijaat tree. She took permission      from husband Lord Srikrishn and gave him away to sage Narad in alms as Dakshina. She also donated mounds of gold and cows to please the sage. Narad was pleased. He finished his meals and   asked Lord Srikrishn- “Lord, now you are mine as Satyabhama has donated you to me. Now you follow me and do my bidding.”

“That is the main issue!” Lord Srikrishn said and began to follow Narad who had got up to retreat. She was in quandary. Both Lord Srikrishn and Narad wished to see the annoyance of Satyabhama. After a great deal of pleadings the sage melted and returned Lord Srikrishn to Satyabhama in lieu of a cow and   a  calf. Lord Srikrishn was bemused. He asked Narad to ask for a boon. Narad asked for his love, grace and liberation from the cycles of birth and death. Lord Srikrishn obliged him gracefully.

Satyabhama began to harbour that she alone was Lord Srikrishn’s favourite wife. To shatter her pride Lord Srikrishn once called sage Narad who followed his master’s     call and reached Dwarka. The queens of Lord Srikrishn honoured the sage. Narad rejoiced in the palace of his Lord. One day all sat together and chatted. Narad sensing the mood of his master glibly appreciated the conjugal bliss of his Lord and his wives. This topic alerted the two queens who believed that they were the most favourite of their husband. During the chattering he exhorted the two queens to prove their love by weighing Lord Srikrishn with whatever precious they possessed. A huge balance was taken out to weigh Lord of Dwarka against anything precious offered by his wives.

Satyabhama considered herself closest to Lord Srikrishn. She placed all her ornaments in one side of the balance and Narad made Lord Srikrishn sit on the other side. Lord Srikrishn weighed heavier against the wealth of Satyabhama. Pride of queen, who considered herself, the Goddess ruling over Lord Srikrishn, demolished. Perplexed, Satyabhama paled with disgust.

Narad, then asked Rukmani to prove herself. Rukmani was a chaste wife who knew Lord Srikrishn’s knack well. Calmly she closed her eyes. Surge of love gushed in her quintessentially pure heart. The wealth that can buy the Lord of lords is invisible yet in abundance with those who believe in simplicity and purity of heart. Tears of love welled up her eyes. She plucked a leaf of tulasi, cupped it with her tears and put it in the balance against her Lord.

Narad was keen to know what Lord Srikrishn was up to show about his private life. Everyone looked on with a throbbing heart. Could a single leaf of a plant outweigh tones of gold and gems? As everyone watched the drama with a baited breath, the balance holding Lord Srikrishn rose suddenly up. Narad smiled and Rukmani calmly thanked her Lord for acknowledging her silent love. Drops of tears shed in love of Lord outweigh material opulence, Lord Srikrishn demonstrated. Satyabhama just wished to go down the earth to hide her grimace. She hung her head and gave up her pride and jealousy to Rukmani.

Clearing khandava Forest

Long before battle of Mahabharat took place when princes were just to enter the royal life after learning arts and sciences at Gurukul, Dhritarashtra enthroned Yuddhisthir as king after Pandav defeated king Drupad to please their guru Dron. Duryodhan could not tolerate it. He conspired with Dhritarashtra to eliminate Pandav and sent them to Varnavat on the pretext of seeing a fare there. The Pandav were lodged in a palace made of highly inflammable material. Vidur however sensed the conspiracy and got an underground tunnel dug to rescue the Pandav and their mother Kunti. Thus Pandav escaped from the fire and roamed around in woods. Dhritarashtra was unhappy to learn that Pandav survived the tragedy of Varnavat but welcomed them home formally and gave rocky Khandavaprastha to them as their share of their kingdom.  The Pandav created a beautiful town ship named Indraprasth and built a matchless palace there..

Lord Srikrishn and Arjun were staying in Indraprastha and once went around near the thick forest of Khandav. They camped there and enjoyed greatly. When they were relaxing, one tall and old Brahman came to them. "I am a glutton and presently afflicted with hunger. I seek to whet my appetite." He said. "Tell us, what can satiate you?" asked the duo. "I am God Agni. I want to devour the forest of Khandav. Serpent Takshak lives here with his family. Indra is his friend and whenever I try to burn the forest, Indra rains heavy showers to save him. You possess great arms and I seek your help in burning it." Agni said. "I have many divine astras but need a divine bow. Lord Srikrishn also lacks in weapons at present. We have courage and strength but lack in weapons." Arjun replied. Agni called God Varun and Varun gave imperishable arrows, Gandeev bow and divine chariot to Arjun. Agni gave Lord Srikrishn Sudarshan discus and Aagneyastra astra that could kill anyone and come back. Convinced of protection from Lord Srikrishn and Arjun, Agni began to engulf the forest of Khandav. Takshak serpent was in Kurukshetra but his son Ashvasen and wife were in the forest. The mother serpent swallowed her son to save him.

Indra tried to thwart Agni but Lord Srikrishn and Arjun made Indra lick dust. Arjun killed the mother but the son of Takshak ran away. Lord Srikrishn appeared as death incarnate to all creatures dwelling in the Khandav forest. One powerful demon named Maye whose daughter Mandodari had married king of Lanka Ravan, also tried to escape. He begged for life from Arjun. Lord Srikrishn therefore let him off. Only six creatures - serpent Ashvasen, demon Maye and four Sharang birds whose father had obtained a boon from God Agni long back, survived the fire.

Indra was amazed to see the prowess of Lord Srikrishn and Arjun. He descended with folded hands and said, -"Both of you have performed such a marvellous task, as is impossible even for Deities. I am highly pleased. Seek any of the rarest boons." Arjun asked for all divine astras and Indra ensured that at right time he would get it. "Lord of Deities! Please bless me that the friendship of Arjun and mine should ever keep on growing and should never break." Srkrishn, beseeched modestly. Indra blessed them and went back. Demon Maye was keen to serve them as they had spared his life. Lord Srikrishn told him, -"Mayasur! You are a great architect. If you want to serve pious Yuddhisthir then construct a matchless court for him. The building should reflect best of the skills of men, deities and demons."  Maye danav felt honoured for having received the command of Lord Srikrishn and constructed an extraordinary court in Indraprasth.

Thus Lord Srikrishn cleared Khandav forest by annihilating pride of Indra.

Mongoose chides PANDAV

Yuddhisthir performed Aswamedha Yajna when he sat on the throne of Hastinapur after annihilating Kaurav. His glory spread far and wide as he donated mounds of cereals, wealth and cows to Brahmans and poor. Flowers were showered over him.  As is human nature, appreciation he received from guests, sprouted a little pride in his heart. How could the all - knowing God bear this? Inspired by his omniscient will, a mongoose arrived there.  His eyes were blue and half body glittered like gold. To hear his roars, even deers and birds got scared. The animal spoke in human voice. -"King! Your this Yajna is not even equal to the alm of one kilo sattu offered by a generous Brahman who lived in Kurukshetra only on left over grains." The Brahmans present there were amazed. They surrounded him and asked, -"In this Yajna only pious men have taken part. How could you reach here? This Yajna has been performed with utmost purity. How can you challenge the sanctity of it? You seem to be wise and divine. Please answer our questions." The mongoose laughed and said, -"Brahmans! I have not uttered anything out of vanity. I tell you its reason. Whatever, I found at the home of a Brahman, who lived on the left over grains in Kurukshetra, is indeed the greatest. That great Brahman used to collect spilled grains like a pigeon and lived on that with his family. His entire family was pure and austere. Once, famine gripped that area. The family could not get any food. After famishing for several days one day they got just one kilo grain, made sattu and sat down to eat it after offering to deities etc. Just then one Brahman reached there. The family welcomed him and offered him the sattu. The Brahman still felt hungry. The wife, son and daughter-in-law of the host offered their entire share to the guest respectfully. The guest was Lord Dharm in disguise. He extolled the entire family and said that because of their purity and charity they all had secured Lord Brahmalok and deities showered flowers over them. The entire family mounted a vimaan and went to Lord Brahmalok. I came out of my hole and rolled in that floor where guest had eaten and deities had showered flowers. My half body turned golden. When I noticed it then I began to look for all such sites to turn my entire body golden. Till now I have been exploring all such sites but was disappointed. I had come here to fulfil my wish but here also I  am disappointed." Saying so the animal vanished, leaving back a stunned and floored audience. The small creature had divulged the level of austerity and charity earned by Yuddhisthir.