THE HOUSE HOLDER

Residing at Dwarka Lord Srikrishn lived with his thousands of wives, lakhs of children, grandchildren, daughters, daughters-in-law, mothers, grandmother and father. There is no instant recorded in any scripture of any discord in any relationship maintained by him. Indeed worth emulation and deserving all praise.

Mesmerised Narad

Sage Narad heard that Lord Srikrishn married over sixteen thousand girls imprisoned by Bhaumasur. The news of Lord Srikrishn living with all of them in Dwarka baffled him and also sowed a tiny seed of envy in his heart. He got curious and wished to know how Lord Srikrishn fared with so many wives. Narad had not forgotten the humiliation tasted by him in the past in his pursuit of wooing a princess who could make him ruler of three spheres. Lord Srikrishn had deprived him of the pleasure of conjugal bliss by asserting that he protects his innocent devotees from falling prey to sensual pleasures. Intrigued Sage Narad wanted to know how Lord Srikrishn shielded himself against the charm of thousands of wives.

Narad reminisced his past. Swinging between curiosity and concern he reached Dwarka. Marvelling at his having simultaneously wed thousands of girls in separate palaces, Narad longed to peep into it. Keen to see the private life of his lord, he entered the city of Dwarka. The splendour of empire, of his Lord, bewildered him. He found the gardens and ponds around the palaces blossoming with beauty. The caressing breeze as if lulled him to fall into a trance. The majestic grandeur of Lord Srikrishn's palaces was matchless. Prettiest birds added to the charm by twittering merrily. The palaces were built of pure silver studded with precious gems. The roads were neat and wide. Stables and conference halls were magnificent. The colour full flags prevented sunshine from falling direct on earth. The palaces of queens were well guarded. Narad entered one palace. Several maids and servants bedecked with golden ornaments were busy performing their jobs meticulously. Instead of oil lamps, glittering precious gems and diamonds spread light all around. Peacocks danced on terraces. In the main palace, Lord Srikrishn sat in bed with Rukmani fanning him affectionately. As he saw Narad, he got up the bed and placed his golden crown at Narad's feet. Lord Srikrishn, as an ordinary householder, made him sit upon the golden couch, washed his feet himself and placed the washing upon his head. He worshipped Narad and said, -"God! You are embodiment of wisdom, dispassion, dharm, glory, prosperity and wealth. How can I serve you?" Narad said, -"God, you are the single Master of Universe. You love your devotees and punish the sinners. Please bless me that I remain immersed in your love and thoughts alone."

Narad then went to another palace and saw Lord Srikrishn playing chess with friend Uddhav. Lord Srikrishn saluted and welcomed him the same way saying modestly, -"Sage Narad! When did you reach here? You are the perfect one and we are imperfect ones. How can I serve you, O Sage? O, Incarnation of God, Narad! Please ask for something so that we get an opportunity to serve you and make our life fruitful." Narad was surprised. He entered the third palace.  He saw Lord Srikrishn cuddling his tiny tots. In the fourth he saw Lord Srikrishn preparing for a bath. In some he found Lord Srikrishn performing rituals; in other palaces feasting Brahmans; in some eating the left over food after performing Yajna; in some offering prayers, in some chanting mantra; in some practicing artillery; in some riding horse, elephant or chariot; in some asleep in bed; in some being honoured by wise men; in some conferring with wise men; in some frolicking in pools with queens; in some giving cows in alms; in some listening to scriptures; in some having fun with wife; in some busy with financial prudence; in some pondering over increasing his wealth; in some meditating in solitude; in some serving the Gurus. In some he was talking about establishing peace; in some he was preparing for war; in some marrying off his sons; in some bidding farewell to his married daughters; in some awaiting his married daughters. In some he performed Yajna with deities; in some getting wells, gardens and temples built for public; in some enjoying hunting; in some offering animals in sacrifice; in some roaming around in disguise for espionage. Narad smiled in amusement. Wondered, he said-'Yogeshwar! Your Maya is incomprehensible even for Lord Brahma. But I know your Maya for you have blessed me. God of deities! All fourteen bhuvanas are filled with your glory. Please allow me to leave and sing your glory in the entire creation.” Lord Srikrishn replied, -"Devarishi! I am the preacher, practitioner and approver of dharm. To preach the world I am performing these acts. My Beloved Son! Do not get confused or deluded to see these gestures." Narad bowed and left for his itinerary, singing the glory of greatest of deities who remains ever supreme in all spheres and under all circumstances.

Sporting at sea

When Lord Srikrishn had a full-fledged family of sons, grandsons, daughters, wives, daughters-in-laws, etc. he took them all to Pindarak, at the seashore for a picnic, relegating all administrative duties to father Vasudev and grandfather Ugrasen.  All made separate groups of friends and travelled on. Lord Srikrishn allowed them to take several accomplished maids along for company along with their wives.

The caravan moved on with great joy. All rejoiced in the company of their loved ones. As the lord of universe camped by seaside the sea god thanked him. Wind turned gentle and soothing. Nature reflected her silent surrender to him.

All fortunate merrymakers were steeped with delight. They entered water and encircled Lord Srikrishn to splash water over him from all sides. Lord Srikrishn also sported with them. Who could describe the joy of sporting   with God in such a wondrous away? Having drenched him to the fill of their hearts they longed to sport some other way. Sensing their wish, Lord Srikrishn arranged for boats of varied shapes and sizes. Some of his queens swam, some sang in delight. Lord Srikrishn fulfilled each one’s wish by entering their hearts through his illusory powers. His sons and grandsons enjoyed with maids who danced and sang in joy. Lord Srikrishn called nymphs from heaven and said-“Fair ladies! Enter the bodies of maids accompanying these young Yadav. Please them thoroughly through your music and erotic skills. All of you will be rewarded as these Yadav are my own expansion.”

The nymphs obeyed him. They expressed their charm in full bloom and showered love over youthful Yadav. The entire sea began to shine with their splendour. The merrymakers stood upon water and flew in the sky at will. Lord Srikrishn also soared in sky with his thousands of wives allowing all his family members to enjoy heavenly pleasures with nymphs. Balaram was the only yadav who accompanied his single wife Revati. All drank elixir and stood at sea in an intoxicated mood. Nymphs surrounded them and sang on celestial instruments glory of Lord Srikrishn and Balaram. Balaram and Revati also played and sang with nymphs.

Lord Srikrishn accompanying Satyabhama, Arjun and Subhadra sang songs of love. Sage Narad also joined them. Queens offered them flowers and perfumes. Lord Srikrishn held Narad by hand and jumped into the sea along with Satyabhama and Arjun.

He asked Satyaki to divide into two groups. Lord Srikrishn asked sea god to render the seawater sweet, fragrant and devoid of sea animals. On his command sea god offered golden pots filled with divine drinks to all. Sea god made the water fragrant with floral perfume. Lord Srikrishn clasped Arjun and frolicked in water. Satyabhama splashed water over fortunate Narad ravishing in the unique bonanza, offered by his lord. Lord Srikrishn found his youths over indulging with their women companions. He therefore, stopped them and came out of sea. He offered sandal paste to Narad and advised all to come for dinner. The party took meals and drinks. The joy of eating multiplied as everyone found food and drinks of one’s own choice. After meals Lord Srikrishn initiated a session of dance and music. He asked Narad to present the chhalikya gaan - a musical note played by Gandharvas, the most erotic clan of celestial beings. He himself played his flute while Arjun played mridangam in duet to give company to sage Narad. Chhalikya rendition soared the fantasy of all. Sensing the call of their heart, Lord Srikrishn arranged for a raas with his wives at night at the seashore. The most beautiful nymphs of Swargalok Menaka, Urvashi, Rambha and Tilottama danced and performed their best talent to please Lord Srikrishn. Lord Srikrishn rewarded all artists with his gracious glances and hearty smile. To honour the celestial artists, Lord Srikrishn offered them fragrant betel leaves. The rendition of sage Narad intoxicated the listeners. Notes of Chhalikya went on and on, resounding in every heart and mind.

Penalizing Samb

Once Samb, the handsome son of Lord Srikrishna passed by a pond where queens of Dwarka frolicked in waters. His attractive personality infatuated them. The both side got afflicted with desire. Narad appeared and told that this was being condemned in Lord Brahmalok. Lord Lord Srikrishn called his queens and Samb and made them sit in front of him. Quietly he sensed their minds and asked the queens to go back. Seeing the wavering mind of son Samb he cursed him to get afflicted with leprosy. Samb did suffer from the curse and to redeem from this reached Konaditya kshetra where he worshipped God Surya to get rid of the curse and disease. The place is known as Konark Sun temple now.