Mahabharata in Prose – Part 37
A story from the Dvapara Yuga, based on the Odia Sarala Mahabharata
by Lokanath Mishra
During the period of exile in the forest, Arjuna, due to the course of events, married the Nāga princess Ulupi and Chitrangada, the daughter of King Chitrāṅkura of Manipur. While Princess Chitrangada of Manipur was pregnant, Arjuna once again left for exile. Later, in his absence, a son was born. Among Arjuna’s ten names, one was Shvetavahana. Taking half of that name, the child was named Babruvahana. Under the loving care and proper education of his mother Chitrangada and his maternal grandfather Chitrāṅkura, Babruvahana grew up to become a brave and renowned prince.
Now, let us move to Dwaraka.
The rightful owner of the Syamantaka jewel was Shakrajit, the father of Krishna’s beloved Satyabhama. This jewel, bestowed by the Sun God, produced eight measures of gold every day. A major portion of this gold went to the royal treasury, while the rest Shakrajit distributed as he wished. Since he had no son, his daughter Satyabhama was the heir to the jewel. Naturally, she considered herself somewhat superior to Krishna’s other wives and firmly believed that her husband loved her the most.
One day, Lord Krishna was seated in the guest hall. Satyaki, Akrura, and several others had come to meet him. After discussing some royal matters, they departed. Just then, the melodious sound of a veena was heard, accompanied by the familiar chant of the divine sage: “Narayana, Narayana!” Vasudeva rose from his seat to honor Sage Narada, folded his hands, and greeted him respectfully.
“Welcome, O son of Brahma. Please take a seat. Tell me, what brings you to Dwaraka?”
Before sitting, Narada carefully offered a Parijata flower he held in his hand to the Lord. He said, “I was wandering in Nandana garden with Indra. On seeing this Parijata flower, I could not resist my desire and brought it for Mother Rukmini. Indra had no objection.”
Krishna said, “If it is meant for Rukmini, then give it to her. Why give it to me?”
Narada replied, “My Lord, when you yourself place this priceless, ever-fresh flower in the hair of the queen, her joy will be beyond imagination. Please fulfill this humble devotee’s wish. I shall wait here.”
Krishna then left with the Parijata flower. Meanwhile, Narada had already reached near Satyabhama’s chamber, playing his veena. Seeing him, Satyabhama respectfully bowed, seated him on a jeweled throne, washed his feet, and said, “How fortunate I am that you have come to my door today, O sage!”
Narada said, “Mother, you know my nature. I cannot tolerate injustice. I always speak the truth fearlessly, no matter who calls me troublesome.”
Satyabhama asked, “Who has done injustice in Dwaraka, O sage?”
Narada replied, “First tell me, among all of you, whom does Krishna love the most?”
Satyabhama shyly smiled. Narada said, “Yes, you, right? I thought so too. But do you know what I just saw? Deception! I brought a Parijata flower, and Krishna took it from me and went straight to Rukmini’s chamber. He says he loves you the most, yet gives the flower to another!”
Hearing this, Satyabhama’s face turned pale. She said, “Please tell me a way so that he loves me the most.”
Narada replied, “There are many ways. But by giving a great donation, your wish can be fulfilled.”
Satyabhama, who lacked nothing in wealth, readily agreed and asked, “To whom should I give the donation?”
Narada said, “Why not to a poor Brahmin like me?”
Without hesitation, Satyabhama said, “Tell me, what do you want?”
Narada said, “First, take a vow with water and Tulsi in your hand that you will give whatever I ask.”
Satyabhama immediately took the vow. Then Narada said, “Donate your husband to me.”
Without thinking, Satyabhama agreed. In her desire to bind the Lord of the universe with exclusive love, she made a grave mistake, and soon realized that she had lost him entirely.
Narada said, “Now bring your husband and place his hand in mine.”
Satyabhama went inside and brought Krishna, who had just come from Rukmini’s chamber, where the Parijata flower adorned her hair with divine fragrance. Satyabhama’s jealousy intensified. In anger, she lost all sense of right and wrong and forcibly brought Krishna to Narada, placing his hand into the sage’s hand.
Krishna was astonished. Narada, delighted, said, “O Lord, from today you belong to me. You must follow my commands, accompany me wherever I go, collect firewood for rituals, and prepare offerings.”
Krishna, pretending anger, scolded Satyabhama, “What have you done? Even the gods do not trust this quarrelsome sage, and you believed him so easily! Now I must wander with him, carrying his veena across the universe!”
Meanwhile, Satyabhama realized her mistake and began to weep bitterly, pleading with Narada to return her husband. But Narada paid no heed.
Soon, the news spread in the palace. All of Krishna’s wives gathered and protested, calling it unjust. Rukmini then stepped forward and said, “We cannot live without him. O sage, please find a solution that satisfies you while allowing us to keep our husband.”
Narada said, “There is a provision in the scriptures. A donation given to a Brahmin can be redeemed by offering an equivalent value. If Satyabhama gives gold equal to Krishna’s weight, I will return him.”
Satyabhama happily agreed. A balance scale was brought. On one side sat Lord Krishna; on the other, heaps of gold were placed. Yet, the scale did not move even slightly. Satyabhama added all her ornaments, and the other queens added theirs too, but still the scale remained unmoved.
Only Rukmini stood smiling gently.
When asked to contribute, she said, “Sister, have you still not understood? This is all his divine play. How can you compare him with material wealth?”
She removed all the ornaments and went inside. Returning, she held a single Tulsi leaf, on which Krishna’s name was written with devotion. She placed it on the scale—and instantly, the side with Krishna rose up.
Satyabhama was humbled and ashamed.
Narada’s veena now resonated in perfect harmony. With a sweet smile, he chanted, “Narayana, Narayana,” bowed to the Lord and his consorts, and departed for heaven.
Later, Krishna said privately to Satyabhama, “I have told you again and again that I love you deeply. Yet you did not believe me and fell into the sage’s trickery?”
Satyabhama, filled with pride and emotion, cast a sharp glance at him.
(To be continued)