12(C). SRI KRISHNA PROMISES DRAUPADI

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA > AARANYA PARVA > ARJUNAABHIGAMANA PARVA > CHAPTER 12(C) - SRI KRISHNA PROMISES DRAUPADI

“Draupadi continued, ‘Again, while the children (Paandavaas) were asleep at Vaaranaavata with their mother (Kunti), it is he who set fire to the house intending to burn them to death. Who is there capable of doing such an act? It was then that the illustrious Kunti, overtaken by this calamity, and surrounded by the flames, began to cry out in terror, speaking to the children, ‘Alas, I am undone! How shall we escape from this fire today? Alas, I shall meet with destruction with my little children!’ Then Bhima, possessed of mighty arms, and prowess (Paraakrama in Sanskrit) like to the speed of the wind, comforted his illustrious mother and also his brothers, saying, ‘Like that king of birds, Garuda, the son of Vinata, I will spring up into the air. We have no fear from this fire.’ Then taking his mother on his left side, and the king (Yudhishthira) in his right, and the twins (Nakula and Sahadeva) on each shoulder, and Bibhatsu (Arjuna) on his back, the mighty Vrikodara (Bhimasena), thus taking all of them, at one leap cleared the fire and relieved his mother and brothers from the fire. Setting out that night with their famed mother (Kunti), they came near the forest of Hidimba.

“While tired and distressed, they (Paandavaas) were sleeping fast with her, a Raakshasa woman called Hidimba approached them. Seeing the Paandavaas with their mother asleep on the ground, influenced by Kaamaa she sought to have Bhimasena for her lord. The weak one (Raakshasi Hidimba) then took up Bhima’s feet on her lap to press them with her soft hands. The mighty Bhima of immeasurable energy, of prowess that could not be baffled, then woke from sleep, and asked her, saying, ‘O you of faultless features, what do you wish here?’ Thus asked by him, the Raakshasa lady of faultless features, capable, besides, of assuming any form at will, replied to the Mahatma Bhima, saying, ‘You do speedily fly from this place! My brother gifted with strength will come to slay you! Therefore, speed and delay not!’ But Bhima proudly said, ‘I do not fear him! If he comes here, I will slay him!’ Hearing their converse, that evil of Raakshasa came to the spot. Of frightful form and dreadful to see, uttering loud cries as he came, the Raakshasa (Hidimba) said, ‘O Hidimba, with whom do you converse? Bring him to me, I will eat him up. It is your duty to delay not.’ But moved by compassion, the Raakshasa lady of faultless features and pure heart (Hidimba) said nothing out of pity. Then the man-eating Raakshasa, uttering dreadful cries, rushed at Bhima with great force. Approaching him furiously, the mighty Raakshasa, possessed with anger, caught hold of Bhima’s hand with his own and closing fast his other hand and making it hard as the Vajra of (Lord) Indra, suddenly struck Bhima a blow that descended with the force of lightning. His hand having been catched by the Raakshasa (Hidimba), Vrikodara (Bhimasena), without being able to tolerate it, flew into an anger. Then a dreadful combat took place between Bhimasena and Hidimba, both skilled in all weapons and which was like to the encounter of Vaasava (Lord Indra) with Vritra (an Asura). O sinless one (Sri Krishna), after playing with the Raakshasa for long while the powerful Bhima of mighty energy slew the Raakshasa when the latter (Hidimba) had become weak with exertion. Then having slain Hidimba and taking (his sister) Hidimba at their head, of whom was (subsequently) born Ghatotkacha, Bhima and his brothers went away.

“Then all those oppressors of their enemies (Paandavaas), accompanied by their mother (Kunti) and surrounded by many Brahmanas proceeded towards (the town named) Ekachakra. In the matter of this their journey, Vyaasa ever engaged in their welfare had become their counsellor (Mantri in Sanskrit). Then arriving at Ekachakra, the Paandavaas of rigid vows (Samshitavrataa in Sanskrit) there also slew a mighty Raakshasa, Baka by name, terrible as Hidimba himself. Having slain that fierce Raakshasa, Bhima that foremost of hitters, went with all his brothers to the capital of Drupada.

“O (Sri) Krishna, as You had acquired Rukmini, the daughter of Bhishmaka, even so Savyasaachi (Arjuna), while residing there, obtained me! O Madhusoodana (Sri Krishna), Arjuna won me in the Swayamvara, having performed a feat difficult of achievement by others and having fought also with the assembled kings!

“Thus, O (Sri) Krishna, pained with numerous griefs, and in great distress, I am living, with Dhaumya at our head, but deprived of the company of the adorable Kunti! Why do these (Paandavaas) that are gifted with strength and possessed of the prowess of the lion, sit indifferently, see me thus pained by enemies so hateful? Suffering such wrongs at the hands of wicked and evil-doing enemies of small strength, am I to burn in grief so long? I was born in a great race (Kula in Sanskrit), coming into the world in an extraordinary way! I am also the beloved wife of the Paandavaas, and the daughter-in-law of the Mahatma Paandu! The foremost of women and devoted to my husbands, I, O (Sri) Krishna, was catched by hair, O Madhusoodana, in the sight of the Paandavaas, each of whom is like an (Lord) Indra Himself!’

“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘Saying this the mild-speeched Krishna (Draupadi) hid her face with her soft hands like the buds of lotus and began to weep. The tears of Paanchaali created of grief washed her deep, plump and graceful breasts crowned with auspicious marks. Wiping her eyes and sighing frequently she said these words angrily and in a choked voice, ‘Husbands, or sons, or friends, or brothers, or father, I have none! Nor have I You, O You Madhusoodana, for you all, seeing me treated so cruelly by inferior enemies, sit still unmoved! My grief at Karna’s ridicule is incapable of being relieved! On these grounds I deserve to be ever protected by You, O Keshava, our relationship, Your respect (for me), our friendship, and Your lordship (Prabhu in Sanskrit).

“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘In that assembly of heroes (Veera in Sanskrit), Vaasudeva then spoke to the weeping Draupadi as follows, ‘O fair lady, the wives of those with whom you are angry, shall weep like you, seeing their husbands dead on the ground, soaked in blood and their bodies covered with the arrows of Bibhatsu! Weep not, lady, for I will exert to the utmost of my powers for Paandavaas! I promise you shall (once more) be the queen of kings! The heavens might fall, or the Himavat (Himalayas) might split, the earth might be rent, or the waters of the ocean might dry up, but my words shall never be futile!’

“Hearing those words of Achyuta (Sri Krishna) in reply, Draupadi looked sideways at her third husband (Arjuna). O mighty king (Janamejaya), Arjuna said to Draupadi, ‘O you of beautiful coppery eyes, grieve not! O illustrious one, it shall be as Madhusoodana (Sri Krishna) has said! It can never be otherwise, O beautiful one!’

“Dhrishtadyumna said, ‘I will slay Drona, Sikhandi will slay the Pitamaha (Bhishma). Bhimasena will slay Duryodhana, and Dhananjaya (Arjuna) will slay Karna. O sister, assisted by (Bala) Rama and Krishna, we are invincible in battle by even the slayer Himself of Vritra (Lord Indra) – what are the sons of Dhritarashtra?’

“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘After these words had been spoken, all the heroes (Veera in Sanskrit) there turned their faces towards Vaasudeva (Sri Krishna), who then in their middle began to speak as follows.’”