Cursed Destinies - I

Get ready for an exhilarating journey through time! In the captivating blog "In God’s Abode, Everyone is Equal," we delved into the intriguing tale of Jai and Vijay, the legendary gatekeepers of Baikunth, the divine realm of Lord Vishnu. These formidable guards received a powerful curse from the Sankadik brothers that set their destinies on a thrilling path.

In the previous blog titled "Arrogance," we explored the duo's first incarnation as the fierce demons Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksh, whose tales of ambition and audacity resound through the ages. But the excitement doesn't stop there! Their second reincarnation brought them back as Ravan and Kumbhkaran in Treta Yug, born to the wise Sage Vishrava and his wife Kekasi. We will unveil more about the epic second incarnation in upcoming blogs!

Now, hold onto your seats because we're about to dive into the third incarnation of Jai and Vijay! In Dvapar Yug, they re-emerged as none other than the formidable Shishupal and Dantavakra.

Shishupal

In a realm filled with prophecy and intrigue, Jay was born as the extraordinary Shishupal to King Damaghosh and the beautiful Shrutashrava, Kunti's sister. From the moment he entered the world, he was a sight to behold—three eyes and four arms! His mother was horrified, and just when it seemed that despair would consume her, a booming voice from the heavens revealed a startling truth: Shishupal's bizarre deformity would vanish upon being placed on the lap of his future killer.

Determined to cure her son's deformity, Shrutashrava desperately tried placing Shishupal in the arms of many great personalities, but none could trigger the transformation. Then came a twist of fate! One fateful day, the mischievous Lord Krishna arrived to visit his dear aunt. With a playful spirit, he scooped up baby Shishupal and cradled him on his lap. In an instant, the extra arms and eye disappeared, leaving his mother ecstatic—but soon, that joy turned to panic!

With tears streaming down her face, she implored Krishna, "Please, I beg of you, spare my child's life! Promise me you won't kill him!" Lord Krishna, ever humble, looked into her pleading eyes and replied, “I cannot alter destiny, but I vow to forgive one hundred insults from your son.”

Relieved yet apprehensive, Shrutashrava took a breath of hope. She believed that Shishupal would never cross that limit, and perhaps, just perhaps, fate would grant her son a longer life. Little did she know, the thrilling tale of Shishupal and Krishna was only just beginning!

Shishupal's aversion towards Lord Krishna

Shishupal had a strong bond of friendship with king Kans. However, when Lord Krishna took the life of the cruel king Kans, it intensified the deep-rooted animosity that Shishupal harbored towards Lord Krishna.

As the years passed, Shishupal's aversion towards Lord Krishna grew by leaps and beyond. Rukmi dreamed of uniting his beloved sister, Rukmini, with his dear friend Shishupal. Rukmi and Shishupal shared a bond that seemed unbreakable, but destiny had other plans in store. Rukmini's heart burned with an undeniable passion for Lord Krishna! As the ominous day of Rukmini and Shishupal's wedding loomed closer, tension crackled in the air like a brewing storm.

In her moment of desperation, Rukmini poured her soul into a fervent letter, begging Krishna to rescue her from this unwanted marriage. 

Lord Krishna surged onto the scene, determination burning in his eyes. With a stunning display of bravery, he whisked Rukmini away, declaring his love and claiming her as his own!

This audacious act ignited a firestorm of fury in Shishupal, deepening his hatred for Krishna and setting the stage for an epic clash where love would battle against the forces of vengeance.

To be continued...............

Summary

The above story illustrated the third reincarnation of Jai and Vijay, the gatekeepers of Baikunth, as Shishupal and Dantavakra.  Shishupal's birth with deformities and their subsequent removal by Krishna is detailed, along with Krishna's promise to tolerate one hundred insults from him.  Shishupal's hatred for Krishna is fueled by Krishna's killing of Kans. The narrative culminates with the marriage union of Krishna and Rukmini, further intensifying Shishupal's animosity and foreshadowing a major conflict. The story is presented across several blog posts.

Let's Reflect

Think about your friend circle: are your friends fueling love or hate in your heart for others?