Cursed Destinies - II
Hate breeds hate!
In our last thrilling instalment, "Cursed Destinies - I," we explored the extraordinary birth of Shishupal, a child born with three eyes and four arms—a sight that plunged his mother into deep despair as she desperately sought a cure for her unique son. Enter Lord Krishna, who emerges as a light of hope, curing Shishupal. Lord Krishna promises Shishupal's mother, "I will not kill your son unless he commits a hundred sins against me."
Now, the stage is set for the spectacular Rajasuya Yagna, where fate unfolds dramatically.
Rajasuya Yagna
A few years later, the Pandavas organized a grand Rajasuya Yagna to mark the coronation of Yudhishthir as the Emperor. This spectacular celebration drew kings from every corner of the world, and even celestial gods and goddesses descended to earth to witness the festivities. As the Yagna climaxed, the final, extraordinary ritual of honouring the most distinguished and worthy guest awaited.
Yudhishthir found himself grappling with the immense responsibility of selecting this esteemed individual from a gathering of remarkable personalities. While he was lost in thought, his younger brother, Sahadev, spoke up, declaring to all present that Lord Krishna was the most righteous among them and should be honoured. The guests were delighted by Sahadev’s suggestion and quickly rallied behind it.
However, amidst the applause, one voice rose in dissent. Shishupal, with scorn dripping from his words, stated, “You are all mistaken to honour this cowherd!” His harsh proclamation sent shockwaves through the assembly, leaving everyone momentarily stunned. All eyes shifted toward Lord Krishna, who appeared unfazed, wearing a serene and gentle smile in the face of the onslaught.
As Shishupal continued his tirade of insults, Lord Krishna remained composed and unshaken. Meanwhile, Balaram, Lord Krishna's elder brother, seethed with fury at the disrespect shown to his younger sibling. In a fit of rage, he raised his mace, ready to retaliate. A mere glance from Lord Krishna signalled Balaram to lower his weapon. Torn between anger and loyalty, Balaram chose to respect Lord Krishna’s wishes, but the storm of insults raged on, igniting the tempers of many in the crowd eager to take action against Shishupal.
The atmosphere crackled with tension as everyone waited to see what would happen next, caught in a whirlwind of emotions and anticipation.
Lord Krishna releases His Sudarshan Chakra, and Shishupal is running for his life.
Finally, when Shishupal uttered the one hundredth abuse, Lord Krishna warned Shishupal that he was about to cross the limit of forgiveness. Shishupal was unfazed.
Lord Krishna rose to his feet, commanding his Sudarshan Chakra to behead Shishupal. The assembly erupted in a mix of gasps and murmurs. Shishupal's shocking death ignited a fiery rage in his cousin Dantavakra. A storm of vengeance was brewing, and Dantavakra was determined to unleash it.
Dantavakra
Vijay appeared in the world as Dantavakra, the son of the mighty King Vriddhasharman and the beautiful Shrutadeva, sister of Vasudev, the father of Lord Krishna. With a striking appearance marked by his distinctive crooked teeth, Dantavakra was far from ordinary. Although he shared blood with the divine Lord Krishna, his heart burned with fierce animosity, deeming Krishna his sworn enemy.
Revenge
When Dantavakra's beloved friend Shishupal met his tragic death at the hands of Lord Krishna, Dantavakra wanted revenge. He devised a plan to confront his enemy and kill him. As fate would have it, Lord Krishna was heading back to Dwaraka after the Rajasuya Yagna in which Shishupal was killed. Dantavakra seized this golden opportunity, racing to intercept Lord Krishna.
Upon laying eyes on Krishna, rage coursed through Dantavakra's body like lightning. With determination fueling his every move, he charged forward, mace in hand, ready to unleash his fury. But, alas, Dantavakra was no match for Lord Krishna’s divine prowess. Krishna killed Dantavakra in one blow by hitting his chest, which shattered his heart.
In a dramatic turn of events, the gatekeepers Jai and Vijay, long trapped by the curse of the Sankadik brothers, were finally liberated, returning joyously to their master, Lord Vishnu.
Summary
Both stories represent the third birth of Lord Vishnu's gatekeepers, Jay and Vijay, underscoring the consequences of enmity and the importance of choosing one's friends wisely. Shishupal insulted Lord Krishna at the Rajasuya Yagna, culminating in Lord Krishna killing him after one hundred offences. Secondly, the story details Dantavakra's attempt to kill Lord Krishna.
Moral
One should carefully choose one's friends, as their association can have a significant influence, either positively or negatively, on one's life.
Let's Reflect
The consequences of hate can lead to significant destruction in both our personal lives and the broader community. After reflecting on this story, what steps would you take to curb hate and negativity in your life?
