Daruka,
on the advice of Krishna, reached Hastinapur to inform the Pandavas about the
happenings in Dwaraka. Rushing towards the court of King Yudhistra, Daruka
explained about the death of the Vrishnis, the Bhojas, the Andhakas and Balram.
He informed about Krishna’s penance and explained Krishna’s proposal to save
the women and children in Dwaraka. Filled with grief, the Pandavas, Draupathi
and Subhadra moaned for the people of Dwaraka.
“Because
of the Kurukshetra war, we lost the Kauravas and for supporting us, Dwaraka
people too are suffering! Krishna helped me even though he was not in the court
when I was insulted. But I wonder why he did not do anything to stop this
curse? I believe he chose not to. Else he would not have let this happen to his
kinsmen.”- Draupathi sobbed.
With
time flying, Arjuna bid farewell to his brothers and rushed towards Dwaraka with
Daruka in his chariot. All through the way, loads of questions and fear ran in
the hearts of Arjuna. The whole journey was silent with only the sound of the
rushing chariot.
 |
| Deserted Dwaraka! |
The
chariot approached Dwaraka. Dwaraka, the glorious and magnificent city appeared
like a lonely dead tree without leaves. Arjuna’s heart missed a beat on
witnessing Dwaraka in such a condition. The streets that were once filled with
riches and festive spirit were now bearing the cries and screams of women and
children. The city lost its elegance with the departure of Krishna and Balram.
The city appeared like a parched land. The river that delighted in passing by
Dwaraka all these days bearing colorful flowers was now filled with the broken chariots,
dead steeds, weapons of the Vrishnis, broken wheels, the weapon turned Erka
grass, garlands of the dead Vrishnis, the Bhojas and the Andhakas. Even the
bodies of dead Dwaraka warriors were seen floating in the river. The women of
Dwaraka were pulling the bodies from the river, hoping not to see their husband
or son or father and relatives. On seeing Arjuna, every woman moaned and rushed
behind his chariot.
The chariot stopped in front of the
palace of Krishna’s.With heavy heart, Arjuna descended from the chariot. Seeing
Arjuna, the 16,000 wives of Krishna came running towards him with a loud cry.
Those gorgeous women who were once rescued by Krishna from Naragasura wept
without their Lord. Helpless and
hopeless, Arjuna was unable to console them. He walked into the palace looking
for King Vasudeva. Hearing that Arjuna has reached the palace, Balram’s wife
Revati and Krishna’s eight queens came to the palace hall. Their faces were red
with eyes filled with tears and they appeared like a lotus flower deprived of
water. Unable to look at them in such a condition, he fell on the floor and
wept aloud, letting out his pain from his heart. Witnessing Arjuna, Revati,
Rukmani and other queens too wailed.
“Arjuna, Uncle Vasudeva is waiting for
you in his chambers. Console him. After hearing about his sons, he has not left
his chamber. He is waiting for you to take care of the citizens of Dwaraka.” –
Rukmani, Queen of Krishna comforted Arjuna and sent him to meet King Vasudev,
father of the mighty Balram and Krishna.
Controlling himself, Arjuna went to the
chamber of King Vasudev. Dejected on the death of his mighty sons, King Vasudev
was lying on the floor exhausted on crying all day long, without food and
water. Arjuna, with his mighty arms, helped his uncle to rise from the floor
and made him sit on the bed. He sat in a chair beside the bed, holding his
uncle’s hand firmly.
“Arjuna, why am I still alive? Without
my sons, grandsons, brothers and great grandsons, without seeing them, I don’t
know why I have to live. My sons, my grandsons, my great grandsons…they all
survived every war they fought and returned victoriously. Even in the glorious
Kurukshetra war too they fought and returned exultantly. Such was their power
and supremacy. But now…inebriated and with senses lost, they killed their own kin and friends
and are lying dead. Even my sons, the foremost souls of earth, they too are
gone! ” – deeply struck with pain, King Vasudev wept aloud.
“Who is to be blamed for all this? Is
it Gandhari or the saints for their curse? Or Akrura who brought my sons from
the beautiful Vrindhavan? Or Samba for his immature prank? The Vrishnis were
full of Pride all these years. Is it the Pride that killed us? I do not blame
any of those. All that to be blamed will be my Krishna. Without his acceptance,
this annihilation is not possible. Not in the three worlds. He who slew the
demons even before he could walk…he who fought against foremost warriors of all
the worlds and returned victorious… my sinless Krishna… he is the only one who
is capable of stopping all this but he chose not to. He, just like every single
human, witnessed everything without interfering. Such a kind and great soul on
this earth, my son, glorious Krishna did not wish to fake the words of Gandhari
so he allowed this to happen. He, who did everything to sustain dharma on this
earth, chose not to protect his own kinsmen. It’s impossible to understand him
and his motives. Not even his beloved Rukmani was able to. Or even his
cherished Balram was able to understand him.” – King Vasudev spoke with
weakness in his voice and heart. The days of crying without food and water has
drained his energy.
Arjuna embraced the King with his
mighty arms. King Vasudev, consoling himself held Arjuna’s shoulder in his
hands and said, “Arjuna, relieve me from my burden. I am holding this life only
because Krishna told me to. He wanted me to protect the citizens of Dwaraka
till your arrival. The destruction of our race is near. Protect the women and
the children. The citizens of Dwaraka and the wealth are all yours now. Take
care of them. After your departure, the city will be flooded. Without any
delay, kindly do what’s best for these people. I would like to cast-off my life
in penance.”
“O uncle! I clearly have no clue on
what to do without Krishna. But I’m sure he will guide me. I will take the
people to Indraprastha and as said by him, will make Vajra as the king.” - saying so, Arjuna turned towards Daruka and
said, “Daruka, I would like to meet the chief officials of Dwaraka city and the
people too.”
Everyone assembled in the prodigious
court hall of Dwaraka. Standing in front of the people gathered, Arjuna spoke
in depressing voice, “Taking Krishna’s words as his order, I would like to
protect you all from further omens. Dwaraka is to be flooded in few days. So, I
would like you all to get your chariots and carts ready for the departure, only
with the wealth that you can carry. The officials and other men will join me in
carrying out the final funeral rites of the departed souls. We leave on the seventh
day, at sunrise. Get prepared. It’s Krishna’s words!”
The citizens were not ready to leave
Dwaraka, the women did not wish to live without their sons and husband. The
parents did not wish to leave their Dwaraka and home. But as it was Krishna’s
wish, with heavy heart everyone got prepared for the departure.
The next day began with darkness in the
lives of the Dwaraka people. Distressing moans were heard from the chamber of
Lord Vasudev’s. King Vasudev has entered the spiritual world in his yogic stance.
King Vasudev’s queens Devaki, Rohini, Bhadra and Madhira were seen crying.
Arjuna, with heavy heart, arranged for the last rites of the King. King
Vasudev’s lifeless body was carried in a golden chariot. Along with his body
they carried his divine fire that he was worshiping all these days, which he
got on the day of his Ashvameda Yaga. The citizens of Dwaraka followed the
chariot, moaning for their King’s loss. Arjuna performed the funeral rites of
King Vasudev. The 4 queens of King Vasudev ascended the funeral pyre of their
Lord. Witnessing the wives ascending the pyre, the citizens and
daughter-in-laws of the King wailed aloud in agony.
The next day, Arjuna set out with the
officials and other men to the place where the Vrishnis and other Yadavas lay
deceased. Everyone was struck with pain on witnessing the great souls lying
lifeless. They carried the lifeless bodies of those great souls in their carts
and chariots according to their superiority. Arjuna went in search of Krishna
and Balram with Daruka. They both tried to grasp their breath on witnessing
those two mighty and sinless heroes sitting lifeless in yogic stance. Holding
his heart that might burst out of agony, Arjuna fell on the ground and wept out
loud in front of Krishna. His cry echoed in the trees of the forest. Filled
with grief, Daruka and Arjuna carried Krishna and Balram in a chariot.
While they were returning to Dwaraka,
cries and wails filled the streets. Every woman cried for their dead son,
husband and father. The whole day in Dwaraka passed with the cries and laments
of every woman in the city. Those beautiful gopis and Yadava women of Dwaraka
who always wore flowers on their neatly raked hair, who always wore ornaments
made out of gold and precious stones and pearls, who always wore silk and
eminent attires sobbed all day sitting beside the bodies of their husband and
sons with disheveled hair and messy attires.
The next day, Krishna’s and Balram’s bodies
were carried to the place where King Vasudev’s funeral held, followed by their
sons, grandsons, friends and relatives and behind them were the other mighty
warriors of Dwaraka. The bodies were carried in chariots and carts as per their
supremacy and funeral arrangements were prepared for every single warrior according
to their seniority and tradition. Arjuna carried out the funeral rites for
Balram, Krishna and his sons and grandsons. As the funeral pyre of Balram’s
blazed up, his wife Revati ascended her husband’s pyre and likewise, Krishna’s
8 queens ascended Krishna’s pyre. The citizens returned to the city which is
now without its Lord. The city appeared like a dried lotus flower with only
sounds of the ocean waves, reciting about the flood every time the waves touch
the shores. The night was lonely and long for Arjuna. The palace that was once
filled with delights and gleams of Krishna now appeared like a deserted cave
that echoed the cries of women. The whole city appeared lifeless. Every women
and people in the city stayed inside their house. There were no lights lit on
the streets or in the houses. The whole of Dwaraka seemed dejected. None spoke
with anyone. None looked up at others. Arjuna was not able to bear the look of
Dwaraka that’s in front of his eyes. He spent his sleepless night, strolling in
the corridors.
 |
| Deserted streets... |
Having performed the final rites as per
the tradition for every deceased soul, the people of Dwaraka prepared for their
departure. On the seventh day, with sunrise, everyone gathered in front of the
gates of the magnificent Dwaraka with their kids and carts filled with
necessary goods. Arjuna, mounting on his chariot, led the people of Dwaraka
from the front, along with Daruka. The 16,000 widows of Krishna followed him.
Followed by them were the widows of other Yadava clan Kings, their servants,
maids, the guards, the Brahmans, the priests and the citizens of Dwaraka
insensibly. The people were protected by the foot soldiers and few horsemen
left. Dwaraka, the glorious city enriched with pleasure, food, ornaments, milk,
cows, butter, grains and pulses, wine, flora and fauna, talent, ecstasy and
above all, the only wealth that no other city had: Krishna, was now left
without its glory. The ocean was waiting to extend her hands to embrace the
whole city, to make the glorious city and the celebrated lives of the people
who lived there as a history.
With everyone leaving Dwaraka and the
gates closed prohibiting the entry of others, without delay the ocean rushed
her hands to engulf the entire city and its wealth. The city that was left with
standing structures and palaces, houses and assembly halls, temples and organizations
were all consumed by the furiously approaching gigantic waves. The same streets
on which Krishna walked with Balram were washed away by the waters. From wall
to wall, the whole city was consumed in no matter of time. The sounds of the
rushing waves were so loud that it inserted fear in the hearts of the people
who witnessed the submerging.
Within few moments, the ocean engulfed
the whole of Dwaraka by extending her territory and made sure, no traces were
left, except Krishna’s magnificent palace. With Krishna’s departure, the ocean
took back what she gave to Krishna. Krishna’s palace which was located at the
center of the city appeared like a lonely island.
“It was only because of Krishna, the
ocean was confined all these years, right from the day Dwaraka was erected.
Look at her flowing tremendously with all her restricted power. As said by
Krishna, destruction has surpassed everything in the end.” – Arjuna said in a
dejected voice.
Grieving for the annihilation of their
city, the people started moving, abandoning Dwaraka forever. Led by Arjuna, the
women and children marched slowly. They rested at timely intervals. After
walking for a long time, Arjuna camped near a dense forest. The exhausted
women, soldiers, old people and children rested and refreshed for some time.
Only Arjuna, Daruka, Vajra and few horsemen were awake while the rest all took
a short nap. They prepared food from the fruits, grains, vegetables and animals
they got from the forest. The dense forest was home for the raiders and
marauders to rob and hide. Witnessing the camp, the raiders felt it’s a golden
chance to raid. Tempted at the beauty of the widows, they planned to plunder
not only the wealth but also the women.
“Look, there’s only one archer and few
horsemen awake. Rest all seem tired. This is the right time to attack. The
element of surprise will help us to loot more. Let’s get help from other groups
too so that we can outnumber them. Loot whatever and whoever you want to.” –
The raiders discussed among themselves and gathered to attack.
Armed with weapons, the raiders
attacked the citizens of Dwaraka. Unaware of the sudden attack, the people ran
in fear. The soldiers who were sleeping tried to grab their weapons before the
thieves could attack. But, the raiders cautiously attacked the soldiers who
were unarmed, before going towards the women. Arjuna who was on the other side
of the camp, with Vajra and Daruka returned to the camp that was filled with
screams and slaughter.
Looking at the assaulters, the mighty
Arjuna warned – “Don’t you recognize who I am!? I, the greatest archer the
world has ever seen, will stab you all with my arrows within the blink of your
eyes. If you value your lives, run away.”
The raiders who were already drunk and
filled with avarice for women and money ignored Arjuna’s words and started
attacking Arjuna with their weapons. Arjuna pierced the thieves with his
arrows. But they seized not. Seeing the thieves grabbing the widows of Krishna,
Arjuna took his celestial bow, the Gandiva and tried to stringed it. The bow
that was used by him for years, the bow that he could string even with eyes
closed seemed tough this time to even string it. The battle became more
vicious. The greatest and mightiest soldiers of the world who were part of the
mighty Narayani Sena army failed to protect their women. They were killed
ruthlessly by the raiders. In the meantime Arjuna stringed his Gandiva and
tried to chant for the celestial arrows. To his surprise, he was unable to
recall the chants. The chants that he had used frequently in the battle of
Kurukshetra, the chants he used in battling against his enemies appeared like
it has been erased from his memory.
Embarrassed, Arjuna tried attacking the
attackers using his arrows. His arms lost the power it had. The arrows were not
forceful and his arrows failed to hit the target. The arrows he shot hardly
touched the raiders. Witnessing Arjuna’s failure, the muggers stormed from
different directions enthusiastically. With most of the soldiers dead, Arjuna
was left with few horsemen by his side to defend the women and children. The
assaulters slaughtered the aged people and even children. They snatched as many
women they could take with them. While Arjuna was trying to save the wives of
Krishna, his Gandiva went out of shafts. The inexhaustible Gandiva, the
celestial bow was exhausted! Arjuna was unable to believe it though he
witnessed it in his own eyes. The raiders took this opportunity and snatched
the women while few women went with them willingly noticing Arjuna’s inability
in protecting them. Arjuna and the soldiers, though they gave their best to
protect the women, they were unsuccessful. Witnessing the former queens of
Yadava clan being taken away by the raiders, Arjuna, Daruka and Vajra stood
helpless. With the raiders gone, the area appeared devastated. Only servants,
servant maids, children and few old people were left along with few soldiers
who were brutally injured. Lost in his inability, Arjuna sat on his chariot, losing his grip on the Gandiva.
“What happened, O Son of Pandu? These
soldiers are the soldiers trained under Lord Balram and Lord Krishna! They have
fought many battles against mighty warriors and yet, they failed against
burglars and criminals. Why is this happening?” – Daruka queried Arjuna who was
looking at his Gandiva with dejected eyes.
 |
| "Destiny..." |
“Destiny’s way, I believe.”– filled
with distress, Arjuna said without taking his eyes from his Gandiva.
“Daruka, gather the people left. Let’s
start proceeding. I don’t think I will be able to stop the raiders if they come
again. Also, I don’t think it’s better to travel in dark, without protection.
We should reach Indraprastha before sunset. I don’t have what I had before and
I don’t think I can do all that I have did for years.” –Arjuna said to Daruka.
And with the company of children, old
men, few women and wounded soldiers, Arjuna reached Indraprastha. He made
arrangements for the people to settle and made Vajra, Grandson of Krishna as
the King. After settling their children and parents or relatives, few women
retired into the woods. After few days, Arjuna left Indraprastha and proceeded
towards Hastinapur. On his way, he met Sage Vyasa in his cottage in the forest.
Sage Vyasa welcomed Arjuna, “Arjuna! O
Son of Pandu! What happened? Why do you look so pale? Why do you look so
desperate? What’s troubling you? Tell me so that I can help you in any way
possible.”
Arjuna with eyes filled with tears and
humiliation spoke, “I don’t know what’s happening, Sage Vyasa. I don’t
understand why. He who appeared dark in color, he who removed the darkness out
of people’s life, He who had eyes glowing like the full moon, He whose feet
were soft and rosy like a newly blossomed lotus flower, He whose hug is so warm
and loving like the sun’s rays, He along with his brother Balram ascended to
heaven.”
Arjuna then explained about the fight
among the Yadavas, the death of the mighty Yadava heroes, the death of Krishna,
Balram and King Vasudev, Dwaraka flood, the attack by the raiders and his
failure in protecting the women.
“Failed in protecting the women, I feel
ashamed of myself. Krishna trusted on me and gave the responsibility to me and
I failed him. With his death, my Gandiva too has exhausted, along with my
powers and talents! I don’t have peace in me. I don’t desire to live on this
world without Krishna.
Listening to him quietly, Sage Vyasa
consoled Arjuna and said-“Arjuna! Listen to me. All these are because of Lord
Krishna. He, who has the power to even
dry up all the oceans and make it rain, He who can cool down a forest fire just
through his gentle looks, He who is sinless and having implausible energy
within him, He is our Krishna, the creator of all the three worlds and he is
the rightful possessor of all the souls in it. What happened to Dwaraka was the
result of the curse of Gandhari and the sages. But in real, Krishna could have
reversed the spells in no matter of time. But he didn’t. He felt, his mission on
the earth has been fulfilled…which is… to sustain dharma and lighten the burden
of earth. With his mission achieved, he returned back to his Vaikuntha.
That’s destiny and it happened just like how it was destined to happen. O
mighty Arjuna, with your brother being the emperor and dharma sustained, you
all have fulfilled the purpose of your lives. With Krishna gone, the world is
going to face more terrible and atrocious events in the future and I believe
it’s beneficial for you all to leave the Kingdom to Parikshith and retire from
the earthly pleasures. The very reason why you were all given celestial weapons
has been accomplished and with Krishna gone, the weapons will not be working
for you all anymore, for he is the power who made the weapons accept your
chants. Time and destiny holds hands always and with change in time, destiny
changes. I recommend you all to retire from the earthly pleasures and attain
the highest goal.”
Hearing Sage Vyasa’s words, Arjuna
realized the purpose of his life. He then spoke with clarity in his mind, “Now
I understand. All these days, I thought I was mighty and more powerful. All
those days in the war, I felt proud of myself witnessing my archery skill. Now
I understand that it wasn’t me but him. He has been the power, talent and skill
behind every single arrow that left from my Gandiva. Krishna, the mighty soul
with unimaginable energy was the one being my strength and I felt proud in
front of him for my talent. How pathetic of me with such lack of understanding
to not even realize who he is. I take your words, Sage Vyasa. Without Krishna,
I’m sure we won’t be able to fight or even protect ourselves.”
Arjuna then took permission from Sage
Vyasa and left for Hastinapur with his mind as clear as dewdrop. He approached
the palace and spoke to King Yudhistra, his brothers and Queen Draupathi about
the happenings in Dwaraka and about the conversation with Sage Vyasa. Consenting
Sage Vyasa’s words, King Yudhistra commanded for crowing
Parikshit as the King.
