Dwaraka submerged!

      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.