THE MAHABHARATA: A Modern Rendering, Vol 2 (13 page)

Dhritarashtra gave orders for Krishna to be taken to Vidura’s home. He sent word to his brother and Vidura came in excitement to his door to receive him with arghya. He, at least, was entirely aware who it was that honored him with a visit.

When they sat together inside, Vidura asked, “How are Pandu’s sons, Krishna? I fear there will be a war between them and the Kauravas. Duryodhana is determined to fight, rather than return a foot of land to his cousins.”

Krishna told him about the sabha in Upaplavya and all that was said on the last day, before he set out for Hastinapura. “I have little hope that Duryodhana will turn back to dharma now. But I thought I must come here to clear Yudhishtira’s name, so the people know that he still wants peace.”

Vidura bowed his head and Krishna saw his eyes were full. He laid a hand on Vidura’s arm and said, “Be consoled, Vidura. None of us can change fate and everything that happens is for the best. Now take me to my aunt Kunti. I am sure she is waiting to see me and have news of her sons.”

When Vidura brought Krishna into Kunti’s chambers, she rose with a cry and embraced her nephew. “Oh, Krishna! I am so happy you have come.”

She made him sit next to her and held his hand tightly. She wept now and said, “I feel so much stronger, that you are here. Tell me about my sons. How are Yudhishtira and my Bheema? You know Bheema was always his older brother’s favorite. How did my boys spend their years in the forest, with all the danger that lurks there? How did Bheema control himself for so long, after the way Dhrit-arashtra’s sons abused him? Ah, forgive me, Krishna, I know I am not waiting for you to answer my questions. I have waited so long to ask them, that they will not come singly, but all together!

How is my Arjuna, your friend? How did he conceal himself during the final year of the ajnata-vasa? I am surprised no one discovered my flame-like son. And Sahadeva, who is so delicate and sensitive? He looks like a grown man, but he is just a child at heart. And my youngest, my Nakula, my most handsome son at whom women always gazed? How did he hide his dark beauty during the final year? Krishna, how is Draupadi? I cannot think how she endured the hardship thrust upon her.

Time and again, I see Dusasana dragging proud Panchali through the palace of Hastinapura. I see my sons standing with their heads hung in the sabha, while Dhritarashtra’s princes reviled their queen. Only your grace saved her from utter shame.”

Kunti wiped her eyes and sighed, “Krishna, though I have known great joy in this life, I have also suffered as few women do. First, I became a widow and we came here to Hastinapura to live on the charity of those who did not truly love us. Then they tried to kill us. When, at last, we settled in Indraprastha I thought our troubles were over. They were just beginning and fate separated me from my sons.

We have suffered enough! We also deserve some happiness, after so many years of anguish. Tell my sons the time has come for them to show they are kshatriyas. Tell them their mother says it is their dharma to fight. And if they don’t, they are no sons of mine!”

She sobbed again. Krishna took her hands, “Don’t cry. Your sons have become great men by their long penance and no force on earth can resist them now. Their night is ending; day is at hand and victory. I promise you, Yudhishtira shall soon be lord of the earth.”

TWELVE
IN VIDURA’S HOUSE 

Krishna walked into Duryodhana’s palace and it was more opulent than Dhritarashtra’s. In his garish sabha, Duryodhana sat on a golden throne, with Shakuni, Karna and Dusasana around him. They all rose when Krishna entered and Duryodhana came forward, smiling, to welcome the Blue One. There was a place, lower than Duryodhana’s throne, set apart for Krishna, a silk-covered chair inlaid with ivory and precious stones. Krishna allowed himself to be led to it.

Duryodhana said, “Welcome to our palace, Krishna. Honor me by sharing a meal with us.”

Krishna replied, “I must decline your invitation for the moment, Duryodhana.”

The Kaurava’s eyes flashed. “You wound me, Krishna. Why won’t you eat with us? We have arranged music and dancing for you, as you love. Our cooks prepared a feast, but you went straight to Vidura’s home. Why?”

“A messenger may not eat until the task he has come for is fulfilled.”

“That hardly matters! I have heard you say you are impartial in the dispute between the Pandavas and ourselves. We are fond of you, Krishna; there is no enmity between you and me. When you go to Upaplavya you stay with the Pandavas, don’t you?”

There was an inscrutable look in Krishna’s eyes. He said, “I fear you will make me say things I never meant to, Duryodhana. One eats in another man’s house out of friendship, goodwill, or necessity; none of these applies between us. I do not care for the feast you have made for me; I never eat in a thief s home because his food is polluted. And I am not starving that I need your hospitality.”

Duryodhana’s eyes blazed. Krishna would not be interrupted, though he spoke equably still, “As for the Pandavas, I do not hold you and them in equal regard. The truth is, Duryodhana, I am the soul of the sons of Pandu. They are mine in a very special way, because they are men of truth. You have shown, repeatedly, that you detest them; often enough, you have tried to have them killed. You banished them by deceit, humiliated them in your sabha and now you refuse to give back what is theirs. You are my enemy, Duryodhana and I will not eat in an enemy’s house. I will eat in Vidura’s home, because he is a friend who loves me.”

Krishna’s voice and his presence were suddenly so awesome that even Duryodhana was tongue-tied. Smiling still, Krishna got up and walked out of that palace.

He strolled down the open street and the people ran to him, to greet him, to clasp his hand or offer him a flower. Bheeshma and Kripa came out and said, “Krishna, we have a palace ready for you to stay in.”

He answered them, “You are too kind, my lords, but I am going to stay with Vidura.”

They stared at him; but he waved to them and walked on to Vidura’s home. Vidura washed Krishna’s feet himself, in some ecstasy that the Avatara had chosen his home to stay in. It was late afternoon. They ate together and then Krishna said, “I am a little tired. I would like to rest for an hour.”

“Your rooms are ready, Krishna, I will show you to them.”

When Krishna had slept, he rose and bathed and now night had fallen. He went out to join Vidura. When they sat together, sipping wine in an open courtyard, with fateful stars shining down on them, Vidura said slowly, “I think your coming here was a mistake, Krishna. Perhaps you don’t realize how far down the road to ruin Duryodhana has gone. He is bent on having war and nothing will stop him. He thinks he will win with superior numbers. He says he has Bheeshma, Drona, Kripa, Aswatthama, Karna and Jayadratha with him, besides his brothers and the other kshatriyas of the eleven aksauhinis. How can he lose? Most of all, he depends on Karna.

Ah, Krishna, how much I have tried to tell him that his sins are ranged against him and they will drag him down to his death. How often I have begged him to relent. Not just I, but the other elders of the court. But he won’t listen and Karna, Shakuni and Dusasana tell him to fight. They are so certain they will win the war. It is no use your trying to make peace; Duryodhana is in no mood to listen to wisdom.

I beg you, my Lord, don’t go to Dhritarashtra’s sabha. It is not a court of dharma any more. I fear they will insult you and the thought distresses me.”

Krishna said, “Vidura, I am touched by your concern. I have nothing to hide from you, so listen to why I have come. I have not come with much hope that my mission will succeed. Yet, it is my dharma to try to save the lives of these men, who seem so eager to die. If I do succeed, Vidura, I shall have glory; and even if I fail, no blame will attach to me. At least, I will be satisfied that I spared no effort in a good cause.

Every man can be redeemed. If a man has sinful thoughts, but does not translate them into evil deeds, no sin clings to him. So I pray it might be with the Kauravas. I read their hearts clearly and see the darkness in them. But there is always hope. Suppose, by a miracle, they decide to give back the Pandavas’ kingdom because of my embassy? All men deserve every chance to save themselves; Dhrit-arashtra and his son do, as well. Most of all, the House of Kuru deserves a final chance to save itself. If I did not do everything I can to stop this war, I would fail in my dharma.

So here I am, to try to drag Duryodhana and his brothers back from the edge of a chasm. As for Yudhishtira, he still says he wants peace. Vidura, I know you will understand me when I tell you that Yudhishtira is the greatest man born into this age. Most of all, I have come here for his sake. To clear his name of any taint, so the world will remember his greatness forever.

Let the people know that it is not just anyone whom Duryodhana has sinned against, but the truest, most compassionate man on earth. Let the kings who have flocked to Duryodhana’s serpent-banner know against whom they are going to war. Let them realize they mean to fight on the side of evil and let their arrogant hearts tremble a little.

Yes, this is why I have come: to let Bheeshma know and Drona and Kripa know and the others, that they clasped danger to their souls when they chose to fight against the sons of Pandu. They cannot escape this truth, let them see it clearly.”

Now Krishna sighed. “Ah, Vidura, how I wish this war could be avoided. I don’t think even Yudhishtira or you, or any of the others realize how terrible it will be. But I fear that not all our prayers can prevent it. I have come to make it clear on which side dharma lies and on which, adharma. That is my real mission. Gentle Vidura, you are the only Kuru in Hastinpaura on the side of truth. That is why I am staying in your home. But let us speak of other things, because tomorrow I must be fresh for what I have come to say, in Dhritarashtra’s sabha.”

Late into the night, they sat talking of many things: of Dwaraka, of awesome kings of the past and how rapidly the times diminished. Until they turned in to sleep, they spoke of anything but the war.

THIRTEEN
IN THE COURT OF HASTINAPURA 

The next morning, Duryodhana and Karna came with retinue to take Krishna to Dhritarashtra’s sabha. Krishna went in his chariot with Satyaki. Duryodhana and Karna followed in Duryodhana’s chariot and Kritavarman, who was also in the city, came after them. A legion of elephant and horse followed the chariots through the streets of Hastinapura, choked with the people turned out to catch a glimpse of the blue savior.

The Dark One was radiant, as he alighted at the palace steps and climbed them with Vidura and Satyaki on either side. Karna and Duryodhana went before Krishna, leading him solemnly into Dhri-tarashtra’s court. Kritavarman walked behind them. When Krishna entered the Kuru sabha, all the elders, including the blind king, Bheeshma and Drona rose. Once more Krishna was shown to the place of honor and just as he was about to sit, he saw Narada at the door to the sabha, with some other rishis. Bheeshma rose to welcome the sages.

Krishna waited for them to be seated and only then sat. Dusasana showed Satyaki to a majestic chair and his brother Vivimsati brought Kritavarman to another.

Next to Krishna sat Vidura; not far from them, to their left, Karna and Duryodhana shared a wide seat for two and Shakuni sat beside them. Every gaze in the sabha was riveted to the Avatara’s face. They gazed at him, helplessly and could not have their fill. He was more God than man today, but gentle and handsome. It was as if the Kuru sabha was elevated into a finer realm, because Krishna graced it. In his xanthic robe, he was like a blue mountain with the sun rising over it; and the kaus-tubha ruby on his breast was a gleaming secret.

The sabha sat staring raptly at him and he sat smiling at them. For a long moment, there was silence in that court; then, Krishna addressed Dhritarashtra.

“My lord, I have come to Hastinapura to prevent the deaths of all these kshatriyas. I have come to make peace between the Pandavas and the Kauravas. I am glad I have come at a time when most of what needs to be said has already been debated in this sabha. Everything is known and there is not much I have to add to the words of the wise.”

They listened to him entranced; there was that quality in his voice. “Since the most ancient days, the House of Kuru is a legend upon the earth. The world knows that yours is the oldest house in Bharatavarsha. Generations of Kuru kings have ruled vast kingdoms and they have all been renowned for their justice and their mercy.” He paused and looked around him; a slight smile still played on his face. “Dhritarashtra, it does not become you that you are the first king in your line to be so different from your sires.”

Dhritarashtra shivered in his throne. Krishna continued, “Your sons plunge down a blind alley of sin. They think nothing of fighting a murderous war in which millions shall die. It is for you to stop them. You are the king of the Kurus, my lord and not your son. You must stop this madness.

This is not the time for weakness and vacillation. You must assert yourself, as you should have done long ago. Having left it so long, it will be harder for you now. But it can still be done, if you assume the firmness that every king should have. The first step is to think kindly of your brother’s sons. Think of them not as enemies to be feared, but as your own children, your own soldiers who will make you lord of the earth. Unite this house again, Dhritarashtra, as it should have always been.