Slaying of Sisupala

Bhishma started telling Bhima about Sisupala.  Sisupala was born as the son of the king of Chedi with three eyes and four hands. As soon as he was born, he screamed and brayed like an ass.His parents were scared. They resolved to abandon him but were stopped by a voice which said this child will grow up to be a great king. He will meet his death in the hands of one who has taken birth on this earth.
Hearing these words, the mother said she wished to know who would be this slayer of her son. The voice said,--'He , on whose lap this child will loose his extra hands and extra eye will be his slayer.

Soon a procession of people began coming to Chedi to see this son. Balarama and Krishna also came there. The queen placed her son on the lap of Krishna. As soon she did this, the extra arms fell down and the extra eye vanished. She asked Krishna to save her son. Krishna said he would pardon a hundred offences of Sisupala. Once he had crossed that, he will be slain.

Sisupala did not like this and kept on insulting Bhishma and Krishna.

While Sisupala was insulting the people, Krishna thought of the discus, Sudarshana. Addressing all he said, As asked by his mother, I have so far pardoned his hundred sins. The number has been crossed. Today, in the presence of all, I will slay him. Saying this he flung his discus, which cut off the head of Sisupala.

The last rites of Sisupala were performed with all respect. His son was declared the king of Chedi.

 Once the sacrifice was completed and Yudhistira was crowned, the invited guests all left. Duryodhana remained back, along with  Shakuni.

Duryodhana  with Sakuni explored the whole palace of Yudhistira. One day Duryodhana came across a crystal surface.Thinking it to be a pool of water, he drew up his clothes. Finding out his mistake he felt sad. Then mistaking a lake of crystal water adorned with lotuses of crystal petals for land, he fell into it with all his clothes on. Seeing Duryodhana fall,  Bhima laughed. The servants, at the command of the king, brought him dry  clothes. Beholding the plight of Duryodhana,the Pandavas could not control their laughter. Not used to be being insulted, Duryodhana could not bear that laugh. Concealing his emotions he left for Hastinapur.

He was dejected and told Sakuni about what he had seen and how he had been treated.

Sakuni said Duryodhana wanted Yudhistira's wealth and prosperity, it would have to be dealt with cunningly. In war, he would face defeat. A way out was to defeat Yudhistira in a game of dice.

Dhritarashtra tried to reason with Duryodhana and Sakuni, but they would not listen to him. Even though not happy, he gave permission for Yudhistira to be invited for a game of dice.

Along with Draupadi, the five brother set forth for Hastinapur.

Killing of Jarasandha and Start of the crowning

Krishna told Bhima to show the strength he had. Bhima lifting  Jarasandha, began to whirl him in the air. Bhima pressed his knee against Jarasandha's backbone and broke his body in twain. And having killed him , Bhima uttered a terrible roar. The citizens of Magadha became dumb with terror . Krishna then freed the kings that Jarasandha had imprisoned.

(Mahabharata serial showed Bhima trying to kill Jarasandha and failing till Krishna showed him how. Whenever Bhima would split Jarasandha's body, it would join itself. Krishna showed the way by taking a twig and throwing that apart in reverse directions. This is mentioned in the Bhagwad Purana, not in Vyasa's Mahabharat).

Krishna had Jarasandha' son , Sahadeva, crowned king of Magadha. Krishna  along with the Pandava princes returned to Yudhistira's kingdom, which now called Indraprastha.

 Accompanied by Bhima and Arjuna, Krishna arrived at Indraprastha, and gave Yudhishthira the news of the death of Jarasandha.
Krishna then departed for Dwaraka.

Arjuna then wished to go out and capture some land and increase the wealth in their treasury by obtaining the same from the defeated kings. Seeing this, all brothers set forth in different directions. If they were able to conquer enough kings, Yudhistira would be crowned emperor.

Yudhistira proved to be a great king. All were happy under his protection.  There were no droughts and floods. It was time for Yudhistira to be crowned emperor. Krishna came from Dwaraka bringing many gifts. Addressing Krishna, the Pandavas requested him to stay and requested him to be the cheif guest for the ceremony.
With Krishna's permission, gathering material for the sacrifice started.
Invitations were sent out to invite all.

The kauravas, Bhisma, Drona, Dhritarashtra, Vidura and other elders were invited to attend the ceremony.

Nakula went to invite the Kuru elders from Hastinapur. Dhritarashtra ,Bhishma ,Vidura , the Kaurava brothers with Duryyodhana, Suvala the king of Gandhara and Sakuni  and Karna came there with Nakula to attend the ceremony.

The ceremonies started with Yudhistira worshiping the brahamans present.

Ekadashi today - 21 December 2015

Today 21 December is an Ekadashi. This is special because today is Mokshada Ekadashi. This is supposed to be the day when Krishna told Arjuna about Bhagwada Gita. As per Brahmanda Purana, Yudhistira was told by Krishna, about the greatness of this day.

Krishna is worshiped this day. All Vaishnava temples will have a big rush, with devotees queing up to get a glimpse of the Lord.

This is what Krishna told Yudhistira.

In the city of Champaka Nagara, Vaikhaanasa, ruled over his subjects as if they were his very own children. The brahmins in that capital city were all expert in Vedic knowledge. The king dreamt one night that his dead father was suffering in hell. He asked the brahmins what this meant.

The brahmins told the king to seek the guidance of the saint Parvata who would be able to correctly interpret the dream.

The distressed king immediately went there. The king offered his humble obeisances to the sage, bowing his head and then prostrating his entire body before him. He then told the sage about the dream.

The sage said - Your father is suffering the results of committing a great sin, and I have discovered what it is. In his previous life he quarrelled with his wife and forcibly enjoyed her sexually during her menstrual period. She tried to protest and resist his advances and even yelled out, but he did not stop or leave her alone. It is on account of this grievous sin that your father now has fallen into such a hellish condition of suffering.

The king then said, how can I liberate my father?

The sage said - During the light fortnight of the month of Margashirsha (Magha, December) there occurs an Ekadasi called Mokshadaa. If you observe this sacred Ekadasi strictly, with a full fast, and give directly to your suffering father the merit you thus attain/obtain, he will be freed from his pain and instantly liberated.

The king returned to his palace to perform his  rite.In the month of Margashirsha , the king faithfully waited for the Ekadasi tithi to arrive, and then  perfectly and with full faith observed the Ekadasi fast with his wife, children, and other relatives.
He dutifully gave the merit from this fast to his father, and as he made the offering, beautiful flower petals showered down from the Gods .
The king's father was then praised by the messengers of the Gods and escorted to the celestial region.
As he passed his son, as he traversed the lower to middle to higher planets, the father said to the king -  All auspiciousness unto you. Saying this , he reached the heavens.

Krishna thus concluding, told Yudhistira that who ever strictly observes the sacred Mokshadaa Ekadasi, following the established rules and regulations, achieves full and perfect liberation after death.
There is no better fasting day than this Ekadasi of the light fortnight of the month of Margashirsha,
Whoever faithfully observes this Ekadasi fast, obtains special merit.

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While this is not a common practice in North India, here in the south today, all temples have a big line.

Jarasandha chooses Bhima

As the child had been joined by Jara, the king named the child Jarasandha, one who is joined by Jara.. He began growing up, becoming stronger and mighty as days went. The sage, with whose blessing the child had been born, came to visit the king one day. The king went to see the sage with his two wives and son. The sage blessed the child with beauty and knowledge. He also said this will be the greatest of all kings known.

When the child grew up, Jarasandha was crowned king of Magadha. He then worked on expanding his kingdom, conquering other kings and winning over their kingdoms.

He was fine till Kamsa was killed by Krishna (Jarasandha's daughter was Kamsa's wife). He became an enemy of Krishna. In anger, he flung a huge mace towards Krishna which landed near Mathura (where Krishna was staying). Jarasandha had two followers - Hansa and Dimvaka. Hansa was killed in a fight with Balarama and Dimvaka committed suicide.

Telling the tale of Jarasandha to the Pandavas, Krishna said Jarasandha was evil and he needed to be killed. He was incapable of being destroyed by weapons, and the only way was to wrestle him to death. He thought Bhima was the most apt for this, nd if attacked by others, Arjuna would be able to defeat them.He suggested going in disguise to the kingdom of Magadha and then bring about the downfall of Jarasandha.

Yudhistira sent for Arjuna and Bhima and asked them to go with Krishna.

Taking the guise of Brahmanas Krishna, Arjuna and Bhima left for Magadha and after a long journey through picturesque locales they finally reached the kingdom of Magadha. They were welcomed by the people of Magadha, who were happy and cheerful.

Seeing brahmins in his land, the king came and welcomed them. He wanted to know who they really were. He said he saw that their physique was not like Brahmins and that they had scars on hands, from stringing bows.

Krishna said they would not disclose who they really were and he also said they had come into the enemy territory and had come for combat. Jarasandha said he did not recollect having ever hurt them in any way.

Krishna said they had come because a just king wanted to rule and had sent them to defeat the king. Krishna also told the king that he was not innocent as he was sacrificing the kings that he had defeated. Slaughter of humans was not acceptable and was a grave sin.

Disclosing their identities, he said he was  Krishna, and with him were two sons of Pandu and they had come to defeat Jarasandha.

Krishna asked the king whom among them did he choose for a combat. Jarasandha chose Bhima. Taking off his crown and tying his hair properly, Jarasandha stood up. Addressing Bhima, he said he wanted to fight with him.

In the arena, Jarasandha rushed towards Bhima, and a fight began among them with bare hands.

Seizing each other's arms and twining each other's legs, they slapped  and seizing each other's necks with their hands  they continued. They began to seize each other. Striking neck against neck and forehead against forehead, grasping each other by their arms, and kicking each other they struck at each other with clenched fists. They fought on dragging and pushing each other and fiercely looking at each other. Adept in wrestling, the two tried to throw each other down. A big crowd gathered to watch the match. It was the first day of the month of Kartika (October) when the fight began and for thirteen days this match continued. On the fourteenth day , Jarasandha felt tired. Seeing this an opportunity, Bhima with renewed strength attacked Jarasandha again, with an intent of killing him.

Jarasandha

Yudhistira wanted know about Jarasandha. Krishna then started telling him.

There was a king called Vrihadratha, in the land of Magadha. He was a fierce warrior. He was also a good and kind king. He married the twin daughters of the king of Kashi. . He loved his wives equally did not many difference between any of them. The king was growing old and he had no child. He wanted a son who would carry his name forward. One he heard that the sage  Chanda was staying near his kingdom and had taken shelter under a mango tree. The king visited the sage with his wives and started serving him. Pleased the sage asked the king to ask for a boon. The king told the sage that he wished to have a son.
Hearing this the sage handed over to the king, a ripe mango that fell on to the sage's lap from the tree. Happy, the king took the fruit and went home. The sage had told the king, to give the mango to one of his queens who would give birth to a son.

He took the fruit to his queens, who divided the fruit equally among themselves and each had half a fruit. In due time, both the queens conceived and the king was very happy.

When time came, the queens gave birth and it was shocking to see that each queen had given birth to half a child. Consulting among themselves, they abandoned the fragments behind the palace.

A rakshasha woman by the name of Jara was passing by. Seeing the parts of the child, she joined them together so she could easily carry it away with her. As soon as she joined the parts, the child came to life and started roaring. Assuming a human form, she went to the king and said this is your son, born from your wives and protected by me, Jara.

Forest burns

Arjuna and Krishna, alighting on the chariots started their vigil. While the fire burnt, Arjuna and Kirshna tried to prevent the forest creatures from escaping. Seeing this Indra started rainfall. Heavy showers started pouring.

Invoking divine weapons, Arjuna prevented the rain from touching the ground. Takshaka was not in the forest at that time, but his son Aswasena was. He tried to escape but Arjuna's arrows followed him. Indra suddenly created a storm, which caused Arjuna to be temporarily blinded and taking that chance, Aswasena escaped. From the sky, Indra hurled thunderbolts, but Arjuna was able to combat all. Clouds created by Indra were dispelled by Arjuna's wind weapons. All celestial weapons were cut down by Arjuna and Kirshna. Indra, though deeply pleased with Arjuna's skills, started showering stones on the forest. Arjuna sent forth arrows that dispelled that. Trees hurled by Indra were cut down. A voice in the heaven was then heard that said the Khandava and its residents were destined to die. Indra blessed Arjuna and Krishna and left.

Krishna saw an asura trying to flee. The asura, trying to escape from Krishna, appealed to Arjuna for help. Arjuna saved him. In the end, Aswasena, Maya and four birds called  Sarngakas were only that escaped the forest.

There was once a rishi named Mandapala. When he died, he was given no place in heaven as he had no offspring. He was asked to go and have children in a short time. He took the form of a bird called Sarngaka had children with another bird. He had four sons. HE appealed to Agni to save his young children in the forest, which Agni did and these birds were saved.

Having been granted life, Maya, the asura wanted to know how he could help Arjuna. He said he wanted to do something; he also told Arjuna, that he was an architect, no less then the celestial architect, Vishwakarma. Krishna then told him to build a palace like that no one had seen before, with a hall that was so grand, that would be unequaled in grandeur.

Glad, he began building a palace having no equal. Having worshiped the gods, land of the site was formalized and work started.

Agni approaches Krishna and Arjuna

This incident takes place after Arjuna's wedding with Subhadra. This is the Khandava-daha Parva. This has an importance, as here Arjuna and Krishna get weapons, and also the magical palace of Indraprastha is built.

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One summer day, Arjuna and Krishna were sitting on the banks of Yamuna. In the pleasant shade of trees they were talking among themselves when a brahmana came there. He was tall, with a reddish complexion. He had a bright yellow beard. He had matted hair and was dressed in rags. He seems to be blazing, his body giving away light.

The brahmana said he was looking for them , the two greatest warriors on the planet. He said he was hungry and wanted food of his choice. He introduced himself. He was Agni, God of Fire. He said the forest of Khandava was protected by Indra. Whenever he tried to burn it, Indra would rain on it, and the fire would go off. Agni wanted to consume the forest and all its beings. In the forest lived the serpent Takshaka, who a friend of Indra. Indra tried to protect his friend and thus Agni was unsuccessful. Agni said he wanted the help of Arjuna and Krishna. He wanted their help to prevent the rain from reaching the forest, when it was burning.

Arjuna wanted to know why specifically this forest was to consumed by Agni. In the olden days, a king Swetaki performed five sacrifices in a row. The fires burnt continuously and the priests were also finding it difficult, the smoke bothering their eyes. The king sent for more priests to conduct the sacrifices. This went on for years. The priests went to the king and said they could do not do it anymore, which angered the king. The priests then told the king to approach Shiva for help.

The king went to Kailasha there he started worshiping Shiva. Long was his worship and finally Shiva appeared. When he asked the king wanted he wanted, the king said he wanted Shiva's help to complete the sacrifice. Shiva said he had a condition. The king needed to continuously pour butter in the fire for a long period. The king agreed. He asked the king to get the help of the sage Durvasa to help as the priest.

The king returned and got Durvasa to come for the sacrifice. For years this sacrifice happened and was finally completed. In the course of the sacrifice, Agni had consumed large quantities of clarified butter, he thus became pale. He wanted to consume a dry forest to get rid of the butter in him.

He went to Brahma for help. Brahma asked him to consume Khadava forest. Ready to burn, Agni went there but his efforts were ruined by Indra.
In despair he went back to Brahma. Brahma then asked him to approach Krishna and Arjuna who would be able to help him. Thus Agni had approached the two warriors.

Arjuna said they did not have the weapons to combat Indra. Agni then sent for Varuna, the god of water. From Varuna, Agni got for Arjuna the bow called Gandiva and two quivers which were full of arrows and would never be empty. He also gave Arjuna, a chariot on which was a flag, with Hanumana sitting on it.

Agni then gave Krishna, a discus with a iron pole, attached to its center. It was a fiery weapon with jagged edges, This was Sudarshana. He aslo gave Krishna a mace called Kaumodaki.

Incarnations of Vasudeva (Krishna's father), Devaki and Rohini (As per Devi Bhagwat Purana)

Once the rishi Kashyapa took away the holy Cow of Varuna (Water God) for his sacrificial purpose and though he was requested by Varuna often to return the cow, he did not do that. Angry Varuna cursed Kashyapa to be born on tne earth and his wives would also be born with him and they would go through great perils.

Hearing this, Brahma approached Kashyapa and asked him why he taken over someone else's property and why he was returning it. Seeing Kashyapa not repenting, Brahma asked Kashyapa to be born as a cow herd. Aditi, wife of Kashyapa was cursed that she would loose seven of her children.

Thus Kashyapa was born as Vasudev and his wives Aditi and Diti weres born as Devaki and Rohini.

Lalita takes a new form

Lalita, the goddess, is referred to in the Vamakeshvara Tantra and Tantraraja Tantra texts.

Lalita means She Who Plays. All creation, manifestation and dissolution is considered to be a play of Devi or the goddess. Mahatripurasundari is her name as transcendent beauty of the three cities, a description of the goddess as conqueror of the three cities of the demons, or as the triple city (Tripura).

In the Tantrarajatantra it is said, Lalita took a male form as Krishna and then proceeded to enchant women. In this work, Krishna has six forms, identified with the six senses (including Mind). They are Kamaraja Gopala, Manmatha Gopala, Kandarpa Gopala, Makaraketana Gopala and Manobhava Gopala.

The Kalivilasa Tantra, a Bengali work, states Krishna was born as the son of Devi who was golden (Gauri) and turned black when he was excited by passion. In the Todala Tantra, each of the ten Mahavidyas, forms of the supreme Goddess, has her own male counterpart and here Krishna is said to be the spouse of Kali. There are many images of Krishna in India which show him as black. An Indian commentator to the hymn to Kali called Karpuradistotra, goes further and says that there is a connection between the bija mantra of Kali which is Krim, Krishna and Christ. Whatever the truth of that identification, it is certain that to many ordinary folk in India, Krishna and Christ do have a resonance. Often you will see contemporary images of Krishna and Christ together in the inside of houses. Krishna (and his tantrika counterpart Kameshvara) are moved by love (prem).

Nag Nathaiya

On the fourth day of the Hindu month of Kartik, Nag Nathaiya is celebrated. This is popular in UP and Bihar, more so in UP.

Bhai Dooj was the second day, so leave a day from then, and the day after is Nag Nathaiya.

Not sure if the ISKCON people celebrate this or not, but this is related to an antic of Krishna.

When the Kaliya the snake was poisoning the waters of Yamuna, Krishna got on top of the hood of Kaliya, and danced. This is the celebration of Nag Nathaiya.

This also indicates it is time for Chhath puja, a very prominent festival among people in Bihar and Jharkhand.

Killing of Narakasura - Kalika Puran

There is a version of the killing of Narakasura which is detailed in the Kalika Purana. Kalika Purana talks about Kamakhya, the goddess of Assam. 

It is said that when Vishnu, in his incarnation as the boar, had rescued the earth, a child was born from the union. The time was bad and the child born was destined to be evil. He was born from the earth and was found by King Janaka of Mithila. Janaka brought up the boy. When the boy was sixteen, he was taken to Pragjyotishpur where the presiding deity, Kamakhya (picture below) was worshipped. Shiva secretly lived in that place. 

Naraka was advised to reside in the kingdom and rule justly. He was asked to worship Kamakhya and be kind to all holy saints. He was also told that the day Kamakhya vanished from his land, his death would follow.

Sage Vashishtha used to worship in the Sandhyachal hills that lay in the kingdom of Narakasura. One day, he came to visit the shrine of the Mother Goddess. Naraka was not ken on anyone else worshiping the goddess and  expressed his grudge towards the goddess and prevented the sage from visiting the goddess. Consequently, Sage Vashishtha cursed him that the goddess would no longer stay in his kingdom. Narakasura was no longer favored by the goddess.

 Naraka then , in course of time, attacked and stole the ear rings of Aditi, the mother of the Devas,

One night, Naraka observed Goddess Kamakhya dancing in her temple. He was stunned by the beauty of the Goddess, and losing his senses, he approached her and asked to marry him. She laughed at him and told that it will happen if Naraka constructs temple, tank, and stair case from the foot of Nilachal hill to her place, before the cock crow  He started the task and almost completed it. Vishnu appeared in the form a rooster and started crowing, signifying starting of the day. Naraka became frustrated, and stopped. In the mean while the day really came. Naraka failed to reach the goal and got angry on  Kamakhya. Kamakhya disappeared .

In the meantime, Bhudevi, Naraka's mother, who was pained by the sufferings Naraka was causing, started praying to the Gods for his end. Krishna agreed to end Naraka with the blessings of Kalika.

Sri Krishna went with Satyabhama to kíll Narakasura. In the fight that ensure, with the blessings of Kamakhya, Krishna killed Narakasura. When Krishna was about to kill Naraka, the asura saw Kali standing there, sometimes appearing as Krishna, sometimes as Kamakhya.

Seeing her son fall, Bhudevi appeared before Krishna, lamenting the death of her son. She then handed over the earrings of Aditi, that had been stolen by Naraka, to Krishna. Krishna consoled her, saying she herself had prayed for Naraka's end.


Kamakhya is pictured as a  goddess with twelve arms and six heads of varying colors, representing a powerful goddess who is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. She is ornately dressed, typically wearing a red sari.

She holds in each of her ten hands a lotus, trident, sword, bell, discus, bow, arrows, club or scepter, goad, and shield. In of her remaining hands, she holds a bowl, and the other hand is for blessings.

She is seated upon a lotus, which emerges from the navel of Lord Shiva, who in turn lies atop a lion.
To each side of her sit Brahma and Vishnu, who are each seated upon a lotus, as well.

Satyabhama - killer of Narakasura - another version - Celebration of Naraka Chaturdashi

While Bhagwad Purana talks about Krishna killing Narakasura, there are other versions from other scriptures. Krishna is present in all of them.

A folk tale tells of Satyabhama taking a form of the Mother Goddess and killing Naraka. As per the folk tale, Naraka had a boon, that he could be killed only by his mother.

Later when he became proud and arrogant, Bhu Devi (Earth) reborn as Satyambhama, killed Naraka while she had accompanied Krishna.

In the war Satyabhama fought with Narakasura valiantly but he was more skillful. After a few days Narakasura got a chance to hurt Krishna. Krishna fainted as per the predestined divinely plan made with Satyabhama. When Satyabhama saw Narakasura attacking Krishna then she got furious.

She doubledher strength and attacked the demon king Narakasura and finally. Before Narakasura`s death, he requested a boon from his mother, Satyabhama that everyone should celebrate his death with colourful lights. Accordingly this day is celebrated as the first day of Diwali or Naraka Chaturdashi.