CHINNA KATHA FROM BHAGAVAN’S DISCOURSE. No. 47.

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47 - Remember Him

 

The Pandavas during the time of their exile once walked into the forest

of Romarishi. Romarishi was a sage whose body was covered with hair and

his beard was so long that it spread like a carpet into the entire area

of the forest.

 

There was a sacred tree in that forest yielding a very special type of

fruit which, once tasted by a person, would relieve him of hunger and

thirst for years and years. But the fruit was not to be plucked; it was

to be eaten only when it fell down on its own.

 

One day Dharmaraja and Draupadi chanced to come near the tree. Draupadi

was very much tempted to taste that luscious big fruit hanging from the

tree. She said: " Can we not take that fruit? We can all share it. "

Dharmaraja shot an arrow and the fruit fell on the ground. He went to

take the fruit with his hand. It was so heavy that he could not move it.

Dharmaraja tried to lift it with all his strength using both his hands

but he could not lift it. Draupadi also tried but in vain. In the

meantime, Arjuna arrived at that place. He tried to lift the fruit but

could not succeed. All the three tried to lift the fruit but it would

not move. The two younger brothers came and tried to lift the fruit but

they too could not succeed.

 

Finally came the mighty hero, Bhima. He asked the others to keep away

and said: " I will lift it. But even Bhima failed. "

 

Meanwhile the hair of Romarishi which had spread all over the area,

began to stir because when these six people were trampling about to lift

the fruit, the strands of hair were being trodden and pulled. He

realised that some one must be trying to steal the fruit. He had become

furious. His long hairs started coming together and coiling round the

Pandavas to tie them up.

 

Draupadi realised the danger and immediately prayed to Lord Krishna.

Krishna appeared before them. Draupadi fell at his feet and prayed to

Him for help. Krishna said: " Sister, I am helpless. Romarishi is a great

sage. I reside in his heart. How can I do anything against the wishes of

my devotees? " Draupadi once again pleaded: " You alone can save us; you

can do anything if you wish to. " Krishna said: " I will help you, but all

of you should be totally silent whatever may be the situation and do

exactly as I tell you. " Draupadi and Pandavas promised to obey his

orders. Krishna went towards Romarishi's ashram and instructed them to

follow him after sometime.

 

In the meantime, Romarishi was so much enraged that he had actually

started to walk towards the tree to curse the poachers. Just then

Krishna entered the ashram. Romarishi fell at the Lotus Feet of the

Lord. He was overjoyed to see Him. He said, " How fortunate am I to have

you as my guest. Oh Lord! What can I do for you? " Krishna engaged him in

discussing certain spiritual matters till the Pandavas arrived.

 

As soon as the Pandavas along with Draupadi reached the ashram, Krishna

hurried towards them and fell at their feet. The Pandavas were feeling

embarrassed but remembering the Lord's command, kept quiet. Seeing

Krishna fall at the feet of the Pandavas, Romarishi also fell at the

feet of those visitors. Then Krishna asked them to come into the ashram.

He introduced them to Romarishi. He praised the virtuous Dharmaraja,

valiant Arjuna and Bhima and the intelligent Nakula and Sahadeva, and

above all, the devout Draupadi. Romarishi by that time totally forgot

about the fruit and the poachers. Krishna informed Romarishi that the

Pandavas were the people who were tempted to taste the fruit being

unaware of the unique nature of the fruit. Romarishi desired to please

those who could please the Lord Himself. He said: " Let them take the

fruit. I would like them to have it. " By eating the fruit the Pandavas

were able to live without hunger for a long time.

 

It is difficult to understand the ways of the Divine. All that we can do

is to always remember Him with love and pray with faith for His

matchless grace.