Section CCLXI - Durvasa's visit to Pandavas: Krishna saves the day
Book index: Mahabharata (English)
This page contains a summary of the Mahabharata Section CCLXI including examples of moral lessons in daily life. The Maha-Bharata is one of the largest epics ever written containing roughly 100,000 Sanskrit verses. It deals with the legendary history of ancient India and contains a large number of interwoven tales.
Short summary of the chapter:
The sage Durvasa, along with his ten thousand disciples, visited the Pandavas in the forest where they were staying. Not knowing how to feed such a large group, Draupadi prayed to Lord Krishna for help, who miraculously appeared and found a small bit of food in Draupadi's vessel. Krishna satisfied his hunger with it and instructed Bhimasena to invite the Munis for dinner. However, the Munis, after performing their ablutions, found themselves mysteriously full and decided to flee in fear of the Pandavas' wrath. Upon learning what had happened, Yudhishthira and his brothers anxiously awaited their arrival, but Krishna, knowing their fear, assured them that the Munis had already fled and that they no longer needed to worry.
The Pandavas, relieved by Krishna's words, expressed their gratitude and bid him farewell as he returned to his capital. With the help of Krishna, they had escaped the wrath of Durvasa and continued to live peacefully in the forest with Draupadi. The Pandavas acknowledged Krishna's divine intervention as a means of saving them from a potentially dangerous situation created by the Munis' unexpected fullness. In the end, they thanked Krishna for his timely help and wished him prosperity as he departed. The story highlights the unwavering faith and devotion of Draupadi and the Pandavas towards Lord Krishna, who always came to their aid in times of need.
Through Draupadi's heartfelt prayer and Krishna's divine presence, the Pandavas were saved from a potentially disastrous confrontation with the wrathful Durvasa and his disciples. Krishna's miraculous ability to satisfy his hunger with a small bit of food demonstrated his divine power and benevolence towards his devoted followers. The Pandavas' trust in Krishna's protection and guidance allowed them to navigate through a challenging situation with ease and confidence. Ultimately, the story emphasizes the importance of faith and surrender to the divine in overcoming obstacles and adversities in life.
The episode also highlights the consequences of anger and arrogance, as seen in Durvasa's hasty departure out of fear of the Pandavas' wrath. Despite being revered as a powerful sage, Durvasa's actions were driven by fear and self-preservation, leading to his eventual retreat. The Pandavas' display of patience and humility in the face of adversity contrasted with Durvasa's impulsive and rash behavior, showcasing the virtues of forgiveness and compassion in resolving conflicts. In essence, the story serves as a moral lesson on the power of faith, humility, and divine intervention in overcoming challenges and adversities.
Full English translation:
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Section CCLXI, online text
English translation by Kisari Mohan Ganguli.
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Mahabharata (English Summary)
by Kisari Mohan Ganguli | ISBN-10: 8121505933
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FAQ of Mahabharata, Section CCLXI:
Who helped Draupadi in providing a feast for the Sage Durvasa?
Lord Krishna helped Draupadi by magically providing a particle of food. He was informed by Draupadi of the arrival of the Munis and their hunger.
Why did the Munis suddenly feel full after performing their ablutions?
The Munis felt full after bathing due to Lord Krishna's magical intervention. When they came out of the stream, they could no longer eat the meal meant for them.
Why did Durvasa advise his disciples to flee without seeing the Pandavas?
Durvasa feared the Pandavas' wrath, as he believed they had the power to consume them with their anger. He instructed his disciples to run away to avoid confrontation.
How did the Pandavas react after learning that the Munis had fled?
The Pandavas were initially worried about the situation but were relieved when Lord Krishna appeared and assured them of the Munis' departure out of fear. They thanked Krishna for his help.
Daily life: Durvasa's visit to Pandavas: Krishna saves the day:
The story of the Pandavas and Krishna illustrates the importance of faith, resourcefulness, and the power of good intentions in overcoming challenges. In our daily lives, we often encounter situations that seem insurmountable, similar to the predicament Draupadi found herself in when faced with the sudden arrival of Sage Durvasa and his ten thousand disciples, expecting hospitality when there was none to offer. The key takeaway is that instead of succumbing to despair, seeking help from a higher power or tapping into our inner strength can provide unexpected solutions. Draupadi’s prayer to Krishna, a representation of divine intervention or inner wisdom, exemplifies the act of reaching out for assistance beyond our immediate means.
Krishna’s response, by merely consuming a grain of rice, and thereby satisfying the hunger of the sages, underscores the notion that solutions to big problems often lie in small, overlooked details. This teaches us to look closely at the resources we have at hand, no matter how insignificant they seem, for they may hold the key to resolving our challenges. Moreover, the story propels the value of hospitality and the virtue of treating guests with honor, even when it seems nearly impossible to do so.
Finally, the fear and subsequent flight of Durvasa and his disciples upon realizing their hunger was satiated, reflect how our anxieties and problems can sometimes dissipate when viewed from a different perspective or when approached with a calm and clear mind. Therefore, in facing life’s difficulties, let us remember the essence of faith, resourcefulness, and perseverance, drawing from the wellspring of our capabilities or seeking guidance to navigate through.