Monday, April 27, 2015

A-Z April Challenge 2015: W for WISE SAHADEVA

W for Wise Sahadeva
Google Images
The council met late in the night before the Kurukshetra war began. There was Sri Krishna, Yudhisthira, Bheema, Arjuna, Nakula, Sahadeva along with the many sons of the Pandavas. A discussion came up – was there a way to stop the war with the Kauravas?

One person suggested, “The war can be stopped if Draupadi’s hair is shorn off.”

Another said, “If Bheema’s gada is shattered, there will be no fight.”

A third one said, “If Arjuna’s gandiva is broken, there will be no war.”

That’s when Sahadeva got up to give his opinion. He was a wise soul and a man of few words. So whenever he spoke, all tended to remain quiet and listen well.

“The only way to stop the war with our cousins,” Sahadeva smiled as he turned to look at Sri Krishna, “is if Krishna is tied up. He’s the cause of all this. If he’s bound, all this will come to a stop.”

All those present were shocked. Tie up Krishna? Was such a thing possible? Was something wrong with Sahadeva? How could he make such a suggestion?

A soft smile broke out on Sri Krishna’s lips as he looked at Sahadeva with great affection. “How do you think that’s going to happen, Sahadeva? Is there a person born who can tie me up?”

His brothers did their best to stop Sahadeva from saying anything, but in vain. Unperturbed, Sahadeva looked Krishna deeply in the eye as he said, “I will do it, Krishna.”

Sri Krishna got up from his seat, stood in the middle of the conference hall as he began to grow in size, the tip of his crown touching the rafters. Everyone in the hall stood up, awed as they watched Sri Krishna’s Vishwaroopa, their jaws dropping as their hands automatically came together in worship.

But Sahadeva was unshaken. He also had his hands together as he uttered a shloka to propitiate the lord, as he knew full well that it was Lord Mahavishnu who was born as Krishna. Sri Krishna just shrank back in size and he was tightly bound with ropes, as he stood in front of the praying Sahadeva.

Sri Krishna’s smile never disappeared as he blessed the youngest Pandava prince. The lord was but playing a game to show the world the devotion Sahadeva had for his God.

Glossary:

Gadha – mace
Gandiva – a special bow belonging to Arjuna
Vishwaroopa – a special darshan of Lord Mahavishnu in full form
Shloka – prayer



Check out some of my favourite bloggers who are also participating in A-Z April Challenge 2015

Eloquent Articulation by Inderpreet Kaur Uppal
I Luv Fiction by Ruchi Singh

28 comments:

  1. It is said Sahadeva had the power to see the future but was unable to tell anyone and he was wise. But I had not heard of this story. Must've been quite a sight to see Lord Krishna's Vishwaroopa. Enjoyed your post.
    Suzy at Someday Somewhere

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    1. Truly! Thank you Suzy! I was lucky that I got to listen to a person telling the story of Mahabharata in a temple near our home when I was in my teens. Those were the golden days of no TV. It was a wonderful opportunity to listen to his tale late into the night as it ran for about 45 nights. I heard this story from him and was truly fascinated :)

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  2. This is a story that I'd almost forgotten. Thanks for refreshing my memory, Sundari :)

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  3. Fascinating story. There's so less written about Sahadeva. A pleasure to read this :)

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  4. The tale I knew about Sahadev was his blessing to be a great astrologer..he knew everything but was bound by a vow never to reveal the future. This is a lovely little known tale!

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    1. Yeah, I have heard of that too. And yes, not many people know this one :)

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  5. You have a great talent for mythology. Love your tales and narration.
    read my posts at http://www.poojasharmarao.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you so much Pooja. Glad you think so. Will surely check your posts :)

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  6. Oh I thought I knew the entire Mahabharatha, this was so entertaining!!

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    1. Thank you Ruchi :) I don't think even Rajaji knew the entire Mahabharata. There are too many little tales within tales. And that's why I love it - it's always a journey of discovery and learning :D

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  7. Just when I think I know almost everything surrounding Mahabharata, a new little snippet surprises me. That is the most exciting part. The continual discovery.
    *Shantala @ ShanayaTales*

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    1. Yeah, absolutely! Thank you Shanaya. and I am glad I brought you a tale that you haven't heard before :)

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  8. Love the narration. It's compelling. Krishna's words rings true and nobody can tie us if we want to make effort to achieve our goals:0

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  9. Sheer fascination indeed! I love the importance you have given to all the Pandavas via your posts :)

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    1. Thank you Soumya! Yeah, I am glad I could do it too :D

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  10. For the first time I get to know something about Sahadeva and what a fascinating tale it was. I wish I knew more stories around Nakul and Sahadeva , they seem so much like mere props in the myth.

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    1. I am glad to hear that Ahana! and thank you :) Yeah, there's not much about the twins in Mahabharata. Probably if we delve very deeply, we might find a few tales. I heard this in a lecture at a temple a few decades ago.

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  11. Krishna and his leela :D There are so many of these little incidences that I am learning from your posts :) Beautiful narration.

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  12. Fascinating and interesting! Was not aware of this side of Sahadev!

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    1. Thank you Shilpa! Glad to bring some more new stuff to you from our mythology :D

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  13. A beautiful story of devotion :-)

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