Birth of Parikshith
The embryo, growing in the womb of Uttara,
saw a sharp arrow let off by Aswatthama (Drona's son) flying towards him,
emitting sparks of fury and terror, bent on his destruction. But, at that very
moment, he also saw a Person of Brilliant Charm armed with a Terrific Wheel,
breaking that death-dealing arrow into a hundred pieces. The royal fetus was
filled with wonder and gratitude.
The fetus pondered deeply on the identity of the savior. "Who is he? He
must be dwelling with me in this womb. Otherwise, how could he see the arrow at
the very moment I saw it? He has a dexterous skill that he could destroy it
before it reached me. Can he be my uterine brother? How could he get hold of
that wheel? If he is endowed with a wheel, how did I miss having it? No, he is
not a mortal. He is Divine." Thus he grew in the womb, contemplating on that
Form. At the end of the period of gestation, he was born into the world
with strange splendor. The child too was very bright; it seemed to watch the
lineaments of everyone who fondled it or came before it. It stared into their
faces very longingly and lovingly. All were surprised at this strange behavior.
Every person who came to it was subjected to this searching examination by the
child who seemed determined to trace someone or something, in the world into
which it was born. The fact remained that the child was examining all, for some
trait or sign which it knew already, and recognize the Form it had in mind.
"Pariksha" was the word used by every one for the "quest"
the child was engaged in. So, even before the formal naming ceremony, everyone
was referring to the child as Parikshith (the one who is enagaged in Pariksha)
and the name stayed.
The child was
growing bigger every day and Subhadra (Krishna's sister) and Uttara were
rejoicing watching the frolics of the child. Meanwhile, Yudhistra (Dharama
Raja) consulted the court priest and set an auspicious day for the naming
ceremony of the child. Invitations were sent to Kings, Rulers, Scholars,
Pundits and prominent citizens. Arjuna went to Sri Krishna and reverentially
prayed that He should shower His grace on the child on this occasion. He
succeeded in bringing Krishna along when he returned. Sahadeva (one of the
Pandavas) a took the child and placed it on a bed of flowers in the Mantap that
was erected for the naming ceremony. But, the child rose on all fours and
started crawling bravely in spite of the remonstrance of the maids. Apparently,
the child wanted to proceed somewhere!
The efforts of Sahadeva to stop its journey proved futile. Yudhistra, who was
observing its movements with interest said with a smile, "Sahadeva! Do not
stand in the way. Leave him alone. Let us see what he does". The child
soon made a bee-line towards the place where Lord Krishna was seated, as if He
was a long acquaintance whom he was longing to meet. The child grasped the feet
of Krishna and pleaded by his looks, that he may be taken on the lap and
fondled.
Lord Krishna saw his yearning. He laughed aloud! He graciously bent low and
lifted the child on to His lap. Sitting on His lap, the prince was staring at
the Lord's face without even a wink; he did not turn his head this way or that.
He just sat and stared. Everyone was amazed at this behavior, so unlike that of
a child. Sri Krishna turned to Yudhistra and said, "This fellow has started
examining even Me! Well, I must test his behavior a little". Then the Lord
tried to distract the attention of the child by placing a variety of toys in
front of him and hiding Himself from the view. But, his attention was not drawn
towards any object. He had his eyes fixed inexorably on the Lord and he was
seeking the Lord always! Krishna declared, "This is no ordinary child. So,
Parikshith is the most appropriate name for him". At this point, the
Brahmins recited relevant passages from the Vedas and women sang auspicious
songs. The family preceptor dipped a Navaratna (nine-gem) jewel in honey and
wrote the name on the tongue of the child and the naming ceremony came to a
happy end.
Krishna stayed with the Pandavas for several months after the ceremony. The
Pandavas enjoyed the intimacy with Krishna and benefited immensely from the
Lord's teachings every day. Finally, Krishna decided to go back to Dwaraka.
Arjuna also decided to go with Krishna to Dwaraka to give Him company during
the long journey, assure His safety and then return to Hastinapura. But, Arjuna
does not return to Hastinapura for a very long time!
Please wait for the next installment till tomorrow!
Jai Sairam
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