Then,
Krishna asked Charudeshna to sign the alliance treaty with Chekitan and asked him to
co-operate in forming similar treaties with other kings. Krishna was in haste. While
going, he said that they would meet in Nagpradesh and would proceed for Draupadi swayamvar
from there.
Charudeshna said that
Shikhandi had come there. Krishna was surprised. He asked him to go to Panchal but
Shikhandi was scared to do so since he had stayed in the ashram of Drona. Krishna
wrote a letter to Drupad and asked Shikhandi to leave for Panchal.
Then, Krishna left
Charudeshna’s state and proceeded towards Dvarka. After traveling for seven days, he
reached Dvarka in the darkness of dawn. On entering the kingdom, he saw many intoxicated
officials and he instantly understood the sorry state of affairs in the state. A pavilion
was erected on the grounds of a nearby guesthouse. Krishna proceeded towards it. An on
duty sentry was lying drunk. Krishna froze when he entered the first room of the
guesthouse. Balram was lying drunk and a semi clad enchantress clung to his body. Krishna
gasped. He lamented, "With what dreams was Dvarka built ?"
| |
It was nearing daybreak. Worships had begun in temples. Krishna quickly reached Balram’s quarters in the palace. He entered it and saw Revati lying awake on the bed. It looked as if she was awake for the whole night. Krishna said in rage that while she was simply lying there, her wealth was being plundered ! An astonished Revati began to weep profusely. Krishna said that he had witnessed all that she wanted to tell him. Then, he asked her to accompany him. Krishna and Revati advanced towards the guesthouse where Balram was lying. On the way, Krishna asked Revati to keep a check on her feelings and show false affection towards the temptress, who was reclining with Balram. |
After reaching the
guesthouse, Revati calmly awakened Balram. She behaved very respectfully towards the other
lady. Her name was Suvarna. Krishna and Revati brought Balram and Suvarna to the royal
palace.
Suvarna began to wail
after reaching the palace. She said amidst tears that on stepping out of the room she
would be killed. Then she narrated everything saying that Panchjan had lured Balram to
consume alcohol and thus, had appointed Vayuha as the commander. She was also sent by him.
At the time, Vayuha came
out of the blue and said in a false pretense, "Did you summon me?" Vayuha’s
sudden arrival made the matter crystal clear to Krishna. Krishna asked him to go away.
The royal physician
arrived in a few moments and said that Vayuha had told him about the ill health of the
danseuse. He had come to check her health. Then, he made a brief inspection and said that
he would send the medicine. Krishna asked him to send the medicine through Vayuha.
In a short while, Vayuha
came with the medicine. According to Krishna’s prior instruction, Suvarna welcomed
Vayuha with full affection and said that the physician had already given the medicine.
Vayuha was puzzled. Krishna asked for the medicine saying that he wanted to drink it.
Vayuha hesitated. Krishna persistently said, "It is a strength boosting medicine.
What difference does it make whether I consume it or you do it?" Then, Krishna
trapped him in bouts of suspicion and coaxed him to drink it. He did so and proceeded
towards the door. Krishna sternly asked him to halt. Krishna arranged a suitable security
cover on Vayuha so that he would not harm her. And left Vayuha with Suvarna. Then, he and
Revati went to the adjoining room.
After sometime, Krishna rushed to
Suvarna’s room on hearing her screams. He saw that two security officials had caught
Vayuha. Vayuha had tried to strangulate Suvarna. Krishna sent Vayuha to the prison and
reached Rukmini’s royal residence. |
