Akshaya Paathra episode of MahaBharatha -What message does it convey?
Depicted picture used to appear as one of the cover photos for olden times popular children's magazine Chandamama;
What message does it convey?
Scenario behind...
(Paandava Vanavaasa)
Pandavas followed their VarnaAshrama dharma and Raja dharma (Kshatriya dharma) to take care of the people who followed them,
With Bhagawad (Sri Krishna) prerana, Dhoumya Rushi upadesha to DharmaRaja to pray Sun God (Surya Narayana)
Pleased with prayers, Sun God presenting Akshaya Paatra. It will provide food for crores of people till the Paatra is cleaned/retired for the day by Draupadi Devi.
Upset & jealous with the bhaagya of Pandavas even in their exile, Duryodhana invokes (trick) the help of Durvaasa Muni to go to Pandavas and ask for bhojana after Draupadi DEvi finished her meals.
Depicted representative image we come across in MahaBharata Vanaparva in the episode of Durvasi Muni visiting along with his sishya parviavara at the instance of Duryodhana for testing Pandavas after they had finished their meals during Vanavaasa and Lord Sri Krishna coming to their rescue as per Pandavas' prayer/request.
Lord Sri Krishna picks up a green leaf (Agastya patra) from Akshaya PaAtra and eats it and expresses His satisfaction of Pandavas' Aathithya that leads to complete fullness of stomach to Durvasa Muni and his followers.
What is the philosophy behind and anusandhana?
Bhagavantha is Bhaktavatsala, Aapatbhaandava,
Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah
(Yudhishtira followed VarnaAshrama Dharma, Kshatriya Dharma, Athithi Dharma...)
Sri Krishna Paramaatma was an Athithi, Pandavas at that moment could offer Him only a leaf (Pathra). But, Lord gets fully satisfied with their Aathitya. How?
पत्रं पुष्पं फलं तोयं यो मे भक्त्या प्रयच्छति।
तदहं भक्त्युपहृतमश्नामि प्रयतात्मनः।।9.26।।
'Patram pushpam phalam toyam yo me bhaktya prayacchati
(Bhagawadgita - 9th Canto - sloka # 26)
Meaning...
That means whoever offers Me with devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water, that I accept, offered with pure-mind and devotion.
It is not the intricacies of their design, elaborateness of the ritual, nor the splendour of gold and wealth exhibited, nor even the number of devotees attending, that contribute to their essential success. Ultimately it is the sincerity and devotion (Bhakti) that counts in divine worship.
Be it "a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water” it is but an insignificant thing that you offer; be it a golden temple, or be it a dry leaf, "whosoever with devotion offers" whatever be the offering, Lord Sri Krishna assures "THAT I ACCEPT."
Omnipresence of the Lord is re-established. How?
eko vishhNur-mahadbhuutaM
pRithag-bhuutaanyanekashaH!
Trii.nlokaan-vyaapya bhuutaatmaa
Ancient scripts declare God as “Eko VisHnu MaHadbHutah" There is only one gigantic (mega) presence in the universe & that is Lord Vishnu who is there everywhere.
Matchless & unparalleled in excellence Vishnu is the primordial supreme God, the mega spirit, the one who pervades the many, various & different objects of 3 worlds of souls. Entire Universe comprising of living beings, non living things etc. has emanated from Him only.
He is the one who grasps all movable & immovable objects in the universe towards Him at the time of great deluge destroying them while He (Vishnu) remaining composed/untainted; He is the one who has infinite number of forms, dwells in the entire Universe; invincible & He is AcHyutA.
if He eats, entire beings in the Universe will get satisfaction.
Bhagavantha Vishnu is present every where, in every human, in every soul as Bimba, and as such is present in Durvasa Muni and his parivaara too.
What Bimba does that only JEEVA as Pratibimba does. Without Bimba doing any action nothing happens,
When Sri Krishna ate the leaf, the Sri Krishna present in Durvasa & co, also ate it and expressed fully bloated stomach (feeling of satisfaction).
He is “AnNam-AnNaAda eva cha”
Annam is the vital/basic sustenance & characteristic of mortal life. All beings are born out of Vishnu who is creator of the Universe. As such He becomes the vital life force (AnNam); the giver/one who grants food & sustaining power for all beings.
AnNaadah… He (Vishnu) is not only the giver of food but also the one who consumes the food as well as swallows (Vishvabhug) the entire beings (whole world) at the time of annihilation (Maha Pralaya) as His food. Hence, Lord Vishnu is adored as "AnNam-AnNaAda Eva Cha"
Ananya Bhakti of Pandavas...
ananyaAshchintayanto maAm yE janaaHaa paryupaAsate |
tEshaAm nityaAbhiyuktaAnaam yogakshEmam vahaAmyaHam ||
(Bhagawadgita 9th Canto sloka # 22)
What is Ananya Bhakti?
Ananya means 'no' anya, single minded devotion (emphasis on Ananya Bhakti), exclusive devotion/faith towards the Supreme God who is > Hari Sarvottama;
the One Who has saved Ambarish, Draupadi, Pandavas, Gajendra, Prahlada etc. etc...
is giving an assurance, openly proclaiming that, He would take care of their welfare (Yoga/KshEma);
In whatever name one may call, Rama, Krishna, Narasimha, Venkateswara.... He is VISHNU the Supreme God Hari SArvottama.
What is the moral from this episode?
Never-ever do dosha chintana, samsaya of Bhagawan Vishnu, his qualities/attributes, symbolism, avatharas, capacity, merits, leela, sarvottamatva/supremacy; Such devotion only which is devoid of all these is declared as real devotion.
Avoid sajjana haani, hatred/jealousy against the devotees of Supreme God Vishnu to avoid suffering in life; complete misery resulting from such hatred stays eternally;
Duryodhana was ignorant/blind-folded that Sri Krishna is Hari SArvottama, wanted to play a trick on Sajaanas/Saattvikas Pandavas, did abhichara and ultimately paid a big penalty by losing on all such activities/occasions.
As long as the vow is to perform a sacred and pious act for HARI PREETI; it would definitely yield positive results and would bring pleasing rewards.
Sri KrushnaArpanamasthu
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