<Prev |  Next>

The Kauravas had lost the battle of 'Mahãbhãrata' against the Pãndavas. The Pãndavas, who were tired due to the war, decided to go on a picnic with Sri Krishna, to relax themselves. Next day, they left for the picnic leaving Draupadi behind. With Krishna's consent, they decided to leave behind their bow, arrow, mace and other weapons too and took only a few food packets along with them.

When they had walked into the forest for about 3 to 4 hours, a hunter came running from no where and said something in the ears of Sri Krishna.

After hearing the news from the hunter, Krishna started contemplating on something deeply. His looked worried and anxious. Krishna apprised Pãndavas that Ashwattãma was coming towards them in a chariot, fully equipped with weapons, to avenge them for killing his father Drona Ãchãrya and his dear friend Duryodana in the Mahãbhãrata war. The Pãndavas were taken aback. They didn't have enough time to go to their camp and get the weapons. They didn't know what to do.

Krishna immediately told them that the Ãshram of Sage Durvãsa was pretty near. Everybody knows about Sage Durvãsa's anger! There are many who have been subjected to his imprecation!

The Pãndavas now went to Sage Durvãsa's Ãshram. Sri Krishna told the sage that Ashwattãma was after the Pãndavas and requested the Sage to give shelter to Pãndavas for a few hours. The Sage, though full of reverence and devotion toward Krishna, said hesitantly, "Oh! Krishna! There is only one room in this Ãshram. There is no appropriate place for the Pãndavas to hide, where will I keep them in hiding? You please tell me what to do."

For which Sri Krishna asked for the seat on which the sage was seated. He then asked Bhima to dig a big pit at that place with enough space for the five Pãndavas to hide. Once that was done, the Pãndavas hid themselves in the pit. Krishna then spread a blanket over the pit to hide it from vision, put the sage's seat over it and asked the sage to sit on it.

Now when Sri Krishna was about to leave the place, the sage stopped him and said, "Please listen to what I have to say before you leave. I will never utter a lie. Since Ashwattãma is a good friend of mine, he will certainly ask me about the Pãndavas. Then I will have to tell him their place of hiding."

Sri Krishna immediately said, "Who asked you to tell a lie? You can always tell the truth. It is just that, when Ashwattãma asks you, tell the truth in the way I tell you". He then said something secretly into the ears of sage and left the place.

After some time Ashwattãma came to the sage's Ãshram. The sage welcomed him joyfully and enquired him of his welfare. After talking for sometime, seeing the sage Durvãsa calm and peaceful, Ashwattãma casually asked, "Oh! Sage! I was coming in search of the Pãndavas. I was following them, when they suddenly disappeared while nearing your Ãshram. Do you have any idea about their track?"

On hearing this, the sage turned crimson with anger and getting up from his seat said angrily, "Yes! I have them hidden under my seat! You can go and catch them." Finding the sage angry Ashwattãma humbly said, "Oh! Sage! I just asked you a question casually. Why are you so angry with me for this? Please forgive me. I shall move away from this place." Saying so, Ashwattãma left the place.

Here, the sage did utter the truth. But Ashwattãma did not believe him. So, the Pãndavas too were saved. So, children! We have to always, at all times utter only the truth. But, in tough situations, we have to either tell the truth in a way by which no one will be affected or should avoid replying. Only then will one not hurt anyone by speaking the truth.

-Courtesy
Stories For Meditation by
Sri Shãntãnanda Puri Swãmiji

<Prev |  Next>

Home • e-MM • Contact

Radhe Krishna