Post by jksivan on Aug 19, 2013 22:08:26 GMT 5.5
Dear Children
59 “ The archery competition“
Dhurupadh was a powerful king of the kingdom of Panchal. That particular day was a special day of grand occasion for his family and for the people of his kingdom. Everything and everyone wore a festive look . The streets were busy with movement of numerous chariots and horse drawn carriages and all the places were crowded mostly with the visitors to the kingdom, their men, the elephants, camels, and horses they brought with them. Instruments played music continuously for the last two days. Almost all the streets were covered to shelter people from all over to stay and enjoy different foods and entertainments. What is the reason?
King Dhurupadh’s daughter is going to be wed that day. It is not going to be any ordinary wedding celebration known to everyone. There is going to be an assembly of princes and kings from various kingdoms and provinces, regions etc., who will all be welll known archers and specialists in wielding bow and arrow, to participate in the competition organised by the king. Whoever wins the special competition organised for the occasion, will be the champion and he will also be rewarded with the matchless prize of marrying Draupadhi, the king’s only most beautiful daughter.
There were plenty of eatables everywhere for anyone to take as much as he liked and consume. But none of the spectators were interested in the food items. They all were too busy in trying to secure a place to sit and watch the special archery contest.
Everyone’s eye was glued to the tall post at the top of which was a rotating disc fixed with a small wooden fish in movement. Down below the post, was a pond, of clean water, reflecting the image of the moving fish above. The person contesting in this competition has to aim his arrow to dislodge the moving fish inside the rotating disc within the limited attempts without his arrow touching the disc.. The competing archer has to positively prove his mastery and expertise in aiming accurately at the target with perfect timing within the attempts permitted by looking through the reflection down below. The disc with the wooden fish was named “mathsyendram” and the winner in this contest is ultimately to be the husband of Draupathi.
Everyone was eagerly waiting to know who will be the successful candidate to win the hands of Draupathi by dislodging the wooden fish. They all know it will not be easy and the contest is only meant for exceptionally skilled and good archers.
Krishnan along with Balaraman had already arrived and was seated in the front row of spectators. The contest was to start any moment.
Krishna was discussing something seriously with Balaram but his eyes wandered here and there. Whom is he searching from among the huge crowd of spectators? Is he expecting any one specially? Who knows? Balaraman also noticed Krishna’s distraction. Knowing Krishna too well he did not attach any thing special to Krishna’s actions.
There was a big noise coming from a bell sounded by the King’s representative announcing the commencement of the contest. A responsible minister came before the audience and loudly announced the rules and regulations for participating candidates.
Names of all the princes and kings who showed interest in participation of the contest to marry Draupathi were all announced clearly and loudly. Draupathi along with the queens was seated in the balcony overlooking the arena where the contest was being held and the matsyendriyam was clearly visible from where they were positioned.
There was a commotion at a corner from among the spectators. A few Brahmins were entering hurriedly, to find a place in the earlier rows to be seated and they had to struggle to gain their passage.
Many of the spectators smiled and wondered what these Brahmins were doing there in the arena, and what have they to do with this contest! All of them were young people, wearing the traditional way of waist and upper clothes, with rudraksha (beads) n their necks. They tied the hair in a knot in the normal fashion the Brahmins used to tie, and were presenting themselves, with ashes smeared all over their foreheads, hands, chest etc.,
They looked different in comparison with the kings and princes assembled there and |Krishna smiled on seeing them. Krishna seemed to have relaxed on seeing the intruders and turned his attention to the arena.
People laughed and clapped their hands when princes one after the other proceeded to the dais where the Mathsyendram was fixed, tried their luck and failed. |It was funny for others to see the failing and disappointed princes and their discomfiture.
Many were eager to watch very famous archers assembled there and to guess which of them would be the luckiest, but unfortunately Karna too failed in his effort. Sisupala a well known warriror and experienced archer too failed. Now Durupathan was becoming restless and uneasy as he was afraid no one is going to perform satisfactorily and be worthy to marry his daughter because of the tough contest he introduced. He was wondering what is going to happen. He began sweating and was nervous as almost all the contestants who participated had failed one by one. The fish was still rotating up inside the disc on top of the post.
The Brahmins were also very eagerly observing the contest and were restless. There was an announcement from the King’s dais. “Is there anyone else interested to prove his skill and win the contest. He can now walk straight to the arena’’
One of the Brahmins was restless and he looked at the other sitting by his side, who was a bit older than him. The older Brahmin looked at the young man next to him nodding his head.
The younger Brahmin stood up and was noticed by the King’s representative.
‘’Who are you there, standing up. Sit down”’
The youth stood firmly and raised his hand indicating his interest in participation of the contest.
The King was angry at some stupid Brahmin youth disturbing the program. He looked at his son Dhrishtadhyumna. The prince got up and asked the youth “’what do you want?
“’I wish to participate in the contest’’
‘’Sit down, you must be a joker” laughed the prince.
“’I am serious. Don’t laugh!’’
Drishtadhyumna looked at Krishna at the front row who nodded his head to accept the invitation.
‘’I don’t want to disappoint you because you will be yourself disappointed, so you may come and try your luck which is very remote” laughed Dhrishtadhyumna at the Brahmin youth inviting him to Mathsyendram stage to try his luck.
Amidst bickering, disapproval, laughter and joking, the Brahmin youth walked straight to the arena, looked for a minute with utmost concentration at the mathsyendram, circled the post and bowed to the audience, closed his eyes and prayed and looked at the other Brahmins and those at the first row before him bowing to Krishna with reverence and lifted the bow , tried its fitness, and tested its tight sting and weighed the arrows given to him, through them down, selecting only one arrow.
He once again looked at Krishna who was observing him, seated at the edge of his chair, looked at the reflection below in still clear water, judged the speed and the timing of the movement of the fish to complete a circle. Within fraction of a seond he aimed at the moving fish rotating inside the disc through its reflection in the water below and released the arrow at the right time.
What a wonderful feat he exhibited. The arrow in a split second hit the bull's eye, entered the body of the fish dislodging it from the disc without touching the disc in any place, or the post and fell down with the fish stuck to it.
The ovation of the crowd was for long and is beyond my ability to describe. King Drupadh and Dhristhtadhyuman were surprised and shocked at the marvellous feat of the Brahmin youth, just using a single arrow in his very first attempt to dislodge the mathsyendram.
The King ran to him and embraced the youth appreciating his valour and expertise in archery. Draupathi was taken aback by the effortless handling of the bow and arrow by the youth and swallowed him with her eyes in appreciation.
Dhuryodhan was as usual suspicious and asked Karna, seated by his side, “’Could this fellow be Arjun in disguise?” Karna laughed and replied you are always nightmarish about Arjun and everyone looks like him to you, why?””
“’I still suspect the youth to be Arjun,”
“No see there, there are only 3 sitting there like this fellow, Normally Pandavas don’t go anywhere with anyone of them missing. This fellow must be a lucky fellow and it could be a strange coincidence and fluke, who knows”?” said Karna.
“’Krishna what is your opinion”’ asked Drupadh, the king.
“Possibly the Brahmin boy learnt archery out of interest and mastered the art. We should appreciate it. You know of Drona and Krupa the Brahmins who are masters in archery’’ replied Krishna.
Drupatha was satisfied with Krishna's explanation.
When Krishna hurriedly left the arena, others too disbursed. Krishna looked at Balaram who was staring at him and the youth but Krishna smiled at him and nodded his head as if to approve what was working in the mind of Balaram and took him away.
When Arjuna, the Brahmin youth, the master of archery, was looking at Krishna in the first row, before lifting the bow and touching the arrows, he was only praying for Krishna’s blessing. He observed Krishna raising his right palm to bless him.
My dear children, Krishna is someone sweeter than anything sweet on earth and all that you need to do is only to think of Him to know Him, and you will experience Him.
59 “ The archery competition“
Dhurupadh was a powerful king of the kingdom of Panchal. That particular day was a special day of grand occasion for his family and for the people of his kingdom. Everything and everyone wore a festive look . The streets were busy with movement of numerous chariots and horse drawn carriages and all the places were crowded mostly with the visitors to the kingdom, their men, the elephants, camels, and horses they brought with them. Instruments played music continuously for the last two days. Almost all the streets were covered to shelter people from all over to stay and enjoy different foods and entertainments. What is the reason?
King Dhurupadh’s daughter is going to be wed that day. It is not going to be any ordinary wedding celebration known to everyone. There is going to be an assembly of princes and kings from various kingdoms and provinces, regions etc., who will all be welll known archers and specialists in wielding bow and arrow, to participate in the competition organised by the king. Whoever wins the special competition organised for the occasion, will be the champion and he will also be rewarded with the matchless prize of marrying Draupadhi, the king’s only most beautiful daughter.
There were plenty of eatables everywhere for anyone to take as much as he liked and consume. But none of the spectators were interested in the food items. They all were too busy in trying to secure a place to sit and watch the special archery contest.
Everyone’s eye was glued to the tall post at the top of which was a rotating disc fixed with a small wooden fish in movement. Down below the post, was a pond, of clean water, reflecting the image of the moving fish above. The person contesting in this competition has to aim his arrow to dislodge the moving fish inside the rotating disc within the limited attempts without his arrow touching the disc.. The competing archer has to positively prove his mastery and expertise in aiming accurately at the target with perfect timing within the attempts permitted by looking through the reflection down below. The disc with the wooden fish was named “mathsyendram” and the winner in this contest is ultimately to be the husband of Draupathi.
Everyone was eagerly waiting to know who will be the successful candidate to win the hands of Draupathi by dislodging the wooden fish. They all know it will not be easy and the contest is only meant for exceptionally skilled and good archers.
Krishnan along with Balaraman had already arrived and was seated in the front row of spectators. The contest was to start any moment.
Krishna was discussing something seriously with Balaram but his eyes wandered here and there. Whom is he searching from among the huge crowd of spectators? Is he expecting any one specially? Who knows? Balaraman also noticed Krishna’s distraction. Knowing Krishna too well he did not attach any thing special to Krishna’s actions.
There was a big noise coming from a bell sounded by the King’s representative announcing the commencement of the contest. A responsible minister came before the audience and loudly announced the rules and regulations for participating candidates.
Names of all the princes and kings who showed interest in participation of the contest to marry Draupathi were all announced clearly and loudly. Draupathi along with the queens was seated in the balcony overlooking the arena where the contest was being held and the matsyendriyam was clearly visible from where they were positioned.
There was a commotion at a corner from among the spectators. A few Brahmins were entering hurriedly, to find a place in the earlier rows to be seated and they had to struggle to gain their passage.
Many of the spectators smiled and wondered what these Brahmins were doing there in the arena, and what have they to do with this contest! All of them were young people, wearing the traditional way of waist and upper clothes, with rudraksha (beads) n their necks. They tied the hair in a knot in the normal fashion the Brahmins used to tie, and were presenting themselves, with ashes smeared all over their foreheads, hands, chest etc.,
They looked different in comparison with the kings and princes assembled there and |Krishna smiled on seeing them. Krishna seemed to have relaxed on seeing the intruders and turned his attention to the arena.
People laughed and clapped their hands when princes one after the other proceeded to the dais where the Mathsyendram was fixed, tried their luck and failed. |It was funny for others to see the failing and disappointed princes and their discomfiture.
Many were eager to watch very famous archers assembled there and to guess which of them would be the luckiest, but unfortunately Karna too failed in his effort. Sisupala a well known warriror and experienced archer too failed. Now Durupathan was becoming restless and uneasy as he was afraid no one is going to perform satisfactorily and be worthy to marry his daughter because of the tough contest he introduced. He was wondering what is going to happen. He began sweating and was nervous as almost all the contestants who participated had failed one by one. The fish was still rotating up inside the disc on top of the post.
The Brahmins were also very eagerly observing the contest and were restless. There was an announcement from the King’s dais. “Is there anyone else interested to prove his skill and win the contest. He can now walk straight to the arena’’
One of the Brahmins was restless and he looked at the other sitting by his side, who was a bit older than him. The older Brahmin looked at the young man next to him nodding his head.
The younger Brahmin stood up and was noticed by the King’s representative.
‘’Who are you there, standing up. Sit down”’
The youth stood firmly and raised his hand indicating his interest in participation of the contest.
The King was angry at some stupid Brahmin youth disturbing the program. He looked at his son Dhrishtadhyumna. The prince got up and asked the youth “’what do you want?
“’I wish to participate in the contest’’
‘’Sit down, you must be a joker” laughed the prince.
“’I am serious. Don’t laugh!’’
Drishtadhyumna looked at Krishna at the front row who nodded his head to accept the invitation.
‘’I don’t want to disappoint you because you will be yourself disappointed, so you may come and try your luck which is very remote” laughed Dhrishtadhyumna at the Brahmin youth inviting him to Mathsyendram stage to try his luck.
Amidst bickering, disapproval, laughter and joking, the Brahmin youth walked straight to the arena, looked for a minute with utmost concentration at the mathsyendram, circled the post and bowed to the audience, closed his eyes and prayed and looked at the other Brahmins and those at the first row before him bowing to Krishna with reverence and lifted the bow , tried its fitness, and tested its tight sting and weighed the arrows given to him, through them down, selecting only one arrow.
He once again looked at Krishna who was observing him, seated at the edge of his chair, looked at the reflection below in still clear water, judged the speed and the timing of the movement of the fish to complete a circle. Within fraction of a seond he aimed at the moving fish rotating inside the disc through its reflection in the water below and released the arrow at the right time.
What a wonderful feat he exhibited. The arrow in a split second hit the bull's eye, entered the body of the fish dislodging it from the disc without touching the disc in any place, or the post and fell down with the fish stuck to it.
The ovation of the crowd was for long and is beyond my ability to describe. King Drupadh and Dhristhtadhyuman were surprised and shocked at the marvellous feat of the Brahmin youth, just using a single arrow in his very first attempt to dislodge the mathsyendram.
The King ran to him and embraced the youth appreciating his valour and expertise in archery. Draupathi was taken aback by the effortless handling of the bow and arrow by the youth and swallowed him with her eyes in appreciation.
Dhuryodhan was as usual suspicious and asked Karna, seated by his side, “’Could this fellow be Arjun in disguise?” Karna laughed and replied you are always nightmarish about Arjun and everyone looks like him to you, why?””
“’I still suspect the youth to be Arjun,”
“No see there, there are only 3 sitting there like this fellow, Normally Pandavas don’t go anywhere with anyone of them missing. This fellow must be a lucky fellow and it could be a strange coincidence and fluke, who knows”?” said Karna.
“’Krishna what is your opinion”’ asked Drupadh, the king.
“Possibly the Brahmin boy learnt archery out of interest and mastered the art. We should appreciate it. You know of Drona and Krupa the Brahmins who are masters in archery’’ replied Krishna.
Drupatha was satisfied with Krishna's explanation.
When Krishna hurriedly left the arena, others too disbursed. Krishna looked at Balaram who was staring at him and the youth but Krishna smiled at him and nodded his head as if to approve what was working in the mind of Balaram and took him away.
When Arjuna, the Brahmin youth, the master of archery, was looking at Krishna in the first row, before lifting the bow and touching the arrows, he was only praying for Krishna’s blessing. He observed Krishna raising his right palm to bless him.
My dear children, Krishna is someone sweeter than anything sweet on earth and all that you need to do is only to think of Him to know Him, and you will experience Him.