Dusshera and the Story of Arjun

Everyone (Indian, mostly) knows that the Dusshera is the 10th day after the festival of Nine Nights (NavRatri) celebrated widely across India in one form or another. Dusshera is also known as Vijaya Dashami (the tenth day, the day of Victory). This is the day when Lord Ram won his battle over the King Ravan –

Lord Ram at War with ten-headed king Ravan

also, the day when Goddess Durga slew the demon that was harassing the heavens and the earth.

Goddess Durga Slaying the Demon Mahishasur

Image source: http://we-indians.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/dasara-dussehra-2009-300×225.jpg

There is one more story associated with Dusshera and I believe it is something that the young people can relate to more easily, because the victory of the good over the evil is an idea everyone accepts, but it is a little too abstract for me.

OK, so here the story goes. It is from the Mahabharat (one of the two epics, the other being Ramayan). The five brothers – the Pandavs had been sent away from their kingdom for a 12-year Vanvas – a term under the strict condition of anonymity in its 12th year. It was agreed that if they were recognised as Pandavs, they would have to start the term all over again. Hence, even if they could stay in the cities, it would make more sense for them to live in remote places and wilderness – after all, who would not recognise the famous five brothers?

Once upon a time during this Vanvas, as the 12th year approached its completion, the Pandavs came near the city of Viratnagar. The Pandavs were Kshatriyas (the ruling class of warriors) and also accomplished in the use of weapons. In fact, Bhim was unparalleled master in wielding the Gada, and Arjun was the best Banavali – the archer who never lost. Sahadev and Nakul – the youngest were expert horsemen and knew recognition and training of horses like no one else. If the five went into the city with these weapons and implements, they would doubtlessly be recognised. So they bundled up their stuff and put it high up on a very old Khijdo tree. As a popular belief went, Khijdo is a usual place where the spirits that have not found their peaceful rest, hang out.

Now the Pandavs entered the city and went to the King Virat. They had all changed their clothing and names, so when they narrated their skills to the king, the king soon hired them for various jobs: Yudhishtheer the eldest became the counsel to the king, Arjun became a hermaphrodite and taught dancing to the princesses, Bhim became the cook, Sahdev-Nakul took charge of the king’s steeds and Draupadi became the hairdresser to the queen.

As per the Indian style of story-telling, there are tales within the tale. There is a story behind why Arjun became a ‘woman’ and chose dancing. We will take that up some other time. But it seems that if he offered his services as an archer, he would be recognised the moment he used his bow called the Gandiv, which had the divine blessing and made a distinctive sound when its thread was put on both its ends. If one saw Arjun wield it and shoot at the target, there would be no mistaking his identity. Same was the case with Bhim and his use of Gada.

Thus, the brothers and Draupadi started their sojourn at Virat Nagri. This choice of the city was interesting, too. This small kingdom of Virat shared its border with the Kingdom on which the Pandavs had a claim, which was contested by their cousins – the Kauravs.

One day it so happened, that Arjun, who assumed the name Bruhannala was in the dance school teaching the princess Uttara. Suddenly there was a clamour and uproar, the queen was agitated. Arjun found that the Kauravs were forcing the herd of cows belonging to Virat, to cross the border into their state. In those days, it was common for the mighty to harass the relatively smaller kings and headmen in this way so that without a war, either some exchange could be worked out, or if no resistance is offered, resources could be gained.

That day was troublesome for the queen because the King was out of the town for some work. So, the young, inexperienced Prince Uttar as the second-in-line was expected to go for the fight. This was a matter of honor because there was hardly any greater insult to the Kshatriyas who could not protect their women and resources from an enemy. However, Uttar was a prince raised in protection and had no skills that a warrior has – much less the ability to lead his army. One needed both very badly if one was to face the Kaurav stalwarts including Guru Dron, Grandfather (Pitaamah) Bhishma and the master charioteer (Mahaarathi) Karna. So, Uttar, who apparently could not admit his fear to his mother – a woman, was preparing to go to the fight and his mother the queen Sudeshna was begging him not to go. As the queen begged more, Uttar was compelled more to declare how valiantly he would fight and how his victory over those thieves was certain. Hearing this, the princess Uttara jokingly asked her brother to take off the silk clothing of the Kauravas so that she could make her dolls’ clothes out of them. Kauravs were very effluent and could afford the kind of silk very few would get to see.

Now, Arjun had an obligation not to back off from a war cry.  Additionally, he was then an employee of that kingdom, and obligated to serve the employer’s interest – especially in the absence of the master. So, he soothed the queen saying that he had served the Pandav princes and he could be of help as a charioteer and an assistant to the fighting king. He also said that while he was alive, he would not let any harm befall the prince. Thus, reluctantly the queen let them go for rescuing their cows.

Now the first task for Arjun was to retrieve his Gandiv, and the arrows. He also had been gifted with Akshay Bhatho – a divine quiver that never runs out of bows. How did Arjun come to be gifted thus? Another story – another time 🙂

So – Arjun quickly took his chariot to the Khijdo tree and retrieved the weapons. Many of the weapons were divine, and it was necessary to first clean them and perform a puja in order to invoke their superlative, divine powers. As Arjun did this, the prince was awe-struck and became even shakier. So, as Arjun started loading his stuff into the chariot, the prince Uttar started to escape. Arjun grabbed him, put him at the back of the chariot and introduced himself. He asked the prince to run the chariot for him and assured him that he alone was sufficient to defeat the Kauravs. Uttar stared wide-eyed at this, because no one had claimed such mastery so confidently yet matter-of-factly before. And he was now having the rare honor of seeing one of the most famous and fabled Pandavs before him, dressed as a woman, supposed to be in 12-year hiding.

The duo soon pursued the Kauravs. Kauravs, knowing that Virat was away and also knowing that in his absence there was no one to offer any resistance, were also little relaxed in returning. Hence, when Arjun challenged them to stay and give them a fight, they were surprised. When they sensed that their challenger was a woman, they mockingly advised her to return since  no Kshatriya would fight with a woman. Arjun replied that not respond to this invitation would be a mistake. Before the Kauravs could act, an arrow each was shot at the feet of the Guru Dron, Acharya (Principal) Krup and Grandfather Bhishma. These were elders whom Arjun respected, and he could not have fought against, let alone assaulted anyone of them without their prior permission. (Such were the ethos of the warriors in those times!) The elders also shot arrows that passed over the head of Arjun, indicating that they had they had recognised their beloved disciple, or grandson , and had their blessings for him – and thus, the permission to fight.

The fight began, but the archer Arjun was invincible because his mastery had been blessed and strengthened on numerous occasions when he encountered the Gods, who admired Arjun’s archery. Arjun’s objective was to rescue the cows and not to kill his elders and brothers. (In India, cousins are considered as close as one’s brothers and sisters by blood) So, he shot an arrow that caused the entire Kaurav army to faint. Uttar took the cows back. He also removed the silk clothing that Kauravs were wearing – except those of the elders whom Arjun respected),  as the trophies for his sister Uttara. After all, who could dare – who had the audacity to take the Kaurav warriors’ clothes off after defeating them? It was unheard of, not even dreamed of. But Uttar did it as he had the backing of none other than the invincible Banavali Arjun.

Now THIS was on the day of Dusshera. It is the day when Arjun ended the time when he chose to suppress his qualities, his true character and had assumed a role and activities that were not truly himself. Dusshera is a celebration of, recognition of and respecting who one truly is. Correspondingly, it is also about giving up what encumbers or eclipses you, what hides the true you and what is not in your own best interest. It is about asserting one’s self even at the risk that when others recognise the real you, they might react in ways that mean trouble for you. That means, Dusshera symbolises one’s return to one’s true self and facing the consequences rather than hiding out in anonymity. The story also tells us that once this recognition occurs, we need to choose our tools and implements, maintain them and develop mastery over it. Even divine blessing cannot be given to the one who does not establish his mastery.

Arjun fighting the Kauravs while dressed as Bruhannala

Image Source: http://archives.chennaionline.com/festivalsnreligion/Articles/epicstory23.asp

Anyway, when the Kauravs recovered their senses, they immediately told their grandfather Bhishma that they had identified Arjun, and the other four also must be with him only. Since this was done, they clamoured for renewal of the punishment. What happened next is a long story again.. we will tell that story some other time.

Until then, happy Dusshera to you! May you find your true self, find the courage to assert it, and find the means and implements with which you will develop yourself!

A Love Story Pulled Out from the Mythology

I must have heard this story tens of times from my mother’s grandmother (She was so loving, I used to declare to my mother that she was MY grandmother, not hers). The setting that surrounded her story-telling cannot be replicated now – the clear summer skies with millions of stars shining, the cool breeze and the cool beds covered with dot-less white sheets laid out in the terrace. And then we would take turns to keep our heads in her lap, and she would gently stroke us and take us to another world, on the mystic journey on the wings of her story.

Here is her version as I remember:

Banasur was a demon king. He wanted to become immortal, so he started worshipping Lord Shiv for a boon. Lord Shiv, known as the one quickly pleased (Ashutosh), appeared before Banasur and told him that Banasur could ask for anything except immortality. However, Banasur said that he would have nothing but immortality.

When Banasur would have no other boon, Lord Shiv asked him to choose any circumstances in which Banasur would die, and asked him to make it so unlikely that practically it would make him immortal. Banasur started thinking about such a condition. He knew that Lord Shiv held his Trishul (Trident), which was a Vajra. A Vajra is such a strong and powerful weapon that it cannot be broken by any other weapons. He also knew that the Vajras remained located in very different, far-flung places in the universe. So, Banasur asked the Lord Shiv that he would not die until three and a half Vajra got together. Lord Shiva granted the boon and disappeared. But before he went away, he gave a flag post to Banasur and told him that the day the flag post fell from the top of his palace, Banasur would know that his death is nearing.

Banasur put his royal flag on the post and placed it on the highest point of his palace. He had a daughter, Usha, who was actually a daughter of gods, but had to be born as a human due to a curse. When she was born to Banasur, it was announced that her husband would be instrumental in causing Banasur’s death. So Banasur had decided to lock her away into a solitary palace and surround her only by women so that she would never come into contact with a man. If this could be ensured, Banasur would never die.

Usha was living in her palace, and she had one very talented friend, Chitralekha.

One day, Usha saw a very handsome prince in her dream and fell in love with him. When she woke up, she realized that the dream was so life-like, that she had to find out if he existed, and where if so. She told Chitralekha about the dream. Chitralekha suggested that since he was a prince, it would not be very difficult to trace him – all they had to do was trace all the royal families. So, when Usha described how her prince looked, Chitralekha made some sketches. From what Usha shortlisted, Chitralekha knew it was someone from the Royals of Dwarika. So, she first made an image of Lord Krishna. Usha said that her prince resembled him, but was not quite the same. So, Chitralekha sketched Pradyumn, Krishna’s son. Usha said that her prince was younger – just their age. Now Chitralekha sketched Aniruddh, Pradyumn’s son and Krishna’s grandson. Usha confirmed that that was her prince.

How could they reach out and contact Aniruddh from their highly guarded palace?

The multitalented Chitralekha could fly, and she reassured Usha that she would bring Aniruddh to Usha. However, Dwarika was highly guarded and it was impossible to make an entry without being recognised and scrutinised, because the Sudarshan Chakra (lord Krishna’s weapon) was patrolling Dwarika each night. Chitralekha could enter the city only if the Chakra was halted for a while.

Chitralekha approached Narad, the sage who could go anywhere at will, and who was a very special kind of a change agent. She took him into confidence, enlisted him in the cause and requested him to engage Sudarshan in a dialogue for a short while. Narad was excited and he agreed.

So when the night fell, Chitralekha and Narad approached Dwarika. Narad was a very highly respected sage, and a favourite devotee of Vishnu, whose incarnation was Lord Krishna. So naturally, when Sudarshan detected an approach to the city periphery, he appeared before Narad, bowed to him and lamented that since he was on duty, he would not be able to extend hospitality to the sage. The sage empathised with Sudarshan, and appreciated his dedication, commitment and error-less performance.

While the two chatted, Chitralekha went to the palace, located Aniruddh’s quarter as per the tips given by Narad, airlifted him along with his bed, and returned to Usha. Since he was sleeping, the two decided to wait until he woke up. In the morning, the prince woke up, and was baffled at finding himself in totally new surroundings with two very beautiful ladies who seemed to be the only occupants of a palace. Usha introduced herself and told the prince about her dream. The two fell in love, this time not in the dream.

Next day, in Dwarika, everyone was panicked because Aniruddh was missing. His mother urged the mighty, Yadav clan leaders to find her son, among lot of taunts about the supposedly fail-proof security arrangements, and the reputation of Krishna and Pradyumn. The Yadavs sprang in to action and launched a country-wide search. Allies were alerted and the network of spies was ordered to send all intelligence they could.

Back in Usha’s palace, everything was in order except the flag post. Banasur had made it a part of his daily routine to check on the flag post. When he found it broken, he sent for reports from his guards, spies … but nothing unusual was found except that the Yadavs were charging out of Dwarika. Suddenly Banasur thought of Usha. So he called Usha’s maids. Those who helped Usha daily with her bath and dressing said that they had seen love marks on her body. But they had not seen anyone.

Banasur’s anger knew no limits and he stormed inside Usha’s palace, sure that she was with a man and that was the signal of his imminent fall because now the flag post had broken. When he found Usha and Aniruddh together in the palace, Banasur immediately asked his guards to tie him and take him for interrogation. Aniruddh was tied and taken away. Banasur did not know what to do with Usha, so for time being he left her under a more severe watch and left.

In the mean time, at Dwarika, Sudarshan was summoned and was asked to explain the lapse in the security. Sudarshan emphatically said that the only person to visit the city that night was Devarshi Narad. And Narad, after talking to him for a brief while, returned without entering Dwarika. So now, people requested Narad’s help – he had to know something.

Narad, after some cajoling told Krishna about the project Chitralekha had undertaken, but he said that he did not know the full story. All he said he knew, was that she was from Shonitpur. Now everyone knew that Shonitpur was the capital of the Demon king Banasur and if the Yadav prince was in Banasur’s city, he might not be expected to return on his own. So Yadav army formed and left immediately with the preparation for a battle. Krishna, upon arrival at Shonitpur, asked the king to allow Aniruddh safe passage, but Banasur did not agree. During the heated altercation, Yadavs came to know the full story, and according to the duty of the Kshatriyas, now they were responsible for the well-being of their prince’s bride also.

When Banasur refused to marry his daughter off to the Yadav prince, the war started, and soon got intensified. Banasur was also a great warrior – so in order to cut the long story short, Krishna threw his Chakra at him. Banasur was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, so he beseeched the lord to come and rescue him. Lord Shiva came and stopped the Chakra with his trident. Now these were both Vajras, and when they engaged themselves with each other, terrible heat was released and the two spit fire everywhere while they remained engaged up in the sky.

The heat and fire started taking their toll on the living beings on the ground. The common people requested Gods to intervene. But the rule was that only a Vajra can touch Vajras that are engaged in a battle. The search was launched for that kind of Vajra that could go to the sky and deal with the Chakra and the trident. Someone suggested taking help from Hanuman, the son of the Wind god and Anjani, because he had a body of Vajra. When approached, Hanuman agreed. He had in the past, made great leaps – towards the Sun in his childhood and then to Lanka. However, Hanuman said that one problem had to be solved yet. If Hanuman leapt to the sky and disengaged the two embattled Vajras, the might for which he had, he still needed to land on the earth. Now, the earth could not have tolerated three vajras falling from the sky, so if Hanuman landed without another Vajra, then the Chakra, the Trident and Hanuman –all would go to the Paataal – the underbelly of the earth from which there is no return.

Now someone suggested that Bheem, one of the five Paandav brothers, had half his body that was Vajra. So Bheem was also brought on the scene. Bheem now lay on the ground side-ways such that the Vajra side of his body faced the sky. Then Hanuman jumped and with all his might disengaged the two embattled Vajras, held them reverently and requested their destructive forces to be calm and landed on Bheem’s body.

At that moment three and a half Vajras were joined together and Banasur died of his own conditionality of the immortality boon. Lord Shiva was upset that his devotee died, but this was his own boon granted conditionally. Krishna and others pacified him by saying that Banasur had not used his invincibility for the good of the society and his people and had not allowed his daughter to go away with a man of her choice, with whom she was married by Gandharva ceremony in a secret way. Shiv also agreed now.

The entire retinue now went inside the city and the king’s palace, freed Aniruddh, and took the princess back to Dwarika with them. The gods returned to their abodes, and so did the remaining invitees.

Chitralekha went along with Usha. Usha and Aniruddh lived happily ever after…