37. Dhritarashtra and Bhisma discussing plans for conquest

Dhritarashtra was both happy and unhappy hearing Bhisma – happy because he could avoid an immediate engagement with an issue he did not really feel concerned; unhappy because, Srikrishna was the nephew of Kunti. The blind king’s gut assessment was that Shrikrishna would be closer to Kunti’s sons than his. Thoughts of future flashed through his mind. He knew the nature of his sons and sons of Kunti and tried to figure out how would they be affected if Shrikrishna were really the incarnation of God, as Bhisma said.

The Kaurava king grew sullen as he pondered over the future possibilities. All these days, he never apprehended any external influence on the balance of power between the Kaurava and Pandava princes. But now, if Bhisma was to be believed, a new and formidable source of power had now risen in the horizon. Dhritarashtra sank deep in thoughts to search out an alternative that could somehow allay this nascent fear of Srikrishna. But as a seasoned diplomat he was determined not to betray his thoughts. As if he discounted the account given by Bhisma, Dhritarashtra asked him:

‘Sire, for long Kauravas have not gone for conquests. Brother Pandu had spread the fame of the Kuru dynasty far and wide through conquests. But, I, an ill-fated, a born blind.... have not been able to maintain those, let alone add to it. Now, please inform me about the feasibility of a conquest plan.’

To that Bhisma said:

‘King, in this holy land of ancestor Bharat, there are many mighty and powerful kings who are not easy to subjugate. Let me mention some of them. Look at the Far East. Bhagadatta ruling over Pragjyotishpur and vast stretch of coastal countries is simply formidable. He has friendship with  Indra - the Lord of the Heavens. While he rides high on his huge elephant in the battlefield, his enemies simply give up hope of life. In Magadh Jarasandha reigns supreme – his name casts fears in neighboring kingdoms. In the southwest the Matsya kingdom is quite powerful. Its king Birat and his brother-in-law Kichak are powerful warriors. Matsya’s neighbor, I mean the Trigarta kings are also valorous and would fight to the finish to retain their dignity. Five princes ruling the kingdom of Kekoy have surpassed most contemporary royalties by their prowess, courage and gallantry. King Bhismak of Bhojkotpur appears as Lord Yama to his enemies in the battleground. King Shallya of Madra, the uncle of the Pandavas, is also a renowned warrior and feared by opponents. King Sudakhsin of Kamboj, and King Brihadwal of Ayodhya are always avoided by enemies such are their prowess. King, this holy land has many more of such illustrious rulers. They are indeed difficult to exceed.’

36. Pitamaha Bhisma pays tribute to Lord Lrishna in Hastinapur Royal Court

Everyone looked sideways at an old but still extremely well built royalty. The grand patriarch Bhisma was speaking:

‘Jarasandha knows the might of Bhisma too well and would never dare to pick up a fight. But hear me O King, the issue is not Jarasandha.’

‘Then what it is about, Sire?’ –Dhritarashtra reverentially asked.

‘The fact of the matter is that’, Bhisma continued, ‘I have been closely keeping a track of the course of events in Mathura and Vrindavan. Right after his birth Shrikrishna has been manifesting divine powers - accomplishing impossible deeds, which can be done only by almighty God or his incarnation. As a child he has killed several ferocious demons with great ease.’

To many courtiers, these revelations came as a surprise. But Vidur seemed to be aware of most of these and he nodded approvingly as if to register his agreement. Bhisma continued, 

‘Even Lord Brahma and Indra, the king of the heavens, are convinced Shrikrishna is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Both had gone for a confrontation with the child Shrikrishna and learnt lessons the hard way. At the end they had to seek his forgiveness…’

Bhisma paused for a while before he resumed,

‘I am sure he does not need any protection from us. On the contrary, he has descended on the earth to protect dharma and the virtuous.’

35. Tidings from Mathura- Kansa out to kill Shrikrishna and Balaram

The magnificent royal court at Hastinapur was deliberating a serious issue. The grandeur of the palace and the royal throne was proverbial. Bhisma, the grand patriarch, Dronacharya, Vidur, Kunik, Balhik and a host of other senior Kaurava royalties flanked King Dhritarashtra. One of the spies, on duty at the southeastern countries, brought some important information. The court was trying to understand its significance. A serious trouble was brewing up in Mathura. Its King Kansa, had sent Akrur to Brajadham to invite Srikrishna and Balaram to his court. The spy had ascertained from reliable sources that Kansa was hatching a plot to get them killed. For this he had already made arrangements. In the guise of tournament, formidable wrestlers Mushtik and Chanur were planted to kill the two young brothers. Shrikrishna and Balaram were the future of the clan of the Yadus, who were both related to and allies of the Kurus. The court was discussing if Hastinapur should do something to foil the plot.

Dhritarashtra himself was not keen. He looked at minister Kunik, who was brilliant and cunning. His abilities lay in always giving advices that would please his master. This time too, Kunik did not disappoint his master:

‘Your Majesty, any involvement in Mathura would be contrary to the interest of Hastinapur. I am confident about it. Acting against Kansa will fetch us the wrath of the invincible Jarasandha, his father in law.’

The court nobles were listening Kunik with rapt attention. A silent agreement in favour of non-intervention seemed to be building up. Encouraged, Kunik continued:

‘Jarasandha could be a dangerous foe. He has already defeated a hundred princes and they all are languishing in his prison. He has a huge army of million ruthless soldiers who can just sweep any big country. Hitherto he has not put his eyes on Hastinapur…’.

When suddenly sounded the thunderous roar -

‘Because he cares for his pair of eyes.’