Tuesday 19 April 2016

Swayamvar of Lakshana

The sage said :

Duryodhana and Bahumati had one daughter called Lakshana. When she was marriageable age, Duryodhana thought of organizing a swayamvar for her. He invited all kings from all lands to come and attend the wedding. Sambha, son of Krishna, heard about the swayamvar from Narada and he decided to attend it too. Taking a chariot he drove alone, thinking of a way to win Lakshana.

In the hall, Lakshana came out in front of the kings and all praised her beauty. Sambha, son of Jambavati and Krishna, was in love. He rushed, grabbed her , pulled her in his chariot and before any one could realize what had happened, he started on his way to Dwaraka.

Durodhana's army started chasing. Sambha, who was as good a warrior as his father, took a bow in one hand and started shooting arrows at the army.

Karna decided to do something. When his arrows were not helping him, he released an arrow which bound Sambha. Sambha, bound, fell on the ground.

Duryodhana asked Karna if he knew who this was. Karna said this was a thief, whose father was also a thief. Duryodhana said - Krishna grew up in Gokula on buuetr stolen from the Gopis. When he was not getting a bride, he stole a bride.
Duryodhana ordered Sambha to be killed.

Yudhistira, who was there, said this was a wrong allegation.
Duryodhana said Krishna had abducted Rukmini, princess of Vidharbha. His son had abducted a princess. His grandson had abducted the daughter of Bana. The three generations were thieves.

Yudhistira said Do not said bad about Krishna.

Duryodhana said Someone carries my daughter away, and I should not be cursing him?

Yudhistira then said get the thief in front of me. Let me see, if I can recognize him.  And if the person was related to Krishna, then beware of the consequences. Not a single person will be alive here.

Duryodhana said if you are so afraid, then go back to Indraprastha.

Dushasana was about cut Sambha's head, when getting a sign from Yudhistira, Bhima rushed at Dushasana and knocked him down, before he could do anything. Bhima then released Sambha.

Yudhistira blessed Sambha, which infuriated Duryodhana. He called out the Kuru elders - Bhishma and Drona to see what was happening.
Yudhistira said this was a son of Krishna and was a great warrior himself. He would make a great husband for Lakshana. Also who else would take Lakshana now, once she had been abducted by Sambha.

Duryodhana said If that is the case, I will not give my daughter to anyone and will keep her in my house. I will also kill Sambha.
Bhima said he would protect Sambha.
Duryodhana ordered people to attack and Bhima easily overpowered all of them with his mace.
Bhishma and Drona then said it was best to keep Sambha tied up in their rooms, till a decision was taken on how to deal with him. To Duryodhana, Bhsihma said - If you kill Sambha, Krishna will come with his army and it will not be good. We will all be dead.

Duryodhana agreed. The ankles of Sambha were chained and he was kept in Drona's house.

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