Lomesh Rishi sees Arjuna

Arjuna started learning how to use multiple weapons. Chitrasen taught Arjuna the art of music and dance. One day the sage Lomesh came there and went to meet Arjuna. The sage was amazed to see Arjuna there, next to Indra. He asked How could a human sit in a seat which was a rare treat for the greatest of the sages.
Indra said to the sage You must be aware of the two great sages Nara and Narayana. Narayana is in Dwaraka as Krishna and this is Nara. Arjuna is here to learn how to use weapons. He has many tasks to perform.  Great Sage, I need your help. Go to the forest of Kamyaka forest where you will find Arjuna's brothers. Tell them that they should not worry for him. Take to the many pilgrim spots.  

Urvashi curses Arjuna

Indra asked the gandharva Chitrasen to arrange for a place for Arjuna to stay. Once that was done, Indra asked him to send Urvashi to Arjuna's quarters.

Chitrasen took Arjuna to a lavish room and said this was where he would be staying.

Leaving Arjuna, Chitrasen went to Urvashi and asked her to go where Arjuna was.

Decking herself, Urvashi went where Arjuna was.

The guard at the door announced to Arjuna that Urvashi had come to meet him. Arjuna came and greeted her.

Urvashi said she had been asked to come to him and spend the night with him. This was Indra's orders. Arjuna put his hands on his ears and said this was unacceptable.
He said I will not be able to hear these words of yours. Why do you use such vile words, respected woman. You are like a mother to me. I have heard from the great sages that it was because of you the Puru dynasty prospered.  I looked at you with that respect.

Urvashi said I belong to no one and I go on my free will. Leave the bonds aside and stay with me. All the people who you call my descendants have also stayed with me. No one cares for sentiments.

Arjuna said I treat you like my mothers Kunti and Madri and like Sachi, wife of Indra.

Urvashi was angry. She said I came because your father, Indra, asked me to come and you refuse to accept. I curse you to loose your masculinity. You will live among women like a eunuch. You will dance and sing. This is my curse.

Saying so, Urvashi left. Arjuna did not sleep a wink, and kept thinking of what Urvashi had said.

In the morning, Arjuna approached Indra and told him what had happened.

Indra praised Arjuna and said such self control was worthy of praise. He said Such actions have purified the Kuru dynasty. The curse of Urvashi will help you. When you have to go in hiding, you will become an eunuch. You will stay like that for a year, after which you will regain your masculinity. 

Urvashi and other apsaras dance

Indra then called for the apsaras and asked to perform their dances. All the gandharvas came there. Among the intruments playing, Urvashi and the other apsaras started dancing.
Arjuna was lost, thinking of his brothers. Indra seeing this, nodded to Urvashi to take care of Arjuna.

Arjuna goes to heaven

All other Gods then appeared there. They showered flowers on Arjuna.
Shiva said Look the other Gods have to come to bless you and give you boons. Know that you will be victorious over all evil. Karna, the great archer will die in your hands. Take this weapon from me called Danda. This is a very powerful weapon. Use it wisely when needed.
With that Shiva gave Arjuna the mantra for using the weapon and also told him how to use it.

Varuna and Yama then gave powerful weapons to Arjuna. Kubera gave a weapon called Antardhan using which Shiva had destroyed the land of Tripur.

Indra said to Arjuna You are my son, born of Kunti. I will be sending a chariot to take you to heaven. You will achieve your mission when you are in heaven. Matali, my charioteer will be coming to take you.

Soon the chariot arrived for Arjuna. Arjuna climbed onto the chariot and the vehicle sped with the speed of wind. On the way, Arjuna saw many sages and he also many great kings riding on vehicles in the sky. Arjuna asked who they were. Matali said they were all great souls. Having performed great sacrifices, having roamed and covered the great pilgrim spots, these souls had attained heaven.

The kings also asked Matali who this that he was taking. Matali introduced Arjuna to all of them and sped on his way.

Indra greeted Arjuna when he arrived and hugged him. Pointing to a place, Indra asked him to sit there.

Arjuna and the hunter

Arjuna started his meditation on the peaks of Himalaya. He lived on leaves falling off trees. He slowly sgave off food, eating leaves once in a month. Slowly he gave that up too, sitting lost in his meditation.
First he was sitting. Then started meditating, standing on one foot.
The inhabitants of the peak went to Shiva and requested him to appear in front of Arjuna.
Shiva and Durga then took the form of a hunter and huntress. Taking a bow called Jayanti, he went where Arjuna was meditating.

It so happened that a big wild boar suddenly came dashing towards Arjuna. Arjuna took aim and was about to shoot his arrow, when he was stopped. A hunter told him not to shoot, as the boar was his target and he had come chasing the animal form far.
Not listening, Arjuna released his arrow. The hunter also released his arrow.
Both hit the boar at the same time.

Arjuna asked the hunter - Who are you, who roam fearless in the forest with your woman.  I shot my arrow first, seeing that, why did you release your arrow. I will kill you.

The hunter laughed and said - Who are you, O ascetic. Where have you come from. I am the lord of this place. The boar fell from my arrow, so why do you fret and fume? You do wrong and yet want to kill me. Show me your skill.

Arjuna asked the hunter to get ready. The hunter said he was ready.

Arjuna was surprised. He was showering arrows, but the hunter was unaffected. Who was this person? Arrows broke into two when they struck him. Frustrated Arjuna struck the hunter with his bow and the hunter snatched the bow away from his hand.

The two then began wrestling but even there Arjuna could not win. Arjuna was not sure what to do. He was on the ground. He quickly made a Shiva Linga from the sand, put a garland around that and uttered a silent prayer to Shiva.

He was surprised to see the garland he had offered, hang around the neck of the hunter.

Arjuna prostrated himself before the hunter and said he was begging for forgiveness as he was not aware of His true identity.

The hunter said What you did would not have been possible for any ordinary mortal. I will give the vision to see what is reality.

Arjuna, with Shiva's grace, then saw Shiva standing there with Uma.

Arjuna, with folded hands, started singing praises of Shiva. Shiva hugged him and said You do not know of your own true identity. You are the sage Nara, born on this earth. This Gandiva that you hold, none other than you can handle it. I return back to you, your weapons that you fired at me. I am pleased with you, ask what you want.

Arjuna said Please give to me the weapon, Pashupata.
Shiva gladly gave it to Arjuna along with the mantra for the weapon. He said You alone can handle this. Use this very carefully.

Arjuna said When the war between Kauravas happens, Please come there.

Shiva said Hari (Krishna) is there with you, why do you need Hara (Shiva)? Both Hari and Hara are the same. I will be around to help during the war.

Saying this, Shiva and Uma vanished. 

Arjuna starts his journey

Arjuna traveled northwards. Crossing the Himalayas, he reached the mountain of Gandhamadana. He crossed that till he came to the mountain called Chandrakila. A voice said Do not venture further. Rest here. Humans are not allowed beyond this.
Arjuan spotted a sage there with long matted hair. The sage said to Arjuna - WHo are you, clad in armor, carrying bow, arrows and swords. Why have you come to this mountain? Discard the weapons. If you get the grace of Gods, why do you need the weapons?
When Arjuna was quiet, the sage said - Ask for a boon. I am Indra.

Arjuna asked for weapons. Indra said, First please Shiva and get his blessings. 

Arjuna asked to please Shiva

Yudhistira and the pandavas greeted Vyasa and gave him a place to sit. Vyasa said to Yudhistira - Deep in your heart you are fearing your enemies. That is why I have come here. Your bad times will soon be over and god times will come. Your brother, Arjuna, is Nara reborn. I will give him a mantra that will help him get to meet Shiva.
Leave this forest. Sitting here will not help. Go around pilgrim spots.

Saying this Vyasa taught the mantra to Yudhistira and left.

Yudhistira then left that forest along with his brothers and Draupadi. Following the course of the river Saraswati, they came across a forest called Kamakya.

One day Yudhistira called Arjuna and said - The Kuru elders are adept at yielding all kinds of weapons. I trust you my brother to be our savior. Go somewhere and meditate on Shiva. See Shiva and the other Gods and ask for the knowledge of the divine weapons.  Go to the Himalayas and live there.
Saying this, Yudhistira taught Arjuna the mantra given by Vyasa.

Arjuna picked up his weapons and left for his journey to please the Gods. 

Yudhistora talks to Bhima

Yudhistira said - It is not in me to go and call for a battle without reason. You need to be just to win wars.
Leaving what is in the Vedas and going on killing without reason, will not be good for us.


While Yudhistira and Bhima were talking, Vyasa came there.

Bhima advises Yudhistira

Bhima heard the conversation between Yudhistira and Draupadi and said - The brave should not leave justice aside. It is the dutry of Kshatriya to fight. It is by the force of his arms, that he is able to gain command over the earth. Born a kshatriya you should not act like a brahmana. The evil need to be conquered and that is your duty.  Allow me and let me rid the earth of your enemies.

Yudhistira Draupadi talk

The Pandavas spent days in the Daitya forest living on fruits and wearing clothes made of bark.
One day Draupadi approached Yudhistira and said - Duryodhana sent you to the forest for no fault of yours. There were days when you did not get sleep on the gem studded cots and today you are sleeping on the bare ground. One whose body was anointed with musk and sandal is now covered with dust. Once having dressed in the best of clothes and surrounded by kings, you now have to dress like ascetics. Your brothers also suffer.
I am pained to see Bhima who bears the strength to handle the entire Kuru forces alone, being subjected to the forest life.
Arjuna who can defeat Gods in battle, I see him sitting lifeless. The handsome sons of Madri also sit around sad and unhappy.
Are you not pained to see the grief of all?
There was a time when the great Prahlada spoke to his grandson Bali. He told his grandson, it is good to forgive people, but do not always forgive. If your property is taking away by force, you need to fight back and not forgive.Forgiving once is fine, but not always. If a person faults once, forgive but punish when the second offence is committed.
Duryodhana has committed many offences against you. Do not think of forgiving him.

Listening to Draupadi, Yudhistira said - Anger is the biggest sin on this earth. When angry, one does not see who is in front. People who have controlled anger are always respected and worshiped. Forgiveness is a big virtue that one should have. If I start thinking of revenge the Kuru dynasty will be destroyed. All Kuru elders tried talking to Duryodhana but he did not listen.

Draupadi said What kind of a creator do we have, who does not intervene when injustice is performed? You led a pious life and did all that were supposed to do and more, yet this is how you suffer. You believe in truth and justice and for that, you even forsook your four brothers and wife.
We stay in a forest where even robbers do not dare come. What life are we leading? Why should this earth suffer because of Duryodhana?

Yudhistira said - You are talking of faults and not talking off the good things. Whatever I do, I do it without thinking of the consequences. I am not a businessman that I will think what I will gain. That is why what the sages say, comes in true, as they have no ill will or anger, in their hearts.

Pandavas met Markandeya

Arjuna said to Yudhistira that he had heard from the sages that there was a forest called Daitya which was a very peaceful place.

Hearing this Yudhistira said he was ready to go there.

It was forest full of tall trees. They set up a place there. There were many sages, who hearing the Pandavas had come, came and met them.

The great sage, Markandeya, came to meet the Pandavas. Yudhistira greeted the great sage and gave him a place to sit. Markandeya laughed.

The Pandavas did not know why the sage laughed. Yudhistira asked the sage, the reason for the same.

Markandeya said - Like you live in the forests, Rama, son of Dashratha, lived in the forest with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana. He lived as an ascetic and won over Ravana. Similarly, you are in the forest because of truth. Victory will eventually be yours. The laughter is because I can see you and I am happy.

Markandeya then took leave of the Pandavas. 

Srivatsa regains his kingdom

Yudhistira asked Kirshna, What happened after Shani blessed Srivatsa?

Krishna said - Srivatsa lived for sometime in the palace of his father in law. One day, having had his bath, he went to Bahudeva and requested his permission to return back.

Bahudeva arranged for chariots but Srivatsa said it would take days before he reached his kingdom. He then remembered Taala and Betala. Taala Betala came and asked what was wanted off them. Srivatsa said he wanted them to take him to his own kingdom.

Taala and Betala asked the king and queens to climb on the chariot. Taala sat on top of the chariot and Betala became the charioteer. With the speed of wind, the chariot flew and soon reached Srivatsa's kingdom.

On the way, Taala pointed out to the ashrama of Surabhi, the village of the woodcutters  the spot where the burnt fish had swum off and the place where Shani had taken the bundle of wealth. Soon they reached the kingdom.

Hearing that their king was back, the citizens came out to greet him. The king went and sat on his throne with his two queens on his side.

SoonSrivatsa was blessed with a hundred sons and two daughters.

Ruling well, the king and his two queens went to heaven, when it was time.

Krishna then said - Yudhistira, do not lament. It is destiny.

Krishna then left for Dwaraka along with Subhadra and the young Abhimanyu. Dhristadyumna took along with him, the sons of Draupadi.

After they all left, Yudhistira told his brothers to look for a place where they could peacefully live for twelve years. 

Shani blesses Srivatsa

Next day, early morning, a voice in the heaven was heard. Shani said - All Gods, Gandharvas, Demons look at me as the superior of all Gods. Today a human proved me wrong.

Saying this, Shani appeared before Srivatsa. He told Srivatsa to worship him and all his worries would be gone. He asked him to go back to his kingdom and rule for a long time.

Shani blessed Srivatsa, saying who ever takes the name of Srivatsa, will be blessed. 

Srivatsa united with Chinta

Hearing Krishna talk about the troubles of Srivatsa, the Pandavas and Draupadi asked happened to Chinta.
Krishna said Listen patiently, while I tell you more.

Srivatsa was not happy living on food provided by the king. Bhadra consoled him, saying things would improve. Having heard from his whole story, Bhadra said you have suffered a lot and soon happy days will come and you will regain your kingdom.

Thus twelve years passed and effects of Shani's eveil eye also started diminishing.

One day Srivatsa said he wanted to do something and asked Bhadra if it was possible for her father to arrange for some work for her, near the river bank, where they lived.

Bhadra spoke to her mother, who then spoke to the king. Srivatsa was given work. He would sit at the river bank and would inspect all the passing boats of the merchants and would then release them.

One day the merchant who had captured Chinta, came there. Srivatsa recognized the boat and asked them to stop. He asked his men to inspect the boat and unload the wealth that was in the boat. In that, were the golden slippers that Srivatsa had made. Srivatsa asked the slippers to be taken off the boat.

The merchant went to the king and complained that all his wealth had been looted by his son in law.

The king came asked Srivatsa why he had taken the wealth of the merchant away. Srivatsa said the merchant had stolen the wealth. If he could separate the slippers into two, then he would return the wealth back.

The merchant tried to break them but was unable to do so.

Srivatsa said he would separate them as he had made them. He then requested help from Taala and Betala. They came in a split second the slippers were in two pieces.

The king, surprised, asked Srivatsa who he really was.

Srivatsa said I may look unhealthy and poor but I do not belong to a low caste. I am Srivatsa. Saying this, Srivatsa, told the king all that happened to him.

Srivatsa also said that his wife, Chinta, had been abducted by this merchant and was prisoner there, and should be released.

Bahudeva bowed down before Srivatsa. He said It is my daughter's good luck that she has got you as her husband. He then went to the boat where he saw Chinta, sitting there. He took her to Srivatsa, who asked her, what had happened to her beauty.

Chinta said when she had been captured by the merchant, she had asked the Sun God to take her beauty away. She then prayed to the Sun God to restore her original self.

Srivatsa was pleased to have Chinta and Bhadra with him. 

Srivatsa weds Bhadra

Srivatsa spent his days, making garlands and worshiping Narayana with fruits, flowers and water. Not disclosing his true identity, he thus lived in the garden.

One day when the king Bahudeva was sitting for his meal, his daughter Bhadra came to him. The king, who was engrossed in his meal, did not notice who had come. Thinking it to be his wife, he touched her wrongly.

Shocked, the princess ran to her mother and told her about this. The queen came and shouted at the king for performing a sinful crime. She said while he should be looking for a suitable groom for the daughter, he was on the contrary performing heinous acts.

The king then said - You are accusing me of something that I did not do. You never told me it was time to look for a groom for her. Narayana knows my mind is clean. I will arrange for a swayamvar for my daughter today.

Saying this, the king went to call his ministers. He said he was thinking of arranging a swayamvar, where his daughter would choose her own husband.

Invitations were sent out all over to invite people for the ceremony. Kings and princes from many lands arrived there. All were welcomes and taken care of.

Hearing about this, from the gardener's wife. Srivatsa wanted to see the ceremony. He went there, and instead of entering the ceremony hall, he went sat under a Kadamba tree.

The princess came bearing a plate made of sandal wood, on which was the garland with which she would wed her chosen suitor.

When she was looking around, she heard a voice say to her, that her husband was sitting under a Kadamba tree. She went there and saw Srivatsa. She went around him and placed the garland at his feet, choosing him as her husband.

Seeing this, the invited kings and princes said that Bahudeva had made a joke out of them. Some said this was destiny. All the invited guests left.

The king went inside and spoke to his queen. He said this was what the Gods had written for her. He was feeling ashamed to have a poor gardener as his son in law. The queen said this was what the Gods had written. No amount of worry or grief would remove what had happened.

The king then asked his ministers to erect a house outside for Bhadra, where she could live with her chosen husband. The king said he did not want to see the face of his daughter any more, as she had chosen a husband whose caste was unknown.

When the house was built, the queen went and helped Bhadra settle down in the house with Srivatsa. She told her not worry. It was a matter of time, before she would be happy again. 

Princess Bhadra

Days passed for the king in the garden. He helped in cooking and making garlands.

Listen, Yudhistira, that how things happen for good. In that land was a king called Bahudeva. He had a beautiful daughter called Bhadra.

Bhadra  prayed to Shiva and Parvati. Pleased Parvati  appeared before her, and  asked her to ask for a boon.

Bhadra wished to be the wife of the great king Srivatsa. Parvati  said that would happen. Parvati also told Bhadra that Srivatsa was there in the house of the gardener's wife. 

Srivatsa in Surabhi's ashrama

Surabhi asked Srivatsa who he was. Srivatsa told Surabhi who he was telling her the whole story starting with Shani and Lakshmi , ending with loss of Chinta.

Surabhi said the king could live without any worry. Shani had no control over this land. She told him to spend his time there, as he was destined to get back his kingdom. Surabhi told the king not leave the ashrama, as he would fall under the clutches of Shani again.

The king lived in the ashrama, surviving on the milk of surabhi. When some milk fell on the ground, the king made slabs with the clay. With the help of his helpers, the spirits Taala and Betala, the king joined them together and made them off gold. This was the only work that that king had, and he created a heap of these golden slabs.

Listen, O Yudhistira, how the king came in the clutches of Shani again.

One day the king saw the same merchant, who had captured Chinta, travelling on his boat. He called out to the merchant. Hearing the calls, the merchant came and halted there.

He said to the merchant that he was someone of noble birth, who had, due to his misfortune, been reduced to live his life in an ashrama. He said he had some golden slabs that he wanted to sell and asked the merchant to help him. He said he would come along and if got some wealth from the slabs, he would be very happy.

The merchant asked the king to come along with them into the boat while the workers loaded the golden slabs on the boat.

As fate would have it, Shani's evil eye had its effect. The merchant decided to kill the king and keep all gold for himself.

When the boat was in the middle of the sea, the merchant pushed Srivatsa off the boat. The king called out to Taala and Betala for help. He called out to Chinta to come and see his misfortune.Chinta, who happened to be in the boat, heard the cries of her husband and started crying.

Taala and Betala saved the king. Taala put the king to sleep. Betala got a raft and kept the king on it. Chinta got a pillow ready and the king peacefully slept.

For days, this raft floated on the waters. The raft one day reached the land of Sautipur. There the raft landed near the house of the gardener's wife.

The king had landed in a garden which had dried up. As soon as the king stepped foot, the dried garden started blooming.

Seeing the flowers, bees started flocking there and birds started singing. When the gardener's wife came there, she saw the garden transformed. Amazed, she walked around the garden till she the king in one corner. She asked him who he was.

The king said he had come on business and had suffered a boat wreck. The gardener's wife allowed the king to stay in her garden as her nephew.

Listen O Yudhistira, while I tell you the wonderful tale of Srivatsa.

Srivatsa searches for Chinta

Srivatsa, anxious at not seeing Chinta, asked the neighbors if anyone had seen Chinta. The neighbors told Srivatsa about the merchant and boat and how Chinta had been forcibly been taken away by the merchant.

The king aghast. He lost his kingdom and roamed in the forest, and now he had now lost his wife. This was all because of Shani.

The king then roamed around looking for his wife. He searched everywhere, searching all lands.

Roaming around, he came to a forest called Chintananda, This was a beautiful place, which was also the ashrama of the celestial cow, Surabhi.  

Srivatsa with the woodcutters

Krishna continuing said, Listen Yudhistira to the story of Chinta (Srivatsa's wife) and Srivatsa.

When the fruits in the forest became scarce, Srivatsa and Chinta went towards the village on the other side of the forest. In the north of the village lived wealthy merchants. The rich, seeing the poor king would drive them away. Thus, the king decided to proceed towards the south.
The people there asked them, who they were. The king they were a very unfortunate couple and come to beg for some kindness and some work and food.

The people there, who happened to be woodcutters, said they would welcome the strangers. They lived cutting and selling wood and no grief or worries. They welcomed any extra help.

The king happily agreed to take up the job of a woodcutter. The wives of the woodcutters welcomed Chinta and they all started living happily there.

In the morning, the woodcutters called Srivatsa and asked him to join them in the forest. While the woodcutters went about cutting trees, Srivatsa wondered what to do. Seeing some sandalwood trees, Srivatsa cut those and bundling those up, along with the woodcutters, he went to the market to sell them. The sandal fetched a huge sum of money.

With that money, Srivatsa decided to hold a feast and bought delicacies like butter, spice,  grains, fish and meat. He came and gave that to Chinta and asked to get a feast ready.

Chinta cooked the food, and all had a grand feast.

Things were going well, O Yudhistira, when something  happened.

A merchant had stepped out for business. He was on a boat when suddenly the boat struck a sandbank. Taking the guise of a soothsayer, Shani appeared there. He said while the merchant's wife had been praying to the nine plants, he had ignored the prayer and had set off on business. This was causing the problem. There was solution to this. The merchant was to invite all the wives of the woodcutters who resided there. Among the wives of the woodcutter was a very pious woman. If she touched the boat, it would be repaired and the boat would move.

The merchant sent out a message to all the woodcutter wives. Each came and touched the boat and nothing happened. The merchant wanted to know if all the women had come. He was told that all except one had come, as she had been not to go, by her husband.

The merchant thought this was the woman who would be able to move his boat. The soothsayer went to Chnta and asked her to come along. She said she had been told not go, by her husband. She then thought, doing good for someone would help her husband's fame, so not caring about her husband's warning, she decided to go along.

As soon as Chinta had touched the boat, it became alright and started floating in the water.

The merchant thought this was no ordinary woman and decided to take her with him, in case his boat ever got struck.

Yudhistira wanted to know what happened next. Krishna said -

Chinta cried and begged to be freed. She started blaming herself for not listening to her husband. She then looked skywards and prayed to the Sun God to help her. Sun God then took her beauty away, and made her look like a leaper. In this form, Chinta went along.

Coming back to the village, Srivatsa started looking for Chinta. 

Srivatsa talks to his wife

The king had heard this in a dream. He got up and spoke to his wife. He said - Whatever Shani has said is coming true. I have lost my kingdom and am in the forest. I have no other option but to take refuge in Vishnu.

The king and his wife thus spent five years in the forest, living on fruits. 

Shani speaks to Srivatsa

From the heavens, Shani spoke to Srivatsa. He said - This is the punishment for saying that Lakshmi is superior to me. You cunningly showed me an inferior seat and now you need to suffer. I have made you loose your kingdom and soon I will make you loose your wife also.
Listen to me and let me tell you about my powers. In the Treta Yuga, Vishnu was born as the four sons of King Dashratha. Rama was the eldest.
Dashratha gave Rama the kingdom and I sent Rama to the forest.
Wearing bark and with matted hair, Rama with his brother, Lakshmana and wife Sita went to the forest. It was because of me, that Ravana abducted Sita.

Listen to me while I tell you more. Shiva was married to Sati. It was because of me that Sati died. On her death, Shiva destroyed the sacrifice of Daksha and gave him the head of a goat. It was later that Sati was reborn as the daughter of Himalaya and was reunited with Shiva.

Vishnu had to suffer and he had to take the form of an insect and reside as a stone in the Gandaki river.

I was ignored by Bali, granson of Prahlada. It was because of me that Bali had to loose all he had.

I control all the worlds and no one can escape me.

Srivatsa roams in the forest

One day when the king had finished his bath, when a black dog came and licked the bath water. This was the moment Shani was waiting for. Shani looked at Srivatsa. His sight was terrible. Temples started breaking. House started cracking up. Suddenly things would catch fire. No clouds, but rain started. Comets were seen in the sky, in the daytime, which was a very bad omen. Animals started dying.
The subjects came to Srivatsa and wanted to know what to do. The king went around for three days and nights, visiting each house. He then came back. His queen started grieving.
The king there was no point in crying. One who was born, was destined to die. He asked his queen to gather all valuable gems and clothes and all the wealth that she could get her hand on. He told her to make a bundle out of that.
He then asked her to go to her parents house. He said once the sight of Shani was removed, he would join her there.
The queen said in this time of calamity she would not leave him.
The king agreed.

In the middle of the night, the king decided to leave the palace. Lakshmi appeared before him and said wherever he went, she would go with him, but would remain invisible. She also said that he would suffer because of the effect of Shani and soon that would be gone, and he would get everything back.

With the bundle on his head, the king and queen left the palace in the middle of the night, and started going towards the forest. Never having walked bare foot on ground, they faced hardships but still managed till they came across a river called Maya. This was a huge river and they were not sure how to cross it. Shani then came there in the guise of a boatman. He agreed to take them across. He also said his boat was old and weak and he would not be able to take them all together. He could take them across in turns. He said he would take their bundle first, leave it on the other bank and then come back for them.

Shani took the bundle and started, and suddenly both the river and the boatman all vanished.

The king was sad. Controlling himself, he and his queen continued their journey.

Soon dawn broke. The queen said she was hungry and thirty and would not be able to move anymore. They decided to rest where they were. They saw a lake with flowers blooming in it. They had a bath in the water. The king went and gathered some fruits and after eating that and drinking some water from the lake, they felt refreshed and resumed their journey.

They soon reached a very dense and dark forest. Scared, the king remembered Vishnu in his mind. A voice was heard which said - Till you stay in the forest, I will remain with you.

Feeling satisfied and content, the king carried on.

One day the king and his wife, saw few fishermen going to catch fish. The king asked the fishermen to spare a fish. The fishermen said they had placed their nets at a wrong time and had not caught anything.

The king asked the fishermen to try again, taking the names of Taal and Betaala in his mind. The fishermen did that, and the net was heavy with fish. The fishermen said Srivatsa was a very holy person and gladly game some fish to the couple, and went.

The king asked his queen to roast the fish so that could make a meal out of it.
The queen said she had heard that eating roasted fish would ward off Shani's evil eye.

The queen while roasting the fish, wondered how the king who had been used to the choicest of meals would be able to eat burnt fish. She decided to wash the roasted fish in the lake and then take it to the king. As soon as the burnt fish touched the water, it came to life and swam away.

The queen did not know what to say to the king. Who would believe that a dead burnt fish could come to life. She was sure the king would say she had eaten up the fish.
When she went to the king and told him what had happened, he was surprised and started laughing. 

Laksmi and Shani come to Srivatsa

Getting up early the next day, the king discussed with his subjects, what to say to Shani.
Having made a decision, he asked his people to get two divine thrones in the court. One was to be made of Gold, the other of Silver. The thrones were kept on two sides of his throne.

Lakshmi and Shani came and sat on the thrones and were duly worshiped by the king.

They wanted to know who was superior.

The king said., One the left sits the ordinary and on the right the superior. Shani was offended, as he was on the left, and he left the court.

Lakshmi said, as you pleased me, I will remain with you for ever. Saying, she blessed the king and left.

Shani decided to wait for an opportunity to come, when he would be able to have his revenge on the king.

Shani approaches Srivatsa

Krishna said - Listen to me then.

In the earlier days, there was a great king called Chitraratha, whose son was Srivatsa. He was great king who ruled well. He performed many sacrifices and his subjects were very happy under his rule. His wife, Chinta, was a very pious lady.

One day, in the heavens, Lakshmi and Shani were talking. Lakshmi said she was superior to Shani. All prayed to her. How many prayed to Shani.

They decided to test Srivatsa. Shani, son of Surya, went to the kingdom of Srivatsa.

Srivatsa had just finished his bath in the river, when he saw Shani there. He asked the God the reason for his arrival. Shani said he wanted to know who was superior among him and Lakshmi.

The king said he would give the answer the next day.

Having finished his bath, the king went home and told his queen what had happened.

The queen was not happy. An argument between two immortals, and a human had to judge. This was not a good sign.

The king said what had to happen, would happen. 

Krishna kills Salva

Krishna continuing said -

After the sacrifice, when I returned, I saw Dwaraka devastated. Satyaki told me what had happened. I was pained to hear this. I called my sons and decided it was time we fought Salva. I went to the river Sindhu where Salva was hiding. Going there, I blew my conch shell, Panchajanya.

Salva laughed and said he had gone to Dwaraka in search of me, and destiny had now brought me to him.

Salva showered many weapons which I cut off. Salva then rose up in the sky and attacked. Not seeing where the attack was coming from, I was unable to fight.

Suddenly a person came and said that Salva had attacked Dwaraka and had killed my father Vasudea. I was shocked to hear about the death of my father. I then wondered how Salva had managed to attack with Balarama guarding Dwaraka. I realized that this was an illusion. I renewed my fight with Salva. I then saw Salva drag my father and throw him on the ground. I looked closely and then saw this was the illusion created by Salva. Not knowing where Salva was, I started shooting arrows, aiming them towards the sounds. With the Gandharva weapon, I destroyed the magic created by Salva.

Salva created darkness and started showering boulders. I somehow managed to escape. I released my Sudharshan Chakra. The discus, glowing like the sun, cut off Salva.

This was why I could not come to meet you earlier, Yudhistira. Do not worry. You will will in the end.

There are times when the planets do not favor one and that is when bad times come. In earlier days, Srivatsa had to suffer the effects of Shani (Saturn).


Yudhistira then asked Krishna - Who was Srivatsa? Why did he suffer?