Thulabhaaram - A lesson in humility - Part 1

 

Thulabhaaram – A lesson in humility Part 1

Lord Krishna had many consorts is well known. Of course there are many deeper explanations and philosophical meaning to the Lord taking these consorts. But after all he is Krishna. His leela makes us smile but also makes us think. This is one such incident that is well known but never tiring.

Lord Krishna was attending to his regular work in Dwaraka. He was visited by Sage Narada. As we know, Narada is a master of mischief. Narada looked at Lord Krishna with absolute devotion and love. He paid his respects and sang a few hymns in praise of the Lord. Lord Krishna and his wife Maa Rukmini who was sitting with him that day, were very pleased.

Lord Krishna looked at Narada realised he was in for some trouble due to his devotee’s pranks. Unperturbed, he smiled and said “Learned Narada, do tell me what you got for me from Devaloka?” Narada was happy that the Lord is asking him for something. He said “Lord, it is my bhagya (blessing) to present you the flowers of the parijatha tree from heaven.”

Lord Krishna took the flowers in his palm. He smiled and said “What a beautiful flower. And fragrant too.”  Krishna then turned to Rukmini and gave her flowers. Rukmini looked at the flowers, touched her eyes with them with reverence and then decked her hair with them.

Rukmini, who was the incarnation of SriLakshmi, innocently asked Narada “This is a beautiful flower. Do you have any idea where it originated?”

Narada bowed to her and said “Devi, when the devas and the asuras were churning the ocean for Amrit, many other things emerged from the ocean. The Parijatha tree was one among them. It has been planted in Indraloka by DevaIndra. He uses the flowers every day for his puja.”

After Lord Krishna and Rukmini entertained their guest with due respects and after some more discussion and time, Narad took leave. He decided to pay his respects to Krishna’s other consort, Sathyabhama. Just courtesy? Perhaps. Any other motive? Possibly.

Narada reached Sathyabhama’s palace and was received with a lot of affection by the lady. Sathyabhama as the incarnation of Mother Earth or Bhudevi was kindness personified. Narada was very touched by the attention and the love showered on him by Maa Sathyabhama. Sage Narada ad Devi Sathyabhama were discussing many things after Narada had partaken some refreshments.

As the conversation progressed, Devi Sathyabhama took Narada to her garden and showed him the beautiful flowers that were in full bloom in the spring. There was a whole section of thulasi plant, Krishna’s favourite. Narada happily wandered through the garden and kept complimenting Devi Sathyabhama on the beauty and elegance of her garden.

Once they were seated in the seating in the garden, Narada innocently started. “You know Devi what will complete your garden? A heavenly flower.” Sathyabhama became curious. She had great pride in her nandavan (flower garden) and thought it had so many rare flowers that were not found elsewhere. She was also a little irritated that the Sage felt that her garden was lacking in something.

With a small frown she looked at Narada and said “Complete it? I have sourced flower plants from every corner of Bhulok and even some from other worlds. I wanted my Lord Krishna to relax when he comes here. That is why I ensure that the garden is kept beautiful and tended well. My people love this garden and take care of it so well. I don’t think it lacks anything Narada.”

Sage Narada pretended to be repentant. He said “Ofcourse Devi. It is a beautiful garden. There are so many varieties of flowers that I do not find elsewhere. But still, if only you had those flowers that I had brought from Indraloka. I brought some and gave it to Lord Krishna thinking he would send some to you. Devi Rukmini was with him at that time. He just gave it to her. She did look beautiful in them and Krishna was looking at her with admiration once she adorned the flowers. Perhaps it must have slipped his mind that you are next door.”

Sathyabhama would have let it go if it had been only about her garden. Now this was about her. She was upset. She turned to Narada and said “What was so special about the flowers that you got? The Lord liked them very much, is it?” Now Narada pretended that he was being put in an awkward situation.

He hummed and hawed and said “They were the Parijatha flowers from the garden of Deva Indra. Forget about it Devi. Let us discuss something else.” Sathyabhama was not ready to let go. “The Lord liked them, you say. And they made Rukmini look even more beautiful. I am sure they are special.” Now Narada was genuinely scared of the Devi getting upset. He tried to make it look like it was nothing.

He told Sathyabhama “Forget it Devi. I am sure you don’t need them. Your garden is beautiful as it is. I am sure Lord Krishna loves your garden and the effort you have made to make him happy through the variety of flowers.” Narada was now uncomfortable enough to want to escape from there. He told Devi Sathyabhama “I will take leave Devi. I have to visit many more people. Thank you for your kindness and hospitality. Narayana, Narayana” He did his pranams and left with a sigh of relief.

Devi Sathyabhama was pacing up and down her garden. She wanted to know why Lord Krishna think of her when he saw the special parijatha flowers that Narada had got. She waited for Lord Krishna to come to her palace in the evening.

What happened then? How did the Lord manage Devi Sathyabhama? We will see in the next Part.