राजसूय यज्ञ

Krishna ki Atmakatha #6

by Manu Sharma

राजसूय यज्ञ
मेरी मनुजात की वास्‍तविकता पर जब चमत्कारों का कुहासा छा जाता है तब लोग मुझमें ईश्‍वरत्व की तलाश में लग जाता हूँ। शिशुपाल वध के समय भी मेरी मानसिकता कुछ ऐसे ही भ्रम में पड़ गई थी; पर ज उसके रक्‍त के प्रवाह में मुझे अपना ही रक्‍त दिखाई पड़ा तब मेरी यह मानसिकता धुल चुकी थी। उसका अहं अदृश्‍य हो चुका था। मेरा वह साहस छूट चुका था कि मैं यह कहूँ कि मैंने इसे मारा है। अब मैं कहता हूँ कि वह मेरे द्वारा मारा गया है। मारनेवाला तो कोई और था। वस्तुत: उसके कर्मों ने ही उसे मारा। वह अपने शापों से मारा गया।
संसार में सारे शापों से मुक्‍त होने का कोइ्र-न-कोई प्रायश्‍च‌ि‍‍त्त है; पर जब अपने कर्म ही शापित करते हैं तब उसका कोई प्रायश्‍च‌ि‍त्त नहीं।
आख‌िर वह मेरा भाई था। मैं उसे शापमुक्‍त भी नहीं करा पया। मेरा ईश्‍वरत्व उस समय कितना सारहीन; अस्‍त‌ि‍त्‍व‌व‌िहीन; निरुपाय और असमर्थ लगा!
कृष्‍ण के अनगिनत आयाम हैं। दूसरे उपन्यासों में कृष्‍ण के किसी विशिष्‍ट आयाम को ‌‌ल‌िया गया है। किंतु आठ खंडों में विभक्‍त इस औपन्‍यासिक श्रृंखला ‘कृष्‍ण की आत्मकथा’ में कृष्‍‍ण को उनकी संपूर्णता और समग्रता में उकेरने का सफल प्रयास ‌‌क‌िया गया है। किसी भी भाषा में कृष्‍‍णचरित को लेकर इतने विशाल और प्रशस्‍त कैनवस का प्रयोग नहीं किया है।
यथार्थ कहा जाए तो ‘कृष्‍ण की आत्मकथा’ एक उपनिषदीय कृति है।

‘कृष्‍‍ण की आत्मकथा श्रृंखला के आठों ग्रंथ’
नारद की भविष्‍यवाणी
दुरभिसंध‌ि
द्वारका की स्‍थापना
लाक्षागृह
खांडव दाह
राजसूय यज्ञ
संघर्ष
प्रलय

310 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2015

Reviews

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

राजसूय यज्ञ-Krishna Ki Atmkatha #6 by Manu Sharma- Narad Muni arrives in Indraprastha where Pandavas welcome him. Narad Muni suggests that Pandavas should perform Rajsuya Yagn to satisfy his earlier generations. Shri Krishna arrives from Dwarka and this issue is placed before him for suggestions and solution. Krishna informed that they have yet to defeat King Jarasandh of Magadha. Arjun, Bhim and Krishna left for Magadha dressed as Brahmins. In Magadh, they requested for wrestling bout with Jarasandh. Jarasandh wished to be introduced to them. On knowing that the trio was Krishna, Arjuna nd Bhim, Jarasandh chose to wrestle with Bhim. Bhim was able to wrestle with Jarasandh for 18 days. He tore the body of Jarasandh in two parts and on the suggestion of Krishna, he threw the parts in different directions. Thus, Magadh was won. All kings imprisoned by Jarasandh were freed. They all were invited to Rajsuya yagn of Pandavas. Krishna and trio returned back to Indraprastha. Yudhistar and Krishna sat in the Palace- hall to plan about Rajsuya Yagn. Pandavas travel round the country with an army to show their power. The King in whose territorty they passed had the option to either catch the Rajsuya yagn horse and fight them or to welcome the Pandava army and accept their superiority and kingship. Pandava army passed through various Kshatriya Kingdoms. Relatives of Pandavas, King Jaidrath of Sindhu where Durydhana’s sister Dushala was married. Pandava army was welcomed by Jaidrath. Next was king Shalya of Madra Kingdom. Shalya was brother of Madri mother of Nakul and Sahdev. Pandav army was welcomed here also. Pandav army returned victorious after their Yagn horse travelled round the country. All gifts of their welcome were presented before Yudhistar. Now, Pandavas travelled to invite all Kings to invite them to attend their Rajsuya yagn. Pandavas travels to Kuru King Dhritrashtra at Hastinapur. This personal invitation impresses Bhishma Pitamah, Dronacharya, Kripacharya, Duryodhana, Karn, Vidur, Ashwasthama, Sanjay, the charioteer and other important Hastinapur residents. Shishupal King of Chedi dynasty is also invited. Shishupal is son of Krishna’s father’s sister Shrutasubha. When Shishupal was born, he had three eyes and four arms. It also foretold that his superfluous body parts would disappear when a certain person took the child into his lap and that he would eventually die at the hands of that same person. Krishna visited Chedi kingdom where Shishupal was the child was placed on his lap. Immediately, the extra eye and arms disappeared. This incident indicated that Shishupala's death was destined at the hands of Krishna. Shishupala's mother Shrutasubha persuaded her nephew, Krishna, that he would pardon his cousin Shishupala for a hundred offences. Rukmi, the prince of Vidarbha, was very close friend of Shishupala. Rukmi wanted that his sister Rukmini should be to married to Shishupala. But before the marriage ceremony could take place, Rukmini chose to elope with Krishna. This made Shishupala hate Krishna. Yudhishthira sent Bhim to Chedi Kingdom to invite Shishupal for the Rajsuya Yagn. Shishupala accepted Yudhishthira's supremacy with no protest, and was invited to the final ceremony at Indraprastha. At that event, the Pandavas asked the kings to suggest the name of person who be chosen for Agrapuja. Bhishma suggested the name of Shri Krishna. It was thus decided that Krishna would be the special honoured guest of the sacrificial ceremony. This suggestion of Bhishma angered Shishupala and he started insulting Krishna, calling him a mere cowherd and worthless to be honoured as a king. He also started insulting Bhishma, calling his vow to remain a celibate throughout life as an act of cowardice. Bhishma became furious and threatened Shishupala, but Krishna calmed him down. Through this act, he committed his 100th sin and was pardoned by Krishna. When he insulted Krishna again, he committed his 101st sin. Krishna then released his Sudarshana Chakra on Shishupala, killing him on the spot. Shishupala's soul was liberated and attained salvation by merging into Krishna's body. Rajsuya ceremony was complete and guests started returning to their kingdoms. Yudhistar requested Duryodhana, Karn and Kuru guests to stay in Indraprastha palace for some more time. Duryodhana accepted his offer. However, when Duryodhana and Karn entered the palace of illusions. The illusions in the palace appeared so real that land was water and water was land. Duryodhana slipped in the pond filled with water and fell down. The women folk were viewing the chamber from the stairs above the hall. They laughed and Duryodhana was discomfortable. Karna helped him stand. Duryodhana considered this as an insult and vowed to avenge this insult. After returning to Hastinapur, he informed about the incident to his father. Shakuni, Duryodhana and Karn planned that they should invite Pandavas for a game of dice and win their empire by crook. Dhritrashtra order Vidur the Minister to travel to Indraprastha and invite Pandavas for a game of dice. Vidur was uncle of Pandavas. He informed Pandavas that they can and they must refuse the invitation for a game of dice. But as luck would have it, Yudhistar decided that Pandavas will visit Hastinapar for a game of dice. Hastinapur Royal family, Bhishma, Drona, Kripacharya, Dhritrashtra, Duryodhana, Dusshasan, Karna, members of the Hastinapur Cabinet were present. It was decided that Shukuni would throw the dice and Duryodhana would call while Yudhistar would throw the dice and he would call. Yudhistar lost his palace and his empire. He lost his four brothers and wife Draupadi in the dice calling. Duryodhana ordered his brother Dusshasan to bring Draupadi to his King’s hall. Draupadi resisted but she was pulled to the court. Dusshasan tried to pull her sari and undress her but failed as Draupadi called Krishna who arrived and extended the length of the sari so that Dushsan was tired to pulling the saree. Dusshsan was a strong man, Draupadi’s saree was long with Krishna’s help. Dushsan felt tired in this act. On Drapuadi’s call to save her, none of the Royals, teachers and courtesans rose of help her and take the side of the woman. Dhritrashtra understood that Draupadi can curse the Kurus to death. Bhim and Arjuna vowed that they will take revenge from Kurus for this act of disgrace to Druapadi and illegal game of dice. Dhritrashtra said that they will play one last game of dice. If the Pandavs win, they will proceed for 12 years life in forest and one year exile and incognito. Pandavas lost the game and accepted 12 years forest life and one year incognito. Pandavas moved out with important citizens of Hastinapur and of Indraprastha. Krishna arrived and helped them. Dhristadumna also arrived and helped the Panadavas. Krishna suggested that Arjuna should leave for the Himalayas for Tapasya of Lord Shiva so that he can pray for grant of Celestial weapons including Pashupati astra. Later, he had to move with Indra to learn and practice the latest art of war. Pandavas travelled round the country crossing rivers. Krishna had arranged for a plate from Sun God. This plate would provide food for all until Draupadi ate and washed the plate. During the incognito one- year period Pandavas resided with Matsya King Virat. Pandaas changed their names. Yusdhistar was Kank, a brahmin who played dice with the King, Bhim was Vallabh, the cook, Arjuna was Vrahannala, Nakul was Granthik, horse caretaker, Sahadev was Tantipal cow farm in-charge. Duryodhona and his team of spies could not detect the new location of Pandavas. Therefore, after about one year period was over, Kurus attached the Matsya Kingdom and tried to take away his cattle. Arjuna on one side and Yudhistar, Bhim, Nakul Sahadev on other boundary of Matsya replied to the attack. Arjuna had been taught art of war by Drona and he had revised and re-learnt the fast quick war with Indra. He singly defeated Kuru Army.

[Vibhas Srivastava · Rating 5 out of 5]

अद्भुत

अद्भुत कथानक, जरासन्ध वध और शिशुपाल वध का वर्णन अद्वितय है। कृष्ण की कूटनीति को सरल शब्दों में बताना अद्भुत है