The story of the completion of Shri Krishna’s life

After informing his father of the destruction of the Yadu dynasty, Krishna returned to his brother Balarama in the forest. He entrusted the protection of the women of the Yadu clan to Arjuna, through his charioteer Bahuk. Now, he simply wanted to spend a few moments with his brother on earth.

Balarama sat motionless under a tree. Whether he was alive or lifeless was unmistakable from mere glance. Krishna, unwilling to disturb his trance, sat down nearby. Only a few moments had passed when he saw a huge serpent emerge from behind Balarama’s head, which instantly disappeared into the ocean a short distance away. On the seashore, serpents like Vasuki, Karkotaka, Shankha, Atishanda, and Varuna himself stood waiting to welcome him.

Balarama’s body slumped. Thinking his elder brother dead, Shri Krishna moved a little distance away and lay down. Was he tired of life? Or did he also yearn to leave this world? As he lay there, his entire past flashed back to him. Mother Yashoda’s scolding, the banks of the Yamuna, the Raas with Radha, the slaying of Kansa, the founding of Dwarka, Rukmini’s love, the Samyantaka gem, son Pradyumna, aunt Kunti, friend Draupadi, Arjuna and his brothers, the Mahabharata war, and finally the destruction of the Yadavas. His thoughts were still flowing when he felt pain in one of his soles. Opening his eyes, he saw an arrow lodged inside.

A hunter came running and fell at Krishna’s feet, crying. He placed those pink feet in his lap and repeatedly asked for forgiveness. Krishna said, “Why are you crying, friend? What crime have you committed?”

“Forgive me, King! I had gone out to kill deer. I saw a glimpse of your feet. Thinking them to be deer, I shot an arrow. Forgive me. I will immediately remove this arrow and apply medicine.”

“Wait, hunter. Tell me your name first!”

“My name is Jara, King!”

“So, friend, Jara! Calm down. You have committed no sin. And I am not a king, I am Krishna, the son of Devaki and Vasudeva.”

Hearing Krishna’s introduction, the hunter became even more saddened. He had committed this crime against the very person whom the world had come to regard as God while he was still alive. The hunter said through sobs, “If you are the Krishna I understand, then you are God himself. You should never have been wounded by the arrow of an insignificant person like me. And even if you are, your wound will heal without medicine, right?”

“Why do you say that, friend? Isn’t Krishna human? He too can be wounded. During the Mahabharata War, I received countless wounds from great warriors, charioteers, and even ordinary infantry. Of course, all those wounds healed quickly. But the wound you inflicted is special, friend.”

“What is so special about the wound I inflicted?”

“It will be the cause of my death.”

“Oh Rama!” As if a mountain had fallen on the hunter’s head, he said in a distraught tone, “Why do you say this, Krishna? Does my arrow have the power to end the incarnation of God himself?”

“Your arrow is a gift from Mahadev, my friend.” Seeing the lively question in the hunter’s eyes, Madhav continued, “Once upon a time, long ago, a sage came to Dwarka. He was loudly declaring that he had a very short temper. He was quick to curse. He wished to stay in Dwarka for a few days. Only if a Dwarka resident could tolerate his anger should he invite him.”

“The whole world knows about that very tall and thin sage. He was Durvasa. When no one invited him to their homes, I stepped forward and brought him home. He was amazing. Sometimes he would eat and then leave. Food for ten people would not be enough. Sometimes he would get up after eating just one morsel. Sometimes he would suddenly go to sleep and sometimes he would suddenly wake up. Therefore, he always had to have the best arrangements for food and shelter. Once, he burned everything, including his bed, and returned to sleep shortly afterward. He tried his best to find fault with his care. But I and my family never gave him such an opportunity.

“Once he had a lot of kheer prepared. Rukmini and I were standing there waiting to serve it to him. He dipped his finger in the delicious kheer, ate just a little, and then asked me to rub it all over my body. I obeyed without hesitation. He looked at Rukmini. Understanding his wish, I offered Rukmini some kheer. He then came out, removed the horses from a chariot, and harnessed Rukmini to it. Just as horses are lashed with whips, Rukmini too suffered the same blows. The sages, seated in that chariot, continued to lash Rukmini’s back through the streets of Dwarka. Finally, they dismounted and began walking in one direction. We ran after them.

“He stopped at one place and told Rukmini that her test was over. He gave her medicine to heal her wounds quickly, bestowed eternal blessings, and said to me, ‘I was testing you. The world has seen your arrogance many times. From torturing your mother and villagers to killing sinful demons, devils, and unjust kings, you have always done what you want. Today the world has seen your humility. I am pleased with you. A great war is about to take place. I know that in that war you will receive countless wounds, and you will not even resist them. Therefore, whatever part of your body you have applied kheer will bear the wounds. They will heal very quickly. But Krishna, you did not apply kheer on your soles. Well, that is also right. You will also have an excuse.”

The hunter, who was listening to them while trying to stop the bleeding from Madhav’s soles with his hand, said, “What excuse are you, Krishna? And you had said that my arrow is the Prasad of Mahadev. So how?”

“Death is inevitable, isn’t it, my friend? Death requires some excuse. My life is complete. The purpose for which I was born has been fulfilled. That sage, that Mahatma Durvasa, is a part of Maharudra Shankar. He blessed my entire body with good health and left a space so that my death could find a way.”

“So, will you really die? What will happen to the world then?”

“The world existed before I was born, my friend, and it will exist after I am gone. Dharma has been established. My purpose has been accomplished. Life is mortal, but the battle between Dharma and Adharma is eternal. In the past, whenever Dharma suffered a loss, someone or the other came. In the future, whenever Adharma prevails again, someone or the other will surely come in some form or the other.

“Now you go, friend. I have spoken enough. I have been speaking all my life. Now I just want peace. Go, do not burden your mind. Go. May you be well.”