The Story of Ganesa: 14. A musical duel | INDIAN MYTHOLOGY

 

The Story of Ganesa: 14. A musical duel | INDIAN MYTHOLOGY

INDIAN MYTHOLOGY

The Story of Ganesa: 14. A musical duel

One day, Krishna was tending cattle near the Govardhana mountain. He was accosted by an elderly man who had with him a percussion instrument. “Is there someone called Krishna here who plays the flute?” he asked.

“I’m keen to listen to him.” “I’m that Krishna,” the young Krishna introduced himself. “Is that a mridangam, by the way?”

“Yes, it’s a mridangam, and I’m known as Mridanga Kesari,” said the man. “I’m from the south, and I’m on my way to Mathura. I’m told King Kansa is fond of listening to mridangam.”

Krishna noticed that the man was wearing ornaments on his neck, arms, ears, and legs. Moreover, even the mridangam was bejewelled. “Sir, I’m only a shepherd, tending cattle. My flute is made of ordinary bamboo, and I play it only to please the cattle,” said Krishna.

“Oh! You’re just trying to be modest, Krishna,” remarked the old man. “Perhaps you don’t wish to oblige me. But I insist, we must decide whether the music from your flute or my playing on the mridangam is greater, right now.”

Krishna appeared scared, and he started playing his flute. Mridanga Kesari, too, began beating his instrument. He was so taken over by the music from the flute that he stopped playing on the mridangam and started dancing to Krishna’s music.

Krishna played different ragas and the old man had to change his steps often. Suddenly, instead of him it was Vighneswara who was dancing to Krishna’s tunes! Soon Vighneswara got tired. Krishna noticed this and stopped playing the flute. “O son of Parvati! She may even curse you for listening to my flute. That’s why I stopped,” he explained to Vighneswara.

“O Krishna, what a perfect match we made!” said Vighneswara. “I really enjoyed your music. I would have myself asked you to stop, because it is time for you to go to Mathura. Your uncle Kansa’s end is nigh at hand. You must go and return victorious.”

“I’m sure I’ve your blessings,” said Krishna, paying obeisance to Vighneswara.

Soon afterwards, Krishna went over to Mathura, killed Kansa, and released his parents Devaki and Vasudeva who had been imprisoned by Kansa. In course of time, Krishna established his city in Dwaraka and settled down there after marrying Rukmini. Near Dwaraka, there was a small kingdom ruled by Satrajit. He claimed to be a descendant of the Surya dynasty and meditated on Surya, who presented him with a gem called Symantaka which possessed great powers.

Satrajit wanted to show off his newly acquired gift and sent invitations to many people who, as he expected, came and saw the gem, and complimented its owner.

An invitation had also gone to Krishna, but he merely sent word that he would go some day later. Satrajit was naturally put out.

He had a charming daughter called Satyabhama. Word had gone round about her beauty just as the fame of Symantaka had spread. There were many suitors for her hand. Satyabhama very religiously worshipped Ganesa on every Vinayaka Chathurthi day. Her only prayer was that Krishna should become her husband. After she knew that her father had invited Krishna to come and see the gem, she made it a habit to wait at the entrance to the palace hoping that he would arrive any day. But there was no sign of Krishna for a long time and so she began praying to Vighneswara to remove all hurdles to her wish being fulfilled.

Satrajit was aware of the agony in his daughter’s mind, but he did not either express it in words or make a show of his feelings.

One day, he saw Satyabhama in deep meditation and chanting the name of Vighneswara. “My darling daughter! Don’t you know that we’ve the blessings of Lord Surya?” said Satrajit to dissuade her from her penance.“Why then have you to spend so much time on worshipping Ganesa?”

“Please don’t say that, Father!” pleaded Satyabhama. “Only Vighneswara will help me fulfil my wish.”

“And what do you wish for? A share of Krishna’s affection, which he is showering on Rukmini?”

“No, father, it’s not any share that I want,” said Satyabhama unashamedly. “I must get him for myself!”

It so happened, the next day Krishna came to Satrajit’s palace. He received him in his court and sent word to his daughter. By the time she reached the court, bedecked in jewellery to make herself attractive to Krishna, he had already gone away! She found her father holding Symantaka in his hand and staring at the doorway. “Father, did Krishna refuse to accept me?” she asked of him.

“If he had said so, I would not have been so upset,” said Satrajit. “Do you know what he asked for? He wants this precious gem! He said, if it is in his possession, many people would benefit by it.”

Satyabhama appeared shocked. “Father, do you consider Symantaka more precious than your Satyabhama?” She then started moving out in a huff.

Satrajit got up and said, “Certainly not, my darling daughter.” He wanted to reassure her of his affection and concern. “I’m only scared of his greed.”

“But, father,” protested Satyabhama, “Why do you want to call him greedy? He told you that if the gem is in his possession, more people will be benefited. So, it would have been a great act if you had handed the gem to Krishna!”

It was now the turn of Satrajit to become angry. “No! I’ll never give it to Krishna! Not when I am alive! I shall never part with Symantaka! It’s my very life and soul!”

“Father, now I know whom you love most!” said Satyabhama with a sneer. “If that is so, let the gem remain with you. I’ve no place here!”

Satyabhama eagerly awaited the next Vinayaka Chathurthi day.