Glimpses of The Devi Bhagavatam: 13. THE DIVINE GRACE

 

INDIAN MYTHOLOGY

Glimpses of The Devi Bhagavatam:

13. THE DIVINE GRACE

The princes, who had been invited to the Swayamvaram, responded thus: “Do not bother to entertain us, O King Subahu. You have passed a sleepless night. Go and take some rest.” He returned to his castle.

Inside the castle, preparations were afoot for the bride’s journey to her husband’s place. Some friendly princes whispered to the king, “Please don’t let the couple leave the castle now. The enemy, like a pack of hungry wolves, is waiting to pounce upon them.”

The king was, naturally, in favor of detaining the couple. But Sudarshan told him, “O King, don’t have any fear for of us. The Divine Mother will protect us. I shall lead your daughter safely to my hut. I’ve no palace. But my forest is in no way less attractive than any palace.”

The king did not like to stand in his way. He bade them farewell. A regiment of his army accompanied them.

Even then King Subahu was not without anxiety. He, 13. THE DIVINE GRACE too, followed them. Outside the town, Yudhajit lay in ambush with his soldiers and a few foolish princes. “Here they come!” He shouted when he sighted Sudarshan’s chariot. With his sword drawn, he leaped up from hiding. King Subahu did not take long to recognize his voice. He jumped forward and faced him.

Fighting broke out. Sudarshan, calm and composed, prayed to the Divine Mother calling for Her intervention. Suddenly, to everybody’s surprise, there appeared a luminous female figure riding a lion, in the very midst of the battle.

Yudhajit’s elephants panicked at the sight of the ferocious lion. “Look here, my soldiers, the Divine Mother is here to protect us. Go forward fearlessly and destroy the enemy!” shouted Sudarshan.

“What! Should you get frightened at the sight of a woman, a prince without a kingdom, and an old king? Come on, let’s crush them!” shouted Yudhajit, addressing his soldiers and the few princess who had joined him.

He had hardly finished giving out his call when he was struck by a lethal arrow. He fell down and died instantly. Next to fall was his grandson and Sudarshan’s step-brother the young Shatrujit.

Many of Yudhajit’s soldiers and collaborators died at the hands of King Subahu and Prince Sudarshan. The rest fled. Soon all was quiet.

Subahu prostrated himself before the Goddess. “Mother! Now that you have come to my rescue so compassionately, be pleased to dwell forever in the city of Kashi. I am told Kashi will remain as long as the earth remains. My prayer is, you be in Kashi as long as Kashi is there!”

The Goddess agreed.

Sudarshan and his bride, too, prostrated themselves before the Goddess. “Mother! I would have been nowhere but for your Grace. Kindly tell me what I should do now.”

“Go to Ayodhya and ascend the throne. Rule the kingdom with truth and justice. You’ll always have my protection,” said the Goddess.

Those princes who were returning from Kashi got an opportunity to behold the Goddess. They were overwhelmed. After the wondrous vision disappeared, they told Sudarshan, “It is because of you that we had had this fortune. We’ll ever remain grateful to you.”

Sudarshan and Shashikala took leave of King Subahu and proceeded to Ayodhya. Some of the friendly princes went as their escorts. The news of Shatrujit’s death and Sudarshan’s victorious march had already reached Ayodhya. The ministers and the nobility organized a grand reception for the prince and his bride.

Thousands of men and women gathered at the entrance to the city to welcome the couple. There was sweet music. The crowd burst into loud cheers when Sudarshan’s chariot was sighted.

Sudarshan greeted them and then went to meet his stepmother. He bowed to her and said, “Mother, I’m sorry for the death of your son, Shatrujit, and your father. They brought about their death themselves. I had never meant any harm to them.”

After a pause, he said, again, “I lost my father when I was an infant. My mother and I had to flee on account of your father’s wrath. He even killed my noble grandfather, King Virsen. On our way to find some shelter we were robbed by bandits. But I have learnt to look upon all these misfortunes as the play of destiny. I nurse no ill-will towards anyone– least of all for you. My attitude to you will be like my attitude to my own mother.” Tears welling out of her eyes, Queen Leelavati said, “My son, my father had harassed you and killed your grandfather despite my prevailing upon him not to do so. He has paid for his wicked actions. I lost my son on account of his arrogance. You are my only hope and solace. I used to look upon your mother as my own elder sister. I shall continue doing the same.”

Amidst great festivities Sudarshan was declared the king. The first thing he did thereafter was to erect a golden throne and to install the image of the Divine Mother in it. A day did not pass without offering his sincere prayers to the Goddess. He ruled his kingdom with truth and justice.