(Vana Parva- Mahabharata)
King Janamejaya asked Rishi Vaishampayan, ‘O great Rishi! How did my ancestors- high-souled Pandavas deal with the sudden arrival of that wrathful Rishi Durvasa and his thousands of disciples? It was known that the divine vessel Yudhishthira got as a boon from Lord Suryadeva, which used to become empty after Draupadi had finished her meal. How did they satisfy them?’
Rishi Vaishampayana began that story of Rishi Durvasa’s arrival at Forest————
Duryodhana was always jealous of Pandavas. His heart was filled with hatred and revenge when he got the news of Pandavas’s comfortable life in the forest. Accompanied by his well-wishers- Karna, Shakuni, and Dushassana, Duryodhana longed to do some harm. He knew about Rishi Durvasha’s short temper and curse-giving ability! Thus, he dug the hole for Pandavas! But he forgot that the creator of this universe, Lord Krishna, was the protector of Pandavas!
Durvasa was well known as an extremely short-tempered rishi. The wrathful rishi was unpredictable all the time. Once the celebrated rishi came to Kuru with ten thousand disciples. Seeing the approach of the high-souled rishi, Duryodhana and his brothers welcomed him with great humility. All the royal family members were engaged in his service. Duryodhana himself diligently served him day and night. The ascetic stayed there for a few days.
He was so unpredictable that sometimes he would approach the king saying, ‘Serve me food instantly. I am hungry.’ He would go to take his bath and after the bath may say, ‘I have lost my appetite, so I shall not eat today.’ At some other time suddenly he would come and say, ‘Serve me food without any delay.’ Again out of mischief he would approach the king at midnight demanding food to be prepared but would not eat at all!
Being watchful of the possible danger, Duryodhana was ready to satisfy the wrathful rishi without keeping any anger or grudge. Durvasa Rishi was very much pleased with his unwavering service. One day he said, ‘O king! O Duryodhana, ask me a boon. I am happy with your service! Ask me what you desire.’
Hearing his words, Duryodhana got a new life as if he had got the ‘ambrosia’! Humbly he said, ‘O Noble Rishi! You have allowed me to serve you becoming my guest. Be a guest for a while to the pious, virtuous king Yudhishthira who is best among the men! Now, he lives in the forest, surrounded by his brothers and other noble sages. He would feel blessed in your presence! I wish him to be blessed. O Rishi! Be present there after the excellent princess Draupadi feeds the Brahmanas and husbands and she would be resting after taking her food. Do me this favor if you are pleased with me!’
Accepting Duryodhana’s request, Durvasa said, ‘I’ll satisfy your desire the way you want.’ Saying so, he went away. After his departure, out of joy, Karna said, ‘O friend! With good luck, you have fulfilled your desire by plunging Pandavas into an ocean of misery.’ Thus, Duryodhana, Karna, and others were delighted enjoying their time fullest!
Here, Rishi Durvasa with his thousands of disciples visited the royal sage Yudhishthira when all of them had taken their food including Draupadi. Beholding the wrathful Sage with his disciples, Yudhishthira came forward to receive them all. Durvasa was offered an excellent seat. Very politely joining his hands Yudhishthira spoke, ‘O venerable Rishi! Performing your ablutions and reciting prayers, O noble sages, be graceful to us accepting the food we would serve.’
The rishi with his disciples went to the river but he was worried about how the royal sage Yudhishthira would serve them food!
Meanwhile, Draupadi pondered over finding a way to solve the problem! She thought of many things but she could not find any solution. At last, all her hope was focused on Lord Krishna- her savior in the royal court of Kauravas! She praised the glory of Lord Krishna saying, ‘O slayer of Madhu! O Almighty! O Purushottama! You are the savior of your devotees! You are the beginning, you are the end of this creation! O lotus-eyed Madhava, save me from this danger! O Lord, you are the protector of the Pandavas all the time! Now, we are in a fix, save us from this juncture or we will be burnt into ashes. O Lord, you are the refuge of all! Save us from this difficulty.’
The God of gods whose movement is always mysterious could perceive the difficulties of Draupadi! When Krishna reached there, Draupadi was delighted and told him everything. But Krishna ignored her words and said, ‘O Draupadi! I am burning with hunger and fatigue. Give me some food to eat without any delay. I shall do all other things after eating something.’
Hearing his words, Draupadi was ashamed. Hesitatingly she said that the divine vessel would stop working after she finished her meal. The vessel was empty. But Krishna insisted she fetch that vessel and bring it to him. In a serious voice, he told her it was not the right time to joke. Impelled by Lord Krishna’s urge, the ever-devoted lady brought the vessel and showed him. The gem of the Yadu race, Krishna saw a particle of rice and vegetable sticking to a corner. He picked up and ate it saying, ‘May the Lord Hari, the soul of the universe be satisfied with this!’
Thereafter Krishna asked Sahadeva to go to the river bank and invite the Brahmins for lunch! Sahadeva obeyed his order as he was told. Meanwhile, Durvasa and the Brahmins went into the river to bathe.
Suddenly, they felt their stomach was full up to their throat. They looked at each other’s faces. Thenceforth, they all said, ‘O Rishi Durvasa! We asked the Royal sage Yudhishthira to prepare the food. Now, we feel our stomachs have been filled to the throat! How can we eat anything? O pious rishi Durvasa! The food will be wasted because of us! What shall we do now?’
Durvasa rishi addressed the Brahmins, ‘O Brahamins! We did a sin! We should not have asked the Royal sage Yudhishthira to keep ready meals for us. I know Pandavas are devoted to Hari. The eldest Pandava, Yudhishthira is endowed with ascetic power. They are high-souled, pious, learned, and observant of vows. If Pandavas cast their angry look at us, I fear no one can save us! We will be consumed by their power! I am always afraid of the devotees of Lord Hari! So, O disciples! Run, run away before they could reach us!’ Commanding his disciples, Rishi Durvasa himself fled away.
When Sahadeva arrived there, he saw no one. After searching the riverside and other places, he returned to his elder brother and gave him the information. Yudhishthira was still not free from anxiety. He was afraid of the possibility of the ascetic's sudden approach at midnight with his demands for food. He couldn't guess how to escape from this difficulty created by destiny.
At that crucial time, Lord Krishna appeared before him. With a smiling face he said, ‘O noble son of Pritha! Give up your grief and anxiety. Fear not, the ascetic will not put you in any danger. A virtuous, compassionate, truthful follower of Dharma is protected by God! May good be with you all the time! With your permission, allow me to go home. Do your duties happily.’
Thus, Pandavas with Krishnaa (Draupadi) eulogized the glories of Lord Krishna saying, ‘O Lord! O Vasudev, with your grace only, we will cross this ocean of Samsara! Be merciful to us forever!’
It is truly said— Mare Hari rakhe kiye, rakhe Hari mare kiye! Means- If God wants to kill you who can save you, and if God saves you, then who can kill you!