Arjuna and Lord Krishna shared a deep and unique bond, one that often led Arjuna to believe that no one could surpass his devotion to Krishna or his prowess as a warrior. However, Krishna, in his divine play, frequently shattered Arjuna's pride to teach him humility. One such story, involving King Moradhwaj and his son, profoundly impacted Arjuna. Let’s delve into this remarkable tale of devotion and sacrifice.
The Story of King Moradhwaj's Ultimate Sacrifice
After the great Mahabharata war, the Pandavas conducted the Ashwamedha Yagna. During this ritual, a horse was set free to roam freely, and the territories where it wandered were challenged by the warriors of those lands. One day, the horse wandered into the kingdom of King Moradhwaj, where it was stopped by his young son, Dhiradhwaj.
When Arjuna heard of this, he was enraged and set out to retrieve the horse, ready for battle. However, Lord Krishna intervened, praising Moradhwaj's generosity and devotion to Narayana (Vishnu) and advising Arjuna against engaging in battle. Despite Krishna's counsel, Arjuna persisted.
Dhiradhwaj, though young, was a valiant warrior. In the ensuing battle, he defeated Arjuna, leaving him unconscious. When Arjuna regained consciousness, he saw Krishna and realized that this was another of Krishna's divine plays. Krishna explained that Moradhwaj and his son were true devotees of Narayana, and their devotion had granted them victory over Arjuna.
Krishna's Test of Devotion
To break Arjuna's pride, Krishna devised a plan. Disguised as ascetics, Krishna and Arjuna captured a lion from the forest and arrived at King Moradhwaj's palace. The king, renowned for his generosity, welcomed them warmly. Krishna, in disguise, told the king that while they could eat anything, the lion was a man-eater and needed to be fed human flesh. The king was asked to saw his own son in half and feed the lion, all without shedding a tear.
Though stunned by the request, Moradhwaj agreed, adhering to his duty of hospitality. He explained the situation to his wife and son, and they too accepted the horrific task to honor their guest. With unwavering resolve, the king and queen sawed their son in half and offered him to the lion. The lion, however, only ate half of the body, and the queen, unable to hold back her tears, wept.
When Krishna asked why she cried, the queen replied that her tears were not for the loss of her son, but for the fact that his sacrifice was incomplete. Arjuna, witnessing this act of supreme devotion, was overwhelmed and realized the depth of true devotion.
Krishna Reveals His Divine Form
Seeing that Arjuna’s pride was shattered, Krishna revealed his divine form to Moradhwaj and his family. He asked them to request a boon, and the king and queen humbly asked that Krishna never subject any devotee to such a harsh test again. Moved by their devotion, Krishna granted their wish.
This story illustrates the extraordinary devotion of King Moradhwaj and his family and serves as a powerful reminder of the humility and selflessness required in true devotion. It also highlights the divine ways in which Krishna guides his devotees towards enlightenment.
Through this tale, we learn that ultimate devotion often involves immense sacrifice, and true devotion transcends pride, bringing one closer to the divine.
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