Preface:
I had the pleasure of attending "Santhangopalam, a Kathakali program at Chinmaya Thapovanam in Morganville, Pennsylvania with my children. The excerpt below is a summary of what I shared with my children on my way to see the performance. They found my narration very interesting and useful to understand the show, the culmination of which is this blog for your reading pleasure...
Story of "Santhanagopalam" as explained to my children:
A brahmin lost his 9 children at birth. He came to Krishna and scolded him harshly saying bad things like child death etc happens when the King fails to keep dharma in his country. He abused and scolded Krishna for a long time and Krishna simply sat and heard everything with a smile. Arjuna got irritated listening to the abuse showered on Krishna. He was wondering why Krishna was so silent. Arjuna was getting angry. He wanted to say something but was hesitant to talk as Krishna was keeping silence. Krishna was aware of Arjuna's thoughts. He wanted to play a prank on Arjuna to clear his ego completely. Krishna with a naughty smile left the place. Arjuna made use of the situation. He promised to protect the next progeny and that the brahmin will be sure to get the next baby. The brahmin mocked at him saying, 'you fool while Krishnan kept silence, who are you to make such a promise? When Krishna is helpless, whom do you think you are to utter such a false promise? Arjuna got angry. He said, ''Haven't you heard about Arjuna, the great kshatriya warrior with Gandiva the famous weapon bow in his hand? When Arjuna hoists his weapon, nobody dares to open his mouth". He then promised for a second time. The Brahmin was not convinced. He demanded Arjuna to make the promise in the name of Lord Krishna. But Arjuna was not ready to do that.
Instead, he promised again for a third time saying "I promise to protect the next child in the name of Gandivam; the most important thing in my life. If I fail, I will jump into fire and die". The brahmin agreed to inform him when his wife conceives next time and rightfully did so. Arjun made a fort with arrows and advised the Brahmin's wife to live inside that fort till the baby was born. Arjuna stood guard for the whole period. However, when she delivered, not even the dead body of the child was there, which was against the nature's law. The brahmin got furious. He showered abuses on Arjun and asked him to jump into fire and kill himself. When Arjun was about to jump, Krishna appeared and stopped him. Arjun forced himself from the clutches of Krishna and made a second attempt. Krishna saved him once again and said "Don't think the children are dead. They are living happily in Vikundha. Krishna then went on to explain "I am the only existence in this world. All other things are maya. Body alone is perishable. I am the only one which creates and controls the entire Universe. I have no birth or death, no shape, no taste, no smell etc. I am nothing, but pure Chaithanya. Whoever comes out of me will come back to me and melts within me. So, nobody dies". Krishna then took Arjun to Vikundha and showed the children to him. Both of them took the children and handed over them to the Brahmin and blessed all. Thus, Arjun realised that he is nothing or has no power or importance without Krishna.
This is Sanathana Dharma which is designated as Hinduism. There is no such religion. It is only the pure imperishable Dharma and a way of living as per that Dharma which prevailed in our Arsha Bharatha. It will be back because Krishna had said whenever Dharma perishes, He will appear as a new incarnation to this world to reinstate the same.
May the Almighty bless all of us.
Kanakam OPR
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