For the welfare of all

For the welfare of all: Yudhishtira is worried about supporting the learned sages and rishis who have followed the Pandavas to the forest. Though he would love to show his hospitality to all of them, he knows he does not ...

The Hindu, November 7,2016
Faith

For the welfare of all

Yudhishtira is worried about supporting the learned sages and rishis who have followed the Pandavas to the forest. Though he would love to show his hospitality to all of them, he knows he does not have the power to do so now.
When he voices this concern to Sage Dhaumya, the sage, through his yogic powers, advises Yudhishtira to propitiate the Sun, pointed out Sri Kesava Dikshitar in a discourse.
The sage explains the vital role of the Sun in the wonderful scheme of creation by providing healthy food to all living beings.
Food is indispensable for growth and sustenance and hunger is a reality to all living beings.
The Sun draws water by his rays and while staying over the Earth, the moon, the lord of the vegetable world, converts the solar heat into clouds and pours them down as rain water, which in turn causes plants to spring up.
He also points out that many great kings in the past have taken refuge in the Sun god and have prayed to him to be delivered from great afflictions such as hunger, famine, etc. It would be the best option for Yudhishtira to seek the help of the Sun god at this juncture.
Accordingly, Yudhishtira makes a heartfelt appeal to the Sun who is constantly engaged in the welfare of the three worlds.
The Sun god appears before him and promises to provide them with food during the period of exile. He hands over to him a copper vessel, the Akshaya Patra, and says that this divine vessel will supply fruits, roots, meat and vegetables that is necessary to feed and sustain all.


The Akshaya Patra, a great boon for the Pandavas, is symbolic of the compassionate nature of the Sun, whose responsibility is to nourish all and satisfy their hunger.


Comments

Sir
It is true that the food needs of the Pandavas are taken care by the gifted vessel. Did not the vessel was sought to feed the Rishis too? Then what is the logic behind the story that Draupadi showed an empty vessel when Darvasa Muni arrived at the forest with his disciples and was to be fed. Then Lord Krishna comes to the rescue of Draupadi, he calls for the vessel and found a morsel of left over food. Krishna eats it and that satiates the hunger of Durvasa and his entourage.Could somebody explain the glaring difference in the two stories?

S.Nallasivan
Nallasivanji
The Akshayapatra came with a *T&C apply. One condition was that Draupathy, like any lady of the house those days, should eat last. That was being observed. But, another condition, which was in small print, though Draupathy did read, when the vessel came, had not been taken seriously. That was, once, Draupathy EMPTIED the vessel, the miracle vessel will stop functioning for that particular service. The Rishi, as Rishis were more interested in cursing than in enjoying hospitality, reached sufficiently late ensuring that Draupathy had finished her food. Krishna had hidden a dry spinach leaf somewhere in the vessel as he was aware of the possible troubles(without the knowledge of Modi, sorry, Krishna, nothing happens in Bharat). When Krishna appeared on the scene, he coolly pointed out that the vessel had not been emptied and picked up the hidden dry leaf and chewed it. The Akshayapatra became full again and everyone including the Rishi were served food.

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