Prafulla Kumar Mohanty's
DRAUPADI - XLIII
Yajna Preparation
The yajna preparations were in full swing
Yudhistir called a meet of friends
well wishers, ministers, priests and above all
Krishna Vasudev for fine tuning events:
Invitations, to all kings, sages, poets,
artists, dancers, singers, builders, players
must be sent in time by royal messengers
security for the guests and common citizen
administrative supervisions proper execution
stores provisions gifts proportionate to
status of all invitees logistics and
particularly decoration and cleanliness
and all associated things must be provided
managed with proper distribution of work:
The King asked Krishna for advice
with due humility and genuine honour.
Krishna in level voice said
the most important thing is
reception of the royal guests
their comfortable lodging and security.
O' wise Yudhistir you
know
a humble greeting welcome smile
numbs the ego resists temptations
to brag of wealth and power
softens the wanton desires to humiliate
the host's honest efforts to glory:
Never forget to receive them personally
coming from faraway places
spending tiresome days through
unwelcome routes to attend
your Yajna, respecting your invite -
Yes Vasudev you are right and so
you are the best person to be
the Master of Ceremonies including
reception habitation and all other
related things of honour and dignity:
everyone laughed including Vasudev
what else remains then
for others!
Yes there are things to impart
the food, its timing and quality
to please their taste buds and eyes
the plates, dressing, serving men
pouring with luxurious smiles before
they ask for - all these matter
Draupadi said in unabashed candour:
Her Sakha was pleased and all said
who else is better than you,
take charge of this Panchali
satiate them with your culinary art
and inflame their appetite for
all goodies in life.
Bhim was overall supervisor
of the kitchens and the supply chains
fruits, vegetables rice condiments
other requirements were also to be
managed by Bhim and his team.
Arjun was asked to organize all
pandals for dance, music for the
entertainment of the guests, citizens.
The younger Pandavs Nakul- Sahadev
were responsible for security of
materials to be brought by boats
carts and workforce and also
night vigil to make the visitors,
guests and citizens to sleep peacefully.
Yudhistir asked the advisors who should
manage the stocks of material, gifts
brought and to be given when kings
return after the ceremonies are done,
a silence reigned over the meeting
for a moment when Krishna
suggested the name of Duryodhan:
What! Duryodhan! He will give more
than needed and pour plentifully
on peoples bags all precious jewels
he will work in double vigour
to see resources depleted to give
bad name to Yudhistir and Pandavs!
Krishna laughed, there lies the fun
and your luck and reputation
the more he gives the more the store
would swell with everything
Laxmi sits on his shoulder brother
the spiteful charity will rebound
bounteous plenty will
fill the coffers
O' Yudhistir give the stores to Duryodhan
his jealousy will spread your fame.
Messenger reported, your Majesty
Vyasadev with ten thousand pundits
brahmins and scholars is at palace door
awaiting your presence, his patience
should not be tested - No said Yudhistir
arose and rushed out
to receive the saint
followed by all, Krishna and Draupadi too
fast paced went to bow down before
the father of the Kurus, sage poet
divinity incarnate who saw tomorrow
as vividly as he knew time's younglings
their motives missions morals and end game.
Vyasa blessed the
kings courtiers smiled
at Krishna held him a moment and said
what you do I see and what I see
may disenchant us from human glory
Krishna bowed again whispering
your words are prophetic gurudev
what I envision you
see and what
you don't see is beyond me
therefore great saint live it all as if
no tomorrow dislodges our today to unreality.
Immediate arrangements were made
for their happy
lodgings full of provisions
suitable to Vyasa's iconic stature
and his entourage too was treated
with humility and honour befittingly.
