After the epic war of Mahabharat and the departure of Bheeshma, when Shree Krishna departed for Dwarka, Uttara, the wife of Abhimanyu, gave birth to a son, Parikshit. The tale of Parikshit is one filled with profound lessons. His life journey, from his birth to the circumstances leading to his death, encapsulates themes of righteous kingship, spirituality, and the inevitable transition from one era to another. This blog explores the significant events in Parikshit's life, the role of Dharma in his reign, and the curse that ultimately led to his death.
The Birth and Early Years of Parikshit
A Miraculous Birth
Parikshit’s birth was extraordinary. When he was born to Uttara, he began looking around as though trying to find someone he had seen before. When people asked about it, the sage Narad explained that Parikshit had seen none other than Shree Krishna in the womb, who had given him a divine vision. Thus, the child was named Parikshit, which means "the one who is examined" or "the one who looks" in Sanskrit.
Yudhishthira’s Righteous Rule
Following the end of the great Mahabharata war, Yudhishthira, the eldest of the Pandavas, assumed the throne of Hastinapur. As the avatar (incarnation) of Dharmaraj, Yudhishthira ruled justly, caring for Dhritarashtra, whose sons were the source of tormentation and grief during the war. Yudhishthira’s generosity in providing for his uncle and treating him with dignity, despite the many wrongs inflicted, was a testament to his virtuous nature.
Dhritarashtra’s Departure
Vidur, another prominent figure in the Mahabharata, had departed from Hastinapur prior to the impending war. Upon hearing that the war had ended, he returned to the capital and witnessed the state of affairs. Disturbed by the sight of Dhritarashtra still living under the protection of Yudhishthira, Vidur sharply criticized his elder brother. In a poignant exchange, Vidur expressed his disapproval of Dhritarashtra's attachment to material life, especially after all the torment he and his sons had caused the Pandavas. This verbal confrontation had a profound effect on Dhritarashtra, and that very night, he, along with his wife Gandhari, left Hastinapur and ventured into the forest to seek spiritual solace. Not long after, Dhritarashtra attained Samadhi (absorption in God), and Gandhari followed him in fire as a Sati.
Their departure was significant. Yudhishthira, upon learning of this, was filled with sorrow, wondering if he had failed in his duties. However, the sage Narad reassured him that it was the right time for Dhritarashtra to leave the material world and practice sadhana for his eternal welfare. This marked the beginning of the inevitable changes that would soon unfold in Hastinapur.
The Signs of Shree Krishna’s Departure and Parikshit’s Ascension
Shree Krishna’s Departure and Ominous Signs
The end of the Dvapara Yuga and the beginning of Kali Yuga was marked by Shree Krishna’s departure from the earthly realm. Yudhishthira, having witnessed various strange occurrences such as animals behaving abnormally, began to sense that something was wrong. The absence of Shree Krishna, the protector of the Pandavas, had left the kingdom vulnerable to the rise of chaos.
Arjun, who had gone to Dwarka to meet Shree Krishna, returned with the news that the beloved Lord and his family members—Vasudeva, Devaki, and Ugrasen—had all departed the world. With Shree Krishna's passing, the balance of power and righteousness seemed to vanish, and the onset of Kali Yuga became undeniable. Yudhishthira decided it was time to hand over the reign to the next generation.
Parikshit Becomes King
Parikshit, now a young man, was declared the ruler of Hastinapur. Under his leadership, the kingdom flourished, and he performed many Ashwamedha Yagyas to ensure prosperity and spiritual well-being for his people. Parikshit was seen as a righteous and noble ruler, much like his ancestors, and his reign was marked by peace and justice.
The Encounter with the Bull and the Cow
One day, as part of his royal duties, Parikshit went to inspect his kingdom. During his journey, he encountered a bull with three of its legs broken. The bull, representing Dharma, stood on one leg, symbolizing the fact that the fundamental values of Dharma—truth, compassion, austerity, and cleanliness—had been compromised in the world. Alongside the bull was a cow, symbolizing the earth, which was crying in sorrow at the state of the world.
The Arrival of Kali
As Parikshit watched over the bull, a mysterious man appeared and began to strike the bull’s remaining leg. Parikshit, horrified by the sight of an innocent animal being abused, chased the man down. To his shock, the man revealed himself as Kali, the personification of the dark age (Kali Yuga) that had begun with Shree Krishna’s departure. Kali explained that the time had come for him to reign over the earth, and his influence could no longer be avoided.
In a fit of righteous anger, Parikshit banished Kali to four places where his influence would be most destructive: gambling dens, slaughterhouses, places of intoxication, and houses of prostitution. Parikshit understood that these were the places where Dharma was most violated and where Kali's influence could thrive. Upon receiving the order, Kali raised a concern that he couldn't find the required places in the Parikshit’s kingdom and asked for something substantial to stay in. Parikshit allowed Kali to take residence in gold, providing him with a place from which he could exert his influence.
Parikshit’s Curse and Journey Seeking Liberation
The Insult to Shamik Rishi
One day Parikshit entered a forest and came across the sage Shamik Rishi, who was deep in meditation. Thirsty and in need of water, Parikshit requested water from the sage. However, the sage, absorbed in his meditation, did not respond. Feeling insulted, Parikshit picked up a dead snake and draped it around Shamik Rishi’s neck, unaware of the grave consequences of his actions.
Shamik Rishi’s son, Shringi, who was away at the time and upon learning of the insult, became enraged. He invoked a curse upon Parikshit, declaring that in seven days, the king would die from the bite of the Takshaka snake. The curse was swift and certain, as Shringi’s powers as a young sage were immense.
When Shamik Rishi emerged from his samadhi, Shringi explained what had happened and what he had done. Shamik Rishi was deeply remorseful and said that his son had made a grave mistake. He reminded Shringi that Parikshit was a noble king, and despite his error, he should have been forgiven rather than cursed in anger. Moreover, Parikshit was unaware of the curse. Shamik advised Shringi to inform the king. Following his father's instructions, Shringi went to the palace and told Parikshit that he would die in seven days due to the curse.
The Countdown to Parikshit’s Death
Upon hearing of the curse, Parikshit was faced with the reality of his imminent death. He withdrew from the world and chose to spend his remaining days seeking spiritual enlightenment. He sought solace in the divine teachings of the Srimad Bhagavatam, narrated to him by Shukadev, the son of Ved Vyas, who guided his soul towards liberation.
Conclusion
Parikshit’s life was one of great promise, marked by wisdom, righteousness, and a deep sense of duty. However, it was also a life touched by the inevitable forces of destiny and the rise of Kali Yuga, an age that would test the values of truth, compassion, and righteousness to their limits. His reign as king was a beacon of hope for a troubled world, but even he could not prevent the onset of darkness. The story of Parikshit teaches us that, despite our best efforts, certain forces of the universe are beyond our control. Yet, it is how we respond to these forces—through righteous action, humility, and devotion—that defines the legacy we leave behind.
Call to Action
Propel your journey towards spiritual enlightenment by reading Swami Mukundananda's book, Spiritual Secrets from Hinduism, and learn the essence of Vedic Scriptures. Continue to immerse yourself in devotion and transform your life by listening to Swami Mukundananda's Srimad Bhagavatam Series on YouTube.
FAQs
- Who was Parikshit?
Parikshit was the grandson of the Pandavas, the son of Uttara, and a key figure in the Mahabharata. He succeeded Yudhishthira as the king of Hastinapur and is known as one of listeners of the Srimad Bhagavatam
- What was the significance of Parikshit's birth?
Parikshit's birth was considered miraculous. He was said to have received a divine vision of Shree Krishna while still in the womb, which played a significant role in his spiritual and moral development.
- Who cursed Parikshit?
Parikshit was cursed by Shringi, the son of the sage Shamik Rishi, after Parikshit insulted his father. The curse stated that Parikshit would die in seven days from the bite of the Takshak snake.
- What was the moral lesson from Parikshit's life?
Parikshit's life emphasize the importance of Dharma (righteousness), the inevitability of change, and the consequences of one's actions. His story teaches humility, the power of spiritual awakening, and liberation.
Resources
Video
Watch the video by Swami Mukundananda featured in the blog:
The Curse of Parikshit - How Kaliyuga Started - Srimad Bhagavatam Part 4
Related Blogs
Shukadev: The Eternal Voice of the Srimad Bhagavatam
Bheeshma’s Teachings on Dharma and Devotion in the Srimad Bhagavatam