The Pandavas always received Lord Krishna’s help in every calamity. Duryodhana devised a conspiracy and sent Sage Durvasa and his ten thousand disciples to visit the Pandavas during their exile. It is tough to please great sages, and those who are not devoted to God cannot benefit from the company of saints. Duryodhana served Sage Durvasa for four months, and the sage, pleased with his service, offered him a boon. Duryodhana saw this as a perfect opportunity to destroy the Pandavas. He knew the sage would curse them angrily if the Pandavas failed to satisfy Sage Durvasa and his disciples. Duryodhana suggested to Sage Durvasa that his elder brother Yudhishthira was in exile, and he should visit with his disciples and accept their hospitality. Duryodhana insisted that they visit after Draupadi had finished her meal. Sage Durvasa accepted this proposal.
The Arrival of Sage Durvasa and Draupadi’s Akshaya Patra
Draupadi received the Akshaya Patra (a vessel of endless food supply) from the Sun God, which provided unlimited food until she ate. One day, after Draupadi had finished her meal and cleaned the Akshaya Patra, Sage Durvasa arrived with his ten thousand disciples at the Pandavas’ camp. The Pandavas welcomed them and said, “Please accept our hospitality and have a meal.” Sage Durvasa and his disciples accepted the invitation and went to the Yamuna River to bathe before the meal.
King Yudhishthira asked Draupadi, “Have you eaten?” Draupadi replied, “Yes, I have eaten and cleaned the Akshaya Patra.” Hearing this, King Yudhishthira grew anxious. Draupadi asked him what the matter was. Yudhishthira said, “Sage Durvasa and his ten thousand disciples are coming to eat. If they are not satisfied, he may curse us in anger.”
Lord Krishna’s Miracle
Draupadi said, “You are relying on a mere vessel, but the one who sustains the entire universe, Lord Krishna, is with us. He will surely save us from this crisis.” Draupadi remembered Lord Krishna with a deep devotion, “O Krishna!” Instantly, Lord Krishna appeared, smiling. He said, “I am very hungry. Give me something to eat.” Draupadi replied, “Lord, I called you to solve this problem, but there is nothing to eat here. I have cleaned the Akshaya Patra.” Lord Krishna said, “First, give me something to eat, and then we will talk about the rest.” Draupadi said, “Lord, it is my fortune that you are asking me for food, but nothing is available now.” Still, Lord Krishna asked her to bring the Akshaya Patra.
Lord Krishna took a single grain of rice from the cleaned Akshaya Patra. Lord Krishna is all-powerful and can do anything. No ordinary woman would clean a vessel so that even a grain of rice remains, and Draupadi was a highly devoted wife born from a sacrificial fire. Moreover, the Sun God had told Draupadi that no food would be left for the rest of the day after she ate. This was a miracle of Lord Krishna, done to protect the Pandavas. Lord Krishna said after eating that single grain of rice, “This will satisfy the entire universe.”
Sage Durvasa’s Satisfaction and Boon
As soon as Lord Krishna ate that grain, Sage Durvasa and his disciples felt full. Bhima was then asked to invite Sage Durvasa and his disciples for the meal. Bhima said, “Delicious food is ready for all of you, so please come.” Sage Durvasa replied, “We are so full that we can’t even drink water.” The sage said, “I am pleased with your service; ask for a boon.” Bhima said, “May Duryodhana receive the result of the intentions with which he sent you here.” Sage Durvasa replied, “So be it.”
Guidance By: Pujya Shri Hit Premanand Govind Sharan Ji Maharaj
