THE FIRST RESPECT

I got into a conversation with my two close friends over coffee regarding why so many people support the first honor. Seeing men of high honor—politicians in particular—leaving the Constitution Hall is nothing new. It’s possible that something disrespectful was forcing them to depart. However, if you go all the way back, this was already in place. If one remembers, there were many such situations during Dwaparayuga- The age of Krishna

There were several kings in our nation, each with their own domain to govern. Most of the time, things stayed peaceful since they were all subject to the laws of the land and the Kshatriya Dharma. Additionally, the minor kings and chieftains would regard the monarch more highly if he acquired more riches and territory. The smaller kingdoms, with no option to express their preferences, nodded, bowed, and paid their respects. Additionally, they took great pleasure in carrying out higher level austerities, for which they also asked these smaller Kings for support.

Yudhishtira performed the Rajasuya Yaga. At the completion came the question of who should be honored first. With the august audience so full of men of great respect, the choice was too hard to be made. Yudhishtira relied on the grandmaster Bhishma in times of difficulties such as these. He was an elderly and of course a better decision-maker. Also, no one dared to go against him. With no further thoughts, Bhishma declared loudly, that the first honor should always go to Krishna. With no time to lose, Sahadeva performed the first honor with no further delay, duly satisfied and happy with Bhishma’s decision.

But the entire hall shuddered with rage. There was an unsettling hush at first, but after the honor, it was evident that several Kings were leaving quietly, while many others muttered and chattered among themselves about how indifferent they were being treated. A few names were uttered at random, but because the honors had already been served, Bhishma and the Pandavas decided to overlook them. Unsurprisingly, Shishupala sprang up from his chair and made his way straight to the assembly hall’s center. After all, every revolution needs an ally.

“There are a great deal of kings and preceptors present at this gathering. The fact that one is superior to the other is known. Though it was a difficult decision to make at first, the admirable Bhishma went with a cowherd. How unfortunate! The famous counselor Bhishma was born to a woman who fluctuates between high and low. The person who received the honor, Krishna, was a cowherd by lineage; the man who performed the honor was an illegitimate born. This decision says little about the males who our society holds in such high regard.”

He declared that the Pandavas had honored Krishna only as a result of their blatant bias and immature conduct. The naive and stupid Pandava had picked a cowherd, despite the assembly hall being filled with nobles such as Drona, Kripa, Karna, and others who deserved greater reverence.

“When he accorded honor and precedence to this scoundrel Krishna, who had unfairly killed Jarasandha, what Dharma was this? I call Yudhishthira an unjust person from now on. Krishna, are you not ashamed of yourself? Your behavior is akin to a dog wagging its tail to seize the piece of rice that nobody else appears to be grabbing.”

The Mahabharatha continues, describing in great detail Shishupala’s verbal diarrhea in the august forum. Despite the fact that I only chose a handful, I think the readers will be able to understand just how stressful it may have been. The climax of the story is what follows when Shishupala’s conceit leads to a disastrous altercation with Krishna he is slaughtered by his discus.

Yudhishtira’s recognition as an emperor effectively marked the end of the Rajasuya yaga.

You will discover a reason for Shishupala’s animosity against Krishna if you delve a bit deeper into the past. To provide some light on this subject; Krishna had been forced to make the unachievable vow by Shishupala’s mother that he would not kill his son. It had been predicted to her that Krishna would kill his son. However, before he did anything, Krishna had assured her that he would readily overlook the first one hundred errors. And nobody can resist fate’s will, of course!

The purpose of this article is not to criticize specific acts. It serves simply to highlight the fact that Krishna, who was none other than God, was the target of rebellion. People immediately opposed this choice. While this was the situation during the age of the gods, it is uncertain to expect the first honor in the present Kali Yuga.

Therefore, the prudent course of action would be to wait and observe; if you earn the honor, it will come to you; the key question here is whether it will happen legally or illegally.

ANITHA CHAKRAVARTHY SRIRAM