World Storytelling Day- From the Bhagavatham- The story of Shri Krishna’s Panchajanya

Greetings to all!

Today, 20th March is World Storytelling Day! This year’s theme is Deep Waters. Keeping in tune with the theme here is my offering of a lesser known story from the Srimad Bhagavatam. The story details of how Shri Krishna acquired his conch, the Panchajanya.

Shri Krishna and Balarama, after vanquishing Kamsa at Mathura, were united with their biological parents Devaki and Vasudeva. Vasudeva then arranged for them to study under a very learned sage by name Rishi Sandeepani who was from Varanasi living at Avanti, near Ujjain.

Rishi Sandeepani was very happy to teach Krishna and Balarama. He imparted to them the Vedas and Shastras, the art of warfare, the 64 skills that were to be learnt and the lessons of governance and statecraft as they were Kshatriyas. Both the brothers were very sincere and committed and grasped the lessons taught quickly much to the joy of their Guru.

When the period of learning was over, Balarama and Shri Krishna asked their Guru what he would like in the form of Guru Dakshina (fees). The Guru initially said that he did not want anything since he was very satisfied with how they had been very committed students and excelled in all that was taught. But the brothers insisted. “Please do not refuse. Please ask what you would like as Guru Dakshina O Guru!” said they. “It is our duty to fulfill that”.

Rishi Sandeepani then consulted his wife, who had taken care of the boys like a mother during their stay there. He then spoke to the boys in a very hesitant tone. “Krishna and Balarama!” he said, “Since you are insistent, I am asking you this. I have heard that you had performed many wonders at Gokul and Brindavan even as young children. I have a difficult task to be performed and fulfilling that would be your Guru Dakshina”

He continued. “This happened many many years back. I had gone with my wife and son to Prabhasa Kshetra on a Yatra. There, as we bathed in the sea, my son drowned. Though we tried our level best, even his body could not be found. We have been living with this sorrow for years now. I would be extremely grateful if you could bring my son back to life from wherever he is… ” Guru Sandeepani stopped speaking. With great apprehension, he looked up to see the reaction on the brothers’ faces.

The next moment he heard the words of Shri Krishna and Balarama in unison “So be it!”

Shri Krishna and Balarama then took leave of their Guru and went to Prabhasa on their chariots. Prabhasa is today’s Somnath. They went to the sea-shore and sat there observing the sea for sometime. The God of the sea Varuna Deva knew that the Lord of the Universe had come. He appeared with folded hands and welcomed Shri Krishna and Balarama.

The brothers accepted the obeisance of Varuna Deva. Krishna said, ” O Varuna! We acknowledge your greetings but if you really intend to pay your respects to us, please bring back the son of our Guru Rishi Sandeepani. We understand that your waves swallowed him years back. We have promised to bring him back as our Guru Dakshina to our Guru”. Krishna’s voice was soft yet firm.

Varuna spoke. “O Krishna and Balarama, it is not my waves which swallowed your Guru’s son. In the depths of this sea lives an Asura by name Panchajana. He assumes the form of a conch and kills people. It is he who has swallowed your Guru’s son.” Saying so Varuna bowed and left.

Krishna surveyed the waters of the sea for some time. He then sprang into the sea. Swiftly swimming through the deep waters, He reached the sea bed where Panchajana was sleeping. With a strong blow He awoke the Asura who became angry at the intruder. With great force they both fought each other and Panchajana was killed. Krishna then tore his belly but could not find the boy. The dead Asura’s body then turned into a conch. Krishna took the conch for Himself and named it Panchajanya ( meaning born of Panchajana) .

Krishna then swam up. With Balarama, He then went to the city of Yama by name Samyamani. Reaching the portals of the city Krishna blew His conch, the Panchajanya aloud. Hearing the bold sound of the conch, Yama rushed to the entrance only to see the Lord of the Universe standing there with Adisesha who was Balarama. Yama bowed down to them. “How may I help you Krishna?” he asked with great humility.

Shri Krishna then told him about their mission. “With your help, O Lord of the dead, we can surely fulfil our promise to our Guru” he said. Yama was charmed by the sweet, yet commanding words of Shri Krishna. He immediately returned the son of Rishi Sandeepani who was then brought back by Shri Krishna and Balarama to the Ashram of their Guru.

Guru Sandeepani and his wife could not believe their eyes. They were overwhelmed with emotion and seeing their son in flesh and blood and upon the fact that Krishna and Balarama had kept their word.

With tears streaming from his eyes Rishi Sandeepani embraced Krishna and Balarama and said in a choking voice, “I must be the luckiest of all Gurus to get such a Guru Dakshina. I am so proud of you Krishna and Balarama! I bless you with unending fame and glory. May your name and fame spread through the world!!”

Shri Krishna and Balarama touched their Guru’s feet with utmost respect Taking leave of all their classmates, they left for Mathura.

This is the story of the birth of Panchajanya.

Jai Shri Krishna!!

Note:

1. The illustration for this story is by Ms. Bhavana Ram Mohan.
2. The source of the story is Srimad Bhagavatham (translations and lectures available in public domain)
3. Other stories from Srimad Bhagavatham are available on this blog and one may search with the term ‘Bhagavatham’ to read them.