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RIDDLES IN HINDUISM<br />
<strong>in</strong>sight, of mighty power, beholds (him) with the eye of contemplation. Through his devotion to Rudra,<br />
the world is pervaded by the mighty Krishna. Hav<strong>in</strong>g then propitiated that deity (Mahadeva) at Badari, he<br />
(Krishna) obta<strong>in</strong>ed from the golden-eyed Mahesvara the quality of be<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> all worlds more dear than wealth.<br />
This Madhava (Krishna) performed austerity for a full thousand years, propitiat<strong>in</strong>g Siva, the god who bestows<br />
boons, and the preceptor of the world. But <strong>in</strong> every mundane period (yuga) Mahesvara has been propitiated<br />
by Krishna and has been gratified by the em<strong>in</strong>ent devotion Of that great personage. This unshaken Hari<br />
(Krishna) when seek<strong>in</strong>g, for offspr<strong>in</strong>g, has beheld dist<strong>in</strong>ctly of what character is the glory of that great parent<br />
of the world. Than him I behold none higher. This large-armed (Krishna) is able to recount fully the names of<br />
the god of gods, to describe the qualities of the div<strong>in</strong>e (be<strong>in</strong>g) and the real might of Mahesvara <strong>in</strong> all its<br />
extent".<br />
This dialogue between Yudhishthira and Bhishma took place <strong>in</strong> the presence of Krishna. For<br />
immediately after his reply Bhishma calls upon Krishna to celebrate the greatness of Mahadeva. And this<br />
supreme God Krishna proceeds to do so without feel<strong>in</strong>g any offence and says:<br />
"The course of the deeds of. Isa (Mahadeva) cannot he really known. He whose essence neither the gods<br />
headed by Hiranyagarhha. nor the great rishis with Indra, nor the Adityas. the perceivers ol the m<strong>in</strong>utest<br />
objects, understand,—-how can he. the refuge of sa<strong>in</strong>ts he known by any mere man? I shall declare to you<br />
exactly some of the attributes of that div<strong>in</strong>e slayer of the Asuras of the lord ol religious ceremonies."<br />
Here not only do we f<strong>in</strong>d that Krishna acknowledges his <strong>in</strong>feriority to Shiva but we also f<strong>in</strong>d Shiva conscious of the<br />
fact that Krishna has been beaten down and is no longer his superior, <strong>in</strong>deed is not even his equal. This is evident<br />
from Sauptika-parvan where Mahadeva says to Asvathaman<br />
" I have been duly worshipped by Krishna, the energetic <strong>in</strong> action. with truth, purity, honesty, liberality,<br />
austerity, ceremonies. patience, wisdom, self-control, understand<strong>in</strong>g and words: Wherefore no one is<br />
dearer to me than Krishna ". Krisnna from be<strong>in</strong>g above Shiva, above every God. <strong>in</strong>deed a Parmeshwar is<br />
reduced to the position of be<strong>in</strong>g a mere follower of Shiva begg<strong>in</strong>g for petty boons.<br />
This does not complete the story of the degradation of Krishna. He is made to undergo further humiliation.<br />
Krishna not only accepted a position of <strong>in</strong>feriority vis-a-vis Shiva hut he is sunk so low that he became a<br />
disciple of Upamanyu who was a great devotee of Shiva and took Diksha from him <strong>in</strong> Shaivism.<br />
Krishna himself says:<br />
"On the 8th day I was Initiated by that Brahamana (lJpamanyu) accord<strong>in</strong>g to the Shastras. Hav<strong>in</strong>g shaved<br />
my entire head.ano<strong>in</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g myself with ghee, and tak<strong>in</strong>g the staff and kusa grass <strong>in</strong> my arms I dressed myself <strong>in</strong><br />
bark fastened with the mekhala (the waist str<strong>in</strong>g)."<br />
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