+* Dwapar Yuga: Doubts & Discussions *+- Page 23

Addressing the first part of your discussion, would Shonitpur then be anywhere near the kingdom of Kauravya (father of Uloopi)? After all, Uloopi was a Naga, while Chitravahana was the ruler of Manipur, which was close enough that when Uloopi was depressed @ being abandoned by Arjun, she went to Manipur and spent her time w/ Chitrangada & Babruvahana.

Originally posted by: .Vrish.

Addressing the first part of your discussion, would Shonitpur then be anywhere near the kingdom of Kauravya (father of Uloopi)? After all, Uloopi was a Naga, while Chitravahana was the ruler of Manipur, which was close enough that when Uloopi was depressed @ being abandoned by Arjun, she went to Manipur and spent her time w/ Chitrangada & Babruvahana.

Incidentally, how did Shonitpur come into the discussion - was that Banasura's kingdom? If Bali had turned over his entire domains to Vamana, how could Banasura have had a kingdom anywhere on earth? And how did he get to be its king, if his father Bali was very much alive?

Also, is there anything in any of the scriptures to suggest that Banasura was resentful @ Vishnu over Vamana depriving his father of his justly won possessions? I find it strange that Bali was pretty devoted to Vishnu, while Banasura made it a point to make enemies w/ Krishna. Bali would seem to have no influence w/ Banasura.

Originally posted by: .Vrish.

Incidentally, how did Shonitpur come into the discussion - was that Banasura's kingdom? If Bali had turned over his entire domains to Vamana, how could Banasura have had a kingdom anywhere on earth? And how did he get to be its king, if his father Bali was very much alive?

I have a question -

As for Bali and Banasura, I think Bali's relatives inspired hate in his mind so that he might take vengeance for his father's defeat. Bali himself may have been a great devotee of Lord Vishnu - maybe the others of the clan were bitter about it and wanted to take it out on Vishnu when the couldn't change Bali's mind. Probably, they taught Banasura to hate Vishnu using his love for his father - just my guess - saying that Vishnu cheated Bali or something of that sort. Anyone who has been brainwashed thus will not listen to reason. Besides, I've always found the Rakshas clans praying to Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma for boons. I seldom find any demon praying to Lord Vishnu for a boon. So, it could have been that Bali was raised to worship Shiva rather than Vishnu.


As for the question of why Arjun was chosen to evacuate Dwaraka, I am not clear with the details. Some say that Arjun was visiting Dwaraka at that time and Krishna asked him to evacuate Dwaraka after telling him of the upcoming danger. Some say that Krishna sent Daruka (his charioteer) to inform the Yadhavas and Arjuna (who was staying in Dwaraka at that time) of the calamity and to evacuate the city.

Some say Arjun came to Dwaraka to participate in the last rites of Balarama, Krishna and other Yadhavas and hence saved those who remained.

No idea what exactly happened. It seemed to me that choosing Arjun was a mere chance or maybe he was the only one who could have stalled the ocean till everyone was safe.

I think Bheema could have done it as well but maybe it was speed that was required more than brute strength. Perhaps Krishna decided that Arjuna was the best person to save his relatives.


As for varaali's question on Parikshit's curiosity, I agree with Vrish. Parikshit could've heard about his father and grandfathers from his own relatives. Also, Krishna was over 90 years old (93 or 96, I forgot the exact age) during the Mahabharat. Considering Parikshit's age when he was cursed, the events that happened during Krishna's birth would've been about or more than 150 years ago and none of the Yadhavas were there to give him the details. It is possible that Parikshit could've got the story from Devaki and Vasudeva but they hardly knew much about how Krishna grew up. Besides, to have a better understanding of what Krishna did and why, a sage could have explained better than anyone else.

But, more than all other reasons, it was the situation that was more important, While Parikshit was listening to Srimad Bhagavatham for salvation, the Mahabharata was recited to Janamejaya so that he would understand the power of fate in one's life and not blame anyone for what had happened.