The Slaying of Sisupala

We have seen how a great threat was posed to the ritual of Rajasooya by Sisupala. One section of the assembled kings rose in his support. It appeared that the whole proceedings would end up with an open fight between his supporters and the defenders of the Rajasooya.

Yudhishthira was in anguish. He looked at the grand sire of the Kurus for guidance. Bhishma was unmoved by the threat from Sisupala. He consoled the Pandava that Krishna would, ultimately, settle the matter.

Hearing these words, Sisupala’s anger towards Bhishma rose even further. He started listing all what he thought were the misdeeds of Bhishma.

Bheema could not stand the impunity of Sisupala. He rushed towards Sisupala in extreme anger ready to put an end to his life. It was with great difficulty that Bhishma could pull him back. Then he told all around him about the birth of Sisupala.

Sisupala was born to the king of Chedi in an aunt of Krishna. There was a prophecy soon after his birth that the prince would meet his end at the hands of Krishna. This saddened the noble queen of Chedi. She got a promise from Krishna that he would not kill her son unless there was extreme provocation. Krishna gave his word that he would tolerate Sisupala one hundred times, but, not more. Bhishma knew that the king of Chedi was about to cross his limits this time.

Telling this story of the birth of the Chedi prince Bhishma challenged him and all his supporters to face Krishna if they dared. Sisupala took up the challenge and turned towards Krishna. He started going into what he thought were the faults of Krishna. He accused Krishna for taking away his betrothed, Rukmini, in a cowardly fashion.

Rukmini was the princess of Vidarbha. Her brother, Rukmi, wanted to give her in marriage to his friend, Sisupala. But, Rukmini had set her heart on Krishna. Rukmi had arranged her marriage, against her wish, to the prince of Chedi. Rukmini, in distress, sent a message to her lover through a Brahmin that unless Krishna came to her rescue she would end her life. She had also given hints on the course Krishna could take. Accordingly, Krishna came on the day of her marriage and carried her away while she was on her way to the temple. This earned him the perpetual enmity of her brother, Rukmi, and of the prince of Chedi.

Blaming Krishna for this act of cowardice, Sisupala turned to him with a war cry. Krishna wasted no time and sent his disc, shining like the rising sun, towards Sisupala and chopped his head off his neck. All those kings who had risen in his support did not dare to pose any further challenge to the combined might of Krishna and the Pandavas.

The grand ritual of Rajasooyam continued after that with no further obstacles and was concluded in due course. Krishna took leave of the Pandavas soon after and returned to Dwaraka. All other invited guests also went back to their respective lands. Only two remained behind – Duryodhana and his cunning uncle, Sakuni.

Thus ends Vedavyasa “the chapter on the Slaying of Sisupala (Sisupala Vadha Parvam”.