How Krishna Outsmarted Aswathama to Save the Pandavas
This is a leela narration from the great epic Mahabharat, wherein the Supreme Lord performs seemingly understandable actions to protect His devotees. Enjoy!
It was the last day of the great battle of Mahabharata. All Kauravas except Duryodhana had been killed. In the face of death, Duryodhana approached his friend Aswathama for help and asked him to give him courage and bring solace to his troubled mind. Aswathama assured Duryodhana that he'd do his best and took a vow that before the break of dawn; he would kill the Pandavas and bring the good news to Duryodhana. Before setting out on his mission, Aswathama went to the temple of Kali to pray for strength to accomplish the onerous task he had set out to achieve. Kali, in an unseen voice, told Aswathama that the Pandavas, having sought refuge under God’s lotus feet, cannot be killed. Nevertheless Aswathama insisted on pursuing his determination and extracted the blessing of Kali only in general terms and set out on his task.
Knowing about the vow taken by Aswathama, Lord Krishna approached Sage Durvasa to seek his help in saving the Pandavas. Sage Durvasa welcomed Lord Krishna. Krishna indicated that he had some work to be done and that Sage Durvasa was to perform that task. Durvasa was overjoyed and readily agreed to do whatever Krishna wanted him to do except telling a lie. Krishna assured him that He will not ask him to tell a lie. He however, asked Rishi Durvasa to perform all actions as per His instructions.
Krishna then apprised Rishi Durvasa of Aswathama's vow and asked him to take the Pandavas under his protection for the night. The plan was to have a pit dug up to hide the Pandavas in the night. The pit was to have been covered by a wooden plank with Rishi Durvasa being seated on it. If and when Aswathama came, and enquired about the whereabouts of the Pandavas, Durvasa was to state the truth while emphasizing certain words. Durvasa agreed.
Aswathama searched all over for the Pandavas but could not find them. He then decided to approach Rishi Durvasa in the hope that this all knowing Saint, would be able to tell him the whereabouts of the Pandavas. Upon reaching his ashram, Ashwathama praised the great saint Durvasa for his divine knowledge and asked him about the whereabouts of the Pandavas. Durvasa, as planned, pretended anger and shouted 'Pandavas! They are hiding under my feet!' Durvasa is well known to be short tempered. Hearing the angry uproar of Rishi Durvasa, Aswathama got scared thinking that he was the cause of Rishi Durvasa's anger. He assumed that Rishi Durvasa's furious reaction was a result of his annoyance and disgust upon being disturbed. Thinking so, Ashwathama left the Rishi's ashram.
Thus the Lord protected His surrendered devotees while keeping His word that Rishi Durvasa did not have to tell a lie.