Usha’s Dream

In the meantime, Narada went to Dwarka and informed the Yadavas about the fate of Aniruddha. Both Krishna and Pradyumna had been worried at the sudden appearance of Aniruddha. They immediately set forth and reached the kingdom of Vana. Soon a great battle raged between the two sides. Shiva, who had granted Vana his power, came to assist him along with Kartikeya. The fight was now between Shiva and Krishna, the incarnation of Vishnu.

Krishna set off a magic missile that made Shiva yawn so much that he was hardly able to hold his weapon in his hand. And Garuda bit Kartikeya so badly that he too was unable to wield his weapon and was forced to leave the battlefield. Balarama, Krishna’s elder brother, pitched in with his plough, setting armies of demons slumping down in pain. Meanwhile, Aniruddha’s father, Pradyumna fought steadily at another end.

When Vana saw that there was hardly any soldier left to fight for him, he came to fight Krishna himself, holding all his powerful weapons in his hundred hands. He tried the most lethal weapons in his collection, and the fight soon took on an alarming dimension. Finally, Krishna let off his invincible Sudarshan Chakra. It could not kill Vana as Shiva himself had granted him life, but the chakra cut off Vana’s hundred arms.

Seeing Vana stripped off all his power, Shiva walked up to Krishna and held his hands. “Krishna, do forgive Vana. After all, it was I who had granted him the boon that could conquer everyone on earth. That is why he got so wild and unruly. But I think he has now learned his lesson. Please forgive him for my sake.”

Krishna smiled and said, “Very well, it shall be as you wish. Since Vana has been enjoying your blessings and protection all this while, he shall enjoy mine as well.” As Krishna walked up to the place where Aniruddha lay strangled by snakes, Garuda followed him there. The snakes left Aniruddha and fled in fear at the sight of Garuda. Aniruddha sat up and opened his eyes. He was amazed to see his grandfather and father, who hugged him affectionately.

Vana came to them soon after and begged Krishna’s pardon and Pradyumna’s too. In a moment, all hatred was forgotten and all bitterness, swept aside. Everyone merrily joined in the celebrations when Usha and Aniruddha were married once again with great pomp and splendor. After that, the entire party along with the newly-wed bride and groom left for Dwarka, where a great welcome awaited them.