Mb115. Udanka Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

MAHABHARATA

On his journey to Dwaraka,
Straight away started Krishna.
Udanka, his boyhood friend,
Invited Him, some time to spend.

He asked, "Krishna, I guess,
The Pandavas and the Kauravas,
They're your near cousins,
Tell me, are they prosperous? "

Krishna maintained silence.
Udanka lost his patience.
The full story Krishna told him,
Which, in turn, surprised him.

Udanka told, "Krishna, I'm shaken.
In your presence, how it can happen?
It means your job, you've not done.
I want to curse for your dereliction."

Krishna said, "Waste not your penance.
Yudhisthira loved to have peace.
Duryodhana was interested in war.
For peace-talk I went, how far? "

Udanka now understood
And Krishna he prayed.
"Show me your cosmic form.
With its full divine charm."

His universal form He revealed.
In his ecstasy, he was puzzled.
When a boon He granted,
Water any time he wanted.

One day, thirsty Udanka was.
In the desert where water was?
He was in search everywhere.
But he didn't get it anywhere.

A tribal man with hunting dogs,
He carried water in leather bags.
As he was an untouchable,
His felt it as not drinkable.

Suddenly the man disappeared.
Krishna before him appeared.
He told Udanka, "It wasn't water
But it was Indra's nectar."

"Your chance, your hatred killed.
As a sage, in this test, you failed.
Never discriminate a fellow being.
Never mind, a poor or a king."