The Divine Deeds of Lord Hari:
When Yudhishtira was conducting the Rajasuya sacrifice, Lord Krishna had to kill Shishupala. As the latter died, a divine light left his body and entered Sri Krishna’s divine being. Yudhishtira was surprised at the phenomenon. Sage Narada was there in the assembly and Yudhishtira asked him, “O holy one, Shishupala had developed hatred towards Sri Krishna since childhood. He was destined to go to hell. How did he go to heaven? What is the secret of this? Please enlighten me on this.”
The Nature of Divine Punishment:
In answer to this, sage Narada dwelt in detail about the divine deeds of Lord Hari. He does not hate anyone. When the world fails to bear the weight of wickedness, He takes avatars to restore the balance by killing the wicked and protecting the righteous. The punishment He gives is, in a way, a boon.
The Cursed Gate-Keepers of Vaikuntha:
Narada explained that Shishupala and his younger brother Dantavakra were originally the divine gate-keepers at Vaikuntha. They were cursed by the great sages Sanaka and his brothers. As a result of this curse, they had to take birth on the earth as Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksha, Ravana and Kumbhakarna, and now as Shishupala and Dantavakra. They had to be killed by the Lord to help them return to Vaikuntha.
The Relationship with the Lord:
Narada emphasized that it is always beneficial to develop some kind of relationship with the Lord, even if it is through enmity, as in the case of Shishupala. The intense focus and constant remembrance of the Lord, even in hatred, can purify the soul and lead to liberation.
Yudhishtira’s Conviction:
Yudhishtira was convinced by Narada’s explanation and understood the deeper workings of divine justice and mercy. He realized that the Lord’s actions, though sometimes incomprehensible, always aim towards the ultimate good and liberation of souls.
