Curse of sage Durvasa

Dwaraka: Curse of sage Durvasa :

(Skanda Purana - Dwaraka Mahatmya - 2 to 3)

• Sri Krishna serving sage Durvasa: I meditate on Sri Krishna and Devi Rukmini serving sage Durvasa in Dwaraka.

• Once sage Durvasa was performing penance in Dwaraka in the auspicious place called Chakratirtha on the bank of river Gomati. Sri Krishna came there with Devi Rukmini to extend his hospitality. Sage Durvasa asked about his welfare. Sri Krishna informed that he was hale and hearty with his kith and kins. Sage Durvasa asked the reason for his visit. Sri Krishna said that he wants to take the sage to his house to serve him. He wants to touch his forehead with the water offered to the feet of the sage. Sage Durvasa said that he can only go if Sri Krishna follows his words along with his wife. Sri Krishna agreed. Sage Durvasa said that Sri Krishna and Devi Rukmini needs to leave the horses of the chariot and yoke themselves and pull the chariot themselves. Sri Krishna agreed.

• Sri Krishna and Devi Rukmini got themselves yoked to the chariot and started pulling it. The gods showered flowers praising the love of Sri Krishna for the brahmanas. Then while pulling the chariot, Devi Rukmini got exhausted and thirsty. Sri Krishna brought out the beautiful Ganga from the ground by striking his feet. Devi Rukmini drunk that cool and pure water. Sage Durvasa became angry that Devi Rukmini had drunk the water without his permission. He cursed Devi Rukmini that he will become separated from Sri Krishna. Then the sage got down from the chariot and sat there.

• Devi Rukmini began to cry as to how he will bear the separation. Sri Krishna assured her that everyday he will come twice to her residence. If a person does not visit he after visiting his shrine, the fruits of their visit will become half.

• Then Sri Krishna worshipped sage Durvasa, washed his feet and touched the water in his head. He gifted a cow to the sage, offered him the mixture of five ingredients (milk, ghee, curd, honey etc.) and palatable food.

• Knowing about the sorrow of Devi Rukmini, Samudra deva (god of ocean) and sage Narada came there. They consoled Devi Rukmini and said that a beautiful forest will manifest there for her pleasure. Also, river Ganga will appear there. Knowing about the forest, sage Durvasa again cursed and ruined the forest.

• Devi Rukmini became greatly perturbed and tried to end her life by hanging. Sri Krishna appeared there and relieved her sorrow. On the other side sage Durvasa also became repentent and prayed to the Lord and the Devi for their pardon. He told them to become reunited. Sri Krishna also relieved the sorrow of the sage and said that twice he will come and visit Devi Rukmini there.