Invitation

One day when Lord Krishna was resting in his palace, both Yudhishtira and Duryodhana came there to invite him for the dinner. Yudhistira was the eldest among the Pandavas. Pandavas were the five brothers - Yudhishtira, Beema, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva. They were good people who were good and were always honest and true at heart. Duryodhana was the eldest among the Kauravas. Kauravas were the hundred brothers who included Duryodhana and Dushashana. They were bad and always in the evil side and were dishonest and bad at heart. Knowing that the Pandavas were going to invite Krishna for dinner and in order to spoil that plan, Duryodhana also came to Krishna’s house to invite him for dinner on the same day. His intention was not to really honor Krishna and to invite him for dinner by heart.

Krishna being the god could not favor either of them. So he wanted to go to both of their houses for dinner and hence asked the date and time of the dinner feast. To Krishna’s surprise both of them had scheduled for the dinner feast on the same day and at the same time.

Krishna being the lord knew Duryodhana’s bad plan. So the clever Krishna as usual came up with a brilliant idea. He told both of them “I will eat only in the person’s house who gives me a gift that will fill the entire house. If both of you give me such a gift I will eat in both your houses. Since Duryodhana came here first, I will first go to his house. See what gift he has. Eat if his gift fills the whole house, else I will come to Yudishtira’s house to see his gift. If both of you are unable to give such a gift, I will not eat in both of your houses. Now go to your homes and arrange for the gifts. I will come to each of your houses on the scheduled day.” By this Krishna also wanted to test the wisdom of Pandavas and Kauravas.

So both of them went home. Duryodhana called his brothers, uncle Shakuni, Karna and others to discuss about the gift. They all pondered over the idea and were clueless to find such a huge gift, which would occupy the entire house. Many came up with absurd suggestions.

On the other hand Yudhishtira came back home and told his brothers to arrange for the dinner on the specified day and told them that Krishna had agreed to come to their house for dinner. So in the Pandavas house preparations for the feast began.

But the Kauravas were left perplexed with the choice of gift itself. Then finally they all agreed to gift Krishna with “Hay”. They would fill the entire house with “Hay”. Not even a portion would be left out. They all agreed and Duryodhana felt happy and relieved with the choice of gift.

The Dinner day came and as agreed by Lord Krishna, he came to Duryodhana’s house first. He smiled and asked Duryodhana whether he was ready. Duryodhana took him to his house and opened the door. “Hay” started falling out from inside. Duryodhana had dumped all the hay in the world into his house. He told proudly to Krishna “See you wanted to test my wisdom and I have proved that I am intelligent. I have found a gift that will fill the entire house. Not even a peck of place if missed. I have dumped hay fully to cover all the nook and corners of the house. Now you should eat in my house. But since house is full with hay, we will go to guest house for dinner”

Krishna smiled back and replied to Duryodhana” You are right Duryodhana. I wanted to test your wisdom and wanted to eat in the wise man’s house. But now where will I sit and eat. You have made a mess of your house. I promised that I will eat only in your house. I cannot go else where and eat. So I am sorry. Now I am going to Yudhishtira’s House. If you want to check his gift, you can come with me.”

Duryodhana was disappointed. But in his eagerness to know about the Pandavas gift, he went along with Krishna. Both of them were received by the warm Pandavas. They took him into the house. Duryodhana smiled sarcastically and thought the Pandavas had failed to organize for the gift which fills the entire house. But he was fooled, when Youdhistira lighted the lamp and its bright light filled the entire house and made the evening warm and beautiful. They all had the delicious and yummy dinner offered by the Pandavas.

Now Krishna on his way back home told Duryodhana” Wisdom grows in a person, based on the thoughts he has. If you are good and want to do good, and be honest your thoughts are positive and you get bright innovative ideas. But if you are arrogant and think you are great, think evil and do bad things to everyone, you will be deprived of wisdom. Duryodhana, again the Pandavas have proved that they are wiser, more knowledgeable, more intelligent than you. It is because they have positive thoughts and always want to do good for others. They did not call me for dinner to please others or to spoil somebody else’s plan, they really wanted to honor me and serve food to me. That’s why their wish became true and yours didn’t.”

Duryodhana realized his mistake and put his head down in shame.