Story of Shishupaal

After Jaraasandh Vadh, Yudhishthir started preparation for Raajsooya Yagya. Vyaas Jee was also there to help him. Yudhishthir sent his four brothers for victory tour. Arjun went to north, Bheem to east, Nakul to west and Sahadev to south. On the way Arjun won Shaalv and came to Praagjyotish Pradesh ruled by Bhagdatt. Bhagdatt was a friend of Indra. He was a very good and righteous man. He came to Arjun and said - "I am a very good friend of your father." Hearing this Arjun also greeted him by prostrating before him and told him about the Raajsooya Yagya. Bhagdatt agreed with pleasure. Then Arjun proceeded towards Raamgiri, then he fought with Trigart brothers led by Susharmaa, but it was then and there an enmity was born between Arjun and Trigart brothers. From then on they called Sansaptak as they sworn that they would destroy Arjun some day. They were great friends of Duryodhan. Now he reached at Meru Mountain. On its southern slope there was a creeper called Jamboo covering the whole slope. This was called Jamboo Dweep (island). He proceeded towards Gandhmaadan Parvat and then he returned to Hastinaapur. Wherever he went he collected riches and gems etc, so he got a name "Dhananjaya" from there.

Bheem went to east - so he went to Paanchaal, then to Mithilaa, then to Chedi Desh (Shishupaal's country), then he went to Koshal (Ayodhyaa) and many other kingdoms. Then he went to Girivraj also. After reminding Sahadev (see  Nakul and Sahadev) for Raajsooya Yagya Bheem came back to Hastinaapur.

Sahadev (one of the Paandav) defeated the famous king named Dantavakra. Vindaa and Anuvindaa of Avantee Desh were also defeated. Then he went to Mahishmatee Nagaree and fought with the king Neel. Sahadev wanted to win the friendship of Raakshas King Vibheeshan of Lankaa, so he remembered his nephew Ghatotkach and asked him to go to Lankaa and invite him for Raajsooya Yagya. Ghatotkach went to Lankaa, prostrating to the bridge Raam built. He asked the gatekeeper to inform Vibheeshan that "the Paandav, friends of Krishn are ruling Bhaarat Varsh. I want to give a message to your king." Vibheeshan called him in his court. His face reminded him of his uncle Yudhishthir's face. Vibheeshan asked about Paandav and Ghatotkach was too happy to tell about them. On his return Vibheeshan gave him many valuable gifts and riches. Then Sahadev went to Paandyaa kingdom. He reached the city of Chitraangadaa (wife of Arjun). She received him with great affection, her father also honored him, then he showed him Babhruvaahan, Arjun's son, to him. Sahadev invited him for Raajsooya Yagya. Nakul had already arrived in Hastinaapur. He met Vrishni people at Dwaarakaa and invited Vaasudev, Balraam and their father to Raajsooya Yagya.

Krishn came there soon after Sahadev left along with thousands of gifts. Krishn and Vyaas made all arrangements of the Yagya. All the kings were invited. Hastinaapur was also informed. Nakul was sent to Hastinaapur with the message of Raajsooya Yagya. Nakul was asked to invite all of them individually on Yudhishthir's behalf. Dhritraashtra sent the message of his happiness. Shakuni also spoke some sweet words, but Duryodhan was very angry. Otherwise also nobody was happy in his heart except Bheeshm, Drone, Kripaa and Vidur.  Shakuni said - "Putra Duryodhan, If you want to live in this world then learn to observe some formalities. Be jealous, but don't let everybody know about it." Duryodhan was not ready to go there but Shakuni convinced him that if they have invited you, you must go there and not only go there but go there with a big smile."

Shishupaal's Birth

All kings, whether they were Yudhishthir's friends or enemies, were going towards Indraprasth - Sindhu king Jayadrath, Chedi king Shishupaal (Shishupaal is the son of Krishn's another Buaa - Shrutshravaa and Damghosh of Chedi Desh). The day his story began, its end was also written on the same day. In the palace of Chedi Desh, the queen gave birth to a son. He had three eyes and four arms. The queen got frightened, and others suggested that he should be thrown out. The then Aakaashvaanee said - "Do not throw him." The mother asked - "When he is born like this then please tell me that how he will die?" Aakaashvaanee said - "In whose lap his third eye and two extra arms will fall off only he will kill him."

Then the queen started giving him in everybody's lap whoever came there. It so happened that, one day Vasudev also came with his sons - Balaraam and Krishn. The queen gave that child to them also. Balaraam took him, kissed him and gave him back to his mother. She gave him to Krishn also, but Krishn refused to take him. Then Devakee insisted to take him saying that "he is your cousin, take him." Krishn had to take him but as He took him the child's third eye and two extra arms fell down. Krishn got frightened.

Shishupaal's mother got worried seeing this. She came to Krishn and asked - "Will you kill my son?" Krishn asked - "Did Aakaashvaanee itself say this to you or you asked?" Buaa said - "Yes, I asked." Krishn said - "Being mother why did you ask about your son's death? You did not do good by asking this. If you left it secret then only it would be good." Buaa again asked - "Tell me Krishn, will you kill my son?"  Krishn said - "If I will have to do it, then I will have to do it." 

Buaa said - "Give me one Var that whenever he is at fault, you will forgive him remembering me." Krishn said - "Only Mahaadev can give such kind of Var. I can only say that I will forgive him for such 100 faults which will demand death sentence." Buaa got satisfied and came back. The same child grew as Shishupaal and is now proceeding towards his destruction.