The Passing of Krishna

After the great Mahabharata war, peace was restored, and Yudhishthira, the eldest Pandava, was crowned the king of Hastinapur. Celebrations echoed across the land as the people rejoiced in a new era of justice and prosperity. Krishna, who had guided and protected the Pandavas throughout their journey, bid them farewell and returned to his kingdom of Dwarka.

For thirty-six years, Krishna ruled Dwarka with wisdom, compassion, and fairness, bringing peace and happiness to his people. Yet, even for the divine, life on earth is transient, and Krishna’s time in the mortal realm was drawing to a close.

One day, Krishna wandered into a forest, seeking solitude. Finding a peaceful spot under a tree, he lay down to rest, his mind calm and free from the burdens of the world. Unknown to him, a hunter named Jara was also in the forest, looking for game. Jara, spotting something bright through the trees, saw what looked like the eyes of a deer shining in the distance. He raised his bow, aimed carefully, and released a poisoned arrow, hoping for a successful hunt.

The arrow flew true and struck Krishna’s foot, piercing his flesh. In that moment, Jara realized his grave mistake. Approaching the wounded figure, he recognized Krishna and fell to his knees, overcome with remorse and guilt. Trembling, he begged for forgiveness, tears streaming down his face. “O Lord, I did not know. I thought I was aiming at a deer. Please forgive me for my ignorance,” he pleaded.

Krishna, with his usual compassion and grace, smiled gently at the hunter. “Do not grieve, Jara,” he said softly. “This was destined to happen, and you were merely an instrument in the hands of fate. All that happens in this world is part of a greater plan.”

As Krishna comforted the remorseful hunter, a radiant chariot descended from the heavens, sent by Vishnu himself to carry Krishna back to his eternal abode. Krishna, serene and accepting, took his place in the chariot, his mortal journey completed.

With Krishna’s departure, an era ended, and the world felt his absence deeply. He had brought love, wisdom, and guidance to all, and his teachings and actions continued to inspire generations. His life on earth may have come to an end, but his spirit and legacy remained eternal, lighting the way for those who seek truth, love, and righteousness.

**Moral:** All life is part of a greater plan, and true wisdom lies in accepting fate with grace. Krishna’s passing reminds us that even the greatest lives are transient, but their impact is everlasting, guiding others toward righteousness and compassion.