Krishna is Supreme

Once when Krishna was seated in Dwaraka surrounded by all the Yadava kings, sage Narada arrived there and said the following words to Krishna, “O Purushottama! Among all the gods, you alone are extraordinary. You are blessed and there is no one like you in the worlds.” Hearing this, the lord smiled and replied to the sage. “I am extraordinary and blessed because of the dakshina I receive.” Hearing this from Krishna, Narada said, “O Krishna! You have said enough. I am going wherever I came from.” All the Yadava kings were perplexed by this exchange of words between Krishna and Narada and they said to Krishna, we have not understood anything, please be kind and reveal the secret behind this strange conversation. Krishna asked sage Narada to tell the kings about what they desire to hear. 

Narada said, this question is about the greatness of someone who has enabled me to cross over to the other side. On one occasion, I was on the banks of the Ganga, and I  saw a huge tortoise whose body was made out of two shells. It was like a mountain peak and in every direction, the radius of its shell was one yojana.  I touched its body and said in my view you possess a wonderful body, without any fear you roam around in the water. you are indeed blessed’.  Hearing this the tortoise spoke to me, as if it was a man. ‘O sage! What is extraordinary about me? Why should I be blessed? The river Ganga is blessed. What can be more amazing than that? There are ten thousand creatures like me roaming around in the water.’ Curious, I presented myself before the river Ganga and said, ‘O best among rivers! You are blessed. Inside you, there are many predatory aquatic creatures with gigantic bodies. You are the one which provides protection to all the ascetics. On hearing this, Ganga assumed a bodily form and replied to him. “O best among sages! I am not blessed. nor is my form extraordinary in any way. In this world, the most extraordinary object is the ocean. Like me, hundreds of wide rivers go there.” It is indeed blessed. 

‘Narada continued,  I presented myself before the ocean and said, ‘O great ocean! You are indeed extraordinary in the worlds. You are blessed. O lord of the waters! You are the origin of all aquatic creatures. The rivers that nurture the worlds convey their water to you. Thus addressed, the ocean replied, ‘O supreme among brahmanas! The earth provides me a foundation and it is blessed. On hearing the ocean’s words, I was overcome with curiousity. I spoke to the earth, ‘O earth! O beautiful one! You are the origin of all creatures. You are blessed. With your immense forgiveness, you are extraordinary among creatures. You truly sustain the worlds and are the origin of humans. Forgiveness was born from you.  At these words of praise spoken by me, earth replied to me. ‘O one who likes fights and dissension! I am not blessed. Nor am I wonderful. These mountains, which hold me up, are blessed. Since they act like bridges for the worlds, they are seen to be blessed.’ I then said to the mountains, ‘O those who hold up the earth! You are blessed and extremely wonderful. You are the storehouse of jewels, gold, the best among gems and minerals.’ Hearing this the mountains said, ‘O brahmana rishi! We are not blessed. Nor are we wonderful. Brahma Prajapati is blessed. He is wonderful, even among the gods.’ Therefore, I presented myself before the four-faced Brahma, the creator of the worlds. and said, ‘O illustrious one! You are extraordinary and blessed. I do not see any other creature who is your equal. Everything, mobile and immobile, has been generated from you. O lord of the gods! the gods, the danavas, the mortals in the worlds, every other kind of creature with senses and a body, and everything else has originated from you. The gods have indeed resulted from you. You are the eternal god of the gods. That is the reason you are the creator and the origin of the worlds.’ The illustrious Brahma, the grandfather of the worlds, replied, ‘O Narada! Why are you speaking to me in these words, addressing me as blessed and extraordinary? The Vedas are supremely wonderful. The Vedas are blessed. The truth and vision of the Vedas sustain the worlds. My view is that the truth exists in the Rig Veda, the Sama Veda, the Yajur Veda and the Atharva Veda. O brahmana! Know that I am pervaded by them and that I am sustained by them.’ Hearing Brahma's words I meditated on the Vedas and honored them with mantras and words.  I said, ‘You are blessed. You are auspicious. You are always wonderful and famous.  In learning or in austerities, there is nothing that is superior to you.’ The Vedas stood before me and replied in these words. ‘The sacrifices performed by those who are devoted to the Brahaman are extraordinary and blessed. O Narada! We have been created by the creator for sacrifices. Therefore, sacrifices are superior to us and we are not under our own control. At this, I spoke to the sacrifices, ‘O sacrifices! Your energy is indeed seen to be supreme. Those are the words of Brahma, repeated to me by the Vedas. In this world, I cannot think of anything more extraordinary than you. You are blessed, you are the ones who satisfy the fire and it is through you that all the gods obtain their shares and are satisified, just as the maharshis are with mantras.’ After I had spoken these words,the sacrifices said these excellent words to me. ‘O sage! the expressions extraordinary and blessed are not appropriate for us. The supreme wonder is Vishnu and he is our supreme destination. Everything that is offered as oblations into the sacred fire and is consumed by us is given to Pundarikaksha, who is an embodiment of the worlds.’

Narada further said, my destination is also Vishnu and I descended on earth to see him. I have seen Vishnu, surrounded by all of you. O kings! In the midst of all of you, I told him, ‘O Janardana! You are extraordinary. You are blessed.’  All the sacrifices, with dakshina, have Vishnu as a destination. With dakshina, he gave an appropriate response to my words.What was initially stated by the tortoise thus progressively came to this. With the dakshina, all the words terminated in that being. This is the decisive answer to what you asked me. Hearing this all the Yadava kings were filled with amazement and wonder. 

Krishna's devotees: Kumbhandas

Kumbhandas was born in a poor family in a small village called Jamnunavata near Mathura. He was a very simple man and was instructed by his Guru in the worship of SriNathji of Goverdhan. He was a follower of the Pushtimaarga of Sri Vallabhacharya. He was told by his Guru to always first offer prasad to SriNathji and then only consume food. He was doing this diligently and would compose poems celebrating the feeling of longingness for SriNathji. His divine compositions were also heard by Emperor Akbar, who was highly impressed by them. Akbar sent his soldiers along with a palanquin to invite Kumbhandas to the capital Fatehpur Sikri. Kumbhandas was not at all interested to go as he couldn't tolerate separation from SriNathji, but as he couldn't refuse the emperor, he walked all the way to Sikri. The emperor asked him to write a composition. Kumbhandas was so upset that he said the following

भक्तन को कहा सीकरी सों काम। (what is there for devotees in the capital Sikri)

आवत जात पनहिया टूटी बिसरि गयो हरि नाम। (my slippers are broken and I lost the name of lord)

जाको मुख देखे दु:ख लागे ताको करन करी परनाम। (looking at your face I'm getting grief)

कुम्भनदास लाला गिरिधर बिन यह सब झूठो धाम। (without my lord Krishna, this world is false)

Hearing this, Akbar realised this is a great saint and let him go. Kumbhandas rushed to reach Goverdhan to be again with SriNathji and requested SriNathji to never again be separated with him. 

Kumbhandas's devotion had a strong element of longingness and separation. He believed that devotion which is without longingess is not complete. He had seven sons but he would say, I've only 1.5 sons as my 5 elder sons are without devotion and the 6th son is devoted to SriNathji but doesn't have longingness. Only the youngest son is my true son.

Once his 6th son was taking care of Srinathji's cows when a tiger attacked the cows. He told the tiger, leave the cow as they are SriNathji's property, eat me instead. The tiger killed the son. When Kumbhandas got to know about his son's death, he was crying immsensely and lost consciousness. People started saying, even a great saint like Kumbhandas is very much attached to his son. The priest from SriNathji's temple came there and said this can't be the case and told Kumbhandas is not crying for his son, he is crying as now he can't visit the temple for  next few days due to death of his son. The priest whispered to Kumbhandas, for you we will make exception, you can visit the temple even now. Hearing this, Kumbhandas got up and became happy. 

Once Raja Mansingh came to Goverdhan to meet Kumbhandas. That time Kumbhandas was conversing with SriNathji in a state of deep meditation. As soon as Raja Mansingh came, SriNathji moved away and Kumbhandas came out of meditation. He got very upset as his meditation was disturbed. Mansingh wanted to donate him a gold tumbler, some money and even the whole village as Kumbhandas was very poor. However, Kumbhandas refused to have anything. Finally, Mansingh asked him please tell me what you want. Kumbhandas said, please go away and don't show me your face again. Mansingh understood Kumbhandas is a real saint, who wants nothing and went away. 

This story is taken from Chaurasi Vaishnavo ki vaarta(Stories from lives of 84 Vaishnavas). These stories are important part of Sri Vallabhacharya's lineage. 

Mysteries of Krishna

Bhagadatta was the King of Pragjyotishpura(present day Assam). He was the son of the demon king Narakasura who was killed by Krishna. In the Mahabharatha war, Bhagadatta joined the Kaurava forces against the Pandavas. He used to fight sitting atop a huge war elephant who was like a mountain itself. During the war,  Bhagadatta & his elephant terrified the Pandava army and ultimately Krishna had to bring Arjuna to the battle scene to save the Pandava army from the deadly combination of  Bhagadatta and his elephant.  

Arjuna immediately stuck Bhagadatta with a shower of sharp arrows which caused him excessive pain. Bhagadatta was filled with rage and invoked the Vaishnava weapon by chanting mantras and hurled  it at Arjuna . Now Krishna, covered Arjuna and received the weapon on his chest instead, at which point the weapon turned into the Vaijayanti garland.   Arjuna's pride was hurt and he  was not pleased.  He said to  Kesava, "You had pledged to only be my charioteer during the war and I am supposed to fight against the enemies and counter their weapons. As long as I'm standing, you are not supposed to fight.  With my Gandiva, I am capable of fighting against  all the gods,  demons & humans.  Why did you then not allow me to counter this weapon". 

Vasudeva smilingly said to Arjuna, listen to this secret and ancient history. I have four forms, which are eternally engaged in protecting the worlds. Dividing my own Self, I ordain the good of the worlds. One form of mine, staying on the earth, is engaged in the practice of ascetic austerities. Another beholds  the good and the evil deeds in the world. My third form, coming into the world of men, is engaged in action. My fourth form lies down in sleep for a thousand years. This  form after  awakening grants excellent boons to persons deserving of them. The earth, knowing this on one occasion had come and  asked me to grant the Vaishnava weapon to her son  Naraka. The Vaishnava weapon made Narakasura invincible and enabled him to conquer all the devas and become king of the demons. When I killed Narakasura, his son Bhagadatta got this weapon. There is no one in the world, including even Indra  & Rudra who can stand up against his weapon of mine.  It was to save you, that I had to break my vow and baffle it myself.  Now, you can fight with Bhagadatta and kill that enemy of Pandavas. 

Arjuna, rejoiced after hearing this story first killed Bhagadatta's elephant and then Bhagadatta himself. 

Mahabharatha stories: Krishna & Ashwathaama

On the 18th  day of the Mahabharata war,  Ashwatthama, slaughters all the sons of Pandavas, while they were fast asleep after their victory in the great war. When Draupadi sees all her children dead, she completely breaks down and implores Bhimasena to kill Ashwathama and get the divine gem which he had on his forehead. Bhima immediately takes up his chariot and takes Nakul as his charioteer goes in pursuit of Ashwathama, who is hiding in Veda Vyasa's ashram. 

As soon as Bhima departs, Krishna says,  its very dangerous that Bhima has gone alone to fight against  Ashwathama, who possesses the mighty weapon Brhamshiras. This weapon is extremely powerful and can burn the whole world. Dronacharya was very happy with dedication and devotion of Arjuna and he had imparted the complete knowledge of this weapon to Arjuna. Ashwathama couldn't bear it and  and begged his father to also give this wearpn to him. Dronacharya was reluctant as he knew Ashwathama  was not of a stable mind and reckless in nature. However, the love for his son made him to give the knowledge of this weapon to Ashwathama. He however, enjoined his son to never use this weapon on any human being, even while his own life was at threat in a battle. Drona also told him, it seems you are not destined to lead  life of righteousness. 

Now, when the Pandavas were in the forest during their period of  exile, Ashwatthama was wandering over the whole country and also happen to reach Dwaraka. He was welcomed by the Yadavas as a guest and given all kinds of luxuries. One day he happened to meet Krishna alone and said, "I have received the  Brahmashiras weapon from my father, which I want to exchange with your Sudarshana chakra". Krishna was very amused and said, all the devas, danavas, nagas, gandharvas, men, birds, animals combined together are not even one-hundreths of my energy. You are free to choose any of my weapons(bow, mace or Sudarshana chakra) and you don't have to even exchange your Brahmashira weapon with me. Ashwathama, in all his stupidity, once again asked for Sudarshana. Krishna said take it. Now, Ashwathama tried to lift that great weapon with his left hand, he couldn't move it even an inch, then he tried with his right hand, still he couldn't move it. He used all his strength,  still couldn't even stir that mighty weapon. Having failed miserably at moving Sudarshana, he sat down with exhaustion and dejection. 

Krishna, after enjoying this stupid spectacle of Ashwathama said, Arjuna my dearest friend, Pradyumna my son and Balarama my dearest brother,  I can do anything for these people and also give them anything. They have never asked me what you asked. What was the purpose of your asking me Sudarshana, whom did you want to fight with that great weapon.  Ashwathama said, after acquiring the Sudarshana, he wanted to fight against Krishna himself. He thought that once he obtains Sudarshana, he would become invincible in the three worlds and none(gods, asuras) can defeat him. After failing to even move Sudarshana, he realised that only Krishna is capable of  wielding that mighty weapon and now he wants to go away from Dwaraka. 

Having narrated this story, Krishna tells Yudhishthira, that Ashwatthama is a very cruel and wicked person and they all should rush immediately to save Bhimasena from him. Krishna then takes Arjuna along with him. As predicted by Krishna when Ashwathama sees the Pandavas coming after him, he fires the Brahmashiras weapon for the destruction of Pandavas. Arjuna invokes another Brahmashiras to neutralize the weapon fired by Ashwathama. As, the energy of these weapons is highly dangerous for the humanity, both Vyasa and Naarada asks Ashwathama and Arjuna to withdraw their weapons. The weapon could only be withdrawn by a person who has a very pure soul else it will destroy the person who fired it.. Arjuna is able to do it, but  Ashwathama couldn't and he directs the energy of this weapon on the womb of Uttara who is carrying the unborn child of Abhimanyu. Seeing this act of Ashwathama, Krishan curses him to live for 3000 years with a wound which will not heal. He will not have any companions and people will not welcome him to any society. The Pandavas also take away Ashwathama's divine gem and give it to Draupadi. 

Stories from Mahabharatha: Uttanaka and the celestial earrings

  

Utanka was endued with austere penances. He was completely devoted to his teacher, the great sage Gautama and Gautama was also very highly pleased with the self-restraint, purity of behaviour and devotion of  Utanka

One after another, thousands of disciples completed their studies and after taking Gautama's permission, returned home, however, Gautama didn't permit Uttanka to leave his ashram due to his love and attachment towards Uttanka. One day, while doing some work, a strand of white hair came out of Uttanka's matted lock, seeing  it, Utanka became very sad and started crying. On Gautama's enquiry, Utanka told that he had completely devoted himself to the service of his teacher for several years while hundreds & thousands of other students had left the hermitage and are doing quite well in their lives. He asked, what should be given as Guru dakshina to Gautama to get his permission for leaving. 

Gautama said, he is highly pleased  with Utanka's devotion and using his powers of penance, he turned Utanka into a young man of 16 years and also offered his own daughter in marriage to him. Now, Utanaka told Ahalya, wife of Gautama to ask for any gift. On much insistence, Ahalya asked him to get the celestial ear-rings which are worn by the wife of King Saudasa. 

Uttanka immediately left to get those ear-rings, however unknown to both Ahalya & Uttanka, the King Saudasa. was cursed by his Guru Vashistha to become a cannibal. When Uttanka reached the court of Saudasa, the king was ready to have his meals and was extremely terrifying to even look at. The King was  very happy to see the meal(Uttanka) walking unto him. Uttanka however wasn't scared and told him that he has come for his teacher's sake and as per scriptures he should not be harmed till that work is done. He proposed to come back once he accomplishes the work. The King agrees and ask Uttanka to go and seek the celestial ear-rings from the queen. The queen gives the ear-rings to Uttanka and also asks him to be extremely careful as the ear-rings are of divine nature and all the devas, nagas, gandharvas and other beings always want to get hold of them. Any slight carelessness on his part will cause them to take away the ear-rings. Uttanka then goes back to the King and says,since the King should always respect and protect Brahmins, what advice would the King give to him. The King says,  I'll surely kill you, if you come back, so please go to your teacher and don't come back to me. 

Uttanka proceeded with haste to his preceptor's ashram and taking extreme care to protect the earrings. On the way he got hungry and as he was trying to pluck some fruits, the earrings fell down on earth and immediately were taken up by a snake, who took them in his mouth and went inside the earth to the nether region of the Nagas. Now, Uttanka was filled with rage and he started to dig that snake pit with his stick. The Lord of the celestials(Indra) took pity on Uttanka and he added the strength of his thunderbolt(Vajra) to the stick of Uttanka. With this added strength, soon Uttanka reached the nether regions inhabited by Nagas. The region of Nagas was huge and Uttanka didn't know what to do there. As he was contemplating on his next course of action, the the sacrificial fire(Jataveda) appeared there in a form of a divine horse and asked Uttanka to blow air into my back to get back the earrings. The sacrificial fire was very pleased with Uttanka as for many years Uttanka had worshipped it at his teacher's hermitage. As soon as Uttanka blew air on the horse back, the whole Naga region started to burn with fire coming out of the divine horse's mouth and ears. The nagas got frightened and immediately came out to pacify Uttanka and gave him back the earrings. 

Finally, Uttanka took the earrings to his teacher and presented them to his teacher's wife. He also narrated his whole experience to Gautama who was very pleased with the conduct of Uttanka and then had his daughter married with Uttanka. 

Interesting stories from Mahabharata -I : Krishna & Utanaka

 

After the Mahabharata war got over and having spent considerable time in the company of Pandavas, Krishna started his journey back to Dwaraka. On his way, he had to cross the desert region where water was very limited.Therein he met a great ascetic, named Utanka. Krishna paid his respects to Utanka and was respectfully worshipped by the ascetic in return,. After enquiring about Krishna's welfare, Utanka asked Krishna, did he succeed in establishing peace between Pandavas & Kauravas? 

Krishna said, 'I did my best to bring peace, but Kauravas didn't heed to my advice and also ignored the wise counsel of Bhishma & Vidura.  Ultimately, a great war happened between Kauravas & Pandavas. The Kauravas along with their friends & relatives went to the abode of Yama".  When Krishna had said these words, Utanka, was filled with anger, and  said 'Since, even though you were able, you didn't stop the war, I am going to curse you.  "Vasudeva said, please listen to  me before uttering your curse. No harm is going to come me from your curse and  I don't want merits acquired by you through penances to be exhausted by making a curse. After having heard my words, if you wish, then you may curse me 

Krishna said, 'Know that the three qualities of Tamas, Rajas and Sattva exist, depending on me as their refuge. Additionally,  know that the Rudras,Vasus. Daityas, Yakshas, Gandharvas, Rakshasas, Gandharvas, Nagas and Apsaras have sprung from me. In me are all creatures, and in all creatures do I exist. Whatever is manifest and not-manifest, whatever is destructible and indestructible, all have me for their soul. There is nothing higher or beyond me I am the eternal god of gods. Know that all the Vedas beginning with Om are identical with me. I am the sacrificial stake, I am the Soma , I am the offering in the sacrifice and I am the sacrifice itself. Dharma is my eldest-born offspring, sprung from my mind,  whose essence is compassion for all creatures. I keep transforming myself and keep taking birth in diverse wombs, for upholding dharma, with the aid of men now existing or departed from the world. I do this for protecting righteousness and for establishing it. I am known, in the three worlds as Vishnu, Brahman and Indra. I am the origin  and I am also the destroyer of all those creatures that live in sinfulness. When, I live in the order of the deities, I then act in every respect as a deity. When I live in the order of the  Gandharvas, I then act in every respect as a Gandharva. When I live in the order of the Nagas, I then act as a Naga, and when I live in the order of Yakshas or that of Rakshasas, I act after the manner of that order. Born now in the order of humans, I must act as a human being. I appealed to the Kauravas most piteously but they refused to accept my words. I also frightened them by referring to the consequences of  ignoring my message but as they were possessed by unrighteousness, and were under the impact of  Time, all of them have been righteously killed in battle, and have, without doubt, gone to heaven. 

After hearing this from Krishna, Utanka said, 'I know you, to be the creator of the universe, this knowledge that I have,is the result of your grace towards me. My heart is now free of agitation and I no longer wish to curse you. However, if, you are pleased with me, then please show me once your divine form. Gratified with him, Krishna, then showed Utanka that Vishvaroopa which He had shown to Arjuna  Beholding that high and wonderful  form of  the Supreme Lord,  Utanka became filled with wonder. Utanka, said, "I bow to you , O Soul of the universe, O parent of all things".

Having shown his divine form, Krishna asked Utanka for a boon as the sight of this supreme form cannot be fruitless.  Utanka said, "O lord, as water is very scarce in this region, I desire to have water whenever I  wish to quench my thirst". Vasudeva said,  whenever you require water, just think of me! Having said so, Krishna proceeded towards Dwaraka. Subsequently, one day, Utanka, was exceedingly thirsty as he was wandering over the desert and he thought of Krishna  Immediately, he held in front of him  a naked hunter, full of  dirt and surrounded by a pack of dogs and water issuing from his urinary organs .The hunter smilingly addressed him, saying, 'O Utanka, do you  drink this water. Utanka, refused to drink that water and became extremely angry with the hunter, but before he could  utter a curse the hunter disappeared from there. Now, Utanka was puzzled and thought this was some trick played on him by Krishna. Just then, Krishna appeared there. 

Utanka questioned Krishna, "Was it proper for you to offer water to a Brahmana in the form of a hunter's urine".  Janaradana smilingly said, "water was offered to you in the form, which was best suitable for you, however you couldn't understand it".  I had asked Indra to give you Amrutam in the form for water, however Indra said its not proper to give Amrutam to ordinary mortals. However on my insistence,  Indra said, I'll take a form of hunter and give him water in a way I find fit. If, he drinks it then he'll get Amrutam. So, it was the King of gods who had come to give you nectar but you refused it. You made a big mistake, however, I'll still fulfill your wish. Whenever you wish to have water, on those days, clouds well-charged with water will rise over this desert. Those clouds, will give you sweet water to drink, also those clouds will become known in the world as Utanka-clouds.' Thus addressed by Krishna, Utanka became happy, and to this day Utanka-clouds (appear and) shower rain on the deserts.

Why Utanaka was such a great ascetic that he could think of cursing Krishna? Wait for the next blog..

Vishnu is the boss

 

Once Matali, the chairoteer of Indra was searching for a bridegroom for his daughter Gunakesi, who was celebrated all over the world for her beauty. Even after searching enough, He couldn't find any suitable husband amongst  gods,  daityas , gandharvas, men and  rishis. He then made a journey to the world of the Nagas. 

On  his way, he saw the great Rishi Narada. Matali informed Narada, of his mission purpose and then, the well travelled Narada, who knew all the residents of nether world, agreed to join Matali in his quest. After going through various regions in the nether world, Matali foung a Naga youth by the name of Sumukha, whom he found suitable for his daugher. On enquiring with Narada about lineage of Sumukha, he got to know that Sumukha was born in the race of Airavata and his father Chikura was killed by Garuda. When Narada told Sumukha's grand-father Aryaka about Matali's desire to have Sumukha as his son-in-law, he became both happy and sad. He said its an honor to have such an alliance for his grandson and would be more than happy to get Sumukha married to Gunakesi. However, they are scared as when Garuda killed Sumukha's father, he also promised to kill Sumukha within a month. 

Matali, who had the lord of the devas as his friend, suggested, they all go to Indra and ask his help in this matter. When they went to meet Indra, they found Lord Vishnu also there, who on hearing their story asked Indra to give Amrutham to Sumukha and make him immortal like other gods. Indra was also scared of Garuda as in the past during a battle with Garuda, he had found his Vajra was also not able to do any damage to Garuda. However after getting assurance from Lord Vishnu, he gave Amrutham to the Naga. Now Sumukha, having drunk Amrutham and having lost fear of Garuda, married Matali's daughter and returned home.  

Now, when the mighty Garuda heard what had happened, he got into a rage and was inflamed with anger. He came to Indra and asked him, how dare you gave away my food(the naga Sumukha). Garuda said, although I am of immeasurable strength and also more powerful than you, I still have to be respectful towards you(as Indra is the king of the devas). He further said, that through my strength I can carry the weight of three worlds without getting fatigue, yet due to the respect I give you, I carry your younger brother(Vishnu) on my back and I also protect his flag.  There is no one in the whole universe who is capable of bearing such heavy burden. 

Lord Vishnu who was also listening to these proud words of Garuda, said smilingly to Garuda. "You are very weak and yet you are saying all these proud words". All the three worlds united can't bear my weight, it is me only who bears my weight. If you are capable to bear the weight of my right arm only, then i can assume your words are true. Saying this, Lord Vishnu gently put his right arm on Garuda's shoulders. Just by the touch of that arm, Garuda fell down, became breathless and lost his senses. He thought that one arm was itself like weight of complete earth along with its mountains. Garuda was gasping of life and started losing all his feathers. Immediately, he bowed down to the great Lord and asked for forgiveness. He said, this strength of yours was never known to me and this strength of yours used to make me unequalled. Please forgive this winged created. Lord Vishnu became happy, told Garuda never to boast about his strength in future and also asked him to keep the naga Sumukha on his breast. 

This story was told by the Kanwa Rishi to Duryodhana and others in the Kuru assembly to let them know that Krishna is no one else but that Lord Vishnu and Kauravas don't stand a chance against Pandavas who are ever protected by Krishna.