IN THE COMPANY OF KRISHNA - 19. SANDIPANI (GURU)

 

After leaving the people of Ambadi, Vasudeva sent his sons, Rama and Krishna, to study at the ashram of the great sage Sandipani, following the advice of Sage Garga. At the ashram, Krishna became close friends with another student named Kuchela. One day, at their teacher’s wife’s request, Krishna and Kuchela went into the forest to gather firewood. A storm hit, and they lost their way. The next day, their teacher found and brought them back safely.

Under Sandipani's guidance, Krishna mastered 64 different arts and also learned Dhanurveda, the science of archery. When Krishna and Rama finished their education, they asked their guru what he wanted as a fee (guru dakshina). Sandipani requested the return of his son, who had drowned at a holy place called Prabhasa years ago.

To fulfill this, Krishna and Rama went to the sea and spoke to Varuna, the sea god, who revealed that a demon named Panchajana had killed the boy. Krishna entered the sea, killed Panchajana, and took his conch, later known as Panchajanya. They then went to Yama, the god of death, who returned the boy to them. They brought the son back to Sandipani, who blessed them, and they returned to Mathura.

The story of Krishna and Balarama's education under Sage Sandipani and their offering of Guru Dakshina is described in multiple sources of Sanskrit literature, especially in the Mahabharata and Puranic texts. Here are the main references:

Mahabharata-Sabha Parva - Chapter 38 (Southern Recension) –

This chapter narrates the story of Krishna and Balarama going to the ashram of Sage Sandipani for their education.  It mentions: Their studies at Ujjain (Avanti), Krishna learning 64 arts and Dhanurveda, The request for guru dakshina – to bring back Sandipani's lost son, The journey to the ocean and Yamaloka, Killing of the demon Panchajana, Retrieval of the boy from Yama

📚 Harivamsa (Khila Parva of Mahabharata) - A supplement to the Mahabharata, the Harivamsa Purana elaborates on the childhood and early life of Krishna. It details: Krishna and Balarama’s stay at Sandipani's ashram, Krishna's friendship with Sudama (Kuchela), The incident of firewood collection, The tale of the lost child and the gift of the conch Panchajanya.

📚 Bhagavata Purana-Canto 10 (Dashama Skandha), Chapters 45–46 - These chapters describe: Krishna and Balarama’s education at Sandipani's gurukula, Their respect for the guru and learning various arts, The journey to reclaim the guru’s lost son, The slaying of the demon Panchajana, Visiting Lord Yama and returning the son

📚 Vishnu Purana – Book 5, Chapter 16 - This text supports the above narrative with slight variations.  It confirms: The stay at Sandipani’s ashram, Mastery of sciences and arts, The guru dakshina involving the rescue of the son from the ocean and from Yama

These texts are important for understanding the guru-shishya relationship in ancient Indian tradition and Krishna’s divine character in fulfilling promises and duties.

 

 

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