Week 12: Extra Credit Reading


Krishna and Shishupala 

Image Details: Krishna, Source: Wikipedia


Shishupala was the son of the King of Chedi. However, Shishupala was born with four arms and three eyes. Due to these defects, a priest advises the king to abandon the child. Before the king is able to do so, a supernatural voice appears and tells the king that the prince will die in the hands of his destined killer. When the destined killer appears, it is destined that the prince’s third eye and extra arms will off. Krishna who is related to the couple visits the strange child. However when the baby sees Krishna, his third eye and extra arms disappear. The queen begs Krishna to forgive the child for any offenses that he commits and Krishna promises to forgive the child one hundred times. Shishupala is sent off to the home of the emperor Jarasandha, who is the sworn enemy of Krishna. 

Shishupala becomes close friends with Rukmi and Rukmi hopes that Shishupala would marry his sister Rukmini. However, Rukmini is in love with Krishna and asks Krishna to elope with her.
On the wedding day, Krishna carries Rukmini off and Rukmi urges that Krishna should be followed. Since Krishna ran off with his bride, Shishupala commits many crimes against Krishna. However, Krishna forgives them all because the promise he made.

 Later on, Shishupala sides with Yudhistira when Jarasandha is killed. Krishna is invited as the guest of honor for Yudhistira’s coronation as emperor. This angers Shishupala and he begins to insult Krishna. Krishna declares that he has already forgiven Shishupala one hundred times and he has now committed too many offenses. Therefore, Krishna beheads Shishupala.

This was a very interesting story. We learn about the origin of Shishupala and his birth defects. I find it interesting that we learn that Shishupala will be killed by Krishna. Therefore, for the rest of the story we see how Krishna finally kills Shishupala. I think that this story would be great to add a modern twist to.

Bibliography: Amar Chitra Katha. “Krishna and Shishupala: He Was Forgiven a Hundred Times.” Volume 589.

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