From: sramalin@memstvx1.memst.edu
Newsgroups: soc.culture.indian.telugu
Subject: STORY ( C.M ) # 4
Date: 16 Dec 92 16:38:15 -0600
Organization: Memphis State University

                              TAMRA DHWAJA
                             --------------
                                                From Mahabharata

King Yudhistira decided to perform the horse sacrifice. It constituted of
worshipping the God of Fire and later releasing a horse to run freely. Anyone
who wouldnot want to accept Yudhistira as the greatest can tie it down and
challenge the warrior who goes behind the horse  for a fight. The horse would
be sacrificed if it returns safely, may be at the end of six or seven months.
Yudhistira sent Arjuna, the greatest warrior ever known, behind the horse. And
Lord of the Universe Sri Krishna too proceeded behind.
At that very time Tamradhwaja decided to do the horse sacrifice and released
his horse with his son protecting it throughout the way.
There was not one king who could tie down the horse of Arjuna. As the horse
was returning home safe, Son of Tamradhwaja caught hold of the horse and 
challenged Arjuna for a fight. A fierce fight started between the great heroes,
the challenger being not a small warrior himself. At this outset, Krishna
recognised that it is not easy to conquer the king and get the reins of the
horse back. So he advised Arjuna that they would go to Tamradhwaja in disguise
and test him to get the horse back by other means than a fight.
In disguise of Brahmins, Arjuna and Krishna proceeded to Tamradhwaja and told
him thus :
" O Great king ! We are poor Brahmins. As we were travelling from one place to
another through the woods, one tiger caught hold of my son and started
devouring him. I prayed to the tiger to release him. The tiger told me that the
king is the protector of all, humans and animals. If the king of this land
(meaning Tamradhwaja) gives me half of the portion of his body, I would release
your son ,for, I am very hungry. So Great Tamradhwaja, I came seeking help.
Please do something before the tiger devours my son "
Instantly, the queen said " O Brahmin, people say that wife is half of the
husband. Please take me and offer to the tiger and you can happily save your
son ".
" What you said is true Mother, but wife is said to be the left portion of the
husband's body and the tiger wanted the right portion of the king " Krishna
replied. 
Tamradhwaja was only too happy to hear these words and gladly agreed to give
his right portion of the body. As he was about to offer his body, a drop of
tear fell down from his left eye. Seeing this Sri Krishna said :
" Tamradhwaja, if you donot like to give me the body, I donot mind but donot 
give me anything while you cry inside. I cannot accept such offerings".
Tamradhwaja explained : 
" O Brahmin, It is not that I am crying. The left part of the body cries 
because it is useless for  a great cause, whereas only the right part is
eligible to be sacrificed. Please accept what I am giving . That is the reason
why only the left eye drops tears  and not both the eyes ".
Touched by the devotion, Instantly the disguised Krishna showed the King who
the Brahmins were, embraced him and allowed Tamradhwaja to perform the horse
sacrifice first and let Yudhistira's horse be released later for the sacrifice.
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