87- Yamala-Arjuna Deliverance: The Redemption of Kubera’s Sons Nalakuver and Manigriv

King Parikshit asks Shukadevji, “Why were Nalakuver and Manigriv cursed? What mistake did they make that even the ever-peaceful Naradji became angry?”

Shukadevji smiles and replies, “Nalakuver and Manigriv were Kubera’s darling sons, and on top of that, counted among the attendants of Rudra Bhagwan. Naturally, pride crept in. One day, on the banks of the Mandakini, in the beautiful gardens of Kailash, they drank Varuni wine and got completely drunk. Their eyes rolled, music played, and many celestial women sang and danced with them. The two brothers were enjoying themselves as carefree as young elephants playing with their mates in the water.

Just then, Naradji happened to pass by. The apsaras immediately felt embarrassed and put on their clothes, fearing Narad’s displeasure. But Kubera’s sons, lost in intoxication and arrogance, didn’t bother to cover themselves.

Naradji understood instantly, “Despite being born in a divine household, they have lost themselves in wealth, pleasure, and wine.”

With compassion, he said, “Nothing destroys a person’s wisdom more than being intoxicated by wealth. Pride of family or even occasional anger does not ruin someone as badly as shreemada, the arrogance that comes from riches. Wherever wealth-pride appears, lustful attachment, gambling, drinking, and carelessness follow. People blinded by riches forget that the body they flaunt today will one day rot in the earth, be eaten by animals, or burn to ashes. Then why create enmity and pain for others for the gratification of such a temporary body?”

He asked, “And whose body is it anyway? The farmer who feeds it? The father or the mother? The one who can force it to work? The person who can buy it? The pyre that burns it? Or the scavengers that eat it? This body belongs to Prakriti (the primordial nature) and returns to it. Only a fool calls it ‘mine’ and hurts others.”

Naradji continued, “Poverty humbles people; it makes them sensitive to the pain of others. The rich, intoxicated by pride, never understand this. A poor person, struggling daily, develops humility, refrains from harming others, and easily finds the company of saints. Their company purifies the heart. Saints see everyone equally and relish only God; they don’t need people who are arrogant and immoral.”

Then he looked at Nalakuver and Manigriv and said, “These two are so drunk with wealth that they cannot even realise they are standing naked. To break this pride, they deserve to become trees.”

Yet, out of kindness, Naradji added, “They will remain aware of God even as trees. After a hundred celestial years, Krishna Himself will appear and free them with His touch.”

Shukadevji continues that Naradji then left for the ashram of Nar-Narayan. Nalakuver and Manigriv indeed became two Arjuna trees, known as the Yamalarjuna trees.

To fulfil Naradji’s words, little Krishna slowly dragged the wooden mortar toward those trees. He thought, “Naradji is so dear to Me, and these two are Kubera’s sons. I must carry out the sage’s words exactly.”

He squeezed between the two trees, but the mortar tied to His waist got stuck. With a slight tug from Krishna, all the roots loosened. A tiny pull from the powerhouse of the universe, and the giant trees shook, cracked, and fell with a thunderous crash.

From the fallen trunks emerged two radiant divine beings. Their brilliance lit up the surroundings. They bowed at Krishna’s feet and prayed with folded hands, “By Naradji’s grace, we have gained Your darshan. Please accept us. Let our speech sing Your glories, our ears hear Your stories, our hands serve You, our minds stay at Your feet, our eyes see saints, and may we remain humble forever.”

Krishna, still tied to the mortar, smiled and said, “You were blinded by wealth. Naradji blessed you by destroying that pride.”

Those who receive the darshan of saints whose minds rest in perfect equanimity and whose hearts are wholly offered to Me can never remain in the bondage of maya, just as darkness cannot remain before the eyes when the sun rises. (Bhagavat 10-10-41)

He added a beautiful truth:
“Just as darkness vanishes when the sun rises, the company of saints destroys bondage for those who are devoted to Me.”

Then He told them, “Go back to your abode with your hearts fixed on Me. You have received the devotion that frees you from worldly cycles.”

After bowing again and again, the two brothers circumambulated Him and left for the north.

Meanwhile, the loud crash had reached Nandbaba and the gopas. “Did lightning strike?” they wondered, rushing to the spot. They saw the two fallen Arjuna trees but couldn’t understand how it happened, even though Krishna was right there dragging the mortar.

Some children who had witnessed the scene said, “Kanhaiya did it! He went between the trees, the mortar got stuck, He pulled it, and the trees fell. We even saw two men come out!”

But the elders couldn’t believe it.

“How can a tiny child uproot massive trees?”

Nandbaba saw his beloved boy still tied to the mortar, smiled, and quickly untied Him.

Summary: JKYog India Online Class- Shreemad Bhagavat Katha [Hindi]- 28.11.2025