Sri Krishna delivering king Nriga in Dwaraka

Dwaraka: Sri Krishna delivering king Nriga:

(Skanda Purana - Dwaraka Mahatmya - 10)

• Sri Krishna delivering king Nriga: I meditate on Sri Krishna delivering king Nriga who became a lizard due to the curse of brahmanas.

• King Nriga was a powerful king endowed with devotion towards the brahmanas and gods. The king used to worship the brahmanas daily and give them gifts of cows.

• Once the king gave a cow to brahmana Jaimini. Jaimini though adverse towards taking donation, took the cow reluctantly to honour the king. The brahmana took the cow to his home and fed her with moist grass. At noon the cow was feeling thirsty. Jaimini took the cow towards a pond. However, seeing elephants, horses and camels on the way, the cow became terrified, and freeing himself ran away. The cow went back and joined the herd of the king's cow.

• Next day the king gifted the same cow to another brahmana named Somasharma. When Somasharma was returning with the cow, brahmana Jaimini (who was searching for the cow) met him on the way and accused him of robbery. There was a heated arguments between the brahmanas. In anger, to resolve the matter, they went to the king's palace. He became afraid of the brahmanas filled with rage and did not come out. Three days passed in this way. The brahmanas thought that the king was disregarding them and in anger cursed him to become a lizard. Hearing about the curse the king came out and prayed to the brahmanas to tell him about the duration of the curse. The brahmanas said that Sri Krishna, the incarnation of Hari will liberate him in Dwapara Yuga by his touch.

• After the death of king Nriga, Yama asked him whether he wants the fruits of his meritorious deeds or misdeeds first. The king told him to grant the fruits of his misdeeds first. King Nriga thus became a lizard and remained a lizard for thousands of years. One day Sri Krishna came to the forest for hunting with other princes. They were thirsty and came to the well where Nriga was staying in the form of a lizard. The princes tried to rescue the lizard but it was too heavy. Then they informed Sri Krishna. Sri Krishna brought the lizard out playfully from the well. By the touch of Sri Krishna, king Nriga became free of his curse and regained his form. He eulogized Sri Krishna. Sri Krishna became pleased and told him to ask for a boon. The king asked that the place became famous as a pilgrimage associated with his name. Sri Krishna granted the boon and recounted the merits of the place. Thus the place became famous a Nriga Teertha or Krilakalasa Teertha (Krilakalasa meaning lizard).