Question: Since Yudhiṣṭhira is such a dear devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa, why did Yudhiṣṭhira worship Surya instead of Kṛṣṇa, to receive the answer to his concern regarding feeding guests while residing in the forest – and thus receive the Akṣaya Patra from Surya?
Similarly, why did Arjuna seek weapons from Indra, Siva and others, instead of directly requesting his dear friend Lord Kṛṣṇa?
Answer by Romapada Swami:
1. As per Mahābhārata Tatpārya Nirnaya chapter 22 verse 5 (and the commentaries thereon by Sripada Madhvacārya’s followers), Yudhiṣṭhira actually worshipped Lord Nārāyana (Acyuta is the actual word used in the verse) within Surya to obtain the Akṣaya Patra.
Yudhisthira had obtained the mantra of Suryadeva from Acārya Dhaumya. Yudhiṣṭhira stood in the Ganga River and recited the mantra. Suryadeva is the deity of rains and crops. Unto those who worship him arghya during sandhya-vandana, Surya blesses the worshiper with food for the body and the mind. Surya is the father of Yamarāja/Dharmarāja, whose son was born as Yudhiṣṭhira. By pleasing Lord Nārāyana within Surya, Yudhiṣṭhira ‘s father personally came to bless him with the akṣaya patra.
2. What follows is yet another perspective (per Mahābhārata Tatpārya Nirnaya) on why Yudhisthira and Arjuna asked for boons.
This perspective should also be understood in light of the fact that Madhvacarya did not accept the principle of “nitya-suri” or eternal transcendental associate of the Lord. Both Gaudiyas and Sri Sampradaya accept nitya-suris: we treat Arjuna, Yudhisthira etc. as eternal associates of the Supreme Lord.
This pastime must also be seen in the light of 2 highly prominent principles or tattvas propounded by Madhvacarya: jiva-taratamya (gradation of souls) and hari-sarvottama (superiority of Hari). Amongst the gradation of souls, Vayu is higher in hierarchy than Yamaraja, Indra, or Aswini Kumaras (parents of the remaining 4 Pandavas). Vayu is the best of the jivas as per Madhva. Therefore Bhima (son of or of expansion of Vayu) is higher in hierarchy than Yudhisthira, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva. Because of this hierarchy, Bhima is the best of the bhagavatas who repose their shelter fully in Hari (Supreme Lord). Madhvacarya calls Bhima’s dependence on Krsna as Suddha Bhagavata Dharma (SBD). As part of SBD, Bhima would never put efforts for any kamya-karma (actions to obtain some fruits) as he depended on Krsna. Therefore, he would never seek anything from Devatas or humans. For example: During the yaksa prasna episode, Yama disguised as Yaksa asked the Pandavas to answer his questions before they could drink water. Bhima didn’t want to use his knowledge to save his life as he would not be dependent on Krsna if he did so. So, he kept quiet without answering and fell unconscious. Example 2: When Draupadi was disrobed, Bhima didn’t react because he didn’t want to go against the will of the Lord who had resolved to bless Draupadi with infinite amount of cloth. Madhavacarya gives many more examples of Bhima’s SBD in Chapter 18 of Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya. However, Yudhisthira, Arjuna and others were not at this level of surrender and so they did pray to others for some boons.
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SB 1.7.49 purport: Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira was the son of Dharmarāja, or Yamarāja
HBV 4.16.212, CB Madya 14; Lalita Madhava 10.254: Yamarāja was the son of Sūrya
Two additional points from Mahābhārata Tatpārya Nirnaya
The sages led by Durvāsā who came to take meals from Yudhiṣṭhira were known apriori to Yudhiṣṭhira. He used to host them in the palace when he was a ruler. These sages loved the association of Pāndavas not just for the food cooked by Draupadi, but also for the discussion on the scriptures they used to have with the Pāndavas. Unable to bear separation from the Pāndavas, these sages went to the forest to receive the association of the Pāndavas. One of these sages was later born as Acyuta-preksa, the Guru of Madhvacārya
