**Panchami Draupadi - Pooja Sharma's AT**#10 - Page 95

A small part of her told her she was being childish, being petulant, and not at all like the empress she was. But she felt like a child, she felt like being petulant, and as far as everyone else was concerned, she was no longer an empress. She told her servants to leave her, told the guards to abandon their posts. They had nothing left to protect. What was the point in having guards stationed at her door when her own husbands, the Aryaputra themselves could not protect her?

Panchali had no tears left. Her chest heaved with dry sobs, breathing felt unreasonably difficult. For a single moment she remembered Kunti's arms wrapped around her, remembered how for once she had felt secure. Hadn't felt raw and exposed like she had every day since she walked out of the fire. A mother's love was something she had often read about in books, heard of from her dasi and Subhadra. Fire born children didn't have mothers, so Draupadi hadn't know what that kind of security and love felt like.

The only other person who had made her feel that way was Govind.

Govind, her friend.

Govind, to whom she had entrusted herself.

Govind, who had proved he had never left her side, despite being leagues away.

Govind.

"I'm here, Sakhi."

For a second, Draupadi wondered if she had finally lost her mind, delusion taking over due to grief. She turned toward the doors, telling herself that it was foolish to expect him to be here. The distance between Dwarka and Indraprastha was not a small one. But no, there he was, framed by the ornate doorway, shining and golden as ever.

"Govind?"

"Yes, Sakhi."

Krishnaa walked towards him, as steady as one could be after not eating or sleeping or drinking anything for two days. She almost collapsed at his feet, but he held her firmly by her shoulders.

"Govind, I --" There were no words to explain the turmoil within her. Perhaps there was no language on this planet that could help explain her roiling emotions.

Govind nodded, smiling. Had it been anyone else, even her husbands -- especially her husbands -- who smiled at her like that, she would have burned them. But this was Govind, and his smile was not patronizing or pitying.

That half-smile of his, part reassurance and part fondness, with an undercurrent of something more, simmering constantly. She had always wondered what that was, and now she understood. It was simply...everything Draupadi needed in that moment.

It was the smile that made it easier to breathe once more.

The smile that told her it was not over yet, but soon.

A smile that promised her everything she wanted, and more.

It was a smile that would stay with Yajnaseni throughout the next thirteen years.

The gardens of Vrindavan have now been replaced by the malls and multiplexes and that's where they gopikas of today seek their Mohan. The flute has given way to cellphones and other gadgets and the definition of pure unadulterated love may never be the same. Social media seems to be the new way to reach out and keep track of everyone's updates. Facebook/Orkut and blogs have replaced the verandah discussions of the evenings. In a world wherein people update their twitter statuses even before letting their loved ones know, the Supreme Being' felt left out.

The lord got fed up and wanted to reach out and turned to social media. What if the lord had afacebook profile, who would he get poked by? Who would scribble on his wall and what would his status be? Ever wondered what would Krishna's social profile look like or the groups he would join? I have all your answers bhakta. Presenting a sneak peak of the profile of the most sought after man ever! This is what his profile looked like the day after his peace mission was rejected at Hastinapur. Those unaware with the Mahabharata may fail to comprehend, however I feel the rest of you will see it in the right spirit. It is a bit tongue in cheek and I request all my bhaktas to take it in jest.

Jai Shri Krishna, happy birthday O great one!