Rhapsody Of A Prankster
The palanquin was gently moving forward on the muddy path that morning. A maiden is going on a mission, and the ride is eliciting intriguing feelings!
The palanquin carriers start singing to ease their fatigue during the journey. The front bearers lead the first few lines with their rhythmic singing, and the back walkers pick it up to start another chorus!
Oho ..oho hum...oho.. oho hum ....
When a prince is born, the dawn brings butter and cream!
Where the dark lord wanders, the path sings with a simper!
Oho ..oho hum...oho oho hum ....
When he wanders with cows and coy girls, the sky itself is a canopy-like shade
When he smiles, every twig sings with zephyr, and every arbour blossoms!!
Oho ...oho hum... oho oho hum...
The path winds through verdant valleys and hillocks, ascends to the horizon, the point where the earth and the sky converge. It was woven in a tranquil realm where time stood still thousands of years ago.
Behind the silk curtains of that floating palanquin, a maiden sat soaking in the lovely scents of the woods while staring out.
"Who is this girl, and whose house is she going to visit?" one onlooker on the path questioned the carriers.
They replied, "She is Radha Rani's cousin, coming from Mathura to visit her."
Another woman who had seen the girl identified her as Sudevi. She nods and smiles sweetly at strangers who greet her on the street. But her thoughts are on Radha and her recent transgressions. She would like to remind Radha that a housewife should never run behind a young man! She had heard tales of a Gopal who routinely robbing butter as well as young girls’ hearts in Brindavan!
She was annoyed with that yet-to-be-known person whom the locals revere as a divine entity!
The palanquin finally arrived at Radha's residence. The young maiden alighted from it and greeted the men who were seated on the raised verandah in the front yard.
As soon as she entered the house, she saw Radha seated in front of a mirror, adorning herself with punnaga and champak flowers.
With a playful smirk, Sudevi covered her eyes from behind and urged Radha to guess who had closed her eyes.
"I know your naughty ways, Krishna. Why did you dress up like a maiden to mislead my family this evening? I agreed to meet you at night, then why are you here?? "
The fingers on her eyes were a bit tighter. A whisper near her ear.... "Who is that Krishna? Meeting him at night? Is it right, young girl?"
It dawned on Radha that it was not her Krishna, but someone else. She jerked her feet and pulled herself free from the stranger's grip.
"Sudevi, what a great surprise! We met in Gokul many years ago. Have you never thought of me in between?" She asked Devi, her lips pursed.
“ I will tell you the purpose of my visit later. First, let me meet the elders of the house to seek their blessings. " She moved towards the kitchen.
After a short while, she came back when Radha was adorning her feet with musical anklets.
Tell me, Radha, for whom are you dressing up now. Who is this Krishna? "
"Krishna is Nand Mama's son, a blessing to this village. He is an expert in cow herding and a very brave child. He killed many asurs in this region and removed many fears from the minds of the villagers. He dances with our souls, preaches love, and encourages us to indulge in Raas Leela till dawn! He appears to be a saint at times, but he transforms into a full-moon while dancing with us— a gorgeous young kid from whom we would never want to be separated. He is a sage Devi, and an amazing boon for this Brindavan!"
“I heard that he steals butter and curd from everyone's house? How is a thief considered to be a sage, Radha? Are you mad?”
"We all keep our back doors open for him to come with his friends to steal curd and butter. For him, it is only a pretext. All our cows give milk for him, we are only illusory figures, he is the only reality for us."
“ A misbehaving prankster who loves to steal young girls' clothes from the bathing ghats is considered a God? He is a morally vile person! How is that mischievous lad getting around with the village women?"
“By hiding our clothes, the Lord showed us how to let go of our attachment to our bodies, the only reality is to surrender to God. We surrendered ourselves to that divine being to find peace in his musical melodies.”
“I heard that he is dark, wears a garland around his neck all the time, and roams around with his sakhas to create trouble in every household? ”
“He looks like a dark lotus walking on earth, his garland sways like a saint's soul, and his smile depicts life's beauty and joy! A mysterious melody emerges every time he kisses Murali, enticing everyone to reach him. "
“ Why is Yashoda Mayya not controlling him for his PRANKS?”
“Haha, ha! She tried to control him, but seeing his innocent face made her forget everything! When she asked him to open his mouth, he showed her the entire cosmos. She hugged him and carried him inside to cast off the evil eye!!”
Sudevi noticed a gleam in Radha’s eyes as she revealed this! She was astounded to find Radha in such a trance for a prankster.
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The sky is writing a classical epic with evening hues as the moon peeks over the horizon!
On the banks of the Yamuna River, Radha sat waiting for someone....
The gentle ripples on the surface of Yamuna added more pain to her longing, the cool breeze touching her cheeks to calm her. She came here when she saw Devi indulge in deep discussion with Yashoda, who visited Radha's house that evening.
"Why is Yamuna so excited today, Why are these ripples trying to say something? Why is the peacock caressing its feathers carelessly? Why is every singing bird too anxious to tell me something? Why is my heart eager to sing, and why is my gaze looking for someone this evening? Why do my eyes seem so moist? If you come, because of these tears, Krishna, I cannot see you."
But Krishna is not visible anywhere. She wanted to meet to inform him that she wouldn't be able to come to dance that night, because of Devi's presence.
She heard soft footsteps from behind. When she turned around, she saw Krishna escorting Devi while she was holding his hand.
Devi questioned her, "Radha, are you waiting here for someone? Is it for that vile Vamshi Krishna? It is not good for a married woman to roam with a young lad like this!"
Radha arched an eyebrow and looked at the boy, pretending to frown, as Sudevi still held his hand tightly with hers!
Radha asked her with a playful smile, "Who is this boy, Devi?"
"He said, he would show me the way to reach you! His words really struck a chord with me. You see, his smile is like a hymn, and his face radiates light like the sun that illuminates the entire universe."
There was adoration in Devi's eyes. She caught his hand tight, as if he might go away from her!
Krishna teasingly asked her, "For whom are you waiting, Radha, What is his name?"
"Exactly what should I say? Since every Gopika refers to him by a different name, he has a thousand names."
"Is he coming to meet you here, or are you meeting him at his place?" Krishna questioned her.
"If anyone has an inner eye, they will be able to see him everywhere, under the sky, and beyond it," Radha replied.
"Radha, it is not good to believe a mischievous lad like this! He may steal your heart at an opportune time, be careful." Krishna rebuked.
"If he wants my heart or soul, I am ready to offer my entire life at his feet." replied Radha
“Sudevi is here to take you back from your Krishna, go with her, Radha"
“First, you free your hand from her hand, then she will be able to talk!! Till now, she was under your spell!!" Radha softly chuckled, like a blooming flower!
"Yes Radha, you see, he is such a devout and lovely lad; while we were walking towards you, he taught me the value of universal love." Said Devi.
"If you once realise my Krishna's ...."
"Don't believe Krishna's words, Radha. I've heard that he captivated all the women in Brindavan! I'm not going to fall for his magic." Devi scowled!
Radha teasingly looked at Devi, “Who knows? You may love him more than any other Gopika in the Brindavan except me??!!”
“ Me? Never? I am from Mathura, not a weak person like cowherd women, nobody can trick me."
Krishna innocently asked her, “Sudevi, How is my friend in Mathura? Waiting for me? "
“Who is your friend?”
Krishna looked at Radha. With great difficulty, she was controlling her smile.
“Maybe it is you, Sudevi! Krishna knows how to reach his admirers!”
“Again Krishna? See, I am not going to be impressed by your Krishna's vile actions, I don't want to see him!” scoffed Devi.
“It is not in your hands, Devi; if he wishes, he will hold your hand to show you the enchanting path of universal love!”
“Let him come, I will scold him for his vile deeds. I will ask him to leave you.”
Radha laughed gleefully and said, “He has already mesmerised you, you are under his spell. Now leave my Krishna to me and go back home!”
Sudevi was stunned, looking at that divine being who held her hand now to show her the right path!!
Happy Krishna Janmashtami to all our IF members.
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