Chapter 15: Memories of The Maidens

Memories of The Maidens

Radha was fasting on the sacred day of Shravan Ashtami, for it was the divine birthday of her beloved Krishna. She prayed to Devi Maa for the long life and well-being of her prankster Krishna on the auspicious day of his Janmashtami.

After the visit of Rajmata Satyavati, the people of Gokul had begun to look upon Radha with newfound reverence.

She sat on the banks of the River Yamuna, leaning against the broad trunk of an ancient peepal tree. The gentle murmur of the flowing waters carried her thoughts back to the days of Krishna's birth, his enchanting childhood pranks, and his playful dalliances with the maidens of Brindavan.

All of a sudden, a tender smile blossomed on her lips.

She remembered his innocent, captivating face. His eyes shone as twin moons washed by the waves of a celestial ocean, while his smile awakened a quiet bliss in the hearts of all who beheld him.

One day, as Mother Yashoda was feeding fresh butter to little Krishna, he pointed toward the moon and innocently asked her to bring it down from the sky so that he could play with it.

A mother's heart melted before her little child's simple wish.

Looking up at the heavens, she playfully pleaded with the moon to descend for a while and delight her beloved Kanha. The Divine Child, enchanted by his mother's innocent affection, smiled at the moon as though inviting it to become his playmate.

Remembering that delightful scene, Radha looked up at the moon, now hiding mischievously behind the monsoon clouds of Shravan, as if it too wished to tease her.

Her reverie was interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. A group of young maidens carrying earthen pots came towards the Yamuna to fetch water.

For a fleeting moment, Radha felt a playful annoyance towards them.

How often these reckless maidens had rushed to Yashoda's house, complaining about Krishna's harmless childhood pranks as though they were terrible misdeeds! They would plead with Mother Yashoda to deliver justice and save them from the mischievous little butter thief.

Whenever the Gopis poured out their complaints, Krishna would hide behind his mother's pallu, peeping at them with concealed laughter dancing in his eyes. When Yashoda questioned him, he would widen his innocent eyes and pretend that he knew nothing at all.

That mischievous child not only created delightful chaos in the homes of the milkmaids of Brindavan but also mocked the Gopis' anger with his irresistible smile, making them even more indignant.

He knew that his mother would always shield him from their wrath and proclaim his innocence.

Yet Krishna also understood the secret hidden beneath their complaints.

The Gopis were not truly angry with him.

Their anger was only the veil they wore to conceal the irresistible attraction they felt towards their beloved Krishna. Their complaints were merely another language of love.

Radha smiled gently.

She alone understood that every reproach they uttered was born of affection.

That's why Sage Narada had once spoken those unforgettable words.

She fondly recalled the incident.

One day, when Sage Narada visited Nanda's house, he was greeted by one of the most astonishing and divine sights.

Mother Yashoda had punished her mischievous little Krishna by tying him to a heavy grinding mortar.

Seeing the Supreme Lord bound by the hands of motherly love, Narada stood speechless in wonder.

With folded palms, he exclaimed,

"O Mother Yashoda! What great penance have you performed to receive the privilege of chastising Narayana Himself? The Lord whom the entire universe worships has willingly allowed Himself to be bound by the cords of your love. Who but a mother could command the Supreme Being so completely?"

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The maidens saw Radha sitting beside the moonlit waters of the Yamuna. Expectation lit their faces as they gathered around her, hoping to hear once again of her endless love for Krishna.

But today, Radha greeted them not with a smile, but with quiet indignation.

"Tell me," she asked, "why did all of you constantly complain to Mother Yashoda about Krishna's mischievous deeds in those days?"

The maidens looked at one another. A gentle smile spread across their faces as memories, fragrant as jasmine blossoms, returned to them.

"Vakula," Radha continued, "you were always the first to report our little Krishna's escapades to Yashoda. Do you remember?"

Vakula laughed softly before recollecting that incident.

"Yashoda! Never have I seen a boy as mischievous as your Krishna. One day he came to my house wearing heavy silver anklets whose rhythmic music announced every step. Pearl necklaces swayed upon his little chest as he danced before me with irresistible grace. Thinking him to be an innocent child, I bent down to embrace him. But your son was no ordinary boy! Before I realized it, he planted a kiss on both my cheeks.

"I was so embarrassed! What would people think of me? How could he do such a thing without even asking my permission?"

Even now, while recalling that incident, Vakula instinctively touched her cheeks, blushed, and hurried away with a shy smile.

Radha then turned to Mallika.

"And what did you tell Mother Yashoda?"

Mallika smiled at the memory.

"I said, 'Mother Yashoda, my daughter-in-law had just entered our family, hoping for a peaceful married life. One evening, while she was walking towards the river, Krishna met her on the way. With those enchanting lotus eyes of his, he led her elsewhere. She simply could not resist his gaze. It was not her fault; she merely obeyed the silent command of those magical eyes.

"They both returned only after nightfall. Then Krishna looked at me and cheerfully declared, "Mother, am I not your son now? Please give me some butter."

"What could I do? I gave him butter without protest.

"Now every family with young daughters fears your Krishna! Tell us, Yashoda, how are we to protect ourselves from this irresistible charmer?" '

Mallika shook her head in disbelief.

"And today," she said softly, "that same little prankster has become the Supreme Lord of the universe."

Next Radha looked towards Vandana.

"You angered Mother Yashoda the most. What did you tell her that made her punish our Krishna?"

Vandana smiled helplessly.

"My baby was asleep in the cradle when Krishna quietly came and pinched him to awake. As I rushed to comfort my child, he ran to the cowshed.

"There he untied a calf that had been restrained from drinking its mother's milk. The calf ran away into the street. Krishna picked up the rope, tied it around his own neck, crawled beside the cow, and began crying, 'Ambaa... ambaa...' exactly like the missing calf.

"The poor cow believed he was her own little one and lovingly fed him. He drank her milk as contentedly as any calf.

"I cried to Yashoda, 'Please punish this troublesome boy, or there will be no peace left in Gokul!'"

Still smiling at the memory, Vandana quietly walked back towards her home.

Mandakini could not contain herself.

"Radha, do you know what Kanha once did to me?

"He came asking for directions to my aunt's house. While I was explaining the way, he suddenly changed the subject and asked for the path leading to the riverbank. After I showed him, he lingered there as though he wished to ask something more.

"When I insisted that he speak, he boldly demanded a kiss!

"When I refused, he stamped his tiny feet and burst into loud sobs, creating such a commotion that all the neighbouring maidens gathered around us, asking what I had denied him.

"Tell me, Radha, how could I possibly confess before everyone what he was asking for? Your Krishna never allowed any of us to live peacefully with our husbands!"

Her face reddened with embarrassment even after all these years. Covering her face with her veil, she hurried away laughing.

Finally Mugdha began her story.

"Radha, before you judge us, hear what your Krishna did to me.

"He asked for butter. I gave him some.

"He wanted more, and I happily served him again.

"Again he asked.

"And again I gave him butter.

"After eating everything, he looked at me with a mischievous wink and demanded my daughter's hand in marriage!

"When I refused, he began dancing so enchantingly that I forgot the entire world. Suddenly he seized my daughter's hand and ran away with her across the fields to dance with her!

"Oh, Radha! Your Krishna could charm every woman in Gokul, whether young or old. Who could ever escape his magic?"

Balancing her water pot upon her shoulder, Mugdha slowly disappeared into the dozing village.

One after another, the maidens shared memories of their delightful encounters with little Krishna. Each story ended with laughter, and one by one they drifted away, leaving Radha alone beneath the moonlit sky.

Silence descended upon the banks of the Yamuna.

Holding the little statue of Krishna gently on her lap, Radha whispered,

"My beloved Dwarakadheesh, come to me just once, to Gokul.

"Lay aside those heavy royal robes and wear once again your simple yellow dhoti.

"Remove that jeweled crown and tie the crimson band upon your forehead. Tuck a colourful peacock feather into it as you always did.

"Set down the sceptre of a king and lift your flute once more.

"Come to these quiet banks and fill this waiting forest with your immortal melody.

"Ask your charioteer to bring you here, if only for a few peaceful moments with your Radha."

Her prayer flowed into the stillness like an unseen river.

The earth answered silently, without words.

The breeze became music.

The birds seemed to carry her longing upon their wings.

Trees stood motionless as though listening, while flowering creepers adorned themselves in fresh blossoms.

It was as if Nature itself had resolved to wear new colours, hoping to entice its eternal flute-player back to the sacred groves of Brindavan once again!!

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One of my dear friends asked me for a mythological story! This story is dedicated to her

with love

Madhuri

Viswasruti2020-09-25 05:51:01