Those Stories- An OS thread on anything mythology- Upd 12/11

BEAUTY OF THE RIVER

Kalindi looked at Krishna in awe, as the chariot travelled in high speed, as He laughed at something His wife Satyabhama said, along with His elder brother Balarama. Kalindi had loved how loving and warm Satyabhama had been in welcoming her, embracing her as a sister rather than a rival wife. But then again, she had heard rumours that Rukmini and Satyabhama. How loving and affectionate they were, and how accepting as well.

She smiled at both of them, a grin on her face. This was going to be her future family. Her mind drifted back to the day she had met Krishna, which was barely three days ago.

"Devi, I am Maharaja Pandu's third son, Arjuna, said the handsome man in front of her, as he bowed down to her.

"Pranaam, she had said, her heart knowing her Vaasudeva was nearby. She wanted to simply see His Beautiful Lotus feet, and she knew her life's purpose would have been fulfilled.

"Who are you?, asked Arjuna, softly.

"I am the daughter of Surya Deva, Kalindi, said Kalindi, softly. "I am the Goddess of the River Yamuna

"Pranaam Devi, said Arjuna, humbly bowing down to her again. "My cousin and friend, Vaasudeva Krishna wanted to know who you were

"Vaasudeva Krishna?, Kalindi had asked, sheer joy in her voice.

"Yes. You have heard of Him then, said Arjuna, smiling.

"Heard?, asked Kalindi. "I watched His pastimes by my river in Vrindavan, as He danced with the Gopis and teased His Gopa friends

"And didn't you come up to me and say you will be my wife in the future?

A teasing voice asked Kalindi, causing her to whirl and gasp as her eyes took in dark brown eyes, capable of containing the entire Universe.

After that, everything had been a whirlwind for Kalindi. She had been taken to the Indraprastha palace, where she had been introduced to Satyabhama and Draupadi, the Queen of the Pandavas. She could see that that kind of love was indeed very rare, and she smiled softly. A woman who loved five men equally, without an issue, was indeed rare to see.

"Kalindi?

Krishna's voice brought Kalindi back to reality.

"Swami?, she asked, shyly.

"What were you thinking about?, asked Krishna, tenderly.

"The last three days Lord. It has been a whirlwind for me, said Kalindi, blushing at the loving look in His eyes. She looked down shyly, glancing at His beautiful feet.

"It has been so for me too, said Krishna, gently cupping her chin.

Kalindi stared up at Him, her eyes glowing with love, as she saw His eyes also glow with love. For her. She remembered all His games with the Gopis, and how she had always wanted to serve His feet. Instead, now, she was looking into His eyes, her heart thudding in her chest.

Suddenly, she shook out of the trance she was in, realising Satyabhama must have been there. But when she looked around, Satyabhama was not there.

"Where is Satya Jiji?, asked Kalindi to Krishna.

"She went in advance into the Kingdom along with Dau to inform Bhabhi Maa, Rukmini and Jambavathi of our arrival, said Krishna, softly. "Come love. Let's go into the city

Saying thus, Krishna drove the chariot into the Kingdom, smiling and greeting the throng of people who had stood on the streets, greeting Him with love.

Kalindi stared at the mirror. More specifically, she stared at the sindoor-filled parting on her forehead. She had been married to Him only a day ago, but it felt right. It felt like she had been married to Him forever, and will always be so. She blushed when she thought of how tender He had been with her last night. She felt cherished and loved. Above all, she felt that He was hers wholly.

Suddenly feeling her head ache, she slowly sat on the bed, clutching her head, getting dizzy with the slow, yet steady increase in the pain.

"Lakshmi first, Bhu second, Shri third, Nila fourth, said Lord Vishnu, a sad yet loving smile on His face.

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"If my heart and soul have always belonged only to AyodhyaPati Maharaja Ramachandra, Bhagavati Prithvi Devi, open up and take me in!, said the saffron-clad Sita, hands folded in prayer.

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"Don't you know, Manmohana?, asked Kalindi, staring at Him with love. "Don't you know my feelings for you?

"I do, beauty of the River, said Krishna, softly. "And I promise you I will come for you

Kalindi jerked out of her visions, as she felt her husband's arms on her shoulders, His warm voice calling her.

"Swami!, said Kalindi, flustered. Suddenly, the pain in her head vanished.

"My love, said Krishna, lightly caressing Kalindi's cheek. "What happened?

"I.. I felt a strange pain in my head, and I got some weird memories? Or were they simply flashes?, asked Kalindi, confused.

"What did you see?, asked Krishna, softly, taking her by the hand, and making her sit on the bed.

Kalindi explained her visions to Him, watching His face as it grew serious.

"You are realising my love, He said, softly.

"Realising what Lord?, asked Kalindi.

"Who you are, said Krishna. "You know you are the Goddess of the Yamuna. What you don't know is that you are also Lakshmi
"I am?, asked Kalindi, softly.

"You are. You are more Nila-Lakshmi, though you do have Shri and Bhu in you as well, said Krishna.

"Isn't Nila a mix of Shri and Bhu, yet with some characteristics of her own?, asked Kalindi.

"Indeed, she is, said Krishna, loving smile on His face. "Nila is a free spirit, like you are. Yet, she will stay in one place, like Bhu does. Like you did when you were performing Tapasya. Yet, weren't there times when you simply keep moving from one place to another? Owing to your nature as a river, and thus like Shri, who is like the wind?

"Basically, the three forms of Lakshmi are the same, said Kalindi.

"And intertwined. What one is, the other two are, said Krishna.

"Don't Rukmini and Satyabhama have Nila also in them?, asked Kalindi.

"They do. Both of them have Shri, Bhu and Nila in them. Though Rukmini possesses more Shri in her, while Bhama possesses more Bhu in her, said Krishna.

"And Jambavathi?, asked Kalindi.

"Is like you. She is a free spirit, yet the calmer one of the three of them. Rukmini seems calm, but is very lively. Bhama, you already know. She can cover her emotions fully, yet show them when needed, said Krishna.

"Tell me more Lord, requested Kalindi, resting her head on His chest.

Hugging her to Him, Krishna continued talking to her till dawn broke, both wrapped in each other's company, savouring the feeling of their whole love.