Sri Radhakrsna's leela - Part III - Completed on Page 48 - Page 3

"To obtain the Lord Krsna, younger brother of Balarama, have we come to You, Oh Devi, Oh Goddess of All the worlds, Oh mother of Guha (Kartikeya), Oh bestower of Eternal Happiness!"

In this manner, they used to worship the Goddess each and every day. One such day, they had gathered to the temple to worship the Goddess. Radha was particularly perturbed. Jatila Mami had decided to marry Abhimanyu to her after Navaratri got over. After she had finished the Katyayani Prarthana, she was somewhat distracted. She told the others to go, as she would take some more time. The gopikas were curious as to why Radha was so dull that day. But they left the temple, leaving Radha in solitude. Katyayani manifested before Radha.

Radha looked at Katyayani Devi. The Goddess could read her mind very well. Forgetting all about her divinity, Radha started praying to the Goddess.

"Bhajasva Sri Tripurasundari! Pahi Shodasha Dala

Sarvasha Paripuraka Chakreswari Mam Api!"

"O Goddess of unparalleled beauty, Oh Mistress who fulfils all wishes, please think of me too!"

Devi Parvati was so captivated by Radha's outburst, that she too started singing.

"Brindavana Nilaye, Radhe! Brindaharadhara Krishnamanohari! Ninditendumukha Bimbakaladhari!"

"Oh Radhe! You are this resident of this Vrindavana! You always have a garland of fresh tulasi leaves, and captivate the mind of Krsna! And by this, you are envied by Chandravali, the one with the face like a beam of moonlight!"

Radha's face brightened to become as beautiful as a crore lotuses fused together! She had noticed the subtlety of Devi Parvati's words. You captivate the mind of Krsna. That meant that she belonged to Krsna, and Krsna alone! How joyful! But... how?

"How, Gauri, will I be only the beloved of Krsna? I am betrothed to that Abhimanyu!"

"Radhe!" Parvati's face had a hidden smile, as if she knew that some mischief was going to happen. "Who told you that you need to marry Abhimanyu? You are the Primal Goddess, and you belong to my brother only! Why do you think Yamuna cited the story of Chhaya Devi?"

"You mean you agree with Yamuna? I should invoke the Goddess of Shadows?" Radha exclaimed, half-surprised, half-pleased. Parvati nodded, and escorted Radha to the banks of the Yamuna river. Unseen by the others, they looked at their reflections in the water.

Parvati invoked the Goddess of reflections and shadows. Chhaya Devi bowed before the two goddesses. "What service can I perform, O Devis?"

Radha spoke. "Oh Goddess, I wish you to create a replica of myself from my reflection here."

Chhaya obliged. The next moment, Radha's reflection floated off the water, stood vertically, solidified and formed an effigy of Radha. It was a statue.

"Chhaya! I wanted a living effigy! Can you make this alive?"

Chhaya shook her head. "My powers are limited to makingg replicas of people. Unless I am myself told to become a replica, as in the case of my sister Sajna, I cannot infuse life into the replica."

Parvati put her hand on Radha. "I can help, if you may."

Radha remembered the story of how Ganesha was born. "Oh yes! Please!"

And so Parvati infused life into the effigy.

Radha was stunned to see herself standing before her. Radha-2 bowed and asked, "Oh wha service may I be to you?"

Radha instructed her. "I shall invoke you when required. You shall marry Abhimanyu, and with your powers of illusion, you may make him think that it is me who is with him, even when I am not."

Radha-2 agreed. "It will be so much fun." She grinned.

Parvati smiled. "I guess my work here is over. I shall take your leave now, Devi. And yes, your Katyayani Prarthana will surely be fulfilled! Do not worry! And.." Parvati whispered, as if telling a secret. "Krsna promised you one Maharasa Leela during Sharad Poornima right? Well, actually he has planned another Maharasa during Vasanta Poornima. Don't tell the other gopikas!" She grinned at Radha, and turning into a ball of light, entered into her idol.

Radha was in Supreme Bliss.