Chandravali looked at Radha in disbelief. "Radhe? Krsna left you and disappeared? You?"
"He left me! Oh woe! I am such a fool! I became proud that Krsna has taken me along with him, and when he started decorating my hair with the Champaka flowers, my ego really inflated. SO I asked him, 'Krsna, can you please carry me on your shoulders?' and he said, ' Sure Radhe!' and he lifted me on his shoulders, and in a second disappeared from there! I dropped on the ground! A fitting punishment for my ego!!😭💔"
The gopikas were more confused than shocked. How could Radha, the epitome of Bhakti, the most beloved of Krsna get egoistic? But here she was, explaining her anguish to them. She looked really distraught.
Radha continued to cry. How it that for sorrow, Krsna? she asked.
Impressive. I never knew you could play out your character so well!
***(Let me take you on a behind-the-scenes tour)
"What now Krsna?" asked Radha. "My sakhis cannot remain proud like this! You promised them Rasa Leela!"
"Well, don't ask me. They are your sakhis!" Krsna smiled cheerfully, as if that cleared everything up. Radha stared at him and shook her head. "How are you God, when you act so dumb?"
She thought what to do know, when - "Idea! WHy don't we -" she stopped, and looked around cautiously. You never know when a deva or rishi can be eavesdropping. Satisfied, she continued in a whisper, "Why don't we perform a leela? You know, me acting the same way as them, to show them their mistake?"
"Huh?" Krsna looked at her. Radha looked at the ground in exasperation. She glanced at the fallen Champaka flowers.. Krsna had decorated her hair with those a few moments ago... his divine touch seemed to flow through her body... his beautiful smile on her- Concentrate.
"Krsna?" she asked, her voice coated with sugar. "My beloved, my leg are aching! Why don't you carry me on your shoulders?!"
Krsna stared at her, slowly understanding what she was upto. Brilliant! he told her. Aloud he replied, "Sure my love! Anything for you!" He caught Radha by her waist and swung her up on his shoulders! Radha lost her sense of being for a minute. His fragrant garland was waving in the air as he lifted her up, his face trying to smile, while carrying her weight- Focus Radha! Focus, she told herself. And brace yourself, said Krsna. The next moment, he vanished, and Radha dropped onto the ground, six feet below her. Eventhough her body ached from the dropped, she was satisfied. Radhaleela had worked quite well. And she had ensured that when Shukabrahma Rishi told this story to Parikshit, years later, he wouldn't mention a single word about this Radhaleela.
***"Let us continue searching for the Lord!" said Radha, and the search continued. Exhausted, the gopikas gathered at the banks of Yamuna. They looked up at the clouds gathered around the moon, bluish black in colour. Their Krsna too was the same colour. The one whose story dispels all fear, their Krsna.
"Neerada Sama Neela Krsna Ehi! Jaya Jaya Jaya!
Neerada Sama Neela Krsna Ehi! Mam Pahi!
Nigamagama Vinuta Bhavabhaya harana Charita Jaya!"
"O Lord Krsna of he hue of a raincloud! Please come! Protect us! You who are worshipped by Vedas, whose story dispels all fear, oh Victorious won! Please come!"
As soon as they had sung this, the air shimmered, and in a flash of light, Krsna appeared in front of them, his face curved into an enchanting smile! He locked eyes with each and everyone of them and taking Radha's hand, he led the Gopikas to the Rasa Mandala. They continued to sing.
"Naravara stuti roopa vesha! Navavraja Yuvati Sameta!"
"Oh one praised by great men! You are accompanied by the young gopikas of Vraja!"
Krsna laughed and multiplied himself into several forms. each form walked towards a gopi and took her hand. The gopis were enthralled. He started dancing with each of them!
"Naadiru Tadhinginatom DHittam Kitathaka Tharikita!
Naadiru Tadhinginatom DHittam Kitathaka Tharikita!
Neerada Sama Neela Krsna Ehi..."
"Makara Kundala Dharita Mahaneeya Vesha!
Sakala Jana munigana samooha Manamoha!
Dharakataka Karatala Jalajvalita Jaala!
Thakathakita Thakathakita Thadhinginatom Dhittam!"
"Your ears are decorated with fish shaped earrings, pleasing the minds of commonfolk and rishis alike! Your wrists are decorated with golden bangles, shining in the moonlight! And you dance ever so gracefully!"
All the gopikaa began singing in ecstasy, and to their surprise, they sang exactly the same way!
"Sa , Sa , , Ma Da Ni Sa , Sa , , Ga Ma Da
Ni , Ni , , Sa Ga Ma Pa , Pa Ma Da , , Nisa , Ga ,
Takku Dhinnam Tariku Tarikitaku Guguthakki
Guguthanaku Dindingu Digunagugu Kitathakatharikitatom!!"
The Rasa Dance continued in all fervour and Krsna increased the festivity by taking a form and playing flute for the divine dance! He closed his eyes and concentrated on the Kalachakra, the Wheel of time! He used the technique of Kalachakra Vyamohanam and extended that night of Rasakreeda to the length of a whole night of Lord Brahma Himself! One Night of Brahma is equal to 4,320,000,000 human years! On that special night, Lord Krsna used his powers and extended the length of the night to such a long time period! The Rasa Leela festivities increased thousand-fold as the long night proceeded. On that night, each of the gopikas were filled with Supreme Bliss. Their desires had been fulfilled.
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