Radha Ki Krishna!

She sees her within his eyes!

          Radha! Radha Rani is the only person who loved and lived for Krishna, a selfless love, no duality. She is the only person who loved and trusted Krishna than any person in this world. There were no precincts in their love. No one can ever love Krishna like Radha. She breathed, loved and lived for Krishna. Of all the Gopis, she was the only one who stole Krishna’s heart. To him she was the reason of happiness and beauty. And to her, he was her world and her meaning of life. Every time the Gopis and Gopas group for dancing, every single Gopi wishes to dance with Krishna but Krishna’s heart yearns only for Radha. Such was their love and faith.
       Radha and Krishna used to meet on the banks of River Yamuna every evening with friends and spend their joyous time in dancing, playing music and singing. While having fun, Radha and Krishna will elope from the crowd and spend their private time in the deep forest, at times even till the moon goes to sleep. They both forget time, family, friends and even the whole world  when they are together.

Such was their love for each other, filled with love, trust, faith and devotion. No one knows how much Radha loves Krishna than him. Same way, Radha understands and feels Krishna’s love for her than anyone. One day, though Krishna knows how much Radha loves him, he tried to play a prank on Radha. He knows nothing can hurt Radha more than his absence. So he did not visit Radha for few days. Radha also knows that Krishna wouldn’t be able to bear her absence. She understood that it’s all Krishna’s leela. But though she knows the reason, she missed him so much that she got sick and weak day by day.

Days went on and Radha will wait in their private place waiting for Krishna but he would never come. There were nights where she slept on the banks of the river itself. Even the flowers that blossomed in their private place dried off seeing her pain. Days went and even the flowers stopped blossoming. She was not able to sleep and eat. She forgot daylight and moonlight. To her it was always dark around her as her source of light was only Krishna’s eyes. She was unable to find happiness in her life without seeing Krishna’s face, without his touch and without hearing his voice. She even became slimmer. She lost complete interest in all that she does. She never responded to anyone. To her, it was as if like her not seeing him endangered her very core of survival. Though Krishna knew it all, he still did not come to visit her. 

I see you in me!

     Radha missing Krishna grew into a false anger on him. She was not able to think correct. Her thoughts were all filled with Krishna. In earlier days, when her thoughts were filled with Krishna those moments were happy. But now, without seeing him for days, her thoughts were all like, ‘why is Krishna playing with me like this?’, ‘when is he going to understand my suffering and come see me?’, ‘Doesn’t he know that the air that flows out of his flute is the only air that I breathe in?’, 'I will not see him, anymore.', 'I will not wait for him', 'I will not respond to his love too'.  She even went to the extent to hurt him back when he visits her, though she also know she won’t be able to hold herself the moment she sees him.

So, angry Radha called all her gopi friends of her who favor her. She instructed them, “Listen Gopis, It’s been days since Krishna and I have met. He is playing one of his leela on me itself, thinking that I won’t recognize it.  I know that even Krishna would not be able to bear my absence. So he will come visit me in a day or two. All of you stand in front of my house. He will come here, definitely. Be my protection and prevent him from seeing me. You all know that he is a well talented actor and makes dramas and use his charms to mesmerize you all. Don’t fall for it. Don’t even allow him inside my house. He cannot remain without me. Let me see what he does now!” All the Gopis agreed to her words. Radha thought to herself- 'now that I have prohibited myself from seeing you, I’m sure I will hold myself within. Also, my false anger. Let’s see how you get upset.'

The very next day, as predicted by Radha, Krishna came walking in the streets of Radha’s house to see her. The Gopis who were playing outside Radha’s house saw Krishna coming bright eyed and all dressed up in the most handsome way ever. They fell for him just in a glance. They stood like statues with eyes fixed at Krishna. Radha, who was inside her house, sensed the sudden silence among the Gopis and understood that Krishna is coming. Though she was eager to see Krishna than them, she controlled herself and raised her voice softly,”Hey Gopis! Stop looking at him and do as per the plan. Don’t let him inside the house. It will be shame on us Gopis if you all let him inside. That Krishna is the one who always wins when he plays pranks. Now it’s our turn. Don’t let him in. Stick to the words.”

All the Gopis outside realized their yesterday’s plan and waited for Krishna to reach Radha’s house. When Krishna tried to enter, they blocked him from going into the house. Krishna tried his level best to persuade the Gopis. He even used his charms. But this time, nothing worked. The Gopis refused and said, “Krishna! Radha is angry. It’s her order. We can’t let you in. She doesn’t want to see you.” On listening to their words, Krishna became very upset. The Gopis watched Krishna walking away with so much pain and disappointment. It hurt them so much to see Krishna walking with his eyes fixed to the ground and head held down.

One of the Gopis went inside and informed Radha on what happened. “It was so hurting to see him walk away like that. You didn’t see him. He came walking like sunshine to see you. And you hurt him back like this. That too, using us.” The Gopi was showing her combined feelings of anger and sorrow to Radha. On listening to her words, Radha was shocked. Her legs became weaker all of a sudden. She thought he would persuade them till he meets her. Krishna will use his charisma on the Gopis and they will allow him inside sooner. So that she will definitely see him in a few moments. But hearing that Krishna left, Radha became sadder. She was clueless. She indulged in thinking about Krishna. 'Will his love for me be reduced because of this?', 'Why din't he barge in like all other days?'. Even tears gushed without her knowledge. Seeing this, the Gopi left the room and she told the other gopis about Radha’s condition.

Listening to Radha’s condition, her friends became sad. One said, “We should not have accepted to Radha’s plan. Now she sits hurting herself.” Other was like, “Even Krishna was so saddened. I have never seen his face like that. His face was always bright like an about to be blossomed lotus. But today, he went like a flower that withered even before it would blossom. It was so painful to see him like that.” Another gopi was like, “Shall we go and call Krishna. We will tell him that Radha is sad and crying so much that her missing him is hurting her and making her weak.”

A lady who was passing by, saw the gopis in distress. She called the gopis and said, “I can see you people are in agony. What’s the problem?”

“Our friend Radha is sick and she is becoming weak. She has not slept or had food. She is not speaking with us too.”- said one of the gopis in a grieving voice.

“Oh! That’s so bad. Take me to her. I’m master of all arts. I will find the exact cure to her sickness.”-said the worried lady. The gopis took her to Radha.

“Radha! Listen. This lady here says she can help you with your agony. Just listen to her.”-said one of the gopi. Radha who had her mind fixed on Krishna and eyes fixed on the wall didn’t even speak. Even the gopis’ words were not reaching Radha’s ears. She was all alone in her own world thinking about Krishna. To her, it was as if like she was vacuumed out of the world.  Only tears were flowing from her eyes.

“Mathaji! This is how our Radha is for days. She never responds. Kindly help our Radha.” – pleaded one of the Gopis.

“Don’t worry dear. I’m here to help her. Your worries and her sufferings will all vanish in a flash. Like a shooting star.” – saying so, the lady took Radha’s hand in her hands and checked her palm lines.

“Oh dear! You suffer from the pain of missing your love. Missing him is hurting you so much that you are not able to see how you have become. Looks like, you are living all these days only by thinking about him else you would not have even cared to breathe." - Said the lady in a caring voice

As soon as the word love was said, Radha’s eyes responded, but, with more tears. “Yes! I miss him. He knows how it will make me feel and how I will get hurt but still he is playing pranks on me. I think his love for me is plunging. He doesn't seem to miss me. There’s no reason for me to exist anymore.”

The lady held Radha’s hands more firmly –“Oh dear! Don’t think like that. He cannot hate you. You are the source of his life. You are the source of his joy. You are his soul and also the energy that energizes his soul. You are all for him - This world and his world. It’s your breathing that’s keeping him alive. It’s your blooming face and smile that’s keeping him happy.”

The firm holding and the words stopped Radha’s world for a moment. This touch!!! This hold!!! These words!!! The reason for her being sick all these days was only because she missed this touch, those words and that hold!! That firm hold, which was the only reason for her holding breath on this earth!! That touch, that’s her only source of life!! And those words, those are the only nourishment for her soul and mind!!

Radha felt a wave inside her heart, “Krishna!?!?!?!”, and with doubts she gazed upon the lady. The lady still holding Radha’s hand firmly was looking at Radha, eye to eye, like a lotus gazing upon the moon. Sensing Radha’s wave, Krishna came out of his disguise as the lady and opened his hands wider. The master of all tricks and the prime source of intelligence, Krishna dressed up like a lady to visit his love!

Forgetting all her sufferings, with tears of sufferings changing into tears of joy, Radha fell in the hands of Krishna and Krishna embraced her back by a hair's breadth. 

“The mercy of RadhaRani is available very readily to the sincere devotees, and once she recommends such a devotee to Lord Krishna, the Lord at once accepts the devotee’s admittance into his association.” 

                                        

                                      – Srimad-Bhagavatham 2.3.23

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The Maha-Rishi

Uddhava, closest friend of Lord Krishna from childhood was well versed in all Vedas, Upanishads and Sutras. But he still was not recipient of the title “Maha-Rishi”. Dissatisfied, he expressed his feelings and disappointment to Krishna. Krishna sensed the ego of Uddhava and also he understood that Uddhava was indirectly suggesting Krishna to use his power in the council of wise men to honor him with the title. Krishna smiled and asked Uddhava to come and see him next day.

Next morning, Uddhava was in Krishna’s house. Uddhava was waiting with all thoughts that Krishna would have spoken with the council to give him the title. Krishna entered the hall where Uddhava was waiting with a smiling face with all expectations filling his eyes. Krishna sensed everything and smiled. “Oh, Uddhava! Look at you. You look so happy to see me. Blessed to have a friend like you! Could you do me a favor? It’s something only you I can trust with.”- asked Krishna with a casual voice. Uddhava, though he was disappointed as those were not the words he was expecting, he gladly agreed to do it ,after all, it was none other than the mighty and divine Krishna asking him for a favor. Moreover doing something for Krishna by gaining his trust is such an honor. Uddhava asked about the favor and Krishna was like,” Uddhava, I need you to visit Radha and give her a message. Remind me and I will give you the message when you leave.” After spending some time with Krishna in his house, Uddhava took permission to leave and asked about the message to Krishna. Krishna smiled and said he had nothing. Startled Uddhava looked at Krishna with all questions in his eyes. Krishna smiled at Uddhava and said, “Go to Radha’s house and deliver my message to her. You got permission to leave already and I gave you the permission to leave. So stop standing here. She might be waiting for you! Now Go! Go!”

All his way to Radha’s house, Uddhava was all lost in the thought on what and how Radha would react. ”What is it with Krishna? If I go and stand in front of Radha and say what he has told, wouldn’t Radha be angry on me and him? Radha would definitely be angry on Krishna! Krishna is playing again with Radha’s love for him. Oh God, Radha and Krishna are so much in love with each other. I can’t let this happen between them”. Uddhava stopped his chariot in the mid way and took a parch-paper and wrote a message to Radha in such a way that it would look as if like Krishna has written it.

Uddhava reached Radha’s place. She received Uddhava with a warm welcome and enquired about his studies. Uddhava after settling informed about his visit to Krishna’s house and handed over the message to Radha. Radha looked intently at the letter and started laughing hysterically. Confused Uddhava asked, “What is it, Radha? Why are you laughing?”. “Oh! Uddhava, Krishna has written something very funny.” - answered Radha continuing her laugh.

I wrote the letter. I don’t remember writing anything that would make her laugh this much. What is it with her? Confused and curious to know, Uddhava pretended surprised and asked Radha what the message was.

“The message is that Uddhava’s study is still not complete.” replied Radha.

     Stunned Uddhava was speechless. I dint tell her my conversation with Krishna. I dint tell her my dissatisfaction in not getting the title. Even Krishna would not have said it as I was with him last evening and left his house in night only. How did she even get to know about it? Radha understood Uddhava’s situation and calmed him down.

         
      “Uddhava, I love Krishna and trust Krishna in ways beyond you can imagine. We are two bodies but same soul. There is nothing to be said in between us. We have walked the path of trust, love, devotion and sacrifices for so long that there are no boundaries in my being and his. He does not need to send me messages. He is my message. He is my love letter from the universe.”

“But Uddhava, you have not learned to trust Krishna. You have not learned to give up your self, your ego and stop your manipulating mind. You ego stands between you and the truth. Your ego stands between you and the supreme awakening. Erasing the sense of duality and being one with the universe. Being one with the one who beholds universe, is this not the just fact of the sacred ancient texts, Uddhava?”

   “But Radha, You did not go and attend any Gurukul. How is it that you get so much knowledge by staying in this village and doing regular house works?”- Surprised Uddhava asked Radha.

   “Uddhava, each moment makes you take sides. If you always take side of truth and love, you will gain insights. Each insight awakens you from the illusion and takes you a step closer to the supreme awakening. My love for Krishna is the only thing that enlightens me. He is my supreme.”-replied Radha.

   “But Radha, Love is being in a relationship with someone. It means you are bonded with responsibilities till the end of life. How is it that you are in love with Krishna and yet free from the bonds of life?”-willing to enlighten more, Uddhava placed his questions in front of Radha.

“Oh Uddhava, it depends on which love you fell for. There is difference between the love that results from insecurity and the love that results from faith. The former results in bonds which fade with prolonging time, whereas, the later results in freedom which transcends and outlive time. The former leads to fear of death and abandonment, making your responsibilities a burden in life. The later leads to Nirvana, enlighten the mind by broadening it which gives death to death and lets to realize that love is eternal and divine.” – Radha was explaining with her love for Krishna in mind. 

     “But how can you get awakened without leaving the society? Without becoming a monk. Without even, staying away from the worldly matters. Is there no point in pursuit of knowledge or by being a monk or leaving the society? What’s the meaning of life then just by being trusted and loved?” – puzzled Uddhava.

      “Uddhava, A man’s point of view differs from a women’s. Where a man reaches by renouncing the world, a woman reaches by embracing the world in its wholeness. The whole meaning of life itself is just your ability to give it a meaning, any meaning, where love and trust can reign. And about the pursuits. These pursuits, they seem to be in synergy for some time and later at some other time they seem to be in conflict. Pursuit of currency is not the same as pursuit of wealth, right? Pursuit of sensation is not pursuit of happiness. Also, pursuit of titles alone is not pursuit of knowledge, right, Uddhava?”- Radha’s words made Uddhava’s years and years of learning feel different.

     Radha’s words made his learning and understandings feel like a paradox. A paradox, an absurdity that his mind could never grasp.  Forgetting all he has learnt so far, the constant chatter of thoughts at the back of his mind stopped and he saw a totally new world at the same place. The world around him was now like an eternally peaceful world, where everything seemed like a newly blossomed flower. His ego surrendered. His world within him blossomed with fragrance. He thanked Radha for expanding his mind and rushed to Krishna. 

       All through his way, Uddhava sensed so many changes in him. He felt like a feather. His heart was even lighter than air. The world around him seemed more beautiful than ever it was. He stopped by the river bank and enjoyed the beauty of sunset. He helped people whom he met on his way. He offered ride to old people and also he was singing songs to the rhythm of his heart beat. For the first time, the stars in the distant sky looked happy to him. They seemed as if they were all twinkling to his song.

      Next day, Uddhava rushes to meet Krishna and say to him all that has happened to him. Even before he could explain, Krishna sensed the change in Uddhava the moment he met him. Krishna welcomed Uddhava with a warm embrace and welcomed him to his house’s garden. Seated beneath a tree where birds were singing, Krishna started the conversation, “So Uddhava, You seemed dissatisfied last time when we met. Let’s talk about your reason for dissatisfaction, the title,”Maha Rishi”. What would you like me to do? You know I can help you in getting the title.”

Uddhava fell on Krishna’s feet. “Oh Krishna, I’m not interested in the title anymore. As long as you get to be there for me as my closest friend ever, I don’t need anything more in life.”

Krishna rose up and embraced him with a smiling face,”Uddhava, your journey is complete. You have arrived at your destination. I bestow you the responsibility of writing down my teachings in simple language for all those who do not have luxury of spending their life in trying to be a Maha Rishi. You will help them in sharing the gems of knowledge that do not belong to any title. And, for this great contribution to humanity, hereafter, you shall be known as Maha Rishi!”

Thus, Lord Krishna personally taught Uddhava the processes of Yoga and Bhakti and Uddhava compiled it in layman’s words in order to sustain humanity.

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Story Courtesy: Speaking Tree