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.

Image Courtesy : Google

Story Courtesy: Speaking Tree