WOOING RADHA SECRETLY

As cursed by Sridama the queen of Golok Radha took birth as a Gopi at village Barsana. Lord Srikrishn was born at Mathura but brought to village Gokul for safe upbringing. As a number of demons sent by Kans approached him his foster parents got worried and decided to leave Gokul. They moved close to village Barsana and founded a new village named Nandgaon after the name of Lord Srikrishn’s foster father and their leader Nand.

Thus as promised in Golok, Lord Srikrishn reached near Radha. Nand awaited the events as presaged by sage Garg.  Radha was then the wife of Yashoda's brother Rayan as cursed by Sridama. Lord Srikrishn had asked her to live in Rayan's home with an illusory body and wait for him.  He had promised her his association in dream. Thus even though she went through the curse of Sridama, Lord Srikrishn never deserted her.

As presaged by sage Garg, on the appointed day, Nand took infant Lord Srikrishn to the Bhandeervan. Dark nimbuses canopying the entire sky began to thunder and rain. Soon a thick fog enveloped the directions, blinding all. Nand was keen to have a glimpse of Mother of creation as divulged by Sage Garg. The clouds and mist rendered an eerie silence. Oblivious of existence of day or night, Nand awaited a divine glimpse with a throbbing heart. After a while amidst swaying trees appeared a matchlessly glowing feminine figure swirling ahead like a river wave, flowing her golden hair down her thin waist, with clothes disarrayed by the rustling breeze. Nand, as if got a glimpse of eternal bliss by seeing the ravishing beauty of the divine mother.

Her gliding gait defeated the suppleness of celestial swans. The tinkling of her ankle bells resonated directions with a sweet delight. Her vision entranced a devout Nand who heartily thanked God for his great fortune. Nand bowed before the Mother of Universe in a filial reverence and handed baby Lord Srikrishn to her. Radha blessed him. Elated and exalted Vasudev, having received her blessings, left for his home.

Overwhelmed Radha took infant Lord Srikrishn up and lovingly planted a kiss on his forehead. The sporty Lord Srikrishn disguised as a toothless baby cradling in Radha's tender arms, broke into a hearty laughter. The mystic joy of cradling the little infant in her lovelorn arms, rekindled desire in her heart and an intoxicating mirth spread all around. The twin hearts blossomed as on seeing a rising sun, lotuses bloom and zoom delightedly. Love knows neither language nor form. It simply leaves heart enthralled and speechless.

Rapt with love, excited Radha began to shower kisses all over his cherubic Kanha who was yet up to his tricks. Sensing Radha’s fathomless elation, he disappeared from her arms, leaving her nonplussed. She knew not what to do or say! The treasure of love regained after eons of separation filled with searing suffering had been snatched from her so callously! As a glutton sears on suddenly being deprived of a bonanza of savoury dishes, so did poor Radha feel, having lost the vision of her beloved. But whom could she blame for this loss? Who in the entire cosmos was capable of removing his darling from her arms other than mischievous Lord Srikrishn? She just swooned.

However, within an eyewink she found herself amidst altogether different surroundings.

What Radha saw in a moment was a beautiful palace in which Lord Srikrishn appeared smilingly reclined in a magnificent bed as an adolescent. He meaningfully looked at her. His appearance alone was enough to express his sincere love to his sweet heart who had found her lost treasure again through the generosity of prankster yet unflinchingly reliable Lord Srikrishn who ushered her into a blissful realm by reminding the happenings that took place in Golok, - "Radhe! Do you remember the happenings in Golok? Today I will fulfil my promise to you," he reminisced in his grave and convincing voice.

As thunder of clouds presage drizzle over a parched piece of barren land so did Lord Srikrishn’s words assured Radha’s pining heart of propitiating showers of affection. Radha longed to hear his words steeped with love. Lord Srikrishn consoled her repeatedly adducing volley of promises." Radha! You are dearer to me than my own life. I am the seed and you are the base of creation. When I am away from you I am only Lord Srikrishn but when you join me I become Lord Srikrishn. All women are your reflections. You are equal to me in power, wisdom and knowledge. Whoever sees us as two separate beings goes to hell. Whoever utters 'ra' gains your devotion and when one utters' dha', I run after him for I long to hear your name."

Radha was overwhelmed to see his soul mate again in a youthful form. She said, -"How can I forget? But the time elapsed in between was a torture for me. Place your lotus feet upon my head and bosom. Your separation is a torture to me." Lord Srikrishn laughed and said, -"Whatever I said in the past cannot be belied. The time to fulfil your wish has come. But wait. What to talk of Lord Brahma even I cannot change the plan once conceived for anyone as I am the creator of Lord Brahma." Radha looked at him with baited breath. She could not get what Lord Srikrishn was waiting for.

Within a moment graceful Lord Brahma appeared there with his kamandal. He bowed before both of them and prayed to Radha, - "O, Mother! By the blessings and grace of Lord Srikrishn I am able to see you. I did great tapasya in the past at Pushkar to have a glimpse of your lotus feet but failed. Lord Srikrishn had assured me that at right time he would allow me to see you. His words never fail.  All Goddesses have emerged from the nature. But you having been emerged from the left half of Lord Srikrishn are supernatural. You are equal to him in all respects. Even in Vedas I do not find as to whether you are Lord Srikrishn and he is Radha or whether you are Radha and he is Lord Srikrishn. As Golok is above nature, so are you. As Lord Srikrishn dwells as soul, so do you dwell in all as Shakti. Mother, you're visible because of him and he is powerful because of you. All men are his reflection and all women are your reflection. Who can describe you, as you are the mother of Goddess of wisdom. Please do not mind whatever I say about you. Gracious parents never mind faults of ignorant children. "Lord Brahma spoke in profound reverence and then emotions left him speechless.

He closed his eyes in meditation. Radha was pleased. "O, Lord Brahma, Ask for any boon!" she said with motherly affection. "Bestow upon me unflinching love in the feet of you both." Lord Brahma beseeched and bemused mother blessed him.

Lord Brahma knew the purpose of his presence. He created sacred fire of Yajna. Lord Srikrishn got up from his bed and set as a bridegroom on an asana with Radha beside him in the attire of a bride. Lord Brahma performed their marriage according to Vedic rites and went back to Lord Brahmalok after bowing before them.

Radha was besotted with love. She offered her greetings to Lord Srikrishn and set on his bed. Lord Srikrishn cast his amorous glance at Radha.  Enthralled at his enchanting smiling, Radha applied sandal paste, aguru, musk and saffron paste on his forehead and chest, offered nectar and honey to drink and betel leaf, fragrant with camphor etc. to eat. Lord Srikrishn shared the drink and betel leaf with her which she chewed with relish. He asked her to return her eaten leaf but she smilingly begged his pardon. Lord Srikrishn also smeared sandal, aguru, musk and saffron paste all over Radha's glistening delicate body. Deeply delighted to be together after a separation, the first couple of universe revelled in pangs of love secretly.

Lord Srikrishn drew her close to his heart, encircling her in his mighty arms. Radha closed her eyes. Blissfully, she immersed herself in perfect rapture with her soul mate. Lord Srikrishn fulfilled Radha's all desires so perfectly that she began to swoon. In the end, Lord Srikrishn adorned her with shodash shringar. He made her hair up, stuck fragrant flowers in her bun, painted her forehead, and bosom, and decorated her from tip to toe. When Radha tried to adorn him, he, as is his knack, turned soon into a small baby, crying in hunger.

Radha heaved heavily, -"O Maayesh (the Lord of cosmic Illusion)! Why are you playing this cruel game of hide and seek with your poor servant?" she said and began to sob. "O Radha! Why are you crying? Meditate on the lotus feet of Lord Srikrishn. Now onwards daily you will meet him. Take your soul mate that has turned into a baby, his home," said a voice from heaven.

Radha followed the divine voice and reached Yashoda's palace holding baby Lord Srikrishn in her arms. She met Yashoda and said, - "Your husband had asked me in the forest to take your son home. I had a tough time carrying your heavy, hungry and crying son all the way home. I am unable to hold him any more. The lanes are mudded and in bad shape. It has been raining and there is mud all around. Dear one! Take back your son and feed him." Radha handed hungry son to his mother and went home. Thus Lord Srikrishn and Radha enjoyed each other's company regularly and secretly in Vrindavan as planned by Lord Srikrishn in Golok.

Mourning Ashtavakr

Lord Srikrishn ravished in Maharaas with Radha and millions of gopis at the bank of river Yamuna. When both of them were relaxing leisurely, Radha asked several questions to explore the heart of Lord Srikrishn and his various sports. Lord Srikrishn quenched the thirst of her inquisitive mind.

As they sat together discussing affairs of life, sage Ashtavakra came and prostrated before them. A white light issued from his debilitated body and entered into Lord Srikrishn as he discarded his mortal coil consciously. Radha was amazed at this. What surprised her further was the gesture of her lord who clasped the corpse of the sage to his bossom and cried bitterly like a deluded person. His lamentation confused Radha. A visibly moved Lord Srikrishn collected sandalwoods and performed his last rites with profound respect. Lord Srikrishn's Paarshads came in a vimaan and took Ashtavakra to Golok.

Astonished Radha got curious to know about the fortunate muni. Lord Srikrishn divulged that the sage was king Deval in the past who did great tapasya at Gandhamadan Mountain. Rambha the nymph of Swargalok approached him, afflicted with desire. She kept on supplicating but the ascetic king did not respond, turning down her entreaties aloofly. Hurt Rambha therefore, cursed him to lose his graceful personality and have a body deformed at eight spots.

Lord Srikrishn gave him darshan of his feet later on and named him Ashtavakra (having eight curves). The devotee king then went to Malayachal Mountain and performed great penance there." No one can be equal to him in devotion", Lord Srikrishn professed in praise of sage.

Muni Ashtavakra attained enlightenment in the womb of his mother. He was so energetic that when his father chanted Vedic mantras, unborn Ashtavakra used to find fault with him. This hurt and enraged his egoistic father who cursed him to be born with a deformed body.

Ashtavakra was just a child when king Janak the father of Sita accepted him as his guru. The gospel composed by him entitled 'Ashtavakra Gita' is a source of great spiritual bliss. Such was his oneness with Lord Srikrishn.

Appeasing Akroor

Kans invited Lord Srikrishn and Balaram to Mathura where he planned to kill Lord Srikrishn. Akroor who came to take the brothers felt terribly guilty, being aware of the ill intention of Kans.  At the same time he considered himself fortunate for driving their chariot up to Mathura. With a heart filled with devotion, his mind was turbulent with repentance for performing the role of a wicked messenger that scared him, too. Reeling between the pangs of pain and pleasure; devotion and duty he landed in Gokul, the village ruled by Lord Srikrishn’s father Nand.

On seeing the footprints of Lord Srikrishn, he alighted from the chariot and rolled in the dust, feeling overwhelmed with love and blessed.

Pondering over then on his future role, he began to look for the brothers and soon found them in the stable. Standing witness to the divine beauty and magnetic charm, Akroor rushed up and prostrated in their feet. His eyes welled with tears and body got thrilled. Lord Srikrishn lifted him up, embraced cordially and took him home. He gave him a hearty treatment and stroked his feet in respect. He then said, -"Uncle! You are pure hearted. Uncle Kans has tortured you people and my parents in many ways because of me. I have been longing to see someone from your side. Now tell me, please the purpose of your visit." Akroor told him that Kans had tried to kill even Vasudev and had made the lives of Yadav miserable. He also revealed that Kans had invited them to participate in a fair. Lord Srikrishn happily heard him and made him feel comfortable all the way.

When innocent Nand received the message of Kans he asked all the folk to make preparations to depart for Mathura next morning with hordes of butter and curd.

The joy of guileless villagers irked the anxious Akroor who was driving them to Mathura. As Lord Srikrishn and Balaram mounting the chariot driven by uncle Akroor moved ahead, all the womenfolk sank in gloom. They shed ceaseless streams of tears and implored silently the stealer of their heart to get down, for his separation was worse than death for the simple village women. The serene brothers maintained perfect poise and calmly moved ahead, honouring the call of the future.

Akroor was dumb with regret. He knew not what was ahead yet the intent of Kans almost killed his heart. The gentle flow of river Yamuna somehow invited him to stop and take a dip in her soothing water. Akroor closed his eyes and plunged himself in her lap. As he did so, Lord Srikrishn showed him his divine vision secretly to assuage his anxiety. Peace dawned in his heart and blissfully he offered a heartfelt prayer to the Lord. Lord Srikrishn withdrew his divine vision soon. Akroor was left with nothing but to return to the chariot.  Lord Srikrishn, reclining in the chariot smiled mysteriously and said, -"Uncle did you see anything special in water, air or sky? Your face suggests so." Akroor bowed to him and said, -"God! It is you who take to the form of the world. When you are before me then what special thing remains unseen for me? All special things dwell in whom, is before me. What else need I see?" Lord Srikrishn smiled. Akroor drove his chariot on, convinced of imminent end of wicked Kans.

Kubja the Fortunate Maid

Lord Srikrishn and Balaram were roaming around the palace of Kans, having been invited by uncle Kans to enjoy the festivities in Mathura.  The two rustic boys thoroughly enjoyed the beauty of a magnificent town ruled by their maternal uncle. Everyone who saw them felt attracted to their inescapable charm. Lord Srikrishn wandered with perfect insouciance in the lanes of the town. A hunchbacked lady, taking sandalwood paste for Kans caught the sight of Lord Srikrishn. As their eyes met, Lord Srikrishn spread a smile. Aware of her past life, Lord Srikrishn asked her, -"Fair maid! Who are you? For whom are you taking this sandal paste? Please oblige us, also. You'll be amply rewarded."  His last words offered a bonanza of delight that Kubja longed for, for eons.

Her eyes gleamed with joy as she saw an angelic glow in the eyes of seeker of sandal paste. "I am the maid of king Kans and going to anoint his body. But you seem to be more deserving." Offer showered from the lips of lonely lady who had been the butt of ridicule all through her life owing to her deformity and ugliness. When people targeted her, she always prayed to god to absolve her of the sin that expressed through her repulsive appearance. Her sorrow vanished as a single glance of this charmer dispelled her gloom in an instant.  A surge of joy and ebullience filled her and elated Kubja anointed the bodies of adolescents with the sandalwood paste.

Lord Srikrishn along with his brother rejoiced the loving touch of their masseur recalling her past longing for both of them.

In Tretayug prince Ram of Ayodhya with brother Lakshman and wife Sita lived in Panchavati in exile. Kubja was the sister of Ravan, named Shurpanakha. When she saw the two-handsome princes in the forest she lost her heart to them. Possessed with ability to adopt any form at will, she turned into a fair maid and implored Ram to accept her as his wife. Ram told that having been vowed to live only with Sita, he could not accept her and let his brother consider her. Hurt demoness proposed herself to Lakshman who was oath bound to serve Sita Ram during the exile. He therefore, too declined the offer. Feeling that Sita was the cause of her rejection, hurt demoness back lashed to eliminate Sita, by devouring her.

Angry and alert Lakshman, having sensed her malicious intention, lost no time and instantly chopped off her nose and ears. The sophistry of humiliated demoness turned into obstreperous vindication. Without waiting to think and realize her own fault, she rushed to her brothers and instigated Ravan to take away Sita to take revenge of her humiliation. The tiff ended in the war in which entire demon clan was wiped off by Ram with the help of monkeys and bears.

Now Shurpanakha was reborn as Kubja and unaware of her unfulfilled longing of the past life she was lovingly anointing the bodies of two brothers. The two reborn brothers also rejoiced in her love, devotion and care.

As she finished her treat, bemused and delighted Lord Srikrishn pressed her feet with his toe and jerked her dilapidated body up with his two fingers, thrust into her chin. Before Kubja could realize the purpose of this gesture of Lord Srikrishn, she found her deformed body, straightened. Astounded and flabbergasted, Kubja rushed to look into the mirror. Lo! What mirror showed was unbelievable. She was beside herself. Her ugliness had vanished as if it was never there. She defeated a nymph in grace and charm. Kubja was floored to adore the suave bestower of a matchless boon. Whoever saw her was so astonished and marvelled at the supernatural power of the boys who, though looked so innocent, had professed such a miracle as was unthinkable and unheard of.

Kubja was revelling in delight. How mesmerizing was the touch of the little boy! How she soared higher and higher in the azure of imagination, fantasizing the presence of the unique magical boy in her house. As if moon was to descend down in a murky world to dispel the gloom forever. She could not blink her eyes even for a while. Her joy knew no bounds as she decorated herself and her dwelling place to the best of her imagination. Floral fragrance and auspicious articles turned her home into a celestial abode. Finally the stealer of her heart, the cherubic Lord Srikrishn landed there. A parched deserted barren land welcomed the drizzle of shower from a dark nimbus after a waiting of millennia. Lord Srikrishn set in her cosy, glittering muslin bed. Kubja kowtowed and placed his feet on her head in reverence. Lord Srikrishn smiled and embraced her with love.

Lord Srikrishn’s passionate embrace thawed the body and soul of lovelorn Kubja. Oblivious of her own existence she got immersed in an ocean of bliss unimaginable for mortals.  Lord Srikrishn’s shower of love liberated her from all mundane desires forever as he transcended her consciousness to a divine realm.

Instructing Vishwakarma

Lord Srikrishn killed his wicked uncle Kans and enthroned his grandfather king Ugrasen in                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Mathura.  Thereafter his parents Vasudev and Devaki performed auspicious ceremonies and sent him and Balaram to Ujjain where Garg Muni instructed him various arts and skills. Within sixty-four days, they mastered sixty-four disciplines of arts and sciences.  Killing of Kans infuriated his father in-law    Jarasandh, the king of Magadh who was renowned for his magnanimity, wisdom and bravery. Unable to bear the suffering of his bereaved, widowed daughters, Jarasandh vowed to avenge the killing of his son-in-law. He performed auspicious deeds, feasted thousands of pious Brahmans, gave them huge alms and obtained their blessings to be victorious over his enemy.

Confident and convinced of his victory, angry Jarasandh attacked Mathura to avenge the killing of Kans. Lord Srikrishn and Balaram obtained their celestial vehicle and weapon to kill the sleuth of arrogant army of Jarasandh. Lord Srikrishn then, pondered over his purpose of eliminating all evil and arrogant rulers from earth. It was no wise act to kill them in piecemeal. He therefore, cogitated and chalked out a strategy. He fought against Jarasandha and defeated him seventeen times. Every time allowing him to retreat and attack back on Mathura with additional forces and friends .As the moths are devoured by the flames so did innumerable arrogant kings and soldiers lost their lives in the battlefield for seventeen years repeatedly. The shrewd and valiant Jarasandh performed auspicious deeds, obtained blessings of pious Brahmans to be victorious over the ruler of Mathura protected by Lord Srikrishn and with all his might and religious fervour attacked Mathura the eighteenth time. Having finished a large army of arrogant Kshatriyas in the past seventeen year,s Lord Srikrishna could not afford to belittle the blessings of austere Brahmans to Jarasandh to be victorious over his enemy. Lord Srikrishn therefore, decided to flee from the battlefield to boost the morale of enemy. The arrogant Jarasandh was filled with pride when he saw Lord Srikrishn and his brother running away from the battlefield. Little did he realize that God gives a final chance to rejoice to wicked souls before retracting them.

The people of Mathura reeled in joy ever since Lord Srikrishn killed cruel Kans. They celebrated the peaceful reign of wise Ugrasen and Vasudev. When they heard that Jarasandh attacked Mathura and Lord Srikrishn and Balaram fled from the battlefield, they could not believe. How could Jarasandh prove to be so powerful over the super heroic Lord Srikrishn and Balaram whose tales of superb might were doing rounds far and wide for years? They could neither trust themselves nor the news. The Lord puts the faith to test. Could Lord Srikrishn desert his devotees in the hand of cruel Jarasandh or was merely playing the game of hide and seek, they knew not.

Lord Srikrishn does often leave his devotees in such   situations. But as one begins to lose hope and deny his presence; he mystically descends to prove himself in the hour of need. He never fails in proving that he does take care of his innocent devotees everywhere without letting them be aware of his plan. When people of Mathura sank in the ocean of   unfathomable sorrow, Lord Srikrishn was instructing lord Vishwakarma, the architect of deities to build a township named Dwarka in the sea overnight. Vishwakarma is the engineer and architect of deities. He bowed before Lord Srikrishn and implored him to instruct about the principles of vastushastra for carrying out the construction of Dwarka. Lord Srikrishn knew his intention of teaching the masses by passing the credit to God. He therefore, gave him major guidelines, -"Mango tree should be grown in the east to gain wealth. Jackfruit, lemon and berries in east give children, in south give money and all the way bring prosperity. Roseapple, Banana, Amla (gooseberry) in east give brotherhood, in south give friends and are auspicious over all. Betelnuts in south give money and sons, in west give happiness, Bathua, Bale, Brinjal are also good. The Vat tree attracts thieves. It should not be grown in home. The tamarind harms mind, intellect and wealth. Date and other thorny plants should be avoided. Water tank should be in the east, west, north, or northeast. The plot should not be square shaped. Door should be two feet away from west and three feet away in south. The main door should not be in the middle. Tulasi plant should be visible in the morning. In the east and south Malti, Juhi, Ketaki, Maulsiri and Aparajita flowers should be grown. The height of boundary should not exceed twenty feet. The wall should not be above sixteen feet." Vishwakarma built the township in no time and Lord Srikrishn teletransported all his people asleep in Mathura to Dwarka.

Next morning when people of Mathura awoke, they                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  could not believe their eyes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Had they all died in Mathura and reached Swargalok or just meandering in the dream world, they could not decide. However, as soon as they reconciled with the reality, they had no words to thank Lord Srikrishn who had taken the best care of them in his inimitable style.