Meeting the Pandavas ! The story was going more interesting.....
While going to the forest ,I had spent some quality time with Krishna......we were chitchatting....
"Can I ask you something ,Krishna ?"
"Go Ahead"
"How come you handle situations in life ?"
"What do you mean ?"
"Look , you are the king of Dwarka and of course you have to handle many matters regarding your kingdom and people .Also since you've built a beautiful island kingdom ,many kings of Bharatvarsh are extremely jealous of you .Jarasandh has almost invaded your kingdom 18 times ... Before all this ,you left your home ,Vrindavan ,your mother and father ,your sakhas and sakhis ,cows and most importantly ,you've left Radha .Now also you will be handling the situations in the Kuru Dynasty as well .....Then Shishupal will insult you so badly in front of everyone....then you have to again protect Dwarka from Shalva ......Your life has been full of difficulties,still you are so stress free .....HOW ?"
"You think so much about me ......how lovely ....
Anyways ,the answer for your query is 'smile'...." Krishna replied
"What !? How can you do that ?You can't just smile always Krishna ,keeping your big stresses inside...."
"Why can't you ? There is nothing called 'problem' in life ,Godha ....it's just a situation .
In fact ,it's our mind which misunderstands each situation in life as a problem ." He replied
"I get so many stresses regarding my studies ....Especially accounts.....why do I take everything in life so much seriously and stressful
Why Krishna it is like that for me ?"
"Because you fight your life ,instead of living with peace and acceptance. You try to resist and escape the situations ,tough situations in life ...
But ,some situations brings out the good in you .Big questions in life never exist without an answer .So instead of getting scared and stressed ,try to find the answer with a smile . And smile here means that keep your mind with a positive approach .When it can work for me ,it will work for you too ......."
"But you are a supreme being ,you are God ....that's why you could achieve it ...."
"Is it ? Do you really think I used my divine powers in each situation ? I killed the evils with my powers ,but while facing insults and pains I never did . I killed Shishupal with my chakra ,but before that I listened to each and every insulting word which he spoke about me in front of a whole court ....Some even supported him in his every action ,the ones who were against me .If I used my Godly powers each and every time ,why should I feel the pain and separation from my beloved ones in Vrindavan , why should I face various threats from kings ,or why should an arrow pierce my foot and give me pain ,at the end ? Godha ,I could have eliminated these emotions and pains and insults instantly ,if I used my powers every time .But to teach the mankind about life ,I used my powers in a limit and lived a life of a mortal ."
Oh Krishna.....I felt sorry for him ..
"Still ,if you fight each hurdle in life with courage ,bravery and optimism....you are sure to win !" Krishna was still bright and happy ,even knowing that his life was going to be tough towards the end .
"But why does stress occur ?" I asked
"Because you imagine things ,things that are not even real .The reality is something else ,and your mind thinks something different .And let me tell you ,whatever your mind imagines life to be ,is not true .Because ,it never accepts the reality .You try to create life according to your expectations ,but you know very well that we all are bounded by karma .Everything is already decided and it will happen ,whatever's meant to be .So instead of brooding over the far future ,stay happy every second in life ,you know life is too short ....."
He further continued "A river is the best example for life .It never knows which way it will flow .But still it flows with beauty and grace .Sometimes it encounters many rocks and splashes against them ,but still it flows .Many storms occur and makes the river go wild .But after all these adventures ,the river keeps moving and finally reaches it's ultimate destination ,it's ultimate master which is the ocean .You understand ?"
"Yes........."
"Tell me your understanding ,then ?"
"My life is the river .I will have to face lots of hurdles and tough situations ,which are the rocks and storms respectively .I am unaware of the route ,by which my life flows .But with courage ,bravery ,faith ,trust and love ......I shall reach my ultimate destination ,my ultimate master ......Which is you Krishna ...Without you ,my life is meaningless .."
"I am truly humbled by your love and affection........" Krishna replied with a smiling face .
(Credits to the creator âï¸âï¸)
We reached the hermitage ,as we were talking .
Outside the hut , a middle aged woman ,who looked very tender and serene was worshipping the Sun God . She was holding a basket full of fruits .Slowly she turned ,and her eyes had met Krishna who was standing behind . Her eyes were filled with tears as she saw him .
"Greetings ,Aunt Kunti !" Krishna exclaimed
"Krishna ! Oh my heart is filled with joy .Seeing you again after so many years has removed all my pains and miseries which I had faced ....."
Kunti was indeed overwhelmed after seeing her beloved nephew . Krishna went towards her and touched her feet .She embraced him tightly .
"You have faced all your difficulties in life bravely ,aunt .There is nothing to fear now ."
"Yes ,I have made it somehow ....." She smiled after hearing his encouraging lines .
Then she called out her sons to meet Krishna ,for he was their beloved cousin ......
I was now excited to see them ......
Five brothers came from different directions ,after their chores .They all looked at Krishna and their faces brightened up ....
Krishna then slowly moved towards the first brother ,Yudhishthira .His face was as calm as a silent river .His eyes reflected truth and honesty ,his attitude was matured .
Beside him was the second ,Bhimsena .He was easily identifiable by his strong physique. His attitude was too courageous ,brave and strong and ,he was much taller than Krishna .
Krishna paid his obeisances to both of them ,as they were like elder brothers to him .
Then he moved towards the sons of Madri ,Nakula and Sahadeva .
Nakula represented beauty ,for he was quite handsome than the rest of his brothers .Sahadeva was an astrologer ,who could predict things about the future .In childhood ,he already knew that God himself was going to be their friend .
Then at last he met Arjuna ,who was of Krishna's age .He was the son of Indra and he represented skill .
Arjuna and Krishna embraced tightly ,and their bonding somewhat looked divine ?Arjuna's face reflected peace and bliss ,when he was in Krishna's arms .They both didn't want to get separated . They both looked into each other's eyes .Seeing Krishna's comforting ,soothing and magical eyes ,Arjuna was so much drowned in ecstasy that he wished Krishna to be with him like this every second in his life .
"How are you doing ,Partha ?" Krishna spoke to him softly .
"My life is good only ,Krishna .But after seeing you ,it makes me feel that nothing is there to worry anymore .."
How enchanting my Gopal was ! He could make anyone fall in love with him ,by his divine and unconditional love.
Kunti made Krishna sit on a bench .She offered him berries ,nuts ,and many other fresh fruits ,collected from the forest .Her sons too served Krishna happily ,as their beloved cousin had come to meet them .
"How is Brother Vasudeva doing ?How are Devaki and Rohini doing ?" Kunti started to enquire about Krishna's family .
"They are absolutely fine ,aunt .At times ,my father would remember you and sometimes he even weeps for you . I am sure that he'll be extremely pleased after I convey your message to him."
Kunti kept her hand on Krishna's cheeks and softly caressed him .
"How fast you too have grown up .I still remember you as a small child ....Time runs so fast ,indeed .
How are Balarama and Subhadra doing ?"
"They are also good .Balarama is quite busy with all the administrative matters of the kingdom .And as usual ,Subhadra is still continuing her childish pranks daily .She too has grown up as a young lady ." Krishna replied
"You know ,I see Subhadra as my very own child . In fact ,I even asked Rohini to give Subhadra to me as my daughter . She is extremely sweet and at times even adamant .But still ,I like her jovial and cheerful attitude ."
"Maybe aunt ..........maybe this wish of yours may get fulfilled one day ....." Krishna replied while giving a side glance to Arjuna ,who was watching him keenly .
Then he came to the main topic .
"King Drupada is organising a swayamvara tomorrow for his beautiful daughter ,Draupadi .Born from the sacred fire (Yagya) ,she is a goddess incarnate .Her eyes are like two beautiful lotus petals and her beauty is beyond words .She is a divine lady ."
Both Kunti and the 5 brothers were interested in knowing more about the king and his precious daughter .
Krishna told them everything about the swayamvara.....
"An archery contest is going to be held .The person who is capable and who is the most deserving of all ,shall be able to hold Lord Shiva's divine bow .The person has to shoot the fish's eye by looking at it's reflection in a large bowl of water .Whosoever succeeds in it ,will be given the fair Draupadi's hand in marriage .King Drupada is himself a very generous and humble person .I suggest you must take part in it .....Anyone is allowed to participate in it ...." Saying this ,he winked at Arjuna ,who was most interested in learning more about Draupadi .
(Credits to the creator âï¸âï¸)
After some time , I saw Krishna and Arjuna were walking together around the hermitage .He was telling something to Arjuna .
Krishna : "You must participate, Partha".
Arjuna :"But in this garb ?"
Krishna : "Of course"
Arjuna :"Fine I will participate......but aren't you going to take part in it , Krishna ?"
Krishna:"No .....but yes , I will be present there for you .I shall help you in the archery contest ....."
Arjuna :"In what way ?"
Krishna :"I will perform the task ,which you can't perform ...."
Arjuna :"What task I can't do ? Krishna ,I can very well aim and shoot the fish's eye ......you too are aware of it ...."
Krishna :"Ha ha ,I am very well aware of it .You don't need to justify it again and again ,dear Partha .But ....to aim & shoot the eye ,the water present in the big bowl needs to be still . I shall ensure and keep that water still and firm like a mirror ,so that you can achieve it !"
"O..oh right ...got it .Thanks Krishna !" Arjuna smiled at Krishna .
(Credits to the creator âï¸âï¸)