It was night and I didn't sleep .I was thinking about Sudama and Krishna's friendship .How lucky Sudama was ,that he got a friend like Govind ! I kept on thinking about their childhood stories and adventures .I still remembered how much elated Sudama was ,when he met Krishna after so many years .
Sometimes I really wished that I was born in Dwaparayuga .I could have spent my whole life ,seeing my beloved Krishna ,living along with him in his era .
"You didn't sleep ?!" Krishna's sudden voice interrupted me from my thoughts .
"Krishna ? You here ?" I really didn't expect him at this time .I thought he was asleep .
"I was going to sleep ,but before going to my chambers I thought about you .And I am pretty sure you were also thinking about me .......I couldn't talk to you today ,so I came now ." Krishna said as he sat beside me .
"So you know what I was thinking ...." I asked in a low tone .
"Of course ,no doubt. But still if you want to say something ,I'd love to hear it ." Krishna said.
"Sudama will leave for his home tomorrow. And I even know that you will gift him something special .But Kanha ,what made you feel that Sudama is fit to be your bestest friend ? I mean ...what qualities of Sudama impressed you ?" I asked ,as I leaned my head on Krishna's shoulder.
(Credits to the creator ð)
"My dear ,Sudama is a person who is very innocent and simple . His simplicity and his humble nature only impressed me .He never expects anything ,as you saw till now .He never asked me anything for himself or his family ." He replied
"And I know that in return you will gift him a beautiful palace ,along with wealth and prosperity ! Such a kind hearted friend you are Kanha ! But Rukmini stopped you in between while you were eating .....and she even said something that I couldn't understand !" I asked.
"Oh ,I forgot to tell you .....What Rukmini meant was that when I ate the rice flakes for the first time ,I was so ecstatic and happy that I wanted to gift Sudama something really big . If I had taken the second time ,I would have to send Rukmini herself (who is Goddess Lakshmi) to his home (as a symbol of prosperity ) .That's why Rukmini stopped me ." He replied .
"Oh I see ! Krishna ,Sudama is indeed a very lucky person to have you as his friend ." I said with a slight tone of jealousy . Krishna ,who was very sharp in finding out the meaning of each and every thing ,found out my mindset .
"Well ,what's wrong ? You are also close to me Godha ,see how closely you are sitting to me and resting your head on my shoulders ......you are already my closest devotee and my Sakhi ."
"No no ,I'm not thinking that .I wished that I was also born in Dwapara Yuga and be a person who is very close to you Krishna .I want to be a part of your story !" I said
"So what if you are not in Dwapara Yuga ? You can be with me even in Kaliyuga ,because I am the one who controls all the 4 yuga .I reside everywhere ,and I live in every yuga .
Godha ,true love and devotion is all I expect .Always think of me ,and you'll see me everywhere ....even in a leaf or a stone . I am always with you , no matter what .I hear each and every prayer of yours ,even the silent ones. So don't worry at all ." He said as he held my hands in his .
"You're right .....anyway , how come do you read my mind so fast and accurately everytime !"I asked .
"Ah ,you know that I am seated in everyone's mind and heart . So you can't try to hide anything from me ,for I know you too well ." Krishna said and pulled my cheeks lovingly .
I burst out laughing . "Fine ! You won again Krishna ! Well......Can we go out somewhere ,right now !?"
"Right now ? But it's too late ......go to sleep now ,dear Godha . We'll go tomorrow ." Krishna said
"But please , I want to go now .What if you get busy tomorrow ?" I insisted.
"I won't get busy tomorrow ,but someone is going to visit me tomorrow .But yes ,if you go to sleep now ,I will take you on a boat ride tomorrow .You'll really enjoy it .I promise."
"That's nice ! I can't wait for tomorrow .Who is going to visit you ?!" I was overjoyed ,because a new story was going to start .
"Save these questions for tomorrow. Now you go to sleep Godha ,it's my order" Krishna said .
He was so concerned about me .I felt really happy about it .
(Credits to the creator ð)
I was waiting for the dawn to come .The birds started to chirp ,and it was early morning .The sky was still dark .Usually I don't get up so early ,but today I did .
I went towards the window and saw the morning sky .It was calm ,beautiful and serene .
Krishna would be fully ready and dressed by this time .He gets up 2 hrs before the sunrise .The bards and musicians come to wake him up ,by singing about his glories and divinity .Then he would go and take a bath ,get dressed up in the most finest of silks ,adorn himself with the most beautiful jewels and garlands .He would do meditation and chant the Gayatri mantra .His lifestyle was so perfect .
As I was lost in thoughts ,I saw my beloved Krishna roaming in the gardens ,along with Sudama .He was going to leave for his home today .
Both of them hugged each other tightly .Sudama had unlimited tears in his eyes .
"My dear Sakha ,you never asked for anything .Please ask whatever you want ,don't hesitate ....." Krishna asked
"My dear Kanha ,when I met you after so many years ....it felt that I have got everything in life .Nothing is more important than our friendship .I always want to be your best friend and Sakha ,forever !" Sudama replied .
"Our friendship shall be strong and intact ,eternally .It was really nice to meet you after so many years . I felt really happy and ecstatic . Do take care of yourself and your family ....." Krishna said as he embraced him again .
After bidding him farewell ,Sudama left the palace .
"Good morning Krishna !" I greeted him .
"Good morning Godha ! You got up early today ?" He asked me ,raising his eyebrows .
"Yeah ,you see ...I was curious about the visitor ,whom you told will come today .And also I am waiting for the boat ride ....." I said excitedly .
"Ofcourse ! But you have to wait patiently .We'll go in the evening ,because at that time Dwaraka looks beautiful & you'll enjoy the ride .And regarding the visitor ,he may be on his way as we speak ." Krishna replied .
"And one more thing ...I really desire to see reaction of Sudama when he sees your beautiful gift ....can you please fulfill this wish of mine Krishna .....if you don't mind ..?" I asked shyly .
"My dear ,you don't have to be so formal in asking me for a wish .My beloved Sakhi's wish is my command ,always remember that ." Krishna answered and waved his hand slightly in the air .A big ,magical screen was formed in the air by his simple wave .
I saw Sudama who was walking through the forests ,lost in deep thoughts and worries .
"I met Krishna ,and I feel really happy about it .But what shall I answer my wife ? She told me to ask for help ,but I couldn't ask Krishna for it .She really will be disappointed very much ,when I tell her the truth .After all ,my family has suffered so much...".
As he was thinking ,he suddenly stopped and became surprised .He had reached a big palace ,which was extremely beautiful and magnificent .
"Where have I come ? Have I lost my way ? My home is supposed to be here ,then how come a big palace is here ?! Oh God ! What is happening .." He was brooding over ,when suddenly he heard his wife's call .
"My lord ...you have come to the right place ! This is our home ! Our home is filled with all prosperity .Dwarkadhish has indeed removed all pains and miseries from our life !".
Sudama couldn't believe completely .He was awestruck .His wife , was wearing old and ragged clothes ...now was draped in decent and beautiful silks . She had adorned herself with jewels ,and her face was calm .His children ,who looked very thin and weak due to hunger ,now looked chubby and healthy .
There was adequate amount of food and water . All the necessities were available for them .
Sudama cried in joy and gratitude "Oh Sakha ! Oh Krishna ! How can I ever thank you ? How can I ever repay your kindness ? I am truly blessed to be your devotee ,to be your friend . Oh Jagannatha ! Thank you so much for everything ! I don't have words to describe your mercy and love towards your beloved ones !"
I was happy after seeing this scene. I looked at Krishna with tears of joy and happiness .
"So ? Are you happy now ?" Krishna asked me ,with a charming smile on his face .
"Truly Krishna ,thank you so much for letting me witness this beautiful leela of yours . I am feeling very much blissful .Thankyou !" Saying this I hugged him .The warmth of his hands made feel even more safe and secured .
(Credits to the creator ð)
"By the way Krishna ,who is the visitor who's going to meet you ?" I asked .
"Oh ,he is a very special person to me .When he'll come here ,the whole storyline will change .Just wait and watch !" Krishna replied enthusiastically ,but with a mysterious smile on his face .