"So ,where is that amazing painting ? The one which you have been hiding from me for days ...." Krishna pulled back and asked me with a mischievous glint in his eyes .I giggled playfully and stepped back ,with my arms crossed .
"I won't show you. Besides ,tomorrow is your birthday ,so wait until that ." I said.
"Ah ,Godha ,you are so mean .Leaving me in curiosity and wonder always ! Don't you pity me ,my dear?"Â Krishna asked ,pretending to be innocent .
I shook my head playfully and pushed him back "My lord ,you are being so dramatic .You can wait for a few hours ,perhaps ?" I giggled .Krishna smiled at me warmly "I'll be patient every moment for you ,my beloved .Because whatever you do for me ,it's worth waiting for .But don't delay it ,please." He tweaked my nose and walked towards the entrance of the chamber "So you won't be coming downstairs ?"
"I have a painting to complete ,and in the mission to capture my beloved Lord's heart ..." I giggled playfully .Krishna shook his head laughing "My dear ,you have already captured my heart a long time ago .And I even remember that day ." He winked at me and left me alone with my work .
That night ,I spent the whole time finishing the painting .I never knew what was happening downstairs .I was so keen on finishing the work and surprise my beloved Krishna tomorrow on his birthday .I thought about his reaction ,as soon as he would see the painting tomorrow .It was so thrilling .The night grew old ,but I was determined to complete the painting at any cost ,even if I had to face a sleep less night .Hours ticked by and my focus on the painting became more and more intense .I was determined to capture Krishna's essence -his disarming and charming smile ,his majestic appearance and handsomeness ,his gentle yet commanding presence ,his powerful and compassionate gaze .
Very soon ,dusk became dawn and yet it was still dark .The chirping of crickets ,the sound of footsteps of the palace guards who patrolled outside the chamber occasionally ,the soft rustling of the curtains ,the flickering sound of the diyas were the only sounds which I could hear .
Finally , after a long process and unwavering dedication ,I completed the painting .I took a deep breath and stepped back to admire my work .Krishna playing a Sitar at Dwarka - this was my topic of painting .I giggled softly to myself as I gazed at my beloved lord's enchanting form .It felt as if Krishna himself became alive in my painting.
As I gazed ,I suddenly felt a pang of pride and over confidence coming up in me . "Who would paint such an extraordinary painting like this ? My devotion and dedication to him surpasses all ." I thought to myself smiling and looked at myself at the mirror "You are Krishna's favourite person ,Godha .I guess ,after seeing this painting ,he will love me more ." I said to myself ,a tone filled with pride and possessiveness .But as I thought ,unfortunately and unexpectedly the water which I had used for the spilled over the painting ,before I could even realise how .My heart skipped a beat and I stumbled back ,shocked and horrified .I rushed towards the painting and tried to rectify it ,but it was no use .The colours had merged and became blurred at some spots ,making the whole work not presentable .Tears flowed down from my eyes as I desperately collapsed on the floor .My whole hard work was now gone .I hid my face in my hands as I cried silently .
"That's it ....everything's gone .How am I even going to show my face to him tomorrow ? I had given him so much hope ,and my lord even waited for me so patiently for several days .But now ,I became so careless and because of me the painting got spoiled .What am I going to do now ? How will I face tomorrow ?" I muttered to myself as I wept .
As I cried ,I suddenly felt a presence behind me and as I turned to look ,I gasped softly. Krishna was sitting on the nearby couch ,in a relaxed manner and looked at me intently ,his eyes shining with amusement .
"Need help ,my dear Godha ?" He asked softly .
"Krishna...when did you ...." I stammered ,wiping away my tears.
"Oh Godha ,you underestimate me .You know that I can be anywhere ,at anytime ,as I please. And also I wake up two hours before sunrise ,you know .Such a beautiful painting you have made ." He said with twinkling eyes ,as he gazed at my spoiled painting .His eyes showed mischief and I knew very well that he was behind all this .
"You tease me ,Krishna .I know it's one of your Leelas ,but why are you tormenting me like this ? Do you know how tough it was to capture your essence ? Now look ,it's all blurred and vague at many spots ,because of you ! I don't know what you did ,how you did ....but I am blaming you for this ,Krishna!" I said ,crossing my arms and looking away .
He shook his head playfully and approached me slowly "Yes ,I only did it .But don't worry ,let me help you with it ." He said and took the brush from my hand .I sat beside him silently and looked at him confused .
"Why did you do like that ?" I asked softly .
"Because my dear ,I sensed a ray of pride and over confidence (Ahankar) coming in your heart .It's my duty to protect your heart from such emotions ." Krishna spoke casually .
"But Krishna ,that was just a little bit of pride...I mean ,what's so bad in that ?" I stammered slightly.
He chuckled in a low tone and turned towards me "Well ,then allow me to share a special memory with you. Perhaps after listening to it ,you'll understand ." He took a deep breath and continued "It was a magical ,enchanted night in the groves of Vrindavana .I played my flute and beckoned all the Vraja Gopis ,inviting them to come .It was a flute song which only they could hear .The Gopis were elated and ecstatic ,and very soon they came there ,leaving behind all their duties and responsibilities towards their children ,husbands and families. They were so attracted by my music and towards me ,that they even forgot to prepare themselves .They were unaware of their clothing ,their jewellery and their attire .All they knew was that I called them and they had to come ,no mattter what .And then after that ,began the divine Rasa dance ."
I listened to him intently as he continued "During that dance ,I had divided myself in such a way that I danced with every Gopi alone .Every Gopi felt that "Krishna is solely mine .He is dancing with me alone .He loves me more , he belongs to me alone ." But as they thought ,I could read their minds well ,so to teach them a lesson I suddenly disappeared in thin air ,in the middle of the dance .I was present there actually ,but they couldn't see me ." He paused ,his gaze searching mine .
"Then ?" I asked softly .
He smiled and continued slowly "The Gopis frantically searched for me everywhere .They asked every tree ,every creeper ,every creature of the forest about my whereabouts .I ,on the other hand ,spent time with a lone Gopi."
"That Gopi was Radha ,right ?" I asked .
"Absolutely .I spent time with her ,walked with her ,played the flute for her .I even weaved a garland of flowers for her beautiful hair .And as we walked ,she asked me to carry her since she felt tired .So I gently carried her in my arms ,holding her like a delicate flower .But as I did ,she too became proud and too confident that she was the centre of attention for me .Finally ,I even disappeared from her, leaving her all alone . The Gopis searched for me everywhere ,in every nook and corner of forest .
Finally ,when they realised that I belonged to everyone ,that I loved everyone equally in a unique manner ,I reappeared and continued with the Rasa dance ." He stopped ,looking at me .
"Now do you understand what I mean ,Godha ? I think you know this story too well ." He said .
I nodded slowly in understanding "I understand Krishna .A heart which is pure ,which has unconditional love in it ,which is free from anger , lust , fear , jealousy , expectations , pride , and material desires , can only recognise you and your presence . And you were trying to humble me by this small accident ,as you did to the Gopis ."
"I am glad that you understood ,Godha .Your mind and heart is a beautiful garden ,with flowers of my love .And these unnecessary thoughts and emotions are like weeds ,disrupting the growth of the flowers . I am the divine gardener of your heart's garden ,and it is my responsibility to remove those unwanted weeds." He said smiling and turned towards the painting "Now allow me to assist you in completion of this extraordinary masterpiece ."
I nodded slowly ,giggling ,and allowed him to paint .As he did ,he made me laugh by telling his mischief during his childhood ,and even sharing my childhood. He knew each and everything about me ,and truly knows my heart . I was so lucky and grateful for such a beautiful moment with the powerful , handsome lord of Dwarka .
As he painted and talked about various topics ,I was admiring him so much that I didn't even listen to what he was saying. His calm and serene face ,his adorable smile ,his curly locks of hair ....everything was so perfect and beautiful .And the way his hands danced across the canvas ,creating my painting even more beautifully than before with his divinely skilled fingers .
"You seem to be distracted Godha .Are you even listening to me?" He teased .
"Yes ,yes Krishna .I was just admiring the painting ." I giggled .
"Admiring the painting ,or ,admiring the one who is painting it right now ?" He asked ,raising his eyebrows.
I blushed deeply ,giggling and looked away "You're right as always !". He shook his head playfully and took the canvas in his hands "There ,the painting is done. I have corrected it again ,so does it meet your standards and expectations ,dear ?"
Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked at the painting "Oh Krishna ,because of your divine touch the painting looks....ethereal ! I don't have words to describe it ."
"Oh Godha ,your words are as sweet as nectar ." Krishna smiled at me warmly and handed me the paintbrush "A masterpiece like this must be signed always ....."
I took the paint brush and dipped it in a mild yellow shade .But instead of writing my name below the painting ,I wrote Krishna's name .
"Why Godha ?" He asked ,his eyes widened in surprise and curiosity .
"Because Krishna ,you are my sole inspiration and strength behind my every painting .You have granted me such a wonderful skill ,a talent to showcase my devotion. Without you ,my paintings would be meaningless .And it's because of your divine grace that today I have successfully completed this magnificent painting of yours .So ,in simple words ,I haven't done this painting .You have done it ,through me .So I should write your name only ,don't you think ?" I said smiling .
Krishna mirrored my smile ,his eyes flashing love and affection "Oh my dear ,lovely Godha .You entrance me with your sweet devotion .But I think there is something else which needs to be done." Saying that ,he took the brush from me and to my surprise ,he wrote my name after his on the canvas .
"Because your love and dedication for me is so unconditional and unwavering ,because you see me in your every action ,I wrote your name after mine .And I shall ensure that this union of ours shall be eternal always ,growing deeper with each passing moment ."
"Oh Krishna ....." I muttered ,smiling and leaned onto his shoulder contentedly .He wrapped his arms around my shoulders ,pulling me close .Suddenly he pulled back and looked at me mischievously "However I must ask you ,my dear .The idea of me playing a Sitar is quite intriguing .Do tell me ,where did you get this wonderful idea from ? Did you....did you watch me closely from somewhere secretly ?"
"Oh ,you found out my secret ,didn't you Krishna ? Yes ,one evening while you were so engrossed in playing the Sitar in your chambers ,I sneaked in there secretly and took an outline of your appearance.And I must say ,you were looking divinely handsome while playing and even seemed to be lost in some thought ....." I giggled mischievously "But what were you thinking about? And instead of playing your flute ,why did you take up the Sitar ?"
"I did play my flute ,but as I looked at the Sitar ...I got reminded of Radha .She would often play her Sitar along with my flute playing ,in the enchanting grooves of Madhuvan .That's why I took it in my hands and played it for a change ,recollecting all my beautiful memories in Gokul and Vrindavan." He replied ,in a nostalgic tone .
"That's wonderful Krishna ....but you know ,I was so eager to surprise you before everyone .I wanted to see your reaction ,your surprised reaction .But now you have seen the painting..." I giggled childishly .Krishna burst into laughter and pulled my cheeks "Oh Godha ,you did surprise me even now .This painting of yours ,it is so touching and beautiful ,divinely beautiful .And you know what , I shall keep this painting in my private chambers at Dwarka .I shall see this painting every day and night , and this beautiful painting of yours shall remind me of you and your love always ."
"Really ?" I asked ,my eyes widening in surprise and delight as I heard his words .
"Absolutely Godha ....and as for now ,dawn approaches and everyone must be waiting for us ." He said as he parted the curtains ,allowing the sunlight to enter the chamber .The rays of the sun touched on the painting ,creating an otherworldly glow around it .I had nearly forgotten that it was my beloved Kanha's birthday !
"Oh Krishna ! Oh Yadava ! Happiest birthday to you ,my dear lord !" I exclaimed happily and touched his feet .He kneeled down and held me in his arms lovingly "Oh my dear ,sweet Godha ...thank you so much .I am indeed very glad and proud to have you as my friend ,my beloved ,my lover ,my devotee...." He gently kissed my forehead and pulled back slowly "I think I should go downstairs now .Everyone might be waiting for us .Are you coming ?"
I nodded slowly ,smiling "I'll come Krishna ....soon .." .He smiled back and nodded in agreement .As he walked towards the entrance of the chamber ,I called out to him suddenly ,my voice barely above a whisper "Krishna...". He turned back towards me ,his eyes questioning .
"Thank you for giving me a such a wonderful opportunity to spend time with you ...." I whispered .
Krishna simply smiled and muttered "Godha pukare ,aur Krishna na aaye ...aise kaise ho sakta hai ?"
Before ending this chapter ,I need to tell you all something......
I loved writing this chapter a lot .The painting of Krishna playing a Sitar was actually drawn by me ,in real .It took me almost 1 year to create it ,but I did it in a hurry right now ,especially for this chapter .I took the reference from one of the paintings made by Raja Ravi Verma .....I hope it is good .
Secondly ,I am writing another story 'Vijaya Patni of Dwarkadhish...." ,so just see that one too ...I'll surely complete both the stories successfully with Krishna's grace .Thank you all for understanding so much !
Radhe Radhe !