Krishna's era ! He was right .I wasn't dreaming.Tall trees ,blue sky ,clear air ,crystal clear water ,beautiful kingdoms and palaces ,chariots and horses ,powerful weapons and Krishna himself beside me .These all made sense that I was in Dwapar Yuga . My hair raised .My heart started to pump fast .I felt goosebumps across my body .I was excited as well as nervous . "How amazing !!! I am the luckiest person!" I got up from the chariot and ran on the green grass .I took of my sandals and felt the green ,wet and muddy grass ."My feet touched the land of Dwapara Yuga !!!" I yelled with joy .Krishna was laughing at me as he stepped down from the chariot . "And moreover .Dwarka is just few miles away from here .Your first destination shall be my island kingdom ." Krishna said while he was caressing one of the 4 white stallions . Dwarka !! My favourite ,most nicest ,warmest ,enchanting and mysterious place. "Yes you heard it right .From Dwarka our journey starts .But only thing is that you cannot be seen by anyone ,you will be invisible throughout .Only I can see you ,or talk to you .So make sure you stay with me ." Krishna winked at me . "Of course ,I will ." I assured him .
The remaining distance we walked ,chatting with each other about
the upcoming events .I enjoyed the beautiful nature of the era .We reached the top of a hill ,where I witnessed the greatest sight ever ! "Behold ,Dwarka ....." Krishna said. The city looked beautiful .It was night and the golden city glowed .
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The city lights ,the crowd ,the sound of the temple bell and the traders made the city look lively .
The security system was too strict .Traders were allowed in only after a proper inspection of their merchandise and themselves. As I said earlier ,Dwarka is famous for its trade .The kingdom of Dwarka was built by Vishwakarma ,the God of architecture. Krishna chose this place as his new home ,after the invasion and destruction of Mathura by Jarasandha ,King of Magadha .The palace was well sculpted and was built of pure gold . There were many beautiful gardens and orchards .Many tradesmen came here ,as there was high scope for earning profit here .Krishna indeed loved trade a lot !
Slowly we approached the city gates .Indeed ,Dwarka was a magnificent city ,and mysterious also .After seeing Krishna enter the guards bowed down before him ,for he was the king here .But they were never able to see me ,as said by Krishna earlier. I saw the citizens ,who came rushing to touch the lotus feet of Krishna and seek his blessings. Children came to him with small handmade garlands .Everyone were happy and were in ecstasy as their beloved king and lord had returned. None of them could see me .Krishna showered love and blessings equally to each one . People of those times were so nice and humble !
"Whom are we going to meet first Krishna?" I asked eagerly .
Krishna looked at me smiling .He didn't say anything.
Suddenly ,a woman came up with a basket of fruits in her hand .But she was not ordinary .She was dressed up all regal ,with the most exquisite jewels and silks . Her hair was decorated with forest flowers and a beautiful crown stood upon her head .She was tall and strong .She was unlike the women of Kaliyuga who look quite ordinary .Her face looked divine and her voice was as sweet as that of a nightingale. She addressed these following lines to Krishna.
"Greetings my lord .You look quite tired and weak .Your lotus face looks exhausted .Your divine eyes look sleepy .Please accept these fruits which I have brought for you .Let me serve you .Please allow me to serve your lotus feet ."
I looked at Krishna. He replied to her "I will surely accept your service .Let me go and refresh myself first .Please do wait for me ,dear Rukmini ."
RUKMINI ! The woman I just saw was the first chief queen of Krishna .Rukmini is one the prominent characters of Mahabharata .How sweet and beautiful she was ! Rukmini is the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi . "Krishna ,I saw Devi Rukmini in real life ! How divine she looks . I wish she could have seen me ..." I said . "It's okay Godha .Come let's go inside my chambers ." Krishna pulled my hand and guided me through his magnificent palace. The interiors of the palace chambers were beyond my imagination .No words to express the beauty .Each and every person who crossed us on the way ,bowed down in front of Krishna with full love and affection .
We reached Krishna's chambers . His room was beautifully decorated with corals and many gemstones. And also his room was neatly maintained. Krishna keeps everything organised. "You maintain your room so well !" I went and sat on a beautiful swing ,near the balcony of his room . Krishna laughed and looked at me "What about you ? How does your room look ?" . I became too shy ,for my room always looks as if some tornado had just entered .Things are always scattered here and there ,my table is filled up with all kinds of things which are to be thrown away . "Ummm....you see, my room looks just perfect ...." I said ,smiling coyly . "Ah ,I can see that ." Krishna said ,showing a smirking smile .He knows everything.
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"We will take stay in Dwarka for 2-3 days and then we'll be leaving Panchala Kingdom ." Krishna said . "Draupadi is the princess of Panchala Kingdom ...right ?" I asked because I was so much curious to know what was going to happen next. Meeting the Mahabharata characters in real life brought shivers into my body .The first time when I saw Mahabharata which was telecasted on Star Plus ,I fell in love with the epic .Sensing my curiosity ,Krishna answered "Yes dear ,she is the beautiful princess of Panchala Kingdom .King Drupada ,her father is organising a swayamvara .All the kings and princes are preparing themselves well so as to win her hand in marriage .But yes ,I am not participating in this marriage ceremony."
"But Krishna ,for what purpose did Draupadi take birth ? Everyone has a purpose for taking birth ." I asked him ,with lots of questions running in my mind .
"Once Dronacharya ,teacher of both Pandavas and Kauravas asked for some cows from Drupada as he was suffering poverty .Drupada was his best friend .As a king ,Drupada was supposed to fulfil the desire of Drona but he didn't .He instead insulted him in front of the whole royal assembly .After such a humiliation ,Dronacharya decided to take revenge and for this purpose he trained the young princes of the Kuru dynasty .Arjuna ,son of Kunti and the 3rd Pandava Prince is an expert in archery .He was the greatest student of Drona and now also he is.He fought with Drupada in a war bravely ,captured him and presented him in front of his teacher .Drupada apologised for his arrogant behaviour before Drona and surrendered.
But still ,his blood was boiling inside as he got defeated by a student of Drona .At the same time ,he was impressed by Arjuna's bravery and skill that he wished for a daughter to marry him. Drupada had 2 wishes : A son who could easily defeat Drona in war and a daughter who could marry Arjuna and cause a rift in the Kuru household . And as wished ,his desire was fulfilled .Sages performed various yagnas and from here 2 children were born : A son named Dhrishtadyumna and a daughter named Draupadi. So you see Godha ,everything is destined to happen." Krishna explained .
Each one taking revenge ! Mahabharata is itself filled with lots of revenge stories .My curiosity level increased . "How does Draupadi look ? Does she know this that she loves Arjuna ? Should we stop her from insulting Karna on the basis of his caste background ?" My questions were again unstoppable. Krishna cupped my face and said "Now Godha ,we cannot change what is meant to happen .And yes,keep all these thoughts to yourself for now .You rest here as it is your bedtime . I am leaving now as I have few matters to be handled in the kingdom .I'll meet you tomorrow morning." Saying this ,Krishna lovingly pulled my cheeks .
I crept on the bed and covered myself with a nice blanket .I looked at Krishna,with numerous thoughts in my mind . "Time will tell everything .Go to sleep .Radhe Radhe !" Krishna smiled at me and left .
That night I slept in Dwarka .Everything seemed to be like dream to me .I considered my story to that of Alice in Wonderland....
I pinched myself ,slapped myself hard to check whether I was in a dream or not ....trying to wake myself up .But no use ,all my efforts only gave me pain .It wasn't a dream .
I was missing my parents and the trip .What were they doing now ?Will they be missing me ? Did they ever realise that I wasn't there with them ,not even in that era .I felt everything so much new .A girl from Kaliyuga living in Dwapara yuga .
The bed was of great comfort .The pillow was so soft and even the room looked cosy and warm .Lamps were lit and the curtains were moving to the soft breeze entering the room .
I got up to see the view of the kingdom from the room verandah .Sea breeze touched my exhausted face as I stepped out .Ships were entering the Dwarka port ,as I could see many lights near the port .New traders were entering the city for the first time .The rest of the palace lights were on .Guards were constantly inspecting each and every palace,citizen and outsiders .None of them knew that a girl from the next era was living here .........
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