Just then ,Balrama came and caught Krishna's hand.
"There you are Kanha ! Whenever I need you ,you just disappear somewhere ....Now listen when I was returning to Dwarka ,I saw a great sanyasi who was in deep meditation . It is our responsibility to honour him and provide him with a proper shelter ,since monsoon rains are going to start in Dwarka ."
A sanyasi was standing behind Balrama .Krishna looked at the sanyasi with a raised eyebrow and wide eyes .He greeted the sanyasi with folded hands .
"What do you say Godha ? He's the visitor ...." Krishna told me
"Oh I see .....but what can I say ?" I asked
"Does he look familiar to you ?" Krishna asked
"Familiar ? Uh .........no ..I don't recognise him . Do you ?" I asked curiously.
"My dear ,look closely ." Krishna said with an extremely mischievous smile .
I looked more keenly at the sanyasi ,with wide open eyes .When I observed ,I saw that the sanyasi was somewhat different. His face was quite commanding ,his arms were well built ,his physique was that of a warrior .And moreover ,I saw mark of bow on his shoulders .
"Krishna ,why do I feel that he ......he is not a sanyasi ....!?" I told him .
"Absolutely ,he's not a sanyasi .He is a Kshatriya ,he is Arjuna !" Krishna answered .
"What ! Arjuna ?! Why is he here ,in this garb ? He could have come and met you just like that ,without changing his look ....." I asked .
"You know that the Pandavas promised among themselves ,that when Draupadi is a wife for a single brother ,others should not enter the chamber of that respective brother .Once a Brahmana came and asked for help from Arjuna ,because his cows were been stolen by that demon named Takshaka . Arjuna couldn't refuse ,as it was the duty of a Kshatriya to safeguard and protect the common people .His weapons were in Yudhishthira's room ,so he had to enter the chamber when Draupadi was serving Yudhishthira .He accepted the penalty for it ,and went for a penance for a year. Like this ,he has reached here ." Krishna narrated the whole story .
"Oh ....Now I get it .." I looked at the sanyasi .He looked at Krishna with at most humbleness in his eyes and greeted him .Arjuna's face looked satisfied ,because he got a chance to meet my lord .
"Krishna ,please make sure that he is given proper service .Tell Subhadra to make arrangements for his staying here .I have to go and meet the farmers due to some work ." Saying this ,Balarama left .
"Sure Brother ,I'll take care ." Krishna answered and briskly walked towards the sanyasi .He pulled him for a hug .
"How are you Partha ?" Krishna asked .
"Madhava ! I am indeed happy to meet you again ...." Arjuna spoke .
After a few moments ,Subhadra reached there .She greeted Krishna and touched his feet .
"Subhadra dear....meet this holy one .He has travelled the full country ,visiting all pilgrimage sites ,temple towns and holy rivers .Now he has come here ,so it is our responsibility to take care of him .Please make arrangements for his staying here ..." Krishna introduced her to the sanyasi .
Subhadra looked at him ,but had a confused look on her face .She went and touched his feet .
"Oh Holy one ! It is our greatest privilege to have you as our guest .Please make yourself feel comfortable here ." Subhadra welcomed and got engaged in the preparations for the Sanyasi's staying . Arjuna was smitten by her .
Her sweet voice had touched his heart .He kept looking at her and Krishna noticed it .
"What are you looking at ,Arjuna ?!" He asked teasingly .
"Is she your sister ,Krishna ?" Arjuna asked .
"Yes she is ,my beloved sister. She was born after I killed Kansa and returned Mathura .She was very young when I built Dwarka .
She is a highly spirited young lady ,and very innocent as well .I have taught her how to run administrative and financial duties of a kingdom ,as well as sword fighting ,archery ,horse riding ,and riding a chariot .She is now well accomplished." Krishna was telling about his sister ,while Arjuna was mesmerised after hearing Subhadra's character and talents .
"How interesting ! It's really good that she has knowledge in archery ..." Arjuna replied .
"But you know what ,she is betrothed to Duryodhana ...." Krishna's words made Arjuna's face filled with worry .
"Duryodhana !? No ,no this is not good .If Duryodhana marries her ,then the Kauravas will gain the alliance and support of the most powerful kingdom in Aryavarta .Having brother Balarama's support and the invincible Narayani Sena by their side makes them even more stronger .And when they become strong ,they'll start exploiting us again .....now what will happen ?" Arjuna was tensed .
"Yes true ,very true .But the good thing is ,that Subhadra is not willing for this marriage either .She has heard about you ,has high praises for you .You also love her Arjuna ,I know it .She'll be very happy if she marries you ." Krishna said .
"But how ? Her marriage is already fixed ..." Arjuna asked
"Well ,why don't you kidnap her ? It's a good idea ." Krishna suggested
"Kidnap her !? No ,it won't be appropriate Krishna .It will be against Dharma ,if I kidnap her ."Â Arjuna replied
"Not if the girl herself is willing .Subhadra herself is waiting for some miracle to happen ,so that this she can escape this marriage .She is stressed for many days regarding this .And moreover Arjuna ,she thinks about you and loves you ." Krishna insisted
"But what about Brother Balarama ? He'll get angry after knowing this .And...and ..what about Panchali ? No other lady is allowed to share the household with her ."
"And it will be even more worse ,if Subhadra marries Duryodhana ........you know the consequences of it . Arjuna ,the problems which you are talking about can be dealt with ease .Subhadra can very easily pacify Draupadi and share the household with her .And about by brother Balarama ,I can tackle him and convince him .Don't worry about anything .We must prepare ourselves for the future ,and that's what we are doing now .
Arjuna was in deep thoughts .When Krishna looked at his overthinking ,he kept his hand on his shoulder "Look Partha ,we are doing this because for the benefit of your family .You love Subhadra ,so how would you feel if she marries that Kaurava Prince ? Moreover ,I don't prefer to give Subhadra's hand to him ....after all that he has done to your family .You can't just sit and keep overthinking about future .We must act now .....As Subhadra's elder brother I want you to marry her ...My sister's happiness is very important to me and I can't imagine how excited she would be ,when she learns about your true identity....
Trust me ,all will be fine ...."
After hearing Krishna's encouraging statements ,Arjuna was determined to marry Subhadra and save her from Duryodhana.
"Madhava ,I truly understand your words now . I shall follow your instructions .Please tell me ,what we have to do next ?"
"For that Arjuna ,meet me tonight in my chambers .We cannot talk about the plan here......" Saying this ,both of them hugged and left for their work .
Arjuna (as a sanyasi ) went for meditation ,while Subhadra was making arrangements for his staying .She really was a kind hearted person .But I soon realised ,that Subhadra was also suspicious about him ....because she would glance at him at regular intervals .
(Credits to the creator ð)
I nearly forgot about Krishna ! I was supposed to remind him about the boat ride .I don't know why ,but he left after talking with Arjuna without me .....
I started to search for him everywhere tirelessly....in the gardens ,palace corridors ,royal chambers ,in the verandah ,royal kitchen ,main court hall ,in the streets of Dwarka ,at the stalls which were selling variety of merchandise ,at the palace gates where many visitors and many chariots were entering and exiting simultaneously ,at the port were traders from different countries were entering into the city in big ,magnificent ships .The administrative and trading system was indeed excellent ,but I had no time to observe .I was determined to find Krishna and ask him to take me for a boat ride .How can one miss such a beautiful time with Bhuvana Sundara ?
As I returned ,to my surprise I saw that Krishna was already there near the palace entrance ,talking to some people regarding the state .I waited for him to come after his talk ,but he as soon as he finished he walked away .He obviously saw me clearly ,but he ignored me this time deliberately !
I was really disappointed and worried .Did I do something which made Krishna ignore me ,or it was just like that .
Full day went like this and it was a pleasant,magical evening in Dwarka .But I was heavily brooding over about Krishna's sudden behaviour .How could he do like this ? I went with him everywhere ,and listen to whatever he tells me .I have done mistakes ,but not so big that it could make Krishna ignore me ..
I know he was pranking .Then only I heard footsteps sound ,coming towards me .It was him .
"Here you are ...." Krishna said
I stood up quickly . "How could you Krishna ? You know how worried and sad I was ?"
Krishna looked at me quizzically .
"What do you mean ? I don't understand anything ......"
"You know everything , yet you act as if you don't know anything . I was searching for you in every nook and corner ,and when I found you....you just ignored me ."
"Did I ? Well ,why were you searching for me ?"
"Because I wanted to remind you about the boat ride ....."
"And why you wanted to remind me ,when I had already promised you so ? Krishna's question left me to think and wonder .I had no answer
"Because ...because I thought you might forget because of various duties and responsibilities which you're having ......"
"My dear ,how can I forget the wish of my dearest devotee ?Even if I have thousands of responsibilities and duties to be done ,I will never forget the promise made to my beloved ones ,especially my devotees . I was just testing you that how much you have faith in me .
You must trust me always ,for I know every likes and dislikes of yours .And yes ,you don't have to tell me each and every thing always ,because I know your needs already ......"
After hearing Krishna's statement ,I felt ashamed . How can Krishna ever forget my wish for a boat ride ? He loves me so much afterall ....
"Oh Krishna .....it's so difficult to pass your tests ...I am so sorry ,I would never doubt you ....but still ..."
"Oh Godha ,I know about you ....and I even know about your eagerness to spend time with me . You know what ....the more I'll test you ,the more stronger and deeper your devotion shall become. I assure you ! So don't take it seriously .....And I was seeing how much you love me . You really got so tensed ,when I ignored you .And that shows how much you love and have affection for me ....." Krishna looked at me with his enchanting smile .
"Of course ,I can't even imagine living without you Krishna ! You are everything for me .Don't ever leave me .Please forgive me for my mistake ." I said ,as tears were filled in my eyes . He held my hands in his lotus hands " You are my beloved devotee Godha . Do you think I will leave you ? You are mine fully . You belong me to me ."Â Saying this he pulled my hand .... "Come on ,the time for which you were waiting for has come . Let's go !"
We both went enthusiastically towards the boats .At last ,my wait was over and now it was time to spend a beautiful evening with my Bhuvana Sundara !
(Credits to the creator ð)