"So like.....how am I supposed to introduce myself ? Which kingdom's princess am I ? And for what work have I come to Dwarka ? Come on Krishna ,tell me ." I asked
He yawned heavily and stretched his arms . "Look ,now that's your work .You yourself frame answers for your questions .Let's see how much creativity you use for your introduction ...." He answered .
"Alright .......I will do it .......but ..but please do help me if I go wrong somewhere .You know how much dependent I am upon you ..."
Krishna sighed and kept both of his hands on my shoulders "Do you think I will leave you alone ? I will surely help you ,for I live in you as your courage ,wisdom and love .Krishna is always there for his Godha , no matter what. Don't worry too much ,but yes remember whatever I told you.... come let's head back to Dwarka ....It's already late ." He said in a comforting and firm tone .
Since we were in the forest ,I couldn't feel the change .But as we entered into the streets ,people started to look at me and I was noticeable .Still my mind was not convinced .
Had I really changed ? Did Krishna really transform me ? Was I visible to everyone ? Did people realise that I was a person belonging to their era ?
I was filled with multiple thoughts ,until I pushed a lady in my way ....by mistake. And I too fell on the ground as my leg slipped .
"Are you alright ? Please watch where you're going .." She helped me to get up
I couldn't believe .....It means everything was true !
"Oh my goodness ! I am not invisible anymore ! Everyone can see me and talk to me ! That's Awesome ! That's wonderful ! I have really changed !" I was shouting like this in front of everyone ,amid the crowd ,standing in the middle of the street .But the moment I realised the reality , I felt highly embarrassing and awkward .Krishna ,who was walking few steps ahead of me .....turned back and looked at me with a tensed expression on his face .
"Godha ! What are you doing ! Stop it !" He whispered to me ,in such a way that I could hear .
I ran quickly from that place .Everyone were looking at me strangely .
"I'm sorry ,I just became too excited and therefore overreacted .I'll make sure it doesn't happen again ." I apologised
"Look ,you have to learn to behave like a princess . And don't forget that you are not the way how you were all these days .Be mindful of your surroundings ,your speech and your behaviour . If you make any mistake ,you'll land in trouble ." Krishna replied .
"I won't make any mistake Krishna .....don't worry too much" I replied
He sighed and we both left for the palace .
As we were nearing the place ,my level of nervousness and tension was increasing . I started to think whether I was doing this right or wrong .I started to have second thoughts .How will be their reaction towards me ? Will they like me ?
Sensing my mind's dilemma ,Krishna pacified me "Dear Godha ,don't overthink too much .Everything's is going well ."
"Krishna ,I am really excited ....but will they accept me ? Will they like me ? I mean ...I was confident initially,but now it seems so much .....tensed .....Is this correct ?"
"You know what ,you only know to think heavily ......Come on now ,you were so excited for this .And I am also getting pretty excited as well ,to introduce you to my family ."
"You really are ?"
"Ofcourse ,and I must tell you Godha ...everyone will definitely like you .And I'll bet Subhadra will be the most excited ,when she sees you .....she will definitely see you as her own sister .But be very careful ,because from now on there will be chances of meeting my enemies often ......."
"Yes Krishna ...." I replied ,but still my nervousness didn't go .
People of Dwarka kept looking at me ,some even talking to each other about me......I could hear their whispers .Dwarka was now not a new place for me ,because I was used to it when I was completely invisible .But now things were different ,interacting with people of this era was completely new to me .
As we climbed up the steps of the royal palace ,I was much more frightened .
"Krishna ! Um ...how do I look ? Is my face okay ? Do you have a mirror with you ? How do I walk ? Is it okay or maybe should I change ?"
He stopped and looked at me with a sigh "Now Godha ......why are you so much tensed ? You
look beautiful ....just have a pleasant smile on your face ,that would win the hearts of everyone. Now stop overthinking or brooding over unnecessary questions .Everything is just going fine .Just take a deep breath and proceed ...."
We reached the palace entrance .The guards bowed down to both of us and announced our arrival .
I let Krishna to go ahead of me ,and I just stayed behind him .
Queen Devaki and Rohini came at the entrance to welcome him .He bowed down and touched their feet .
"My child ,what took you so long ? Where were you ?" Devaki asked .
"Mother ,I have brought someone with me today ." Saying this Krishna turned towards me and signalled me to come .
Slowly and steadily I came in front of them .My hands and legs were trembling ,but still I kept up my pace .Both the mothers looked at me with a slight surprise .
"Who is this girl ,Krishna ? Where did you find her ?" Rohini asked while she was looking at me .
"Today I went to Bet Dwarka for some work ,and there I found her .She seemed to be lost and was struggling . That's why I brought her here ,because it's already dark outside and completely not safe for her to roam .Maybe she'll get help here ." He said and looked at me .
I took a deep breath and introduced myself "Greetings mother ! I am Godha ......Princess of Kingdom of Udupi . It's really an honour to meet you ." Saying this I went forward and touched their feet . Devaki held me in her arms "My girl .....it's our pleasure to meet you too . It's good that Krishna found you and brought you here ."
"Yes ,it's not safe you to roam outside . Make yourself feel comfortable here ....."
I smiled at her ....
"Indeed ,people of Udupi are very kind and generous ...welcome to Dwarka , young princess .." Vasudeva said ,as he came from behind ..accompanied with Balarama,
I paid my obeisances to both of them and touched their feet .
Krishna's parents .... They both were the most gifted and blessed souls in the whole universe. They were blessed to have Lord Jagannatha himself as their beloved son . Now I felt blessed after meeting the parents of the supreme personality of godhead . At the same time ,Subhadra came there running ,her face filled with curiosity as she looked at me .
"Subhadra ,please make sure that our guest is well served .Take her to her chamber ." Balarama said .
"Go and refresh yourself child . You must join with us for dinner today .Until then ,take good rest ." Devaki said in a motherly tone .
"Thank you so much mother ." Saying this I went forward .I looked at Krishna once ,who smiled at me and signalled me to go with Subhadra .
I grinned at Subhadra ,who was waiting to talk to me eagerly .
"Greetings ,princess Subhadra ..... I'm really glad that I met you ..." I said
She took my hands in hers "Godha .....I feel really good after meeting you . You know ,I get a sisterly feeling when I see you .No need to call me princess ,okay ?"
After listening to her lines ,I looked at Krishna .
"I told you ......" he smiled at me assuringly .
She pulled my hands and lead me towards the chambers .
"So ,did you like our kingdom ?" She asked me
"Sure ,I was awestruck when I saw your kingdom . It's truly majestic !" I replied
Then I saw Rukmini and Satyabhama coming from a garden ,towards us .Subhadra introduced me to both of them .
"Greetings Queen Rukmini and Queen Satyabhama ...." I touched both of their feet "I feel extremely blessed after meeting both of you ...."
Both of them flashed back a motherly smile at me .
"Young princess ,it's a pleasure for us too that you have come here . You look exhausted ,you must take good rest dear ." Rukmini said and then turned to her maids "Please make preparations for her . Bring the finest of silks and jewelleries for the princess ....."
Then Satyabhama came to my side "Rukmini ,let me provide a fine silk dress for her .I just have a suitable ,alluring colour for her ." She said as she kept a hand on my shoulder ....
Both of them were so much kindhearted ,their voices sweet as nectar .I bowed and thanked them .
Then Subhadra showed me my chamber "Hope you love it ! Just relax and if you need anything ,you can inform the maids .....or just let me know . I'll arrange it for you ."
"Thank you so much Subhadra ! You are truly very generous and kindhearted ,just like Dwarkadhish ...." I replied
"There's no need to thank me ,Godha .You are like my sister from now onwards .
And listen ,you must join us for dinner today ...and if time permits ,we both will go for a stroll afterwards ....." She said and I chuckled softly .
I was observing my new room in the beautiful kingdom of Dwarka.....Beautiful and intricate designs and artworks on the walls ,a big balcony facing towards the other chambers of the palace .Mild sea breeze touched my face as I looked outside the window .The kingdom was shining in gold .
After refreshing myself and having a bath ,I looked at my new dress .
"Princess ,Queen Satyabhama has sent these clothes for you ." A maid told me .
"Thank you very much ....." I smiled at her and when I took the dress in my hands ,it was quite heavy . The rich silk ,the golden embroidery on it and some stone works .....everything made it look beautiful .And The colour was an excellent choice .
The maids dressed me ,decorated my hair after a mist ......
Wearing the silks and the jewellery ,felt even more heavier ....but I was happy after looking at my new form . A combination of purple ,pink and crimson along with gold border is my most favourite shade .
Subhadra came in ,along with Satyabhama .
"You look beautiful ,truly ! This dress suits you very well ." She said as she circled around me .
"See ,I told you .....this colour shade is an excellent choice ." Satyabhama replied .
Both of them took me towards the dining area . Everyone whom I met on the way ,bowed to me and I too bowed to them .Everybody were so humble and kind .
When I entered the hall ,everybody welcomed me warmly .I felt as if I was a part of the family .Just then Krishna came there ,and he was surprised after looking at me .I bowed to him formally in front of everyone .
"You are truly looking like a princess ....You are looking different .I am pleased to see you like this ,in your new form ." Krishna praised me in a whispering tone ,which only I could hear .
"Thank you ...." I said to him softly ,and blushed a bit .
I sat between Devaki and Rohini .Krishna was sitting in front of me .
"So ,how did you end up there in Bet Dwarka ,child ? Did you travel alone all the way ?" Vasudeva asked while eating .
"Your Majesty ,I was accompanied by my guards all the way .When I reached Bet Dwarka ,I asked them to stay back .I was looking out for someone who could take me to Dwarka ,but unfortunately a thief came and stole my bracelet .I ran after him and somehow the people caught him .But then I lost my way ,and at that time only I saw Dwarkadhish arriving there .Thankfully He found me ,which was a big relief for me and brought me here safely ..." I replied
"Oh ,that's really good .How is your kingdom ?" Balrama asked
"My kingdom is doing just fine ,my lord .We are planning to expand the kingdom and make it more prosperous ,so for that new temples are going to be built ,many facilities for the agricultural part is going to be made so that the harvest will be more and efficient ....and ..." As I got stuck up in between the lines ,Revati spoke up "Princess ,first eat properly ....then you can continue to speak .See you haven't even eaten a bit ...."
"She is very much like Subhadra ...." Devaki said
"Yes yes ,she likes to talk a lot while eating ,but eventually forgets about her food ...." Rohini replied .Everyone laughed and Subhadra got shy instantly "Ma.....please stop ...why does everyone like to pull my leg ...."
We were chatting for a long time about various things ,a beautiful family interaction .
Krishna would talk ,or sometimes we both would look at each other .But as usual ,he gave his famous mischievous smile and looked at me "It's an honour to have you here as our guest ,but may I ask you something ? It's really a long journey from Udupi to Dwarka ,and there must be an important purpose for you to come here ....If you may tell me ,I would love to help you Princess ......Godha ."
Krishna.......I knew he would ask me this question .Now talking to Krishna infront of everyone was slightly difficult for me ,because all these days I was interacting with him casually and informally .....calling him by his different names ,for he's my beloved Sakha .But now I had to change my tone and speak to him more formally .
"Krish....I mean Dwarkadhish ,I am glad that you are asking me. And I feel grateful that I have got this opportunity to talk to you . I have heard about you and your heroic deeds since my childhood ,and I grown immense respect and devotion for you .My parents are devotees of yours ,they love you very much and they would narrate your stories to me .When I heard that you have built a beautiful island kingdom,I was awestruck .Dwarka is one of the excellent spots for trade and is famous for its excellent administrative system all over Bharatvarsha .The way how you take care of the needs of your people and love them ,the way how you handle the affairs of the state ,the way how you make peace with your enemies ,the way how you tackle even the most stressful matters of Kingdom with a calmness on your face ,your majestic attitude ,your brilliance and intelligence ,your shrewdness ,your tactical skills ,your courage ,and your immense love and affection for your beloved people ,everything about you has impressed and enchanted me . I really wanted to meet you ,this has been my greatest desire .That's why my parents have sent me here ,since I want to learn how to manage the administrative and financial situations of the kingdom effectively and efficiently like you ,and also I want to witness your divinity .Meeting you for the first time with my eyes ,has made me feel blessed ,grateful ,accomplished and ecstatic .....immensely .
My lord ! I hope you accept my request and fulfil my desire of mine ." I spoke all the words without a pause and without any doubt .There was pin drop silence after I spoke and everyone kept staring at me .Krishna raised both of his eyebrows ,and looked at me with a surprised expression .
"That's wonderful ! Look how sweetly she speaks ....." Rukmini appreciated .
"Yes indeed ...." Everyone told .
"Well ,that's settled then .Kanha ,you must take time for her from tomorrow .Princess ,you can start whenever you feel comfortable .Until then ,treat Dwarka as your home .If you need to go anywhere ,do inform us ....because your safety is our priority ." Balarama said .
"My dear princess ,it would be my pleasure to accept your request and fulfil your wish .I'll surely help you and guide you ,you have my word ." Krishna replied.
Deep down ,I realised that Krishna was quite impressed by the way how I spoke and managed to introduce myself .
But yes without Krishna's help and grace ,I couldn't have introduced myself so courageously and smoothly .