Radhe Radhe !

continuing from last episode…………….

Gour and Priya non-different from one another - GOURPRIYA !

Kanchana was much disturbed because she could not get a word with the Lord at all. He did not even glance at her – to edge in a word was sheer impossible !  Oh, how would she face Priya ? what would she tell her ? The thoughts of her beloved sakhi constantly tortured her. How on earth could he be so cruel ?

Then, all of a sudden,on just the day before their departure,  as if as an answer to her prayer, Adwaita Prabhu invited the Lord for prasadam. The Lord too accepted gladly.

For Kanchana it was now or never. Today if she could not talk to him, she would not be able to show her face to her sakhi the entire life !

Kanchana kept her eyes spread out on the way towards the gate of the cottage. A little before mid-day, the Lord arrived slowly. Even from a distance she had heard his soft, low yet sweet “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Raam Hare Raam Raam Raam Hare Hare”. Her leapt up when she heard this all-compassionate voice. O my Lord !! Why are you so munificent to all universe, yet so cruel to one? Is she out-of-this-world ? Ohh ! But he had a sevak tagging behind – how could she have expected otherwise? There was quite a hub when the inmates learnt of the Lord’s arrival. Sita mataji, seeing that Kanchana was the closest to her, told her to fill the water-pitcher for washing his lotus feet. “Here, mother, I have already filled it,” Kanchana indicated to the earthen vessel. Instantly mataji’s face flooded with pleasure. How easy it is to please Gour-bhaktas ! Sigh ! Wish it were equally easy to please the Subject of their pleasure ! Kanchana thought wistfully as she peeped at the golden form from behind a pillar. From quite some hours now, she had attained tadatmya (bhaav-equalization) with Bishnupriya, and she could think of nothing but her sakhi, her moods, her yearnings, and her soul had taken on a kind of longing that was novel to her.

As her eyes engulfed his whole being, in a trice, Goursundar had lifted the pitcher.   Adwaita Prabhu hurried forward and extended his hand to take the pitcher from him indicating he wanted to wash his feet. However, the Lord deftly lifted the vessel higher and said – “O Nara, you are my Guru, how can I let you ?”Such dialogue irritated Adwaita Prabhu the most. Knowing this the Lord chuckled and the sweet effulgence on his handsome  face reached some new height. Fearing a tussle that may eventually break the earthen pot, Ishan dada rushed forward –”Stop it, you two ! Here, let me wash your feet.” “Oh no ! Dada, you are a Brahmin, do you want me to rot in hell for eternity for committing Brahma-aparadh ?” Gourhari raised his finely arched eyebrows that resembled the bow of Kamdev. Kanchana continued to gaze in fascination. Subdued, Ishan dada sat down dejectedly. The Chief of all tricksters then washed his feet very slowly and carefully, turning his ever-dancing feet in the most graceful manner. He poured the last drop of water and only then he placed the pitcher on the ground. Mukunda had been dutifully collecting the water that had flowed down the outlet of the washing-area. He joyously distributed the holy foot-wash to everybody. The devotees were most surprised. How come the water tastes salty today? Kanchana extended her palm for her share. She poured some in a small bottle. She simply HAD to take this for Priya as evidence. Do you know Priya, he is such a cheat ? Chhaliya-chikan ? The smooth trickster  ! He knew that the pitcher did not contain water, but your tears that my heart was full of. That I was pouring your tears and not water when I filled that pitcher. So he did not let anybody wash his feet. And now he is letting everybody wonder why the otherwise sweet-tasting water is salty ! Bet, he is laughing heartily in his mind !

As Kanchana was lost in the mental conversation with her dear sakhi, Goursundar had already removed the prasaadi Tulasi garland put around his neck during mangal-arati, by Jagannath’s pujari. He handed it over to Sita mata, and even unknown to her, as if mesmerized by the inspiration of his sweet intense gaze, she smilingly called out.

The lamp burnt steadily. It had gotten used to being kept company by the scorching heat arising out of the soul of this vast Fire of Viraha. The Lamp had realised – No, how could Gambheera be in Nabadweep ? Had she not converted this Gambheera into Maha-Gambheera ?  She hugged the Tulsi-mala that embraced her bosom, time and again sniffing it, smile mingled with tears – “………bishaamrite ek kori………..” – Kanchana continued, “…….and then, Priya, you won’t believe it, Oh, you won’t, she actually called out my name – Kanchana, my child, you have been so good lately, you surely deserve this !! – and of course I didn’t lose a single moment in cradling it in my anchal !” Bishnupriya hugged her friend in ecstasy ! He was SUCH a Chhaliya-chikan !!

Radhe  Radhe !

PS – This episode is dedicated to Ms. Consistency