The river flowed silently, in the pitch dark. The trees lining the banks gracefully drooped down as if seeking to touch the holy waters and seek its blessings. The owls and the bats flew swiftly, albeit noiselessly. There was something in the air that night! The stars glittered in the darkness, trying to make up for the absent moon, but has a commoner ever replaced a resplendent King?
The howling of a dog disturbed from its sleep could be heard, and a few more lonely strays picked it up in unison creating a terrible cacophony forcing a few guards to wake up from their slumber and shoo them. In the silence that followed, the soft footsteps of someone wide awake could be discerned. He was not alone, his brothers followed him, having sworn to never part from him again… once was enough for a lifetime.
The breeze came to have a peep, tugging the flames in the odd lamps still burning, to show the wayfarers their way home, while attracting winged insects to come willfully, to smoulder with the flame to unite in passion. It pulled the rich robes donned by none but the Monarchs of kingdoms. The leaves were rudely woken from slumber, their protest a slight murmur, rang out clearly in the empty streets.
As the handsome King proceeded, the calm on his face shone bright, in keeping with his character, Maryada Purshottam. He mulled over all he had done in His life and felt satisfied. As he approached the banks of the Saryu, he raised his hands in Pranam, greeting the Life sustaining river. He took off his footwear and stepped into the swirling cold water. Without a backward glance he proclaimed, “My work in this life is done. I have to go back. Hey Saryu please accept my mortal remains!”
Krishna winced in pain as the arrow pierced his heel and drew out his blood. The darkness and the thick jungle camouflaged him so well! The hunter shocked to hear a human wail of pain rather than that of a deer, rushed through the bushes and trees. Full of repentance and remorse he was further anguished when he discovered it was the Lord he had shot!
Krishna comforted and consoled the hunter, laughing in his endearing way, much to the chagrin of the poor man. He couldn’t understand how could the beloved Lord be laughing, he could not forgive himself and was inconsolable. “I have finished my work here; I have to go back!”
He lay alone in the jungle, bereft of family and friends and in mortal pain, suffering as mortals do, while meditating, preparing to leave his mortal remains. His dearest brother Balrama had already renounced the world and this worldly body in deep meditation.
And their secret went with them. The secret to live life to the fullest, giving one’s best at all times, under all circumstances as the Heavenly author has already scripted the Divine play. Our role to play our best game without forgetting we are a part of that Divine! We are nothing but a speck of dust and He is the creator, the doer, and the enjoyer!
