|| Haripriya ||

|| 4 | Leaves and Pots ||

As the Rajagopuram finally came into view, I  had completely forgotten my surroundings. Not wanting to wait another minute I  opened my bag and pulled out my purse. Taking out a few notes I quickly ran to buy myself and my aunt a bunch of beautiful jasmine flowers. Their scent reminded me of the intoxicating love I had for my Lord and I wanted to look pretty to meet Swami.

As I toured the temple every single inch of the room smelled like my Krishna even though I couldn't possibly know his scent. My feet stumbled upon many rocks as I walked around barefoot but standing in front of the sannidhanam my feet seemed to want to stop. Looking for an empty place to sit away from the growing crowd, I zipped open the bag I was carrying and read the clue inside the book of clues.

Sacred but delicate with healing properties oh numerous, dearest to Him she is, here resides his beloved.

My mind was blank. I was confused but felt like I knew the answer to this riddle. But even if I did, how would that matter? That object could be anywhere across the country.

Glancing up to watch the rituals occurring, I folded my hands and watched admiringly. Surely my Krishna would help me figure this out, surely he would have some plan cooking up in that mischievous and brilliant mind of his. All, I needed to do was wait.

"Amma, can I sit here?" asked a voice of a woman that I didn't recognize.

Nodding my head with a smile, I scooted over making room for the woman who had spoken.

She had curly dark brown locks that were plaited neatly flowing to her front as she sat down. Her beautiful silk saree resembled the colour of a ladoo, causing my mouth to water.

I had made sure not to eat anything before stepping inside the temple but getting used to this heat and walking throughout the large temple made my stomach growl with hunger.

I could sense the woman beside me chuckle softly as if hearing m thoughts. Turning around to face her, I looked carefully into her eyes. There was something there, like fairy dust but fainter and gold like.

"First time coming here?" the woman asked pulling something from out of her bag. I glanced over and saw that it was a copy of the divine Shri Bhagavad Gita.

"Yes, I've never been here before,"  I replied unable to stop a grin from forming upon seeing the book that had changed my life.

She opened the pages of the book beginning to read each verse carefully. I shifted my gaze over where my aunt was standing and noticed that she too was thinking about something.

Something soft and light fell suddenly into my lap causing me to draw my eyes down to my lap. A beautiful Tulasi leaf it was. Twirling it in my thumbs I heard a book shut close.

The woman beside me had closed her Gita and reached out her hand towards me. Guessing she probably wanted the Tulasi leaf I handed it over to her.

"Tulasi is dear to Perumal you know. She is a form of Maha Lakshmi, his beloved." the woman said in a whisper so quiet I could barely make out what she was saying.

Dearest to Him she is, here resides his beloved.

Could the clue be speaking of the Tulasi plant? The last line seemed to fit perfectly as Tulasi was dearest to Perumal (Him) and Maha Lakshmi was his beloved. But what about the first line?

"Is this sacred Tulasi used in Ayurveda Aunty?" I asked carefully choosing my words.

"Yes of course! We use it to treat acne, eye problems, oral problems and it helps to reduce fever too! But that only a few of the many! Although a delicate plant she sure has a lot of uses." The woman replied before placing the Tulasi leaf on a golden tray kept a few meters to the side.