Princess Of Vidharbha(Winner Mythomagical Awards Contest 2)

Chapter 7

"Rukmini how long will you continue painting this incomplete picture," teased her friend Indumayi. The girls were in the royal garden and as usual Rukmini was painting her Krishna. The picture on her canvas was not amaetur. It had all the features of a man only his face was incomplete. Rukmini had even drawn the eyes of Krishna. She had heard from people Krishna's eyes were like lotus petals and they carried love for the entire universe. His lips held the eternal smile even in difficult situation. With each information Rukmini had improvised on her drawing. With each drawing she was falling for Krishna. As she drew she felt she was becoming one with him. Along with each picture her yearning to meet him also grew. She knew her father wanted to invite Krishna in Vidharbha. However his ministers and even the royal guru was against it as it would invite the wrath of King Jarasandha.

" Rukmini are you hearing me. Tomorrow is your twentieth birthday and already I am hearing talks of your swayamvar going on in the palace. Stop this madness. You cannot be the queen of Mathura unless Krishna is invited for your swayamvar. I am sure he is not going to be invited as your brother Rukmi will never allow it," mentioned Indumayi trying to break Rukmini's attention from the picture she was drawing. Rukmini turned from the picture with a smile.

" Indumayi swayamvar is a women's right. I will request pitashree to invite Krishna for the swayamvar. I am sure Pitashree wont take away this right of mine. If Krishna comes whatever condition Pitashree keeps for my swayamvar I am sure he will complete it. You dont worry about it."

" Rukmini you are in a delusional world. If Krishna comes for your swayamvar instead of wedding a war will happen. Do you think Jarasandh will keep quiet seeing him here. You also need to know your brother is cozying up to prince of Chedi Shishupal. He would want you to marry him. I have heard Shishupal is Jarasandh's favourite too," cautioned Indumayi.

" Shishupal are you crazy Indumayi. My father dont like him. Pitashree will never agree to marry me off to that man. So you dont worry about that aspect. Just look at Krishna's picture now its almost complete right," told Rukmini once again turning back to her drawing.

Indumayi held the princess by the shoulder and made her sit on the swing. She was concerned for Rukmini. From childhood Rukmini's world had revolved around Krishna. Her admiration had now grown into love and she doesnt want her friend to lose sight of reality.

" Rukmini listen to me carefully.If your father sent invitation to Mathura for your swayamvar the king would send only his eldest grandson not the youngest. Krishna's elder brother Balram is not yet married. Then there is another thing. You have heard about Krishna a lot. Have you heard about Radha. His soulmate from Vrindavan. Its being said that Krishna used to do Rasleela with her. Her love for Krishna is divine and even today every month she sends a pot of butter to Mathura specially for him. Radha had to marry Ayan as her duty demanded it neverthless her love for Krishna hasnt reduced. From Krishna's side also its the same. According to him if you say something to Radha consider it as being said to Krishna. So do you think you will get a unique place in Krishna's heart as that place is already taken by another woman Radha. Do you want to be secondary to a simple girl from Vrindavan princess. Understand that there are many princes who will give you the priority in their life befitting a princess. Think about it logically Rukmini," concluded Indumayi.

" Indumayi why are you worried about Radha. She is married to Ayan. Her love for Krishna is divine because I have heard irrespective of her love for Krishna she is doing all the duties of a wife and daughter in law in Ayan's house. Then me having secondary status to a simple girl. Indumayi understand one thing. If Krishna has given such an exalted position for a lady in his life she is not simple. It doesnt matter what her profession is what her social status is but her surrender to Krishna is supreme. I would strive to be like her but I am sure Krishna would never want me to be Radha he would be perfectly fine if I stay Rukmini and nobody will be able to take the place I will carve out in his heart. I am sure of it. Then coming to his elder brother. Indumayi why are you hearing half news. I have heard Balram has been engaged to Princess Revati. Their marriage will soon happen. So if an invitation go to Mathura for my swayamvar only Krishna will come," smiled Rukmini as she got down from the swing and went to her picture to give it fine touches. Indumayi stared at her friend. She hoped Rukmini's illusion doesnt break and she get her Krishna as she wants though she was not sure of it. " Krishna stand and smile. Your smile irks me beyond anything. I had warned you then itself not to give any boon to Shishupal's mother. You didnt listen to me. Forgiving hundred of his sins. Do you even understand what all damage that man can do with that boon his mother got for him. Already he is doing lot of damage. In the war just concluded he was Jarasandh's strength. Jarasandh himself cant be killed by either of us and not able to kill Shishupal is like adding insult to injury. You very well he insulted both of us very badly. He even spoke very ugly words for your relationship with Radha," came in Balram to Krishna's room.Krishna turned towards his angry brother and held his shoulders." Bhaiyya you know that Narayan cannot interfere in anyone's Karma. You also know that Narayan has to reward people based on their Karma. Shishupal's mother's Karma had to be rewarded. You dont worry thinking about Shishupal. His cure is coming. He will soon exhaust his boon of hundred sins. Bhaiyya you concentrate on Dwaraka. The city that's coming in the midst of the ocean. The city of dreams where our people will be safe from these mindless wars from Jarasandh. In that city Mahalakshmi is going to come. First one will be my Revati bhabi and then a princess," mentioned Krishna smiling." Krishna it has been twenty years I have been hearing about a princess who is coming for you. Atleast tell her name now," asked Balram. He looked irritated." Brother you will soon know everything about the princess. Anyways without you I cannot bring her to Dwaraka," laughed Krishna." Krishna dont tell me you are going to kidnap a lady from a kingdom. You are going to Dwaraka because you dont want war. But you are going to fight a war for a lady. I dont understand you my brother,"mused Balram." Brother the war with Jarasandh is mindless. But the war for the princess will be to uphold a woman's choice and Narayan have always stood up for the self respect of a lady. So be ready bhaiyya. You can be called anytime."" Krishna you command your brother is ready," smiled Balram and the brothers hugged each other.

In Vidharbha Rukmini sat staring at the incomplete picture. Her heart yearning to see her Krishna. Her ears wanting to hear his flute music. Her fingers wanting to touch the peacock feather in his crown.