Krishna! - Part 2

Chapter 3 - Mathura

At Mathura,

'Kanha! Bal! Where are you both?', Devaki came into their room, which at present they shared. Simple as she was at heart, it reflected in the way she carried herself. She wore simple cream and brown clothes, matched with pearl jewellery. And she still managed to look regal.

'Mata! Is everything alright?', Balaram came out, looking as handsome as ever. His style of clothing and presenting himself was so perfect that not even Krishna was a match for him. He chose everything that suited everyone. His curly hair let down gently on his shoulders, he wore the same golden crown that he had worn the previous day, when Kamsa was killed.

'Bal! My child I have a surprise for you.', smiled Devaki, fondly placing her hands on his head as he sought her blessings.

'Surprise? What is it Mata?', he asked excitedly.

'Where is Kanha?', she laughed at his excitement.

'I am here Mata!', Krishna came out. He too looked exceedingly handsome like his brother. Balaram was always dressed in shades of blue with contrasting Angavastras and Krishna was always dressed similarly in shades of yellow. Krishna's crown was different. At the left side of his head, his crown formed a large circle, serving as a holder for his grand peacock feathers. And he wore seven to eight of them in the format of a hand fan, tucked neatly into the holder.

'What surprise are you talking about Mata? Kanha is also here!', asked Balaram in excitement.

'Kanha! Bal?', came a voice.

And as soon as they heard that, Krishna and Balaram looked at each other excitedly and ran to the third person, screaming

'Rohini Mata!!!' and gave her a tight embrace.

Rohini, the first wife of Vasudeva, had just arrived at Mathura, to live with her husband and her dear sister Devaki. Nanda and the other Gopas had already met everyone and had left for Vrindavan. She too, like Devaki was a very simple woman. She was very observant, and was extremely disciplined, which she had clearly instilled in both Balaram and Krishna. The two loved Rohini for her kindness, and her loving nature.

Rohini very sweetly embraced her two boys, and then went on to embrace Devaki. Devaki had not had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with Rohini and the two of them, for whatever little time they had to meet, had grown so fond of each other. Today Rohini, for a change, was dressed like a queen. She was after all the first wife of Vasudeva. She too wore simple gold and pearl jewellery like Devaki, and a cream and red attire.

'I am so happy to see you, my children! How have you been?', Rohini ruffled Krishna's hair and gently pinched Balaram's cheeks.

'We missed you so much Mata! We've been good. But we missed your food. Especially your Kheer!', Krishna smacked his lips.

'Haha! Kanha, you will get Kheer every day, now!', laughed Rohini

'Mata, how is Yashoda Maiyya? And Nanda Baba? Are all the residents of Vrindavan doing well? Have they forgiven us for not having returned?', asked Balaram, in hope.

'Bal, nobody in Vrindavan is angry. Everyone is so proud. Yashoda and Bhrata Nanda are the happiest. They have sent a lot of butter for all of us.', smiled Rohini.

Both sighed in relief. Krishna wanted to know about his friends. Reading his expression,

'Kanha! All your friends, Sridhama, Sudama, Madhumangal and Subala are all so happy that you killed Kamsa. Even Radha, Lalita, Vishakha, Chandraavali and the rest of your other friends are all happy. They just miss you a lot.', said Rohini, sighing.

'Oh, that's not an issue at all. I have taken a decision that will make all of us happy!', smiled Devaki.

'What Mata?', asked Balaram.

'Once in every two weeks, we'll all be visiting Vrindavan. I have missed your childhood. I will relive that by talking to Yashoda and Bhrata Nanda. Agrajaa Rohini will keep me updated here about whatever you had done in your childhood. Moreover, you can go and meet all your friends and have a good time. I would also like to meet Radha and her family. Agrajaa has been telling me how well-mannered she is.', she finished.

All three were overwhelmed. Krishna was a little afraid of how Devaki would take the mention of Yashoda in front of her. Devaki's response was clearly indicative of how grateful she was to his foster parents and how much she loved Yashoda like her own sister.

'Dau, we have the best mothers in the world! Mata Rohini, Mata Devaki and Yashoda Maiyya', laughed Krishna in joy.

'Yes Kanha! We're lucky to get three mothers! Like Lord Ram!', winked Balaram, which Krishna returned having understood.

'May I come in?', came another voice. Vasudeva, looked like a sage in his simplicity.

'Pitashree! Did you just hear what Mata said? We can go to Vrindavan once in every two weeks.', said Balaram excitedly.

'Yes Bal! I did. And think it is a wonderful idea. We can peacefully meet the entire village that gave us our two boys safely', said Vasudeva, beaming in happiness.

And they all sat talking, laughing merrily, having forgotten that it wasjust a day after Mathura had seen the fall of its tyrant.