Krishna! - Part 2

Chapter 42 - Day 3 - Dawn

Note: I begin writing this bit onwards, on the day of the Rukmini-Krishna Vivah has per the Hindu Calender! :)

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At the Palace,

'Maharaj, we would have to go now to check on Rukmini, please allow us.', said Maharaj Bheeshmaka.

'By All means, Maharaj, I will make arrangements for you to be sent', replied Vasudeva and sent off Maharaja Bheeshmaka and Rukmini's brothers.

As he came back,

'Can we go and see him now, Pitashree?', asked Balaram.

'Well, refusing doesn't seem to be a great idea! Follow me', chuckled Vasudeva. 

All of them looked at each other, gleaming in excitement.  Vasudeva, Nanda, Vidura and Akrura, looked at each other, amused. They were quite excited too, only that they chose not to show it, considering their age.

'Follow me, boys!', said Vasudeva and he led the way.

All of them followed Vasudeva across the corridor into a gigantic room. Krishna had shifted to that room the previous night, he was the groom, after all!

The entire room had the fragrance of sandalwood, it felt like an entire forest of sandalwood. The room just shone naturally with the first rays of the Sun, stealthily creeping in. Excited like a bunch of little children awaiting special presents during Deepavali, everyone followed Vasudeva into the room, to behold a stunning sight in front of them.

Facing his back towards them, stood Krishna. But he wasn't the same Krishna they had all known. He looked different. Regal, to be more precise. He looked ready, to take on new responsbilities. He looked majestic and confident like no other. He looked just perfect. Just his mere stance was sufficient to tell the world that he was the Emperor. He looked perfect to be crowned Dwarakashish then and there. His breath could be heard, calming the entire excitement into wonder, not one letting go of their breaths. He had already worn a Lavender Dhoti as he had liked and told Rukmini, bordered with Gold. He also wore a typical Kediyu that went down up to the start of his thighs, in the exact same colour and pattern. The Kediyu had been embroidered with Gold and Sapphires in designs of peacocks and the colour combination just glittered throughout his frame. It felt like peacocks from the woods had just entered his clothes out of their own will. 

His pitch black hair that resembled the current tides of the mighty Samudra in the innermost depths of his bed, were neatly combed and arranged by his shoulder where the naturally fell. From the back they could see he had worn a thick Kada made of Gold on his left anckle. One look at his foot, and they could see how the Lavender shown on his Dark Frame. 

All of their eyes remained, without blinking even for a moment.

'Mahadev, if he looks this good from the back, how much better on Earth will he look from front?', whispered Madhumangal to Jayant.

'I will lose my breath! I can already sense it ebbing away!', whispered back Jayant.

'Adi, did you look at the spot of Gold and Blue on the back of his Kediyu? That is such a blended colour combination!', muttered Sarang, unable to take his eyes off Krishna's back.

'I have zero idea about colours, Sarang, but I agree, that is a beautiful combination', muttered back Aditya, holding his breath.

'Bhrata, is this going to get better? I might not be able to take it', Uddhava almost squashed Arjun's hand.

'Ouch! Uddhava, I don't think I'll be able to take it too. Just normally Madhav is so good looking. He is going to be married now, I don't know if my body, mind and soul can handle it!', replied Arjun softly.

'Bhrata Balaram, I hope Kanha doesn't become the most handsome groom in the world! We won't stand a chance next to him if he gets married like this. No girl will like us.', chuckled Satyaki.

'Well, I don't have that concern, I'm already married. But if this little boy looks handsome like no one, I will have to take off the evil eye myself', smirked Balaram.

Krishna heard all the whispering and chuckling and smiled to himself.

'I bet you want to see how I actually look from the front. Wait just a bit. I'll be ready', he said and sat on a seat.

He sat and two divine men tied up a purple and lavender turban around his head, filled the front part of his turban with flowers and stuffed eight peacock feathers on to the left side of the turban. The peacock feathers looked like a fan that was ready to fan him if he felt hot. Krishna then stood and adjusted his tuban with his hands, on which he had worn pearl studded rings on one finger in each hand and Kadas, all made of gold. And he turned.

Uddhava nearly collapsed after looking at Krishna, that Arjun and Bhim had to catch hold of him. The rest of the Pandavas, had tears in their eyes, Balaram folded his arms, proud of how his brother looked. Satyaki gleamed in excitement and controlled himself from jumping. All the Gopa Boys from Gokul, Jayant, Devaka and Upadevaka covered their mouths to stop each other from screaming and all the princes looked astonished at Krishna's handsomeness. Nanda, Vasudeva, Urgasena, Vidura and Akrura surprisingly, folded their hands and reverence.

Krishna's appearance was like none before. The exact same patterns of peacocks was embroidered in the front of his Kediyu and he had worn his Uttariya around his arms only. He had just one simple choker around his neck, made netirely of gold, his face shone with the rays of the sun brightening him up, his Chandana Namam sitting neatly at the center of his forehead down to the mid of his nose, that lead into a wide smile. 

Krishna looked at their flabbergasted faces and smiled. His smiled brought them all back to reality, unable to contain their excitment.

Urgasena stepped forward and formally addressed him,'It is time, Dwarakadhish!',

Krishna was surprised.

'But, Matamaha, you are supposed to be the King of Dwaraka, you are the eldest.', he said respectfully.

'No. I will only be King by name because your lineage is not allowed to be called Kings. You are the true Emperor of Dwaraka.', said Urgasena

'But, Pitashree? Why not him? Why not Dau? Why me?', asked Krishna innocently.

'You are the rightful heir Krishna!', said Vasudeva.

'But, Dau is older. He should be crowned', said Krishna sheepishly.

'Oh cut the drama out, Kanha, you know I am not interested in ruling! You are the best fit, Dwarakadhish. You just pretend like you don't already know', smirked Balaram.

Krishna laughed at that and went over to seek everyone's blessings. Then he went over to all his cousins and friends and indivudally embraced them, asking them how they were doing and specifically how he looked. 

'This boy will never grow up!', sighed Balaram as he smired at Krishna

'Nah, he won't. I don't think he ever will', laughed Arjun. Little did he know the he would be the receiver of one of the biggest lessons from this 'Man who would never grow up' as the greatest Guru he had ever found.

'It is time, now boys, let us leave. The engagement ritual has to start soon. Let us all go.', announced Vasudeva. 

Excitedly, all of them escorted Krishna out of the room to the venue of the engagement.

Looking at their happiness, Krishna smiled to himself and thought, 'I am coming to you, Shree!'