DISCOVERING KRISHNA
This piece has been written by Arun Rajkumar and Myself for a storytelling session for children around 6-8 years of age. It was performed on 27th August on account of Janmaashtami celebrations for a school. We have taken our creative liberty to relook at this popular narrative.
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It was a beautiful forest in the middle of Vrindavan in the great kingdom of Mathura. The forest was filled everywhere with red, violet and yellow flowers, large lush green trees, the beautiful blue river Yamuna flowing through the middle of it, hundreds and thousands of animals including deers, rabbits and cows and thousands of birds including peacocks, sparrows and crows.
In the middle of the forest, there was a huge hugeeee banyan tree. The topmost branch of the banyan tree was the favourite hiding spot of our little friend Krishna.
Krishna who was 8 years old and his brother Balarama who was 9 years old had just finished grazing their cows in the mountain of Govardhana and had stopped for lunch. Balarama had eaten a heavy lunch and had fallen fast asleep. When he woke up, he could not find Krishna. He got scared and looked everywhere for his brother. Then he understood where Krishna would be hiding. He went straight under the huge banyan tree and looking at the top of the tree shouted “Krishnaaaa…I know you are hiding there…come down… The breeze is cool today… If you come down, we can rest here for a while and you can play your flute”.
Krishna was a great flute player and Balarama loved listening to Krishna play the flute. Balarama heard the voice of Krishna “Balarama… I will play the flute for you.. But only if you do what I ask you to do”. Balarama asked “What should I do, tell me Krishna”. Krishna replied, “Balarama… you must climb up and reach the topmost branch of this Banyan tree…Then I will play the flute for you for however long you want me to”. Balarama was tired. He said, “No way… I am not climbing this tree...Mother would be very angry if she knows that you climbed the tree again today”. “No she won’t be angry”, immediately came the reply. “What? Why do you say that? Just because it is your birthday today?” asked Balarama. “No, not because it is my birthday today but because I never climbed the tree!!”, said a voice from behind Balarama… Balarama turned back and was shocked to see Krishna! “Were you not hiding at the top of the tree?'' he asked in surprise. Krishna just smiled and said “Do you want me to play the flute or not?”.. “Yes yes, please… I love hearing your flute” pleaded Balarama.
“In that case, you don’t have to climb the tree.. but…you have to race with me… all the way to the top of the Govardhana mountain” Krishna pointed his finger towards the majestic Govardhana. “If you win the race, I’ll play the flute for you” said Krishna…
“Oh krishna, are you not tired?… it’ll get too late if we climb Govardhana now” …and before Balarama could finish, Krishna started the countdown “Five..four…three…two ….one….raceeeeeee” and started running… Poor Balarama had no choice and started racing as well. The brothers were both very quick runners.. They ran as fast as they could and in just fifteen minutes they could already see the peak of Govardhana. Krishna ran, jumping over the rocks carefully and almost reached the top of Govardhana. He was just 10 steps away from reaching the peak when he turned back. Balarama was missing. He looked to the left. No sight of Balarama. He looked to the right. Not there either. Krishna started running down a bit and found Balarama … Poor Balarama had run over few thorns and was in pain. Krishna rushed near him and pulled the thorns away. After few minutes, Balarama got better. He then looked at Krishna and said “Krishna, can I ask you something?”. Krishna said “Yes Balarama, tell me”. “Why did you not reach the peak even after reaching so close to it? You knew this was a race and you could have easily won the race. Why did you stop and come back looking for me?” Krishna smiled and said “My dear Balarama, it is a race indeed. But it is not always important to win the race…sometimes it is important to first make sure everyone around you is happy… only then you can truly be happy too and I truly know who is stronger among us, you too know that”. Having said this, Krishna started walking towards the peak.. Balarama followed him.
Balarama knew Krishna had suddenly become sad. But he did not understand why. He asked “Krishna, you were happy and cheerful a while ago.. but now you look sad… what happened?” Krishna repeated whatever he said earlier “Sometimes it is important to first make sure everyone around you is happy… only then you can truly be happy too”. Balarama did not understand “Krishna, it is your birthday today. You must be happy.. not dull”. Krishna said “Balarama… Yes, today is my birthday… and I remembered my biological mother Devaki … I have never met her… but I have learnt a lot from her…. Our dear mother Yashoda says Devaki made great sacrifices just to save me….. I hope, some birthday I’ll meet her… If I do, I will definitely play the flute for her”.
They had now reached the peak. Krishna sat at the top of the peak and started playing the flute. Balarama was mesmerized by the music that came out of the bamboo.
They were transported to another world and more than an hour passed. It seemed Krishna would never stop playing the flute. At that moment, bangggggg, a huge sound was heard… dama dama dama dama, thunder struck the skies… lighting appeared… and heavy rain started to pour. The winds started blowing at tremendous speeds usshhhh ussshhhhhhh and trees started getting uprooted by the force of the wind. Balarama and Krishna got scared..both of them ran to a cave near the peak and hid inside it.
“What is happening Balarama?” asked Krishna.
“Krishna, can’t you see? This is the work of Indra, the rain god.. he is angry with the people of Govardhana. "Oh no, this flood will destroy all humans, animals and birds of vrindavan.. I am so scared now”.
“Indra is responsible for all this?? But why?” asked Krishna.
“Krishna… it’s all because of what you did yesterday”
“What did I do Balarama?”
“Every year, the people of Vrindavan offer sacrifices to the rain god Indra to get rain for the crops to grow. This year, they were about to do the same. Don’t you remember what you told them yesterday?”
“Of course, I remember. I told them not to do sacrifices and rituals to get rains”
“But why did you say that Krishna”?
“I said that because it is not their duty”
“I don’t understand”, said Balarama
“Balarama… we both go to school. And our dear teachers teach us so many subjects so well. But if we don’t study well and don't work hard, do you think only praying to God and offering sacrifices will help us magically understand the subjects?”
“No, that is not possible”
“It is the same thing with the farmers.. The duty of the farmers of Vrindavan is to work hard and grow crops… till the soil and feed the cows....which they already do so well. So I told them just to do their duty well and not to do any sacrifices and rituals to get rain. In fact, if they have to worship anyone for rain, it must be this Govardhana mountain”
“Govardhana mountain? What has the mountain got to do with the rain?”
“The mountain provides the soil for crops to grow… More importantly it cools the air, creates clouds and helps in bringing more rain”
At that point another thunder struck. Balarama got agitated.
“Enough of your lecture about Govardhana, Krishna.. The whole of Vrindavan is going to drown because of you… I am so scared… the lightning is so powerful…. What can we do now?”
Krishna smiled and said “I have an idea. Govardhana not only helps us give rain.. it can also save us from the anger of Indra”
Balarama was surprised “How can this mountain save us? Are you out of your mind?”
Krishna said “Follow me and I’ll show you”
The brothers carefully came down Govardhana. Krishna looked at Balarama and said “Now do as I say..go to the elders of Vrindavan and tell them I asked them to come to Govardhana.”
Balarama was angry “Krishna, don’t start playing pranks again… the floods affect people’s lives… I am leaving now…you do whatever you want to do” and turned back and started leaving.
Krishna after a few moments said “Balarama, turn back for a second”
Balarama did not turn back. Krishan shouted, “Balarama, you must turn back.. you will see the solution to all the problems of Vrindavan”
Balarama was curious now. 'Solution to all of Vrindhavan’s problems?’. What has Krishna done now?’ he thought to himself and slightly turned.
What Balarama saw was unimaginable. He was shocked beyond words. His eyes opened wide and jaw dropped in shock and surprise. Little Krishna was holding the Govardhana above his head in one hand, on his little finger.
The mountain looked like a hugeee umbrella… Balarama ran to inform everyone. Soon, the whole city of Vrindavan including the humans, animals and birds took shelter below Govardhana. Krishna with a smiling face stood unmoved at the same place balancing Govardhana mountain with his little finger. The mountain acted as a protection and saved the villagers from rain, thunderstorm and floods…
After 7 days of heavy downpour, thunder and lightning, Indra gave up. He came down from the skies to Govardhana. Indra accepted his defeat and said he had realized his mistake. Krishna pardoned him and after Indra left, he kept the Govardhana mountain back in it’s position. The whole village started celebrating Krishna’s great feat. Krishna then said, “I could not have done this if I did not have a strong and supportive sibling like Balarama and my group of cowherd friends. If you want to celebrate me, celebrate them first and then me” and from that day Krishna and his friends were seen as the saviours of the people of Vrindhavan.
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