4. Devotion through Duty (Karma Bhakti)

Radha:

One day, all decked up

I trod alone on the jungle path

The way was lonely and forlorn

I walked ahead with a brave heart ||1||

Mine hands pretty bracelets wore,

Neck adorned with precious gold

Priceless ear-rings in my ears

Eye-liner made mine eyes bold ||2||

And so I walked with a million thoughts

Arrogant pride filled my heart

'Bout my beauty but just then

Ill - boding cat crossed my path ||3||

Instantly a dacoit leapt

Blocked my way with force and power

His voice full of cruel intent

Blood-red eyes made me cower ||4||

A massive stick was in his hand

A long knife hung on his hips

A shiver ran thro' my heart

Not a word escaped my lips ||5||

I was scared to death

How to flee was my concern

“Give me thine bracelets”

Quoth the dacoit in a voice stern ||6||

I resisted him strongly

He snatched my bracelets cruelly

And laughed an evil laughter

Which frightened me completely ||7||

But then he did the unexpected

Threw the bracelets of my choice

“Give me thine necklace, oh dear”

Said the dacoit in a roaring voice ||8||

I resisted him strongly

He snatched my necklace cruelly

And laughed an evil laughter

Which frightened me completely ||9||

But then he did the unexpected

Threw it in a way aimless

Thus he snatched all my ornaments

And threw them away in the darkness ||10||

The ornaments were my heart and soul

And so I cried copiously

Suddenly I heard him saying,

“Now give me your heart,

immediately”||11||

“Giveth thee thine heart to me

Or shall I stab thee?”

How can I give my heart indeed ?

I fell faint on my knee||12||

Then I remembered my dear Lord,

“Kanha, Kanha” were my fervent cries.

Strange enough the dacoit smiled

Sermonized thro’ mellowing eyes ||13 ||

He took crystal bracelets from his pouch

Put on my hands with a warm tone

“Wear not that which is untruth Oh! Dear,

Duty-bound hands beautify men and women||14||

Wear Ye! Necklace of the name of Lord

And earrings of devotion Radha , I pray

Keep the image of Lord in your heart

Then I’ll guard it in my own way||15||

This is the way of “Karma Bhakti”

(Devotion through Duty), Oh! Radha

With which life’s journey happily Ye! can chart.”

Astonished was I to hear his wisdom

‘Face looks familiar, isn’t it?’

said my heart. ||16 ||

Who art thou? Who art thou?

I questioned him

But he moved away without an answet

Just then his turban slipped, I saw

His curly hair wore the

Peacock feather ||17||

The mystery resolve, Lord's love blossomed

I folded my hands and prayed to Him

"Kanha, Kanha", please wait I called

"Kanha, Kanha", I uttered

as I woke up from my dreams ||18||

Dialogue:

Basanti: This is a very beautiful story , Radhaji

Very beautiful, there are so many angles of Devotion in this,

now we have all understood that we should castaway the untruthful ornaments.

And wear jewellery of Devotion through Duty

Sakhis: Of course, that means Duty and Devotion go hand in hand, isn't it?

(the sakhis conclude with light laughter)

End of Chapter 4