Whispers Of The Woodwind
He never parted from me. I was His only permanent companion, while others yearned to be around Him.
My abode was either His waist or His lips. None other.
Yes, I am Lord Krishna’s flute.
Whenever He played a melodious tune on me, Radha ran from her house leaving her chores aside; Gopis lost their senses; cows gave more milk; peacocks danced; Vraj turned into Heaven.
I was a witness to the divine love that bloomed between Him and Radha!
Once, when Radha stole me from Him, He became restless.
What transpired within me?
My finger-holes couldn’t breathe. My mouth-piece grew dry. Unable to bear His separation I lost consciousness, just like a fish without water. He comprehended my unrest and tried to reach me as soon as he could.
The moment He touched me, I regained consciousness. When His lips kissed me, and His fingers moved on my holes, I started breathing!
I have many stories to convey about our relationship. The mesmerizing incident was when He employed my captivating melodies to conquer the perilous serpent, Kaliya. The resounding notes from me were so overwhelming that they compelled the venomous Kaliya to retreat from the Yamuna River.
Gopis envied me. They often told me, “You’re blessed to continuously drink the nectar that flows from His lips!”
Their envy made me arrogant. I felt special when He enchanted Vraj by playing mellifluous tunes on me. His simple game of flinging me up in the air and catching me mid-air, never allowing me to touch the ground, thrilled me.
Alas! My love did not last long!
One day, a man who called himself King Kansa’s messenger, came from Mathura. He had come to take away Him from Vraj.
Vraj was in tears. Nandbaba, Yashodamaiya, Radha, Gopis, cows, peacocks, everybody wept. I was not bothered as I considered myself a part of Him.
Then the day came. He was leaving for Mathura. Radha stood on the way, speechless. Her tears said all.
He picked me from his waist and handed me to her.
He said, “Keep this with you, as I don’t need it now.”
I was stunned. My pride crashed. I felt like a betrayed lover.
I understood that I was an object. A discarded one!
The peacock feather was luckier than me, as it yet adorned His forehead. Whereas I had lost my identity.
I was about to lose consciousness when Radha’s tears drenched me.
She hugged me with her tears, and I started breathing. I hugged back and consoled her. Understanding the depth of her love, I felt trivial.
My tears dried up, as I was burdened with the task to soak myself with the tears of the supreme lover on earth.
***
Years later…
He gasped, “Radha! Radha!”
There was no response.
He could not bear Radha's death. He broke me as a symbolic culmination of love and threw me into a bush.
That was the end of the greatest love story!
***
Glossary:
Vraj: Vrajbhoomi; the land where Lord Krishna lived as a human with his companions.
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