BEWARE

The Country Maiden

MY PRAYER

MY BELOVED LORD KRISHNA

              
Since last year when my friend Mohinee Puraneek introduced Lord Krishna to me I have become His devotee, or the truth is that I have fallen in love with Him!
So when Mohinee reminded me of His birthday("Janmashtami") I went to Radha-Krishna Temple of Iskon, London on Friday,10th August 2012 for a glimpse of His sweet countenance.His Iskon-devotees call Him as 'Londonishwara'-Lord of London.(Funny, isn't it, when He is the Lord of the whole universe?). I just love the beautiful idols of Him and His eternal consort Shri Radha.

                           (Idols of Shri Londonishwara and Shri Radha, Iskon temple, London)  
After the prayers they had arranged for lunch for the gathered devotees. It was called as 'Prasad' or blessings of God in the form of food. While taking the "prasad' I noticed the plate in the hands of an old person standing next to me was shaking. I looked at him .He was an Indian and very old person.I immediately took the plate from his hand and collected 'prasad' for him and asked whether I may accompany him to a side-table kept for the elderly persons. He smiled and nodded in answer. On reaching the table he asked me to seat by his side.
 after we finished our lunch he thanked me again and asked,"May I know your name and from where you've come?"
 When I answered he gave a short laugh and said,"Well, you are from West London and I am from East London. So, East meets the West here too!'
 I understood what he meant and laughed in accordance. His face was wrinkled but his eyes looked very pure and at this age he didn't have specs! I felt an urge to converse with him a little.But he himself started talking.
     He said,"May I know why have you been drawn to lord Krishna? You don't seem to belong to these 'Hare Rama' people."
  I said, "frankly speaking I too don't know why I am so drawn to Lord Krishna. I never knew when my simple curiosity for Him turned into love for Him."
 He chuckled and said, "No wonder. True to His name 'Krishna' He is all attractive! Even the cows love Him! Well, in what way you love Him?"
 I replied,"As a flower loves the sun! I can't define my love for Him. For me He is Jesus in another sweet form and likewise He makes me happy and peaceful. Moreover I just love to look at these beautiful idols of Shri Radha and Him. I don't belong to this sect. My love for Lord Krishna is beyond religion. But you too don't seem to belong to these people."
  After a pause,he said,"Does everybody call you as 'Portia'?"
 "No", I said,"I am called 'Posh' or 'Poshy' or 'Porshee'.But why? and, sir, you haven't told me your name."
 He answered with a smile,"You may call me 'Krishnadas' or 'the servant of Krishna'. I too have come here to have His 'Darshan' or 'holy glimpse' on this auspicious day.My dear child,I come here to forget for some moments all the worldly things like my name and fame. all that actually gets dimmed by His glory and in its place you get gilded by His sweet smile."
   Though his voice was a little shaky, his words sounded musical to my ears. I now wanted to learn more about Lord Krishna from him. so I requested him to tell me more about Lord Krishna without much religious overtones, forgetting for a moment that I am a Christian.
  He smiled and said,"you know, there is a beautiful verse in our Sanskrit language which means,'Just as the rain falling from the sky eventually meets the ocean, prayers offered to every deity ultimately reach Lord Krishna.' He really seats in everyone's heart in this or that form or even in formless state. Krishna is many things to many people.He is the naughty butter-stealing child of Gokul, the apple of the eye of his mother Yashoda,the flute-playing cowherd boy whose music enchants even the trees and plants and the object of adoration of all the maidens like you in Vrindavan. He is the slayer of demonic tyrants and he establishes law and order in the whole universe whenever there is a dis- balance due to evil deeds.
    " Actually he is more than the sum of the myths and legends about him. We believe that he is the absolute truth, consciousness and bliss-all rolled in one. We call him 'Bhagawan' which means the supreme personality who possesses all power,all fame,all beauty, all knowledge and also all renunciation. None can excel Him.
   "My dear child, yes, I agree with you that Lord Jesus and Lord Krishna are one. The supreme power is one and only and we call Him by various names,just like you are 'Portia' as well as 'Posh' or 'Porshee'.Both the forms of God- Jesus and Krishna possess an unique quality - their power of attraction. you don't get intimidated by their supremacy or glory but get drawn to them with an urge to embrace them.And they too are ever eager to take you in their arms, forgetting all your good or bad deeds."
  suddenly he became silent. I could see tears in his eyes and felt in what state he was.
    Then I saw all those 'Iskon' people preparing for collective chanting and dancing and thought it was time to leave because I don't relish such group activities.Before taking his leave I said, "Sir, will you please recommend some books about Lord Krishna for me to read?"
    He stared at me for a moment and said, "None!As I said He is inseperable from His name. So, just keep His name with full love and devotion  in your heart and He will be there! Instead of trying to know more about Him, try to feel Him more in your heart." Then he became silent again..
      I bowed to him in reverence and took his leave.He suddenly grabbed my hand and said, "My child, Krishna's blessings be with you.Always remember His ever-comforting reassurance,'Ma shuchah' means 'Worry not, I am always with you!'"
    I felt the warmth of his hand as the real blessing.

On my way home I couldn't help but muse, whether Lord Krishna had arranged this meeting with that Mr. Krishnadas so that I could know more about Him? I just smiled to myself.The words 'Ma shuchah' kept ringing in my mind.

- PORTIA BURTON

LOVE POEM