Chinna Katha

REWARD FOR SINCERE YEARNING

There was a Sultan once, ruling over the region of Mathura, Brindavan and other places, on the Yamuna during his reign the emperor of Vijayanagara came on pilgrimage and stayed at Brindavan for some days, where he paid homage to Krishna in the temple. The Sultan argued that he must have come so only to pay respects to see that One, come what may. So late one night he went and called out before the closed doors of the temple, "Who is inside?" He heard a voice, which gave the reply. "Govind Maharaj and Radha Rani!" The Sultan was now sure that there were two persons living inside, a Super-Emperor and His Super-Empress. He was filled with an agonizing yearning to see the distinguished occupants of the temple. He waited outride the door, without food or drink for three full days. He waited outside the door, without food or drink for three full l days. He was overcome with hunger and thirst; but he did not stir, for he was afraid the Imperial Couple may emerge any moment and he might miss the Darshan.

That night, when the town was asleep, just before midnight Gavin Maharaj and Radha Rani emerged from the temple. They signed to him to follow him. They were magnificently dressed and had elaborately bejeweled headgear, necklaces, wristlets and ornaments for the hands and ghetto. They moved on until they reached the banks of the Yamuna, where thousands of Gopas and Gopis were gathered to welcome them. There were music and dance in the bright moonlight, heavenly joy shone on every face. At 4 A.M. They returned to the temple and before they passed through the closed door, they gave into his hands the Kankanas they wore on the wrists, for safekeeping. Before he could say anything, they had gone.

A party of priests came along at that time, and seeing him, asked him, why he was standing there and what he had in his hands. They had come to open the locks of the cutter and inner doors and inaugurate the ceremonials of the Day, with Suprabhatham and Nagarasamkirtan. (Awakening Hymn and Moving Choirs). The Sultan said, "Govind Maharaj and Radha Rani have just gone in; I was with them at the Yamuna Bank from midnight till a few minutes ago. They gave me these kankanas for safekeeping. I don't know why," They surmised he was a thief who, caught in the act, was spinning a yarn and so. Bound him and beat him. But they found the locks unbroken, everything intact. Only the idol o Krishna had no gold kankanas! Now they were convinced that the man outside was a great Bhakta, who had the unique vision of the Lord. They honored him and craved pardon for the wrong perpetrated in ignorance. Such is the reward for sincere yearning; unlimited ananda can be earned through implicit faith in God.