sambhavami

[sambhavami]

Women in Mahabharata - Chandaleha

Chandaleha (Chandralekha) was one of the first gopis mentioned by name in the literature overall. She appears during the hallisaka (raasa) sequence, when she is called by the old-man-narrator to entertain Krishna in Bhasa's Balacharita.

[sambhavami]

Krishna Vaasudeva - Bani Basu - 12

This is just a partial summary and all the magic is Dr. Basu's!

Panchala was always that one kingdom that never succumbed to the pressure of joining the Magadh coalition.

Meanwhile, Krishna has already taken care to introduce himself to their Aunt Kunti and her five sons. Kunti looks almost exactly like Vasudeva, but their personalities are miles apart. Vasudeva, you can say, has been broken by his trials, but Kunti too had to struggle a lot. However, there remains a sharpness of thought, and of intellect that peers through her rather frail frame. Krishna thought, when Parashurama had told him of his dreams, he had chosen Krishna to be the man to lead his brother and cousins to that zenith. But, he hadn’t seen Kunti, for if he had, perhaps his choice would change.

Krishna also couldn’t help but praise Drupada’s political mind. Among a hundred others, he had extracted the one person he had always wished to have as family. So cleverly he had set out a trap to catch this Arjuna, can indeed the bird has been trapped. Karna was disqualified from the competition, but still Krishna wishes he could have seen his prowess at least, before Draupadi had spoken. At least then, he’d know what he was in for.

When he spoke of this to Balarama, his brother asked if this meant that from now on the Kauravas and the Panchalas will walk together. Krishna laughed as he recounted their past history of conflict. Pandavas and Panchala maybe, but not Hastinapura.

But then, Balarama said, how is it that our dear aunt uttered such forbidden words and the apparently-smart Yudhishthira too danced too her tune? And you, apparently, you’re a bigshot politician too, how did you agree to back such a complicated marriage?

I agreed, because I am a politician. I’ll admit I was surprised when I heard it, but trust me this aunt of ours is greater politician than anyone present in this city at the moment: Yudhishthira knows the law inside and out, and her, and the most practical of them is Arjuna.

It’s been two days that Krishna is dreaming of that man asleep and awake. When else has anyone perfected this craft of archery, elevating it to the level of worship? Krishna feels goosebumps each second that he thinks of him. Krishna no longer respects the Yadavas. Balarama is a piece of his soul, but the Syamantaka mess had left such a wound between the brothers, that both of them are finding it quite hard to trust each other again. After all this, is life truly giving him that one true friend that he’s been begging for in the similar-looking, equally talented, dark-skinned Arjuna?

And Karna! For nothing the little boy lost his life. God only knows whether Karna deems Arjuna responsible for it. Arjuna was defending himself. Karna should never have brought along his child, but still…

Once they reached Drupada’s palace, Vyasa, dodging the awkward questions of Balarama, dragged Krishna and the King into a room, and whispered, so what did Yudhishthira have to say in his support?

What else, huffed Drupada, don’t mind, Krishna, but your aunt Kunti is giving me quite a headache. And her son? Says his mother’s words are greater than the Vedas! Says they all want to marry my Krishnaa together! Have you ever heard of such a thing?

Vyasa smiled mischievously, So, did you tell them the Vedas are greater?

Of course I did. They don’t wish to listen!

So, given you haven’t thrown them out yet, Drupada, I’ll ask what do you want out of this?

I want Arjuna!

You wanted one Arjuna, now you’re getting five!

How?

Yudhishthira is a legal genius, Bheemasena is unstoppable in battle, to say nothing of Arjuna, and the twins are not only skilled in fencing, but are also talented researchers! So, you explained your point, did they listen?

Yes, they heard what I said, but they won’t agree. I mean, they aren’t stupid, they just don’t want to understand!

Correct! Because the true brains behind the operation is Kunti! She knew very well where her sons were going, and she wasn’t going to let a girl like Krishnaa come in the middle of her boys. Also, Drupada, you Kshatriyas marry so many times, and you are happy too, do you not think some women might want that as well? Do you really think they don’t? Well, don’t women have affairs then? It’s society that has forced them into this system, and if you want, I have many examples to back my point. Your daughter isn’t like any other woman, so don’t judge her by the same rules. If you are still worried, I will feed you some stories in support of this, so feel free to feed them to others!

What do you say Krishna, Drupada pleaded, looking for any way out of this.

Well, Krishna smiled, Her life won’t be easy with this marriage, but she’s born to be an empress, that much I have understood already. And as a backing you and your sons will always be there for her, so I don’t see an issue.

That is just the political angle. To hell with politics, what’ll happen to my daughter?

Well, co-wives don’t often lead a very happy life with one another. It will be unfair to expect anything else of co-husbands. It’ll be a great experiment! Also, if there’s anyone who can keep these five in line, though, Maharaja, it’s this daughter of yours.

Coming out of the room, Krishna laughed to himself. The entire last night he hasn’t been able to sleep, his mind consumed with the thoughts of Arjuna. Not just him! Draupadi as well. Krishna smiled, with every passing moment, this woman grew more interesting!

He walked into a large group of Balarama, Yudhishthira, Bheema, Nakula, Sahadeva, Shikhandi, Uttamauja etc. all standing around conversing animatedly. Arjuna stood at a distance, staring out the window with melancholy in his eyes.

Hey friend!

Arjuna turned around, startled, and immediately bowed to him.

Were you expecting someone else? Krishna asked with a smile.

No, I mean, I really haven’t got anyone who’s a proper friend, you know.

So far you didn’t. Now, if you wish, you and I could be…

I mean, I don’t, I mean, we don’t know each other very well! I want to know you, you’re very interesting, but it’s just…I saw you in the sabha, the only other black-skinned guy there! I noticed you specially! You don’t see my, I mean, our complexion very often.

There was one more, a certain princess, Krishna teased.

Oh, leave her now. She hadn’t come out yet. I saw you beside your brother. You’re both very handsome you know!

Listen Arjuna, you are only about half a year younger than me, but given my life experiences, you’re still like a child in that area. I want to be your friend, Krishna’s voice dropped to a whisper, So, if you want me to pull some strings, sort this mess, tell me now.

Can I?

Of course!

Can you convince Panchali to say yes to this marriage?

Krishna was surprised, but he hid it, First tell me what you feel about this?

There’s no way out now. It’ll just get more complicated if she says no, and then someone will say something they can’t take back…

Not a political assessment, Arjuna, how do you feel?

It hurts. It’ll hurt less with time. I am sure this is the right decision, or else Maa wouldn’t have said what she did.

Okay then, let me see what I can do about it.

Drupada beckoned Krishna into a room where Draupadi was seated, and left awkwardly.

Can you explain what a swayamvara mean, Vaasudeva? Draupadi hissed right as her father walked out.

Krishna sighed, What do you expect me to say? Not every swayamvara goes as per the bride’s wishes. My own wife I kidnapped from hers, given she did write me a letter first, Krishan grinned, but still. Even Duryodhana and Karna kidnapped his first wife. Even you, if you were to be won by him, would be passed straight on to Duryodhana! Now, I know you care to be an empress, a woman like you, would you really be satisfied with an average house? Or even an average kingdom? Arjuna is a great warrior, but he cannot achieve the complete glory that those five brother together can, so think before you make a decision!

What a mess, Draupadi lamented, but, would you be there if I said yes?

I’ll be with you either way, Krishna laughed.

Outside, Krishna found Drupada animatedly explaining Vyasa’s story to all his sons. The Pandavas are Indras from the Treta Yuga, do you get it?

Uttamauja started, but I never heard this story before?

Vyasa said, Well, you’ll find it if you look for it. It’s been an entire yuga since then, and I am only writing things down now! Meanwhile dear Dhaumya, why don’t you start preparing?

Draupadi came out, I will agree to this marriage, but I have a condition. No other woman shall be brought into my household. Do you agree?

The four Pandavas nodded  in assent, but Arjuna was nowhere to be found.

Bheema was standing in a corner, shaking his head and talking to himself.

What can’t you believe, dada? Krishna asked.

Well, that I’m one entire Indra, of course! I don’t feel it!

Why not, Krishna laughed, Such strength in your arms, who else can be Indra besides you?!

This wonderful woman, she’ll be mine? Really? I must thank you Krishna. Maa was right, you can do anything!

Ah no, Krishna looked down, blushing, This one was all Arjuna!

Of course, now here’s a secret, Bheema leaned close, don’t tell anyone: I’m not that good with archery. I’m secretly glad Arjuna got it done!

Uttamauja was powerwalking in their direction, so Krishna stopped him.

Uttamauja was still shocked, I can’t believe it, can you?! Treta and what not! What wonders we know in our lifetimes, right? One other thing I am personally privy to!

He pulled Krishna close, Now don’t go gossiping about it with anyone!

Krishna smiled, it seems everyone is determined to tell him their secrets. However, Krishna nodded solemnly, promising never to repeat it, as Uttamajua spoke, So, you’ve met brother Shikhandi, the eldest one? He was born a girl! Then, as time went, he started to become more like a man. So much, that we got scared and went to the doctor him and I. Father was ecstatic of course! He said…have you heard about Bheeshma and Shalva? So, he said Shikhandi was Amba’s rebirthed version!

Krishna leaned in, But, what did the doctor say?

Oh, he said that this happens in nature at times, and that it is best to let nature do her job. But then, father got so excited, even at 16 he got dada married, he hadn’t completed becoming a man yet! What a mess that was! Thankfully, by the time his father-in-law got around to checking, the process was complete. That wasn’t Treata, just about a decade back from now, can you believe it?!

Krishna’s mind wandered back to Vrindavan. He was almost a teen, and there was a big wedding about to happen in the village. Aayaana Ghosha was about to marry Varshana’s Radha! Aayaana was a very beautiful man, he even played all the heroines in the village plays! Everyone tutted when they heard. Even for him, as he grew up, he started to become more like a woman- on the complete opposite trajectory of this Shikhandi.

Uttamauja, can’t the doctors intervene in these cases? Krishna asked, but the man had already disappeared.

A bride and her grooms from the Treta yuga were crowding Drupada’s house in search of their destinies, what time did Uttamauja have to stand around talking?!

[sambhavami]

[sambhavami]

Can you tell me something about radhakrishna crossdressing Leela? They seem to do it so frequently, also those art of krishna crossdressing are so beautiful, it seems to be his thing to do as well.

One of the reasons I imagine kanha being so comfortable I his femininity, in Vrindavan he didn't have to retrain his feminine nature the way he would have to in dwarika/mathura. Krishna is so comfortable in his femininity that it's endearing to me also why women of that time like draupadi, kunti found it easy to confide in him.

That is a very, very sweet story! Unfortunately it is very difficult to track down the true origin of this story, if someone were to dig through the many, many sources to find out who wrote it first, it would be a great contribution to the literature overall! I usually do not tend to agree with Mr. Pattnaik, but here's a concise summary of this topic that he presents: (x)

I'll agree with one thing, in almost any temple you go, Krishna does have two things, long hair and anywhere between 1 and 3 nose/septum rings. Now, the long hair was common for men, since like modern Sikhs, the Kshatriyas then were also forbidden from cutting their hair (or staying without some facial hair) after their upanayana, so most of them had the locks. Nose rings on the other hand...❤️

Krishna's affinity for traditionally-noted femininity is at this point pretty much a given fact. The first time we see Krishna being non-hyper-masculine is in Bhasa's Balacharita itself (he dances in the women's line, despite jokes cracked). It is also alluded to if I'm not wrong, in Bhasa's Pancharatra.

There's another factor here, where Krishna is addressed to by the gopis as naagara, which is basically city-boy (shehari babu?), because he was always a bit more urban than the villagers, but once he goes to Mathura, they call him raja-gopala or basically village-boy, so he's neither here nor there.

We see this cross-dressing story retold (among many other versions) in one of Surdas's bhajan too, and is alluded to in some of the bangla padavalis. Of course in the south the more famous example is the Aravan festival and I think some of Sangam literature? (but South Indians can guide more on the appearance of crossdressing in poetry where we can find it)

One possible origin I can think of is the Shaakta traditions, where some strands consider Radha to be Shiva's avatar, and Krishna to be Kaali's. They have a fight over a game of dice, where each accuses the other one of not understanding the plights of the other gender so they each decide to incarnate as the other's physical manifestations.

This thread is preserved in subsequent traditions, where Krishna basically wants to dress up like Radha after the latter complains that Krishna doesn't understand what she has to go through on a daily basis (Eg. Porojonome Hoiyo Radha).

SriChaitanya propagates this further, where he is now worshipped as Radha-Krishna in the same body (looks like Krishna, thinks like Radha). Also, if you're Bengali, you know who this guy is, and if you're not, I beg you look him up (but outside iskcon please), dude's a legend!

[sambhavami]

Krishna Vaasudeva - Bani Basu - 11

This is just a partial summary, the magic and the opinions are all Dr. Basu's!

Why do you hide your kavach-kundal, fried? Duryodhana asked his friend Karna.

Why do you tease me, prince, you know it’s a birth defect! I hide it as best I can. He replied.

Duryodhana shrugged, In any case, you remember our agreement, right?

Yes, I will wear her garland, and you’ll marry her once she’s out of Panchala. Karna laughed, consider the princess already won. You rather go think of how you’re going to tackle dear Bhanumati instead!

Even the other day, Karna remembered how he had pulled this poor woman onto his chariot in Kalinga. He’s a little older than these good-for-nothing princes, and yet by the turn of events he is tied to their every whim. He feels like throwing up whenever he thinks of how Duryodhana burned the five brother and their mother alive. How many people have scorned him for supporting his man. He tries his best to keep his personal life away from his- his wife, his children, and yet he finds himself at every beck and call of this arrogant young man.

As their chariot neared the palace of Kampilya, he saw him. Dark skinned, a light moustache and beard, eyes that seem to hypnotise him. His curly hair peeking out from under his crown. Suddenly, he was reminded of Arjuna. But no! Arjuna is more muscular; this man is leaner. Unbeknownst to himself he had started walking towards the man, when Duryodhana pulled him back, let him go ahead, he whispered through gritted teeth.

Who is he, Karna asked.

That Mathura’s upstart kid! Krishna, Vasudeva Krishna.

Krishna! Karna had heard so much about his strength and intelligence! He’d even expressed his glee in the sabha of Hastinapura when he’d heard how even as a teenager this man had killed Kamsa and two of his world-famous wrestlers. Duryodhana had nearly broken up with him then. Shakuni too had yelled at him, more so than the brothers, maybe because he was an accomplished uncle himself. He had been sad to know that a warrior like Duryodhana hadn’t been able to congratulate another warrior in Krishna as per their code of decency. Has he fallen in love with Krishna? No! There’s no love in politics.

I’ve heard so much about you! It is my honour to meet you in person! You guru Parashurama cannot stop praising you! A voice rang to his side as Karna turned, Thank God the guards recognized and pointed you out! Krishna was standing before him, grinning ear to ear. Karna couldn’t help but reciprocate the smile. Just then a guard of Duryodhana’s came calling after him, again.

What were you talking to that dog about then? Duryodhana asked mockingly.

What dog?! Karna exclaimed, taken aback, No warrior insults another outside of the battlefield, do you not know that?!

Duryodhana backed off a little seeing Karna angrier that he’d ever been, but he was still indignant, I saw his magic at Gomanta the other time, I didn’t realize he could hypnotize a warrior like you as well Karna!

Karna was relived when he found his seat to be a little farther from Duryodhana. Even then he came up once to talk, you know you can consider our previous conversation a joke. If you win, you can keep the princess. Consider her a gift from me! Bhanumati wouldn’t like it if I married her anyway.

From where he was seated, Karna could see both Krishna and Balarama. For a long time, he couldn’t peel his eyes off of these two handsome men. Balarama drew one’s eye first, but you couldn’t look away from Krishna once you’d seen him. Krishna looked more like a leopard, his muscles barely asleep under his shining dark skin. He only wore pearl and flower jewellery, and Karna decided, at last, no one but him would win today’s round.

His eyes moved only when Draupadi came out, and then that’s where it stuck. Suddenly, it came to his mind. Draupadi is basically Krishna in a woman form. Karna couldn’t decide whether to take part or not. In his eyes, no one but Krishna deserved his woman, but he couldn’t dream of letting her go as well but neither did he wish to step on Krishna’s toes to do it!

Finally, his name was called, so Karna went up. He had barely knelt beside the bow, when Draupadi declared that she wouldn’t marry him. Karna laughed ruefully and returned to his seat.

Balarama whispered to Krishna, this will destroy them one day, you mark my words, Kanu. He’s such a great warrior, why bring up his caste at all? Krishna nodded, understanding his brother’s anger stemming from their family’s treatment of Revati, but dada, they’re nothing we can do here really.

Then finally a man stood up from the brahmin’s side.

Now, that’s a warrior, Balarama exclaimed.

Krishna too nodded excitedly, don’t you recognize him dada? That’s Arjuna! Shh, let’s see what he’s made of!

Even as they were talking, they saw the lakshya being made, and Draupadi garlanding the man. Then a group of kings charged at Drupada, shooting arrows at the lot of them. Arjuna too began fighting back with the bow he’d just gotten and Bheema with an uprooted tree. Only, Karna stood back, his 9-year-old son Sudama was writhing on the ground, an arrow lodged in this chest. Desperately Karna searched for a doctor, but in vain, he could already feel that the heart had stopped beating. Picking up the boy in his arms, Karna stormed out of the sabha, he had no more purpose here.

[sambhavami]

Krishna Vasudevaa - Bani Basu - 10

This is just a partial summary, the magic is all Dr. Basu's!

Five men and a woman are walking on. They are all tired, but no one wants to admit it first. Enroute, they see a sanyasi powerwalking in another direction. Upon asking, the sanyasi says, that way there is Kampilya, ever heard of it? Their one and only princess is getting swayamvara-ed! They say she was born of the fire. Very beautiful, they say there’s none like her in the three worlds!

The sanyasi doesn’t stop, and walks on ahead.

How fast he walks! Exclaimed the strongest of the five.

Ah, his heart is free of maaya, but his eyes still want it! The prettiest of them said, Such a beauty, you heard it! Plus, there’s got to be a grand feast too!

Walk faster then, the woman said, It’ll be your loss otherwise!

In a remote inn in Badrikashram met the two Krishnas- Dwaipayana and Vasudeva. Dwaipayana looked at the younger man and wondered who must he be? Wearing only a heavy dhoti, a grey woollen coat and a woollen pagdi, his eyes are sad, but his face brings joy!

Krishna too looks at the older man and wonders who must he be? A sanyasi, and yet tied nerve to nerve with something.

Parashurama told me about you, Dwaiyayana said.

Krishna raised an eyebrow. That meeting seemed so far off, and yet it was only a few years back. He was a dreaming teenager then, now he is the husband of three accomplished women and the father of a son- a full-fledged household family-man.

I am a Krishna too, the old man says!

Oh, Krishna exclaims, aren’t you the one who’s writing down all of Kaurava family history?

Vyasa nods, And also the real grandfather of the Kaunteyas. Have you heard of them?

Krishna nodded. A beautiful evening of itihasha flowered in Badri that evening, when Vyasa recounted his poem, everything up until the supposed murder of the five brothers and their mother.

But, this private history of another lineage, why am I privy to all this information, Sire? Krishna asked long after the sun had set.

Because, I had once rescued this family from being wiped off the face of the earth. Now, again, they face a grave crisis. Only, this time, they’re out of my control. I’ve only come to see if you can help.

---

Shh said the woman, let’s not announce to everyone where we’re going. Hastinapura’s spies are everywhere?

Even now, Maa? Sahadeva asks, I thought we were dead already!

I say Maa forget all this, says Bheema, let me go to Hastinapura and end that Duryodhana once and for all.

Stop it, Bheema, she says, they are so against you only because you were so mean to them. Remember, no one forgets their childhood trauma!

But we never truly told you what they put us through every day, Arjuna said quietly, Bheema was only ever reacting to it!

Still, fighting blindly cannot always be the solution. Sometimes, you have to use your brains too.

Oh, like you did when that Duryodhana poisoned and then tried to drown me that time, Maa? Don’t think I have forgiven you for staying silent that time! Bheema complained, his lips puffing up like a child’s.

Fine, his mother said, I’ll run my fingers through your hair when we sleep tonight. You don’t have to be so angry!

Sahadeva sidled closer her, and me, Maa?

Yes, you too, you big baby…I have got two hands, haven’t I?

Nakula scolded his twin, Why are you like this, you can see that Maa is almost running to keep up with us and you want her to do your seva? Rather, Maa, you sleep, and I will run fingers through your hair, okay?

And me, said Arjuna, I’ll press your feet so hard that you’ll stand up in the middle of the night and tell us to walk faster!

Only Yudhishthira sighed, to sleep you need a bed as well. Go see whether you can find that at first.

---

Krishna sighed, how can I be someone else’s guide? I myself cannot see a way out!

Ah, Vyasa nearly scolded, you must learn to let things go!

How much more, Sire? Krishna asked, I keep having to marry girls one after another. The first one’s breaking apart and there’s nothing I can do for her!

You know I have three children, Krishna, I love them all, but I have learnt to be fair as well, and fair isn’t always equal! Give Rukmini some space that’s all. She is a strong girl, she’ll recover. Vyasa laughed, don’t think I don’t understand either love or Sneha, Krishna, how else do you think I am writing all these puranas? This is a passing storm for you. Rather, go to Kampilya.

Yes, I got the invitation for the swayamvara, but I won’t marry again, I have decided.

Never say never, Krishna. Also, the girl, she’s truly one of a kind. If anyone at all has the capacity to be this subcontinent’s empress, it is her!

I will still not marry her. No point trying to excite me for this! Krishan said quite rudely.

Ah, when did I tell you to marry her now? Go see it happen. It’s very important that you do. Her marriage is going to change the course of history, and you, the yuga-purusha, won’t go there to witness it? What nonsense is that?

[sambhavami]

Krishna Vaasudeva - Bani Basu - 9

This is just a partial summary, the magic is all Dr. Basu's!

Satrajit felt guilty right after he watched Krishna ride away to clear him name. Finally, he confides in his daughter Satyabhama, who is immediately furiously.

I should just walk out of your home, with how you treated our Krishna, she yelled, I know he didn’t take it, but even if he did take it, that gem suits only him!

But where will you go then? Satrajit asked, laughing as he saw his daughter angrier than she had even been.

Maybe to Akroora, or to Shatadhanva! She yelled, immediately regretting it. She is the most beautiful woman in Dwarika, how could she show any weakness for the men who pursued her!

You like him, don’t you? Satrajit whispered.

Obviously! She replied indignantly, I am surprised my own father didn’t know that! Why did you think I turned down practically every other man in Dwarika? Now, with what you’ve done, he wouldn’t even look at me!

What are you even thinking? He is a prince! And then, he put so much effort in kidnapping the Vaidarbhi princess, too? Why would he marry a simple gold-merchant’s daughter? Also, would you be happy married to a man who has other wives?

Kings and princes are like that only! Let him have a thousand wives, once he’s had Satyabhama, do you think he’ll even look at anyone else?

But my dear, Krishna does love his wife a lot. You know that! On top of that, she’s from such a great family, she’s so pretty and so highly educated…

So what? I’m fairer than her! Much more beautiful too!

What are you saying? The queen is so beautiful! She is like my daughter too, and yet I feel like touching her feet. Such a calm and elegant helper she is Krishna’s, how can you even say that? Also, do not praise your own beauty in front of your father, it’s uncouth!

Satrajit sighed as Satyabhama stormed off. Truly, he had spoiled her a bit too much, it seemed to him. She is also equally as educated as the queen, and she has even learnt to fight! Yes, she’s a little too full of herself, but then she’s young. She will learn to check herself in time. Would a marriage then really be so bad?

Shaking the thoughts out of his head, he went to his shop. In any case, Krishna was gone for more than a week now, and Balarama kept summoning him. He too was feeling guilty it seemed. No sooner had he reached his shop did a guard catch him, Balarama called you to the parliament. Satrajit started trembling. Not finding his brother, Balarama might murder him only.

When he reached, Balarama was angry. Krishna’s face was inscrutable. Prasena’s body lay on a jewel-laden stretcher. Balarama handed him the Syamantaka, wrapped in a white cloth, I hope you will think twice before accusing my Kanu again, merchant, or else…Balarama raised a fist.

Stop it, Krishna huffed, what are you doing? What’s the point of blaming the outsider, when family itself cannot trust family.

Balarama deflated immediately, crashing down onto a nearby chair.

When Krishna recounted his story, Satrajit immediately fell at his feet. Get up now, Krishna said, a bit embarrassed, you’re not to be blamed! How could you not suspect a man that his own brother accused of the same crime! I am just glad I could return it to you in good time.

Before Satrajit had the time to get up, he saw his daughter too falling at Krishna feet, please accept me and this gem both, sire! She cried.

No, no, Krishna shook his head, I already have two wives. I am sure a woman that looks like you will have better prospects.

Satrajit regained his senses and said, You must say yes, sire, or my daughter might just kill herself!

Satyabhama came closer to him, I held a lot of pride in being the prettiest and the smartest of the Yadavas. You destroyed my pride the same way as you did my father’s. People say you are Narayana himself, who would be a better match for me than you?

Krishna scratched his head. Was this Jambavati’s city-edition? If all women who saw him started to be attracted to him like his, where would he even keep them?

Balarama pulled him to the side, See he’s a merchant, we can run high lines of credit with him if we’re ever in trouble. You could marry a tribal woman to make an alliance, what’s your problem with this? Such a smart lady she is, it will be an insult to beauty itself to turn her back. Then he turned immediately and announced, I accept, on my brother’s behalf!

At the end of everything when Krishna was finally able to get to Rukmini’s quarters, he found it empty. A nurse took him to see the little-Krishna. His throat started closing up with emotion as he looked at his son. Still Rukmini was nowhere to be found. He walked from room to room calling out her name until someone spoke from the shadows, why do you need Rukmini anymore, my Lord, she’s been reduced to a third already!

Who? Krishna exclaimed, Sarika! He laughed as she came closer, also smiling, Don’t mind me making a joke, Sir, Rukmini is still getting ready. She’ll be seeing her husband after so long after all!

Immediately, Rukmini came in. She was wearing a saffron dress draped like a gopi, no jewellery other than armlets and a necklace made of Tulasi leaves. Krishna dropped to his knees, at her feet, hot tears flowing down his cheeks. Rukmini, put her arms around him, also crying.

[sambhavami]

[sambhavami]

Krishna Vaasudeva - Bani Basu - 8

This is just a partial summary and the magic is all Dr. Basu's!

Additional warning: this part has an explicit scene, so judge your own comfort with respect to that. There's nothing fancy in terms of twists and turns, just Krishna marries Jamabavati in the end. If you aren't comfortable with explicit scenes, there's no need to push through, you won't miss much of the story.

Also, it contains very problematic depictions of "tribals-in-general" as well as the concept of consent, both of which I am very uncomfortable with the author's treatment here, so be wary of that as well.

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The younger Vaasudeva’s face fell as he saw Balarama. Did someone insult Revati again? He is trying his level best to fix the situation, but what can he do if the other women won’t listen to him? They all love Rukmini, but that makes his position more awkward with his brother when he sees how Revati is treated in contrast. Krishna thinks to himself, the unwavering loyalty to him of the Yadavas that he had seen in the war, was that all a lie?

Did you call for me brother? What happened?

Don’t pretend you don’t know, Krishna!

Rama didn’t call him Kanu. Krishna replied, a bit annoyed, I really don’t know what you mean.

Why would you? You’ve become such a big man- Dwarikadheesh, after all!

Krishna said angrily, you know that I am not that, brother, and no one else has complained about my attitude so far!

Satrajit maybe a simple businessman, but you can’t take his possessions by force simply because you hold the power!

Krishna balked, who said I took anything from him?

He himself!

After a while, Satrajit walked through the door, trembling….I-I mean, you are the only one I showed that gem, and now I am not finding it…so…

So, you started telling people I’m a thief?!

No, I mean, you identified this gem, when I showed you, as the syamanaka diamond, right?

Yes, and?

Then, you only said to give it up to the royal coffer, and you will give me the equivalent price for it, didn’t you?

I did, but what is your point? Krishna said angrily.

And you also said, that this gem when kept under the ownership of one person, will bring great misfortune to them, didn’t you? So, I figured, for my benefit…I mean, I know you meant well…just in case, you have removed it from my custody, for everyone’s benefit…that won’t be thievery now, would it? You are like a God to us; it is only natural that you will take what you like. You have protected us from such grave dangers; can we keep anything for ourselves without accepting your ownership over it first? In fact, even if you put it on a necklace and parade it around, we commoners should have nothing to say, right? Whatever you wish to have, we must surrender unto you, don’t we, Vaasudeva?

With every word, Balarama’s face grew redder, and Krishna’s paler. Satrajit laughed in him heart. Such a big, strong man this Krishna is…and now look at him! Practically trembling, and he, a mere gold-merchant managed to humble the great Vaasudeva!

Balarama too looked at Krishna. The way he was staring at the man, there had to be some truth in what he is saying, right?

Krishna, meanwhile, was trying his best to control himself. He refused every penny offered to him Mathura, emptied all his winnings from the south into the coffers, travelled over hill and dale to find the money to build this whole city and now the same people dare accuse him of stealing a petty gem? Yeah, I guess the stories about him stealing butter had reached Dwarika, but was that enough to implicate him in this?

Controlling himself, Krishna asked, tell the truth, Mister, was there no other person who knew about the gem?

Satrajit admits, yes, his brother knew, who was supposed to move it to a safer place but recently was found dead in the forest. So, Vaasudeva, he says, weren’t you out for a hunt the same day?

You lost a brother for that gem, then? Didn’t I warn you, Satrajit?

So, that’s how greedy you are? Balarama interjected, making Krishna turn, his mouth agape. You didn’t think twice before murdering someone over this?! Krishna stared at his brother for a second before storming out, heading straight towards the forest.

It is true, that these Yadavas had saved his life, protected and educated him, and then catapulted to the top of their society, but how much more should Krishna pay, until this debt is finally paid in full? How much more insults should he bear, in the same of gratitude? And his brother?! The one who has known him since his birth, the one who has stayed with him like a shadow up until now? Who can he even trust, if Balarama too is not the person that he thought him to be?

Why is everyone so afraid of him? Did they forget about the numerous tribes who reside in these forests and who shoot poisonous arrows at any human they see? Why must Krishna always be the first one to be blamed?

Krishna found Satrajit’s brother’s body quite easily. Beside him, lay a dead lion. No! Just a man, wearing a passable costume of one. The gem was nowhere to be found. Seeing another trail of footsteps, Krishna followed that. In a cave nearby, he saw a boy playing catch with the gem!

The boy might drop and scratch it, such a waste of beauty it will be, Krishna thought, as he went and snatched it out of the child’s hand. Immediately, a man wearing a bear’s skin lunged at him. No matter how many times Krishna tried to explain, the man didn’t seem to understand his language as he kept trying to get a hold of Krishna. Sighing, Krishna started to fight back, and soon, had the man lain on his back, defeated. Soon, another man came out of the crowd and spoke in broken deva-bhasha. He explained that the man was their leader, Riksharaja.

Krishna quickly explained the story to the man, who relayed it to his king. The King now looked apologetic and said something to the man. The man turned to Krishna, Our king will return the gem, but you have to first become his friend, promise never to invade us and then marry his daughter. Otherwise, we will consider that you have insulted our tribe!

Krishna swallowed. Marry one of them?! How could he even take her back to the city? And how will the family take to her? Ignoring his protests, they brought out a dark-complexioned, strong looking woman wearing only an animal skin around her waist, and asked her for her consent.

Staring at Krishna for a second, the woman did something unthinkable. In one jump, she climbed on Krishna, her legs wrapped around his waist, and spoke in the same broken dialect, Yes, I will marry you right now, right this second! She said, using the familial ‘tu’ to address him, as she rubbed her face in the nape of his neck.

Krishna coughed a bit, owing to a smell, and then remembered with some amusement at how much time it had taken Rukmini to even be alone in the same room as him, and even then, how scared she had been, and now look at this one in contrast! Then, with some guilt he remembered, she is carrying his child as of now, and he was hit by a pang of guilt for leaving without telling her like this.

Bhadre, Krishna controlled himself, detach from me, please.

Turning to the translator he said, a bit more rudely than he was trying to be, explain to your girl that this is not how the women in our society carry themselves. I cannot marry her if she behaves in this manner.

The woman replied herself, I understand your language, you know? I’ve even seen your rules, hiding behind trees. I hate your customs! But, if I get to marry a strong, virile man like you, then I will learn your stupid rules!

Okay then, Krishna sighed, and immediately he felt like a hurricane hit him in the face. The woman had lunged at him, knocking him on to the ground tearing at his clothes.

Krishna exhaled sharply. He had never known a woman to be so forceful. Lifting her off himself with some effort he asked, don’t you ever bathe?

Why would anyone bathe? She asked incredulously, you’re wasting our time, come on, hurry up and help me…

Um, do you at least brush your teeth, then?

Yes, I do, with the small branches you get.

Okay, don’t you wear clothes other than this…skin?

Where would I get other clothes? I am not rich like your women that I’ll parade around in fancy silks! I get it, you hate me, don’t you? The woman pushed him into the ground once more and pranced away, crying.

Krishna realized with incredulity, that much as he was trying to find an excuse to escape, his body had begun to respond to her advances. He hadn’t felt the same way for a long time. The last time was in fact during one of the raasa dances back in Vrindavan. Krishan sighed, for so long he has been roaming around like a stray dog. He left his friends, family, her, everything behind for this thankless job he has now.

Krishna sighed again, his mind was clear again. He thought to himself, even if he has to fight the Riksharaja, he won’t marry his girl now. He cannot deal with a wife who would go crying to her daddy every time something didn’t go her way. But, just then, Jambavati jumped on him from some corner, knocking the wind out of him both literally and figuratively.

Finally, when she was satisfied with her due that she had taken from him, she sat beside him, dropping kiss after kiss on his cheeks and forehead. Look, now do you like me? she laughed, a twinkle in her eye.

Krishna looked at her. From somewhere she’d found some leaves and weaved them together to cover herself. Fantastic, Krishna admitted, suppressing a laugh.

I even took a bath for you, my body’s still wet, you know, she said, as water still dripped from her locks, as she pulled Krishna’s hands over her limbs and curves. See, she said, I even brushed my teeth, and wore flowers on my head for you.

Krishna smiled in spite of himself. Fine, he said, but for now you will stay here. I will send some maid to teach you our customs, and when you are ready, then I will take you to my house.

Would you remember to come back, pinky promise?

Yes, pinky promise!

After only about a year when Jambavati became the mother to a healthy little boy, only Krishna realized how that happened.

[sambhavami]

[sambhavami]

Krishna from Hampi ❤️❤️❤️

(Practice on Procreate)

[sambhavami]

Women in Mahabharata - Kutila

She is the daughter of Jatila and Radha's sister-in-law. Alongside her mother, she is too a villainous figure in Radha and Krishna's story. She tries many different methods to keep Radha from going to Krishna, like staying up all night guarding her room, or even tying a rope around Radha's arms and then tying it to herself (basically handcuffing them together) to stop her her sister-in-law's escape.

A recent, beautiful tongue-in-cheek song by RItam Ghosh goes:

Aadhek raate nonodini jaagche paahaara-te,/In the middle of the night, the sister-in-law sits guard outside [to stop me from going out],

Janena to raat kaataalo Kaala aamaar shaathe./She hardly knows that Krishna spent the night in my room instead.

Now the song itself subverts expectations by having Radha then explain that she sees Krishna in everything around her, from the darkness in the waters of Yamuna to her kitchen fire and the ash underneath, so no one can truly separate them (physically maybe, but not emotionally), but the above lines inherit from a long line of smallish tales which, apart from their mythological association, also serves to preserve a certain stereotype of the 'torturous sister-in-law', specifically in regions of Bengal.

[sambhavami]

Women in Mahabharata - Jatila

She is the mother of Aayaani and Kutila. She is primarily seen as a villainous figure who stops Radha from meeting Krishna by various means, and is sometimes seen complaining to Aayaani in vain about the same. Although within some Vaishnava groups she is seen as a facilitator of the 'parakiya rasa' between the couple.

In one story, she discovers Radha and Krishna together in the forest, and goes to call Aayaani to show her the proof. By the time they return, they find Krishna to have transformed into a deity (Kaali in Shaakta traditions, Surya in others), and Radha worshipping him dutifully.

[sambhavami]

Hi!

Something I don't see talked about much is how krishna was made a center of romantic attention even as a child, and how it would have impacted him? Like kubja, many gopis in Vrindavan, possibly radha and kamadev himself they were much older. I mean people being attracted to him even as a child always made me a bit uncomfortable, even if it was normalized for that time (which shouldn't be)

So did so much romantic attention krishna experienced impacted or affected him in any way?

I am sorry if it is a odd question, thank you!

It's not an odd question, many researchers have fought about it for centuries now! 😂

Well, the culmination of the detailed documentation his early life's romantic adventures is in the ultimate critique afforded to his choice and number of wives. Krishna has been criticized mostly for marrying the 16100 women held captive by Naraka, and also because 4/8 of his chief wives are related to him in one way or another (Rukmini, Satyabhama, Mitravinda, Bhadra).

Against this, there seems to be two leading counters: (1) All wives except Rukmini are fictitious (laughable, and mostly a result of early western research into Indian mythology who balked at the idea of polyamorous relationships), and (2) Krishna is a God, normal people shouldn't look to his actions to judge their own (also, laughable, because would you rather people follow Duryodhana then? Seriously, just apply critical thinking to your personal situation instead of blindly following anyone).

In general, one impact you could say that all the romance had on Krishna was probably the fact that he is comparatively more free. He isn't very happy about the rigidity of the then society, and often prefers less violent solutions that his opponents call cowardice. However, this could be the combined effect of his upbringing, not necessarily just the gopis.

There's also the point of Krishna being considered a 'solar hero', a category of sorting mythological figures, who are characterized by many great feats, usually a grave danger near their birth, and the affinity to many women.

Personally, I do not see any adverse effect on Krishna as an adult. Any issues, if any, the war with Jarasandha would have knocked it right out of him. He did end up with sort of high expectations for his wives though, and sometimes they did not live up to those expectations, not because they were lacking in any way, but more because they all grew up in drastically different environments and had some trouble reading their already pretty inscrutable husband.

[sambhavami]

That's how they do that

[sambhavami]

Women in Mahabharata - Aayaani

Her story is told mostly in implications, metaphors and folklore. She, when she used to be Aayaana Ghosha, is married to young Radha, who gets wrapped up in a secret relationship with Krishna.

In some versions, she joins in on the torture of Radha with her mother and sister Jatila and Kutila. In most other versions though, Radha and Aayaani strike an agreement. Aayaani's protection, in exchange for Radha's silence about her true identity.

When Krishna leaves for Mathura, Radha is distraught and walks out of their house, much to the embarrassment of everyone in the family. Very soon a destructive war breaks out on the borders of Mathura, and people stop caring as much.

Aayaani takes this opportunity to come out, and leaves her family home with Radha, moving into a humble hut near Yamuna. For the rest of their lives, Aayaani begs for food from door-to-door, singing and dancing, in order to sustain herself and Radha.

Say what you may, but in my eyes, Aayaani loved Radha with all her heart. Krishna would probably be grateful that she was there for his beloved, protecting and loving her, when he himself couldn't ever return.

[sambhavami]