• Compassion •

"Have compassion for all beings, rich and poor alike; each has their suffering. Some suffer too much, others too little"

Lord Buddha

•

Backdrop:

Keśava was worried about the letters that were addressed to him, and he confronted the governor about it. They talked about his bad conduct but instead of accepting he put the blame on Keśava, so to prove him guilty Keśava required solid proof. Sridhara asked about love from him, which he explained as he understood, and asked to convey his feelings as soon as he can.

Characters:

Keśava: Crowned Prince of Smaranāgarh
Raghuveer: King of Smaranāgarh
Sridhara: Younger brother of Keśava, and prince of Smaranāgarh
Vrīnda: Daughter of Prime Minister of Rāthnānathi, Prasenachandra; Abhīstāda's dearest friend

•

The cascade that runs around the mountain has no barrier. It's not controlled by anyone. Its flow depends on its vigour which carries it forward. It's never stationary only one glance at it, and it's moving away from your reach.

Everything that you speculate to be fascinating and think can linger abandon you one or another day. However, what will remain behind will be its redolence of their sweet or bitter remembrance. Sometimes will make you cry or laugh. Yet one day you have to let them go.

Sridhara was in a dilemma. He was confused about his feelings and whether it was the correct time. He saw Vrīnda coming towards him. The fragrance of sandalwood embarked through his nostrils. Her body was draped in the silk of the best kind. While her ornaments glimmer in the broad light.

Vrīnda is the daughter of the Prime Minister of Rāthnānathi. Her mother was the daughter of one of the ministers of Smarnāgarh. After her father died, she was brought up by the royal family. It was Mahāraja Raghuveer who fixed her marriage. She used to often visit Smarnāgrah. Since Vrīnda was about her age they used to spend together.

Soon feeling developed between them both were aware of it. However, they have never expressed these to each other. Sridhara wanted to convey them but was anxious as his elder brother was still unmarried.

She was amazed to see him at this time. Her eyes perpetually glanced at him. Once she realised this she looked down as her upper eyelashes caressed the lower one. He also removed his stares away from her.

She went beside him and looked at him from the side. "You are glimpsing at the serene scene of water flowing from one end to another and can't do anything to halt it. Yet you say to stop me when I am not even of Smarnāgarh?"

His eyes glimmered. "No one has no right on the water. It's of nature but one can have right on a friend."

"Your jyeṣṭha says no one is under anyone's control except Krishna. He has right on you and you on him. You can see me but not reach me."

Maybe a day would come when his heart will bridge that boundary and he would express his perceptions. "I don't want to reach or catch you. Like an admire to gaze at the sculpture and them I want to adore the one who made you come into existence. In this journey of life, I want you beside me like now and always find you here only."

She put the loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Sri, Some or other day I have to go. You have something of mine with you. I may be here or not but it will be with you."

"What?"

She held his hand. "I will tell you one day. If I can't then someone will say on my behalf. But it will surely reach you."

He stared at her fingers holding her edge of saree. She was as nervous as him. At the moment he needed someone to help them.

His brother came with the peacock in his hands and saw both of them together and he chuckled. It was common to see them looking at each other and not saying anything.

"Pranām jyeṣṭha." They both welcomed him.

He acknowledged them. "Pranām."

Sridhara forehead creased when he saw the peacock with his brother. He was perplexed to see it. "What are you doing with mayūraḥ?"

Peacock is known for its splendid beauty. Peacocks are of glorious greenish-blue colour. The moon like spot between its feathers magnifies its splendour. During the rains when he spread the feathers it's like all colour has come to construct paradise.

"Sometimes we don't see other's pain. Maybe we are blinded by the delusion that we forget to understand others. Sometimes who looks marvellous has the deepest scars."

He passed a smile that didn't reach his eyes and caressed the Peacock. Sridhara noticed the injury on his leg which Keśava has treated.

He looked at his brother and realised his love of all. He knew if he had any problem he could discuss it with his brother. Yet, he was hesitant to share his feeling. His brother entered at the time when he needed someone. Was it an indication? If so then he will talk to him as soon as the matter related to the governor get solved.

"How did he get injured?"

He shook his head. "I don't know. Even if I learned nothing could be done about it. When you know pain is there try to solve it because not every pain can voice out its cause. Compassion for everyone can transform the world. This compassion isn't for only humans but for animals, plants too."

Then he saw Vrīnda looking at Sridhara all the time so he decided to tease them. "It seems, someone, beautiful has caught your eyes. That's the reason you don't seem interested today."

She looked away from him and carefully held the peacock. "It's beautiful but I haven't forgotten anything. It's just when you know separation is near you try to get all you can."

He was aware of separation but her brother was oblivious to it. Since he has promised her he can't say anything. "Separation can be physical but emotionally and internally no one can be detached until you want to. You think you can be held but for that, you have to first touch."

Vrīnda listened to his words carefully and speculated about everything. She wanted to confess but she was waiting for the last day. The day she would go away she would tell him everything and then it would be he who will make the final discussion. If they weren't meant to be they would never come together but for that, she would not waste her limited days here. She has left everything for the last day.

She wasn't contemplating one aspect that time isn't under the control of anyone. She was planning her future when she wasn't ready to take action today. Our destiny is the outcome of our efforts.

Where she has forgotten this, Keśava was aware of it. He can't tell him but he can always give hints. "If you think you have everything under your control reckon once again. The more you grip time more it slips away."

Sridhara couldn't understand it. He thought his brother was teasing so he continued. "If it slips that you will tie with an arrow." He laughed.

Keśava sighed. He was making them understand however they weren't listening. He tried last time. "Vrīnda you know some journeys look abrupt but once you started walking you can't see the end. Instead of trying to catch clouds embrace them when they come in form of rain."

His brother turned and looked at her questioning. "Are you going somewhere?"

Even if she tried she couldn't lie so she thought to go away without an answer. "Maa asked me to come to her. She wanted to show me something. I will talk to you later."

She carefully handed Keśava the peacock. Her eyes met with his painful one and her heart clenched. She hid her face and moved away from him. She saw him lost and sad she made a decision. The decision was to tell him everything tomorrow and confess her feelings. She knew what Keśava wanted to tell and he was never wrong in the calculation.

"What was she talking about? Is she going somehow? Are you aware of it? Why didn't you tell me?"

He shrugged. "She has to go someday. You know possibly this is her last visit. Her mother was saying that soon she will get married."

His eyes widened. "Married?" It was something he was aware of. He realized it was the truth but it was bitter than he would have ever imagined. At this moment he was sure he has to talk about this to his brother.

Tomorrow his father would go to the village then he will talk to his brother. His father would possibly return in a week and Keśava can convince him. He still has a month till Vrīnda has to return to Rāthnānathi.

"Feelings can sometimes destroy the relationship if not expressed at the correct time. Not only your future but others lives are at stake. If you do your duties righteously then think and act now."

He raised his eyebrow as questions lingered in his mind.

"Say before it's late. Don't wait for tomorrow. I don't need those words someone waits for them to be spoken by you."

He also went away from there leaving a disturbed Sridhara. Sometimes you can only help. Battles are your own, especially the one which is fought in mind. He has given him more than enough hint now it was his duty to act.

His attendants saw him and greeted him as they tried to take the peacock from him. He refused politely.

"He will be under my care. Let me do a little service. When the help reaches the deprived one the heart experience tenderness."

His compassion was something that never led him to abandon someone. He had just one purpose whoever comes to him would never go as his love never gives upon them.

Mayūraḥ is Peacock.

Pranām is a respectful greeting.

Jyeṣṭha is brother.

***
How was it?

Any view about Vrīndaa and Sridhara.

What is going to happen next?

I will return with an update. You all take care.