Krishna was desirous to see the city, hence he took Balram with him and entered Mathura. As the sun begins to set, casting a warm golden hue over the city, the brothers leisurely stroll through the bustling streets.

They saw Mathura, with its towering gates and crystal household entrances, its majestic archways and golden main doors, its storied granaries of copper and brass, and its formidable moats. All spoke of a city steeped in wealth and power.

The city was a sight to behold, adorned with lush gardens and sprawling parks. Its main intersections gleamed with gold, while mansions boasted private pleasure gardens, guildhalls, and a myriad of other impressive structures. The air was filled with the calls of peacocks and turtledoves, perched on lattice windows, gem-studded floors, and ornate balconies adorned with precious stones and jewels.

Every street and avenue in Mathura was a spectacle, sprinkled with water and adorned with garlands, sprouts, grains, and rice. Elaborately decorated pots filled with water, mango leaves, yogurt, and sandalwood paste graced the doorways of houses, surrounded by flower petals, ribbons, flags, lamps, and banana and betel-nut trees.

The women of Mathura, with their colorful sarees and delicate bangles, noticed the two brothers and were instantly captivated. Whispers spread like wildfire through the narrow lanes, and soon, women gathered at their doors, windows, and balconies, craning their necks for a better view. Some even climbed onto their rooftops, their eyes fixed on the two divine figures walking below.

Some of the ladies put their clothes and ornaments on backwards, others forgot one of their earrings or ankle bells, and others applied kohl to one eye but not the other.

Those who were taking their meals abandoned them, others went out without finishing their baths or massages, women who were sleeping at once rose when they heard the commotion, and mothers breast-feeding their infants simply put them aside and rushed outside to catch a glimpse of the lord.

The women of Mathura had heard tales of Krishna's charm and grace, and as soon as they laid eyes on him, their hearts melted. They felt honored to be in his presence, as he showered them with the nectar of his glances and warm smiles. With eyes filled with adoration, they embraced Krishna, welcoming him into their hearts with open arms.

With their faces blooming with affection, the ladies who had climbed to the roofs of the mansions rained down showers of flowers upon the brothers.

The women exclaimed, "Unn gopiyo ne apne poorv janmo mei prachand tapasya ki hogi, tabhi toh unhe inn dono ka sanidhya praapt huya !"

Brahmanas standing along the way honored the two lords with presentations of yogurt, unbroken barleycorns, pots full of water, garlands, fragrant substances such as sandalwood paste, and other items of worship.

As they meandered through the streets, they came upon a bustling square where a washerman who was dyeing clothes. His body language exuded a sense of superiority as he barked orders at his servants, his chest puffed out in self-importance.

"Dhyaan se karo, Maharaja-dhiraj ke vastra hai yeh !" He exclaimed.

Krishna approached him with a gentle smile, "Bhadra, kya aap hume kuch uttam vastra pradaan kar sakte hai ?"

The washerman, with a disdainful and judgmental gaze, looks at Krishna from head to toe, doubting his worthiness by thinking of him as a mere cowherd.

"Iske badle mujhe kya milega ?" He asked.

Krishna replied, "Yadi aap hume daan denge toh aapko shresht laabh praapt hoga."

The washerman scoffed, "Uddand balako ! Parvato aur jungalo mei rehne wale, yeh vastra pehenna chaahte hai ?! Raja ki sampatti hai yeh. Murkho ! Niklo yaha se ! Aisa sahas karne walo ko, Maharaj ke sainik bandhi bana lete hai aur saari sampatti chhin lete hai. Praan priya hai toh bhaago yaha se ! Bhaago !"

Thus he insulted Krishna, treating him as if he were beneath him, like an insignificant creature. The insult sparked a flame of anger within Krishna, his eyes flashing with a mix of hurt and indignation.

With a mixture of sadness and resolve, Krishna gently raised his hand, and with a mere touch of his fingertips, the washerman's head rolled to the ground. His assistants all dropped their bundles of clothes and fled down the road, scattering in all directions.

Balram looked at the beheaded body, and then back at Krishna.

"Jab vyakti satya jaanne mei saksham ho, fir bhi ahankar ke karan satya dekhne se mana kar de, dharm ke maarg par chalne mei saksham ho fir bhi na chale, toh dand hi daya hai." Krishna said.

Balram nodded in understanding, and then both the brothers put on pairs of fresh garments, finely made.Thereupon a weaver came forward and, feeling affection for the lords.

"Sewa ka avsar mil sakta hai ?" He asked.

The brothers smiled, "Awashya."

The weaver nicely adorned their attire with cloth ornaments of various colors. Krishna and Balram looked resplendent, each in his own unique, wonderfully ornamented outfit. They resembled a pair of young elephants, one white and the other black, decorated for a festive occasion.

Pleased with the weaver, Krishna said, "Chuki tumne humare roop ko sajaya hai, tumhe mrityu upraant Saroopiya moksh, arthat mere jaisa roop praapt hoga. Aur jab tak tum jeevit ho, tumhare dhan, aishwarya, Bal, pragya, pratistha aur prabhaav mei keval vriddhi hogi."

The weaver, with tears in his eyes, bowed down, offering obseiances to the lords.

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□
A/N

Abhi mast chaotic walk through Mathura 🌝✨