The following day was restless for him. He couldn't for once forget her words. It was bugging him like nothing else that what exactly she was talking about by mentioning 'it' every time. What exactly it holds because apparently it seems it has the power to the most. Was she referring to God? Who is God then?
He tore down the document he had typed as per the requirement of his project and threw it away. Nothing seemed to work right in his life. No matter how much he worked, he always was lacking something. There was a similar scenario in his inner life. Like he had been missing something which seemed a large void inside of himself .
He stooped low and retrieve the crumpled paper ball.
What was the paper's mistake that it had to experience such a tragic end? Despondency covered his mind even more.
Why does it always the weaker one that gets hurt? How is it never a fair play? A play indeed, what we call 'Life'.
So many questions plagued his mind until he dropped the paper in the trash can and walked out of his office in gloom.

..

She smiled and put the garland around Krishna's neck like yesterday as he watched her in impassivity. She held the garland and re-adjusted it before stepping out. Both genuflected in front of Krishna then settled down before the deity cross-legged, facing each other.

Today she seemed different. There was some restlessness revolving around her. Often a shadow of deep thought playing on her face. She glanced down on her hands those which were resting on her lap, then frowned and shivered a little. He watched her curiously as gradually a curve appeared at the corner of her lips.
"Oh..." She looked at him,her eyes gleaming in ecstasy, "How have you been?"
He scrunched together his eyebrows at that question, he was upset instead.
"Not quite good."
"Oh!" She moved her left hand and placed it on the marble floor of the temple. "Why are you sad?"
He wanted to tell but instead he put it aside and asked, "Who you meant yesterday by 'it' everything you said about?"
She looked at him, her eyes were concerned and confused at the same time. A silence followed. After a while she responded,"I never utter a word without the presence of Krishna.It was.. Krishna."
He glanced at the idol of Krishna then back at her. She had said it with so much ease that even he almost believed he knew Krishna personally, just like her.
"And who exactly is he? I know we worship him as the supreme personality of godhead but how do we know that he is above all? There are people who claim that they are God and then do such nuisance, I am too ashamed to even utter. Why doesn't he punish them just yet if he is the one responsible for creating and destroying this universe? Why do only poor and weaklings suffer with the discrimination? Why doesn't he just destroy this world? And why-why did he even create such a disastrous world in the first place?" He asked in a single breath deprived of the hope to everything troubling.
She listened to him carefully then shook her head,"You should be kind to yourself first."
He eyed her sceptically,"What do you mean?"
"You trouble yourself by thinking over apparent painful events. Remember, they're just some illusions. Although it is unnecessary,I will try to lessen your worries."
He frowned then nodded.
"Tell me how do you earn knowledge?"She asked quietly.
He thought for a second before answering,"We read and listen."
She smiled at that. "Right. So,we read books then listen to elders or anything then our brains and minds work on it, analyse it, interpret it, understand it then believe it. So, how can we just dismiss our holy book if that is the customary way of earning knowledge?"
He smiled at that. She indeed put it together in the right way.
"In Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says, 'Neither the hosts of demigods nor the great sages know My origin or opulence, for, in every respect, I am the source of the demigods and sages.' (BG 10.2) how can you not believe in his words when he is the only one responsible for everything in this universe? He states it clearly that there is no contradictory thoughts on the fact that he is the source of everything. 'I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me. The wise who know this perfectly engage in My devotional service and worship Me with all their hearts.'(BG 10.8) Now that you know the truth, how can you not believe him as the superior personality?" She paused.
He shook his head, considering her words. His heart felt light but heavy at the same time. Thousands suffer everyday for wrong deeds of self and others. Why not he punishes the wrong doers? Why doesn't truth reveal itself in front of everyone? Why do people prefer dark over lights? Why do they love disorganised and unwise way of living? Questions like these clouded his crestfallen heart.
She resumed, "Indeed, you're quite right about it. There are myriad fraudulence all over spreading like the tentacles of octopus. They fake themselves as God and cheat thousands of people. Now your question is, why doesn't Krishna punishes such people?"
He nodded obviously.
She smiled politely, "Our lives are nothing but karma and its consequences. Even if it may seem wrong doers are enjoying a flourished life, in practical, in a higher level of understanding or Krishna consciousness more precisely, they are not. There are consequences of every work one does. Newton's law is the perfect explanation to this. Every action has its equal reaction. How can you perceive that misconducts​ will yield rightful outcome?" Her eyes drifted towards Krishna as her lips curved at the corners."Apparently it may seem they are having sweet and juicy fruits as per their desire, but they are not actually. Karma has it all stored and it'll deliver it to them at the right time. Time, here is one of the three mainstream factors. Karma, Dharma and Kala(Time). Dharma or Adharma influenced Karma will always bring you the deserved​ Fala(fruits) at a certain period of Kala. So, do not get bothered, everyone will be served​ as they deserve."

His eyes darted to the deity, standing tall in all its glory. How easy it is for Krishna and how difficult for others to discover the meaning of the course of lifetimes​! His heart was beating faster in anticipation. There are many more lifetimes and he was anxious about his past lives. What karma had he done so that it has become difficult for him in the current life? He was instead sad.

She stood up and her anklets tinkled because of her movements. Her scarf fluttered in the wind as she went to light the lamp before Krishna.

"And about this world," She smiled as she proceeded towards the stairs,"He created this world, this beautiful, green, unaltered and sinless world, not the discrimination and disputes that humans have filled the world with. Why would he even obliterate such a beautiful creation of his by himself? Could you please point out a justified reason?"

She sang a shloka from The Bhagavad Gita as she descended the stairs leaving him unanswered for so many questions thereafter.

'mātrā-sparśās tu kaunteya
śītoṣṇa-sukha-duḥkha-dāḥ
āgamāpāyino 'nityās
tāḿs titikṣasva bhārata'

(meaning)'O son of Kunti, the nonpermanent appearance of happiness and distress, and their disappearance in due course, are like the appearance and disappearance of winter and summer seasons. They arise from sense perception, O scion of Bharata, and one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed.' (BG 2.14)

to be continued...

[A/N- This chapter is dedicated to Siddhesh900 as he introduced a whole new world of Krishna to me! I am grateful to him. Truly I am. Shout out to his work, "The Krishna Love"]