''Is there anything else I need to know? Tips for steering and braking suddenly?''running His fingers on the plush tiger-skin seat covers, smiling cheekily as always, Vasudeva who is Krishna turned to face me and to listen patiently to my long list of dos and don'ts. As if he didn't know all that and more already, soon to be none else than Paarthasaarathi, charioteer of Arjuna!

'Daruka, look how the horses love you', He laughed as a neighing mouth nuzzled itself against my unshaven cheeks. 'And the designer stubble suits you perfectly.'

I handed to Hari who is Krishna, the reins, admiring the iguna-leather gloves that hugged His hands so perfectly - how lucky those skins!

'Here, this pair is for your son' handing me an almost identical pair, laughing with delight at the delight on my face, knowing how much my lad loved those and how proud he would be to have the some of the best gear, especially as he was the charioteer of Pradyumna, my master's beloved son.

My Lord Vasudeva's eyes grew distant, as if lost in a memory - and following his monsoon gaze, it was as if I was transported to that memorable battle with demonic Shalwa...feeling once more each and every sensation so vividly...

The screech of a missile...Pradyumna hit! Unconscious or dead ...hard to tell... the enemy banging shields in triumph ... my son acts swiftly speeding their car away from battle to safety...but Pradyumna is back on his feet, bow at the ready...'Hey Suta-putra! Why are you taking flight?This is not the style of us Vrishnis! Are you bewildered by the sight of Shalwa? Or disheartened beholding the fight? Tell me truly your mind!'

Calmly my boy answers: I am neither bewildered nor fearful - it is you that I feared for, not being a match for the ruthless Shalwa...my duty as your charioteer to protect you, as it is yours to protect me, O son of Janardhana the Krishna!

But your hot-blooded son Pradyumna is having none of this...he blazed forthright "Never ever drive me away from battle like this...making me seem like a coward! I am a Vrishni and you know well our chivalry : fight to the end and defend the defenseless! O son of Daruka! My father entrusted me with the task of defending our city. I even told Kritivarma I would handle it and he could count on me! What will my father think and uncle Balaram, and all the Vrishnis, and all our ladies - should it be said that Pradyumna was a ranchod - a-flee from the fight? Return NOW to battle, I command you!"

Hearty laughter breaks through the reminiscence, the flashback...Vasudeva is most amused at his son's concern about being deemed a 'ranchod' :  Being of course Himself the Master of all moves, whether to retreat or advance!

But I digress to a later time, let me transport you back to the siege of Dwarka - and how my Lord Vasudeva Krishna and I came under the most disturbing attack by the sly and sinister Shalwa...that is coming next !  

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