Nagnajiti stood coyly, gently fanning her father and his esteemed guest with a chaamara. Today, her father was not sitting on the simhasana. He had taken up an ordinary seat while the dark-skinned guest sat on the King's throne, the brilliantly carved sun glittering behind him. Nagnajiti smiled to herself. How apt it was that after an entire yuga, the Lord of Ayodhya had graced the throne of Kosala! Her father, Nagnajita, had himself taken a lower seat, as he also gazed at the man with reverent eyes. As she swayed the chaamara the peacock feathers on his crown waved at her. Occasionally he'd look up and smile at her. She politely smiled back, hoping her racing heart wasn't beating as loudly as she thought. After such a long penance Krishna- her Krishna had finally come to Ayodhya!
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She had heard of him ever since she was a child. As she had grown up, she had found herself falling in love with the stories of the multifaceted hero from the island nation. Then one day, her father summoned her to a secret meeting with the sages Narada and Vashishtha. They had informed her that the prince Krishna was deemed to be the reincarnation of Rama, the illustrious ancient King of their kingdom. Her father had informed her, overjoyed, that he would immediately invite the prince, to take over the reigns of his old kingdom, and in doing so, also accept the hand of Satya in marriage. It had taken an entire year for Krishna to find some time to visit Ayodhya. During that time, her devotion to the divine man had only increased. Satya had even developed a fever on the eve of his arrival, in anticipation.
When he had walked into her father's court, Satya had been enchanted with the casual confidence he exuded. Ignoring all social norms, she had rushed down from the queen's balcony and into the open court, defying the chagrined glares of the courtiers. Drawing his sword partially out of its sheath, she sliced her finger. With the blood drawing the sacred mark on his forehead. He had politely bent down to let her do it, but in the next moment, he had taken her palm in his and sucked at the blood, then holding the pressure himself until someone produced a cloth to tie it up. Blocking the soldiers who had rushed in with the first-aid kit, he had bandaged it up himself. Who else but a God would pardon such blatant forwardness in a woman and also treat her so kindly afterwards?!
---
Struggling to tear away her mind from the trickery of Kama, the god of attraction, Satya Kausalya, the daughter of King Nagnajit focused herself on the conversation between her father and the man. Even so, she felt as if her entire life had led up to this point.
Krishna spoke, "Dear Kosala-naresha, I have been informed that you wish for me to accept your daughter's hand in marriage. Does your daughter share the intent?" He smiled at her again, while Nagnajiti blushed and lowered her eyes while she bit her finger, at the same time scratching the stone floor beneath her. "You can tell him dear." Nudged her father. Satya coyly nodded her head in approval. Her father continued, "Although my Lord, there is but one obstacle in the path of this blessed union! I have sworn on my devotion to our Lord Sri Rama that my daughter shall only marry the man who is able to tame my seven ferocious bulls at the same time. I am aware it is a child's play for you my Lord, yet I must request you to indulge my request!"
"Ah! So, this is the reason for such a great mercy on this mere cowherd, Maharaj!" Krishna said with a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his lips. "I will surely fulfil your oath, Sir." Satya couldn't help but laugh at the subtle pun. She was pretty sure Krishna had winked at her encouragingly, but she couldn't decide if her brain was playing tricks on her. Why would a God go around flirting with a mortal, in front of her father no less?
The next morning Nagnajiti arrived at the bullfighting arena, garland in hand. Krishna was already there warming up. He had discarded his royal garments, choosing instead to wear a tight yellow dhoti like that of cowherds, the peacock feather still tied into his hair. Satya couldn't help but admire his commitment to the feathers. They said the only time he had gone out in public without those feathers was when killed the evil king Kamsa! She quietly bowed her head as he shot her a smile in acknowledgement. At this moment, Satya wondered if this was how Queen Seeta must have felt when her Rama had walked up to lift the divine bow in Mithila. She was so sure of Krishna's victory, but a chilling fear lingered behind the encouraging smile she put on for him.
Still smiling, Krishna tightened the cloth tied at his waist and rolling up a bundle of rope he threw it over his shoulder. As he entered the arena, King Nagnajit signalled for the seven bulls to be let out. Satya gasped as the aggressive animals all charged toward Krishna. Astonished, she stared as with a blinding flash, Krishna expanded into seven identical forms and advanced towards the bulls. Amidst the deafening cheers emanating from every corner of the arena, Kausalya watched as the seven forms of Krishna subdued the seven bulls. One he stopped by its horns, one he petted and another he shushed just like a human child. Gradually, his extra forms disappeared as the real Krishna tied up the bulls one by one and led them slowly towards King Nagnajit.
Satya felt tears rolling down her cheek as she rushed down the stairs of the altar to garland her now victorious Lord. Her father was clapping vigorously, practically jumping in excitement. The ladies adorning the balconies all started showering flower petals to bless the divine feat. Satya smiled at Krishna, who was grinning ear-to-ear. At that moment, to Satya's lovestruck eyes, he seemed so beautifully human. Satya couldn't help but whisper, "So would you stay here now, my King?"
Krishna laughed as he leaned into her, "Why? Wouldn't you like to come home with me? Anyway, I've had enough of being a king, the last time around." This time he clearly winked at her, drawing jealous gasps from the surrounding ladies, "It's not as fun as it looks. Come home with me as a princess, you'll find it a freer life."
"Really?" She whispered, "Can we go wherever we want, whenever?"
"Not exactly, but we get vacations." He laughed as he scratched his nose, "I'll take you to all the places I've been: the snowy mountains, the fields doused in petrichor and our own salty ocean. But only if you want!"
Satya nodded her head eagerly. As much as she loved Ayodhya, she couldn't wait for this next adventurous phase of her life.
