DaanveerPutri

Abhimanyu's Diary (Part XIV): The Yearning of Hearts

Glossary:

Terms/Concepts:

*Murali – the name of Krishna's flute

*Rukmini Haran – the scene encompassing the planned abduction of Rukmini by Krishna, to prevent her forced marriage with Shishupala (an arrogant King who despised Krishna)

*Haara – a medium-long length necklace worn by members of the Indian royal or upper-class families. A piece of jewellery that many South Asian women now wear with traditional attire.

*Prahar – Sanskrit term for unit of time (approximately 3 hours)

*Vidaai – one of the rituals of a traditional Indian wedding where the bride bids farewell to her family and maternal home

*Braj Bhoomi – the land of Braj, where Shri Krishna spent his childhood

*Vaikuntha – the celestial abode of Lord Vishnu

Characters in this part:

*Yama – the Hindu God of death and dharma (righteousness)

*Devi Revati – wife of Shri Balarama; sister-in-law of Shri Krishna

*Pradyumna – the eldest son of Sri Krishna and Devi Rukmini

*Sambara – the demon who abducted Pradyumna within the first few days of his birth

*Sairandhri – the form adorned by Draupadi, as the expert maid of Queen Sudeshna (wife of King Virata), during the 13th(agyatavas year) of their exile

*Drupada Kanya – another name of Draupadi meaning 'the daughter of King Drupada'

*Yagyaseni – another name of Draupadi meaning 'the one born from the yagya or sacrificial fire'

*Samragyi – another name of Draupadi meaning 'Empress'

*Nithyayuvani – another name of Draupadi meaning 'the one who remains young forever'

*Swaha – the consort of Agni (the Hindu God of Fire)

*Agnikanya – refers to Draupadi (maiden of fire)

*Suryakanya – refers to Mitra (maiden of Lord Surya's lineage)

*Vrushali – the biological mother of Mitra; wife of Karna

*Yashomathi Maiya – another name for Mother Yashodha (foster mother of Shri Krishna)

Names of Krishna used in this part:

*Madhava – meaning the 'Lord of fortune – Mahalakshmi (mother of the universe); also slayer of the demon Madhu

*Vasudeva Krishna– son of Vasudeva (Kunti's brother)

*Gopala – meaning 'protector of cows and all living beings'

*Kanhaji -the one who we are able to lean on and share our burdens with

*Bihari – the one who loves to play

*Hari – the one who takes away the burden of sins and frees one from the cycle of birth and death

*Narayana – refers to Maha Vishnu in his yogic slumber on the celestial waters of the Ksheer Sagara (ocean of milk)