Yashoda sat in the Pooja room, surrounded by the soothing scent of incense and the soft glow of the oil lamps. In front of her, a beautiful statue of Narayan stood, radiating a sense of peace and tranquility. She sat on a small cushion, meticulously threading together vibrant flowers to create a garland for the deity.
As she concentrated on her task, Krishna and Balram, entered the room with excitement in their eyes. They had their hearts set on taking the cows out for grazing, and they knew that convincing their mother would not be an easy task.
"Maiya..." Krishna toom his rightful place on her lap. While Balram approached her from behind, hugging her tightly.
Yashoda lovingly gazed at her sons, "Bolo."
Balram, with eyes sparkling with anticipation, asked, "Maiya, hume gaiya charane jana hai. Kya hum jaa sakte hai ?"
But Yashoda, with a gentle yet firm tone, denied their request, "Nahi. Tum dono abhi bahut chhote ho, gaiya ko nahi sambhaal paaoge."
"Parantu maiya, hum dono bade ho gaye hai. Hume jaane dijiye na." Krishna pleaded.
"Ha maiya, hum sambhaal lenge." Balram assured.
The boys continued to pester their mother, their excitement for the adventure evident in their pleading eyes. Yashoda sighed and shook her head, trying to maintain her composure and focus on her task. Krishna and Balram continued to plead and cajole, hoping to wear down Yashoda's resolve. But she remained steadfast, knowing that it was her duty to protect and guide her beloved sons.
Balram said, "Hum Suryast se poorv laut aayenge. Yamuna ke paar bhi nahi jaayenge !"
"Ha maiya, gaiyayo ko charane dijiye na." Krishna requested.
"Nahi." Yashoda denied.
The boys pouted and continued to plead, but Yashoda remained firm in her decision. Just then, Nand, walked into the room, his presence commanding attention.
"Yaha itna shor kyu hai ?" He asked.
"Aapke dono putra gaiya charana chaahte hai." Yashoda explained the situation, expressing her concern for the safety of their sons.
Nand listened attentively and then smiled, placing a reassuring hand on Yashoda's shoulder, "Bas itni si baat Nandrani ? Jaane do dono ko."
"Kaise jaane du ? Dono itne chhote hai abhi. Gaiya kaise sambhalenge ?" Yashoda asked.
"Nand ke putra hai dono, Yashoda. Gaiya kya bael bhi sambhal lenge." Nand said, "Kintu tumhari chinta bhi uchit hai. Iss liye inn dono ko bacchde charane do, paryaapt anubhav mil jaaye toh gaiya charane ki anumati mil jaayegi."
"Yeh uchit rahega." Yashoda agreed to the idea, and then gazed back at her sons, "Tum dono bacchdo ko chara sakte ho."
Krishna and Balram's faces lit up with joy as they eagerly accepted their father's offer with their mother's approval.
"Uttam." Nand smiled, "Bacchde charane ka prabandh mai karwata hu."
Saying so he headed out, Yashoda looked at her boys and said, "Chalo, pooja mei baitho."
Krishna and Balram obediently sat on either side of their mother, their eyes wide with curiosity. Finally, after what felt like an eternity of back and forth, Yashoda finished the garland and placed it around the statue of Narayan with reverence. She then placed the freshly prepared laddoo in front of it, which caught the eyes of the two boys.
She lit the lamp and began chanting mantras, her voice filling the room with a peaceful melody. As she finished the pooja and opened her eyes, she was surprised to see Krishna and Balram already feasting on the laddoos.
"Hey Ishwar ! Yeh kya ?!" She exclaimed, causing the boys to look at her innocently, their faces smeared with the sweet treat.
"Kya maiya ?" Balram asked with mouth stuffed with laddoo.
"Pehle bhagwaan khaate hai." Yashoda said.
Krishna tilted his head, "Ha toh pehle maine hi khaya. Fir Dau ne."
Yashoda shook her head, thinking her son didn't understand what she said, "Lalla prasaad hetu Pooja samaapt hone ki pratiksha karni padti hai."
"Lekin..." Krishna said gulping the chewed laddoo, "Lekin bhagwan ka khaya bhog hi toh prasaad banta hai.... Bhagwaan pooja hote samaye hi toh bhog grahan karte hai."
Yashoda frowned, believing that her son's words and actions were incongruent, "Satyavachan lalla. Jab tu yeh jaanta hai toh tune kyu bhog khaya."
"Jisse aap sab ko prasaad mile maiya." Krishna said.
"Kya ?" Yashoda was confused.
Balram intervened, "Maiya, Kanha ke kehne ka arth hai ki hum sab mei bhagwaan hai. Aisa baba ne ek din bataya tha. Toh isne khaya ya Narayan ne khaya ek hi baat hai."
"Oh." Yashoda muttered, somewhat understanding.
"Ek hi baat." Krishna said as he and Balram looked up at her with innocent smiles, their cheeks bulging with laddoos.
Yashoda couldn't help but laugh at their antics. She knelt down at their level and wiped their mouths with her garment. She couldn't help but feel a sense of joy and love for her two mischievous sons.
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A/N
Cute cute Krishna Balram ✨