The Wife, The Lover and The Other

They say Krishna had 1600 wives. Amongst them all, it is said that he loved Rukmini the most. Rukmini was the daughter of the great King Bhishmaka, Lord of Vidarbha. He in no way wanted to have Krishna marry his daughter and he was in the process of betrothing her away to Prince Shishupala of Chedi. Since Rukmini was so in love with Krishna, and he with her, Krishna stole her away on her wedding day and took her to Dwaraka where they wed. She was his favorite wife. As his first wife she was his main consort (called a Patrini)

Then there was Radha. It is still a love legend in India. Radha never became Krishna's wife. But yet all the temples still depict Radha with Krishna together. Radha, daughter of Vrishabhanu, was the a best friend to Krishna during that period of his life when he lived among the cowherds of Vrindavan. Since childhood they were close to each other - they played, they danced, they fought, they grew up together and wanted to be together forever, but the world pulled them apart. There are two versions of what happened to her. One says that she was married, but yet eternally waited for Krishna. Other said she never married, but yet eternally waited for Krishna. Phew. But there was no doubt that there was a strong bond between Krishna and Radha, their love went beyond any conventions let down by society. Krishna is soul and Radha is mind.

And then there was Meerabai. Mirabai was born in 1504 AD at Chaukari village in Merta District of Rajasthan. Merta was a small state in Marwar, Rajasthan ruled by the Ranthors, great devotees of Vishnu. Her father, Ratan Singh, was the second son of Rao Duda ji, a descendent of Rao Jodha ji Rathor, the founder of Jodhpur. She was widowed at a young age, but always believed that she was married to Krishna. After her household duties were over, Meera would go to the temple of Lord Krishna, worship, sing and dance before Lord Krishna Idol. She has written innumerable bhajans and poems for him which are sung even today. It is said that she did not die, but she became one with a Krishna statue at a temple in Dwarka

Three different facets of love. But for some strange reason the one which fascinates me the most is Meera. Being Meera would be the most difficult of the roles amongst the three. Rukmini was the wife, like it or not, it’s a fact no one can deny. Everyone knows Radha's place in Krishna's heart. He may be Lord, but it’s still Radha's name that is taken before him, Radhe Krishna.

But Meera, she knew she was never going to attain her love. She knew Krishna was not hers, this may be tragic but at the same time liberating. She loved him truly unconditionally. She didn't need to be in any relationship to be able to love. Its a blessing to be able to love so deeply without having any expectations. Some may call it madness, some others a waste of time. I believe this is a madness one should experience atleast once in life. Maybe not spend whole life in it, but yet for a brief period experience what it means to love without asking for anything in return. It can truly teach one the true meaning of love.