Dialogue:
Basanti:
Oh dear Radha, Now thing are becoming slowly clear. When one is immersed in devotion to the Lord, Is there any role of 'Karma' that is 'Duty'?
You have asked a very interesting question. The answer of this is in a very beautiful story.
Basanti:
'Story' what story?. Even I am keen to hear the story.
Sakhis:
All of us are keen to hear the story.
Radha:
Then listen. The name of the story is 'Karma Bhakti' i.e. Devotion through Duty.
Song 1: ''Devotion through Duty'' (Karma Bhakti)
One day, all decked upI trod alone on the jungle pathThe way was lonely and forlornI walked ahead with a brave heart ||1||Mine hands pretty bracelets wore,Neck adorned with precious goldPriceless ear-rings in my earsEye-liner made mine eyes bold ||2||And so I walked with a million thoughtsArrogant pride filled my heart'Bout my beauty but just thenIll - boding cat crossed my path ||3||Instantly a dacoit leaptBlocked my way with force and powerHis voice full of cruel intentBlood-red eyes made me cower ||4||A massive stick was in his handA long knife hung on his hipsA shiver ran thro' my heartNot a word escaped my lips ||5||I was scared to deathHow to flee was my concern“Give me thine bracelets”Quoth the dacoit in a voice stern ||6||I resisted him stronglyHe snatched my bracelets cruellyAnd laughed an evil laughterWhich frightened me completely ||7||But then he did the unexpectedThrew the bracelets of my choice“Give me thine necklace, oh dear”Said the dacoit in a roaring voice ||8||I resisted him stronglyHe snatched my necklace cruellyAnd laughed an evil laughterWhich frightened me completely ||9||But then he did the unexpectedThrew it in a way aimlessThus he snatched all my ornamentsAnd threw them away in the darkness ||10||The ornaments were my heart and soulAnd so I cried copiouslySuddenly I heard him saying,“Now give me your heart,immediately”||11||“Giveth thee thine heart to meOr shall I stab thee?”How can I give my heart indeed ?I fell faint on my knee||12||Then I remembered my dear Lord,“Kanha, Kanha” were my fervent cries.Strange enough the dacoit smiledSermonized thro’ mellowing eyes ||13 ||He took crystal bracelets from his pouchPut on my hands with a warm tone“Wear not that which is untruth Oh! Dear,Duty-bound hands beautify men and women||14||Wear Ye! Necklace of the name of LordAnd earrings of devotion Radha , I prayKeep the image of Lord in your heartThen I’ll guard it in my own way||15||This is the way of “Karma Bhakti”(Devotion through Duty), Oh! RadhaWith which life’s journey happily Ye! can chart.”Astonished was I to hear his wisdom‘Face looks familiar, isn’t it?’said my heart. ||16 ||Who art thou? Who art thou?I questioned himBut he moved away without an answetJust then his turban slipped, I sawHis curly hair wore thePeacock feather ||17||The mystery resolve, Lord's love blossomedI folded my hands and prayed to Him"Kanha, Kanha", please wait I called"Kanha, Kanha", I utteredas I woke up from my dreams ||18||
Dialogue:
Basanti:
This is a very beautiful story , Radhaji. Very beautiful, here are so many angles of Devotion in this, now we have all understood that we should castaway the untruthful ornaments. And wear jewellery of Devotion through Duty
Sakhis:
Of course, that means Duty and Devotion go hand in hand, isn't it?
(the sakhis conclude with light laughter)
End of Chapter 4