DRAUPADI XIV

  

Prafulla Kumar Mohanty's 

DRAUPADI - XIV

Draupadi waited for Vasudev

her choice of the mango grove

a surprise to the security guards

but the clearing in the grove

the afternoon sun, the breeze

the raw fragrance of the saplings

the strange coos of homing birds

all excited the radiant Draupadi

dressed tastefully in bosom thrusting

Choli and flowing Ghagra in scarlet:

She couldn't control her animation

could not gauge her restive obsession.

 

Is she in love with the great cowboy?

She paused to wonder all abashed

Draupadi admitted to herself, Yes

perhaps it is love, when the mind

forsakes the known searching for

the unknown contours of life beyond

formal relations and normal emotions

since I heard about his visit

a few chords in my heart strummed

an exotic note of tenderness -

then Alpana excitedly reminisced.

 

The exploits of his early childhood

his non- mortal valour and the wondrous flute

charming men women and animals

for his love the Gopikas defied all rules,

ignored all norms

and surrendered their assets

in orgies  of unearthly passions.

on  the Yamuna banks and Tamal forest

the super maiden Radha made him

play the lover, hero and mighty saviour

of Mathura and the cherished cultural values.

My defiant amour aroused

a passion to call him mine

 

But what will I tell him and

how to begin and how to confess -

Draupadi's mind and heart lost the sound

of footsteps of guards and guides

that fell on the nervous inwardness of Draupadi

she stood with throbbing reverence with

Alapna behind holding the gifs for Krishna.

 

The smile of Krishna greened the grove

 the air came closer to fan his firm body

Draupadi greeted the Man of Men, bowing

rising, smiling, beaming all at once and

presented a Peacock Plume on Lotus,

all the gems of the world composed its splendour

a work of undying Art in fiery lustre:

 Krishna smiled his pleasure and said, Wah!

Such a beautiful gift, a curious treasure

I never saw nor will  I see hereafter.