How Krishna stole the garland of Shiva....

[Guest guest]

Namaste all. _/\_

 

On our pilgrimage to Tirupathi of South India in 2003, I recall two

astonishing events that took place.

 

After finishing Darshan of the Lord Venkateshvara on the hill-top, our

family proceeded to visit His consorts in 'Manga Puram', at the

foot-hill. There were beautiful garlands made of fresh, fragrant red

roses being sold at the temple market. We bought a few and our family

members offered theirs while having Darshan of Sridevi, Alamelu Manga,

Padmavati Devi.

 

I didn't offer mine since our next stop was going to be 'Sri

Kalahasti', an auspicious famous abode of Lord Shiva and I had saved

one nice rose garland for offering Lord Shiva. I had carefully

hand-carried it in a damp towel all the way during an hour-long ride

and finally when our car stopped in 'Sri Kalahasti', I stepped out

holding it in my both palms.

 

You wont believe it, our car happened to be parked right in front of

Lord Krishna's temple!

 

The Dark Lord was wearing peacock feathered crown holding flute

in His hands, with a mischievous smile on His lips!

 

http://www.bhaktisangeet.com/clipart/072.jpg

 

I have never imagined this. How on earth, this Krishna temple appeared

right in the sacred abode of Lord Shiva, and that too right before my

eyes without giving me a chance to escape or proceed any further!

 

My family members chuckled at me saying since my 'Ishta Deva' -

Beloved God was Lord Krishna, He would like to be lovingly adorned by

my garland offering!

 

For the reason of not to let it be given to Lord Shiva, the temple of

Sri Krishna stood right on my way to Shiva's main temple.

 

I too felt a strong urge to adorn my Beloved Lord with the rose

garland that I have brought so carefully for Lord Shiva. But the

priest was on his lunch break and no one to place it on the Lord.

I waited there for a while and there was no sign of priest's return.

The devotees asked me to place it on the Lord by myself as the

garland would be loosing its freshness if I waited longer.

 

So I did decorate the Divine Thief Who stole the garland intended for

Lord Shiva!

Or did Lord Shiva Himself make me place it on His Beloved!

Or is the Supreme truth of Their Oneness being revealed here in this lila?

 

I was reminded of this famous scriptural quote:

 

aakaashaat.h patitaM toyaM yathaa gachchhati saagaram.h .

sarvadevanamaskaaraan.h keshavaM pratigachchhati ..

 

Just as every rain drop that falls from the sky flows into the Ocean,

in the same way every devotional prayer offered to any Deity reaches

Lord Krishna!

 

Jaya Sri Radhey!

 

Divine_Lovers/