Tulasi

The palace of Dwarakha,

ever twinkled with the presence of Krishna.

And everyone loved him

Rukmini, Satyabhama

Jambavati

and all the others

went about their usual chores serving Krishna.

But Satyabhama was the beautiful daughter of Satrajit.

She was proud of her royal lineage.

Rukmini, on the other hand,

being the first queen of Dwaraka,

was a very humble lady and a pious wife.

Sister, why do we always do the chores,

and that Satyabhama accompanies our beloved Krishna?

Jambavati,

don't be furious about Satyabhama.

She is younger than us.

So, it will take time to understand what true devotion is.

But sister today Krishna should be in your palace.

But Satyabhama is still having our lord in hers.

It's okay my dear sister.

My Lord is always in my heart.

Let him come whenever he wants.

Sage Narada came to Dwaraka to offer his salutations.

Narayana.. Narayana..

In the court yard, he met Satyabhama.

Beautifying herself with some flowers on her tresses.

Rani Satyabhama..

Greetings!

Satyabhama..

Don't doubt my intentions.

But is it my old age or is it really true that

Krishna loves Rukmini more than you?

What are you saying Narada? Who told you this?

Everyone around Dwaraka is speaking about their love.

But you are far more beautiful and charming than her

and you are the younger queen.

Don't you think that you deserve more attention?

Narada,

what should I do to gain his undivided attention?

Please.. you are my only hope now.

That is why I'm here mother.

I have a plan to bring Krishna back to you.

You can do a ritual

and at the end of the ritual make a vow,

that you will hand over

Krishna to me, as a slave.

What?

Narada,

If I give my lord to you, then how on Earth will he be mine?

Mother..

Please let me finish.

Then you trade in your wealth for him.

So, Krishna will admire you for your sacrifice,

and will keep you close to him.

The only hitch is that, I do not know

if your wealth will suffice to balance out

Krishna's weight.

Narada, don't forget that I am the daughter of Satrajit.

My wealth is limitless.

I have enough to balance Krishna.

So, don't you worry.

We will carry on with this plan.

Narayana.. Narayana..

Satyabhama hurriedly reported everything to Krishna,

about her vow to Narada.

Satya!

are you really going to send me away with this sage?

Do you realize, what you're doing?

Don't worry my Lord. Everything is under control.

Narada and myself have planned out everything.

Satya, you are trusting Narada too much.

What if he takes me with him?

My Lord,

I fully entrust on Narada.

He will never betray me.

Will you Narada?

Narayana.. Narayana..

How can I betray my divine mother?

Narada..

I am sure, you're enjoying the show.

Narayana.. Narayana..

You know who is the director of the show?

Satyabhama prepared herself for the Ritual.

And everyone in Dwaraka was present there.

Once the ritual was completed,

Satyabhama presented Krishna to Narada.

Naradha, as per our vow,

I hereby present my husband Krishna to you.

The crowd was shocked to hear Satyabhama's vow.

Satya, are you sure?

You cannot reverse anything.

My Lord, don't worry.

You will be with me always.

Yes, mother. Thank you.

As per their plan,

Satyabhama arranged for a big weighing scale

to be put up with Krishna on one end.

She then placed Krishna on one plate of the scales

and with a smirk on her face.

Started piling up the gold, jewels and

gemstones on the other plate.

Remember mother,

If you fail to supply me with sufficient wealth.

Krishna will forever be a slave to me.

I can even bid him out to anyone I want.

What is happening here?

Why is it not moving?

Bring all my possession and place it on the scale.

She kept adding more and more of her wealth,

but the pan with Krishna did not even budge.

Mother, but you don't have anything now.

Sorry mother, Krishna is mine now.

Please don't do it,

I will give all my possession to win back my Lord.

Look Satyabhama...

Because of your stupid vow,

I have to be a slave to this rishi.

Oh, how I hate this.

What can I do my Lord?

Ah

Satya, why don't you ask Rukmini?

She must be able to get us out of this predicament.

With mixed thoughts,

Satyabhama rushed to Rukmini's private chambers.

Satyabhama poured out the dire state of the matters to Rukmini and others..

How dare you give away our husband to Narada!

Don't worry, Jambavathi.

Everything will be alright.

Let's just go there

and see what to do to get back our husband.

Rukmini, ever calm,

she passed the sacred Tulasi tree

and plucked a single leaf of Tulasi.

She very quietly walked towards the balance scale

and praying to Krishna, placed a single

Tulasi leaf on all the piled up wealth.

Lo and Behold! The pan containing Krishna,

Flew up and remained under-balanced.

Try removing your riches, Satya.

With a very skeptical expression on her face

She removed all her riches until nothing.

but the single tulasi leaf was on the pan.

And yet, it weighed more than Krishna.

She was stunned and humbled.

Krishna jumped down from his high hanging pan,

and came to her.

Satya..

You gave all your riches to me

But there was no devotion in that offering.

Just the feeling of possessiveness.

When you made your offerings with such a thought in your mind,

they lost their value and became mundane things.

On the other hand

Rukmini offered just a single tulasi leaf,

but her intentions were noble

She made the offering with utmost love and devotion towards me.

And that single leaf was sufficient to please me beyond expectations.

Remember it is not the offering that matters,

but the love and devotion with which you do it, that does.

Narada, thank you for teaching me this hard learnt lesson today.

I will never ever underestimate

the power of devotion and love towards my Lord.

Narayana.. Narayana..

Thanks for understanding mother.

Thank you very much. I will take leave.

Narayana.. Narayana..