‘Krishna, today I heard you mention selflessness in love,’ Narad once asked. ‘I’m a bhakta, and I concede that self-interest at times overpowers my love for the Divine. Is pure altruism possible?’
Krishna shrugged his shoulders and replied, ‘Frankly, I don’t know of true love without selflessness. Since you’re skeptical, let’s find out.’
The next morning, Krishna’s skin developed swellings, and he was in unbearable pain. Even medicines were ineffective. Krishna suggested a cure: ‘It’s a tricky solution. If anyone can offer the water after washing her or his feet, that would immediately heal.’
The solution was rather odd since people usually drank water after washing Krishna’s feet (charnamrit). However, since it was an emergency, a few of his relatives, wives, and Narad agreed to it.
‘However, there’s a condition,’ Krishna added. ‘One doing so will be destined to undergo pain for numerous lives.’
The words made even the most ardent of Krishna’s lovers stop in their tracks. It was too high a price to pay. Even Narad was hesitant. He, though, was delighted since he could prove that there was no selflessness even when it came to loving the Divine. Narad wondered if Krishna was setting the bar too high for his lovers and bhaktas. Krishna told him to wait.
Messengers spread the word around various kingdoms. Still, there was no response until one of them encountered Radha. When she was told about Krishna’s condition, she cried out: ‘What took you so long? Poor Krishna! Cannot even imagine him suffering.’ When the emissary told Radha about the repercussions, she smiled as she hurriedly washed her feet.
‘First, why should I worry since it’s Krishna who’s washing my feet?’ Radha asked as she handed the bowl of water to the messenger. ‘Second, there’s no pain when Krishna is in your heart. And even if there is one, I won’t mind undergoing it. Now hurry up! Let him not suffer further.’
The messenger recounted his encounter as he handed over the bowl of water. When Krishna drank it, he was immediately cured. Bards sing of amusement in Krishna’s eyes. He knew people invariably miss the fact that love for the Divine can never come in short measure. One needs to go the whole hog, selflessly and unconditionally.
Rajessh M. Iyer is a storyteller who explores human relationships through meaningful anecdotes, parables, and stories; he shares his work on www.rajesshmiyer.com.
