Kamalanayani – an Untold Character of the Great Epic. (Episode 6)

After that day, both the princesses started developing extreme hatred (dwesha) against each other and it was exactly the day before Shivaratri. Lord Krishna was extremely clear in 2 things – One to unite both of his daughters and second is to make Rajkumari Kamalanayani get sight of her atma-dharshan.

He had an idea of monitoring both of their Shivaratri Natyanjali preparation (rehearsal). So he visited and found that both have not even done anything. So their first rehearsal happened infront of Lord Krishna upon his orders. In that time, Lord Balarama asked both the princesses whether they can perform their part blindfolded. Padma felt it very easy as she is gonna sing, But Kamala was taken-aback because she has to dance blindfolded. But Lord Krishna asked her to go ahead and rehearse blind-folded for any jadhi Padma sings. Padma was sure that it would be a little tough jadhi for Kamala. So she chose Pradosha jadhi which is beloved for Lord Shiva too.

Kamala and Padma both tried to perform blindfolded. Padma felt it easy because mostly while singing she used to close her eyes and sing, but Kamala was not feeling so. She was not able to dance steadily and dropped out of the quest and ran to her room. Lord Krishna also went to his daughter’s room. She was crying vigorously. He pacified her. He also insisted her to go to Somnath temple tonight (night before Shivaratri) and do a dhyana infront of Lord Somnath. He also added that “He is not only Somnath (who saved the dying Chandradev by keeping him on his head) but also Natraj (Creator & Lord of Dance)”. He is a person who can open your inner eyes which is more than sufficient for you to dance blindfolded.

She went to Somnath temple along with her friend Chandrika. Even though she had visited the temple a lot of times, she felt something strange that night. She even felt that Lord Shiva was different in her eyes. All she wanted was Lord Shiva’s help to open her inner eyes. She started doing her dhyana with closed eyes infront of the idol of Lord Somnath. She was able to see everything from the creation of Devi Kamalanayani till how Rajkumari Kamalanayani was born in Dvaraka. She also had the sight of her atma-dharshan ie, Dharshan of Devi Kamalanayani. She opened her eyes with confidence.

She returned to the palace and found her father waiting for his daughter. She ran and hugged him for making her understand who she is. He replied, “I simply showed you the path but Lord Shiva made you walk on it and Brahmadev is the one who had created that path. But finally you are one who walked”. She understood the point that she represents Tridev in any situation. She then went to bed and slept peacefully.

The Next day (Shivaratri day), in the morning she took Divya-snaan and was tied with a sacred thread in her hands as she is gonna perform in the festival. Padma was also tied with the same. Her brother Rajkumar Svarabhanu (My grandma told this name – Actually he was really good in music better than Padmavadhani) helped her during the rehearsal, on the Shivaratri day by singing the same Pradhosha jadhi. She was really able to perform well with perfection blindfolded, because she made herself understand that she is going to perform as Devi Kamalanayani not Rajkumari Kamalanayani. Lord Krishna was pleased to see this, but not Padmavadhani. She was sure to change the song during the final performance.

At the evening, the royal family went to Lord Somnath temple for the Shivaratri pooja. First abhisheka-aaradhana was done and then Lord Krishna announced that now both the princessess will be performing blindfolded. Everyone were eager to watch the performance. Kamala was allowed to see the length and breadth of the stage. After that both the princesses were blindfolded. Padma was ready to sing Thillana to confuse Kamala. But still Kamala remembered Padma’s words and was ready for anything. But she was really happy that Padma sang Thillana, because she was already a master in Thillana as Devi Kamalanayani. She danced gracefully and every one enjoyed it. She portrayed as a devotee of Lord Shiva in her dance.

Mata Subhadra asked both of her brothers about the reason behind the blindfold. Both of them, elaborated that, as they cannot see each other’s performance, so there won’t be any increase in toughness of the competition in the mid-way. Everyone praised Kamalanayani’s dance performance and wanted to see the expressions of their princess while she dances, which they had been enjoying for years.

After the first dance sequence was over, both removed their blindfold with the permission of Lord Krishna. Padma was sure the make the jadhi’s fast and tough. But this time, to her astonishment, Padma was also impressed by her elder sister’s performance both in dance and expressions. But eventhough Kamalanayani started dancing gracefully this time, her dance became more vigorous due to the increase in speed of the jadhi. While she danced in very fast beats, her mind turned adi-krodha (extreme anger), which she had while slaying the asura. She portrayed as Lord Shiva himself this time. She took a damaru also and played it while dancing.

Everyone in the crowd were frightened a bit, but nobody was able to find a solution to calm her down except Lord Krishna. He went up to the stage and held his daughter’s hands tightly and then transferred some energy. Then, Kamalanayani stopped dancing. Everyone was feeling comfortable. But Kamalanayani fell down unconscious (may be due to dehydration). After that she was taken to the palace. And the royal doctor gave some medicines and she woke up the next day.

Rajkumari Padmavadhani was waiting with everyone in Kamala’s room and the moment she woke up. Padma pleaded to her that she should not have done like that. And only because of her, Kamala fell unconscious. And earlier also, she had not treated her elder sister well. So she is sorry about that. But Kamala said “Without you, I would not have got my atma-dharshan. So Thanks to you, my dear younger sister.”

Finally, Lord Krishna felt happy that both of his daughters got united.

This series’s next episode will be released soon. Stay tuned…