Memories, especially of childhood are always worthwhile, whether bad or good.



Balrama and Krishna, two brothers, belong to the renowned Yadava clan and are the children of Vasudev. They are considered incarnations of Adi Shesh Nag and Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe. These two brothers, who once enjoyed a carefree childhood in the beloved village of Vrindavan, were destined for extraordinary feats. They courageously vanquished numerous demons sent by their uncle Kansa of Mathura, who sought to eliminate the one fated to defeat him.

The name Krishna itself embodies a profound divinity that transcends description.

The tale begins when Balrama and Krishna received a summons from their uncle, King Kansa of Mathura. They were being escorted to Mathura by Akroor, who was a devoted aide to Vasudev. Along the journey, they paused for the night.

Krishna, feeling a restlessness in his heart, decided to take a stroll through the surrounding forest. "Don't wander too far, my Prince," cautioned Akroor before Krishna ventured into the woods, receiving a reassuring nod in response.

Amidst the moonlit forest, a young boy in his teens walked with an air of tranquility. His countenance appeared serene, but his thoughts were in turmoil. The woods might have held a sense of wonder for anyone else, but for him, they felt like a second home. He settled beneath a towering tree, cradled gently by its roots.

A bittersweet smile graced his lips. Meeting his birth parents had brought him joy and marked a significant milestone in his destiny. Yet, he couldn't help but yearn for the familiar fields and jungles of Vrindavan. Vrindavan was his true home, where his most cherished memories of Yashoda Maiya, Nanda Baba, Brishvanu Kaka, and, most of all, Radha, resided.

A solitary tear trickled down his left cheek as he closed his eyes, lost in his thoughts.

"Tum thik ho?" inquired a soft but unmistakably female voice.

Krishna's eyes snapped open upon hearing the voice. He gazed at the girl before him, who appeared to be around his age, perhaps a few months younger. There was an undeniable aura of grace even at her tender age. Her doe-like eyes held a curious and inquisitive expression while her brow furrowed.

"Haa, mujhe kya hoga?" he responded before closing his eyes once more.

The girl, undeterred, took a seat beside him on the ground. "Hmm...yes, that's why a tear slipped past your eyes," she remarked, her observation keen.

Krishna couldn't hide a soft sigh, feeling a tad annoyed at being interrupted during his solitary moments. "What do you want?" he asked, his tone coming across as somewhat abrupt. The recollection of his home and her, Radha, had evidently disrupted his tranquility and inner peace.

The girl raised one of her eyebrows, her curiosity unyielding. "Nothing! Just thought you looked a bit lonely," she replied. They sat together in silence for several minutes.

"Mind saying what's on your mind? It feels better. Perhaps a stranger can help where family cannot," she whispered, her words carrying a gentle and understanding tone.

Krishna turned to look at her, finding her gaze fixed on the bright stars. He shifted his gaze in the same direction. After a few moments, he began to speak, his voice barely more than a whisper.

"I have a destiny to fulfill, something I must do," he revealed. "But...I'm missing my home, I suppose."

"I am away from home as well. I'm separated from two people who mean the world to me, and I'll be away from them for a long while yet. But...you know what I realized?" the girl shared, a tender expression on her face as she gazed at the moon.

Krishna hummed, signaling his interest in hearing more.

"I realized that... I will meet them again. Perhaps not soon, but someday," the girl shared with a gentle smile.

Krishna sighed, feeling the weight of his situation. "I cannot do that. I will never see them again."

The girl responded with a question, "Who told you that?"

"Tatpariye?" Krishna asked in return.

The girl smiled before explaining, "When you close your eyes, whom do you see? Your family, right? Then how can you say you will never see them again? Yes, you may never see them in front of you, but you will see them in your heart, won't you?"

Krishna couldn't help but smile, his mood lifting. The girl smiled at him before suddenly exclaiming in horror, "Oh no!" She immediately got up and exclaimed, "I'm late! Gurudev will surely scold me. I'm so bad at predicting the time. Where is Karna when I need him? Right...he left...for...Oh God! I should go..."

Krishna looked on incredulously as the girl spoke in half-sentences that made no sense, and she darted off in a direction without even saying goodbye. He watched for a while before his laughter filled the forest.

Returning to the camp with a smile, Krishna couldn't help but feel a sense of joy, knowing that he would meet her again soon. A beautiful feeling warmed his heart.



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Their second encounter was another unplanned meeting. Krishna found himself on the run, escaping from... his mothers, possibly due to a prank he had played on them, which they seemed to have discovered.

Breathing a sigh of relief, he escaped to his secret hideaway, a place where he believed no one could find him except for his elder brother, Balrama. As he looked around, he was surprised to discover a woman sitting there, along with a horse drinking water. Krishna furrowed his brow, realizing that his once-secret place was no longer a secret. He wondered who this mysterious woman could be.

She wore a simple, comfortable pink dress without any embellishments. Her long black curls cascaded like a waterfall down her back. With her back to him, she addressed him with a soft, gentle voice. "Will you stand there or come over?"

Krishna blinked, realizing he had been staring at her for a while. He felt a flush of embarrassment, even though he was fully aware of his identity and purpose. He couldn't help but be flustered when ensnared in the complex web of human emotions and feelings. He moved to sit beside her, his eyes locked on hers.

Familiar doe-like eyes gazed back at him, and red-painted lips curled into a smile that was all too familiar. Krishna's eyes widened. "Tum!" he exclaimed.

A slow smile graced the girl's lips. "Hmm...mai! Finally recognized me?" she inquired.

Krishna was taken aback. "You recognized me?" he asked in astonishment.

"Yup...the peacock feather was a dead giveaway," the girl responded.

"You are rude! Last time you left without even letting me know your name!" exclaimed Kanha, adding a hint of drama to his words. Despite his playful complaint, his smile was warm and radiant.

The girl couldn't help but stifle her laughter at his antics. "Must have missed me then? We met four years back, after all," she said, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Krishna narrowed his eyes, realizing she was adept at steering the conversation away from revealing her own name. It appeared he would have to take the initiative. "I am Krishna," he introduced himself, his eyes narrowing in anticipation.

"Advika," the girl replied, her eyes twinkling with a mischievous glint.

"You are very sly!" Krishna muttered.

"As if you are the epitome of innocence!" snorted Advika, her gaze fixed on the cascading waterfall. Silence settled between them, each lost in their own thoughts.

"Well, what are you doing here?" Krishna inquired after a while.

"Was walking by and stumbled upon this place," Advika answered, her eyes still captivated by the natural beauty before her.

"Interesting. Not everyone stumbles upon this place. It is very well hidden," Krishna noted, raising an eyebrow.

"I have a knack for finding hidden places, and nature calls me. It's in the blood, I suppose," Advika remarked without reservation.

"In the blood? How?" Krishna questioned, his eyebrows furrowing.

"Being the daughter of Mother Earth, does that, I think!" Advika replied casually.

Krishna's eyes widened ever so slightly, a knowing look entering his gaze. This was the girl whom destiny herself had reincarnated in the time of Dwapar Yug.

"I see. You must be very special then. What can this mere man do for you?" Krishna remarked.

Advika snorted at his comment. "Says the incarnation of Bhagwan Vishnu," she replied, still not turning to look at him, even though Krishna sat right beside her.

Krishna's eyebrows rose at her response. Her lack of fear and absence of overt devotion were both refreshing and unusual. On one hand, she clearly recognized his divine essence, yet she exhibited no signs of devotion or worship. She spoke to him as she would with friends or family members. It was a human interaction he had not encountered before.

"Not afraid?" he asked, testing the waters a bit.

"Have I done something to be afraid?" she counter-questioned, her confidence unwavering.

Her fearlessness and candid manner of speaking intrigued Krishna. It felt refreshing, even exhilarating.

"So...where are you from?" he asked, shifting the conversation.

"Hastinapur," Advika replied.

"Are you visiting Dwarka?" Krishna inquired, his smile now softer. He was genuinely enjoying this conversation, something he could only share in this way with Balrama and Subhadra. Now, it seemed that Advika was also becoming a part of that circle.

"Hmm...it was an impulsive decision. I was on a mission, which was completed ahead of time. So I decided to visit since it was nearby," Advika explained.

"How do you like it?" Krishna asked, displaying genuine interest in her response.

"Peaceful," she replied with a single word, yet it held multiple dimensions and layers of meaning.

Krishna's smile beamed brightly. This was another distinction. Most people would use words like "beautiful" or "majestic" to describe Dwarka, but "peaceful" was a unique choice that caught his attention.

"What kind of mission were you on?" Krishna asked, his curiosity piqued.

Advika hummed before responding, "A demon named Arakasur and his army were destroying various sages' Yagnas and their ashrams. The sages sought help from Gurudev, and he sent me to protect them."

"Was he a challenge?" Krishna inquired. Advika responded with a nonchalant shrug.

Turning the tables, she asked, "What are you doing here? Don't you have kingly duties?"

Krishna chuckled and replied, "Well, I'm hiding from my mothers, and Balrama can handle the kingly duties. They shouldn't be my concern; after all, dau is the eldest!"

Advika raised an eyebrow, then simply shrugged and commented, "If you say so."

"Is what I hear correct, Kanha? Are all the kingly duties now my responsibility?" Balrama's stern voice resonated from behind them.

"Dau!" Krishna exclaimed, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

"Kanha! Now, come back. Mother and Mata Devaki are worrying about you," Balrama urged as he approached them. He cast a curious glance at the female beside his little brother.

Sensing the unspoken question, Krishna casually threw an arm over Advika's shoulder, causing her to give him a quizzical look with a raised eyebrow.

"Dau, meet Mayuri. Mayuri, this is Balrama Dau, my eldest brother," Krishna introduced with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"My name is not Mayuri. It's Advika, Mahamahim Balrama," Advika corrected him, her voice dry.

Balrama raised an eyebrow at his brother, who pretended to be hurt. "Mayuri! How could you do this to me? Her name is Mayuri, dau! Don't listen to her," Krishna protested.

"When did my name change?" Advika asked, placing her hands on her hips in playful exasperation.

"When I introduced you, of course. First, I was thinking Mayurakshi, but then I thought Mayuri. If you want, I can think of something else related to peacocks," Krishna suggested with a playful grin.

"No, Mayuri is fine. I apologize, Mahamahim, but your brother's obsession with peacocks is concerning. I suggest a healer," Advika replied, her eyes twinkling with amusement, while Krishna pouted playfully, his eyes still filled with good humor.

Balrama couldn't help but stifle a smile at the exchange. "No offense taken, my dear. I personally believe Yashoda Kaki must have dropped him on the head as a baby. So his head is a bit... well, I believe you already know. The healer won't be of any use," he remarked, enjoying the camaraderie with the young girl who was playfully teasing his younger brother.

"Oi!" protested Krishna, but his protest was soundly ignored by both of them.



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"Why are you giving me this bow?" Advika inquired, her voice soft and filled with curiosity. She had spent a few months in Dwarka, after informing her Gurudev. The love, care, and pampering she had received during her stay had made her feel truly blessed. As it was time for her to leave, Krishna was presenting her with a divine bow, which was his own.

Krishna smiled at her. "You deserve it. This bow will aid you in fulfilling your destiny," he told her.

"You make it sound like I am meant for great things, Kanha. And you do know, don't you, that the Sharanga dhanush can only be used by someone who is a part of Lord Vishnu himself. How can I use it?" Advika asked, her brow furrowing with concern.

"Time answers everything, Mayuri. Touch it, and you will know whether you can use it or not," Krishna replied. In his hand was the divine bow of the Preserver himself.

With a sigh, Advika followed his advice. She wrapped her hands around the handle of the bow, applying only minimal force to lift it. To her shock and amazement, the bow rose with effortless ease.

"How?" Advika inquired, still baffled.

"When I called you my sister, I meant it. My soul twin sister. You have a part of me inside of you. Therefore, the Sharanga can be used by you as well," Krishna explained.

"I still don't get it. How can I have a part of you inside of me?" Advika asked, her astonishment mixed with wonder.

"It's a blessing I gave once I came to know you. Just accept it, Mayuri!" Krishna said, sounding slightly exasperated.

"Okay," Advika agreed, offering a sheepish smile.

A peaceful silence enveloped them, broken by Krishna's enchanting voice. "I've met various humans, and most of them are devotees in one way or another. You, on the other hand, act very differently, even after knowing that I am an incarnation of the Preserver himself. I wish to know why," he inquired, his gaze filled with curiosity.

"I see them as my parents rather than as gods. I behave like a child would in front of her parents. That's all," Advika explained softly, her attention still focused on the divine bow.

Krishna smiled warmly. "I'm sure they love you as a daughter as well," he whispered.

In Vaikunth, Lord Vishnu and Mata Lakshmi exchanged smiles.

In Brahmalok, Lord Brahma and Mata Saraswati appeared pleased.

In Kailash, Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati simply gazed at each other, their eyes conveying the understanding that their daughter was loved by all three divine couples.





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Present Time:

"Thinking about something?" Krishna asked as he stood beside Advika.

"Memories...nothing else," she replied with a smile.

"They are the most precious," Krishna commented with a soft smile.

Advika hummed in agreement, and they both turned to watch the sunrise.

"The time of the inauguration of the Palace is near. How do you think it will look?" Krishna inquired, his smile enchanting.

Advika smiled softly. "I am sure it will be grand, like how palaces are supposed to look, I guess," she replied with a smile.

"True," Krishna agreed.

"What's the matter, Kanha? You look pensive!" Advika observed, turning towards him.

"You've always been good at reading me, Mayuri. I'm a bit worried," Krishna admitted, his brows furrowed.

"About?" Advika inquired.

"The future. You remember the things you wrote in that sheet?" Krishna asked.

"Yes, I do remember. But many things have changed. Perhaps the Dyut sabha will not happen," Advika said, her tone carrying a glimmer of hope.

"Some things are meant to happen, sister. It depends on how we react to the situations," Krishna replied.

"I see. I will do what I can," Advika assured him.

Krishna smiled and nodded. "We should go back. Indraprastha is almost ready, after all."

The brother-sister duo left for the palace, knowing that one of the most important chapters of their life was approaching. Only time and destiny would reveal its results.