Mira - XIII Brindavan

BRINDAVAN

Birdsong as the scene opens to reveal the idyllic lush landscape of Brindavan. In the distance, we can see scattered, as well as clustered, thatch roof huts. Furthest upstage left, protruding from the wings and jutting a quarter way onto stage, is a life-sized hut. Upstage right, under a shady tree, some mats on the ground, and a few other articles indicating the use of this space for satsangh. We see a few hermits, all men, going about their daily chores of collecting firewood, fruits and leaves, water from the river, etc. This is the holy man Haridas' ashram. Enter downstage right, Haridas followed by a few of his disciples. Their hair still wet, they have just returned from their ritual bath in the Yamuna, and they are singing with joy the praises of Krishna. The song they sing is the same as that of the cowherds in Mira's dream - Bhaje Radhe Govinda - but their style and manner are different. While the cowherds' song is full of rustic joy, Haridas and his disciples sing it with a recognizable "bhajan" style.

Haridas, and his disciples: Bhaje Radhe Govinda
Gopala tera pyara nama hai
Nandalala tera pyara nama hai
Mora mukuta maate tilaka gale vaijayanti mala
Prabhu gale vaijayanti mala
Koi kahe vasudevaki nandana koi kahe nanda lala
Prabhu koi kahe nanda lala

The group finishes the last few lines of the song under the tree and they all sit for their daily satsangh. Haridas sits, with his back to the tree, while the rest sit round, facing him. As they finish the song, one of the disciples near him pours him a drink from an earthen pot. He drinks, and then begins his talk.

Haridas: Govinda Krishna is love. He is love supreme. Love hidden and manifest; hidden in the hearts of men, manifest as the ocean of humanity, and infinite as the universe. Why, "love" is His name! For when we utter the name "Gopala", we immediately see and feel within us the constantly flowing divine love He has for us, His cows. For He is the divine cowherd, tending His cows with love and joy, keeping us close to him, and guiding us to the lush field of plenty. [Pause.] The Lord Supreme came to us in the form of Nandalala Gopala to show us that His divine manifestations can be in the simplest and humblest of circumstances, infusing the earth with joy and colour. In the form of Krishna, cousin to the Pandavas, He transcends the pomp and power of the greatest kings - though He oftentimes hides His hand, and his face, to delude us. This is His game, His leela. It is when we choose to open our hearts to Him, to surrender to His divine will that He reveals the truth: it is His love, love supreme, which upholds and transcends all creation. It is when we come to His holy feet, and sing His praises with faith and devotion, that we can contemplate on His beautiful, loving form of Nandalala, with his peacock feather crown, his garland of fragrant flowers, and his sweet... sweet smile... [Even as he says this, he is filled with the glorious vision of Gopal. He closes his eyes and a beatific smile is on his face. He gently sways, drinking in the nectarine vision... and then,]

Haridas: Ananda krishnan paramananda krishnan
Ananda nandana gopi gopala krishnan
Brindavanathil andru kuzhal oothinaan
En ullathil indru inba geetham paadinaan
Andrum indrum endrum avan ananda krishnan
Ananda nandana gopi gopala krishnan...

We are all gopis drinking the ambrosia from the look of love in his eyes.

The disciples are visibly moved by this revelation from their guru. Offstage, we hear Mira's voice - she is singing with joy. Haridas and his disciples are a little surprised, and curious.

Mira, offstage: Ananda sagara muralidhara
Mira prana radhe shyama venugopala
Ananda sagara muralidhara
Mira prana radhe shyama venugopala... [she enters on this last line of her song.]

A few disciples get up to see who has come. They are a little curious upon seeing the travel-worn Mira. Though they are polite they appear a little uneasy as it is not their guru's practice to admit female devotees or visitors. They form a sort of screen, centrestage, so that Mira will not be able to see their guru seated under the tree.

Disciple#1: Welcome, welcome, ma...

Mira: I have finally come to the holy and auspicious ashram of Saint Haridas. To be here in Brindavan is to be drinking from the fountain of Hari's grace. O, how wonderful to be here and how blessed all of you are!

Disciple#2: Pray, let us give you the necessary welcome, and offer you refreshments...

Mira: Mira has come a long way, across the desert, to quench her thirst for the love of Shyama venugopala. I know my Krishna is near... because the holy saint Haridas is here. I must see him... I want to tell him how Krishna has led me out of the materialistic mundane life of the court and brought me here to this joyous, radiant Brindavan. Bring me to your guru... looking at his holy face will be refreshment for me.

Disciple#1, hesitating: You appear to us a most saintly person yourself, ma, but you must forgive us for denying your request... Our guru does not receive female visitors...

Mira: Tell him I am devoted to Krishna...

Disciple#1, apologetic: He does not receive... female... devotees or guests. Mira is surprised to hear this. Please forgive us, ma.

Mira: Strange. Surely, in Brindavan, where Krishna reigns supreme as the Divine Lord and Lover, there is no other man but him... and we are all his gopis in his divine ras lila. Surely, in such close proximity here with my loving Krishna, we are all female, yearning for the Cosmic Beloved. Could it be that when the holy one is drinking from the fountain of bliss, he is still concerned with his body and his gender? And yet, having tasted of Krishna's love, continues to believe in the reality of the body...?

Even as she speaks, Haridas realizes the truth of her words and his error. He comes forward...

Haridas: O holy mother, the divine truth of your words has shattered the falseness of my ego. Please forgive me... my Krishna has blessed me by bringing you here. He humbly bows to her, tears on his face. This is a blessed, blessed day...

Mira, wiping his tears: In love with Krishna, loving Krishna... [They gaze into each other's eyes, recognizing and reflecting the depth of feeling within each other. They hug each other and laugh joyously.]

The disciples watch in puzzlement but then are also filled with the spontaneous joy emanating from the two saints. As the light fades, they sing "Bhaje Radhe Govinda".