Chapter 1: The Divine Revelation

A gentle melody played in the background as the story began to unfold. "Mirchi presents a special feature, Times of Puran," announced an unseen voice, setting the scene for a tale that would linger in the hearts of its listeners.

In the land of Braj, whispers of a destined union filled the air. "Who will save me, my friend? Who will save me?" echoed a voice, longing for answers amidst the tales of Krishna. These stories, based on the great sage Vedavyasa's Shrimad Bhagavatam and the Garg Samhita, promised to reveal the wonders of Radha and Hari.

"Let me tell you a story, Parikshit," the narrator began, drawing the attention of all to a time long before creation itself. From the lotus navel of Padmanabhaswami Narayan, the god Brahma appeared, surrounded by other deities like Rudra, Vishnu, and Maheshwar, all deep in meditation.

As they meditated, a question arose in their minds, prompting them to seek Brahma's wisdom. Rudra, with reverence, addressed the Creator, "O Creator Brahma, we bow to you. You are the embodiment of dharma, the person of the Vedas. We have come with a question that no one else can answer. Please clear our doubts."

Brahma nodded thoughtfully. "Alright, if I know the answer, I will surely tell you. What is your question, Rudra?"

"O Primordial Being," began Rudra, "we all are born from a part of Lord Narayan. But who is this Supreme Soul Narayan? What is his true form? None of us know. Please tell us, Lord."

Brahma sighed, his brow furrowed with uncertainty. "I do not know the answer to this question either. After being born from his lotus navel, I could not see the beginning or end of Narayan. How can I know his true form? No, no, I cannot answer this."

The deities exchanged worried glances. "Then will we never know the true form of the Supreme Soul, Lord?" one of them asked.

"Surely, we will," Brahma assured them. "Only Narayan himself can answer this question. Alright, I will go to the Lord and find out."

With determination, Brahma made his way to the ocean of milk, where Narayan rested on the serpent Shesha. Bowing before Padmanabhaswami Shri Hari, Brahma began to praise him with heartfelt devotion.

Pleased with Brahma's praises and prayers, Shri Hari opened his lotus-like eyes and smiled warmly. "I am pleased with your praises. O Brahma, why did you wake me? What do you want?" he asked gently.

"Lord, I have a request," Brahma replied earnestly. "All the gods in heaven have come to me wanting to know your true form. What answer should I give them? Please tell me who you are."

Narayan's eyes twinkled with understanding. "Do you want to know my essence?" he asked. "Alright, go to the heavenly realm and say that I am joy. Now, let me show you my true form."

As he spoke, Lord Narayan returned to his meditative state. His entire body blossomed like a lotus with a thousand petals, his skin shining even brighter. From his face and smile, it seemed like nectar was flowing.

From the heart of this meditative form, a divine female figure emerged, shining like pure gold. Adorned with heavenly garlands, flowers, and precious jewels, she was so beautiful and radiant that Brahma could only stare in awe.

Slowly, Lord Hari opened his eyes again and spoke in a calm, serene voice, "Brahmadev, this is my true form. I am always immersed in the thought of this. I cannot express this form in words, so I showed it to you."

"I am blessed, Lord. It is my great fortune," Brahma murmured, still captivated by the divine vision.

"Lord, this divine energy of mine is named Radha," Narayan continued. "In the Dvapara Yuga, she will come to Earth with my Krishna avatar. Although there is no difference between us, for the sake of the divine play, we will have separate forms. What is Radha's true essence? It cannot be explained in words. One must realize it. Until now, no one has understood the essence of Radha. Because there is no difference between Radha and Hari. Who has ever understood God? To understand, one must merge with Him, King. That is the only destiny. Just like a salt doll melts in the sea, it is the same."

"Shri Krishna is the male, and Shri Radha is nature. We have heard that the play of Vrindavan is seen through the eyes of nature," Narayan concluded, leaving Brahma to ponder the profound truths he had just witnessed.

And so, the tale of divine love and unity began, a story that would echo through the ages, drawing all who heard it into the eternal dance of Radha and Krishna.

Chapter 2: The Divine Union

Brahmarshi nodded thoughtfully. "Sage Angira, you have heard correctly," he said. "The play of Vrindavan is indeed the play of nature. Nature is the main force of that play."

The king, curious and eager to understand, asked, "Why do you say this, Acharyadev? Isn't Krishna the main one there? He is the male, so why do you say nature is the main one? Please explain this to me."

"Vrindavan," the sage began, "is actually a seat of power, King. The goddess of that seat is Katyayani. In this Vrindavan, Goddess Kali flows as the Yamuna. Do you know what Kalindi is? It's the Yamuna. That's why the river's water is dark. The vines and plants are called Vrinda. Here, Goddess Katyayani herself resides as these plants and flowers. That's why everything in Vrindavan is so sweet, King. Everything is a part of that power."

The king listened intently as the sage continued. "Yes, King, everything. Even Goddess Katyayani has played as Radha and Krishna. The gopis are companions of that great mother. I have already told you about Yogamaya in Hari's play. Without her illusion, this play is incomplete. That Yogamaya is also a form of that great power."

The king's eyes widened with understanding. "Look again," the sage instructed, "all the sisters in Vrindavan are actually parts of Shri Radha. Do you know, King, each sister represents a different aspect of Shri Radha. Among all those sisters, the sister of Bhandir is the main one."

"Why, great sage, what happened in this forest? Did Radha and Krishna get married?" the king inquired, his curiosity piqued.

The sage smiled gently. "Marriage? Are Krishna and Radha married? The lives of Radha and Krishna are endless, and so are their divine plays. It’s impossible to finish telling their stories. Let me share a small part of that eternal sweetness with you."

In the land of Braj, young Krishna was just a little boy. King Nanda would carry him in his arms while tending to the cows. One day, as they were out, a fierce storm suddenly arose. It was a storm like no other that Braj had ever seen. The sky turned dark, and terrifying thunder roared. The clouds looked so frightening that King Nanda's heart trembled. He held his son tightly in his arms.

As he watched the stormy clouds, he suddenly saw an amazing sight. From the thick, dark clouds, Radha appeared like a flash of lightning.

Yes, Radha! She descended through the clouds. She was in her youthful beauty, and a strange, bright light shone from her body. Her beauty was extraordinary! Seeing this, King Nanda was overwhelmed. He realized that this was no ordinary event. It was all the work of the divine Radha.

In awe, Nanda saw Radha stand gently before him. "This child is meant for you," she said calmly.

"I understand, Goddess," replied Nanda, bowing his head.

"You have understood correctly, King Nanda. I entrust this child to you. Please, when your divine play is over, return my Gopal to his mother, Yashoda."

"It shall be done," promised King Nanda, his voice filled with reverence.

Then, with great care, King Nanda placed the child Krishna into the arms of the divine Radha. She lovingly accepted him. With joy in his heart, King Nanda returned home. Radha kissed the child tenderly. As soon as Krishna felt Radha’s touch, he transformed into a handsome young man. He wore a crown with a peacock feather, a garland around his neck, and held a flute in his hand, smiling sweetly. Holding Radha’s hand, he was filled with love.

Seeing the divine couple, the creator Brahma descended from the heavens. "Hail to the divine union of Radha and Krishna. Your meeting is destined by the gods. I have come to Braj to witness this union."

Radha and Krishna bowed before the creator. "We bow to you, Creator. Please tell us what we should do next."

"You must go to the forest of Bhandir, where your union will take place," Brahma instructed, his voice echoing with authority.

"As you command," they replied, asking Brahma to lead the way as their priest.

And so, hand in hand, Radha and Krishna, accompanied by Brahma, set forth towards the sacred forest, ready to fulfill their destiny in the eternal dance of divine love.

Chapter 3: The Hidden Union

As Radha and Krishna stood beneath the sacred canopy of trees in the Bhandir forest, the air shimmered with divine energy. Lord Brahma himself, the creator of all things, acted as their priest. With reverence, he joined their hands together, sealing their eternal bond. "With this union, you are forever united in the eyes of the divine, even if the world remains unaware," Brahma declared solemnly.

Krishna, now in his form as the playful cowherd Gopal, returned to Radha's embrace. She held him gently, her heart full of love, and together they made their way back to Mother Yashoda, who awaited them with open arms.

As the tale unfolded, a curious king listened intently. "I never knew Radha was Krishna's wife," he confessed, his brow furrowed in thought. "This is the first time I'm hearing this."

The wise sage explained, "In the eyes of society, Radha is not Krishna's wife. She is known as the wife of Ayan Ghosh. Their marriage was a secret, a sacred union hidden from the world. It is called a Brahma marriage. At that time, Krishna was but a child, and what you hear, O King, is the divine play of the universe. The adult Krishna returned to his child form. In the world of men, this marriage holds no recognition."

The king nodded, understanding dawning upon him. "So, the only witness to this marriage is Lord Brahma. No one else knows about it?"

"Exactly," the sage replied. "In the realm of mortals, this union has no place. It is entirely a spiritual connection."

Intrigued, the king asked, "I am curious to hear about Ayan Ghosh, Radha's real husband."

The sage smiled, ready to unveil another layer of the tale. "Ayan Ghosh lived in the village of Jarud, near Gokul. He was related to Nandarani Yashoda as a brother, and like many in Braj, he was a cowherd. His life was simple, yet he was blessed beyond measure, for Radha herself came to his home as his wife."

The king listened, fascinated by the story of Ayan Ghosh's past life. "You see, O King, Ayan was no ordinary man. In his previous life, he was a great ascetic. His devotion was so intense that he lost all awareness of his body, offering his prayers to Lord Vishnu with unwavering focus."

The king leaned forward, eager to know more. "And what did Ayan wish for?"

"In his previous life, Ayan Ghosh worshipped Lord Vishnu," the sage continued. "His penance was so profound that Lord Vishnu appeared before him and said, 'I am pleased with your penance, child. Your wish will be fulfilled.'"

Ayan, filled with awe at the divine presence, replied, "My lord, you are full of virtues. Your kindness is endless. If you grant me a boon, then please let me have your beloved, the goddess of your power, Lakshmi Devi."

But Vishnu shook his head gently. "That is impossible. If you desire the wealth of Goddess Lakshmi, I can fill you with riches. You will be renowned, your fame and glory spreading throughout the world."

Ayan remained resolute. "Forgive me, my lord, I do not want such a boon. I have no attachment to worldly things. I only wish for Goddess Lakshmi."

Vishnu sighed, his voice kind yet firm. "No, child, I will not grant you this boon." And with that, he departed, leaving Ayan to grapple with his unfulfilled wish.

Yet, Ayan's determination did not waver. He intensified his penance, his devotion burning brighter than ever. Lord Hari, unable to ignore such fervent dedication, appeared once more.

"Stop this difficult meditation," Vishnu commanded gently. "Your meditation has been successful. You are my devotee. I have come before you myself. What more could you possibly need?"

Ayan, his heart full, responded, "Lord, seeing you is enough, but I have one wish—I want to have your power. May she brighten my home. Please, please grant me this boon. Until I receive it, I will continue to meditate harder and harder."

Touched by Ayan's devotion, Vishnu relented. "Alright, you don't need to meditate anymore. I will grant you the boon you desire. In your next life, you will have my power."

Overwhelmed with gratitude, Ayan bowed deeply. "Your infinite kindness, Lord, your infinite kindness. Blessed Lord, blessed. You have given me a rare boon that no one else in the world has ever received."

Vishnu nodded, his expression serene. "Listen, my child, you will indeed have my power as your wife, but there is one condition. You will not have any manhood. You will not be able to live the life of a husband and wife. I will reside in your heart myself."

And so, the story of Ayan Ghosh unfolded, a tale of devotion and divine blessing, hidden from the eyes of the world but eternal in the realms of the heart.

Chapter 4: The Tale of Ayan Ghosh and Radharani

In the quiet solitude of the forest, the voice of the divine echoed gently, "There will be no place for anyone else." Ayan, in his serene meditation, replied with a heart full of devotion, "I have no sorrow in that, Lord. May your wish be fulfilled. So be it."

In his next life, this devoted soul was reborn as Ayan Ghosh, also known as Abhimanyu. He was the son of Gola and Jatila, with a sister named Kutila and a brother named Durmada. It was King Nanda himself who arranged the marriage between Ayan Ghosh and the daughter of Vrishabhanu. The wedding was a grand affair, though Radharani was just a young girl.

"Teacher," a curious voice interjected, "did Ayan Ghosh know who his wife truly was?"

The teacher smiled wisely, "Can a devotee know about divine glory unless God wishes it? No, my dear King, they cannot. No one in Radharani's in-laws knew her true nature. However, Ayan sensed that his wife was not ordinary. Yet, Ayan was indifferent to family life. With such intense meditation in his past life, how could he be a worldly person in this life, King?"

"Did he have no attraction to his wife, Lord?" another student inquired.

The teacher nodded, "Yes, Ayan was still a devotee in this life, but not of Vishnu. He was a devotee of Kali. He crafted a Kali idol with his own hands and worshipped it, being a devotee of the Katyayani Devi of Braj."

The King pondered this. "Didn't I tell you, King, that the entire play of Braj is actually the play of power? Where the Goddess of Braj herself is present, there will be divine power. That's why Ayan himself is a devotee of Kali."

"Well, were Ayan Ghosh's family members also such devotees, Lord?" the King asked.

"No, King," the teacher replied, "they were not devotees. But those who are part of Krishna and Radha's play in Braj possess divine qualities. Otherwise, they couldn't be part of this play."

The King's eyes gleamed with intrigue. "Sri Radhika's household sounds intriguing, and I'm eager to learn more about it."

The teacher chuckled softly. "But, my dear, Radharani doesn't have a typical household; she is like a queen. Someone who is truly detached from worldly ties doesn't have a regular family life. However, I will tell you about her loved ones, but not just yet. First, you need to hear about her inner self. Without Shyamsundar, there is no Radharani. The stories of Radha and Shyam are intertwined, blending into one."

"Please tell us more about this precious love, dear teacher," the students pleaded. "We want to hear how Radharani met Shyamsundar, too."

The teacher's voice softened as he began to weave the tale. "Radharani lived in the village of Barsana, where the grandeur of King Vrishabhanu's palace was evident. The greatest pride of this palace was his daughter, Sri Radhika. She rarely ventured into towns or cities, and her feet never got dusty. She spent time with flowers in the garden, trees, and birds. Sometimes, she would sit by the window, watching the shepherds and the clouds, or chatting with her friends. Her closest friends were Lalita and Vishakha, though they weren't princesses. They were simple cowherd girls. Like Nandagopa, Vrishabhanu was a leader among the cowherds, respected but not arrogant. He was also a devoted seeker, as I mentioned before. Through his deep devotion, he was blessed with a precious daughter."

"Sri Radhika was married at a young age. But did she live with her in-laws, teacher?" a student asked, eager to know more.

"Vrishabhanu married her off when she was just five, but it was only a ceremonial marriage," the teacher explained. "I told you about Sage Garg, King. He was the one who said during Radha's naming ceremony that she would unite with Nanda's son, Sri Hari."

"Yes, teacher, I remember that," the King nodded.

"Vrishabhanu never doubted this divine connection of their daughter. That's why he kept Radharani close, protecting her in his own way. She wasn't old enough to live with her in-laws, so she stayed happily in Vrishabhanu's home, picking flowers, making garlands, and gazing into the sky, lost in thought."

That day, as the sun cast a golden hue over the garden, Radharani sat with a basket of flowers in front of her, carefully stringing a garland. Just then, Lalita and Vishakha arrived, their faces bright with curiosity.

"Radhe, wow! What a beautiful garland you've made. Who is it for?" Lalita asked, her eyes wide with admiration.

Radharani smiled softly, her fingers still busy with the flowers. "I don't know. Who would it be for? It will just soak in water in a stone bowl. I make garlands every day, and every day they wither away."

Her words hung in the air, a gentle reminder of the fleeting beauty of life, as the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the garden.

Chapter 5: The Enchanting Picture

The garden was alive with whispers and laughter as the sun dipped lower, casting warm, golden hues over everything. The air was filled with the scent of fresh flowers, and the gentle hum of bees added a tranquil melody to the scene.

"What are you saying, friend?" Lalita asked, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. "Flowers don't last forever; they wither. But I've seen someone whose garland never wilts. He wears a new one every day, yet the old flowers remain fresh. You can't even tell."

"Is that even possible?" Radharani asked, her fingers pausing in their work. "You must be mistaken."

But Vishakha shook her head with a knowing smile. "No, my friend, Lalita was right. It's not just her necklace. Any flower she stands next to never wilts. Any bird she stays near sings all the time. Her touch lights up the darkness."

"Friend, that's amazing," Radharani said, her voice filled with wonder. "Who is she? Where does she live? Does she have a name?"

Vishakha's eyes sparkled as she replied, "She has countless names. People call her whatever they like. And you know what's even more amazing? It feels like each name is meant just for her and no one else. We call her Shyam and Krishna. Everyone in Vrindavan calls her by those names. She lives in Vrindavan."

"Yes, friend, she lives in Vrindavan," Lalita chimed in. "She is Nandgopal's son. The apple of Vrindavan's eye. Oh, what can I say about her? Her beauty and charm drive all of Vrindavan crazy. If they don't see her for a moment, everyone in Vrindavan feels sad. The gopis are enchanted by her. Friend, once someone sees her beauty, no other beauty compares."

"I see," Radharani said softly. "Now that you have a new Shyam, you don't remember your old friend."

Vishakha laughed gently. "Later, friend, later. But I won't lie to you. I don't want to be away from Shyamsundar for even a moment. I feel like seeing more and more of him. You haven't seen him, so you don't understand. If you saw him once, you'd be happy. If only I could show him to you."

"How will you show me?" Radharani asked eagerly. "Then I could see if I feel the same way about Shyam as you do."

"Alright, let's do this," Vishakha said, her eyes dancing with excitement. "I'll draw a picture of Shyam. I can't show you the real Shyam, but today I'll show you his picture."

"That's a great idea, Vishakha," Lalita encouraged. "Go ahead and draw. Let's see if Radha understands who we're talking about. Draw it on a leaf."

With great care, Vishakha began to paint a picture of Shyam. The gopas and gopis of Vrindavan were skilled in art, and Vishakha drew that enchanting figure perfectly. Once she finished, she handed the leaf to Radharani.

"Look, Radha, here is our Shyamsundar," Vishakha said proudly. "Now tell me, have you ever seen such a face? Does anyone else have such beauty? Not among our girls, let alone the boys. And this smile! Can anyone in the three worlds smile like this?"

"Wow, Vishakha, you've drawn it beautifully!" Radharani exclaimed, her eyes wide with awe. "It's exactly like our Krishna, standing with his flute. It feels like he'll start walking any moment. It's just like that enchanting form. Look, Radha, look! Do you believe now?"

"Believe?" Radharani repeated, her voice a whisper. "What are you saying, friend? Belief is too small a word. Who am I seeing? It's like the Yamuna River is creating waves in my heart. What have I seen, who have I seen? Are you telling the truth, friend? Does this enchanting form really exist?"

"Oh, it exists, it exists," Vishakha assured her. "You still don't believe it, do you, friend?"

"It's not disbelief," Radharani said, her voice filled with longing. "I just want to see him once. The picture has mesmerized me, but now I want to see him in person, friend."

"If you're this amazed by the picture, what will you do when you see him in real life, friend?" Lalita teased gently.

"Well, if that's how it is, then I might as well die," Radharani replied dramatically. "But my eyes still have hope. If not, like a bird waiting for rain, I will die one day, my friend. I really will. If I don't see him, I won't survive."

"Don't worry," Vishakha said soothingly. "Just be patient. We will find a way. You will meet Shyam. Trust us a little."

Hearing about Shyam and seeing his picture made Radharani very excited. She couldn't find peace without seeing him. Day and night, she thought only of Shyam. Seeing their dear friend in such distress, Lalita and Vishakha felt deeply moved. Finally, one day, Lalita came and said, "Oh Rai, God has listened. He has heard your call. You will see Shyam."

"Really?" Radharani gasped, her heart leaping with hope. "Will I meet him? But how? I don't go to the river like you do."

"You don't have to go anywhere," Lalita assured her. "Shyamsundar will come this way himself. Then you can see him to your heart's content."

Chapter 6: The Enchanting Flute

The sun rose over the fields of Brij, casting a warm glow that promised a day like no other. As the morning dew glistened on the grass, a sweet, melodious sound floated through the air. It was the sound of Krishna's flute, a tune so enchanting that it seemed to draw the very birds from the trees to listen.

Krishna was coming. Yes, he was coming toward the fields of Brij, his presence announced by the music that made hearts flutter. Vishakha, her eyes wide with excitement, pointed towards the path. "Look, Radha! Here comes the lord of Brij. Keep watching, and you will see him."

Radha's heart raced. "I've been waiting with my eyes on the road for this moment," she whispered, her voice full of longing.

Sitting by the window, Radha watched with bated breath. There he was, Krishna, in his resplendent yellow robes, the sun catching the fabric and making it shimmer like gold. He played his flute, each note like a gentle breeze carrying the scent of blooming flowers. Overwhelmed, Radha could do nothing but gaze, her heart full and aching.

Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. Krishna smiled, a smile that spoke of secrets and promises, before continuing on his way to Vrindavan, the music of his flute lingering in the air.

Radha turned to her friends, her voice trembling with emotion. "My friend, who did I see? Why did I see him? What storm has come over my life? How can I take my eyes off that face? If that face goes away, how will I live? Oh, why did I see that face?"

Vishakha placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Who will bring me news of Shyamsundar? Who will save me, my friend? Who will save me?" Radha cried.

"Don't cry," Lalita soothed. "Now that you've seen him once, why worry? You weren't the only one who saw him. Krishna saw you too. Be patient. That enchanting form will come to you again. He will come on his own. Trust me, my friend. You are the moon of this land of Brij. Without you, how can Madanmohan be complete? He will surely return to your door."

Radha shook her head, doubt shadowing her eyes. "No, my friend, do I really have that power? How can I bring him to me? In this vast land of Brij, with so many people, will that enchanting flute play just for me? I don't have that much attraction, my friend. I'm not that valuable."

Lalita gently replied, "Oh Radha, you are priceless. To you, Shyam's worth is nothing. You don't realize your own value. Those who understand, they know. They will give you that worth."

Radha sighed, uncertainty still clinging to her heart. "No, Vishakha, I don't have that much pride in myself. To see Shyam, I must do penance. I must. What should I do? Tell me. Tell me, Lalita. I know you are like a necklace around Shyamchandra's neck. Tell me, my friend, tell me what to do."

"You should do something, Radha," Lalita suggested thoughtfully. "Pray to the goddess Tulsi. If the goddess is pleased, you will find your Shyam."

Radha's eyes lit with determination. "Yes, that’s what I’ll do. Goddess Tulsi will guide me. From today, I will create a Tulsi garden. I will stay there until I see her. I will stay there."

As Radha prepared to dedicate herself to her new resolve, a new friend arrived at her house. This friend spoke poorly of Radha and Krishna, her words laced with bitterness. Listening to this, Radha's heart grew heavy with sorrow, yet the friend remained indifferent.

Who was this friend, and why was she so angry with Krishna? What did she want from Radha? And would Radha ever meet Krishna again? These questions lingered in the air, waiting for the answers that the future would bring.

Stay tuned as the story of Krishna and Radha unfolds, based on the ancient tales of the great sage Vedavyasa’s Srimad Bhagavatam and the Garg Samhita.

[Applause] [Music]

Main roles: Sukhdev Shubhajit Chatterjee, Narayan Gaurav Tapadar, Parikshit Spandan Das, Brahma Utpal Sarkar, Rudra Kaushik Banerjee, Nand Indrajit Bakshi, Lalita Adhaya Saha, Vishakha Amrapali Ghosh, Mitra Ayan Abhik Ghoshal, Radha Sunayana Bhowmik.

Play adaptation: Mahua Banerjee. Sound recording and ambiance: Satyajit Sen. Sound design and mixing: Sabysachi Mukherjee. Directed by: Shaoli Majumdar. Creative direction: Indrani Chakraborty. Produced by: Pastel Entertainment. Times of Puran is brought to you by Mirchi Bangla YouTube channel and Gaana app.