Mythological fiction: Uddhava, Krishna’s cousin, is sent to Radha’s Vrindavan for enlightenment

Uddhava’s heart was fluttering with excitement. A few metres ahead of him was Madhuvana, the first of the twelve forests that together make up the Vraj bhoomi. He was told that these forests were very old and had existed since the Satya Yuga. Lord Vishnu is said to have destroyed the demon Madhu in the region. Madhu was such a nice name; one of Krishna’s childhood friends was called Madhu too – Madhumangal. It was difficult for Uddhava to imagine a demon with a sweet name. Even one of the two demons who the lord battled at the beginning of creation was named Madhu. They say that he was born from the ear wax of Lord Vishnu. He represented all the sweet things that people hear and develop cravings for. Any craving takes you away from your centre, away from contentment.

Uddhava pondered about the difference between craving and longing. Craving comes from feeling lack, and longing is born from the depth of fullness. Craving takes you into the world, away from the self. Longing pulls your senses inwards, away from the world and closer to yourself. After you attain what you crave for, you are left empty-handed in the same place...

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