17/09/2026
The Story of Radha and The Parrot
This story is written by Bhanu Narasimhan, Sister of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
Radha had no messages to send to Krishna. What was the need for messages when they were but one?! But the little green parrot was impatiently fluttering his wings time and again eager to begin his flight. There were many parrots who flew to Krishna every day, but he felt important and special when he went with a message from Radha. “Go tell him the butter is extra tasty today and is waiting for him!” said Radha. Filled with purpose, the little bird soared into the sky in the direction where his heart pulled him.
The messages were mundane. But it mattered in the least. The parrot’s life and mind oscillated between Radha and Krishna, between longing and love. As years went by and it was time for Radha to leave her body, she told the parrot that his purpose was to share the glories of her Lord with all. Having lived in her presence, every cell of his being was soaked with the sweet nectar of devotion. But he had only delivered Radha’s simple messages. He knew not the details of the stories of the Lord.
One day, as he wandered into Parvati’s gardens in Kailasha, he saw that Shiva was about to tell her a story. He perched himself in a branch above to listen. As luck would have it, Shiva started sharing in great detail the incidents from the life of Lord Krishna and Parvati was listening and encouraging him from time to time with a gentle ‘hmm’. Shiva was so immersed in the tales that he did not notice that Parvati had dozed off. The parrot was worried that Shiva may stop his narration and imitated the gentle sound of Parvati.
Eventually, she woke up, and once Shiva finished, she apologized to him for having slept in between. Now, Shiva’s brows came together, and his third eye looked ready to open. “if you were sleeping, then who was making the humming sound just like you?” He sensed the presence of the parrot. Before Shiva turned in his direction, the little parrot flew away as fast as his wings could carry him. He flew far and beyond without rest or respite. The ashram of Maharishi Veda Vyasa was ahead. He entered his kutir. Read comment 👇
