by Krishna Rose
Immediately, my wings caught the wind, and again I soared delightedly toward heavenly paradise.
“Good Mary. Memories are trappings, sentimentally sustained by human requirement—out of weakness for escapism. Your mistrust in them, has delivered you.”
A sustaining hum swaddled me. In its opaque transmission of eternal broadcast, a melody irresistibly drew me to its sound, calling me to move past the bow of this world. On the wings of prayer, I was cast into the eternal sky.
“Even the abodes of heavenly paradise, hold memories of kith and kin who may lure you. Seek for the realm of the eternal if you wish to receive paramount blessings. Eternity is found beyond even the bounds of heavenly pleasure. You have done well. You have completed a task from which few emerge. Though skin, flesh, and bone. are unfamiliar to the spirit, the mirage of them, deludes every soul by feigning reality. All the while, the spirit within yearns to escape from the human world of broken shells. For it cannot be satisfied by the field of senses.
“The chains of mortality are determined to deceive us, until, in a lucid moment, we realize its disadvantage. The problem at hand is first exposed and then unmistakable. To yearn for a life without end, is a reasonable aspiration, for it is the conclusive poverty of all souls—to witness the death of all those they love. Therefore, the Saints have cast before us the light of wisdom by which all may find their way.
“We are foreigners here, as spirit is, to matter. Without steadfast concentration towards a one-pointed destination, we drift in and out of the world—aimlessly wandering from one life to the next, without understanding of our potentiality.”
Waves of unconditional love swept through me, until there was no beginning and no end of me. Slowly I began my descent. A magic permeated the air, as multitudes of birds brought forth their songs upon the breeze. The sensual cantor of the fields below were aglow with color, and just beyond, up on the hill, there stood a magnificent white horse, emblazoned before the full moon in the sky. The horse’s magnificent mane swayed in the breeze.
Swimming down through the light, I landed next to the steed, in the lap of the softest green grass, which was decorated with heavenly dew. The steed nuzzled me as I lay there amongst the greenery and immediately our thoughts entwined.
“I bow before your illustrious will, Mary Magdalene,” the horse said clairvoyantly, bending one knee.
“Remembrance has been a secret form of worship for humanity, since the first confusion. Cleansed of the past, you have seen fit to burn a hole in the fabric of creation. It takes faith and courage to say farewell to past alliances. Yet today, a new path has been carved for many souls to traverse. We are well pleased by your efforts. Your time draws near. Prepare yourself to separate—for the child in your womb breaks the chains on your heart. Let not the shadow of your sadness overwhelm your happiness. Be strong . . .”
I lay contentedly on the ground with eyes closed a while, to consider the baptism of my dramatic encounter.
“Mary wake up!” Anna said, breaking my mystic slumber. It took me a good while to gather myself, as weightlessness is a stark contrast to the casket of the body, which suddenly felt heavy like stone.
“I will be there in a moment,” I called to her, stretching my aching back. Since her marriage to my uncle, Anna had become an irresistible force of companionship for me. She and I had both been widowed young. Therefore, we confided in marital banter, laughing at one another’s jokes about husbands, sex life, and all manner of womanly woes. However, with the loss of her husband, also came the grief of losing a child, and so she unassumingly sought solace by playing with Jesus Justus, improvising—as if for a moment reunited with her own dear son, God rest his soul.
Throwing a robe over my icy shoulders, I crawled out of the caravan, to discover that we had already made camp in a small village. I must have been asleep for hours.
The fragrance of spices and burning wood perfumed the air, while children scampered about us, playfully tugging at my dress. These were the promised lands of our people. Many of our displaced tribes were here relocated and for good reason—it was an unspoiled paradise. Resembling our race in looks, dress, and customs, Jesu heartily enjoyed sharing with them the wisdom of their inheritance.
Legend was, that the Israelites had originated from this remote mountain region before migrating to the land of Palestine thousands of years before. Even our ancestor, Moses, had lived and died in these mountains.
There was a blossoming air of excitement, for within days we would arrive at Beth-Poe and from there travel North to Mount Nebu, where, on a reddish mountain, lies the tomb of our people’s hero—Moses.
Evidently, miracles are said to be a normal everyday experience for those living in the vicinity of the holy sepulcher. Never in history has this region faced a famine or calamity of any kind, and the people always have an abundance of food—whilst being blessed with freedom from ailments, living long and peaceful lives.
We noticed that the names of the towns were Hebrew—Har-Nevo, Beit-Peor, Pisga, and Heshubon. It was exhilarating to come such a great distance only to find the origin of our clan.
The local tribes were very excited to see us, blowing loud on their conch shells as they welcomed us. Still holding tight to their Jewish ancestral roots, we marveled at their classical features, light skin, and thick wavy hair. Tall and elegant in stature, they had strong high cheekbones, large noses and light-colored eyes. Their women were beautiful beyond compare, yet humble and kind. Curious, they touched our clothes, skin and hair, giggling amongst themselves.
Jesu connected with the men and was immediately ushered into their homes to drink spiced tea and discuss philosophy. As pilgrims, we had come to pay homage to the renowned regions of Moses, and one morning, we woke early, to go and pay obeisance at his holy tomb, nestled in a quiet place between two mountains. Once arriving at the revered resting place of the father of our people, we offered prayers and left torn pieces of clothing as a mark of our respect.
The elderly priest who tended the crypt, ushered Jesu inside, and when they reappeared, in Jesu’s right hand, was the staff which had once been held by Moses himself. This was one of the most treasured holy items of all time. Overwhelmed with spiritual emotion, we kissed the rod devotedly, and the priest who was its guardian, was overjoyed to see our intense faith. Inviting us to sup with him, he led the way to a cottage nearby. After lunch, the elderly priest recited from an ancient scripture—Bhavishya Mahapurana, which purported to foretell the world’s most important events.
“Now listen carefully,” he said, “for your visit today has been anticipated for thousands of years” he envisaged as a natural matter of fact.
“This is what the ancient book predicted: ‘One day, King Shalivahana of Kashmir shall come upon a snowy mountain in the land of the Himalaya. There, the King shall meet a man of great beauty who will be seated upon a rock promising auspiciousness to all. His skin will be of golden complexion and he will wear long flowing white robes. The King will ask the man who he is, and the expected one replies, “I am Jeshua, Isha-putram, the son of God, born of The Mary. I minister to nonbelievers, I heal the sick, and I preach the truth to one and all without prejudice. Oh King, lend your ear to the religion which I brought unto the nonbelievers through justice, truth, meditation, and unity of spirit. Through me, many shall find their way to the Kingdom which dwells in the heart of all. For there, the Lord remains as constant as the sun, dissolving all transient things forever.” ‘To which the King asked, “What is your religion, oh holy one?”
‘‘The holy man replied, “Oh great and noble King, I come from a foreign land where there is no longer any truth and where evil knows no bounds. In the land of nonbelievers, I came amongst them as their Messiah and they crucified me.”’
The priest stopped to
glance up at Jesu’s tearful eyes. Weeping in a choked voice he said to us, “I recognize this holy man who was predicted to come, as being here present before me now,” and he fell down before Jesu like a stick.
“When I heard that a Messiah had died and risen in Judea, I had hoped that he might travel this way. Now I see, that what was written down thousands of years before, has come to pass, My prayers have been answered,” he said tearfully, covering his heart with his hand sincerely. It was like being struck by a thunderbolt, for there was no doubt as to who Jesu was nor where his power came from.
Taking leave of the priest, we travelled high into the mountains to Ladakh, to visit with the monks in Hemis. It was cold and austere, so we agreed to remain no more than one full moon. Jesu spent his days among the men, while we ladies helped cook in the kitchens.
Preparing herbal tinctures said to renew strength, they applied healing poultices each day to Jesu’s wounds to help speed his recovery. Night after night he conversed with them, resisting sleep—and when it came time for him to leave, they were much aggrieved.
Every word spoken amongst these secretive ecclesiastics was recorded. Written down in scrolls. For so great did they consider him—that they believed him to be their reincarnated Dalai Lama, their reincarnated teacher. Jesu vowed to return, appeasing them with his promise, and soon we were on our way.
A fork of lightning ripped across the magenta sky, heralding a storm which threatened to cover us in darkness. My stomach gripped. I had that familiar sickness—I was with child. Glancing at Jesu, it was as if he knew my secret, for he winked in my direction, grinning from ear to ear. Uncle was anxious to return to his affairs, and his new wife, Anna, would no doubt be desirous of a home and children. So we braved the weather which, thank the Lord, quickly passed us by.
I felt weepy and yearned for my home, but more especially for my sister. In my condition, and with Sarah-Tamar restless to marry her Prince, I approached Jesu and my uncle to discuss our possibilities. Making my condition known to them, it was agreed that we should make plans for a swift exit before it became too problematic to travel. Jesu however, was determined to remain in the promised lands. ‘The child in your womb breaks the chain on your heart. Let not the shadow of your sadness overwhelm your happiness. Be strong, Mary,’ I remembered the prophetic words of the gallant steed and accepted that a separation would soon be upon us, as was predicted in my vision.
King Shalivahana, the King of Kashmir, heard news of our fated arrival, and came nimbly with his family and entourage to meet us. Jesu, wearing his long flowing white robes, sat on a rock, beneath the shade of a tree to pray. The snow could be seen on the mountains behind him, and there it was, that the two men met for the first time—as had been forecast thousands of years before.
The King had commanded and established Aryan rule on this side of the river, and had brought peace and understanding to the region. Coming humbly before Jesu, to meet his preordained good fortune, he knelt before him, astonished. This would be the most poignant moment of the King’s existence.
While the two men sat huddled together, deep in talk for half a day, the King’s entourage assembled tents for us to stay in. A magnificent pavilion was lit with hundreds of torches, and a feast was laid out for us. Court musicians sat upon woven mats playing soul-stirring melodies on their stringed instruments and flutes. The King was moved on this day, as were we all.
Afterwards, Jesu was invited to sit upon a Vyas-asana, an elevated seat of respect reserved only for Saints, that had been centrally placed so that all the assembled guests could hear. The music came to a halt and the crowd came forward to hear from their much-anticipated Messiah.
“This day was prerecorded in our ancient Puranas,” the King said, motioning with his hand to Jesu, then laying his palm flat over his chest in a gesture of deep devotion. “Thousands of years ago, this day was predicted!” he said jovially. “And today, all of you present here, bear witness to the fulfilment of that prophecy. For here before us is Jeshua, Isha-Putram, son of The Mary—the son of God.
“Our Master and Messiah was crucified in his homelands, yet has returned from death to life on the third day, just as our scripture foretold. Today he has come before us and we are profusely honored,” he said, facing Jesu with both palms folded. “Oh great Master, please share with us your faith and bless us that we may follow you all the rest of our days. We extend our generosity to you entirely . . .” the King said, laden with emotion.
“Then I shall begin,” Jesu said, bowing to the King out of respect. “You should know, that death gripped this body which here today is before you as a testimony of the Lord’s great power and love for us. I was a persecuted man, crucified in my own country for teaching the message of love,” Jesu began, as the smoke of incense billowed about him, heralding the utmost import of this moment. The setting of the evening sun made him appear like a great light in the darkness.
“As I passed from the world of the living, I knew the depths of my accusers’ depravity, for I could sense their minds and their feelings of regret and guilt. Yet also in death, I looked out across the sea of weeping souls and vowed to return for their sake, that they might have hope. Then, after some time, I was raised from the dead by the Lord’s own hand, hence, I refuse to attend to anything but our souls—so forgive me, for I speak plainly.
“Be not grasping or proud. It is out of great respect for you that I am willing to go beyond the illusions which were prepared for you, and to which you subscribed unknowingly. I have come to shine light upon your error. Faith is not something one can speak of. It is to be habitually practiced without disturbance, encountered in the spirit. Now make yourselves ready to receive what I have come to offer you, as nourishment.”
The gathered flock shuffled forward excitedly, sensing something notable was at hand.
“My family and I fled, not knowing whither we would go. And now the Lord hath shown me how He has built a mansion with many rooms. I have seen religious leaders and politicians make the earth a storefront, so I admonished them. ‘Sway from your wickedness and be virtuous in all that you do,’ I told them, and they hated me for it,” he said with a pinched tenseness to his jaw.
“Eternity is not to be purchased as one buys shoes from a shoemaker. It is found in the wilderness, far from the prying eyes of the crowds. Therefore, alone, cast a line and catch a vision of your soul, for there you will find things more than the bricks and mortar of this world. I have come to teach you what is real and what is not real. There is salt in your eye and I have long since hoped to wash it, that you might again see.
“After a great tribulation came upon my body, I saw death and was returned to you, that I might offer you the promise of eternity. Therefore empty yourselves that I may fill you. If in your house you do not find honor, in my Father’s house you will have traded rags for eternal happiness. We are not slaves of society, nor of man’s laws and customs, nor even of our own unyielding desires, which are as a plague in us—burdening us in vain pursuits.
“If you wish to seek for pleasure, seek out the pleasures of the Kingdom. For there, you shall drink, feast, and be merry—yet no death shall ever come upon you. Your love will be returned unto you and your wanting will cease.
“Take not one piece of gold unto yourself, for if you put a shoe on one foot, the other foot will turn against you,” he said, pointing to his audience, one by one, examining them, probing them—blessing them with the divine mirror by which all could see what is yet to be unbound.
“What you seek after is in you, so beware that no one lead you astray, saying, ‘Come here’ or ‘Go there.’ The son of man is here amongst you and I say follow me and you shall know freedom. Those who know themselves shall enjoy many fine things, but not of this world. So repent and make ready,” he said, reaching for his cane.
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sp; Slowly he lifted himself up out of the chair to stand before them. Spreading his arms open dramatically, as if he were upon the cross, they shook in fear upon seeing his bloody bandages, which dripped—the gruesome evidence of his miracle. Paralyzed with fear, the audience gawked and wept. Jesu laughed and said unto them, “Do not fear my blood, for it was shed so that you might find life. I have long since cleansed my sins of the flesh by these wounds, and fought for my fate, for the Lord is my shepherd and I shall not want.”
Slowly he began unwrapping his bindings, leaning with one arm upon his cane. I got up to aid him, but he signaled for me to remain, as he wished to teach by example what a cunning man did to another in the name of greed.
“Please do not weep. These are not wounds of misery,” he said, seeing the women tearful. “Recognize that which is in your sight, and those things which were hidden from you shall be exposed.” The crimson bandages fell to the ground and shock waves rolled through the captive audience like thunder. It was a brave, yet effective maneuver, which definitely pricked their attention.
“When will the Kingdom be known to us, Master?” King Shalivahana asked, his face flushing red.
“It will not come by its own effort. It is not a matter of saying ‘Here it is’ or ‘There it is.’ Rather, the Kingdom is spread out before you and you do not see it. Do not lie and do not commit sin, for everything is disclosed in full view of the Lord and His angels. Know that there is nothing that you hide, that will not one day become known to all.
“If you wish to know the Kingdom, first recognize the storm that rages about you. If you shiver like a dried leaf, you will be blown away by the strong winds—so stand strong and establish yourselves as unyielding. Or the fires of wrath shall devour your spirit. Be reminded that the shirt you wear is also your burial robe,” he said, catching a glimpse of the King, and the King nodded in agreement.