Though the Mahabharat is mainly a story about the great battle between the Pandavas and Kauravas, it has numerous characters and stories interwoven and connected to it. Among all this, the central character is obviously that of Shri Krishna considered by the devout believer to be a divine incarnation of the God Vishnu himself.
Besides his omnipotence as described in Mahabharat, Shri Krishna is also known as the greatest lover of all times. He is said to be in relations (Leela) with numerous females who vied for his attention. Though he had numerous wives or consorts, Mahabharat registers eight of them to be of some importance. Two of them, Rukmini and Satyabhama get special mention as the wives who matter. Naturally, their mutual relation had that small touch of jealousy in built.
Satyabhama, being somewhat junior in status, felt it more. She professed her love for Krishna, her husband, to all and sundry and claimed it to be of immense value. This made Narad, the messenger of Gods and a favourite of Lord Vishnu, who was always up to some mischief, play a trick on her. He challenged Satyabhama on the extent of her love for Krishna compared to the material wealth she possessed. Instigated by Narad, Satyabhama agreed to an open challenge to weigh her husband against the Gold and other precious ornaments to derive the quantum and value of her love to him. This she staked against naughty Narad's demand of keeping Shri Krishna as his slave if she failed. She requested Krishna to participate in the test. The all-knowing Krishna just smiled at the foolishness of his dear wife and agreed to it.
On the appointed day, Krishna sat on one side of the weighing scale and Satyabhama started piling her personal ornaments and other precious collections on the other side of the scale. Soon she exhausted all her own belongings, yet could not outweigh Shri Krishna. This made her frantic as she had staked her husband as a slave for Narad as part of the challenge. She called all the other wives of Krishna and requested them to help her out. They joined in her effort but in vain. The calm and smiling visage of Krishna mocked them all for the foolish bet Satyabhama had got into.
When the news of the incident reached Rukmini, she appeared at the scene. Seeing her, panic-stricken Satyabhama forgot all her jealousy towards her and sought her help. Very calmly, Rukmini placed just a leaf of the Tulsi plant on the pile of valuables heaped on one side of the scale and it tipped against the weight of Krishna. Everybody assembled there came to their senses and Satyabhama realised her foolishness.
Love for somebody cannot be measured by the amount of material wealth and valuables. But the simple act of faith and trust can stand as the measure of love between two persons irrespective of their individual relations with others. The single Tulsi leaf represented that simple truth.
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