Krishna’s love of devotees

We all know that in Raamaavathaara, Lord Rama gave his paadukam to Bharatha and Bharatha ruled the country for 14 years with Raamapadukam on the throne. In Dwaapara yuga, Krishna did something different. On the ninth day of the Mahabharatha yudddham, Duryodhana went to Bhisma's camp for a discussion about the strategy of winning the war. He told Bhishma that Kauravas would need his whole hearted help to defeat Pandavaas and Bishma should do everything possible to destroy them. Duryodhana's tone and words indirectly meant that Bishma was not using his skills and unparalleled power in the war. Bhishma promised Duryodhana that he would kill all Pandavas and kingdom will be theirs. Duryodhana was very happy and went back to his camp. Some spies of Pandavas heard this and came and told Draupadi about Bhisma's fresh promise to Duryodhana. Draupadi new Bhisma's power and could not sleep that night. When everybody slept, she slowly got up and started walking through the poorly lit battle field towards Bhishma's tent. Krishna saw this from a distance and ran towards her. Her slippers or paadukam were making some noise and Krishna was afraid whether it would wake up the soldiers. So Krishna asked Draupadi to hand over her paadukam and He said He would carry them. With out hesitation Draupadi gave the paadukam and they walked towards Bhisma. They saw Bhishma was walking up and down inside the tent. Light from the hanging lamp in the tent was very dim. Draupadi went inside and straight away did namaskaar to him. In the dim light Bhishma only knew that it was a woman and he blessed with the words: "Deergha sumangali bhava! " means "May you live long with your husband!". (sorry, my translation killed the beauty of the words of blessing and Hope Bhishmaji also will forgive me) Draupadi was happy and that was all she wanted to hear. If Bhishma's blessings have to be true, her husbands cannot die in the war. She had full faith in Bhisma's affectionate blessings. When she got up, Bhishma saw that it was Draupadi and thought deeply about the blessings he gave. Outside he saw a shadow and asked who accompanied her. Krishna came inside with Draupadi's paadukam in his hands. Bhishma excalimed: "Kirshna, you are carrying Draupadi's paadukam! There is no wonder that people call you: "bhaktha paraadheenan" or "servant of devotees". Only then Draupadi realized what she did in her panic to meet Bhisma. She said" Krishna! Bhaktha vatsala! what atonement I can do for this mahaapaapam! I made you carry my paadukam where Bharatha Maharaj did pooja of your paadukam for 14 years! Please, please forgive me! She burst into tears. Krishna smiled and told her that it was time to get back to their camp. Draupadi remembered what Krishna told Durvasas maharshi when sudarshana chakram followed to punish Durvaasus for hurting Krishna's one of the greatest devotee Ambarisha. These were Krishna's words: aham bhakta-paradhino hy asvatantra iva dvija sadhubhir grasta-hrdayo bhaktair bhakta-jana-priya: "I am completely under the control of My devotees. Indeed, I am not at all independent. Because My devotees are completely devoid of material desires, I dwell in their hearts. What to speak of My devotee, even those who are devotees of My devotee are very dear to Me."