Tag Archive for: KrishnaPastimes

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Bhoga and Bartering

One day Krsna, Balarama, and the cowherd boys wandered into the forest and started playing. Krsna looked as beautiful as a freshly formed rain cloud. They spent many hours in fun sports and games. Desiring to see Their beautiful forms and pastimes, Yasoda sent Rohini to bring Krsna and Balarama back home.

Rohini Devi, a reservoir of unlimited piety and qualities, ran out of the house to perform this task. Seeing the boys from a distance, she called out “Have you forgotten to come home due to Your absorption in playing? You are perspiring profusely and must be famished from so much playing. Now stop playing and come along with Your enchanting elder brother and friends. Take Your bath, dress properly, and satisify mother Yasoda by sitting down and eating sumptuously.

Krsna, however, ignored Rohini’s request and kept enjoying with His friends. Feeling frustrated, mother Rohini returned home. Then Yasoda ran to call the boys. “Hey listen Baladeva! King Nanda is starving and will not eat until You return. Now hurry along.”

Yasoda then addressed Krsna, “O my darling son! Today is Your birthday so You will be bathed with auspicious articles. You will receive the blessings of the brahmanas who are the veritable demigods of this world. Your father has bought opulent clothes for You. Now come home and take Your meal with Your father and all the assembled brahmanas.”

Saying this, mother Yasoda, who walks as majestically as a royal elephant caught Krsna’s lotus hand and said, “Come along, let us go home.” Keeping Balarama in front, Yasoda led Krsna and the boys back home. Yasoda cannot tolerate that Krsna joyfully plays all day without stopping to eat. Like all mothers who dearly love their children, Yasoda stopped Their playing so They could eat Their meal.

Yasoda ordered the maidservants to bring massage oils, bathing powder, clothes, ornaments, and garlands. Taking a soft damp cloth Yasoda cleansed Krsna by removing all the dust from His body, which resembled a fully blossomed blue lotus. Yasoda massaged Him with oil, bathed, and dressed Him.

After anointing His transcendental body with fragrant oil Yasoda brought Krsna before Nanda Maharaja. Nanda happily picked up his boys, who responded with sweet smiles, and then sat down to take his meal along with Krsna and Balarama. Yasoda’s servants also bathed and dressed all of Krsna’s friends.

After feeding everyone, Yasoda instructed Krsna’s playmates before sending them home. She said, “From now on do not keep playing with my restless son when it is His time to eat. At that time, you should stop and quickly return to your homes.” Out of love for His friends Krsna walked with them for short way before bidding them farewell.

Bartering for Fruits

One day a fruit vendor, well versed in moral laws, stood outside Nanda’s gate trying to sell fruits. Hearing her calling for customers, Krsna came out to see. The fruit vendor was enchanted by seeing the two pink land lotuses of Krsna’s feet. In the cup of His small lotus hands Krsna brought some food grains to trade for fruits. By the time Krsna reached the fruit vendor, however, most of grains had already slipped out of His hands.

The melodious jingling of Krsna’s golden ankle-bells captivated the ears of fruit vendor. She absorbed her eyes in the full experience of seeing Krsna, the personified stream of bliss who was more enchanting than a beautiful rain cloud.

Absorbed in the bliss of Krsna’s association, that pious woman filled her palms with fruits and gladly offered them to Krsna. At that moment the fruit remaining in her basket magically transformed into costly gems and jewels.

Excerpt: Sri Kavi Karnapura’s Ananda Vrindavana Campu ki jai!

Krishna Nectar Lilas ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

All parts of Krishna Nectar Lilas can be found here.

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Nanda Frees Gopal

Then the twin arjuna trees crashed to the ground. Their falling such a terrible sound that it deafened the village ladies as well as the four elephants controlling the four directions of the heavenly planet All the Vrajavasis felt fearful. The sweet taste of bliss that Vrajesvari Yasoda and the Vrajavasis had previously relished now suddenly disappeared. Becoming bewildered and fearing another calamity, they stormed their duties and rushed to that place.

When they saw the huge fallen trees they thought perhaps mother earth offered dandavats to Krsna-kumara with the arms of these tree trunks The split open trees looked like the gaping mouth of the lower planetary system. Its two branches appeared like two huge snakes rising up and desiring to go in different directions.

The two trees seemed like the dead bodies of the demons Madhu and Kaitabha thrown on the ground by the Lord Himself. When the Vrajavasis found Krsna, He appeared calm, fearless, and free from danger. Though only a child, Krsna looked like a priceless jewel ornamenting mother earth, and assuring Her of protection by His very presence.

At that time the Vrajavasis thought, “0 what is this? How have these huge arjuna trees suddenly fallen without being pushed down by the wind? In a second, they could have crushed and killed Krsna. But Krsna just stands peacefully between them looking as fresh as a newly formed rain cloud. It is our good fortune that nothing has happened to Him.

“For a long time these two trees have stood here troubling others. Now due to old age their roots have become rotten, and they toppled over from the weight of their leaves and branches. But upon closer examination, we see this is not the reason because the roots, branches, and leaves are all fresh and hard.” In various ways the Vrajavasis tried to evaluate the situation.

While deeply drinking the pure nectar of Krsna’s wonderful pastimes, Nanda Maharaja’s face beamed with transcendental delight. The mind of Krsna also danced in jubilation over His recent exploit. Vrajaraja Nanda untied Krsna from the mortar and placed Him on his lap. Then the expert and learned Nanda scolded his wife,

“Nandarani, You have made a big mistake!” But suddenly Nanda Maharaja remembered Garga Munis prophecy that Krsna equals Narayana, and that all the scriptures proclaim His transcendental qualities. Thinking thus, Nanda concluded that no one but his son could have done this amazing feat.

The friends of Krsna said, “Hey look what Krsna has done. Our spotless hero has done something impossible. Afraid of His mother, Krsna dragged the mortar over here. Then it got stuck between these two trees and Krsna uprooted them.” None of the assembled Vrajavasis believed the words of the innocent children.

Taking auspicious articles such as rice, arghya, and durva grass, Nanda worshiped Krsna, who is the source and bestower of all benedictions and who surpasses Narayana in good qualities. Afterwards Nanda brought Krsna back home to the accompaniment of musicians playing drums and cymbals.

Excerpt: Sri Kavi Karnapura’s Ananda Vrindavana Campu ki jai!

Krishna Nectar Lilas ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

All parts of Krishna Nectar Lilas can be found here.

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Devas Pray

At that time two effulgent persons emerged from the trees. Delivered from their curse, the two demigods offered prayers to Krsna, “0 embodiment of eternity and boundless bliss. You appear more attractive than a cluster of soft, beautiful dark blue rain clouds. All glories to You! All glories to You!

“No one can understand the mysteries of Your transcendental pastimes. You have appeared on earth just to enact Your splendid spiritual sports. Along with Your appearance came many mighty demons eager to fight with You. However You always exhibited greater power and easily defeated them in an artistic fashion.

“Even though just a tender boy, You have personally uprooted these two massive arjuna trees. You are definitely one without a second. You pour mercy upon everyone and bestow abundant affection to the fallen. As a common man enjoys different playful sports, You relish wonderful varieties of rasa in all Your pleasantly artistic transcendental pastimes.

“Truly You are the embodiment of auspiciousness appearing in Vrndavana to benedict all the Vrajavasis. The moon, lord of the stars, becomes totally afflicted upon seeing the beautiful radiance of Your moon-like face. The natural glow of Your attractive lips surpasses the reddish color of a bimba fruit. You delight learned sages by cutting the dense vines of ignorance with the axe of Your mercy.

“Human intelligence cannot penetrate the fathomless ocean of Your transcendental pastimes. But one can attain Your lotus feet by following pure devotees. The words of the lotus-born Brahma, the blue-throated Mahadeva, and other demigods are always ornamented with descriptions of Your transcendental qualities.

“While Your effulgence alone displays complete and unlimited power, You personally perform various playful pastimes. Strands of jeweled necklaces adorn Your broad chest. Your fes’ deride the purity of land lotuses. Although You appear in specific forms in all four yugas, You have as many unlimited names and forms as there are stars in the sky. As the white incarnation Your glorious deeds wer pure and faultless.

“O Lord of the three worlds! You quickly satisfy the desires of all materialistic people who proudly proclaim, “This is mine!” 0 master! We offer our respectful obeisances unto You. In this whole creation who can compare with You? You are one without a second! 0 Supreme Personality of Godhead! Who is not bewildered by Your illusory energy? 0 enchanter of all minds! You astonish everyone with Your matchless ability to do the impossible.

“O bliss personified! O darling son of Nanda Maharaja! As the crest-jewel among all the immortals who wander through the pleasure groves of Vrndavana You perform superexcellent pastimes. Though using the choicest Sanskrit slokas, the best of sages fail to properly praise You.

“You exist simultaneously as formless bliss and bliss personified. In either gross or subtle forms. You alone exist everywhere. You exhilarate both Your humble servants and the realized souls. The incessant stream of consciousness flowing from Your lotus feet looks like a form of the nectarean Mandakini (celestial Ganges). Please shelter us under Your splendidly sweet lotus feet, and destroy all attachments preventing this.

“O friend of the distressed! We have no desire other than the desire to touch the pollen dust on Your lotus feet. Narada’s curse turned into our greatest boon. Association with sadhus who intensely yearn for Your service, therefore, always gives good results. May our words perpetually glorify You. May our minds be forever fixed on Your lotus feet. May our ears be constantly absorbed in hearing Your teachings.

“What more can we say? Now that all our senses are engaged in pleasing You, we can relish the nectar of Your loving service. Narada Muni, that saintly honeybee who always drinks the nectar of Your feet, has released rain clouds of mercy upon us by His apparent curse. You, who display Your attractive pastimes in thousands of universes, have kindly allowed such fallen souls as us to see them.

“O Lord! Who can describe the immense fortune of Your mother who bound You to this mortar? What more can we say? Even Lord Brahma, Lord Siva, Indra, and all the exalted sages in the universe do not possess even a fraction of a grain of the good fortune of mother Yasoda. 0 omnipotent one! Even the greatest jnanis, vedantists, and yogis cannot understand You. But You quickly avail Yourself to premi-bhaktas intent on hearing Your transcendental pastimes as Nandanandana.

“O Lord! We want to become completely attached to Your lotus feet. we beg You to please reveal within in our hearts the right prayer to in this. Alas! Show us how to live righteously by accepting the results of our good and bad karma.” Praying thus the demigods proceeded Northward and disappeared.

Excerpt: Sri Kavi Karnapura’s Ananda Vrindavana Campu ki jai!

Krishna Nectar Lilas ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

All parts of Krishna Nectar Lilas can be found here.

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Freeing the Devas

Krsna thought how to use His present bondage to fulfill a prophecy of Narada Muni. Previously Narada had cursed two intoxicated and indecent demigods named Nalakuvera and Manigriva to become trees. Deciding to bestow His mercy upon them, Krsna dragged the grinding mortar tied to His belly along the ground toward those two trees. Krsna’s playmates cheerfully followed Him.

From a distance Krsna saw the two trees connected at the root. Similarly, a student will understand that prakrti and purusa originate from one source. As karma kanda and gyana kanda are separate paths, the two trees had different trunks. The Sama and Yajur Vedas have various divisions, and similarly, the two trees had many branches. As a great king has the qualities of valor and achievement, as a mountain range possesses steadiness, and as a cluster of clouds is laden with showers, similarly, these two trees displayed an abundance of natural opulence.

The demigods embodied in the two trees had become purified by suffering many years in that way, just as clouds abound in the rainy season and as water becomes clear and pure in autumn. As the universe is vast and broad, these trees stood stout and strong. Known as a pair of arjuna trees, they reminded everyone of the great heroes Arjuna and Kartavirya. Like Nakula and Sahadeva, these two trees were also twins. Seeing Krsna moving towards the huge trees, His friends said, “Perhaps Krsna cannot tolerate the scorching sunshine so He is seeking shelter under those shady trees.”

While His friends spoke thus, Krsna pulled the mortar over and it got stuck between the two trees. He who annihilates all pretenders appeared Pendid with His curly hair hanging loosely over His shoulders. Though Krsna’s body is pure and spotless. His character is colored with wonderful colours or rasa.

With a slight jerk of the mortar Krsna easily uprooted those huge trees in a moment. A loud cracking sound filled the air when the trees split open. As a person pokes a hole in a clay pot, that unique vibration, which conquered all other sounds, raced through the sky to puncture a hole in the coverings of the universe. The sound exactly resembled the terrible noise produced by the fierce thunderbolts crashing at the time of devastation. Krsna remained calm and joyful amidst the tremendous tumult.

Krsna is eternally free, but He appeared to be bound to a grinding mortar. His character is eternally pure, but it was stained by His pastimes of stealing. Although He can liberate anyone trapped in material existence He was bound by the loving affection of His mother.

Excerpt: Sri Kavi Karnapura’s Ananda Vrindavana Campu ki jai!

Krishna Nectar Lilas ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

All parts of Krishna Nectar Lilas can be found here.

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Binding Makhanchor

With a choked voice Krsna slowly uttered some sweet yet indistinct words that came out from His beautiful mouth like drops of nectar falling from the full moon. Indeed, it was a marvellous sight to see Krsna becoming overwhelmed in fear and crying helplessly.

Yasoda thought, “If I do not bind Him immediately, He may run away into the deep forest.” Yasoda then brought a grinding mortar and considered how to bind the one of boundless glories. Observing this, Krsna beamed an attractive smile.

Yasoda ordered some maidservants, “O Kurangavati and Lavangavati, fetch some smooth soft rope made of jute.” The attempt of Vrajesvari Yasoda to bind Krsna, the ever well-wisher of the whole creation, immersed her in an ocean of joy. Soon many opulently dressed elderly gopis the embodiments of limitless motherly affection, came there along with several curious boys with clean, beautiful curly hair.

Mother Yasoda tied many ropes together but they always measured two inches too short. Surprisingly, no matter how many ropes she collected they remained two inches too short. She said, “Alas! This small distance seems to have become as vast as Brahma’s universe. The Supreme Lord enacts this pastime by His personal energy to display His unlimited power.”

Observing this wonderful incident, the elderly gopis tried to relieve Yasoda’s anxiety by saying, “O Yasoda! You are the most blessed one in creation. A minute ago you tied a small golden belt around Krsna’s thin waist, but now you cannot bind him with all the ropes in your house! Despite the number of ropes you tie together, they always end up two inches too short. There is some strange cause behind this phenomenon, so you better stop trying to bind your son.”

In great astonishment Yasoda addressed the gopis, “O Vraja gopis I have no more ropes, so please bring all the ropes stored in your houses.” It was not out of fear that the gopis gave all their ropes to Yasoda, but they did so in order to see Krsna’s glorious transcendental character and relish His blissful pastimes. Feigning anger, Yasoda took all the additional ropes and tried again to bind her naughty son.

While enjoying this scene, the doe-eyed housewives of Vrndavana laughed quietly while secretly tasting a special joy in their hearts.

All the blissful moods of spiritual love harmonized in Krsna’s childhood pastimes. Though Krsna’s hands were very delicate, His eyes soon pained from continually rubbing the tears falling from them.

In a choked-up voice He spoke some richly sweet words that captivated the minds of all. Finally, Krsna cried in a gentle, honey sweet voice. Empathizing with Krsna, close friends like Subala also wept along with their bosom friend.

Yasoda’s heart palpitated with her heavy breathing, her hair loosened, and the flowers fell to the ground. Perspiring, tired, overwhelmed, snd her labors frustrated, Yasoda sat down to rest and figure out how to tie up Krsna. A short time later she tried again to bind her matchless son. The elderly gopis, having lost all desire to return to their homes, stood motionless while staring at Krsna with unblinking eyes.

Now all the ropes in Vrndavana joined in a fruitless attempt to bind the master of the universe. It is impossible to tie up bliss, wisdom, power, and consciousness, so how can anyone tie up Krsna who is made of nothing but bliss, wisdom, power, and consciousness?

How could Yasoda bind one who has no inside or outside, who is limitless, who has no beginning or end, who has infinite power, who is the totality of everything, who is completely full and beyond any contamination, and who is within and outside everything? Viewing the situation, the all-powerful Supreme Lord decided to bestow His mercy upon Yasoda.

Even though mother Yasoda eagerly desired to tie up Krsna, she met no success despite her total exhaustion. The endeavor of a devotee to bind the Lord can only be successful with the Lord’s sanction. All of Yasoda’s work now bore fruit because Krsna, out of compassion for her, suddenly allowed Himself to be bound. Extending His mercy, He saved His beloved mother from further anger and frustration.

Yasoda asked the assembled cowherd boys to watch Krsna to prevent Him from untying Himself and running away. Then Yasoda and the elderly gopis entered her private chambers. The moment Yasoda left, Krsna stopped crying, and His face assumed a peaceful and effulgent glow like the luminous moonshine.

Excerpt: Sri Kavi Karnapura’s Ananda Vrindavana Campu ki jai!

Krishna Nectar Lilas ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

All parts of Krishna Nectar Lilas can be found here.

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Gopal Runs Away

In a fearful yet playful mood Krsna ran through the butter and romped from room to room engaging in more mischief. Stealthily entering the milk storeroom, Krsna quickly ate small amounts of freshly churned butter from various pots.

From relishing His favorite food He soon felt satisfied and gave up His anger. Then Sri Hari, who is worshiped by all the demigods, snatched a pot of butter and ran into the courtyard.

The pastimes Krsna enjoyed at this time appeared to be classic performances on a dramatic stage. While standing on a grinding mortar in the courtyard and anxiously looking around for mother Yasoda, Krsna fed fresh butter to all the assembled children and monkeys. The fortunate Yasoda, whose jewel-like son benedicts the entire creation, took the boiling milk off stove and returned to Krsna.

The fame of attaining Krsna as her son enhanced the brilliant beauty of Yasoda’s body. She wanted to embrace her son and console Him, but not finding Him there she became morose. In a mood of lamentation she frantically searched everywhere for Krsna. She found some broken pots emitting innumerable streams of yogurt that flowed across the floor making it slippery and white in color. Out of anger, Krsna had smashed many clay pots, which now lay strewn on the floor in hundreds of pieces.

Mother Yasoda thought, “Alas! What has happened? Why is this yogurt pot broken?” At first she could not understand, but upon seeing a small rock she concluded that Krsna had perpetrated this naughty act. With a look of surprise mother Yasoda touched the tip of her nose with the index finger of her beautiful left hand and thought, “How could my child show such impudence? I tried so patiently to train Him properly, so how could He behave so horribly.”

Although no impurities resided in her heart, Yasoda appeared to manifest a special form of motherly pride. Showing false anger, she thought, “The glories of my son’s transcendental pastimes are unlimited. His every action increases His own pride and pleasure while simultaneously creating a festival for one and all. He derives boundless happiness by His constant pastimes of stealing.”

As soon as Krsna, who enchants the demigods with His beautiful body the color of a monsoon cloud, saw mother Yasoda coming out of the house, He jumped up in fear and ran away as fast as possible. Expertly understanding the human-like nature of her son, Yasoda chased after Him calling, “Stop running! Stop! 0 You foremost cheater in the world!”

Krsna kept looking fearfully back over His shoulder while running away from Yasoda. Though Yasoda felt fatigued and mentally distressed, her body, arms, and legs looked very beautiful as she pursued her mischievous son.

Full of pride and anger, Yasoda continued shouting to Krsna, “Stop You thief and liar! How can you carry on like this? Where are You going? Just stop running and stand where You are!”

Krsna said, “I will stop if you drop your stick.” After saying this Krsna stopped running away, but kept a safe distance from His mother. Yasoda said, “If You are so afraid of being punished, then why did You break my yogurt pot today?”

Krsna said, “I will never do it again. Now just drop the stick from your hand.” Yasoda’s mind turned into an abode of amazement as she tried to approach her son. But seeing her angry mood, Krsna quickly ran away again while speaking in a distressed tone, “Mother! Please drop that big stick and do not punish Me! O sinless one, if you do this I will come to you.” After hearing Krsna’s innocent appeal Yasoda dropped the stick.

Seeing this, Krsna stopped running. Absorbed in watching Krsna’s transcendental pastimes, the immortal denizens of heaven felt totally amazed. One can easily understand how powerful demigods like Lord Brahma, who lives for trillions of years, became upset and bewildered upon seeing Krsna’s pastime of showing fear before His mother. They could not fathom how the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is feared by fear personified, ran away in fear of a stick in His mother’s hand.

The fine hairs curling over Yasoda’s face dripped with perspiration and her blouse moved from her heavy breathing. Her hair hung loose from running and her lotus face appeared exhausted. When she caught Krsna’s hand He said, “Mother please do not beat Me.”

While saying this Krsna rubbed His tear-filled lotus eyes with His delicate palms which resembled the petals of a fresh lotus flower.

Excerpt: Sri Kavi Karnapura’s Ananda Vrindavana Campu ki jai!

Krishna Nectar Lilas ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

All parts of Krishna Nectar Lilas can be found here.

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Gopal Breaks the Pot

The following episode occurred one day during Krsna’s transcendental pastimes in Gokula. Though any number of maidservants could have done this chore, Yasoda tactfully engaged them elsewhere in order to show her expertise in preparing butter. With her own hands, which appeared as soft and elegant as lotus flowers, Yasoda personally churned butter for her beloved boy.

The beauty of her delicate arms put lotus stems to shame. As she rhythmically pulled the ropes back and forth, the jingling of her emerald-studded bangles resounded like the bells on the feet of a dancer. As Yasoda’s hair loosened and became wet from the exertion of churning, it looked like the opened tail feathers of a jubilant peacock.

When her hair braid untied, the jewels, flowers, and peacock feathers decorating it fell on the ground. As shooting stars beautify the dense darkness of night, similarly, these falling items increased the beauty of the earth.

The necklace on her raised breasts swung back and forth with the movements of her blouse. The shining effulgence emanating from her jeweled-earrings appeared like a constant flow of nectar. Bathed in the sweet mellow of maternal affection, Yasoda’s neck and shoulders looked exceedingly beautiful. The ornamental belt surrounding her highly raised hips appeared captivating.

The radiant gems and tinkling bells on that belt further increased its elegance. Drenched in a river of devotional perspiration, Yasoda’s delicate body looked delightful. The sweetness of this scene defeated the beauty of seeing a swarm of intoxicated bees buzzing over a blooming lotus flower.

A loud sound resembling the roaring of the ocean rose out of the wide mouth of Yasoda’s butter pot. The drops of yogurt spilling out of the pot and falling on the golden border of Yasoda’s sari made it look even more attractive. As Yasoda passed the time remembering Krsna, she recalled the enchanting look in her son’s eyes whenever He got caught stealing butter.

At that time He would proudly say, “Mother, you should know that I am expert in this art of stealing.” Krsna felt hungry and anxious to drink Yasoda’s breast milk. In a threatening voice, Krsna said, “Either you stop to feed Me or I will break the churning pot.”

Suddenly, the one who chums the hearts of everyone in creation forcefully caught the churning rod. Yasoda stopped, sat Krsna on her lap, and happily fed Him. While gazing at His, loosely hanging curly dark blue hair, Yasoda’s heart swelled with appreciation of Krsna’s wonderfully gentle nature.

Just at that time in the kitchen some boiling milk foamed up in a pot. Fearing it might spill over, Yasoda left her son and ran to the kitchen. This deeply pierced the core of Krsna’s heart. Becoming angry, He picked up a rock and broke the butter pot. Churned butter flowed in all directions across the floor.

Excerpt: Sri Kavi Karnapura’s Ananda Vrindavana Campu ki jai!

Krishna Nectar Lilas ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

All parts of Krishna Nectar Lilas can be found here.

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Gopal Eats Clay Laddus

One day Krsna ate some clay in order to expand the glories of His beloved land of Vrndavana and to purify the universe. Upon seeing that, Balarama, who possesses keen powers of discrimination, and a group of cowherd boys ran to tell mother Yasoda.

“Mother! Krsna cannot control His mind. Out of greed He just ate some clay! Despite our rebukes, He Just keeps eating more and more.”

On hearing such harsh words about her son, Mother Yasoda felt disturbed. Her eyebrows raised in anger, she grabbed a bundle of sticks and quickly ran out of the house. Finding Krsna, she said. “Hey You naughty boy! Why did You eat clay? Didn’t I give You enough sweets? Who can enjoy eating clay?

“Just as we caught You before doing mischief in others’ homes, now we caught You again. Don’t You realize that You cannot hide Your faults? Your elder brother and friends are always there to witness all Your misbehavior.”

In fear of His mother, Krsna tried to conceal His faults. Though performing many mischievous deeds. He pretended to be completely innocent, and poured profuse tears from His lotus eyes. In order to counteract the charges, Krsna said emphatically, “Mother! I did not eat any clay. They are all lying. If you do not believe Me, then just look in My mouth.”

Vrajesvari Yasoda replied, “Alright, open Your mouth.” Krsna, the embodiment of unlimited power and the abode of good fortune, smiled and opened His lotus mouth. Mother Yasoda saw Bhuloka and the seven islands amidst limitless oceans. Bhuloka extended for a great distance with varieties of human beings and roaring rivers along its edges.

Both small and large forests covered its surface. Trees wrapped with flowering creepers blowing in the wind spread in all directions.

Lions and many types of animals inhabited its huge mountain chains. She saw the lower planetary systems including Nagaloka and the Nagapatnis serving their master. She saw the heavens complete with stars, planets, constellations, and the passing of the days. She saw the abodes of the celestials populated by Siddhas, Caranas, Gandharavas, and Vidyadharas.

Munis such as Marichi, Atri, and other famous sages beautified that realm with their radiant auras. Beyond that, Yasoda saw Maharloka, Tapaloka, and other universes as well. Countless living entities from the insignificant insects up to demigods like Indra and Brahma inhabited those regions.

Within Krsna’s mouth Yasoda also saw herself, Nanda Maharaja, Vraja-dhama, and her son Nandanandana. Upon marveling at these sights, mother Yasoda said, “What am I seeing? Am I dreaming? Is it the illusory energy? Is it a show of magic? Am I under a hypnotic spell?” ‘

This pastime put Yasoda into complete bewilderment. But after a moment, the wise Yasoda thought, “Indeed, this must have been a display of Krsna’s limitless power and opulence.”

Forgetting all these ideas, Yasoda tried to find out what had happened. Regardless of what she had seen, Yasoda felt that Krsna must protect her.

Upon seeing that amazing universal form, mother Yasoda concluded that her son was a most extraordinary personality. She thought, “Mahadeva himself must be astounded by the majesty and influence of my son. Certainly Krsna must be the supreme controller.”

Yasoda continued to treat Krishna as her dependent son. In order to expedite the free exchange of sweet intimate love between Himself and His dear devotees, Krsna quickly abandoned His mood as the Absolute Supreme Controller.

Excerpt: Sri Kavi Karnapura’s Ananda Vrindavana Campu ki jai!

Krishna Nectar Lilas ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

All parts of Krishna Nectar Lilas can be found here.

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Krishna Plays in Dirt

One day Vrajaraja Nanda and Yasoda spoke about their son Krishna. “When Krsna is out playing He likes to wander off alone leaving the powerful Balarama behind. We should hire someone to supervise Their play, and send some expert servants to accompany Them. Let them wander all over Vrndavana serving our two boys.”

Shortly later, Nanda engaged some servants to take care of his boys. As a baby elephant picks up dirt with his trunk and throws it all around, Krsna entered the open fields of the village, and olayfully covered Himself and His friends with vraja-raja (dust of Vrndavana). At this time Krsna used to sport with both young boys and girls of the same age.

Sometimes Krsna quarreled with the gopas and gopis and beat them, and other times they beat Him. Krsna responded by laughing, getting angry, or by not reacting at all.

Playing in the dirt Krsna, built houses, a toy wall, or a small town. Other times He broke the dirt houses of His friends and they broke His. When Krsna rebuilt His house, they would break it again.

While curiously observing these antics from the sky, the demigods thought, “Simply by His glance thousands of unlimited universes come into existence and then again are dissolved. Instead of bothering with that work, He now plays in the dirt making roads, homes, and villages.

“Although He is becoming exhausted from doing this, He does not give it up.” Krsna’s perplexing pastimes captivated the minds of the demigods. While Krsna delighted in the dirt, He looked like the sun shining in the sky.

The housewives of Vrndavana, full of motherly affection, addressed Krsna with sweet words, “O darling boy! Please come to our beautiful courtyards, play with our children, and take some food.”

Hearing this, Krsna smiled and replied softly, “I cannot come because I do not have any spare time.”

Thus, the all-attractive beloved of every mother’s heart cleverly responded to the elderly gopis. Anxious to express their motherly affection toward Krsna, these impatient gopis held His hand and hurried to their homes. In their eyes, fortune had blessed Krsna alone as the sole recipient of matchless beauty.

Brimming with love, the elderly gopis served Krsna by rubbing His body and bathing Him. With great devotion they fed Him butter, rabri and ksira, and then sent Him home.

Excerpt: Sri Kavi Karnapura’s Ananda Vrindavana Campu ki jai!

Krishna Nectar Lilas ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

All parts of Krishna Nectar Lilas can be found here.

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Gopis Complain

Once the Vraja gopis talked amongst themselves, “Krsna brings good fortune wherever He goes, and His presence make everyone’s life glorious. Who in this world is not enchanted by the frivolous and amusing childhood pastimes of Krsna? Who cannot appreciate these mirthful activities?”

Rather than getting upset, they felt the greatest happiness whenever Krsna broke their clay pots and stole their butter. Still the housewives of Vrndavana pretended to be angry and complained to Yasoda about Krsna’s stealing.

In a mixed mood of love and laughter the gopis warned Yasoda, “O Queen of Vrndavana, Yasoda! In the future you will suffer for the mischievous acts of your son. Although now your son is like a young sprout with tender leaves, already He is disrupting the whole creation.

“But be careful, in the future when this tender sprout grows into a tree full of leaves and branches, He will bring you tremendous pair- Now your boy’s adventures are just beginning, but by nature they are forever expanding. Your son’s naughty behavior will soon destroy our own village. We have no idea what mischief He will do next.

“Before our cows have been milked, your son unties the calves and makes them drink all the milk. If someone tries to rebuke Him, He simply smiles sweetly and that person immediately forgets all his anger. If we keep our butter in a dark storeroom, He uses His natural effulgence to easily find and steal it.

“But instead of eating it Himself, He takes great pleasure in feeding it to the monkeys. When the monkeys reach their fill and are unable to eat more, Krsna breaks the pot and throws the butter on the ground. He catches the butter pots which are beyond His reach by stacking many small tables on top of each of other, climbing them, and extending His arm to grab the pots.

“Krsna is always stealing our butter and yogurt. If someone tries to stop Him, He immediately drops the food on the ground and quickly escapes. If by chance a housewife captures Him, Krsna twists her wrist and runs away. Then from a safe distance He yells back, ‘Hey just stay where you are! If you come any closer, I will give you even more trouble by teasing your babies and making them cry.’

“If someone calls, ‘Hey thief, stop!’ Krsna becomes angry and shouts, ‘You are the thief. This house is Mine and everything in this house belongs to Me.’ In the morning we spread a fresh layer of clay on the outer walls of our houses, and paint beautiful designs on top of it with powdered limestone. Then your son Krsna comes along to spoil everything by throwing dirt all over our houses.

“In front of you, Krsna is so quiet and well behaved. But when He enters our homes He acts frivolously, steals our food, speaks sharp words, and becomes angry and greedy.”

In this way the ladies of Vrndavana, pretending to be angry, made many complaints against Krsna. But in reality Krsna’s joyous pranks filled everyone with pleasure. When accused by the gopis, Krsna feigned innocence and shed false tears. Though culpable for His immoral acts of stealing and offending the villagers in various ways, Krsna tried to minimize His misdeeds by speaking very sweetly.

Responding to the charges of the gopis, Krsna said, “Mother, none of these ladies have any affection in their hearts. They are not speaking a single word of truth. Actually they are all liars, and have given up their human dignity. Whenever I see them or their sons I feel completely happy because of the natural affection I have for them, I regularly visit their homes every morning at sunrise.

“Ma, so knowing My motives you can easily understand they are deliberately telling lies. You should not believe them at all. Mother, since you are My worshipable superior, from now on I will not visit My friends any more.” Saying this, Kaña sobbed and cried.

Vrajesvari Yasoda put Kaña on her lap and smiled shyly at the gopis in order to conceal her real mood. Then just to please Kaña, Yasoda said, “You gopis are all telling lies, Only Kaña is telling the truth. He is just an innocent boy, so how could He possibly do such things? I think you have already scolded my son sufficiently.”

After saying this, Yasoda spoke affectionately with the gopis. Then as a friendly gesture, Rohini applied tilaka to their foreheads and sent them home. After the departure of the gopis, Yasoda, who is expert in the laws of etiquette, spoke to Krsna, “My son, because of greed You performed many improper acts in the homes of our friends.

“Although in Your own home such behavior is acceptable, in the home of another it is totally unbecoming. O beautiful one! These deeds of Yours were not good at all. From now on just stay here and play.” After instructing her son Yasoda caressed Him lovingly.

Just then Vrajaraja Nanda arrived and brightened the room with his favorable feelings. Nanda spoke pleasing words to encourage and pacify his charming son. “O Vatsa! Come sit on my lap.” Leaving Yasoda lap, Krsna climbed up on Nanda’s lap and wrapped His arm around His father’s neck.

Then Krsna said softly, “Why is mother chastising Me for nothing?”

Nanda responded, “What is this all about?”

That fabulous boy of oceanic intelligence replied, “Mother, now tell truthfully what happened.”

Then mother Yasoda recounted the misdeeds of Krsna by repeating the words uttered by the gopis. Pointing to Queen Yasoda, Vrajaraja Nanda said, “My son is faultless. He has not done anything wrong. I always see Him behaving nicely.

“By siding with those who made fun of Him and with those who showed envy toward my jewel-like son, you have wrongly accused my well-behaved son and so you should be punished.” Concealing his real mood behind these words, Nanda rebuked Yasoda and comforted his son: “0 my darling son, just stay in my lap and do not go to anyone else.”

Though hearing His father’s words, Krsna immediately jumped off his lap just like an unpredictable child, and quickly climbed on Yasoda’s lap. Seeing this gave both parents a hearty laugh.

Excerpt: Kaviraja Sri Karnapura Goswami’s Ananda Vrindavana Campu ki jai!

Krishna Nectar Lilas ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

All parts of Krishna Nectar Lilas can be found here.