Mahanidhi Swami
Devotees often doubt, “Krishna is so far away enjoying His sweet lilas in Goloka Vrndavana, so how can Krishna possibly hear the prayers of little old me?”
Sastras often describe how Krishna hears the cries, pleas or prayers of His devotees, even though He may be hundreds or even thousands of kilometers away. Here’s some evidence from Gita and Bhagavatam.
- 9.16.14: After Jamadagni was slain, his wife Renuka cried for her powerful son Parasurama. Though he was far away, he heard (upasrutya durasthah) his mom’s crying and immediately went there.
10.28.3 At five a.m., when Nanda Baba got kidnapped by Varuna’s servants and taken under the Yamuna, the cowherd men cried out to Krishna. Although Krishna was forty kilometers away, Krishna heard and immediately went there, bhagavams tad upashrtuta, tad-antikam gato.
Tika Sri Jiva Goswami: Though the cowherd men shouted from far away, Krishna heard the shouts as if close by (upashrutya).
Tika Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti: Though Krishna was far away sleeping on His bed of flowers [in a kunja with Radhika: Nisha-lila], Krishna heard the cowherd men shouting “Krishna! Rama!” How is this possible? Because Krishna is all-pervading, Krishna is always very near to everyone. Understanding the situation, Krishna rushed there, jumped into the water to save Nanda Baba.
Mahabharata: One afternoon, while Rani Draupadi and the Pandavas were exiled in Kamvan Vraja, Durvasa Muni showed up with 60 K hungry disciples. The sage asked Draupadi to feed them all, which would be possible by the power of her “akshaya patra”, a pot which can feed everyone without limit.
However, once the pot has been used, it could not be used again that day. Anxious and afraid, Draupadi anguishly cried, O Krishna, O Bhagavan, please save me!”
Krishna heard (upasrutya, as if near), immediately crossed the 120 km. distance between Indraprastha and Kamvan, ate a few crumbs from the used pot, and all bellies became full. A miracle of hearing followed by a miraculous deed.
Gita: 13.14 “Everywhere are Krishna’s hands and legs, His eyes, heads and faces, and Krishna has ears everywhere. In this way the Supersoul exists, pervading everything, sarvatah pani padam tat, sarvatah akshi shiro mukham, sarvataù shruti-mal loke, sarvam avrtya tishthati.”
Acharyas say that not only does this verse describe the Antaryami, Paramatma feature, it also describes the Bhagavan feature of the Personality of Godhead, Bhagavan Sri Krishna.
How so? It is Krishna only whose hands (sarvatah pani) reach out anywhere and everywhere to accept the offerings of His bhaktas.
In Gopala Champu, Sri Jiva Goswami describes how Giridhari Sri Krishna reached His long hungry hands from Govardhana all the way to kitchens in Nandagram to eat bhoga offerings which were forgotten by the Vrajavasis in their haste to run to Giriraja.
On His feet only (padam tat), Krishna goes wherever His bhaktas offer dandavats, and He stands there to accept them.
Wherever Krishna’s bhaktas chant, sing or pray to Him, Krishna hears them (sarvatah shruti-mal loke). And with His big beautiful blue lotus eyes (sarvatah akshi shiro mukham), Krishna enjoys watching His devotees serve Him in different ways.
Srila Prabhupada tika: In this verse (Gita 13.14), Krishna says, He has His hands and legs everywhere. Wherever Krishna will order, the things [we need] will come. Simply we have to become sincere; then everything is there. (730838SB.LON)
Conclusion: Yes, my friends, Radha Govinda DO HEAR YOUR PRAYERS, and respond immediately and lovingly.
Please everyone have faith and keep praying and crying. Be sure that one fine beautiful day, you will open your tear-filled eyes and see…
Radha Govinda smiling at you in bliss!
Praying for mercy ki jai! Krishna is right here ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!