Gopala Champu

[27] Though some disturbance was caused by the death of Pralamba, the cowherd boys left the place where he was killed, polluted like a crematorium ground, and went to play under Bhāṇḍīra’s huge expanse of branches extending four krośas. When the frolicking boys desired to return home, the cows had strayed far off desiring grass and had entered a grove of dirty reeds on the bank of the Yamunā flowing with abundant water. The boys began searching for the cows that were lost and trapped in the reeds. Realizing they had lost the cows, the boys gathered together quickly in lamentation fearfully calling for the cows.

[28] They began to think that some cruel rascal on the order of Kaṁsa had come and taken the cows.

[29] Understanding their path by seeing their hoof marks, Kṛṣṇa called the cows.

He climbed a high bank, waved his yellow cloth and called out loudly. The cows then made sounds like the cātaka bird which had suddenly attained water-laden clouds rumbling with thunder and flashing with lightning. ||29||

[30] When Kṛṣṇa approached the cows and was standing there, assistants of Kaṁsa, seeing that Pralamba had been destroyed, took the opportunity and surrounded the reed grove in force. With enmity they created an inescapable shower of fire with extraordinary heat produced by evil mantras.

[31] The fire burned angrily, throwing off sparks and, blazing up, scorched the reed grove with a sizzling sound. The cows became frightened. They gathered together and separated in panic. Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, as if absorbed in playing, from far off gave shelter to their friends since they were their protectors.

Though they desired to protect Kṛṣṇa when they saw the fire, his friends prayed to him for their protection. When his desire to protect them arose, that prayer became evident. ||30||

kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa mahā-vīrya he rāmāmogha vikrama |

dāvāgninā dahyamānān prapannāṁs trātum arhathaḥ ||

O Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Most powerful one! O Rāma! You whose prowess never fails! Please save your devotees, who are about to be burned by this forest fire and have come to take shelter of you! SB 10.19.9

[32] When they came close, he heard their pain and their words of praise. Coming to them, he understood their fear. In anger he began to think:

These friends are dearer to me than myself. Seeing the forest fire they have become frightened. I will devour the fire, which Yama and Śiva cannot do. ||31||

[33] But my friends will not be able to endure me swallowing fire. He then said, “Oh! Do not be afraid. Please close your eyes.”

[34] When they had closed their eyes, with concentration, using Yogamāyā, he produced a body like a huge rain cloud. With its huge mouth he devoured the forest fire without difficultly.

[35] Some say that by his desire the fire became like a drop of nectar. By his desire something else was accomplished:

tataś ca te ’kṣīṇy unmīlya punar bhāṇḍīram āpitāḥ |

niśāmya vismitā āsann ātmānaṁ gāś ca mocitāḥ ||

The cowherd boys opened their eyes and were amazed to find not only that they and the cows had been saved from the terrible fire but that they had all been brought back to the Bhāṇḍīra tree. SB 10.19.13

Retrieving the cows, Kṛṣṇa, playing his flute in the company of Balarāma and spreading his glory among his friends, returned to Vraja in the evening. ||32||

The cows’ dust rose in the air and their hooves sounded. He called the cows and played his flute, which entered the ears of everyone. Attracted by the sound and dust, the citizens of Gokula did not know what was behind, in front or beside them, and were unaware of themselves. ||33||

When people came from all directions, they made the sky dark with dust. But Kṛṣṇa’s moon-like face made them all happy. ||34||

[36] After giving joy to Nanda, Yaśodā and their friends, the two brothers entered their house.

[37] The boys’ friends, telling about Pralamba and the forest fire, astonished everyone.

[37] The story was finished when the narrator said: “O Nanda! By good acts you have given birth to a son who swallowed a forest fire out of love for his friends.” ||35||