Harivamsa

7 - yamalārjunabhaṅgaḥ - The snapping of Yamala-arjuna trees

vaiśaṁpāyana uvāca

kāle gacchati tau saumyau dārakau kṛtanāmakau |

kṛṣṇasaṅkarṣaṇau chobhau riṅgiṇau samapadyatām ||2-7-1

vaiśaṁpāyana said:

As time passed, the two gentle boys, named as kṛṣṇa and saṅkarṣaṇa, began to crawl on their knees.

tāvanyonyagatau bālau bālyādevaikatāṁ gatau |

ekamūrtidharau kāntau bālacandrārkavarchasau ||2-7-2

The two boys, in their childhood, moved together as one. They were of identical bodies, appearing like young moon and sun.

ekanirmāṇanirmuktāvekaśayyāsanāśanau |

ekaveṣaharāvekaṁ puṣyamānau shishuvratam ||2-7-3

They were of the same physique. They shared the same bed, seat and food. They dressed in the same way and showed similar childish tendencies.

ekakāryāntaragatāvekadehau dvidhākṛtau |

ekacaryau mahāvīryāvekasya śiśutāṁ gatau ||2-7-4

They did the same thing. They appeared as if one body was divided in two parts. The boys having great power worked in the same way. They were sons of the same father.

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ekapramāṇau lokānāṁ devavṛttāntamānuṣau |

kṛtsnasya jagato gopā saṁvṛttau gopadārakau ||2-7-5

For people, they appeared the same. They were humans meant for carrying out the mission of gods. They were protectors of the world who appeared as cowherd boys.

anyonyavyatiṣaktābhiḥ krīḍābhirabhiśobhitau |

anyonyakiraṇagrastau candrasūryāvivāṁbare ||2-7-6

They dazzled by playing between themselves. They looked like moon and sun in the sky whose rays fell on each other.

visarpantau tu sarvatra sarpabhogabhujāvubhau |

rejatuḥ pāṁsudigdhāṅgau dṝptau kalabhakāviva ||2-7-7

They had long arms like snakes. They moved everywhere. With dust on their bodies, they shone like baby elephants.

kvachidbhasmapradīptāṅgau karīṣaprokṣitau kvachit |

tau tatra paryadhāvetāṁ kumārāviva pāvakī ||2-7-8

Sometimes their bodies were covered with ashes and sometimes with cow dung. They ran around like the sons of fire god.

kvachijjānubhirudghṛṣṭaiḥ sarpamānau virejatuḥ |

krīḍantau vatsaśālāsu śakṛddigdhāṅgamūrdhajau ||2-7-9

As they crawled on their knees in some places, they looked enchanting. They went to cowsheds for playing and their bodies were covered with cow dung.

śuśubhāte śriyā juṣṭāvānandajananau pituḥ |

janaṁ ca viprakurvāṇau vihasantau kvachitkvachit ||2-7-10

They were blessed with śrī. They gave great pleasure to their parents. They would do some mischief some times on people and laugh.

tau tatra kautūhalinau mūrdhajavyākulekṣanau |

rejatushcandravadanau dārakau sukumārakau ||2-7-11

Most of the time, they played. Their long curly hair fell on their eyes. The handsome boys had faces like moon.

atiprasaktau tau dṛṣṭvā sarvavrajavicāriṇau |

nāśakattau vārayituṁ nandagopaḥ sudurmadau ||2-7-12

They roamed around vraja doing various pranks. Nandagopa was unable to control them.

tato yaśodā saṅkruddhā kṛṣṇaṁ kamalalocanam |

ānāyya śakaṭīmūle bhartsayantī punaḥ punaḥ ||2-7-13

Once, yaśodā became very angry with the lotus-eyed kṛṣṇa. She brought him by the side of a cart and scolded him again and again.

dāmnā chaivodare baddhvā pratyabandhadulūkhale |

yadi śakto'si gaccheti tamuktvā karma sākarot ||2-7-14

Tying a rope around his stomach, she bound him to a mortar. Saying "go around if you can", she returned to her household chores.

vyagrāyāṁ tu yaśodāyāṁ nirjagāma tato'ṅgaṇāt |

śiśulīlāṁ tataḥ kurvankṛṣṇo vismāpayanvrajam ||2-7-15

While yaśodā was busy with her work, kṛṣṇa, who amused vraja with his pranks, left the courtyard.

so'ṅgaṇānnissṛtaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ karṣamāṇa ulūkhalam |

yamalābhyāṁ pravṛddhābhyāmarjunābhyāṁ caranvane |

madhyānniścakrāma tayoḥ karṣamāṇa ulūkhalam ||2--7-16

Leaving the courtyard, kṛṣṇa moved in the forest, dragging the mortar behind him. There were a pair of tall trees, yamala and arjuna. kṛṣṇa pulled the mortar between the two trees.

tattasya karṣato bhaddhaṁ tiryaggatamulūkhalam |

lagnaṁ tābhyāṁ sumūlābhyāmarjunābhyāṁ chakarṣa ca ||2-7-17

As he pulled, the bound mortar fell and struck horizontally across the trees. kṛṣṇa pulled the trees along with roots.

tāvarjunau kṛṣyamāṇau tena bālena raṁhasā |

samūlaviṭapau bhagnau sa tu madhye jahāsa vai ||2-7-18

The two arjuna trees, pulled forcefully by the boy, broke and fell down along with their roots and branches. He laughed standing between (the trees).

nidarśanārthaṁ gopāṇāṁ divyaṁ svabalamāsthitaḥ |

taddāma tasya bālasya prabhāvādabhavddṛḍham ||2-7-19

He took up his own divine power to show the gopas. Due to the splendour of that boy, the rope became strong.

yamunātīramārgasthā gopyastaṁ dadṛśuḥ shishum |

krandantyo vismayantyashcha yaśodāṁ yayuraṅganāḥ ||2-7-20

gopi-s on the way along the banks of yamunā saw the child. Calling loudly with astonishment, the women rushed to yaśodā.

tāstu saṁbhrāntavadanā yaśodāmūcuraṅganāḥ |

ehyāgaccha yashode tvaṁ saṁbhramātkiṁ vilambase ||2-7-21

Te women with worried faces told yaśodā: "come yaśodā, come fast. Why are you delayed due to confusion?"

yau tāvarjunavṛkṣau tu vraje satyopayācanau |

putrasyopari tāvetau patitau te mahīruhau ||2-7-22

The two arjuna trees in vraja used to fulfill our wishes. Those trees fell upon your son.

dṛḍhena dāmnā tatraiva baddho vatsa ivodare |

jahāsa vṛkṣayormadhye tava putraḥ sa bālakaḥ ||2-7-23

There, like a calf, tied on belly strongly with rope, your son is standing between the trees, laughing.

uttiṣṭha gaccha durmedhe mūḍhe paṇḍitamānini |

putramānaya jīvantaṁ muktaṁ mṛtyumukhādiva || 2-7-24

Get up, go, you ignorant fool, you think you are wise. Bring back your live son, who has just escaped from the mouth of death.

sā bhītā sahasotthāya hāhākāraṁ prakurvatī |

taṁ deshamagamadyatra pātitau tāvubhau drumau || 2-7-25

Struck with fear, she got up immediately, crying aloud. She rushed to the place, where the two trees had fallen down.

sā dadarsha tayormadhye drumayorātmajaṁ shishum |

dāmnā nibaddhamudare karṣamāṇamulūkhalam ||2-7-26

Between the trees, she saw her beloved son, pulling the mortar, tied to his belly with ropes.

sā gopī gopavṛddhaścha samuvāca vrajastadā |

paryāgacchanta te draṣtuṁ gopeṣu mahadadbhutam ||2-7-27

Then the gopi-s told the young and elderly gopa-s in vraja about the incident. They went to see the great wonder in vraja.

jajalpuste yathākāmaṁ gopā vanavicāriṇaḥ |

kenemau pātitau vṛkṣau ghoṣasyāyatanopamau ||2-7-28

The gopa-s living in the forest chattered among themselves as they wished: "How did the trees fall down, which were like temples to vraja?

vinā vātaṁ vinā varṣam vidyutprapatanaṁ vinā |

vinā hastikṛtaṁ doṣam kenemau pātitau drumau ||2-7-29

without strong winds, without heavy rain, without lightning, without pushing by elephants, how did the trees fall down?

aho bata na śobhetāṁ vimūlāvarjunāvibhau |

bhūmau nipatitau vṛkṣau vitoyau jaladāviva |

The two trees have fallen down on the ground, completely uprooted. The trees do not look healthy like clouds without water.

yadīmau ghoṣarachitau ghoṣakalyāṇakāriṇau ||2-7-30

nandagopa prasannau te drumāvevaṁ gatāvapi |

yaccha te dārako mukto vipulābhyāmapi kṣitau ||2-7-31

If these two trees were planted in vraja and these are beneficial to vraja, then, nandagopa, these trees are pleased with you. Your son was left free (from any harm), even while these big trees fell down on the ground.

autpātikamidaṁ ghoṣe tṛtīyaṁ vartate tviha |

pūtanāyā vināśaścha drumayoḥ śakaṭasya ca ||2-7-32

This is the third ill omen that has occurred in vraja. Putana was killed, the cart upturned and now the trees fell down.

asminsthāne ca vāso'yaṁ ghoṣasyāsya na yujyate |

utpātā hyatra dṛshyante kathayanto na shobhanam ||2-7-33

Staying in such a place is not suitable for our vraja. Many ill omens are seen here which are considered not good."

nandagopastu sahasā muktvā kṛṣṇamulūkhalāt |

niveshya cāṣke suciraṁ mṛtaṁ punarivāgatam ||2-7-34

nandagopa quickly freed kṛṣṇa from the mortar and placed him on his lap, as if he has returned from the dead.

nātṛpyatprekṣamāṇo vai kṛṣṇaṁ kamalalocanam |

He was not satisfied looking at the lotus-eyed kṛṣṇa.

tato yaśodāṁ garhanvai nandagopo vivesha ha |

sa ca gopajanaḥ sarvo vrajameva jagāma ha ||2-7-35

Then nandagopa scolded yaśodā severely and returned home. All the gopa-s returned home.

sa ca tenaiva nāmnā tu kṛṣṇo vai dāmabandhanāt |

gohṣṭhe dāmodara iti gopībhiḥ parigīyate ||2-7-36

Because of being bound with rope (dāma) (on the belly (udara)), in vraja, kṛṣṇa was called dāmodara by gopa women.

etadāścaryabhūtaṁ hi bālasyāsīdvicheṣṭitam |

kṛṣṇasya bharataśreṣṭha ghoṣe nivasatastadā ||2-7-37

O the great among bharata (janamejaya), this is a wonderful childhood pastime of kṛṣṇa, while he was staying in vraja.

iti śrīmahābhārate khileṣu harivāṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇi śiśucaryāyāṁ yamalārjunabhaṅge nāma saptamo'dhyāya

Thus this is the seventh chapter of viṣṇuparva of harivaṁśa, khila of śrimahābhārata, the snapping of yamala-arjuna trees.

nīlakaṇṭha commentary

athāsminsaptame'dhyāye yamalārjunayorbhidā |

madhyaṁgatena kṛṣṇena dhvastāveveti varṇyate ||

· 2-7-1 kāle riṅgiṇau jānubhyāṁ raṁhaṇaśīlau ||

· 2-7-2 anyonyagatau parasparasminnantamūrtau ekamūrtidharau ekaśarirāviva ||

· 2-7-3 ekarūpau abhinnau santau nirmāṇanirmuktau janmahīnau ||

· 2-7-4 ekasya kāryasya antaraṁ rahasyaṁ gatau ekakāryaniṣṭhāvityarthaḥ ||

· 2-7-5 devānāṁ vṛttāntaḥ siddhāntaḥ pāpiṣṭhā hantavyā yajṣadānādikaṁ ca pravarttanīyamityevaṁrūpastadarthaṁ mānuṣabhūtau devavṛttāntamānuṣau ||

· 2-7-6 vyatiṣakttābhirmiśrābhiḥ grastau pūrṇamāsyāṁ chandrodaye sūryāstamayaḥ tadudaye indoriti tayoranyonyakiraṇagrastatvam ||

· 2-7-7 sarpabhogabhujau sarpadehatulyabāhū | kalabhasadṛśau kalabhakāviva svārthe vā kaḥ ||

· 2-7-8 pāvakī agniputrau dvau kārtikeyāvivetyabhūtopamā ||

· 2-7-10 viprakurvāṇau navanītachauryādinā upakāraṁ kurvāṇau ||

· 2-7-17 tattasyeti | arjunābhyām arjunau uddhartumityarthaḥ | atredamāmnāyate "yatra manthāṁ vibaghnate raśmīn yamitavā iva | ulūkhalasutānāmavendvindra jalgulaḥ | tā no adya vanaspatī ṛṣvāvṛṣvebhiḥ sotṛbhiḥ | indrāya madhumatsutam" iti | yatra ulūkhale manthāṁ manthānamiva manthānaṁ lokakleśakaraṁ māṁ vibaghnate viśeṣeṇa baghnanti mātaraḥ raśmīnādāya raśmibhirityarthaḥ | yamitavā iva vinigrahītumiva na tu vastuto nigrahītuṁ mātṛtvena mayi snigdhatvāt tena ulūkhalena sutānāṁ pīḍitānāṁ karmaṇi ṣaṣṭhī | ulūkhalapīḍitān asmān he indra mochanasamartha ava rakṣa | pādāditvādādyudāttamākhyātam | indu evameva tvaṁ jalgulo'si enaṁ muncāmīti jalpituṁ māṁ ca gopituṁ trātuṁ lātum ādātuṁ svādhīnaṁ kartuṁ ca samartho'si yataḥ ato'va māmityarthaḥ | evaṁ yadā sarvān prārthayannapi na mochanaṁ labhate tadā vanaspatyorantarā gatvā bandhanadāma troṭituṁ yāvadbalaṁ karoti tāvadvanaspatī eva unmūlitau dṛṣṭvā vadati | tā no iti | trātau no'smākaṁ vrajavāsināṁ vanaspatibhūtau atiprasiddhau yamalau arjunātīyau bho vanaspatī adya indrāya indraṁ prati gantuṁ sutaṁ tadunmūlanena atmānaṁ pīḍayantaṁ tadeva madhumat amṛtayuktam atisamyagityarthaḥ | yata ṛṣvo gatimantau yuvāṁ sthāvaratvānmuktau stha ityrathaḥ | ṛṣvebhirgatimadbhirjaṅgamaiḥ | janaiḥ sotṛbhirasmadbandhanakarairūpalakṣitau ||

· 2-7-22 satyopayācanau prārthitapradatvena devatābhūtau ||

· 2-7-31 vipulābhyāmarjunābhyām ||

· 2-7-37 etaditi | evamādityarthaḥ | atra tṛṇāvarttavadhopi purāṇāntarādupasaṁharttavyaḥ | tadupabṛṁhikā shrutistu - "sākaṁ yakṣma prayata cāṣeṇa kikidīvinā sākaṁ vā tasya dhrājyā sākaṁ nashya nihākayā" iti || khecharatvena yakṣaṁ pūjyamivātmānaṁ manute mimīte tolayati vā yakṣmaḥ he yakṣma rākṣasa tadvatpīḍaketi vā cāṣeṇa tadvarṇena hariṇā tava hantrā sākaṁ prayataḥ bhūmāviti śeṣaḥ | kikidīvinā jnaḥ san divyatīti kikidīviḥ | kidhātorbāhulakāt kipratyaye liṅbhāve ca kikivirdvān tena vā tasya vāyordhrājyā gatyā yayā dhūlivātyārūpayā enaṁ upari nītavānasi tayā sākaṁ nasya nāśaṁ prāpnuhi | nihākayā gatyā ca sākaṁ vā sāhityaṁ patana eva natu nāśe atastena sahaḥ patitaḥ san svayameka eva nāśaṁ prāpnuhityarthaḥ | evaṁ devairukte tṛṇāvartaḥ papāta mamāretyarthaḥ ||

iti śrīharivaṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇi tīkāyāṁ saptamo'dhyāyaḥ |

Ananda Vrindavan Champu

Chapter Six Binding Sri Krsna

Deliverance of the Yamala-arjuna Trees

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.

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! 0 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.

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 maryelous 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, "0 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, "0 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 phenomena, so you better stop trying to bind your son."

In great astonishment Yasoda addressed the gopis, "0 Vraja gopisi 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 fflpis entered her private chambers. The moment Yasoda left, Krsna stopped crying, and His face assumed a peaceful and effulgent glow like the luminous moonshine.

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 thatprakrti andpurusa originate from one source. As karma kanda andjriana 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 arfuna ^ees, they reminded everyone of the great heroes Arjuna and Kartavirya. "keNakula 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 c between the two trees. He who annihilates all pretenders appeared Pendid with His curly hair hanging loosely over His shoulders. Though Kṛṣṇa’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 solit 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.

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-bom 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.

"0 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.

"Oh bliss personified! 0 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.

"0 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.

"0 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. 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 disan peared. 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, Nan worshiped Krsna, who is the source and bestower of all benedictions and who surpasses Narayana in good qualities. Afterwards Nanda brought Kṛṣṇa back home to the accompaniment of musicians playing drums and cymbals.

Gopal Champu

Chapter Eight - Binding Kṛṣṇa

[1] When the cowherds seated themselves in the assembly on another day in the early morning, Snigdhakaṇṭha spoke as follows:

Once at the end of Kārtika month, joyful Yaśodā saw that Kṛṣṇa was sleeping with his eyes–which were beautiful as blue lotuses–closed. Caressing him gently with her hand as he lay on the bed, she let him sleep. Slowly leaving the bed and going outside the room, she quickly tied up her cloth to engage in household chores in the early morning and began churning yogurt. On that day, Rohiṇī mounted a chariot with Balarāma and went to the house of Upananda by a special invitation as if pulled by ropes of affection. The affectionate servants came to complete their work. They were busily engaged because a great festival of Indra traditional in the family, respected by all people, would be held at the beginning of the last month of the year, Mārgaśīrṣā.

[2] While the servant women were arriving for their jobs, Yaśodā was carefully engaged in churning the yogurt and singing, while thinking that today her son was sleeping late. Absorbed in her son, she began singing about his pastimes while gazing at his face. Śukadeva has said:

yāni yānīha gītāni tadbālacaritāni ca |

dadhinirmanthane kale smarantī tāny agāyata ||

One day when mother Yaśodā saw that all the maidservants were engaged in other household affairs, she personally began to churn the yogurt. While churning, she remembered the childish activities of Kṛṣṇa, and in her own way she composed songs and enjoyed singing to herself about all those activities. SB 10.9.2

[3] She had a belt shining with jewels on her blue, swaying cloth and was decorated with attractive, jingling bells. She churned the yogurt with her two hands repeatedly while looking at the face of her son who was just beginning to open his eyes. ||1||

[4] Her song:

O tilaka of the family of Nanda! You are living in Vraja. Since the people here have done hundreds of pious acts, you have given them great happiness. Seeing your actions, the eyes become joyful.

By the great festival arising from this bliss, you give bliss to all the cowherds. O king of Gokula filled with the auspicious action of killing Pūtanā!

You engaged in auspicious acts after overturning the cart, which destroyed the steadiness of our hearts. The Supreme Lord has brought you back after he killed the whirlwind demon. You crawl about in the beautiful yard. Lotus-eyed child! You are the greatest piety. You show the greatest skill at dancing and playing.

You appear most attractive when you hold onto the calves’ tails. You show false greed in arguing for fun with the elders.

O Kṛṣṇa! Always give happiness to me, your mother. Stay in this house always. Please reveal your playful antics and quickly grow.

You showed the power of the Lord, causing astonishment, in showing the universe within you. May your body remain without old age and death and become the cause of joy by worshiping the Lord. ||2||

[5] The ocean of beauty woke up, and immediately began crying. Getting up, he went to his mother. He appeared to his mother and others as follows:

Breathing heavily, bending his limbs, rubbing his eyes he cried, “Mother, mother!” Hearing the sound of churning, he walked on faltering feet to his mother. ||3||

[6] When Kṛṣṇa stopped the movement of the churning rod with his soft words filled with affection, caused by his mother’s caring attitude, Yaśodā fed the infant milk.

When the milk flowed from Yaśodā like monsoon rains, Kṛṣṇa was like a cātaka bird drinking those showers. ||4||

[7] When Kṛṣṇa had only half finished drinking, Yaśodā, thinking that the milk in the next room may be boiling over, put Kṛṣṇa down and went to the other room, thinking that she may drop him since she was moving very fast.

[8] Madhukaṇṭha said, “How could this happen? How could she thinking of leaving her son who was becoming thin from hunger, since she was the spotless example of love for her child?”

[9] Snigdhakaṇṭha spoke with a smile, “First hear this, since Yaśodā was the perfection of motherly affection.”

[10] Madhukaṇṭha said, “What is that?”

[11] Snigdhakaṇṭha said:

His parents thought “This is my son” and from birth had possessiveness with complete disregard for their own bodies and houses. Brahmā has said the following concerning all the people of Vraja, what to speak of his parents:

So what is left for you to give these devotees of Vṛndāvana, whose homes, wealth, friends, dear relations, bodies, children and very lives and hearts are all dedicated only to you? SB 10.14.35

Since the milk and yogurt were for Kṛṣṇa, they were even more attractive than Kṛṣṇa. This is the special nature of her love.

[12] This was her way of thinking. Enduring great difficulties, she was not aware of her household chores that should be done. She thought more of Kṛṣṇa as her son than her body and house. Making Kṛṣṇa the object of her compassion, she thought that her duty was to serve Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa also understood that her scolding and punishment were her show of affection. What more can be said of her affectionate caring for him?

When the inhabitants of Vraja became angry with him, it increased their love for him, just as sometimes the fire of lightning is seen in the thick cloud. ||5||

[13] The mother and son mutually benefit each other. When she went to take the milk off the fire she spoke in joy: “I worship you with āratrika, but for a moment please protect the churning pot. After taking care of the milk I will come as quickly as I can.”

While she quickly went from the churning place and then returned, the cloth covering her breasts completely sprinkled the path with milk. ||6||

[14] But because his desire was obstructed, Kṛṣṇa became very upset.

His lips red with anger and tears flowing from his eyes, he began to cry. He broke the pot with some stones but did not touch a particle of the butter. ||7||

[15] Poets describe this:

The white moons of his teeth became red like his lips and his eyes, like cakora birds, became filled with tears. With his two lotus hands he destroyed the yogurt pot, showing his strength. ||8||

[16] The yogurt within remained intact. Kṛṣṇa then created another festival.

He carefully took the ghee from the hanging pot and began eating it. He then took the ghee pot away through a side door. ||9||

[17] Carefully he struck the door panel to loosen the bolt and then entered the store room, bolting the door after entering. Using a wooden bed to climb, he stole the ghee and then fled while no one was looking. ||10||

Yaśodā, seeing the milk had thickened on the stove, took the pot off and quickly returned to her son. Knowing the type of actions of her son, she felt both anger and joy and then smiled. ||11||

[18] Though she was worried at first, a message from the sky caused her to smile.

[19] The voice from the sky said:

The baby bee, being very thirsty, has not been fully satisfied with honey, and has thus broken the lotus bud. On breaking the lotus and seeing only the contents flow out without honey, the bee has gone to another lotus and obtained honey. ||12||

Moreover, you have shown skill in taking the milk off the fire, but you will be praised more for your ability to pacify the anger of your son. ||13||

[20] Hearing this she smiled. Seeing his footprints of buttermilk which indicated the path of his theft, by her own means she was able to unbolt the door and then acted as follows.

When Yaśodā left the room and saw that her son had made mischief, she followed him, and then saw him as he was looking around with fearful eyes. ||14||

[21] He was moving his eyes about:

“I have stolen the ghee and mother will see me. How will I meet her gaze?” Fearing her he moved his eyes from ear to ear. ||15||

He overturned a mortar and sat on it while feeding monkeys, as his eyes moved here and there. Seeing him do this, Yaśodā smiled slightly and became filled with astonishment. ||16||

She silently approached in order to catch her thieving son, but seeing her, he began to flee. It is well known that the thief has a hundred eyes whereas the owner of wealth has only two eyes. ||17||

[22] The proud monkeys became full from eating the butter. Yaśodā took a stick and covering it with cloth, approached. Seeing her, he quickly climbed a tree.

She ran after her fleeing son, but the flowers fell from her bound hair, “King of thieves! Where are you going?” His beauty increased by his indistinct smiling and crying. ||18||

She pursued him to catch him but she could not catch him, just as a group of clouds going west by the wind cannot catch a small cloud going to the east. ||19||

[23] He ran where he thought his mother could not follow him. Thinking no one else was around, she followed him.

When he ran without looking back, she could not catch him. When he looked back in fear, she was able to catch him with her hand. ||20||

[24] He used his eyes to try to find some way of escaping and began weeping to remove his mother’s anger. He made his body falsely tremble out of boldness, but he could not wipe out his bad behavior. ||21||

When she came face to face with him, he tried to cover his ghee-soaked limbs by smearing himself with dust. ||22||

Seeing this, Yaśodā said, “If you want to steal in this house, then look at this stick in my hand.” When her lotus-eyed son was overcome with fear on hearing this, she threw down her stick. ||23||

“Mother! Do not beat me!” With a hidden smile she said, “But you are thief.” In this way a quarrel began. ||24||

“Ah! You are the king of thieves!” “Your father’s lineage is all thieves.” In this way the mother argued with the infant who had stolen the ghee. ||25||

“How did the yogurt pot break?” “It was the Supreme Lord’s stick.” “Who gave ghee to the monkeys?” “He who created monkeys gave it to them.” ||26||

“I think that you always taste and eat the fresh ghee meant for sacrifices.” After Yaśodā scolded the infant as a thief, her heart softened. ||27||

[25] Smiling but with anger she said, “You should tell your secret and give up your pride.” When his mother said this, her son began weeping.

“When you ran quickly, the pot broke because of being struck by your anklets. What is my fault in this? ||28||

Inspired by the Lord, the monkeys entered the house to steal. When they pulled at the ghee, I caught it. What is my fault? ||29||

Seeing you holding a stick I ran away like a thief. Seeing that I was frightened you tried to mercilessly beat me without justice.” ||30||

[26] Yaśodā spoke with repentance, “O best of thieves with clever words! Though you are the son of the king of Vraja, you are fond of monkeys and have the nature of a monkey.”

[27] Fearful and to give fear to his mother, he said, “If I am a monkey then I will go to the forest and stay there.”

[28] His mother began to worry with fear: “Who can understand him? A proud child will do this. I must tie him up to prevent this, since I am alone and cannot continue to pay attention to both the house and this child.”

[29] But she spoke aloud:

“O thief who bewilders everyone with your restless eyes! Do not think of avoiding me. After binding you up I will go to the house quickly. If you show your strength, then steal something else.” ||31||

[30] When she began tying him up, he became so angry that he breathed with a hissing sound. He said, “Rohiṇī! Where have you gone with Balarāma? Because you are not here, she is binding me up. Please come quickly.”

[31] Because Rohiṇī was far away she could not hear, but other women who were neighbors who had previously scolded him heard his cries and came. They laughed and said, “Has he done anything at your house?” so that she would remember her own previous words.

[32] Ignoring their words she took an old string from her hair and began binding him around the waist to the mortar near the outer door, just as Rudra’s followers bound up Dakṣa to teach him a lesson. But the string was two fingers too short.

[33] She took another silk string from her hair and tied the two together, but still the string was two fingers short. Even when the other women gave the churning rope, she could not tie him up.

Just as a cloud touching a far mountain appears not to touch it, so the rope around his waist appeared to be two fingers too short. ||32||

[34] The other women laughed and said, “O Yaśodā! We told you previously that he makes the original thief Kaphallaka tremble by his great power of bewilderment. He shows himself to be a thief, taking joy in eating stolen goods.

[35] She said, “He was born at the wrong time. Thus he does not know good from bad. But I think you have been put under a spell since internally you are prejudiced against him, but externally you show yourselves differently.”

[36] Laughing they said, “Falling at your feet, we swear that we are not under some amazing spell.”

[37] She then began to think, “According to Garga’s words, the Lord’s powers are covering this boy, and he does not know what is happening.”

[38] She repeatedly brought churning ropes from the women’s houses to see the limits of astonishment and tried to bind him up, but found no way to do so.

Attempting to bind her son, she found no end in this endless task. Perspiration flowed over her limbs and her hair became loose. ||33||

[39] As much as Kṛṣṇa made efforts to show his stubbornness, Yaśodā’s attempts became useless, as if under the influence of bad planets. It is understood that when his mind became moved by her fatigue, he became bound up by the first two ropes alone. All the other ropes became unnecessary.

[40] The performer of actions, Yogamāyā, acting according to his desires, created this incident for his mother, which appeared like some illusion. Yogamāyā performed such acts daily. Having tied up Kṛṣṇa, she lengthened the rope with other ropes and tied him to the mortar.

[42] Having tied him up and showing harshness to him to teach him, his mother went to do her household chores with the other women who were laughing. She placed other boys around him to protect him.

[43] When the women left, he pretended to cry for a while. Then he became joyful at the prospect of moving the mortar to many places. Though he was tied up, with great faith, increased by being surrounded by the boys, he played with them while smiling, moved the mortar bit by bit while they also laughed. He then had them go to the empty houses of the women and steal the butter hanging in pots. But he did not desire to free himself from the mortar using his hands or any instrument, in order to give joy by pulling the mortar.

[44] He then saw the two Yamala-arjuna trees situated near the town gate, whose leaves were dancing in the wind. Gradually he made his way towards those trees.

[45] Snigdhakaṇṭha, in freely describing this incident of breaking the two trees, wanted to show, not the Lord’s power, but something else.

[46] Then desiring to go to another place, he went along the path between the two trees, but the path was narrow between the trees and sloped down. The mortar became stuck between the trees.

[47] Desiring to pull down the two trees, he started pulling hard.

A terrible sound arose from the trees, and he pulled the two trees down. All the inhabitants of Vraja other than the deaf could not maintain their composure on hearing that sound. ||34||

What was most astonishing however was that Kṛṣṇa had broken the two trees which were hard as thunderbolts, but he could not break the bondage of affection he had with his mother. ||35||

[48] Poets praise this.

I praise the child cared for by the women of Vraja. He has a dark complexion and his ankle bells jingle. He gives joy when he crawls. He produced a rough sound as he pulled the mortar over the earth. His eyes became restless at the curious, thunderous sound of the falling Arjuna trees. ||36||

[49] Hearing the fearful sound of the falling trees the inhabitants remained in a fainting condition for a muhūrta. Only the boys around Kṛṣṇa did not faint. Experiencing the height of sweetness of his pastimes, they did not become frightened and remained immobile like painted pictures.

[50] Hearing that sound from far-off, the villagers speculated on its origin and went towards the place. Arriving all at the same time and full of anxiety, they conversed with each other:

How have these trees fallen without wind, without rain, without thunderbolts, without an attack by elephants? ||37||

How is it possible from someone to uproot the trees when there is no one here? For that reason everyone fainted on hearing that loud sound. ||38||

[51] They noticed that Kṛṣṇa was near the trees and that he was smiling. Pulling the mortar, he was experiencing bliss in his actions. They surrounded him, saying, “How did this happen?”

[52] Seeing his father coming from behind, Kṛṣṇa began crying.

[53] His frightened father smiled in order to comfort the child and untied him.

[54] Kissing the child’s face, he repeatedly asked what happened though he knew the cause of his being tied up, “Where is the rascal who has tied you to the mortar?”

[55] Attached to his father, he approached him after some time and whispered in his ear, “O father! Mother did this.”

[56] Yaśodā, after recovering from fainting and repenting what she had done, told Nanda everything. Thus he already knew. But he did not want to say anything suddenly to Kṛṣṇa while alone with him. Not with disrespect, but out of ignorance of the details, he asked the other boys, “How did this happen?”

[57] The boys spoke:

Kṛṣṇa went between the two trees in order to go to a wider space for playing and pulled the immovable mortar by its base in a crooked manner. He produced a cracking sound in the trees and then suddenly made them fall to the earth.

[58] Then two people like fire, decorated with bracelets, crowns and earrings, emerged from the broken trees and offered respects in all directions. They then praised Kṛṣṇa. The two then departed for the north.

[59] Hearing this, all the people with parental feelings including Nanda dismissed it as children’s talk. Others however could not remove the doubt in their hearts.

[60] Gradually one by one others came and joined Nanda. Holding Kṛṣṇa on his chest, he went to the Yamunā River to perform his daily rites. Taking a bath with his son, he had brāhmaṇas chant auspicious prayers and after dismissing them with great gifts, returned to his house to take his morning meal.

[61] Being unhappy because of separation from Kṛṣṇa and ashamed of having tied him up, Yaśodā did not come out of the house and did not talk to other women in the house. When the other women left, Rohiṇī, who solves all problems, surrounded her along with the respectable kitchen assistants.

[62] Nanda brought Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma and ate his meal with them while engaging in affectionate, soft talk. He relaxed with the two, who were supreme bliss incarnate, for two muhūrtas. His heart was satisfied as if lying on a soft bed. He went to the cow shed at the time that the cows came and supervised their milking.

[63] Bringing white sugar from the house, he had the two boys, along with his friends, drink most beneficial milk fresh from the cows as a substitute for breast milk. He taught them how to write some letters.

[64] Entering the house, he met with others to have his evening meal. Desiring unbroken happiness for his son, the head women including Rohiṇī, the jewels of their families, came and made a request.

[65] “O king! Yaśodā has not eaten all day and she does not speak to anyone. Seeing that, all have also followed her example.”

[66] Nanda spoke with sadness and a smile, “What can we do? After showing anger, one should regret one’s fault.”

[67] They said with tears in their eyes, “Ah! She is very soft internally and externally. She will be devastated by your words.”

[68] Slightly smiling, Nanda the asked his son, “Will you go to your mother?”

[69] Kṛṣṇa said, “No, no! I will spend my time with you.”

[70] Then the wives of Nanda’s elder brothers said, “Whose milk will you drink?”

[71] Kṛṣṇa said, “I will drink fresh milk from the cows mixed with sugar.”

[72] They all said, “Who will you play with?”

[73] Kṛṣṇa said, “I will play with my father. I will bring my brother also.”

[74] Nanda said, “Will you not go to your brother’s mother?”

[75] Angrily Kṛṣṇa said with tears in his eyes, “She left me and went away.”

[76] Hearing this, Rohiṇī, with tears in her eyes said softly, “O son! Why are you so harsh? Your mother is suffering.”

[77] Not listening to her words, Kṛṣṇa with tearful eyes glanced at his father’s face. To attract Kṛṣṇa, Rohiṇī gave a signal to Balarāma. Balarāma went to Kṛṣṇa and held his hand. Kṛṣṇa rejected his hand and went to the lap of his father and held his arms around his neck, looking at Nanda’s tear-filled eyes, and bringing Nanda under his control.

[78] Seeing Kṛṣṇa’s internal affection for his mother, Nanda raised his hand as if to beat Yaśodā, in order to reveal Kṛṣṇa’s affection for her: “O son! If you agree I will beat her.” Kṛṣṇa could not tolerate this and blocked Nanda’s hand.

[79] Smiling again, Nanda, showing great compassion because of his parental affection and, understanding the heart of Kṛṣṇa’s mother, said, “O son! If you mother is in this condition, what will you do?” He spoke while smiling, indicating she would die.

[80] Because of his child’s nature, Kṛṣṇa immediately became anxious for his mother. With tears in his eyes he said, “Where is mother? I must go there.” In anxiety, he went to Rohiṇī’s lap.

[81] While all were noisily laughing, Rohiṇī, who bestows the greatest happiness, took him and entered the house. He hugged his mother’s neck while crying in joy.

She kissed the child’s head and made sounds like a cow. With melted heart, she sobbed, making all others there sob. ||39||

[82] Yaśodā pacified the women with comforting words and a slight glow appeared on her face. She appeared healthy with a beautiful face, and satisfied her child with breast milk. With the other helpful women, she fed him and Balarāma.

[83] For three days after the incident, being reserved, Yaśodā did not show herself to Nanda. But on another day, Kṛṣṇa, on the order of his father, brought her to him, holding the edge of her cloth. From the day that he was bound, the women of Vraja called the beautiful dark child “Dāmodara” in a joking way.

What poet amongst all the people in this world can describe Yaśodā, whom Śukadeva has said is much superior to Brahmā, Śiva and Lakṣmī? ||40||

[84] The drum roll of her fame announced by Śukadeva wanders throughout the three worlds with great renown:

Neither Lord Brahmā, nor Lord Śiva, nor even the goddess of fortune, who is always the better half of the Supreme Lord, can obtain from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the deliverer from this material world, such mercy as received by mother Yaśodā. SB 10.9.20

[85] Balarāma said to Kṛṣṇa with anticipation, “O brother, do you remember that you said we would live in the big forest?”

[86] Kṛṣṇa said with a smile, “Oh yes! We will go and play there.”

[87] Finishing the story, Snigdhakaṇṭha said:

“O king of the cowherds! A son has been born to you who transformed the trees into celestial devotees.” ||41||

[88] All the assembled people, realizing joy from these narrations, then returned to their houses.

atha navamaṁ pūraṇam

Chapter Nine - Entering Vṛndāvana

[1] Another day when the assembly gathered, Nanda said, “O dear Snigdhakaṇṭha, these two trees attained bodies like devatās according to their desire. What were those trees in a previous life, from where did they come, and how did they come to Vraja?”

[2] Snigdhakaṇṭha said, “These two were born from the friend of Śiva, Kuvera, lord of the Yakṣas, lord of the city of Alakā. When they showed arrogance to Nārada, Nārada scolded them. He showed mercy to them. Though they became trees, they also became devotees of the Lord. They remained as Yamala-arjuna trees near your future house in Mahāvana. Attaining their planet they became great devotees. They have revealed the results of bhakti.”

[3] Nanda said curiously, “Please tell the story. Where are they now?”

[4] Bowing his lotus face, Snigdhakaṇṭha remained silent and glanced at Madhukaṇṭha.

[5] Nanda said, “Why are you reluctant to speak?”

[6] Snigdhakaṇṭha said with respect, “What can we say? You will come to know all of this by yourself.”

[7] With a smile Nanda said, “True, what you have said will be repetitious. By your silence you give us the answer. By this means we can know. Anyway, you should make us happy by speaking it yourself.”

[8] Snigdhakaṇṭha said, “We are the two to whom Nārada gave good results and knowledge by his mercy.”