(The Place of the Sweet Ber Tree and Kṛṣṇa’s Hidden Night)
The Tree Beside Jaṭilā’s House
Next to Jaṭilā’s house stood a ber tree, whose small, sweet, yellow fruits are beloved by children throughout India. This tree, however, is not ordinary — it witnessed one of Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s most tender and humorous pastimes, full of longing and divine mischief.
One night, Kṛṣṇa came quietly to the courtyard of Jaṭilā’s house in the hope of meeting Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī. The moonlight shimmered softly on the ground, and the air was still, carrying the fragrance of jasmine.
Perched upon the branch of the ber tree, Kṛṣṇa began to imitate the call of a cuckoo, a secret signal to awaken Rādhārāṇī and let Her know that He had come.
The Interrupted Meeting
As Kṛṣṇa descended from the tree and began to move stealthily toward Rādhā’s door, Jaṭilā, half-asleep, heard the faint rustle of His footsteps.
“Who’s there? Who’s there?” she called out suddenly into the night.
Startled, Kṛṣṇa quickly scurried back up the ber tree and hid among its branches. The night fell silent again, and Jaṭilā drifted back into sleep.
Thinking the danger had passed, Kṛṣṇa once again climbed down, stepping softly across the courtyard. But as soon as He reached halfway to the door, Jaṭilā stirred and again cried out, “Who’s there?”
In a flash, the Lord of all creation — the conqueror of demons, the Supreme Personality of Godhead — leapt back to His hiding place in the tree.
This playful cycle repeated throughout the entire night. Each time Kṛṣṇa tried to approach, Jaṭilā’s sleepy voice echoed, “Who’s there?” and He was forced to retreat once more into the branches.
By the time dawn broke, Kṛṣṇa had spent the whole night hiding in the ber tree, unable to meet His beloved Rādhā. Smiling at the divine irony of His situation, He returned home to Nandagrāma, His yellow cloth stained with the tree’s sweet fruit and His heart filled with the longing of unfulfilled love.
Reflections
This pastime shows that even the Supreme Lord, who controls the movements of time and the stars, can be defeated by love. Kṛṣṇa, who makes the universe dance at His will, was made to hide like a mischievous boy by the simple suspicion of Jaṭilā.
The scene is filled with sweetness and humor — yet behind it lies the deep mystery of divine love. In Vraja, the Lord’s omnipotence is hidden beneath the humility of human emotion. His greatest joy comes not from showing power, but from tasting love — even if it means spending the night in a tree for the sake of His devotee.
The ber tree, still standing in remembrance, is honored by devotees as a witness to this pure and playful affection.
Lessons to Be Learned
- Love makes even the infinite Lord small and helpless.
- Kṛṣṇa accepts every effort in devotion, even if the meeting never takes place.
- In spiritual life, sincere desire is greater than external success.
- Every obstacle in devotion becomes a reason for the Lord to reveal His sweetness.
Prayer
O Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who hid all night in the branches of the ber tree, longing only to see Your beloved, may my heart also hide in the shelter of Your love.
O Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, please awaken me with the call of compassion, just as You hear the cuckoo’s song in the still night of separation.
Let my love be patient, humble, and constant — even when the doors of meeting seem closed.
May I remember always that You, my Lord, wait in the heart of every devotee, whispering softly, “Who’s there?” until love answers, “It is You.”
