Concern for Krishna’s Safety
One day Vrajaraja Nanda and Yasoda spoke about their son, the vanquisher of many demons. “When Krishna 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.”
Engaging Servants
Shortly later, Nanda engaged some servants to take care of his boys. Every morning after leaving their respective houses, the cowherd boys came to the home of Krishna and Balarama.
Meeting with Friends
The meeting of Krishna and Balarama with Their friends and servants looked like a king meeting his ministers and advisors.
Playful Activities in Vrndavana
As a baby elephant picks up dirt with his trunk and throws it all around, Krishna entered the open fields of the village, and playfully covered Himself and His friends with vraja-raja (dust of Vrndavana). At this time Krishna used to sport with both young boys and girls of the same age. Sometimes Krishna quarreled with the gopas and gopis and beat them, and other times they beat Him. Krishna responded by laughing, getting angry, or by not reacting at all. Playing in the dirt Krishna, built houses, a toy wall, or a small town. Other times He broke the dirt houses of His friends and they broke His. When Krishna rebuilt His house, they would break it again.
Demigods’ Observation
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.” Krishna’s perplexing pastimes captivated the minds of the demigods.
Loving Invitations from Gopis
While Krishna delighted in the dirt, He looked like the sun shining in the sky. The housewives of Vrndavana, full of motherly affection, addressed Krishna with sweet words, “O darling boy! Please come to our beautiful courtyards, play with our children, and take some food.” Hearing this, Krishna 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.
Gopis’ Devotion
Anxious to express their motherly affection toward Krishna, these impatient gopis held His hand and hurried to their homes. In their eyes, fortune had blessed Krishna alone as the sole recipient of matchless beauty. Brimming with love, the elderly gopis served Krishna by rubbing His body and bathing Him. With great devotion they fed Him butter, radbri, and ksira, and then sent Him home.
Lessons to be Learned
- Parental Care and Vigilance: Nanda and Yasoda’s concern for Krishna’s safety emphasizes the importance of parental vigilance and proactive measures to ensure the well-being of children.
- Support Systems: Engaging servants to look after Krishna and Balarama highlights the need for a support system in managing responsibilities and ensuring safety.
- Leadership by Love and Respect: Krishna’s natural leadership among His friends shows that true leadership is earned through love and respect, not imposed by force.
- Innocence and Joy of Childhood: Krishna’s playful activities with His friends underline the importance of play in childhood and the joy and resilience found in simple, innocent fun.
- Divine Play (Leela): The demigods’ observation of Krishna’s pastimes teaches that divine activities can appear ordinary but hold deep spiritual significance, reflecting the concept of Leela.
- Reciprocal Love: The interaction between Krishna and the gopis illustrates the deep, reciprocal love between the Lord and His devotees, showing that devotional service is a two-way relationship.
- Motherly Affection and Devotion: The gopis’ affection and service to Krishna demonstrate the power of unconditional love and devotion, which can bring one closer to the divine.
Teaching from Srimad Bhagavatam
Bhagavatam 10.8.35: “Lord Krishna, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the Supersoul of all living entities, shows His merciful nature by appearing as the son of Mother Yasoda and Nanda Maharaja. By His childhood pastimes, He creates transcendental joy for the inhabitants of Vrndavana.”
This verse highlights the divine nature of Krishna’s pastimes and their purpose in providing transcendental joy to His devotees, reinforcing the lessons of love, devotion, and divine play encapsulated in the story.
Prayer
O Lord Krishna, beloved child of Yasoda and Nanda Maharaja, You who engage in sweet and divine pastimes, Grant us the ability to see the divine in the ordinary, To embrace the innocence and joy of life, And to serve You with unwavering love and devotion. May we always remember Your playful activities, And may our hearts be filled with the same love and affection That the gopis and gopas of Vrndavana have for You. Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
