Secret Visit at Yāvat
One day, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the supreme master of sweetness and divine mischief, secretly entered the inner chambers of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī in Yāvat. He had once again outwitted the guards of mundane decorum and managed to meet His most beloved in Her private quarters.
Jatilā’s Sudden Entrance
Suddenly, without warning, Jatilā, Rādhārāṇī’s ever-suspicious and sharp-tongued mother-in-law, barged into the room. Alarmed, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, whose very presence causes the universe to tremble in ecstasy, instantly dove out of the nearby window—leaving behind only one thing: His precious flute.
Accusation and Denial
Jatilā, half-blind yet fully driven by doubt, couldn’t recognize who had leapt from the window. Yet, true to her nature, she was quick to conclude, “It was that rascal Kṛṣṇa, wasn’t it?”
Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, Her heart beating with divine anticipation and gentle anxiety, denied the charge with graceful composure.
The Flute Exposed
But alas! Jatilā’s gaze landed upon the flute left on the table. Pointing to it triumphantly, she shrieked, “This is His flute! I’ve caught You red-handed!”
Rādhārāṇī, momentarily speechless, looked toward Her dear sakhī, Lalitā-devī.
Lalitā’s Bold Declaration
Lalitā, whose wit is sharper than lightning and whose mind moves faster than the sun god’s chariot, stepped forward with fearless conviction. “That is not Kṛṣṇa’s flute. Don’t be ridiculous!” she declared.
Jatilā, now fuming with disbelief, countered, “Then how did it get here? You girls don’t play the flute. Only Kṛṣṇa plays the flute. How can you deny this?”
It’s Raining Flutes!
Lalitā, completely unshaken, crossed her arms and said with utter seriousness, “Jatilā, today it’s raining flutes.”
“Raining flutes? What nonsense!” Jatilā scoffed. “How dare you mock me?”
But without skipping a beat, Lalitā replied, “If you don’t believe me, just look out the window.”
The Astonishing Miracle
Still grumbling, Jatilā shuffled over to the window. But when she looked out, her world turned upside down. To her utter shock and bewilderment, it was raining flutes. From the sky descended flute after flute—each of them unique, divine, and enchanting.
Thus, Kṛṣṇa, the yogeśvara, master of all mystic powers, confirmed Lalitā’s words through His playful līlā.
The Supremacy of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī
And yet, there lies a deeper mystery within this pastime. Though the flute is Kṛṣṇa’s constant companion and most cherished instrument, it is clear from this līlā that Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī holds sway even over it. Indeed, the flute responds not to Kṛṣṇa’s will alone, but to Hers—because She is the very empress of His heart, the controller of He who controls all.
Lesson to Be Learned
Even the Lord’s most intimate possessions—like His flute—are subordinate to the love of His topmost devotee, Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī. Her mahābhāva is so powerful that even mystic phenomena like a rain of flutes are but expressions of Her sway over Kṛṣṇa. This pastime reveals that the highest truth is prema, and the queen of that love is Rādhārāṇī Herself.
“Govinda is completely under the control of Śrī Rādhā’s love, for Her affection subdues even His flute.”
(Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi 4.213–215, paraphrased)
