Jaṭilā’s Jealousy
In the peaceful village of Yāvat, where every leaf whispers the names of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, there lived the elderly Jaṭilā, mother of Abhimanyu. Her heart, however, was far from peaceful. Each day she watched her daughter-in-law, Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, and could not understand Her divine nature.
“Every morning,” Jaṭilā would grumble, “this girl goes out so early with the gopīs. She claims to go to Nanda-bhavana for cooking, but who knows what really happens there? I’ve heard of that dark cowherd boy, Kṛṣṇa. That restless rascal is always up to some mischief!”
Kuṭilā, her daughter, whose mind was as crooked as her name, would often add fuel to the fire. “Yes, Mother, I’ve seen Rādhā smiling when Kṛṣṇa passes by with His cows. Surely there’s something going on!”
Thus, with hearts full of envy and tongues full of gossip, Jaṭilā and Kuṭilā plotted to stop Rādhārāṇī from going out each morning.
Rādhā’s Devotion
When Jaṭilā confronted Her, Rādhārāṇī folded Her hands with gentle humility. “Mother,” She said sweetly, “I go to Nanda-bhavana only to cook for the beloved son of Mother Yaśodā. By eating that food, He becomes strong and happy, and all of Vraja prospers. I go only for the service of the elders.”
Jaṭilā snapped, “If You go, I will send Kuṭilā with You to watch Your every move.”
Rādhā only smiled, for She knew that no one could obstruct Yogamāyā’s arrangements. Even the most crooked plans of Jaṭilā and Kuṭilā would soon serve the Divine Couple’s joy.
The Divine Plan
One morning, Jaṭilā sent Rādhārāṇī to Nanda-bhavana under Kuṭilā’s watchful eye. Rādhā carried a pot of milk and a basket of butter. As They walked, the path glowed with early sunlight, and the forest was filled with the songs of cuckoos.
When They reached Nanda-bhavana, Yaśodā welcomed Them warmly. “Ah, Rādhā! Come, child. Today Kṛṣṇa refuses to eat unless You cook for Him. The boy insists that only Your preparations satisfy Him.”
Kuṭilā frowned but could not speak in front of Yaśodā. Rādhā entered the kitchen and began to cook, Her hands moving gracefully as if playing music. The fragrance of boiling milk and fresh ghee filled the air.
In another room, Kṛṣṇa listened and smiled. “When She stirs the pot,” He thought, “the sound itself is sweeter than the song of the veṇu (flute).”
The Heavenly Aroma
Soon the meal was ready — rice, vegetables, golden halavā, and sweet kheer. Yaśodā called Kṛṣṇa. “Come, my son. Rādhā has cooked for You.”
Kṛṣṇa sat down to eat. Rādhā served Him with trembling hands, Her eyes lowered in shyness. The aroma of Her offerings spread throughout the house, enchanting everyone.
Kuṭilā stood in the corner, watching suspiciously. “Hmph,” she thought, “so this is their so-called cooking. I’ll wait until something goes wrong.”
But nothing went wrong. Instead, when Kṛṣṇa smiled, even the fire seemed to dance with joy, and when He praised the taste, the pots and pans glowed like gold.
Jaṭilā’s Realization
When They returned home, Kuṭilā tried to stir her mother’s anger. “Mother, Rādhā was all smiles while cooking! She must be under that Kṛṣṇa’s spell!”
Jaṭilā called Rādhārāṇī harshly. “O girl! From tomorrow You will not go to Nanda-bhavana!”
Rādhā bowed Her head. “As You wish, Mother. But please consider — if I do not cook, Nanda’s family will fast, and the cows will not give milk. The whole of Vraja depends on that service.”
That night, Jaṭilā had a dream. She saw her house surrounded by blazing fire, and only Rādhārāṇī stood in the center, Her hands raised in blessing. When she awoke, her heart trembled. “This girl is not ordinary,” she whispered. “She is the goddess of fortune Herself.”
From that day on, Jaṭilā no longer stopped Her from visiting Nanda-bhavana. She even told Kuṭilā, “Do not interfere with her. She brings blessings to this house.”
Lessons to Be Learned
- The envy of the material heart blinds one to divine truth. Jaṭilā and Kuṭilā’s jealousy could not hide Rādhā’s divine nature.
- The Lord arranges all events to reveal the glory of His devotees. Even opposition becomes a servant of love.
- Service done in humility and sweetness conquers all hearts. Rādhārāṇī’s gentle devotion melted the envy of others.
- True love for Kṛṣṇa expresses itself through service, not argument. Rādhā’s calm words carried more power than Kuṭilā’s shouting.
Reflections
This story reflects the eternal truth that the Lord protects His devotees and transforms even adversity into a stage for divine revelation. Rādhārāṇī teaches that humility is stronger than pride, sweetness greater than force, and service mightier than criticism.
The crooked plans of Jaṭilā and Kuṭilā represent the doubts and envy within our own hearts that try to block devotion. Yet, when we persist in pure service like Rādhā, Kṛṣṇa Himself arranges everything for our spiritual victory.
If we wish to experience divine love, we must become like Rādhā—serving with sincerity, forgiving misunderstanding, and seeing every obstacle as an opportunity for deeper surrender.
Origin of the Story
Adapted from “Vraja-līlā – Part 2” by Deena Bandhu dāsa (Yāvat Part One), inspired by the commentaries and traditional stories of Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura’s Camatkāra-candrikā and other Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava sources describing the household pastimes of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī at Yāvat.
