StartofDamodarlila

Onetime,onthedayofdipavaliMotherYasodawonderedwhyhersonwas
stealingmakhan
i
fromotherpeople'shouses.Shethought,"MaybeKrishna
doesnotlikethemakhaninmyhouse.Ifthisisthecase,thentodayIwillmake
themakhanmyself."
Overviewofopulence
InMotherYasoda'shouse,thereweremanymaidservantswhomilkedthecows,
madeyogurtandmakhananddidvariousotherhouseholdduties.Nanda
Maharajahad900,000cows.Mostofthesecowsproducedmilkwhichwould
thenbemadeintoyogurtandMakhan.Thiswasalotofworkandtheyneeded
manymaidservants.Inadditiontothese,therewereothermoreintimate
maidservantswhohelpedMotherYasodalookafterKrishna.These
maidservantswereveryconscientiousandmadeyogurtandmakhanunderthe
personaldirectionofMotherYasodaforthepleasureofherdearsonKrishna.
MotherYasodasworry
MotherYasodastartedgettingmanycomplaintsfromalltheothergopisabout
Krishnastealingmakhanfromtheirhouses,breakingpotsandgenerally
wreakinghavoc.Becauseofthis,shehaddoubtsaboutthemakhaninher
house.Shethought,"Maybeouryogurtisnotverygoodor,ourmakhanis
notcomingoutperfectly?Otherwise,whywouldKrishnagotoothergopis'
housestostealwhatwasreadilyavailableathome?"Shedidnotrealizethat
Krishnawentbecauseofthepremathattheothergopishad,notsimplytosteal
theirmakhan.MotherYasodadidnotrealisethisandthereforeshehaddoubts
aboutwhatshewasgivingtoKrishna.Becauseofthisdoubtshedecidedthat
shewouldmaketheyogurtwithherownhandsandchurnitintothebestmakhan
thatKrishnahadevertasted.ShewantedtodothiseverydaytostopKrishna
fromstealing.
MotherYasodasstubbornnessinVatsalyarasa
MotherYasodaisaqueenandchurningyogurtisactuallynotappropriatefora
queen.Yet,inordertocompletelysatisfyKrishna,onedayshestartedchurning
theyogurtherself.Thenwhatdidtheintimatemaidservantsdonowthattheir
usualdutieshadbeentakenupbyMotherYasoda?Sheengagedtheminother
services.MotherYasodadirectedthemtoattendotherhouseholdduties,saying
thatsheherselfwouldextractthemakhanforKrishna.Thepoormaidservants
wereverysincereintheirdutiesandactuallymadeverytastymakhan.However,
becauseMotherYasodawasdoubtfulofthequalityoftheirmakhan,she
engagedthemelsewhereandtookituponherselftomakemakhanforKrishna.
1
Yasodastartschurningyogurt
Ekadaherereferstothedayofdipavaliinthemonthofkartika.Thiswastheday
MotherYasodaboundKrishna.ManyofSriKrishna'sprominentlilasoccurredin
g
aradkalaorkartika.Someexamplesarerasalila,govardhanlilaand
damodarlila.TostopSriKrishnafromstealingandtokeepHimhappyathome,
MotherYasodastartedtochurnyogurt.
Whiledoingso,shesangthegloriesofSriKrishna'schildhoodpastimes.Mother
YasodasangaboutthelilaswhichKrishnahadperformed.Shesangaboutthe
deliveranceofPutana,Aghasura,ShakatasuraandTmavarta,thelilasof
Krishnalearninghowtowalk,Krishnaeatingmakhan,andotherlilasHehad
performed.MotherYasodasangspontaneouslyasthesememoriesaroseinher
heart.Assherememberedthesewonderfulpastimes,shebecamenaturally
joyful.Whenwasshesinging?MotherYasodawassingingKrishna'spastimesat
thetimeofchurningthedadhi,yogurt.SukadevGoswamicontinuestodescribe
thiswonderfulpicture.
BeautyofMotherYasoda
(Saree)
MotherYasodawaswearingasaffronyellowsari,sutranaddhath,tiedtightlyon
herhipswithabelt.Dressedinthisway,Yasodawasfullypreparedtoperform
thisseva.Thiswasveryearlyinthemorning,beforesunrise,atthetimecalled
mangalaorbhor.Atthistime,MotherYasodahadrisenandwasworkinghard,
thinking,"BeforeKrishnawakesup,letmeextractthemakhansothatIcanfeed
Him.Whywasshewearingasaffronyellowsari?Itissaidthatsaffronisavery
purecolorsobywearingthat,shecouldperformthissevaperfectly,inalldetail.
(Breastmilk)
MotherYasoda'sbreasts,weremovingfromthemotionofthechurningrodand
becauseofputrasneha,unalloyedloveforhersonKrishna,milkwasflowing.
Whywasthemilkflowingfromherbreasts?Itissaidthatinthetranscendental
worldeverythingisconscious.Thisisjusttheoppositeofthematerialworld,
wherealmosteverythingisinsentient.MotherYasoda'smilk,beingof
transcendentalnature,wasthinking,"TodayMotherYasodaisworkinghardto
extractthemakhanandwillfeedittoKrishna.ThereforeHewilleatthemakhan
andbecomefullysatisfied.Hewillnotdrinkme.BeingdeprivedofKrishna's
service,whatthenwillbecomeofme?"Thinkinginthisway,themilkwasflowing
outfromherbreasts:
(Rythmicsounds)
2
Withthewholeofherbeing,MotherYasodawaschurningtheyogurtAsshewas
pullingtheropeofthechurningrod,hergoldenbangleswereshakingand
makingasweetsound"jhanjhanjhan"Herearringsshookandjingled
harmoniously.Then,heranklebellsandthegoldenbeltaroundherwaistalso
joinedin,creatingabeautifulmelodioussound.Itwasasifanexpertkaratala
playerwasplaying.Asshewaschurningtheyogurt,thechurningrodwent
."gharadgharadgharad",soundinglikeanexpertmridangaplayer.Inthisway,
MotherYasodahadfullmusicalaccompanimentasshecontinuedtosingabout
Krishna'sgloriouschildhoodpastimes.
Shebecamesoabsorbedinthischurningthatshecompletelyforgotherselfand
lostawarenessofherownbody.Onherforeheadandoverherfacetherewas
perspirationwhichmadeherlookevenmorebeautiful.Itwasasifshehadnever
churnedyogurtsointenselybefore.Inthiswayshewaschurningyogurt.When
someoneworkshardandperspires,hisbeautyandcharmincreases,especially
whenengagedinperformingdevotionalservice.Inherhairshewaswearinga
garlandmadeofmalatiflowers.Eventhemalatiflowersfromthisgarlandwere
fallingtotheground,duetoherintenseendeavor.
Stateofpuredevotee
Inthiswayshewaschurningtheyogurt.Herhandsandbodywereengagedin
thisintensivelabourparisrama,tomakethemakhan.Hertonguewassinging
thegloriesandpastimesofKrishna.Herearswereengagedinhearingthose
songs.Andhermindwasrememberingandmeditatingonhowshewouldmake
themakhantofeedKrishna.Thisisthestateofaperfectdevotee,fullyengaging
mind,bodyandintelligenceintheserviceofKrishna.
Manyacaryashavegiventheirrealizationsonthispastime.Whywereher
banglesmakingawonderfulsound,"jhanjhanjhan'?Inthetranscendentalworld
eventhebanglesareconscious,sothebangleswerethinking,"Todayweareso
fortunatetobeonthehandsofMotherYasoda,whoareengagedinKrishna's
seva."Theyweresingingoutofjoyandcongratulatingher.Inrealityourhandsdo
notbecomebeautifulsimplybywearinggoldenjewelryourhandscanonlybe
consideredbeautifulifweengagethemintheserviceoftheSupremeLord.And
herearringswerealsomovingbackandforthasifjumpingoutofjoy.Theytoo
werethinking,"Todaywearefortunatetobeontheearsthatareengagedin
hearingthegloriesofKrishnaontheearsofonewhoisengagedinKrishna's
service."Hermalatiflowerswerefallingtotheground.Whywasthat?Itwas
becausetheflowerswerethinking,"TodayMaisengagedinKrishna'sservice
andhencewedonotbelongonherhead,butatherfeetinstead."
MotherYasodaisfullyandjoyfullyabsorbedinthisdadhimanthanseva,the
churningofyogurtintomakhan.HearingMotherYasoda'svoiceandthe
melodioussoundsofthedadhimanthan,yogurtbeingchurned,Krishnawoke
upearlierthanusual
Krishnawakesupearlierthanusual
Onthisday,Krishnawokeupearlierthanusual.HewaslookingforHismother
3
andthought,"WhyisManotherewithmeonthebed?ThenHeheardher
singinginanotherroom.Heimmediatelythought,"Whatiswrongwithhertoday?
SheisnotworriedaboutMeatall.ShehasleftMetostartonherordinary
householdduties."
WhenKrishnawokeup,Hebecamedesiroustodrinkmilkfromherbreasts.
Children,even.whentheyarebabies,areveryexpertatgettingtheattentionthey
want.Whentheydon'tgettheattentiontheyseek,theybecomeverynaughty.
UsuallywhenKrishnawakesup,MotherYasodaisrightthereforhim.Shehugs
Him,feedsHim,pampersHim,etc.
HowevertodaywasdifferentMotherYasodawascompletelyignoringHim.
Krishnathought,"IsthishouseworksoimportantthatshehastoleaveMe?"So
Hefeignedcrying,"YaeeeYaeee".RubbingHiseyeswithHishands,Hestarted
walkingtoward:theroomwhereHecouldhearhersinging.Hewalkedtowhere
shewaschurningtheyogurtandlookedupather.However,MotherYasodadid
notnoticethatKrishnahadcome.Thereisanimportantlessonhere.
WhenwillKrishnacometous?
Krishnawillnotcometouswhenwearesimplyrelaxingcomfortablyandthinking
ourselvestobeabsorbedinmeditationonHim.However,Hefeelsgreatly
obligedtocometouswhenweareabsorbedindevotionalservice,workinghard
andevenperspiringforHim.KrishnafeelscompelledtogiveusHisdarsana
whenwearesocompletelyengagedindevotionalservicethatwemaynoteven
noticeHisverypresence.
Krishnastopschurning
ThenbabyKrishnalookedaroundandwonderedwhatHeshoulddoto
getherattention.Thinkinginthisway,Hecaughtholdofthechurningrodand
helditfirmlywithbothhandsasifapplyingthebraketoafastmovingbicycle.In
thisway,HewasindicatingtoMotherYasoda,"Stop!Ineedattention!FeedMe
now!"
OneacaryahasgivenhisrealizationastowhyKrishnastoppedthe
churning.HestoppedthischurningtotellHismother,"Allthejnanisare
constantlyreadingandanalyzingthescriptures,tryingtoextracttheessence,
justchurning,churningandchurning.AtlasttheymayapproachMe,foritisI
whoamtheconclusionofallscriptures
*
Oh,Mydearmotheryouarealready
withMe,sowhatistheuseforallthischurning?"Wecananalyzethe
Upanishads,theVedas,thePuranas,andtheotherVedicscriptures.Butwhat
istheirfinalconclusion?AllthescripturesconcludethatattainingKrishnaisthe
highestgoaloflife.ThatKrishnaisthesonofMotherYasoda.Whythenwould
shehavetodoanychurning?Whywasshedoingthisunnecessarylabour?
Forthisreason,KrishnastoppedHismotherfromchurningtheyogurt.
MotherYasodafeedsmilk
MotherYasodathenlookedatKrishnabutshedidnotpickHimup.Shewaited
4
toseewhatHewoulddonext.Krishnacaughtholdofherarmwithbothhands,
putoneofHisfeetontherimoftheyogurtpotandclimbedupontoherlap.
ThenHestarteddrinkingherbreastmilk.MotherYasodamarveledatherson's
clevernessingettingwhathewantedallbyhimself.Shewasamazedandfullof
motherlypride,seeinghowherlittlesonKrishnahaddoneallthesethingson
Hisown.
UponrealizingKrishna'sdesire,MotherYasodaputasideallotherworkand
focusedonfeedinghercharminglittlechild.Krishnasmiled,whichmade
MotherYasodaveryhappywhilesheveryproudlyandpleasurablyfedher
endearingson.HealsobecameveryproudofHimself.Hethought,"How
smartIam.IstoppedmotherfromherworkandclaimedMyright."Thinkingin
thisway,Hesmiledcontinuously,makingHischubbycheeksmoreadorable.
AsKrishnadrankMotherYasoda'sbreastmilk,atranscendentalcompetition
began.Krishna'sbellywouldnotbecomesatisfiedandMotherYasoda'smilk
wouldnotstopflowingduetoherintenseaffection.Themilkwasendeavoring
tocompletelysatisfyKrishnabutKrishnacanneverbesatiatedwithany
amountofprema.SothemilkcontinuedtoflowandKrishnacontinuedtodrink.
InthiswayshecontinuedfeedingHimforagoodlongwhile,againbecoming
fullyengrossedandlosingallsenseoftime.
WhileMotherYasodawasthusabsorbedinfeedingbabyKrishna,something
elsecaughtherattention.Onanearbystove,themilkhadstartedtoboilover.
Seeingthis,MotherYasodaquicklyputKrishnadownandrantothestoveto
savethemilk.Inthetranscendentalrealmmilkisalsoconscious.Themilk
thought,"WhyamIdoingthetapasya(austerity)oftoleratingthisheat?IfKrishna
willnotdrinkmebutdrinkonlyMotherYasoda'smilk,thenitisbetterforMeto
commitsuicidebyjumpingintothefire.IfIcannotserveKrishna,thenwhyshould
Ilive?"Thinkinginthisway,themilkstartedtoboilover.Inboilingover,themilk
wasalsotryingtogetMotherYasoda'sattention.
Milkoverboils
MotherYasodathenbeganthinking,"ThisisspecialmilkfromthePadmaganda
cows.ImustquicklysaveitasitismeantforKrishna!"Thinkinglikethis,sheput
Krishnadownandrantosavethismilk.
InVraja,Padmagandacowsareveryspecial.Extraordinarilyfragrantgrasses
werereservedfortheirgrazingandtheirbodiesemittedawonderful,lotus
scent.Therewereonly100suchcowsandtheyproducedveryspecialmilk.
MotherYasodahadreservedsomeofthismilkespeciallyforKrishna.
Assherantosavethatspecialmilk,themilk,outofshame,stoppedboiling
overandresumeditsnormalstate.Themilknowstartedtothinkthatithad
committedagreatoffensebyinterruptingthelovingexchangebetweenMother
YasodaandKrishna.Themilkchideditself,"

WhathaveIdone?MotherYasoda
wassohappyandjoyfulfeedingKrishnaandIimpededherdevotionalservice.I
amanoffender."
5
KrishnagetsangryatYasoda
MotherYasodareachedthestoveandputthemilkaside.Inthemeantime,what
wasKrishnathinking?LittleKrishnanowbecameangry.Hethought,"Howdare
motherputMeasidewhileIamstilldrinkinghermilk?Iamstillhungry.Doesshe
notcareforMeatall?JusttosavealittlemilkshethrowsMeasideandrunsoff.
Howdareshe!"HislipsbecameswollenandredbecauseHebitthemwithHis
smallwhiteteeth,"MadoesnotcareforMeatall.Whodoesshethinksheis,
throwingMeasidejusttosavealittlemilk
?
Iwillshowher.Shewillbesorry.I'll
breakeverythinginthehouse!Iwon'tleaveanythinguntouched."
(Breakyogurtchurningpot)
Thinkinginthisway,Krishnalookedaroundandsawalargespicegrinding
stone.WiththisstoneHeverycleverlystrucktheyogurtchurningpot.Heaimed
thestonetohitthebottomofthepotsothatitwouldnotmakeanysoundwhich
couldalarmHismother.Inthismanner,Hebrokethepotwhichcausedyogurt
tospillalloverthefloor.
AsKrishnahitthepot,Hehadfalsetearsinhiseyes.BeingangryatMother
Yasoda'sactions,Krishnabeganschemingandthinkingofhowtogetbackat
her.Inthisway,Hestartedtowalktoadifferentroom,lookingfortheprevious
day'smakhan.WhenHewent,Hewalkedthroughtheyogurtthatwasspilt,
makingasound'chubchubchub'.
ThatBhagavan,whointheformofVamandevaspannedthewholeuniverse
withjustthreesteps,wasnowwalkingthroughthespiltyogurt.Hewalked
quietlysothatHismotherwouldnotbeabletohearthesoundofHissteps
'chubchubchub'.ChildKrishnadidnotthinkthatperhapsHeshouldgoaround
theyogurt.Krishnajustwalkedrightthrough,leavingcutefootprintsshowing
exactlywhereHe,thecutechormaharaja(thegreatthief),hadtrod.
(Eatingpreviousdaysmakhan)
EventhoughtherewasfreshmakhanbeingmadeforHim,Krishnastartedasif
toeatthepreviousday'smakhan.AsHewasdoingso,Hebeganthinkingto
Himself,"Iwilleatthismakhanandgetsick.Youwillhavetotakemeoutof
Vraja,toahospitalinMathurawhereyouwillhavetospendlotsofmoneyand
takecareofMe.I'llshowyou!Thenyou'llsee.Thenyou'llbesorry!"
Krishnawentintotheotherroom,turnedoverthewoodengrindingmortar,
climbedonitandpretendedtoeattheoldmakhan.Hewasactuallynoteatingit
hejustwantedtoexpresstoHismother,"SeeMa,Iwassohungryandwithout
properlyfeedingMe,youjustthrewMeasideandleftMe.Whatdidyouexpect
Metodo?Yougoandtakecareofyourlittlemilk,I'lltakecareofallthismakhan
andyogurtIwon'tleaveyouanything."Monkeysbegantoappearasiffrom
nowhereandKrishnastartedfeedingthemakthantothem,freelydistributing
andeventhrowingitinalldirections.
MotherYasodareturns
Afterrescuingthemilkfromthestove,MotherYasodareturnedandsawthatthe
6
yogurt,pothadbeensmashedtopieces.Sheimmediatelyunderstoodwhohad
donethismischief.IfKrishnahadstayedwhereshehadleftHim,thenshemight
havethoughtitwasbrokenaccidentallysomethingmighthavefallenonit,or
somecatoranimalmighthaveknockeditover.However,becauseKrishnawas
notthere,sheconcludedthatitwasHismisbehavior.
(MotherYasodafollowsKrishna)
Uponseeingthefootprints,MotherYasodathought,"KrishnaisguiltyandHe
hasrunaway."Actually,shewasnotreallyangryaboutthebrokenpot.She
smiledtoherselfandthought,"JustseehowclevermyKrishnais.Hebrokethis
potinsuchawaythatIdidn'thearasound.Thisboyissocleverandyetso
cheeky!"ThereforeMotherYasodadecided,"TodayIhavetopunishHim
becauseHehasbrokenapot.WhoknowswhatHemightdotomorrow?Imust
teachHimalesson!"Inthisway,shefollowedHislittlefootprints,hidbehinda
wallandlookedaroundthecornertospyonKrishna.
MotherYasodasawthatKrishnahadtakenthegrindingmortar,turneditupside
downandsatonit.Krishnatookthebutterfromthepotshangingfromtherafters
andbeganfeedingittothemonkeystotheirfullsatisfactionandgreatpleasure.
Thenthemonkeystakesomuchbuttersomuchyoghurt,theycannoteat
anymore,theyaresofull.ThenKrishnasays:"Oh,thisbutterseemstobebad,
themonkeysdon'twantanymore"
(KrishnabecomesafraidofYasoda)
MotherYasodasawKrishnafeedingthemonkeysandlikeathiefafraidof
gettingcaught,Hewaslookingaroundwitheyesfulloffear.Krishnaknewthat
MotherYasodawouldsooncomelookingforHim.Shewouldcertainlyseethe
brokenpotandifshecaughtHim,Hewouldbebeaten.SeeingKrishnaoutside
thehouse,MotherYasodacreptupfrombehindHimtocatchHim.However,
Krishnasawhercoming,carryingastickinherhand!
(KrishnarunsawayfromYasoda)
KrishnawasafraidofthelookonHismother'sfaceandthestickinherhand.
Seeingthis,Krishnajumpeddownfromthegrindingmortar.Hefled,
apprehensiveofwhatshemightdotoHim.Hethought,"IfIamquick,shewillnot
beabletocatchMeandIwillbesaved.Shewillnotbeabletobeatme."
InHisheart,KrishnaknewthatHehadbeennaughtyandhaddonemanythings
thatHeshouldnothavedone.HehadbrokenMotherYasoda'syogurtchurning
potandfedmakhantothemonkeys.Normallygrhasthasprotecttheirhousehold
paraphenaliaandstoredfoodstuffsbutKrishnawassonaughtythatHehadfed
theirmakhantothemonkeys.Ithadtakenalongtimetomakethisrnakhan.
KrishnaknewthatHehadbeenabadboy.HeknewthatifMotherYasoda
caughtHim,shewoulddefinitelybeatHim.
MotherYasodadidnotwanttoletKrishnagetawayshewasdeterminedto
catchHimsoshebegantorunafterHim.Thiswasthefirsttimethatsuchalila
7
hadtakenplacewhereKrishnawasseenasatfaultandHisdevoteewas
apparentlyangryatHim.SukadevGoswaminextsaidtheyogis,whoseminds
havebecomepurifiedbyperformingalltypesofausterities,andwhocantravel
atthespeedofthewind,cannotcatchorattainKrishna.Theyareunabletodoso
intheirmindsevenafterthousandsofyearsofmeditation.
However,inthislila,MotherYasodawasrunningafterthatsameunattainable
KrishnachasingHimwithastickinherhand.AtfirstKrishnaranfromroomto
room,withMotherYasodachase.ThenHeleftthehouseandranintothestreets
ofGokul.MotherYasodaresolved,"TodayKrishnaisnotgoingtogetawayfrom
mewhereverHegoes,IwillpursueHim."InthiswayshefollowedHim
everywhere.Allthevrajavaisislookedoninamazement.Theythought,'Whatis
happeningtoday?UsuallythereissomuchaffectionbetweenKrishnaand
MotherYasodawhatcouldpossiblyhavetakenplace?"
Beinglightandagile,Krishnawasrunninginazigzagmanner.Hewasrunning
inandoutofeveryone'shousesandMotherYasodawasfollowingHim.She
remaineddeterminedtocatchhermischievousson.However,MotherYasoda
wasnotusedtorunninglikethis,soshesoonbecametiredandwasperspiring.
MotherYasodacatchesKrishna
Afteralongchase,MotherYasodacaughtKrishnaandfirmlygaspedHisright
hand.WithHislefthand,KrishnawipedthetearsfromHiseyes.MotherYasoda
addressedHim,10friendsofthemonkeys,arethesemonkeysyourrelatives?
Whyareyoufeedingthemsofreely?Obreakeroftheyogurtpot,untilnow,I
havenotbelievedthecomplaintsoftheothergopis.buttodayIhavecaughtYou
redhanded!TodayYou'llbeseverelypunished.Iwillbeatyou!"Shewavedthe
stickatKrishnachidingHim,"WhydidYoubreakthepot?Tellme!"
LittleKrishnawasshakinginfear,cryingandwipingHistearswithHishands.As
HewipedHistears,HiseyelinerwassmudgedalloverHisface.Somehow,this
madeHimlookevenmorebeautiful.Hecriedagainandagainandpleaded,
"Ma!Pleaseletmego,Ipromiseneverdothisagain.I.promise.PleaseletMe
go."
WhenMotherYasodasawthatKrishnahadbecomeveryfrightened,sheputthe
stickdown.Krishnabreathedasighofrelief,thinkingthatperhapstheworstwas
over.Hethought,"Atleastshewon'thitmewithasticknow.Iwillnotgetbeaten."
ThispastimedemonstratestheuniquenessofKrishna'svrajalila.Innoother
incarnationdoestheSupremeLordawaitjudgmentfromanyone.Here,Krishna
isguiltilystandinginfrontofHismother,Hisfatecompletelyinherhands.Mother
Yasodanowhasfulljurisdictiontodecidewhethertopunish,bindorrelease
Krishna.Thisisthespecialityoftheparentalaffection,vatsalyabhavaofVraja
wheretheretheknowledgeofKrishna'sGodhoodiscovered.SukadevGoswami
thensaysseeingthegenuinefearinHiseyes,MotherYasodaputherstickdown
andcontemplatedonhowelsetodisciplinehermischievousson.
MotherYasodadecidestotieKrishna
8
Afterdiscardingthestick,insteadofbeatingKrishna,MotherYasodadecidedto
tieHimup.Shereasoned,"KrishnamayrunawaytothebankoftheYamunain
anangrymoodasHedoeswhenHegetsupset.SometimeswhenKrishnagets
fedupandrunsaway,ittakesmehourstofindHim.Idon'tknowwhatKrishna
mightdo,especiallynowthatHeisinsuchamood.IfKrishnarunstoofaraway,
itmaybecomeverydifficulttofindHimorHemayevengethurt.Soletmetie
Himupforawhile.Icanchurnsomemoreyogurt,makethemakhanandthenI
canreturntopacifyHim."Withthesethoughts,MotherYasodastartedtobind
Krishna.
WhatwasMotherYasoda'sconsciousnessasshetiedhersonKrishna?Dueto
intenseloveforKrishna,MotherYasodawasnotawareofHispositionasthe
supremelypowerfulPersonalityofGodhead.ShedidnotknowthatHewas
svayambhagavan,theoriginalSupremePersonalityofGodhead,thereforeshe
endeavoredtotieHim.
Svayarnbhagavanhasaninnatenature(virya),whichcanalsobeknownas
prabhav.MotherYasodawasnotawareofthis.Shedidnotknowoftheinnate
natureofherson.Krishnahasnobeginning,noend,noinsideandnooutside.
Heisallpervading.Howcansomeonewhopossessessuchqualitiesbetied
up?Itisimpossible.However,MotherYasodasimplysawKrishnaasherson,so
sheendeavoredtotieHimup.
TheSupremePersOnalityofGodheadhasnobeginningandnoend,noexterior
andnointerior,nofrontandnorear.Inotherwords,Heisallpervading.
BecauseHeisnotundertheinfluenceoftheelementoftime,forHimthereisno
differencebetweenpast,presentandfuture.HeexistsinHistranscendental
formatalltimes.Beingabsolute,beyondrelativity,Heisfreefromdistinctions
betweencauseandeffect,althoughHeisthecauseandeffectofeverything.
Thatunmanifestedperson,whoisbeyondtheperceptionofthesenses,hadnow
appearedasahumanchild,andMotherYasoda,consideringHimherown
ordinarychild,boundHimtothewoodenmortarwitharope.
MotherYasodatiesKrishnawithrope
Howcansuchapersonalityeverbetied?'Wherewouldyoustarttyinghimup?
However,MotherYasodasucceededinherattempttobindKrishna.Whywas
that
?
BecauseofherintenseloveforKrishna,shebelievedHimsimplytobeher
son,anordinarychild.Thisintenselovecoveredherknowledgethatinfact,
thereisnothinginsideoroutsideofKrishna.Hehasnobeginningandnoend.
Heisinfiniteandallpervading.Herlovingsentimentshoweverpredominated
overKrishna'sinnatecapacityoropulence.
WhenMotherYasodabegantobindKrishna,aninterestingphenomenontook
place.Nomatterwhatlengthofropesheused,whenshewantedtotietheknot
onherlala'swaist,itwouldalwaysbeshortbythewidthoftwofingers.Mother
Ya.sodabecameastonished.Itwasbeyondhercomprehension.Stillshewas
determinedtobindKrishna.
AllofKrishna'senergieshadunitedandcometodefendHim.Theywouldnotlet
anyonebindKrishna.Hisenergiesvibhati.aktiandsatyasankalpa
g
akti
9
unitedandpreventedHimfrombeingtied.Atfirstsheusedaribbonfromher
hair.Whenthiswastooshortshesentforallothercordsandropesfromher
house.Inthisway,sheconnectedalltheropesavailableathome.Yetwhenthe
finalknotwastobetied,shefoundthattheropewasstilltwofingerstooshort.
Oneacaryasaysthatthereasonwhytheropeswerealwaysshortwasbecause
KrishnawastestingMotherYasoda'sdetermination.Hewantedtoseeifshewill
giveuptryingtobindHim.BecauseMotherYasoda'seffortwasnotcomplete,
Krishna'smercywasalsonotcomplete.OnlyuponseeingMotherYasoda's
fullestefforts,wouldKrishnaextendHismercy.
Inotherwords,KrishnawaitsforustogiveoureverythingtoHimbeforeHegives
usHismercy.Thisiswhythebindingropewasalwaysshortbytwofingers.
KrishnawasdemonstratingthatHewhoisnotboundinthebeginningortheend
cannotbeboundinthemiddleeither.Therefore,MotherYasoda'sattemptsto
bindKrishnaatHiswaist(themiddleportion)wereneversuccessful.
Afterusingallthecordsandropesfromherhouse,shesentformorefromthe
othergopis'houses.Inthemeantime,severalothergopisgatheredandlooked
atthesceneinastonishment.TheysaidtoYasoda,"ReleaseHim.LetHimgo!
Heisclearlynotdestinedtobetied.Whyareyoubeingsostubborn?"'Despite
hearingthis,MotherYasodarefusedtogiveup.Shewasdrenchedin
perspirationandyetshewasnotdeterred.MotherYasodabecameevenmore
determinedandrefusedtogiveup.Shesaid,"IwillnotstopuntilHeistied."
Theothergopiswerelaughing,andsowasMotherYasoda.Shecouldnot
understandwhatwashappening."EvenifIhavetostayhereallday,IwilltieHim
up,"shethought.Inherattemptstobindherson,MotherYasodabecametired.
Shewasinastateoftotalexhaustion.Herhairbecamedisheveledandthe
decoratingflowershadfallen.Herclothesalsobecamedisarrayed.When
KrishnasawHismother'srelentlessdetermination,HeshowedherHismercy
andagreedtobetied.
BecauseofMotherYasoda'shardlabor,herwholebodybecamecoveredwith
perspiration,andtheflowersandthecombwerefallingfromherhair.Whenchild
KrishnasawHismotherthusfatigued,Hebecamemercifultoherandagreedto
bebound.
ThusendedthecompetitionbetweenthedevoteeandKrishna.SeeingHis
devotee'stotalandunalloyeddedication,Krishnahadtoacceptdefeat.Inthis
way,MotherYasodawasabletotieHimtothewoodengrindingmortar.
OnemayaskCanKrishnareallybeboundinthisway?SukadevGoswami
says,"Yes,becauseofHismercifulnature,Krishnacanactuallybetiedand
boundbyHisdevotee.Krishna'smercifulnature,kipasakti,prevailedand
subduedallofhisothersaktis.
Throughthislila,KrishnademonstratedthatHeisindebtedtoHisdevotees.
IndeedHecanbecapturedbyHisdevotee.AnyonewhoistrulydevotedtoHim
canbindHim.ThecapacitytobindKrishnaisineverylivingentitybutinorderto
dothat,thelivingentitywillhavetodevelopthedegreeofdevotionthatMother
Yasodahas.SukadevGoswamiThewholeuniverseincludingLordBrahmaand
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LordShivaareunderKrishna'scontrol,yetHecanbecontrolledbyHisdevotee."
ThisisKrishna'ssvabhava,Hiseternalnature.
LordBalaramgetsangry
MotherYasodasternlytoldKrishna,"Stayhere!IfYouaretomove,I'llbeatyou."
SheaskedtheothergopistokeepaneyeonHim.Untilthispoint,Balaramwas
notthere,sosomeoneinformedBalaramthatHisbrotherwastiedup.Upon
arriving,BalaramassumedHisSankarsanamoodandstronglydeclared,"Who
daresbindKrishna?IamSankarsana.IamSeshaNaga.AsSankarsana.,Ican
bumtheentireuniversewithonebreath.AsSeshaNaga,Icaninundatethe
entireVrajawiththepoisoncomingfromMyonethousandhoods.Doesthis
wrongdoernotknowwhatIcando?Whohasdonethis?WhotiedKrishna?'
SomeonetoldBalaramthatitwasMotherYasodawhohadboundKrishna.Upon
hearingthis,Balaram'smoodchanged.Hewasnolongerlikeafierysnake.He
becamelikeatimidmouse.Balaram'sangerwanedandHedidnotknowwhat
todo.BalaramsawthatKrishnawascrying.AndKrishna,seeingBalaram,cried
evenmoretoinvokeHismercy.SeeingKrishnacrying,Balarambecameangry
againandshouted,"WhohastiedKrishna?HeisNarayana.HeisNarasimha.
HeisVamana.HeisMatsya..Krishnaistheoriginofallavataras.Heis
everything.Whoistheguiltyone?IhaveonethousandhoodsIwillburnthis
VrajatothegroundwiththeflamesfromMyonethousandhoods!"
LookingatBalaram,MotherYasodasarcasticallysaid,"Oh,Isee.Krishnaisthe
originofallincarnations.Ifthatisso,whothenareYou?"Balaramreplied,"Iam
Lakshman.IamSeshaNaga,IamSan.karsana.Icandothis,Icandothat."
MotherYasodathensaid,"Doalltheseincarnationshavetoappearonlyinmy
home?"ShepickedupherstickandwaveditthreateninglyatBalaram.She
warned,"YouhadbettergetoutofherebeforeIbeatandbindYouaswell!"
Hearingthis,Balaramranaway.
AllHisSankarsanapowerwasnolongerpresent.MotherYasodasaid,"Krishna
isBhagavan?Indeed!Hehearsacatmeowandrunstome.Bhagavan
Narasimhaislikethis?IfKrishnaisBhagavan,thenwhydoesHeneedtosteal
makhan?
BalaramranfromMotherYasodaandwenttoKrishna,saying,"Itoldyouso
manytimestogiveupthisrnakhanstealing.DidyoulistentoMe?Youignored
Myadviceandnowyouaresuffering.WhatcanIdo?Ifsomeoneelsehadtied
you,Iwouldhavetakencareofit.ButwhenMatiesyou,whatcanIdo?Iam
helpless.WhatcanIdotostopher?Iheardthatyoubroketheyogurtpotwhy
didyoudothat?Evenifyouhadbrokenthepot,whydidyounotjuststopatthat?
Insteadyouhadtocontinueyourmischiefandmakehermoreangry.Mydear
brotherKrishna,IamsorrythereisnothingIcando."Krishnaheardthisand
begantocryevenmore.
Balaramcontinued,"Itoldyousomanytimestogiveupthisstealinghabitbut
youwouldn'tlisten.Thisservesyouright.Todayyouaregettingpunished.Allyou
candoiscry.Whocanreleaseyou?"BalarampleadedwithMotherYasoda,
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"PleaseuntieHim,pleaseuntieHim."ThenHesaid,"ThenIwilluntieHim.Iwill
goanduntieHim."BalaramwashopingthatMotherYasodawouldrelentandtell
HimtountieKrishna.HoweverMotherYasodadidnotrelent.Intheend,Balaram
wentbacktoKrishnaandtheybothcried.KrishnacriedbecauseHewastiedup
andBalaramcriedbecauseHewashelpless.
SrilaSukadevaGoswamifurthersays:
NeitherLordBrahma,norLordShiva,noreventhegoddessoffortune,whois
alwaysthebetterhalfoftheSupremeLord,canobtainfromtheSupreme
PersonalityofGodhead,thedelivererfromthismaterialworld,suchmercyas
receivedbyMotherYasoda.
TheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,Krishna,thesonofMotherYasoda,is
accessibletodevoteesengagedinspontaneouslovingservice,butHeisnotas
easilyaccessibletomentalspeculators,tothosestrivingforselfrealizationby
severeausteritiesandpenances,ortothosewhoconsiderthebodythesameas
theself.
ThoughKrishnapossessallpossiblepowersHeisboundandcontrolledby
prema.Thisbondage,however,beingthemostastonishingattributeoftheLord,
isnotafaultbutabeautifultranscendentalornamentinKrishna'sPersonality.
ByHisverynatureKrishnaisselfsatisfied(atmarama),yetHesuffersfrom
hunger.HeautomaticallyfulfillsallofHisdesires(aptakama),yetHeis
dissatisfiedanddesirousofprema.ThoughKrishnaisthepersonificationof
peaceandpuregoodness,HebecomesangryKrishnaisthemasterofthe
goddessoffortune,yetanxiouslylookinghitherandthitherHestealsbutterlikea
beggar.ThoughKrishnainstillsfearinallthroughtimeanddeath,Hefleesinfear
ofYasoda'sstick(bhayavihvaleksaY:tarh).ThoughKrishnatravelsatthespeed
ofmind,HeiseasilycaughtbythefirmgripofHismother(hastegrhitva).Though
Krishnaiscondensedbliss,Hecriesinsorrow(prarudantam).ThoughKrishnais
unlimitedandallpervading,Heislimitedbybeingtiedup.
ByallowingMotherYasodatotieHim,KrishnashowedthatHecanultimatelybe
controlledbytheloveofHisdevotees.Krishnadesiredthissubordinationand
thusHeallowedMotherYasodatotieHim.Inthisway,Krishnademonstrated
thatHecanbetotallycontrolledbytheloveanddevotionofHisunalloyed
devotees.
IfonecherishespurelovingdevotiontoMe,thinkingofMeashisson,his
friendorhisbeloved,regardinghimselfasgreatandconsideringMehisequal
orinferior,Ibecomesubordinatetohim.
TheSupremeLord,SriKrishnaisneverfarfromus.Wemaynotfeelso,butthat
isthetruthproclaimedbythescriptures.InBhagavadgitaforexample,theLord
hasdeclaredHimselftobe,suhrdaiiisarvabhistanam(Bg.5.29),theintimate
wellwishingfriendofalllivingentities.Itisonlyforourapathy,thattheLord
seemsfaraway.Werequestallreaderstopleasetakeheartfromthese
narrationsofSriDamodarLila,andmakesincereeffortstoestablishandfurther
yourrelationshipwithHim.
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KrishnabreaksArjunatrees
Afterbindingherson,MotherYasodaengagedherselfinhouseholdaffairs.At
thattime,bounduptothewoodenmortar,Krsnacouldseeapairoftreesbefore
HimwhichwereknownasArjunatrees.Thegreatreservoirofpleasure,LordSri
Krsna,thusthoughttoHimself,"MotherYasodafirstofallleftwithoutfeedingMe
sufficientmilk,andthereforeIbrokethepotofyogurtanddistributedthestock
butterincharitytothemonkeys.NowshehasboundMeuptoawoodenmortar.
SoIshalldosomethingmoremischievousthanbefore."AndthusHethoughtof
pullingdownthetwoverytallarjunatrees.
ThereisahistorybehindthepairofArjunatrees.Intheirpreviouslives,thetrees
werebornasthehumansonsofKuvera,andtheirnameswereNalakuvaraand
Manigriva.Fortunately,theycamewithinthevisionoftheLord.Intheirprevious
livestheywerecursedbythegreatsageNaradainordertoreceivethehighest
benedictionofseeingLordKrsna.Thisbenedictioncursewasbestowedupon
thembecauseoftheirforgetfulnessduetointoxication.
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