Krishna Nectar Lilas part 23 “Bhoga and Bartering”

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Bhoga and Bartering

One day Krsna, Balarama, and the cowherd boys wandered into the forest and started playing. Krsna looked as beautiful as a freshly formed rain cloud. They spent many hours in fun sports and games. Desiring to see Their beautiful forms and pastimes, Yasoda sent Rohini to bring Krsna and Balarama back home.

Rohini Devi, a reservoir of unlimited piety and qualities, ran out of the house to perform this task. Seeing the boys from a distance, she called out “Have you forgotten to come home due to Your absorption in playing? You are perspiring profusely and must be famished from so much playing. Now stop playing and come along with Your enchanting elder brother and friends. Take Your bath, dress properly, and satisify mother Yasoda by sitting down and eating sumptuously.

Krsna, however, ignored Rohini’s request and kept enjoying with His friends. Feeling frustrated, mother Rohini returned home. Then Yasoda ran to call the boys. “Hey listen Baladeva! King Nanda is starving and will not eat until You return. Now hurry along.”

Yasoda then addressed Krsna, “O my darling son! Today is Your birthday so You will be bathed with auspicious articles. You will receive the blessings of the brahmanas who are the veritable demigods of this world. Your father has bought opulent clothes for You. Now come home and take Your meal with Your father and all the assembled brahmanas.”

Saying this, mother Yasoda, who walks as majestically as a royal elephant caught Krsna’s lotus hand and said, “Come along, let us go home.” Keeping Balarama in front, Yasoda led Krsna and the boys back home. Yasoda cannot tolerate that Krsna joyfully plays all day without stopping to eat. Like all mothers who dearly love their children, Yasoda stopped Their playing so They could eat Their meal.

Yasoda ordered the maidservants to bring massage oils, bathing powder, clothes, ornaments, and garlands. Taking a soft damp cloth Yasoda cleansed Krsna by removing all the dust from His body, which resembled a fully blossomed blue lotus. Yasoda massaged Him with oil, bathed, and dressed Him.

After anointing His transcendental body with fragrant oil Yasoda brought Krsna before Nanda Maharaja. Nanda happily picked up his boys, who responded with sweet smiles, and then sat down to take his meal along with Krsna and Balarama. Yasoda’s servants also bathed and dressed all of Krsna’s friends.

After feeding everyone, Yasoda instructed Krsna’s playmates before sending them home. She said, “From now on do not keep playing with my restless son when it is His time to eat. At that time, you should stop and quickly return to your homes.” Out of love for His friends Krsna walked with them for short way before bidding them farewell.

Bartering for Fruits

One day a fruit vendor, well versed in moral laws, stood outside Nanda’s gate trying to sell fruits. Hearing her calling for customers, Krsna came out to see. The fruit vendor was enchanted by seeing the two pink land lotuses of Krsna’s feet. In the cup of His small lotus hands Krsna brought some food grains to trade for fruits. By the time Krsna reached the fruit vendor, however, most of grains had already slipped out of His hands.

The melodious jingling of Krsna’s golden ankle-bells captivated the ears of fruit vendor. She absorbed her eyes in the full experience of seeing Krsna, the personified stream of bliss who was more enchanting than a beautiful rain cloud.

Absorbed in the bliss of Krsna’s association, that pious woman filled her palms with fruits and gladly offered them to Krsna. At that moment the fruit remaining in her basket magically transformed into costly gems and jewels.

Excerpt: Sri Kavi Karnapura’s Ananda Vrindavana Campu ki jai!

Krishna Nectar Lilas ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

All parts of Krishna Nectar Lilas can be found here.