Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

The cowherd boys raced to their homes to tell their parents all about Krsna’s remarkable pastimes. Though tired and breathing heavily, they tried their best to explain Krsna’s exploits. Due to exhaustion their voices choked up, but their mispronounced words sounded very sweet and satisfying to their parents. The pleasure of hearing about Krsna’s killing Bakasura quickly removed everyone’s anxiety.

The young gopas said, “Mother, listen to the amazing adventure we had today. You will be surprised to hear how Krsna showed His incredible strength. With our own eyes we saw Him easily vanquish a formidable demon. Driven by false ego, Bakasura tried to kill us. His extremely sharp beaks felt as hot as fire.

But just using His bare hands, which are softer and cooler than lotus flowers, Krsna broke that demon’s beaks as easily as a child splits a blade of virana grass. By killing that demon Krsna finished all his devious acts.”

The sweet talks of the cowherd boys filled their mothers’ ears with nectar. At first mother Yasoda felt afraid upon hearing that the demon tried to swallow the boys. As she heard more about Her son’s expertise in killing that awesome demon, Yasoda and the other mothers felt slightly relieved and smiled mildly.

Yasoda thought to herself, “Alas! Even though I left Mahavan to escape the harassment of demons, they are still attacking my son. My son is very bold and restless. But what can I do and where can I go? By destiny I am confused and cannot understand the plan of Providence.”

After bathing and feeding Krsna His evening meal, Yasoda, the abode of maternal affection, said, “From now on just stay home. Please do not go out to the forest. We have so many men to do this work, so now You can stop tending the calves. You need not take so much trouble for this.”

Krsna replied, “But mother, actually all these stories about My heroic exploits are just lies. Do not worry about all these things.” Overflowing with love, Yasoda laid Krsna down to rest on a valuable bedstead.

Krsna’s eternal form is that of a fifteen-year-old youth. However, His kumara and pauganda lilas (childhood and boyhood pastimes) also eternally remain within His body. According to His sweet will, Krsna manifests one particular pastime form or another.

Krsna displays these different pastime periods to fulfill the desires of His devotees, who themselves are wish fulfilling creepers. Although the stages of His childhood, boyhood, and youthful pastimes differ in nature, they do not conflict with each other.

Krsna, the embodiment of transcendental bliss, maintains His eternal kaisora-rupa (form of youth) within Himself. His pastimes, therefore, do not undergo any transformation. In order to nourish His batya-lila (childhood pastimes) Krsna conceals His six opulences and His form of eternal youth by His own sweet will. This is the explanation of Krsna’s pastimes.

Although Krsna showed His manifold opulences when He killed Putana, irnavarta, and other demons, He quickly hid these powers in order to Preserve the sweet mellow of vatsalya-rasa (parental love). Therefore the influence of Krsna’s divine majestic powers (aisvarya) remain in the background so that He can relish the sweet flavor (madhurya) of His Vrndavana pastimes with His intimate loving servants.

Within Krsna’s transcendental body of eternity, knowledge, and bliss the various mellows of parental affection, friendship, and paramour love reach perfection. Why does Krsna perform these pastimes? To favor His devotees, who are fixed in the moods of vatsalya, sakhya, and madhurya bhavas, Krsna allows Himself to come completely under their control. The various pastime periods of Krsna are eternal and beyond judgement and argumentation.

At this time Krsna accepted the flute as His dearest musical instrument. He astonished the people of Vrndavana with the incredible artistry and expertise of His flute playing. Commenting on this, the Vrajavasi housewives said, “O dear Krsna, Your lips that previously tasted only Your mother’s breast milk, now relish the soft notes of Your flute. Which guru has taught You to play so sweetly? O darling Krsna, if You play Your melodious flute again, I will adorn Your face with tilaka.” In response Krsna played exquisitely on His flute to please the hearts of all.

Krsna’s magnificent dark body glistens like a tamala tree. With His bright yellow dhoti He looks like a wild elephant cub covered with saffron. A garland of fragrant wild flowers swings over Krsna ankles while He roams and sports from forest to forest just like as baby elephant. Every day Brahma, Siva, Indra and other demigods descend to Vrndavana to have darsana of Sri Krsna.

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.

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Upon reaching Vrndavana the cowherd men formed a temporary settlement. Using their hundreds of bullock carts, they made a boundary wall in the shape of a half circle (chatikar) extending from Kaliya-daha on the bank of the Kalindi to Govardhana Hill, and North to the region of Nandisvara. At that time, Nanda Maharaja’s capital of Nandisvara and all its good qualities had not yet manifested. As fire can merge within fire and water can merge within water, similarly, the transcendental qualities of Nanda’s old capital of Mahavana entered into the temporary new capital city at Chatikara.

Since the wealth of these two cities was one in all respects, then how can I separately describe the wealth of Vrndavana? The varieties of exotic birds singing and flying about there increased the enchantment of Vrndavana. Deer and other animals roamed throughout the richly foliated forests. The banks of the Yamuna glistened attractively, and the gorgeous Govardhana Hill added a unique touch of majestic charm. Seeing the natural and abundant beauty of Vrndavana delighted the hearts of all Nanda’s followers.

When Vrajaraja Nanda entered his private quarters, Upananda, Sunanda, and other respected leaders entered their homes, the cows relaxed in their goshallas, and the florists, pan sellers, and merchants went into their shops. The Vrajavasis could not conceive that everything had happened perfectly by the will of the Lord. Beginning with the Pulindas (aborigines), all the people in Vrndavana felt blissful just by performing their usual domestic duties. As the cows enjoyed the plentiful supply of fresh sweet grass, they soon forgot all about the pastures of Mahavana.

Without their knowledge, the Vrajavasis had inherited the storehouse of Kuvera’s wealth and the eight jewels of mystic perfection. Concealing His unlimited opulence (aisvarya), Krsna continued to perform His amazing pastimes in the role of an innocent child. Sometimes due to unavoidable circumstances Krsna revealed His hidden opulences.

After living in Chatikara for some time, Krsna displayed His pastime of tending cows (go carana). Although he had many gopas to care for hif nine lacs of cows, the King of Vrndavana had to yield to the repeated requests of his mischievous son. Under the influence of Yogamaya Nanda Maharaja decided to engage his beloved son Krsna in tending the cows.

Nanda and Yasoda forever exist as the unparalleled examples of transcendental parental love. Hearing that her husband considered engaging her tender son in such demanding work, Yasoda protested, “How can you ask your son, who is still on His mother’s breast, to accept such a painful engagement?”

Then that wonderfully splendid boy who displays a sweet variety of enchanting pastimes spoke to His mother, “Mother, do not interfere with My cherished desire to tend the cows. I will not listen to your words or consider your feelings regarding this.” Impatient due to His childish nature, Krsna continued, “Mother please give Me permission. My friends and I will experience great fun tending the cows. Is there anyone in this world who would not enjoy such work?”

Hearing Krsna’s words, mother Yasoda kept quiet and gave up her attempt to stop Him. Vrajaraja Nanda was surprised by his wife’s sudden silence regarding this matter. Then he chose an auspicious day for Krsna to take out the cows. That day Balarama and all the cowherd boys met in the goshalla. After selecting some calves for Krsna, Nanda Maharaja handed Him a red stick for controlling them.

Seeing His mother and father following Him into the forest, Krsna asked them to return home. He said, “We are experienced in tending calves. Do not worry about us.” His parents said, “Alright, but for today do not wander far with the calves and come home soon.” After preventing Nanda and Yasoda from going any further, Krsna, Balarama, and the other boys showed their expertise in tending the calves.

Krsna’s ecstasy grew day by day as He joyfully tended the calves. As Krsna wandered about, He covered Vrndavana with the syama blue color of His bodily effulgence, which shone more brilliantly than a cluster of blue lotus flowers. From all directions in the heavens the demigods watching Krsna’s wonderful pastimes with the calves fell unconscious in boundless joy. Both the celestials and the Vrajavasis enjoyed the fun. The astonishing pastimes of Krsna and Balarama continually filled their parents with delight.

Everyday before sunrise the kind-hearted Yasoda, who knows’ all moral laws and can purify everyone in the three worlds, tenderly woke up Krsna. After cleansing His mouth, she rubbed Krsna’s with fragrant oil, bathed Him, anointed His eyes with kajala, smeared His body with sandalwood pulp, dressed Him, and decorated Him with valuable ornaments. Then she happily fed Krsna many tasty, nourishing foods.

Yasoda followed behind Krsna when He went out with the cows. Brimming with parental love, Yasoda said, “Krsna I will go with You to a particular place and then return home.” After a short time, however, Krsna spoke some considerate words to prevent Yasoda from going any further. A splendid flower garland swung on Krsna’s chest as He walked with His brother and friends. Everyday they took the calves to a place full of succulent grass. After tasting the fresh green grass the calves would jump around in jubilation. Krsna passed His days absorbed in various childhood pastimes with His calves and friends.

Every morning Yasoda prepared delicious food for Krsna and sent it out to the forest. That food parcel contained enjoyable items that could be licked, chewed, drunk, and sucked. The preparations were also warm and appealing. Upon receiving it, Krsna, Haladhara, and cowherd boys sat down in a circle and ate the food while laughing and joking. After eating they continued tending the cows. The ankle-bells of Krsna filled the forest with captivating sounds, and the touch of His tender lotus feet stimulated the heart of Mother earth.

In the late afternoon Krsna returned from the pastures with the boys and calves. Yasoda, the wife of the crest-jewel of Vrndavana, eagerly waited to receive her beloved son. Looking toward the forest and listening attentively, she swelled with anticipation over His return.

Engaging the household servants in other duties, mother Yasoda personally did the service of cleansing Krsna’s face and limbs when He came home. After feeding Him some nourishing foods, she laid Krsna to rest on a jeweled inlaid bedstead.

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.

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Yamuna Crossing

Three hours before sunrise the wives of the gopas woke up, bathed, dressed in clean cloth, and performed vastu-puja. Then they churned butter while singing many enchanting songs glorifying Krsna. The sound of the gopis’ jeweled bangles and ankle-bells blended harmoniously with the deep, melodious sound emanating from the large churning pots.

That auspicious vibration easily removed all misfortune from the universe. The directions amplified that sound by responding with their echoes. Considering it improper to spend any more time with their husbands, the demi-goddesses woke up at once. Then they listened with rapt attention to the sweet sound of the gopis churning butter.

As the sun rose everyone prepared to cross the Yamuna River, the daughter of the sun god. Following Vrajaraja Nanda’s order, the gopas called the cows by making the sound “Hee! Hee!” Mooing in response, the cows entered the water. As they swam across the Yamuna, the cows exhaled strong breaths of air. The heavy, water-soaked tails of the cows hung motionless under the water. Keeping their heads and humps above the water, they flowed with the currents and finally reached the Yamuna’s opposite shore.

The horn-less, light-bodied calves felt great happiness as they quickly swam across the river. Crossing from all directions in front of their mothers, the calves reached the opposite shore. The gopas carried the newborn calves across the Yamuna by hanging them around their necks and holding their soft legs with their left arms while using their right arms swim. The mothers of the calves followed behind crying anxiously.

The tall humps on the backs of the mature bulls made waves as they moved through the Yamuna. As if in an angry mood, the bulls turned their necks and butted these successive waves with their horns. A captivating scene manifested there. Despite the strong current, the bulls held their heads high and straight, breathed heavily, and quickly crossed the Yamuna.

All the innumerable cows made it safely across the Yamuna. But they appeared exhausted from the journey, so they stood in rows on the Yamuna’s sandy banks, which looked as white as transparent camphor dust. The groups of white cows beside the Yamuna looked as attractive as the river Jahnavi.

The boats plying on the water looked like the nagapatnis rising up from Patalaloka to playfully extend their jewel-bedecked hoods above the Yamuna. It seemed that from the day the Vrajavasis arrived in Vrndavana, Visvakarma, the architect of the demigods, had made all arrangements to make them happy. The beautiful clear sky looked like a stream of the Ganga meeting the Yamuna. Various aquatics sported within the Yamuna.

Many highly decorated golden boats, exhibiting the epitome of artistic craftsmanship, cruised along the Yamuna. The best among those boats had an ornamental cabin topped with beautiful flags gently flapping in the breeze. Krsna and Yasoda, Rohini, and their maidservants boarded that boat. Krsna enjoyed watching the rows of small waves in the Yamuna. The wonderful effulgence of Krsna’s body enhanced the beauty of the Yamuna and made it look like a sparkling gem.

Leaving Yasoda’s side, Krsna leaned over the edge of the boat. While supporting Himself with His left hand Krsna stretched His right hand under the water to touch the bottom of the boat. Anticipating some danger, the two mothers tried unsuccessfully to stop Krsna from His frivolous play.

With great concern, Nanda boarded the same boat, quickly picked up Krsna, and sat Him on his lap. Undisturbed, the boatman continued rowing steadily across the Yamuna.

The remaining men and their families boarded other boats and happily crossed the river Yamuna. After ferrying all the people, the boatman used boarding platforms to load all the bullock carts and cross the river again. Vrajaraja Nanda satisfied the boatmen with valuable clothes and ornaments.

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.

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Exodus to Vraja

One day, Krsna personally entered the hearts of the village leaders and inspired them. Upananda, Sananda, and other senior men convened a town meeting to discuss the future of Vrndavana.

With warm hearts the people spoke to Vrajaraja Nanda, “O King of Vraja! We cannot understand the extent of your opulence. We have never seen a more fortunate person than you.

“You are the greatest among men. Your son delivers everyone from distress and lamentation. Since the time of His appearance, many seemingly sad and painful things have happened here in Vrndavana. Just after His birth the raksasi Putana brought devastation to our village. Then the Sakatasura demon brought us severe distress. Then came that horrible hurricane wind demon Tmavarta who tortured everyone. And the falling arjuna trees almost destroyed us.

“We want to know the cause of all these bizarre events. Everyone experienced good fortune with Krsna’s birth. And we personally know that your family dynasty is also completely auspicious. So by the accumulation of your good deeds a plenary expansion of the Lord appeared as your very own son.

“We can only guess, therefore, that this place causes these difficulties and not your illustrious son. Considering these facts, we conclude that the next year we should leave this place and move to the forest of Vrndavana. Vrndavana is full of good qualities and always pleasing throughout all seasons of the year. It is replete with luxuriant grasses to please the cows. Not only that, but it is said that for one who attains Vrndavana the wealth of the three worlds seems as insignificant as a piece of straw.

“The Goddess of Fortune eternally resides there personally serving all the residents. Govardhana Hill, which always increases the health of the cows, also stands there. O learned one! If you approve this proposal, then please satisfy us by taking us to Vrndavana.”

Then King Nanda, whose consciousness is totally pure, replied to the gopas, “You should understand that I am personally very attached to this Brhadvana (Mahavana). But if you find defects here, then for your sake I think we should give up this place and immediately move to Vrndavana.” This suggestion filled everyone’s heart with joy. In great excitement they ordered their families to prepare the bullock carts for the journey.

The groups of carts, fully loaded with village folk and their paraphernalia, looked very beautiful. Keeping the cows in front, they lined up the carts in preparation to leave. As mature bull elephants can have four tusks, the bullocks had different numbers of teeth depending on their ages. The youngest bullocks had four teeth, whereas the elder bullocks had up to nine.

The bullocks had gold plated horns shining like the peaks of Mt. Sumeru. The rounded and nicely shaped jawbones of the bullocks looked attractive. As a music teacher dances with dexterous steps, the bullocks moved gracefully on their splendid hooves.

As there are four parts to a poem, similarly, these bullocks had four legs. Nanda Maharaja had 900,000 white cows in his herd. The restless natures of the bullocks indicated the depth of their intelligence. Though yoked to the carts, they were not tied through their noses. Attractive necklaces of sweet sounding bells hung from their necks.

Multi-colored canopies topped the carts. These canopies had many designs and colors like green, brick red, yellow, white, red and pale yellow. Colorful curtains made of costly jute covered the sides. Flags fluttered above the golden domes atop the carts. The flags looked like wonderfully designed tongues extended to taste the rays of sun.

The splendidly decorated carts mocked the flower airplanes of the demigods. Indeed, these bullock carts established a new standard of excellence among conveyances. Just as there is no fault in being attached to sadhus, the carts were faultless in construction and beautiful to behold. As devotees become beautiful by engaging in Krsna’s service, the cakras above the carts looked as beautiful as cakravaka birds floating in a lake.

As the sons of Kuvera are attached to residing in his capital city of Alakapuri, similarly, the wood yokes were attached to the carts. The carts held many gorgeous pots mad of gold, silver, brass, bell metal, and copper.

Extending from Brhadvana (Mahavana) to Vrndavana, the long line of cows and bullocks looked like a separate branch of the Yamuna River From a distance it appeared that this long line of moving cows was standing still.

The people thought, “Perhaps the Suradhuni Ganga has appeared here to speak privately with the Yamuna. Or maybe the unlimited waves from the milk ocean have come here to take the dust of Vrndavana? Or has Ananta Sesa renounced his service as Narayana’s bed to come see Vrndavana? Could we be seeing the expanded hood of the kjng of the snakes? Or is it a necklace of pearls decorating mother earth?”

The long line of carts topped with glittering golden domes and multicolored flags flapping in the wind looked like a vast wall containing many tall golden doors surrounding a city palace. They looked like a small mountain range appearing as the offspring of Mt. Kailasa, Mt. Sumeru, and the Himalayas coming to play with the Yamuna. Taking compassion on this tiny mountain chain, Indra withheld his anger and refrained from cutting off their wings with his thunderbolt.

The furrows left in the earth by the wheels of the carts looked like the walls of a castle rising in the air but having no support. One time mother Bhumi took the form of a cow to beg Krsna to remove the distress she felt from the burden of demoniac kings.

It seemed that mother earth had again appeared in her original form as a cloud of dust. Rising in the sky above the carts she seemed to be reaching for Brahmaloka. In this way people viewed the long line of bullock carts moving toward Vrndavana.

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.

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Nanda Frees Gopal

Then the twin arjuna trees crashed to the ground. Their falling such a terrible sound that it deafened the village ladies as well as the four elephants controlling the four directions of the heavenly planet All the Vrajavasis felt fearful. The sweet taste of bliss that Vrajesvari Yasoda and the Vrajavasis had previously relished now suddenly disappeared. Becoming bewildered and fearing another calamity, they stormed their duties and rushed to that place.

When they saw the huge fallen trees they thought perhaps mother earth offered dandavats to Krsna-kumara with the arms of these tree trunks The split open trees looked like the gaping mouth of the lower planetary system. Its two branches appeared like two huge snakes rising up and desiring to go in different directions.

The two trees seemed like the dead bodies of the demons Madhu and Kaitabha thrown on the ground by the Lord Himself. When the Vrajavasis found Krsna, He appeared calm, fearless, and free from danger. Though only a child, Krsna looked like a priceless jewel ornamenting mother earth, and assuring Her of protection by His very presence.

At that time the Vrajavasis thought, “0 what is this? How have these huge arjuna trees suddenly fallen without being pushed down by the wind? In a second, they could have crushed and killed Krsna. But Krsna just stands peacefully between them looking as fresh as a newly formed rain cloud. It is our good fortune that nothing has happened to Him.

“For a long time these two trees have stood here troubling others. Now due to old age their roots have become rotten, and they toppled over from the weight of their leaves and branches. But upon closer examination, we see this is not the reason because the roots, branches, and leaves are all fresh and hard.” In various ways the Vrajavasis tried to evaluate the situation.

While deeply drinking the pure nectar of Krsna’s wonderful pastimes, Nanda Maharaja’s face beamed with transcendental delight. The mind of Krsna also danced in jubilation over His recent exploit. Vrajaraja Nanda untied Krsna from the mortar and placed Him on his lap. Then the expert and learned Nanda scolded his wife,

“Nandarani, You have made a big mistake!” But suddenly Nanda Maharaja remembered Garga Munis prophecy that Krsna equals Narayana, and that all the scriptures proclaim His transcendental qualities. Thinking thus, Nanda concluded that no one but his son could have done this amazing feat.

The friends of Krsna said, “Hey look what Krsna has done. Our spotless hero has done something impossible. Afraid of His mother, Krsna dragged the mortar over here. Then it got stuck between these two trees and Krsna uprooted them.” None of the assembled Vrajavasis believed the words of the innocent children.

Taking auspicious articles such as rice, arghya, and durva grass, Nanda worshiped Krsna, who is the source and bestower of all benedictions and who surpasses Narayana in good qualities. Afterwards Nanda brought Krsna back home to the accompaniment of musicians playing drums and cymbals.

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.