Krishna Nectar Lilas part 20 “Freeing the Devas”

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Freeing the Devas

Krsna thought how to use His present bondage to fulfill a prophecy of Narada Muni. Previously Narada had cursed two intoxicated and indecent demigods named Nalakuvera and Manigriva to become trees. Deciding to bestow His mercy upon them, Krsna dragged the grinding mortar tied to His belly along the ground toward those two trees. Krsna’s playmates cheerfully followed Him.

From a distance Krsna saw the two trees connected at the root. Similarly, a student will understand that prakrti and purusa originate from one source. As karma kanda and gyana kanda are separate paths, the two trees had different trunks. The Sama and Yajur Vedas have various divisions, and similarly, the two trees had many branches. As a great king has the qualities of valor and achievement, as a mountain range possesses steadiness, and as a cluster of clouds is laden with showers, similarly, these two trees displayed an abundance of natural opulence.

The demigods embodied in the two trees had become purified by suffering many years in that way, just as clouds abound in the rainy season and as water becomes clear and pure in autumn. As the universe is vast and broad, these trees stood stout and strong. Known as a pair of arjuna trees, they reminded everyone of the great heroes Arjuna and Kartavirya. Like Nakula and Sahadeva, these two trees were also twins. Seeing Krsna moving towards the huge trees, His friends said, “Perhaps Krsna cannot tolerate the scorching sunshine so He is seeking shelter under those shady trees.”

While His friends spoke thus, Krsna pulled the mortar over and it got stuck between the two trees. He who annihilates all pretenders appeared Pendid with His curly hair hanging loosely over His shoulders. Though Krsna’s body is pure and spotless. His character is colored with wonderful colours or rasa.

With a slight jerk of the mortar Krsna easily uprooted those huge trees in a moment. A loud cracking sound filled the air when the trees split open. As a person pokes a hole in a clay pot, that unique vibration, which conquered all other sounds, raced through the sky to puncture a hole in the coverings of the universe. The sound exactly resembled the terrible noise produced by the fierce thunderbolts crashing at the time of devastation. Krsna remained calm and joyful amidst the tremendous tumult.

Krsna is eternally free, but He appeared to be bound to a grinding mortar. His character is eternally pure, but it was stained by His pastimes of stealing. Although He can liberate anyone trapped in material existence He was bound by the loving affection of His mother.

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.