KRISHNA KARNAMRUTA-SLOKA-41

 Pite pita nishanna baalakagale thishtan sa gopaalako 

Yantraantasthitha mapakrushchaadya ghantaaravam

Vaktropaanta krutanjalih kruta sirah kampam piban yah payah

Payaadaagata Gopikaa nayanayor gandusha phuthkaarakruth!

Leela Shuka describes the effect of  the Divine music on the Gopikas. The ethereal notes of Krishna's flute totally destroyed their tender hearts!  They were compelled to  give up their love for their spouses! As they proceeded towards Krishna, their locks of hair got loosened and they were not bothered about tying them up! They simply ran fast to see Krishna! On account of their speed, their lips, breasts and the navel areas vibrated! They were overwhelmed by amorous feelings and the hair on their bodies stood up indicating their passion for Krishna!

In this sloka Leela Shuka narrates the mischief done by Young Krishna in one of the gopika's house! The description of how Krishna managed to climb up to steal milk with the help of His friends is very graphic! First and foremost one of Krishna's friends sat down on a wooden plank. Krishna climbed on his back and stood up to reach the arrangement in the midst of which was the pot containing milk! He bent the pot! There was a bell at that spot and Krishna stopped it from ringing! Then He brought together both His palms near to His mouth, shook His head properly and began drinking milk!  It was at that time the Gopikas came and saw to their surprise and shock the act of Krishna! Not knowing how to manage the situation, mischievous Krishna, spat the milk in His mouth into the eyes of Gopikas!! Krishna enjoyed the fun while the Gopikas were stunned at this act of Krishna!  With this wonderful vision of Krishna Leela, in his mind, he says that such mischievous Krishna should protect all of us! 

Krishna reveled in such mischiefs in the homes of many Gopikas during His stay at Nanda Gokulam! He didn’t leave anyone unaffected! Out of pure love and affection for Krishna the Gopikas endured all their sufferings and refrained from complaining to Krishna’s mother Yasoda! But there seemed to be no end to the thefts of Krishna and His other mischiefs! Out of sheer disgust, they decided to meet Yasoda and complain against the atrocities committed by Krishna in their homes. They told Yasoda that no milk or butter was safe in their homes because of Krishna! They were the targets of mischievous Krishna and His train! They complained that it was impossible for them to remain in Gokulam if things continued like this! They had taken a decision to leave Gokulam and settle somewhere else! Poor Yasoda was aghast at the vehement complaints of the Gopikas. For the first time she realized that Krishna was really mischievous! None had complained against Him earlier! She grew angry, pacified the Gopikas and decided to admonish Krishna and punish Him if He didn’t correct Himself!

Leela Shuka describes the dexterity with which Krishna committed His mischiefs! Always He would move about with His band of companions and enter homes of Gopikas in their absence! If milk or butter is kept high under the ceiling to save it from Krishna, He had effective plan to reach it easily! His friends were ready to be pressed in service to reach the goal! They will bend, one above the other, or bring any item of furniture to help them! Krishna will climb upon the backs of His companions and easily reach the pots of milk or butter! That will be a merry party for Krishna and His associates! Krishna would eat and drink enough and distribute the rest to His faithful friends!

A bell was placed near the pots of milk! That was to alert the Gopika if someone were to come to steal! But Krishna is smart and knows how to steal effectively! He caught hold of the bell and silenced it so that no alarm could be given! Not only that, He spat out the milk in His mouth in to the eyes of the Gopika when she came to prevent Him! Krishna leelas are very interesting and edify too! Krishna is Paramatma or the Absolute Brahman! Gopikas are ordinary mortals—Jivatmas!  Paramatma comes in search of Jivatmas! Milk or butter is the essence or soul of the individual! It is the aim of the individual Soul to merge into the Absolute Brahman! We cannot consider the acts of Krishna as mischief but read much spiritual significance in them!