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----- bhagap256.html
PRANKS OF THE HOY.
SKANDIIA X. CiiAr. 8.
With growing childhood, Krishna became very naughty. Once
the Gopa women made the following complaints. Krishna would un-
tie their calves before the milking time. He would steal their milk and
curds and divide the remnants, after eating, among the monkeys. If
they did not eat, he would break the pot. If he did not get the
things he wanted, he would curse the inmates and other boys. If
the pots were out of reach, he would raise himself on seats or husking
stools and bear those hanging pots away to get at their contents. He
would illumine the dark room by the glitter of his own body and
that of his jewels, to serve his purpose. He would talk insolently, and
spoil the ground. The Gopa women exclaimed: "But now how inno-
cent he looks before you." Krishna betrayed fear in his eyes. Yasoda
would not beat him. So she only smiled.
One day Rama and other boys complained to Yasoda that
Krishna had eaten earth. The mother remonstrated. " They have
lied " exclaimed Krishna " Or if they have spoken the truth, then
examine my mouth." "Open it," said Yas??da. But what did she find
within that mouth? The Seven Dvipas, the planets, the stars, the three
Gunas and all their transformations, even Vrindavana and herself.
"Is this dream or delusion or is this all the power of my own son?
If Thou art then the Unknowable, my salutations to Thee. I take
the shelter of Him, by whose Maya I seem to be Yasoda, this Nanda
my husband, this boy my son, the Gos (cows') Gopas and Gopis to be
mine." She had the true knowledge, but it was soon eclipsed by
the Maya of Vishnu and Yasoda again knew Krishna to be her own
son.
Raja Parikshit asked:
"What did Nanda do that Krishna would be his foster son?
And what did Yasoda do, that Krishna should suck her breast? Even
his own parents did not witness the deeds of the child of which poets
have sung so much."
Suka replied:
"Dr??na, the chief of the Vasus, with his wife Dhara shewed
great obedience to Brahma. ' When born on Earth may we have the
highest devotion for Him." Such was their prayer to Brahma and it
was granted. Drona was born as Nanda and Dhara as Yasoda.
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