Harivamsha by Bibek Debroy

Author:Bibek Debroy
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9789386057914
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2016-08-18T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 63

Vaishampayana said, ‘When Shakra left, the residents of Vraja honoured Krishna, who had held up Govardhana. The handsome one then entered Vraja. The aged and the kin were delighted and honoured him. They said, “We are blessed that you held up the mountain. The cows overcame their fear of the rain. We have been able to tide over a great fear. O Govinda! O immensely radiant one! You are like a god. O lord of the cows! We have witnessed your superhuman deed. O Krishna! O undecaying one! We have seen how you held up the mountain. O immensely strong one! Who are you, a Rudra, a Marut, or a Vasu? Why did Vasudeva become your father? You have censured us through your childhood actions in the forest and your birth.741 O Krishna! Your deeds are divine. There is a doubt in our minds. Why are you censuring us by finding delight in the attire of a gopa? You are like a guardian of the world. Why are you protecting cows? Whether you are a god, a danava, a yaksha or a gandharva, you have been born as our relative. You are who you are. We bow down before you. For some reason, depending on your wishes, you have decided to reside with us. All of us are devoted to you. We seek refuge in you.” On hearing the words of the gopas, the lotus-eyed Krishna smiled and replied to all the kin who had assembled. “All of you think that I am terrible in valour. That is not how you should think of me. I am your kin and relative. However, if you really wish to hear the truth, wait for an appropriate time. It is then that you will be able to hear about, and see, my true nature. If you now take pride in your relative being like a god in his radiance, you have shown me your favours. What is the need to know anything more?” When they were addressed by Vasudeva’s son in this fashion, the gopas were silent. They covered their faces and went away, in different directions.

‘In the night, Krishna saw the new and young moon. It was an autumn night and his mind turned towards enjoying himself. The roads of Vraja were tinged with dust from dried cow dung. The valiant one desired to organize a duel among the bulls. The valiant one also organized a contest among the cowherds to see who was the strongest. The brave lord proposed that cows should be seized from the forest.742 The one who knew about time was in his youth. In the night, having regard to the time and showing proper respect, he invited the young gopa maidens and enjoyed himself with them. His face was beautiful, as if the moon had descended on earth. In the night, the gopa women drank in the beauty of his face with their eyes. Krishna was attired in excellent yellow silk garments and this made him even more beautiful.

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