Mahabharata – Chapter 2: Krishna's Vrindavan Leelas

Krishna's Vrindavan Leelas

Nandbaba and Yashoda Maiya's beloved Kanha was slowly growing up. The villagers witnessed his mischievous nature and divine powers almost daily. In the previous chapter, we saw how Krishna, right from his birth, had begun to put an end to Kansa's tyranny. Now, Krishna's magic and divine plays were about to begin in the lanes of Vrindavan, a wonderful confluence of love, devotion, and power.

Butter Theft and the Gopis' Complaints

Krishna's childhood leelas spread in all four directions in Vrindavan. He would steal butter from all over the village with his friends. They would enter the gopis' homes, take butter from the pots, eat it with great relish, and feed their friends too. Initially, the gopis were annoyed, but in front of Krishna's divine form and smile, all their anger melted away in an instant. Krishna's butter theft was not just a prank, but a symbol of love and joy.

One day, Yashoda Maiya caught Krishna red-handed stealing butter. The gopis also came and complained to Yashoda about Krishna. "Maiya, your son is causing terror throughout the village! No one's butter is safe," said one gopi. Yashoda Maiya scolded Krishna, "Kanha, why do you cause so much trouble? You will never steal butter again, understood?" Krishna said with great innocence, "Maiya, I just love butter so much! What can I do?" Yashoda Maiya smiled at Krishna's innocence and hugged him.

Subduing Kalia Naag

Once, Krishna was playing with his friends by the banks of the Yamuna river. Suddenly, his ball fell into the river. Krishna jumped into the river to retrieve the ball, and at that moment, Kalia Naag appeared. Kalia Naag was poisoning the entire river with his venom. He had troubled the villagers greatly before. A fierce battle ensued between Krishna and Kalia Naag. Krishna defeated Kalia Naag and forced him to leave the Yamuna river.

A wave of joy swept through Vrindavan with the subduing of Kalia Naag. The villagers chanted Krishna's name. By sparing Kalia Naag's life, Krishna proved that he not only destroys the wicked but also tries to reform them. This act of Krishna was a testament to his kindness and omnipotence.

Lifting the Govardhan Hill

Once, Indra, in his anger, caused heavy rains in Vrindavan. The entire village began to drown in floods. People were terrified and began to pray to Krishna for protection. To save the villagers, Krishna lifted the Govardhan hill with his little finger. All the villagers, along with their cattle, took shelter under the hill. The rain continued for seven days, but Krishna kept the Govardhan hill steady.

Indra realized his mistake and apologized to Krishna. From this event, the worship of Govardhan hill began. This miraculous act of Krishna demonstrated his divinity and the power of his love. By now, Kansa had an inkling of Krishna's power, and he planned to summon Krishna to Mathura. This was the end of the Vrindavan leelas, and the beginning of Krishna's departure to Mathura.