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After this incident, Vasudeva asked his family priest Garga Muni to visit the
place of Nanda Maharaja in order to astrologically calculate the future life of
Krsna. Garga Muni was a great saintly sage who underwent many austerities and
penances and was appointed priest of the Yadu dynasty. When Garga Muni arrived
at the home of Nanda Maharaja, Nanda Maharaja was very pleased to see him and
immediately stood up with folded hands and offered his respectful obeisances. He
received Garga Muni with the feeling of one who is worshiping God or the Supreme
Personality of Godhead. He offered him a nice sitting place, and when he sat
down, Nanda Maharaja offered him a warm reception. Addressing him very politely,
he said: "My dear brahmana, your appearance in a householder's place is only to
enlighten. We are always engaged in household duties and are forgetting our real
duty of self-realization. Your coming to our house is to give us some
enlightenment about spiritual life. You have no other
purpose to visit householders." Actually a saintly person or a brahmana has no
business visiting householders who are always busy in the matter of dollars and
cents. If it is asked, "Why don't the householders go to a saintly person or a
brahmana for enlightenment?" the answer is that householders are very
poor-hearted. Generally householders think that their engagement in family
affairs is their prime duty and that self-realization or enlightenment in
spiritual knowledge is secondary. Out of compassion only, saintly persons and
brahmanas go to householders' homes.

Nanda Maharaja addressed Garga Muni as one of the great authorities in
astrological science. The foretellings of astrological science, such as the
occurrence of solar or lunar eclipses, are wonderful calculations, and by this
particular science, a person can understand the future very clearly. Garga Muni
was proficient in this knowledge. By this knowledge one can understand what his
previous activities were, and by the result of such activities one may enjoy or
suffer in this life.
Nanda Maharaja also addressed Garga Muni as the "best of the brahmanas." A
brahmana is one who is expert in the knowledge of the Supreme. Without knowledge
of the Supreme Absolute, one cannot be recognized as a brahmana. The exact word
used in this connection is brahmavidam, which means those who know the Supreme
very well. An expert brahmana is able to give reformatory facilities to the
sub-castes--namely the ksatriyas and vaisyas. The sudras observe no reformatory
performances. The brahmana is considered to be the spiritual master or priest
for the ksatriya and vaisya. Nanda Maharaja happened to be a vaisya, and he
accepted Garga Muni as a first class brahmana. He therefore offered his two
foster sons--namely Krsna and Balarama--to him to purify. He agreed that not
only these boys, but all human beings just after birth should accept a qualified
brahmana as spiritual master.
Upon this request, Garga Muni replied, "Vasudeva has sent me to see to the
reformatory performances of these boys, especially Krsna's. I am their family
priest, and incidentally, it appears to me that Krsna is the son of Devaki." By
his astrological calculation, Garga Muni could understand that Krsna was the son
of Devaki but that He was being kept under the care of Nanda Maharaja, which
Nanda did not know. Indirectly he said that Krsna, as well as Balarama, were
both sons of Vasudeva. Balarama was known as the son of Vasudeva because His
mother Rohini was present there, but Nanda Maharaja did not know about Krsna.
Garga Muni indirectly disclosed the fact that Krsna was the son of Devaki. Garga
Muni also warned Nanda Maharaja that if he would perform the reformatory
ceremony, then Kamsa, who was naturally very sinful, would understand that Krsna
was the son of Devaki and Vasudeva. According to astrological calculation,
Devaki could not have a female child, although everyone thought
that the eighth child of Devaki was female. In this way Garga Muni intimated to
Nanda Maharaja that the female child was born of Yasoda and that Krsna was born
of Devaki, and they were exchanged. The female child, or Durga, also informed
Kamsa that the child who would kill him was already born somewhere else. Garga
Muni stated, "If I give your child a name and if He fulfills the prophecy of the
female child to Kamsa, then it may be that the sinful demon will come and kill
this child also after the name-giving ceremony. But I do not want to become
responsible for all these future calamities."
On hearing the words of Garga Muni, Nanda Maharaja said, "If there is such
danger, then it is better not to plan any gorgeous name-giving ceremony. It
would be better for you to simply chant the Vedic hymns and perform the
purificatory process. We belong to the twice-born caste, and I am taking this
opportunity of your presence. So please perform the name-giving ceremony without
external pomp." Nanda Maharaja wanted to keep the name-giving ceremony a secret
and yet take advantage of Garga Muni's performing the ceremony.
When Garga Muni was so eagerly requested by Nanda Maharaja, he performed the
name-giving ceremony as secretly as possible in the cowshed of Nanda Maharaja.
He informed Nanda Maharaja that Balarama, the son of Rohini, would be very
pleasing to His family members and relatives and therefore would be called Rama.
In the future He would be extraordinarily strong and therefore would be called
Balarama. Garga Muni said further, "Because your family and the family of the
Yadus are so intimately connected and attracted, therefore His name will also be
Sankarsana." This means that Garga Muni awarded three names to the son of
Rohini--namely Balarama, Sankarsana, and Baladeva. But he carefully did not
disclose the fact that Balarama also appeared in the womb of Devaki and was
subsequently transferred to the womb of Rohini. Krsna and Balarama are real
brothers, being originally sons of Devaki.
Garga Muni then informed Nanda Maharaja, "As far as the other boy is concerned,
this child has taken different bodily complexions in different yugas
[millennia]. First of all He assumed the color white, then He assumed the color
red, then the color yellow and now He has assumed the color black. Besides that,
He was formerly the son of Vasudeva; therefore His name should be Vasudeva as
well as Krsna. Some people will call Him Krsna, and some will call Him Vasudeva.
But one thing you must know: This son has had many, many other names and
activities due to His different pastimes."
Garga Muni gave Nanda Maharaja a further hint that his son will also be called
Giridhari because of His uncommon pastimes of lifting Govardhana Hill. Since he
could understand everything past and future, he said, "I know everything about
His activities and name, but others do not know. This child will be very
pleasing to all the cowherd men and cows. Being very popular in Vrndavana, He
will be the cause of all good fortune for you. Because of His presence, you will
overcome all kinds of material calamities, despite opposing elements."
Garga Muni continued to say, "My dear King of Vraja, in His previous births,
this child many times protected righteous persons from the hands of rogues and
thieves whenever there was political disruption. Your child is so powerful that
anyone who will become a devotee of your boy will never be troubled by enemies.
Just as demigods are always protected by Lord Visnu, so the devotees of your
child will always be protected by Narayana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
This child will grow in power, beauty, opulence--in everything--on the level of
Narayana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore I would advise that you
protect Him very carefully so that He may grow without disturbance."
Garga Muni further informed Nanda Maharaja that because he was a great devotee
of Narayana, Lord Narayana gave a son who is equal to Him. At the same time he
indicated, "Your son will be disturbed by so many demons, so be careful and
protect Him." In this way, Garga Muni convinced Nanda Maharaja that Narayana
Himself had become his son. In various ways he described the transcendental
qualities of his son. After giving this information, Garga Muni returned to his
home. Nanda Maharaja began to think of himself as the most fortunate person, and
he was very satisfied to be benedicted in this way.
A short time after this incident, both Balarama and Krsna began to crawl on
Their hands and knees. When They were crawling like that, They pleased Their
mothers. The bells tied to Their waist and ankles sounded fascinating, and They
would move around very pleasingly. Sometimes, just like ordinary children, They
would be frightened by others and would immediately hurry to Their mothers for
protection. Sometimes They would fall into the clay and mud of Vrndavana and
would approach Their mothers smeared with clay and saffron. They were actually
smeared with saffron and sandalwood pulp by Their mothers, but due to crawling
over muddy clay, They would simultaneously smear Their bodies with clay. As soon
as They would come crawling to Their mothers, Yasoda and Rohini would take Them
on their laps and, covering the lower portion of their saris, allow Them to suck
their breasts. When the babies were sucking their breasts, the mothers would see
small teeth coming in. Thus their joy would be
intensified to see their children grow. Sometimes the naughty babies would
crawl up to the cowshed, catch the tail of a calf and stand up. The calves,
being disturbed, would immediately begin running here and there, and the
children would be dragged over clay and cow dung. To see this fun, Yasoda and
Rohini would call all their neighboring friends, the gopis. Upon seeing these
childhood pastimes of Lord Krsna, the gopis would be merged in transcendental
bliss. In their enjoyment they would laugh very loudly.
Both Krsna and Balarama were so restless that Their mothers Yasoda and Rohini
would try to protect Them from cows, bulls, monkeys, water, fire and birds while
they were executing their household duties. Always being anxious to protect the
children and to execute their duties, they were not very tranquil. In a very
short time, both Krsna and Balarama began to stand up and slightly move on Their
legs. When Krsna and Balarama began to walk, other friends of the same age
joined Them, and together They began to give the highest transcendental pleasure
to the gopis, specifically to mother Yasoda and Rohini.
All the gopi friends of Yasoda and Rohini enjoyed the naughty childish
activities of Krsna and Balarama in Vrndavana. In order to enjoy further
transcendental bliss, they all assembled and went to mother Yasoda to lodge
complaints against the restless boys. When Krsna was sitting before mother
Yasoda, all the elderly gopis began to lodge complaints against Him so that
Krsna could hear. They said, "Dear Yasoda, why don't you restrict your naughty
Krsna? He comes to our houses along with Balarama every morning and evening, and
before the milking of the cows They let loose the calves, and the calves drink
all the milk of the cows. So when we go to milk the cows, we find no milk, and
we have to return with empty pots. If we warn Krsna and Balarama about doing
this, They simply smile charmingly. We cannot do anything. Also, your Krsna and
Balarama find great pleasure in stealing our stock of yogurt and butter from
wherever we keep it. When Krsna and Balarama are caught stealing the yogurt
and butter, They say, 'Why do you charge Us with stealing? Do you think that
butter and yogurt are in scarcity in Our house?' Sometimes They steal butter,
yogurt and milk and distribute them to the monkeys. When the monkeys are well
fed and do not take any more, then your boys chide, 'This milk and butter and
yogurt are useless--even the monkeys won't take it.' And They break the pots and
throw them hither and thither. If we keep our stock of yogurt, butter and milk
in a solitary dark place, your Krsna and Balarama find it in the darkness by the
glaring effulgence of the ornaments and jewels on Their bodies. If by chance
They cannot find the hidden butter and yogurt, They go to our little babies and
pinch their bodies so that they cry, and then They go away. If we keep our stock
of butter and yogurt high on the ceiling, hanging on a swing, although it is
beyond Their reach, They arrange to reach it by piling all kinds of wooden
crates over the grinding machine. And if They cannot
reach, They make a hole in the pot. We think therefore that you better take all
the jeweled ornaments from the bodies of your children."
On hearing this, Yasoda would say, "All right, I will take all the jewels from
Krsna so that He can not see the butter hidden in the darkness." Then the gopis
would say, "No, no, don't do this. What good will you do by taking away the
jewels? We do not know what kind of boys these are, but even without ornaments
They spread some kind of effulgence so that even in darkness They can see
everything." Then mother Yasoda would inform them, "All right, keep your butter
and yogurt carefully so that They may not reach it." In reply to this, the gopis
said, "Yes, actually we do so, but because we are sometimes engaged in our
household duties, these naughty boys enter our house somehow or other and spoil
everything. Sometimes being unable to steal our butter and yogurt, out of anger
They pass urine on the clean floor and sometimes spit on it. Just see your boy
now--He is hearing this complaint. All day They simply makes arrangements to
steal our butter and yogurt, and now They are sitting just
like very silent good boys. Just see His face." When mother Yasoda thought to
chastise her boy after hearing all the complaints, she saw His pitiable face,
and smiling, she did not chastise Him.
Another day, when Krsna and Balarama were playing with Their friends, all the
boys joined Balarama and told mother Yasoda that Krsna had eaten clay. On
hearing this, mother Yasoda caught hold of Krsna's hand and said, "My dear
Krsna, why have You eaten earth in a solitary place? Just see, all Your friends
including Balarama are complaining about You." Being afraid of His mother, Krsna
replied, "My dear mother, all these boys, including My elder brother Balarama,
are speaking lies against Me. I have never eaten clay. My elder brother
Balarama, while playing with Me today, became angry, and therefore He has joined
with the other boys to complain against Me. They have all combined together to
complain so you will be angry and chastise Me. If you think they are truthful,
then you can look within My mouth to see whether I have taken clay or not." His
mother replied, "All right, if You have actually not taken any clay, then just
open Your mouth. I shall see."
When the Supreme Personality of Godhead Krsna was so ordered by His mother, He
immediately opened His mouth just like an ordinary boy. Then mother Yasoda saw
within that mouth the complete opulence of creation. She saw the entire outer
space in all directions, mountains, islands, oceans, seas, planets, air, fire,
moon and stars. Along with the moon and the stars she also saw the entire
elements, water, sky, the extensive ethereal existence along with the total ego
and the products of the senses and the controller of the senses, all the
demigods, the objects of the senses like sound, smell, etc., and the three
qualities of material nature. She also could perceive that within His mouth were
all living entities, eternal time, material nature, spiritual nature, activity,
consciousness and different forms of the whole creation. Yasoda could find
within the mouth of her child everything necessary for cosmic manifestation. She
also saw, within His mouth, herself taking Krsna on her lap and
having Him sucking her breast. Upon seeing all this, she became struck with awe
and began to wonder whether she were dreaming or actually seeing something
extraordinary. She concluded that she was either dreaming or seeing the play of
the illusory energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. She thought that she
had become mad, mentally deranged, to see all those wonderful things. Then she
thought, "It may be cosmic mystic power attained by my child, and therefore I am
perplexed by such visions within His mouth. Let me offer my respectful
obeisances unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead under whose energy bodily
self and bodily possessions are conceived." She then said, "Let me offer my
respectful obeisances unto Him, under whose illusory energy I am thinking that
Nanda Maharaja is my husband and Krsna is my son, that all the properties of
Nanda Maharaja belong to me and that all the cowherd men and women are my
subjects. All this misconception is due to the illusory energy of
the Supreme Lord. So let me pray to Him that He may protect me always."
While mother Yasoda was thinking in this high philosophical way, Lord Krsna
again expanded His internal energy just to bewilder her with maternal affection.
Immediately mother Yasoda forgot all philosophical speculation and accepted
Krsna as her own child. She took Him on her lap and became overwhelmed with
maternal affection. She thus began to think, "Krsna is not understandable to the
masses through the gross process of knowledge, but He can be received through
the Upanisads and the Vedanta or mystic Yoga system and Sankhya philosophy."
Then she began to think of the Supreme Personality of Godhead as her own
begotten child.
Certainly mother Yasoda had executed many, many pious activities as a result of
which she got the Absolute Truth, Supreme Personality of Godhead, as her son who
sucked milk from her breast. Similarly, Nanda Maharaja also must have performed
many great sacrifices and pious activities for Lord Krsna to become his son and
address him as father. But it is surprising that Vasudeva and Devaki did not
enjoy the transcendental bliss of Krsna's childhood pastimes, although Krsna was
their real son. The childhood pastimes of Krsna are glorified even today by many
sages and saintly persons, but Vasudeva and Devaki could not enjoy such
childhood pastimes personally. The reason for this was explained by Sukadeva
Gosvami to Maharaja Pariksit as follows.
When the best of the Vasus of the name Drona along with his wife Dhara were
ordered to increase progeny by Lord Brahma, they said unto him, "Dear father, we
are seeking your benediction." Drona and Dhara then took benediction from Brahma
that in the future--when they would take birth again within the universe--the
Supreme Lord Krsna in His most attractive feature of childhood would absorb
their whole attention. Their dealings with Krsna would be so powerful that
simply by hearing of Krsna's childhood activities with them, anyone could very
easily cross over the nescience of birth and death." Lord Brahma agreed to give
them the benediction, and as a result the same Drona appeared as Nanda Maharaja
in Vrndavana, and the same Dhara appeared as mother Yasoda, the wife of Nanda
Maharaja.
In this way, Nanda Maharaja and his wife, mother Yasoda, developed their
unalloyed devotion for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, having gotten Him as
their son. And all the gopis and cowherd men who were associates of Krsna
naturally developed their own different feelings of love for Krsna.
Therefore, just to fulfill the benediction of Lord Brahma, Lord Krsna appeared
along with His plenary expansion, Balarama, and performed all kinds of childhood
pastimes in order to increase the transcendental pleasure of all residents of
Vrndavana.
Thus ends the Bhaktivedanta purport of the Eighth Chapter of Krsna, "Vision of
the Universal Form."







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