In the pastime of Lord Brahma stealing the cows, calves and boys there is an amazing conversation between Balarama and Krishna.
Balarama is Krishna, Himself, the Supreme Personality of Godhead expanded as servitor Godhead.
Balarama is Krishna, Himself, the Supreme Personality of Godhead expanded as servitor Godhead.
Lord Brahma has stolen... by his mystic potency
the cowherd boys, cows and calves
in order to test Krishna's incarnation as a cowherd boy.
Balarama is in relationship to Krishna as an older brother.
the cowherd boys, cows and calves
in order to test Krishna's incarnation as a cowherd boy.
Balarama is in relationship to Krishna as an older brother.
"When Balarama saw this extraordinary exchange of affection between the cows and their calves and
between the fathers and their children...
when neither the calves nor the children needed so much care.
He began to wonder why this extraordinary thing happened.
between the fathers and their children...
when neither the calves nor the children needed so much care.
He began to wonder why this extraordinary thing happened.
He was astonished to see all the residents of Vrndavana
so affectionate for their own children,
exactly as they had been for Krishna.
Similarly, the cows had grown affectionate for their calves
as much as for Krsna.
so affectionate for their own children,
exactly as they had been for Krishna.
Similarly, the cows had grown affectionate for their calves
as much as for Krsna.
Balarama therefore concluded
that the extraordinary show of affection was something mystical,
either performed by the demigods or by some powerful man. Otherwise, how could this wonderful change take place?
He concluded that this mystical change
must have been caused by Krishna, whom
Balarama considered His worshipable Personality of Godhead.
He thought, 'It was arranged by Krishna,
and even I could not check its mystic power.'
Thus Balarama understood that all those boys and calves
were only expansions of Krishna."
that the extraordinary show of affection was something mystical,
either performed by the demigods or by some powerful man. Otherwise, how could this wonderful change take place?
He concluded that this mystical change
must have been caused by Krishna, whom
Balarama considered His worshipable Personality of Godhead.
He thought, 'It was arranged by Krishna,
and even I could not check its mystic power.'
Thus Balarama understood that all those boys and calves
were only expansions of Krishna."
Balarama "wondered." He "concluded."
He states He "could not check" Krishna's mystic power.
Finally Balarama "understood" the expansions of Krishna.
He states He "could not check" Krishna's mystic power.
Finally Balarama "understood" the expansions of Krishna.
Is it that Balarama is somehow not full of knowledge?
Balarama displaying these "moods of devotional service"
in relation to Krishna is all transcendental.
In keeping with the character of His relationship to Krishna
as His object of worship and service.
They are a display of His role as servitor Godhead.
in relation to Krishna is all transcendental.
In keeping with the character of His relationship to Krishna
as His object of worship and service.
They are a display of His role as servitor Godhead.
"Balarama inquired from Krishna about the actual situation.
He said, 'My dear Krishna, in the beginning
I thought that all these cows, calves and cowherd boys
were either great sages and saintly persons or demigods,
but at the present it appears that they are actually Your expansions. They are all You; You Yourself are playing
as the calves and cows and boys.
What is the mystery of this situation?'"
He said, 'My dear Krishna, in the beginning
I thought that all these cows, calves and cowherd boys
were either great sages and saintly persons or demigods,
but at the present it appears that they are actually Your expansions. They are all You; You Yourself are playing
as the calves and cows and boys.
What is the mystery of this situation?'"
This is the understanding from the scriptures.
That the residents of Vrndavan were previously
great sages and saintly persons.
The gopis were previously sages in the forest of Dandakaranya
who desired to serve Lord Ramacandra in a mood of conjugal love. They were awarded the service in the incarnation of Krishna.
The birds also are described as sages.
Very often prayers by the residents of Vrndavana
include reflecting on their good fortune
of having Krishna in their midst as the cowherd boy
as being due to pious activities, austerities,
sacrifices and study of the Vedas...
That the residents of Vrndavan were previously
great sages and saintly persons.
The gopis were previously sages in the forest of Dandakaranya
who desired to serve Lord Ramacandra in a mood of conjugal love. They were awarded the service in the incarnation of Krishna.
The birds also are described as sages.
Very often prayers by the residents of Vrndavana
include reflecting on their good fortune
of having Krishna in their midst as the cowherd boy
as being due to pious activities, austerities,
sacrifices and study of the Vedas...
Balarama is stating that He too was thinking like this.
But now by Krishna's direct mercy...
seen by the display of affection for Him of His pure devotees
however He may appear to them...
Balarama is seeing beyond the limitations
of all other processes of knowledge and elevation
and is glorifying the super excellence of devotional service
as the only means of actually seeing Krishna.
These cows calves and boys are actually Krishna Himself.
But now by Krishna's direct mercy...
seen by the display of affection for Him of His pure devotees
however He may appear to them...
Balarama is seeing beyond the limitations
of all other processes of knowledge and elevation
and is glorifying the super excellence of devotional service
as the only means of actually seeing Krishna.
These cows calves and boys are actually Krishna Himself.
"Where have those other calves and cows and boys gone?
And why are You expanding Yourself
as the cows , calves, and boys?
Will You kindly tell Me what is the cause?"
And why are You expanding Yourself
as the cows , calves, and boys?
Will You kindly tell Me what is the cause?"
"At the request of Balarama, Krishna briefly explained the whole situation: how the calves and boys were stolen by Brahma and how He was concealing the incident by expanding Himself so people would not know that the original cows, calves , and boys were missing."
The two brothers discuss. Just like ordinary children might discuss some plot or plan or an event that just occurred.
Balarama, the concerned older brother.
Balarama, the concerned older brother.
How grateful we are to have this opportunity to hear about
the inconceivable pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
the inconceivable pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Hare Krishna.
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