Mother Calls Balarama and Shri Krishna from the Yamuna Bank, and the Blindman's Buff Lila

Mother Calls Balarama and Shri Krishna, Absorbed in Play, from the Yamuna Bank; After Bathing They Eat Seated in Nandaraya's Lap; the Blindman's Buff Lila

The queen of Vraja's tender instruction, her loving attempt to wean Nilamani from drinking her milk, brought a smile to Shri Krishnachandra's crimson lips. Filled with still greater delight, he pulled the cloth covering Mother's breast and hid the moon of his face within it. Outwardly making as though to stop him, Maiya said:

Yashoda teaches Kanha in this way: "Listen, Shyama, you have grown big now," she says, trying to stop him from drinking her milk. "The children of Vraja see you drinking and laugh. Do you feel no shame? These fine teeth of yours will be spoiled, and so I am explaining it. Give it up now and do as I say. Such behavior is not fitting." Surdas says that hearing this, Shyama smiled and hid his face in her garment.

Just then Subala, Shridama, Ujjvala, Vasanta, Kokila, and other friends entered the courtyard. How could Shri Krishnachandra remain in Mother's lap after that? He instantly climbed down and ran away. The beauty of his dark sacred limbs, enchanting the three worlds, illuminated the courtyard. In that radiance Mother's eyes became motionless, and even the hosts of immortals in the sky stood amazed:

The reflections of his feet shone in the courtyard as that mass of beauty walked. At every step the golden earth seemed to offer a lotus seat. Surdas says that the gods remained gazing at the Lord's beauty, exhausted from looking like chakora birds fixed upon the autumn moon.

Running, Shri Krishnachandra reached the bank of the sun's daughter and became absorbed in many extraordinary games. Today he had the cooperation of his elder brother Balarama. During the previous several days the two brothers had quarreled every day as they played. One day Shri Krishnachandra became so displeased with his elder brother that he abandoned the game, went to the queen of Vraja, and told Maiya everything Dau Bhaiya had done:

Maiya, Dau torments me greatly. He tells me, "You were bought for a price. When did Yashoda ever give birth to you?" What can I do? Hurt by this anger, I will not go play. Again and again he asks, "Who is your mother, and who is your father?" Nanda is fair and Yashoda is fair, so why is your body dark? The cowherd boys snap their fingers and make me dance, and they all laugh and smile. You have learned only to strike me and never become angry with Dau.

Only when Mother consoled him with an oath by the cows did Shri Krishnachandra become calm and ready to return to play:

Listening again and again to these angry words from Mohana's mouth, Yashoda was delighted. "Listen, Kanha, Balabhadra is teasing you. He has been a rogue from birth. Shyama, by my oath upon the cows, I am your mother and you are my son."

Only yesterday Dau Bhaiya had frightened Shri Krishnachandra. Trembling in fear, he ran home, went directly to Maiya Rohini, and strongly condemned this cruel act by his elder brother:

Look, Maiya Rohini, see what Baladau Bhaiya is like. On the Yamuna's bank he told me there was a bogeyman. With Subala and Shridama he laughingly questioned me, becoming frightened himself and frightening me too. Wherever a peacock called, he stared in that direction and cried, "Run, brother, run! Look, it has come!" He climbed a tree himself and left me beneath it. Clutching my chest in fear, I ran home.

After hearing everything, Maiya Rohini clasped Nilamani to her neck. She then summoned a brahmana and duly had Nilamani give a cow in charity with his own hands. Only then did he find peace:

She took him into her lap and held him against her neck. "I offer myself to you again and again, for my heart overflows." Queen Rohini called a brahmana, had Vedic mantras recited, and placed the calf's tail in his hand for the gift.

Today, however, there was no quarrel between the brothers. Supporting each other's side with deep affection, both became absorbed in play. The sun rose gradually to the middle of the sky, but Rama and Shyama's games did not cease. Today Balarama proposed one beautiful game after another, and Shri Krishnachandra and the other children played accordingly. The time to return home had long passed, but who remembered it? Shri Krishnachandra won every round today, and in the joy of victory he forgot everything else. At this time Maiya Rohini, sent by the queen of Vraja, arrived. When Rama and Shyama did not come home despite a long wait, Maiya saw how late it was and sent Shri Rohini to call them. Since the incident of the arjuna trees, Maiya continually feared another tree might fall. At the slightest delay she went to find Shri Krishnachandra. Today she was arranging the brahmanas' meal and could not abandon service to them, so she sent Shri Rohini. Rohini arrived and saw all the children intoxicated with play, with Rama and Shyama running among them. Balarama's mother could not approach the boys, for as soon as she drew near, they all ran in the opposite direction. She therefore began calling the names of Krishna and Balarama:

Devi Rohini called Krishna, who had gone to the riverbank and broken the arjuna trees, and Rama, who was intensely playing with the children.

But who would answer? Shri Rohini's call could not even reach them. The bank rang with joyful clamor and the entire grove resounded. How could a call from Maiya's gentle throat possess enough force to pierce it and attract Rama and Shyama's attention? She grew weary from calling but received not a single answer. She could not reach them, and they did not come to her. Lost in the passion of play, neither brother even looked toward Maiya Rohini. Helpless, Balarama's mother returned home and sent the queen of Vraja herself to call them:

When the two sons, attached to play, did not come despite being called, Rohini sent child-loving Yashoda.

The queen of Vraja arrived and saw Shri Krishnachandra's sacred limbs covered in dust, like a blue lotus smeared with its own pollen. Revealing enchanting childhood gestures, he played with Balarama and the cowherd children. Maiya's maternal love overflowed. Streams of milk flowed from her breasts and soaked her garment. In a voice choked with emotion, she repeatedly called Shri Krishnachandra:

Seeing her son playing far beyond the proper time with the children and his elder brother, Yashoda called Krishna, her breasts flowing with milk from affection for her son.

Without worrying whether her call reached Shri Krishnachandra, she continued speaking:

Krishna, Krishna, lotus-eyed child, come and drink my milk. Enough play. My son, you must be faint with hunger and weary from your games.

"My darling! Krishna, lotus-eyed child, listen to me and come quickly. Look, I have come to give you my breast. Drink my milk. You have played enough, so leave the game now. You must be hungry. See how tired you are from playing. Come now!"

But like Shri Rohini, the queen of Vraja received no answer to her call. She stood quietly for a few moments, then called Balarama and the cowherd children:

Rama, dear delight of the family, come quickly with your younger brother. You ate only in the early morning, and now you should take your meal. Scion of the Dasharhas, the lord of Vraja sits waiting to eat with you. Come and please us both. Children, go to your own homes.

"Rama, lamp of the family, come, child, and bring Nilamani with you. You ate breakfast in the morning and nothing since. Are you not hungry? Surely you are, and now you should eat as soon as possible. Ornament of Yadu's line, listen to me, child. The king of Vraja is seated for his meal and waiting for you. Come and give us happiness too. Cowherd boys, do you hear? All of you go to your own homes."

Countless times before, the queen of Vraja had stopped Rama and Shyama's play and taken them home to eat. On those occasions Shri Krishnachandra might not listen and Rama might ignore her, but the cowherd children heard her and stopped playing. With whom, then, could Rama and Shyama continue? Today, however, all the children too were intoxicated with play and did not even know the queen of Vraja had come. Defeated, Maiya again called Shri Krishnachandra:

Nanda is calling you, Gopala. Come quickly, beautiful child with great eyes, and let me ward away every evil from you. The plate has been served and he watches the path, speaking nectarean words. The rice grows cold and your father is distressed. Come quickly, my darling.

To attract Shri Krishnachandra's attention, Queen Yashoda adopted countless devices today:

My son, come bathe. Today is your birth-star, so purify yourself and give cows to the brahmanas. Look at your friends, bathed by their mothers and beautifully adorned. You too should bathe, eat, dress yourself beautifully, and then play.

"Shri Krishna, shame, shame! Look, all your limbs are gray with dust. No, no, come with me now and bathe quickly. Today is your birth-star. Bathe and become pure, then give cows to the brahmanas. Look this way at the children who have just arrived. Their mothers bathed and properly adorned them with ornaments. How beautiful they look! You too should bathe, adorn yourself well, and eat. Afterward you may play to your heart's content."

Nilamani's mother said much in this way, but nothing resulted. Shri Krishnachandra's game continued unchanged. Mother now resorted to the final possible means and ran after Nilamani. By chance Subala turned while running toward the direction from which she approached. Reaching out, Mother caught him. Shri Krishnachandra immediately came there and laughingly patted Subala's back. Seeing Nilamani so near, Maiya released Subala and caught his arm. Balarama then came of his own accord and embraced Mother's waist. Drops of perspiration glistened upon both lotus faces, and Mother wiped them with her garment.

After resting a few moments in the dense shade of a tamala, the queen of Vraja took Rama and Shyama by the hands and set out for home. After walking some distance, Krishna and Balarama freed themselves from Mother's hands. Maiya did not hinder them. Seeing Nilamani walk very slowly, she encouraged him by saying, "Whoever arrives first is king!"

I offer myself to your little feet. Show me how swiftly you can run. Let go, dear child, of this awkward pace like a slow swan. Surdas says that whoever reaches the house first is king. If Baladeva arrives before you, all the cowherds will laugh.

Thus the queen of Vraja walked on, fondling Shri Krishnachandra, source of bliss, Bhagavan himself, supreme Lord worshiped by every world. Not even in dreams did Maiya attend to Nilamani's infinite majesty. She always experienced him solely as the son born from her womb, and a current of pure maternal love continuously moistened her mind. Therefore she led by the hand Shri Krishnachandra, blissful Vrajendra's son, Shyamasundara and Madanamohana, whose touch countless great yogis and sages forever long to obtain for even a moment in meditation. She released him at will, then caught him again from fear that restless Shri Krishnachandra might run toward the grove to play instead of going home. Be that as it may, the house was nearby. She arrived with Rama and Shyama and began arranging their bath and meal:

O king, thus Yashoda, her mind bound by affection, regarded the crown of all existence as her son. Taking the infallible Lord by the hand together with Rama, she led him to her courtyard and attended to his needs.

After adorning Rama and Shyama with oil, cleansing paste, bath, drying, garments, and ornaments, the queen of Vraja brought them to Vrajendra in the dining hall. Seeing his sons arrive and merely beholding their smiling lotus faces, the king of Vraja became supremely delighted and seated them in his lap:

When the two approached, the king of Vraja joyfully gazed upon their faces with a gentle smile and lifted them onto his own lap.

Shri Krishnachandra ate:

Shyama, Nanda's little prince, eats. He eats some and drops some upon the ground, while Queen Yashoda beholds his beauty. Fried cakes, dumplings, gram-flour foods, and countless varied dishes are before him. He serves, eats, takes food in his own hand, and delights in bowls of curd. Mixing sugar, curd, and butter, he raises it to his mouth, treasure of beauty. He eats some himself and places some in Nanda's mouth, a beauty beyond description. The rasa enjoyed by Nanda and Yashoda exists nowhere in the three worlds. After eating, Nanda sipped water, while Surdas begs for their remnants.

Since the fall of the twin arjuna trees, Shri Krishnachandra's daily routine had generally been this. He no longer feared discipline from the queen of Vraja, for after seeing such a disastrous result of her command, Maiya resolved, "I shall never again scold Nilamani for any reason. As far as possible, I shall let him play freely." Thus as soon as breakfast ended each day, Shri Krishnachandra went to play in the grove on the Yamuna's bank. Yet at the slightest delay, Mother, overcome by affection, went searching. On a day when she could not find him even after searching, the excess of her love made her seem deranged, and she began lamenting aloud. As soon as this loving madness arose in Mother, her call inevitably entered Shri Krishnachandra's ears. He came running and embraced her neck:

Someone, mother, call Gopala. I watch the path myself, for Nandalala has played so long. I have called for a great while but cannot find dark Shyama among the tamala trees. The prepared food grows cold and Nanda sits waiting. Call Kanha and bring him at once. Let him eat with Nanda, for my child must be hungry. Surdas says that Mother watched Shyama's path, and hearing her nectarean words, he came.

At midday each day, with slight variations, the women of the settlement cooled their eyes by repeatedly beholding this ever-new vision of Vrajendra dining with Rama and Shyama:

Their limbs smeared with gray dust, they were brought and given to Nanda. He brushed away the dust, arranged their curls, and kissed their faces. The children repeatedly rose and wandered instead of sitting, while Father wiped and coaxed them. All six tastes seemed flavorless to them, for their hearts held only play. Hearing the noise of children playing, the Lord glanced aside, sprang up, and ran. Called by Nanda and bound by his love, they returned as far as the door, then went to join the groups of children, the two exceedingly dear brothers. The minds of men and women remained fixed upon them and were never separate even for a moment. He is the unseen, imperishable Parabrahman who pervades every heart and delights all through his own maya. Who, then, can cause him to play?

Today, however, even after the midday meal the queen of Vraja succeeded in keeping Nilamani inside the house, for Maiya proposed a game of blindman's buff. More than that, abandoning all household work, she herself offered to cover Nilamani's eyes:

Call Haladhara Bhaiya. Play for a while before me and give Maiya happiness. "Hari, I shall cover your eyes while the children hide." Delighted, Shyama called all his friends to play blindman's buff. Haladhara asked, "Who will cover his eyes?" Hari answered, "Mother Yashoda." Surdas says that Mother played with Shyama, her mind joyful and delighted.

In today's blindman's buff, Shri Krishnachandra won the first victory:

Hari then closed his eyes. Balarama and the friends hid, running here and there. Leaning close to his ear, Mother Yashoda said, "Balarama is in that room. Let Baladau come out; your task is to catch Shridama." One by one the children ran in and touched the queen's body. All came except Subala and Shridama, so now it was the child's turn to lose. With a shout Hari ran toward Subala but caught Shridama. Repeatedly swearing by Father Nanda, he brought him to Mother. All the friends laughed and clapped, for Shridama had become the seeker. Surdas says that Yashoda laughed and declared, "My son has won!"

Nilamani, Rama, and the other cowherd children showed the queen of Vraja so many ever-new games today that Maiya became enchanted with joy. From beginning to end Maiya remained the judge, and therefore Nilamani won every game. Immersed in supreme bliss, Nilamani hung from Maiya's neck. Only when the radiant sun went to the mountain of sunset did the joyful play end. Maiya then served the evening meal to Nilamani, Rama, and all the cowherd children. Afterward the cowherd women took their sons home, while Shri Krishnachandra fell asleep there in the courtyard:

Hari fell asleep in the courtyard. The two mothers joined together, gently lifted him with his bed, and carried him into the house. He never sits still indoors, for he is now absorbed in the joy of play. Shyama had never slept in this way before; he was overcome by deep sleep. Rohini said, "Let him sleep, for he is exhausted from playing and running." Surdas says that gazing upon the Lord's face, their hearts rejoiced with ever-new affection.