He is the Father of the world, yet His mother came to punish Him for eating dirt. She raised a stick to beat Him, and in His mouth she saw all fourteen worlds. Terrified by that fearful vision, she shut her eyes. And there He was again before her, playing as before. He ran ahead and threw His arms around her neck, concealing His divine illusion from the Great Enchanter's mother. She, the mother of the Cosmic Illusionist, knew nothing of His universal form. 'Mine, mine,' she said, claiming the infant God. In infancy He crushed the demoness Putana with His teeth. He slew the mighty demons Kaga and Baka. His mother tied Him to a mortar with a rope, and He uprooted the twin Arjuna trees. The ancient Lord of the universe, the life of all creation, cast His spell upon the cowherds. He climbed down from the hanging pot and ate the butter; no matter how much He consumed, there was always more. The churning pots and milk vessels stayed full. He ate them full and showed them doubled over. The people counted themselves fortunate in their increasing yield, holding on to hopes of still more butter. Yet, though God stood beside them, they did not recognize Him, their minds tethered to worldly desires. Because of this, God remained unknown to them, for their hearts were snared by hope. 'This child is ours,' said Yashoda. Nanda's heart held the same feeling. To reveal their blindness, He let Himself be caught. Entering the butter pot to eat, His mother found Him and pulled Him out. She saw the marvel but could not make sense of it. How had He gotten inside with the doors shut? Their love for their son blinded them to the truth. God concealed His mystery from them. He cast the net of maya and illusion over them, not letting them know His true identity. He does not allow devotion to remain in the hearts of the greedy. The knowing become blind. Says Tuka, blind are those in this world who have not recognized Hari.