In the previous episode, we had witnessed how Bhagawan Bala-Krishna teaches us the important aspect of “detachment” through the fruit-vendor episode. As Bhagawan Bala-Krishna granted “Moksha” to that poor fruit-vendor, she was so detached from her worldly life, which enabled her to quickly accept Bhagawan’s offer. This is where we’ve to test ourselves. In the past two episodes, we’ve been talking about this, wherein if Bhagawan grants us “Moksha” at this very moment, will we be ready to accept it? This is one question that we should constantly keep asking ourselves time and again. If our answer to this question is a resounding “Yes”, it means that we’re practicing detachment as per Bhagawan’s advice. If on the contrary, it simply means that our “Shraddha” (Perfection) needs a lot to be desired, in terms of our “Bhakti” towards Bhagawan.
Moving on thus with Sage Paraashara’s narrative about Bhagawan Bala-Krishna, as He gets older a bit more, Bhagawan Bala-Krishna has a special interest towards the cows of Gokula. This is why we often refer to Bhagawan Bala-Krishna as Bhagawan “Gopala”. Here, “Go” means cows, and “Gopala” means Bhagawan Bala-Krishna is the manager of the cows. Thus, as a child, Bhagawan Bala-Krishna spent a lot of time with the cows. Every morning, He takes the cows for grazing, all over the vacant grounds on the outskirts of Gokula. All through the day He spends time with them, and when it is time for sunset, He brings all the cows back to their respective sheds. This was His primary routine every passing day. As Bhagawan Bala-Krishna was doing this, Mother Yashoda too was happy in a way because His notorious behavior started to get lesser. In turn, her headache of managing this notorious child was getting lesser.
We might wonder, why Bhagawan Bala-Krishna was spending so much time with the cows, and why not with other human beings. There is a hidden spiritual meaning behind this as well. When Bhagawan comes closer to us, do we readily accept Him to come closer, or do we not? This is another spiritual question that each one of us should ask within ourselves. Of course, calling Bhagawan towards us in itself is not an easy task for all of us. But, even if Bhagawan consents to come closer, are we ready to accept His closeness? Many a time, the answer is “No”! We might be good devotees of Bhagawan, but we might still have the feeling thus, “Ok! We’re close to Bhagawan.. Let Him be in one corner. But this doesn’t mean that we should experience all worldly pleasures. Let us enjoy the “Maya”, as well as Bhagawan together!” Bhagawan Krishna doesn’t like this sort of an attitude from us. If we’re surrendering to Him, we should do so completely and not with a “half-baked attitude”. This is the problem with us, as human beings. However, this is never the case with animals, isn’t it? Here, when Bhagawan Bala-Krishna goes behind the cows every day, it might be the case that the cows couldn’t have welcomed Him every morning. However, the cows never said to Bhagawan Bala-Krishna not to come behind them, isn’t it? This itself is “Bhakti”. This is what Bhagawan is expecting out of us too as human beings – He doesn’t care whether we’re welcoming Him or not. But when He voluntarily comes behind us, searching for us, atleast let us not stop Him from doing so! This is the least that Bhagawan expects from us. This is the spiritual lesson that we should learn from the “Leela” of Bhagawan Bala-Krishna when He goes behind the cows every day at Gokula.
In lieu of this, we should understand that this is not the case only with the cows. Every animal exhibits this divine quality towards Bhagawan, and in fact, animals too have attained “Moksha” in the hands of Bhagawan. What are some more examples of animals attaining “Moksha” through their unconditional “Bhakti” towards Bhagawan? Let us wait till the next episode to witness! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 