In the previous episode, we had witnessed yet another important message from Sage Paraashara through the “Shri Vishnu Puraana”, as to how animals too are devoted to Bhagawan, thereby getting an opportunity to attain “Moksha”. We’ve witnessed this message as part of Bhagawan Bala-Krishna’s “Leelas” with the cows at Gokula. In similar lines, to illustrate this point, we’ve witnessed in yesterday’s episode, some other important instances, wherein animals too exhibit the highest levels of “Bhakti” towards Bhagawan. We’ve witnessed how “Jatayu” attained “Moksha”, with his ardent devotion towards Bhagawan Rama. Similarly, we’ve witnessed Elephant Gajendra attaining “Moksha” too. All of us know about Hanuman, who is a “Vaanara” (Monkey). Hanuman’s devotion towards Bhagawan Rama is an epitome for all of us to understand what “Bhakti” really means. Thus, at several instances we can witness across the scriptural texts of our “Sanaatana Dharma” literature as to how animals too have the devotion in them.
This is why we always emphasize in our “Sanaatana Dharma” that we should respect animals equally as we do towards human beings. There is no room for any sort of ill-treatment of animals. Sadly in today’s scenario, lot of myths circulate amongst various societies that killing and torturing of animals shouldn’t be looked at deeply. Our “Sanaatana Dharma” is perhaps the only religion in the entire world which gives equal respect to all living beings in this world. Of course, there are some other “so-called” religions that exist, which thrive on animal disrespect and try earning some brownie points in the society. This, obviously, is well known to all of us, and it is up to us not to fall prey for such misdeeds. We should clearly understand that our “Sanaatana Dharma” calls for equal respect towards all living beings, inclusive of all animals and this is why we have the sacred “Mantra” called “Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu”. This literally translates into “May all living beings in this world live happily and peacefully”. This is exactly the message that Bhagawan Bala-Krishna too is propagating through this particular “Leela” that He’s performing with the cows every day.
Moving on thus, we shall now see how Bhagawan Bala-Krishna spends His day with the cows. As mentioned earlier, Bhagawan Bala-Krishna would take all the cows from the shed for grazing. The usual routine would be that Bhagawan Bala-Krishna would be accompanied by few of His friends. Of all His friends, Bhagawan Bala-Krishna was the “gang-leader”! Thus, all the friends used to have fun with each other, as the cows kept grazing all through the day. In the meanwhile, Bhagawan Bala-Krishna would play some petty pranks with the cows. He sometimes goes behind the cow and starts drinking the milk directly from it. The calf of the cow would be eagerly waiting for the milk from its mother cow. However, Bhagawan Bala-Krishna would play pranks with that little calf by denying its share of milk. However, as the calf gets irritated a bit, Bhagawan Bala-Krishna would allow the calf to drink its mother’s milk.
Secondly, Bhagawan Bala-Krishna had a liking towards small crackers. I’m sure many of us might know what crackers are, isn’t it? It’s the same firecrackers that we use to celebrate Diwali in India. Bhagawan Bala-Krishna always possesses a few small firecrackers with Him always. Whenever a cow tries to act “smart”, Bhagawan Bala-Krishna would tie a small firecracker to its tail, light it with fire and run away! As the firecracker would burst with a loud sound, the cow would start running amok here and there with fear. Upon seeing this, Bhagawan Bala-Krishna would clap His hands and laugh over it.
Thus, Bhagawan Bala-Krishna was having fun with the cows, at the same time while allowing them to graze along the grasslands outside of Gokula. As days progressed, the cows were enjoying Bhagawan Bala-Krishna’s company very much. Every day morning at the stipulated time, the cows would wait for Bhagawan Bala-Krishna to come and take them for grazing. Thus, the cows and Bhagawan Bala-Krishna became best friends. So for today, let us enjoy this divine experience of Bhagawan Bala-Krishna with the cows, and we shall wait till the next episode to continue this further. In the meanwhile, there was someone who was becoming jealous of Bhagawan Bala-Krishna’s “growing popularity” in Gokula and amongst the cows. Who was that? Stay tuned for an absorbing episode tomorrow! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 