In the previous episode, we had witnessed Akroora reaching Gokula and being welcomed by Bhagawan Bala-Krishna and His brother Balarama. As Akroora enters inside, Bhagawan Bala-Krishna and Balarama fall on Akroora’s feet as a token of respect to the senior person. Akroora did not expect even a bit of this from Bhagawan Bala-Krishna as he was shell-shocked! Who is falling on to whose feet? It should be the reverse isn’t it? Akroora should be falling onto Bhagawan’s divine feet, but the contrary is what was happening. Akroora thus immediately lifted Bhagawan Bala-Krishna and Balarama and submitted the small amount of flowers and fruits that he had brought for both of them as a token of his devotion. Bhagawan accepts the token of devotion from Akroora, makes him comfortable and asks him the reason of his visit. Upon this, Akroora explains that Kamsa was organizing a “Dhanur Yaga” and that, he wanted Bhagawan Bala-Krishna to be a part of it. Akroora also explains that he has come to Gokula to take Bhagawan Bala-Krishna along with him while returning back to Mathura.
As Akroora says thus, Bhagawan Bala-Krishna too thinks within Himself thus, “Oh! Ten years have passed by at Gokula! I think it’s time for us to move on in life, with our other important agendas. We have a lot to accomplish, and we cannot stay on at Gokula any longer!” Thinking thus, Bhagawan Bala-Krishna has a look and a smile at Balarama and replies back to Akroora thus, “Oh Akroora! I too think that I should be part of the great Dhanur Yaga being organized by my uncle, Kamsa. I’m sure it would be a grand event. Also, all through my life I’ve been in a village setup here at Gokula. So it would be a wonderful opportunity for me and Balarama to have a glimpse of the urban lifestyle at Mathura. Hence, myself and Balarama are ready to come along with you to Mathura. Please take us!”
Upon hearing this from Bhagawan Bala-Krishna, Akroora was very happy and excited. He was getting yet another opportunity to take the two children on his chariot, all the way to Mathura. As Bhagawan Bala-Krishna was getting ready to leave Gokula, the entire village was shell-shocked! How come all of a sudden Bhagawan Bala-Krishna is leaving Gokula once and for all? Is He never going to come back ever again? Mother Yashoda and Nandagopa did not know what to reply to Akroora. However, since it was the order from the king, they weren’t able to say much to Akroora. Meanwhile, all the Gopikas gathered around Akroora and Bhagawan Bala-Krishna and enquired what was happening. When they came to know that Bhagawan is leaving Gokula for good, they couldn’t bear that separation. Unable to hide their emotions thus, all the Gopikas start scolding Akroora left, right and center! The Gopikas scold thus, “Oh! Who gave you the name “Akroora”? You are supposed to be a “Kroora” who is separating Bhagawan from all of us! How did you get that intention to separate Bhagawan from His ardent devotees? Moreover, if Bhagawan Bala-Krishna goes to the city, He would come across beautifully dressed girls and women, who would also talk and interact sweetly! We are villagers, and we do not have that capacity to dress beautifully and talk sweetly! Once He gets to meet them, He will forget all of us!”
Saying thus, the Gopikas were in tears. Bhagawan Bala-Krishna’s childhood friends too were in tears as they couldn’t bare this cruel separation! However, as Bhagawan is set to leave, He gives an assurance thus, “Oh Gopikas and all my friends! Let me assure you this to all of you – No matter wherever I am and whatever I do from now onwards, all of you will always have a special place in my heart! I shall never forget your ardent love and devotion that you’re showing towards me till date. I request you to bear this physical separation for a while and I shall come back to all of you very soon!” It is very interesting to note here that Bhagawan Bala-Krishna is promising that He would come back to Gokula some time later, but till the end of His incarnation, Bhagawan Krishna never came back to Gokula even once. Many years later when Bhagawan Krishna went to Dwaaraka, He once sent His minister, Uddhava to Gokula to check on the Gopikas. That was it!
However, the lesson that we should learn here is that we should be able to detach ourselves even from Bhagawan’s divine physical form. We should internalize Bhagawan completely into our heart and soul and thereby continue our Bhakti-Bhaava towards Him! So for today, let us learn this hard lesson through Bhagawan Bala-Krishna leaving Gokula forever, and let us join hands with the Gokula villagers to bid a send off to Bhagawan Krishna once and forever! We shall continue this in the next episode and till then, stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 