The Leelas of Shree Krishna inspire souls to know about His glories and engage in His loving devotion. When God takes Avatar, He reveals His Divine name, form, virtues, pastimes, abode, and associates, which, when reflected upon, promote the well-being of the souls. To truly experience love and devotion, we must embrace the divine sentiments inherent in Shree Krishna leelas. Each leela is imbued with a unique sweetness and a loving message for the souls. Therefore, we should approach these leelas not with mere intellectual understanding, but with a heart attuned to the love He displayed as a child, cowherd, brother, beloved, and beyond. Relish one such Leela while savoring many others at the grand Janmashtami celebration at the Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas (Allen) (https://www.radhakrishnatemple.net/) – your home for the most blissful experience.
Shree Krishna Damodar Leela
When Shree Krishna was a little over two years old, one time, Mother Yashoda was churning yogurt in her kitchen. As she worked, she was lost in thought, contemplating how much her beloved little Krishna adored butter. She imagined the joy on his face when she would feed him the freshly churned butter, and her heart swelled with love for her sweet little child. The Lord knows the thoughts of His devotees, and in that moment, Shree Krishna, sensing his mother’s affection and thoughts, toddled into the kitchen with his innocent charm and jumped right into her lap! Overcome with maternal affection, Yashoda, unable to resist her darling son, began to feed him while she continued to churn the yogurt, her heart filled with warmth and joy.
A very interesting circumstance emerged during this time. The Supreme Lord Shree Krishna, who tests the devotion of even the most elevated of his devotees, decided to test Mother Yashoda's love in a playful yet profound way. In the adjacent part of the kitchen, Yashoda had put a pot of milk on the stove to boil. As she was busy with Shree Krishna, the milk began to rise and boil over, creating a mess. Yashoda, always practical and caring, thought that if the milk spilled over, it would be an unnecessary waste, so she needed to salvage the remaining milk in the pot. Instinctively, she lifted baby Shree Krishna from her lap, even though he was suckling contentedly, and placed him on the floor. She rushed to the other room to remove the pot from the stove, her mind focused on saving the milk. Yashoda had never perceived her child as the Supreme Lord, so she did not realize her mistake! In her haste, she chose to salvage the pot of milk instead of cherishing her child's love and presence.
Shree Krishna was very annoyed at his mother’s actions! He took a rod and started hitting all the clay pots that contained yogurt or butter! The room started looking like a battlefield, with pots shattered and butter splattered everywhere! Shree Krishna, in his mischief, started eating the butter himself and also feeding the monkeys outside, sharing his bounty with his playful friends. When Yashoda returned, she was shocked at the sight! It appeared as if a storm had struck the kitchen, with chaos reigning supreme! Now it was Yashoda's turn to get annoyed! She picked up a stick and went outside to confront Shree Krishna, who was the source of this delightful mayhem! When he saw his mother's formidable form with a stick and anger all over her face, Shree Krishna was terrified! At that time, Kunti Devi, the mother of the Pandavas, who was visiting Yashoda and Nand, observed this scene and marveled at the Lord's Leela. Here was Shree Krishna, the master of the universe and the beholder of infinite powers that scare all beings across all the universes, feeling scared of a little stick in his mother's hand!
When Shree Krishna saw Yashoda approaching him, he sprinted as fast as he could, with his mother right behind him! She tried to get hold of him, but who can truly get hold of the Lord? The chase lasted for some time, with Yashoda panting for breath, her determination unwavering. Shree Krishna, seeing his mother’s struggle, felt pity for her state. The compassionate Lord decided to give up! He slowed down and let Yashoda grab him. She was angry and scolded him, her voice filled with a mix of love and frustration. She brought the mortar wheel and started tying him with a rope, determined to teach him a lesson. Interestingly, as she started to tie him up, the rope fell short by a length of two fingers. Yashoda's sahkees brought another rope to join the first one, but it too fell short by two fingers. All the ropes ended up being short by two fingers no matter how many she used. Everyone present there was wonderstruck, witnessing this miraculous event unfold before their eyes. The news reached Radha Rani, who was also intrigued by the happenings. She gave her sakhee a silk lace and told her to pass it on to Mother Yashoda. Finally, after much effort, Yashoda managed to tie up Shree Krishna to the mortar wheel! This is how he got the name Damodar – the one who got tied with a rope around his belly!
After tying Shree Krishna to the grinding mortar wheel, Yashoda left to take care of her chores inside the house, believing that her son was now safely secured. However, Shree Krishna had other plans. With a mischievous glint in his eye, he began to drag the mortar wheel toward the nearby twin trees. These trees were none other than the two sons of Kuber, the celestial god of wealth. These sons, by the names of Nala Kuber and Manigriva, had been previously cursed by Narada ji for displaying inappropriate behavior. However, Narada ji's curse was a blessing in disguise, as it was foretold that they would be relieved of the curse when liberated by the Lord Himself. So, when Shree Krishna forcefully dragged the mortar wheel between the two trees, they came crashing down, liberated from their long-standing curse! They bowed down to Shree Krishna in obeisance, expressing their gratitude, and then departed, free at last.
When Yashoda and Nanda heard the loud noise of the trees crashing down, they ran outside, their hearts filled with fear for Shree Krishna's safety. They untied him, showering their love upon him, relieved to see him unharmed. The scene was filled with a mix of joy and concern, as Yashoda hugged Shree Krishna tightly, her heart racing from the fright of the moment.
There are so many subtle messages hidden in this lovely Shree Krishna leela. The story teaches us about the nature of love and devotion. Mother Yashoda's love for Shree Krishna was so profound that she was willing to sacrifice her own needs for the sake of her child. However, Shree Krishna, in his playful manner, reminded her of the importance of prioritizing love over material concerns. The incident also highlights the idea that true devotion is not just about rituals and practices but about the deep emotional connection one has with the divine.
Moreover, the leela illustrates the playful nature of Shree Krishna, who, despite being the Supreme Lord, engages in innocent mischief that endears him to his devotees. It shows that the divine can be approachable and relatable, allowing us to connect with God in a personal way. The interactions between Shree Krishna and Yashoda reflect the beautiful bond between a mother and her child, filled with love, care, and the occasional playful conflict.
The miraculous event of the ropes falling short serves as a reminder that the divine will often transcends human efforts. No matter how hard Yashoda tried to bind Shree Krishna, he remained free, symbolizing the idea that the divine cannot be confined or limited by human constraints. This teaches us about the nature of God, who is beyond all limitations and can never be fully grasped or contained by our understanding.
The liberation of Nala Kuber and Manigriva also carries a significant message. It shows that even those who have erred can find redemption through the grace of the Lord. Shree Krishna's act of freeing them signifies that true liberation comes from recognizing one's mistakes and seeking forgiveness. It encourages us to reflect on our own lives and the importance of humility and repentance. In conclusion, the Shree Krishna Damodar Leela is not just a delightful tale of childhood mischief; it is a profound narrative filled with lessons about love, devotion, and the nature of the divine. It invites us to reflect on our relationships, priorities, and our understanding of God. As we share our thoughts and insights about this beautiful leela, let us remember the essence of Shree Krishna's teachings and strive to embody the love and devotion that he represents in our own lives.
Janmashtami Celebration at the Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas
Savor the Bliss of Shree Krishna Leelas at the grand 2024 Janmashtami Celebration at the Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas. Hathi Ghoda Palaki, Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki!
The Shree Krishna Janmashtami Mela is the most memorable and blissful festival at the Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas (Allen). The festival reminds us of the most beautiful and heart-warming leelas or pastimes of Shree Krishna in Vrindavan!
Do not miss the most amazing Janmashtami Mela for an incredible number of devotional and fun activities including Fancy Dress, special festive kirtans/bhajans, Baby Krishna Jhoolan, cultural programs by professional dance schools, Jhankis, interactive activities for children and youth, art and craft activities for kids, Open Stage performances, Food Festival and vendor booths on all the days, and so much more for the entire DFW community!
Do not miss the blissful Midnight Celebration for Shree Krishna Janma with Cake Cutting and Midnight Aarti! Join us to sing and dance with the devotees to your heart’s content! Participate in Shree Krishna’s most awesome Dahi Handi!
There is no other place to be for the magnificent Shree Krishna Janmashtami celebrations than the Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas (Allen)!
- Dates: August 23 to 27, 2024
- Details: www.RadhaKrishnaTemple.net
- Venue: 1450 N Watters Rd, Allen, TX 75013 #ShreeKrishna #Janmashtami
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