Bhagavatam - Tenth Skandha , Chapter 9 & 10

Krishna and Yashoda

(Once when all the maids were busy with other work , Yashoda, the wife of Nanda, was churning the curd )

Krishna and Yashoda

Suka Deva continued.

Once when all the maids were otherwise engaged, Yashoda, the queen of Nanda was churning curd in a pot and was delighting herself singing songs of Krishna's pranks. Then Krishna desirous of drinking milk caught hold of the churning rod, stopping her with a look of love and affection. Yashoda already overflowing with maternal feelings took him onto her lap and started feeding him, all the time enjoying the smile on the face of Krishna. At that time seeing that milk in the pan on the oven was overflowing, she left Krishna to attend to the overflowing milk. Krishna, angry at being left, broke the churning pot of butter with a stone, spilling the butter. Picking up the butter Krishna ran away to a solitary place and sat down to eat the butter.

After attending to the boiling milk Yashoda came back to see the broken pot and the spilled butter. Realizing that this was the act of Krishna she went looking for Krishna with a stick in her hand. Krshna was at that time distributing the butter to the monkeys. Seeing her with a stick in hand, Krishna started to run, as if he was afraid of mother Yashoda. Sensing the fear in the eyes of Krishna Yashoda threw away the stick, caught hold of Krishna by hand and mildly chastised him. Not knowing the supreme nature of the Lord, thinking like only a mother would, Yashoda decided to tie him with a rope to a near by mortar so that he will not indulge any more in naughty acts. Treating him like a normal child, Yashoda was indeed trying to bind a person who cannot be bound. That rope which she was using to tie Krishna fell short by two fingers ( ̲ AÇaÉÑsÉÉ X.9.16). Yashoda brought another rope again that too was short .In this way even all the ropes though joined could not help her bind Krishna. All the Gopis watching this were enjoying the discomfiture of Yashoda. Seeing the discomfiture of his mother Krishna allowed his mother Yashoda to finally tie him up to the mortar.

Suka Deva continued. ‘Oh King! in this way the supreme Lord who controls the whole universe, demonstrates that he is ever ready to be bound by those who are his devotees'.

In the mean time Krishna saw two Arjun trees, who were earlier two sons of Lord Kubera. Being cursed by Sage Narad due to their indolent behavior, the two sons of Kubera Nalakubara and Manigriva became two trees.'

Maharaj Parikshit asked Deva, ‘O Bhagavan! What was the crime committed by the sons Kubera that Sage Narad cursed them to be the Arjun Trees.‘

Suka Deva said,' the two sons of Kubera were elevated to the position of Lord Siva's assistants. Intoxicated with the pride of that position, they were going about in the garden, on the banks of river Mandakini near Kailasa Mountain. They were playing in the waters of Mandakini with young girls, like two elephants with a herd of female elephants. When sage Narad appeared there, the young girls, being ashamed and afraid of being cursed, covered themselves quickly with some garments. But the two sons of Kubera still intoxicated with the power of their position, defiantly and shamelessly remained without even covering themselves. It is then sage Narad reflecting on the perversions created by possession of wealth , and remembering the dignity of austerity in poverty, cursed the two to be standing nude as trees , yet retaining their memory. They were to be redeemed when they come in contact with son of Vasudev. He ordained that after such redemption at the hands of Sri Vaasudeva, they will return to their former status of devotees, because of which they attained the position of assistants of Lord Siva in the first place'. To make the words of Narad, the foremost of Sages come true, Krishna dragged himself to the vicinity of the two Arjun Trees. The mortar to which he was tied got stuck between the trees. Pulled with force by Krishna, the mortar uprooted the two trees and the trees fell down. In the place of the two trees two young perfect looking persons, the sons of Kubera, came out with folded hands praising Krishna.

 ”Oh Krishna ! Oh Krishna ! You are the cause of everything. You are the Supreme Being. The learned Brahmans know your form and know you are the cause and effect of all events. You have appeared at different times and in different forms to protect your devotees. We are servants of your devotee Narad. We had this opportunity to see you because of Narad. From now on our speech will be engaged in speaking your glories, our ears will be engaged in hearing your glories, our limbs will be engaged in your service, and our minds will always be remembering your lotus feet. Our sight will be engaged in seeing Vaishnava's performing their duties. Please allow us to go now. “

Krishna blessed the two wishing them to remain true to their devotional services.

_________ 

(”Oh Krishna! Oh Krishna!, Maha Yogi you are the cause of everything. The learned Brahmans know your form and know you are the cause and effect. “)

‘our speech will be engaged in speaking your glories, our ears will be engaged in hearing your glories, our limbs will be engaged in your service , our minds will always be remembering your lotus feet . Our sight will be engaged in seeing Vaishnava's performing their duties.