Krishna Leelas: Where Love & Magic Come Alive

In this Janmashtami special edition of Samarpan, we draw upon some aspects of tatvagyan to gain further knowledge of God. Whether we soak in the loving nectar of Shree Krishna’s sweet childhood leelas or feel awed by the magic of how He protects His devotees, these leelas teach important life lessons to enable us to progress further on the spiritual path. 

While all Krishna Leelas uphold divine wisdom, a common thread that binds them is that God – our eternal relative, is both bhakt-vatsal (i.e., He loves His devotees) and bhakt-vashya (i.e., He is enslaved by His devotees). At the same time, He also fulfills His material dharma as a student in His Guru’s ashram, and as a husband of thousands of His wives. 

What can we Learn about God from Krishna Leelas?

We material souls are bound in the cycle of life and death because of our karmas – actions that result in positive and negative consequences. Our actions are motivated by past sanskars and self-interest, based on the desires of the material mind. In contrast, God’s actions are divine. Whatever God does, is motivated exclusively by compassion for the welfare of all souls. Therefore, God’s actions are referred to as leelas. In all the different forms or avatars of God, He performs various leelas for an infinite number of reasons. For the purpose of this issue, it is important to keep in mind that God’s leelas are His tools for teaching divine knowledge and wisdom to devotees, showering them with love and bliss, and protecting them from any kind of harm. How souls choose to connect with God, establishes a foundation for the quality of devotion. 

Most people are raised to worship the opulent and almighty forms of God – one with four or eight arms and equipped with weapons that could demolish infinite universes. Such images fill the heart with fear of God. The Vedas also extol the infinite shaktis or powers of God that make Him appear very daunting to devotees. He is the creator and destroyer of the universe. His omnipotence is indescribable; He can make anything happen just by making a sankalp or wish. Swamiji quoted the Devi Bhagwat Puran in which Parashar Muni stated that God possesses an infinite amount of knowledge, wealth, beauty, fame, strength, and detachment. Thus, when spiritual aspirants try to connect with God based on awe and propriety of conduct, they are unable to develop an intimate relationship with Him. While the almighty form of God exists, it is not the only form, and certainly not the form on which to meditate for inner bliss.

Seekers of divine bliss have experienced the joy in God’s leelas whether they were presented in the form of Lord Shiv, Lord Ram, Lord Krishna, or any other. However, the bliss of Krishna Leelas is incomparable to any other form of God. Krishna Leelas are very esoteric, thus faith is an essential ingredient to accurately interpret the leelas and to develop devotional sentiments. Faith in turn is founded on the true knowledge of God. The Krishna Leelas described in this issue are drawn from the Vedic scriptures (e.g., the Bhagavatam and Mahabharat) and from Swamiji’s narratives in formal and informal settings. Therefore, they lend the credibility needed to develop faith in the leelas.

Which Krishna Leelas Demonstrate Different Qualities of God?

The Leelas narrated below are drawn from various phases of Shree Krishna’s avatarkaal (i.e., the duration of His lifeform) – from Gokul to Dwarka. They provide a glimpse of both – His infinite shaktis and also how He is enslaved by His devotees.

Gokul Leela: The Gopis Experience Bliss of Gobar Bindis!

One time, a Gopi was collecting cow dung and putting it in baskets to transport. Shree Krishna toddled his way to where she was working. He stood there looking at her, so she asked him to help him to put the cow dung in the baskets. In his inimitable and naughty style, Shree Krishna questioned whether she thought he was her servant! The Gopi, knowing his weakness, told Him that she would offer him butter balls in exchange for his help. Shree Krishna agreed to the deal. They made an informal contract – she would give him as many butter balls as the total number of baskets he filled.

After Shree Krishna filled several baskets with cow dung, he was exhausted. He asked the Gopi how she would keep track of the number of baskets he had filled. The Gopi told him that she would make little round dots like bindis from the cow dung and put one dot on his face for each basket he filled. His face would be used as an account book! Shree Krishna commended her for her brilliant idea. The Gopi was thrilled about being able to do whatever she wanted with little Krishna! 

When Shree Krishna put all the cow dung in the baskets, he asked the Gopi for his prize – the butter balls. The Gopi told Him that they would need to walk home for the butter balls. As they walked side-by-side, the Gopi experienced immense joy and bliss in her heart from Shree Krishna’s divine presence on her side.  

Such is the nature of pure love between God and His true devotees! Rasik saints relish God’s sweet leelas that are imbued with His enchanting personal form minus the almightiness that is reserved for those who follow Vaidy bhakti. The lesson to learn from this sweet leela is that God is bhakt-vatsal and bhakt-vashya. It is only the exclusive, selfless, and constant love that has the power to enslave the almighty God – the possessor of infinite shaktis. As Lord Krishna tells Arjun:

उदारा: सर्व एवैते ज्ञानी त्वात्मैव मे मतम् |
आस्थित: स हि युक्तात्मा मामेवानुत्तमां गतिम् || 18||

udarah sarva evaite jnani tvatmaiva me matam
asthitah sa hi yuktatma mam evanuttamam gatim

All those who are devoted to Me are indeed noble. But those in knowledge, who are of steadfast mind, whose intellect is merged in Me, and who have made Me alone as their supreme goal, I consider as My very self (BG 7.18).

The biggest takeaway from this leela is that if we perfect our devotion, we too can become eligible recipients of such divine graces of the bhakt-vashya Shree Krishna.

Mathura Leela: Shree Krishna Fulfills His Shishya Dharma

When Shree Krishna killed Kansa, he reinstated the kingdom to his maternal grandfather Ugrasena as the king of Mathura. He also ensured the safe return of his other relatives who had left Mathura out of fear of Kansa. Shree Krishna and Balaram reconnected with Devaki and Vasudev and offered their respects to them. Then, Vasudev and the priests performed the Upanayana Sanskar for both boys. The brothers then went to their family Guru, Garg Muni, and took the vow of brahmacharya or celibacy. This vow makes boys eligible to acquire Vedic knowledge from a Guru. 

Shree Krishna, the personification of divine knowledge, engaged in an interesting leela to set an example for posterity regarding the importance of gaining scriptural knowledge from a Guru. He and Balaram went to the Sandipani Muni’s hermitage in Avantipur to learn the sixty-four sciences, which they learned in sixty-four days. Then, as per tradition, they asked their Guru what they could offer as Guru Dakshina. After some consideration, Sandipani Muni, in full awareness of their prowess, asked them to bring back his son, who had died in the ocean at Prabhasa. 

Then Shree Krishna and Balaram went to Yamalok. Shree Krishna blew the Panchjanya conch with full might. Yamaraj, the celestial god of death, immediately came forward to welcome and worship both of them. Shree Krishna asked Yamaraj to bring his Guru Sandipani’s son to Him. Yamaraj complied with their request. Then, Shree Krishna and Balaram brought their Guru’s son back home to them. Sandipani Muni and his wife were overwhelmed with joy and gratitude and said that the divine Lord had taken personal forms and graced him with the best Gurudakshina that anyone could possibly offer. He said that having disciples like Shree Krishna and Balaram had fulfilled all his material desires. This is how Shree Krishna and Balaram fulfilled the desire of their Guru and their own shishya dharma. 

Such are the divine leelas of Shree Krishna who fulfills His dharmas as a mortal being when He takes an avatar. As Shree Krishna explained to Arjun:

परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम् |
धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय सम्भवामि युगे युगे || 8||

paritranaya sadhunam vinashaya cha dushkritam
dharma-sansthapanarthaya sambhavami yuge yuge

To protect the righteous, to annihilate the wicked, and to reestablish the principles of dharma I appear on this earth, age after age (BG 4.8).

The lesson to learn from this leela is that God showers divine graces upon souls in His personal form and performs miracles that provide a basis for exclusive devotion.

Kurukshetra Leela: Shree Krishna Empowers Arjun to Keep his Vow

When the Kauravas unmercifully and disgracefully killed the unarmed Abhimanyu during the Mahabharat war, Arjun vowed to kill Jayadrath, the slayer of his son. Arjun vowed that if he did not kill Jayadrath before sunset the next day, he would burn himself alive. Shree Krishna pondered at the grave vow of His grief-stricken friend and devotee. 

The next day, before leaving for battle, Arjun sought blessings from Yudhishtar and Shree Krishna. After discussing their strategy, Shree Krishna equipped Arjun’s chariot with all kinds of weapons. He was accompanied by Satyaki as they went on the mission to slay Jayadrath. When they reached the battleground, Arjun told Satyaki that his prime duty that day was to protect Yudhishtar and not leave his side. Then the Pandavas examined the impenetrable lotus formation of the Kaurava army as arranged by Dronacharya. Jayadrath was irrefutably protected by layers and layers of heroes of the Kaurava army including Karna, Ashwatthama, Salya, Vrishasena, etc., and hundreds of thousands of foot soldiers in a formidable array that stretched for miles. 

Undaunted, Arjun rushed forward with Shree Krishna commandeering the chariot with Hanuman ji seated on the flag. The daunting sounds of Arjun’s conch, the roars of Hanuman ji, and the effulgence of Shree Krishna’s divine form as He drove the chariot straight into the mouth of the formation at the Kaurava army, made many in the Kaurava army anxious about their fate. Yet, as instructed, they surrounded Arjun from all sides. Arjun thought about how they all had mercilessly killed his son and he went forward, leaving a trail of destruction and thousands of corpses, sparing only those who were destined to be killed by other warriors on the side of the Pandavas. In an externally frenzied state, Arjun soon put the Kaurava army in disarray, making warriors like Dushasan flee in fear. However, when he came face to face with his former Guru Dronacharya, he tried to bypass him out of respect. However, Drona attacked him with all his might until Arjun was badly injured. 

Shree Krishna expertly drove the chariot away telling Arjun to not waste precious time fighting with the invincible Dronacharya and focus on his goal, which was to kill Jayadrath. As they proceeded forward, Arjun and Shree Krishna appeared like death-personified to their enemies. Shree Krishna advised Arjun to spare no one in the Kaurava army including Shree Krishna’s relatives. Many warriors on the Kaurava side had weapons with special boons. Under Shree Krishna’s guidance, Arjun pierced through their army, annihilating warriors as if possessed, until he came within visible distance from Jayadrath.

Duryodhan and other warriors who were protecting Jayadrath were trembling with fear. He tried his best to incite Dronacharya to attack Arjun. But even Drona knew the futility of a battle with Arjun when he was protected by Shree Krishna. By this time, the sun had begun its downward journey and both Shree Krishna and Arjun became painfully aware of the gravity of Arjun’s vow. He was attacked from all sides by the Kaurava army, yet he went ahead relentlessly, leaving the field or dismembered corpses – humans and animals. The Kauravas became dispirited as Shree Krishna cleverly navigated to evade Drona’s attack. 

When Arjun was a relatively short distance away from Jayadrath, he was suddenly attacked by Duryodhan. Shree Krishna encouraged and guided Arjun on how to best deal with the evil Duryodhan who kept taunting both of them. As Arjun fought with him, he realized that Drona had equipped Duryodhan with celestial armor, making him very formidable. So, he attacked Duryodhan’s fingers which were unprotected. When he was injured and wreathing in pain, Shree Krishna and Arjun headed forward blowing their conches toward Jayadrath who was protected by Karna and Ashwatthama.  

Given that very little time was left for sunset, other Pandavas joined the battle to enable Arjun toward the last line of defense protecting Jayadrath. A fierce battle took place between Bhim and Karna, where both maharathis were fighting in rage, hurling weapons and insults at each other. When Karna was injured, Duryodhan commanded his brother Durmukha to rescue Karna but Bhim killed him and scores of other Kauravas, shocking Duryodhan and others in their army. Bhim was unstoppable. Then, the Kauravas dealt with another blow. Arjun fatally wounded the heroic Bhurishravas who was subsequently killed by Satyaki while he was lying injured. The Kauravas chided him in anger but he reminded them of their unethical actions when they killed Abhimanyu. Then, Arjun requested Shree Krishna to move the chariot toward Jayadrath. He was attacked from all sides by the fierce Kaurava army but he relentlessly massacred their troops. Yet, they cheered when they saw that the sun was about to set and there was no possibility for Arjun to kill Jayadrath. 

This was the moment when the bhakt-vashya Shree Krishna, seeing Arjun in a quandary, raised His right hand up, and immediately His Sudarshan Chakra appeared at the end of His outstretched finger. He released the Sudarshan Chakra which covered the sun like an eclipse and darkness enveloped the sky. Thinking that the sun had set, the Kauravas started to rejoice because Jayadrath was still alive. They cheered thinking that the war would now be over. Arjun was bewildered and looked at Shree Krishna, who reassured him and told him to lift his Gandiva and get ready to sever Jayadrath’s head. Being a surrendered devotee, Arjun did as he was told. 
          
Then Shree Krishna explained that Jayadrath’s father, Vridhakshatra, had blessed his son with a boon that if anyone severed his head and it fell on the ground, the person’s own head would explode. Shree Krishna also told Arjun that at that moment, Vridhakshatra was meditating at a lakeside. He told Arjun to shoot the arrow such that Jayadrath’s head would sever and fall on the lap of his father, Vridhakshatra. With this instruction, Shree Krishna withdrew His Sudarshan Chakra and Arjun immediately released his fatal arrow. The Kauravas were caught completely off-guard when the sun reappeared and before they could make any sense of the situation, Arjun’s arrow slashed Jayadrath’s head and carried it high up in the sky and dropped it in his father’s lap. Vridhakshatra was so startled when the head fell on his lap that he instinctively stood up. Jayadrath’s head fell to the ground and his father’s head exploded into hundreds of pieces. Then the sun set into the horizon.

The Kauravas realized that Shree Krishna had created an illusion to kill Jayadrath and they were grief-stricken. Shree Krishna congratulated Arjun, embraced him, and told him that both father and son had performed despicable acts. Their demise, as well as that of hundreds of thousands of men in the Kaurava army, was a cause for celebration. Arjun confessed that it was Shree Krishna's grace alone that made such achievements possible. Shree Krishna embraced Arjun once again and navigated the chariot toward their camp. 

Shree Krishna blew His conch in celebration and the Pandavas embraced each other with tears of joy in their hearts. Yudhishtar told Shree Krishna with all humility that there was no doubt that by seeking His shelter their success was guaranteed. This was clearly stated by Lord Krishna to Arjun before the war:

अनन्याश्चिन्तयन्तो मां ये जना: पर्युपासते |
तेषां नित्याभियुक्तानां योगक्षेमं वहाम्यहम् || 22||

ananyash chintayanto mam ye janah paryupasate
tesham nityabhiyuktanam yoga-kshemam vahamyaham

There are those who always think of Me and engage in exclusive devotion to Me. To them, whose minds are always absorbed in Me, I provide what they lack and preserve what they already possess (BG 9.22).

The biggest takeaway from this leela is that the bhakt-vashya Lord Krishna protects His surrendered devotees at all costs.

Dwarka Leela: Satyabhama Learns the Price of Love

There was a Yadav king by the name of Satrajit. He was the owner of the sacred jewel, Syamantaka, which was gifted to him by the celestial god Suryadev. The jewel had the power to confer wealth upon its owner. Satrajit’s daughter Satyabhama, was married to Shree Krishna. Being exceptionally beautiful, wealthy, and of royal lineage, Satyabhama was filled with pride. She also believed that her love for Shree Krishna was pure, yet she was jealous of His first wife, Queen Rukmini, the incarnation of Mahalakshmi. Queen Rukmini on the other hand, was very humble and devout. She served Shree Krishna wholeheartedly with love and devotion. 

Shree Krishna, the destroyer of a devotee's pride, masterfully crafted a leela. One day, the divine Sage Narad came to Dwarka to visit Shree Krishna. In the palace courtyard, he first saw Satyabhama, adorning herself with flowers for Shree Krishna’s pleasure. Narad ji went up to her and innocently asked her, “O Queen Satyabhama, don't doubt my intentions, but is it really true that Shree Krishna loves Rukmini more than you?”

Satyabhama was shocked at Narad ji’s question and she stared at him for a few minutes. Then Narad ji continued, “You are far more beautiful, charming, and younger than Queen Rukmini. Is it not justified that you receive more attention?” Satyabhama regained control but inquisitively asked Narad ji how she could gain His undivided attention. She pleaded with him to offer some advice. Narad ji was eagerly waiting for this opportunity. 

Narad ji told her to make a vow to give away her most-priced possession, i.e., Shree Krishna to him in charity. Observing Satyabhama’s reluctance at the suggestion, Narad ji quickly added that there was a way to keep the sanctity of the vow while also retaining Shree Krishna for herself. He said that he would allow her to trade Shree Krishna for an equivalent weight in wealth in the form of jewels, gold coins, etc. Narad ji also assured her that when Shree Krishna notices that you are willing to trade her wealth in exchange for the Lord, He would be pleased at her sacrifice. But of course, Narad ji could not resist saying with some skepticism that this plan would fail if she did not possess enough wealth to match Shree Krishna’s weight. Satyabhama’s pride swelled up and she said indignantly, “I am the daughter of Satrajit who possesses limitless wealth. I have no doubt that I have enough to match my Lord’s weight. Let us go ahead with this plan of yours.” 

Satyabhama ran to Shree Krishna and told Him how Narad ji tricked her into making a vow. Shree Krishna listened to her and just nodded his head. Satyabhama ordered a servant to bring the largest of all scales used to weigh sacks of grains. She also ordered the custodian of the treasury to bring all her jewels and gold to the royal court. She gently led Shree Krishna to the court. Everyone present there was shell-shocked but Shree Krishna remained calm. The chaos brought all the other queens of Shree Krishna to the court and they too watched the scene in disbelief.

As per the plan, Satyabhama gave Shree Krishna away in charity to Narad ji in the presence of everyone in the court. The other wives of Shree Krishna were shocked but they followed protocol and did not utter a word in the assembled court. Narad ji then presented her with the option to substitute Shree Krishna with an equivalent weight of wealth. Everyone sighed in relief at the option and Satyabhama’s consent. She then requested Shree Krishna to sit on one side of the scales and with a smirk on her face, started putting her jewels, precious stones, gold coins, etc. on the other side. She kept on adding whatever wealth she possessed, but the side with Shree Krishna remained at the bottom. Satyabhama was bewildered and Narad ji added to her stress by reminding her that if she did not have sufficient wealth, Shree Krishna would forever become his slave.

Rukmini walked to the court with Satyabhama in a calm and peaceful state. As they were walking, they passed the sacred Tulsi plant and Rukmini plucked a single leaf. While praying to Shree Krishna in her mind, she very quietly walked to the scale and gently placed the Tulsi leaf at the top of the pile of wealth. To everyone’s surprise and relief, the side on which Shree Krishna was seated swung up and the side with the Tulsi leaf bumped down to the floor. In a state of shock, Satyabhama looked at Shree Krishna for an explanation. He told her to remove all the wealth from that side. Satyabhama did what she was asked, removing all the precious things until the only thing remaining on the scale was the Tulsi leaf. The scale was still heavier than Shree Krishna’s weight. 
Shree Krishna then told her that while she was willing to give away all her wealth in charity to retain Him, her sentiments were devoid of devotion. Her heart was filled with pride and possessiveness. On the other hand, Rukmini offered just a single Tulsi leaf but her heart was pure, filled with love and devotion, and her intentions were noble. He also told Satyabhama that it was not the offering but the quality of devotional and loving sentiments that made all the difference. Satyabhama humbled to the core, watched as Shree Krishna left with his other wives. Then she tearfully turned to Narad ji and expressed her gratitude for teaching the tough lesson in humility. 

This beautiful sentiment is expressed by Shree Krishna to Arjun in this verse. 

पत्रं पुष्पं फलं तोयं यो मे भक्त्या प्रयच्छति |
तदहं भक्त्युपहृतमश्नामि प्रयतात्मन: || 26||

patram pushpam phalam toyam yo me bhaktya prayachchhati
tadaham bhaktyupahritam ashnami prayatatmanah

If one offers to Me with devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or even water, I delightfully partake of that item offered with love by My devotee in pure consciousness (BG 9.26).

The beautiful and valuable takeaway from this leela is that God abhors false pride but adores humility. Additionally, He cannot be purchased with wealth but is enslaved by the loving devotional sentiments of His selfless devotees. 

How can Krishna Leelas Enhance Our Spiritual Growth?

Krishna Leelas allow souls to gain the knowledge of God without being overwhelmed by the opulent form that evokes fear even in the bravest of souls like Arjun. By focusing on the loving personal form of God, we can develop an intimate relationship with Him.