101- The Deliverance of Sudarshan and Shankhachud, and the Gopis’ Yugal Geet

Shukadevji tells Parikshit that once, on the occasion of Shivaratri, Nandbaba and the other gopas joyfully travelled to Ambikavan, seated on bullock carts, filled with enthusiasm and delight. There, they bathed in the sacred Saraswati River and worshipped Bhagwan Shankar and Bhagwati Ambika with devotion. They gave cows, gold, garments, honey, and fine food in charity to the brahmins and respectfully served them. That day, Nandbaba and the other gopas observed a fast. At night, they drank only water and lay down to rest on the bank of the Saraswati River.

In that Ambikavan, there lived a very large python. It was extremely hungry that day. By chance, it came to that very spot and seized the sleeping Nandbaba. As soon as the python caught him, Nandbaba cried out loudly, “Krishna, my son, come quickly! This python is swallowing me. I take shelter of You, please save me!”

At the sound of Nandbaba’s voice, all the gopas awoke. They saw him in the mouth of the python and became frightened. They began striking the serpent with half-burnt logs, but it would not release him. At that moment, Bhagwan Shree Krishna, the protector of His devotees, arrived there and touched the python with His lotus foot.

The moment the python was touched by Bhagwan’s feet, all its sins were destroyed. Instantly, it gave up its serpent body and transformed into a handsome celestial being. Light radiated from his form, and he was adorned with golden ornaments. He bowed down to Shree Krishna and stood with folded hands. Shree Krishna then asked him who he was and why he had obtained the body of a python.

He replied that he had previously been a Vidyadhara named Sudarshan. Blinded by pride in his beauty and wealth, he had insulted some sages of the Angirasa lineage. The curse of the sages had actually been a blessing, because by the touch of Bhagwan Shree Krishna’s lotus feet, he was now freed from that curse. With Krishna’s permission, he returned to his celestial abode.

Shukadevji tells Parikshit that one night, Bhagwan Shree Krishna and Balaramji were roaming freely in the forest along with the gopis. Shree Krishna was dressed in a pure yellow pitambar, while Balaramji wore blue garments. Beautiful flower garlands adorned their necks, fragrant sandalwood paste anointed their bodies, and they were decorated with shining ornaments. Filled with love and joy, the gopis were singing the glories of the two brothers.

Evening had deepened. Stars shimmered in the sky, and the moonlight spread softly across the forest. The fragrance of bela flowers attracted humming bees. From the lakes, the scent of blooming lotus flowers mingled with the gentle, cooling breeze. In that enchanting atmosphere, Shree Krishna and Balaram began singing together in a melodious voice. Hearing their song, the gopis became so captivated that they lost awareness even of their own bodies.

At that very time, a yaksha named Shankhachud arrived there. He was a servant of Kuber. Before the very eyes of Krishna and Balaram, he forcibly seized the gopis and began dragging them toward the north. The gopis cried out in distress, “Ha Krishna! Ha Ram!”

Seeing this, both brothers immediately ran toward him, calling out, “Do not fear! Do not fear!” Taking up a Sal tree in their hands, they reached the yaksha within moments. When Shankhachud saw the two brothers standing before him like death itself, he was terrified. He released the gopis and began fleeing for his life.

Balaramji remained behind to protect the gopis, while Shree Krishna ran after the yaksha, intending to take the jewel from his head. After pursuing him for some distance, Shree Krishna caught him and, with a single blow, severed his head along with the radiant jewel.

Thus, having slain Shankhachud, Bhagwan Shree Krishna returned with the shining gem. In the presence of all the gopis, He lovingly presented that jewel to His elder brother, Balaramji.

Shukadevji tells Parikshit that when Bhagwan Shree Krishna went daily to the forest to graze the cows, the minds of the gopis went with Him. Their hearts remained absorbed in His remembrance. With their voices, they sang of His leelas, and in this way, they somehow passed the long and difficult hours of the day.

The gopis would say to one another, “O sakhi, when Mukund, the giver of liberation, rests His left cheek upon His left arm, playfully moves His eyebrows, and places the flute upon His lips, then, as His soft fingers glide over its holes and produce sweet melodies, the wives of the siddhas travelling in celestial planes become astonished. Embarrassed, they realise that their knowledge of music is insignificant before this divine sound. Pierced by the arrows of Kamdev, their hearts surrender at Shree Krishna’s lotus feet. They lose all awareness, even of their garments slipping from their bodies.” (Bhagavat 10.35.2–3)

Another Gopi says, “Sakhis, how wonderful is Nandbaba’s beloved son! When He smiles, the lines of laughter upon His face resemble a beautiful necklace, and His white teeth shine like rows of pearls.

“The garland swinging upon His chest glows even more brilliantly. The Shrivatsa mark upon His chest appears like lightning resting upon a dark raincloud. When He plays the flute to give joy to the sorrowful and restore life to those burning in separation, herds of bulls, cows, and deer of Braj run toward Him.

“Sakhi, the grass remains half-chewed in their mouths. They neither swallow nor spit it out. With ears raised and bodies motionless, they stand like painted images upon a wall. This is only natural, for the sound of Shree Krishna’s flute completely steals their minds.

“When Nandbaba’s darling adorns His head with a peacock feather, decorates His curly locks with flowers, applies colours upon His limbs, and dresses in fresh leaves, how enchanting He appears! Accompanied by Balaramji and the cowherd boys, He calls each cow by name while playing His flute.

“At that time, even the rivers stop flowing. They desire that the wind may carry the dust of His lotus feet to them so they may be blessed. But they, too, are unfortunate like us. Just as our hands tremble in love when we embrace Him and we cannot move, the rivers also tremble in love. Their wave-like arms attempt to rise, but they become still, overwhelmed by devotion.”

Another says, “As the devas sing the glories of Bhagwan Narayan, so do the cowherd boys sing the leelas of our Natanagar Shree Krishna. When He wanders through Vrindavan and calls the grazing cows at the foothills of Govardhan, the trees and creepers become laden with fruits and flowers. Their branches bend to the earth as though offering pranam, and streams of honey flow from them in love.”

The gopis continue, “In this world and beyond, whatever is beautiful or sweet, none is more beautiful or sweet than our Manmohan Shree Krishna. The saffron upon His dark forehead enchants the mind. His vanamala hangs down to His knees, fragrant with tulsi. Bees, intoxicated by their nectar, hum sweetly. Hearing their sound, Shyamsundar matches their rhythm on his flute.

“Sakhi, upon hearing that captivating music, even the cranes, swans, and birds of the lakes lose their senses. They come near Him, close their eyes, and meditate as though they are great sages.

“When Shyamsundar stands upon Govardhan with flower earrings swaying from His ears and plays His flute beside Balaramji, it feels as though the whole universe is filled with bliss. The clouds rumble gently in harmony, fearing to disturb His melody. They spread themselves as shade over Him and sometimes shower fine droplets like offerings of love. The devas, too, shower flowers from behind the clouds.”

They say, “Yashoda maiya, how fortunate you are! Such a tender-hearted son belongs only to you. He never learned music from anyone, yet new melodies flow effortlessly from His lips. When He places the flute upon His red lips, even Brahma, Shiva, and Indra cannot comprehend that music and become spellbound.

“His soft lotus feet bear auspicious marks. When the earth of Braj becomes sore from the hooves of cows, He gently walks upon it to soothe her, all the while playing His flute. His gait, His glance, and His music awaken intense longing in our hearts. At that time, we become so enchanted that we forget even our garments and hair.

“He loves the fragrance of tulsi and always wears her garland. When He counts the cows using His jewel necklace and walks with His arm around a friend’s shoulder, even the deer become enchanted and approach Him, just as we gopis leave everything and run to Him.

“Yashoda maiya, you are truly blessed. When He plays on the banks of Yamunaji with the cows and boys, the cool fragrant breeze serves Him, and the devas sing in His honour.”

Finally, the gopis say, “Sakhis, Shyamsundar loves the cows of Braj deeply. That is why He lifted Govardhan. Now evening approaches; He must be returning with the cows. On the path, Brahma and Shiva must be bowing to His feet. See how the dust from the cows’ hooves settles upon His vanamala. Though He is tired from wandering all day, how radiant He appears to our eyes. Look, Sakhi! The ornament of Braj, Shyamsundar, is coming toward us, like the rising moon that cools hearts burning in separation.”

Shukadevji concludes, telling Parikshit that the minds of the gopis were always fixed upon Shree Krishna. When He went to the forest each day to graze the cows, they sat together and sang of His various leelas. In this way, absorbed in remembrance, they passed their days in divine longing.

Summary: JKYog India Online Class- Shreemad Bhagavat Katha [Hindi]- 06.02.2026