85- Trinavarta Deliverance, Krishna–Balram Naming Ceremony & Divine Childhood Pastimes in Gokul

There was a rakshas (demon) named Trinavarta, who was a servant of Kans. Kans sent him with the mission to kill Shree Krishna. Trinavarta took the form of a terrifying whirlwind (a fast and violent storm) and reached Gokul. He lifted the small child Shree Krishna, who was playing there, and carried Him up into the sky.

Because of that whirlwind, the entire Gokul became covered with dust and darkness. People could not see anything; dreadful roaring sounds echoed all around. For two ghadi (about 48 minutes), the whole of Vraj remained enveloped in dust and darkness.

When Yashodaji reached the place where she had seated her child, she saw that Shree Krishna was not there. She became extremely frightened, began to cry, and collapsed on the ground in grief, just like a cow becomes distressed when she loses her calf.

At that moment, the whirlwind began to calm down. As the dust reduced, hearing Yashodaji’s cries, the Gopis ran there. Not seeing Shree Krishna, tears began to flow from their eyes. They all started crying loudly.

Meanwhile, Trinavarta continued carrying Shree Krishna higher into the sky. However, as he went up, he felt that Shree Krishna had become very heavy. His speed stopped. Shree Krishna caught hold of his neck and squeezed it tightly. The demon’s breath stopped, his eyes bulged out, and he became motionless, falling down to the ground along with Shree Krishna.

When the Gopis saw this, they found that the demon had fallen to the earth and died, and Shree Krishna was sitting on his chest. Everyone was astonished. They rushed forward, picked Shree Krishna up in their arms, and handed Him to Yashodaji. The child had returned safely from the jaws of death. Everyone was overjoyed.

They all began saying, “Amazing! This is a wondrous event. This child was supposed to die along with the rakshas, but He returned alive, and the demon was killed instead. Truly, virtuous people are protected from every fear because of their good Karma.” They wondered, “What good deeds have we done? What worship, yajna, or charity have we performed that this child has been returned to us? This is great fortune indeed.”

When Nand Baba saw that miracles were happening repeatedly in Mahavan, he remembered Vasudevji’s words: “This child is not ordinary.”

One day, Yashodaji was lovingly feeding milk to Shree Krishna while holding Him in her lap. Her motherly affection (vatsalya) had become so intense that the milk was flowing on its own. When Shree Krishna finished drinking, Yashodaji began to kiss His beautiful face with deep love. At that moment, Shree Krishna yawned.

As soon as Yashodaji looked into His mouth, she was astonished. She saw the entire brahmand (cosmos) inside it: the sky, stars, the sun, the moon, fire, air, oceans, mountains, rivers, forests, and all living beings. Seeing this divine vision, Yashodaji’s body trembled. She closed her eyes and became speechless, stunned by the fact that she had seen the whole universe inside the mouth of her little child.

Shree Shukadevji says to Parikshit that the family priest of the Yadu dynasty Shree Gargacharyaji was a great ascetic and a very learned scholar. Inspired by Vasudevji, he one day arrived in Nand Baba’s Gokul. 

Seeing him, Nand Baba became extremely pleased. He stood up to greet him, offered his respects, washed his feet, and worshipped him with great honour, feeling in his heart, “He is just like Bhagwan Himself.”

When Gargacharyaji was seated and properly welcomed, Nand Baba humbly said, “Bhagavan! You are completely fulfilled and desire nothing, yet your coming to the home of householders like us is extremely auspicious for us. We are so entangled in family responsibilities that we do not even get the opportunity to visit your ashram. Your arrival clearly means that you have come for our welfare.”

Nand Baba continued, “Prabho! You are the knower of Jyotish (astrology) and the Vedas. Whatever ordinary people cannot know, whether it concerns the future or the past, you know it all. Therefore, you should perform the naming ceremony of these two boys of ours, because the Brahmin is the guru of everyone.”

Gargacharyaji replied, “Nandji! I am known as the Acharya of the Yadavas. If I perform the naming ceremony of your child, people will assume that He is Devaki’s son. Kans is extremely wicked and always thinks evil. Your friendship with Vasudevji is well known. Ever since Kans heard that Devaki’s eighth son will kill him, he has been searching everywhere. If he learns that I have performed the naming ceremony for your child, he will conclude that this is Devaki’s son and will try to kill Him.”

Nand Baba said, “Acharya! Please perform the ceremony quietly in a secluded place, perhaps in the cowshed, with simple prayers. Let no one know about it, not even my own relatives.”

Shree Shukadevji says that Gargacharyaji was already willing to perform the ceremony. Hearing Nand Baba’s request, he went to a private place and secretly performed the naming ceremony of both the children.

Gargacharyaji said, “This son of Rohini will be called Rauhineya. He will delight everyone with His virtues, therefore He will also be called Ram. His strength (bal) is immense, so another name will be Bal. Since He reconciles and unites everyone, He will also be known as Sankarshan.”

“And this dark-complexioned child, He takes avatar in every Yug. In previous Yugas He manifested in white, red, and yellow forms. In this Yug He has appeared in a dark (shyam) form, therefore His name will be Krishna.”

“Nandji! This son of yours was also born earlier in the home of Vasudevji, so wise people call Him Vaasudev. He has countless names and many forms. His qualities and deeds are so abundant that for every quality there arises a new name. I know this, but ordinary people do not. He will bring great welfare to your family, to the Gopas, Gopis, and the cows. Whenever danger comes, He will protect you and give joy to all.”

Gargacharyaji then said, “O King of Braja! Long ago in a previous Yug, there came a time when there was no ruler on Earth. Robbers and bandits spread everywhere and people suffered greatly. At that time, this very child (Shree Krishna) appeared. He protected the righteous and empowered them to defeat those robbers.”

“Those who love this dark, beautiful child are extremely fortunate. Just as the asuras cannot defeat the devas under the protection of Bhagwan Vishnu, similarly, no enemy, internal or external, can conquer those who love this child.”

“Nandji! In qualities, wealth, beauty, fame, and influence, this child of yours is equal to Bhagwan Narayan Himself. Therefore, protect Him with great care.” Saying this, Gargacharyaji instructed Nand Baba, blessed him, and returned to his ashram.

Hearing his words, Nand Baba became overjoyed. He felt that his life had now become successful, as if all his desires had been fulfilled.

Within just a few days, Balram and Shree Krishna began crawling on Their knees and hands. The two brothers would go out to play in the lanes of Gokul. Sometimes They moved Their tiny hands and feet in the mud, and the little bells tied around Their ankles and waists would make a sweet sound runjhun... runjhun... Hearing that sound, Both of Them would burst into laughter.

Sometimes They would start following a stranger on the road, thinking he was someone They knew. But when They realised it was a different person, They would stop in fear and immediately run back to the safety of Their mothers, Yashodaji or Rohiniji. Seeing all this, the mothers would be filled with affection.

When the two little boys returned home with Their bodies covered in mud, Their beauty seemed even more enchanting. The mothers would lift Them into their arms, press Them to their hearts, and lovingly feed Them milk. As They drank milk and smiled, looking repeatedly at Their mothers and giggling, Their tiny teeth and innocent faces would fill the mothers with an ocean of joy as if the entire world had merged into that one smile.

When Ram and Shyam grew a little older, They began performing many playful pastimes outside the house. Their mischief made the Gopis of Gokul unable to control their laughter. Sometimes They would catch hold of the tail of a sitting calf. The calf, frightened, would start running, and They would hold tightly to its tail. The calf would run, and They would be dragged along with it, running and sliding behind. Watching this scene, the Gopis would forget their household duties and roll with laughter.

Kanhaiya and Baldau were extremely playful and fearless. Sometimes They would go near animals with horns, like cows or deer, and sometimes They would play near burning fire. At times They approached biting dogs, or picked up someone’s sword out of curiosity. Sometimes They slipped near a well or pond and narrowly escaped falling in, and sometimes They wandered into thorns and bushes.

The mothers tried again and again to stop Them and explain things to Them, but nothing had any effect. The children continued doing whatever They pleased. As a result, the mothers could not manage their household work properly. Their entire attention remained focused on the worry that the children might fall into danger. Their minds constantly wondered, “Where have Kanhaiya and Baldau gone now? What must They be doing?”

In this way, the playful and mischievous pastimes of the two brothers filled the whole of Braj with joy and affection.

Summary: JKYog India Online Class- Shreemad Bhagavat Katha [Hindi]- 31.10.2025