Shreemad Bhagavat Mahapuran- Canto: 10, Chapters: 20-21
The cowherd boys return home and narrate to their mothers and sisters the wondrous pastimes of Shree Krishna and Balram, such as saving them from the forest fire and the slaying of Pralambasur. On hearing this, even the elderly gopas and gopis are astonished and begin to believe that some great devata has come to reside in Braj.
After this, the rainy season arrives. Clouds gather in the sky, lightning flashes, and rain begins to fall. The dry earth becomes green once again, rivers fill up, and the fields flourish with grain. Peacocks start dancing, frogs begin croaking, and trees and plants are once more laden with leaves, flowers, and fruits. This rain proves beneficial for everyone.
In Vrindavan, Shree Krishna and Balram wander through the forest with the cowherd boys and the cows. Sometimes they rest in the shade of trees, sometimes in caves; they sit together to eat and continue playing joyfully. The cows graze on fresh green grass and become fully satisfied.
After the rains, the autumn season arrives. The sky becomes clear, the water turns pure, and a gentle, cool breeze begins to blow. Lotuses bloom in the ponds, and the nights are adorned by the cool rays of the moon. Nature becomes calm and balanced, just as the mind becomes purified through bhakti and jnana.
In autumn, the crops ripen, festivals begin, and those who had stayed in one place during the rains set out again for their respective duties. Thus, by the presence of Shree Krishna and Balram, Braj and the entire earth become exceedingly beautiful and filled with joy.
Shukdevji tells Parikshit that because of the autumn season, the forest had become very beautiful. The water was clear, and the gentle breeze, fragrant with the scent of blooming lotuses in the lakes, was blowing softly. Bhagwan Shree Krishna entered that forest along with the cows and the cowherd boys.
In the lush green rows of trees filled with beautiful flowers, intoxicated bees hummed, and birds of many kinds called out in different notes in flocks, causing the entire forest, along with its lakes, rivers, and mountains, to resonate. In that very forest, Shree Krishna, along with Balramji and the cowherd boys, grazes the cows and plays exceedingly sweet melodies on His flute.
That sound of Shree Krishna’s flute awakened love for Bhagwan and intensified the longing to meet Him. Hearing it, the hearts of the gopis were filled with love. In solitude, they began describing to their close friends the beauty, qualities, and the powerful effect of Shree Krishna’s form and His flute music.
But the moment they tried to describe the flute melody, Shree Krishna’s sweet gestures, loving glances, expressive movements of His eyebrows, and enchanting smile came vividly to their minds. This made their longing for union even stronger. Their minds no longer remained under their control, and inwardly they reached the very place where Shree Krishna was. In that state, they could not even speak; they became completely incapable of describing anything at all.
Barhaapeedam natavaravapuh karnayoh karnikaaram
Bibhrad vaasah kanaka-kapisham vaijayanteem cha maalaam
Randhraan venoh adhar-sudhayaa poorayan gopavrindaih
Vrindaaranyam swapad-ramanam praavishad geeta-keertih
(The gopis beheld within their hearts that) Shree Krishna was entering Vrindavan along with the cowherd boys. Upon His head was a peacock feather, and upon His ears were bright yellow oleander flowers. His body was adorned with a radiant golden pitambar, and around His neck hung a Vaijayanti garland woven of five kinds of fragrant flowers. His attire was exquisitely beautiful, like that of a consummate actor performing upon a stage. He was filling the holes of His flute with the nectar of His lips. Following Him, the cowherd boys were singing the world-purifying glories of His deeds. In this way, that abode of Vrindavan, superior even to Vaikuntha, became all the more enchanting by the impressions of His lotus feet. (Bhagavat 10.21.5)
This flute melody steals the hearts and minds of all beings, both inert and sentient.
Madhur-dhun, murali bajavat Kaanh.
Kaanh plays the flute, pouring forth a sweet and enchanting melody.
Dhuni suni Vidhi, Hari, Hara sab mohe, chhootyo gyani-jan dhyaan.
Hearing that melody, even Vidhi (Brahma), Hari (Vishnu), and Hara (Shiva) are completely captivated, and the meditation of the gyanis absorbed in the formless Brahman is broken.
Jangam jeev, bhaye jad sigre, jad jangam suni taan.
All moving beings become motionless, and even inert, unmoving things seem to come alive on hearing that tune.
Jo jaisehin, taisehin uthi dhaai, gopin taj kul-kaan.
Each one, just as they are, rises and rushes towards Him; the gopis forget family ties and all social restraints.
Nabh taaragan, chandraadik kahan, nij-nij gatihin bhoolaan.
The stars of the sky and even the moon forget their own paths and movements.
Ek Kripaluhi, bachyo jagat mahan, nishchal shail samaan.
In the entire world, only Kripalu remains unmoved, standing steady like an unshaken mountain, while all others are drawn away by the spell of Shree Krishna’s flute.
The gopis heard that flute melody, and upon hearing it, they began to describe it. As they continued describing it, they became completely absorbed, and in that absorption, they felt as though they had attained Shree Krishna Himself and were embracing Him.
The gopis said to one another:
“O sakhi, it seems to us that the eyes are truly fulfilled only when they behold Shyamsundar Shree Krishna and Balram. When They take the cows to the forest or bring them back with the cowherd boys, placing the flute upon Their lips and casting loving glances, to keep gazing at the sweetness of Their faces feels like the greatest joy of life.”
“O sakhi, it seems to us that the eyes are truly fulfilled only when they behold Shyamsundar Shree Krishna and Balram. When They take the cows to the forest or bring them back with the cowherd boys, placing the flute upon Their lips and casting loving glances, to keep gazing at the sweetness of Their faces feels like the greatest joy of life.”
“When Shree Krishna and Balram adorn Themselves with forest flowers and leaves, peacock feathers and garlands, one dressed in yellow garments and the other in blue, and sit among the cowherd boys playing the flute, it appears as if two consummate artists are performing a most enchanting drama upon a stage. Their beauty cannot be expressed in words.”
The gopis further say, “This flute is more fortunate than we are. It drinks directly the nectar of Shree Krishna’s lips, which we do not attain. Hearing its sound, even the rivers, trees, and lotuses are thrilled with joy.”
Ali! Murali ke bad bhaag re.
O sakhi! How extraordinarily fortunate this flute is.
Yaane jaane kaun kiyo tap, nit Mohan-mukh laag re.
Who knows what austerities it performed in the past, that it now rests constantly upon the lips of Mohan.
Nidharak piyat adhar-ras nishi-din, saras prem ras paag re.
Day and night, without hesitation, it drinks the nectar of His lips, and remains completely soaked in the sweet essence of divine love.
Vrindavan is truly blessed, for it is sanctified by the footprints of Shree Krishna. When Shree Krishna plays the flute, peacocks begin to dance, and animals and birds become still, listening in silence. Even the does, along with their companions, come close to Shree Krishna and gaze at Him with loving eyes.
The celestial devatas’ maidens, too, lose all awareness upon beholding Shree Krishna’s form and hearing the sound of His flute. They do not even realise that the flowers in their hair are falling or that their garments have slipped.
When the cows hear the flute, they lift their ears and become completely absorbed in its sound. Tears begin to flow from their eyes. The calves stop midway while drinking milk, unable either to swallow it or to leave it.
The birds of Vrindavan are not ordinary. In truth, most of them are great rishis and munis. Perched upon the trees, they gaze at Shree Krishna without blinking and listen only to His flute.
Why speak only of the devatas, cows, and birds? They are all sentient beings. Do you not see these insentient rivers? The whirlpools that appear in them reveal the intense longing in their hearts to meet Shyamsundar.
Hearing the flute, the rivers seem to come to a standstill, as if they are clasping Shree Krishna’s feet and offering Him lotuses. Even the clouds swell with love. They provide shade to protect Him from the sun and shower gentle rain, as though offering flowers in worship.
The Bhil (forest dweller) women, too, are blessed. They gather the sandalwood and kumkum that have touched Shree Krishna’s feet from the grasses of Braj, press it to their hearts, and thus soothe their aching hearts.
This Giriraj Govardhan is the foremost among the devotees of Bhagwan. Truly, his fortune is unparalleled. Look, Sakhi, how blissful he remains upon receiving the touch of the lotus feet of our beloved Shree Krishna and the enchanting Balram. Who can ever describe his good fortune? He serves Shree Krishna, Balram, the cowherd boys, and the cows in every way, offering water from his streams for bathing, lush green grass for the cows, caves for rest, and roots, tubers, and fruits for nourishment. Indeed, Giriraj Govardhan is supremely blessed.
Sakhi, the gait of these dark-complexioned and fair-complexioned youths is itself extraordinary. When, with ropes on their heads and staffs on their shoulders, they herd the cows from one forest to another along with the cowherd boys, singing sweetly and playing the flute together, not only human beings but even moving animals, birds, and flowing rivers come to a halt. Even the motionless trees feel a thrill of joy. What more can be said of the marvels of that enchanting flute!
Summary: JKYog India Online Class- Shreemad Bhagavat Katha [Hindi]- 11.01.2026
