Narayana

Upananda continued, “If all of you are in agreement with my opinion, then let us pack our bags and leave immediately”.

Upananda was of the opinion, ‘For how long can we keep watch over the kids? Beyond a limit it is impossible. We do not know from where the demon will attack. Hence it is advisable to abandon this area which is prone to disasters and move to a safer place where women, kids and animals will be healthy and safe’.

Maharishi Śuka continued, “All of them unanimously agreed to this proposal saying, ‘Very good, very nice’. In great eagerness, the residents of Gokula immediately loaded all their household articles onto bullock carts, vacated their homes and, together with their families and cattle, readied for departure.

All the cows were made to walk in front. The Vedic priests also accompanied them in their journey. Aged persons, women and children sat in the bullock carts. The men, who were expert archers, took up bows and arrows for protection during the journey. Guarding the cows, womenfolk and children from all directions, they set out to Brindavan”.

Cows were the wealth of these cowherds. Hence cows and Vedic Brahmins were made to lead from the front as they symbolized auspiciousness and protection.

“Bugles made of cow-horn were sounded loudly to frighten the wild animals, if any, on their path as there was always a risk that carnivorous animals would attack the cows during the journey.

All the women-folk decorated their chests with fresh Kumkum, draped themselves in beautiful sarees and wore exquisite ornaments including chains made of gold and gems. Seated in the carts, all the ladies began to joyfully recollect the pastimes of little Krishna and Balarama. In their own style, they composed songs which explained the marvellous deeds of these brothers.

Rohini and Yashoda, who were seated in a cart together with Balarama and Krishna, were eager to listen to the pastimes of their children. They loved to recount these childhood activities of their sons. When the children, with their tiny feet, jumped on the mothers’ laps, the mothers derived untold bliss.

Brindavan had a pleasant climate all through the year. All of them reached Brindavan and arranged for their night’s stay by tilting the bullock carts so as to be in a half-moon shape around them. They rested there that night.

When Balarama and Krishna saw the sands on the bank of Yamuna, Brindavana and the Govardhana Mountain, they derived great joy”.

About 15-20 years ago, Swamiji travelled to Manasa sarovara. Those were the days when there were no proper roads. Guides and security personnel did not exist there. We would take jeeps from Nepal and then crossing through the China border we would travel towards Manasa Sarovara. Although these were considered special arrangements, we still had to manoeuvre huge boulders and navigate carefully on that rugged terrain. We were surrounded by mountains on all sides. We were clueless about the direction to proceed as there were no designated roads. Every time we saw a huge lake we presumed we had reached Manasa Sarovara. There were confusions everywhere. It took us four nights and four days to reach our destination. Every time we spotted a huge mountain or a huge lake, in great elation the troupe members would shout, “Swamiji ki jai” assuming we had reached. The driver would calmly reply, “Sir, we are yet to reach the destination”. Every time we spotted a new mountain, land or lake, we were overjoyed. Same was the case with these travellers who were shifting from Gokula to Brindavan. When they spotted Brindavan, Yamuna and Govardhan mountain they were ecstatic and began to sing joyfully. Such is the speciality of Brindavan!

What to explain of our journey to Manasa sarovar? There was no proper place to sleep, no toilets and no proper food. The chappatis which we had carried from home was the only food on which we had to sustain through the journey. Either we had to eat the stale chappatis or starve. Our troupe had carried hundreds of chappatis that would suffice for all days. There was no coffee or tea. Our focus was solely on reaching Manasa Sarovar. Despite the cumbersome journey we reached our destination, bathed in the lake in that cold climate, performed homas and Yagas.

“Balarama and Krishna, with their broken speech and childish pastimes, brought great joy to all the residents of Brindavana. When they became old enough to tend the calves, they accepted their roles and were busily engrossed in it”.

Unlike them, the children of today, especially in India, cannot handle any household task. Such children should visit foreign lands wherein everyone has to join military compulsorily once they reach the age of 12 or 14. For two years they have to mandatorily undergo military training. Only then they learn to handle difficult situations.

Even Lord Rama had to undergo such intense training during His childhood.

Narayana