Canto Ten Chapter Twelve

In this chapter, Krishna uplifts demon Aghāsura.

Maharishi Śuka said, “One morning Krishna was desirous of going for a picnic to the forests and having lunch there”.

Why shouldn’t the Lord entertain such desire? After all, in this creation everything is His alone! The forest, the house, the city as well as the food He eats, all belong to Him. It is therefore wrong to think- ‘Why should the Lord desire to have lunch in the forests?’ Ordinary humans occasionally decide to have a relaxed lunch in the garden. A person who lives in a royal mansion occasionally chooses to sit under a tree in a garden to enjoy a picnic-meal. Picnics are a delightful change from routine. Mind relaxes. The trees, the serene surroundings and even the lack of comforts appear delightful on that day. The mind learns to adjust with these inconveniences faced. All in all, it is a wonderful experience.

Pilgrimages are undertaken to visit the Lord. Nevertheless, right from the moment we set out from our home, the various experiences we undergo actually help our mind evolve. They destroy our arrogance. We are forced to adjust based on the circumstances. Adjustment is the first lesson that pilgrimage teaches us. Secondly, it helps us befriend virtuous people.

Thirdly, when we are on a pilgrimage, the true character of others, including our neighbours, our dearest friends or our relatives, becomes known. Their irritation, anger and such qualities become visible. Their miserliness becomes evident. Due to haughtiness, some people talk and behave as they please. Some endlessly brag unmindful that others are uninterested in listening. Thus, by going on a tour with our neighbours, friends and relatives, we can understand their true character. The hardships of the pilgrimage bring out their real nature. Climbing hundreds of steps, withstanding hunger, inconveniences in comforts available, erratic sleep schedule, waiting endlessly for public transport, and extreme weather conditions are only some of the hardships undergone during such trips. When these inconveniences go beyond the bearing capacity, people let out their hidden anger etc. Many a time, the person whom we always considered to be our dearest friend, will argue vehemently with us during the pilgrimage. Therefore, if you are truly desirous of finding a good, virtuous friend, go on a trip with all acquaintances. You will know their true colours.

More importantly, mind and body need occasional change. Towards this it is important to go on occasional trips.

“One morning Krishna felt like going on a picnic and having lunch there. In order to communicate this message to his friends, He woke up in the early hours and loudly blew the bugle-trumpet made of cow’s horn”.

Bugle-trumpet is crafted from the horn which naturally falls off from the cow. It was used as a siren to pass information in those days when mobiles and SMS were not invented. When Swamiji visited South Africa, a person presented him with one such bugle which is presently preserved in the museum. Its noise can be heard almost a mile away.

“Upon hearing the siren, all his friends eagerly ran towards Him thrilled that Krishna had sent message for them. All the boys, together with their calves, then set out to the forest for picnic”.

Calves have their own pattern in drinking milk from their mother’s udder. Some calves drink only once in the morning and once in the evening. Some others may need more frequent feeding. They follow the pattern perfectly. Unlike them, we need to have snacks erratically all through the day, ultimately spoiling our health.

“Accompanied by the thousands of cowherd friends, each of whom had his own herd of calves, Krishna set out for the picnic. The calves walked in front. All the thousands of boys dearly loved Krishna. Even the lakhs of calves in that group had enormous love for him. Seeing Krishna from a distance, the calves would be happy. As soon as He called them by their names, they would, with their tails lifted up, lovingly come running to Him”.

Did we not discuss that thousands of Devatas had assumed the form of cows so as to be with the Lord? Even to listen to it causes our body to horripilate. When we close our eyes, we are transported to that place and these scenes unfold before the mind’s eye. How fortunate were these children who walked along with the Lord! It is said that when we walk along with Krishna, all our sins get mitigated.

“The thousands of boys walked behind the millions of cows, with each boy carrying his lunch in small earthen boxes”.

Through this Krishna makes it known that picnics were a norm even in that era. Occasional picnics are essential for change and newer experiences. They give special joy. Like the other boys, Krishna too carried his food in his lunch box and walked.

Narayana.