A Story of Dvapar Yuga in Prose (Part- 11 A )
By Lokanath Mishra
The Story of Vrindavan: Krishna and Balarama’s Early Pastimes
In Dvapar Yuga, when the people of Gopapura were facing many hardships, a great council was called. The grazing fields around their village were drying up, the cows were suffering from lack of grass, and repeated dangers were arising for the children, especially little Krishna, son of Nanda and Yashoda.
In that council, the wise elder Sannanda said:
“Let us leave this place and move to a land where the soil is moist, the pastures are green, and our cattle may thrive. Such a place is Vrindavan, beneath the Govardhan mountain. There are trees full of fruits, the pure water of Yamuna River, and endless meadows of grass. There our children will grow in safety.”
All the elders agreed, and so Nanda, the head of the cowherds, approached King Kansa’s court for permission. Kansa, though fearful of the divine child Krishna, did not openly oppose them. Acting through his minister Akrura, he granted approval, secretly thinking that in the open lands of Vrindavan it might be easier to capture or kill the boy who was destined to end his life.
So the cowherds of Gopapura packed their belongings, locked their houses, and with their families, cows, calves, and carts, journeyed to Vrindavan. There, new homes were built, cowsheds were prepared, and Nanda’s royal residence stood in the middle of the settlement.
When Krishna and Balarama saw Vrindavan, their hearts overflowed with joy. They played on the banks of Yamuna, climbed Govardhan Hill, and ran across the green meadows. Soon they asked their parents for permission to take the calves out to graze like the other village boys. At first Mother Yashoda and Rohini hesitated. But with sweet words and playful insistence, Krishna and Balarama gained their mothers’ consent. Their father Nanda also agreed, after giving many instructions—what to eat, how to drink water, where not to wander, and how to be cautious of wild animals and dangers.
Thus began a new chapter in their lives. With flutes in hand, food tied in bundles, and surrounded by the laughter of their cowherd friends, the two brothers started taking calves and cows to graze.
But danger soon followed.
One day, as Krishna and his friends were playing near the woods, a demon named Vatsasura entered the herd, disguised as a calf. Pretending to mix among the real calves, he rushed violently, injuring some of the children. But Krishna at once seized him by the legs, whirled him around, and dashed his body against a kapittha tree. Vatsasura was killed, and from the blow, ripe fruits fell in plenty for the cowherd boys. They danced with joy, unaware that the demon’s spirit had merged into Krishna himself.
After this victory, Krishna and Balarama continued to graze the cattle in the forests of Vrindavan, sanctifying the land with their playful steps and enchanting flute music.
One day, the cowherd boys came to Krishna and said:
“Kanhaiya, there is a beautiful forest called Talavana, full of trees laden with ripe fruits. But a terrible demon named Dhenukasura, in the form of a wild ass, guards that forest. None dare enter, but we long to taste those sweet fruits. If you and Daau (Balarama) lead us, we can go there without fear.”
Krishna and Balarama smiled and agreed. They led their friends into Talavana. There, the brothers shook the trees, and ripe fruits fell in heaps. The boys began to eat merrily, making loud noises.
Hearing this, Dhenukasura rushed in, braying fiercely, his hooves striking the earth. He charged at Balarama, but the mighty elder brother caught him by his hind legs, whirled him with tremendous force, and threw him high into the trees. The demon’s body fell lifeless, shaking the forest. Other asses from his herd also attacked, but Krishna and Balarama destroyed them all. The forest, once forbidden, became free again.
The demigods showered flowers from the heavens, praising the brothers’ valor. Soon, the people of Vrindavan began to enter Talavana freely, enjoying its fruits, while birds and animals returned without fear.
Thus Krishna and Balarama, though still young, brought joy and safety to Vrindavan, their childhood pastimes becoming eternal tales of divine play.
(to be continued…)
A Story of Dwapar Yuga in Prose: ( part-14)