Vrajanandana KRISHNA Pastimes of Krishna in Vrindavana Based on KRISHNA - The Supreme Personality of Godhead by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Founder-Acharya of ISKCON Adapted for children by Yaduraja Dasa Sankirtana Seva Trust Hare Krishna Hill, Chord Road, Bangalore-10 A book in English Vrajananda Krishna - Pastimes of Krishna in Vrindavana Based on: KRISHNA - The Supreme Personality of Godhead by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Founder-Acharya of ISKCON Adapted for children by Sri Yaduraja Dasa Published by Sankirtana Seva Trust, Hare Krishna Hill, Chord Road, Bangalore-10 Printed at Brilliant Printers Pvt. Ltd. Lottegollahalli, Bangalore [Total no. of Pages : 144, Size : 1/8 Crown] © 2014, Sankirtan Seva Trust All Rights Reserved ISBN : 81-8239-020-6 First Printing 2007 : 5000 Copies Second Printing 2010 (Revised) : 5000 Copies Third Printing 2011 (Revised) : 5000 Copies Fourth Printing 2014 : 1000 Copies Fifth Printing 2015 : 1000 Copies Readers interested in the subject matter of this book are invited by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness to correspond with its Secretary at the following address: International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Hare Krishna Hill, Chord Road, Rajajinagar, Bangalore - 560 010. Tel: 080-23471956 Mobile: 9341211119 Email: [email protected] Website: www.iskconbangalore.org Contents Introduction ......................................................................... 5 Prologue: The Tears of Mother Earth ................................ 6 1. The Curse .................................................................... 7 2. A Visit from Narada Muni .......................................... 11 3. The Divine Plan Unfolds ........................................... 13 4. The Birth of Lord Krishna ......................................... 16 5. Goddess Durga .......................................................... 20 6. Kamsa’s Change of Heart......................................... 24 7. The Meeting of Nanda Maharaja and Vasudeva .... 26 8. Putana Killed .............................................................. 30 9. Krishna’s Birthday ..................................................... 34 10. The Whirlwind Demon ............................................... 38 11. Two Naughty Boys .................................................... 43 12. Mother Yashoda Binds Lord Krishna ....................... 49 13. The Twin Arjuna Trees ............................................. 53 14. The Fruit Seller........................................................... 57 15. Leaving for Vrindavana Forest ................................. 61 16. Killing the Demons Vatsasura and Bakasura .......... 64 17. The Aghasura Demon ............................................... 67 18. The Stealing of the Boys and Calves ....................... 72 19. The Prayers of Lord Brahma .................................... 78 20. Krishna Finds His Friends ........................................ 84 21. Playing in the Forests ................................................ 86 22. The Killing of Dhenakasura ...................................... 89 23. The Kaliya Serpent .................................................... 93 24. Why Kaliya Came to the Yamuna ........................... 100 25. The Forest Fire and the Demon Pralambasura ..... 102 26. Autumn Arrives......................................................... 108 27. The Gopis are attracted by Krishna’s Flute ........... 110 28. Stealing the Garments of the Gopis.........................115 29. Delivering the Wives of the Brahmanas ................. 120 Our Founder & Acharya Srila Prabhupada A Brief Life Sketch .......................................................... 127 Model Questions.............................................................. 132 Model Answer Sheet ....................................................... 137 Answers for the Model Questions .................................. 138 Glossary .......................................................................... 139 Vrajanandana Krishna 5 Introduction In the ancient Vedic literatures it is said that the cause and origin of everything is Lord Sri Krishna. The name Krishna means ‘all-attractive’. If someone is exceptionally rich, famous, renounced, clever, strong, or beautiful then we find such a person to some extent attractive. Just imagine someone who is the wealthiest, the most beautiful, famous, renounced, intelligent person in the whole universe. That person, who has all those attractive qualities to an unlimited degree, is called Krishna. He is so attractive that anyone who sincerely tries to know Him will immediately become attracted. Krishna is God and is referred to by many names, according to different languages and cultures, such as Allah, Jehovah, Christos and Govinda. In the Bhagavad-gita it is stated that anyone who hears and properly understands the pastimes of Lord Krishna will be able to leave this material world, which is full of suffering, and return to His eternal abode. This book gives an account of Krishna’s wonderful activities when He last appeared on Earth, in His original form, five thousand years ago. It has been adapted for children from the book ‘Krishna—The Supreme Personality of Godhead’, authored by His Divine Grace, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. * * * 6 Vrajanandana Krishna Prologue: The Tears of Mother Earth Five thousand years ago the world was overburdened by the vast armies of many demons who were posing themselves as kings. At that time the whole world became disturbed and Mother Earth, or Bhumi as she is also called, took the form of a cow and with tears in her eyes approached Lord Brahma, the first created being in this universe. After hearing Bhumi describe the terrible position of the Earth, Lord Brahma became much distressed and at once set out for the ocean of milk, accompanied by Bhumi and all the devatas, to seek the help of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu assured Brahma that He would soon personally appear on Earth in His original form as Sri Krishna, in order to destroy all the demons and protect His devotees. He told Lord Brahma and all the devatas, that before He made His divine appearance as the son of Vasudeva, they should all take birth in pious families on Earth in order to assist Him. Thus the stage was set for a huge battle between the forces of good and evil that would eventually lead to the great battle of Kurukshetra. * * * Vrajanandana Krishna 7 1. The Curse “I knew you’d like it,” chuckled the powerful King Kamsa as he saw his sister Devaki’s expression, “I had it built especially for your wedding. Just see how it is encrusted with the most valuable gems, and look at those horses, finest stallions in the world. Come on, climb aboard, and you too Vasudeva; don’t keep your new bride waiting.” Devaki smiled appreciatively as she climbed up into the fabulous, golden chariot with her husband, cheered by thousands of admiring onlookers who thronged the decorated streets, throwing flower petals and scented water. “Kamsa, please let me take the reins,” insisted Vasudeva, “the king should never have to drive a chariot.” “But it is tradition; the brother must drive his newly wedded sister to her home. I insist Vasudeva, it is my great pleasure, so please sit and enjoy the procession.” With that Kamsa shook the reins with his powerful arms and whipped the horses into motion. They set off along the main street of Mathura accompanied by thousands of soldiers, elephants and horses, their armour glinting in the bright sunlight. Amongst the jubilant crowd were many musicians playing conch-shells, bugles and kettledrums, all in glorification of the royal occasion. Kamsa laughed as he stood waving to his citizens, while Vasudeva and Devaki sat at the back of the open chariot smiling at the adoring crowd and each other. All at once the sky darkened, and a deep rumbling sound 8 Vrajanandana Krishna made all the horses rear up in fear. The smile on Kamsa’s face vanished as he looked up at a strange glow in the heavens. Then a booming voice filled the air: “Kamsa, you are such a fool! You do not know that the eighth child of your sister will kill you.” On hearing the prophecy from the sky, Kamsa immediately caught hold of Devaki’s hair, his large black moustache twitching with rage. “What is this, your child will kill me? Come here Devaki.” Kamsa drew his sword to slit his sister’s throat. The crowd gasped as Vasudeva leapt forward to hold his arm. “My dear brother-in-law, do not kill your own sister.” Vasudeva pleaded, “Kamsa, you are the most famous king of the Bhoja dynasty; how can you kill a woman at this auspicious time of her marriage? Why should you be so afraid of death? Death is already born along with your birth. Please put down your sword, I beg of you.” “Your child… will kill me?” Kamsa rasped in disbelief. “Kamsa, this situation is so delicate, don’t you see,” Vasudeva shouted, as he struggled to hold back Kamsa’s razor sharp blade, “if you kill her, it will ruin your reputation. What will people say of the king who murdered his own sister on the day of her marriage?” Kamsa took no notice; he was intent on ending his sister’s life then and there. “Listen to me, please,” yelled Vasudeva, “you are in no danger now since we have no children. I promise that if we have any sons I shall present all of them to you to do with as you wish.” His chest heaving with anger, Kamsa slowly lowered his Vrajanandana Krishna 9 Kamsa raises his sword to kill Devaki after