“In this way Krishna and Balarama passed Their childhood age in Vrajabhumi by engaging in activities of childish play, such as playing hide-and-seek, constructing a make-believe bridge on the ocean, and jumping here and there like monkeys.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 10.11.59)

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एवं विहारै: कौमारै: कौमारं जहतुर्व्रजे ।
निलायनै: सेतुबन्धैर्मर्कटोत्‍प्लवनादिभि: ॥

evaṁ vihāraiḥ kaumāraiḥ
kaumāraṁ jahatur vraje
nilāyanaiḥ setu-bandhair
markaṭotplavanādibhiḥ

A person may feel down on their luck due to supposed lack of progress in devotional life. Like the players eagerly anticipating the next game, but then disappointed due to the postponement caused by bad weather, if I am really eager to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead with my work, I may feel disappointment if there is any interruption in that preferred kind of work.

At the same time, life in devotion is so wonderful that impediments can turn into advantages. For instance, if I am relegated to a hotel room for a day or two, with no chance to leave, I might still be able to contemplate the Supreme Lord by looking out the window. The various sightings serve as an instant reminder of Divinity.

1. The clouds

“Wow, this view of the clouds is amazing. How do they collect together like that? It is the rainy season in this part of the world. I was not so familiar with it prior to this trip. But now I see the beauty to it.

“The rain is not constant, but it is expected. Every day, at least a few times, there is a steady and significant downpour. The clouds are the source, and their color is like an exact match to the complexion of Shri Krishna.”

2. The sunshine

“Wow, look at that sunshine. It is just amazing. I was so depressed the last few days. After a long-haul journey and the strange feeling of being in a foreign place, the sun is like seeing an old friend. It is amazing to think that this is the same sun that greets me where I normally live, across the globe.

“The sun is splendor personified. We would not survive long were the sun to ever go out. If it was like a web server that went down periodically, the world would be in a lot of trouble. I know from reading Bhagavad-gita that Krishna is the very light of the sun. He is the essence of that most important object in the sky.”

रसो ऽहम् अप्सु कौन्तेय
प्रभास्मि शशि-सूर्ययोः
प्रणवः सर्व-वेदेषु
शब्दः खे पौरुषं नृषु

raso ‘ham apsu kaunteya
prabhāsmi śaśi-sūryayoḥ
praṇavaḥ sarva-vedeṣu
śabdaḥ khe pauruṣaṁ nṛṣu

“O son of Kunti [Arjuna], I am the taste of water, the light of the sun and the moon, the syllable om in the Vedic mantras; I am the sound in ether and ability in man.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 7.8)

3. The mass of people

“Wow, look at all the people coming and going. It is a steady flow. One person is entering a taxi, while another is exiting. These cars are waiting at the stoplight, while on the other side the cars are passing by. Buses, vans, bicycles, and even cows are making their way through the streets.

“No one sent out a message. There wasn’t a memo instructing everyone to be here at the same time. This is just how the world works. People meeting their self-interests. In each and every person I see, there is Supersoul inside. This is the work of Shri Krishna.”

4. The park

“Wow, that park is beautiful. No machines on this day. Just people roaming about. Within the hustle and bustle of the city, there is this reminder of nature’s beauty. No wonder people like to go here. On one side I see someone sitting down. It looks like they are practicing yoga. Another person is reading a book. That person over there is taking a walk. For everything we see, Krishna is the source.”

यद् यद् विभूतिमत् सत्त्वं
श्रीमद् ऊर्जितम् एव वा
तत् तद् एवावगच्छ त्वं
मम तेजो-ऽंश-सम्भवम्

yad yad vibhūtimat sattvaṁ
śrīmad ūrjitam eva vā
tat tad evāvagaccha tvaṁ
mama tejo-‘ṁśa-sambhavam

“Know that all beautiful, glorious, and mighty creations spring from but a spark of My splendor.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 10.41)

5. The joys of childhood

“Wow, look at those children. They are enjoying in such an innocent way. The parents are nearby, but there is little oversight. The kids can roam around the grass. They form their own groups. One second they might be play-fighting, but the next they are locked arm-in-arm. They make up their own games; it looks like so much fun.

“This is another way to understand Shri Krishna. In the land of Vrindavana, the Lord of the universe has no pressing responsibilities. He simply plays. He has fun with His elder brother Balarama. The other cowherd boys in the community join in.”

In Closing:

God as nothing to do,
Krishna with Balarama too.

With elaborate plots scheming,
With other friends teaming.

For butter from neighbors to steal,
From adorable face to appeal.

To everyone in that community bound,
Like most valuable jewel found.

Categories: the five

Tags: hare krishna, life, nature, people, poem, poems, poetry, society