Amusing flower-picking - Kṛṣṇa Bhāvanāmṛta
कृष्ण भावनामृत
Krishna-bhavanamrita's
version runs as follows:
As Krishna's bodily fragrance enters Radha and the sakhis nostrils, their patience
collapses! Then Krishna exclaims, "Hey forest-pilferers! Who are you?"
This stuns the gopis like a magic spell! Hearing no reply, Krishna feigns anger,
his eyes roll and he scoffs:
"Oh hey delirious forest plunderers! These gardens are dear as my home. And I
see you're looting their riches! But now I've caught you -so I must take
action! Just tell me who you are?"
Radha and the Vraja Sundaris reply: "We're no one."
But these voices altered by erotic emotion, shyness, restlessness and
alarm-completely mesmerize Krishna! Their sweet sound is so soul-stirring that
if a poet were to search for a suitable analogy he would become a Brahma-Jñāni!
In other words, after negating the madhura call of the kokila, and every other
captivating sound in the universe by saying "not this, not that," he would
attain enlightenment!
The
Gopīs' reply converts Krishna's mind into ears. Then Kamadeva's arrows sting
Krishna's heart! But to conceal his enrapture he speaks harshly-which only
advertises his captivation twofold!
Krishna: "Oh hey moon-faced ones! You're standing before me saying "We're no
one"...chi chi! How could a non-entity answer "We're no one"? But I see-you're
all aparupa sundarī ramanis.
And besides stealing the flowers, you've stolen my very atma! Aha! I won't let you get away with this neither in the day, nor in the night! For I've spent many sleepless nights pondering how to catch you mind-thieves. Fortunately, by a turn of good luck, I've finally caught you! So hey you mad, young women! Now I shall deliver your befitting punishment - just brace yourselves!"
Srimati Rādhārāṇī indirectly admits Krishna's assertion:
"Hey Dhrishta Raja! (king of the frauds) We daily worship our ishta deva, 'Mitra',
who destroys the darkness and bestows joy to the world. By the touch of the sun's
rays (your hands) all of the Padminis (Vraja Kishori) become enlivened! So our
search for flowers (for you) is only befitting; why are you becoming angry?"
Krishna answers, "Hey Sumukhi Radhe! If you've come to worship Mitra (your friend - Me) I won't become angry. But I know that beautiful women often tell lies, so I can't trust you. Are your flowers really meant for decorating Our flower-bed? If so, just promise-and I shall overlook all of your Aparadhas. Then you can witness my sadhu-behavior."
Radhika replies, "Aha! Everyone in Vraja Mandal know that we're notorious thieves and that you're a great sadhu! So why waste your time informing us. Personally I've never heard of such an innocent, pure, self-contented and truly honest person as you anywhere in the entire world!"
Springing to the defense, Krishna retorts: "Hey Garvini (proud one)! Your praises are meant to carry the opposite meaning. Hence you're calling Vrindavan's Ishwar a thief! So what sort of audacity causes you, a mere cowherd-girl, to utter such daring statements before me? Does this pride stem from your new youth, or from your wealthy beauty? Has it arisen from your chastity or perhaps from your numerous other talents or qualities? Just tell me?