गोविद लीलामृत - Govinda lilāmṛta

प्रभा लीला - Prathā līlā

Chapter 4

1-7 Śri Nandīśvara-candrika

It is difficult for Nanda Maharaj to send Krishna back home. But as Krishna finally leaves the goshala and nears the front gate, he sees his mother anxiously waiting for him. Due to vatsalya affection, her flowing breast milk dampens her clothes, and tears stream from her eyes.

Rasa-tarangini Tika:
Owing to his subjugation in Krishna prema, it causes Nanda pain to say: "Oh Gopal! Stop playing now and go take your bath!" because this would upset Krishna's enjoyment with the sakhas. Then Krishna's madhura darshan will pass from Nanda's sight like the sudden loss of a valuable jewel. So instead of directly ordering Krishna, Vraja-raja tenderly coaxes him again and again, "Oh Nilamani! It's getting late. Remember, your mother is anxiously waiting for you! If you neglect to bathe and eat on time, you may become ill."

Nandishwar's Front Entrance

The first verse of this chapter mentions that Yashoda is standing by the gate. The Sri Nandishvara-candrika gives the following detailed description of this gate:
Surrounding Nanda's palace is a high wall made of gold, having entrances on each of its four sides. The main entrance in the east has a four-storied jeweled go-puram above it. Resting above these chambers is an immense golden dome crested with jeweled jugs, chakras, and flags that sail in the breeze. In the first jeweled chamber, professional dancers dance to singing mixed with mridanga, danka and vina music played by artists who defeat the talents of the Gandharvas.

Above them in the next chamber, expert reciters sing the Vedas in the appropriate ragas for each time of the day. Mahakavis (great poets) also jubilantly recite their newly composed poetry continuously.
In the next chamber is an instrumental orchestra composed of numerous dun-dubis, kahalas, turis and other instruments that melodiously play according to the Raja's wish.

Atop these rooms, in the fourth chamber of gems, expert Vedic astrologers remain busy calculating the auspicious and inauspicious times of the day. As these omens appear, they call out like troubadors from above to specify the proper times for Krishna's daily activities.

On both sides of the entrance, there are two ferocious looking crystal lions: their eyes are inset with rubies and sapphires. When Krishna was little, Mother Yashoda forbade him to go outside by saying: "Oh Gopala! Don't leave the house today. There are two hungry lions waiting to devour you!" Disbelieving his mother, young Gopala would go and take a peek- but then run back to his mother's lap in fear. Thus Mother Yashoda would check Krishna's childhood restlessness.

The doors on the front gate are inset with diamonds and bordered with other precious gems in a beautiful design; and the latch is contoured from coral. Near both sides of the entrance, there are beautiful golden benches where stout mustle-bound wrestlers armed with spears and bows sits as doorkeepers.

Verse 2
Vatsalya prema chintamani, Srimati Yashoda, excitedly replies, "Oh child! Come, come quickly! Why didn't you return home-aren't you angry? Your indifference makes me anxious. We've carefully prepared many delicious dishes, but they're getting cold!"
Verse 3
Having thus spoken, Yashoda fondles Krishna and affectionately addresses his friends:
Verse 4
"Oh boys! If you are not present, Krishna will be restless for your company and neglect his meal. So why don't all of you eat with him today?
Verse 5
Oh boys! You must all be hungry-so quickly go home to bathe, dress and decorate yourselves, and then come back for morning bhojan in our house."
Verse 6
Yashoda's request overjoys the sakhas; thus, they return to their respective homes in paramananda! Then Vrajeshwari goes to the house with Balaram, Madhumangal and Krishna.
Verse 7
While walking along, Mukunda's sweet glances enliven the Vraja sundaris, for they had became like thirsty cakori birds in his absence. But Krishna's eyes act as chakoras also to drink the ambrosia from their moon faces!