18-37 At the edge of the forest

Chapter 5 - Govinda Līlāmṛta

Verse 18-20
As Vrajanath heads for the forest taking the wealth of his cows and friends, all of the Vrajavasis become downtrodden like pravasa-bhartrika ramani (young women who bear their husbands' separation). As the rising dust from the cows' hooves causes darkness, everyone remains silent like senseless non-moving objects! When Sri Goshta-vihari arrives at the forest's edge, he turns to look back, and seeing all the men and women of Vraja approaching, including his forlorn mother and father, he momentarily stops his procession to wait for them. Seeing his crying mother and father depressed and worried due to their inability to restrict his leaving, Krishna feels sorry for them.

Verse 21-22
Meanwhile, the bee-like eyes of the Vraja sundaris anxiously soar against the unfavorable breezes of their shyness to land upon Sri Krishna's mukharavinda.
But amongst all the Vraja Kishoris, Krishna especially notices Radhika's dancing eyes, which resemble intoxicated hummingbirds. Thus, he thinks, "Today's journey will be auspicious, for surely I'll achieve my desired goal!"

Rasa-tarangini Tika:
Jyotisha shastra (astrology texts) mentions numerous omens called Mangala-drishtis that bring auspiciousness when starting a journey. One of these is to see a hummingbird dart over a lotus flower.

The main cause for Krishna's Vana-yatra is disclosed in Sri Jnana Das, songs where he concludes:
By offering Chandravali's praise, because all the obstacles impeding Radha and Krishna's mutual attraction only serve to increase their overriding thirst to meet each other. Chandravali, Jatila, the fear of becoming socially disgraced, or the fear of transgressing religious principles are spices that flavor our Rasika-nagara and Rasika-nagari's amrita-maya parakiya rasa.

Verse 23-26
As the Gopa-kishoris, affectionately breast-feeding their babies, suddenly discard them and rush to see Krishna, although their clothes are still wet and dripping with breast milk, ecstatic tears pour from their eyes in Krishna's Darshan-ananda!

Being distracted, Yashoda tenderly rubs Krishna's body exclaiming: "Oh child! We have hundreds of servants to look after the cows, yet still you insist: 'I shall go cow herding!" Oh Gopala! As you roam in the forest, you neglect to wear shoes or use an umbrella, so how will your father and mother remain alive thinking about your soft body becoming abused?"

Tika:
In Krishna-bhavanamrita, Sri Govinda softly smiles and consoles her as follows:
"Oh Ma! ... I simply blow my Mohan-vamsi, and they all assemble! Oh Ma! Haven't you seen the forest's beauty? The ground is swept by the long tails of my cows. Its soft surface is covered by fragrant flowers pollen and kasturi (from the deer's navels). There, the Kokilas are the singers, the peacock are the dancers and the bumblebees recite the Vedas!

There, various flowers bushes and forest vines sway with the comforting malayan breezes. And within this beautiful setting, there are waterfalls and mountain caves that the charm of a mani mandir. Moreover, in these sparking caves, my Vayasya dress me with flowers ornaments, and then we sleep together in paramananda!"

Madhumangal comments: "Oh Mother! Really there's no comparison-the happiness of the forest far exceeds the comforts of home! We enjoy picking (right from the trees) all sorts of ripe bananas, jacks-fruits, mangoes and pomegranates. The delicious flavor of these fruits can never be had elsewhere!"

Verse 27-35
Seeing his parents grief-stricken (for his not accepting shoes or an umbrella), Krishna instructs: "Oh Mata, oh Pita! Shastra tells us that our dharma is cow herding. Therefore, by entering the forest as the cows do (without using shoes or an umbrella), our dharma is purely executed! Oh Mother! Remember, from dharma one's honor and lifespan increase, for those who protect dharma shall be protected by dharma in return! Thus, following one's prescribed dharma is the best means to overcome fear. So how can we neglect our cow herding duties?"

Although Nanda and Yashoda are amazed and happy to hear Krishna speaking such appropriate words, still Yashoda's anxiety induces her to call the older sakhas and exclaim: "Hey Subhadra! Hey Mandalibhadra! Ohey Balabhadra! Oh boys! I'm placing my restless Krishna in your care. Always keep him by your side and instruct him. And if he should act whimsically, please come and inform me."
"Oh Vijaya and others, always remain sober and stay close to Krishna so that you can guard him with your swords and bows!"

Rasa-tarangini Tika:
Subhadra and Mandalibhadra are Krishna. bodyguards; they are both suhrida-sakhas and older than Krishna. Subhadra is Upananda's son and Kundalata's husband. His body is a bright blue shade, and he wears yellow garments.
Then Yashoda addresses Krishna's priya-narma sakhas: "Hey Subala! Hey Ujjvala! Hey Kokila! Please don't arm-wrestle with Krishna anymore. Everyday I'm finding his body bruised from your scratches! If you answer, 'We're just boys, how can we pass our time without playing?' then I'll reply, 'Except for arm wrestling, aren't there any other sporting games?'" 

Then Nandarani turns to her servants and exclaims, 'Oh Raktak, Patrak and others, you're all expert in serving!  Please listen closely and don't forget: When Rama-Krishna become absorbed in playing, they neglect to eat, even when they're hungry! And when thirsty, they neglect to drink also!"

Verse 34-37
Yashoda affectionately caresses Krishna and recites Bhagavan's names. Then she ties a Nrisingha-kavaca around his wrist for his protection. Krishna bends down and touches his parents' feet and feelingly says; "Oh Mata, oh Pita! Please give your permission." 

Seeing this gesture, Sri Nanda and Yashoda reach out and clasp Krishna to their chest. Their tears and (Yashoda's) breast milk combine to moisten Krishna's body. As they incessantly kiss Krishna's cheeks, rub his body, and smell his head, their voices falter! They exclaim: 

"Oh child! Let Nrisingha protect you! We pray that the earth, the sky, the forest, the pathways, and ten directions may all bestow auspiciousness!" After blessing Krishna, Nanda and Yashoda embrace him one last time, exclaiming, "Please return safely." Receiving their permission, Krishna's bliss increases."