Sri Mohini Ekädaçé Issue no: 234 18th May 2024

The Song of the Bee

The Song of the Bee
Srila Shukadeva Gosvami

"These are our wives"

Disciples of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Uddhava And Nanda Maharaja

Sri Srimad Gaur Govinda Swami
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beloved Krishna had performed in His childhood
The Song of the Bee and youth, they sang about them and cried with-
Srila Shukadeva Gosvami out shame. One of the gopis, while meditating
on Her previous association with Krishna, saw
Shukadeva Gosvami said: The young women a honeybee before Her and imagined it to be a
of Vraja became astonished upon seeing Lord messenger sent by Her beloved. Thus She spoke
Krishna’s servant, who had long arms, whose eyes as follows.
resembled a newly grown lotus, who wore a yel- [The gopé said:] O honeybee, O friend of a
low garment and a lotus garland, and whose lotus cheater, don’t touch My feet with your whiskers,
like face glowed with brightly polished earrings. which are smeared with the kuìkuma that rubbed
“Who is this handsome man?” the gopis asked. onto Krishna’s garland when it was crushed by
“Where has he come from, and whom does he the breasts of a rival lover! Let Krishna satisfy the
serve? He’s wearing Krishna’s clothes and orna- women of Mathura. One who sends a messenger
ments!” Saying this, the gopis eagerly crowded like you will certainly be ridiculed in the Yadus’
around Uddhava, whose shelter was the lotus feet assembly. After making us drink the enchanting
of Lord Uttamashloka, Sri Krishna. Bowing their nectar of His lips only once, Krishna suddenly
heads in humility, the gopis duly honored Ud- abandoned us, just as you might quickly aban-
dhava with their shy, smiling glances and pleasing don some flowers. How is it, then, that Goddess
words. They took him to a quiet place, seated him Padma willingly serves His lotus feet? Alas! The
comfortably and began to question him, for they answer must certainly be that her mind has been
recognized him to be a messenger from Krishna, stolen away by His deceitful words. O bee, why
the master of the goddess of fortune do you sing here so much about the Lord of the
[The gopis said:] We know that you are the Yadus, in front of us homeless people? These top-
personal servant of Krishna, the chief of the Yadus, ics are old news to us. Better you sing about that
and that you have come here on the order of your friend of Arjuna in front of His new girlfriends, the
good master, who desires to give pleasure to His burning desire in whose breasts He has now re-
parents. We see nothing else He might consider lieved. Those ladies will surely give you the charity
worth remembering in these cow pastures of Vra- you are begging. In heaven, on earth or in the sub-
ja. Indeed, the bonds of affection for one’s family terranean sphere, what women are unavailable to
members are difficult to break, even for a sage. Him? He simply arches His eyebrows and smiles
The friendship shown toward othersthose who with deceptive charm, and they all become His.
are not family membersis motivated by personal The supreme goddess herself worships the dust
interest, and thus it is a pretense that lasts only of His feet, so what is our position in comparison?
until one’s purpose is fulfilled. Such friendship But at least those who are wretched can chant His
is just like the interest men take in women, or name, Uttamashloka. Keep your head off My feet!
bees in flowers. Prostitutes abandon a penniless I know what you’re doing. You expertly learned
man, subjects an incompetent king, students diplomacy from Mukunda, and now you come
their teacher once they have finished their edu- as His messenger with flattering words. But He
cation, and priests a man who has remunerated abandoned those who for His sake alone gave up
them for a sacrifice. Birds abandon a tree when their children, husbands and all other relations.
its fruits are gone, guests a house after they have He’s simply ungrateful. Why should I make up
eaten, animals a forest that has burnt down, and with Him now? Like a hunter, He cruelly shot
a lover the woman he has enjoyed, even though the king of the monkeys with arrows. Because
she remains attached to him. He was conquered by a woman, He disfigured
Thus speaking, the gopis, whose words, bodies another woman who came to Him with lusty
and minds were fully dedicated to Lord Govinda, desires. And even after consuming the gifts of Bali
put aside all their regular work now that Krish- Maharaja, He bound him up with ropes as if he
na’s messenger, Sri Uddhava, had arrived among were a crow. So let us give up all friendship with
them. Constantly remembering the activities their this dark-complexioned boy, even if we can’t give

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 nityaà bhägavata-sevayä Issue no 234, Page—3
up talking about Him. To hear about the pastimes mercy. My good ladies, now please hear your be-
that Krishna regularly performs is nectar for the loved’s message, which I, the confidential servant
ears. For those who relish just a single drop of that of my master, have come here to bring you.
nectar, even once, their dedication to material du- [The Supreme Lord said:] You are never actually
ality is ruined. Many such persons have suddenly separated from Me, for I am the Soul of all creation.
given up their wretched homes and families and, Just as the elements of natureether, air, fire, water
themselves becoming wretched, traveled here to and earthare present in every created thing, so I
Vrindavana to wander about like birds, begging for am present within everyone’s mind, life air and
their living. Faithfully taking His deceitful words senses, and also within the physical elements and
as true, we became just like the black deer’s foolish the modes of material nature. By Myself I create,
wives, who trust the cruel hunter’s song. Thus we sustain and withdraw Myself within Myself by the
repeatedly felt the sharp pain of lust caused by the
touch of His nails. O messenger, please talk about power of My personal energy, which comprises
something besides Krishna. O friend of My dear the material elements, the senses and the modes
one, has My beloved sent you here again? I should of nature. Being composed of pure consciousness,
honor you, friend, so please choose whatever boon or knowledge, the soul is distinct from everything
you wish. But why have you come back here to material and is uninvolved in the entanglements
take us to Him, whose conjugal love is so difficult of the modes of nature. We can perceive the soul
to give up? After all, gentle bee, His consort is the through the three functions of material nature
goddess Sri, and she is always with Him, staying known as wakefulness, sleep and deep sleep. As
upon His chest. O Uddhava! It is indeed regrettable a person just arisen from sleep may continue to
that Krishna resides in Mathura. Does He remem- meditate on a dream even though it is illusory, so
ber His father’s household affairs and His friends, by the agency of the mind one meditates on the
the cowherd boys? O great soul! Does He ever talk sense objects, which the senses can then obtain.
about us, His maidservants? When will He lay on Therefore, one should become fully alert and bring
our heads His aguru-scented hand? the mind under control. According to intelligent
Shukadeva Gosvami said: Having heard this, authorities, this is the ultimate conclusion of all
Uddhava then tried to pacify the gopis, who were the Vedas, as well as all practice of yoga, Säïkhya,
most eager to see Lord Krishna. He thus began renunciation, austerity, sense control and truthful-
relating to them the message of their beloved. ness, just as the sea is the ultimate destination of
[Sri Uddhava said:] Certainly you gopis are all rivers. But the actual reason why I, the beloved
all-successful and are universally worshiped be- object of your sight, have stayed far away from you
cause you have dedicated your minds in this way is that I wanted to intensify your meditation upon
to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vasudeva. Me and thus draw your minds closer to Me. When
Devotional service unto Lord Krishna is attained her lover is far away, a woman thinks of him more
by charity, strict vows, austerities and fire sacrifices,
by japa, study of Vedic texts, observance of regu- than when he is present before her. Because your
lative principles and, indeed, by the performance minds are totally absorbed in Me and free from
of many other auspicious practices. By your great all other engagement, you remember Me always,
fortune you have established an unexcelled stan- and so you will very soon have Me again in your
dard of pure devotion for the Lord Uttamashloka presence. Although some gopis had to remain in
even the sages can hardly attain. By your great the cowherd village and so could not join the räsa
fortune you have left your sons, husbands, bodily dance to sport with Me at night in the forest, they
comforts, relatives and homes in favor of the su- were nonetheless fortunate. Indeed, they attained
preme male, who is known as Krishna. You have Me by thinking of My potent pastimes.
rightfully claimed the privilege of unalloyed love Shukadeva Gosvami said: The women of Vra-
for the transcendental Lord, O most glorious go- ja were pleased to hear this message from their
pis. Indeed, by exhibiting your love for Krishna in dearmost Krishna. His words having revived their
separation from Him, you have shown me great memory, they addressed Uddhava as follows.

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[The gopis said:] It is very good that Kamsa, All these remind us constantly of Nanda’s son.
the enemy and persecutor of the Yadus, has now Indeed, because we see Krishna’s footprints,
been killed, along with his followers. And it is also which are marked with divine symbols, we can
very good that Lord Acyuta is living happily in the never forget Him. O Uddhava, how can we forget
company of His well-wishing friends and relatives, Him when our hearts have been stolen away by
whose every desire is now fulfilled. Gentle Uddha- the charming way He walks, His generous smile
va, is the elder brother of Gada now bestowing on and playful glances, and His honeylike words?
the city women the pleasure that actually belongs O master, O master of the goddess of fortune,
to us? We suppose those ladies worship Him with O master of Vraja! O destroyer of all suffering,
generous glances full of affectionate, shy smiles. Govinda, please lift Your Gokula out of the ocean
Sri Krishna is expert in all kinds of conjugal affairs of distress in which it is drowning!
and is the darling of the city women. How can He Shukadeva Gosvami continued: Lord Krishna’s
not become entangled, now that He’s constantly messages having relieved their fever of separation,
adored by their enchanting words and gestures? the gopis then worshiped Uddhava, recognizing
O saintly one, does Govinda ever remember us him as nondifferent from their Lord, Krishna.
during His conversations with the city women? Uddhava remained there for several months,
Does He ever mention us village girls as He freely dispelling the gopis’ sorrow by chanting the topics
talks with them? Does He recall those nights in of Lord Krishna’s pastimes. Thus he brought joy
the Vrindavana forest, lovely with lotus, jasmine to all the people of Gokula. All the days that Ud-
and the bright moon? As we glorified His charm- dhava dwelled in Nanda’s cowherd village seemed
ing pastimes, He enjoyed with us, His beloved like a single moment to the residents of Vraja, for
girlfriends, in the circle of the räsa dance, which Uddhava was always discussing Krishna. That
resounded with the music of ankle bells. servant of Lord Hari, seeing the rivers, forests,
Will that descendant of Dasharha return here mountains, valleys and flowering trees of Vraja,
and by the touch of His limbs bring back to life enjoyed inspiring the inhabitants of Vrindavana
by reminding them of Lord Krishna. Thus seeing
those who are now burning with the grief He how the gopis were always disturbed because of
Himself has caused? Will He save us in that way, their total absorption in Krishna, Uddhava was
just as Lord Indra brings a forest back to life supremely pleased. Desiring to offer them all
with his water-bearing clouds? But why should respect, he sang as follows.
Krishna come here after winning a kingdom, [Uddhava sang:] Among all persons on earth,
killing His enemies and marrying the daughters these cowherd women alone have actually
of kings? He’s satisfied there, surrounded by perfected their embodied lives, for they have
all His friends and well-wishers. The great soul achieved the perfection of unalloyed love for
Krishna is the Lord of the goddess of fortune, and Lord Govinda. Their pure love is hankered after
He automatically achieves whatever He desires. by those who fear material existence, by great
How can we forest-dwellers or any other women sages, and by ourselves as well. For one who has
fulfill His purposes when He is already fulfilled tasted the narrations of the infinite Lord, what is
within Himself? Indeed, the greatest happiness the use of taking birth as a highclass brähmaëa,
is to renounce all desires, as even the prostitute or even as Lord Brahma himself? How amaz-
Pingala has declared. Yet even though we know ing it is that these simple women who wander
this, we cannot give up our hopes of attaining about the forest, seemingly spoiled by improper
Krishna. Who can bear to give up intimate talks behavior, have achieved the perfection of unal-
with Lord Uttamashloka? Although He shows no loyed love for Krishna, the Supreme Soul! Still,
interest in her, Goddess Sri never moves from her it is true that the Supreme Lord Himself awards
place on His chest. His blessings even to an ignorant worshiper, just
Dear Uddhava Prabhu, when Krishna was here as the best medicine works even when taken
in the company of Sankarshana, He enjoyed all by a person ignorant of its ingredients. When
these rivers, hills, forests, cows and flute sounds.

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 nityaà bhägavata-sevayä Issue no 234, Page—5
Lord Sri Krishna was dancing with the gopis in [Shukadeva Gosvami continued:] O ruler of
the räsalélä, the gopis were embraced by the arms men, thus honored by the cowherd men with ex-
of the Lord. This transcendental favor was never pressions of devotion for Lord Krishna, Uddhava
bestowed upon the goddess of fortune or other went back to the city of Mathura, which was under
consorts in the spiritual world. Indeed, never was Krishna’s protection. After falling down to pay his
such a thing even imagined by the most beautiful homage, Uddhava described to Lord Krishna the
girls in the heavenly planets, whose bodily luster immense devotion of the residents of Vraja. Ud-
and aroma resemble the lotus flower. And what to dhava also described it to Vasudeva, Lord Balarama
speak of worldly women who are very beautiful and King Ugrasena and presented to them the gifts
according to material estimation? The gopis of of tribute he had brought with him.
Vrindavana have given up the association of their — Srimad-Bhägavatam (Bhägavata Puräëa) » Canto 10: The Summum
husbands, sons and other family members, who Bonum » Chapter 45 » Verses 1–69 » Translations by Disciples of His Divine
are very difficult to give up, and they have forsaken Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
the path of chastity to take shelter of the lotus feet
of Mukunda, Krishna, which one should search "These are our wives"
for by Vedic knowledge. Oh, let me be fortunate Disciples of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
enough to be one of the bushes, creepers or herbs Prabhupada
in Vrindavana, because the gopis trample them and
bless them with the dust of their lotus feet. käcin madhukaraà dåñövä
The goddess of fortune herself, along with Lord dhyäyanté kåñëa-saìgamam
Brahma and all the other demigods, who are priya-prasthäpitaà dütaà
masters of yogic perfection, can worship the lotus kalpayitvedam abravét
feet of Krishna only within her mind. But during
the räsa dance Lord Krishna placed His feet upon Srimati Radharani is referred to in this verse as
these gopis’ breasts, and by embracing those feet käcit, "a certain gopé." To establish that this particular
the gopis gave up all distress. I repeatedly offer my gopé is in fact Srimati Radharani, Srila Jiva Gosvami
respects to the dust from the feet of the women of quotes the following verses from the Agni Puräëa:
Nanda Maharaja’s cowherd village. When these
gopis loudly chant the glories of Sri Krishna, the gopyaù papracchur üñasi
vibration purifies the three worlds. kåñëänucaram uddhavam
Shukadeva Gosvami said: Uddhava, the de- haré-lélä-vihäräàç ca
scendant of Dasharha, then took permission to tatraikäà rädhikäà vinä
leave from the gopis and from mother Yashoda rädhä tad-bhäva-saàlénä
and Nanda Maharaja. He bade farewell to all the väsanäyä virämitä
cowherd men and, about to depart, mounted his sakhébhiù säbhyadhäc chuddha-
chariot. As Uddhava was about to leave, Nanda and vijïäna-guëa-jåmbhitam
the others approached him bearing various items ijyänte-väsinäà veda-
of worship. With tears in their eyes they addressed caramäàça-vibhävanaiù
him as follows.
[Nanda and the other cowherds said:] May our "At dawn the gopis inquired from Krishna's
mental functions always take shelter of Krishna’s servant, Uddhava, about the Lord's pastimes and
lotus feet, may our words always chant His names, recreation. Only Srimati Radharani, immersed
and may our bodies always bow down to Him in thought of Krishna, withdrew Her interest
and serve Him. Wherever we are made to wander in the talks. Then Radha, who is worshiped by
about this world by the Supreme Lord’s will, in the residents of Her Vrindavana village, spoke
accordance with the reactions to our fruitive work, up in the midst of Her girlfriends. Her words
may our good works and charity always grant Us were full of pure transcendental knowledge and
love for Lord Krishna.

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expressed the ultimate portion of the Vedas." bodies were emaciated, their hair disheveled,
their garments spotted with dirt, their glistening
In the Bhagavad-gétä (15.15) Lord Krishna states, beauty gone, their forms dark as if covered by
vedaiç ca sarvair aham eva vedyaù: "By all the Vedas, smoke or by ashes or by some other like sub-
I am to be known." To know Krishna is to love stance, their eyes anxious, their lips filled with
Krishna , and thus Radharani, by Her own example sighs, their mouths dry, and their eyes like the
and words, revealed Her supreme love for the Lord. eyes of does that fear the flames of a forest fire.
Having quoted the above verses from the Agni Seeing Uddhava, who had a dark complexion,
Puräëa, Srila Jiva Gosvami also quotes the following long, round, and broad arms, a face splendid like
from the Nåsiàha-täpané Upaniñad (Pürva-khaëòa the moon, lotus-like eyes, new youthfulness, hand-
2.10): yaà sarve devä namanti mumukñavo brah- someness, shark-shaped earrings, and garments
ma-vädinaç ca. "All the demigods and all the tran- that defeated gold, and who made all that saw Him
scendental philosophers who desire liberation bow think they were seeing Krishna Himself, the gopis
down to the Supreme Lord." We should follow suit. were for a long time filled with wonder.
As they gazed at Uddhava, who was remarkably
— Srimad-Bhägavatam (Bhägavata Puräëa) » Canto 10: The Summum like Krishna Himself, the gopis were not bewil-
Bonum » Chapter 47 » Verse 11 » Purport by Disciples of His Divine Grace A. C. dered into thinking that Uddhava was Krishna.
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Their ecstasy of Love-for-Krishna became the eyes
with which the gopis saw the truth of Uddhava.
Sometimes the gopis thought certain inanimate
Uddhava And Nanda Maharaja objects were actually Krishna. Still, they never
Sri Srimad Gaur Govinda Swami thought that about any living being. The gopis al-
ways followed the path of religion. As bumblebees,
Sriman Uddhava then went to the tértha who depend on the lotus flowers for their very
(holy bathing place) that Lord Krishna had lives, surround a life-giving lotus-lake, in the same
given to the gopis so they could pass the time way, in that place filled with the fragrance of lotus
worshiping their worshipable Deity there. flowers, the filled-with-wonder gopis politely sur-
Very carefully hidden from the gopis, Uddhava rounded Uddhava, who within and without was
bathed there and performed his daily duties fragrant with the sweet fragrance of Sri Krishna.
there. Then he reverently approached the gopis. After they had surrounded Uddhava, decided in
Respectful Uddhava then saw the gopis. Their their hearts that Uddhava must be an honored ser-
vant of Lord Krishna, politely worshiped Uddhava

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 nityaà bhägavata-sevayä Issue no 234, Page—7
and placed before him a comfortable seat and From the very first the gopis’ thoughts, words,
other offerings, the gopis became silent for some and bodily actions were all as if tied with a rope
moments. Then, with artificial smiles concealing to Sri Krishna. The gopis remained unaware of
the burning sorrows that they felt, the gopis said: the auspicious and inauspicious conditions of
“From your fragrance and in other ways also the external world. Alas! Alas! Again and again
we know that you must be a personal associate burning in the flames of separation from Krishna,
of Krishna. Still, who are we poor girls that we the agitated gopé spoke many harsh words, words
know enough that we can say something about unfit for the assembly of the kind and the gentle.
who you are? Commanded by Krishna, you Even when Uddhava, who was expert in dealing
must have abandoned the opulence of Mathura with many different kinds of situations, and who
City and come here to the cow-pasture-land Lord Krishna Himself had sent there as a messen-
of Vraja. That is why we girls can now easily ger, stood before them, the gopis, overcome with
approach you. anguish, abandoned any attempt to be polite or
“If you have been sent here by our husband gentle. So be it. What more shall I say? If I were to
Krishna, then please be kind and reveal every- say the words, “The gopis then sang sweet songs
thing to us. Please do not say that to see Krishna’s describing their secret meetings with Krishna”,
parents Nanda and Yashoda is the root cause of then my heart would be thrust into flames of
your coming here. When considering causes the anguish. What benefit would I attain by trying to
primary cause is first and the secondary causes describe the unbearable and wildly passionate love
come after. Even great sages do not stop loving the gopis feel for Sri Krishna?
their friends and kinsmen. O gentle Uddhava, Then, silently bowing his head, Snigdhakantha
why, then, did Krishna abandon His parents? again said: Alas! Afraid of a scorpion, I fled, only
Does even a clay pot abandon its parents, which to run into the mouth of a poison-fanged serpent.
are the earth and the potter’s wheel? You know Although I fled from trying to describe the gopis’
what is right. That is why we ask this question love for Krishna, I have now fallen into the mouth
of you. Alas! How sad it is that Krishna does not of trying to describe the wild passions of Sri Rad-
wish to be with His parents and does not think it ha's glorious love for Sri Krishna. For a moment
right to place His glance on the people that live Snigdhakantha felt flames of sorrow lick his heart.
in this cowherd village of Vraja. In the city of Then he suddenly became cheerful and said: Alas!
Mathura are many demigods, humans, chariots, Even though I am wide-awake, I think that I am
horses, and elephants, and great wealth as well. seeing a nightmare. Accompanied by Her beloved
Here in Vraja the best of wealth is, alas, merely Krishna, my Goddess Radha is present now before
a rope for tying the cows. my eyes. Therefore I may say a little something
“The relationship of the enjoyer and the en- about Her love for Krishna. It may be possible for
joyed, which is seen in the relationship of the me to somehow say something about the yawning
bumblebee and the flower, and in other relation- awake of Her deep and intense love for Krishna.
ships also, is fickle and impermanent. The rela- Sri Radha thought: "Sri Krishna approached Me.
tionships of men and women, relationships that Then He hid from Me and went away to Mathura
exist only to attain a brief moment of pleasure, City. In Mathura He must be enjoying many pas-
are generally fickle and impermanent also. Some- times with the beautiful goddess-like girls there."
times the relationship of a man and a woman is Gazing at Krishna’s messenger Uddhava, and
long-lasting. The relationship of husband and thinking in this way, Sri Radha was overcome
wife is not fickle or unsteady. It lasts. It follows with intense jealous anger. As Radha was staring
the principles of religion. It brings happiness and at Krishna’s messenger Uddhava, a bumblebee
auspiciousness. A paramour and his lady may flew nearby. Bewildered, Radha mistook the bum-
stay together for some time, but they eventually blebee for another messenger sent by Krishna.
abandon each other. A prostitute shuns a pauper. “At once I should chase him away with insults!”
A rich man shuns an old prostitute.” After thinking in this way, Sri Radha openly said
to the bumblebee: “O wretch! Wretch! Why do

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you approach Me? You are very bold and ar- the bumblebee, “Wretch! O bumblebee! O friend
rogant indeed. Go Away! Go to some faraway Krishna! Why, pretending to be so saintly and
forest.” Casting a vicious glance at him, Radha innocent, have you come here? Go! Go far away!
mocked the bumblebee with these words: I am no friend of that rogue Krishna. I will not
“Wretch! Rascal! You do not know what is allow you to cheat Me. You have taken shelter of
right. You drink (pa) wine (madhu). That is a rogue and a cheater. A person who is a friend of
why people call you by the name ‘madhu-pa’.” cheaters is a cheater two times over. Pretending to
Laughing, Radha again said: “Aha! Perhaps it is befriend others, he only cheats them.”
right that you drink wine. After all, your mas- Gently smiling Radha then became rapt in
ter Krishna is the master of all kinds of wine.” thought. Aware that the bumblebee was now
Drawing a logical inference, Sri Radha harshly buzzing around Her feet, Radha said: “Wretch!
said: “Since you are both wine-drinkers, you and Don’t touch even one of My feet!” Then, as She
your master have the same nature. was trying to shoo the bumblebee away, Sri Radha
“Krishna is the master of wine (madhu-pati) said: “What do you say, wretch? What do you say?
and you are a drinker of wine (madhu-pa). This “Do you say, ‘O queen, having come from Your
is very well known. Therefore it is right that He master, Krishna, I touch Your feet. I touch them
is the master that maintains you and you are very respectfully’? So be it. Then it is very right if
the servant maintained by Him.” Again finding you touch My feet. O wretched bee, the fault of
fault with the bumblebee, Radha knitted her yours that I mentioned before does not make My
eyebrows and said: “O gopé-friends, please hear heart wither up in distress. At any rate these are
My words. This drunken bumblebee seems like things I have no power to know directly. But now
a sincere-hearted though bewildered being. Still, I see another fault in you. Your mustaches are
because again and again he shakes his head and now red with the flower-pollen from the flowers
again and again he mumbles sounds that have in Krishna’s broken flower-garland and also red
no meaning, we can easily see that he is some from the kuìkuma powder anointing the breasts of
kind of thief or some kind of rogue. He is a very the girls that are My rivals, girls very eager to meet
surprising creature.” Thinking, “Perhaps he is with Sri Krishna.
not a surprising creature, “Radha addressed “One male (Krishna) carries on His chest kuìku-
ma powder from many passionate girls. Another

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male (you, O bumblebee) carries that same kuìku- with faultless Krishna and with Me also? I do not
ma powder on his little mustaches. That kuìkuma see any faults in Sri Krishna.
powder came upon the first male’s chest because “Please hear My words: Krishna is the king of
of His amorous affairs with many girls. Yes, it must rogues. He acted as if He loved Us. We thought:
have been amorous affairs.” Smiling, Sri Radha said “Krishna will never leave Us. Alas! Alas! Then
in a joking mood: “O proud little bumblebee, don’t suddenly He left Us. What sin is greater than that?
touch Me at all. If you must touch Me, then at least I think that because His body is black Krishna
don’t touch Me with your mustaches.” Shaking has no fear of sin. You very arrogantly taught us
Her now-reddish-with-anger beautiful chin, Radha a philosophy that shows no respect to the sincere
again said: “Ah! What do you say? “You say: ‘O and saintly-hearted. Even a neophyte student has
Goddess, O greatest lover of Krishna, Your mas- more true knowledge than you. Thinking only of
ter, Krishna, sent me to You to calm Your jealous your own benefit, you come, sip the nectar of the
anger. As I was flying along on the path, I became flowers, and then fly away. Krishna is like that.
exhausted with hunger, so I stopped to drink the But it is not only that He is interested in His own
nectar of a certain rare flower. As I drank the nectar, selfish benefit. It is seen that He also finds pleasure
my mustaches became red with pollen.’ “ in making others suffer. Once He allowed Us to
That is perhaps true. Perhaps true. A rogue may sip the nectar of His lips and then, snake that He
sprinkle lies, one by one, in a hundred of his state- is, He fled from Us.
ments. Who has the power to know, in the words “Some, who are like bumblebees, break others
of rogues, what are the truths and what are the apart for their own selfish benefit. And then there
lies? I do not need to talk with, debate with, hear are others, like Krishna the king of Mathura, who,
words of consolation from, or accept gifts from even when they do not benefit from it, relish giving
you, a servant whose master is a rogue. Your mas- pain to others. Aha! That is the greatest wonder.
ter is the king of Mathura City. Let Him calm the Still, I have seen a wonder even greater than that.
jealous anger in the hearts of Mathuras girls. It is Aware of His glorious virtues, Goddess Lakshmi,
well known that you and your master Krishna take who is the queen of all beautiful lotus-like women,
shelter of Mathura. You should stay in Mathura serves Sri Krishna’s lotus feet. This I have heard,
and carry Krishna’s messages to the girls of Mathu- and I have directly seen it also. Wherever Krish-
ra. As you stay in Mathura you can always stay at na places His feet, Lakshmi places her feet also.”
the great treasure that is your master Krishna’s feet. After speaking these words, Radha thought for a
People of like nature find great happiness in each moment and then said: “Goddess Lakshmi is very
other’s association. It is seen that wine-drinkers, sincere and honest and righteous. She does not
wine-sellers, and various kinds of rogues all enjoy know anything about the cunning ways of rogues.
each other’s company.” With a mocking laugh Sri Only because He bears the name ‘Uttama-shloka
Radha then rebuked the bumblebee: “Krishna’s
words to Me of so-called consolation would only !! Sri Sri Nitai Gaurchandra Jayati !!
bring uproarious laughter if they were repeated in ISKCON
the Yädavas’ assembly-house. Without any shy- Bhägavata Mahävidyalaya
ness, and completely unable to conceal the mark is a branch of
International Society for Krishna Consciousness
that Krishna has placed upon you, you quickly and Founder-Acarya: His Divine Grace
without any mistake fly to any place as Krishna’s A.C. BhaktiVedanta Swami Prabhupada
messenger. Quotations from the books, letters, and lectures of
“A sweetly fragrant person may yearn to conceal His Divine Grace
himself. Still, his sweet fragrance precedes him and A.C. Bhakti Vedanta Swami Prabhupada
always announces his presence to all.” Angrily
finding faults with the bumblebee, Sri Radha said: ©Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International.
“O bumblebee, why do you speak in this way? ©All the paintings are copyrights of their respective
Why, on a whim, do you mistakenly find fault artists.

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 Issue no 234, Page — 10 nityaà bhägavata-sevayä
(He who is praised in glorious stanzas)’ has you are a fool, for that relationship is now
she fallen in love with this Krishna. withered away. Poets write poems praising
“Why does lotuslike Goddess Lakshmi glorious persons alive in the present. Poets
worship Krishna, worship Him just as, alas, do not write poems praising the sons of kings
alas, the foolish lotus flowers worship the that lived in ancient times. If you are haunted
harsh sun that does not care at all for their by the fiend of the desire for money, then go
well-being?” Again and again describing and sing before the householders, who are
Krishna’s misdeeds in this way, Radha bitter- also haunted by that fiend. They will give
ly wept. What will be gained if I elaborately you something, even if only to chase away
recount all of Radhas wild lamentations the calamity (of your singing). Why, alas,
at this time? Then, as the bumblebee was do you now sing before us, who, from the
pleasantly humming, Sri Radha sponta- sorrowful moment (that Krishna abandoned
neously revealed another truth. She said: Us), have become like homeless sannyasis
“O gopé-friends, this bumblebee still boldly shorn of the last trace of any material desire.
approaches Us. Look! Look! Even though Ahh! What do you say? You say: ‘I am also
We have no faith in his good character, he shorn of material desire.’ Then why do you
approaches Us again and again. The bee sing about that wretch Krishna? If you want
thinks: ‘My singing will melt these girls.’ to sing some stories from the past, the sing
That is why I will not chase this bee away.” some stories from the Puranas. Because you
Bewildered and agitated, Sri Radha then said: have six legs you are wild beast one and a half
“Creatures that have four legs are seen to be times over. How can you then be free of any
fools. But you have six legs. How can it be, material desire? You are a beggar and you
then, that you are not more foolish than even have no virtues. Therefore you are doubly
the four-legged creatures? Why do you again wretched.
and again sing this song in the pain-filled “If a person does not know where he will
land of Vraja? get donations and where he will not get
“Have you not heard these words: ‘A per- them, then how will he know from whom
son who, aware of what is in the hearts of he should beg? Therefore, please listen, O
his companions, acts to please them, is like foolish bumblebee, listen to this god advice.
a demigod, but a person who acts without Your friend Krishna is always the victor in
considering what is in the hearts of others His amorous pastimes. Go to someone else
is like an animal, even though he may be and sing about His amorous conquests. The
standing on two legs.’ You have already sung Yadavas will not be shy to hear those songs.
your song. Why must you sing it again and But if you sing those songs to the girls He
again? A person that does not know what conquered, you will only bring pain to their
the hearer likes to hear, will sing too much. hearts. Please listen. Shunning all shyness,
A person whose singing is like the howling I will tell you something from Vatsyayana
of a dog is not liked by anyone. If you must Muni’s Käma-sütra. If a male is very bold and
sing, why do you sing about the Yadava-king aggressive, then he brings intense pleasure
Krishna? Who is He to Us? What relation- to his buxom beloveds. Vatsyayana also af-
ship does He have with Us that We would firms that hearing about amorous pastimes
enjoy hearing songs about Him? As a pinäka, brings pleasure like the pleasure that comes
or any other musical instrument, will play from enjoying amorous pastimes directly.”
only the melodies the performer wishes, so Smiling, Radha then said: “Why do you
even a foolish singer will sing only songs his shake your head? If you do not speak your
audience likes to hear. request, then how can We gopis give any-
Then Radha angrily said: “Wretch! If you thing to you? Please listen and I will explain
say that in the past Krishna had a relationship something to you. A person who wishes
with the people of Vraja, then we say that something should clearly state his wish. If

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nityaà bhägavata-sevayä Issue no 234, Page—11
there is no clear request, the giver will hes- interested to warn others away from thorny
itate to give. If there is a clear request, the places. (When others are stung because of
giver will perhaps give very enthusiastically his failure to warn them) this person may
again and again.” be said to be not different from the thorns
After a moment’s thought, Sri Radha, in the themselves.’”
mood of a sarcastic rebuke to the bumble- Imagining the bumblebee had spoken
bee, said to Her gopé-friends: “O girls dear these words, Sri Radha spoke to Her go-
as life to Me, how is it that this insect flying pé-friends. Then Sri Radha boldly said to
amongst the flowers has learned the secret the bumblebee: “O wretched bumblebee,
truth that you glorious girls keep in your why do you try to find fault with Us gopis
hearts? That bumblebee now says to Me: ‘O as you speak with your buzzing words? You
Goddess, please do not speak harsh words. are very intelligent. Why, then, are you so
How is it possible that the chaste ladies de- attached to this Krishna?
voted to their husbands could worship some “Now the bumblebee says: ‘It is said that,
other man? Therefore please be silent and do unrestrained by any feelings of shyness,
not criticize them. even Goddess Lakshmi runs to any place
“‘I will tell You something. These gopé-girls where the dust from Lord Krishna’s feet
are all very chaste. They worship their hus- rests. Who are you gopis that you should act
bands as of they were demigods. Still, there in a way different from Goddess Lakshmi's
is no woman in the upper, middle, or lower actions?’” After some thought Sri Radha said:
planets, no woman, even if she is the moth- “O wretched bumblebee whose intelligence
er of seven sons, that has the power to stay is very pure, you don’t understand. From
away from this Krishna. Therefore please the very beginning Krishna hypnotized
do not accuse the gopis in this way. Krishna Lakshmi and brought her under His control.
possesses the most sublime and glorious “Krishna wishes to bring everyone under
virtues. Why do you criticize Him again and His control. He is clever. First He brings the
again? Krishna is the all-powerful supreme leaders under His control. Following the
controller. His wishes are always fulfilled. He leaders’ example, all the people then worship
has no faults. Because He is the original cause Him. Why should we gopis hide anything
of everything, He stands always beyond the from you? Although He has nothing to
influence of the illusory potency mäyä. gain from doing so, Krishna has stolen Our
“‘A hypocrite pretending to be a saint hearts. The power of His mäyä potency has
seduces the people and brings them under made Us greedy to attain Him. Bewildered
his control. A true saint does not act in by His mäyä, We think Krishna is the most
that way. A hypocrite is very interested in intelligent of all. We do not think Krishna is
bringing others under his control. A true a product of the material potency mäyä. (O
saint is not interested to do that. People bumblebee,) if you doubt that all this is the
who say that Krishna’s spiritual and eternal truth, then please consider this: Why, even
face, eyebrows, smile, and other features are after knowing all this, do you still place your
all products of the material potency mäyä faith in this Krishna?
are persons whose hearts and minds are “Please hear My words. Even though He is
themselves bewildered by the power of that just as I said, Krishna still fulfills the desires
mäyä-potency. We say that Krishna’s pres- of all the poor people. He ferries them to the
ence before us is His mercy upon us. We do farther shore of the ocean of their desires.
not feel envy or hatred of Him. You should Krishna, who bears the name ‘Uttama-shloka
advise all women to think as we do about (He who is glorified by the most beautiful
Sri Krishna. A person stung by thorns warns prayers)’ will deliver Us from Our sufferings.
people away from thorny places. A person Even Goddess Maya has faith in Krishna.
who was never stung by thorns may not be Just as even the disciples of Jaimini Muni

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 Issue no 234, Page — 12 nityaà bhägavata-sevayä
attained the results of their yajnas, so even them.’ Bumblebee, you are a wretch. That
a person that has no faith in the Supreme Ramacandra was completely under the con-
Personality of Godhead will attain perfection trol of His wife. (On her request) He went
by the contact of Lord Krishna’s holy name.” out to kill a golden stag. How can we believe
Her intelligence like a great, beautiful, and the words of this black Krishna? Bumblebee,
sweetly-fragrant lotus-flower, Sri Radha don’t be so proud. In Our words We have
thought the bumblebee buzzing around Her just now given many examples of the wick-
feet was begging forgiveness. Shooing him edness of this Krishna.
away, she rebuked him, saying: “O wicked “A person who speaks many words in
bumblebee, why do you speak these flatter- an attempt to conceal one of his faults will
ing words and then touch your head to my find that his abundant words only reveal all
feet? Go at once! We all know about your his other faults. Because of My sufferings I
master Krishna’s skill in cunning flattery. have criticized this deerslayer Ramacandra.
What are you in comparison to Him? You I am not at all reluctant to criticize Him.
are only a wretched being. As long as the Even though you have no relationship with
true nature of His actions is not recognized, a Ramacandra, you still speak many words to
cheater can succeed in his cheating. But after defend Him. You also defend black Krishna,
his cheating is exposed, even only once, all who is your master and who is always under
his actions thereafter are thought by others the control of women. Therefore We doubt
to be lies, are thought to be the posturing of (that you tell Us the actual truth about Him.
an actor on a stage. You will only tell Us lies that praise Him.)
“We renounced everything for Krishna’s Please do not try to cheat Us in this way.
sake and He accepted Us. Then suddenly Because Krishna is now under the control
he left Us. Why should We be eager to of the women of Mathura City, the death of
make friendship with such a person?” After Us girls has now come near. Still, your firm
pausing for a moment, Sri Radha spoke the devotion to Krishna certainly bears witness
following words, words persons who do to His greatness. What will we gain by try-
not understand the ecstasy of diving into ing to dispute that fact? Let Us return to the
intense love for Krishna consider only dry subject at hand.
and tasteless: “It is not wise for a girl to offer Ramacandra took birth in a kñatriya family.
her heart to a lover that is neither thoughtful That is why harshness and a host of other
nor intelligent. Look! Look! See the wick- kñatriya qualities were never far away from
edness of dark Krishna! You bumblebees, Him. Look! Look! Vamana was born from
as well as the cuckoos and others like you Prajapati Kashyapa. Vamana was a brah-
are all ungrateful to the flower-vines, crows, macäré from the moment of His birth. He was
and others that nourish you. Then there a solitary hermit. No one was greater than
was Ramacandra, who, it was thought, had Him. His complexion was also black. What
crossed to the farther shore of the great did He do to King Bali? To defend calamities
ocean of the nectar of all religious activities. he brings to others, the crow speaks the story
We have heard of what this Ramacandra of Vamana, who brought such a great calam-
did to the monkey-king Bali, who had not ity to King Bali. When Bali offered a gift to
offended Him in any way, and to Vishravah Him, Vamana responded by bringing newer
Muni’s daughter Shurpanakha, who had not and newer calamities. All of you people are
offended Him either.What! What! What do the same. Even your words bring calamities.
you say, O bumblebee? You say: ‘Because of Wretch! What are you mumbling? You
his relationship with a woman, Bali hated his say: ‘Why, then, do the sages describe the
brother Sugriva. And as for Shurpanakha, pastimes of Krishna and Ramacandra and
she was a prostitute. Therefore Ramacandra Vamana?’ The sages are certainly greatly
do not do any wrong in His actions against at fault for doing that. Krishna’s poten-

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nityaà bhägavata-sevayä Issue no 234, Page—13
cy-of-bewilderment (mohana-çakti) makes hear this: The knowledge that We gopis have
the sages attached to Krishna. That potency about Krishna is not Our imagination. We
thus creates a fearful condition for everyone. know Him directly. We have seen Him with
People are not so afraid of ferocious wild Our own eyes. At first He spoke wonderful
beasts as they are of even only the sight of words to Us, words like the words you have
a hypocrite that wraps himself in the flag of spoken to Us. Then later Krishna became
religion. Thinking, ‘What will this wild beast like a hunter. He hunted Us like a hunter
do to me?’ the people flee from wild beasts. that plays music to lure a deer into a trap.
A human being who in his heart is a fero- With so much terrible suffering staring Us
cious wild beast even though externally he in the face, what will We gopis gain by being
presents himself as pure and saintly, is very shy and embarrassed? Please listen. We were
dangerous indeed, more dangerous than the attracted to Krishna and delighted by His
wild beasts.” ornaments of forest-flowers. We thirsted to
After a moment’s thought, Sri Radha said: meet with Him. Still, from His hands, which
“Persons who talk of Krishna’s pastimes are were different from thorns in name only, and
in the grip of the illusory potency mäyä. With from His sharp fingernails, which were like
the great effulgence of its illusion-power, the arrows to the touch, we suffered great pain.
description of Krishna’s pastimes pulls up by “I swear, O bumblebee, that the touch I
the roots the hearts of persons wealthy with felt from Krishna’s body was not merely
the great good-fortune of householder life. a thing imagined in My mind. Again and
After uprooting the householders’ hearts, the again I sipped the poison of the touch of
description of Krishna’s pastimes, remain- His fingernails, a poison that made glitter-
ing unfriendly, forces the householders to ing flames rise up again and again in My
renounce their families and their wealth. It heart. O bumblebee, seeing that Krishna’s
makes them poor and wretched, and at the prime-minister (Uddhava) is now cunningly
end it makes them beg, as birds do. Don’t silent, you have become his representative,
try, O bumblebee, to drag Me into a verbal his assistant-minister. O bumblebee, O wise
battle. You say, ‘Why, then, do the most paëòita learned in buffoonery, please be mer-
worthy saints hear the narrations of Krish- ciful to Me. Please talk of something other
na’s pastimes?’ Don’t be angry. Just listen. than this Krishna. The philosophical truths
In the beginning hearing about Krishna is Krishna taught you and you are now trying
pleasing to the consciousness. At that time it to teach Me are not new. Many other philo-
is sweet like nectar placed upon the tongue. sophical truths are also known by Krishna.
Later that same hearing about Krishna By knowing these truths, a person will never
becomes like a drink laced with sugar and again know any kind of fear.”
dhustüra-powder, a drink that makes the After speaking this part of the narration,
consciousness stagger, tremble, and roll on Snigdhakantha said: Push by the spiritual
the ground. wildness of Her love for Krishna, and feeling
“I think these birds were not always birds. the touch of Krishna’s body even though She
In their previous births they were human was afflicted by feelings of intense separation
householders always enchanted by hearing from Him, Radha became flooded by waves
songs glorifying Krishna. When those souls of anger. Then, wandering about, as was
left their human bodies they took birth as his nature, the bumblebee flew to another
birds.” Sri Radha acted as if She was listen- tree. Then Radha manifested the nature ka-
ing to the bumblebee speak. Then She said: lahäntaritä (a girl separated from her lover
“Wretch! You say: ‘O Radha who thirsts to by a quarrel).
associate with Krishna, what You have said Then Sri Radha said: “Alas! I spoke very
is not the truth. The truth is that with Your crooked and ferocious words to Krishna’s
body and mind You worship Krishna.’ Please messenger. Unable to understand the true

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 Issue no 234, Page — 14 nityaà bhägavata-sevayä
meaning of My crooked words, the mes- trying to trick Her.’ Therefore I should say
senger went away. Because there was no something to this bumblebee.” Then Radha
other way, My beloved Krishna sent this said: “O dear bumblebee, I offer all honor
bumblebee to protect Me. I chased that to you.”
bumblebee away. Now great flames burn in The meaning of this statement is given in
the lotus-flower of My heart.” these words: A person who remains always
After speaking these words, Radha wept. a sincere friend should be always served
Seeing Radha weep, the other gopis wept and satisfied. One should think of him as
also. Weeping, Radha gazed at the path. not different from one’s own self. Sri Radha
Seeing that bumblebee, or perhaps another thought: “The bumblebee has said: ‘If You
bumblebee, coming, Radha trembled and think in that way, then please give some
stuttered: “O d-d-d-d-dear friend, p-p-p- gift to me.’ This bumblebee has come to
p-please come back.” These words of Sri place Me on a chariot and take Me back to
Radha mean: “Because even though you Krishna.” Her voice breaking with emotion,
left Us, you have now returned, you are our Sri Radha then said (Çrémad-Bhägavatam
dear friend.” The words “dear friend” may 10.47.20): “O bumblebee, you have come
be explained in the following way: A person to take Me to Krishna because He is not able
with whom one enjoys pastimes is a friend, to come here. How can you take Me there?”
and a person who shares one’s sufferings The meaning of these words of Sri Radha
is dear. Therefore a person who stays with is: “O bumblebee, you bring pleasure to
someone when that person is distressed is a everyone. You are My friend. How can you
dear friend. Sri Radha's heart was filled with carry Me into the company of those other
love for Krishna. Considering Herself most girls that are My rivals? You do not know
fortunate, Sri Radha thought in Her heart: My sufferings. Neither does Krishna know
“Was that bumblebee sent by My beloved them. Even though I have not offered to pay
Krishna?” you anything to do it, you are still eager to
Then She began to speak that thought carry Me and My disease of separation into
aloud. She said the first word, “Was”, and the company of many girls who are My
then She suddenly fell unconscious. When rivals.” Then Sri Radha said: “What do you
Radha fell unconscious, Uddhava’s con- say? You say: ‘Krishna has just now returned
sciousness trembled, and the gopis almost from His vow of chanting the gäyatré-man-
fell unconscious also. Still unconscious, Rad- tra. How is it possible, then, that He will
ha said, as if in a dream: “Please ask for some be willing to associate with a woman?’ If
boon. What does he wish?” Because She you talk like that, then I say in reply to you
was momentarily bewildered, Radha said (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.47.20): Krishna is
here “he” when She intended to say “you”. taking rest there along with the goddess of
The implication of these words of Sri Radha fortune and embracing her to His chest.”
is as follows: The dearmost beloved (Krish- The meaning of these words is: “The line of
na) already possesses the great treasure of Krishna’s chest is Goddess Lakshmi herself.
(Radha's) intimate friendship. This treasure Teenage Goddess Lakshmi secretly meets
is His alone, and no one else can possess teenage Krishna in this way.” Radha said:
it. The dearmost beloved’s messenger (the “Then again, don’t take Me to Mathura City,
bumblebee), because he cannot possess that for then I will become another one of the
treasure, should therefore request a boon, city girls, girls unfaithful to their lovers.” Re-
whatever he desires. turning to external consciousness, Sri Radha
Rapt in thinking, Radha thought: “The opened Her eyes and saw that the bumblebee
bumblebee must be thinking: ‘This girl had returned to Her after a long absence.
Radha is bewildered. She is not intelligent. I Looking at the bee, She became reminded
am Her sincere friend. Still, She thinks I am of Her separation from Krishna. Radha

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nityaà bhägavata-sevayä Issue no 234, Page—15
thought: “Should I ask him, or should I not secretly come, in His heart, to Vraja.” Then
ask him?” In a repentant mood, Sri Radha Radha said (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.47.21):
then asked the bumblebee (Çrémad-Bhäga- “Is there any possibility that Krishna will
vatam 10.47.21): “Please let Me know how come back and place His aguru-scented hand
Krishna is faring in Mathura.” on Our heads?” As She spoke these words,
The meaning of these words is as follows: Radha began to meditate on the hand and
“O king of bumblebees, I will tell you the arm of Sri Krishna. She thought of them
truth. I will not keep anything secret from as the trunk of a great elephant drunk on
you. In considering the truths of religion liquor. As She thought of Krishna’s hands
and truths of auspicious family ties, I can and arms, and as She burned in the flames
say that Sri Krishna is most certainly My of separation from Him, Radha began to
husband. The love that He and I bear fall unconscious. It was in that bewildered
for each other is the proof of that fact. state that Radha mistakenly said: “If he had
Alas! Dearest Krishna went to Mathura City. placed His aguru-scented hand” (adhäsyat)
There He stayed. After a long time He has instead of “will place His aguru-scented
not yet returned to Vraja. I wonder if He has hand” (dhäsyati).
remained there in Mathura. Worrying and The unconscious condition of Sri Radha
worrying about this, My heart has burst into is described in these words: Because Radha
flames and burned away. Now My heart is was now silent, and because Her body was
only ashes.” now emaciated, and because Her limbs were
Imagining that She has heard from the in a very unusual state, and because She
bumblebee’s mouth that Krishna is indeed had turned pale, and because She was very
still in Mathura, Radha asked this question much changed, and because and because
of the bumblebee (Çrémad-Bhägavatam saliva flowed from Her mouth, and because
10.47.21): “Tell Me of Krishna still remem- She was now motionless, and because there
bers His foster father Nanda Mahäräja, His was no sign of Her breathing at all, everyone
affectionate mother Yashoda, and His cow- thought: “Radha is no longer alive within
herd friends and His poor friends like us, Her body.” The meaning of the statement
the gopis.” The meaning of these words is of Sri Radha recorded in Çrémad-Bhägavat-
as follows: “Every day Krishna goes, within am 10.47.21 and quoted in Text 114 of this
His heart, to Vraja. Every day He remembers chapter of Sri Gopäla-campü is given in these
His father, mother, friends, and kinsmen. words: “Our hearts yearn to serve Krishna’s
Every day We meet Krishna in this way. He hand more fragrant that aguru. Aha! Will
stands before Our eyes. We are like walk- Krishna touch Our heads with His hand?
ing dead-men suddenly sprinkled with the Every day Our hearts ask this question.”
pure nectar of seeing Krishna.” Imagining — Mathura Meets Vrindavana » From the lectures of Sri Srimad
that the bumblebee had affirmed, “Krishna Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja » Translations and purports preceding
does indeed remember the people of Vra- each lecture are by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Pra-
ja”, Radha shook off all shyness and asked bhupada Edited by Madhavananda Dasa.
(Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.47.21): “I am sure
Krishna must sometimes sing about us, who
served Him just like maidservants, without
any payment.”
The meaning of these words is as follows:
“When He sees how We gopis have, in a se-
cluded place, served and decorated His Deity
form, does Krishna say, ‘Do these gopis not
serve Me very gloriously?’ No. He does not.
Krishna does not remember Us, nor does He

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