In the morn of summer, early, even before the sun yet bathed the world
with its golden warmth, the companions of Krishna, aroused from their
slumber by the lowing of the cows, would gather about the house of Nanda
and wait for Krishna to come from His bed and go with them to the forest
to tend the cows and while away the sweet hours of long summer days with
sporting and tales and long rambles together.
And oft, as they waited about the gates of the palace, Yasodā would
speak to the waiting boys:
"Ye children! my Krishna has not yet opened His eyes to the light of the
day; His sleep is sound, nor will I wake Him, till of His own will He
comes from His bed; so go with the cows and leave Him to me."
But the boys would not stir, but would still wait His coming.
But the joy left their eyes, because of their longing to look at the Boy
who was Love.
And loud were the cries that came from the boys as they saw Him
approaching and then come in their midst, and He with the boys as a boy
would be.
And oft Yasodā, the mother, who reared Him, would take Him aside and
remonstrate with Him thus: "O my Krishna, my son, why wilt Thou thus
spend Thy time with the cows and the cowherds? A Son of the King art
Thou, O my boy, and Thy place is not there with the cows in the
pastures. Many servants have we to see to the herds. Come, take Thou Thy
flute, bedeck thyself with garments and ornaments as it doth behoove my
son and a prince."
Then Krishna, twining His arms round the neck of His mother, with a
world of glowing love in His visage, would gaze far away into the heart
of His people and reply to her who knew Him as son:
"O mother beloved! Well it is for Me, a son of a king, with the people
to be; though of the palace, yet is My place there where the people call
unto Me.
Tender am I of the Flock, O My mother, and to them I must go, with them
must I be to teach them Myself and the Power of Love.
"Even now must I go to the calling hearts, who madly seek Me and will
not be satisfied till again Me they see."
And Yasodā, the Mother, in amazement gazed on the face of her son and
understood not His prattle that such wisdom held, but the tears of fond
pride rose to her eyes, as she saw the love that came from the boy and
enveloped Him as a soft cloud of light.
And she kissed her son, seeing but in Him a merry little child bounding
and throbbing with victorious health.
Onward He ran to greet His companions, who were satisfied now as they
beheld His coming, and laughing the group went to the forest.
They played, burying their bare feet in the mosses, rolling in the sweet
grass, clapping their hands in the fulness of joy, and shouting in very
ecstasy of being.
Never saw they in Him the son of a King. They knew Him but as a cowherd
boy who, like them, tended the cows in pastures and forests.