*SKANDHA X. CHAP. 23.*
Krishna went over to a distant forest driving cattle with his
companions. The summer sun was fierce and the trees gave shade. "Look, O
companions" said Krishna, "how noble minded these trees are. They live
for others. Themselves they suffer from the winds, the rains, from the
sun and frost but they protect us from these. They do not send away one
disappointed. They offer their leaves, their flowers, their fruits,
their shade, their roots, their bark, their fragrance, their juice,
their ashes, their fuel, their buds, and what not. Of all living beings,
such only justify their birth as do good to others by their lives, their
wealth, their wisdom and their words." (This is introductory as an
attack upon the selfish performances of Vedic Brahmanas. _Sridhara_.)
The boys became hungry and they complained to Rama and Krishna.
Krishna said: -- "The Brahmanas are performing Angirasa Yajna. Take our
names and ask them for food."
The boys did as they were told but the Brahmanas heeded them not. Narrow
were their desires which did not extend beyond Svarga. But for these,
they went through elaborate Karma. Ignorant as they were, they thought
themselves to be wise. Yajna was all in all to them but they disregarded
the Lord of Yajnas, the direct manifestation of Parama Purusha. They
looked upon Krishna as an ordinary man and as Brahmanas they deemed
themselves to be superior to Him. They said neither yea nor nay. So the
boys returned unsuccessful to Krishna and Rama. Krishna smiled and asked
them to go to the wives of the Brahmanas. This they did. The Brahmana
women had heard of Krishna and they were eager to see him.
Notwithstanding the protests of their husbands, brothers, sons and
friends, they hastened to Krishna with dishes full of eatables of all
sorts. The ears had heard and the eyes now saw. And it did not take the
Brahmana women long to embrace Krishna and forget their grievances.
Knowing that the women had given up all desires for the sake of seeing
Atma, Krishna said smilingly: -- "Welcome O you noble-minded ones, take
your seats. What can we do for you? It is meet that you have come to see
us. I am Atma and therefore the most beloved. Those that care for their
Atma or self bear unconditional and unremitting Bhakti towards me. The
Pranas, Buddhi, Manas, the relatives, the body, wife, children and
riches all become dear for the sake of self or Atma. What can be
therefore dearer, than Atma? Now that you have seen me, go back to your
husbands. They have to perform the sacrifices with your help."
The Brahmana women replied: -- "Lord, thou dost not deserve to speak so
cruelly to us. Make good thy words ('My Bhakta does not meet with
destruction' or 'He does not again return' _Sridhara_.) We have taken
the shelter of thy feet, throwing over-board all friends, that we may
bear on our heads the Tulasi thrown from Thy feet. Our husbands,
parents, sons, brothers, and friends will not take us back. Who else
can? Grant us, O conqueror of all enemies, that we may have no other
resort but Thee. ( We may not have such resorts as Svarga &c. for which
our husbands are striving. We want to serve Thee. _Sridhara_)."
Sri Krishna replied: -- "Your husbands will not bear any grudge against
you. By my command all people, even the Devas (in whose honor the
sacrifices are made) shall approve of your conduct. Direct contact is
not necessary for love. Think of me with all your heart and you shall
speedily obtain me."
The Brahmana women returned to their husbands and they were received
well. The Brahmanas repented. But for fear of Kansa, they could not go
to Vrindavana. They worshipped Krishna at home.