Joking with Kṛṣṇa and the Joy of Transcendental Humor
The transcendental pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa are characterized by an infinite variety of emotional exchanges, among which humor plays a significant role. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa is the source of all pleasure, including the joy found in laughter and wit. In the spiritual world, joking is an expression of deep intimacy and love, used by the Lord’s associates to refresh His mood and evoke His transcendental smile. Whether it is the playful banter of the cowherd boys or the sophisticated wit of the damsels of Vraja, humor centered on Kṛṣṇa is a pure spiritual activity that brings joy to both the Lord and His devotees.
Fraternal Humor and the Cowherd Boys
Among Kṛṣṇa's most intimate associates are His cowherd boyfriends, who interact with Him on an equal level. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes how friends like Madhumangala and Subala are expert in using humor to please the Lord. Madhumangala, in particular, often plays the part of a "greedy brāhmaṇa," using his wit to beg for mercy or sweets in a way that causes Kṛṣṇa to laugh. These exchanges are not mundane but are categorized as uparasa in fraternal affection, serving to refresh the mood of their daily pastimes in the forests of Vṛndāvana.
- Gopis said, "Some of them cut jokes with Him in mild voices and please Him very much by this." For example, Krsna had one brahmana friend whose name was Madhumangala. This boy would joke by playing the part of a greedy brahmana.
- He (Madhumangala) jokingly said, "My dear Lord, please be merciful upon me. I am praying for Your mercy." This is an example of uparasa in fraternal affection and neutrality.
- In all of these groups there are some who by nature are fixed in Krsna's service and are always engaged in giving counsel; some of them are very fond of joking and naturally cause Krsna to smile by their words.
- There is a statement by a gopi who addressed Subala, a friend of Krsna: "My dear Subala, I know that Krsna is your friend and you always enjoy smiling and joking with Him."
Sweetness of Conjugal Wit
The most intimate exchanges of humor occur within the conjugal relationship between Kṛṣṇa and the gopīs, particularly Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that the gentle smiles and joking words of Rādhārāṇī act like "camphor," providing a sweet fragrance to Her relationship with the Lord. These exchanges of jokes, tricky behavior, and glancing are all expressions of pure transcendental love. This divine humor is so powerful that even the demigods in the heavenly planets are moved to shower flowers when they witness Kṛṣṇa enjoying the joking words of His beloved associates.
- The black ointment around Her (Radharani's) eyes is Her tricky behavior with Krsna brought about by love. Her joking with Krsna and gentle smiling constitute the camphor with which She is perfumed.
- This intimate relationship (between the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the young damsels of Vrajabhumi) brought about by conjugal love produces movements of the eyebrows, glancing, sweet words and exchanges of joking words.
- This darkness (of Radharani's eyes) might be compared to ointment used by nature when nature jokes with Radha and Krsna.
- As Krsna was taking pleasure in the joking words and splashing water, the demigods in the heavenly planets showered flowers.
Professional Humor and Sages in the Assembly
The culture of spiritual humor extends beyond the forests of Vraja into the royal assembly of Dvārakā. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that when Kṛṣṇa sat on His throne, professional jokers and dancers would perform to put Him in a happy mood. Even great sages like Nārada Muni would engage in wit; for instance, Nārada once jokingly told Kṛṣṇa that His bulls had "eaten up the grass of irreligion" by grazing in the pastures of Vṛndāvana. Furthermore, Kṛṣṇa’s relatives, such as His brother-in-law, would often play jokes with Him, demonstrating that humor is a natural part of all spiritual relationships.
- In the assembly house were professional jokers, dancers, musicians and ballet girls, and as soon as the Lord (Krsna) sat on His throne they would begin their respective functions to please the Lord and put Him in a happy mood.
- Narada Muni once addressed Krsna jokingly: "My dear Lord of the cowherd boys, Your bulls while eating grass from the pasturing ground and moving on their four legs, have certainly eaten up all the grass of irreligion!"
- The son of Satyabhama's nurse, used to live with Krsna as His brother-in-law, and sometimes as brother-in-law he used to play jokes with Krsna.
- It is said that once Arjuna was lying in his bed with his head upon Krsna's lap and was talking and joking with Krsna in great relaxation and was enjoying Krsna's company with smiling and great satisfaction.
Humor in the Pastimes of Lord Caitanya
The tradition of transcendental humor is also prominently seen in the pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and His associates. Śrīla Prabhupāda shares an endearing instance where Lord Nityānanda, as a joke, took morsels of chipped rice and pushed them into the mouth of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. These "jokers" in the Lord’s entourage would use their wit to refresh the morning mood of the devotees and the Lord alike. These exchanges prove that the joy of humor is an eternal aspect of the Lord’s personality, intended to refresh and enliven the hearts of all who participate in His mission.
- From each and every pot, Lord Nityananda Prabhu took one morsel of chipped rice and pushed it into the mouth of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu as a joke.
- First of all the jokers would talk in such a way that the Lord (Krsna) and His associates would enjoy their humor, which would refresh the morning mood.
- Sri Balarama's losing the game was an opportunity for the King of Kalinga to criticize Krsna and Balarama. Thus the King of Kalinga was talking jokingly while purposefully showing his teeth to Balarama.
- When Krsna was present on this planet there was no irreligion. In this connection, Narada Muni once addressed Krsna jokingly.
Conclusion
Joking with Kṛṣṇa is one of the many ways the pure devotees experience the bliss of the spiritual world. Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals a Lord who is not only a supreme authority but also a loving friend and partner who delights in the humor of His associates. Transcendental humor serves to dissolve the distance between the Lord and the soul, replacing awe and veneration with the sweetness of intimate love. By understanding that even laughter has its origin in the spiritual world, we can appreciate the complete and joyful nature of Kṛṣṇa’s personality and the ultimate happiness awaiting us in His eternal company.
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