Kṛṣṇa Drinks the Nectar of Devotion
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is entirely self-sufficient, yet He willingly descends to the material world to relish the sweet exchanges of pure devotion. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes of drinking—whether drinking the breast milk of Mother Yaśodā, relishing the crystal-clear water of the Yamunā, or tasting the nectar of conjugal love—are all manifestations of His desire to reciprocate with His devotees. As described in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.9.4, the Lord would playfully interrupt His mother's churning just to drink from her breast, demonstrating how the supreme controller becomes a demanding, dependent child in the presence of unalloyed parental affection. Through these diverse pastimes, Kṛṣṇa proves that He is ultimately thirsty only for the nectar of pure love.
Teachings Overview
The pastimes of Kṛṣṇa drinking highlight the absolute purity and sweetness of His interactions in Vṛndāvana. By demanding Mother Yaśodā's milk, stealing yogurt from the neighbors, or sharing cool river water with His cowherd friends, Kṛṣṇa engages all the residents of Vraja in blissful loving exchanges. Because He is absolute, even His act of drinking poisoned milk from the demoness Pūtanā resulted in her ultimate salvation.
Key Teachings
- Kṛṣṇa deeply relishes drinking the breast milk of Mother Yaśodā, displaying sweet childhood demands and anger.
- Because Kṛṣṇa is absolute, anyone who offers Him a drink—even with malicious intent, like Pūtanā—receives His causeless mercy.
- The Lord enjoys simple, idyllic pastimes, such as drinking the transparent water of the Yamunā with His friends and calves.
- In the highest spiritual exchanges, Kṛṣṇa and His devotees metaphorically drink the sweet nectar of conjugal devotion.
Drinking the Milk of Mother Yaśodā
The relationship between Kṛṣṇa and Mother Yaśodā represents the perfection of vātsalya-rasa (parental affection). Śrīla Prabhupāda describes how Kṛṣṇa would demand to drink her breast milk, forcibly stopping her household duties, and would even exhibit transcendental anger if she put Him down before He was fully satisfied.
The Sweet Demands of the Supreme Child
"At that time (while Yasoda was absorbed in celebrating the utthana ceremony and was busy receiving guests), the child Krsna, demanding to drink the milk of His mother's breast, angrily threw His legs upward - SB 10.7.6."
"Mother Yasoda said: My dear son Krsna, lotus-eyed Krsna, come here and drink the milk of my breast. My dear darling, You must be very tired because of hunger and the fatigue of playing so long. There is no need to play any more - SB 10.11.15."
Śrīla Prabhupāda notes Mother Yaśodā's intense maternal affection.
"While mother Yasoda was churning butter, Lord Krsna, desiring to drink the milk of her breast, appeared before her, and in order to increase her transcendental pleasure, He caught hold of the churning rod & began to prevent her from churning - SB 10.9.4."
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains Kṛṣṇa's playful disruption of churning.
"When she (Yasoda) saw that the milk pan on the oven was boiling over, she immediately left her son (Krsna) to take care of the overflowing milk, although the child was not yet fully satisfied with drinking the milk of His mother's breast - SB 10.9.5."
Śrīla Prabhupāda illustrates the tension between maternal duties.
"Who (Krsna) then became very angry (when mother Yasoda left Him to save overflowing milk in the kitchen), not having been fully satisfied with drinking the milk of her breast."
The Mercy of Kṛṣṇa's Drinking
Because the Lord is the Absolute Truth, anyone who connects with Him receives absolute benefit. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that even when Kṛṣṇa playfully steals milk or drinks from poisoned breasts, He bestows supreme auspiciousness and salvation upon those involved.
Bestowing Auspiciousness Through Action
"Her (Putana's) only business was to kill small children; she was only fond of blood. But in spite of being envious of Krsna, she attained salvation because she gave her milk to Him to drink."
Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights the absolute mercy granted to Pūtanā.
"Krsna and Balarama would pile up planks so that They could reach the pots and would then pick holes in the pots with Their hands so that the contents would leak out and They could drink it. This was another means for stealing butter and milk."
Śrīla Prabhupāda describes the mischievous tactics of the Lord.
"Sometimes He (Krsna) devises some process by which He steals palatable curd, butter and milk, which He then eats and drinks - SB 10.8.29."
"Lord Krsna drinks the juice from these coconuts, and sometimes the coconuts are left drained of juice. At other times the coconuts remain filled with juice."
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains Kṛṣṇa's enjoyment of natural fruits.
Drinking the Crystal Water of the Yamunā
The natural environment of Vṛndāvana serves perfectly to facilitate the Lord's enjoyment. Śrīla Prabhupāda illustrates how Kṛṣṇa, tired from playing with His friends and calves, would sit on the sandy banks and peacefully drink the sweet, transparent water of the Yamunā River.
Refreshing Pastimes in the Forest
"Krsna and Balarama took Their baths in the river and washed Their faces. After drinking the transparent, crystal-clear water of the Yamuna, They took Their seats again on the chariot."
Śrīla Prabhupāda illustrates the peaceful pastimes at the Yamunā.
"While passing through the forest of Vrndavana on the bank of the Yamuna, Krsna sat down at a beautiful spot and allowed the cows to drink the cold and transparent water of the Yamuna. Being fatigued, the cowherd boys, Krsna and Balarama also drank."
"When both the Krsnas, namely Krsna and Arjuna, reached the bank of the Yamuna (Arjuna is sometimes called Krsna, as is Draupadi), they washed their hands, feet and mouths and drank the clear water of the Yamuna."
Śrīla Prabhupāda notes the camaraderie between Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna.
"One day all the boys, including Krsna and Balarama, each boy taking his own group of calves, brought the calves to a reservoir of water, desiring to allow them to drink. After the animals drank water, the boys drank water there also - SB 10.11.46."
Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights the simple cowherd life in Vṛndāvana.
Relishing the Nectar of Pure Love
In the highest stages of devotion, the concept of drinking transcends physical beverages. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that in the conjugal rasa, Kṛṣṇa and the gopīs are metaphorically described as drinking the honey and nectar of each other's lips and loving affection.
Drinking the Nectar of the Conjugal Relationship
"Srimati Radharani induces Krsna to drink the honey of the conjugal relationship. She is therefore engaged in satisfying all the lusty desires of Krsna."
Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals the highest exchanges of conjugal love.
"If You do not give up Your shame and fear, however, I shall continuously drink the nectar of Krsna's lips. I am slightly fearful because You also have the right to drink that nectar, but as for the others, I consider them like straw."
"That flute is a very cunning male who drinks again and again the taste of another male's lips."
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains the metaphorical drinking of the flute.
"Brahma said, "You have drunk their (the innocent village women and cows) milk to satisfaction, yet You are never satisfied as much by those engaged in performing sacrifices.""
Śrīla Prabhupāda points out Lord Brahmā's profound realization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the demoness Pūtanā get salvation?
Śrīla Prabhupāda affirms that despite her envious motives, Pūtanā attained salvation simply because she offered her breast milk to Kṛṣṇa.
Why did Kṛṣṇa become angry with Mother Yaśodā?
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that when Mother Yaśodā set Him down to tend to boiling milk, Kṛṣṇa exhibited transcendental anger because He was not yet fully satisfied with drinking from her breast.
How did Kṛṣṇa steal butter and milk from the high pots?
Śrīla Prabhupāda describes how Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma would pile up planks to reach the hanging pots, then playfully pick holes in them so the contents would leak out for Them to drink.
What is the significance of Kṛṣṇa's flute in conjugal love?
Śrīla Prabhupāda shares the poetic jealousy of the gopīs, who describe the flute as a cunning male that continuously gets to drink the sweet nectar of Kṛṣṇa's lips.
"That flute is a very cunning male who drinks again and again the taste of another male's lips."
Conclusion
The act of drinking, though seemingly ordinary, becomes an expression of absolute transcendence when performed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As Śrīla Prabhupāda illuminates, whether Kṛṣṇa is drinking the pure milk of Mother Yaśodā, sharing the clear waters of the Yamunā with His childhood friends, or tasting the nectar of unalloyed conjugal love, every drop represents a divine exchange. By contemplating these sweet pastimes of Kṛṣṇa's drinking, the conditioned soul is gradually awakened to their own dormant desire to drink the eternal nectar of devotional service.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Krsna's Drinking. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.