Transcendental Pastimes of Kṛṣṇa Taking Care of Cows
The absolute nature of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is full of endless sweetness and variety, completely free from the rigid formalities of the material world. Śrīla Prabhupāda beautifully explains that although Lord Kṛṣṇa is the creator and maintainer of the entire cosmos, His most cherished and intimate pastimes are performed as a simple cowherd boy in the village of Vṛndāvana. As described in scriptures like the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.11.37, Kṛṣṇa and His elder brother Balarāma grew up taking personal care of the calves and cows, wandering through the enchanting forests of Vraja with Their friends. By adopting this simple, agrarian lifestyle, the Supreme Lord not only enjoyed boundless transcendental pleasure but also perfectly taught human society the absolute necessity and profound joy of cow protection.
Teachings Overview
This article explores the sweet childhood pastimes of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma taking care of the calves and cows in Vṛndāvana. It highlights the Lord's simple nature, His loving exchanges in the forest, and how He taught the principles of cow protection by His own example.
Key Teachings
- Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma were trained from childhood to take charge of the calves as their first responsibility.
- Even though He is the Supreme Lord, Kṛṣṇa's eternal hobby is personally caring for the surabhi cows.
- Kṛṣṇa called the cows by name and played His flute, enjoying deep, loving exchanges in the pasturing grounds.
- By identifying as a cowherd boy, Kṛṣṇa practically demonstrated the vaiśya duties of agriculture and cow protection.
The Childhood Duty of Tending Calves
In the traditional Vedic system, education begins with practical responsibility and a connection to nature. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that even though Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma belonged to the royal, well-to-do family of Mahārāja Nanda, They were still expected to take charge of the small calves as soon as They were old enough to walk to the pasturing grounds.
Growing Up in Vṛndāvana
"In this way, Krsna and Balarama, acting like small boys and talking in half-broken language, gave transcendental pleasure to all the inhabitants of Vraja. In due course of time, They became old enough to take care of the calves - SB 10.11.37."
Śrīla Prabhupāda describes the enchanting maturation of the Lord.
"As soon as Krsna and Balarama were a little grown up, They were meant for taking care of the calves. Although born of a very well-to-do family, They still had to take care of the calves. This was the system of education."
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains the practical educational system in Vraja.
"Soon Krsna and Balarama had grown sufficiently to be given charge of the calves. Cowherd boys, from the very beginning of their childhood, are trained to take care of the cows, and their first responsibility is to take care of the little calves."
Śrīla Prabhupāda outlines the foundational training of cowherd boys.
"After the killing of the (calf) demon, Krsna and Balarama finished Their breakfast in the morning, and while continuing to take care of the calves, They wandered here and there - SB 10.11.45."
Śrīla Prabhupāda depicts the carefree morning pastimes of the brothers.
"A few days before a year had passed, Krsna and Balarama were maintaining the calves in the forest when They saw some cows grazing on the top of Govardhana Hill. The cows could see down into the valley where the calves were being taken care of by the boys."
Śrīla Prabhupāda sets the scene of the Lord's forest activities.
The Supreme Lord as a Simple Cowherd
The majesty of God is often understood in terms of awe and reverence, but in Vṛndāvana, the Supreme Lord prefers a life of charming simplicity. Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals that Kṛṣṇa’s favorite engagement is not ruling the cosmos, but affectionately maintaining the cows.
The Lord's Eternal Business
"He (Krsna) was Himself, although He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He was taking care of the calves and cows when He was child, although Nanda Maharaja was king, village king."
Śrīla Prabhupāda marvels at the humility of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
"In this way, the maintainers of the complete creation, Krsna and Balarama, used to take care of the calves every day, beginning in the morning, and thus They enjoyed Their childhood pastimes as cowherd boys in Vrndavana."
Śrīla Prabhupāda contrasts Their universal mastery with Their village pastimes.
"Why Krsna personally Himself became a cowherd boy and was taking the care of the cows and the calves? Oh, that is very essential."
Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes the absolute necessity of Kṛṣṇa's example.
"Just like we have got some hobbies, we keep some cats and dogs, Krsna has got also hobby. What is that? Surabhir abhipalayantam. He's always engaged in taking care of the surabhi cows. Gopala. That is His business. So He's so simple, life."
"In the Mathura-khanda chapter of the Skanda Purana, there is a description of Krsna and Balarama, surrounded by all the cowherd boys, always engaged in taking care of the cows and calves."
Śrīla Prabhupāda notes the Purāṇic description of Their constant engagement.
Forest Pastimes and Loving Exchanges
The daily excursions into the forest were not mere labor; they were grand, joyous festivals of friendship and love. Śrīla Prabhupāda illustrates how Kṛṣṇa, playing His flute and leading thousands of calves, shared the deepest loving exchanges with both the animals and His cowherd boyfriends.
Joy in the Pasturing Grounds
"Keeping the calves before them, they started for the forest in a great procession. In this way, Lord Krsna assembled thousands of His boyfriends. Equipped with a stick, flute, horn, as well as a lunch bag, each was taking care of thousands of calves."
Śrīla Prabhupāda describes the magnificent morning procession into the forest.
"Along with the other little cowherd boys, Krsna and Balarama went into the pasturing ground and took charge of the calves, and there They played with Their playmates. While taking charge of the calves, sometimes the two brothers played on Their flutes."
Śrīla Prabhupāda illustrates the musical and playful nature of Their duties.
"The cows taken care of by Krsna had different names, and Krsna would call them with love. After hearing Krsna calling, the cows would immediately respond by mooing, and the boys would enjoy this exchange to their hearts' content."
Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights the personal affection between the Lord and the cows.
"Here (in SB 10.13.14) we see that He (Krsna) took personal care to find the calves of His friends. This was Krsna's causeless mercy."
Śrīla Prabhupāda points out Kṛṣṇa's loving service toward His devotees.
"Krsna usually stayed in the forest and pasturing ground, taking care of the calves and cows with His associates the cowherd boys."
Śrīla Prabhupāda confirms the Lord's primary location and engagement.
Teaching the Principles of Cow Protection
As Kṛṣṇa grew older, His responsibilities shifted from the small calves to the full-grown cows and bulls. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that by personally acting as a cowherd and identifying with the agricultural community, the Supreme Lord established the practical standard for maintaining human society.
The Perfect Example of a Vaiśya
"As He grew to six and seven years old, the Lord was given charge of looking after the cows and bulls in the grazing grounds."
Śrīla Prabhupāda notes the progression of Kṛṣṇa's responsibilities.
"Krsna and Balarama taught us (the duties of a vaisya) by Their personal behavior. Krsna took care of the cows and played His flute, and Balarama took care of agricultural activities with a plow in His hand."
Śrīla Prabhupāda identifies the perfect division of agrarian duties.
"Krsna identified Himself with the vaisya community because Nanda was protecting many cows and Krsna was taking care of them. He enumerated four kinds of business engagements for the vaisya community, namely agriculture, trade, protection of cows and banking."
Śrīla Prabhupāda lists the authorized engagements of the mercantile class.
"Krsna continued, "Although My foster father possessed many hundreds of thousands of cows, I (Krsna) was not the proprietor of even one of them. I was simply entrusted with taking care of them and tending them, but I was not the proprietor.""
Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights Kṛṣṇa's humble position as a servant rather than a proprietor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Kṛṣṇa act as a simple cowherd boy despite being the Supreme Lord?
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa loves a simple life and taking care of the surabhi cows is actually His eternal, favorite hobby in the spiritual world.
How do cowherd boys traditionally receive their education?
Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that in the Vedic system, even boys from wealthy families were trained from the beginning of childhood to take responsibility by tending the little calves.
What specific societal duties did Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma demonstrate?
Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that They taught the essential duties of the vaiśya class by personal example: Kṛṣṇa took care of the cows, and Balarāma handled agricultural activities.
How did Kṛṣṇa interact with the cows in the pasturing grounds?
Śrīla Prabhupāda describes highly personal exchanges, where Kṛṣṇa would lovingly call the cows by their different names, and they would immediately respond with affectionate mooing.
Conclusion
The childhood activities of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma are not merely historical events, but eternal pastimes full of profound spiritual instruction. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that by personally acting as a cowherd boy and taking care of the calves and cows, the Supreme Lord established the importance of cow protection and the perfect simplicity of a God-centered agrarian life. Through the sweet sounds of His flute and His loving calls to the cows by name, Kṛṣṇa demonstrated that the highest perfection of life is found in loving, personal reciprocation. By hearing about and meditating on these blissful pastimes in the forests of Vṛndāvana, a devotee naturally awakens their dormant love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
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 Taking Care of Cows. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.