Yashoda Beholds a Vision

In our previous blog, Krishna Series - 10, we delved into the heartwarming tales of Krishna and the gopis. The cowherd maidens, the gopis, loved and cherished Krishna with
unwavering devotion and would often find their way to Mother Yashoda's home, hearts brimming with affection, seeking to share their grievance about Krishna's mischievous antics. Their visits were not complaints; they were heartfelt expressions of love because each moment spent in the presence of their beloved Krishna was an opportunity to bask in His charm.

As we transition to today's blog, we uncover a captivating episode that highlights Yogamaya, the intimate power of Lord Narayan, which puts Mother Yashoda under a deep reverie, with the intention to safeguard Her Lord.

One sunny day, the courtyard in front of Yashoda's house was alive with the laughter and shouts of children, their energy summoning the bright spirit of play. Inside, Yashoda was engrossed in her daily household tasks, her hands skillfully preparing the midday meal, the aroma of spices gently wafting through the air. Suddenly, a loud voice broke her concentration.

Balaram, wide-eyed and panting, came rushing toward her, his voice breathless with urgency. "Maiya! Maiya! Kanha is eating mud by the handfuls!"

Bewilderment flickered across Yashoda's face; she initially doubted his claim. Yet, the other boys who accompanied Balaram nodded vigorously, their expressions affirming the shocking news.

"Yes, Maiya, we saw him eating mud!"

A wave of anxiety washed over Yashoda as she hurried toward Krishna, who was playing innocently nearby. Her heart quickened, and with her left hand, she grasped Krishna firmly. Her right hand, poised in a parental gesture of reprimand, hovered above him.

"Is there no end to your mischief? Why did you eat mud? I am going to punish you today!"

Krishna, with his innate charm and innocence, shook his head vigorously, his big, doe-like eyes clear and sincere.

" No, Maiya, of course, I did not eat mud! I hate mud! It’s disgusting!"

"But these boys saw you!" Yashoda insisted, her voice a mix of disbelief and frustration. "Your brother Balaram saw you!"

At this moment, Krishna, ever playful and clever, calmly replied,

"Maiya, they are all telling a lie. Check for yourself! Look into my mouth and see if there’s any mud there!"

Intrigued yet sceptical, Yashoda replied, "Show me your mouth."

On hearing Maiya’s command to open His mouth, Krishna was horrified; His plan failed miserably. He knew that He would be caught red-handed if Maiya looked inside His mouth; He would be caught red-handed. There was no turning back. Terrified, little Krishna began to tremble. In His fright, His tiny mouth fell open all by itself. He was certain that Maiya would see the mud stuck to His teeth and tongue, and He would definitely be punished. However, as His mouth fell open, His divine power, Yogamaya, came to His rescue.

What Yashoda saw next filled her with awe and astonishment beyond measure. Within His tiny mouth lay the entire Universe unfolding before her—a kaleidoscope of reality that transcended the ordinary.

There were spinning galaxies, twinkling stars, and vast oceans, mountains rising and falling like waves. Yashoda beheld the heavens and all eight directions, the planets in their celestial dance, and the realm of the gods—the adoration and fear intermingling in that ethereal space. Time seemed to stand still as she perceived the divine arrangement of creation, from the elements of fire, water, and air, to the subtle energies of mind and spirit.

Each element glimmered with life; she saw Agni, the god of fire, distinguished by his radiant form amidst the universe’s intricate tapestry. She witnessed the delicate balance of the three gunas—Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas—intertwined in an eternal equilibrium. Where the Paramatma and the Jivatma existed as one, harmony prevailed; yet, she understood that when separated, imbalance emerged, giving rise to the world’s chaotic manifestation.

In an extraordinary, paradoxical vision, Yashoda also glimpsed Gokul, the peaceful village where she resided, her own reflection appearing as she looked into Krishna's mouth. The sight bewildered her—could this truly be? She repeatedly asked herself, “Is this a dream?”

Resolutely, Yashoda chastised her doubts, “No, it must be real! I am awake, absorbing this miraculous vision that is surely bestowed upon me by Lord Narayana. Is this an illusion? A mere reflection of my existence?” Yet, she pondered in disbelief, “How is it possible to see both myself and Krishna here in this wondrous image?”

Feeling a mixture of reverence and fear, she exclaimed,

"I bow to that ultimate reality which transcends mind, word, and action— the essence that underlies this vast Universe! The reality that gives life and meaning to every being, every world!

In this moment of profound insight, she marvelled at the cosmic play of Maya—the illusion that made her perceive herself as Yashoda, the mother, with Nand as her husband, and Krishna as her mischievous child. With humility, she prostrated before the divine presence that orchestrated it all, her heart flooded with gratitude and reverence.

However, as she gazed into Krishna’s divine eyes, he sensed her awareness slip away. Drawing upon the powerful emotional bond of Putrasneha—the love for a child—Krishna enveloped her in this affectionate energy. Instantly, Yashoda forgot what she saw, the divine manifestation fading like a dream forgotten upon waking. She shook her head as if awakening from a trance, caught once again in the enchanting web of Maya.

To Yashoda, the divine, the absolute truth Paramatma was revealed only as her beloved son, a playful child who deserved both her love and occasional discipline. Her world brimmed with the familiar chaos of motherhood, blissfully unaware of the cosmos she had glimpsed, as she remained lost in the tender complexity of her connection with Krishna. Mother Yashoda holds her beloved son close, embracing him in her arms.

King Parikshit sat with rapt attention, his eyes reflecting a deep sense of wonder as he listened to Shukdev Parmhans' narrative of this extraordinary episode. The weight of the words bore witness to the immense reverence he held for the divine.

"What an amount of Punya Nand and Yashoda must have accumulated to have the great good fortune of calling HIM their child," he exclaimed, his voice tinged with awe.

He contrasted their fortune with that of Devaki and Vasudev, who, despite their own trials and tribulations, were not graced with the same intimate connection to divinity.

"Gods like Brahma do but sing the praises of the Lord," he continued, "Yet they are not as fortunate as these cowherd couple who had HIM all for themselves."

His admiration deepened as he spoke of Yashoda, painting her as the embodiment of fortune, the woman who nurtured the supreme Lord Himself.

Maharaj Praikshit asked Sukhdev Paramhans a question that echoed in his heart:

"Tell me, my lord, how did it happen that Narayan chose this couple to receive this great honour?"

Shukdev explained that the Vasu (a celestial being) by name of Drona and his wife Dhara were blessed with heavenly opulence, yet their hearts longed for something far greater than wealth, status, or liberation. They longed instead for the priceless gift of pure parental love for the Supreme Lord. 

Drona and Dhara performed austerities and prayed:

"O Lord, may we obtain the fortune of loving You as our child.
Let us forget Your majesty.
Let us hold You, feed You, protect You.”

Most ask for liberation. They asked for bondage — the sweet bondage of motherly and fatherly love.

The Supreme Lord was pleased and said, "So be it" Drona was born as Nanda, his wife, Dhara, as Yashoda, and the Supreme Lord as Krishna, their beloved son.

Summary

Mother Yashoda attempts to punish Krishna for eating dirt. Upon demanding that he open his mouth to prove his innocence, she is stunned to witness a divine manifestation of the entire universe contained within his mouth. This celestial vision encompasses galaxies, elements, and the very nature of time, temporarily revealing Krishna's supreme divinity. Then Krishna uses His Yogamaya power to make Mother Yashoda forget the miracle, returning her to a state of maternal affection.