Childhood Stories of Krishna

Shri Krishna, the avatar of Vishnu in Dwaparyug depicted his superpowers from birth. Born to end sins, brutalities and misdeeds of kings of some of the dynasties during that era, Krishna was on a mission since his infancy when he was in the lap of his Yashoda Maa. His infancy and childhood are stuffed with hypnotic love stories, naughty episodes and stories of courage and kindness. In this blog, we will be Uncovering the childhood stories of Krishna.

Krishna’s Love for Makhan- Story of Makhan Chor

Baby Krishna’s eyes were shut and lips had a cute as well as satisfactory smile. His tongue was curved up to lips and his hands had Makhan on his palm. The taste of the handmade butter was highly satisfying and tempting to Krishna. His love for Makhan was undying and he was fond of it till his adulthood. He was busy licking his favourite butter which he stole from the kitchen of his mother Yashoda after breaking her pot. Butter used to be hung up near the ceiling by his mother and every Gopi of Nanda gaon. Kanha being a child and small had no choice but to break the pot he targeted.

While he was busy gobbling his Makhan, a shadow of a female was getting closer to him. Krishna raised his head and saw his Yashoda mother furious and enraged to see Kanha scooping out butter without being aware of his clothes and face. Yashoda said, ‘It is time to teach you a lesson’. She lifted her and dragged him along.

How Krishna got the name Damodar

She took a rope and fastened Kanha to heavy mortar. Because the rope (Dama) was tied below his belly region (Udar), Krishna got a new name, Damodar. Yashoda grumbled in anger and asked Krishna to wait there until she finished her household chores.

Also Read: 16 Kalas of Lord Krishna

Unaffected by the reproaches of his mother, he continued to stand silently and licked the remaining butter on his hands and clothes. After a few minutes, he looked at something towering in front of him. Everyone in Nanda Gaon knew them by the name of Yamalarjuna or Arjuna trees that were getting near to each other. What normal human beings see with their naked eyes, god doesn’t see that? He saw two lives that had been waiting for their birth for ages. They were the two beings hiding their secret for an infinite number of years.

Curse Story of Nalakuvara and Manigriva

Hundreds of years before, the son of Lord of Kuber, Manigriva and Nalakuvara were enjoying the company of unmarried women near the bank of the Mandakini River. When Narad came there, they undressed those women and started getting intimate with them. Women in shyness covered their bodies, but the sons of Kuber continued to be disrespectful towards Rishi Narada. They in the naked state raged over Narada. The sage fumed due to the disgraceful behaviour and cursed them to turn into Arjuna trees. He said that until Lord Vishnu incarnates as Krishna in Dwaparyuga and frees you from this curse, you will continue to remain in this condition.

Krishna and the Arjuna Trees- Breaking the Curse

Krishna started to crawl towards the tree with his mortar. It looked like the heavy mortar was light for Krishna. Krishna got closure to trees and Arjuna was stunned. They were enthusiastic and overwhelmed that finally, the moment of their freedom had arrived. Their rustling leaves were expressing joy. Out of the excitement, the flowers bloomed and dropped gradually on Krishna. Krishna passed between the two trees, but the mortar (stone) got stuck between the Arjuna trees. Krishna looked at the trees and then on the stone. The whole Brahmand was waiting and watching this. The mortar blocked the way between the two trees. The child pulled the mortar and wrenched both the trees.

They were shaking and their trunks were swaying. Both the trees got uprooted and collapsed with each other. They were no longer confined to one place. They bowed in front of Krishna and the baby Krishna plucked a leaf. The very moment trees turned into Nalakuvara and Manigriva. They bowed to Krishna and expressed gratitude to the avatar for setting them free and granting them motion.

Krishna outwits Brahma

One day when Krishna was playing with his Gwalas (the companions) at the bank of Yamuna River. Cows were grazing and Krishna with his friends was busy thinking about the game to play. Laughter, pranks and dares were going on; some were climbing on trees, and plucking fruits, whereas a few were diving in the Yamuna River. The Krishna was playing his flute, which hypnotized all his mates and they all fell asleep as if he was playing lullaby.

The creator of the Universe, Brahma was watching them and noticed that they didn’t have an eye over their cattle. He smirked and said to himself that I should also play. He took an entry into the minds of cattle and uttered a few words. All the cattle began to stare at each other and knew that something had entered inside them. They started following the instructions given by Brahma. All cattle herd together without letting the Gwalas realize about their movement. All were following the voice now without being worried about their mother cow or calves. Neither the mother cow nor their calves were bothered by each other. They kept on walking and eventually reached a cave and became invisible in its darkness. Brahma hides them all in a faraway cave and decided that he would hide them until the Krishna found and released them.

Also Read: Krishna and Sudama

Disappearance of Krishna’s Friends

Brahma was only in a mood to play. He said, I am just kidding Shri Hari. Maushka woke up from a deep sleep and asked everyone to wake up.  He looked around and saw no cows and calves. All woke up and ran all over to find their cattle. Not even a trace was left with which mates of Krishna could get the clue from animals. All got panicked as dusk was about to take everything under its darkness. The creator wanted to play more and said I am not done yet, Shri Hari.

After controlling the minds of cattle, Brahma now played with the minds of mates of Krishna. He did the same with them and consequently, all Gwalas started separating from each other. They all one by one moved away with no reaction and no expression on their face. They all followed the strange power and entered the cave and hid themselves with the cows.

Krishna looked around and saw there was no one with him. All his mates had disappeared. Krishna smiled. Not my mates, but someone else is playing hide and seek with me. He was getting how Brahma vanished all his cattle and mates. Sensing the smile on the face of Krishna, Brahma once again said I am just playing. Krishna smiled back and said, “I must also play then”.

He closed his eyes. Suddenly, rays were emitting from his body which were sketching some shapes. Those shapes were infused with blood, hairs, skin and flesh and the result was nothing but the replica of all cattle and his mates that had been lost. Gradually the rays faded away and his all comrades were right in front of him. Nobody remembered what happened and right away, Mansukha called Kanha, to let us go back to the village. It is too late.

Brahma’s Realization and Surrender

Months and a year passed, and none of the members of the families of Krishna’s mate could identify they were replicas of their kids. The cattle too were equally identical. Being the direct creation of Krishna, the kids created a more holistic environment at home and Vrindavan. Brahma finally realized that he had lost the game with the Krishna that he started. He intended to create havoc in Vrindavan, but his plan failed. His Maya failed in front of Krishna’s Maya.

He dissolved all the replicas and replaced them with the real ones who were kept in a cave. Brahma smiled at Krishna while offering a Kadamba flower to him. Brahma said Shri Hari; sometimes I get tired of my job and want to play. Also, at times I feel I should stop playing.

Worship lord Krishna for tranquillity, Happiness and longevity.