The Tale of Jogomaya

“O Lord, save me! What sin have I done? Will I be the cause of Nanda’s child’s death? O Kangsatakai, may the merciful God protect this girl. Lord, save me! What wonder is this! Even in this danger, the little girl is laughing brightly. No, I must not look anywhere else now. Before the guards wake up, I must, I must reach the prison. No, no, I cannot delay any more.”

Vasudeva had left Nanda’s baby son in Nanda’s house in Gokul. He had exchanged him with Yashoda’s newborn daughter. Now, holding the baby girl in his arms, he was hurrying back to Mathura.

He had no time to lose.

Through roaring clouds, thunder, sharp flashes of lightning, and endless rain, Vasudeva crossed the Yamuna and returned to Mathura. Yet not a soul was awake anywhere. The prison guards still lay unconscious in deep sleep. And most wondrous of all, the baby girl in his arms remained completely quiet.

Silently Vasudeva opened the iron bars and entered the prison.

Inside, Devaki had been restless with fear. The moment she saw him, she cried out, “Have you returned? Have you returned? No danger came on the way, did it? You left my son in a safe place, didn’t you? Where? Where is he?”

Vasudeva spoke softly, trying to calm her. “No, Devaki, no danger came. Calm yourself, calm yourself. Your son is safe. No one will be able to touch him now. Calm yourself, calm yourself, Devaki.”

But Devaki’s heart was breaking. Vasudeva said again, “Do not cry, Devaki. There was no other way to save the boy. Do not cry. If he stayed here, maybe Kamsa would have...”

Devaki wept and looked at the baby girl. “No, Devaki, better that he will live. That alone is some comfort. This girl is Yashoda’s flower-like daughter. Will Kamsa kill even such a beautiful innocent girl? Will he be so cruel? Will his hand not tremble even a little?”

Vasudeva answered with pain, “Yes, can a killer have mercy? Only God knows how much more sin we must see in this life.”

Devaki pressed her hand to her breast and cried, “Will my son ever know me as his mother? Will I ever see him again? O God, for what sin are you giving me such a great punishment, Lord?”

“Do not cry, Devaki, do not cry,” Vasudeva said. “Wait for tomorrow morning. Who knows what storm will rise tomorrow.”

King Parikshit listened with deep feeling. Then he asked, “Acharyadeva, after seeing Narayana himself, why are Vasudeva and Devaki acting like such ordinary people? Do they remember nothing?”

Shukadeva Goswami replied, “No, king, they have forgotten everything. At that time, their affection became stronger than devotion. They were suffering in fear and worry. Of course, all this was the play of Yogamaya. Maharaj, if people always kept their divine knowledge, then how would the divine play continue? So Vasudeva and Devaki began to behave helplessly.”

Parikshit bowed his head and asked, “What happened after Vasudeva reached the prison, Lord?”

Shukadeva said, “Vasudeva himself put the chains back on his feet. All the iron doors closed by themselves. The guards woke up and sat up. Outside, the world was just beginning to see dawn. Just then, the baby girl inside the prison began to cry.”

The sound of the baby’s cry startled the guards.

“What is this?” one of them said. “Is that a baby crying?”

“Yes? That is what I thought I heard.”

“Yes, yes. A baby is crying. The sound came from that prison.”

“That means, that means Princess Devaki’s eighth child has been born. Come, come, come. We must take the news to the Maharaj at once.”

“Yes, yes, come, come, come.”

Kamsa had been waiting impatiently for Devaki’s eighth child. He had almost given up food and sleep. Every passing moment made his fear grow.

Then a minister came and told him, “Maharaj, the sound of a baby crying is coming from the prison.”

For a moment Kamsa sat frozen. Then he leaped up with a fierce roar.

“A baby’s cry! Devaki has given birth. So the eighth child has come. Kotwal! Where is the Kotwal?”

“Here I am, Maharaj. Give your order.”

“Devaki has given birth. That child must be killed. Be ready. Come, minister, let us go and finish this eighth sin. For so long, for so long I have waited for this. Only after ending it will I find peace.”

Like a mad elephant, Kamsa rushed toward the prison at great speed. He did not even have time to put on his royal ornaments. In his haste he kept striking his feet again and again.

Far away, Devaki heard his scream and trembled in fear. Clutching the baby girl to her chest, she called upon God. Vasudeva sat silent, his head bent low. One thought troubled him deeply—would he be able to save Yashoda’s daughter?

The guards opened the prison door for Kamsa.

He entered like a terrible demon.

“Where? Where is that eighth child?”

Devaki fell before him. “No—give her into my hands. Forgive me, Maharaj, forgive me. My eighth child is a girl, O king. Spare this girl at least... spare her. She is so weak. What harm can she do to you, Rajan? What harm can she do?”

Kamsa’s face grew dark. “A girl? Whether boy or girl, give her, give her into my hands. After killing this eighth curse, I will at last be free of worry. Then I will have no more fear.”

Devaki cried bitterly. “You are a great hero, full of power. Why should you fear a little girl, Maharaj? You killed my six sons. I could say nothing. But save this girl, O king, save her. I am your younger sister. I am begging you. Have mercy, O king, have mercy.”

“I said give her. If you do not give her yourself, I will snatch her away.”

Vasudeva spoke up at once. “Stop, Maharaj! What are you doing? The scriptures forbid killing a woman. You are about to do something against the scriptures. That will bring terrible sin, Rajan. Spare this girl at least.”

But Kamsa would not listen. “No, Vasudeva, I will not be fooled by any trick of the gods. This may also be the gods’ illusion. One must never leave an enemy alive, Vasudeva.”

“How can this girl become the enemy of such a powerful king as you?”

“No, Vasudeva. She will not become an enemy, she has been born as an enemy. Devaki’s eighth womb itself is my enemy. Whether a boy or a girl is born from it, I will never forgive it.”

Without waiting another moment, Kamsa snatched the baby from Devaki’s lap.

The other times he had taken the babies away to the palace. But this time he could not bear even that little delay. There was a hard stone set in the floor of the prison. Holding the baby by both legs, he raised her over his head to smash her upon the stone.

And then, suddenly, a wonderful thing happened.

King Parikshit leaned forward and asked, “What, what happened then, O sage? Did Kamsa come to know something?”

Shukadeva said, “Yes, he certainly came to know. But he learned something he had never imagined, not even in his worst dream. What he saw was beyond his understanding. Kamsa saw that the baby slipped from his hands. She was rising into the sky. Devaki and Vasudeva stared in shock. Even Kamsa and his guards could not blink. As she rose higher in the sky, that little girl began to change.”

Parikshit asked in wonder, “In what form did she appear then, Acharyadeva?”

“Yogamaya herself now took her true form,” Shukadeva said. “Her beauty shone with divine garlands, sandal paste, and many ornaments. She was glowing with heavenly light. Her brightness was like the sun. No one could keep their eyes on that light. In her eight hands she held eight different weapons. Kinnars and Gandharvas were worshipping her. She was Yogamaya, the sister of Narayana, who had taken birth in Yashoda’s house.”

Parikshit asked, “What weapons were in her eight hands, Lord?”

“In her hands were a bow, spear, arrow, shield, sword, discus, mace, and conch. Above her head a circle of light was turning.”

Seeing that divine goddess form, Kamsa trembled in fear and amazement. Shaking, he asked, “Why, why have you come to me? What do you want?”

The goddess answered, “Fool, what would I want from you? What do you have? Listen, Kamsa, killing me will do you no good. The one who will destroy you has already come to this earth.”

Kamsa gasped, “Who is he? Who will destroy me? Where is he?”

“Kamsa, he is the enemy from your former birth. He is, he is very near you. When the time comes, you will see him. You have done many sins. So do not kill old people and innocent children anymore.”

After giving this warning, goddess Yogamaya disappeared into the sky.

Devaki and Vasudeva bowed to her. Kamsa stood still, staring at the path by which she had gone.

Parikshit asked, “Tell me, O sage, after hearing the goddess’s words, did Kamsa’s cruelty toward Vasudeva and Devaki become even stronger?”

Shukadeva replied, “No, king. After hearing the goddess’s words, Kamsa changed his decision. He thought that the reason for which he had kept Devaki imprisoned could no longer be stopped. The event had already happened. The one who would kill him had already been born. Yet Kamsa had not even known it. So why should he keep Devaki and Vasudeva imprisoned anymore? There was no gain in that now.”

Parikshit wondered aloud, “The gods are Kamsa’s enemies. Then why did he believe the words of goddess Yogamaya, O sage?”

Shukadeva said, “Did I not tell you, O king, Yogamaya can make the impossible happen. Whatever she wishes, that alone happens in the world. No one has the power to disobey her, Parikshit. Not even Kamsa. So he had no way but to believe the goddess’s words.”

“Then tell me, O sage, what happened to Kamsa after the goddess disappeared?”

Shukadeva answered, “Then Kamsa did a very surprising thing. He freed Devaki and Vasudeva. He removed the iron chains from their feet. Kamsa also opened the prison doors. Then, becoming very humble, he said,

‘Devaki, Vasudeva? You have suffered greatly because of me. I, I have become a demon. Just as demons kill their own children, I too, I too have killed all your sons. Alas, alas, what wrong I have done! What wrong I have done! Shame, shame on me.’”

Kamsa began to cry and confess his guilt.

Parikshit exclaimed, “Kamsa? How was that possible? Was that too the effect of Yogamaya?”

“Of course,” said Shukadeva. “But there was another reason too, O king. When Kamsa saw one who had seen God, one from whose womb God himself had taken birth, his heart changed. His cruelty gave way to softness. But his ministers were evil-minded. Whenever he saw them, Kamsa became his old self again.”

Parikshit said, “O sage, you tell very strange things. Truly very strange. Tell me, could Devaki and Vasudeva accept this humility of Kamsa?”

Shukadeva replied, “I told you before, O king, that Kamsa loved Devaki in his own way. So Devaki did not doubt this behavior of his. In that very cruel and heartless man, whatever little softness remained was kept only for Devaki. So Devaki did not disbelieve this conduct of her elder brother. Especially because Kamsa also asked Devaki’s forgiveness.”

Parikshit said, “Kamsa asked forgiveness? Please tell me that in detail, Acharyadeva. My wonder keeps growing.”

Shukadeva nodded. “Yes, O king, he did ask forgiveness. Folding his hands before Devaki and Vasudeva, Kamsa began to weep.

‘I, I am a killer of the holy. I am wicked, I am a demon. By killing so many children, I, I have become dead while still living. I am suffering hell while still alive, suffering hell while still alive.’

Devaki said gently, ‘Please, please calm yourself, Maharaj, calm yourself.’

Kamsa cried, ‘I, I am a sinner, Devaki. Devaki, I am a sinner. Forgive me, forgive me. I did not understand that even the gods could speak falsely. Because of that lie I killed so many of your children. How could I know that the one was not born from your womb, Devaki? How could I know? Do not grieve, princess. You both are great souls. This sorrow and happiness are not meant for people like you. Everyone is bound by the result of their actions. No one, no one can escape it. These children could not either. Do not mourn for them, Devaki.’

Then Vasudeva said, ‘What you say is true, Maharaj. Human beings cannot escape pride. Because of this pride, people cling to “mine, mine,” and become tightly bound in anger, attachment, and fear. People cannot understand that God himself is the ruler of all that happens anywhere.’

Kamsa replied, ‘You are a very wise man. I, I know, Vasudeva, that you will understand this. Just look at me, how helpless I became in the hands of circumstances. I did what should never have been done. But let me tell you one thing, Vasudeva, do not grieve. A body is born, and then that body dies. But the soul has neither birth nor death, prince. So, so do not be sorrowful.’”

Parikshit then asked, “Even with so much knowledge, how did Kamsa become so cruel, Lord?”

Shukadeva replied, “It is because of Yogamaya. If Kamsa did not commit sin, then how would Narayana come in Devaki’s eighth womb? The earth had great need of him. And besides, Devaki’s other sons too had to die by Kamsa’s hand to gain release. All this was the law of fate. O king, everything is moving in a circle. If you stay inside that circle, you understand nothing. But if you stand outside it, you will see that everything is arranged like a picture.”

Parikshit bowed and said, “You have spoken truly, O sage. Truly everything is like a picture. Everything has been decided beforehand. I, I too am a part of this law of fate.”

“Yes, king,” Shukadeva said, “no one can break fate. That is the deepest truth of the cycle of creation. Kamsa could not either.”

After asking forgiveness, Kamsa respectfully set Devaki and Vasudeva free. But as soon as he returned to his ministers, his mind again became crooked as before. All his good thoughts vanished in a moment.

Parikshit asked, “How can that happen, Acharyadeva?”

“Bad company is like poison,” Shukadeva answered. “Kamsa’s ministers were all wicked, even more wicked than Kamsa. Whenever he went near them, all the light in his mind went out. He again became cruel.”

When Kamsa returned to his ministers, he told them everything about goddess Yogamaya. He also told them that he had freed Vasudeva and Devaki.

The ministers hated the gods. Hearing the goddess’s words, they burned with anger.

One of them said, “Yogamaya told you this? Very well, if that is so, then we will begin work from today itself. Wherever there are mountains, cities, villages, and settlements, we will send spies everywhere, Maharaj.”

Kamsa said, “You are right, chief minister. First of all, the children of Braj must be searched. Gokul is very near Mathura. What if some god is hidden there in disguise?”

The minister replied, “That I understand. But how will we search? And whom will we search for? Do we even know your enemy?”

“No, Maharaj, we do not know your enemy,” another said. “But if we seize and kill all children who are ten days old or younger, that will do. One among them must be that killer in disguise.”

Kamsa nodded. “You have said something excellent, chief minister. But none of you spoke of the danger in this plan.”

“What danger, Maharaj?”

“What if that disguised god has not come alone? Perhaps all the gods have come with him. They will all try to protect him. Then war may break out with the gods.”

The chief minister laughed darkly. “Is that any danger? All the gods tremble before you. They fear the twang of your bow. They cannot stand before your arrows. Have you forgotten that, Maharaj? Once they themselves remembered you in fear and trembling.”

Kamsa said, “I have forgotten nothing, chief minister. I have no concern about petty gods. I am thinking of only one, Vishnu. He knows many tricks. If somehow he has come, then...”

“Do not worry so much about Vishnu, Rajan,” said the minister. “He always remains hidden and never comes openly. And I see no reason to worry about his power, nor about forest-dwelling Mahadeva and the ascetic Brahma. All of them are helpless before you, Maharaj.”

Kamsa replied, “I know, chief minister, I know all that. I do not fear the gods. I, I am thinking of something else. Is it right to start a war with the gods now? If in that confusion my killer is moved somewhere else, then how will I find him?”

“You have spoken rightly, Maharaj. Then there is no need for war right now. The killing of the children should begin in secret.”

Kamsa fell silent for a moment and then said, “Already many children have been killed. I myself killed Devaki’s six sons. Only because I knew no danger to me would come from her womb anymore, I have just now set her free. If now child killing starts all over the kingdom again, then, then my peace will prove false.”

The chief minister bowed and answered, “Do not worry, Maharaj. We will make child-killing happen across the kingdom. First we will go toward Gokul. I am sure your enemy will be in that Gokul.”

“Why Gokul? Why?”

“Because cows are dearest to Vishnu. Also, I have heard that Vishnu lives in the bodies of those who perform sacrifice, of ascetics, and of Brahmins. Maharaj, if you order it, we will destroy those sacrifices. We will kill the cowherds.”

Kamsa’s eyes hardened. “You have spoken well, chief minister. Very good. Wherever worship, offerings, and sacrifices are being done, let my followers destroy them all. And chief minister, send the cleverest demons to Gokul. Those cowherd boys must be finished, finished completely.”

“As you command, Maharaj. I will make all arrangements at once.”

After hearing this, King Parikshit spoke with longing. “Now tell me about Gokul, Acharyadeva. I am eager to hear of that most holy land where Shri Hari himself is playing. What great fortune did Gokul have?”

Shukadeva smiled. “If you want to hear of Gokul, you must know about Golok, Parikshit. By the grace of Vishnu himself, Brahma and the other gods once saw Golok. Golok rests in the lap of the great pure white Sheshnag. Sheshnag himself protects it. Not everyone can reach that Golok, O king.”

Parikshit asked, “Who has the right to go to Golok, Lord?”

“Maya, attachment, mind, thought, ego—if these remain, then going to Golok is not possible, Maharaj. Even the gods could not go there.”

“Even the gods could not go? Why were they not allowed to enter there, Lord?”

Shukadeva replied, “To see Shri Hari, all the gods came together and stood at the gate of Golok. But the attendants of the Lord stood there and blocked their path. They carried the news of the gods’ arrival to Shri Hari. Then a wonderful event took place.”

“What happened, Acharyadeva?”

“From inside Golok, a most beautiful girl came out and asked, ‘From which universe have you come, O gods? What shall I tell the Lord?’

The gods were astonished. One of them answered, ‘Which universe? What are you saying, blessed one? We know of only one universe. And I am the king of the heaven of that universe. And all these gods are very powerful. How many universes are there?’

The girl smiled and said, ‘Oh my, do you not even know that? All these countless small and big pebbles spread across Golok—each one is a universe. In each of them there are gods like you. So I ask, from which universe are you the king of the gods?’

Then the gods said in amazement, ‘How strange! So many universes! Then where do we live? We have never heard of so many universes. Listen, blessed one, I am Rudra. I tell you, we have come from the universe that was born when the toe of Vamana Bhagavan pressed down.’”

With Shri Hari’s permission, the gods then entered Golok.

There they were amazed.

They saw Govardhan mountain. Countless beautifully dressed gopas and gopis were dancing there in joy. Some were singing. Great numbers of cows and calves were playing happily with them. The dark waters of the Yamuna flowed there. On both banks stood countless forest flowers, trees, vines, and hills. Everywhere lotuses were blooming. The banks of the Yamuna looked like a great stage prepared for the rasa dance.

Parikshit said, “Lord, you are describing Gokul. But how did gopas, gopis, and a rasa stage come into Golok, O sage? I understand nothing.”

Shukadeva said, “Parikshit, it is from this Golok that Shri Hari sent eighty-four krosh of land down to the earth. Govardhan and Yamuna were there too. That land became Gokul.”

Parikshit was filled with wonder. “Wonderful, truly wonderful. How was such a thing possible? Please explain it to me clearly, O sage.”

Shukadeva said, “At that time terrible oppression was going on in the mortal world. The power of the wicked had grown very strong. Religion was about to disappear from the earth. And people were helpless in fear of cruel kings like Kamsa and Jarasandha. The Earth herself came to Brahma’s world and told of her suffering. Then the gods placed this tale of oppression before Shri Hari.”

Parikshit asked with reverence, “Tell me, Acharyadeva, what was Shri Hari’s form like? What did the gods see?”

Shukadeva replied, “Have you seen dark rain clouds in the sky, Parikshit? His body color was just like that. His hair was tied up on his head. A peacock feather shone in it. In his two eyes there was endless kindness, and on his face a sweet smile. He wore yellow cloth. His body was covered with many ornaments. Around his neck hung a forest garland. On his left side was blue-clad Radharani.”

Parikshit said, “This is Krishna himself. But you were speaking of Shri Hari, O sage?”

Shukadeva answered, “You ask of Shri Hari, O king? Before the eyes of the gods, that eight-armed Hari himself merged into the form of Krishna. Hari did not come alone. Following him came Rama, lord of Sita. He too merged in the same way into Krishna’s body. Then came Nrisimhadeva. Bright with great light, Nrisimha Narayana also merged into Krishna’s body.”

Parikshit said, “I have never heard such a story, Lord. Then is that Krishna-body the Supreme Brahman’s body?”

“Yes, Parikshit, Krishna is Bhagavan himself. One by one, Yajnamurti Narayana, Nara-Narayana Rishi, Vamanadeva, all came and merged into that Krishna-body. Then the gods understood that Shri Krishna is the fullest and highest. Apart from him, no one else can even be imagined.”

Parikshit asked, “What did the gods do after seeing this wonderful sight, O sage?”

Shukadeva said, “So long they had been filled with wonder. Now Indra and the other gods bowed to him with devotion. Then King Indra began to praise him.

‘I bow to Shri Krishna, the Supreme Brahman, the Supreme Truth, the Lord of Golok. You alone are everywhere in creation. There is no second for you, Lord. We take refuge in you. By knowledge, devotion, or judgment—by none of these can one truly know you, Bhagavan. If you yourself do not reveal yourself, who can know you, Lord? O Purushottama, creation is now lost in deep trouble, Lord. There is no light there, no joy there. Truth, love, and compassion—greed has swallowed them all. Please save it, Bhagavan.’

Then the Lord answered, ‘O king of gods Indra, O four-faced Brahma, I have heard your cry. I myself will now go to the earth. You too prepare yourselves. With your wives, you will be born in the Yadu family. I am coming in that line. Whenever sacrifice, compassion, and dharma decline, I must come as an avatar. But this time, this time I will go not in part, but in my full form.’”

Parikshit said softly, “The earth will be blessed, Lord. The earth will become full.”

Hearing the words of the Lord of Golok, the gods found peace in their hearts and bowed again and again.

But when Shri Krishna, the very life of Radhika, said that he himself would go to earth, a deep pain of separation rose in her heart. Crying out, she said, “No, if you go away, I will not live, Lord. Then this body of mine will have no use. If I cannot see you, I will melt away like camphor in breath. When you return to Golok, you will not find me here.”

Krishna said tenderly, “Can I go leaving you behind, Radhe? You are always with me. You will go with me. Do not grieve, beloved. Where I am, there you are. And where you are, I too am there.”

“But Lord,” she said, “I cannot live anywhere away from this Golok, Govardhan, and Yamuna.”

Krishna replied, “I will remove this sorrow of yours tonight. You will not have to live away from Golok. For your sake, this Golok itself will descend to earth.”

Then Shukadeva said, “Now do you understand about that eighty-four krosh of land, O king? By Radharani’s wish, Shri Krishna brought a part of Golok down to the earth. That part is Gokul. By his order, Govardhan hill and the river Yamuna also appeared in Gokul.”

Parikshit asked, “And by his order, where and how did the gods come? Please tell me that, O sage.”

Shukadeva said, “On Brahma’s request, Shri Krishna himself then began to say where each god would be born.

‘I will be born in the womb of Devaki. My partial form, Ananta Nag, will go into the womb of Rohini. The king among the Vasus, named Drona, will take birth as Nanda Gopa. The wife of Vasu, Dhara, will become Yashoda. Lakshmi will be born as Rukmini, the daughter of King Bhishmaka. When she unites with me, Kamadeva will be born from her womb. His name will be Pradyumna.’”

Parikshit quickly asked, “And Radharani? Tell me about her. Where will she come?”

Shukadeva said, “Now let me tell you a story, O king. There was once a very famous and righteous king named Suchandra. He was married to Kalavati, the granddaughter of Prajapati Daksha. The life of Suchandra and Kalavati was very happy. Many days passed in this way. Suchandra grew old. He understood that it was now time to leave family life and devote himself to spiritual practice. So Suchandra went to the hermitage of sage Agastya.”

Parikshit said, “Kalavati must have cried greatly after losing her husband. Then what happened, Lord?”

“Kalavati and Suchandra were both truthful and devoted to penance,” Shukadeva said. “Brahma could not bear Kalavati’s grief. He appeared before her. Blessing her, he said,

‘Do not grieve, Kalavati. Your husband has done his duty. Your crying will pull him away from his path of dharma. I bless you that in the next birth too, Suchandra himself will be your husband. And you will receive a divine child.’

Then Krishna, the Lord of Golok, made Brahma’s blessing come true. He ordered that King Suchandra would become Vrishabhanu. And his wife Kalavati would become Kirti. As their daughter, Radharani herself would come to earth.”

Then the Lord had also said, “‘My countless gopas and gopis of Golok will all be born in Gokul. With them I will perform the rasa dance in Braj.’”

Parikshit then asked, “I have one question, O sage. That Vasu named Drona who came to Gokul—was he King Nanda? Was it in his house that Vasudeva left Devaki’s eighth child?”

Shukadeva replied, “Listen, Parikshit, the name of Gokul’s Nanda Raja was not actually Nanda. Nanda was his title. Almost everyone in Gokul lived by raising cows. So all were called gopalas. In this cowherd community, one who owns nine lakh cows receives the title Nanda. One who owns five lakh cows is called Upananda. One who owns fifty lakh cows is called Vrishabhanu. And Nanda Raja was the owner of one crore cows. It was in this Nanda Raja’s house that Vasudeva left the divine child. And in the house of another king of the gopa people, Vrishabhanu, Shri Radhika came.”

Parikshit asked, “Besides those who were gopis in Golok, did anyone else have the fortune to be born as gopis in the Lord’s Gokul, O sage?”

“Yes indeed, O king,” said Shukadeva. “But none of them were ordinary people. They had great spiritual power, endless penance, and unshaken devotion.”

“I am eager to hear about those who became companions in the Lord’s play, who were with him as his dear friends in Gokul. Tell me of these gopis, Acharyadeva. Who were they really? In what forms did they come?”

Shukadeva replied, “That story is very vast. Their number too was not small. But since you have asked about the gopis, I will tell you briefly, O king. In ancient times there was a very holy place called Shvetadwip. There the eternal Vedas and scriptures took human form and performed penance. Their forms were wonderfully beautiful. Pleased by their penance, Shri Hari appeared before them.

He said, ‘O Shrutis, what do you desire from me? Ask, and I will fulfill all your prayers.’

They answered, ‘O Janardana, O Supreme Person, seeing your wonderful beauty, desire has arisen in our hearts. We want to enjoy your company, Lord.’

Shri Hari said, ‘Your request is very difficult. It cannot be fulfilled in this body. But since you have desired it, your wish will one day be fulfilled. Not now. In the Dwapara age, you will become gopis of Braj and enjoy my company in Vrindavan.’”

Then Shukadeva continued, “All the sacred scriptures took female form and enjoyed the Lord’s company, O king. They became the friends of Braj. But not only they—by the blessing of Rama, the princesses of Mithila and Kaushal too were born in Braj. Countless Sitas also came with them. And the sages of Dandakaranya—they too became gopis of Braj.”

Parikshit said, “How could that be, O great sage? Countless Sitas, sages of Dandakaranya—I could understand none of that. Please explain it fully to me.”

Shukadeva said, “Rama broke Shiva’s bow in Mithila and married Sita. At that time, seeing Rama’s beauty and grace, the maidens of Mithila longed to marry him. In answer to their constant prayers and longing, Rama smiled gently and said,

‘Ladies, I cannot fulfill your prayer. In this birth Sita is my wife. I cannot even dream of any other woman. But in the Dwapara age, I will perform the rasa dance in Vrindavan. At that time, in the form of gopis, you too will enjoy my company. My word will not be false.’

After defeating Lanka and returning to Ayodhya, many women of Kaushal too wished to marry Rama when they saw his brilliance. At that time he gave them the same blessing. Later, in Braj, they were born as gopis.”

Parikshit asked, “And the sages of Dandakaranya? How did they come to Braj? Please tell me that now, O great sage.”

Shukadeva said, “Once Rama, during his exile, was passing through Dandakaranya. In that forest there were many ascetics. They were all worshippers of Gopala. With one-pointed minds they were meditating on God in the form of a child. Just then Rama stood before them. Seeing his beauty and light, lovely as Kamadeva, the sages’ meditation broke. They began to praise Shri Rama. Pleased by their praise, Rama said,

‘O sages, ask me for a boon.’

They answered, ‘O Lord, after seeing your world-enchanting beauty, what more could we ask? We wish to stay beside you like goddess Sita. Please give us this blessing.’

Rama said, ‘I cannot give that boon. In this birth I can accept no one other than Sita. If you had asked for me as brother Lakshmana does, then I could have fulfilled that wish.’

But the sages replied, ‘Lord, after seeing your enchanting form, we have become mad with longing. We worship you as husband. Please bless us to gain female bodies, Bhagavan.’

Rama said, ‘Very well. In the Dwapara age, taking female bodies, you will be born in Vrindavan. There you will gain the joy of union with me. I give you this blessing.’”

Parikshit then asked, “And Sita Devi? Where did her countless forms come from, O sage?”

Shukadeva answered, “King Rama was forced to leave Sita in order to keep the word of his people. But sacred rites cannot be performed without one’s lawful wife beside one. So whenever he performed sacrifice, he had a golden Sita made. Those golden images gained consciousness and came to Rama asking for married happiness. By his blessing, those golden Sitas were born as gopis in Braj.”

Then Shukadeva said, “Now do you understand, O king? The Supreme Brahman himself made his own Braj land with his own hands. That is why Braj has such sweetness. Truly, it is the very body of God.”

Parikshit said with deep peace, “Truly, hearing of the Braj land of Golok, I am filled with wonder, O sage. My mind has become much calmer.”

Shukadeva replied, “Then come, O king, now let me take you to the earthly Braj. I will now tell you, Parikshit, of that Braj where child Narayana came from Mathura. Queen Yashoda has given birth to a child. A bright baby lies in Nanda Raja’s house, lighting it up. Now celebration began all through Gokul.”