Vedanam 2023

  Once Krishna was playing in the courtyard when he heard someone calling out, “Jambul fruits! Does anyone want Jambul fruits?” Krishna ran towards the door of his house and saw a lady outside, carrying a basket full of Jambul (Aranyaka) fruits. They looked very temptingly fresh. “These fruits look very fresh.” Krishna said to the lady. “Can you give me some?” The lady smiled. “Yes, I can give you some fruits. But you have to pay for them.” “What do you mean?” Krishna asked innocently. “You have to give me something in return for the fruits.” The lady explained. Krishna thought for a while. “I can give you some cereal grains. Will you give me fruits in exchange?” “Yes, I will give. You bring the grains.” The lady said and placed the basket on the ground while Krishna ran inside. He went to the storage room where grains had been kept inside sacks. Folding both his palms together, Krishna collected as much grains as he could in his small hands and ran towards the fruit-...

  It was another day in Gokul, and like always, Krishna had frustrated Yashoda with his mischief. This time, he had broken vessels of curd and butter and had eaten the butter. Yashoda went after him with a stick. When she approached him, he started running. Yashoda ran after him, wanting to capture him.  But who has managed to capture the Divine without His will!? Krishna kept running until he saw Yashoda looking tired. He felt sorry for her and slowed down finally, allowing her to capture him. “Your mischief has become too much now! Breaking vessels, eating butter… Wait, I am going to punish you.” Yashoda said angrily. She brought a rope and placed Krishna beside the mortar. “Let me see how you do any mischief while tied securely!” She tried to tie him but the rope was too short. She added some more rope to the first one and tried to tie Krishna with the bigger rope but that too proved to be short. The ends didn’t meet. No matter how many times she lengthened the rope...

  (Image credited to the respective owner) One day the children of Gokul were playing blissfully with Krishna and Balaram. Yashoda was in the midst of a household chore when Balarama came running and said, “Mother! Krishna is eating mud! A lot of mud!” Yashoda looked at Balaram, wondering whether to believe this mischievous boy or not. But the other children came running to her and everyone said the same thing. Krishna had apparently eaten a lot of mud. Yashoda went running to Krishna and caught hold of him. “When will your mischief end?” She asked him angrily. “Did you eat mud? Today I am going to punish you.” Krishna shook his head, “No, mother. I did not eat mud. I do not like it, so why would I eat it?” “But your friends, why, your brother himself said that you ate mud!” “They are lying.” Krishna said. “Look for yourself. Check inside my mouth and you will know who is telling the truth and who is lying.” “Show me your mouth!” Yashoda said angrily. Krishna opened...