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KB 1970-1-37 / Akrura's Arrival in Vrndavana
37 / Akrura's Arrival in Vrndavana
Narada Muni did not mention Krsna's killing Vyomasura, which
means that he was killed on the same day as the Kesi demon. The
Kesi demon was killed in the early morning, and after that the
boys went to tend the cows on Govardhana Hill, and it was there
that Vyomasura was killed. Both demons were killed in the
morning. Akrura was requested by Kamsa to arrive in Vrndavana
by evening. After receiving instruction from Kamsa, Akrura
started the next morning via chariot for Vrndavana. Because
Akrura himself was a great devotee of the Lord, while going to
Vrndavana he began to praise to the Lord. Devotees are always
absorbed in thoughts of Krsna, and Akrura was constantly
thinking of Lord Krsna's lotus eyes.
He did not know what sort of pious activities he must have
done to gain an opportunity to go see Lord Krsna
. Akrura
thought
that if Krsna willed, he would be able to see Him. Akrura
considered himself most fortunate that he was going to see
Krsna, whom great mystic yogis desire to see. He was confident
that on that day all the sinful reactions of his past life
would be finished and his fortunate human form of life would be
successful. Akrura also considered that he was very much
favored by Kamsa, who was sending him to bring back Krsna and
Balarama and thus enabling him to see the Lord. Akrura
continued to consider that formerly great sages and saintly
persons were liberated from the material world simply by seeing
the shining nails of the lotus feet of Krsna.
"That Supreme Personality of Godhead has now come just like an
ordinary human being, and it is my great fortune to be able to
see Him face to face," Akrura thought. He was thrilled with
expectations of seeing the very lotus feet which are worshiped
by great demigods like Brahma, Narada, and Lord Siva, which
traverse the ground of Vrndavana, and which touch the breasts
of the gopis covered with tinges of kunkuma. He thought, "I am
so fortunate that I will be able to see those very lotus feet
on this day, and certainly I shall be able to see the beautiful
face of Krsna, which is marked on the forehead and the nose
with tilaka. And I shall also see His smile and His curling
black hair. I can be sure of this opportunity because I see
that today the deer are passing on my right side. Today it will
be possible for me to actually see the beauty of the spiritual
kingdom of Visnuloka because Krsna is the Supreme Visnu, and He
has advented Himself out of His own good will. He is the
reservoir of all beauty; therefore my eyes will be
filled today."
Akrura knew beyond doubt that Lord Krsna is the Supreme Visnu.
Lord Visnu glances over the material energy, and thus the
cosmic manifestation comes into being. And although Lord Visnu
is the creator of this material world, He is free, by His own
energy, from the influence of material energy. By His
internal potency He can pierce the darkness of material
energy. Similarly, Krsna the original Visnu, by expansion of
His internal potency, created the inhabitants of Vrndavana. In
the Brahma-samhita it is also confirmed that the paraphernalia
and abode of Krsna are expansions of His internal potency.
The same internal potency is
exhibited on earth as Vrndavana, where Krsna enjoys
Himself with His parents and in the company of His friends, the
cowherd boys and gopis. By the statement of Akrura, it is clear
that, since Krsna is transcendental to the modes of material
nature, the inhabitants of Vrndavana, who are engaged in
loving service of the Lord, are also transcendental.
Akrura also considered the necessity of the transcendental
pastimes of the Lord. He thought that the transcendental
activities, instructions, qualities and pastimes of Krsna are
all for the good fortune of people in general. The people can
remain constantly in Krsna consciousness by discussing the Lord'
s transcendental form, qualities, pastimes, and paraphernalia.
By doing so, the whole universe can actually live auspiciously
and advance peacefully. But without Krsna consciousness,
civilization is but a decoration for a dead body. A dead body
may be decorated very nicely, but without consciousness such
decorations are useless. Human society without Krsna
consciousness is useless and lifeless.
Akrura thought, "That Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna,
has now appeared as one of the descendants of the Yadu dynasty.
The principles of religion are His enacted laws. Those who are
abiding by such laws are the demigods, and those who are not
abiding are demons. He has advented Himself to give protection
to the demigods, who are very obedient to the laws of the
Supreme Lord. The demigods and the devotees of the Lord take
pleasure in abiding by the laws of Krsna, and Krsna takes
pleasure in giving them all sorts of protection. These
activities of Krsna, His
protection of the devotees and killing the demons, as
confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita, are always good for men to hear
and narrate. The glorious activities of the Lord will ever
increasingly be chanted by the devotees and demigods.
"Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the spiritual
master of all spiritual masters; He is the deliverer of all
fallen souls and the proprietor of the three worlds. Anyone
is able to see Him by eyes smeared with love of Godhead
. Today I shall be able to see the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, who by His transcendental beauty has
attracted the goddess of fortune to live with Him perpetually.
As soon as I arrive in Vrndavana, I will get down from this
chariot and fall prostrate to offer my obeisances to the
Supreme Lord, the master of material nature and all living
entities. The lotus feet of Krsna are always worshiped by great
mystic yogis, so I shall also worship His lotus feet and become
one of His friends in Vrndavana like the cowherd boys. When I
bow down before Lord Krsna in that way, certainly He will place
His fearless lotus hand on my head. His hand is offered to all
conditioned souls who take shelter under His lotus feet. Krsna
is the ultimate goal of life for all people who fear material
existence, and certainly when I see Him He will give me the
shelter of His lotus feet. I am aspiring for the touch of His
lotus-like hands on my head."
In this way Akrura expected blessings from the hand of Krsna.
He knew that Indra, who is the King of heaven and the master of
the three worlds -- the upper, middle, and lower planetary
systems -- was blessed by the Lord simply for his offering a
little water which Krsna accepted. Similarly, Bali Maharaja
gave only three feet of land in charity to Vamanadeva, and he
also offered a little water which Lord Vamanadeva accepted, and
thereby Bali Maharaja attained the position of Indra. When the
gopis were dancing with Krsna in the rasa dance, they became
fatigued, and Krsna smeared His hand, which is as fragrant as a
lotus flower, over the
pearl-like drops of perspiration on the faces of the gopis,
and immediately they became refreshed. Thus Akrura was
expecting benediction from that supreme hand of Krsna. Krsna's
hand is capable of bestowing benediction to all kinds of men
if they take to Krsna consciousness. If one wants material
happiness like the king of heaven, he can derive that
benediction from the hand of Krsna; if one wants liberation
from the pangs of material existence, he can also get
benediction from the hand of Krsna; and if one in pure
transcendental love for Krsna wants personal association and
the touch of His transcendental body, he can also gain
benediction from His hand.
Akrura was afraid, however, of being deputed by
Kamsa, the enemy of Krsna. He thought, "I am going to see Krsna
as a messenger of the enemy." And at the same time, he thought,
"Krsna is in each and everyone's heart as the Supersoul, so He
must know my heart." Although Akrura was trusted by the enemy
of Krsna, his heart was clear. He was a pure devotee of Krsna.
He risked Kamsa's wrath just to meet Krsna. He was
certain that although he was going as a representative of Kamsa,
Krsna would not accept him as an enemy. "Even though I am on a
sinful mission, being deputed by Kamsa, when I approach the
Supreme Personality of Godhead, I shall stand before Him with
all humility and folded hands. Surely, He will be pleased with
my devotional attitude, and maybe He will smile lovingly and
look upon me and thereby free me from all kinds of sinful
reaction. I shall then be on the platform of transcendental
bliss and knowledge. Since Krsna knows my heart, certainly when
I approach Him, He will embrace me. I am not only one of the
members of the Yadu dynasty, but I am an
unalloyed pure devotee. By His merciful embrace, my
body, my heart and soul will be completely cleansed of the
actions and reactions of my past life. When our bodies touch, I
will immediately stand up with folded hands, with all humility.
Certainly Krsna and Balarama will call me, 'Akrura, Uncle,' and
at that time my whole life will be glorious. Unless one is
recognized by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, his life
cannot be successful."
It is clearly stated here that one should try to be recognized
by the Supreme Personality of Godhead by one's service and
devotion, without which the human form of life is condemned. As
stated in the Bhagavad-gita, the Supreme Lord, Personality
of Godhead, is equal to everyone. He has no friends and no
enemies. But He is inclined to a devotee who renders Him
service with devotional love. The Bhagavad-gita also declares
that the Supreme Lord is responsive to the
devotional service rendered by the devotee. Akrura thought that
Krsna was like the desire tree in the heavenly planets which
gives fruit according to the desire of the worshiper. The
Supreme Personality of Godhead is also the source of everything.
A devotee must know how to render service unto Him and thus be
recognized by Him. In the Caitanya-caritamrta it is therefore
explained that one should serve both the spiritual master and
Krsna simultaneously and in that way make progress in Krsna
consciousness. Service rendered to Krsna under the direction of
the spiritual master is bona fide service because the spiritual
master is the manifested representative of Krsna. Sri
Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur says that when one satisfies the
spiritual master, he satisfies the Supreme Lord. It is exactly
like service in a government office. One has to work under the
supervision of the departmental head. If the supervisor of the
department is satisfied with the service of a particular person,
a promotion and increase in pay will automatically come.
Akrura then thought, "When Krsna and Balarama are pleased with
my prayers, certainly They will take my hand, receive me
within Their homes and offer me all kinds of respectable
hospitalities, and They will surely ask me of the activities
of Kamsa and his friends."
In this way, Akrura, who was the son of Svaphalka, meditated on
Sri Krsna on his journey from Mathura. He reached Vrndavana by
the end of the day. Akrura passed the whole journey without
knowing how long it took. When he reached Vrndavana, the sun
was setting. As soon as he entered the boundary of Vrndavana,
he saw the footprints of the cows and Lord Krsna's footprints,
impressed with the signs of His sole, the flag, trident,
thunderbolt and lotus flower.
Upon seeing the footprints of Krsna, Akrura immediately
jumped down from the chariot, out of respect. He became
overwhelmed with all the symptoms of ecstasy; he wept, and his
body trembled. Out of extreme jubilation upon seeing the dust
touched by the lotus feet of Krsna, Akrura fell flat on his
face and began to roll on the ground.
Akrura's journey to Vrndavana is exemplary. One who intends to
visit Vrndavana should follow the ideal footsteps of Akrura and
always think of the pastimes and activities of the Lord. As
soon as one reaches the boundary of Vrndavana, he should
immediately smear the dust of Vrndavana over his body without
thinking of his material position and prestige. Narottamadasa
Thakur has sung in his celebrated song, Visaya-
chariya kave suddha have mana: "When my mind will be
purified after leaving the contamination of material sense
enjoyment, I shall be able to visit Vrndavana." Actually, one
cannot go to Vrndavana by purchasing a ticket. The process of
going to Vrndavana is shown by Akrura.
When Akrura entered Vrndavana, he saw Krsna and Balarama
engaged in supervising the milking of the cows. Krsna was
dressed in yellow garments and Balarama in bluish. Akrura also
saw that Krsna's eyes were exactly like the beautifully grown
lotus flower of the autumn season. He saw both
Krsna and Balarama in the spring of Their youth. Although both
were similar in bodily features, Krsna was blackish in
complexion, whereas Balarama was whitish. Both were the shelter
of the goddess of fortune. They had well-constructed bodies,
beautiful hands and pleasing faces, and They were as strong as
elephants. Now, after seeing Their footprints,
Akrura actually saw Krsna
and Balarama, face to face. Although They were the most
influential personalities, They were glancing at him with
smiling faces. Akrura could understand that both Krsna and
Balarama had returned from tending cows in the forest; They had
taken Their baths and were dressed with fresh clothing and
garlanded with flowers and necklaces made of valuable
jewels. Their bodies were smeared with the pulp of sandalwood.
Akrura greatly appreciated the aroma of flowers and
sandalwood and Their bodily presence. He considered himself
very fortunate to see Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
and His plenary expansion, Balarama, face to face, for he knew
that They were the original personalities of the creation.
As stated in the Brahma-samhita, Krsna is the original
Personality of Godhead and the cause of all causes. Akrura
could understand that the Supreme Personality of Godhead
appeared personally for the welfare of His creation, to
reestablish the principles of religion and to annihilate the
demons. With Their bodily effulgence, the brothers were
dissipating all the darkness of the world, as if They were
mountains of sapphire and silver. Without hesitating, Akrura
immediately got down from his chariot and fell flat, just like
a rod, before Krsna and Balarama. Upon touching the lotus feet
of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he became overwhelmed
with transcendental bliss; his voice choked up and he could
not speak. Due to Krsna's transcendental presence, incessant
torrents of tears fell from his eyes. He remained stunned in
ecstasy, as if devoid of all powers to see and speak. Lord
Krsna, who is very kind to His devotees, raised Akrura with His
hand and embraced him. It appeared that Lord Krsna was very
pleased with Akrura. Balarama also embraced Akrura. Taking
him by the hand, Krsna and Balarama brought
him to Their sitting room where They offered him a very nice
sitting place and water for washing his feet. They also
worshiped him with suitable presentations of honey and
other ingredients. When Akrura was thus comfortably seated,
both Krsna and Balarama offered Him a cow in charity and then
brought very palatable dishes of eatables, and Akrura accepted
them. When Akrura finished eating, Balarama gave him betel nut
and spices, as well as pulp of sandalwood, just to make him
more pleased and comfortable. The Vedic system of receiving a
guest was completely observed by Lord Krsna Himself to teach
all others how to receive a guest at home. It is a Vedic
injunction that even if a guest is an enemy, he should be
received so well that he does not apprehend any danger from the
host. If the host is a poor man, he should at least offer a
straw mat as a sitting place and a glass of water to drink.
Krsna and Balarama welcomed Akrura just befitting his
exalted position.
After Akrura was thus properly received and seated, Nanda
Maharaja, the foster father of Krsna, said, "My dear Akrura,
what shall I inquire from you? I know that you are being
protected by Kamsa, who is most cruel and demoniac. His
protection is just like the slaughterhouse keeper's protection
of animals he will kill in the future. Kamsa is so selfish that
he has killed the sons of his own sister, so how can I honestly
believe that he is protecting the citizens of Mathura?" This
statement is most significant. If the political or executive
heads of the state are simply interested in themselves, they
can never look after the welfare of the citizens.
As Nanda Maharaja spoke to Akrura with pleasing words, Akrura
forgot all the fatigue of his day's journey from Mathura to
Vrndavana.
Thus ends the Bhaktivedanta purport of the Thirty-seventh
Chapter of Krsna, "Akrura's Arrival in Vrndavana."
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KB 38: Akrura's Arrival in Vrndavana
CHAPTER THIRTY–EIGHT
Akrura's Arrival in Vrndavana
Narada Muni did not mention Krsna's killing Vyomasura, which
means that he was killed on the same day as the Kesi demon. The
Kesi demon was killed in the early morning, and after that the
boys went to tend the cows on Govardhana Hill, and it was there
that Vyomasura was killed. Both demons were killed in the
morning. Akrura was requested by Kamsa to arrive in Vrndavana
by evening. After receiving instruction from Kamsa, Akrura
started the next morning via chariot for Vrndavana. Because
Akrura himself was a great devotee of the Lord, while going to
Vrndavana he began to pray to the Lord. Devotees are always
absorbed in thoughts of Krsna, and Akrura was constantly
thinking of Lord Krsna's lotus eyes.
He did not know what sort of pious activities he must have
performed to gain an opportunity to go see Lord Krsna and Lord
Balarama in Vrndavana on that day. A pure Vaisnava always
thinks himself unfit to serve Krsna. So Akrura began to think
within himself that he was unfit for gaining the transcendental
opportunity of seeing the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He
considered himself as unfit for seeing Krsna as a materialistic
person is for understanding the science of God or as a fourth-
class person (a sudra) is for studying the Vedas. But then
Akrura began to think, "By the grace of Krsna everything is
possible, and thus if He likes, I will be able to see Him. Just
as a blade of grass floating on the waves of a river may by
chance come near the shore and gain shelter, a conditioned soul
carried away by the waves of material existence may sometimes
be saved by the grace of Krsna." Akrura thus thought that if
Krsna willed, he would be able to see Him. Akrura considered
himself most fortunate that he was going to see Krsna, whom
great mystic yogis desire to see. He was confident that on that
day all the sinful reactions of his past life would be finished
and his fortunate human form of life would be successful.
Akrura also considered that he was very much favored by Kamsa,
who was sending him to bring back Krsna and Balarama and thus
enabling him to see the Lord. Akrura continued to consider that
formerly great sages and saintly persons were liberated from
the material world simply by seeing the shining nails of the
lotus feet of Krsna.
"That Supreme Personality of Godhead has now come just like an
ordinary human being, and it is my great fortune to be able to
see Him face to face," Akrura thought. He was thrilled with
expectations of seeing the very lotus feet which are worshiped
by great demigods like Brahma, Narada and Lord Siva, which
traverse the ground of Vrndavana, and which touch the breasts
of the gopis, covered with tinges of kunkuma. He thought, "I am
so fortunate that I will be able to see those very lotus feet
on this day, and certainly I shall be able to see the beautiful
face of Krsna, which is marked on the forehead and the nose
with tilaka. And I shall also see His smile and His curling
black hair. I can be sure of this opportunity because I see
that today the deer are passing on my right side. Today it will
be possible for me to actually see the beauty of the spiritual
kingdom of Visnuloka because Krsna is the Supreme Visnu and He
has advented Himself out of His own good will. He is the
reservoir of all beauty; therefore today my eyes will achieve
perfection."
Akrura knew beyond a doubt that Lord Krsna is the Supreme Visnu.
Lord Visnu glances over the material energy, and thus the
cosmic manifestation comes into being. And although Lord Visnu
is the creator of this material world, He is free, by His own
energy, from the influence of the material energy. By His
internal potency He can pierce the darkness of the material
energy. Similarly, Krsna, the original Visnu, by expanding
His internal potency, created the inhabitants of Vrndavana. In
the Brahma-samhita it is confirmed that the paraphernalia
and the abode of Krsna are expansions of His internal potency.
The same internal potency Krsna exhibits in Goloka Vrndavana is
exhibited in the earthly Vrndavana, where He enjoys
Himself with His parents and in the company of His friends, the
cowherd boys and gopis. By the statement of Akrura it is clear
that, since Krsna is transcendental to the modes of material
nature, the inhabitants of Vrndavana, who are always engaged in
loving service to the Lord, are also transcendental.
Akrura also considered the necessity of the transcendental
pastimes of the Lord. He thought that the transcendental
activities, instructions, qualities and pastimes of Krsna are
all for the good fortune of people in general. The people can
remain constantly in Krsna consciousness by discussing the Lord'
s transcendental form, qualities, pastimes and paraphernalia.
By doing so, the whole universe can actually live auspiciously
and advance peacefully. But without Krsna consciousness,
civilization is but a decorated dead body. A dead body
may be decorated very nicely, but without consciousness such
decorations are useless. Human society without Krsna
consciousness is useless and lifeless.
Akrura thought, "That Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna,
has now appeared as one of the descendants of the Yadu dynasty.
The principles of religion are His enacted laws. Those who are
abiding by such laws are demigods, and those who are not
abiding are demons. He has advented Himself to give protection
to the demigods, who are very obedient to the laws of the
Supreme Lord. The demigods and the devotees of the Lord take
pleasure in abiding by the laws of Krsna, and Krsna takes
pleasure in giving them all sorts of protection. As
confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita, these activities of Krsna --
His protecting the devotees and killing the demons,
are always good for men to hear
and narrate. The glorious activities of the Lord will ever
increasingly be chanted by the devotees and demigods.
"Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the spiritual
master of all spiritual masters; He is the deliverer of all
fallen souls and the proprietor of the three worlds. Anyone who
is able to see Him by eyes smeared with love of Godhead enjoys
a festival of seeing. Today I shall be able to see the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, who by His transcendental beauty has
attracted the goddess of fortune to live with Him perpetually.
As soon as I arrive in Vrndavana, I will get down from this
chariot and fall prostrate to offer my obeisances to the
Supreme Lord, the master of material nature and all living
entities. The lotus feet of Krsna are always worshiped by great
mystic yogis, so I shall also worship His lotus feet and become
one of His friends in Vrndavana like the cowherd boys. When I
bow down before Lord Krsna in that way, certainly He will place
His fearless lotus hand on my head. His hand is offered to all
conditioned souls who take shelter under His lotus feet. Krsna
is the ultimate goal of life for all people who fear material
existence, and certainly when I see Him He will give me the
shelter of His lotus feet. I am aspiring for the touch of His
lotuslike hand on my head. When that hand touched the
presentations of King Indra and King Bali, these two became
qualified to be lords of the universe, and when that hand
touched the gopis as they danced with Krsna in the rasa-lila,
it relieved all their fatigue."
In this way Akrura expected blessings from the hand of Krsna.
He knew that Indra, who is the King of heaven and the master of
the three worlds -- the upper, middle and lower planetary
systems -- was blessed by the Lord simply for his offering a
little water which Krsna accepted. Similarly, Bali Maharaja
gave only three paces of land in charity to Vamanadeva, and he
also offered a little water which Lord Vamanadeva accepted, and
thereby Bali Maharaja attained the position of Indra. When the
gopis were dancing with Krsna in the rasa dance, they became
fatigued, and Krsna wiped His hand, which is as fragrant as a
lotus flower growing in Manasa-sarovara Lake, over the
pearllike drops of perspiration on the faces of the gopis,
and immediately the gopis became refreshed. Thus Akrura was
expecting benediction from that supreme hand of Krsna. Krsna's
hand is capable of bestowing benediction upon all kinds of men
if they take to Krsna consciousness. If one wants material
happiness like that of the King of heaven, he can derive that
benediction from the hand of Krsna; if one wants liberation
from the pangs of material existence, he can also get that
benediction from the hand of Krsna; and if one in pure
transcendental love for Krsna wants personal association and
the touch of His transcendental body, he can also gain that
benediction from His hand.
Akrura was afraid, however, because he had been deputed by
Kamsa, the enemy of Krsna. He thought, "I am going to see Krsna
as a messenger of the enemy." At the same time, he thought,
"Krsna is in everyone's heart as the Supersoul, so He
must know my heart." Although Akrura was trusted by the enemy
of Krsna, his heart was clear. He was a pure devotee of Krsna.
He risked becoming Kamsa's deputy just to meet Krsna. He was
certain that although he was going as a representative of Kamsa,
Krsna would not accept him as an enemy. "Even though I am on a
sinful mission, being deputed by Kamsa, when I approach the
Supreme Personality of Godhead, I shall stand before Him with
all humility and folded hands. Surely He will be pleased with
my devotional attitude, and maybe He will smile lovingly and
look upon me and thereby free me from all kinds of sinful
reactions. I shall then be on the platform of transcendental
bliss and knowledge. Since Krsna knows my heart, certainly when
I approach Him, He will embrace me. Not only am I a
member of the Yadu dynasty, but I am His relative and an
unalloyed, pure devotee. By His merciful embrace, surely my
body, heart and soul will be completely cleansed of the
actions and reactions of my past life. When our bodies touch, I
will immediately stand up with folded hands, with all humility.
Certainly Krsna and Balarama will call me ‘Akrura, Uncle,' and
at that time my whole life will be glorious. Unless one is
recognized by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, his life
cannot be successful."
It is clearly stated here that one should try to be recognized
by the Supreme Personality of Godhead by one's service and
devotion, without which the human form of life is condemned. As
stated in the Bhagavad-gita, the Supreme Lord, the Personality
of Godhead, is equal to everyone. He has no friends and no
enemies. But He is inclined to a devotee who renders Him
service with devotional love. The Bhagavad-gita also declares
that the Supreme Lord is responsive in proportion to the
devotional service rendered by the devotee. Akrura thought that
Krsna was like the desire tree in the heavenly planets, which
gives fruit according to the desire of the worshiper. The
Supreme Personality of Godhead is also the source of everything.
A devotee must know how to render service unto Him and thus be
recognized by Him. In the Caitanya-caritamrta it is therefore
explained that one should serve both the spiritual master and
Krsna simultaneously and in that way make progress in Krsna
consciousness. Service rendered to Krsna under the direction of
the spiritual master is bona fide service because the spiritual
master is the manifested representative of Krsna. Sri
Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura says that when one satisfies the
spiritual master, he satisfies the Supreme Lord. It is exactly
like service in a government office. One has to work under the
supervision of the departmental head. If the supervisor of the
department is satisfied with the service of a particular person,
a promotion and increase in pay will automatically come.
Akrura then thought, "When Krsna and Balarama are pleased with
my behavior, certainly They will take my hand, receive me
within Their home and offer me all kinds of respectable
hospitalities, and They will surely ask me about the activities
of Kamsa and his friends."
In this way, Akrura, the son of Svaphalka, meditated on
Sri Krsna on his journey from Mathura. He reached Vrndavana by
the end of the day. Akrura passed the whole journey without
knowing how long it took. When he reached Vrndavana, the sun
was setting. As soon as he entered the boundary of Vrndavana,
he saw the hoofprints of the cows and Lord Krsna's footprints,
impressed with the signs of His soles -- the flag, trident,
thunderbolt and lotus flower. These symbols on the soles of the
Lord's transcendental lotus feet are worshiped by all the
demigods and other great personalities throughout the three
worlds. Upon seeing the footprints of Krsna, Akrura immediately
jumped down from the chariot out of respect. He became
overwhelmed with all the symptoms of ecstasy; he wept, and his
body trembled. Out of extreme jubilation upon seeing the dust
touched by the lotus feet of Krsna, Akrura fell flat on his
face and began to roll on the ground.
Akrura's journey to Vrndavana is exemplary. One who intends to
visit Vrndavana should follow the ideal footsteps of Akrura and
always think of the pastimes and activities of the Lord. As
soon as one reaches the boundary of Vrndavana, he should
immediately smear the dust of Vrndavana over his body without
thinking of his material position and prestige. Srila
Narottama dasa Thakura has sung in a celebrated song,
visaya chadiya kabe suddha habe mana: "When my mind
will be purified after leaving the contamination of material
sense enjoyment, I shall be able to visit Vrndavana." Actually,
one cannot go to Vrndavana by purchasing a ticket. The process
of going to Vrndavana is shown by Akrura.
When Akrura entered Vrndavana, he saw Krsna and Balarama
engaged in supervising the milking of the cows. Krsna was
dressed in yellow garments and Balarama in bluish. Akrura also
saw that Their eyes were exactly like the beautiful
lotus flower that grows during the autumn season. He saw
Krsna and Balarama in the spring of Their youth. Although They
had the same bodily features, Krsna was blackish in
complexion, whereas Balarama was whitish. Both were the shelter
of the goddess of fortune. They had well-constructed bodies,
beautiful hands and pleasing faces, and They were as strong as
elephants. Now, after seeing Their footprints, marked with flag,
trident, thunderbolt and lotus, Akrura actually saw Krsna and
Balarama face to face. Although They were the most influential
personalities, They were glancing at him with smiling faces.
Akrura could understand that both Krsna and Balarama had
returned from tending cows in the forest; They had taken Their
baths and were dressed with fresh clothing and garlanded with
flowers and with necklaces made of valuable jewels. Their
bodies were smeared with the pulp of sandalwood. Akrura greatly
appreciated the aroma of the flowers and sandalwood and Their
bodily presence. He considered himself very fortunate to see
Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and His plenary
expansion, Balarama, face to face, for he knew that They were
the original personalities of the creation.
As stated in the Brahma-samhita, Krsna is the original
Personality of Godhead and the cause of all causes. Akrura
could understand that the Supreme Personality of Godhead had
appeared personally for the welfare of His creation, to
reestablish the principles of religion and to annihilate the
demons. With Their bodily effulgence the brothers were
dissipating all the darkness of the world, as if They were
mountains of sapphire and silver. Without hesitating, Akrura
immediately got down from his chariot and fell flat, just like
a rod, before Krsna and Balarama. Upon touching the lotus feet
of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he became overwhelmed
with transcendental bliss; his voice choked up, and he could
not speak. Due to his transcendental pleasure, incessant
torrents of tears fell from his eyes. He remained stunned in
ecstasy, as if devoid of all powers to see and speak. Lord
Krsna, who is very kind to His devotees, raised Akrura with His
hand and embraced him. It appeared that Lord Krsna was very
much pleased with Akrura. Balarama also embraced Akrura. Then
the two Lords took him by the hand and brought
him to Their sitting room, where They offered him a very nice
sitting place and water for washing his feet. They also
worshiped him with a suitable presentation of honey mixed with
other ingredients. When Akrura was thus comfortably seated,
Krsna and Balarama offered Him a cow in charity and then
brought very palatable dishes, and Akrura accepted
them. When Akrura finished eating, Balarama gave him betel nut
and spices, as well as pulp of sandalwood, just to make him
more pleased and comfortable. The Vedic system of receiving a
guest was completely observed by Lord Krsna Himself to teach
all others how to receive a guest at home. It is a Vedic
injunction that even if a guest is an enemy he should be
received so well that he does not apprehend any danger from the
host. If the host is a poor man, he should at least offer a
straw mat as a sitting place and a glass of water to drink.
Krsna and Balarama welcomed Akrura in a way just befitting his
exalted position.
After Akrura was thus properly received and seated, Nanda
Maharaja, the foster father of Krsna, said, "My dear Akrura,
what shall I inquire from you? I know that you are being
protected by Kamsa, who is most cruel and demoniac. His
protection is just like the slaughterhouse keeper's protection
of animals he will kill in the future. Kamsa is so selfish that
he has killed the sons of his own sister, so how can I honestly
believe that he is protecting the citizens of Mathura?" This
statement is most significant. If the political or executive
heads of the state are simply interested in themselves, they
can never look after the welfare of the citizens.
As Nanda Maharaja spoke to Akrura with pleasing words, Akrura
forgot all the fatigue of his day's journey from Mathura to
Vrndavana.
Thus ends the Bhaktivedanta purport of the Thirty-eighth
Chapter of Krsna, "Akrura's Arrival in Vrndavana."
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