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KB 1970-1-40 / Krsna Enters Mathura

40 / Krsna Enters Mathura

While Akrura was offering his prayers to the Supreme

Personality of Godhead, the Lord disappeared from the water,

exactly as an expert dramatic actor changes his dress and

assumes his original feature. After the Visnu-murti disappeared,

Akrura got out of the water. Finishing the rest of his

ritualistic performance, he went near the chariot of Balarama

and Krsna and was struck with wonder. Krsna asked whether he

had seen something wonderful within the water or in space.

Akrura said, "My dear Lord, all wonderful things that are

happening within this world, either in the sky or in the water

or on the land, are factually appearing in Your universal form.

So when I have seen You, what wonderful things have I not seen?"

This statement confirms the Vedic version that one who knows

Krsna knows everything, and one who has seen Krsna has

seen everything, regardless of how wonderful a thing may be. "

My dear Lord," Akrura continued, "there cannot be anything more

wonderful than Your transcendental form. When I have seen Your

transcendental form, what is there left to see?"

After saying this, Akrura immediately started the

chariot. By the end of the day, they had almost reached the

precincts of Mathura. When passing from Vrndavana to

Mathura, all passersby along the way who saw Krsna and

Balarama could not help but look at Them again and again. In

the meantime, the other inhabitants of Vrndavana, headed by

Nanda and Upananda, had already reached Mathura by going

through forests and rivers, and they were awaiting the arrival

of Krsna and Balarama. Upon reaching the entrance

to Mathura, Krsna and Balarama got down from the chariot and

shook hands with Akrura. Krsna informed Akrura, "You may go

home now because We shall enter Mathura along with Our

associates." Akrura replied, "My dear Lord, I cannot go to

Mathura alone, leaving You aside. I am Your surrendered servant.

Please do not try to avoid me. Please, come along with me,

with Your elder brother and cowherd boy friends, and

sanctify my house. My dear Lord, if You come, my home will be

sanctified by the dust of Your lotus feet. The water emanating

from the perspiration of Your lotus feet, namely the Ganges,

purifies everyone, including the forefathers, the fire-god and

all other demigods. King Bali Maharaja has become famous simply

by washing Your lotus feet, and all his relatives have achieved

the heavenly planet due to his contact with the Ganges water.

Bali Maharaja himself enjoyed all material opulences and later

on was elevated to the highest exalted position of liberation.

The Ganges water not only sanctifies the three worlds but is

carried on the head of Lord Siva.

Supreme Lord of all lords! O master of the universe!

I offer my respectful obeisances unto You."

On hearing this, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna,

replied, "Akrura, I shall surely come to your home with My

elder brother Balarama, but only after killing all the demons

who are envious of the Yadu dynasty. In this way I shall please

all My relatives." Akrura became a little disappointed by these

words of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but he could not

disregard the order. He therefore entered Mathura and informed

Kamsa about the arrival of Krsna, and then he entered his own

home.

After the departure of Akrura, Lord Krsna, Balarama and

the cowherd boys entered Mathura to see the city. They observed

that the gate of Mathura was made of first-class marble, very

well constructed, and the doors were made of pure gold.

There were gorgeous gardens all around, and the

whole city was encircled by cannons so that no enemy could

enter very easily. They saw that all the crossings of the

roads were decorated with gold

. And there were many rich

men's houses, all appearing symmetrical, as if constructed by

one engineer. The houses were decorated with costly jewels, and

each and every house had nice compounds of trees, fruits

and flowers. The gardens, corridors and verandas of the houses

were decorated with silk cloth and embroidery work in jewels

and pearls. In front of the balcony windows were pigeons and

peacocks walking and cooing. All the grain dealers' shops

within the city were decorated with different kinds of flowers

and garlands, newly grown grass and blossoming

roses. The central doors of the houses were

decorated with waterpots filled with water, and a mixture of

water and yogurt was sprinkled all

around. There were flowers decorated with burning

lamps of different sizes over the doors, and there were

also decorations of fresh mango leaves and silk festoons on all

the doors of the houses.

When the news spread that Krsna, Balarama and the cowherd boys

were within Mathura City, all the inhabitants gathered, and the

ladies and girls immediately went up to the roofs of the houses

to see Them. They had been awaiting the arrival of Krsna and

Balarama with great anxiety, and in their extreme eagerness to

see Krsna and Balarama, the ladies did not dress themselves

very properly. Some of them placed their dress in the wrong

place. Some anointed their eyes on one side only, and some wore

ankle bells only on one leg or wore only one earring. Thus in

great haste, not even decorated properly, they came to see

Krsna from the roofs. Some of them had been taking their lunch,

but as soon as they heard that Krsna and Balarama were in the

city, they left their eating and ran to the roof. Some of them

were in the bathroom, taking their baths, but without properly

finishing their baths, they came

to see Krsna and Balarama.

Passing by very slowly and smiling, Lord Krsna immediately

stole their hearts. He who is the husband of the goddess of

fortune passed through the street like an elephant. For a very

long time the women of Mathura had heard about Krsna and

Balarama and Their uncommon characteristics, and they were very

much attracted and eager to see Them. Now when they actually

saw Krsna and Balarama passing on the street and saw Them

sweetly smiling, the ladies' joy reached the point of ecstasy.

When they actually saw Them with their eyes, they took Krsna

and Balarama within their hearts and began to embrace Them to

their fullest desire. Their hairs stood up in ecstasy.

They had heard of Krsna, but they had never seen Him, and now

their longing was relieved. After going up on the roofs of the

palaces of Mathura, the ladies began to

shower flowers upon Krsna and Balarama. When the brothers were

passing through the streets, all the brahmanas in the

neighborhood also went out with sandalwood and flowers

and respectfully welcomed Them to the city. All the residents

of Mathura began to talk among themselves about the elevated

and pious activities of the people of Vrndavana. The residents

of Mathura were surprised at the pious activities the cowherd

men in Vrndavana must have performed in their previous lives to

be able to see Krsna and Balarama daily as cowherd boys.

While Krsna and Balarama were passing in this way, They saw a

washerman and dyer of clothing. Krsna was pleased to ask him

for some nice clothing. He also promised that if the washerman

would deliver the nicest dyed cloth to Him, he would

be very happy, and all good fortune would be his. Krsna was

neither beggar nor was He in need of clothing, but by this

request He indicated that everyone should be ready to offer

Krsna whatever He wants. That is the purpose of Krsna

consciousness.

Unfortunately, this washerman was a servant of Kamsa and

therefore could not appreciate the demand of Lord Krsna, the

Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is the effect of bad

association. He could have immediately delivered the clothing

to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who promised him all

good fortune, but being a servant of Kamsa, the sinful demon

could not accept the offer. Instead of being pleased, he was

very angry and refused the Lord's request saying, "How is it

that You are asking clothing which is meant for the King?"

The washerman then began to instruct Krsna and Balarama: "My

dear boys, in the future don't be so impudent as to ask for

things which belong to the King. Otherwise, You will be

punished by the government men. They will arrest You and punish

You, and You will be in difficulty. I have practical experience

of this fact. Anyone who unlawfully wants to use the King's

property is very severely punished."

On hearing this, Lord Krsna, the son of Devaki, became very

angry at the washerman, and striking him with the upper portion

of His hand, He separated the man's head from his body. The

washerman fell down dead on the ground. In this way Lord Krsna

confirmed the statement that every limb

of His body is capable of doing everything He likes. Without a

sword, but simply with His hand, He cut off the head of the

washerman. This is proof that the Supreme Lord is omnipotent.

If He wants to do something, He can do it without extraneous

help.

After this ghastly incident, the employees of the washerman

immediately dispersed, leaving the clothing. Krsna and Balarama

took possession of it and dressed according to Their choice;

the rest of the clothes were offered to the cowherd boys, who

also used them as they desired. What they did not use remained

there. They then continued to

proceed. In the meantime, a devotee-tailor took the

opportunity of service and prepared some nice clothes from the

cloth for Krsna and Balarama. Thus being very nicely attired,

Krsna and Balarama looked like elephants dressed with colored

clothings on the full moon day of the dark moon. Krsna was

very much pleased with the tailor and gave him the benediction

of sarupya-mukti, which means that after leaving his body, he

would be liberated and would attain a body exactly

like fourhanded Narayana's in the Vaikuntha planets. He

also granted him that as long as he would live he would earn

sufficient opulence to be able to enjoy sense gratification. By

this incident Krsna proved that those who are Krsna conscious

devotees will not be lacking material enjoyment or sense

gratification. They will have sufficient opportunity for such

things, but after leaving this life they will be allowed to

enter the spiritual planets of Vaikunthaloka or Krsnaloka,

Goloka Vrndavana.

After dressing nicely, Krsna and Balarama went to a florist of

the name Sudama. As soon as They reached the precinct of his

house, the florist immediately came out and with great devotion

fell down on his face to offer his respectful obeisances. He

offered a nice seat to Krsna and Balarama and asked his

assistant to bring out flowers and betel nuts smeared with

pulp of candana. The florist's welcome greatly satisfied the

Lord.

The florist very humbly and submissively offered his prayers to

the Lord, saying, "My dear Lord, because You have come to my

place, I think all my forefathers and all my worshipable

superiors are pleased and delivered. My dear Lord, You are the

supreme cause of all causes of this cosmic manifestation, but

for the benefit of the residents of this earthly planet, You

have appeared with Your plenary portion to give protection to

Your devotees and annihilate the demons. You are equally

disposed as the friend of all living entities; You are the

Supersoul, and You do not discriminate between friend and enemy.

Yet You are pleased to give Your devotees the special result

of their devotional activities. My Lord, I am praying that You

please tell me whatever You wish me to do, because I am Your

eternal servant. If You will allow me to do something, it

will be a great favor to me." The florist, Sudama, was greatly

pleased within his heart by seeing Krsna and Balarama in his

place, and thus, as his choicest desire, he made two exquisite

garlands of various flowers and presented them to the Lord.

Both Krsna and Balarama were very pleased with his sincere

service, and Krsna offered the florist His salutation and

benediction, which He is always prepared to bestow upon the

surrendered souls. When the florist was offered benediction,

he begged from the Lord that he might remain His eternal

servant in devotional service and by such service do good to

all living creatures. By this, it is clear that a devotee of

the Lord in Krsna consciousness should not be simply satisfied

by his own advancement in devotional service; he must be

willing to work for the welfare of all others. This example was

followed by the six Gosvamis of Vrndavana. It is therefore

stated in their prayer, lokanam hitakarinau:

Vaisnavas, or devotees of the Lord, are not selfish. Whatever

benefit they derive from the Supreme Personality of Godhead as

benediction they want to distribute to all other persons. That

is the greatest of all humanitarian activities. Being satisfied

with the florist, Lord Krsna not only gave him benediction for

whatever he wanted, but over and above that, He

offered him all material opulences, family prosperity, long

duration of life, and whatever else his heart desired within

the material world.

Thus ends the Bhaktivedanta purport of the Fortieth

Chapter of Krsna, "Krsna Enters Mathura."

 
 
KB 41: Krsna Enters Mathura
 
CHAPTER FORTY–ONE
 
Krsna Enters Mathura
 
While Akrura was offering his prayers to the Supreme 
Personality of Godhead, the Lord disappeared from the water, 
exactly as an expert dramatic actor changes his dress and 
assumes his original feature. After the visnu-murti disappeared,
 Akrura got out of the water. Finishing the rest of his 
ritualistic performance, he went near the chariot of Balarama 
and Krsna and was struck with wonder. Krsna asked whether he 
had seen something wonderful within the water or in space. 
Akrura said, "My dear Lord, all wonderful things that are 
happening within this world, either in the sky or in the water 
or on the land, are factually appearing in Your universal form. 
So when I have seen You, what wonderful things have I not seen?"
 This statement confirms the Vedic version that one who knows 
Krsna knows everything and that one who has seen Krsna has 
seen everything, regardless of how wonderful a thing may be. "
My dear Lord," Akrura continued, "there cannot be anything more 
wonderful than Your transcendental form. When I have seen Your 
transcendental form, what is there left to see?"
 
After saying this, Akrura immediately started driving the 
chariot, and by the end of the day they reached the 
precincts of Mathura. As they rode from Vrndavana to 
Mathura, all the passersby along the way who saw Krsna and 
Balarama could not help but look at Them again and again. In 
the meantime, the other inhabitants of Vrndavana, headed by 
Nanda and Upananda, had already reached Mathura by going 
through the forest, and they were awaiting the arrival 
of Krsna and Balarama in a garden. Upon reaching the entrance 
to Mathura, Krsna and Balarama got down from the chariot and 
shook hands with Akrura. Krsna informed him, "You may go 
home now because We shall enter Mathura later, along with Our 
associates." Akrura replied, "My dear Lord, I cannot go to 
Mathura alone, leaving You aside. I am Your surrendered servant.
 Please do not try to avoid me. Please, come along with me, 
with Your elder brother and cowherd boyfriends, and 
sanctify my house. My dear Lord, if You come, my home will be 
sanctified by the dust of Your lotus feet. The water emanating 
from the perspiration of Your lotus feet, namely the Ganges, 
purifies everyone, including the forefathers, the fire-god and 
all other demigods. Bali Maharaja has become famous simply 
by washing Your lotus feet, and he 
 
enjoyed all material opulences and later 
on was elevated to the highest position of liberation. 
The Ganges water not only sanctifies the three worlds but is 
carried on the head of Lord Siva. The ancestors of Bhagiratha, 
sanctified by this water, achieved the heavenly planets. O 
Supreme Lord of lords! O master of the universe! One can 
achieve piety simply by hearing about Your transcendental 
pastimes. O Supreme Narayana, who are praised with select 
verses, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You."
 
On hearing this, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, 
replied, "Akrura, I shall surely come to your home with My 
elder brother, Balarama, but only after killing all the demons 
who are envious of the Yadu dynasty. In this way I shall please 
all My relatives." Akrura became a little disappointed by these 
words of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but he could not 
disregard the order. He therefore entered Mathura and informed 
Kamsa about the arrival of Krsna, and then he entered his own 
home.
 
After Akrura's departure, Lord Krsna, Balarama and 
the cowherd boys entered Mathura to see the city. They observed 
that the gate of Mathura was made of first-class marble, very 
well constructed, and that the doors were made of pure gold. 
There were gorgeous orchards and gardens all around, and the 
whole city was encircled by canals so that no enemy could 
enter very easily. They saw that all the crossroads
 were decorated with gold and that there were copper and 
brass storehouses for stocking grain. And there were many rich 
men's houses, all appearing symmetrical, as if constructed by 
one engineer. The houses were decorated with costly jewels, and 
each and every house had nice compounds of trees bearing fruits 
and flowers. The corridors and verandas of the houses 
were decorated with silk cloth and embroidery work in jewels 
and pearls. In front of the balcony windows were pigeons and 
peacocks walking and cooing. All the grain dealers' shops 
within the city were decorated with different kinds of flowers 
and garlands, newly grown grass and pleasing flowers like 
narcissus and roses. The entrance doors of the houses were 
decorated with waterpots filled with water. A mixture of 
water, yogurt, sandalwood pulp and flowers was sprinkled all 
around the doors, which were also decorated with burning 
lamps of different sizes. Over all the doors were 
decorations of fresh mango leaves and silk festoons
. 
 
When the news spread that Krsna, Balarama and the cowherd boys 
were within Mathura City, all the inhabitants gathered, and the 
ladies and girls immediately went up to the roofs of the houses 
to see Them. They had been awaiting the arrival of Krsna and 
Balarama with great anxiety, and in their extreme eagerness to 
see Krsna and Balarama, the ladies did not dress themselves 
very properly. Some of them placed their clothes in the wrong 
place. Some anointed their eyes on one side only, and some wore 
ankle bells only on one leg or wore only one earring. Thus in 
great haste, not even decorated properly, they went to see 
Krsna from the roofs. Some of them had been taking their lunch, 
but as soon as they heard that Krsna and Balarama were in the 
city, they left their eating and ran to the roofs. Some of them 
were in the bathroom taking their baths, but without properly 
finishing their baths, they went to see Krsna and Balarama. 
Some were engaged in feeding their children breast milk, but 
they put their babies aside and went to see Krsna and Balarama. 
Passing by very slowly and smiling, Lord Krsna immediately 
stole their hearts. He who is the husband of the goddess of 
fortune passed through the street like an elephant. For a very 
long time the women of Mathura had heard about Krsna and 
Balarama and Their uncommon characteristics, and they were very 
much attracted and eager to see Them. Now when they actually 
saw Krsna and Balarama passing on the street and saw Them 
sweetly smiling, the ladies' joy reached the point of ecstasy. 
When they actually saw Them with their eyes, they took Krsna 
and Balarama within their hearts and began to embrace Them to 
their fullest desire. Their bodily hairs stood up in ecstasy. 
They had heard of Krsna, but they had never seen Him, and now 
their longing was relieved. After going up on the roofs of the 
palaces of Mathura, the ladies, their faces joyful, began to 
shower flowers upon Krsna and Balarama. When the brothers were 
passing through the streets, all the brahmanas in the 
neighborhood went out with sandal water and flowers 
and respectfully welcomed Them to the city. All the residents 
of Mathura began to talk among themselves about the elevated 
and pious activities of the people of Vrndavana. The residents 
of Mathura were surprised at the pious activities the cowherd 
men in Vrndavana must have performed in their previous lives to 
be able to see Krsna and Balarama daily as cowherd boys.
 
While Krsna and Balarama were passing in this way, They saw a 
washerman and dyer of clothing. Krsna was pleased to ask him 
for some nice clothing. He also promised that if the washerman 
would deliver the nicest dyed cloth to Him, the washerman would 
become very happy, and all good fortune would be his. Krsna was 
not a beggar, nor was He in need of clothing, but by this 
request He indicated that everyone should be ready to offer 
Krsna whatever He wants. That is the meaning of Krsna 
consciousness.
 
Unfortunately, this washerman was a servant of Kamsa and 
therefore could not appreciate the demand of Lord Krsna, the 
Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is the effect of bad 
association. He could have immediately delivered the clothing 
to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who promised him all 
good fortune, but being a servant of Kamsa, the sinful demon 
could not accept the offer. Instead of being pleased, he was 
very angry and refused the Lord's request, saying, "How is it 
that You are asking for clothing which is meant for the King?" 
The washerman then began to instruct Krsna and Balarama: "My 
dear boys, in the future don't be so impudent as to ask for 
things which belong to the King. Otherwise, You will be 
punished by the government men. They will arrest You and punish 
You, and You will be in difficulty. I have practical experience 
of this fact. Anyone who unlawfully wants to use the King's 
property is very severely punished."
 
On hearing this, Lord Krsna, the son of Devaki, became very 
angry at the washerman, and striking him with the upper portion 
of His hand, He separated the man's head from his body. The 
washerman fell down dead on the ground. In this way Lord Krsna 
confirmed the statement of the Brahma-samhita that every limb 
of His body is capable of doing everything He likes. Without a 
sword, but simply with His hand, He cut off the head of the 
washerman. This is proof that the Supreme Lord is omnipotent. 
If He wants to do something, He can do it without extraneous 
help.
 
After this ghastly incident, the employees of the washerman 
immediately dispersed, leaving the clothing. Krsna and Balarama 
took possession of it and dressed according to Their choice; 
the rest of the clothes were offered to the cowherd boys, who 
also used them as they desired. What they did not use remained 
there. Krsna, Balarama and the boys then proceeded along the 
main road. In the meantime, a devotee-tailor took the 
opportunity of service and prepared some nice clothes from the 
cloth for Krsna and Balarama. Thus being very nicely attired, 
Krsna and Balarama looked like elephants dressed with colored 
clothing on the full-moon day or the dark-moon day. Krsna was 
very much pleased with the tailor and gave him the benediction 
of sarupya-mukti, which means that after leaving his body he 
would be liberated and would attain a four-handed body exactly 
like that of Narayana in the Vaikuntha planets. Krsna 
also granted him that as long as he would live he would earn 
sufficient opulence to be able to enjoy sense gratification. By 
this incident Krsna proved that those who are Krsna conscious 
devotees will not be lacking material enjoyment of sense 
gratification. They will have sufficient opportunity for such 
things, but after leaving this body they will be allowed to 
enter the spiritual planets of Vaikunthaloka or Krsnaloka, 
Goloka Vrndavana.
 
After dressing nicely, Krsna and Balarama went to a florist of 
the name Sudama. As soon as They reached the precinct of his 
house, the florist immediately came out and with great devotion 
fell down on his face to offer his respectful obeisances. He 
offered a nice seat to Krsna and Balarama and asked his 
assistant to bring out flowers, betel nuts and 
pulp of candana. The florist's welcome greatly satisfied the 
Lord.
 
The florist very humbly and submissively offered his prayers to 
the Lord, saying, "My dear Lord, because You have come to my 
place, I think all my forefathers and all my worshipable 
superiors are pleased and delivered. My dear Lord, You are the 
supreme cause of all causes of this cosmic manifestation, but 
for the benefit of the residents of this earthly planet, You 
have appeared with Your plenary portion to give protection to 
Your devotees and annihilate the demons. You are equally 
disposed as the friend of all living entities; You are the 
Supersoul, and You do not discriminate between friend and enemy.
 Yet You are pleased to give Your devotees the special result 
of their devotional activities. My Lord, I am praying that You 
please tell me whatever You wish me to do, because I am Your 
eternal servant. If You would order me to do something, it 
would be a great favor to me." The florist, Sudama, was greatly 
pleased within his heart by seeing Krsna and Balarama in his 
place, and thus, as his choicest desire, he made two exquisite 
garlands of various flowers and presented them to the Lord. 
Krsna and Balarama were very much pleased with his sincere 
service, and Krsna offered the florist His salutation and 
benedictions, which He is always prepared to bestow upon the 
surrendered souls. When the florist was offered benedictions, 
he begged from the Lord that he might remain His eternal 
servant in devotional service and by such service do good to 
all living creatures. By this, it is clear that a devotee of 
the Lord in Krsna consciousness should not be satisfied 
simply by his own advancement in devotional service; he must be 
willing to work for the welfare of all others. This example was 
followed by the Six Gosvamis of Vrndavana. It is therefore 
stated in a prayer about them, lokanam hita-karinau: 
Vaisnavas, or devotees of the Lord, are not selfish. Whatever 
benefits they derive from the Supreme Personality of Godhead as 
benedictions they want to distribute to all other persons. That 
is the greatest of all humanitarian activities. Being satisfied 
with the florist, Lord Krsna not only gave him 
whatever benedictions he wanted, but over and above that He 
offered him all material opulences, family prosperity, a long 
duration of life and whatever else his heart desired within 
the material world.
 
Thus ends the Bhaktivedanta purport of the Forty-first 
Chapter of Krsna, "Krsna Enters Mathura."
 