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KB 1970-1-44 / Krsna Recovers the Son of His Teacher

44 / Krsna Recovers the Son of His Teacher

When Lord Krsna saw that Vasudeva and Devaki were remaining

standing in a reverential attitude, He immediately expanded His

influence of yogamaya so that they could treat Him and Balarama

as children. As in the material world the relationship existing

between father and mother and children can be established

amongst different living entities by the influence of the

illusory energy, so, by the influence of yogamaya, the devotee

can establish a relationship in which the Supreme Personality

of Godhead is his child. After creating this situation by His

yogamaya, Krsna, appearing with His elder brother Balarama as

the most illustrious sons in the dynasty of the Satvatas, very

submissively and respectfully addressed Vasudeva and Devaki: "

My dear father and mother, although you have always been very

anxious for the protection of Our lives, you could not enjoy

the pleasure of having Us as your babies, as your growing boys

and as your adolescent youths." Krsna indirectly praised the

fatherhood of Nanda Maharaja and motherhood of Yasoda as most

glorious because although He and Balarama were not their born

sons, Nanda and Yasoda actually enjoyed Their childhood

pastimes. By nature's own arrangement, the childhood of the

embodied living being is enjoyed by the parents. Even in the

animal kingdom the parents are found to be affectionate to

the cubs. Being captivated by the activities of their

children, they take much care for their well-being. As for

Vasudeva and Devaki, they were always very anxious for the

protection of their sons, Krsna and Balarama. That is why Krsna,

after His appearance, was immediately transferred to another's

house. Balarama was also transferred from Devaki's womb to

Rohini's womb.

Vasudeva and Devaki were full of anxieties for Krsna's and

Balarama's protection, and they could not enjoy Their childhood

pastimes. Krsna said, "Unfortunately, being ordered by Our fate,

We could not be raised by Our own parents to enjoy childhood

pleasures at home. My dear father and mother, a man has a

debt to pay to his parents, from whom he gets this body

which can bestow upon him all the benefits of material

existence. According to the Vedic injunction, this human form

of life enables one to perform all kinds of religious

activities, fulfill all kinds of desires and acquire all kinds

of wealth. And only in this human form is there every

possibility that one can get liberation from material existence.

This body is produced by the combined efforts of the father

and mother. Every human being should be obliged to his parents

and understand that he cannot repay his debt to them. If, after

growing up, a son does not try to satisfy his parents by his

actions or by an endowment of riches, he is surely punished

after death by the superintendent of death and made to eat his

own flesh. If a person is able to care for or give protection

to old parents, children, the spiritual master,

brahmanas and other dependents, but does not do so, he is

considered to be already dead, although he is supposedly

breathing. My dear father and mother, you have always been very

anxious for Our protection, but unfortunately We could not

render any service unto you. Up to date We have simply

wasted Our time; We could not serve you for reasons beyond Our

control. Mother and father, please

excuse Us for Our sinful action."

When the Supreme Personality of Godhead was speaking as an

innocent boy in very sweet words, both Vasudeva and Devaki

became captivated by parental affection and embraced Them with

great pleasure. They were amazed and could not speak or answer

the words of Krsna, but simply embraced Him and Balarama in

great affection and remained silent, shedding incessant tears.

Thus consoling His father and mother, the Supreme

Personality of Godhead, appearing as the beloved son of Devaki,

approached His grandfather Ugrasena and announced that Ugrasena

would now be the King of the Yadu kingdom. Kamsa had been

forcibly ruling over the kingdom of Yadu, in spite of the

presence of his father, whom he had arrested. But after the

death of Kamsa, Kamsa's father was released and announced to be

the king of the Yadu kingdom. It appears that in those days,

in the western part of India, there were many small kingdoms,

and they were ruled by the Yadu dynasty, Andhaka dynasty, Vrsni

dynasty and Bhoja dynasty. Maharaja Ugrasena belonged to the

Bhoja dynasty; therefore Krsna indirectly declared that the

King of the Bhoja dynasty would be the emperor of the other

small kingdoms. He willingly asked Maharaja Ugrasena to rule

over Them because They were his subjects. The

word praja is used both for the progeny and for the citizens,

so Krsna belonged to the praja, both as a grandson to Maharaja

Ugrasena and as a member of the Yadu dynasty. He

voluntarily accepted the rule of Maharaja Ugrasena. He informed

Ugrasena: "Being cursed by the Yayati, the kings of the Yadu

dynasty will not rise against the throne. It will be Our

pleasure to serve you as your servants. Our full cooperation

with you will make your position more exalted and secure so

that the kings of other dynasties will not hesitate to pay

their respective revenues. Protected by Us, you will be honored

even by the demigods from the heavenly planets. My dear

grandfather, out of fear of My late uncle Kamsa, all the kings

belonging to the Yadu dynasty, Vrsni dynasty, Andhaka dynasty,

Madhu dynasty, Dasarha dynasty and Kukura dynasty were very

anxious and disturbed. Now you can pacify them all and give

them assurance of security. The whole kingdom will be peaceful."

All the kings in the neighboring area had left their homes in

fear of Kamsa and were living in distant parts of the country.

Now, after the death of Kamsa and the reinstatement of Ugrasena

as king, the neighboring kings were given all kinds of

presentations and comforts. Then they returned to their

respective homes. After this nice political arrangement, the

citizens of Mathura were pleased to live in Mathura, being

protected by the strong arms of Krsna and Balarama. On account

of good government in the presence of Krsna and Balarama, the

inhabitants of Mathura felt complete satisfaction in the

fulfillment of all their material desires and necessities, and

because they saw Krsna and Balarama daily, eye to eye, they

soon forgot all material miseries completely. As soon as they

saw Krsna and Balarama coming out on the street, very nicely

dressed and smiling and looking here and there,

the citizens were immediately filled with loving ecstasies,

simply by seeing the personal presence of Mukunda.

Mukunda refers to one who can award liberation and

transcendental bliss. Krsna's presence acted as such a

vitalizing tonic that not only the younger generation, but even

the old men of Mathura became fully invigorated with youthful

energy and strength by regularly seeing Him.

Nanda Maharaja and Yasoda were also living in Mathura because

Krsna and Balarama were there, but after some time they wanted

to go back to Vrndavana. Krsna and Balarama went before them

and very feelingly and affectionately embraced Nanda and

Yasoda, and Krsna began to speak as follows: "My Dear

father and mother, although I was born of Vasudeva and Devaki,

you have been Our real father and mother, because from Our

very birth and childhood, you raised Us with great affection

and love. Your affectionate love for Us was more than anyone

can offer one's own children. You are actually Our father and

mother, because you raised Us as your own children at a time

when when We were just like orphans. For certain reasons We

were rejected by Our father and mother, and you protected Us.

My dear father and mother, I know you will be feeling

separation by returning to Vrndavana and leaving Us here, but

please rest assured that I shall be coming back to Vrndavana

just after giving some satisfaction to My real father and

mother, Vasudeva and Devaki, My grandfather, and other

relatives and family members." Krsna and Balarama

satisfied Nanda and Yasoda by sweet words and by presentation

of various clothing, ornaments and properly made

utensils. They satisfied them, along with their friends and

neighbors who had come with them from Vrndavana to Mathura, as

fully as possible. On account of his excessive parental

affection for Balarama and Krsna, Nanda Maharaja felt tears in

his eyes, and he embraced Them and started with the cowherd men

for Vrndavana.

After this, Vasudeva had his son initiated by sacred thread as

the token of second birth, which is essential for the higher

castes of human society. Vasudeva called for his family priest

and learned brahmanas, and the sacred thread ceremony of Krsna

and Balarama was duly performed. During this ceremony, Vasudeva

gave various ornaments in charity to the brahmanas and endowed

them with cows decorated with silken cloths and golden

ornaments. Previously, during the birth of Krsna and

Balarama, Vasudeva had wanted to give cows in charity to the

brahmanas, but being

imprisoned by Kamsa, he was able to do

so only within his mind.

With the death of Kamsa the actual cows were given

to the brahmanas. Then Balarama

and Krsna were duly initiated with the sacred thread ceremony,

and They repeated the chanting of the Gayatri mantra. The

Gayatri mantra is offered to the disciples after the sacred

thread ceremony, and Balarama and Krsna properly discharged the

duties of chanting this mantra. Anyone who executes the

chanting of this mantra has to abide by certain principles and

vows. Although Balarama and Krsna were both transcendental

personalities, They strictly followed the regulative principles.

Both were initiated by Their family priest Gargacarya,

usually known as Gargamuni, the acarya of the Yadu dynasty.

According to Vedic culture, every respectable person has an

acarya, or spiritual master. One is not considered to be a

perfectly cultured man without being initiated and trained by

an acarya. It is said, therefore, that one who has approached

an acarya is actually in perfect knowledge. Lord Krsna and

Balarama were the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of

all education and knowledge. There was no need for Them to

accept a spiritual master or acarya, yet for the instruction

of ordinary men, They also accepted a spiritual master for

advancement in spiritual knowledge.

It is customary, after being initiated in the Gayatri mantra,

for one to live away from home for some time under the care of

the acarya in order to be trained in spiritual life. During

this period one has to work under the spiritual master as an

ordinary menial servant. There are many rules and regulations

for a brahmacari living under the care of an acarya, and both

Lord Krsna and Balarama strictly followed those regulative

principles while living under the instruction of their

spiritual master, Sandipani Muni, in his place

in northern India.

According to scriptural injunctions, a spiritual master should

be respected and be regarded on an equal level with the Supreme

Personality of Godhead. Both Krsna and Balarama exactly

followed those principles with great devotion and underwent the

regulations of brahmacarya, and thus They satisfied Their

spiritual master, who instructed Them in Vedic knowledge. Being

very satisfied, Sandipani Muni instructed Them in all the

intricacies of Vedic wisdom as well as in supplementary

literatures such as the Upanisads. Because Krsna and Balarama

happened to be ksatriyas, They were specifically trained in

military science, politics and mathematics. In politics

there are six departments of knowledge -- how to make

peace, how to fight, how to pacify, how to divide and rule,

how to give shelter, etc. All these items were fully explained

and instructed to Krsna and Balarama.

The ocean is the source of water in a river. The cloud is

created by the evaporation of ocean water, and the same water

is distributed as rain all over the surface of the earth and

then returns toward the ocean in rivers. So Krsna and Balarama,

the Supreme Personality of Godhead, are the source of all kinds

of knowledge, but because They were playing like ordinary human

boys, They set the example so that everyone would receive

knowledge from the right source. Thus They agreed to take

knowledge from a spiritual master.

After hearing only once from the teacher, Krsna and Balarama

learned all the arts and sciences. In sixty-four days and sixty-

four nights They learned all the necessary arts and sciences

that are required in human society. During daytime They

took lessons on a subject from the teacher, and by nightfall,

after having heard from the teacher, They were expert in that

department of knowledge.

First of all They learned how to sing, how to compose songs and

how to recognize the different tunes; They learned the

favorable and unfavorable accents and meters, how to sing

different kinds of rhythms and melodies, and how to follow them

by beating different kinds of drums. They learned how to dance

with rhythm, melody and different songs. They learned how

to write dramas, and They learned the various types of

paintings, beginning from different village arts up to the

highest perfectional stage. They also learned how to paint

tilaka on the face and make different kinds of dots on the

forehead and cheeks. Then They learned the art of painting

on the floor with liquid paste of rice and flour;

such paintings are very popular at auspicious ceremonies

performed at household affairs or in the temple. They learned

how to make a resting place with flowers and how to decorate

clothing and leaves with colorful paintings. They also learned

how to set different valuable jewels in ornaments. They learned

the art of ringing waterpots. Waterpots are filled with water

to a certain measurement so that when one beats on the pots,

different tunes are produced, and when the pots are beaten

together they produce a melodious sound. They also learned how

to throw water in the rivers or the lakes while taking a bath

among friends. They also learned how to decorate with flowers.

This art of decorating can still be seen in various temples of

Vrndavana during the summer season. It is called phulabadi.

The dais, the throne, the walls and the ceiling are all fully

decorated, and a small, aromatic fountain of flowers is fixed

in the center. Because of these floral decorations, the people,

fatigued from the heat of the summer season, become refreshed.

Krsna and Balarama learned the art of dressing hair in various

styles and fixing a helmet in different positions on the head.

They also learned how to perform on a theatrical stage, how to

decorate dramatic actors with flower

ornaments over the ear, and how to sprinkle sandalwood pulp and

water to produce a nice fragrance. They also learned the art of

performing magical feats. Within the magical field there is an

art called bahurupi by which a person dresses himself in

such a way that when he approaches a friend he cannot be

recognized. They also learned how to make

beverages which are required at various times,

and they studied syrups and tastes and the

effects of intoxication. They learned

how to manipulate thin

threads for dancing puppets, and They learned how to string

wires on musical instruments, such as the vina, sitar

and tampura, to produce melodious sound. Then They learned

puzzles and how to set and solve them. They learned the art

of reading books from which even a foolish student can very

quickly learn to read the alphabet and comprehend writing. Then

They learned how to rehearse and act out a drama. They also

studied the art of solving crossword puzzles, filling up the

missing space and making complete words.

They also learned how to draw pictographic literature.

In some countries in the world, pictographic literature is

still current. A story is represented by pictures; for instance,

a man and a house are pictured to represent a man going home.

Krsna and Balarama also learned the art of architecture -- how

to construct residential buildings. They learned to recognize

valuable jewels by studying the luster and the quality of

their colors. Then They learned the art of setting jewels with

gold and silver.

They also learned how to study soil to find minerals. This

study of soil is now a greatly specialized science, but

formerly it was common knowledge even for the ordinary man.

They learned to study herbs and plants and to extract

medicine from the elements. By studying the

different species of plants, They learned how to crossbreed

plants and get different types of fruits. They

learned how to train and engage lambs and cocks in fighting for

sporting purposes. They then learned how to teach parrots to

speak and answer the questions of human beings.

They learned practical psychology -- how to influence another's

mind and thus induce another to act according to one's own

desire. Sometimes this is called hypnotism. They learned how to

wash hair, dye it in different colors and curl it in different

ways. They learned the art of telling what is written in

someone's book without actually seeing it. They learned to tell

what is contained in another's fist. Sometimes children imitate

this art, although not very accurately. One child keeps

something within his fist and asks his friend, "Can you tell

what is within?" and the friend gives some suggestion, although

He actually cannot tell. But there is an art by which one can

understand and actually tell what is held within the fist.

Krsna and Balarama learned how to speak and understand the

languages of various countries. They learned not only the

languages of human beings. Krsna could also speak even with

animals and birds. Evidence of this is found in Vaisnava

literature compiled by the Gosvamis. Then They learned how to

make carriages and airplanes from flowers. It is said in the

Ramayana that after defeating Ravana, Ramacandra was carried

from Lanka to Bharatavarsa on a plane of flowers called

puspa-ratha. Krsna then learned the art of

foretelling events by seeing signs. In a book called Khanar

vacana, the various types of signs and omens are described. If,

when one is going out, one sees someone with a bucket full of

water, that is a very good sign. But if one sees someone with

an empty bucket, it is not a very good sign. Similarly, if one

sees cow's milk along with a calf, it is a good sign.

The result of understanding these signs is that one can

foretell events, and Krsna learned the science.

Krsna also learned the art of composing matrka. A matrka is

a crossword section with three letters in a line;

counting any three from any side, it will count nine.

The matrkas are of different kinds and are for different

purposes.

Krsna learned the art of cutting valuable stones

such as diamonds, and He learned the art of questioning

and answering by immediately composing poetry within His mind.

He learned the science of the action and reaction of physical

combinations and permutations. He learned the art of a

psychiatrist, who can understand the psychic movements of

another person. He learned how to satisfy one's desires.

Desires are very difficult to fulfill; but if one desires

something which is unreasonable and can never be fulfilled, the

desire can be subdued and satisfied, and that is an art. By

this art one can also subdue sex impulses when they are aroused,

as they are even in brahmacari life. By this art one can make

even an enemy his friend or transfer the direct action of a

physical element to other things.

Lord Krsna and Balarama, the reservoir of all knowledge

of arts and

sciences, exhibited Their perfect understanding when They

offered to serve Their teacher by awarding him anything he

desired. This offering by the student to the teacher or

spiritual master is called guru-daksina. It is essential that a

student satisfy the teacher in return for any learning received,

either material or spiritual. When Krsna and Balarama offered

Their service in this way, the teacher, Sandipani Muni, thought

it wise to ask Them for something extraordinary, something

which no common student could offer. He therefore consulted

with his wife about what to ask from Them. They

had already seen the extraordinary potencies of Krsna and

Balarama and could understand that the two boys were the

Supreme Personality of Godhead. They decided to ask for the

return of their son, who had drowned in the ocean on the

bank of Prabhasaksetra.

When Krsna and Balarama heard from Their teacher about the

death of his son on the bank of Prabhasaksetra, They

immediately started for the ocean on Their chariot.

Reaching the beach, They asked the controlling deity of the

ocean to return the son of Their teacher. The ocean deity

immediately appeared before the Lord and offered Him all

respectful obeisances with great humility.

The Lord said, "Some time back you caused the drowning of the

son of Our teacher. I order you to return him."

The ocean deity replied, "The boy was not actually taken by me,

but was captured by a demon named Pancajana. This great demon

generally remains deep in the water in the shape of a

conchshell. The son of Your teacher might be within the belly

of the demon, having been devoured by him."

On hearing this, Krsna dove deep into the water and caught hold

of the demon Pancajana. He killed him on the spot, but could

not find the son of His teacher within his belly. Therefore He

took the demon's dead body (in the shape of a conchshell) and

returned to His chariot on the beach of Prabhasaksetra.

From there He started for Samyamani, the residence of Yamaraja,

the superintendent of death. Accompanied by His elder brother

Balarama, who is also known as Halayudha, Krsna arrived there

and blew on His conchshell.

Hearing the vibration, Yamaraja appeared and received Sri Krsna

with all respectful obeisances. Yamaraja could understand who

Krsna and Balarama were, and therefore he immediately offered

his humble service to the Lord. Krsna had appeared on the

surface of the earth as an ordinary human being, but actually

Krsna and Balarama are the Supersoul living within the heart of

every living entity. They are Visnu Himself, but were playing

just like ordinary human boys. As Yamaraja offered his

services to the Lord, Sri Krsna asked him to return His teacher'

s son, who had come to him as a result of his work. "

Considering My ruling as supreme," said Krsna, "you should

immediately return the son of My teacher."

Yamaraja returned the boy to the Supreme Personality of Godhead,

and Krsna and Balarama brought him to his father. The brothers

asked if Their teacher had anything more to ask from Them, but

he replied, "My dear sons, You have done enough for me. I am

now completely satisfied. What further want can there be for a

man who has disciples like You? My dear boys, You can go

home now. These glorious acts of Yours will always be renowned

all over the world. You are above all blessing, yet it is my

duty to bless You. I give You the benediction that

whatever You speak will remain as eternally fresh as the

instruction of the Vedas. Your teachings will not only be

honored within this universe or in this millennium,

but in all places and ages and will remain increasingly new and

important." Due to this benediction from His teacher, Lord

Krsna's Bhagavad-gita is ever increasingly fresh and is

not only renowned within this universe, but in other

planets and in other universes also.

Being ordered by Their teacher, Krsna and Balarama immediately

returned home on Their chariots. They traveled at great speeds

like the wind and made sounds like the crashing of clouds. All

the residents of Mathura, who had not seen Krsna and Balarama

for a long time, were very pleased to see Them again. They

felt joyful, like a person who has regained his lost property.

Thus ends the Bhaktivedanta purport of the Forty-fourth Chapter

of Krsna, "Krsna Recovers the Son of His Teacher."

 
 
KB 45: Krsna Recovers the Son of His Teacher
 
CHAPTER FORTY–FIVE
 
Krsna Recovers the Son of His Teacher
 
When Lord Krsna saw Vasudeva and Devaki 
standing in a reverential attitude, He immediately expanded His 
influence of yogamaya so that they could treat Him and Balarama 
as children. As in the material world the relationship existing 
between father and mother and children can be established 
amongst different living entities by the influence of the 
illusory energy, so, by the influence of yogamaya, the devotee 
can establish a relationship in which the Supreme Personality 
of Godhead is his child. After creating this situation by His 
yogamaya, Krsna, appearing with His elder brother, Balarama, as 
the most illustrious son in the dynasty of the Satvatas, very 
submissively and respectfully addressed Vasudeva and Devaki: "
My dear Father and Mother, although you have always been 
anxious for the protection of Our lives, you could not enjoy 
the pleasure of having Us as your babies, as your growing boys 
and as your adolescent youths." Krsna indirectly praised the 
fatherhood of Nanda Maharaja and motherhood of Yasoda as most 
glorious because although He and Balarama were not their born 
sons, Nanda and Yasoda actually enjoyed Their childhood 
pastimes. By nature's own arrangement, the childhood of the 
embodied living being is enjoyed by his parents. Even in the 
animal kingdom, parents are found to be affectionate to 
their cubs. Being captivated by the activities of their 
offspring, they take much care for their well-being. As for 
Vasudeva and Devaki, they were always anxious for the 
protection of their sons, Krsna and Balarama. That is why Krsna,
 after His appearance, was immediately transferred to another's 
house. Balarama was also transferred, from Devaki's womb to 
Rohini's womb.
 
Vasudeva and Devaki were full of anxieties for Krsna's and 
Balarama's protection, but they could not enjoy Their childhood 
pastimes. Krsna said, "Unfortunately, being ordered by Our fate,
 We could not be raised by Our own parents to enjoy childhood 
pleasures at home. My dear Father and Mother, a man cannot 
repay his debt to his parents, from whom he gets this body, 
which can bestow upon him all the benefits of material 
existence. According to the Vedic injunctions, this human form 
of life enables one to perform all kinds of religious 
activities, fulfill all kinds of desires and acquire all kinds 
of wealth. And only in this human form is there every 
possibility that one can get liberation from material existence.
 This body is produced by the combined efforts of the father 
and mother. Every human being should be obliged to his parents 
and understand that he cannot repay his debt to them. If, after 
growing up, a son does not try to satisfy his parents by his 
actions or by an endowment of riches, he is surely punished 
after death by the superintendent of death and made to eat his 
own flesh. If a person is able to care for or give protection 
to old parents, a chaste wife, children, the spiritual master, 
brahmanas and other dependents but does not do so, he is 
considered already dead, although he is supposedly 
breathing. My dear Father and Mother, you have always been 
anxious for Our protection, but unfortunately We could not 
render any service to you. Until now We have simply 
wasted Our time; due to reasons beyond Our 
control, We could not serve you. Mother and Father, please 
excuse Us for Our sinfulness."
 
When the Supreme Personality of Godhead was speaking as an 
innocent boy in very sweet words, Vasudeva and Devaki 
became captivated by parental affection and embraced Him with 
great pleasure. They were amazed and could not speak or answer 
the words of Krsna but simply embraced Him and Balarama in 
great affection and remained silent, shedding incessant tears.
 
Thus having consoled His father and mother, the Supreme 
Personality of Godhead, appearing as the beloved son of Devaki, 
approached His grandfather Ugrasena and announced that Ugrasena 
would now be the King of the Yadu kingdom. Kamsa had been 
forcibly ruling the kingdom of Yadu, in spite of the 
presence of his father, whom he had arrested. But after the 
death of Kamsa, his father was released and announced to be 
the monarch of the Yadu kingdom. It appears that in those days 
in the western part of India there were many small kingdoms, 
ruled by the Yadu dynasty, Andhaka dynasty, Vrsni 
dynasty and Bhoja dynasty. Maharaja Ugrasena belonged to the 
Bhoja dynasty; therefore Krsna indirectly declared that the 
King of the Bhoja dynasty would be the emperor of the other 
small kingdoms. Krsna willingly asked Maharaja Ugrasena to rule 
over Himself and Balarama because They were his subjects. The 
word praja is used both for progeny and for citizens, 
so Krsna belonged to the praja, both as a grandson of Maharaja 
Ugrasena's and as a member of the Yadu dynasty. Thus He 
voluntarily accepted the rule of Maharaja Ugrasena. He informed 
Ugrasena, "Being cursed by Yayati, the kings of the Yadu 
dynasty may not occupy the throne. It will be Our 
pleasure to act as your servants. My full cooperation 
with you will make your position more exalted and secure so 
that the kings of other dynasties will not hesitate to pay 
their respective revenues. Protected by Me, you will be honored 
even by the demigods from the heavenly planets. My dear 
grandfather, out of fear of My late uncle Kamsa, all the kings 
belonging to the Yadu, Vrsni, Andhaka, 
Madhu, Dasarha and Kukura dynasties were very 
anxious and disturbed. Now you can pacify them all and give 
them assurance of security. The whole kingdom will be peaceful."
 
 
All the kings in the neighboring area had left their homes in 
fear of Kamsa and were living in distant parts of the country. 
Now, after the death of Kamsa and the reinstallment of Ugrasena 
as king, the neighboring kings were given all kinds of 
presentations and comforts. Then they returned to their 
respective homes. After this nice political arrangement, the 
citizens of Mathura were pleased to live in Mathura, being 
protected by the strong arms of Krsna and Balarama. On account 
of good government in the presence of Krsna and Balarama, the 
inhabitants of Mathura felt complete satisfaction in the 
fulfillment of all their material desires and necessities, and 
because they saw Krsna and Balarama daily, face to face, they 
soon forgot all material miseries completely. As soon as they 
saw Krsna and Balarama coming out on the street, very nicely 
dressed and smiling and looking at the citizens with grace, 
the citizens were immediately filled with loving ecstasies 
simply by seeing the personal presence of Mukunda. The name 
Mukunda refers to one who can award liberation and 
transcendental bliss. Krsna's presence acted as such a 
vitalizing tonic that not only the younger generation but even 
the old men of Mathura became fully invigorated with youthful 
energy and strength by regularly seeing Him.
 
Nanda Maharaja and Yasoda were also living in Mathura because 
Krsna and Balarama were there, but after some time they wanted 
to go back to Vrndavana. Krsna and Balarama went before Nanda 
and Yasoda and very affectionately embraced them
, and then the two Lords spoke as follows: "Dear 
Father and Mother, although We were born of Vasudeva and Devaki,
 you have been Our real father and mother, because from Our 
very birth and childhood you raised Us with great affection 
and love. Your affectionate love for Us was more than anyone 
can offer one's own children. You are actually Our father and 
mother, because you raised Us as your own children 
when We were just like orphans. For certain reasons We 
were rejected by Our father and mother, and you protected Us. 
Dear Father and Mother, We know that you will feel 
separation upon returning to Vrndavana and leaving Us here, but 
please rest assured that We shall come back to Vrndavana 
just after giving some satisfaction to Our real father and 
mother, Vasudeva and Devaki, and Our grandfather and other 
family members." Krsna and Balarama thus 
satisfied Nanda and Yasoda by sweet words and by presentations 
of various kinds of clothing, ornaments and copper 
utensils. They satisfied them, along with their friends and 
neighbors who had come with them from Vrndavana to Mathura, as 
fully as possible. On account of excessive parental 
affection for Balarama and Krsna, Nanda Maharaja felt tears in 
his eyes, and he embraced Them and started with the cowherd men 
for Vrndavana.
 
After this, Vasudeva had his sons initiated by sacred thread as 
the token of second birth, which is essential for the higher 
castes of human society. Vasudeva called for his family priest 
and learned brahmanas, and the sacred thread ceremony of Krsna 
and Balarama was duly performed. During this ceremony, Vasudeva 
gave various ornaments in charity to the brahmanas and endowed 
them with cows decorated with silken cloths and golden 
ornaments. Then Vasudeva remembered the 
cows he had wanted to give in charity to the 
brahmanas after the birth of Krsna and Balarama. But being 
imprisoned by Kamsa at that time, Vasudeva had been able to do 
so only within his mind, for Kamsa had stolen all his cows. 
With the death of Kamsa his cows were released, and now 
Vasudeva gave the actual cows to the brahmanas. Then Balarama 
and Krsna were duly initiated with the sacred thread ceremony, 
and They repeated the chanting of the Gayatri mantra. The 
Gayatri mantra is offered to disciples after the sacred 
thread ceremony, and Balarama and Krsna properly discharged the 
duties of chanting this mantra. Anyone who executes the 
chanting of this mantra has to abide by certain principles and 
vows. Although Balarama and Krsna are transcendental 
personalities, They strictly followed the regulative principles.
 They were initiated by Their family priest, Gargacarya, 
usually known as Garga Muni, the acarya of the Yadu dynasty.
 According to Vedic culture, every respectable family has an 
acarya, or spiritual master. One is not considered a 
perfectly cultured man without being initiated and trained by 
an acarya. It is said, therefore, that one who has approached 
an acarya is actually in perfect knowledge. Lord Krsna and Lord 
Balarama are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of 
all education and knowledge. There was no need for Them to 
accept a spiritual master, or acarya, yet for the instruction 
of ordinary men They also accepted a spiritual master for 
advancement in spiritual knowledge.
 
It is customary, after being initiated in the Gayatri mantra, 
for one to live away from home for some time under the care of 
the acarya, to be trained in spiritual life. During 
this period, one has to work under the spiritual master as an 
ordinary menial servant. There are many rules and regulations 
for a brahmacari living under the care of an acarya, and 
Krsna and Balarama strictly followed those regulative 
principles while living under the instruction of their 
spiritual master, Sandipani Muni, who was a resident of 
Avantipura, in the northern Indian district of Ujjain. 
According to scriptural injunctions, a spiritual master should 
be respected and regarded on an equal level with the Supreme 
Personality of Godhead. Krsna and Balarama exactly 
followed those principles with great devotion and underwent the 
regulations of brahmacarya. Thus They satisfied Their 
spiritual master, who instructed Them in Vedic knowledge. Being 
very satisfied, Sandipani Muni instructed Them in all the 
intricacies of Vedic wisdom and in supplementary 
literature such as the Upanisads. Because Krsna and Balarama 
happened to be ksatriyas, They were specifically trained in 
military science, politics and ethics. Politics
 includes such departments of knowledge as how to make 
peace, how to fight, how to pacify, how to divide and rule and 
how to give shelter. All these items were fully explained 
and instructed to Krsna and Balarama.
 
The ocean is the source of water in a river. The cloud is 
created by the evaporation of ocean water, and the same water 
is distributed as rain all over the surface of the earth and 
then returns to the ocean in rivers. So Krsna and Balarama, 
the Supreme Personality of Godhead, are the source of all 
knowledge, but because They were playing like ordinary human 
boys, They set the example so that everyone would receive 
knowledge from the right source. Thus They agreed to take 
knowledge from a spiritual master.
 
After hearing only once from Their teacher, Krsna and Balarama 
learned all the arts and sciences. In sixty-four days and sixty-
four nights, They learned all the necessary arts and sciences 
required in human society. During the daytime They 
took lessons on a subject from the teacher, and by nightfall
 They were expert in that 
department of knowledge.
 
First of all They learned how to sing, how to compose songs and 
how to recognize the different tunes; They learned the 
favorable and unfavorable accents and meters, how to sing 
different kinds of rhythms and melodies, and how to follow them 
by beating different kinds of drums. They learned how to dance 
to the rhythm of melody and different songs. They learned how 
to write dramas, and They learned the various types of 
painting, from simple village arts up to the 
highest perfectional stage. They also learned how to paint 
tilaka on the face by making different kinds of dots on the 
forehead and cheeks. Then They learned the art of making 
paintings on the floor with a liquid paste of rice and flour; 
such paintings are very popular at auspicious ceremonies 
performed at household affairs or in the temple. They learned 
how to make a resting place with flowers and how to decorate 
clothing and limbs with colorful paintings. They also learned 
how to set valuable jewels in ornaments. They learned 
the art of ringing waterpots. Waterpots are filled with water 
to a certain measurement so that as one beats on the pots, 
different tones are produced, and when the pots are beaten 
together they produce a melodious sound. They also learned how 
to splash water in the rivers or lakes while taking a bath 
among friends. They learned how to decorate with flowers. 
This art of decorating can still be seen in various temples of 
Vrndavana during the summer season. It is called phulla-badi.
 The dais, the throne, the walls and the ceiling are all fully 
decorated, and a small, aromatic fountain of flowers is fixed 
in the center. Because of these floral decorations, the people, 
fatigued from the heat of the summer, become refreshed.
 
Krsna and Balarama learned the art of dressing hair in various 
styles and fixing a helmet in different positions on the head. 
They also learned how to set up a theatrical stage, how to 
decorate dramatic actors with costumes and with flower 
ornaments over the ear, and how to sprinkle sandalwood pulp and 
water to produce a nice fragrance. They also learned the art of 
performing magical feats. Within the magical field there is an 
art called bahu-rupi, by which a person dresses himself in 
such a way that when he approaches a friend he cannot be 
recognized. Krsna and Balarama also learned how to make 
various syrups and beverages required at various times, 
having various tastes and intoxicating 
effects. They also learned different types of 
sewing and embroidery work, as well as how to manipulate thin 
threads for dancing puppets. This art includes how to string 
wires on musical instruments, such as the vina, sitar, esaraja 
and tamboura, to produce melodious sounds. Then They learned 
how to make and solve riddles. They learned the art 
of how even a dull student can very 
quickly learn the alphabet and read books. Then 
They learned how to rehearse and act out a drama. They also 
studied the art of solving crossword puzzles, filling up the 
missing spaces and making complete words.
 
They also learned how to draw and read pictographic literature. 
In some countries in the world, pictographic literature is 
still current. A story is represented by pictures; for instance,
 a man and house are pictured to represent a man going home. 
Krsna and Balarama also learned the art of architecture -- how 
to construct residential buildings. They learned to recognize 
valuable jewels by studying their luster and 
colors. Then They learned the art of placing jewels in 
a gold and silver setting so that they look very beautiful. 
They also learned how to study soil to find minerals. This 
study of soil is now a greatly specialized science, but 
formerly it was common knowledge even for the ordinary man. 
They learned to study herbs and plants to discover how they 
would act as medicine for different ailments. By studying the 
different species of plants, They learned how to crossbreed 
plants and trees and get different types of fruits. They 
learned how to train and engage rams and cocks in fighting for 
sport. They then learned how to teach parrots to 
speak and to answer the questions of human beings.
 
They learned practical psychology -- how to influence another's 
mind and thus induce another to act according to one's own 
desire. Sometimes this is called hypnotism. They learned how to 
wash hair, dye it different colors and curl it in different 
ways. They learned the art of telling what is written in 
someone's book without actually seeing it. They learned to tell 
what is contained in another's fist. Sometimes children imitate 
this art, although not very accurately. One child keeps 
something within his fist and asks his friend, "Can you tell 
what is within?" and the friend gives some suggestion, although 
he actually cannot tell. But there is an art by which one can 
understand and actually tell what is held within the fist.
 
Krsna and Balarama learned how to speak and understand the 
languages of various countries. Not only did They learn the 
languages of human beings; Krsna could also speak even with 
animals and birds. Evidence of this is found in the Vaisnava 
literature compiled by the Gosvamis. Then They learned how to 
make carriages and airplanes from flowers. It is said in the 
Ramayana that after defeating Ravana, Ramacandra was carried 
from Lanka to Bharata-varsa on a plane of flowers, called 
a puspa-ratha. Krsna and Balarama then learned the art of 
foretelling events by seeing signs. In a book called Khanara-
vacana, the various types of signs and omens are described. If 
when one is going out one sees someone with a bucket full of 
water, that is a very good sign. But if one sees someone with 
an empty bucket, it is not a good sign. Similarly, if one 
sees a cow being milked alongside its calf, it is a good sign.
 The result of understanding these signs is that one can 
foretell events, and Krsna and Balarama learned the science. 
They also learned the art of composing matrka. A matrka is 
like a crossword box, with three numbers in each row. If 
one adds any three from any side, it will come to nine. 
The matrkas are of different kinds and for different 
purposes.
 
Krsna and Balarama learned the art of cutting valuable stones 
such as diamonds, and They also learned the art of questioning 
and answering by immediately composing poetry within the mind. 
They learned the science of the action and reaction of physical 
combinations and permutations. They learned the art of a 
psychiatrist, who can understand the psychic movements of 
another person. They learned how to satisfy one's desires. 
Desires are very difficult to fulfill; but if one desires 
something which is unreasonable and can never be fulfilled, the 
desire can be subdued and satisfied, and that is an art. By 
this art one can also subdue sex impulses when they are aroused,
 as they are even in brahmacari life. By this art one can make 
even an enemy one's friend or transfer the direct action of a 
physical element to other things.
 
Lord Krsna and Balarama, the reservoir of all knowledge, 
exhibited Their perfect understanding of all the arts and 
sciences mentioned above. Then They 
offered to serve Their teacher by awarding him anything he 
desired. This offering by the student to the teacher or 
spiritual master is called guru-daksina. It is essential that a 
student satisfy the teacher in return for any learning received,
 either material or spiritual. When Krsna and Balarama offered 
Their service in this way, the teacher, Sandipani Muni, thought 
it wise to ask Them for something extraordinary, something 
no common student could offer. He therefore consulted 
with his wife about what to ask from Them. He and his wife 
had already seen the extraordinary potencies of Krsna and 
Balarama and could understand that the two boys were the 
Supreme Personality of Godhead. They decided to ask for the 
return of their son, who had drowned in the ocean near the 
shore at Prabhasa-ksetra.
 
When Krsna and Balarama heard from Their teacher about the 
death of his son, They 
immediately started for Prabhasa-ksetra on Their chariot. 
Reaching the beach, They asked the controlling deity of the 
ocean to return the son of Their teacher. The ocean deity 
immediately appeared before the Lord and offered Him all 
respectful obeisances with great humility.
 
The Lord said, "Some time back you caused the drowning of the 
son of Our teacher. I order you to return him."
 
The ocean deity replied, "The boy was not actually taken by me 
but was captured by a demon named Pancajana. This great demon 
generally remains deep in the water in the shape of a 
conchshell. The son of Your teacher might be within the belly 
of the demon, having been devoured by him."
 
On hearing this, Krsna dove deep into the water and caught hold 
of the demon Pancajana. He killed him on the spot but could 
not find the son of His teacher within his belly. Therefore He 
took the demon's dead body (in the shape of a conchshell) and 
returned to His chariot on the beach of Prabhasa-ksetra. 
From there He started for Samyamani, the residence of Yamaraja, 
the superintendent of death. Accompanied by His elder brother, 
Balarama, who is also known as Halayudha, Krsna arrived there 
and blew on His conchshell.
 
Hearing the vibration, Yamaraja appeared and received Sri Krsna 
with all respectful obeisances. Yamaraja could understand who 
Krsna and Balarama were, and therefore he immediately offered 
his humble service to the Lord. Krsna had appeared on the 
surface of the earth like an ordinary human being, but actually 
Krsna and Balarama are the Supersoul living within the heart of 
every living entity. They are Visnu Himself but were playing 
just like ordinary human boys. When Yamaraja offered his 
services to the Lord, Sri Krsna asked him to return His teacher'
s son, who had come to him as a result of his work. "
Considering My ruling supreme," said Krsna, "you should 
immediately return the son of My teacher."
 
Yamaraja returned the boy to the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
 and Krsna and Balarama brought him to his father. The brothers 
asked if Their teacher had anything more to ask from Them, but 
he replied, "My dear sons, You have done enough for me. I am 
now completely satisfied. What further want can there be for a 
man who has disciples like You? My dear boys, You may now go 
home. These glorious acts of Yours will always be renowned 
all over the world. You are above all blessing, yet it is my 
duty to bless You. I therefore give You the benediction that 
whatever You speak will remain as eternally fresh as the 
instructions of the Vedas. Your teachings will be 
honored not only within this universe or in this millennium 
but in all places and ages and will remain increasingly new and 
important." Due to this benediction from His teacher, Lord 
Krsna's Bhagavad-gita is ever-increasingly fresh and is 
renowned not only within this universe but in other 
planets and other universes also.
 
Being ordered by Their teacher, Krsna and Balarama immediately 
returned home on Their chariot. They traveled at great speed, 
like the wind, and made sounds like the crashing of clouds. All 
the residents of Mathura, who had not seen Krsna and Balarama 
for a long time, were very much pleased to see Them again. They 
felt joyful, like a person who has regained his lost property.
 
Thus ends the Bhaktivedanta purport of the Forty-fifth Chapter 
of Krsna, "Krsna Recovers the Son of His Teacher."
 