Krishna Janmashtami: The Damodara Leela

Krishna Janmashtami: The Damodara Leela

Dear Friends,

As Krishna Janmashtami approaches on Friday, August 15, 2025, in Trinidad and Tobago, my thoughts wander on the many aspects I wish to share with you about our beloved Lord Krishna.

However, this year, I have decided that I would share three of my most favourite episodes from the Srimad Bhagavatam (Bhagavat Maha Puran). The first is entitled Damodara Leela (Canto 10, Chapter 9, Verses 1–20) - a story that stirs the soul with both laughter and tears. It’s a tale so dear, it feels like Krishna Himself is tugging at one’s heart.

I’ll share two more leelas—one tomorrow and another on Thursday—to deepen our connection for the festivities.

In Gokul, Mother Yashoda is churning butter, singing of her little Krishna’s antics, her bangles jingling, jasmine flowers in her hair. Her love for Him is so deep. Little Krishna, hungry for her attention, toddles up, stops her churning, and climbs into her lap to nurse. Yashoda gazes at Him, lost in love, until boiling milk on the stove pulls her away. She sets Him down, unfinished, to save it, and Krishna, feeling neglected, pouts.

In a mischievous fit, He smashes a butter pot with a stone, butter spilling everywhere. He scurries to a corner, devouring the treat and even sharing it with a monkey, glancing around like a naughty child. The heart aches and chuckles at this divine play—Krishna, the Supreme Lord, acting so human!

Yashoda returns, spots the mess, and knows it’s her Gopal. With a stick in hand, she chases Him. Krishna bolts, the One whom yogis can’t catch, now fleeing from His mother’s love. Yashoda, tired but determined, runs after Him, her hair loosening, flowers falling like offerings. Exhausted, she finally catches Him. He stands there, rubbing His eyes, smearing kohl (kajhar), crying remorsefully. Yashoda, ever merciful, discards the stick but ties Him to a mortar to teach Him a lesson.

But the ropes fall short—always two inches too short! She ties and ties, the Gopis laughing, until Krishna, moved by her devotion, allows Himself to be bound. He, the infinite, becomes Damodara, “bound by the belly,” tied not by ropes but by love.

As we prepare for Janmashtami, it is a timely reminder that we often get lost in perfecting decorations and offerings, forgetting the One we’re serving. How many times we’ve fussed over preparations, only to realize that our mind drifted from Krishna. His mischief reminds us: He craves our love, not perfection. Let’s offer our hearts this Janmashtami.

As Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita (9.26):

"Patram Puspam Phalam Toyam, Yo Me Bhaktyaa Prayacchati;

Tad Aham Bhakty-Upahrtam, Ahnaami Prayataatmanaha" 

 

“If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water, I will accept it.”

May your Janmashtami overflow with love. Hare Krishna!

Sunesh Tota-Maharaj.