Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 31
Brahmā’s Bewilderment and Kṛṣṇa Becoming the Calves and Cowherd Boys
Brahma-vimohana-līlā
समेत्य गावोऽधो वत्सान् वत्सवत्योऽप्यपाययन् । गिलन्त्य इव चाङ्गानि लिहन्त्य: स्वौधसं पय: ॥ ३१ ॥
sametya gāvo ’dho vatsān vatsavatyo ’py apāyayan gilantya iva cāṅgāni lihantyaḥ svaudhasaṁ payaḥ
The cows had given birth to new calves, but while coming down from Govardhana Hill, the cows, because of increased affection for the older calves, allowed the older calves to drink milk from their milk bags and then began licking the calves’ bodies in anxiety, as if wanting to swallow them.
FAQs
This verse shows the mother cows’ overwhelming vatsalya (parental affection): despite being full of milk, they nursed again and licked the calves as if to absorb them—revealing extraordinary love awakened by Krishna’s presence.
In the Brahmā-vimohana-līlā, Krishna expanded Himself to become the calves (and later the boys). Because the calves were Krishna, the cows’ natural affection intensified into a divine, irresistible love.
Cultivate steady, selfless care in devotion—serving Krishna with the tenderness and consistency of a parent’s love, offering daily attention (hearing, chanting, service) even when one feels “already full” or busy.