Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 9
Brahmā’s Bewilderment and Kṛṣṇa Becoming the Calves and Cowherd Boys
Brahma-vimohana-līlā
केचित् पुष्पैर्दलै: केचित्पल्लवैरङ्कुरै: फलै: । शिग्भिस्त्वग्भिर्दृषद्भिश्च बुभुजु: कृतभाजना: ॥ ९ ॥
kecit puṣpair dalaiḥ kecit pallavair aṅkuraiḥ phalaiḥ śigbhis tvagbhir dṛṣadbhiś ca bubhujuḥ kṛta-bhājanāḥ
Among the cowherd boys, some placed their lunch on flowers, some on leaves, fruits, or bunches of leaves, some actually in their baskets, some on the bark of trees and some on rocks. This is what the children imagined to be their plates as they ate their lunch.
FAQs
In this verse (10.13.9), Śukadeva describes the boys joyfully eating in the forest with improvised plates—flowers, leaves, shoots, fruits, horns, bark, and stones—highlighting Kṛṣṇa’s intimate, simple Vraja-līlā with His friends.
It shows the spontaneous, playful nature of Vraja life: the boys, carefree in Kṛṣṇa’s company, turn whatever is available in the forest into utensils, emphasizing simplicity and affectionate friendship (sakhya).
Cultivate contentment and devotion: happiness grows from loving association and gratitude, not elaborate arrangements—offer what you have with sincerity, and keep life simple and God-centered.