Shloka 17
Brahmā’s Bewilderment and Kṛṣṇa Becoming the Calves and Cowherd Boys
Brahma-vimohana-līlā
क्वाप्यदृष्ट्वान्तर्विपिने वत्सान्पालांश्च विश्ववित् । सर्वं विधिकृतं कृष्ण: सहसावजगाम ह ॥ १७ ॥
kvāpy adṛṣṭvāntar-vipine vatsān pālāṁś ca viśva-vit sarvaṁ vidhi-kṛtaṁ kṛṣṇaḥ sahasāvajagāma ha
When He could not find the calves or their caretakers, the cowherd boys, anywhere in the forest, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who knows everything, suddenly understood that this was the work of Lord Brahmā.
Although Kṛṣṇa is viśva-vit, the knower of everything happening in the entire cosmic manifestation, as an innocent child He showed ignorance of Brahmā’s actions, although He could immediately understand that these were the doings of Brahmā. This pastime is called brahma-vimohana, the bewilderment of Brahmā. Brahmā was already bewildered by Kṛṣṇa’s activities as an innocent child, and now he would be further bewildered.
FAQs
This verse calls Kṛṣṇa “viśva-vit,” indicating He is fully omniscient; even when the calves and boys disappeared, He immediately understood the hidden cause—Brahmā’s arrangement.
Brahmā sought to test and understand Kṛṣṇa’s divinity; his act set the stage for the Brahma-vimohana-līlā, where Brahmā becomes astonished by Kṛṣṇa’s supreme power.
When sudden disruptions arise, remember the Bhagavata’s teaching that the Lord is never confused; a devotee can respond calmly, trusting that events unfold under higher supervision and seeking Kṛṣṇa’s guidance.