Shloka 18
Brahmā’s Bewilderment and Kṛṣṇa Becoming the Calves and Cowherd Boys
Brahma-vimohana-līlā
तत: कृष्णो मुदं कर्तुं तन्मातृणां च कस्य च । उभयायितमात्मानं चक्रे विश्वकृदीश्वर: ॥ १८ ॥
tataḥ kṛṣṇo mudaṁ kartuṁ tan-mātṝṇāṁ ca kasya ca ubhayāyitam ātmānaṁ cakre viśva-kṛd īśvaraḥ
Thereafter, to bring delight both to Brahmā and to the mothers of the calves and cowherd boys, Śrī Kṛṣṇa—the Lord who creates the entire cosmic manifestation—expanded Himself as those very calves and boys.
Although Brahmā was already entangled in bewilderment, he wanted to show his power to the cowherd boys; but after he took away the boys and their calves and returned to his abode, Kṛṣṇa created further astonishment for Brahmā, and for the mothers of the boys, by establishing the lunch pastimes in the forest again and replacing all the calves and boys, just as they had appeared before. According to the Vedas, ekaṁ bahu syām: the Personality of Godhead can become many, many millions upon millions of calves and cowherd boys, as He did to bewilder Brahmā more and more.
FAQs
In this verse, Śukadeva explains that Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of all, expanded Himself in a twofold way to give delight to both the cows and the mothers in Vraja—showing His loving responsiveness to devotion.
In the context of Brahmā’s bewilderment, Kṛṣṇa manifested expansions (appearing as calves and cowherd boys) so that the cows and the boys’ mothers could continue their affectionate service and experience increased joy.
The verse highlights that sincere loving service attracts the Lord’s special care; devotees can practice steady bhakti—hearing, chanting, and serving—trusting that Bhagavān reciprocates in ways that nourish devotion.