Shloka 9
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 used flowers as plates, some used leaves, tender shoots, sprouts and fruits; some ate from their baskets, some from tree bark, and some from rocks, imagining these to be their dining vessels.
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.