Shloka 16
Paugaṇḍa Cowherding, Tālavana, the Slaying of Dhenukāsura, and Revival from Poisoned Yamunā Water
क्वचित् पल्लवतल्पेषु नियुद्धश्रमकर्शित: । वृक्षमूलाश्रय: शेते गोपोत्सङ्गोपबर्हण: ॥ १६ ॥
kvacit pallava-talpeṣu niyuddha-śrama-karśitaḥ vṛkṣa-mūlāśrayaḥ śete gopotsaṅgopabarhaṇaḥ
Sometimes, weary from playful combat, Lord Kṛṣṇa would lie at the base of a tree upon a bed of tender twigs and buds, resting His head upon the lap of a cowherd friend.
The word pallava-talpeṣu implies that Lord Kṛṣṇa expanded Himself into many forms and lay down upon the many beds of twigs, leaves and flowers hastily constructed by His enthusiastic cowherd friends.
FAQs
It describes that after playful wrestling, Kṛṣṇa sometimes lay down under a tree on a bed of soft leaves, taking a cowherd boy’s lap as His pillow—showing His intimate friendship (sakhya-rasa) with His devotees.
To highlight the sweetness of Kṛṣṇa’s Vṛndāvana līlā—He lives simply like the cowherd boys, accepting their loving service and revealing how the Supreme Lord becomes controlled by pure affection.
Cultivate a personal, trusting relationship with Kṛṣṇa through daily remembrance, speaking to Him sincerely in prayer, and serving with affection rather than formality—bringing warmth and steadiness to one’s spiritual practice.