Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 31
Garga Muni Names Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma; the Butter-Thief Pastimes; Yaśodā Sees the Universe in Kṛṣṇa’s Mouth
एवं धार्ष्ट्यान्युशति कुरुते मेहनादीनि वास्तौ स्तेयोपायैर्विरचितकृति: सुप्रतीको यथास्ते । इत्थं स्त्रीभि: सभयनयनश्रीमुखालोकिनीभि- र्व्याख्यातार्था प्रहसितमुखी न ह्युपालब्धुमैच्छत् ॥ ३१ ॥
evaṁ dhārṣṭyāny uśati kurute mehanādīni vāstau steyopāyair viracita-kṛtiḥ supratīko yathāste itthaṁ strībhiḥ sa-bhaya-nayana-śrī-mukhālokinībhir vyākhyātārthā prahasita-mukhī na hy upālabdhum aicchat
Thus He delights in bold mischief; sometimes He even urinates and passes stool in a neat, clean place within the house. Though accomplished in the arts of thievery, He sits there like an utterly well-behaved boy. The women, with anxious eyes yet captivated by the beauty of His radiant face, explain everything; but Yaśodā, smiling softly, does not wish to chastise her blessed child.
Kṛṣṇa’s business in the neighborhood was not only to steal but sometimes to pass stool and urine in a neat, clean house. When caught by the master of the house, Kṛṣṇa would chastise him, saying, “You are a thief.” Aside from being a thief in His childhood affairs, Kṛṣṇa acted as an expert thief when He was young by attracting young girls and enjoying them in the rāsa dance. This is Kṛṣṇa’s business. He is also violent, as the killer of many demons. Although mundane people like nonviolence and other such brilliant qualities, God, the Absolute Truth, being always the same, is good in any activities, even so-called immoral activities like stealing, killing and violence. Kṛṣṇa is always pure, and He is always the Supreme Absolute Truth. Kṛṣṇa may do anything supposedly abominable in material life, yet still He is attractive. Therefore His name is Kṛṣṇa, meaning “all-attractive.” This is the platform on which transcendental loving affairs and service are exchanged. Because of the features of Kṛṣṇa’s face, the mothers were so attracted that they could not chastise Him. Instead of chastising Him, they smiled and enjoyed hearing of Kṛṣṇa’s activities. Thus the gopīs remained satisfied, and Kṛṣṇa enjoyed their happiness. Therefore another name of Kṛṣṇa is Gopī-jana-vallabha because He invented such activities to please the gopīs.
FAQs
This verse describes how child Kṛṣṇa joyfully performed mischievous, even impudent acts and used clever ways to steal, and how Mother Yaśodā, hearing the gopīs’ fearful complaints, simply smiled rather than scolding Him.
Because Kṛṣṇa’s playful pranks—especially His clever stealing and unruly behavior in the courtyard—disturbed them, so they reported the incidents to Yaśodā, expecting correction.
It highlights affectionate devotion: instead of relating to God only through fear, one can cultivate loving remembrance and intimacy—seeing the Lord’s sweetness and responding with patience, warmth, and devotion.