Shloka 31
Brahmā’s Bewilderment and Kṛṣṇa Becoming the Calves and Cowherd Boys
Brahma-vimohana-līlā
समेत्य गावोऽधो वत्सान् वत्सवत्योऽप्यपाययन् । गिलन्त्य इव चाङ्गानि लिहन्त्य: स्वौधसं पय: ॥ ३१ ॥
sametya gāvo ’dho vatsān vatsavatyo ’py apāyayan gilantya iva cāṅgāni lihantyaḥ svaudhasaṁ payaḥ
समेत्य गावोऽधः वत्सान्, वत्सवत्योऽपि स्नेहवृद्ध्या पुरातनवत्सान् पयोधरैः अपाययन्; ततः स्वौधसं पयः पिबन्त्य इव, अङ्गानि लिहन्त्यः, गिलन्त्य इव तान् व्याकुलतया चक्रुः।
FAQs
This verse shows the mother cows’ overwhelming vatsalya (parental affection): despite being full of milk, they nursed again and licked the calves as if to absorb them—revealing extraordinary love awakened by Krishna’s presence.
In the Brahmā-vimohana-līlā, Krishna expanded Himself to become the calves (and later the boys). Because the calves were Krishna, the cows’ natural affection intensified into a divine, irresistible love.
Cultivate steady, selfless care in devotion—serving Krishna with the tenderness and consistency of a parent’s love, offering daily attention (hearing, chanting, service) even when one feels “already full” or busy.