Shloka 12

Brahmā’s Bewilderment and Kṛṣṇa Becoming the Calves and Cowherd Boys

Brahma-vimohana-līlā

Devanagari script

भारतैवं वत्सपेषु भुञ्जानेष्वच्युतात्मसु । वत्सास्त्वन्तर्वने दूरं विविशुस्तृणलोभिता: ॥ १२ ॥

Transliteration

bhārataivaṁ vatsa-peṣu bhuñjāneṣv acyutātmasu vatsās tv antar-vane dūraṁ viviśus tṛṇa-lobhitāḥ

Translation

ఓ భారతవంశీయ మహారాజ పరీక్షిత్! అచ్యుతుడే హృదయసారమై ఉన్న గోపబాలులు అడవిలో భోజనం చేస్తుండగా, పచ్చని గడ్డి ఆకర్షణతో దూడలు దూరంగా అడవిలో లోతుగా వెళ్లిపోయాయి।

Synonyms

भारतO Bhārata

एवम्thus

वत्सपेषुamong the cowherd boys

भुञ्जानेषुwhile (they were) eating

अच्युतात्मसुwhose minds were fixed on Acyuta (Krishna)

वत्साःthe calves

तुbut

अन्तर्वनेinside the forest

दूरम्far away

विविशुःthey entered/went

तृणलोभिताःlured by grass

Characters & Entities

Parīkṣit Mahārāja

Śrī Kṛṣṇa (Acyuta)

Vraja cowherd boys

Calves

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the calves wandering into the forest in Canto 10 Chapter 13?

It says that while the cowherd boys were eating with hearts fixed on Acyuta (Kṛṣṇa), the calves—tempted by grass—strayed far into the inner forest, setting the stage for the next events of the Brahmā-mohana līlā.

Why is Kṛṣṇa called Acyuta in this verse?

Acyuta means “the infallible one.” The verse highlights that the boys’ consciousness was naturally anchored in Kṛṣṇa, the unfailing Lord, even during ordinary activities like taking lunch.

What practical lesson can devotees take from the calves being drawn by grass?

Sense-attraction can pull the mind away “far into the forest,” but steady remembrance of Kṛṣṇa (Acyuta) keeps one grounded; spiritual focus is cultivated by repeatedly bringing attention back to the Lord amid daily routines.