JAPA TIME — Brahma steals the cowherd boys and calves — Krishna reveals that no one can bewilder the Supreme Lord

Pramāṇa (Śāstra reference)

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto 10, Chapter 13 — after the killing of Aghasura, Lord Brahma becomes astonished by Krishna’s power and decides to test Him. He steals the calves and the cowherd boys, hiding them by his mystic potency.

Saṅkṣepa (short meaning)

This lila reveals the inconceivable supremacy of Sri Krishna. Even Brahma, the engineer of the universe, becomes bewildered when he sees the sweetness and power of the Lord’s vraja-lila. Trying to test Krishna, he steals the calves and boys. But Krishna is never disturbed, never confused, and never diminished by anyone’s illusion. What follows shows that all beings, all forms, and all relationships rest fully within Him. The lila teaches that even the greatest cosmic authority cannot measure the Lord of Vraja.

Śāstra-pramāṇa (key points from the text)

Brahma desires to test Krishna

After witnessing Krishna’s wonderful pastimes, Brahma desires to test Him.
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto 10, Chapter 13)

The calves and boys are stolen

Brahma steals both the calves and the cowherd boys.
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto 10, Chapter 13)

Krishna searches for them

Krishna first goes to look for the missing calves and then returns and finds the boys gone as well.
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto 10, Chapter 13)

Krishna expands Himself

By His own divine potency, Krishna expands Himself and personally becomes all the missing calves and boys.
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto 10, Chapter 13)

Brahma’s understanding is surpassed

In this way He protects the feelings of Vraja and reveals His unlimited divinity beyond Brahma’s understanding.
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto 10, Chapter 13)

Tattva (essential teaching) — with śāstra

Krishna is never overcome by illusion

Krishna is never overcome by illusion; rather, even Brahma can become bewildered before Him.

Vraja-lila hides supreme majesty

The Lord’s vraja-lila is so sweet and intimate that His supreme majesty remains hidden within simplicity.

All beings rest in Krishna

All living beings and all relationships find their origin and shelter in Krishna.

The highest truth is personal

The highest truth is not merely cosmic power, but the all-attractive Personality of Godhead playing as a cowherd boy in Vraja.

Sevā today (practice for this day)

1. Pray for protection from pride

Chant one attentive round praying, “O Krishna, please protect me from pride and from trying to measure You with my limited mind.”

2. Trust the Lord’s higher arrangement

Reflect on one place where you rely too much on your own understanding instead of trusting the Lord’s higher arrangement.

3. Remember Krishna’s sweetness and supremacy

Remember that Krishna’s sweetness and simplicity do not lessen His supremacy.

Even Brahma cannot measure the sweetness and supremacy of the Lord of Vraja.

— Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto 10, Chapter 13

How to use this darśanam page

View the image, read the narration and śāstra-pramāṇa, contemplate the tattva, and complete the practice through seva. Follow the sequence: darśana → śravaṇa → manana → seva.