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YASHODA’S VATSALYA BHAKTI Mother Yashoda and Lord Krishna After Dasya Bhakti comes affectionate devotion, the Vatsalya Bhakti. None can understand the delusion hidden behind the sentiment of affection. Yashoda witnessed all the fourteen worlds, in the mouth of Krishna. But, overcome by delusion, she told herself, “This is, of course, my own son. How is it possible that the vast worlds are seen within such a small mouth?” So, she forgot all that she had seen. Affection is related only to the body. The affectionate feeling, that she was the mother and Krishna the son, created such strong delusion in her. When Krishna lifted the Govardhana hill to protect all the cows and cowherds, her feelings were, “O God! He has lifted such a huge hill. How will He put it down? Won’t He get stuck? It is easy to lift, but so difficult to place it down.” So worried was she that after all the people left the place, she continued to wait for Krishna. All of a sudden, Krishna caused a deafening sound. Frightened, Yashoda closed her eyes and ears. As she opened her eyes, she saw the hill was back on ground, with Krishna standing besides it. As He lifted, so He put it down. She never thought deep enough. Couldn’t the Lord who lifted it, put it down too? Such lack of discrimination and investigation occurs, when one is overwhelmed by affection. When Uddhava came to Gokulam, with the message of Krishna, describing His glorious acts, Yashoda kept asking him, “O Uddhava, is my Gopala fine? I do not bother about ‘Leela Manusha Vigraha’ or ‘Muni Manasa Sanchari’. Is my Gopala fine or not?” She was not interested in the great tasks Krishna accomplished or the fame He earned. She was only interested in her own Gopala, the little cowherd boy! Calling out the name of Gopala continuously, Yashoda finally attained Him through Vatsalya Bhakti.