SRI KRISHNA LEELAMRUTHAM (THE NECTARINE STORIES OF THE DEEDS OF LORD KRISHNA)

 18. LORD KRISHNA DEVOURS THE FOREST FIRE

It was a summer season. Lord Krishna, Lord Balaram and other cowherd boys brought forward their cows and calves and allowed them to graze on the pasture lands. They went for playing while leaving the cowherd aside on the pasture lands. The cowherd were wandering here and there in the ground as they felt very hungry to the summer heat. While they were eating the grass, they unknowingly entered a dense forest where in nobody was present. The cows, goats and buffaloes due to great hunger, they entered an area of overgrown canes in the forest. Soon, they experienced thirsty due to the extreme heat of the forest fire. They wept bitterly because, they couldn't tolerate the extend of the heat anymore. On the other hand, Lord Krishna, Lord Balaram and the cowherd boys realized the absence of the cows and they got down in search of their cows as they value the them more than their lives. They started to trace out its path following the impression and blades of grass that were broken with their teeth. At that time, all the cowherd boys turned into an extreme level of anxiety as they lost their source of living. Finally, they found out their cows and the cows were crying on seeing the boys. The cowherd spontaneously replied with overwhelming joy when the supreme Lord called out the names of the animals. 

                                                                                                                A tremendous forest fire emerged in all directions to destroy the forest creatures. The wind thrown fire like a chariot driver where in, the fire was approaching faster to destroy the creatures. All the cowherd boys became panic and sought help of the shelter of Lord Krishna. They uttered, "O Madhava! Please save the forest creatures. We don't want to leave Your lotus feet so early as we are not afraid of the forest fire. We trust You more than our lives!". On perceiving their piteous words, Lord Krishna thought of saving His devotees. Lord Krishna said, "Don't worry my dear friends! You people just close your eyes until I say open". The cowherd boys agreed to the utterance of the supreme God and acted accordingly. Lord Krishna in order to protect forest creatures and the people of vraja, He opened His beautiful mouth and swallowed the entire forest fire with His unbeatable potency.

     

 When the Lord asked them to open their eyes, they noticed that the forest fire wasn't there. They realized that both the boys and cows were saved from the Lord's grace and were brought back to the place where they played with Lord Krishna and Lord Balaram. They were astonished and made them sure that Sri Krishna was one of the Demigods. It turned late. So, Lord Krishna and His companions returned cows in the respective place.

CONCLUSION: 

 The swallowing of forest fire is not a thing to be astonished as the internal potency and mystic powers of the supreme personality of Godhead is unlimited when compared to it. 

TO BE CONTINUED..........