130 Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead

Balarama also embraced Krsna, but He was laughing because He had
known what would happen to Krsna when everyone else was so over-
whelmed with anxiety. All the trees on the bank of the Yamuna, all the
cows, bulls and calves were full of pleasure because of Krsna’s appearance
there. The brahmane inhabitants of Vrndavana, along with their wives,
immediately came to congratulate Krsna and His family members. Brah-
manas are considered to be the spiritual masters of society. They offered
their blessings to Krsna and the family on account of Krsna’s release. They
also asked Maharaja Nanda to give them some charity on that occasion.
Being so pleased by Krsna’s return, Maharaja Nanda began to give many
cows and much gold in charity to the brahmanas. While Nanda Maharaja
was thus engaged, mother Yagod simply embraced Krsna and made Him
sit on her lap while she shed tears continually.

Since it was almost night, and all the inhabitants of Vrndavana, including
the cows and calves, were very tired, they decided to take their rest on the
river bank. In the middle of the night, while they were taking rest, there
was suddenly a great forest fire, and it quickly appeared that the fire
would soon devour all the inhabitants of Vrndavana. As soon as they felt
the warmth of the fire, they immediately took shelter of Krsna, the
Supreme Personality of Godhead, although He was playing just like their
child. They began to say, “Our dear Krsna! O Supreme Personality of
Godhead! Our dear Balarama, the reservoir of all strength! Please try to
save us from this all devouring and devastating fire. We have no other
shelter than You. This devastating fire will swallow us all!’ Thus they
prayed to Krsna, saying that they could not take any shelter other
than His lotus feet. Lord Krsna, being compassionate upon His own
townspeople, immediately swallowed up the whole forest fire and saved
them. This was not impossible for Krsna because He is unlimited. He has
unlimited power to do anything He desires.

Thus ends the Bhaktivedanta purport of the Seventeenth Chapter of
Krsna, “Extinguishing the Forest Fire.” ;
