163 The Nectar of Devotion

fy him is called a pleasing talker. Krsna was such a pleasing talker
that after defeating His enemy, Ka4liya, in the water of Yamuna,
He said: ““My dear King of the snakes, although I have given you so
much pain, please do not be dissatisfied with Me. It is My duty to
protect these cows, which are worshiped even by the demigods. Only
in order to save them from the danger of your presence have I been
obliged to banish you from this place.”

Kaliya was residing within the water of the Yamuna, and as a re-
sult the back portion of that river had become poisoned. Thus so
many cows who had drunk the water had died. Therefore Krsna, even
though He was only four or five years old, dipped Himself into the
water, punished K4liya very severely and then asked him to leave the
place and go elsewhere.

Krsna said at that time that the cows are worshiped even by
the demigods, and He practically demonstrated how to protect the
cows. At least people who are in Krsna consciousness should follow
in His footsteps and give all protection to the cows. Cows are wor-
shiped not only by the demigods. Krsna Himself worshiped the cows
on several occasions, especially on the days of Gopastami and Govar-
dhana Puja.

10. Fluent in All Languages

A person who can speak meaningful words and with all politeness
and good qualities is called vavaditka, or fluent. There is a nice state-
ment in the Srimad-Bhdgavatam regarding Krsna’s speaking politely.
When Krsna politely bade His father, Nanda Maharaj, to stop the
ritualistic offering of sacrifice to the raingod, Indra, a wife of one vil-
lage cowherd man became captivated. She later thus described the
speaking of Krsna to her friends: “Krsna was speaking to His father
so politely and gently that it was as if He were pouring nectar into
the ears of all present there. After hearing such sweet words from
Krsna, who will not be attracted to Him?”

Krsna’s speech, which contains all good qualities in the universe, is
described in the following statement by Uddhava: “The words of
Krsna are so attractive that they can immediately change the heart of
