Expressions of Love for Krsna 248
Apprehension

When a person becomes disturbed in his heart by seeing lightning
in the sky, by seeing a ferocious animal, or by hearing a tumultuous
sound, his state of mind is called apprehensive. In such a state of
apprehension, one tries to take shelter of something which provides
safety. There may be standing of the hairs on the body, trembling of
the body and sometimes the committing of mistakes. And sometimes
the body may become stunned.

In the Padyavali there is the following statement: “My dear friend,
Krsna’s residence in the demonic circle at Mathura, under the suprema-
cy of the King of demons, Kamhsa, is causing me much worry.” This
is one instance of apprehending some danger to Krsna in ecstatic love
for Him.

When Vrsasura appeared in Vrndavana as a bull, all of the gopis
became greatly affected with fear. Being perturbed in that way, they
began to embrace the tamala trees. This is an instance of fearfulness
caused by a ferocious animal and of the search for shelter while
remembering Krsna in ecstatic love. Upon hearing the jackals crying
in the forest of Vrndavana, Mother Yasoda sometimes became very
careful about keeping Krsna under her vigilance, fearing that Krsna
might be attacked by them. This is an instance of ecstatic love for
Krsna in fearfulness caused by a tumultuous sound. This kind of fear-
fulness is a little different from being actually afraid. When one is
afraid of something, he can still think of past and future. But when
there is this kind of ecstatic apprehension, there is no scope for such
thinking.

Intense Emotion

Emotion is caused by something very dear, by something very
detestable, by fire, strong wind, strong rainfall, by some natural dis-
turbance, the sight of a big elephant, or the sight of an enemy. When
there is emotion caused by seeing something very dear, one can speak
very swiftly and use kind words. When there is emotion caused by
