43 / Parenthood

When ecstatic love develops into the relationship of parenthood
and becomes steadily established, the relationship is called vatsalya-
rasa. The exhibition of this vatsalya-rasa standard of devotional ser-
vice can be found in the dealings of Krsna with His devotees who rep-
resent themselves as superior personalities like father, mother, teach-
er, etc.

Learned scholars have described the impetus of parental love for
Krsna, existing in the elderly personalities who are in relation with
Him, as follows: ““The Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose bodi-
ly complexion is just like a bluish, new-grown lotus flower, whose
body is very delicate and whose lotus eyes are surrounded by scat-
tered hair as black as bees, was walking on the streets of Vrndavana
when Mother Yagoda, the beloved wife of Nanda Maharaj, saw Him.
Immediately the milk began to flow from her breasts, soaking her
body.” Some specific provocations for parental love of Krsna are
listed as His blackish bodily hue, which is very attractive and pleasing
to see, His all-auspicious bodily features, His mildness, His sweet
words, His simplicity, His shyness, His humility, His constant readi-
ness to offer respect to the elderly, and His charity. All of these
qualities are considered ecstatic provocations for parental love.

In the Srimad-Bhagavatam, Tenth Canto, 8th Chapter, 35th verse,
it is stated by Sukadeva Gosvami that Mother Yaéoda accepted Lord
Krsna as her son, although He is accepted in the Vedas as the King of
heaven, in the Upanisads as the impersonal Brahman and in philoso-
phy as the supreme male. By the yogis He is accepted as the super-
soul and by the devotees as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

347
