PLATE THREE

During baby Krsna’s utthdna ceremony, mother Yasoda saw that He
was falling asleep, and she placed the child in a cradle underneath a
household cart. While the child slept, mother Yasoda became absorbed in
receiving guests. When Krsna awoke, He began crying for His mother,
wanting to drink the milk from her breast. But mother Yasoda could not
hear Him. All of a sudden Krsna threw His legs upward and struck the
cart, and although His legs were as soft as newly-grown leaves, the cart
turned over violently and collapsed. The wheels separated from the axle,
the hubs and spokes fell apart, and the pole of the handcart broke. On
the cart there were many little utensils made of various metals, and all of
them scattered hither and thither. When mother Yagoda, Nanda
Maharaja and their guests saw the situation, they began to wonder aloud:
“Is it the work of some demon or evil planet?” Then the small children
present said, “As soon as baby Krsna kicked the cart’s wheel, the cart
collapsed. There is no doubt about it.” But the adults could not believe
that baby Krsna had such inconceivable power. (pp. 46-52)
