KRSNA RETURNS HOME FROM THE FOREST
At the end of the day, having rounded up all His cows, Krsna plays a song on His flute while exalted demigods standing along the path worship His lotus feet and the cowherd boys accompanying Him chant His glories. His garland is powdered by the dust raised by the cows’ hooves, and His beauty, enhanced by His fatigue, creates an ecstatic festival for everyone’s eyes. Eager to fulfill His friends’ desires, Krsna is the moon arisen from the womb of mother Yasoda.
At this point the gopis climb into the watchtowers of Vrndavana’s houses so they can see Krsna as soon as possible when He returns home. Mother Yasoda is very anxious for her son to come back, and therefore she has the tallest of the beautiful young gopis climb up to see when He will arrive.
As Krsna respectfully greets His well-wishing friends, His eyes roll slightly as if from intoxication.
He wears a flower garland, and the beauty of His soft cheeks is accentuated by the brilliance of His golden earrings and the whiteness of his face, which has the color of a badara berry. With His cheerful face resembling the moon, lord of the night, the Lord of the Yadus moves with the grace of a regal elephant. Thus He returns in the evening, delivering the cows of Vraja from the heat of the day.
PAINTING BY MURALIDHARA DASA (1983)