Aditya, a businessman in a small town lives a miserly life. Nitya, his wife, observes all the rituals religiously and visits the temple in the town every day. She believes in charity and Dharma.
A few days before Gopashtami, Nitya has a strong urge to donate a cow on Gopashtami. She knows Aditya will forbid her from spending so much money. So Nitya wonders if she should sell the gold that Prabha Nani had gifted her recently and donate a cow without Aditya’s knowledge.
But Nitya knew she could never do such things. Yet she does not want to lose out on the Punya that she would get by donating a cow on the auspicious occasion of Gopashtami.
Nitya recollects the time she had spent with Prabha Nani. She had narrated such wonderful stories about Krishna when she was a young girl. The Gopashtami story was imprinted in her memory even today.
Prabha Nani had said, “In those ancient days when boys entered the boyhood or Poganda phase (between ages 5 – 16), fathers would host a coming-of-age ceremony for their sons. Nanda celebrates this occasion lavishly. Krishna officially became a gopa on Gopashtami. So far, Balarama and Krishna had only tended to calves. On Gopashtami Nanda gives Krishna and Balarama the responsibility of taking care of his cows.
Yashoda adorns Krishna and Balarama in festive clothes. The gopas of Vrindavan followed the tenets of Ashtanga Yoga. So Krishna and Balarama too worship their cows along with the other cowherds. Nanda ensures that all the gopas eat a sumptuous meal of dahi bhaat, kheer made out of rice, sheera, laddoos and matadi before they left with the cows for the pastures. Yashoda packs some goodies for their lunch in small matkis.”
Prabha Nani then smiled mischievously and said, “But do you know what Radha did, Nitya? When she saw Nanda performing the ceremony, she marched to her parents and said, “I am older than Krishna. So, I too will join the gopas and take the cows to graze from now onwards.”
Vrishbhanu looks at Radha with shock and firmly tells, “Girls don’t take cows out for grazing, Radha. A lot of wild animals, shape-shifting demons and evil spirits dwell in the forests of Vrindavan. Only men can deal with them and bring the cows home safely every day. Help your mother with the household chores, like all other girls do. And don’t you dare disobey me again.”
But Radha had a mind of her own. Vrishbhanu could make out from the determination in her eyes that Radha would have her way. As usual. He had a tough time dealing with Radha’s fierce temper. Yet he wondered why he could never remain upset with her for long.
Radha waits for her father to leave home. She then disguises herself as a gwala and joins Krishna, Balarama, the other gopas. Krishna is doubly happy to have Radha with him. And Radha feels happy when she does what she feels is right. As usual.”
Nitya realizes that like Radha, it was time she followed her intuition and did whatever she felt was right too. The next day, after dinner, Nitya tells Aditya, “Tomorrow is Gopashtami. I wish to donate a cow on this auspicious occasion.” Aditya glares at her and says, “Do you think money grows on trees? Do you know the cost of a cow? You donate enough money to the poor and needy during your daily visits to the temple. I have no more money to spare for such frivolous expenses. So, let’s not talk about this again.”
Aditya assumes Nitya would obey him, as always. And he is taken aback when Nitya retaliates firmly, “I will have my way this time. I have obeyed you unquestioningly so far. So do buy a good healthy cow on your way home tomorrow. I will be busy preparing a meal for the Brahmin that I have invited.”
Aditya flies into a temper and says, “How dare you disobey me, woman. Have you lost your good sense? You have started taking advantage of my goodness, now. I should have never given you so much liberty in the first place.”
Like Radha, Nitya replies with fierce determination, “Your ego makes you think in that manner, Aditya. You have lost touch with your true loving nature. Your good fortune and anger have blinded you to the ultimate divine reality. If we don’t observe any rituals or engage in practices like Daan, how will we ever evolve spiritually? Experience the inner transformation of your thoughts and emotions when you participate in the Gopashtami rituals with me tomorrow.”
Aditya says with suppressed fury, “Let me see how you have your way. He then slammed the door shut and slept in the verandah that night.” Nitya behaved normally the next day as she went about her routine. She had utmost faith in Radha and Krishna. So, she surrendered to their will. Aditya maintained an angry silence and walked out of the house in a huff.
Aditya had no intentions of buying a cow. The only thing he wanted to do was to teach his wife a lesson and control her. Late in the evening, when he had calmed down a little, he realized the truth of Nitya’s words. He remembered the days when he had no money. His parents had given him all their savings to enable him in his business.
Nitya had sold her jewellery to bear the medical expenses of his sick parents. Like his parents and wife, he too had been a devout man. When his business flourished his parents had been so happy for him. And he was glad that they had passed on peacefully.
Aditya could feel the tears welling up in his eyes. He had allowed his fears and insecurities to get the better of him. Yes, he had struggled quite a lot while setting up his business. Perhaps that had embittered him. But he had a lot to be grateful too. And it was time to set right many things in his life now.”
Aditya buys a healthy cow on his way home. He is overwhelmed with regret and apologizes to Nitya. Nitya smiles at her husband with tears in her eyes, “I surrendered to the will of Radha and Krishna. And they have blessed us today.” Aditya and Nitya observe Gopashtami with fervour and continue to engage in spiritual pursuits regularly from then on.
Gopashtami in Pushti Marg
We celebrate Gopashtami on the eighth day of the Shukla Paksha of Kartik. In Pushti Marg, we offer Kundwara bhog to our Nidhi swaroops after the Shringar darshan on Gopashtami. The Kundwara bhog comprises dahi bhaat, kheer made out of rice, laddoos, matadi and sheera. We recreate the bhaav of Yashoda when we offer the Kundwara bhog for these are the very same delicacies that she had packed for the gwalas on Gopashtami.
People who can’t gift cows, visit Goshalas. They clean the Goshala, bathe the cows, adorn their horns, offer them delicacies and worship them. Several deities dwell within a cow’s body. And Krishna loves cows. So, worshipping cows is equivalent to worshipping Krishna himself, especially on Gopashtami.
Like Krishna, we too celebrate every landmark of our lives. For a reason. We reflect on our past and realize that we have outgrown a particular phase of our lives. We are now ready to shoulder new responsibilities and explore our potential to the fullest. Instead of getting carried away by the festivities, let’s remember this. Always.
Kundwara photo given by Hardevji.
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