Krishna's Secret

by Devdutt Pattanaik

Yayati’s conduct results in a society where the letter of the law becomes more important than the spirit of the law. This is the world of Krishna, a world where what matters more than the deed is the thought behind the deed.

Devaki represents all the qualities one is born with. Yashoda represents all the qualities one acquires in life. Thus Krishna’s divinity, rooted in Devaki’s blood and Yashoda’s milk, acknowledges both nature and nurture. We are all a combination of what we are born with as well as what we are raised to be. Our natural disposition is known as varna while the cultural indoctrination is jati. Krishna is by varna a nobleman but by jati a cowherd. Though nobleman, he can never be king. Though cowherd, he can always lead.

WHEN THE HEART IS OPENED up, when love flows into it and from it, a sense of security prevails. With security comes freedom. There is no need to pretend. We can be ourselves. There is no desire to force our wills on anyone. We accept and embrace everyone, we include people, we allow them to be themselves,