Reading Notes: Epified Krishna, Part A

Episode 6: Krishna’s Mouth

• Summary: Yasodha heard that Krishna was eating mud, so she went out to chastise him and see what he had in his mouth. Initially, Krishna was hesitant to open his mouth and show her, but he soon relented. When he opened his mouth, she saw that there was no mud. Instead, she saw everything: the universe and everything within, past, present, and future. She then saw a vision of a boy scared of his mother for being angry from another dimension, so when she stopped looking into his mouth, Yasodha hugged Krishna. This was the first moment she truly acknowledged that Krishna was not just a child but something more.

Episode 10: Radha’s Love

• Summary: When Krishna was younger, he played his flute in the fields while the cows grazed. The gopis in the field would dance to his music; one such girl was Radha. Krishna had always liked Radha because of her kind heart, and Radha was devoted to Krishna, making them one soul. The gopis tested Radha’s devotion to him by having her drink hot milk saying it was per Krishna’s request, and she did so without question. Another instance of Radha’s devotion was when Krishna was sick. The only way to heal him was for him to drink water off of a gopi’s feet, and Radha was the only person to offer. Everyone else worried they would go to hell, but Krishna was more important to Radha than going to hell.

Krishna has been referenced countless times in the readings, specifically in both epics, yet I did not know much about his background, so I wanted to watch these videos to have that background. I loved how succinct and concise each episode was; the creators did not go into much detail, but detail was not necessary so it was okay. I especially loved these videos because I am a visual person, so having these still images in front of me while hearing the stories is really helpful. I retained the stories much better than if I read them or just listened to them. Plus, the artists are incredible and so talented, and I enjoyed watching the time lapse of them drawing each scene.

Krishna and the Gopis: Wikimedia Commons

Bibliography: Krishna by Epified, Episodes 6 and 10. Youtube.

                       Links: Krishna’s Mouth, Radha’s Love