Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 10 Chapter 19:1-11

Book 10: Nineteenth Chapter (First Half)

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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 10: Chapter 19: Verses 1-11
The Lord swallows up a wild fire (again)

Sri Suka began again While the cowherd boys were absorbed in play, their cows, grazing at will, strayed afar and, tempted by (green) grass, entered a dense forest. Moving from forest to forest, the she-goats, cows and she-buffaloes felt thirsty from heat and, wailing loudly, entered a thicket of rushes.Not perceiving the cattle, Sri Krsna, Balarama and the other Gopas were now filled with remorse but could not find any trace of the cows even though they searched for them. The Gopas, whose very moans of livelihood had (thus) been lost and who (consequently) felt (very) perturbed, all followed the track of the cows with the help of the blades of grass cut by their hoofs and teeth and marked by their footprints. Having duly found their cattle-wealth, whose passage had been intercepted in that thicket of rushes and which was piteously crying, the cowherds, who were seized with thirst and felt exhausted (too), successfully drove it back from the thicket. Called by the Lord in a tone deep as the rumbling of clouds, the cows responded to His call, overjoyed as they were to hear the shouting of their names. Presently, by the will of Providence there broke out on all sides a huge wild fire playing havoc with the inhabitants of the forest and, lapping with its (tonguelike) fearful flames the animate and inanimate beings, now that it was fanned by the wind (its helpmate). The cowherds as well as the cows felt dismayed to discern the forest conflagration advancing on every side and, flying for succour to Sri Krsna and Balarama-even as people stricken with the fear of death would seek Sri Hari--spoke (as follows). "O Krsna, the Enchanter of all, 0 mighty hero, 0 Rama of immeasurable prowess, be pleased to protect us, who are being burnt by a wild fire and have sought You (as our refuge). Surely, Your relations, 0 Krsna, do not deserve to undergo suffering. We have as a matter of fact You (alone) as our protector and ultimate refuge, 0 knower of all righteousness !" Sri Suka continued : Hearing the piteous prayer of His friends, Lord Sri Hari said, "Shut your eyes and do not be afraid."

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