Why Kṛṣṇa Turned into a Peacock

A Kṛṣṇa-kathā on Mayūra-kuṭīra, the meeting place above Varṣāṇā. Rādhārāṇī, kept at home by Her duties, hears a peacock calling from the hill opposite and knows at once that no peacock of Varṣāṇā sounds like that. What happens when Her mother comes looking for Her is the reason the place carries the name it does.

Hare Kṛṣṇa, dear devotees. Please accept my obeisances. Today I would like to share a wonderful and beautiful story about Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa. Allow me to invite you on an extraordinary and enchanting journey. To undertake it, we need to bring with us only faith, a humble heart, and the desire to hear about the pastimes of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa. And in order to enter the sacred abode of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī in Vraja, we shall follow in the footsteps of the ācāryas.

Yogamāyā, Not Mahāmāyā

The pastimes of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa are so astonishing and, at the same time, so simple that they may appear to resemble relationships found in the material world. But they are completely spiritual, because they are arranged by Yogamāyā, Kṛṣṇa’s internal spiritual potency, whereas the events of the material world are governed by Mahāmāyā, who acts upon the conditioned living beings through the three guṇas of material nature.

For us, both as listeners and narrators, there is a reward: the awakening of our dormant love for the Divine Couple. When we hear about the pastimes of Kṛṣṇa and His associates, we should worship every word of these narrations and every action of their protagonists, always remembering that everything that takes place beyond the laws of karma has the power to purify our hearts. This is very precious and important.

A Love That Astonishes Even Kṛṣṇa

When Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī hears bamboo stems rubbing against one another, She imagines that Kṛṣṇa is playing His flute and calling Her. When She catches sight of a tamāla tree, She immediately runs toward it and embraces it, saying: “My dear Śyāma, at last I have embraced You!”

Her love is so powerful, so overwhelming, that it astonishes even Kṛṣṇa Himself. Even Kṛṣṇa cannot fully understand Her heart. Her love is inexplicable and unpredictable. In order to understand Her feelings, Kṛṣṇa goes to Varṣāṇā, where everything is permeated with Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī’s boundless divine love. She walks upon the land of Vraja with Her lotus feet, and Kṛṣṇa steals the impressions of those feet and hides them within His heart. They are exceedingly dear to Him.

Although the name of Rādhā appears in the Upaniṣads and the Ṛg Veda, before the advent of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu very few people had heard much about Her. And through Gaurāṅga Mahāprabhu, we have been given the opportunity to hear about these astonishing pastimes and meetings of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa.

Today I will tell you the story of Mayūra-kuṭīra, the place where Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa meet in the land of Varṣāṇā.

The Peacock’s Call

Śrīmatī Rādhikā is staying in Varṣāṇā with Her parents. Yet She burns in the sorrow of separation because She is always longing to meet Kṛṣṇa. Of course, She is occupied with household duties and with serving Her relatives, but Her heart yearns for Kṛṣṇa. All Her thoughts are fixed upon Him. She cannot imagine Her life without Him.

And this call from Rādhā’s heart reaches Kṛṣṇa like a beautiful melody arising within His own heart. Naturally, He hurries to Varṣāṇā. He quickly leaves Nandagrāma and makes His way toward Her.

Of course, Kṛṣṇa cannot simply walk into the palace, call Rādhā, and meet Her openly. But the desire to meet is stronger than every obstacle. So Kṛṣṇa climbs the hill opposite Her home and imitates the call of a peacock: “Kyāā!”

Śrīmatī Rādhā hears the sound and thinks: “This peacock does not sound like the peacocks who live here in Varṣāṇā. Only Kṛṣṇa could do that.” She recognises Him.

Then She finds a reason to leave the house for a little while and asks Her mother: “Mother, please. I heard a peacock singing so beautifully. His voice is extraordinary. Please allow me to go and see him.” Kīrtidā allows Rādhā to leave for a short while. And immediately Rādhā hurries toward Kṛṣṇa’s voice, eager to meet Him.

Again and again the call of this extraordinary “peacock” sounds across the hill. At last, Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa find one another. They meet at the top of the hill and take shelter inside a cave. There Rādhikā sits down upon a soft covering, and Kṛṣṇa rests His head upon Her lap. She gently strokes His blue-black hair and speaks one loving word after another. In this way They enjoy one another’s company.

And naturally, time passes unnoticed. What seems like only a moment to the Divine Couple may in fact become several hours.

Kīrtidā Searches for Rādhā

Meanwhile, back at home, Kīrtidā becomes worried. “Where is my beloved daughter?” She goes through all the rooms of the palace. She looks into every corner. But Rādhikā is nowhere to be found. She becomes increasingly anxious. She calls Rādhā’s name. She asks everyone: “Where is Rādhā?” But nobody can answer her.

At last Kīrtidā decides to go out and search for Her daughter herself. Walking along a path, she suddenly notices footprints that are very dear to her heart — the footprints of Rādhārāṇī. Following those footprints, she eventually arrives at that very secluded cave where Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa are enjoying Their meeting.

It is daytime outside, and the sun is shining brightly. When Kīrtidā enters the cave, her eyes are initially blinded by the contrast, and she struggles to see in the dimness inside. Gradually her eyes adjust to the softer light. And then she begins to perceive a glow within the cave. It is an extraordinary golden radiance unlike anything else — the effulgence emanating from Rādhikā.

Kṛṣṇa notices Rādhārāṇī’s mother approaching. And immediately He transforms Himself into a peacock.

At last Kīrtidā can clearly see what is before her. She sees Rādhikā sitting there, gently stroking a peacock whose head rests on Her lap. “My peacock, my peacock,” Rādhā says affectionately.

Kīrtidā exclaims: “My daughter! What are you doing here? I have been searching everywhere for you! Come, let us go home at once.”

The peacock calmly rises from Rādhārāṇī’s lap and, as though nothing unusual has happened, leisurely flaps his wings and walks out of the cave. Rādhārāṇī happily returns to Her father’s home together with Her mother. And within Her heart, She eagerly waits for evening, when She will once again be able to meet Her Śyāma.