Brahma Steals the Calves

In the idyllic woods of Vrindavan, young Krishna spent his days playing with his cowherd friends and tending to their calves. Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe, watched from the heavens and felt a flicker of doubt. He wondered if this simple village boy was truly the Supreme Lord. To test him, Brahma used his mystic powers to steal the calves while the boys were eating lunch, and shortly after, he spirited away the boys themselves, placing them in a deep sleep within a hidden cave. Krishna immediately understood the creator's trick. To protect the peace of the village and the hearts of the grieving mothers, Krishna expanded his own being. He transformed himself into perfect duplicates of every single boy and every single calf, mimicking their specific voices, clothes, and temperaments perfectly. For one full year, life in Vrindavan continued without anyone noticing the swap; in fact, the parents felt a deeper, more divine love for their children than ever before. When Brahma returned a year later—which felt like mere seconds in his celestial time—he was stunned to see Krishna still playing with the same boys and calves. Krishna then revealed his true form, showing Brahma that every boy and calf was actually a manifestation of the Divine. Humbled and trembling, Brahma fell at Krishna’s feet, realizing that his own power was but a spark compared to the infinite glory of the Lord.

“He who creates the universe found himself lost in the play of a child.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the moral of Brahma Steals the Calves?

The story teaches that intellectual pride and ego are obstacles to understanding the Divine. It emphasizes that even the most powerful beings are subordinate to the Supreme Lord's will and grace.

Why did Brahma decide to steal the calves and boys?

Brahma wanted to test Krishna's divinity. He found it difficult to believe that the Supreme Being would manifest as a simple, dusty cowherd boy playing with commoners in a village.

How did Krishna manage to replace the missing boys?

Krishna used his 'Atma-maya' or internal potency to expand himself into exact replicas of every boy and calf. These expansions were identical in every physical and behavioral detail to the originals.

How long were the original boys and calves kept away?

In earthly time, they were hidden for one full year. However, for Lord Brahma, who exists on a higher plane of reality, the entire event lasted only a fraction of a moment.

How did Brahma react when he saw the duplicates?

Brahma was completely bewildered. He saw the boys and calves in the field and the ones in the cave simultaneously, eventually seeing each duplicate transform into a four-armed Vishnu form, which led to his surrender.

What is the significance of the mothers' increased love?

Because Krishna had become their children, the mothers were unknowingly directing their love toward God himself. This represents the highest form of devotion where every action and relationship becomes a divine exchange.