Everyone Is Afraid of Kṛṣṇa Yet Kṛṣṇa Fears Mother Yaśodā
Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Lord, and His power naturally creates fear in those who oppose Him or misunderstand Him. Śrīla Prabhupāda shows that demons, offenders, and even reverent devotees may become afraid when they encounter Kṛṣṇa's majesty. Yet the same Kṛṣṇa becomes afraid of Mother Yaśodā, not because He is weak, but because love conquers Him. This contrast reveals the unique beauty of devotional life, where awe is surpassed by intimate affection.
Kṛṣṇa's Power Makes the Proud Afraid
Those who oppose Kṛṣṇa eventually discover that His power cannot be challenged. Kaṁsa, Śatadhanvā, wrestlers, and arrogant princes all feared Him when His strength became undeniable. Their fear was not devotional humility but the anxiety of those who stand against the Supreme Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda uses such examples to show that material power collapses before Kṛṣṇa's supreme authority.
- Although he was a great outlaw in the city, Satadhanva was still very much afraid of Krsna's power, and thus when Krsna arrived he became most afraid.
- Having heard that Krsna had already killed the elephant Kuvalayapida, Kamsa knew beyond doubt that Krsna was formidable. He thus became very much afraid of Him. Krsna and Balarama had long arms.
- When Krsna was present in the sacrificial arena of His enemy King Kamsa, the wrestlers present, although appreciating the softness of the body of Sri Krsna, were afraid and perturbed when they thought of engaging with Him in battle.
- Princes said, "We have our elephants, horses, chariots, bows, arrows and swords, so why should we be afraid of Krsna? Let us attack Him! He is nothing but a lusty cowherd boy! He cannot take away the Princess in this way! Let us all attack Him!"
Reverence Awakens Fear Before His Opulence
Fear of Kṛṣṇa can also arise in devotees when His unlimited opulence is suddenly revealed. Arjuna loved Kṛṣṇa as a friend, but after seeing the universal form he felt disturbed, remembering his familiar dealings with the Lord. This fear was not demonic; it was reverential awe before the majesty of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Such fear shows the distance between ordinary friendship and awareness of Kṛṣṇa's cosmic position.
- After seeing that universal form, he (Arjuna) is afraid that he has committed so many offenses to Krsna out of his unalloyed friendship. Thus his mind is disturbed out of fear, although he had no reason to fear.
- Arjuna desired to see the four-handed form of Lord Krsna as Visnu, and he was actually afraid of the universal form.
- When Arjuna saw the visva-rupa, the gigantic universal form of the Lord, he was afraid for having treated Krsna as an ordinary friend; therefore he begged Krsna's pardon.
- When Krsna manifested His universal form, Arjuna became reverent and fearful, and he begged forgiveness for his past impudence toward Krsna as a friend.
Intimate Devotees Are Not Afraid of Kṛṣṇa
The devotees of Vṛndāvana reveal a different kind of relationship with Kṛṣṇa. The cowherd boys play with Him as an equal, climb on His shoulders, and never approach Him with formal fear. Their love is not diminished by ignorance; it is deepened by intimacy. In such affection, Kṛṣṇa's sweetness covers His majesty so that friendship can fully blossom.
- The cowherd boys who are friends of Krsna in Vrndavana sometimes ride on the shoulders of Krsna. They treat Krsna equally, just as they treat one another, and they are never afraid of Him, nor do they ever beg His pardon.
- Krsna is fighting with the Kaliya serpent. He is dancing. He is not afraid of the serpent. He is dancing. As He is dancing with the gopis in rasa-lila, similarly, He is dancing with the snake.
- When the boys saw that the calves were not nearby, they became afraid for their safety, and they immediately cried out, "Krsna!" Krsna is the killer of fear personified. Everyone is afraid of fear personified, but fear personified is afraid of Krsna.
- Krsna is not afraid of anyone. On the contrary, everyone is afraid of Krsna. Therefore He can actually give protection to a subordinate living entity.
Mother Yaśodā's Love Conquers the Fearless Lord
The greatest wonder is that Kṛṣṇa, feared by fear personified, becomes afraid of Mother Yaśodā. This fear is not material weakness but the special mercy of intimate vātsalya-rasa. The Lord allows His devotee's affection to rule Him, and thus His supreme sweetness is revealed. Everyone may fear Kṛṣṇa's power, but Kṛṣṇa accepts fear before the love of His mother.
- He (Krsna) is feared often by fear personified, yet He is afraid of His mother, who wanted to punish Him just in an ordinary manner.
- Krsna is unlimited, no one can catch Him, but if someone follows the parampara, he agrees to be captured. Everyone is afraid of Krsna, but Krsna is afraid of Mother Yasoda. That is Krsna's special mercy.
- Krsna was even afraid of mother Yasoda's stick. This was mentioned by Queen Kunti in her prayers: bhaya-bhavanaya sthitasya (SB 1.8.31). Krsna is afraid of mother Yasoda, and yogis are afraid of Krsna.
- Who is not afraid of Krsna? No one. But Krsna is afraid of Yasodamayi. This is the superexcellence of Krsna.
Conclusion
Everyone is afraid of Kṛṣṇa because He is the Supreme Lord, the controller of all controllers, and the protector no one can overpower. Yet Kṛṣṇa fears Mother Yaśodā because pure affection is more powerful than awe in the most intimate devotional relationships. Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals that this is the special sweetness of Kṛṣṇa: He remains supreme while allowing love to conquer Him. Fear may reveal His majesty, but devotion reveals His heart.
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