The cowherds say, “Let us go to Krishna, and ask him for something; let us tell him our heart’s desire.” Some say, “We will just be content to follow him; let no one stay sleeping at home; wake up, all of you!” Hari knows, but pretends not to know, and sits quietly in their midst; without hearing any words of theirs, he understands their wishes; he brings their secret desires to their lips and gives to each accordingly. Some say, We are harassed by earthly desires, yet the world gives us neither rice nor curds, but only whey to drink; we are wearied with tending our cattle, we want water and shade; let us fall at his feet and ask him to fill our stomachs. Others say, It is a small thing to ask for a bellyful; let us
Ask for buffaloes and cows and horses, for wealth
and treasure and elephants; if we have Ktobo for
our friend, we shall lack nothing; we shall be rich
enough to give all our servants bedsteads to sleep
on.” Others say, “O children, who cares for these
things? A horse is no better than a donkey; you
are sick of the disease of the world, which will not
leave you even on your bier. We will take staves in
our hands and with shaven heads we will wander at
large through the forest.” Others say, “In the forest
are many fierce animals; they will devour your eyes
and tear you limb from limb; where is any one
strong enough to protect himself and others? Yours
is a foolish choice; we will stay quietly at home.”
“When we stay at home, people will set us plenty
of work to do; no one will like to see us idle, as well
we know; we shall have to choose some occupation
that pleases the public, and slyly amuse ourselves
and our companions with pleasant games.” Others
say, “Will those good friends agree? Men try to put
down each other and get their own way; then
mischievous games are set on foot and end in
kicking; someone gets annoyed, then follows an
uproar and kicks.” Others say, “It is only children
that spend their time playing. Is that possible
here, where some are young and others old? They
all take offence when they hear another praised.
Since dissension arises in company, we ought to
avoid it by solitude.” Others say, “Where will
you find solitude? Everyone is busy making and
giving up plans; your proposals are waste of
words. Stay where you are, do not weary yourself
with travelling; you have a load of actions in your
bag that you cannot lay down.” Tuka says, “What
is the use of all your tales? Shall we lick up your
words to satisfy our hunger? Let us wake up
Kanho and ask him for a morsel in our dish; then
our friends are pacified and Tuka is satisfied, because he has Vitthala’s name in his throat.”
and treasure and elephants; if we have Ktobo for
our friend, we shall lack nothing; we shall be rich
enough to give all our servants bedsteads to sleep
on.” Others say, “O children, who cares for these
things? A horse is no better than a donkey; you
are sick of the disease of the world, which will not
leave you even on your bier. We will take staves in
our hands and with shaven heads we will wander at
large through the forest.” Others say, “In the forest
are many fierce animals; they will devour your eyes
and tear you limb from limb; where is any one
strong enough to protect himself and others? Yours
is a foolish choice; we will stay quietly at home.”
“When we stay at home, people will set us plenty
of work to do; no one will like to see us idle, as well
we know; we shall have to choose some occupation
that pleases the public, and slyly amuse ourselves
and our companions with pleasant games.” Others
say, “Will those good friends agree? Men try to put
down each other and get their own way; then
mischievous games are set on foot and end in
kicking; someone gets annoyed, then follows an
uproar and kicks.” Others say, “It is only children
that spend their time playing. Is that possible
here, where some are young and others old? They
all take offence when they hear another praised.
Since dissension arises in company, we ought to
avoid it by solitude.” Others say, “Where will
you find solitude? Everyone is busy making and
giving up plans; your proposals are waste of
words. Stay where you are, do not weary yourself
with travelling; you have a load of actions in your
bag that you cannot lay down.” Tuka says, “What
is the use of all your tales? Shall we lick up your
words to satisfy our hunger? Let us wake up
Kanho and ask him for a morsel in our dish; then
our friends are pacified and Tuka is satisfied, because he has Vitthala’s name in his throat.”