SB 10.12.44

By mentioning Śukadeva as the son of Vyāsa (bādarāyaṇiḥ), his greatness is inferred. His senses were stolen by Kṛṣṇa filled with unlimited powers and the sweet pastimes-- from taking lunch on the grass to being praised by Brahmā--on remembering the question of Parīkṣit. He lost use of his senses on seeing the Lord because of his strong prema. This is the anubhāva called pramoda-moha and also called pralaya (fainting), a transformation of prema like shivering and hairs standing on end. Another version has saṁsmārita. The meaning is the same but it is not accepted by Śrīdhara Svāmī though Citsukha accepts it. He again recovered his external senses after loud kīrtana with instruments like karatālas, conches and various drums. The word “again” indicates that previously he entered such states. According to the wise, at such times Parīkṣit would repeatedly called out “O father!”There is a well known story that because of this, Parīkṣit had his son Janamejaya keep by his side all the instruments for Kṛṣṇa kīrtana. Slowly Śukadeva began speaking since he was still overcome with prema. O Śaukaka, you are the greatest among the great devotees (bhāgavatottamottama)! You are qualified to hear the most secret topics. Citsukha accepts the version bhāgavatottamottamam in the accusative case, since it is mentioned in describing Parīkṣit in the answer in the next chapter. Śrīdhara Svāmī however does not accept it. Śukadeva spoke to the Parīkṣit, the greatest of the great devotees. Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Tenth Canto, Twelfth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled, "The Killing of the Demon Aghāsura." 10.13: The Stealing of the Boys and Calves by Brahmā verses: Summary, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47-48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64 Chapter Summary This chapter describes Lord Brahmā's attempt to take away the calves and cowherd boys, and it also describes the bewilderment of Lord Brahmā and finally the clearance of his illusion. Although the incident concerning Aghāsura had been performed one year before, when the cowherd boys were five years old, when they were six years old they said, "It happened today." What happened was this. After killing Aghāsura, Kṛṣṇa, along with His associates the cowherd boys, went for a picnic within the forest. The calves, being allured by green grasses, gradually went far away, and therefore Kṛṣṇa's associates became a little agitated and wanted to bring back the calves. Kṛṣṇa, however, encouraged the boys by saying, "You take your tiffin without being agitated. I shall go find the calves." And thus the Lord departed. Then, just to examine the potency of Kṛṣṇa, Lord Brahmā took away all the calves and cowherd boys and kept them in a secluded place. When Kṛṣṇa was unable to find the calves and boys, He could understand that this was a trick performed by Brahmā. Then the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the cause of all causes, in order to please Lord Brahmā, as well as His own associates and their mothers, expanded Himself to become the calves and boys, exactly as they were before. In this way, He discovered another pastime. A special feature of this pastime was that the mothers of the cowherd boys thus became more attached to their respective sons, and the cows became more attached to their calves. After nearly a year, Baladeva observed that all the cowherd boys and calves were expansions of Kṛṣṇa. Thus He inquired from Kṛṣṇa and was informed of what had happened. When one full year had passed, Brahmā returned and saw that Kṛṣṇa was still engaged as usual with His friends and the calves and cows. Then Kṛṣṇa exhibited all the calves and cowherd boys as four-armed forms of Nārāyaṇa. Brahmā could then understand Kṛṣṇa's potency, and he was astonished by the pastimes of Kṛṣṇa, his worshipable Lord. Kṛṣṇa, however, bestowed His causeless mercy upon Brahmā and released him from illusion. Thus Brahmā began to offer prayers to glorify the Supreme Personality of Godhead.