Story Summary
Discover how Lord Krishna shows the universe in his mouth to Mother Yashoda in this classic Hindu myth, revealing his divine nature through a simple childhood act.
One day in the village of Gokul, young Krishna was playing in the dirt with his friends and older brother, Balarama. Suddenly, his playmates ran to Mother Yashoda, claiming that Krishna had eaten a handful of mud. Worried for his health, Yashoda caught hold of Krishna and scolded him, demanding to see if he had dirt in his mouth. Krishna, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, denied the accusation. Yashoda insisted, 'If you have not eaten dirt, then open your mouth!' The child obeyed and opened his mouth wide. To Yashoda's utter disbelief, she did not see mud; instead, she saw the entire universe. Within his small mouth were the stars, the sun, the moon, the mountains, the oceans, and all living beings. She even saw herself standing there, looking into his mouth. Overwhelmed by this divine vision of the Infinite, she realized her son was the Supreme Lord. However, Krishna, wanting to preserve their mother-son bond, used his divine power of Yogamaya to make her forget the vision, allowing her to once again see him as her beloved, simple child.
The Moral
Divinity is omnipresent and exists within every soul, yet it is often veiled by the beauty of earthly love and simple devotion.
“Behold, Mother, not just the dust of the earth, but the earth itself and all that lies beyond.”
Fun Fact
This episode is one of the earliest instances of the 'Vishwarupa' (Universal Form), which Krishna later reveals on a much grander scale to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of Krishna Shows the Universe in His Mouth?
The story teaches that the Divine is present in everything and that spiritual truth is often hidden by the 'Maya' or illusion of worldly relationships.
Why did Krishna eat dirt according to the story?
While his friends accused him of eating dirt, it was actually a divine 'Lila' or play to reveal his cosmic nature to his mother.
What did Mother Yashoda see in Krishna's mouth?
She saw the entire cosmos, including galaxies, celestial bodies, the elements of nature, and even her own self standing in the courtyard.
Why did Krishna make Yashoda forget the vision?
He wanted her to maintain her maternal affection for him; if she constantly saw him as God, the intimate bond of mother and child would be lost.
Which scripture contains the story of Krishna eating mud?
This famous episode is detailed in the Bhagavata Purana, which chronicles the life and childhood miracles of Lord Krishna.
What does the 'Universal Form' represent?
Known as Vishwarupa, it represents the idea that the entire universe is a manifestation of the divine and that God is not separate from creation.