Introduction: Cupid’s Task and Encounter in Vṛndāvana
Once upon a time, Cupid, the celestial deity of love, who is also known as Kamadeva, roamed the creation, performing his thankless task of shooting arrows of lust into the hearts of all living beings. His arrows bound everyone, from the highest demigod to the smallest creature, in the web of material desires. Kṛṣṇa explains in the Bhagavad-Gītā, “It is lust only, Arjuna, which is the all-devouring sinful enemy in this world.” Indeed, it is these desires that keep souls entangled in the material world, far from the path of devotion and spiritual awakening.
Having fulfilled his duty to inflict every being with material desires, Cupid grew bored. His task was complete, and he wondered what to do next. Then, by divine fortune, he arrived at Śrī Vṛndāvana Dhāma, the sacred abode of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Curious, he inquired from the sages about Kṛṣṇa, learning that every resident of Vṛndāvana not only knew about Kṛṣṇa but had also given their hearts to Him in pure love.
Cupid’s Attempt and His Defeat
In the evening, when Kṛṣṇa was sporting on the banks of the Yamunā with the Gopīs, Cupid decided to test his power on Kṛṣṇa, thinking, “If Kṛṣṇa is with girlfriends, He must be a good candidate for my arrows.” However, Cupid did not understand that Kṛṣṇa’s relationships with His devotees are entirely pure and transcendental.
Stealthily, Cupid approached Kṛṣṇa through the trees, took aim with his bow, and prepared to shoot his arrows of lust at the Lord. As he carefully examined Kṛṣṇa’s transcendental form, his eyes moved from Kṛṣṇa’s feet to His waist, then to His chest and head. As Cupid continued to gaze upon the beautiful form of Kṛṣṇa, he unknowingly began to meditate on the Lord’s divine appearance. The more Cupid observed Kṛṣṇa, the more he was captivated by His beauty.
Kṛṣṇa, in His Tribhaṅga-Sundara form, stood gracefully with His body bent in three places, playing His enchanting flute. His dark, curly hair cascaded down to His shoulders, His eyes—extending almost to His ears—shone with a divine brilliance, and His form was adorned with a Vaijayantī Garland, composed of five kinds of flowers. The aroma of Kṛṣṇa’s body, a blend of Āguru oil, musk, saffron, and camphor, attracted transcendental bumble-bees, who buzzed around Him in search of nectar.
As Cupid continued to meditate on Kṛṣṇa, he found himself completely overwhelmed by Kṛṣṇa’s beauty. His arrows and bow fell from his hands as he realized that Kṛṣṇa had captured his heart. Cupid, who had conquered the hearts of all beings, was now conquered by the beauty of Kṛṣṇa. He ran to Kṛṣṇa, fell at His lotus feet, and pleaded, “Please let me become Your servant!” In that moment, Cupid realized that Kṛṣṇa is Madana-Mohan, the attractor of Cupid himself.
Conclusion: The Triumph of Divine Love
This story beautifully illustrates the triumph of divine love over material desire. Even Cupid, the personification of lust, was powerless before the transcendental beauty of Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa, as Madana-Mohan, is not only the destroyer of lust but also the supreme attractor of all hearts. Those who seek refuge in Kṛṣṇa are liberated from the binding influence of material desires and are drawn into the pure, selfless love that Kṛṣṇa offers.
Lessons to be Learned:
- The Power of Divine Beauty: Kṛṣṇa’s beauty is so transcendent and pure that it surpasses even the most powerful material influences, such as lust. When one contemplates the divine form of Kṛṣṇa, material desires dissolve, and the heart is filled with pure love for the Lord.
- The Futility of Material Desires: Lust and material desires are described as the greatest enemies of the soul. They bind living beings to the cycle of birth and death. However, turning one’s heart and mind toward Kṛṣṇa can liberate one from these desires.
- The Transformative Power of Devotion: Even Cupid, whose task is to promote material attachment, was transformed by his encounter with Kṛṣṇa. This shows that sincere devotion and attraction to Kṛṣṇa have the power to change the nature of even the most deeply ingrained material tendencies.
Quote from Śāstra:
“kāma eṣa krodha eṣa rajo-guṇa-samudbhavaḥ
mahāśano mahā-pāpmā viddhy enam iha vairiṇam”
— Bhagavad-Gītā 3.37
“It is lust only, Arjuna, which is born of contact with the material mode of passion and later transformed into wrath; and it is the all-devouring, sinful enemy of this world.”
Prayer:
O Kṛṣṇa, Madana-Mohan, who captivates even the heart of Cupid, please protect us from the arrows of lust and material desires. Allow us to focus our hearts and minds on Your beautiful, transcendental form. Let us serve You with pure devotion, free from the binding influences of material existence. May Your divine love replace all worldly attachments within us, leading us on the path back to Your eternal abode. Jai Śrī Kṛṣṇa! Jai Madana-Mohan!
