The boatman with the flute

Once, the gopis came to Manasi-Ganga. They were carrying pots of milk, butter, and yogurt on their heads. At the bank, in a single old boat, sat the boatman — a youth with a peacock feather in His hair.

“Oh, boatman, how good it is that You are here!” Vishakha addressed Him. “Take us across to the other shore, we urgently need to go!” Radharani added: “And as a thank you, we will give You sweets and butter.”

“Of course, lovely maidens, get into the boat and I will take you where you need to go!” replied the unknown boatman.

The gopis got into the boat, and the boatman began to row. Suddenly, He stopped. “Why did You stop rowing?” Radharani wondered. “I am tired and very hungry,” the boatman replied. “Until you feed Me, I will not take up the oars!” “You got hungry fast!” Lalita was indignant.

But soon Radharani realized they had no choice and had to feed Him: “What can we do? We have to sail further! Alright, we will give You treats.”

After the boatman drank and ate everything, He decided to lie down in the boat: “Thank you, that was very delicious! But I am tired and need to take a nap. And while I rest, give Me a massage: let one girl massage My left arm, the second one — My right, the third girl — My left leg, and the fourth one — My right.”

Radharani did not like this: “Very well, one girl can take Your left arm, the second one — Your right, the third one can take Your left leg, and the fourth one — Your right. But if You do not start rowing immediately, we will throw You overboard!” “You are not very agreeable, are you! All right, let’s sail on!” the boatman reluctantly agreed.

They sailed and sailed until they stopped again after some time. Lalita was indignant: “What is it? What happened again?” “We are overloaded! The boat is old and leaking!” the boatman replied.

“If you don’t throw out some of your pots, we will all sink!” the boatman scared everyone.

Fearing for their lives, the gopis in a panic began to throw pots of yogurt and butter into the water.

“That’s not enough! The boat is still sinking! Throw out your gold jewellery too!” demanded the boatman. Lalita was angry: “How can this be! Because of Your leaky boat, we have to throw away our precious jewellery? No way!”

Radharani looked around and said: “Dear friend, what can we do? Look, Lalita, there is already so much water in the boat, we really might sink!” Distressed and frightened, the gopis quickly removed their jewellery and threw it into the water.

But the boatman continued to panic: “Oh, trouble, trouble! That’s not enough! We must throw out everything we have! Otherwise, we face death! Throw your clothes overboard!”

Lalita understood everything and became genuinely angry: “We will throw You overboard right now if You don’t start rowing immediately!” “I am rowing, I am rowing!” the boatman got scared and muttered under His breath. “One little thing and they immediately throw Me overboard!” The boatman reluctantly took up the oars and rowed.

Soon, dark storm clouds covered the sky, and big waves rose on the lake, so the water actually began to wash over the edge of the boat. The boatman noticed the fear in Radha and Her friends’ eyes and, to increase their anxiety, began to subtly rock the boat: “Now it seems that we are truly in danger.”

Suddenly, lightning struck in the sky, and Radharani was so frightened that she rushed and hugged the boatman by the neck...

At that very moment, the waves subsided, the clouds quickly scattered, and the moon appeared. And then She realized who this boatman really was.

Lalita was surprised: “Radharani! Why are you hugging some boatman? He is a stranger!” “Are you sure?” Radha asked. She snatched the flute from beneath Krishna’s clothing and showed Her friends the peacock feather on His head.

Lalita exclaimed in surprise: “Ah, so that’s it! Well, Krishna, You played a great trick on us!” Everyone laughed together heartily.

After this, Krishna continued to take the girls for a long ride on the boat across Manasi-Ganga from island to island. They sang songs glorifying Krishna, joked, and smiles did not leave their beautiful faces all night.