The Tax Collector

Radharani gathered her friends and told them that Grandmother Purnamasi had asked them to bring milk, yoghurt, and butter to the bank of Govinda-kunda, where a brahman would perform a sacrifice for the benefit of Nanda Maharaj’s sons.

Lalita eagerly suggested that they quickly take their ablutions, dress nicely, take the golden offering jars, and go there together.

At that time, Krishna and His friends prepared an ambush on Govardhana. The Lord was dressed regally like a tax collector, with a flute in His hand and a buffalo horn at His belt.

As the girls passed through the Govardhana valley, the boys suddenly blocked their way. Krishna said sternly: “Thieves, you walk this road every day selling dairy products and you don’t pay tribute. But today you will have to pay in full!”

“Just look at Him! Nanda’s son is so well-behaved at home, but here He’s acting like a hooligan! Go away! If You touch Me, the butter for the yagya will be defiled!” Radharani said indignantly.

A peacock was strolling nearby. He heard Their conversation, approached Krishna, and quietly whispered in His ear: “Krishna, pacify Her with gentle and kind words, and then calmly take Your taxes.”

Krishna understood what the peacock meant and smilingly said: “My lovely slender beauties, each of you must give a handful of diamonds, and Radharani even more for Her incomparable beauty!”

“Lalita, didn’t I tell you not to take this road where these brazen rascals are?” Radharani was angry. “This Black Serpent has entangled everyone with His tricks! We need to complain to His parents, then He will crawl away in fear!” Lalita said sternly.

Radharani doubted that this would help: “His parents love Him and won’t punish Him, but we will complain to Kamsa. He won’t overlook anything!”

“Ha! I swear by the cows that I will deal with that miserable little king in two seconds! Oh, Radha, hurry to the yagya, You will pay later, and Lalita will remain as a hostage,” Krishna replied.

Lalita suggested an idea: “Girls, run and bring Mother Yashoda here! And Jatila, too! And also quickly call the brahmanas from the sacrifice!”

But Krishna, it seemed, was not to be frightened by this. “Do I look like a robber? You girls have been avoiding paying taxes for a long time, and I politely asked you to pay what is due. But now I will have to forcibly remove all your jewellery, first of all from the haughty Lalita!” Krishna continued.

“Dear Krishna,” said Nandimukhi, Purnamasi’s granddaughter, “if You do not let us go now, our reputation will be ruined. I promise that tomorrow we will return here and pay in full.” Krishna took pity on the girls: “Good, but then leave a few pots of yoghurt and butter as a deposit.”

The girls left a few pots and proudly walked away. The Lord happily sat His friends in a circle and began to treat them with yoghurt and butter.

The next day, Radha and Lalita gathered all their friends, came to the pass in advance, and set up an ambush. Krishna did not know what the gopis were planning and brought only a few close friends with Him. Then the girls ran out of the ambush and blocked their way. “Well, you just wait!” Lalita shouted loudest of all. “Now you’ll get what you deserve from us!” “Grab them! Catch them quickly!” Radharani joined in.

Soon the girls caught the boys, tied them to the trees, and began to scold them. Krishna received the strongest rebukes of all. Lalita shouted at Him: “Insolent fellow! How dare You behave like this! Radharani is the Queen of Vraja. Your cows graze in Her meadows every day, eat almost all the grass, and mercilessly trample the rest. Therefore, You must pay Radharani the tax!”

“Forgive Me, please!” Krishna said guiltily. “I had no right to demand payment from you.” Lalita did not calm down: “And now bow at Her feet!”

“O Radharani, You are the Queen of Vrindavan, and You are the most important one here! Please accept My obeisances!” Having said this, Krishna bowed to His beloved Radharani.

Radha’s heart melted, and She forgave the boys: “Well, rascals, we forgive you. Only no more taxes! Untie them.”

The boys were glad that they were forgiven and untied, promised that they would not do it again, and went home.