Bahulastami: A Cow named Bahula blessed to be consort of Lord Krishna

By Dharmana Chandramouli
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Gopal, Lover of Cows

Story:

Once, in one of the forests of Vrindavan, a cow named Bahula was peacefully grazing when a tiger attacked her. Bahula requested the tiger to allow her to return to her newly born calf, feed it, and bid it farewell before it made a meal of her. After a long discussion, the tiger agreed to her proposal and waited for her return. In the meantime, the cow went to her master, a brahmana, and to her calf and told them what had happened.

When they heard her pitiful story, they volunteered to go in her place as the tiger’s meal. Brahmana said - "My dear Bahula, you please stay here and take care of the calf. I am an old man, I will go in your place to be the meal of Tiger".  The calf said - "My dear mother,  I am just born a few days ago, there won't be much loss whether I die or alive. Please let me go". Bahula declined their selfless offer, but in the end, all three – cow, calf, and brahmana – returned to offer themselves to the tiger, who was delighted by this exceedingly favorable turn of events.

While the tiger contemplated which victim to eat first; Lord Krishna, the presiding Deity of Dharma and the guardian of all the residence Vraja appeared. Holding His chakra in one hand, Krishna assured the tiger of everlasting fame if he were to show leniency to the cow and its kin for their truthful and honorable conduct. The tiger released Bahula from her promise, and the calf and brahmana rejoiced on their mother being spared and felt blessed by Krishna’s merciful intervention.

Being so pleased with Bahula’s truthfulness and integrity, Krishna named the forest after her – Bahulavan – and blessed her to become His consort, thus in her next birth, Bahula became one of Krishna’s wives. This day was also named after her - Bahulastami.

On the bank of Krishna Kunda, in Vrndavan, are deities of a cow and her calf, a brahmana, a tiger and Krishna, all of which remind pilgrims of the beautiful pastime of Bahula. Bahulavan is considered by some Vaisnavas as the most sacred forest of all, for it includes the most sacred place of all – Sri Radha Kunda.

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