The Tax Collector

Scene 1: Morning in VrindavanRadharani, Lalita, and other gopis were walking joyfully through the forests of Vrindavan.

Radharani: My dear friends! Grandmother Purnamasi has asked us to bring milk, yogurt, and butter to the shore of Govinda-kunda. A brahmana will perform a sacrifice for the well-being of Nanda Maharaja’s sons.

Lalita (cheerfully): Then let’s bathe, dress beautifully, take our golden pots, and hurry there!

Scene 2: The AmbushMeanwhile, Krishna and His cowherd friends had set up an ambush near Govardhan Hill.

The Lord was dressed like a royal tax collector — a flute in His hand, a buffalo horn at His waist. When the gopis entered the narrow pass, the boys suddenly blocked the path.

Krishna (sternly): Stop right there, thieves! Every day you pass this road selling milk and butter — but you never pay the tax! Today you’ll pay in full!

Lalita (angrily): Really! At home the son of Nanda behaves so politely, and here he turns into a troublemaker! Go away! If You touch me, the butter for the yajna will be spoiled!

Nearby, a peacock heard their quarrel and tiptoed up to Krishna.

Peacock (whispering): Krishna, flatter them with sweet words first — then take Your tax.

Krishna smiled, understanding the advice.

Krishna (grinning): Oh charming, slender maidens! Each of you must pay Me a handful of diamonds. And Radharani must pay double — for Her unmatched beauty!

Radharani (annoyed): Lalita, didn’t I tell you not to take this road — where these arrogant tricksters hide?

Lalita (mocking): This black serpent has coiled himself around everyone! We should complain to His parents — then He’ll crawl away in fear!

Radharani: His parents adore Him; they’ll never punish Him! But we can complain to King Kamsa — he won’t show mercy!

Krishna (laughing): Ha! I swear by My cows — I’ll deal with that weak king in no time! Oh Radha, go ahead to your yajna; you can pay Me later. But Lalita will stay here — as collateral!

Lalita (shouting): Girls! Run and bring Mother Yashoda! And Jatila too! Call the brahmanas from the sacrifice!

But Krishna didn’t look worried at all.

Krishna (pretending to be offended): What, am I a robber? You girls have been avoiding taxes for so long! I asked nicely, but now I’ll have to collect payment by force — starting with the proud Lalita’s jewelry!

Gopis (pleading): Dear Krishna, if You don’t let us go now, our reputation will be ruined! We promise to come back tomorrow and pay everything in full.

Krishna (relenting): Hmm… fine. But as a deposit, leave Me a few pots of yogurt and butter.

The gopis proudly placed a few pots on the ground and left. Krishna sat with His friends in a circle, laughing and enjoying the butter and yogurt feast.

Scene 3: The Gopis’ Revenge

The next day, Radha and Lalita gathered all their friends. They reached the river crossing early — and this time, they set the ambush! The gopis hid behind trees, whispering and giggling.

Krishna, unaware of their plan, arrived with only a few friends. Suddenly, the gopis jumped out and blocked the road!

Lalita (shouting): Now it’s your turn, thieves! We’ll teach you a lesson!

Radharani: Catch them! Don’t let them escape!

The gopis rushed forward and quickly tied the boys to the trees. Krishna, as usual, got the worst of it.

Lalita (scolding): You insolent boy! How dare You behave like this? Radharani is the Queen of Vraja! Your cows graze on Her meadows, eat all the grass, and trample the rest! So You should pay Her the tax!

Krishna (sheepishly): Forgive Me, please! I had no right to demand anything from You.

Lalita (smirking): Then bow down to Her feet!

Krishna: O Radharani, You are the Queen of Vrindavan — the greatest of all! Please accept My humble obeisances!

Krishna bowed deeply at Radharani’s lotus feet. Her heart softened.

Radharani (smiling): All right, pranksters — we forgive you. But no more taxes, ever! Untie them.

The gopis loosened the ropes.

The boys, relieved and happy, promised never to tease them again and ran off toward their homes — laughing and free once more.