Main Nahi To Kon Be Song

[Xena Donovan]

Maiyamori main nahin makhan khayo translates to English as, my dearest mother, I did not eat the butter. Maiya mori, is a very respectful way of addressing, and implies great affection; therefore, we add the term dearest in the translation. Surdas wrote this bhajan and there are many versions of it around with similar meanings. Anup Jalota, in the double LP "Bhajan Sandhya", sang the clearest version with explanations in Hindi. He sang this at the ISKCON temple, so if you are a Krishna follower then you will love this song and translation.

The gopiiyan (milkmaids) loved Krishna and thought he was adorable, as they had never seen such a small baby boy taking responsibility of watching over a herd of cows. Therefore, they took every opportunity to visit him just to see him, as he was very unusual. The setting of this bhajan begins with the milkmaids visitingYashoda to complain that Krishna had been naughty causing mischief and damage.

Yashoda calls for Krishna and asks him why he had done this. Krishna explains not to listen to them and that their real interests were to see him. Yashoda then unexpectedly asks Krishna whether he ate the butter (makhan), because she could see evidence of it on his face; however, Krishna lies and says main nahin makhan khayo. Since it is clearly a lie and both know it, what ensues is an argument where Krishna uses various techniques to persuade Yasoda to forgive him. In the end, Yasoda has to back down because Krishna begins questioning his parentage and Yasoda, a loving mother, could not bear to entertain such a thought.

Madhuban is the name of a particular forest, which Krishna frequented when taking the cows to pasture. Considered holy today, it had colourful flowers that gave a beautiful fragrance, colourful birds, and the greenest grass.

Pahr consists of three hours. This term is usually in use by those guarding things, and divides the day into four-quarter parts. Char Pahr is four of these periods making 12 hours of the day. Therefore, in the translation I replace "char pahr" with "all day" to simplify it.

Banchee is the flute that Krishna plays. As a herd-boy, he simply has to take the cows to a pasture where there is plenty of fresh green grass. He then rolls the blanket on the ground to sleep and play the flute, whilst the cows graze. Sometimes the baby calves that become tired easily also sleep alongside listening to the flute music.

Gwaal-baal loosely approximates to herd-boys. In Indian villages, it is extremely common for boys to inherit the task of taking the cows to pasture as part of their household duties. Sometimes they run around and play, or splash about in the nearby river, whilst the cows graze. Others sometimes sit and read a book or do their homework during this time.

The flattery did not persuade her so he decides to show a little anger and complains that she gave him only a stick and a blanket, and sent him out early for the whole day to take the cows to pasture. Furthermore, he threatens to go on strike!

Unfortunately, anger does not work, she sees through that as well, so he tries the guilt-trip technique by telling her that this was not about the butter and that it was just an excuse for something else. Furthermore, he says, "I have realised today what is really in your heart. This is because I am not yours, and that is why you are discriminating."

Yasoda realises that the missing butter is trivial matter compared to the new line of thought, which was far more serious and therefore she decides to let it go and forgive him. No mother can accept such questioning.

They both ended up crying, both accepting he did not eat the butter, yet simultaneously knowing he did eat it. Krishna realises that since Yasoda had acquiesced, there was no point in lying anymore, so he decides to come out with the truth, and he says the following with a smile.

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