Yoga-Māyā

The Architect of Kṛṣṇa’s Delights

Abstract

This article explores the role of Yoga-Māyā, Kṛṣṇa's divine potency, as the architect of his intimate līlā (pastimes) in Vṛndāvana, as described in the tenth book of the Bhāgavata Purāṇa. It examines how Yoga-Māyā induces forgetfulness of Kṛṣṇa's divine nature in his most intimate devotees, enabling the cultivation of spontaneous and profound loving relationships in various forms: parental affection, friendship, and amorous love. Through an analysis of key narratives, such as Yaśodā's vision of Kṛṣṇa's universal form and the rāsa-līlā with the gopīs, the article highlights how these interactions, orchestrated by Yoga-Māyā, represent the highest form of bhakti and spiritual attainment. The paper also discusses the soteriological aim of these līlā narratives, intended to inspire readers towards a similar intimate devotion to Kṛṣṇa.