Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami
From the book “Sri Vraja-maṇḍala-parikramā”:
Near Akrūra-ghāṭa is the sacrificial arena (yajña-sthala) of the Mathurā brāhmaṇas. Once, Śrī Kṛṣṇa and His cowherd friends were grazing the cows near Yajña-sthala. Feeling hungry, Kṛṣṇa sent the sakhās to beg for foodstuffs from the brāhmaṇas who were performing a sacrifice at this place. However, because they were engrossed in their sacrifice, those non-devotional brāhmaṇas refused to give them anything. The sakhās were insulted and returned to Kṛṣṇa, who told them to go and beg something from the wives of those brāhmaṇas.
Rajashekhara Dasa
From the book “Chaurasi-kosa Vraja Mandala Parikrama”:
This is the holy place (sthala) where Krishna and His cowherd boyfriends enjoyed a great feast (bhojana) provided by the wives of the yajnic-brahmanas. There is a famous temple here known as Batrol-bihari Mandira situated on top of a small hill known as Bhojana-tila, which is the exact spot where Krishna and Balarama sat with Their friends to enjoy the wonderful feast served by the yajna-patnis, the pious wives of the yajnic-brahmanas. The word ‘bhojana’ means a sumptuous ‘meal’ and the word ‘bhatrola’ means ‘cooked rice’ or ‘rice cooked with vegetables’. The exact location of the yajna-sthala where the brahmanas performed their yajna is not known, but it is believed to have been in the nearby village of Akrura, which in those days was inhabited by brahmana families belonging to the gotra of Angira Muni.
The Bhakti-ratnakara says, “See this enchanting place where the munis headed by Angira were performing a sacrifice. Krishna sent His sakhas here for food, but the brahmanas became angry by the boys’ requests. When the boys returned to Krishna and explained what had happened, Krishna sent them to the wives of those munis. Happy for the opportunity, the wives brought food to this place and offered it to Krishna and His friends. Krishna and His friends then ate here and enjoyed unending bliss in this pastime. Everyone felt greatly satisfied in their hearts, and therefore this place became known as Bhojana-sthala.”
The Story of the Bhojana Sthali Pastime
One day, Krishna and Balarama, along with Their cowherd boys were grazing Their cows near the banks of the Yamuna when some of the boys informed Krishna that due to not having taken any breakfast, they were feeling very hungry. Krishna decided to send a few cowherd boys to beg food in the nearby village where a group of local brahmanas were performing an opulent and lavish Vedic fire sacrifice (yajna). Krishna warned His friends that these yajnic-brahmanas were not Vaishnavas, but impersonal followers of the shruti-shastras and were known as smarta-brahmanas who were averse to chanting the holy names of God. A yajnic-brahmana is a Vedic priest engaged in performing yajnas for obtaining material well-being and prosperity. They are generally employed by wealthy grihastas to perform various types of Vedic rituals based on the karma-khanda section of the Vedas.
When the cowherd boys reached the yajna-sthala, they approached the yajnic-brahmanas to ask for food on behalf of Krishna and Balarama, but their request was rejected by the brahmanas, who told the boys not to disturb them as they were very busy in performing Vedic sacrifices. When Krishna was informed about this, He advised the cowherd boys to instead approach the yajna-patnis, the wives of the yajnic-brahmanas. When the boys approached the wives of the brahmanas, the cowherd boys informed them that Krishna and Balarama were nearby and were feeling very hungry and wanted some food. As soon as the wives of the yajnic-brahmanas heard the request of the cowherd boys, they became completely overjoyed and immediately gathered various food preparations that were meant to be offered in the sacrifice in order to feed Krishna and Balarama. Although they were forbidden to go to Krishna and Balarama, the yajna-patnis simply ignored their husbands, as they considering the chance to see Krishna and Balarama and serve Them directly, as the opportunity of a lifetime. After collecting a wonderful variety of preparations, the yajna-patnis proceeded to the place where Krishna and Balarama were waiting. Arriving there, they saw the great transcendental beauty of Krishna and felt deep satisfaction as they embraced Krishna within their hearts. Krishna was also very happy to see the jajna-patnis and appreciated how much trouble they had taken to serve Him. Then Krishna and Balarama sat down with Their friends while the yajna-patnis served Them with a wonderful feast. From the Vraja-vilasa-stava comes this description, “This is the place where the beautiful wives of the yajnic-brahmanas fed various types of fine food to Krishna and Balarama with great love and devotion. I sing the glories of this place and those brahmana’s wives.”
