Rajashekhara Dasa
From the book “Chaurasi-kosa Vraja Mandala Parikrama”:
At this spot on the banks of this Nipa-kunda, Krishna and Balarama along with the cowherd boys sometimes took their lunch and would use nipa leaves as cups. The word ‘nipa’ is a local Vrajavasi name for a variety of kadamba tree that has large leaves that can be used as cups. One day the gopis were passing nearby to Govinda-kunda when they were stopped by Krishna and his friends, who demanded that they pay a tax of milk products for using the pathway through the forest. The gopis retorted by saying that while at Nandagrama, Krishna behaved like an innocent little angel in front of his parents, but out in the forest of Vraja, He behaved like a very naughty and mischievous fellow. Not only did the gopis refuse to pay any tax but also threatened to inform King Kamsa of Krishna’s bad behavior. Krishna simply laughed at the gopis threat and informed them that in the future, He would catch hold of King Kamsa and beat him to death with His fist and throw his dead body near Govardhana Hill. The gopis started laughing upon hearing Krishna’s boasting words and then leaving their pots containing various milk products on the ground, they returned home. Krishna and His friends then enjoyed a wonderful feast of yogurt, butter, milk and various sweets by using the leaves of the nipa tree as cups.
