Rajashekhara Dasa
From the book “Chaurasi-kosa Vraja Mandala Parikrama”:
The Bhakti-ratnakara says, “In this place called Chalana-shila, Krishna sat down being unable to move out of a mood of love.” One day, Krishna came to this forest with His cowherd boyfriends for herding the cows. While the cowherd boys were engaged in playing various games, Krishna simply sat on a stone beneath a kadamba tree completely absorbed in thoughts of Radharani. Seeing Krishna in such a motionless condition, Subala came over and asked Krishna what was the problem, and what was it that He was so deeply absorbed in thinking about while sitting all alone in the middle of the forest. Krishna then explained that He was feeling such an intense separation from Radharani that He was unable to move and couldn’t stop thinking about Her even for a moment. Krishna also said He was even forgetting where He was or what He was supposed to be doing. Subala then told Krishna, “Radharani is now far away in Varsana and we are here in this forest, so for now just try to forget about Her and come and play with us. I promise that when we return from herding the cows in the afternoon, I will arrange for You to meet with Your beloved Radha.” On hearing Subala’s comforting words, Krishna became pacified and told Subala, “All right then, but remember your words and don’t forget them.” Feeling happy to hear the words of Subala, Krishna then joined His friends in playing various games. Thus this forest became known as Bhulavana, because it was here that Subala spoke (bulana) such soothing words to Krishna. The stone on which Krishna sat became famous as the chalana-sila. The word ‘chalana’ means ‘motionless’.
