Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami
From the book “Sri Vraja-maṇḍala-parikramā”:
On the pretext of having lost his calf, Subala Sakhā deceived Jaṭilā and sent Śrīmatī Rādhikā, disguised as him, to meet with Kṛṣṇa. Even today, this cowshed of Abhimanyu is known by the name Vatsakhora.
Rajashekhara Dasa
From the book “Chaurasi-kosa Vraja Mandala Parikrama”:
The word ‘vatsa’ means a ‘calf’, and ‘khora’ means ‘holy place’. Just behind Jatila’s house was her goshala (dairy) where one day Jatila was expertly deceived by Krishna’s friend Subala. On one occasion Radharani was feeling very angry at Krishna and being overcome with mana or lover’s pique, She stayed at home, which caused great distress to Krishna. In order to help Krishna meet with Radharani, Subala came to Yavata on the pretext of searching for his lost calf. Subal enquired from the ever-watchful Jatila if she had seen his calf. Jatila replied that she had not seen the any calf. Regardless, Subala asked to search Jatila’s goshala just in case his calf may have wondered inside along with Jatila’s cows. On entering the goshala, instead of searching for the calf, Subala passed right through to the other side and arrived beneath Radharani’s balcony. After calling Radharani, Subala explained about Krishna’s great distress and lamentation at Her absence. Feeling very sorry to hear about Krishna’s condition, Radharani immediately gave up Her anger and agreed to meet with Krishna. Subala then gave his own clothing to Radharani so She could disguise Herself as him and thereby sneak out of the house to meet Krishna.
After dressing-up in Subala’s clothing and wearing Subal’s trademark turban, Radharani made Her way back through the goshala. She then picked up a tiny calf and held it in front of Her in order to hide Her breasts and very stealthily made Her way out of the goshala and along the path to the place where Krishna was waiting. Seeing who she thought was Subala leaving the goshala, Jatila asked if he had found his lost calf. Radharani answered in a voice perfectly imitating Subala’s own voice saying, “Yes, I have found my lost calf”, while thanking Jatila for her help. On arriving at the meeting place, Krishna could not recognize Radharani who was very expertly disguised as Subala. Krishna began lamenting before Subala about the absence of His beloved Radha, while thoroughly condemning Himself for having caused Her to become angry with Him and thus stay at home. Unable to tolerate the heart-wrenching scene any longer, Radharani immediately placed Her arms around Krishna’s neck and embraced Him. Suddenly feeling the soft embrace of Radharani’s arms and simultaneously smelling the exotic fragrance of Her transcendental body, Krishna immediately knew who it was and became filled with ecstatic love as He was reunited once again with His beloved Radharani.
