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Sankari Khor is a narrow passage between Brahmagiri Parvat and Vilas Parvat in Barsana. This place is deeply associated with Krishna’s daan leela, or daan keli, with the gopis. Daan leela is a playful tax-collection pastime of Lord Krishna from the gopis who were carrying butter pots on their heads. Signs associated with these pastimes are still believed to be present, including impressions of Krishna’s hand and butter on the hill, which devotees worship with reverence.
Sankari Khor Daan Leela of Krishna
The gopis, carrying pots of milk, yogurt, and butter, would daily travel through a narrow path (Sankari Khor) of Barsana towards Mathura to sell the pots. Krishna and His cowherd friends used to block their way to tease them. He would then demand a tax from them before allowing them to continue to Mathura.
The gopis refused to give anything to Him, even a single pot of milk. A playful argument was going on between the gopis and the cowherd boys. Krishna and His friends insisted on receiving their tax, while the gopis argued with them. As Sankari Khor is narrow, it was not possible for them to ignore Krishna and His friends.
When the gopis did not agree to their proposal, the cowherd boys decided to take the pots by force. Krishna would break the earthen pots, and His friends would happily take the butter and other dairy products. But the gopis did not accept Krishna’s daily mischief, and they made a plan to teach Him a lesson.
One day, the gopis hid themselves in the caves and dense bushes on both sides of Sankari Khor, as per the plan of Lalita sakhi. Some of the gopis would go through the passage carrying pots on their heads as usual. As soon as the cowherd boys began to take their dairy products, these gopis gave a signal to the hidden gopis. The hidden gopis came out and grabbed Krishna along with the cowherd boys.
These gopis then tied them with their garments, and their leader, Krishna, was also caught. The sakhis clearly told them that they would only be released with Radharani’s permission. Immediately, these boys took shelter of Radharani and prayed for their release. Seeing Krishna and His friends in this situation, Radharani asked the gopis to release them. Finally, the gopis gained victory in their playful exchange and also taught a lesson to them.
Conclusion
Thus, the daan leela is remembered as a joyful pastime of Krishna and cowherd friends with the gopis. The leela was filled with the joyful teasing exchanges and humorous arguments between them. The tax collection pastime ends with Krishna and His friends praying to the chief of the gopis, Radharani, to relieve them. Radharani cannot bear the pain of seeing Krishna in such a situation, and she immediately relieves them.
