Hinduism & Sanatana Dharma
Sri Krishna, The Lord of Love
The Vrindavan Lila — An Illuminated Edition
Enter the enchanting world of Sri Krishna, where divine love takes form in the laughter of a child, the music of a flute, and the extraordinary events of his life in Vrindavan.
First published in 1904, Sri Krishna, The Lord of Love is a devotional classic by Baba Premananda Bharati, an Indian monk who brought the message of Krishna to America. With poetic language, spiritual insight, and a heart overflowing with devotion, he recounts the beloved stories of Krishna’s childhood and youth, revealing the deeper meaning of his divine play, or lila.
From Krishna’s miraculous birth and playful childhood to his adventures with the cowherd boys, his tender relationship with Yashoda, his love for Radha and the Gopis, and the enchanting music of his flute, these stories reveal Krishna not merely as a divine hero, but as Love itself made manifest.
This new illuminated edition from Light of the Spirit Press brings the classic to life with a profusion of full-color illustrations inspired by India’s sacred artistic traditions. Beautifully ornamented chapters and richly detailed scenes make this an edition to treasure, whether for devotional reading, reflection, or simply experiencing the beauty of Krishna’s divine life.
A book to live with
Why Read This Book?
Enter the enchanting world of Vrindavan. Follow Krishna's miraculous birth, childhood adventures, playful miracles, and the divine relationships that have inspired devotees for centuries.
Discover Krishna as the Lord of Love. Experience the tenderness, joy, selfless devotion, and spiritual meaning at the heart of his lila.
Encounter a devotional classic. Baba Premananda Bharati's lyrical 1904 retelling offers more than a succession of sacred stories: it reveals the author's own Krishna-filled heart.
Experience a beautifully illuminated edition. Rich, full-color illustrations, intricate ornamental designs, and carefully crafted pages bring the people, places, and events of Krishna's life vividly before the reader.
Experience the writing
From the Book
Chapter Twenty-Three · page 68
The Call of the Flute
All about the white moonlight lay, bathing in silver the fruit trees in blossom; soft the winds were, and rich the fragrance that they brought on their breezes.
The noises of night alone could be heard.
And surveying His world with love-filled eyes, Krishna took up His flute and poured forth the strains that never were heard by man or god until that night on the moon-kissed hill, when all Brindaban in peace did smile.
Chapter Eighteen · page 50The Garlanded Homecoming+
Krishna, the Beautiful, came in the lead, bedecked and beflowered. The spirit of life He was, with a transfiguring glory in His face, and His eyes full of softness and love-light. His body all graceful in curves to behold, yet strong in the vigor of youth, that shone through its grace.
Chapter Twenty-Four · page 73The Dance of Divine Love+
And He soothed their grief and brought light to their hearts; and forming a circle about Him, in ecstasy they danced. And now He, that was the King of the upper world and of all the earth, of the plants and oceans and clustering stars, He, the Lord of all might and Yoga power, Himself divided into many Krishnas; and each Gopi thought she, herself, danced alone with the Glorious One that as Krishna was known.
Chapter Eleven · page 33The Journey into Brindaban+
And a caravan they formed, the cowherds driving the cows and calves before them, and carts bearing the women and children, and the men beating the drums to the voices of the women that broke forth in glad hopefulness.
And bright was the sky that spanned their heads, and rich the forests through which they passed, and life-giving the sun was, and refreshing the winds were that greeted them on the way to Brindaban.
