Srila Prabhupada uses the word ‘Rascal’ thousands of times in His books and classes. It means ‘A deceitful and unreliable scoundrel— One who is playfully mischievous’–And Who is the Greatest Rascal of All??
Srila Prabhupada replies—
Bob: Is Kṛṣṇa attractive to rascals?
Prabhupāda: Oh, yes. He was the greatest rascal also.
Bob: How is this?
Prabhupāda: [laughing] Because He was teasing always the gopīs. The Rādhārāṇī would go, because She was married, and Kṛṣṇa will attack Her. And when She fall down, “Kṛṣṇa, don’t torture Me in that way.” She will fall down, and Kṛṣṇa will take the opportunity and kiss Her. [Prabhupāda laughs] So from superficially, Rādhārāṇī was very pleased, but superficially Kṛṣṇa is the greatest rascal. Unless rascaldom is not in Kṛṣṇa, how rascaldom is there, existence in the world? Because our formula of God is that He’s the source of everything. Unless rascaldom is not in Kṛṣṇa, how it can be manifest? Because He’s the source of everything. But His rascaldom is so nice that everyone worships His rascaldom.
Bob: But what about the rascals who are not so nice?
Prabhupāda: No, rascaldom is not nice. But Kṛṣṇa is absolute God; therefore rascaldom is also good. Kṛṣṇa is all-good. God is good. Therefore, when He becomes rascal, that is also good. That is Krsna. Rascaldom is not good, but when it is practiced by Krsna, because He’s absolute good, that rascaldom is also good. That one has to understand.
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Talk with Bob Cohen — February 27, 1972, Mayapur
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