One of the several forms of heavenly play (lila) between Krishna and his devotees (bhakta).
The teenage Krishna intercepts the gopis, his cowherding female pals, who are on their way to sell their butter and curds in the city of Mathura in this lila.
Krishna would not allow them pass unless they offer him a present (dana).
The tale of this lila is often recounted in religiously oriented theatric performances, which are called as lilas ("plays") because they serve to show the divine's activity.
This lila is only one example of butter stealing in a lengthy history.
See John Stratton Hawley's Krishna: The Butter Thief, 1983, for more information.
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