In the previous episode, we had witnessed how Bhagawan Bala-Krishna was crying as He was being punished by His mother for stealing butter. We had witnessed that He was “folding His hands” while crying, thus signifying to the outside world as if He’s “seeking forgiveness” for His mistake. However, we’ve seen various in-depth meanings to this gesture of Bhagawan Bala-Krishna as explained to us by various Alwars and Aachaaryas. The crux of this explanation is that, Bhagawan Bala-Krishna’s time was saved by Mother Yashoda, as she succeeded in bringing together all of Bhagawan Bala-Krishna’s ardent devotees under one roof, rather than, Him going around meeting each of them one by one. As Bhagawan Bala-Krishna was crying aloud, all His “friends” came running towards Him to see what happened! Eventually He had the opportunity to grace all His ardent devotees at a stretch, and this is how Bhagawan uses every opportunity that He gets, irrespective of whether it is a punishment or not, to bless His devotees. This is where Bhagawan Bala-Krishna stands as an embodiment of compassion and love towards all His devotees. No matter whatever situation He’s in, He never misses an opportunity to see His devotees, isn’t it?
Moving on thus, Sage Paraashara explains how Nandagopa frees Bhagawan Bala-Krishna and lets him off Yashoda’s punishment. As we witnessed yesterday too, upon seeing the child crying, Father Nandagopa couldn’t resist himself. He immediately unties the rope and lets Bhagawan Bala-Krishna free. He wipes the child’s tears off His beautiful eyes, and tells Him thus, “Oh Krishna! Now go the backside of our house, take the sack of grains and give it to the fruit vendor who has come out on the road. In return, you can ask for whatever fruits she has, and you can eat them as per your wish!” Upon hearing thus from His father, Bhagawan Bala-Krishna was overjoyed! He immediately runs to the backyard, picks up the grain sack and runs back to the entrance. By this time, the fruit-vendor had reached Bhagawan Bala-Krishna’s house, and was waiting to see Him.
Now here’s another example as to how this fruit-vendor gets an opportunity to be part of Bhagawan Bala-Krishna’s “divine league”. Afterall, this woman was uneducated and she didn’t even know “ABC” of our Sanaatana Dharma’s “Shaastras”. Even then, how did she become a part of Bhagawan Krishna’s divine league? Let’s witness! As the woman comes near Bhagawan Bala-Krishna, He gives off the grains that He had in His hands. Child as He was, His hands were tiny and we can imagine how much grains could actually fit into those tiny beautiful hands. Now an important conversation starts between the fruit vendor and Bhagawan Bala-Krishna thus. The fruit vendor says to Bhagawan Bala-Krishna thus, “Oh Krishna! Please give me what I ask for, and in turn, you can take whatever fruits you want from my basket!” Bhagawan Bala-Krishna gives her a handful of grains and replies thus, “Oh grandmother! Please give me the fruits!” However, the fruit-vendor woman wasn’t really seeming to be convinced with what Bhagawan Krishna had given her. She asks Him back thus, “Oh Krishna! I swear that you hadn’t given me what I wanted!” Upon hearing this, Bhagawan Bala-Krishna was surprised. He asks her back, “Oh grandma! Normally this is what I give everyday isn’t it? Do you want more of it? Or, do you want a cow or milk or butter? Please ask me anything. I shall give you!”
This last sentence uttered by Bhagawan Bala-Krishna is what the old woman captures. She asks Him back thus, “Oh Krishna! You would give me whatever I ask, isn’t it? Now show me your hands!” As Bhagawan Bala-Krishna extends His tiny hands towards her, she sees the unthinkable! She sees the “Shanka” on one palm and a “Chakra” on the other! She immediately understood who this child was. She continues thus, “Oh Bala-Krishna! Upon seeing your hands, I understood who you are! You are the sole person who can grant the highest “Moksha” to everyone in this world! I’ve understood this fact now, and till date, I was longing for this for so many years and births! Now I feel that the purpose of this long wait has come to an end upon seeing you! Hence, what I want to ask you is that, please give me the highest “Moksha” in exchange of these fruits that I have in my basket! You know how poor I am. I cannot give you anything “hi-fi” like how other devotees might give you. All I have with me is this. So I’m offering my heart and tears of joy, along with this bunch of fruits! So please accept them and grant me what I had asked for!”
Upon hearing this from the poor woman, Bhagawan Bala-Krishna was moved! How can He ever deny an ardent devotee’s request? Bhagawan is extremely compassionate, isn’t it? Bhagawan Bala-Krishna’s heart melted upon the woman’s selfless tears and complete surrender. He thus has a glance at her for a moment, and off she goes directly to Vaikunta! The poor woman has been granted “Moksha” then and there by Bhagawan Bala-Krishna! What an opportunity! What bliss! What a moment is this for the poor woman! So for today, let us get immersed into this experience of the fruit-vendor with tears in our eyes, and let us also wait for our turn from Bhagawan Bala-Krishna! We shall continue this experience in the next episode as well, and witness what are the important lessons that we can learn from this. Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 