In Mathurā, there lived a fruit seller who heard from travelers about a beautiful and charming child named Krishna, the son of Nanda and Yaśodā, who lived in Gokula. Filled with the desire to see Him, she took some fruits in her basket and went to Nanda Bhavan, the home of Nanda Mahārāja.
The Fruit Seller’s Devotion
She called out, “Oh, phala lo, phala lo, take fruits, take fruits,” as she often did while selling fruits in Mathurā and Vṛndāvana. However, she never had the chance to see Krishna, as He was either sleeping, playing, or in His mother’s lap. One day, she resolved not to return home until she had seen Him, making a vow to “do or die.”
The Power of Nama-Sankirtana
The fruit seller began calling out, “Govinda lo, Govinda lo, take Govinda, take Govinda. Dāmodara lo, take Dāmodara, Mādhava lo, take Mādhava. Govinda Dāmodara Mādhaveti.” Her call transformed into a form of nāma-saṅkīrtana, the easiest way to see Krishna.
Krishna’s Darśana
From morning until noon, she searched for Krishna and finally, tired and exhausted, she sat at the door of Nanda Bhavan. At this time, Krishna, wearing only a gold chain with tinkling bells around His waist, came out with some grains in His hands. The grains slipped through His fingers, but He approached the fruit seller with a few remaining grains.
The Divine Exchange
Krishna, with greedy eyes, looked at the sweet fruits and asked for some. The fruit seller, charmed by Krishna’s beauty, asked Him to sit on her lap and call her ‘Mother’ in exchange for the fruits. Hesitantly, Krishna did as she requested and received the fruits. He carried as many fruits as He could to His mother Yaśodā, who began distributing them to the other gopīs. Despite distributing many fruits, the supply never diminished; it was unlimited.
The Fruit Seller’s Transformation
The fruit seller, deeply affected by Krishna, sat in a trance. Her heart was stolen by Krishna. After some time, she realized her duties and returned to Mathurā with a heavy basket. Upon inspection, she found it full of diamonds and jewels, which she discarded into the Yamunā, having no need for them. She was no longer concerned with worldly possessions and entered a state of deep spiritual trance, ultimately receiving a place in Goloka Vṛndāvana to serve Krishna eternally.
Lessons to Be Learned
- Sincere Devotion: The fruit seller’s sincere desire to see Krishna and her transformation through His darśana illustrate the power of sincere devotion and the transformative effect of divine love.
- Nama-Sankirtana: The story emphasizes the power of nāma-saṅkīrtana, chanting the holy names, as a means to attain the Lord’s presence.
- Divine Reciprocation: Krishna reciprocates with infinite love when one offers even a little love sincerely. The fruit seller’s simple offering of fruits resulted in her attaining a divine position.
Teaching from Srimad Bhagavatam
Srimad Bhagavatam 2.2.37:
pibanti ye bhagavata aatmanah sataam
kathaamrtam sravana-puteshu sambhrtam
punati te vishaya-viduushitaashayam
vrajanti tac-charana-saroruhaantikam
“Those who drink through aural reception, fully filled with nectarian messages of Lord Krishna, the beloved of the devotees, purify the polluted aim of life known as material enjoyment and thus go back to Godhead, to the Lotus feet of Him (the Personality of Godhead).”
Teaching from Caitanya Caritamrita
Caitanya Caritamrita, Adi-lila 9.23:
yāre dekha, tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa
āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra’ ei deśa
“Whomever you meet, instruct them about Krishna. By My order, become a guru and save this land.”
Teaching of Srila Prabhupada
Srila Prabhupada emphasized the importance of sincere and humble devotional service.
Srila Prabhupada said: “If we take one sincere step towards Krishna, Krishna is willing to run thousands of steps towards us. He just wants to see our sincerity.” (Nectar of Instruction, Verse 7, Purport)
Prayer
O Lord Krishna,
Please grant us the sincerity and devotion of the fruit seller.
Help us to chant Your holy names with faith and love,
So that we may overcome the illusions of material enjoyment and return to Your divine abode.
May our hearts be filled with true devotion and love,
And may we always strive to please You with our actions.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
May Your divine grace and blessings be upon us always,
Guiding us towards pure devotion and eternal bliss in Your service.
I humbly request all the devotees to please forward and share these moral and instructive stories so that everyone can benefit by hearing about Krishna and His dear devotees.
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