We try daily to satisfy our desires, but have we ever tried to fulfil the desire of Krishna?
Now, what we do when we go in front of Krishna? Do we ask him his desire, or do we tell him our desire? Most of us have a long list of desires and we expect the Lord to fulfil our desires. If he fulfils it, we think that it was his duty to do so and if our desires are not fulfilled then we become upset with the Lord.
Most of us have this daily ritual. Now let us ask ourselves that how many times have we ever asked the Lord about his desire? Or do we even care about his desire? For us God is just our caretaker. We want him to take care of each and every aspect of our life.
But pure devotees of Lord have no personal desire. Their only desire is to fulfil all the desires of the Lord in all situations and in all circumstances. Krishna also shares his feelings only with those who have unflinching and unmotivated love for him.
Madhavendra Puri is one such great devotee with whom Krishna shared his personal desire.
Krishna steals sweet rice for Madhavendra Puri
First, he asked Madhavendra Puri to install his deity on top of Govardhan hill. And later he asked him to bring sandalwood pulp from Jagannath Puri and apply on him to give him soothing experience. Madhavendra Puri immediately left to full the order of the Lord.
On the way when he came to Remuna he saw pots of sweet rice being offered to Gopinath.
Seeing the delicious preparation, a thought came to his mind – If I could taste it then I can prepare it for my Gopal in Govardhan. But soon he felt terrible. How can I even think about tasting sweet rice which is being offered to Gopinath?
After the arati, he left the temple and began to chant the names of Krishna. Meanwhile in the same night the temple priest had a unique dream. In his dream Gopinath appeared and told him that he has stolen a pot of sweet rice for his devotee Madhavendra Puri, and he should take it and give it to him.
Pujari did what he was ordered and from that day onwards the deity came to be known as ksira `chor Gopinath – Gopniath who stole ksira (sweet rice) for his devotee.
By fulfilling Krishna’s desires, we become happy
When a pure devotee of Krishna works tirelessly to serve the Lord then Lord also reciprocates with that love. Later Madhavendra Puri got sandalwood in Jagannath Puri and by the order of Gopal he applied sandalwood pulp to Gopinath because Gopal and Gopinath are non-different.
Pure devotees like Madhavendra Puri appear in this world to teach us the conditioned souls that real satisfaction and happiness is in always serving the Lord and not our own senses.
Krishna tells the characteristics of his pure devotees in Gita, “Always chanting My glories, endeavoring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion.” Bhagavad Gita 9.14
So, instead of focussing on our desires, if we try to always fulfil the desire of Krishna then we will always be in bliss. Now let us ask ourselves – are we endeavouring to satisfy Krishna’s desires or are still obsessed with our personal desires?
Three Reflections
- Most of us have a long list of desires and we expect the Lord to fulfil our desires.
- Krishna shares his feelings only with those who have selfless love for him.
- Real satisfaction & happiness is in always serving Krishna’s desires and not our own desires.
Ask Yourself
- What I pray when I am in front of Krishna?
Action Item
- In Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says that his devotees should offer at least something to him with love – fruits, flowers, water.
- So, try to offer something daily to Krishna.
- But do not offer tea, coffee, food with onion garlic and of course non-veg to the Lord.
