Krishna always gives precious gifts to his devotees

In Vrindavan, once one fruit seller lady gave fruits to Krishna. And in return Krishna filled her baskets with precious gems. But the lady was not elated because she got valuable jewels, she was rejoicing because she got to see Lord Krishna and most importantly had an opportunity to serve Krishna.

The happiness which a soul gets by serving Krishna, the Supersoul, is immeasurable. This is why we see so many ultra rich people, rulers of the world were easily able to give up everything material once they developed love for Krishna.

It was not that by giving up material power, positions and possessions they were depriving themselves of something. But by doing so they were freeing themselves, so that they can grab with both of their hands the precious gifts which Krishna were offering them.

Krishna is the husband of goddess of fortune, so, it is not difficult for him to distribute riches to their devotees. Krishna always gives everything to his devotees.

As he filled the basket of lady with emeralds, golds and diamonds, similarly, he gave everything to Srila Prabhupada. Prabhupada had nothing when he began to preach Krishna Consciousness in the western world. He was carrying just 40 Indian rupees. But after few years of preaching Prabhupada was having Rs 40 crores.

Prabhupada would joke that I went with Rs 40, but I am now having Rs 40 crores. By saying this Prabhupada would try to convince people that if you give something to Krishna, then he will give you abundantly.

What do devotee do with the gift which Krishna gives him?

But what does a pure devotee of Krishna do with riches he gets? What did the lady do when she got a basket full of gems. She immediately emptied the basket of the gems, filled it again with fruits and ran towards the house of Nanda Maharaj to offer fruits to Krishna and to see the beautiful face of Krishna.

What did Prabhupada do with Rs 40 crores? He used it in the service of Krishna. It was not that after having huge money, he began leading a luxurious life or wearing branded dhoti, kurta. He remained the same person and continued to be absorbed in Krishna.

In devotional life, there is always competition between Krishna and his devotees. This is the beauty of Krishna consciousness.

Devotees try to give their best to Krishna and Krishna tries to give everything to the devotees. But whatever a devotee gets from Krishna, he again uses it in the service of Krishna.

And when Krishna sees this then he gives more to a devotee. And again, the devotee uses that gift from Krishna in the service of Krishna. This tug of war never ends. When it began, no one knows. But one thing one knows that this is never going to end.

This is an eternal pastime of Krishna and his devotee. In this pastime both of them enjoy unlimited happiness. We also have an opportunity to be part of this pastime.

Praying Krishna to free our heart from all impurities

But unfortunately, souls like us are obsessed with material sense pleasures in spite of knowing that this is the root cause of all sufferings.

Janmashtami is very near, Krishna is soon going to appear. And we know that, Krishna always gives precious gifts to his devotees. So, this Janmashtami let us grab the lotus feet of Krishna and beg him to gift us a life free from all material impurities.

Let us request him to free our heart of all material attachments which is causing us great sufferings. And let us pray to Krishna to give us an opportunity to serve him continuously.

Three Reflections

In Vrindavan, when a fruit seller lady gave fruits to Krishna then in return Krishna filled her baskets with precious gems.
Prabhupada went to west with Rs 40 but came back with Rs 40 crores.
Whatever a devotee gets from Krishna, he always uses it in the service of Krishna.