48 Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead

formalities to protect the child, mother Yasoda took Krsna and let Him
suck her own breast. When the child was protected by Visnu mantra,
mother Yasoda felt that He was safe. In the meantime, all the cowherd
men who went to Mathura to pay tax returned home and were struck with
wonder at seeing the gigantic dead body of Putana.

Nanda Maharaja recalled the prophecy of Vasudeva and considered him
a great sage and mystic yogi; otherwise, how could he have foretold an
incident that happened during his absence from Vrndavana. After this, all
the residents of Vraja cut the gigantic body of Putana into pieces and
piled it up with wood for burning. When all the limbs of Putana’s body
were burning, the smoke emanating from the fire created a good aroma.
This aroma was due to her being killed by Krsna. This means that the
demon Pitana was washed of all her sinful activities and attained a celestial
body. Here is an example of how the Supreme Personality of Godhead is
all good: Pitana came to kill Krsna, but because He sucked her milk, she
was immediately purified, and her dead body attained a transcendental
quality. Her only business was to kill small children; she was only fond of
blood. But in spite of being envious of Krsna, she attained salvation
because she gave her milk to Him to drink. So what can be said of others
who are affectionate to Krsna in the relationship of mother or father?

The pure devotees always serve Krsna with great love and affection, for
He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Supersoul of every living
entity. It is concluded therefore that even a little energy expended in the
service of the Lord gives one immense transcendental profit. This is ex-
plained in the Bhagavad-gitd: sval pam apy asya dharmasya. Devotional ser-
vice in Krsna consciousness is so sublime that even a little service to Krsna,
knowingly or unknowingly, gives one the greatest benefit. The system of
worshiping Krsna by offering flowers from a tree is also beneficial for the
living entity who is confined to the bodily existence of that tree. When
flowers and fruits are offered to Krsna, the tree that bore them also
receives much benefit, indirectly. The arcana process, or worshiping
procedure, is therefore beneficial for everyone. Krsna is worshipable by
great demigods like Brahma and Lord Siva, and Pitanad was so fortunate
that the same Krsna played in her lap as a little child. The lotus feet of
Krsna, which are worshiped by great sages and devotees, were placed on
the body of Piitand. People worship Krsna and offer food, but auto-
matically He sucked the milk from the body of Patana. Devotees therefore
pray that if simply by offering something as an enemy, Pitana got so
much benefit, then who can measure the benefit of worshiping Krsna in
love and affection?
