Knowledge of Krsna’s Energies 29
cenlrate upon the image and make offerings with
love and devotion, Krsna will respond through the
image.

There are many instances of this happening. In
India, there is one temple called Saksi-Gopala (Krsna
is often called Gopala). The Gopala murti or statue
was at one time located in a temple in Vrndavana.
Once two brahmanas, one old and one young, went
lo visit Vrndavana on a pilgrimage. It was a long trip,
and in those days there were no railways, so travel-
ers underwent many hardships. The old man was
much obliged to the youth for helping him on the
journey, and upon arriving in Vrndavana, he said to
him: “My dear boy, you have rendered me so much
service, and I am much obliged to you. I would like
very much to return that service and give you some
reward.”

“My dear sir,” the youth said, “you are an old man.
just like my father. It is my duty to serve you. I don’t
require any reward.”

“No, I’m obliged to you, and I must reward you,”
the old man insisted. He then promised to give the
young man his young daughter in marriage.

The old man was a very rich man, and the youth,
although a learned brahmana, was very poor. Con-
sidering this, the youth said, “Don’t promise this,
for your family will never agree. I am such a poor
man, and you are aristocratic, so this marriage will
nol take place. Don’t promise this way before the
Deity.”

The conversation was taking place in the temple
lefore the Deity of Gopala Krsna, and the young
