Knowledge of Krsna’s Energies 31

the old man was still agreeable but that the family
was making it difficult for him. People began to
gather about because of the noise which the elder
son was raising, and the brahmana youth began to
exclaim to them that the old man made this promise
before the Deities but that he could not fulfill it
because the family was objecting. The eldest son,
who was an atheist, suddenly interrupted the youth
and said, ““You say that the Lord was witnessing.
Well, if He comes and bears witness to this promise
of my father’s, you can have my sister in marriage.”

The youth replied, “Yes, I shall ask Krsna to come
as a witness.” He was confident that God would
come. An agreement was then made before everyone
that the girl would be given in marriage if Krsna
came from Vrndavana as a witness to the old man’s
promise.

The brahmana youth returned to Vrndavana and
began to pray to Gopala Krsna. “Dear Lord, You
must come with me.” He was such a staunch devotee
that he spoke to Krsna just as one would speak to a
friend. He was not thinking that the Gopala was a
mere statue or image, but he considered Him to be
God Himself. Suddenly the Deity spoke to him:

“How do you think that I can go with you? I am
a statue. I can’t go anywhere.”

“Well, if a statue can speak, he can also walk,” the
boy replied.

“All right then,” the Deity said finally. ‘“‘I shall go
with you, but on one condition. In no case shall you
look back to see Me. I will follow you, and you will
know that I am following by the jingle of My leg
bangles.”
