Text 12] The Childhood Pastimes of Krsna 229

Otherwise, if one is puffed up with false prestige, thinking, “I have so
much opulence, and I am giving something to Krsna,” one’s offering will
not be accepted by Krsna. The fruit vendor, although a woman belonging
to the poor aborigine class, dealt with Krsna with great affection, saying,
“Krsna, You have come to me to take some fruit in exchange for grains.
All the grains have fallen, but still You may take whatever You like.”
Thus she filled Krsna’s palms with whatever fruits He could carry. In ex-
change, Krsna filled her whole basket with jewels and gold.

From this incident one should learn that for anything offered to Krsna
with love and affection, Krsna can reciprocate many millions of times
over, both materially and spiritually. The basic principle involved is an
exchange of love. Therefore Krsna teaches in Bhagavad-gita (9.27):

yat karosi yad asnasi
yaj juhosi dadasi yat
yat tapasyasi kaunteya
tat kurusva mad-arpanam

“O son of Kunti, all that you do, all that you eat, all that you offer and
give away, as well as all austerities that you may perform, should be done
as an offering unto Me.”’ With love and affection, one should try to give
something to Krsna from one’s source of income. Then one’s life will be
successful. Krsna is full in all opulences; He does not need anything
from anyone. But if one is prepared to give something to Krsna, that is
for one’s own benefit. The example given in this connection is that when
one’s real face is decorated, the reflection of one’s face is automatically
decorated. Similarly, if we try to serve Krsna with all our opulences, we,
as parts and parcels or reflections of Krsna, will become happy in ex-
change. Krsna is always happy, for He is dtmarama, fully satisfied with
His own opulence.

TEXT 12

aes Bout AATYAATENT |
Ta 3 Cheol Sat Mead TSA TAT UL

sarit-tira-gatam krsnam
bhagnarjunam athahvayat
