Despite the countless mischievous acts of young Krishna, who caused chaos wherever he went, the residents of Gokul continued to love him unconditionally. No matter how much trouble he caused, they would complain on one side, but on the other, they would yearn to see him if he didn’t visit.

One day, hearing the voice of an old fruit seller, little Krishna ran to the door.

"Wait, Grandma!" "Do you want some fruits, little one?" "Will you give me some?"

The beauty of little Krishna captivated her. He affectionately called her “Grandma,” establishing a new bond.

The old lady, who had no one and sold fruits just to fill her stomach, found a new relationship, and that too, with the Lord Himself. Anyone who witnessed the charm of little Krishna’s innocent chatter would be left speechless.

"Everything is for you, Krishna." "Is that so? Is everything really for me?" "Yes, my dear... everything is for you. Wait, I’ll be back."

He ran inside, grabbed two handfuls of grains with his tiny hands, and rushed back. In his haste, grains spilled from his hands all the way from the third step to the door.

"Here, Grandma, you don’t have to give me the fruits for free. Take this instead..." he said, extending his hand.

Though most of the grains had fallen to the ground, a few remained in his hands.

"Alright, little one, anything you give is enough for me."

She extended her basket. As Krishna shook his lotus-like hands over the basket, grains from his divine hands fell into the basket, filling it with never-ending wealth. She wrapped the grains in an old cloth and piled all the fruits into Krishna's hands.

In reality, the old lady was in such a state that selling fruits was her only means of affording food for the day. But her heart was filled with joy just seeing Krishna.

She was used to hunger and poverty. But this little boy calling her “Grandma” more than ten times filled her heart. She thought about it all the way home.

When she returned home, her basket was filled with precious gems instead of fruits.

Two days passed. Krishna was overjoyed that he had alleviated the old lady’s poverty. She could now live comfortably for the rest of her life and didn’t have to wander the streets in her old age.

On the third morning, "Do you want to buy some fruits?" the same old lady’s voice was heard again. Krishna ran out.

"Why, Grandma? Didn’t I give you so many jewels? Didn’t you see them?"

"You did, little one. Look here... beneath the fruits in the basket are the jewels you gave me. You called me 'Grandma'... and I did what I could. Everything is because of you. What will I do with all these jewels? A bowl of porridge is enough for me..."

As she spoke, she tied up all the jewels and handed them back to Krishna, admiring his beauty. Krishna was puzzled. She was still poor, yet she returned the wealth to him. Krishna was a bit taken aback.

The next morning again, "Do you want to buy some fruits?" the old lady’s voice was heard. Krishna was very surprised. He ran out, eager to see her.

"Grandma, your home...?" "Yes, little one, you’ve turned my hut into a palace..."

"Isn’t that enough, Grandma? Why are you selling fruits again?"

"Leave that aside. Will you come to my house, little one?"

"Oh, I’ll come..." The divine child held her hand and walked slowly with her.

There... in a grand palace-like house, she had placed a beautiful image of Krishna and made it a temple, where she conducted daily worship. In front of it, she had set up a small hut for herself.

"Why would I need a palace, little one? The palace is for you..." she said, expressing her devotion.

Krishna, unable to match her devotion, was left speechless.

The competition between the devotee and the Divine, between devotion and compassion, is one where the Divine always considers Himself defeated. That’s why, for the sake of the devotee, He’s willing to descend to any level, isn’t it?

.    .    .