WHEN LITTLE LORD KRISHNA BOUGHT GOLDEN MANGOES

Lord Krishna

He is known for his immense knowledge and leadership skills, but not many know the mesmerizing stories of the great God’s childhood. One such heart-warming story is that of little Kanha (as he was fondly known) who tried to buy mangoes from a poor fruit-seller.

One warm and sunny day in Gokul, little Krishna was expectantly watching mother Yashoda churn butter. Yashoda knew his clever antics as she smiled at the naughty one eyeing the churning stand from a far. Suddenly a resounding voice echoed in the gully ‘fresh mangoes, come and buy fresh mangoes!’

Krishna’s father Nandraj invited the fruit seller at their doorstep and she unveiled a basket of the juiciest, ripest mangoes anyone had seen that season. The aroma filled the whole house making little Krishna’s mouth water uncontrollably. Nandraj immediately went to his storage and brought out a bag of grains to exchange for the mangoes. The lady was delighted to receive the grains and gave one basket of juicy mangoes to Krishna’s father. Little Kanha watched with awe as the barter deal was done in front of his eyes. He understood that goods (mangoes in this case) could be exchanged for grains from the storage ( at the time this was more popular way instead of currency).

He ran with purpose to the storage and filled both his hands with as much grain as he could and hurried back. The child was careful to completely close his fists so as not to spill any grain. The Little Lord approached the fruit-seller and showed his little fists full of grains and asked ‘can I have a few mangoes for myself?’. As he handed over the contents of his tiny fists to the lady, she kept looking at him transfixed. The Little Kahna with soft curly locks, a peacock feather nestled in them, glowing dark skin and eyes that emanated wisdom twinged with mischief drew out her motherly love. The fruit-seller looked at the innocent and hopeful face of the boy who had just deposited the minute bits of grain in front of her and smiled with affection, ‘of course, my child.’ She collected that little exchange in her sack and gave Krishna so many mangoes he could hardly carry in his arms.

A delighted Kanha laughed with glee as he ran to show his wager to the ones in the room around him. The lady smiled at the excited boy as she bent to pick her basket. Lo and behold! All her mangoes had been turned to gold and gems. She couldn’t believe her eyes as she looked at her basket and then at the people around her. As her eyes met the Lord Krishna, he gave her an all-knowing smile and she came to realise that this was no ordinary child and she had finally met the lord in his most gentle form