Volume 7 : July 2007

As a kid, did you ever doubt that your mother would provide food for you?
Similarly why do we question or doubt God - whether he will give us what we require or not...

Gopal was a young boy of a poor mother who lived in the outskirts of a village. Daily Gopal had to walk a long distance to his school, by crossing a dense jungle. One day Gopal went up to his mother and complained of his fear while walking through the jungle. To calm his fears, his mother to him that from the next day onwards, he would be accompanied by a friend called "Krishna". All he had to do was sincerely call out his name, and his mother assured him that Krishna will be there by your side.

The next day, before starting his journey through the jungle, Gopal called out "Krishna", and Lord Krishna appeared before him and told him "Gopal, I will be your friend, whenever you need me, call and I'll be there". Gopal was thrilled that he would not be alone in the jungle.

Days passed, and one day the Guruji at Gopal's school asked all the children to bring some food item from their homes to share with all the other students for a celebration. Gopal asked his mother for some sweet milk (Kheer) for his friends, but his mother was helpless as she had only one cow and the milk provided by it was just sufficient enough for their own family. She hence told him that there was nothing she could give to him.

Walking empty handed to school that day, Gopal called out for Krishna. Lord Krishna appeared before him and on seeing his dismay, told him not to worry, and offered him a glass of milk to take to school.
On reaching school with the glass of milk, the Guruji commented that such a small quantity would not suffice. He started to pour the milk into a bigger vessel to be mixed with some other milk brought by another child. But, no matter how much he poured, Gopal's glass would not get empty. Every time the glass was put upright, more milk appeared to be left over. Taking an even bigger vessel, the Guru continued pouring the milk, but still the glass always had some milk left over…. Astonished, the Guruji asked Gopal where he got the milk from. Gopal answered "My friend Krishna gave me the milk". The guru did not believe this, and asked Gopal to take him and the other students to the jungle to see Krishna.

On reaching the jungle, Gopal called out "Krishna, Krishna" for a long time, but Krishna didn't appear. Mocking him, the Guru and students left.  At this, Gopal started crying, and once more with tears in his eyes, sincerely called out "Krishna, my friend, where are you?". And lo behold, Krishna appeared before him. Gopal got angry and said that he was made a fool of in front of his Guru and friends, why did Krishna have to do this?  That's when Lord Krishna told him the wise words meant for all of those who are like Gopal.

"When you have faith which is 100% and are doubtless ~
God will appear by your side, to lead you through life.
If like the Guru and other students, you doubt in Him,
he will not appear to be with you"

So deep in your heart, believe in Him and call out to Him. He will hear your prayers and lead you ahead past all your troubles…

Jai Shree Ram !