“While Krishna was going to the fruit vendor very hastily, most of the grains He was holding fell. Nonetheless, the fruit vendor filled Krishna’s hands with fruits, and her fruit basket was immediately filled with jewels and gold.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 10.11.11)

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फलविक्रयिणी तस्य च्युतधान्यकरद्वयम्
फलैरपूरयद् रत्नै: फलभाण्डमपूरि च

phala-vikrayiṇī tasya
cyuta-dhānya-kara-dvayam
phalair apūrayad ratnaiḥ
phala-bhāṇḍam apūri ca

In the following hypothetical scenarios, we have a podcast host introducing their latest guest. The introduction also takes care of the justification, in case any of the loyal listeners are wondering why this person is even on the show. There appears to be a similar theme no matter the specific occupation of the guest or the area from which they are known.

1. Because of the political office they hold

“We are happy to welcome you to the show today. You are known as one of the most powerful people in the world. You had no prior history in politics. Is that right? You just decided to one day go for the biggest title. You eschewed the political punditry, the consultant class, and the traditional method utilizing significant investments in advertising. It was a classic ‘hold my beer’ moment, as they like to say.

“You essentially advertised yourself. This is truly unbelievable. We would like to learn more about the journey. People have dreamed of this story for a long time. The unsung hero. The everyday man making it to the top. Granted, you have a lot of money, but in politics you were previously not a factor at all.”

2. Because of how many records they have sold

“We are happy to welcome you to the show today. To let everyone know, Billboard Magazine has officially certified you as one of the top five selling recording artists of all time. That one album alone has shipped more than twenty-million units since it was first released.

“You are the leader in your specific genre. You practically invented this genre. We want to dive more into the process, how the members of the band first met, and what were your initial goals. I doubt anyone expected you to be this successful.”

3. Because of the attendance figures at their latest public event

“We are happy to welcome you to the show today. You just recently finished five straight sold-out shows at the world’s most famous arena. The organizers say that no tour has ever sold that many tickets in a single visit. You are not in the music business and neither is it some elaborate show for children. In other words, you could not lean on Mickey Mouse for help.

“You are in comedy. No one in comedy can come close to selling as many tickets as you. People have been trying this for forty years and are content to play the theaters and the celebrated clubs. That is considered ‘making it.’ Why exactly do you stand out? What makes you so popular? Why are people flocking to your shows?”

4. Because of the popularity of their book

“We are happy to welcome you to the show today. That one book you published, years ago, can be found on the shelves of practically every home in the country. It sold so many copies. Granted, book sales perhaps aren’t what they used to be, but you are still doing well. What is your secret? Why are you able to do things that others cannot?”

5. Because they were on television

“We are happy to welcome you to the show today. It is not every day that we meet someone who was on television for so long. Reruns of that show still air to this day. Newer generations are learning the ins and outs of what the world was like almost thirty years ago. How did you create such a hit show? Why did your show succeed where others have failed?”

…

An astute observer notices that the attention in these cases is only due to some metric. The host of the show might not even appreciate what the guests do. The host is more interested in the popularity, in something measurable which stands superior to what others in the same field are attempting. It is almost like the host is subtly asking the following:

“Really? You, of all people? You don’t seem to be that smart. No offense, but what exactly can you do that makes you stand out? There must be some secret that you are not telling us about. You have somehow cracked the code. We would otherwise have nothing to do with you. We would not give you the time of day.”

When applying the same tendency to the science of self-realization, and especially the culture passed on which has its roots in Bhagavad-gita, we could say that people are only interested in Shri Krishna because of how great He is. Likely the most famous depiction of that conversation between Krishna and Arjuna is the viewing of the virat-rupa. This is Krishna revealing the entire universe in a single image. It is such an extraordinary showing that Arjuna first requires a special pair of eyes, which are kindly gifted to him. He would otherwise not be able to see it.

न तु मां शक्यसे द्रष्टुमनेनैव स्वचक्षुषा
दिव्यं ददामि ते चक्षु: पश्य मे योगमैश्वरम्

na tu māṁ śakyase draṣṭum
anenaiva sva-cakṣuṣā
divyaṁ dadāmi te cakṣuḥ
paśya me yogam aiśvaram

“But you cannot see Me with your present eyes. Therefore I give to you divine eyes by which you can behold My mystic opulence.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 11.8)

If thinking in technical terms, we can say that this kind of attention is shanta-rasa. It is the transcendental mellow of neutrality. It is appreciating God from a distance. It is offering respect. It is being in awe of His greatness. There is not necessarily anything wrong with this interaction, as it can still facilitate liberation from birth and death. It is still a kind of bhakti, which is devotion, for as long as the connection remains.

For the person who takes issue, who is upset that the attention is only due to the exhibition of greatness, that the connection has a cause, we can look to other moments from Krishna-lila. Especially focusing on the time spent in the farm community of Gokula-Vrindavana, we find people who love Krishna simply for who He is. They are not necessarily interested in what He can do for them. They are not begrudgingly respectful, due to knowledge of a specific field and how Krishna excels in it.

There is the interaction with the fruit vendor. In this heartwarming exchange, the child Krishna attempts to bring some grains as payment. This is what He has witnessed the parents doing. Children imitate their parents. Setting an ideal example is therefore the best way to pass on values. Almost by accident, the children might learn manners, etiquette, and the proper direction as an adult.

यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः
स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते

yad yad ācarati śreṣṭhas
tat tad evetaro janaḥ
sa yat pramāṇaṁ kurute
lokas tad anuvartate

“Whatever action is performed by a great man, common men follow in his footsteps. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 3.21)

The issue in this case was that Krishna’s hands were too small. He could not hold all of the grains. By the time He reached the fruit vendor, He arrived practically empty-handed. But there was genuine love and affection on the other side. The fruit vendor was not interested in what Krishna had accomplished, what He had done, where He had succeeded, or where He was going. There was simple, honest, and heartfelt affection because Krishna was there.

The seller filled Krishna’s hands with fruit. Proper payment was not necessary. There could be a negative impact on the balance sheet. If this decision led to short-term poverty, to some hardship, the ordeal would be tolerated. It was worth it to see a smile from that beautiful and kind child.

Of course, Shri Krishna is always the Supreme Personality of Godhead. No one ever loses by offering to Him. No one becomes poor in the true sense by sacrificing for Him. Krishna immediately transformed the remainder of the contents of the vendor’s basket. The fruits turned into valuable jewels. The bhakti was without expectation of reciprocation, but no one can stop the son of Nanda and Yashoda from repaying favors shown to Him.

In Closing:

Engagement simple and true,
Devotion from vendor who.

The highest of Krishna thought,
Despite scant payment brought.

Transferring the fruit to Him still,
In lotus-like hands to fill.

Though reward never in mind.
Basket of jewels to find.

Categories: the five

Tags: business, dailyprompt, krishna lila, poem, poems, poetry