Hare Krsna,
Although apparently simple storyline, the pastime of baby Krsna reciprocating with a fruit vendor has a meaning. This pastime teaches us that if someone gives something to the Lord, he is not the loser; he is the gainer by a million times.
SB 10.11.11: While Kṛṣṇa was going to the fruit vendor very hastily, most of the grains He was holding fell. Nonetheless, the fruit vendor filled Kṛṣṇa’s hands with fruits, and her fruit basket was immediately filled with jewels and gold.
At first, I was wondering why the fruit vendor settled for a raw deal. She could have asked for any benediction she wanted (just like Manigriva and Nalakuvera). Why is she happy with some material gifts such as gold and jewels that even a demigod can bestow? She hadn’t she asked for eternal devotional service or Krsna prema? While reading up our acarya commentaries, Srila Viswanath Chakravarty Thakura removed by doubt.
He writes: “Being greedy for the fruits. Kåñëa somehow managed to hold them all in His small hands by the influence of His aiçvarya-çakti. In return, the Pulinda woman received all types of wealth including the treasure of Kåñëa-prema from Çré Kåñëa, who possesses the power to bestow all fruits.” (Sarartha-Darsini)
So the fruit vendor did indeed receive Krsna-prema. I am so relieved to hear that!
The moral of the story is that we should try to please Krsna under all circumstances. Note that I mentioned ‘try to’. What about actually pleasing Krsna, even our endeavor to please Him pleases Him greatly. The success of any endeavor or occupation is that we please Krsna and Krsna is pleased by our devotion. This has a direct practical application in our daily lives. We may not be able to chant the Holy Name attentively always. But our sincere attempt to try to be attentive while chanting and hearing also pleases Krsna. Krsna is happy with our sincerity, intent and devotion. This is why He is also known as bhāva-grāhī janārdana.
“When Vāmanadeva appeared before Bali Mahārāja, Bali Mahārāja immediately wanted to offer Him respectful obeisances, but he was unable to do so because of the presence of Śukrācārya and other demoniac associates. The Lord is so merciful, however, that although Bali Mahārāja did not actually offer obeisances but only endeavored to do so within his mind, the Supreme Personality of Godhead blessed him with more mercy than even the demigods could ever expect. As confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (BG 2.40), svalpam apy asya dharmasya trāyate mahato bhayāt: “Even a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear.” The Supreme Personality of Godhead is known as bhāva-grāhī janārdana because He takes only the essence of a devotee’s attitude. If a devotee sincerely surrenders, the Lord, as the Supersoul in everyone’s heart, immediately understands this. Thus even though, externally, a devotee may not render full service, if he is internally sincere and serious the Lord welcomes his service nonetheless. Thus the Lord is known as bhāva-grāhī janārdana because He takes the essence of one’s devotional mentality.” (SB 8.23.2 Purport)
Krsna doesn’t care about what we have done or who we are, because ultimately we are all eternal souls. If we simply offer a little love to Krsna, He reciprocates with an ocean of infinite love. Srila Prabhupada explains if we take one sincere step towards Krsna, Krsna is willing to run thousands of steps towards us.
Meditating on ‘fruit’, I am reminded of Lord Caitanya’s specific pastime where He appeared to distribute the fruit of love of Godhead. Mahaprabhu compared fruits to love of Godhead. He says that He is the only gardener, and that it would certainly be a very laborious task to pick the fruits and distribute them alone.
CC Adi 9.37-40: I am the only gardener. If I do not distribute these fruits, what shall I do with them? How many fruits can I alone eat? By the transcendental desire of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, water has been sprinkled all over the tree, and thus there are innumerable fruits of love of Godhead. Distribute this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement all over the world. Let people eat these fruits and ultimately become free from old age and death. If the fruits are distributed all over the world, My reputation as a pious man will be known everywhere, and thus all people will glorify My name with great pleasure.
CC Adi 9.48-50: The fruit of love of God is so delicious that wherever a devotee distributes it, those who relish the fruit, anywhere in the world, immediately become intoxicated. The fruit of love of Godhead distributed by Caitanya Mahāprabhu is such a great intoxicant that anyone who eats it, filling his belly, immediately becomes maddened by it, and automatically he chants, dances, laughs and enjoys. When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the great gardener, sees that people are chanting, dancing and laughing and that some of them are rolling on the floor and some are making loud humming sounds, He smiles with great pleasure.
The only price Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda ask for this fruit of love of Godhead is little faith.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Krsna Katha 