In plain words
It is cows that bring us lasting comforts, health, joy and food. Cows have been giving men contentment and nourishment. So one ball is for the cows. Gopāla, Govardhana, the cow: they believed in the principle of the syllable ‘go’ in these three, and believed that this was the God they worshipped. Then again, among foods, among vegetables, the one of largest form is the pumpkin. The pumpkin is the one that stands at the highest level. It is lofty feelings we must give to others, not petty ones: this the Gopīs set out beautifully as an ideal. Pumpkins should be given to others as a gift on the day of Sankrānti. What is the benefit of this to us? The pumpkin does not spoil in a short time. It keeps for a long time. We can cook it into as many kinds of curry as we like. In every curry it stays the same, flowing within it like a hidden stream. So this best and highest of fruits should be given to others; that is, noble qualities should be given to others. They believed this to be Godliness as well.
God alone is the eternal friend
On Īśvara's head is the moon. This moon gives its light to the world. They have shown this as the sign that God is free of selfishness. In Īśvara there is not the least selfishness. So, to give the world that divinity which is Godliness, this Sankrānti has gathered many meanings into itself. Ādi Śaṅkara too took sannyāsa on this very day of Sankrānti. On this day of Sankrānti we naturally mix jaggery and sesame and give it to everyone as prasāda. What is the inner meaning of the jaggery? It is sweet. This sweetness is our Prema. Then the sesame. It means friendship. So we must offer everyone friendship joined with Prema. We must draw everyone close. But what is our friendship like in the world today?