9 June 2026
Tuesday
Kuchela went to Krishna to ask for many material gifts. But on seeing the Divine face of Krishna, he forgot all his desires. On his return to his native village, he found that big mansions had sprung up at the spot of his old dwelling. Kuchela’s wife came out, finely dressed and wearing many ornaments, and greeted her husband with the remark: “Lord, see what wonderful things Shri Krishna has given to you.” Kuchela looked at everything and said: “I did not ask Bhagawan for anything. I did not speak to him about our domestic situation. Is it necessary for me to say anything to the omnipresent, all-knowing Lord?” Kuchela then described in detail to his wife how Krishna had received him in His palace and how He hugged Kuchela to His bosom and showered His love on him. “How can I describe His loving kindness? Is there anyone like him who can confer all prosperity on one after receiving a fistful of parched rice? He is Love incarnate, and Love is He.” Today, the devotee behaves differently towards God. He goes with a mountain of desires to the temple and offers a small coconut. This is not what you should offer to God. What you should offer is a pure, unsullied heart.
From Swami’s discourse of 15 April 1995
Also on words from this discourse: The Golden Chain Still Binds, 11 June 2026, The Tulasī Leaf in the Balance, 6 June 2026, The Silence Between the Tick and the Tock, 4 June 2026
Kuchela went to Krishna to ask for many material gifts. But on seeing the Divine face of Krishna, he forgot all his desires. On his return to his native village, he found that big mansions had sprung up at the spot of his old dwelling. Kuchela’s wife came out, finely dressed and wearing many ornaments, and greeted her husband with the remark: “Lord, see what wonderful things Shri Krishna has given to you.” Kuchela looked at everything and said: “I did not ask Bhagawan for anything. I did not speak to him about our domestic situation. Is it necessary for me to say anything to the omnipresent, all-knowing Lord?” Kuchela then described in detail to his wife how Krishna had received him in His palace and how He hugged Kuchela to His bosom and showered His love on him. “How can I describe His loving kindness? Is there anyone like him who can confer all prosperity on one after receiving a fistful of parched rice? He is Love incarnate, and Love is He.” Today, the devotee behaves differently towards God. He goes with a mountain of desires to the temple and offers a small coconut. This is not what you should offer to God. What you should offer is a pure, unsullied heart.