Looking for Divine Love? Look no further! Gopala is here! He is so sweet and mild, tolerant and intelligent, peaceful and content and mildy smiling, sleepy eyed. Sometimes He is bright eyed, and most amused. He is, in our devotional imagination anyway, our Best Buddy and our little resident Child.
He likes goodies! He likes to be supplied regularly with fresh water and seasonal drinks. He can eat voraciously, or only a little to scale plate, according to the size of His form, the circumstances, and His own sweet Will. He always forgives, even if we are sometimes neglectful, then we feel quite heart-broken and miserly and ashamed. We truly hate to see Him pout, as He is such a tolerant dear and deserves to be treated with love always. He likes bright toys! He likes squirrels and birds! He likes to watch them eat seeds and peanuts on the porch. He is more tolerant than a million trees! He is gracious and kind. He is protected by us.
When He is a little older, He is impetuous, demanding, plays tricks, loves sweets ! , and is always ready for some fun or affection. He doesn't mind a little hangin' with the boys fun.
Mom, my mother Kay, bathes Him every day, and she has prepared many wonderful clothes and beddings for him. She offers him food all day every day, beginning with toast and jam and milk for breakfast, and he even joins her to watch the silly television once in a while. She is now a very aware and sharp 87, but is not so familiar with the Vaisnava literature's intricacies, though she has read several of Srila Prabhupada's books over the years, with quite some attention, including taking notes! But she understands simple pure devotional service, and she has realized that Gopal deity is a real live Being. How would all this be possible, if not for Krsna's child-like forms? Truly, my wonderful brothers, if you want intimacy and not to be afraid of offenses and inadequacies, there is none so willing to accept your near-pure service, despite whatever little flaws, just as a human child trusts it's father, than is Gopala.
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