The Story of Lord Krishna & a Thief

From childhood, Sri Krishna has been my Ishta Devata. Every story related to Bhagawan Sri Krishna fills my heart with nectarine sweetness and love. Can one ever have enough of Krishna Leelas? Every story from Krishna's life holds a valuable lesson for us and fills us with joy.

Long, long ago, when robbery and burglary were harmless, respectable professions (no thanks to Robin Hood) that did not involve beheading or killing innocent people, there lived a good thief. Now, don’t misunderstand, we call him good because he had a good heart and well, being a thief was just a temporary situation of sorts, if you know what I mean.

The thief hid in a house where a scholar was expounding on the MahaBhagawatham, the story of Lord Krishna. The scholar was describing the enchanting beauty of Krishna and Balaram and listing details of the jewelry and clothes that they wore. The thief could think of nothingelse. He had to find the two kids and grab their ornaments. He jumped out of his hiding place and demanded to know the address of the two children.

The poor scholar, who feared for his life more than anythingelse, told the thief that the kids lived in Mathura. The thief set off to find them.

Day and night, he searched for them, their beautiful forms were in his mind and heart. All he could think was of finding them. He ate no food and drank no water, such was his determination to find them. Days passed like this and he was ready to collapse.

Just then, the two boys appeared before him in all their splendor. Seeing Krishna, the thief was completely enchanted by His ethereal beauty and smile. The thief said, “I wanted your jewels but seeing you, I realize all I ever wanted was to continue gazing at you. I no longer want your jewels.”

Krishna blessed the thief and said, “You have been truly seeking me. I am pleased by your relentless love and concentration, so I have come.” Krishna and Balaram put their jewels in a bundle and gave it to the thief. They vanished.

The thief went to the scholar and gave him the jewels, stating, “I no longer want the jewels. You can have them.”

The scholar said, “I too don’t want the jewels. But I have a request – can you take me to Brindavan and show me a glimpse of Krishna? I’ve never seen Krishna.”

Do you see the irony of it?

The thief was the real seeker – he could not rest or eat without seeing Krishna, whereas the scholar spent his life around preaching about Krishna, not feeling or experiencing the same longing to see Krishna as the thief did.

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Comments

LIFE_REFACTORED said…

Its true that Hindu Mythology has such wonderful contradictions. Bhagavatam starts of saying that one does not even have to say wonderful prayers and love god to win him. It says even if you hate god all your life and that's the only thing you do night and day, you will still attain moksha.. Can you believe it?? Apparently all the super start Rakshasha who were slain by gods attained moksha for the very same reason!!!

February 21, 2011 at 2:36 PM

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