Based on The Faith Book by Kadamba Kanana Swami
The Village Temple
In a peaceful village surrounded by fields of rice and flowering trees stood a simple temple. Within the sanctum, the villagers worshipped a small, ancient Deity of Gopāla—Śrī Kṛṣṇa as a playful cowherd boy.
The temple had no marble floors, no ornate domes, but it was full of life. Each day, villagers brought fruits, water, and incense. Children ran around, singing bhajans in their playful tones.
Among them was a boy named Rāghu.
He was no more than six, with bright eyes, a dusty face, and a heart that pulsed with love for Kṛṣṇa. Though he could not read ślokas or perform rituals, he came every day to talk to Gopāla, as if to a friend.
A Sudden Tragedy
One day, while playing near the altar, Rāghu tripped. His little foot knocked over the small Deity of Gopāla, and the murti cracked—one arm broken clean off.
There was a gasp. Others rushed in. Some scolded, some wept. “This boy has committed a great offense!” they said. “He has broken the Lord!”
Rāghu stood in shock. Tears flooded his cheeks. “I’m sorry, Gopāla,” he whispered. “I didn’t mean to hurt You.”
He ran home, refusing food, unable to sleep. The next morning, he came with trembling hands and a small box of clay. Kneeling before the Deity, he said, “Don’t worry, Gopāla. I will fix You.”
A Child’s Offering
With childish care, Rāghu shaped a new arm from the clay and gently placed it on the Deity. He offered flowers and sang his usual song.
The priest watched silently. Villagers stood in awe. And then, something miraculous occurred.
That night, the priest had a dream: Gopāla appeared—whole, smiling, beautiful.
“I was never broken,” the Lord said. “Rāghu’s love held Me the whole time.”
The Purity of a Child’s Heart
This story reveals the essence of bhakti: a child’s heart, untainted by formality, can touch the Lord more deeply than oceans of ritual. Rāghu didn’t fear punishment. He feared hurting his friend.
His clay arm was not perfect. But his love was.
And the Lord responds not to perfection—but to pure affection.
A Lesson in Simple Devotion
Sometimes we think devotion must be exact—every mantra, every rule followed. But even if we make mistakes, if our heart is soft and sincere, Kṛṣṇa embraces us.
The Lord is not stone. He is supremely sensitive to love.
A Verse to Remember
nāhaṁ vasāmi vaikuṇṭhe
yogināṁ hṛdaye na ca
mad-bhaktāḥ yatra gāyanti
tatra tiṣṭhāmi nārada“I do not reside in Vaikuṇṭha, nor in the hearts of yogīs. O Nārada, wherever My devotees sing My glories, I am present there.”
— Padma Purāṇa
If we love Him like a friend, if we serve Him like a child offering clay, the Lord will never leave our hearts—even if we break Him.
