In the beautiful cowherd village of Gokula, every day brought fresh joy as the residents watched little Krishna grow. Though He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the source of unlimited universes and unlimited strength, He delighted in performing sweet childhood pastimes that increased the love of His devotees.

One day, Nanda Mahārāja was preparing to leave home. As was customary, his wooden sandals lay near the doorway.

Little Krishna noticed them.

Wanting to imitate the elders and eager to serve His father, He toddled toward the sandals with determined steps. His tiny lotus hands reached for them, and with great seriousness He tried to lift them.

The sandals appeared far too heavy for His small body.

Krishna strained with all His might. His curly locks bounced as He tugged, His face became intensely focused, and His tiny arms trembled as if the weight were beyond His strength.

Again and again He tried.

Sometimes He managed to lift one side only for it to fall back to the ground. Sometimes He would pause, smile innocently, and make another earnest attempt.

Watching from nearby, Mother Yaśodā burst into affectionate laughter.

The elderly gopīs gathered around, enchanted by the sight.

"Look!" they exclaimed. "Our Kanaiyā wants to carry His father's sandals!"

Nanda Mahārāja's heart melted as he watched his little son struggle with such determination.

Finally, Krishna managed to grasp the sandals and awkwardly carried them a short distance, staggering under their apparent weight.

The courtyard erupted with laughter and loving applause.

No one present could imagine that this same child effortlessly sustains countless universes, lifts the mighty Govardhana Hill, and controls all cosmic creation.

By His own internal potency (yoga-māyā), Krishna concealed His supreme majesty and allowed His parents to experience only the sweetness of parental affection (vātsalya-rasa). To them, He was not the Almighty Lord but their beloved little son, whose every movement increased their boundless love.

The gopīs' hearts overflowed with affection. Seeing Krishna's apparent helplessness, they desired only to protect Him, encourage Him, and shower Him with blessings.

Such is the inconceivable nature of Krishna's pastimes. Although He possesses unlimited strength, He voluntarily accepts the role of an ordinary child so that His devotees may relish intimate loving exchanges with Him. His apparent weakness is not a limitation but another expression of His limitless spiritual potency, by which He enchants the hearts of His eternal devotees.

Divine Teachings