What can a devotee win the Lord with? Bhagawan lovingly reminds us today in Narada’s words, so that we may introspect and remain humble.

Narada wanted to teach Satyabhama the supreme greatness of some human qualities of which she was not aware. He brought about a situation in which Krishna was to be weighed in a balance and acquired by Satyabhama, by placing offerings in the other balance. All her jewels and wealth could not tilt the balance in her favour. Ultimately, she prayed to Rukmini to come to her rescue. Rukmini came, prayed to Krishna, saying, “If it is true that God submits Himself to a devotee who offers with love a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or some water, let my tulasi leaf turn the scales against Krishna.” The esoteric meaning of this prayer is that the body should be considered a leaf, the heart a flower, virtue as fruit, and the tears of joy flowing from the devotee’s eyes as the water offered to the Divine in a spirit of complete surrender. Tears should be shed only for God and not for anyone else. Whatever one’s grief, one should not shed tears. Tears may flow out of joy or enthusiasm or ecstasy, but not from a feeling of sorrow. Narada enacted the entire scene to demonstrate to Satyabhama what glorious qualities Rukmini possessed and the greatness of her devotion. He told Satyabhama: “The Lord will not succumb to wealth. He will yield only to goodness.”