Grateful Acknowledgment

After their stay in the Gopala temple, the older man told the younger, "You have rendered various types of service to me. You have assisted me in traveling to all these places of pilgrimage. Even my own son does not render me such service. By your mercy, I did not become fatigued while on this tour. If I do not show you any respect, I would be ungrateful. Therefore, I promise to give you my daughter in charity."

The younger brahmana replied, "My dear sir, please hear me. You are saying something very unusual; such a thing never happens. While you are a most aristocratic family man, well educated and very rich, I am not at all aristocratic. Indeed, I am without a decent education and have no wealth. Sir, I am not a suitable bridegroom for your daughter. I render service to you only for the satisfaction of Krsna. Lord Krsna is very pleased by service rendered to brahmanas, and when the Lord is pleased, the opulence of one's devotional service increases."

The older brahmana replied, "My dear boy, do not doubt me. I shall give you my daughter in charity, for I have already decided this."

The young brahmana said, "You have a wife and sons, and you have a large circle of relatives and friends. Without their consent, you cannot possibly give me your daughter in charity."

"My daughter is my own property," said the elderly brahmana. "If I choose to give my property to someone, who has the power to stop me? My dear boy, I shall give my daughter to you in charity, and I shall ignore the position of all others. Don't doubt me in this regard; just accept my proposal."

The younger brahmana replied, "If you have actually decided to give your young daughter to me, then say so before the Gopala Deity."