I manifest only to them who do surrender

Singing the glories of God was

throughout his prime profession

to recite the Shrimad Bhagavatam,

was invited to d' house of a patron

 

A thief broke open into the house,

late in d' night, d' recital was yet on

he hid himself in one deep corner,

perforce, d' recital he had to listen

.

Stories of miracles of Lord Krishna,

priest narrated d' various ornaments

Yasodha decorated her little Krishna,

out with d' cows before he was sent

.

The thief got excited to meet d' lad,

to rob all d' ornaments in one stroke

why struggle daily with petty stealing,

but waiting for long, as if a silly joke?

 

D' entire chapter over, the priest left,

he followed him hastily and waylaid

was too eager to locate Lord Krishna,

a load of ornaments, how can evade?

 

The Brahmin got frightened and told,

I've nothing but d' small sum earned

if you truly wish so, I can part with it,

never mind, even my family is starved

 

Not keen to grab your paltry income,

about d' lad wanted some information

you claimed he had d' best ornaments,

want those, not any of your possession

 

Beseeched him to take him to d' place,

d' lads used to go out for cows' grazing

outskirts of Brindavan, Yamuna banks,

in a fix, yet had to disclose the Brahmin

 

Both boys come to d' green meadow,

one with a flute, dark like the clouds

the other fair, clad in white silk cloth,

d' dark graces those, as I told u loud

 

The thief believed d' Brahmin's words,

sure to set out for Brindavan forthwith

found d' lovely place, climbed up a tree,

patiently waited for the boys to arrive

 

Sun rose in d' eastern sky, wafted faint

tune of flute in d' cool air of d' morning

as d' enchanting music moved li'l closer,

d' thief easily spotted two boys coming

 

 Got down from d' tree, went near them,

saw d' little Krishna's most lovely debut

lost self, folded hands, shed tears of joy,

stunned, mouth agape turned a statue

 

No mirthless mom, send the radiant boys,

to d' river bank garnished with ornaments

unable to take eyes off the vast divinity,

chiseled to perfection, looked excellent

 

D' transformation on, he rushed behind,

grasped Krishna's hand, stop, did shout

d' moment came in contact with d' Lord,

his entire life's evil karma got wiped out

 

A ball of cotton right away, burnt in d' fire,

who are you?" with all humility, he vented

Krishna looked at him and said innocently,

I'm scared by your looks, leave my hand

 

The thief, now full of remorse, murmured,

my evil mind getting reflected in my face

if you are so frightened, I can walk away

but without you, I will have no existence

 

Naughty li'l Krishna mocked him a little,

prompted him d' purpose of his pursuit

here are the ornaments, you take these,

d' thief gave a blank look, got confused

 

If u gift away all your ornaments to me,

your mother, scold you, harshly punish

Krishna smiled, don't you worry about it,

I've plenty of them, I am a bigger thief

 

You'll be penalized if u rub and caught

but if I steal, no one will ever complain

not aware of d' ornament you possess,

our treasures, we can always exchange

 

I've stolen your heart, now it's with me,

saying so, both the boys just vanished

the thief found a bag full of ornaments,

on his shoulders, to his utter surprise

 

He brought d' bag to d' priest's house,

and narrated whatever had happened

called the thief inside, opened the bag

the Brahmin now was much frightened

 

As you narrated, I saw all d' ornaments

to d' same place he appealed to take him

both eagerly waited there the next day,

until it was time for their cow-grazing

 

D' thief exclaimed, look, here they come,

but no one there the Brahmin could see

the upset priest asked the Lord in agony,

opt for a darshan to a thief, why not me?

 

Out of copious compassion, God replied,

Bhagvat, not a tell, God, a mere character

he trusted whatever u told him about me,

I manifest only to them who do surrender