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Laddu Gopal Ji

Bal Gopal · Lala · Thakur ji · Kanha

  • 2 Mantras
  • 1 Tirth
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Laddu Gopal Ji

About

Laddu Gopal is Shri Krishna as a little baby, crawling on his knees with a laddu in his hand. In many homes across North India, especially in Braj, families keep Laddu Gopal like a child of the house. In the morning he is woken up, bathed, dressed in pretty clothes and offered food, and at night he is put to bed. This seva is done with the same love that parents feel for their own child, which is called vatsalya bhav. That is why people fondly call him 'Lala' or 'Thakur ji'. On Janmashtami his seva becomes a joyful celebration in homes everywhere.

The story

The tenth book of the Shrimad Bhagavatam (chapter 8) gives a sweet picture of baby Krishna. In Gokul, before long, Krishna and Balaram began to crawl on their hands and knees. As they moved, the little bells on their ankles jingled. Crawling across the courtyards of Braj, they would sometimes follow a stranger, then take fright when they saw it was not their mother, and hurry back to Maa Yashoda and Maa Rohini. All of Gokul delighted in the sight. The form of Laddu Gopal brings back this memory of little Kanha crawling on his knees.

A folk story is also linked to his name, and it is told a little differently in different places. A devotee of Krishna used to offer food to his Thakur ji every day. One day he had to go away, so he gave this seva to his young son, Raghunandan. The innocent boy set the plate before the Lord and said, 'Please eat!' When the food stayed untouched, he became sad and began to cry. The story says that, moved by the child's true love, the Lord came as a little boy himself and happily ate the laddus. Many devotees believe stories like this gave this form the name 'Laddu Gopal'. Its message is simple: God looks at the love in our heart more than at rules.

How they are shown

A Laddu Gopal murti is usually a small figure of brass or ashtadhatu. He is shown on his knees as if about to crawl forward: one palm rests on the ground and the other hand holds a round laddu. Crawling shows the innocence of childhood, and the laddu shows that the Lord happily accepts food offered with love. A little crown with a peacock feather and colourful clothes make him the beloved Kanha of Braj.

How to worship

Offerings

Makhan-mishri, milk, laddus, fruit and fresh sattvic food, with a tulsi leaf placed on the bhog

How

Seva of Laddu Gopal is like caring for a small child. Wake him gently in the morning with a soft bell. Bathe him in lukewarm or plain water as the season allows, dry him, then dress and decorate him. Offer fresh food during the day, let him rest in the afternoon, light a diya for aarti in the evening and put him to bed at night. Do as much as you lovingly can; if something is missed, simply say sorry in your heart. Laddu Gopal is cared for with love, not with fear.

Their festivals

Aarti, chalisa and katha

Temples and tirth

Sources