One day, a Gopala ( cowherd boy) was grazing his cows, sheep and goats near the Govardhan mountains. Suddenly, there came a downpour of rain. So he took shelter in a small cave. There he found a beautiful shining white stone. Its beauty filled him with great joy. He thought, "This shiny white stone will look brighter if it is tied to the neck of my calf, which has a beautiful black colour. One day Krishna with certainly notice this and thus I can please Him." He then picked up the stone and tied it around the neck of his black calf. Looking at his beautiful calf and shining diamond on its neck, the Gopala was lost in joy and started singing:" Beauty is joy, joy is nectar of life....".
One day, a jeweller passed by the Govardhan mountain area, where the Gopala was grazing his cattle. The jeweller was attracted by the brilliance of the stone. He went near the calf and examined the stone closely. Instantly, he knew that it was a diamond of high value. So he asked the Gopala," Why don't you sell this stone to me! I will give you good price."
The Gopala felt that he would be able to buy with this money many more stones of this kind and adorn the necks of all his calves. Thus, the jeweller got the valuable diamond from the Gopala for a pittance.
On the way, the jeweller looking at the diamond, feeling proud that somehow he could trick the cowherd and obtain a diamond worth lakhs of rupees. He was shocked when the diamond broke into pieces. The broken diamond spoke to him," You have tricked the guileless Gopala who loved my beauty. He is the one who knows the real worth of a diamond. You are only a selfish and deceitful man. You have used your knowledge in trickery. So, my heart is broken."
You see, sincere devotion is superior to worldly love.
(Excerpt from Bhagawan's Divine Discourse at Sai Sruthi, Kodaikanal on 29th April 1992)
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