Krishna, Balarama, and the Gopalas at the Banks of the Yamuna at Vrindavan, Mathura
Jaipur
c. 1800
(image credit Peter Blohm)
"One day while wandering in the woods with the gopalas, the Lord said to them, "How noble are the trees. They live entirely for the sake of others. They bear the wind, rain, heat and sleet, but protect us from them. How covetable is a birth like that, providing sustenance to all beings. They fulfill the wants of all creatures with their leaves, flowers, fruits, roots and tubers. People take shelter beneath them and finally they give up their very lives to provide man with fuel. Man's life in this world is meaningful only to the extent that his energies, wealth and intelligence are utilized for the good of others!"
Thus to each according to his needs and his capacity, the Lord taught these boys and girls who were devoted to him."
(text from Sri Krishna Lila, The Complete Life of Bhagavan Sri Krishna, narrated by Vanamaali)