Shri Krishna Arpanamastu - Story by Viboba Bhave

There was an elderly woman who went to a Mahatma. She bowed in front of him and said"since I have become very old, now I cannot do any jap, tap or pooja. I cannot concentrate, nor can I keep fasts. Just tell me a simple way I can please God so that I get relieved from birth-death chakra and I get moksh." The Mahatma looked at her and told her that any job you do just say "Shri krishnaarpanamastu" and there is no need for you to do anything.

That old lady now always after finishing any job would say "Shrikrishnaarpanamastu" When she would stuck cow dung on the wall she would make round balls of mud and cowdung throw it then she would recite that manta. Nearby her hut there was Lord Krishna's temple. The mud and cowdung would get stuck on the face of God's statue. Early morning when the priest would open the door of the temple he would be surprised to see God's face covered with mud. He used to wonder that when he closed the door of the temple God's statue was always clean but how come in the morning it is smeared with mud. He used politely wipe it and start his work. But still he wanted know that how it is happening, who is playing dirty tricks. Then a neighbour of the old lady told him that this lady early morning after completing her work recites "Shri krishnaarpanamastu". He got very angry and in his mind muttered that when this lady will die and how long will I continue to clean God's statue.

Once the old lady fell ill, her entire body was burning with fever still she uttered her regular mantra"Shri krishnaarpnamastu". This fever also I dedicate to you. The statue of Lord Krishna turned red, the face of the statue was shivering as if in fever. The priest could not believe his eyes that the statue also can get fever. When the old lady's death knocked at her door, she said"shri krishnaarpanamastu. My death also dedicated to you, Oh my Lord. The statue of the temple broke into two pieces. After that one plane was sent to bring the old lady to heaven so that she gets(moksh) freedom from birth and death, that too she dedicated to Lord Krishna by saying "Shri Krishnaarpnamastu", the plane dashed against the walls of the temple and broke into pieces.

The story indicates that all your happiness, sorrows, your day to day chores dedicate to Almighty, give it to Shri Krishna, he will take care and do the needful. You will be atleast relieved from tensions and worries. Let him take the burden and relax. The will be no depression. But be sincere in your dedication.