Madhav Das, Krishna, and the Stolen Jackfruit

While living in Jagannath Puri, the saint Madhav Das walked by the sea each evening. He loved Krishna as his closest friend, and devotional tradition says that Krishna would appear there to talk and laugh with him.

One evening Krishna looked unusually gloomy. “What is wrong?” Madhav Das asked. Krishna replied, “It has been a long time since I enjoyed the mischief of my childhood. I want to take a jackfruit from the king's garden.”

Madhav Das tried to reason with him. “The king is my disciple. I can ask him tomorrow.” But Krishna grinned. “Asking is not the same adventure. Come with me—you are my friend here.” After much persuasion, Madhav Das agreed.

They reached the garden at night. Krishna whispered, “Climb the tree and drop a jackfruit. I will catch it. And speak softly.” Madhav Das had never tried to be sneaky. In a booming voice he asked, “Krishna, shall I climb this tree or that one?” The gardener woke at once. The two hid until he went back to sleep.

They tried again. Madhav Das climbed a tree, then called loudly, “Which jackfruit—this one or that one?” The gardener rushed out. Krishna vanished, leaving his friend in the branches. Madhav Das was caught and kept safely tied until morning.

On the road to the palace, the king recognized his own teacher and was shocked. Madhav Das stopped him from blaming the gardener. “If I do the sort of thing that gets a person caught, then I must accept being caught,” he said. At the palace he told the king the whole playful tale.

The king's eyes filled with joyful tears at the thought that Krishna had visited the garden. He dedicated the entire garden to Jagannath.

That evening, Krishna appeared again by the sea. “Well, saint,” he teased, “how was your night?” Madhav Das replied, “I was caught and you did not even bring one jackfruit. But look at me—I have brought you the whole garden!”