The Deity Who Came as a Witness

Centuries ago, in a small village in the Andhra region, lived Keshav, a good-natured young man. Having lost his parents as a child, he was cherished by the villagers. His father had left behind enough property for Keshav to live comfortably. However, Keshav’s heart longed for more than mere comfort; he desired the love of Kumudini, the sweet daughter of a priest, and he believed that true happiness could only be attained if he could marry her.

A Pilgrimage to Brindavan

In those days, people traveled in groups to distant places for safety. Once, a group from Keshav’s village went on a pilgrimage to Brindavan, the ancient town sanctified by the memory of Krishna. The party included Keshav and the priest. While in Brindavan, the priest fell seriously ill and needed constant care. Despite the joys of exploring the sacred site, Keshav chose to stay by the priest’s bedside, calling physicians and procuring medicine. Thanks to Keshav’s dedicated nursing, the priest’s life was saved.

The Promise and Disappointment

Although the priest eventually regained his strength, he remained too weak to walk. Their companions returned to the village, leaving Keshav and the priest behind. One evening, the priest, filled with gratitude, declared to Keshav, “My son! I have a daughter who is greatly sought after. I have decided to make you my son-in-law, provided you have no objections.”

“Objections?” exclaimed Keshav. “I would consider myself the luckiest man alive if I could marry your daughter!” However, upon their return to the village, the priest quickly forgot his promise. The village landlord, who had lost his wife, proposed to marry Kumudini, and the priest eagerly accepted, despite the landlord being much older.

The Quest for Justice

Frustrated and heartbroken, Keshav sought help from the villagers, narrating his plight. Some laughed, while others shrugged in sympathy. The village leaders questioned him, asking, “You claim the priest promised his daughter to you. But when we asked him, he flatly denied it. Can you bring any witnesses to support your claim?”

Keshav stumbled over his words, recalling that several people were present in the temple during the priest’s promise, but they hadn’t paid attention to them. Then, a spark of hope illuminated his face as he declared, “The deity of the temple, Gopalji, must have heard us, for the Lord hears everything!”

A Divine Appeal

A villager jokingly remarked, “Then you must ask the Lord to come and speak for you!” Taking the suggestion seriously, Keshav journeyed back to Brindavan. Upon arrival, he prostrated himself before the deity, pleading, “Lord, you alone can rescue me from the treachery of the priest. I will die of heartbreak if I cannot marry Kumudini.” Exhausted from weeping, Keshav fell asleep and dreamt of Gopalji, who instructed him to return home without looking back, assuring him that he would follow, and his anklets would signal his presence.

The Moment of Truth

Keshav awoke, traversed homeward, and heard the enchanting sound of tinkling anklets following him. Despite the urge to look back, he resisted until he reached the outskirts of his village. As dawn broke and he spotted his village, he could hardly contain his excitement and quickened his pace. Suddenly, the tinkling ceased, and in shock, he turned around. There stood the beautiful deity—who turned to stone at the moment Keshav looked upon him. The sound of the anklets had stopped because the sand had entered the tiny metal cells.

Astonishment Among the Villagers

Keshav begged the deity to resume walking, but it was in vain. Heartbroken, he rushed to the village and recounted everything to the villagers. Awed and amazed, they flocked to the spot where the statue had appeared. The deity’s presence was proof enough of Keshav’s claim. The priest, filled with joy, promptly arranged for Keshav’s marriage to Kumudini on the nearest auspicious day. Because the deity had come as a witness, he was honored as ‘Sakshi Gopal.’

The Legacy of Sakshi Gopal

Sakshi Gopal can still be found not far from Puri. A king of Kalinga, enchanted by the deity, carried him there and constructed a temple in his honor. Time has passed, but Sakshi Gopal continues to be worshipped by countless devotees.