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The elderly Brahmin immediately said, “If Gopala personally comes
here to bear witness, I shall surely give my daughter to the young
Brahmin.” The son also agreed. We should note that whereas the
elderly Brahmin was hopeful that Gopala would actually come, and
thereby uphold the promise he had made, the atheistic son
thought, “It is not possible for Gopala to come and bear witness.”
Thus both father and son were in agreement.

With full faith in Gopala, the young Brahmin started at once for
Vrindavana, and upon his arrival he narrated everything in detail to
the Deity. “My dear Lord, I am not thinking to become happy by
getting the daughter as a bride. I am simply thinking that the Brah-
min has broken his promise, and that is giving me great pain. You
are very merciful and You know everything. Therefore, kindly be a
witness in the case.”

Lord Krishna spoke, “I’ve never heard of a Deity walking from one
place to another!”

The Brahmin replied, “That is true, but how is it that you are speak-
ing to me, although You are a Deity? My dear Lord, You are not a
statue; You are directly the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord
Krishna Himself!”

Lord Gopala smiled, and said, “ My dear Brahmin, just listen to Me.
I shall walk behind you, and in this way I shall go with you. Do not
try to see Me by turning around. As soon as you see Me, I shall re-
main stationary in that very place. You will know that I am walking
behind you by the sound of My ankle bells. Cook one kilo of rice
daily and offer it to Me. I shall eat that rice and follow behind you.”
The next day the Brahmin started for his country, and Gopala fol-
lowed him step by step. The Brahmin became very pleased to hear
the tinkling sound of Gopala’s ankle bells, and every day he cooked
first class rice for Gopala to eat. The Brahmin walked and walked in
this way until he eventually arrived outside his village. Then he
thought, “I shall go to my home and tell all the people that the wit-
ness has arrived.” Thinking this, he turned to look back, and saw
that Gopala was standing there, smiling. The Lord said, “Now you
can go home. I shall stay here and shall not leave.”