The story of Kheer Chora Gopinath is one of deep devotion and the Lord's loving response to his true bhakta. It is a cherished leela in the Vaishnava tradition, especially associated with Madhavendra Puri, the great saint of the Gaudiya Vaishnava lineage.
The Story of Kheer Chora Gopinath (The Lord Who Stole Kheer)
Once, the great devotee Sri Madhavendra Puri was on a pilgrimage to Puri Jagannath. On his way, he stopped in a small village called Remuna in Odisha. This village had a beautiful temple of Gopinath, a form of Lord Krishna.
The deity here was lovingly known as Kheer Chora Gopinath, meaning “Gopinath who stole the sweet rice”.
Every day, the pujaris (temple priests) offered twelve pots of sweet rice, or kheer, to the deity Gopinath. Madhavendra Puri, deeply devoted and renounced, witnessed this offering and thought in his heart:
“If only I could taste a bit of this kheer, I could prepare a similar offering for my Lord Gopal in Vrindavan. But alas, I cannot ask for it — that would be sense gratification.”
He immediately felt guilty for having such a thought and left for the night, silently chanting the Lord’s name.
That night, the head priest of the temple had a dream. Lord Gopinath appeared to him and said:
“My dear priest, I have kept one pot of kheer hidden behind my garments on the altar. Please take it and give it to Madhavendra Puri, who is sitting outside. I stole it for him, because he is my dear devotee.”
The priest awoke with wonder, ran to the altar, and indeed found one pot of kheer hidden behind the deity’s clothes! Overwhelmed with devotion, he took the kheer outside, found Madhavendra Puri, and offered it to him, narrating the whole divine dream.
Madhavendra Puri was moved to tears. He understood the Lord had read his unspoken desire and had lovingly stolen kheer just to fulfill it. That Gopinath came to be known as:
“Kheer Chora Gopinath” — Gopinath, the Lord who stole kheer for his devotee.
Bhakti over Rituals: The Lord responds to pure devotion, even if unspoken. He breaks all rules to fulfill a bhakta's desire.
Madhavendra Puri’s humility: He never expressed his wish aloud; yet, the Lord fulfilled it.
Lila continues today: The temple of Kheer Chora Gopinath in Remuna still offers kheer daily, and pilgrims can visit this divine spot.
In Remuna’s grove where palm trees sway,
Stands Gopinath in divine array.
With flute in hand and peacock crown,
He steals the hearts in every town.
From Vrindavan came a saint so pure,
Madhavendra Puri, silent and demure.
He traveled far with weary feet,
To taste the Lord’s love, oh so sweet.
He saw the kheer with wondrous eyes,
Twelve golden pots, a heavenly prize.
“My Gopal in Govardhan I serve,
Could I make such kheer He’d deserve?”
But he asked not, just bowed in grace,
No longing showed upon his face.
Yet Gopinath, who knows the soul,
Planned to play His loving role.
That very night, the pujari dreamed,
The Lord appeared, in golden gleam:
“A pot I’ve kept, behind My dress,
For My dear bhakta’s holiness.”
The priest awoke, amazed to see,
A hidden pot by Lord’s decree.
He found the saint, with heart so wide,
And gave him kheer, with joy and pride.
“O Puri! The Lord has heard your heart,
And stole for you His sacred part!”
Tears did fall, no word he said,
His soul was full, his ego dead.
Since that day, the world has sung,
Of Gopinath with the playful tongue.
Kheer Chora, the name so sweet,
Where bhakti and Krishna lovingly meet.
Bhajan
खीर चोर गोपीनाथ, भक्तों के प्यारे,
रमणा में रहते, वृंदा के दुलारे।
माधव पुरी आए, मन में अनुराग,
न बोले कुछ भी, न माँगी कोई माँग।
खीर देख बोले मन में यह विचार,
गोपाल को अर्पण करूँ यह उपहार।
पर बिना कहे ही लौटे वो रात,
प्रभु ने सुनी उनकी अंतर की बात।
रात को पुजारी को सपना आया,
प्रभु ने मधुर मुस्कान दिखाया।
“एक खीर की हाँडी मैंने छुपाई,
अपने भक्त के लिए मैंने चुराई।”
पुजारी ने वह खीर पहुँचाई,
पुरी के नेत्रों में अश्रु भर आई।
प्रेम का ऐसा अनुपम प्रसाद,
गोपीनाथ की अद्भुत बात।
जो मांगे न कुछ, पर सच्चा हो प्रीत,
प्रभु स्वयं देते हैं अमृत की रीत।
खीर चोर गोपीनाथ नाम महान,
भक्तों के मन में बसे भगवान।
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