Lord Krishna has a special place in the beliefs of Hindu religion. He is worshiped in every house. At some places he is worshiped as Laddu Gopal and at other places he is worshiped as Kanhaji. Laddu Gopalji is considered to be the child form of Lord Krishna, who is served in the same way as one nurtures and brings up his newborn baby. If Laddu Gopalji resides in your house too, then it is important for you to follow some special rules. If someone wants to bring Laddu Gopal home, then there cannot be a more auspicious day than Janmashtami. People who want to install Laddu Gopal in the temple of their home must keep the rules in mind.
First of all, it is very important to keep this thing in mind that whichever house Laddu Gopal ji enters, that house becomes Laddu Gopal ji’s, hence remove from your mind the feeling that this is my house, because now he Laddu is Gopalji’s house.
Laddu Gopalji is now a member of your family, the truth is that now your family is Laddu Gopalji’s family. Therefore, Laddu Gopalji should be given the status of a respected member of the family.
All the things of Laddu Gopal should be taken care of according to the needs of the family members. Many childless couples also keep Laddu Gopal at home, so that they can get the happiness of having a child.
Laddu Gopalji is hungry for your love and your feelings and not for any special frills, hence, whatever love and affection is offered to him, he becomes your own. Laddu Gopal is the child form of Shri Krishna, hence keep him like a child. It happens. Laddu Gopal will have to be bathed regularly. For this, milk, curd, honey, Ganga water and ghee should be used especially. Laddu Gopal should be bathed by adding milk, curd, Ganga water and ghee in the conch. But while bathing, take special care that just as a member of the family takes bath with hot water in winter and cold water in summer, in the same way, choose water for bathing Laddu Gopalji according to the season. After this, wear clean washed clothes every day. After bathing Gopal, dress him like a child. Give them sandalwood tilak. They should also wear clothes according to the weather. For example, make them wear warm clothes in cold weather. Apart from this, make them up. They must have earrings, a bracelet on their wrist, anklets on their feet, a flute and peacock feathers in their hands.
Just as you feel hungry, similarly Laddu Gopalji also feels hungry, so take care of his food. Apart from food, also take care of morning breakfast and evening tea and snacks etc. If there is any food item in the house, Laddu Gopalji must also have a part in it. Offer it to Bal Gopal 4 times daily. Include only satvik food in the offering. Kanha likes butter and sugar candy very much. In such a situation, offer them butter and sugar candy. Apart from this, you can also offer Bundi laddu, kheer and halwa. If you wish, you can also offer home-cooked satvik food. Whatever we eat, we can feed it to them as well, just do not eat onion, garlic or any other tamasic food. It is believed that just as small children feel hungry again and again, similarly Laddu Gopalji also feels hungry. Therefore they should be fed from time to time. Make sure to offer him milk twice a day, because he is in the form of a small child. Make it a habit for your children to also offer milk to God whenever they eat chocolate. Whenever you offer Laddu to Gopal, Perform his aarti also. Be sure to light incense sticks during Aarti. Lord Shri Krishna is very fond of Belle flowers and banana, hence after the Aarti, definitely offer these things to him. Not only this, keep a photo of Radha Rani with them and perform aarti for her too.
According to each season, arrangements should be made to protect Laddu Gopal ji from cold and heat. They should also dress according to the weather.
Laddu Gopalji loves toys very much, bring toys for him and also play with him. Make sure to take Laddu Gopalji out for a walk from time to time.
Like all the members of the family have some relation with each other. Similarly, make some relation with Laddu Gopalji also. You can also develop a relationship with a friend or brother or any other person. If you have considered him as your brother, then definitely tie Rakhi on the day of Rakshabandhan. And also give him a gift. Make sure to give a lovely name to your Laddu Gopal ji.
Make sure to put Laddu Gopalji to sleep every night. Just like you put a small child to sleep with love, in the same way make him sleep, pat him and sing a lullaby. After this, swing the swing while singing a lullaby. Don’t forget to close the curtain on the swing. Sleep only after putting Bal Gopal to sleep at night. Just as we sleep covered with a blanket in winter and a thin sheet in summer, similarly make Gopal sleep as well. Just as we lift our children in the morning, lift them with love too. If we say good morning to children then we should say good morning to them too.
Actually, on every Janmashtami, Laddu Gopal ji is worshiped with great pomp, but if you know the date on which Laddu Gopal ji entered the house, then consider that date as the birthday of Laddu Gopal ji. Be sure to celebrate his birthday on that date of the year, call the children home and celebrate the birthday of Laddu ji with them and distribute toys to the children.
Bal Gopal is considered the youngest member of the family. Having Bal Gopal means keeping a small child in the house. That is why you will have to take care of them in the same way as you take care of a small child at home. Therefore, never leave Bal Gopal alone at home. If you are going somewhere for a long time, take them with you. If it is not possible, then give the keys of the house and the responsibility of Laddu Gopal to a neighbor or relative. It would be best if you leave Gopal with a relative or friend. If someone has Gopal at home then it will be very good because along with his Gopal, he will be able to take care of your Gopal as well.
Dress your Laddu Gopal according to the festival and day. Like yellow clothes on Monday, red on Tuesday, green on Wednesday, yellow or orange on Thursday, your favorite clothes on Friday, blue on Saturday, white on Sunday etc. Whenever festivals come, dress Gopal in new clothes just like we do. These days, we get so many beautiful clothes for Gopal. Dress him in outer clothes too. During summer days, just dress him in underwear and vest in the evening and you will look exactly like a child. Always keep the fan running, and if this is not possible for you, then keep them sitting near you. If your financial condition is not good, then always tell them that I am able to keep you the same as you have kept me. And I always I will keep you the same as I am. After this, if ever your problems go away in life, do not forget your promise.
Whenever any auspicious work is done in our house, first of all involve them. Keep them with you in every happiness and sorrow. Whatever be the work, entrust the responsibilities to him, he fulfills his responsibilities very well. If Gopal ji is served in your house, he never lets any bad thing happen. He always takes care of your family.