
Elephant Apple (Chalta)
The Vṛndāvana forest was as sanctified as the clear mind of a devotee and was full of bees, flowers and fruits. There were chirping birds and clear-water lakes, with waters that could relieve one of all fatigue. Sweet-smelling breezes blew always, refreshing the mind and body. Kṛṣṇa, with His friends and Balarāma, entered the forest and, seeing the favorable situation, desired to enjoy the atmosphere to the fullest extent. Kṛṣṇa saw all the trees, overloaded with fruits and fresh twigs, bending down to touch the ground as if welcoming Him by touching His lotus feet. He was very much pleased by the behavior of the trees, fruits and flowers, and He began to smile, realizing their desires.
(KB 15)
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu began to embrace each and every tree and creeper, and they began to offer their fruits and flowers as if in meditation.
(CC Madhya 17.204)
“My devotees . . .” God is not . . . the Lord is not in need of our offering, but still, He is so kind, if we offer Him something . . . patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyam. Not that we have to offer him very luxurious things, very highly valuable things. He says that even a piece of leaf, patraṁ, a piece of flower, patraṁ puṣpam, a piece of fruit and little water . . . that means these four things can be secured by any poor man in any part of the world.
There is no botheration for securing a piece of leaf, a piece of flower a little water or a piece of fruit. Any poor man, any rich man can secure. And the Lord says, patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ yo me bhaktyā prayacchati (BG 9.26): “Anyone who offers Me these four things with devotion, with love, I accept them.” “I accept them.” Why? Now, tad ahaṁ bhaktyā upahṛtam aśnāmi: “Because that is secured with sincere love for Me.” So God . . . the Lord accepts our love.
(661105 – Lecture Brahma-samhita 05.29-41 and Purport – New York)