Kirtan every evening in Srivãsa Pundit’s house. Mahãprabhu permitted only those with bhakti/bhãva (bhãvukas) to participate in the Nãmakirtan. The doors were closed and incessant chanting of “Hare Krishna…….” Mahãmantra went on all through the night into the early hours of morning. Mahãprabhu never sang any other kirtan. Occasionally, he would recite a sloka from Srimad Bhãgavatam. The place was a “PREMA SAAGARA” (ocean of divine love).

During this period, this part of the country was under the rule of a Muslim king. He had appointed a Khãji as his local representative in Navadweep. Some Brahmins of the Agrahãra (street where the Brahmins live) who were jealous of Mahãprabhu sent an anonymous letter to the Khãji in which they warned him that since Nãmasankirtan was not prescribed by the shastras, great misery would befall the kingdom where it was performed and the king would die!

Immediately, the Khãji issued an order banning the performance of Nãmasankirtan and arrest of those who dared to perform Nãmakirtan. Out of respect and fear none informed Mahãprabhu about this order of the Khãji. But, gradually the number of participants went down. Srivãsa Pundit, too, feared arrest by the Khãji and a fall in his social status. He was also worried about the harassment that he might have to face if thrown in a prison cell. But at the same time, he was afraid to express his feelings to Mahãprabhu.

One morning, Mahãprabhu was performing pãrãyana of Srimad Bhãgavatam in his house. When he reached the chapter on Nrisimha Avatar, he went into Nrisimha bhãva. From Bhakta bhãva, he went to Bhagavad bhãva. He rushed to Srivãsa Pundit’s house in that bhãva and knocked at his door. Srivãsa Pundit was to perform puja to Nrisimha Sãlagrãmam. On opening the door, he found Mahãprabhu. He understood Mahãprabhu’s bhãva and in place of the Sãlagrãmam, he performed puja to Mahãprabhu chanting the Purusha Suktha. Mahãprabhu in Nrisimha bhãva said “Srivãsa! You perform puja and worship me. Why are you afraid to perform Nãmasankirtan? I will make sure that Hari nãma plays in everyone’s tongue. I will make the dumb, the fool, the worst sinner, the scholar, animals and birds chant Hari nãma. In spite of all my efforts if I find someone who does not chant Hari nãma, I will tear him into pieces like Hiranyakashipu”.

He then roared, “Let me prove this to you!” He went upto the cradle where Nãrãyani, Srivãsa Pundit’s six month old granddaughter, was sleeping and told the baby, “Nãrãyani! Chant Hari nãma!” The baby clapped its hands and chanted “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna ……”. Srivãsa Pundit was stunned. Mahãprabhu then fell unconscious. On waking up, he had no recollection of what had occurred. He wondered how he got there.

A few days later, the new order of the Khãji was brought to Mahãprabhu’s knowledge. He immediately decided to perform “Nagara Sankirtan” (Nãmasankirtan as a procession in the streets) and performed Nãmakirtan right in front of the Khãji’s residence. Many joined the Sankirtan. Looking at the tremendous response to Mahãprabhu’s Nãmakirtan, the Khãji decided to withdraw his order.

He then invited Mahãprabhu inside and told him reverentially, “I have some Hindu friends. They have told me that Nãrãyana was their Lord. I have also heard that you are verily the form of Nãrãyana. The day after I issued the order banning Nãmakirtan, I was sleeping at home as I was unwell. I had a dream and saw a lion with the human body. The lion threatened me that he would tear me apart if I stopped anyone from performing Nãmasankirtan. The lion then pounced on me and scratched me with its sharp nails. I woke up in sheer terror and found scratch marks all over my body!”

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