<Prev |  Next>

The Khaji of Puliya got up right then and said-“All these are unnecessary questions. It is your duty to punish the violator of Muslim laws. So, Haridas must start studying and reciting the holy books of the Muslims. If not, let him face punishment. He can decide for himself.” Poor judge! He was unable to speak anything against either the Khaji or the Muslim religion; nor did he desire to punish Haridas. But Haridas replied daringly-“I have said what I wanted to. I shall not abandon Nãmasankirtan even for the severest punishments. Even if my body is chopped into pieces I shall never desert the Name of Lord Hari till my last breath.”

This response confused the judge. He looked at the Khaji, not knowing what punishment should be accorded to Haridas. The Khaji said- “Huzoor! This is the first time such a thing has taken place. His punishment must be very severe, so that it instills fear in others and prevents another person from committing this blunder. He must be whipped and simultaneously dragged through the 22 market streets of the village. The painful flogging should take away his life. Only then will others desist from such a sinful act.”

Since the Mulukhpathi had no other option, he too penned it down as his statement of punishment. The servants who were to punish Haridas bound him and dragged him through the streets thrashing him severely with a whip. Due to the incessant whip -lashes, the tender skin of Haridas tore and blood gushed out profusely. Inspite of that, the brutal servants showered thrashings upon those very wounds. Names of Hari echoed relentlessly in a sweet voice from Haridas’s mouth. He seemed least affected by the pain.

Unable to view this gruesome scene, people closed their eyes in the market streets. Few sobbed bitterly. But, even the slightest moan of pain was not heard from Haridas. Blissfully, chanting the names of Hari, he went along with the servants. He had now been dragged along all market streets and whipped all the while. His lacerated body was bleeding in excess. Yet, life had not left his body.

The awestruck servants said-“We have never seen such a man. Men usually die in ten or twenty thrashings. Some faint before they receive 5 or 10 whip-lashes. Having been flogged innumerable times, he has not moaned even once in pain. If he is alive, we will also be punished. Surely the power of his chanting has saved him. Let us also surrender to him.” Saying so, they asked Haridas-“What shall we do?”

Due to his compassion towards the servants of the Khaji who gave the thrashings, Haridas prayed to Prabhu and fainted. Taking him to be dead, the servants dragged him to the judge. The Khaji said to the judge-“If we bury him in a pit according to the Muslim law, he would get liberation. He is a traitor of our religion and it would be appropriate to throw him into the Ganges.” Accordingly, Haridas was thrown into the current of the Ganges.

As soon as the soothing, cool waters of Mother Ganga touched his body, Haridas regained his consciousness. Floating on the current, he reached the village of Puliya. There was no limit to the joy that the villagers experienced on seeing him. News spread across the village and everybody came rushing to have darshan of Haridas. Even the Mulukhpathi and Korayi Khaji who were surprised to hear this, hurried to see Haridas.

With all humility, Mulukhpathi spoke to Haridas with folded hands-“Oblivious of your greatness, I punished you. Be merciful to forgive me. You may merrily and blissfully chant Hari Nama without any hindrance or interruption. No one will harm you anymore.”

Haridas too replied humbly-“There is no fault of yours in this. Man experiences sorrow according to his karma. Others are just incidental causes. Whatever happened was in accordance with my previous karma. There is no mistake on your part. I do not nourish any ill-feeling towards you.” The Vaishnavas of Puliya came to Haridas and repented for the condition he was in.

He addressed them as follows-“Oh! Superior Brahmins! Why do you repent? Having learnt the shastras well, do you not know that sorrow does not result without the presence of previously accumulated sins? Did I not listen to the censures of the Divine Name? It is for that, that I received this punishment. Do not lament. This distress was only to my body; I feel no grief at heart.”

To be continued...

<Prev |  Next>

Home • e-MM • Contact

Radhe Krishna