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Later came the turn of the other devotees of Mahaprabhu. Advaitãchãrya, Srivas Pandit, Vasudev and others prayed for “Ahaituki” devotion (devotion not impelled by any cause or desire). Haridas always considered himself to be a very lowly person and felt that he had the least devotion. So he stood in a corner with inhibition. Prabhu asked, “Where is Haridas? Bring him to me immediately.” Everybody’s eyes scanned the room in search of Haridas. But Haridas was hiding himself behind all the devotees. He was in a semi-conscious state due to overwhelming love and devotion. With effort the other devotees managed to bring Haridas before the eyes of Prabhu.

Prabhu addressed him lovingly- “Haridas! Never consider yourself as lowly. You the best among all! Both of us belong to the same kind. Those who think of you are verily worshipping Me. I am always with you. I was there with you when those thrashings fell on your back. I was the one who experienced the lashings. Look! The marks of the lashings are still there on my back. I take upon myself the troubles of my devotees. That’s why even the most heinous problems fail to affect my devotees. Those who trouble my devotees are indeed troubling me. You did not pray for the destruction of the evil-minded ones! You prayed that -“Let their mind be purified and they be uplifted”. So will I purify and rectify all the evil-minded people by my sweet NãmaSankirtan! Ask of me all your heartfelt boons!”

Folding his hands Haridas spoke in a low voice-“Oh! Lord! The Supreme among those who bestow boons! Oh! The most compassionate one! Love incarnate! If you desire to bless me with boons, then grant me that I shall remain in poverty and be dispassionate and consider myself lowly. Let no desire, other than to ever be the servant of the Lord, sprout in my heart. Let me always enjoy the bliss of bearing the dust of the Holy Feet of Vaishnavas as an ornament for my head. Let the devotion for the Holy Feet of Vaishnavas be deeply rooted in me. These are the boons I ask from you!”

Cheers of joy rose among the devotees on hearing to these prayers. All hailed Haridas’s prayers. Prabhu was also very happy and his face lit with a gentle smile.

To be continued...

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