<Prev |  Next>

Srivãs Pundit's child had passed away late in the evening. The bhajan continued until midnight. How long could one keep this secretive? The news started spreading among the devotees slowly and subtly. Anyone who heard the news would immediately stop the Kirtan and become silent. Thus, the instruments stopped one by one. Mahãprabhu too, slowly stopped the dance and asked Srivãs Pundit, "Has anything bad befallen your home? Why is it that my mind does not get involved in the Kirtan? There is a disturbance in my mind!"

In a meek voice, Srivãs Pundit replied, "Prabhu! How could something bad befall in a place where you are performing Kirtan? Are you not the one who destroys all the bad? Bad deeds will verily fear to come near you! You are verily benign and holy!"

Prabhu strongly said, "No! Tell me the truth! My mind is disturbed. Something has befallen. It is as if my heart would break!" Seeing that Prabhu is adament, Srivãs Pundit remained silent. Slowly a devotee said, "Srivãs Pundit's son died."

Instantly, with surprise and awe, Prabhu said, "What did you say? Has your son passed away? Panditji! Why did you not utter a word?" The devotee continued, "Prabhu! It is long since the child breathed its last! Srivãs Pundit had strictly instructed everyone not to blurt it out fearing that it would come in the way of your blissful dance."

Hearing this, tears flowed down Prabhu's eyes. He said, "Srivãs, You have indeed taken over Lord Krishna. Such a staunch Bhakti! How could you perform Nãma Kirtan so adorably, having your only son's corpse inside the house? Hail your Bhakti and love for Lord Krishna! Just by having a darshan of Bhaktas like you, one can get rid of sins of a million births!" Saying so, he started weeping unbearably.

Seeing Mahãprabhu cry, Srivãs Pundit said, "Prabhu! I may have been smart enough to bear the death of my son; but I cannot bear the sight of your weeping like this! You are the savior of all beings. Please donot put me into sorrow by wetting your eyes. I cannot just stand it."

Meanwhile, the corpse was placed in the center of the hall. Prabhu sat by the head and gently stroking the head of the corpse, spoke lovingly, as if speaking to a living being, "Oh Jiva! Where are you? Why did you leave this body?" Surprisingly, the corpse spoke, "Prabhu! I am bound by karma. My samskãras with this body get over today. I have gone. I am happy and am at a very noble state now." This could be heard by all the close devotees of Prabhu.

Prabhu questioned, "Can't you stay in this body for some more time?" and came the reply, "Prabhu, you are omniscient! You are verily one who could destroy all prãrabda! But, I can reside in this body only until today. I don't wish to stay in it any longer, either, as I am at a more blissful state now."

These words put off the sorrow and 'moha' (desire) of everyone present. Prabhu said, "Srivãs, you know everything! Your samskãras with the child are only for so long. Hence you considered him as your son. Henceforth, myself and Nityãnanda are your sons! Consider us as verily your sons!" Srivãs Pundit was moved by Prabhu's words.

He performed all the rites for his dead son as prescribed. Can he be called a common man, who was not disturbed by even the demise of his only beloved son?

Sri Hari Yogeswara says, in Srimad Bhãgavatam,

bhagavata uru-vikramãnghri-s'ãkhã nakha-mani-candrikayã nirasta-tãpe |
hridi katham upasidatãm punah saprabhavati candra ivoditerka-tãpah || (11.2.54)

It means, a bhakta, whose mind is soothed by the moonlight-like effulgence emanating from the soft and rosy Feet of the Lord and the joy attained by the service to the Lord, is not disturbed by the sorrow caused by the loss of worldly comforts.

Thus, there are innumerable Lilas of Bhaktas. It is beyond the understanding of the brain! Only those to whom the Lord showers his grace, get such a divine feeling for Mahãpurushas. Mahãprabhu's divine plays brim with love, for, Prabhu was verily an embodiment of love!

To be continued...

<Prev |  Next>

Home • e-MM • Contact

Radhe Krishna