Friday, April 18, 2008

Immediately that dumb boy gained divine knowledge and started dancing, singing the Divine Names, `Rama' and `Krishna'

Nama Article 18th April 2008
 
Source: Vaishnava Samhita
 

Once Shri Bodhendra Swamigal was going from village to village to bless the people with spiritual gains by initiating them into the continuous chanting of the Divine Names. Shri Bodhendra Swamigal was clad in saffron and was wearing a long oordvapundra tilak on his forehead. He had a calm and pleasant smile on his countenance, and was wearing a rosay of Tulasi beads, was holding the staff of a saint and was filled with compassion for all beings. He was chanting ceaselessly `Shri Rama, Rama, Rama….' with his eyes drenched with tears of spiritual joy. He was seen in a state of ecstasy, hairs standing on end. Seeing Shri Bodhendra Swamigal in this state, a beahmana paid his respects to him and humbly invited him to have a meal in his house. Shri Bhagavannama Bodhendra accepted the request of the large-hearted brahmana and went to his house. That blessed brahmana bathed the feet of the yati and offered him worship, with tears of joy drenching his face. That brahmana fed Bodhendra Swamigal with all earnestness and respect. While the sage was having his meal, he was sitting near him reciting the Upanishads.

 

In the meantime the five-year old dumb son of that brahmana sought various dishes by gestures. The compassionate yatishwara became very sad to see that dumb child and he shed tears of sympathy. `Alas! How will this child be able to do kirtan of the DivineNames of Shripati (the Lord of Devi Lakshmi), the Ocean of Mercy?

 

Is not the chanting of the Divine Names the only panacea for men in this Kaliyuga who engage in varied sinful activities? Oh! This dumb boy will not be able to sing the Divine Names of Shri Hari. How will he attain spiritual well-being here and now? Thus becoming sad, Shri Bodhendra Swamigal got up from his seat, washed his hand and went to the verandah of the house.

 

At that time, the brahmana prostrated himself before the Swamigal with ardent devotion and tried to console him, saying that all the beings of the world reap what they have sown in their previous births. After the ascetic left that place, without delay that dumb boy eagerly took the remnants of his prasad.

 

Immediately that boy gained divine knowledge and started dancing, singing the Divine Names, `Rama' and `Krishna' with abiding devotion.

 

Finding that young boy chanting the Divine Names thus, the brahmana was surprised and he became immensely happy. From that day, approaching the preceptor Shri Bodhendra, that boy rendered him all possible service with affection and became blessed with spiritual well-being.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

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