Offense against Sri Rasika Murari at Nagpur

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Glory to Syamananda, the life of this world, whose feet are served by

Rasika. It was the habit of Sri Rasika to travel throughout the land,

delivering all living entities and inducing both humans and demigods to

float in love of Krsna. While going to Nagpur he traveled through a forest

where a wicked Kola King lived. The King, with the assistance of twenty of

his Kola companions, loved to oppress brahmanas and ascetics as well as

other kings and common people. He spared no one. Indeed, the entire area

trembled at the mere mention of his name.

 

Messengers reported to the King that a great saint who was the guru of the

King of Utkala had come there along with many other saints and a large

cargo. The wicked despot instructed his followers, "Go block the road and

stop them. When it becomes dark we shall kill them and take everything they

have. Do not let any of them escape."

 

Under his order hundreds of his followers cordoned off the area so that

Rasika's party could not move. Rasika came to know of the plot and told his

followers, "Come and sit around me. Just chant the names of the Lord and do

not try to go anywhere." They did as he instructed but still they were

afraid. They said, "We will not live another day. No one can escape from the

hands of this demon." Prabhu continued to instruct them to meditate on

Krsna. He sat in the midst of them looking like the moon surrounded by

stars, and together they chanted the names of Hari.

 

The local people began thinking that Prabhu, who previously tamed wild

tigers and elephants, was today going to be imprisoned by the wicked King.

Others remarked that the Prabhu who was able to order the gods of heaven had

now come under the control of a demon.

 

Rasika, however, was not at all anxious. He continued happily chanting the

name of Krsna. During the first half of the night they remained without

taking food or water. Meanwhile, as the wicked King waited for the arrival

of night in his private chambers, four stout persons suddenly entered his

room. Catching him by the hair, they began to beat him severely. His life's

air came to the edge of his throat and he screamed in fear. Although he

could not see anyone in the room he heard them say, "How dare you try to

kill Rasika! His power is such that it makes both demigods and demons

tremble. He is served by the three worlds. He has distributed love and

devotion of Krsna to all and he has clarified the message of devotion

concealed in the Vedas. You have committed a sin against such a noble

personality. Now you must go and fall at his feet. It is only for this

reason that we are sparing your life. You and your followers should now go

and take initiation in harinama. With the help of this Prabhu learn how to

be servants of Lord Krsna."

 

The King heard all this as he lay bleeding from the mouth and from several

other wounds. As his wives, children, relatives and followers all came to

him he tried to make them understand what had happened. Although he could

not speak, by his gestures he made them understand that he had been beaten

by some invisible personalities. He revived his consciousness for a few

seconds and then said, "I have been severely punished and received

instruction that Rasika Murari is an embodiment of Lord Narayana." He also

explained the glories of Rasika saying, "I have sinned against such an

exalted personality. Let us go and fall at his lotus feet. I was ignorant of

his position."

 

The wicked King along with his friends and relatives went to Rasika to fall

at his feet. As he arrived there Rasika was still sitting with his disciples

discussing topics of Lord Krsna. As the King offered his obeisances Rasika

immediately took him in his arms. By the touch of Rasika he gained

enlightenment. Then taking hold of his feet he began to cry. He said, "Not

being aware of your glory I have sinned against you. I am a sinner but you

are an ocean of mercy. You are the only resort for helpless beings. Please

favor me and my family by giving us devotion to Krsna and save us from

destruction. You are the friend of the three worlds, the soul of all

creatures and an ocean of mercy." The king's words pleased Rasika and he

initiated him and his family into harinama.