A story...

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When a Raja Suya sacrifice conducted by Yudishthira Maharaj ended

successfully, the bell which hung in the center of the arena was known

to ring on its own accord. Once, however, after the Brahmanas finished

all their offerings to the Supreme, the rishis, and the demigods,

everyone looked towards the bell but nothing happened. Desperate

Yudishthira asked Krishna for help. He told them that they had

worshipped all the great personalities but had neglected the simple

humble Vaisnava. Arjuna knew one such devotee who lived in a straw hut

outside Hastinapur. He went to bring him to the arena. The Vaisnava was

reluctant and only upon hearing that he would meet Krishna did he agree

to go with Arjuna on his chariot. There he was worshipped by all and

Draupadi cooked a feast for him. He mixed all the different preparation

together and ate with delight. Then he was taken back to his home and

everybody looked towards the bell. Nothing happened. Yudishthira

Maharaj was worried. There seemed to be no solution. Again the last

resort was Krishna. What mistake did we commit now? " Krishna told them,

Somebody must have offended that Vaisnava. " They asked all, but

everyone denied it. Finally, when they asked Draupadi she lowered her

head and said, Yes , I offended him. I cooked a nice feast for him, but

when he mixed all the preparations together I thought this devotee has

no culture. " Krishna confirmed that this was the offense. The next day

Arjuna went to the same devotee. Again, it was difficult to convince

him to return but finally he could not reject Arjuna's pleading. He was

worshipped and Draupadi cooked another, even bigger feast for him. He

mixed all the preparations together and as he ate the last morsel of

food, the bell started to ring with great force and all the assembly

rejoiced.---Swami B. A. Paramadvaiti

 

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