Value of Vaishnav Association

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Value of Vaishnav Association

 

 

 

Once the great sage Narada was intrigued by a doubt. He was sure that Lord

Vishnu would clear it for him. He proceeded to the Ocean of Milk and found his

Lord reclining on the giant hooded serpent-bed Shankarshana, His beautiful

consort, Lakshmi devi beside Him.

 

Sage Narada offered his obeisance to Lord Vishnu and put his question to Him.

" Oh Lord, what is the value of Vaishnava Satsang, the Association of Vaishnava

Devotees? "

Lord Vishnu smiled charmingly and said, " I will answer your question. But first

you must do something for me. Look at that village on planet Earth. Can you see

a small worm crawling on the ground over there? "

With his yogic vision, Sage Narada perceived it and nodded.

" Go over there and ask your question to that worm. I'm sure you'll get your

answer. "

 

Sage Narada was puzzled, but he nevertheless did as instructed. In response, the

worm looked up at him, promptly rolled over and died.

Sage Narada was shocked. He hurried back to Lord Vishnu and told Him what had

happened.

Lord Vishnu merely smiled and told him, " Oh, is that so? Never mind. Now do one

more thing. Go over to that cow-shed you see over there, in that town. A calf

was born there a while ago. Please ask the same question to that calf. "

Sage Narada was still recovering from what had happened earlier.

 

" Oh no, my Lord! What if that calf dies as well? I cannot risk committing the

unforgivable crime of `go-hatya'! "

Lord Vishnu however, was able to persuade him and sage Narada left on his new

mission. Warily, he made his way into the cow-shed. It was in the middle of the

night and he approached the calf unnoticed. He put the same question to the

calf. In response, the calf looked at him with its large brown eyes. And then

rolled over and died!

Sage Narada was horrified. Using all the yogic powers at his disposal, he fled

the scene and arrived at the abode of Lord Vishnu, shaking with fear.

" Oh my Lord! What have I done! The worst sin expected of anyone; the killing of

the animal most dear to you! "

Lord Vishnu pacified the trembling sage and assured him that no sin would accrue

to him.

" And in the bargain, my Lord, I haven't even got the answer to my question?! "

sage Narada complained.

Lord Vishnu smiled and told him that he would have to do just one last thing for

him.

" You see that vast kingdom over there? The Queen has just given birth to her

first child. All you have to do is ask that child your question and you will get

your answer. "

" No, my Lord! Please don't ask me to go there. I have no doubt that some harm

will befall that child as well. I simply cannot take that chance. "

But Lord Vishnu remained adamant. What could the sage do? Nervously, he set

forth towards planet Earth.

Arriving on the balcony where the young prince was lying unattended, sage Narada

cautiously approached him. The baby looked at him and gurgled with joy.

Hesitatingly, the great sage asked the child, " What is the value of Vaishnava

Satsang?'

The child looked at sage Narada, and to his surprise, began to speak.

 

" O great Sage. Your question has already been answered. When you, the greatest

of Vaishnavas, had first granted me your association, I was an insignificant

worm. As a result of my contact with you, I left that body and was awarded the

body of the most pious animal, the calf.

You graced me with your association once more, and I left that body to gain the

birth of the prince and heir of this vast kingdom. And by your causeless mercy,

you have granted me your exalted association yet again.

Now I have no doubt that this is my last birth on this Earth. Your association

will help me attain that Supreme Destination; the abode of Lord Hari Himself! "

 

 

Srila Prabhupada says:

 

" A pure devotee considers a moment's association with another pure devotee to be

far superior to residing in a heavenly planet or merging in the Brahman

effulgence. The topmost benediction for those who are living in this material

world and are subjected to the repetition of birth and death (transmigration) is

association with pure devotees. One should search out such pure devotees and

remain with them. That will make one completely happy, even though living within

the material world. This Krishna consciousness movement is started for that

purpose. A person who is overly affected materially may take advantage of this

movement and become intimately associated with it. In this way the confused and

frustrated inhabitants of this material world may find the highest happiness in

association with devotees.

 

The value of a moment's association with the devotee of the Lord cannot even be

compared to the attainment of heavenly planets or liberation from matter, and

what to speak of worldly benedictions in the form of material prosperity, which

are for those who are meant for death.

 

Even half a moment's association with pure devotees within this world of birth

and death is a priceless treasure for any man.

 

It is stated in Caitanya-caritamrta (Madhya 22.54):

'sadhu-sanga ', 'sadhu-sanga '-sarva-sastre kaya

lava-matra sadhu-sange sarva-siddhi haya

 

 

- The verdict of all revealed scriptures is that by even a moment's association

with a pure devotee, one can attain all success. "