At the lotus feet of Haridasa Thakura

[Guest guest]

HARIDASA THAKURA DELIVERS A PROSTITUTE

 

After offering obeisances to the Tulasi plant and Haridasa Thakura, she

sat down on the threshold of the room. Thus she began to hear Haridasa

Thakura's chanting, and she also personally chanted "Hari, Hari," the holy

name of the Lord. "Today it will be possible for me to finish my chanting,"

Haridasa Thakura informed her. "Then I shall satisfy all your desires."

 

The night ended while Haridasa Thakura was chanting, but by his

association the mind of the prostitute had changed. The prostitute, now

purified, fell at the lotus feet of Haridasa Thakura and confessed that

Ramachandra Khan had appointed her to pollute him. "Because I have taken the

profession of a prostitute," she said, "I have performed unlimited sinful

acts. My lord, be merciful to me. Deliver my fallen soul. Kindly act as my

spiritual master. Instruct me in my duty, by which I can get relief from

material existence."

 

Haridasa Thakura replied, "Immediately go home and distribute to the

brahmanas whatever property you have. Then come back to this room and stay

here forever in Krsna consciousness. Chant the Hare Krsna mantra

continuously and render service to the Tulasi plant by watering her and

offering prayers to her. In this way you will very soon get the opportunity

to be sheltered at the lotus feet of Krsna."

 

Thus the prostitute became a celebrated devotee. She became very advanced

in spiritual life, and many stalwart Vaisnavas would come to see her. Seeing

the sublime character of the prostitute, everyone was astonished. Everyone

glorified the influence of Haridasa Thakura and offered him obeisances.

 

It is said one is recognized by the result of his actions. In Vaisnava

society there are many types of Vaisnavas. Some of them are called goswamis,

some are called swamis, some are prabhus, and some are prabhupada. One is

not recognized, however, simply by such a name. A spiritual master is

recognized as an actual guru when it is seen that he has changed the

character of his disciples. Haridasa Thakura actually changed the character

of the professional prostitute. People greatly appreciated this, and

therefore they all offered obeisances to Haridasa Thakura and glorified him.

 

Although Krsna wants everyone to surrender to His lotus feet, because of

people's sinful activities they cannot do this. Rascals and fools, the

lowest of men, who engage in sinful activities, cannot suddenly surrender to

the lotus feet of Krsna. Nevertheless, if they begin chanting the Hare Krsna

mantra and rendering service unto the Tulasi plant, they will very soon be

able to surrender. One's real duty is to surrender to the lotus feet of

Krsna, but if one is unable to do so, he should adopt this process, as

introduced by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His most confidential servant,

Namacharya Srila Haridasa Thakura. This is the way to achieve success in

Krsna consciousness. (CC Antya-lila 3.128-143)

 

My dear Lord, I beg Your Lordship to bless me by the association of Your

devotees, who are completely purified by worshiping Your lotus feet and who

are so merciful upon the conditioned souls. I think that Your real

benediction will be to allow me to associate with such devotees. (Lord Shiva

SB 4.24.58)