Srinathji -15

Mukulaayamaana nayanaambujam vibho

Murali ninada makaranda nirbharam

Mukuraayamaana mrudu ganta mantalam

Mukha pankajam manasi mei vijrumbhathaam.

       Radhekrishna! 'Let the lord's eyes which resemble lotus buds, soft and mirror like cheeks, lotus like face filled with the honey of venu ganam (flute) appear in my mind' prays Leela Sukar in Krishna Karnamritham.

        We saw in the last issue that a  Muslim merchant became devoted to Lord Srinathji simply by hearing His leelas. He reached Brindavan in search of the Lord and was not allowed to go inside the temple to see the Lord. He pleaded with the Govardhana mountain to let him go inside the temple. He kept begging at the people who passed that way to tell Srinathji about himself and seek His permission to let him see the Lord. Raskhan forgot everything, his family, his business and everything. He had only one goal in his life now - to see Srinathji! At a certain stage it was impossible for him to spend even a minute without seeing the Lord. 

      Lord Srinathji decided that Raskhan was now mature enough to receive His blessings. He sent Sri Vittalnath to Raskhan. Seeing Vittalnath coming out Raskhan came rushing towards him and fell down at his feet. He begged the sadguru to show him the Lord. He was sorry that he had not enough devotion. Even then with the sadguru's blessings he can have darsan of the Lord. He begged with Vittalnath with tears in his eyes. Vittalnath was moved by his devotion and took hold of Raskhan's hand. 
'Hey Raskhan! Come with me. I will take you to Lord Srinath.'

Ras: 'Ah. What do you say? Do you say that I can come inside the    
       temple and have Srinathji's darsan?
Vitta: 'Of course! Only you deserve His darsan my boy!'
Hearing this Raskhan was overwhelmed with happiness and jumped up. Full of excitement he began to pull Vittalnath inside. Now it was the turn of other devotees to stare at Raskhan with wonder. Nobody could stop him since he was with Sri Vittalnath. Vittalnath made him stand before the deity and asked him to look at the Lord. Raskhan was wonderstruck. The Lord appeared as much as the 'pouranika' had described. He could see the actual 'neela bala', who was chubby, with curly hair, red lips, lotus like hands feet and eyes, exactly as the 'pouranika' had described. Tears ran down his cheeks. He was excited and cried out 'I have seen the neela bala'. 
    The Lord became happy with Raskhan's devotion. That is what is needed. Nobody else need to acknowledge our devotion but Bhagavan. Our devotion should be such that Bhagavan is pleased with us. What more do we need!  Raskhan settled there in Brindavan itself worshiping the Lord for the rest of his life. No need to say that he finally attained the Lord Himself. The Lord has no discrimination at all. He loves those who love Him. Raskhan loved Srinathji so much that he entirely forgot his family, assets, business etc. Pleased with his love the Lord took him. These great devotees teach us how our devotion should be. They teach us the purpose of our life itself! Radhekrishna! Radhekrishna!

Srinathji - 14

Madhurathara smithamrutha vimugdha mukhamburuham 

Madhasikhi pinchalanchitha manogya kacha prachayam 

Vishaya vishaamisha grasana grudhnushi chethasi mei 

Vipula vilochanam kimapi dhaama chakasthi chiram!

         'The beautiful lotus like face with the nectar of thy sweet smile, pleasing curly hair, wide eyes, the lustrous form which cannot be explained with words, shines in my heart which is ready to swallow the poison of worldly matters' says  Leela Suka in Krishna Karnamritham.
         Radhekrishna! For the sake of His bhakthas Lord Srinathji becomes very simple and approachable!  Another of His divine leelas! Once a gem merchant came to Mathura for selling his precious gems. He was a muslim named Raskhan! He saw a good crowd and thought that he could find a good market there. Some discourse was going on and the crowd had gathered for that only. Since he wanted to meet some prospective customers he sat in a corner and was forced to hear what the 'pauranika' was saying. Fortunately at that time the pauranika was in the midst of describing Lord Krishna! He explained in detail how the Lord took the Govardhana mountain in His hand and saved the people of vraja.
         The pauranika was able to bring a clear picture of the scene. Raskhan was very much fascinated with the 'little cowherd boy with the flute'! He wondered whether there really was a blue hued boy. After the upanyas was over everybody but Raskhan left the place. The pauranika noted him and asked why he was still sitting there. He could make out that the man was a muslim. Raskhan came to him with folded hands and said that his description of the blue boy fascinated him very much. He wanted to know if he can meet the boy in person. The pauranika replied that he can very well meet the boy in Brindavan. "If you cross the Yamuna and go that side you can meet Him" he said. "Where and how will He be?" asked Raskhan. 
 "At times He would be dressed like a cowherd boy with a turban tied over His head. At times He would be playing on the sands of the bank of Yamuna with cowherd boys. Sometimes He would be playing a flute. Sometimes He would be sitting on the branch of a tree carrying with Him the Gopis' dresses" said the pauranika.
'How can I find Him'? asked Raskhan.
' He will be available for only those whom He permits to see.'
Raskhan immediately rushed towards Brindavan. He ran here and there searching for Krishna asking everybody he met on his way. At last he reached near the Govardhana mountain. Somebody informed him that Krishna was standing with the Govardhana mountain on His hand inside the temple.  Excitedly he rushed towards the temple. But he was stopped outside by the security people. They would not allow him inside since he was a muslim. Only Hindus were allowed inside the temple they said. Heart broken he cried and cried. He pleaded with them to let him see the 'blue boy' at least once. But he was denied permission. In terrible agony he kept crying in front of the temple. He forgot his family, his profession, his relatives and everything. His mind was now fully occupied with the blue boy only. He kept crying out 'Neela bala, Neela bala'! Sri Vittalnath was at that time inside the temple watching everything. But he did not interfere or utter a word. He looked at the Govardhana mountain and pleaded 'giri raja giri raja'! Whenever somebody passed that way he would rush to them and request them to tell Srinathji that a good for nothing, mean destitute was waiting outside to have His darsan. 
Will Raskhan's wish be fulfilled? Wait and see in the next issue. Till then do keep chanting the Lord's name ! Radhekrishna! Radhekrishna!

Srinathji - 13

Bhasatham bhava bhayaika bheshajam

Maanase mama muhur muhur muhur

Gopavesha upasedusha svayam

Yaapi kaapi ramaneeyatha vibho!

     'Let the only remedy for the dread of samsara (material world), which is the inexplicable, and wonderful beauty of Sri Krishna, who Himself has taken the role of a cowherd boy, shine forth in my mind again and again and again' prays Leela Suka in his Krishna Karnamritham.

            Radhekrishna! Wonderful are the leelas of Lord Srinathji! Once a servant in the temple of Srinathji happened to go to Kasi kshethra. There was a famous devotee called Paramananda in Kasi who used to conduct bhajan sessions in his place. Big crowds used to gather for his bhajans. The man who worked under Vallabhacharya went there hearing the bhajans. He sat among the devotees and joined in the singing. 

         Suddenly Paramananda got up and kept staring at the servant of Vallabhacharya. The man didn't understand anything. After staring for sometime with folded hands he came towards the man. Seeing that panic seized him. He could not at all understand why Paramananda was coming towards him an ordinary man. Paramananda stood before the man and humbly enquired who he was. The man asked why he was asking that. Paramananda again asked him who he was. He said he was a humble servant of Vallabhacharya. Hearing this Paramananda prostrated before him. The man was shocked and jumped away asking why he was doing like this. 

      Paramananda replied that little Krishna was playing on his lap! Though the man was unaware of it Paramananda could see with his own eyes! Just because the man had some connection with Vallabhacharya, Srinathji was sitting on his lap and eating butter. He was wonderstruck at this leela. Then what would be the greatness of Swami Vallabhacharya, he wondered. He left everything that moment and proceeded to meet Vallabhacharya. He surrendered to Vallabhacharya completely and begged for his grace. In the course of time it is said Vallabhacharya blessed him with Srinathji's darsan. Ultimately he attained moksha!

        In the lineage of Vittalnath came Hariraya another staunch devotee of Srinathji. Like his predecessors he too worshipped the Lord in vathsalya bhava. Daily night Srinathji was led to His sayana griham, which was a little away from the sanctum. They have to pass through an open space to reach there. Daily silk carpets were spread on the path for Srinathji. One day there was heavy rain. Due to the heavy rains carpets were not spread that day to avoid getting spoiled. Lord Srinathji was taken to the sayana griham and left there as usual. Hariraya returned to his place and was lying down thinking of Srinathji. 

       Suddenly he heard somebody knock at his door. Wondering who might be at this hour of night he hurriedly got up and opened the door only to find little Srinath standing there! Surprised he asked the Lord why He had come there. Srinathji didn't answer him but went inside and sat on Hariraya's bed which was an old jute sack. Hariraya was confused so asked Srinathji why He came there. Srinathji :- Come and lie down here amma!

Hariraya obeyed Him. Srinathji lied down hugging him. He put His 
leg on Hariraya trying to sleep!

Hariraya:- Why didn't you go to sayana griham my child? What 

                 happened?  Couldn't you sleep there?

Srinathji:- Oh Amma you know I have to walk through sandy 
                ground to reach there!

Hariraya:- Yes my child! But for that we have arranged for silk  

                carpets to be spread on the ground.

Srinathji:- True! But the pujaris hadn't spread it fearing it might get 

                spoiled. They do not want the botheration of washing it.
                I didn't want to get my feet spoiled by wet mud. So I 
                didn't go.
Hariraya could not help but laugh aloud. Srinathji had come all the way to his home in wet mud only. He took Srinathji on his hip, cleaned the lotus feet with his angavasthram and carried Him towards the temple. He woke up the pujaris, made arrangements for spreading the silk carpets and left Srinathji on His bed. Such is the sowlabhya or simplicity of Lord Srinathji towards His bhakthas! Radhekrishna! Radhekrishna!

Srinathji -12

Adheera bimbaadhara vibhramEna
Harshadra venu svara sampadaa cha 
Anena kenaapi manoharena
Ha hantha ha hantha mano dhunothi.

      Oh Krishna! The indescribable beauty of thy gently moving red lips which I see in front of me, and the mesmerising music that flows from your flute, conquers my heart totally. Oh what can I do? Thus cries out saint Leela Sukar in ecstasy when confronting the Lord before his eyes.

       Radhekrishna! One Krishnadas was very much devoted to Lord Srinathji. He too was a disciple of Vittalnath. He used to sing in praise of the Lord and do services to Him. Once he was roaming out somewhere. On his way there lived a prostitute called Ranjini. She was very much after money and so used to attract men towards her and snatch their money away. Daily evening she used to dress herself up and dance in front of men. For the dance she used to sing songs which depicted RadhaKrishna leelas.  Many people are unaware of the prema rahasyam  hidden in the verses of RadhaKrishna leela. Though they are full of Sringara bhavam it has got the secrets of deep bhakthi. Ranjini too unaware of all these noble ideals was using those songs for her profession to attract the malefolk. 

        Krishnadasa who happened to cross her house heard the divine music and naturally was attracted by it. Ranjini sang those songs beautifully with her melodious voice.  Krishnadasa went inside her house. Those who had gathered there were totally surprised a saintly person like Krishnadasa had come to Ranjini. All paid money for the song and dance. Slowly they all dispersed. Krishnadasa remained there. Ranjini felt elated that she could attract a great bhaktha like Krishnadasa. Full of pride she asked him why he was still standing and what he wanted. 

Krishnadasa replied 'Of course I am waiting for you only!'

Ranjini's head bloated with ego that she could bring even Krishnadasa to her feet. Feeling victorious she came and stood by Krishnadasa. Krishnadasa hurriedly said that he wanted Ranjini for his boss.  Ranjini was totally surprised at this and sarcastically said 'Do you know how much money you have to pay for me?'

Krishnadasa took out a bundle of gold coins and threw them before her. 'Tell he how much money you want' he said. Her eyes bulged out seeing this and her attitude immediately changed. She became more humble now and asked Krishnadasa whether his boss was an old man.

Krishnadasa replied : No He is in the prime of youth.

Ranjini:- Is he ugly or so?

Krishnadasa:- He is the most handsome man you would have ever  

                      seen.

Ranjini:- Oh then probably He is new to Sringara rasa.

Krishnadasa laughed aloud and said : He is Sringara lolan.

Ranjini:- May be He doesn't know how to enjoy rasas.

Krishnadasa:- He is called rasikendra. There is no one to equal 

                     Him. There is no one in the world who can please all 

                     others like Him.

Ranjini was slowly getting attracted to the young boss Krishnadasa was talking about. Krishnadasa further described about His prowess, power, intelligence, bravery, etc etc. He also told her about His immense wealth which nobody in the world can equal Him. Ranjini now became really excited and wanted to meet the 'boss' immediately. 

       Krishnadasa took her with Him. Throughout the way he was talking about his 'Boss'. Ranjini's excitement knew no bounds and she became restless. She really wanted to meet the 'boss' now.  If she could get the 'boss' in her clutches then she will not have to worry about her future at all she thought. Well that was real truth indeed! Walking the distance her thirst to meet the 'boss' became very intent. Moreover Krishnadasa was putting fuel to the fire in her talking about the 'great boss'. Ultimately he brought her to Govardhana Hills. Ranjini was totally unaware of her surroundings. Her mind was fully preoccupied with Krishnadasa's 'boss' whom she hasn't met yet.

       Krishnadasa led her towards Srinathji. He asked her to look at his 'boss' now. Srinathji was in His full splendour that day. Wearing the yellow silk dhoti, with all the jewels bedecked, lovely peacock feather fluttering over His head, carrying a flute, smiled sensuously at Ranjini. Ranjini stared at the Lord without blinking her eye lid. Krishnadasa the sadguru, showed her the Lord in His true form. He looked from toe to head and from head to toe. All the Radhakrishna songs she had learnt came to her mind telling her all she has heard about the Lord was true. The sight was encapturing. She mumbled that Krishnadasa's 'boss' was really great! Krishnadasa replied, 'yes He is bhuvanasundara'!

        Ranjini who was proud of her beauty and youth now began to feel she was no match for Him. Her ego got a great blow. She felt ashamed that her body was used by so many ordinary men before. How dare she offer this 'dirty' body to this great 'sundara'! Her legs trembled and she couldnt stand erect. If she had met Him long before she would have offered herself as nivedyam for Him. Now it is too late. Why did Krishnadasa do this to her? Now she can't offer herself but at the same time she can't even breath without Him. She was in a total fix now. 

        Ranjini did not dare to stand before the Lord now and wanted to run away. But her body refused to move an inch from there. Her mind longed for Krishna. The deep sea of Krishna Prema was pulling her towards Him. But she felt she did not deserve Him. Krishnadasa told her to sing and dance before Him. 'If He likes your dance then you too are entitled to enjoy Him', he said. Happily Ranjini began to dance before the Lord singing with all her heart. This time the song came out with full feeling. The dance and singing was very different this time. Even the Lord was also inspired and joined her in the dance.  In the midst of the dance Srinathji unable to wait further hugged Ranjini tightly. Ranjini shrieked out at this unexpected gift. She lost herself in Him and fell down. Others who had gathered could not see what had happened.  They just saw that Ranjini fell down during her dance. Everybody gathered around her and lifted her only to know that she was dead! Yes she had mingled with Srinathji! We have heard about Pingala a prostitute who attained the Lord, in Srimad Bhagavatham. In this Kaliyuga itself an ordinary prostitute could attain the Lord with the grace of a sadguru ! Millions of pranams for that Sadguru and the Lord who is the embodiment of love! Radhekrishna! Radhekrishna!

Srinathji -11

Barham nama vibhooshanam bahumatham veshaaya seshairalam 

Vakthram dvithrivisesha kaanthi lahari vinyasa dhanyairalam

Seelairalpa dhiyaam agamya vibhavai sringara bhamgeemayam

Chithram chithramaho vichithrithamaho chithram vichithram  mahah.

        Radhekrishna!  For this cowherd boy an ordinary peacock feather is a suitable ornament! All the other jewels having joined His divine body become attractive and are not able to decorate Him. His face adorned with gopi thilaka  and the naturally sweet lips are wonderful indeed! Wonderful is His sringara bhava which can turn even an idiot into a great bhaktha! The brightness which emanates from His divine body keeps changing every minute making His friends and relatives wonder stuck! Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful! Nothing else to say! Thus praises Leela Suka, in his Krishna Karnamritham.

               The great bhaktha Kumbhadasa had a son who was also very much devoted to Lord Srinathji like him. He was called Chathurbhuja. Whatever happened he would not go outside Brindavan.  Vittalnath used to take Srinathji with him when he went to near by places. Once he took Srinathji to Mathura with him. Chathurbhuja did not at all favour Mathura since he thought Kamsa was still there.  He feared something might happen to his Srinath. Vittalnath stayed there for 2 days in Mathura. Chathurbhuja missed Srinathji very much and became dejected. He kept crying for the Lord in Brindavan.

           At the same time in Mathura the sayana arathi was going on for the Lord. After the arathi Vittalnath tried to put Srinathji in bed. But he noticed that the Lord was not sleepy. Worried he asked the Lord why He was not sleeping. Srinathji replied that He didn't want to sleep in a place where Chathurbhuja was not present. He too missed him very much and said He didn't like Mathura. He asked Vittalnath to carry Him immediately back to Brindavan.  Vittalnath said that it was dark already and it would be difficult to go across river Yamuna at this night. Srinathji laughed and said 'Don't tell me about the darkness of night. I left Mathura only at the midnight and I know Yamuna very well.  You carry me on your head and go. I will make Yamuna to give way for us.' 

        Well can Vittalnath argue anymore? Immediately he packed everything and started for Brindavan. As they started the conch was sounded and people hurried towards the place wondering what was happening.When Vittalnath said Srinathji could not sleep there they laughed. How did he know that Srinathji wanted to go away! But Vittalnath did not care for their comments and proceeded.
       Meanwhile Chathurbhuja was finding it difficult to spend the time. He ran towards Yamuna and kept looking towards the other shore in the hope that Srinathji might return. He even wanted to cross the Yamuna too. But controlled himself thinking that Srinathji might not like that. Ultimately he went to the Govardhan hill and pleaded with it. 'Hey Govardhan hill ! Please bring my Srinathji back. If you call out He will rush to you.' He was angry with Srinathji for leaving him like this. Suddenly he could hear the conch, bells and drums from the distance. He rubbed his eyes and looked. He saw Srinathji's group coming back. He rushed forward and hugged Srinathji. Srinathji told him that He couldnt sleep in Mathura without Chathurbhuja. Chathurbhuja was overwhelmed with emotions. Vittalnath was watching all these with tears in his eyes. He told Chathurbhuja that Srinathji missed him very much.The Lord easily conquers the heart of His devotees with His love. 
         Wonderful is Vittalnath's valsalya bhava!  Wonderful is Chathurbbuja's unflinching devotion! Wonderful is Srinathji's pure flow of love! Radhekrishna! Radhekrishna!

Srinathji 10

Sashtaanga paadam abhivandhya samastha bhaavai:
Sarvaan surendra nikaraan idameva yaache
mandasmidardra madhuranana chandrabimbe
nandasya punya nichaye mama bhakthir asthu!

        With humility and great devotion  I prostrate down and offer my only prayer to all the devas! I pray for blessings to have deep and steady devotion in the son of Nandagopa who is blue hued, with a charming smiling face! Saint Leela Sukar thus prays to the Lord in Sri Krishna Karnamritham!
     Radhekrishna! In the last issue we saw the great sadguru Vittalnath turned an evil minded man to be a great devotee of the Lord. Great is Bharatha and great are the Sadgurus. Sadguru Vittalnath had another disciple called Kumbhadasa. He was a poor potter but very much devoted to the Lord. The King Rajasimha hearing about this devotee wanted to meet him.
      Kumbhadasa was living near Govardhana giri. When then king went Kumbhadasa was crying out to his granddaughter to bring his mirror and chair as it was time for him to apply gopi on his forehead. He had to do his daily worship. A little girl came out of the hut and said 'Oh grandpa, the goat drank the mirror and ate your chair'. Hearing this the King was confused. He couldn't understand what she was saying and turned towards his minister. The minister understood what she meant and shed tears of joy. On enquiry the minister told the king that Kumbhadasa's mirror was a pot of water, and his chair was a bundle of grass. The goat had eaten the grass and drank the water it seemed. Kumbhadasa was a very poor man. But in the midst of such a poverty he was so devoted to the Lord.   
     Seeing this the king felt sorry for Kumbhadasa. Immediately he brought a mirror with a golden frame and kept it before Kumbhadasa. The potter was confused and looked at the King. The King explained that since his goat drank away his mirror, the king wanted to gift a Kumbhadasa with a mirror which the goat cannot drink. Surprised at this Kumbhadasa replied, 'but my mirror need not be kept with great care. Nobody would steal my mirror too. This mirror which you have brought needs great care and attention. Moreover I have to safeguard it  from thieves too. So I am not comfortable with this. Please take these away. As long as I am poor my Srinathji showers His blessings on us. If I become richer I might lose Srinathji's blessings. Without His blessings I don't want to live. To get His blessings I don't mind being poor, or sick, or even insulted. Only due to the merits of many births and guru kripa that I have bhakthi now. I don't want to lose that at any cost. So please don't mistake me.'
      The king was very much disappointed at this. He was sorry that he couldnt do any sort of service to this great bhaktha. Then he again requested the bhaktha whether he can name the village as Kumbhadasapuram. Kumbhadasa laughed at this and replied, 'why do you want to change its name? This place belongs to Lord Srinathji. We have no right to change its name. This vraja bhoomi is the Lord's. Don't think about give my name to this place.  It is great fortune to have entered this place. Don't sin by doing such heinous deeds and don't make too a sinner.! Do bhakthi and enjoy the Lord instead of pulling me into unwanted problems!'
        The king couldn't say a word to the mahathma. Kumbhadasa used to sing during one of the arathis performed daily at the temple. Srinath enjoyed his singing and used to gift him with His sweet kisses. Kumbhadasa was very happy with that. He was contented with the opportunity. So he had no more needs or desires. He was well aware of his guru's blessings. Such a wonderful bhaktha! King Rajasimha considered himself to be fortunate to meet this bhaktha and fell at his feet. Great is such a bhaktha and great is such a sadguru who has a disciple like him! 
     Meet you at the next issue with  more stories of Srinathji! Radhekrishna! Radhekrishna!

Srinathji - 9

Mani noopura vaachaalam vande thacharanam vibho:

Lalithani yadheeyani lakshmani vraja veethishu.

      Krishna roams around the Vraja lanes with tinkling anklets on His Feet. The sound of the anklets is accompanied by the tinkling of bells on the neck of the cows.  Those feet are soft like lotus flowers. They make beautiful marks of the conch, disc and the lotus on the dust of Vraja bhumi while He walks. I worship those lotus feet with all my heart, says Leela Sukar in Krishna Karnamritam.

Radhekrishna! The very same Lord saved the people of Brindavan from Indra’s wrath by lifting the Govardhana hills. He is their lovable Srinathji. Daily 8 pujas are done for Him. Morning mangala arathi is done. During this time Srinathji is woken up. He gets up late during summer and gets up early during winter. Vittalnath’s followers take turns and sing songs to wake Him up. They wipe His face with warm water with great care and love. He is offered bhog after that. Then comes sringar arathi. It is the time for Him to play. So they give flute in His hand. All play things are kept in front of Him and again singing is done. Dry fruits are offered for Him at that time. Arathi is done in the end.

        Then Gwal arathi is done. Time for Srinathji to take the cows and calves for grazing. Light tiffin is offered for Him then. Arathi is done.

Then noon it is time for Rajbhog and arathi. Numerous varieties of food items are offered for Him at that time. Arathi is again done now. After a tiring day and a heavy meal Srinathji will get tired and prefers a light nap.  He has to be waken up from the nap so afternoon by 3’ O'clock, uddhapan arathi is done.  He is gently woken up and arathi is done.    

         Next comes the time for Srinathji to have discussions with all the devas  who come to Him with various problems. It is said that whatever we wish at that time will be fulfilled by Srinathji. It is also said once Aurangaseb lost his eye sight.  Having heard about Srinathji’s miraculous powers, he prayed to the Lord at this particular time and got his sight back. Again a variety of food is offered to Him at that time and arathi done. Then evening arathi is done when He reaches back from the forests with the cows and cowherds.  Finally the sayana arathi is done when He is put to sleep. Lullabys are sung during that time. At that time after food pan (betel leaves with nuts) too is offered to Him.This system of puja was organised by Vittalnath, the son of Sri Vallabhacharya.  It has been followed for the past 600 yrs without much change. Vittalnath considered Srinathji as his own son. He considered himself as Yasoda matha. He guided many disciples towards bhakthi marga and corrected them. 
       There was a brahmin called Shreedhaswamy who had enimity towards Vittalnath due to jealousy. He couldn’t bear Vittalnath’s fame spreading far and wide. He used to say Vittalnath was only showing off bhakthi and he did not have real devotion. One day he took a coconut, removed the kernel inside stuck the two shells together and took it to Vittalnath. He asked him to offer the coconut to Lord Srinathji. He also prayed that he was devoid of devotion like Vittalnath and let Srinathji give him that much devotion.  

         Vittalnath innocently tried to take the empty coconut. Srinathji held Vittalnath’s hand and told him not to take the coconut. He said there was nothing inside and the man was trying to cheat him. Vittalnath smiled at this and said:- ‘True mylord! His inside is devoid of bhakthi and so empty. Why don’t you fill it with devotion? Then he will definitely change!

Srinathji:- What do you want me to do?

Vittalnath:- Fill it with what is needed.

Srinathji:- But how is it possible?

Vittalnath:- If at the age of 7 You can lift the Govardhana hill, then is this impossible for You? Put the kernel back in the shell please.

Srinathji smiled and accepted his request.  Vittalnath made the offering and turned to Sridhaswamy. He told him to consume the kernel inside so that he will get devotion.  He laughed aloud sarcastically and broke the coconut to show that Vittalnath was wrong. He was stunned to find the coconut full of kernel. He broke down and fell at Vittalnath’s feet begging pardon, ‘I am a sinner who came to cheat you. But you have showered me with divine blessings. How can I ever atone for my sin? I am really sorry now.’

       Vittalnath was moved with his tears and said he is not a sinner since he has uttered the name Srinathji.  Unless Srinathji desires, one cannot utter His name. That means he is lucky to get Srinathji’s blessings to utter that name.  Then he gave him nama upadesha. Sridhaswamy kept chanting the nama and attained the Lord ultimately. Guru kripa combined with bhagavath kripa can do wonders!  Radhekrishna!