The Sinful Old Man
In the Puranas, there is a story about an old man who was addicted to sinful activities and was known for his cruelty. Throughout his life, he never engaged in any pious activities and was far from being considered a virtuous person. However, when he was on his deathbed, he had a sudden change of heart. Reflecting on his life, he thought, “Well, why not try it? All my life I’ve seen these Vaisnavas chanting Hare Krsna. I’m going to die anyway, so I might as well try it.”
The Decision to Chant
With this newfound resolve, he called his servant and instructed him, “Go to the marketplace and purchase some of those beads I see the devotees chanting on, those japa-malas.” The servant was taken aback and asked, “You want japa-mala? What are you going to do with them?” The old man replied, “I’m going to chant Hare Krsna. Give it a try.”
The Unfortunate Timing
The servant hurried to the marketplace to fulfill his master’s request. Unfortunately, before the servant could return, the old man passed away. At that moment, two groups of divine messengers arrived: the Yama-dutas, messengers of Yama, the god of death, and the Visnu-dutas, messengers of Lord Vishnu.
The Divine Debate
Both groups questioned each other’s presence. The Yama-dutas, astonished, said, “This man was a very sinful person. He never did one pious activity. There is nothing in his record to show that he did anything pious or transcendental. So what are you doing here?”
The Visnu-dutas replied, “We have come to take this man back to Godhead simply because he had a desire to chant Hare Krsna.”
Moral of the Story
If namabhasa, contaminated chanting of the holy name, is so powerful, then what of those devotees who are chanting the pure name?
Reflection on the Story
The Power of Intention:
- This story highlights the incredible power of intention and the holy name. Even at the last moment, the old man’s sincere desire to chant Hare Krsna had the power to invoke divine grace.
Redemption Through the Holy Name:
- The tale underscores the transformative power of the holy name. Despite a life filled with sin, the old man’s desire to chant Hare Krsna at the end of his life granted him redemption.
Divine Mercy:
- The presence of the Visnu-dutas demonstrates the boundless mercy of the divine. The story reassures that the Lord’s grace can be extended to anyone who sincerely turns to Him, regardless of their past.
Lessons to Be Learned
- The Power of Sincere Desire:
- Sincere desire for spiritual practice, even at the last moment, can invoke divine mercy and grace. It shows that it’s never too late to turn towards the divine.
- The Transformative Power of the Holy Name:
- Chanting the holy name, even with initial contamination (namabhasa), has the power to purify and redeem. This underscores the potency of the Hare Krsna mantra.
- Divine Grace and Mercy:
- The story highlights that divine grace is available to all who seek it sincerely. The Lord’s mercy is boundless and can transform even the most sinful life.
- Importance of Spiritual Practice:
- Regular chanting and engaging in spiritual practices can ensure that one is prepared at any moment to receive divine grace. Consistent practice strengthens the connection with the divine.
Conclusion
The story of the sinful old man’s redemption through his desire to chant Hare Krsna illustrates the profound power of the holy name and the boundless mercy of the divine. It teaches us that sincere desire, even at the last moment, can invoke divine grace and lead to redemption. The tale underscores the transformative power of the holy name and encourages regular spiritual practice to strengthen our connection with the divine.
