Arrival of the Landowner
One day, a wealthy landowner from East Bengal arrived at Srila Gaurakisora’s place, accompanied by a friend. This landowner, known for his scholarly knowledge and devotion, appeared to be deeply absorbed in devotional ecstasies, trembling and needing assistance to walk. When they reached Srila Gaurakisora, the devotees present recognized the landowner and respectfully arranged a seat for him.
Srila Gaurakisora’s Inquiry
Srila Gaurakisora, who was enacting his pastime of blindness, asked who had arrived. The landowner’s friend introduced him, praising his learning, devotion, and detachment, despite his immense wealth. He even mentioned how the landowner had recently suffered a significant loss but still sought the association of Srila Gaurakisora. The friend added that the landowner had a question about a confidential conversation between Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Sri Ramananda Raya, which they believed only Srila Gaurakisora could answer.
Srila Gaurakisora’s Response
In response, Srila Gaurakisora advised the friend to renounce the landowner’s association and seek the company of pure devotees. He suggested that they read the Caitanya-caritamrta one hundred times in the association of advanced devotees, crying and absorbed in devotional ecstasy, to truly understand the conversation between Lord Chaitanya and Ramananda Raya. He then asked everyone to engage in Hari Nama Sankirtan, and the landowner and his friend promptly left.
After the Landowner’s Departure
Later that evening, some devotees expressed their defense of the landowner, praising his apparent absorption in devotional ecstasy. They questioned how Srila Gaurakisora could dismiss someone who seemed so immersed in bhava-bhakti.
Srila Gaurakisora’s Insight
Srila Gaurakisora responded by explaining that one cannot measure a person’s devotional advancement based on the opinions of ordinary people. He emphasized that true devotional service is marked by sincerity and unflinching devotion, not by external displays of renunciation or ecstatic symptoms. He warned that false renunciation would not endure when tested and that true detachment seeks the shelter of serious practitioners.
True Devotion
Srila Gaurakisora explained that real devotion leads to deep internal attachment to the Lord, which blossoms in the heart. External shows of devotion, without genuine internal attachment, do not attract Krishna’s mercy. In contrast, even a devotee who suffers externally but is deeply attached to the Lord internally brings joy to Krishna. True devotion is characterized by constant chanting, fasting, and crying out for the service of Srimati Radharani without seeking to impress others.
Lesson to be Learned
This story teaches that true devotion is not about external displays or recognition by others. It is about cultivating deep, sincere love and attachment to Krishna within the heart. Genuine devotion attracts Krishna’s mercy, while false displays of devotion, without sincerity, hold no real value.
Prayer
“O Lord Krishna, please grant me the sincerity and deep internal attachment to You that transcends any external show. Help me to serve You with a pure heart, free from material desires and the need for recognition. May my devotion be genuine and unflinching, drawing Your mercy and bringing me closer to You. Hare Krishna.”
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