Introduction
God is our Godfather. He watches our every move and fulfills our every need. He never lets us down if we pin our faith on Him. He provides the smallest help to the greatest help to prove our bhakti to Him to the world.
Brindavan is even today treated as the holy place where Lord Krishna moved around. In that place once lived a Brahmin named Giridharlal, known for his bhakti, vairagya (renunciation), kindness, and respect for the sadhus (holy men). Every day he prayed to the sadhus. He wore anklets and danced and sang while playing the ‘Tumbura’. His kirtanas (devotional songs) stole the hearts of young and old alike.
The Miraculous Anklets and Tumbura
One day, while praying to Gopalakrishna in the temple, some sadhus asked him to sing and dance the Rasaleela of Krishna. Giridharlal was in a fix. He couldn’t say no to such great sadhus, fearing their anger might drive him to hell. However, his anklets and Tumbura were at home, and it would take time to fetch them. How best should he react? God showed him a way out.
As everyone watched, shining anklets, Tumbura, Tala, and Pithambaram (silk dhoti) appeared from the sky. He accepted them with utmost reverence and devotion. The sadhus wondered at his bhakti and praised him for the blessings showered on him by God. Giridharlal wore the silk dhoti, tied the anklets to his feet, held the Tumbura in his hand, and sang and danced the Rasaleela. The sadhus watched with deep interest. Giridharlal was engrossed in his performance, and the Lord allowed the gathered people to witness His Rasaleela from the Krishnavatar time. The sadhus and Giridharlal were filled with joy. Then God ended His leela and vanished.
Respect and Reverence for Sadhus
The sadhus, thrilled by the divine experience, prayed to God, acknowledging that no one can fully praise His leelas, not even Adisesha, Saraswati, or Brahma. They prayed for His blessings. Giridharlal then took them to his math, offered them food, and ate after them, spending time listening to stories of God.
The Challenge of Reviving a Dead Body
One day, a viragi (renunciate) came to visit. Giridharlal welcomed him warmly, offered pranams (respectful greetings), washed his feet, and drank the tirtham (holy water) from the washing. The townspeople objected, claiming Giridharlal could not be a true Brahmin for serving a viragi from a cemetery. Giridharlal explained that the sanyasi was a devotee of Lord Vishnu and it was wrong to insult a great man.
The townspeople challenged Giridharlal to prove his powers by reviving a dead body. Giridharlal accepted the challenge. They took him to a dead body, and Giridharlal prayed to Krishna in various ways. The dead body woke up as if from deep sleep and circled Giridharlal. The townspeople, amazed and humbled, pleaded for forgiveness. Giridharlal saw it as the leela (divine play) of God.
Teaching the Path to Liberation
The people then asked Giridharlal to teach them how to be blessed by God and how to attain liberation from the cycle of life and death. Giridharlal taught them the Krishna mantra and advised them to recite it. He said to treat everything as a manifestation of God, develop jnana (knowledge), bhakti (devotion), and vairagya, and control their indriyas (senses). He urged them to use their senses for the good of others, perform their duties sincerely, and leave the results to God. By praying to sadhus and accepting tirtham prasadam (holy offerings), they could be liberated from life and experience Sat Chit Ananda (eternal bliss and consciousness).
Conclusion
Giridharlal continued his devotion to God, transforming many into bhaktas (devotees), visiting many holy places, and finally attaining moksha (liberation). Through his unwavering faith and devotion, he helped his disciples attain moksha as well.
Lessons to Be Learned
- Unwavering Faith: Giridharlal’s faith in God and his unyielding devotion showcase the power of true bhakti.
- Respect for Holy Men: The story emphasizes the importance of respecting and serving sadhus and recognizing their spiritual stature.
- Divine Intervention: The miraculous anklets and Tumbura highlight that God assists His devotees in times of need.
- Path to Liberation: Giridharlal’s teachings on jnana, bhakti, vairagya, and duty provide a practical path to spiritual liberation.
Prayer
O Lord Krishna,
Please grant us the sincerity and devotion of Giridharlal.
Help us to chant Your holy names with faith and love,
So that we may overcome the illusions of material enjoyment and return to Your divine abode.
May our hearts be filled with true devotion and love,
And may we always strive to please You with our actions.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
May Your divine grace and blessings be upon us always,
Guiding us towards pure devotion and eternal bliss in Your service.
I humbly request all the devotees to please forward and share these moral and instructive stories so that everyone can benefit by hearing about Krishna and His dear devotees.
