After leaving his home, Haridas Thakur stayed for some time in the forest of Benapola. He constructed a cottage in the forest. Outside the cottage, he planted a tulasi plant and he would chant the holy name of Krishna 300,000 times daily in front of tulasi. He chanted throughout the entire day and night. For his bodily maintenance, he would go to a Brahmin’s house and beg some food. He was so spiritually pure that all the neighboring people worshipped him.
The Plot Against Haridas Thakur
The ruler of that district was Ramachandra Khan; he was envious of devotees of Krishna and therefore a great atheist. Unable to tolerate the respect being offered to Haridas Thakur, he made plans to dishonor him. He could not, however, find any fault in the character of Haridas Thakur.
Finally, he called all the local prostitutes together and said to them, “There is a devotee named Haridas Thakur in the forest. All of you devise a way to deviate him from his religious vows.”
Out of all the prostitutes, there was one very attractive young girl who promised, “I shall attract the mind of Haridas Thakur within three days.” Ramachandra Khan said, “Very good. I shall send my constable with you and when he sees you with Haridas Thakur, he will immediately arrest him and bring both of you to me.” The prostitute replied, “First let me have union with him once, then the second time I shall take your constable with me to arrest him.”
The First Night
That night the prostitute, after dressing herself most attractively, went to the cottage of Haridas Thakur with great pleasure. When she arrived, she bowed down and offered prayers to the tulasi plant, then she went to the door of the cottage and offered obeisances to Haridas Thakur.
She exposed part of her body to his view and sat down at his doorstep. She spoke to him in very sweet words, “My dear Thakur, O great preacher, great devotee, you are so beautifully built and your youth is just beginning. What woman could control her mind after seeing you? I am so eager to be united with you. My mind is greedy for this. If I don’t obtain you I shall die.”
Haridas Thakur replied, “I shall accept you without fail but you will have to wait until I finish chanting Hare Krishna on my beads. Until I do, please sit down here and listen to the chanting of the holy name. As soon as I am finished I shall fulfill your desire.”
Hearing this, the prostitute remained sitting there while Haridas Thakur chanted on his beads until the light of morning appeared. When she saw it was morning, she stood up and left. She went to Ramachandra Khan and said, “Today Haridas Thakur has promised to enjoy with me- tomorrow certainly I shall have union with him.”
The Second Night
The next evening the prostitute returned to Haridas Thakur’s cottage and he gave her many assurances. He said, “Last night you were disappointed. Please excuse my offense. I shall certainly accept you. Please sit down here and hear the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra until my regular chanting is finished. Then your desire will surely be fulfilled.” After offering obeisances to the tulasi plant and Haridas Thakur, she sat down at the door. Hearing Haridas Thakur chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, she also chanted, “O my Lord Hari, O my Lord Hari.”
When the night came to an end, the prostitute was restless. When Haridas Thakur saw this, he said, “I have made a vow to chant ten million names of Krishna this month. I have taken this vow but now the month is nearing its end. I thought today I would be able to finish. I tried my best to chant Hare Krishna all night but still I have not finished. Tomorrow I will surely finish and my vow will be fulfilled. Then it will be possible for me to enjoy with you in full freedom.”
The Third Night
The prostitute then returned to Ramachandra Khan and informed him of what had happened. The next night she went earlier, at the beginning of the evening, and stayed with Haridas Thakur. After offering obeisances to the tulasi plant and Haridas Thakur, she sat on the doorstep. As she heard Haridas Thakur’s chanting, she also personally chanted “Hari, Hari.”
“Today it will be possible for me to finish my vow of chanting ten million names of Krishna this month,” Haridas Thakur informed her. “Then I will satisfy all your desires.”
The Prostitute’s Transformation
The morning came and Haridas Thakur was still chanting, but because of his association, the prostitute’s mind had changed. She fell at his lotus feet and confessed that Ramachandra Khan had sent her to him 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.” Haridas Thakur replied, “I know everything about the conspiracy of Ramachandra Khan. He is nothing but an ignorant fool. Therefore his activities do not make me feel unhappy. I would have left this place immediately when I understood he was planning this intrigue against me, but because you came here I stayed here to deliver you.”
The prostitute replied, “Kindly act as my spiritual master. Instruct me in my duty so I can become free from material existence.” Haridas Thakur said, “Immediately go home and distribute whatever property you have to the Brahmins. Then come back to this cottage and stay here forever in Krishna consciousness. Chant the Hare Krishna mantra continuously and serve the tulasi plant by watering her and offering prayers to her. In this way, you will very soon achieve the shelter of the lotus feet of Krishna.” After giving the prostitute these instructions, Haridas Thakur stood up and left that place, continuously chanting “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare.”
The Prostitute’s Devotion
Soon after this, the prostitute distributed whatever household possessions she had to the Brahmins in accordance with her spiritual master’s order. She shaved her head clean and stayed within that cottage in the forest wearing only one cloth. Following in the footsteps of her spiritual master, she began chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra 300,000 times daily. She chanted for the whole day and night. She worshipped the tulasi plant and instead of eating regularly, she chewed whatever food she received as alms. If nothing was supplied, she would fast. Thus by eating little and fasting, she conquered her senses. As soon as she controlled her senses, the symptoms of love of God appeared in her person. In this way, the prostitute became a famous devotee. She became very advanced in spiritual life and many great devotees would visit her. When people saw her sublime character, they were astonished. Everyone praised the influence of Haridas Thakur and offered him obeisances.
Lessons to Be Learned
- Power of the Holy Name: The story highlights the transformative power of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. Even a person with a sinful background can attain spiritual purity through sincere chanting.
- Compassion and Patience: Haridas Thakur’s compassion and patience are evident as he gave the prostitute the opportunity to transform her life through hearing and chanting the holy names.
- Devotion and Renunciation: The prostitute’s complete renunciation and dedication to devotional practices under the guidance of her spiritual master demonstrate the potential for transformation and spiritual advancement.
- Grace of the Devotees: The grace and association of pure devotees like Haridas Thakur are essential for spiritual progress. Their influence can guide even the most fallen souls towards the path of devotion.
Teaching from Srimad Bhagavatam
Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.17: “Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead, who is the Paramātmā (Supersoul) in everyone’s heart and the benefactor of the truthful devotee, cleanses desire for material enjoyment from the heart of the devotee who relishes His messages, which are in themselves virtuous when properly heard and chanted.”
This verse underscores the purifying effect of hearing and chanting the holy names and messages of Krishna, which cleanse the heart of material desires.
Teaching from Caitanya Caritamrita
Caitanya Caritamrita, Antya-lila 3.142-143: “Simply by hearing the holy name of the Lord, even once, a living entity is relieved of all sinful reactions. After that, he worships Lord Kṛṣṇa with bhakti (devotional service).”
These verses illustrate the immense power and mercy of the holy name, emphasizing that even hearing it once can liberate one from sinful reactions and inspire devotion to Krishna.
Teaching of Srila Prabhupada
Srila Prabhupada emphasized the importance of the holy name and the transformative power of devotional service.
Srila Prabhupada said: “Simply by associating with a pure devotee, one becomes wonderfully advanced in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.” (Nectar of Instruction, Verse 4, Purport)
This teaching highlights the importance of associating with pure devotees like Haridas Thakur to advance in spiritual life.
Prayer
O Lord Krishna,
Please grant us the pure devotion of Haridas Thakur.
Help us to chant Your holy names with sincerity and faith,
So that we may experience the transformative power of Your grace.
May our hearts be filled with love and compassion,
And may we always seek the association of pure devotees.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna
