The Journey to Jagannatha Puri
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was living in Puri during His later days, and every year there would be a big gathering in Puri with a large group of devotees from Bengal traveling there to take darshan of the Lord. Sivananda Sena, an exalted devotee living in Bengal, usually made the arrangements for the journey. He maintained everyone and provided residential quarters.
While going to Jagannatha Puri, Sivananda Sena allowed a dog to go with him. He supplied it with food and maintained it. One day, when they needed to cross a river, an Orissan boatman would not allow the dog to get in the boat. Sivananda Sena, unhappy that the dog had to stay behind, paid the boatman ten pana of conchshells to take the dog across the river.
The Dog Goes Missing
One day, while Sivananda was detained by a tollman, his servant forgot to give the dog its food. At night, when Sivananda Sena returned and was taking his meal, he inquired from the servant whether the dog had gotten its meals. When he learned that the dog had not been supplied food in his absence, he was very unhappy. He then immediately sent ten men to find the dog. When the men returned without success, Sivananda Sena became very unhappy and fasted for the night.
The Dog’s Miraculous Encounter with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu
In the morning, they looked for the dog, but it could not be found anywhere. All the Vaishnavas were astonished. Thus in great anxiety, they all walked to Jagannatha Puri, where Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu met them as usual.
The next morning, all the devotees came to see the Lord. When all the devotees came to the place of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, they saw the same dog sitting a little apart from the Lord. Furthermore, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was throwing remnants of green coconut pulp to the dog. Smiling in His own way, He was saying to the dog, “Chant the holy names ‘Rama,’ ‘Krsna,’ and ‘Hari.'”
Seeing the dog eating the green coconut pulp and chanting “Krsna, Krsna” again and again, all the devotees present were very surprised. When he saw the dog sitting in that way and chanting the name of Krsna, Sivananda, because of his natural humility, immediately offered his obeisances to the dog just to counteract his offenses to it.
The next day, no one saw that dog, for it had obtained its spiritual body and departed for Vaikuntha, the spiritual kingdom.
Moral of the Story
This story illustrates the incredible power of prasadam (sanctified food offered to the Lord) and the mercy of Vaishnavas (devotees of the Lord). Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s transcendental pastimes show that even a dog can achieve spiritual liberation by chanting the holy names and taking prasadam.
Lessons to be Learned
- Mercy of Devotees:
- Sivananda Sena’s compassion and care for the dog demonstrate the mercy that Vaishnavas have for all living entities. His actions remind us to treat every living being with respect and compassion.
- Power of Prasadam:
- Prasadam has the potency to purify and uplift any living entity, even without their knowledge. The dog achieved spiritual liberation by consuming prasadam and chanting the holy names.
- Importance of Sadhu-Sanga (Association with Devotees):
- Associating with devotees and engaging in devotional activities can lead to immense spiritual benefits, as seen in the dog’s transformation.
- Humility and Forgiveness:
- Sivananda Sena’s humility in offering obeisances to the dog after realizing his offense highlights the importance of humility and seeking forgiveness in devotional life.
- Universal Opportunity for Devotion:
- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mercy shows that everyone, regardless of their current state, has the opportunity to attain spiritual liberation through devotional service.
Reflection from Srila Prabhupada’s Purport
In his purport to Caitanya Caritamrita Antya 1.32, Srila Prabhupada emphasizes the importance of prasadam distribution and the association of devotees:
“This is the result of sadhu-sanga consequent association with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and promotion back home, back to Godhead. This result is possible even for a dog, by the mercy of the Vaishnava. Therefore, everyone in the human form of life should be induced to associate with devotees. By rendering a little service, even by eating prasadam, what to speak of chanting and dancing, everyone can be promoted to Vaikunthaloka. It is therefore requested that all our devotees in the ISKCON community become pure Vaishnavas, so that by their mercy all the people of the world will be transferred to Vaikunthaloka, even without their knowledge.”
Conclusion
The story of Sivananda Sena and the dog serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of prasadam and the mercy of devotees. By engaging in devotional service and distributing prasadam, we can help others attain spiritual liberation.
Prayer
Let us pray for the grace to distribute prasadam and engage in devotional service with compassion and humility:
“O Supreme Lord Krishna, guide us to distribute prasadam and engage in devotional service with a compassionate heart. Help us to treat all living entities with respect and to share the transformative power of Your holy names and prasadam. May we inspire others to take shelter in You and attain spiritual liberation.”
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
Request for Sharing
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