The story of Gauranga (Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu) and the washerman is a beautiful example of the transformative power of devotion and the chanting of the holy names.
The Encounter One day, Gauranga, accompanied by His companions, came across a washerman who was diligently beating clothes upon a plank. Gauranga, with His usual compassion and desire to spread the love of God, gently asked the washerman to say “Hari Bol!” (a phrase meaning “Chant the name of Hari,” which refers to Lord Krishna). However, the washerman, mistaking Gauranga for a mendicant begging for alms, replied, “Oh mendicant, I am very poor. I have nothing to give you.”
Gauranga clarified, “I do not want anything from you. Just say ‘Hari Bol!’ at least once.” The washerman, still hesitant and suspecting that he might have to offer something in return, declined, saying, “I am very poor. I cannot give up beating the cloth to utter the name you have given to me.”
The Transformation Understanding the washerman’s reluctance, Gauranga offered to do the washerman’s work in his place and simply requested him to chant “Hari Bol!” The washerman, seeing the sincerity of Gauranga, finally agreed and said “Hari Bol!” Gauranga then asked him to repeat it twice, and as the washerman did so, something miraculous happened—the fire of devotion ignited within his heart.
Suddenly, the washerman could not stop chanting. He began to repeat the holy name over and over again, and soon he was overwhelmed by a deep spiritual ecstasy. His joy was so immense that he started dancing with both hands raised, completely absorbed in the bliss of chanting the holy name.
The Ripple Effect As the washerman continued dancing and chanting “Hari Bol!” in a state of divine ecstasy, his wife arrived, bringing him food. To her surprise and concern, she found her husband in a trance-like state, completely unaware of his surroundings, lost in the bliss of devotion. Alarmed, she tried to bring him back to his senses, but her efforts were in vain. Fearing that her husband was possessed by a ghost, she ran back to the village and sought help from neighbors and relatives.
The villagers, curious and concerned, hurried to the spot. They found the washerman still dancing and chanting “Hari Bol!” in a state of pure ecstasy. They were hesitant to approach him, but eventually, one brave man stepped forward to stop the washerman. However, as soon as he touched the washerman, the contagious joy of devotion spread to him, and he too began dancing and chanting “Hari Bol!”
The contagious joy and devotion spread rapidly among the onlookers, and soon the entire village was caught up in the ecstasy of chanting the holy names. What began as a simple request from Gauranga turned into a divine festival of love and devotion that enveloped everyone present.
The Departure Gauranga, who had been quietly observing the scene, smiled at the transformation that had taken place. Satisfied with the spread of devotion, He quietly left the place, leaving behind a village filled with the joy of chanting the holy names.
Lesson This story illustrates the profound and infectious power of chanting the holy names of the Lord. Even the simplest utterance, when done with sincerity, can ignite the flame of devotion in the heart and lead to a transformation that affects not just the individual but entire communities. Gauranga’s loving approach and the subsequent transformation of the washerman serve as a reminder of the universal and transformative power of divine love.
Prayer of Devotion and Surrender
O Lord Gauranga, embodiment of divine love and compassion,
You who spread the sacred name of Hari to all souls,
Ignite within my heart the fire of devotion,
So that I may chant Your holy names with pure love and sincerity.
Just as You transformed the washerman with a single word,
I pray that You touch my heart and awaken the dormant love within me.
Let the sound of “Hari Bol” resonate in my soul,
Bringing me closer to Your divine presence.
O merciful Lord, free me from the burdens of my past sins,
And fill my life with the joy and ecstasy of chanting Your holy names.
May Your love spread through me to all those I encounter,
Transforming hearts and bringing peace and joy to the world.
Hari Bol! Hari Bol! Let this sacred name be my refuge,
In every breath, in every moment, let me remember You.
Guide me, protect me, and keep me always in Your loving embrace.
I surrender at Your feet, O Lord, please accept me as Your own.
Here is a beautiful quote from the Srimad Bhagavatam, which emphasizes the power and importance of chanting the holy names of the Lord:
“kaler doṣa-nidhe rājan asti hy eko mahān guṇaḥ
kīrtanād eva kṛṣṇasya mukta-saṅgaḥ paraṁ vrajet”
Translation:
“O King, although Kali-yuga is an ocean of faults, there is still one good quality about this age: Simply by chanting the holy name of Krishna, one can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the transcendental kingdom.”
— Srimad Bhagavatam 12.3.51
This verse highlights the unique opportunity in the age of Kali to attain liberation and divine connection through the simple act of chanting the holy names of Krishna, such as “Hari Bol” or “Hare Krishna.”
