Seeking Solitude in Unlikely Places
To avoid the disturbances caused by mundane people seeking material boons, Srila Gaurakisora Das Babaji Maharaj once chose to reside in the lavatories at the Kuliya Dharmasala in Navadvipa. The Dharmasala was owned by a man named Girisha Babu. One day, Girisha Babu’s wife offered to build a cottage for Babaji Maharaj, thinking it would provide him with a more comfortable place to stay. However, Babaji Maharaj responded:
“I have no problem sleeping under the straw shelter on a boat. The only problem I have is that so many rascals are constantly coming to me asking for blessings. They disturb my chanting. They don’t really want my blessings because they don’t truly seek what is best for them, yet they still come to disrupt my chanting of the Holy Name. If you give me your brick outhouse, I will be able to chant in peace. No one will come to bother me there.”
Realizing that Babaji Maharaj was serious, Girisha Babu immediately had the outhouse purified with cow dung and brought in a mason to renovate the building. When public officials offered to build him a proper bhajan kutir (a small hut for meditation), Babaji Maharaj locked himself inside the outhouse, saying he already had one.
Reverence for a Vaisnava Wife
Babaji Maharaj once spoke gravely to a newly married man, imparting important advice regarding the treatment of a Vaisnava wife:
“A Vaisnava wife is extremely rare and difficult to find in this world. If one has the good fortune of having one, he should see it as a benediction from Krishna. The wife worships the husband as her lord and master. Similarly, the husband should worship the wife because she is Krishna dasi, a servant of Krishna. In this way, the husband can protect his devotional enthusiasm by not considering his wife to be his maidservant; she is always the maidservant of Krishna.”
Lesson to be Learned
This story teaches us the importance of seeking genuine spiritual growth over material gains. Babaji Maharaj’s choice to reside in the lavatory, away from worldly distractions, illustrates the value of solitude and uninterrupted devotion. Additionally, his advice on the treatment of a Vaisnava wife emphasizes mutual respect and the recognition of each other’s role as servants of Krishna, thereby nurturing a spiritual relationship.
Prayer
“O Lord, grant us the wisdom to seek solitude for sincere devotion, free from the distractions of the material world. Help us to understand the true value of relationships founded on spiritual principles, where mutual respect and recognition of our roles as Your servants prevail. May we always cherish and support those who guide us on our spiritual journey, and may our lives be centered around the sincere chanting of Your Holy Name. Hare Krishna.”
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