The Merchant’s Discontent
A wealthy merchant named Malookchand lived next door to a temple. One night, the temple priest decided to perform kirtan, keeping Malookchand awake. At daybreak, Malookchand went straight to the priest and shouted, “Why were you making so much noise last night?!”
A Bold Challenge
The priest responded, “I was doing kirtan to celebrate Ekadashi.”
“Well, your kirtan ruined my sleep. Don’t you understand that people need to rest in order to work and earn money to eat?!”
The priest replied with a smile, “It is the Lord alone who feeds us and provides for all our needs. Our labor is merely a medium for His grace. He alone is Bhuta-Bhaavan, the one who takes care of us all.”
This statement only infuriated Malookchand further. “So you’re saying the Lord Himself is going to come and feed me? And what if I refuse to eat?”
“If you won’t eat, He will beat you and feed you by force!”
“Well, I challenge your God to try and feed me within the next twenty-four hours. If He cannot, then you will have to stop your kirtan forever!”
Malookchand’s Defiant Escape
“You may be a powerful man, Malookji, but my Lord is the most powerful of all. Let’s see who wins this challenge!”
Malookchand stormed off into the dense forest, climbed the tallest tree he could find, and sat on one of its highest branches. He thought, “Good luck feeding me up here, God!” After two or three hours had passed, a lone traveler came and lay down to rest nearby. Upon leaving, he forgot one of his bags under the tree.
Divine Intervention
Shortly afterward, a band of thieves appeared. Noticing the unattended bag, they decided to open it. Inside was a container of fresh, delicious-looking food. The leader of the thieves said, “Our enemies must have poisoned this food and left it here, thinking we would eat it.” Suddenly, looking up, he saw Malookchand and said, “Hey! What are you doing in that tree?” Malookchand remained silent out of fear.
“Did you put this food here? Trying to poison us, huh? Come down here and talk to us!”
“No, no! I didn’t do anything! A man just forgot his bag here.”
“Come down right now! You were trying to kill us, and now you’re making excuses to save your life! You’re going to have to eat this yourself!” The thieves climbed up the tree, brought Malookchand down, and told him again to eat the food. When he refused, the leader of the thieves forced the food into his mouth. At that moment, the smiling face of the priest appeared in his mind, and he remembered the priest’s words, “If you won’t eat, He will beat you and feed you by force!”
The Transformation
Giving up all resistance, Malookchand began to cry as he prayed, “O Lord, you have won. Please forgive me. I now know that you can take any form to accomplish your will, and you alone take care of us all. Merciful Lord, I dedicate my life to you.”
From that day forward, Malookchand renounced his great wealth and began living in the forest, depending on the Lord alone for all his needs and spending his time in worship. He later became known as the great saint, Malook Das.
The First Verse of Malook Das
The first verse he wrote for the Lord is as follows:
अजगर करे न चाकरी, पंछी करे न काम।
दास मलूका कह गए, सबके दाता राम॥
Ajgar kare na chaakri, panchi kare na kaam.
Daas Malooka keh gaye, sabke daataa Raam.
“Neither the bird nor the snake has to work for their meal. Malook Das says, the Lord alone is the nourisher of all.”
Lessons to Be Learned:
Divine Providence: The story demonstrates that the Lord is the ultimate provider for all living beings. Human efforts are important, but they are secondary to the grace of God, who sustains all life.
Humility: Malookchand’s arrogance led him to challenge God, but his eventual realization brought him humility. This teaches us the importance of humility in spiritual life and the folly of pride.
Faith and Surrender: The story highlights the importance of faith in the divine and surrender to God’s will. Malookchand’s transformation into Malook Das symbolizes the power of surrender and devotion.
God’s Omnipresence: The incident shows that God can manifest His will through any form or circumstance, reminding us that divine intervention can occur in unexpected ways.
Prayer:
“O Lord Krishna, Bhuta-Bhaavan, you are the ultimate nourisher and protector of all beings. Please grant us the wisdom to recognize your grace in our lives and the humility to surrender to your divine will. Help us to live with faith and devotion, trusting that you will always care for us. May we find contentment in your service and always remember that you are the source of all sustenance.”
Quote from Shastra:
“ananyāś cintayanto māṁ ye janāḥ paryupāsate
teṣāṁ nityābhiyuktānāṁ yoga-kṣemaṁ vahāmy aham”
(Bhagavad Gita 9.22)
“To those who are constantly devoted and who worship Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me.”
