“When Madhavendra Puri was at the last stage of his life, Ramacandra Puri came to where he was staying.
“Madhavendra Puri was chanting the holy name of Krsna, and sometimes he would cry, ‘O my Lord, I did not get shelter at Mathura.’
“Then Ramacandra Puri was so foolish that he fearlessly dared to instruct his spiritual master. . . .
“Isvara Puri, the spiritual master of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, performed service to Madhavendra Puri, cleaning up his stool and urine with his own hand.
“Isvara Puri was always chanting the holy name and pastimes of Lord Krsna for Madhavendra Puri to hear. In this way he helped Madhavendra Puri remember the holy name and pastimes of Lord Krsna at the time of death.
“Pleased with Isvara Puri, Madhavendra Puri embraced him and gave him the benediction that he would be a great devotee and lover of Krsna.
“Thus Isvara Puri became like an ocean of ecstatic love for Krsna, whereas Ramacandra Puri became a dry speculator and a critic of everyone else.
“Isvara Puri received the blessing of Madhavendra Puri, whereas Ramacandra Puri received a rebuke from him. Therefore these two persons, Isvara Puri and Ramacandra Puri, are examples of the objects of a great personality’s benediction and punishment. Madhavendra Puri instructed the entire world by presenting these two examples.” (Cc Antya 8.18-20, 28-33)
Giriraj Swami: “This incident demonstrates the principle yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado, yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto ‘pi: by the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Krishna, and without the grace of the spiritual master—if one displeases the spiritual master—one cannot make any advancement; one has no standing in devotional service.”
Kirtan, Alachua
Lessons from Sri Madhavendra Puri’s Last Days, Alachua
Comments