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EDITORIAL June 5, 1999 VNN4041 Comment on this story Another Poor Beggar BY ARIJIT DAS  EDITORIAL, Jun 5 (VNN) — Now hear how Lord Gauranga showed His special mercy upon Suklambara Brahmacari, a native of Navadvipa and who was then standing in front of the Lord. He was very righteous and peaceful, always performing his duties, no one knew what an exalted devotee he was. He went around the Navadvipa town with a cloth bag over his shoulder, begging from house to house. He was constantly chanting Krsna's name and tears streamed down his eyes at the recitation of the Lord's name.109-112People treated him with the usual disdain reserved for the beggars, but the brahmana begged from everyone, even from improvises dwellings. At the end of the day he collected everything and first offering it to Krsna he ate the remnant. He never experienced the sad chills of poverty by the grace of the holy name of Krsna, love of Krsna made him ever blissful as he went to each door and chanted Krsna. Who can recognize a devotee of Lord Caitanya other than a person who has received Lord Caitanya's mercy.113-116 Suklambara, the poor and devoted brahmana was just like Sridama, Krsna's friend. He was always inside the house seeing Lord Caitanya dance, this was certainly the Lord's special mercy. 117-118 The Lord was seated on the throne in the mood of the Supreme Controller Godhead. He saw Suklambara Brahmacari join the dancing, a cloth bag was hanging down from his shoulder. He was dancing with carefree glee, the Lord and the devotees enjoyed the sight and laughed. The munificent Lord addressed Suklambara endearingly asking him to come nearer.119-121 The Lord said, "Birth after birth you have been My impoverished devotee, offering Me everything and remaining a beggar yourself. I also desire for your offerings all the time, and if you do not give Me I must have it by force then. In Dvaraka I had snatched away the sack of chipped rice you kept concealed and when I started eating from it Rukumi devi had taken hold of My hand to stop Me."122-124 The Lord then plunged His hand inside Suklambara's bag and picked up handfuls of husked rice putting it inside His mouth and began chewing it. Suklambara hastily said, "O Lord what have You done, this rice is full of broken rice chips." The Lord replied, "I eat with delight your chipped rice pieces, but I will never accept or ask for nectar from a non-devotee."125-127 The Lord who is the life and soul of the devotees is fully independent and always submerged in the highest state of transcendental bliss, who could forbid Him from eating the chipped rice. The devotees marveled at the Lord's unlimited compassion, holding their heads in their hands, they wept profusely in joy rolling about oblivious of everything as they had never seen such kindness before.128-130 The above story can be found in Sri Vrndavan Das's Caitanya Bhagavat Mahya-lila Chapter 16 . All Glory To Sri Chatanya and his Devoted followers. Submitted for the pleasure of the Devotees by Arijit Das Comment on this story | Contact VNN about this story | Send this story to a friend
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