Nectar
A Second Chance for Real Life
Nanda Gopa Prabhu from the Brahmcari Training Program at the Sri Sri Radha-Gopinatha Mandir in Mumbai recently had a wonderful experience on sankirtana. He recalls:
After distributing books on the local trains, I was on my way to Muralidhar Prabhu's clinic for dental work. Bhakta Gauranga Prabhu was with me. When we reached Sion Square we saw an amazing incident.
A man was running to catch a bus that had slowed for a red light. When he reached the bus and caught hold of the door-bar, the light turned green and the bus, which had not completely halted, roared off. The man ran along with it for some time, trying to jump on, but then he slipped off and was dragged along. Then he let go of the door-bar. The last I saw of him was his head disappearing before the huge rear wheels.
"He is gone! Alas!" I sighed and turned to Gauranga.
"Krishna!" he exclaimed and fell silent.
Then suddenly the man reappeared from behind the bus, which had screeched to a halt. He looked around in a daze, apparently still in shock, and sat down on the sidewalk.
"That man needs a book," I said to Gauranga and ran off with my bookbag.
"Are you ok, sir?" I said as I reached out to him.
"Uh, yes," he said, though he was still shaking in fear.
I wiped some dust off his clothes and spoke some soothing words. He seemed a little more comfortable. "This is your re-birth, isn't it?" I said.
"Yes, yes," he nodded.
"God really saved you; He has given you a second chance. Now please don't waste this chance; please thank Him. I have this book by Srila Prabhupada on reincarnation." I handed him a "Coming Back." "Please take this as a token of thanksgiving to the Lord, and read it and practice it."
The man nodded and took the book.
Every day is a second chance for all of us. Some see it dramatically and some don't. At all times we should feel deep gratitude to the Lord for helping us in Krishna consciousness. We should thank Him for every step we take. He is protecting us so that we can mature in Krishna consciousness and serve with a pure heart and also share this message with others, who may die without even once reading Srila Prabhupada's books.
