Tormented mother reconnects with Krsna
I was on traveling Sankirtan with Sevaka Vatsala Prabhu during the recent Prabhupada marathon. One morning we had planned to visit two country towns in Waikato, New Zealand, that rarely get done. Given that some driving was involved, we were hoping to get off to an early start. Unfortunately, that very morning, our gas cooker started to acting up leading to considerable delays in cooking breakfast / lunch. After dropping off Sevaka in Matamata, I was caught in two minds; should I travel on another 30 minutes to Morrinsville or jump out and start distributing? Remembering Lord Caitanya’s desire that Krishna consciousness be spread in every town and village, I decided to bite the bullet and trust in Guru and Gauranga’s mercy.
Thirty minutes later, I pulled up in the central car park in Morrinsville. As soon as I started distributing, I knew it was going to be a special day. The books were flying out!
After a couple of nice initial exchanges, I saw a middle-aged Indian lady pull into the space next to our van. I immediately approached her vehicle. Before I could say anything however, the lady called out to me:
“Are you a devotee of Krishna? Has Krishna sent you to help me? I was praying all night for Krishna’s mercy!”
“Yes, I am a devotee and yes, Krishna has arranged for us to meet!” I confirmed.
In a serious voice, the lady then said: “Please can we sit in your van and talk? I really, really need your help!”
Looking more closely at her I could see that this lady was in severe distress. She was anxious, perspiring and had big black circles around her eyes. Although this was certainly an unusual request, I felt certain that Lord Caitanya was orchestrating proceedings and surrendered to the transcendental flow.
Unlocking the van, I wound down the windows and invited our friend to sit in the passenger seat. As soon as I hopped into the driver’s seat, the lady looked at me intensely and ordered:
“Hold my hands and chant!!!” This was definitely turning out to be a most unusual exchange. Generally, brahmacaris don’t hold hands and chant with ‘random ladies’ alone in cars, even if they are middle-aged. Still what could I do!? Somehow confident that things would turn out well, I reciprocated with her call for help.
Holding her trembling hands I began to slowly chant the Maha-mantra with all the concentration I could muster up. The lady closed her eyes, lent her head back and feverishly participated in the chanting. Sweating and shaking, she called on Krishna and Rama from the core of her heart.
After a few minutes, she suddenly opened her eyes, exhaled deeply and then smiled.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” she said. “You have cured me! I was feeling so sick this morning. My head felt as if it was about to split and my body felt like it was on fire. Last night I couldn’t sleep at all. My son is possessed by a ghost and under the influence of the evil spirit, he turned on me. He beat me heavily and I had to lock myself in my room. All night I was crying out to Krishna for help. Tossing and turning I chanted His name, praying for divine intervention. As soon as I saw you, I knew that Krishna had sent you to save me.”
Amazed by her story, I simply replied: “The Holy name is all powerful. I am just an instrument. Whenever you chant seriously, Krishna will be present to save you.”
Being in Sankirtan mode, I naturally then considered how to introduce Srila Prabhupada’s books into proceedings. Grabbing a stack of books, I continued:
“Furthermore, as Krishna is non-different to His name, Srimad Bhagavatam / Krishna Book are also non-different to the Lord. If you take these books into your home and ask your son to read them, all inauspiciousness can be driven away.”
The lady was very pleased to see our transcendental literature. Introducing herself as Jenny, she said she would be more than happy to take them. She had asked for Krishna’s help and could understand that she was now directly receiving Krishna’s blessings, by the mercy of Guru-Parampara.
After giving a generous donation Jenny allowed me take her photo which I have attached for the pleasure of the devotees.
As a final gesture of thanks and appreciation, Jenny offered free accommodation and facility for any devotees who travel through Waikato! It seems she is quite a successful business lady and has three large houses, one of which she has now made available for traveling devotees.
So many more wonderful exchanges occurred that day in Morrinsville. I met one other young lady who explained that she had just been “praying to God for guidance and to meet a monk who would give her a new spiritual path”! She left with a set of books including Bhagavad Gita, Science of self-realisation and Chant and be happy. I also taught her the Maha-mantra and asked her to chant daily for ten minutes and then to evaluate the benefit after a month. Almost crying with happiness, the girl left. She felt this meeting marked the start of a new life for her.
Lord Caitanya is very kind!
If we simply try to serve Him and reach out to conditioned souls everywhere, miracles can happen.
Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!
Your servant,
Caitanya Vihara das
