Modern day Jagai-Madhai Pastime!

Hare Krishna!

Here is a real life story of a modern day version of Jagai-Madhai becoming great Vaishnavas. I wont take any names in this particular blog because I do not want anyone to refer to the pre-ISKCON lives of the now great devotees.

This story was told to me by a senior devotee friend of mine. It was told to him by the same devotee whose story this is! So, this is very similar to stories from the Bhagavatam, which are told and retold by one great devotee to another to another and finally to us all, through the purports by Srila Prabhupada. These events, when they happen in today's world, help increase our faith so much in the words of the Bhagavatam!

For the purpose of this writeup, I'll refer to this wonderful devotee as XYZ Prabhu :) So, the story is as follows. XYZ Prabhu was a powerful Shiv Sena activist! Well, so that explains the resemblance with Jagai-Madhai :) To consolidate this fact, let me also tell you that our XYZ Prabhu had decided that he would kill a particular very very senior devotee! Lets call this very very senior devotee as VVS Prabhu :) He had taken this decision because VVS Prabhu had inspired XYZ Prabhu's sister's husband to take on Krishna Conscious activities. This the sister did not like very much and she complained to XYZ Prabhu. So, XYZ Prabhu decided to kill VVS Prabhu.

Somehow, XYZ Prabhu boldly declared his plans to another very very senior devotee (AVVS PRabhu :) ). And now comes the very very inspiring part. AVVS PRabhu told XYZ Prabhu: "VVS Prabhu is a devotee of Krishna. You will not be able to even touch him, what to speak of killng him. If you are able to hurt VVS Prabhu, I will stop chanting".

Stop Chanting? Stop Chanting!!! For a devotee, this is as good as death! Isn't it? Srila Prabhupada once told his disciples (ref: By His Example -- GuruDas Prabhu) "If a devotee of Lord Chaitanya stops chanting Hare Krishna (or in other words stops Krishna Consciousness) then it is as good as committing suicide." Because, where is there a shelter for one who has left the shelter of the Lotus Feet of Gauranga?

Coming back to our story... After saying this, AVVS Pr also asked XYZ Prabhu that if XYZ Prabhu cant harm VVS Prabhu, then XYZ Prabhu should start chanting. XYZ Prabhu accepted this proposal.

For 6 months, XYZ Prabhu was trying to kill VVS Prabhu. And all his attempts were in vain. It rarely (or perhaps never) happens that a powerful Shiv Sena leader cant kill a person he is bent upon killing. It never happens... unless that person is protected by the Supreme Personality of Godhead - Sri Krishna!

And today. XYZ PRabhu is a wonderful initiated devotee! And who is his councellor? Yes, you guessed right -- VVS Prabhu, the devotee he wanted to kill!!

Need I say more?

Srila Prabhupada Ki... JAI!! JAI!! JAI!!

Your servant, Abhijit.