SRI PURI DHAM MAHATMYA-MUKTA-MALA

(21) ‘May Shasthi Become a Widow!’

As we said earlier, after getting rescued by Mahaprabhu, Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya became a great Vaishnav, and he developed very strong faith in Mahaprabhu.

Many of you love your sons, daughters and their wives and husbands, do you not? You love them so much, but real devotees love their guru, Mahaprabhu and the Lord more than any relatives or family members. Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya is a proof of that.

Mahaprabhu would often come to Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya’s house to take prasad – Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya’s daughter and wife cooked for Him. His daughter’s name is Shasthi. One day, Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya’s son-in-law hid somewhere and watched Mahaprabhu. Seeing Mahaprabhu eat, he said, ‘My, my! This sadhu eats so much!’

Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya’s family arranged Mahaprabhu’s plate very nicely – they made many different preparations and served them to Him in nice bowls. Mahaprabhu tasted a little from each bowl, He did not eat all of it.

When Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya heard his son-in-law’s words, he immediately grabbed a stick and kicked him out. Turning to his daughter, he said, ‘May Shasthi become a widow!’ It means he said, ‘Let that son-in-law die! He is criticising my Lord, so even if he dies, I do not care.’

Mahaprabhu said, ‘Oh! Why are you beating him? He is right. Why should a sadhu eat so much? Do not beat him, it is not necessary to punish him.’

You can understand from this how much they loved the Lord.

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