C.C.Antya 16.60-The dust of the feet of a devotee, the water that has washed the feet of a devotee, and the remnants of food left by a devotee are three very powerful substances.
Vaishnava blessings are the most powerful way to overcome obstacles and perfect our devotional practice. They come in many ways, but it all begins with the desire to serve.
Sage Narada attained perfection by serving great devotees. He pleased the sadhus with his service attitude. In return, they gave him blessings.
For the last two months, we have been very fortunate to spend time with Jananivas prabhu, a head priest from Sridam Mayapur.
His glories are well-known to devotees. His simplicity, purity of the heart and attachment to Radha Madhava are second to none.
Simply observing him enthuses devotees in their spiritual life. He radiates purity and inspires everyone who comes in contact with him. His gentle and innocent nature, free from false ego, attracts devotees towards him. He enjoys devotee association and loves when devotees come to his room to ask questions and seek guidance.
We relish every moment with him. He happily shares stories, wisdom, and knowledge with whoever wants it. Following in the footsteps of his Lord and master, Lord Nityananda, he is giving blessings even to those who don’t deserve them.
I entered his room for darshan after he finished his lunch prasadam. Many other devotees came also. We all sat under his feet. It was a room full of devotees. Senior devotees spoke to him about the next preaching program, a servant walked around serving him, and brahmacharis were eagerly waiting for his food remnants.
Everyone expressed their sadness that he would leave us soon. At one point, a senior manager asked him to bless a friend of mine to stay at Bhaktivedanta Manor for the rest of his life.
Jananivas humbly looked at the devotee and said- “I’m only a priest- I can’t give blessings.”
Then suddenly, he looked at me instead, inviting me to come closer, placed his hand on my head and said- “you have taken such nice care of me. May all your spiritual desires be fulfilled.”
Over the last two months, Jananivas prabhu allowed us to serve him in many ways. We served him prasadam, cleaned and washed his clothes, went to programs with him and did many other menial services.
Jananivas prabhu is a humble sadhu who is perfectly following in the footsteps of his guru, Srila Prabhupada. His life is all about giving- giving mercy to everyone willing to accept.
He doesn’t see good qualities in himself, and he doesn’t see bad qualities in others. He is a saint who simply loves Krishna.
Srimad Bhagavatam 8.17.16 purport-When a person is favored by brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas, no one can defeat him. Even the Supreme Personality of Godhead does not interfere when one is protected by a brāhmaṇa.
Ananta Gopal Das
15.10.2023
Bhakti Wisdom 