Would Srivas Be Afraid? # 17

17

"What do you mean, you don't know?" an incredulous man asks the crowd. A group quickly forms around him, eager to hear more.

"Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have it on good authority: the King is sending two boats filled with soldiers to restore order to this city. And do you know who is responsible for this curse? Srivas and his brothers, who sing all night and cause an uproar in the name of religion. By doing so, they shamelessly invite others to imitate them. Good heavens, what a mess they've gotten us into! I’ve been trying to warn you for a long time against the heresy of these God-maddened fools. Krishna, Krishna, Krishna!" he mocks, raising his arms and mimicking a dance step. "How will the soldiers distinguish us from these fanatics? They will beat us in retaliation, ransack our shops, and imprison us. I tell you: while there is still time, let’s set fire to their houses and hand them over to the King. By taking the lead, we might obtain his mercy."

The Vaishnavas also heard the news and placed themselves in God's hands. Srivas, a sensitive soul, is worried sick for the safety of his fellow devotees. He began to pray to Lord Nrishimha, the half-man, half-lion Avatar, for protection. Sensing his feelings, Nimai runs to his house and knocks on his door: "Open up, Srivas!" he cries. "Open! I am the very one you are worshipping right now."

Dazed by what he hears, Srivas lets him in and observes him in the light of this strange declaration. His mind is in turmoil; it is not a time for quiet reflection. He had heard others like Advaita Acharya or Nityananda make such claims before, but for one reason or another, they had never caught his attention. He used to attribute their words to their deep affection for Nimai. In this land, when someone possesses exceptional qualities, people often see a manifestation of God. To praise a couple's beauty, one might say: "You are like Lakshmi and Narayana." But in this moment, Srivas is struck by a strange premonition. Nimai had never spoken to him this way. To stop his hands from shaking, he presses them hard against his thighs.

"Yes, my dear Srivas, you are not dreaming. I am indeed the Master of the spiritual world. As I do from age to age, I have left my kingdom to come into this world to correct the demonic mentality of humans and, above all, to please my devotees. It is because people like you chant my names with love, and because Advaita prayed to me with such fervor on the banks of the Ganges, that I am here. He forced my hand, so to speak."

Srivas weeps. An unprecedented joy expands his heart. Standing with joined palms, he offers the same prayers that Brahma once dedicated to Krishna: "O Lord, there is no other Supreme Master worthy of worship but You. I offer You my humblest homage. Your body has the hue of a rain cloud. A brilliant radiance emanates from Your yellow garments. Endless respect to the son of Nanda Maharaj, who stands before me with a conch, earrings, and a peacock feather upon His head. With Your staff and Your flute, You stand upon Your lotus-like feet. O Lord, though men call me the master of Vedic knowledge, I was unable to understand Your Person, even as You stand before me as a child."

Srivas spoke these words without difficulty, in a state of spiritual trance. Enthusiastically, he continued: "You are Vishnu, the Supreme Person. You are Krishna, You are Yajna, the Lord of all sacrifices. The source of the most sacred of rivers, the Ganges, springs from Your lotus-like feet. You are Ramachandra, the cherished son of King Dasharatha, and You are Nrishimhadeva. Shiva and Brahma are like bees seeking the honey of Your holy feet. You are the knower of the Vedas, for You are their author. You are the Supreme Lord, Narayana. You are Lord Vamanadeva, who outwitted Bali Maharaj to reclaim his kingdom. You are Jagannath, the moon of Puri, and You are the Cause of all causes. Is there anyone who is not subordinate to Your insurmountable energies? Even Lakshmi Devi is unaware of this reality, though she is Your eternal consort."

After reciting these prayers from the Srimad-Bhagavatam from memory, Srivas concluded by reflecting on his humble condition: "By placing me in this family life, which is like a deep well of ignorance, I have wasted the advantages of this rare human birth. That I was unable to recognize You for all these years is sad proof of this. It must be admitted that You did nothing to help us identify You, quite the contrary! But now, O Master of my heart, a new life begins for me. All my anxieties, sufferings, and doubts have vanished. I am no longer afraid. My most unthinkable hopes are now fulfilled. Wait, my Lord," he said excitedly to Nimai, who watched him with a trace of a smile, "one moment, I will gather my whole family; I want them to see You as You are."

When they were all ready, he collected flowers from the altar of Vishnu and decorated the feet of his new Deity. At that moment, Nimai placed both his feet on Srivas’s head, granting his devotee inconceivable mercy. He spoke then in a grave, resonant voice: "Why are you so afraid? This worship of Nrishimhadeva... I too have heard of this punitive expedition, that you were to be imprisoned. Rest assured, I am the Supersoul residing in the heart of every being, and I control their acts according to My will. The King can only desire to capture you if I, situated within his heart, induce him to give that order. But suppose the King had ordered his soldiers to come for you regardless: well, I promise you that I would immediately surrender to them, boarding their boat so they might lead me before him. What do you think he would do upon seeing Me? Sit indifferently on his throne? No! For I would fascinate him! I would hypnotize him! And if he did not respond to that influence, I would challenge him so intriguingly that he could not resist. I would say: 'Your Majesty, your court is composed of learned members; ask your priests to read the Scriptures and inspire the audience to the point of weeping with spiritual emotion.' If they fail, do you know what I will do? I will reveal My true identity! I will say: 'Your Majesty, you sent soldiers to stop the chanting of the Holy Names; now you shall witness the power of My explanations. I shall speak of the love of God according to the Puranas, and I promise that not only will you weep, but so will your ministers, your elephants, your dogs, and your birds!'"

Nimai stopped, frozen in his verbal momentum. He scanned the faces of Srivas’s family, who were utterly stunned. "You don't believe Me, do you! It's beyond you. Well, I will give you a demonstration."

Srivas had a four-year-old daughter named Narayani. "Narayani!" Nimai called out, "chant the Name of Krishna and let yourself be carried away by His spiritual power. Chant!"

The little girl began to stir. She stood up, disoriented and shivering. Suddenly, she cried: "Krishna! Krishna! Krishna!" incessantly. Her eyes blurred with tears, she trembled, laughed, wept, fell, and rolled on the ground. The sight of this phenomenon filled the family with joy. A great weight seemed to lift from the parents' shoulders. "Do you believe Me now?" Nimai asked, smiling.

From that day on, another reality was shared among the Vaishnavas of Nadia: God was now in their city in the form of Nimai.

Preceding chapter : Srivas, Accused of Idolatry # 16
Next Chapter : Conflict between Muslims and Hindus # 18