A Story from South India - By Madhavananda Das and Rambhakta Das
Obtaining the mercy of a pure devotee is an absolute necessity for those who aspire for the service and association of the Supreme Lord in the spiritual world. Srila Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami writes in madhya-līlā 22.51 of Caitanya-caritāmṛta:
mahat-kṛpā vinā kona karme 'bhakti' naya
kṛṣṇa-bhakti dūre rahu, saṁsāra nahe kṣaya
Unless one is favored by a pure devotee, one cannot attain the platform of devotional service. To say nothing of kṛṣṇa-bhakti, one cannot even be relieved from the bondage of material existence.
There is a story in the life of the great devotee Kanchipurna that nicely illustrates this principle. Kanchipurna was one of the five disciples initiated by Srila Yamunacharya whom the members of the Śrī Sampradāya consider to be his most intimate followers. Although born in a śūdra family, Kanchipurna was famous throughout South India as a great vaiṣṇava. He resided in the city of Kanchipuram, where he daily offered the service of fanning the famous deity of Lord Vishnu known as Sri Varadaraj Swami.
Kanchipurna's simplicity and devotion endeared him to Lord Varadaraj, so much so that the two of them began having daily conversations. Some of the local people found out about this and individuals began approaching Kanchipurna, requesting him to convey questions on their behalf to the Lord. Varadaraj Swami would reply and then Kanchipurna would relate the answer back to the questioner. One day someone asked if they would go to Vaikuntha at the end of their life. Lord Varadaraj confirmed that after leaving his present body, that devotee would go to Vaikuntha.
The desire arose in Kanchipurna's heart to know if he were going to go to Vaikuntha after his present life. However, he was too shy to ask about himself. The Lord knew the heart of his dear devotee, and a few days later, Varadaraj Swami asked Kanchipurna, "Is there anything that you want to ask me?"
"No, no. I have no question", replied Kanchipurna.
The Lord then insisted, "Kanchipurna, is there nothing that you want to ask me?"
Finally, Kanchipurna revealed his heart. "My dear Lord, when will I go to Vaikuntha?"
Varadaraj Swami cast a loving glance on his devotee, and said, "Kanchipurna, you are my dear servant. I love you, but you will not go to Vaikuntha after this life. Although you have served me with great devotion, you have never served my devotee. Unless someone serves one of my devotees they cannot enter into my abode."
Hearing the Lord's words, Kanchipurna stood there for a moment, and then, without saying a word, he suddenly put the fan down on the altar and left.
Kanchipurna went searching for a devotee whom he could serve.
Being famous all over South India, it was not easy for Kanchipurna to find a devotee willing to accept his service. Although he tried and tried, no one would allow him to serve. Rather, everyone he approached said, "No! No! No! You are a great devotee. Lord Varadaraj personally talks to you! I cannot allow you to serve me. I'll go to hell!"
Finally, Kanchipurna took off his saffron cloth. Donning some white dress, he went to the home of one of his godbrothers disguised as a cowherd man. For six months he rendered service to that devotee's cows, always being careful to hide his face. After a short time his godbrother noted his devoted service and developed great affection for the mysterious cowherd man who was taking such good care of his cows and asking for nothing in exchange. He began addressing the cowherd as, "My boy, my boy!" However, the mysterious cowherd would neither speak nor allow anyone to get too close to him. Hence no one knew his real identity.
One day, Kanchipurna got wet. Having only one set of white cloth, he went back to his small room to change into his saffron-colored clothes. At that time his godbrother happened to see him and realized who he actually was. "Kanchipurna! It's you! What are you doing? You will destroy me! I cannot allow you to render service to me. Rather, it is I who should serve you!"
Kanchipurna then returned to the temple of Lord Varadaraj. Seeing his dear devotee entering the temple, the Lord smiled upon him and said, "Kanchipurna, for six months you did menial service for one of my devotees. Now at the end of this life you can come to my abode."
The Lord has reserved the right to only allow those persons entrance into his abode who have served one of his dear devotees. In antya 6.97 of his Śrī Caitanya-bhāgavata, Srila Vrindavan Das Thakur quotes from the Varāha Purāṇa:
siddhir bhavati vā neti saṁśayo 'cyuta sevinām
niḥsaṁśayas tu tad bhakti paricaryāratātmanām
One may doubt whether the servant of the Supreme Personalityof Godhead will attain perfection, but there is absolutely no doubt that those who are attached to serving his devotees will attain perfection. [In Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Prabhupada's purport to Caitanya-bhāgavata, ādi 1.10, this is cited as being from Śāṇḍilya-smṛti.]
A similar statement is made by His Divine Grace A. C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in his purport to Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 4.21.39:
Srila Narottam Das Thakur sings, chāḍiyā vaiṣṇava-sevā nistāra pāyeche kebā, which means that unless one serves the vaiṣṇavas and brāhmaṇas, one cannot get liberation from the material clutches.
This was excerpted from Sri Krishna Kathamrita Bindu issue 324. To read the entire issue click here: https://archive.org/details/Bindu324
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