(4/8) Best Birth

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad
Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj
Preaching programme
Translated into English from Bengali
20 February 2020, part 4

You can learn about the highest prema from Sriman Mahaprabhu. One time, He bestowed His mercy onto the son-in-law of Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya and onto Chapal Gopal, who had made an offence at the lotus feet of Srivas Pandit (later, he asked Srivas Pandit for forgiveness, and Mahaprabhu gave him His mercy).

হরিস্থানে অপরাধে তারে হরিনাম ।
তোমাস্থানে অপরাধে নাহিক এড়ান ॥

hari-sthane aparadhe tare harinama
toma-sthane aparadhe nahiko edana

'If one commits an offence at the feet of Lord Hari, he can be forgiven if he chants the Holy Name. But if one offends you, there is no salvation for him.'

(Srila Narottam Das Thakur)

Chapal Gopal did a very bad thing – he kept sindoor, offered flowers and other items of demigod worship (and even empty bottles from wine!) in front of Srivas Pandit's door – but Mahaprabhu bestowed His mercy on him. Mahaprabhu even rescued Jagai and Madhai, who had hit Nityananda Prabhu on the head. Not only that, when Mahaprabhu was passing through the Jharikhand forest, He gave His mercy even to deer and tigers! When Sivananda Sen was travelling to Puri, Mahaprabhu bestowed His mercy even on Sivananda Sen's dog: He fed that dog with coconut. That is why it is good to be born even as a dog at a devotee's house. We sing in one of the kirtans:

কীট জন্ম হউ যথা তুয়া দাস
বহির্ম্মুখ ব্রহ্মজন্মে নাহি আশ

kita janma hau yatha tuya dasa,
bahir-mukha brahma-janma nahi asa

'May I be born even as an insect, as long as I can be Your servant – I have no wish to be born as Brahma, averse to You.'

(Saranagati, Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur)

'I do not want to be born as Brahma. Even if I become an insect, I do not mind it as long as I can be your servant.' We sing this in this kirtan:

মানস, দেহ, গেহ, যো কিছু মোর ।
অর্পিলুঁ তুয়া পদে নন্দকিশোর ॥

manasa, deha, geha, yo kichhu mora
arpilun tuya pade nanda-kisora

'I have offered my mind, body, household – whatever I have – at Your feet, Nandakisor!'

(Saranagati, Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur)

We want to be born even as an insect but not as Brahma. Whichever birth we get, we only pray to be born in a devotee's house, even as a dog. We want to be born as servants of the servants of the servants of the servants. We must always remember this. We must never forget it.

— : • : —

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Length: 44 min
Language: Bengali

READ OTHER PARTS:

1) My Soul's Well-Being
2) Unhealthy Mindset
3) Sincere Faith Does Not Come from Knowledge
4) Best Birth
5) Faith and Determination: Foundation of Krishna Consciousness
6) One-Pointed Life
7) Chanting or Vomiting?
8) Watch Yourself