When Rana Vyas was just twelve years old, he met a wandering monk who inspired him to go on a pilgrimage. With great excitement, Rana Vyas left home and walked all the way to the holy temple of Badrinathji in the snowy Himalayas. But the journey was very hard. The cold winds, the steep climbs, and the long days tired him. When he finally reached the temple, he could only think about how cold it was and how dangerous the way down would be.
Still, he did not give up. He traveled next to Jagannath Puri in Orissa. But soon after he arrived, he became very sick. After a whole month of resting, he felt even worse and feared he might not survive if he stayed. So, he moved on.
He then journeyed to the South to visit Shri Ranganathji. But when he saw the large form of the Lord, he became confused. When he looked at the Lord's feet, he could not see the head, and when he looked at the head, he lost sight of the feet. This made him feel upset.
He then made his way to Shri Dwarka. But there, the temple priest was rude, and Rana Vyas did not like the way he was treated. So, he left and went home. By that time, he was eighteen. His parents, who were now very old, asked him to get married. But Rana Vyas calmly said, "I will never marry. I have controlled my senses."
Not long after, both his parents passed away. Rana Vyas felt strong and proud. He believed he was better than others and thought that people in his town were not wise. So, he went to Benares, a famous city of learning, to join religious debates. But no matter how hard he tried, he lost every argument. Feeling sad and full of shame, he thought of ending his life. He sat by the Ganga river, waiting for midnight to drown himself.
That same afternoon, Shri Mahaprabhuji came to that very spot. A Vaishnav asked him, "What happens to someone who drowns in the Ganga?"
Shri Mahaprabhuji replied, "If someone jumps in out of pride or sadness, they do not get any good result. They may even be born again in a painful way. But if someone leaves their body while remembering the Lord, they may gain something."
Rana Vyas heard this and felt it was meant for him. He went to Shri Mahaprabhuji and said, "Your words have saved me. I was going to drown myself, but now I want to learn from you. Please accept me."
Shri Mahaprabhuji asked, "Why do you want to be my student? You think you are already wise."
Rana Vyas replied softly, "I used to be proud. Now, I just want your grace."
Shri Mahaprabhuji accepted him and gave him teachings from the Path of Grace. The next morning, he taught him a short and sweet truth called Chatusshloki:
"Always worship Shri Krishna with all your heart. That is the real path. There is no other. Think of Him, and He will take care of everything. Do not worry about anything else. If Shri Krishna lives in your heart, then nothing else matters. Never forget Him."
Later, Shri Mahaprabhuji told him to go and debate again with the scholars who had earlier defeated him. This time, Rana Vyas was victorious. He came back to his guru, who said, "You have won, but do not be proud."
Rana Vyas said, "I have learned my lesson. I no longer feel proud. Please bless me so I can feel Shri Krishna's love."
Shri Mahaprabhuji said, "Now go home and serve the Lord with love and care. That is the way to receive His grace."
A kind man named Jagannath Josi heard about Rana Vyas becoming a disciple and became his friend. But Rana Vyas still had a little pride about his control over his senses. One day, he became friendly with a woman. Someone lied to the king and said they were having an affair. The king sent police to bring Rana Vyas.
Jagannath Josi heard what was happening and quickly helped Rana Vyas and the woman escape. When the police came, Jagannath Josi bravely said, "Rana Vyas is not here. I will answer the king myself."
In the court, the king said, "Why have you come? You are a good man. You are not the one who is guilty."
Jagannath Josi said, "Rana Vyas is innocent. I will prove it."
The king then brought a red-hot wheel rim and said, "If you can hold this without burning your hands, I will believe you."
Jagannath Josi prayed and picked it up. To everyone’s surprise, it was cool in his hands. He even wore it around his neck! The people were amazed. When he placed it on the ground, it burned the floor.
The king was pleased and said, "Ask me for anything."
Jagannath Josi said, "Please do not harm the person who lied."
The king was touched and said, "You are a true devotee."
When Jagannath Josi went home, Rana Vyas cried and said, "You suffered for me."
Jagannath Josi replied gently, "A Vaishnav should never do wrong things."
One day, the two friends were by the Saraswati river. They saw a woman about to jump into the fire after her husband died. This was known as 'sati'.
Rana Vyas quietly shook his head. The woman saw this and changed her mind. She said, "I will not do this. I will stay by the river."
The people with her became angry and said, "If you don’t jump in, we will burn you here."
The woman bravely said, "If you do that, it is murder. I will live here by the river."
The next day, she asked Rana Vyas, "Why did you shake your head yesterday? I felt something change inside me."
He replied, "Your life is precious. Instead of burning with sadness, use your life to remember Shri Krishna."
She asked, "Please show me how to remember and worship the Lord."
After some time, when her mourning period ended, she asked for initiation. Rana Vyas prayed to Shri Mahaprabhuji and gave her the sacred Shri Krishna mantra.
The moment she received the mantra, she felt great love for Shri Krishna in her heart. Every day, she chanted the mantra, washed Rana Vyas’s clothes, and took the Lord’s prasada at his home. Slowly, her heart became pure and full of peace.
When Shri Mahaprabhuji came to visit, Rana Vyas told him about the Rajaputani. Shri Mahaprabhuji knew she was a special soul and accepted her as his disciple.
From that time, she served Shri Krishna with all her heart. The Lord began to reveal His divine form to her. Through humble service and loving remembrance of the Lord, she became full of joy.
Shri Mahaprabhuji taught that the best way to receive Shri Krishna’s grace is by staying close to loving devotees like Rana Vyas and serving with a humble heart.
Poem: The Graceful Path
Once there was a boy so bold, Twelve years young, but wise and old. He traveled far, through snow and rain, Seeking peace but finding pain.
He tried to win with clever mind, But left his love for God behind. Till Shri Mahaprabhuji came one day, And gently showed a better way.
"Worship Shri Krishna, pure and true, Let no pride ever live in you." With that light, his heart did shine, His soul became a lamp divine.
When trouble came, a friend stood near, With faith so strong and love so clear. Even fire could do no harm, When held by hands with selfless charm.
A woman once about to burn, Saw a glance and chose to turn. She found her path in simple prayer, And Shri Krishna’s love was always there.
The story ends with hearts so bright, That shine with Shri Krishna’s light. A gentle heart, a humble way, Brings the Lord to us each day.
Tags: bedtime hindu stories, vaishnav stories for kids, pushtimarg tales, mahaprabhuji stories, storytimelover bedtime, shri krishna bhakti, hinduism for children, spiritual values for families, devotional kids books, vaishnav characters, child friendly dharmic tales