A long time ago, in a peaceful place called Thaneshvar, there lived a kind and wise man named Jagatanand. He had studied for many years in the holy city of Benares and knew the Sanskrit language very well. To help others learn about Shri Krishna, he would read and explain the sacred book called Shrimad Bhagavatam. Many people would come to listen, and this is how he earned a living.
One day, something special happened.
Shri Mahaprabhuji came to visit Thaneshvar. He offered his prayers by the calm, flowing Sarasvati river. As he was about to return to his resting place, he saw Jagatanand getting ready to speak about the Shrimad Bhagavatam to a small group of people. Watching him, Shri Mahaprabhuji felt something very special in his heart. He knew right away that Jagatanand was a good soul who was meant to follow the path of love and devotion.
So, Shri Mahaprabhuji quietly went and sat down among the listeners.
Jagatanand saw him but thought he was just another kind Brahmin. He began his talk and explained a passage from the sacred book. Then, he looked at Shri Mahaprabhuji and asked, “Do you think this verse has any other meanings?”
Shri Mahaprabhuji gently smiled and said, “There are many beautiful and deep meanings filled with love in this verse.”
Jagatanand was surprised and said, “I only know what I shared. If you understand more, please help me learn.”
But Shri Mahaprabhuji said softly, “You are sitting on the Vyasa seat, the special place for the speaker. It would not be proper for me to speak while you are there.”
Hearing this, Jagatanand quickly got down from his seat and folded his hands. He said, “Please, I request you to take this seat and teach me.”
With great love, Shri Mahaprabhuji sat on the seat and began to explain the verse. His words were full of sweetness and devotion. Time passed by quickly. Morning turned to afternoon as he kept sharing the deep feelings hidden in that one verse.
At last, Shri Mahaprabhuji said, “To explain this verse fully, I would need three months. You must be hungry now. You can go eat.”
Jagatanand’s heart was touched. With great respect, he said, “O ocean of kindness, please accept me as your disciple.”
Shri Mahaprabhuji smiled and gave him a sacred mantra, a special prayer to keep in his heart forever. Then he went with Jagatanand to his home.
There, Jagatanand shared how he used to worship Shri Krishna by simply pouring a glass of water over the Lord’s form. Shri Mahaprabhuji gently said, “Please don’t do that.” He then lovingly showed him the proper way to serve Shri Krishna with care and joy. This way of loving service is called seva.
Later that evening, as they sat together and spoke more about Shri Krishna, Shri Mahaprabhuji gave Jagatanand a very important teaching. He said, “The Shrimad Bhagavatam is not something to be spoken for money.”
Hearing this, Jagatanand’s heart changed. Right away, he promised that he would never again give discourse on the Bhagavatam for payment. From that day forward, he spoke about other holy books, like the Mahabharat and the Puranas, to earn a living. But he never again spoke the Bhagavatam for money.
He had come to understand something very deep. The Shrimad Bhagavatam is not just a book. It is Shri Krishna himself. Each of its twelve parts is like a part of Shri Krishna’s divine body. It is the sweetest fruit of all the holy teachings in the world. It helps us know who Shri Krishna truly is.
After some time, Shri Mahaprabhuji left to visit another place. Jagatanand stayed behind, but his life was no longer the same. He had found a new path. He spent his days serving Shri Krishna with full love and devotion. With time, by Shri Mahaprabhuji’s grace, Jagatanand had a beautiful experience—he truly felt and realized Shri Krishna’s divine presence.
His heart was full. His life had changed forever.
Poem: The Gift of True Devotion
Tags: vaishnav bedtime stories, pushtimarg for kids, shri mahaprabhuji teachings, jagatanand story, bhagavatam values for children, hindu devotional parenting, sanatana dharma kids, krishna bhakti tales, indian spiritual stories, moral stories for vaishnav children, seva and bhakti for young readers, shrimad bhagavatam for kids, simple hinduism lessons