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| Padmanabhdasji offering chola (chickpeas) Shri Krishna |
That same day, Shri Mahaprabhuji explained that holy scriptures should not be read just to earn money. Hearing this, Padmanabhadas promised never to use the sacred words for making a living again. Shri Mahaprabhuji heard his promise and gently asked, “You are a Brahmin. How will you feed your family?” Padmanabhadas first thought he could beg for food, but soon realized it did not feel right. Instead, he decided to collect wood to support his family, even though it was hard work.
Later, Shri Mahaprabhuji blessed Padmanabhadas, his wife, and children, and told them, “Always do seva for Shri Krishna.” Padmanabhadas said, “I have read many books, so it is hard for me to have faith in just one form of Shri Krishna. If only I could see Him with my eyes, then my faith would be strong.”
Shri Mahaprabhuji smiled and said, “Come with me to Braja.” Padmanabhadas was happy to join him. Together, they traveled towards Shri Gokul. On the way, at a place called Karnaval, something amazing happened. The earth near the river broke, and a huge, bright form of Shri Krishna appeared. Shri Krishna spoke to Shri Mahaprabhuji and asked to be served and loved.
Shri Mahaprabhuji requested, “Please, take a smaller form so I can hold you.” Shri Krishnaji became small enough to sit in Shri Mahaprabhuji’s lap and was named Shri Mathureshji. Shri Mahaprabhuji then asked Padmanabhadas, “Is your wish fulfilled?” Padmanabhadas felt pure joy. “With your grace, everything is possible!” he replied. He brought Shri Mathureshji home and served Him with love.
Padmanabhadas trusted Shri Mahaprabhuji in every way. One night in Prayag, Shri Mahaprabhuji asked him to cross the river and bring his wife. Even though it was late and the river was wide, Padmanabhadas obeyed. He met a young boatman, crossed safely, brought Shri Mahaprabhuji’s wife back, and returned. Later, everyone realized that the boatman was really Shri Krishnaji Himself, happy to help a devoted heart.
Once, when a merchant in Shri Mahaprabhuji’s group lost all his goods to thieves, Padmanabhadas quickly helped. He borrowed money from a money lender, promising to repay it, so the merchant would not trouble Shri Mahaprabhuji or delay his meal. To repay the loan, Padmanabhadas told stories from holy books (other than the Bhagavatam) to a king, who rewarded him. Padmanabhadas only took enough money to pay the debt and returned the rest.
When it was time for his younger daughter to marry, Padmanabhadas agreed to a match with a boy from another caste, because the boy was a Vaishnava and loved Shri Mahaprabhuji. His older daughter, Tulsa, was unsure about this, but Padmanabhadas showed her how much faith in Shri Mahaprabhuji mattered above everything else.
Padmanabhadas was always ready to help others. When a Kshatriya lady wished for a child, Padmanabhadas prayed deeply and gave her holy water. Soon, her wish came true, and she had a son.
Padmanabhadas once looked after a Krishna svarupa (statue) for his friend Ramdas. When thieves took it, Padmanabhadas sat without food or water outside the Mughal leader’s house until the svarupa was returned. Ramdas, far away, also did not eat for those seven days, as his heart was tied to his beloved Shri Krishna.
There were times when Padmanabhadas had no money and could only offer simple soaked chickpeas to Shri Krishna. But he offered them with so much love that each chickpea tasted like a feast to the Lord. Even when gifts of food arrived from Shri Mahaprabhuji’s family, Padmanabhadas would set them aside, not wanting to use his guru’s gifts for himself. He trusted that Shri Krishnaji was happiest with the love in his seva.
Tulsa, Padmanabhadas’s elder daughter, was devoted and served her father faithfully. She treated every Vaishnava guest as if Shri Krishnaji Himself had come. One day, a Vaishnava visited but refused to eat prasada, planning to eat at home. Tulsa was sad she could not honor her guest, but that night, Shri Krishnaji appeared in a dream and told her the Vaishnava would come back and eat her food the next day. When he returned, Tulsa served him, and both learned that love for devotees was above all rules of caste.
Tulsa was so devoted that even Shri Gusainji, Shri Mahaprabhuji’s grandson, praised her. Once, he asked if she had ever seen Shri Krishnaji. Tulsa replied that all she did was eat and sleep, but what she meant was that she found true peace and joy in the loving service and teachings of Shri Mahaprabhuji.
Padmanabhadas’s daughter-in-law, Parvati, was very beautiful but grew sad when she got leprosy on her hands and feet. She wrote to Shri Gusainji and sent him a coin. Shri Gusainji blessed her, and soon her illness disappeared. He said she was a pure devotee who followed the Lord’s wishes.
Parvati’s son, Raghunathdas, studied many holy books in Benares. When he went to see Shri Gusainji, he realized that understanding Shri Mahaprabhuji’s teachings was a gift of grace, not just book learning. With Shri Gusainji’s help, he finally understood the true meaning of Shri Krishnaji’s love.
At one time, Raghunathdas thought he could do all the important seva for Shri Krishnaji by himself and asked his mother, Parvati, to help only with small tasks. Parvati quietly accepted and did only simple chores, eating only dry bread. After four days, Shri Krishnaji came to her and said, “I love your bread more than any fancy meal.” Parvati’s love touched Shri Krishnaji’s heart, and she went back to doing seva with her son. Together, with true love, they served Shri Mathureshji and saw his divine form.
This is how Padmanabhadas and his family showed that real love for Shri Krishnaji and Shri Mahaprabhuji brings blessings to all who serve with a pure and happy heart.
Poem: The Power of Loving Seva
Tags:Vaishnav bedtime stories, Padmanabhadas, Mahaprabhuji, devotional parenting, Krishna devotion, child-friendly Hindu stories, StoryTimeLover, Pushtimarg, spiritual values for kids, seva, faith, Tulsa, Parvati, Raghunathdas
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