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| Rajo Bai Kshatrani & Shri Vallabh |
Once there was a kind woman named Rajo who lived in a small village. She loved Shri Mahaprabhuji with all her heart and tried to follow his teachings every day. Rajo was always thinking about how to serve Shri Mahaprabhuji and Shri Krishna in the best way she could.
Each night, Rajo would carefully cook delicious food for Shri Mahaprabhuji. She made sure to use the freshest and purest things, because she wanted her offerings to be perfect for her beloved guru.
One day, it was a special day for Shri Mahaprabhuji’s family. This day was called “shraddha,” a time when people remember and honor their parents who have passed away. Shri Mahaprabhuji wanted to feed some guests and needed some ghee, which is a kind of butter used in cooking. So, he asked one of his followers to go to Rajo and ask her for some ghee.
The follower went to Rajo’s house and told her that Shri Mahaprabhuji needed ghee. Rajo gently said, “I am sorry, but I have no ghee right now.” The follower went back and told Shri Mahaprabhuji what Rajo had said.
Shri Mahaprabhuji then asked the follower to go back to Rajo and tell her that he was asking for the ghee very seriously, even with a bit of anger. The follower hurried back and said, “Shri Mahaprabhuji is now asking for ghee in a very strong way.” Rajo still answered kindly, “I really do not have any ghee to give.”
When the follower returned to Shri Mahaprabhuji and shared Rajo’s answer, he suggested that they should try to get ghee from somewhere else.
That evening, as always, Rajo finished her daily cooking and brought her offerings to Shri Mahaprabhuji. But this time, when she arrived, Shri Mahaprabhuji turned away from her and did not look at her. Rajo felt very sad and wondered what she had done wrong. She softly asked, “Shri Mahaprabhuji, have I done something bad? Why are you not giving me your kind smile today?”
Shri Mahaprabhuji replied, “Today was my father’s shraddha, and you did not give any ghee when I asked.”
Rajo said quietly, “I really did not have any ghee to give.”
Shri Mahaprabhuji asked, “But then how did you make these offerings that you have brought today?”
Rajo smiled a little and said, “Shri Mahaprabhuji, the ghee I had was only meant for you and for Shri Krishna’s seva. I could not use it for anything else. I am not here to serve your father’s memory, I am here to serve you. I could not give ghee for a worldly reason, even if you seemed upset. If you had asked for ghee to use for Shri Krishna’s seva, I would have given it right away. Or, if you had explained that it was fine for my Vaishnava path, I would have shared it. In my heart, you told me not to give the ghee, even though you asked for it on the outside.”
Rajo then explained gently, “In the world, people do many kinds of duties and get different rewards. But the happiest reward comes from serving Shri Krishna and doing everything with love. That is what you have taught me, Shri Mahaprabhuji. I only wanted to follow your teachings.”
Shri Mahaprabhuji was very pleased to hear Rajo’s answer. He saw how deeply she understood the true path of love and service. When Rajo offered her food, Shri Mahaprabhuji first said, “On shraddha days, we can eat only once.” But Rajo asked again with so much care that Shri Mahaprabhuji broke the rule and tasted her offering, full of love.
Even though Rajo was just a simple woman, she lived each day by what Shri Mahaprabhuji taught. While many people only know teachings in their minds, Shri Mahaprabhuji lived always in Rajo’s heart.
Tags: rajo, vaishnav, shri mahaprabhuji, krishna devotion, devotional parenting, shraddha story, hindu stories for kids, path of grace, seva, vaishnav values, bhakti, spiritual bedtime stories, nurturing faith, tulsi kanthi, sanatan dharma for children, indian family values, kindness, moral stories india
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