In the beautiful land of Bengal lived a young Brahmin named Naraharidas. His heart was full of love for Shri Jagannathji, and he often traveled all the way to Orissa to visit the grand temple. Once, he stayed there for a whole year, praying and serving with all his heart.
When Naraharidas returned home, his father was not happy. He scolded his son, saying, “You waste your time at the temple! How will you ever earn a living? Will Shri Jagannathji give you food and clothes? You depend on my money for everything!”
Naraharidas answered softly, “Shri Jagannathji takes care of the entire world. He will take care of me too. From today, I will not use your money.”
His father laughed and said, “If Shri Jagannathji really gives to everyone, then why does He take offerings from people? You will soon learn what it means to beg!”
Naraharidas felt sad hearing his father speak this way. His heart hurt at the thought of someone speaking badly about the Lord. He decided to leave his home, saying, “I cannot stay in a house where the Lord is insulted. I will live only on what Shri Jagannathji gives me.”
With no money, Naraharidas went to the ocean near the temple. He sat there, thinking, “I will not beg. I will only accept what Shri Jagannathji Himself gives me.”
That evening, a young boy appeared. He looked about sixteen years old, with a gentle smile and eyes full of love. The boy held out a plate of delicious food and said, “This is Shri Jagannathji’s prasada for you.”
At first, Naraharidas hesitated. “I can only take what Shri Jagannathji gives,” he said.
The boy replied, “This is from Shri Jagannathji. Who else would send you food here?”
Believing the boy’s words, Naraharidas accepted the prasada gratefully and ate it with joy. That night, he dreamed of Shri Jagannathji. The Lord said, “Go to Shri Mahaprabhuji and take His shelter. He will guide you.”
The next morning, Naraharidas set out to find Shri Mahaprabhuji. When he finally met Him, Shri Mahaprabhuji welcomed him warmly. “You are very brave, Naraharidas. You could not bear to hear your father speak against the Lord. Your faith is strong like Prahlad’s. Come, take initiation and walk the Path of Grace.”
Naraharidas bowed low and became Shri Mahaprabhuji’s disciple. His heart was now calm and full of devotion.
Soon after, Shri Mahaprabhuji sent Naraharidas back to the ocean with a special instruction. “There you will find the Lord’s svarupa,” He said.
Naraharidas returned to the ocean and, to his great surprise, found beautiful deities of Shri Radha and Shri Krishna. With deep love, he carried Them back to Shri Mahaprabhuji.
Shri Mahaprabhuji told him, “Take Them and serve Them with all your heart. Wherever you can do Their seva with love, that will be the best place for you to live.”
Naraharidas then moved to Benares, where he had many friends and followers. There he served Shri Radha-Krishnaji with great devotion for many years. He decorated Them with lovely clothes, offered delicious foods, and sang sweet songs of love.
When he became too old to serve, Naraharidas returned the sacred deities to Shri Gusainji in Gokul. He then spent the rest of his life in Braja, his heart lost in the sweet pastimes of Shri Krishnaji. Every day, he felt the Lord’s loving presence, and his soul was full of joy.
Through his faith and service, Naraharidas showed the world that Shri Jagannathji and Shri Krishnaji truly care for those who surrender to Them with a pure heart.
The Ocean Gave Him Love
Tags: devotional bedtime stories, pushtimarg stories for children, vaishnav stories for kids, Hindu values for families, spiritual stories for parenting, Shri Mahaprabhuji teachings, Shri Krishna devotion, Radha Krishna stories for children, 84 vaishnav stories simplified, Sanatan Dharma for young readers