84 Vaishnav Story 76 Santdas Chopda Kshatriya
.png)
A long time ago in the city of Agra, there lived a kind and wealthy man. For many years, he wished for a son who would grow up to love and serve Shri Krishna with all his heart. He visited many holy people, seeking their blessings. One day, someone advised him to worship Lord Shiva with deep faith and patience.
The man began his prayers with great devotion. He fasted, meditated, and offered flowers every single day. Then, one night, Lord Shiva appeared in his dream. “I am pleased with your prayers,” said Shiva. “What blessing do you wish for?”
The man folded his hands and replied, “Please grant me a son who will be a great devotee of Shri Krishna and bring joy to many.”
Lord Shiva paused and said gently, “Let me ask Shri Krishna if such a soul can be sent to your family. I will return tomorrow with my answer.”
That night, Shri Krishna told Shiva, “This man’s son will be born as a great bhakta. He will inspire many and uplift his family.”
The next evening, Shiva appeared again in the man’s dream. “You will have a saintly son,” he said, smiling.
And so, after nine months, a sweet baby boy was born. The happy parents named him Santdas.
When Santdas grew up, he married a kind young woman. Soon after their marriage, his father passed away. To ease his sadness, Santdas began attending spiritual talks and meeting holy people. One day, he met Shri Mahaprabhuji and felt a deep peace in his heart just from hearing him speak.
Santdas became Shri Mahaprabhuji’s disciple. Shri Mahaprabhuji also initiated Santdas’s wife and said, “Though she may not yet be a divine soul, she will achieve perfection through your company.”
Shri Mahaprabhuji then taught Santdas the thousand names of Shri Krishna. He told him lovingly, “By reciting these names, all your desires will be fulfilled. But remember, there will come a time when you lose your wealth. In those days, stay strong. Do not use Shri Krishna’s belongings for yourself. Trust in His grace and remain calm.”
Santdas listened carefully and promised to follow this advice. Before leaving for Braj, Shri Mahaprabhuji gifted Santdas beautiful clothes and ornaments for his Shri Krishna at home.
As time passed, Santdas’s wealth was indeed lost. Some of it was stolen, and the rest was taken away by the king. But Santdas did not feel sad. His heart was full of Shri Krishna’s love, and he felt richer than ever.
He now had only forty paisa. He began exchanging coins for people, earning a small profit of two and a half paisa each day. With his earnings, he bought lentils in summer and roasted chickpeas in winter to offer Shri Krishna. Whatever little remained, he shared with visiting Vaishnavas during evening satsangs.
One day, his friend Narayandasji heard of Santdas’s poverty. He sent him one hundred coins through the mailman, asking Santdas to give the mailman two paisa.
When Santdas received the money, he paid the mailman from his own daily earnings. But instead of using the gift, he sent all one hundred coins to Shri Gusainji. Santdas wrote to Narayandasji, “Your kindness has stopped me from making my Lord’s offering today. Please do not send me such gifts again.”
Though he still had forty-eight paisa left, Santdas would not touch it because it belonged to Shri Krishna. When Shri Gusainji received the money, he smiled and said, “Santdas is a true bhakta. He would never keep another Vaishnava’s wealth for himself.”
Every evening, Vaishnavas gathered at Santdas’s home for satsang. Lord Shiva himself would come in disguise, quietly listening from a corner.
In the same town, a wealthy man heard that Santdas gave his guests only simple roasted chickpeas. The man thought, “I can do better.” He invited Vaishnavas to his home and offered them rich sweets made with ghee. Many Vaishnavas went to the rich man’s satsang for fifteen days, but others stayed with Santdas, preferring the deep devotion they felt in his home.
Curious, the rich man came to Santdas’s satsang. But he understood nothing and fell asleep. When Santdas woke him and offered chickpeas, the man angrily threw them on the floor.
When Shri Gusainji heard about all this, he said, “Santdas is a saint filled with wisdom, strength, and surrender.”
Years passed, and Santdas grew old. On Shri Gusainji’s birthday, he could no longer travel to visit him. He wrote a letter asking Shri Gusainji to send two Vaishnavas to his home with prasada.
When they arrived, Santdas welcomed them warmly. He handed over everything he owned—his house and all of Shri Krishna’s belongings—to be sent to Shri Gusainji.
As Santdas lay on his deathbed, people said, “We will take you to a holy place like Mathura or Gokul. It is auspicious to die there.”
But Santdas smiled and said, “I have spent my whole life taking Shri Krishna’s shelter. Will these places make me any purer? And why pollute Gokul with the ashes of my body? Stay here and sing Shri Krishna’s glories instead.”
As his breath grew slower, Santdas began speaking to Shri Gusainji in his mind. With a gentle smile, he left his body while meditating on his guru.
When Shri Gusainji heard of his passing, he said, “Santdas was a real saint. He lived with wisdom, strength, and full surrender to Shri Krishna.”
The Pure Heart of Santdas (Poem)
Tags: santdass, vaishnav stories for kids, pushtimarg bedtime stories, hindu values for children, devotional stories for families, santdas satsang, shri mahaprabhuji teachings, satsang and seva for kids, spiritual stories hinduism, krishna bhakti children
Comments
Post a Comment