84 Vaishnav Story 77 Sundardas Madhodas
Not far from the Jagannath Puri Temple in Orissa, there lived two good friends, Sundardas and Madhodas. Sundardas loved serving holy saints who visited his town. He would fetch water for them, bring their supplies, and even massage their tired feet. Madhodas, on the other hand, was a disciple of Krishna Chaitanya. He appeared to be a devotee of Shri Krishna, but in truth, his father had taught him to secretly worship a ghost.
One day, Shri Mahaprabhuji came to their town on his way to the Jagannath Temple. Sundardas felt drawn to Shri Mahaprabhuji and went to his camp, asking if there was any service he could do. When Shri Mahaprabhuji came outside, Sundardas was amazed by his divine glow. Seeing his pure heart, Shri Mahaprabhuji gave Sundardas some prasada. The moment Sundardas ate it, his mind became completely pure and full of peace. He began praising Shri Mahaprabhuji and humbly asked to become his disciple.
Shri Mahaprabhuji, pleased by his sincerity, accepted him. That whole night, Sundardas joyfully massaged Shri Mahaprabhuji’s feet. Even when Shri Mahaprabhuji asked him to take rest, Sundardas smiled and said, “I can sleep every night. But when will I get such a chance again?”
The next morning, Shri Mahaprabhuji went to Sundardas’s home. He blessed the house and even initiated Sundardas’s wife. Then he taught Sundardas how to serve Shri Krishna with love and care.
Sundardas cared deeply for his friend Madhodas. He thought, “If only Madhodas could also become Shri Mahaprabhuji’s disciple, his soul would be blessed.” But Madhodas refused, saying, “I already have a guru.”
Later, when Shri Mahaprabhuji stopped again at Sundardas’s house, Madhodas came to visit. He noticed Shri Mahaprabhuji taking food offerings to Shri Krishna and remarked, “Look, your guru’s offering is still full. My Lord eats everything I offer.”
Sundardas asked, “If your Lord eats it all, then what do you eat?”
Madhodas answered, “We set aside food for ourselves before making the offering.”
That evening, Sundardas shared this with Shri Mahaprabhuji. He said softly, “My friend says his Lord eats all his offerings.”
Shri Mahaprabhuji replied with a kind smile, “Dear Sundardas, your friend is mistaken. A ghost comes and eats his food. Shri Krishna’s prasada never diminishes. But since Madhodas is a divine soul and you care so much for him, his heart will soon awaken.”
The next day, Madhodas invited Shri Mahaprabhuji to witness his offering. Shri Mahaprabhuji came quietly and watched as Madhodas began. As Madhodas meditated, a ghost appeared, ready to eat the offering. But Shri Mahaprabhuji raised his hand and commanded, “Never return here again, or I will destroy you.” Frightened, the ghost fled.
When Madhodas came back, he saw the offering untouched and cried out, “Because of you, my Lord did not eat today!”
That night, in his sleep, Madhodas was visited by celestial servants of the Lord. They scolded him, “Today Shri Krishna finally accepted your offering, yet you insulted Shri Mahaprabhuji. If you ever act this way again, we will punish you.”
Shaken, Madhodas ran to Shri Mahaprabhuji the next morning. Falling to the ground, he begged, “Forgive me. I did not know your true form. My father taught me to worship that ghost, and I blindly followed. Now I will do as you say.”
Shri Mahaprabhuji smiled warmly and said, “Call all the Vaishnavas in town to your home for prasada.”
Madhodas hesitated, “But there is only a little food. How can it be enough for everyone?”
Shri Mahaprabhuji replied, “Do not worry. Shri Krishna’s prasada never runs out.”
Madhodas obeyed. Soon his house was filled with Vaishnavas. Shri Mahaprabhuji served prasada to each guest. Even after everyone had eaten, the trays remained full, as if untouched.
Madhodas watched with wide eyes. His heart was overflowing with faith. From that day, his devotion to Shri Krishna became firm and pure. Both Madhodas and Sundardas spent the rest of their lives serving Shri Krishna with love and humility.
The Food That Never Ends (Poem)
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