The life for Brahmā was fraught with countless distractions—his duties in creation, his bewilderment in the Brahma-vimohana-līlā, his confusion during creation, the questions of the Kumāras, and more. (Refer this link for the previous article: Distraction & Devotion: An Insight into Brahmā’s Life)
These distractions even led him to momentarily offend the Supreme Personality of Godhead. However, after the Brahma-vimohana-līlā, he realized the true position of Kṛṣṇa and humbly prayed to become a blade of grass in Vṛndāvana, just to receive the dust of the Lord’s devotees.
tad astu me nātha sa bhūri-bhāgo
bhave ‘tra vānyatra tu vā tiraścām
yenāham eko ‘pi bhavaj-janānāṁ
bhūtvā niṣeve tava pāda-pallavam
My dear Lord, I therefore pray to be so fortunate that in this life as Lord Brahmā or in another life, wherever I take my birth, I may be counted as one of Your devotees. I pray that wherever I may be, even among the animal species, I can engage in devotional service to Your lotus feet.
Sincere prayers of a devotee never go in vain. The same Brahmā later appeared in Caitanya-līlā as Śrīla Haridāsa Ṭhākura. And what an extraordinary personality Haridāsa Ṭhākura was!
The very same Brahmā who was once bewildered by Kṛṣṇa’s maya became Haridāsa Ṭhākura, who overpowered maya through his unshakable devotion to Kṛṣṇa.
Could Women Distract Him?
Haridāsa Ṭhākura was tested by a prostitute employed by one envious person named Ramachandra Khan, yet he remained unaffected. For three continuous days, she listened to the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra from him and was completely transformed. The very presence of Haridāsa Ṭhākura purified her, turning her from a seductress into a saintly devotee.
Could Maya Seduce Him?
Brahmā was once tempted by a small manifestation of maya, yet when he appeared as Haridāsa Ṭhākura, Mayadevi herself came in disguise to test him. But she could not move him even an inch, because he was deeply absorbed in chanting the holy names. Haridāsa Ṭhākura emerged victorious over maya herself. And even more so, he initiated Mayadevi in chanting of Hare Krishna!!
kṛṣṇe nāmāviṣṭa-manā sadā haridāsa
araṇye rodita haila strī-bhāva-prakāśa
Haridāsa Ṭhākura was always absorbed in thoughts of Kṛṣṇa and the holy name of Kṛṣṇa. Therefore the feminine poses the woman exhibited were just like crying in the forest. CC Antya 3.246
Mayadevi herself said to him, “I have previously captivated the mind of even Brahmā, what to speak of others. Your mind alone have I failed to attract.”
”My dear sir, you are the foremost devotee. Simply seeing you and hearing you chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa has purified my consciousness. Now I want to chant the holy name of the Lord. Please be kind to me by instructing me about the ecstasy of chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra.”
Could Pride Bother Him?
Brahmā, the highest being in the material universe, deliberately chose to take birth in a lowly position as Haridāsa Ṭhākura to ensure he would never be affected by pride. His profound humility and complete attachment to the holy name kept him free from any sense of superiority. Haridāsa Ṭhākura never sought respect for himself; rather, he always desired to be a humble servant of the devotees.
His Deepest Aspiration
What was the deepest desire of this conqueror of illusion? Haridāsa Ṭhākura, who had even initiated Mayadevi into the chanting of the holy names, revealed his true heart in the Mahāprakāśa-līlā. He prayed for nothing but the birth of a dog in a Vaiṣṇava’s house, just so he could receive the remnants of the devotees. His greatest joy was to honor the remnants of the Lord’s devotees.
tomāra smaraṇa-hīna pāpa-janma mora
saphala karaha dāsocchiṣṭa diyā tora
“My life is sinful because I am devoid of remembrance of You. Please make my life successful by allowing me to eat the remnants of Your servants. CB Madhya 10.88
śacīra nandana, bāpa, kṛpā kara more
kukkura kariyā more rākha bhakta-ghare”
“O son of Śacī, O dear Lord, please be merciful to me. Kindly keep me in the house of a devotee as a dog.” CB Madhya 10.91
Beyond Distractions, Only Devotion
Haridāsa Ṭhākura faced every conceivable distraction, yet he remained steadfast. The sole cause of his transcendence was his unalloyed devotion to the lotus feet of the Lord, manifested through his attachment to chanting of the Holy Names. He would chant 192 rounds daily, leaving no scope for distraction.
Even Mahāprabhu was so pleased with Haridāsa Ṭhākura that every single day, He personally brought him Lord Jagannātha’s remnants. In contrast, when Brahmā had prayed to Kṛṣṇa after Brahma-Vimhana Lila, Kṛṣṇa did not even respond verbally. And Brahma, understanding his predicament, had no other option than to leave from there.
However, as Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the Lord would personally come to Siddha Bakula every single day to feed Haridāsa!!
When Haridāsa Ṭhākura decided to leave his body, he desired to do so while gazing upon the face of Lord Caitanya.
hṛdaye dharimu tomāra kamala caraṇa
nayane dekhimu tomāra cāṅda vadana
I wish to catch Your lotuslike feet upon my heart and see Your moonlike face. CC Antya 11.33
jihvāya uccārimu tomāra ’kṛṣṇa-caitanya’-nāma
ei-mata mora icchā,—chāḍimu parāṇa
With my tongue I shall chant Your holy name, ’Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya!’ That is my desire. Kindly let me give up my body in this way. CC Antya 11.34
And what a glorious departure it was! Mahaprabhu fulfilled every single one of his desires, personally bathing his body in the sea and even begging alms from shopkeepers to organize a grand feast in his honor.
Such was the unparalleled life of Haridāsa Ṭhākura, who attracted the boundless mercy of Mahāprabhu through his devotion. In his dictionary, distraction simply did not exist.
Following in His Footsteps
A sincere sādhaka should aspire to follow in the footsteps of Haridāsa Ṭhākura and perfect his or her life by cultivating deep attachment to chanting of the Holy Name. Though we may not face trials as severe as his, if we sincerely beg for his mercy, we will surely overcome the minor temptations and challenges that Mayadevi presents before us. By praying to Śrīla Haridāsa Ṭhākura, our lives can become truly successful.
Namacarya Śrīla Haridāsa Ṭhākura ki Jaya !!
