By: Avyanga Das & Nandagopal Jivan DasIn the series of our “True Stories” there had been times when devotees were touched while reading experiences shared by other devotees. Like our previous posts devotees have started to share their experiences so that they can be put into words and shared with other devotees. This time we are trying to put a recent incident across which was shared by one of the IYF-Delhi (ISKCON Youth Forum–Delhi) members who has had a privilege of staying in Sri Dhama Mayapur and attend “Bhakti Shastri Course” for 3 months!!!
Madhava (name has been changed on request) is a wonderful devotee and an active member of IYF–Delhi. He has been chanting regularly, reading Srila Prabhupada’s Books and following four regulative principals for a long time now. He is one of the most sincere and humble devotees and stays a stretch away from ISKCON Delhi Temple– East of Kailash. He has read Bhag
avad Gita and numerous Prabhupada’s books under the supervision of senior devotees like Our Temple President H.G. Mohan Rupa Prabhu. He also shared an intimate relation with all devotees and specially our respected temple president. He always desire to progress on the path of devotion and attain love of Godhead.
One fine day he was discussing with H.G. Mohan Rupa Prabhu about various courses offered by ISKCON and showed his desire to attend one which would help him progress on his way. Prabhu ji advised him to start with “Bhakti Shastri Course” which was supposed to be started in Sri Dhama Mayapur. All arrangements were made within no time. He also received a letter of recommendation from
The big day came when Madhava reached Sri Dhaam Mayapur and stepped on the pious land of The Golden Incarnation “Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu”. He couldn’t believe his fate to have him step on such an illuminating land. He was intensely thankful to Srila Prabhupada and all Vaisnavas for showering such a mercy upon him. He paid obeisance to the land of wonders and went ahead to have Darshans of Srila Prabhupada Pushpa Samadhi Mandir. He felt immense satisfaction being inside the huge hall that looks like a 
rd Sri Narasimhadeva & Prahalada Maharaj. He paid his Obeisances to his dear lord and felt rejuvenated. After that there were more eye-catching scenes to have Darshans of Sri Sri Radha Madhava and Sri Pancatattva altars. They all were dressed in whites. Sri Sri Radha Madhava looked astounding in white color. Madhava felt himself non-different being in Goloka.
Within next two days he was settled and ready for the course. He started actively participating in his classes which were conducted by many sannyasis. He continued to stay in Sri Dhaam for the duration of the course and participate in temple activities as well, such as Prasadam distribution, books distribution and harinaam. One day after he got up early in morning he felt uneasy and drained. It was difficult for him to walk but he did not realize that he was also running with fever. He took bath and attended Mangala Arotik. That day, instead of staying in temple hall for japa meditation, he decided to come back to his cottage and take rest. He couldn’t even go to have morning Prasadam because of weakness. His entire body was itching and developed red spots throughout. Instead of all this, he was determined to go and attend his daily class. He forced himself to move, took bath, get dressed and started walking towards 
After reaching there other devotees could identify that he was not feeling well and took him to medical room to get his body temperature checked. He was found running with 104°C temperature and given necessary treatment to break his fever. Other devotees helped him to get back to his room/cottage and got some Mahaprasadm for him. He didn’t eat much that night and fell asleep. The following day was worst for him because red itching spots were developed throughout his body. He was feeling restless because of them. Later during the day he was taken to a local doctor in Mayapur for diagnostic and found to have Varicella (Chickenpox). He was advised to get his blood-checked for the confirmation. Doctor advised him to stay away from others for minimum 21 days so that it doesn’t spread. [Varicella is extremely contagious, and can be spread by direct contact, droplet transmission, and airborne transmission. Affected person develops hundreds of itchy, fluid-filled blisters that burst and form crusts. Chickenpox is caused by a virus.]
Madhava’s condition was not improving and he felt immense pain to miss one of his classes because of his illness. His condition didn’t improve the following day as well. Later the following day he was taken to a Russian Mataji who is a doctor and wife of a full time devotee at Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir. She was serving devotees a
nd utilizing her skills for the pleasure of
Next day he gathered all his strength and decided to have Darshans of the deities in temple hall. He came from the other side and entered Sri Sri Pancha Tattva Hall first. After reaching near the alter he stood along with devotees to see Arotik. His condition didn’t allow him to dance or sing during the aortic but he continued to stand with other devotees standing by the platform. After the arotik was over, he caught the attention of the pujari in service. He approached him and advised to go out of the temple hall so that other devotees are not infected. Madhava felt bad but knew that was true. He moved to Sri Sri Radha Madhava altar where pujari was distributing Maha Garlands from the altar. After Darshans he moved towards the altar of Bhakti Vighna Vinashak Lord Sri Narasimhadeva. There the pujari was distributing the mercy of Lord Narasimhadeva by touching His lotus sandals on the foreheads of devotees. After that pujari saw Madhava in front of the altar, he could see small red blisters all over his body. He could understand that it was an infectious disease and didn’t touch the lotus sandals of Lord on his forehead. Looking at this Madhava broke and started to look at his sweet lord. He prayed to Lord Nrsimha to shower his causeless mercy on him so that he is in a state to continue with his classes and have Darshans of deities whenever he wants. He was not thinking of his bodily sufferings but was more concerned of spiritual side of it. It was hampering him to attend classes and be part of other devotional services. He looked into the eyes of Lord Sri Narasimhadeva and felt as He was straight looking into his eyes. His eyes were shining like two moons studded on his lotus face. Suddenly Madhava felt a lot more relaxed and headed towards his room.
While coming out of the temple hall he met a chowkidaar (secu
rity guard) on the main gate. After looking at him, he said “Prabhu don’t do not come to temple hall unless you are healed completely, it is dangerous for others as well” and gave him way to go out. Madhava understood that he would cause problem to other devotees if he continues to come for Darshans and decided to stay within is room until he gets cured. It was a difficult decision for him to make but he was thinking about other devotees. He was chanting extra rounds during those days to utilize the extra time he had. At night he felt asleep remembering Lord Nrsimha to give him strength to face this situation.
Next morning, as usual he was awake before Mangala Arotik but knew that he would not go in the temple hall for the sake of other devotees. He decided to take bath and do his prayers in his room. Not caring about his bodily condition, he took bath with cold water [in the month of December] and came inside the room to dress. By the height of his surprise while applying Vishnu Tilaka on his body, he noticed that all his red watery blisters were no more there. He looked himself into the mirror and checked his entire body was free from any so called blisters he had. He was amazed and thought he was dreaming about the same. But it was real example of causeless mercy of Sarva Vighna Vinashak Lord Narasimhadeva. He broke into tears to have been blessed by The Lord himself. He forgot that he had to do his morning prayers and started thanking his beloved lord. He noticed that it was time for Mangala Arotik to end; he grabbed his “Chadar” and ran towards the temple hall. He ran with very high speed and reached temple hall in no time. Altars of Sri Pancha tattva and Sri Sri Radha Madhava were closed by that time and “Nrsimha Prayer” was being sung in front of the Narasimhadeva Altar. He paid his heartiest obeisance unto the lotus feet of Lord Narasimhadeva and thanked Him from the bottom of his heart for this mercy. On the same time devotees were singing:
“Nrsimha adim saranam prapadye”
Meaning:
I surrender to Lord Nrsimha, the origin of all things and the supreme refuge.
“Tava kara-kamala-vare nakham adbhuta-srngam
Dalita-hiranyakasipu-tanu-bhrngam
Kesava dhrta-narahari-rupa jaya jagadisa hare”
Meaning:
O Kesava! O Lord of the universe!
O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of half-man, half-lion!
All glories to You! Just as one can easily crush a wasp between one's fingernails,
so in the same way the body of the wasplike demon Hiranyakashipu has been ripped apart
by the wonderful pointed nails on Your beautiful lotus hands.
He met the same pujari at Lord Nrsimha’s altar that morning. Pujari was bit apprehensive to talk to him to confirm if he was the same devotee he saw last night suffering with some disease but he finally asked and felt speechless hearing the instant mercy of Lord Nrsimhadeva. He could not believe his eyes & ears and went inside the altar and got a garland and a bottle of Maha oil from the lotus feet of Lord and gave that to Madhava. Pujari made a note of this incident to be published in the edition of “Pastimes of Lord Nrsimhadeva” of year 2007.
Madhava was simply mesmerized by this miracle shown by supreme lord; by the mercy of which he was able to complete the course successfully and returned to
