KRISHNA STORY#1

Sadhu story: Serving more important than bath in Ganga!

A devotee named Punyadhama resided near Ganges.

Everyday he was spending hours together relishing Krishna-katha through reciting Bhagavatam.

He never took a dip in Ganges though he was staying just nearby.

Instead he felt that listening to Krishna-katha and serving the devotees who come to his place to take a dip in the sacred river was sufficient.

Once a group of pilgrims came and stayed in his place to take a scared dip in the Ganges.

But on hearing that Punyadhama had not taken a single dip in the holy Ganges, they were shocked and left the place abusing him by telling that it was sinful on their part to stay with a person like Punyadhama who had never had a dip in the holy river Ganges.

When they went to Ganges for their holy dip, to their dismay they found mother Ganges dry.

Then they prayed to her sincerely and finally she appeared before them and told them that she was offended by what they did to the devotee Punyadhama and she was longing to feel Punyadhamas feet to touch her.

She also asked them to beg for forgiveness from him.

They realized their mistake immediately and did as they were told.

Then they could take bath in the holy river Ganges.

( Story from Vayu purana )

Moral of the story:

This story very aptly reminds us of the verse in Srimad Bhagavatam:

yat-paada-samshrayaah suta munayah prashamaayanaah
sadyah punanty upasprstaah svardhuny-aaponusevayaa

"O Suta, those great sages who have completely taken shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord can at once sanctify those who come in touch with them, whereas the waters of the Ganges can sanctify only after prolonged use."