When we engage in chanting the divine names, not only do we have the remembrance of Bhagavan, but we also have His very presence with us!

 

Source : Madhuramurali English Edition

SAINT SKETCH – Himmat Dasji

Srimad Bhagavatam says,

एवंव्रत: स्वप्रि यना मकी र्त्या जा ता नुरा गो द्रुतचि त्त उच्चै: ।

हसत्यथो रो दि ति रौ ति गा यत्युन्मा दवन्नृत्यति लो कबा ह्य: ॥

evaMvrata: svapriyanAmakIrtyA

jAtAnurAgO drutachitta uchchai: |

hasatyathO rOditi rauti gAyatyunmAdavannRtyati lOkabAhya:||

SB 11.2.40

 

When we start our spiritual journey, we chant the divine names of Bhagavan with more

discipline but probably with less focus or love. However, even if the chanting then begins to seem merely mechanical, one should not stop chanting, for this discipline slowly brings in the grace of Bhagavan and divine love flowers within. Once such divine love flowers within, the devotee loses himself in the singing of divine names and forgets the world around.

 

This was the state of our sadhu Himmat Dasji too. He was lost in the joy of singing the divine names. Once while he was on his way to have darshan of Shri Jugal Kishore, a few robbers stopped him midway. Oblivious to his surroundings, Himmat Dasji was still engaged in divine kirtan. Thinking he was ignoring them deliberately, the angered robbers snatched the cymbals from the hands of Himmat Dasji. This brought his mind down back to the world. Still holding the cymbals, the robbers demanded, “Give us everything you have if you want to save yourself!”

Himmat Dasji replied, “You already have my cymbals! I carry nothing else materially with me. But if you insist that I give you all that I have, I can surely give you the divine names of Bhagavan! For that is my true possession.”

This is the mark of a great saint is it not? Devotees of the Lord deem nothing but the divine names as the real treasure. But the robbers were not happy with this. They did not care for anything spiritual. When they understood they could do nothing about it, they angrily walked away with the cymbals of Himmat Dasji still in their hands.

Himmat Dasji smiled at that and did not engage with them any further even for the sake of the cymbals. He thought, “Krishna! Your will is supreme! If it pleases you that they have my cymbals, so be it!” and continued his journey.

Suddenly he heard the screaming of the robbers. Himmat Dasji rushed to see what had happened, and saw that they had all lost their eyesight! The robbers realised the greatness of Himmat Dasji and fell at his feet, begging him to save them. Himmat Dasji was moved, both by their state and by the love of Bhagavan who protects His devotees who are ever engaged in chanting His divine names.

The highest spiritual practice is chanting the divine names, is it not? When we engage in chanting the divine names, not only do we have the remembrance of Bhagavan, but we also have His very presence with us! Bhagavan Himself tells Sage Narada, “I do not live in Vaikunta or the heart of Yogis. It is where my devotees lovingly engage in chanting my divine names that I am always present.” Little does one realise this initially in one’s spiritual journey. But as one progresses spiritually, the Lord reveals His presence.

Himmat Dasji prayed to Bhagavan for the well-being of the robbers. The grateful robbers got their eyesight back and they humbly returned the cymbals too to Himmat Dasji.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare