Haridas Thakura.

Today is the feast-day of Haridas Thakura, the namacharya ('patron-saint') of chanting the holy names. Here is a story about Haridas Thakura, which illustrates, both his own saintly character, and the power of chanting the Hare Krishna mantra.

In his youth, Haridas lived in a simple hut in a forest in Bengal. He chanted on his beads all day and most of the night, every single day. Local well-wishers provided him with the small amount of food he would eat. He was so spiritually pure, that everyone in the neighbourhood came to love him - all except, the envious ruler of that district, Ramachandra Khan. Ramachandra tried his best to discredit Haridas, but couldn't find any flaw to expose him with. After some consideration, he called a group of prostitutes and asked them to use their seductive charms to unbalance Haridas. He would send a constable with them to arrest Haridas when he had succumbed.

The prostitutes selected the youngest and most alluring amongst themselves, who dressed herself enticingly and set off to Haridas's abode. There he was, seated as usual, absorbed in blissful chanting. The young prostitute sidled up to him, exposed part of her body, and said "Oh Haridasa! How handsome you are! For a long time I have wanted to have my desires satisfied by you. Now I have come all this way, won't you lie down with me?"

Haridas smiled and offered her to sit down. "Certainly, young friend". He said. "If you don't mind waiting until I've finished all my chanting. I've vowed to chant 300,000 holy names today. I've nearly finished, and you are welcome to wait."

So, the prostitute sat nearby and Haridas continued to chant until the sun rose. "Oh dear" he said, "It's too late now, I'm very sorry. Please come again tonight and I will surely satisfy you then".

The same thing happened for two more nights. On the third morning, the prostitute burst into tears and confessed her motives. "But now", she said, "I no longer want to seduce you, I want to know how I may also become saintly like you - please instruct me".

Haridasa told her that he had heard of the plot against him and had only stayed there to attract her to Krishna consciousness by the chanting of the holy names. "I knew that just by hearing the sound of Krishna's names, you would become purified and want to give up your old life".

The young lady gave away her possessions, shaved her head and lived in a simple cottage, chanting on her beads. Eventually she also became renowned as a great devotee and was visited by many people seeking spiritual instruction.

All glories to Srila Haridas Thakura!