The Plan to Tempt a Saint
In the town of Phuliyā, Haridāsa Ṭhākura lived in a small, secluded hut outside the village. His only wealth was his chanting of 300,000 holy names of Kṛṣṇa daily, which he performed with intense absorption and love. Seeing his growing fame and spiritual influence, a local envious landlord, enflamed with pride and bigotry, plotted to ruin him.
He said, “This man is gaining followers by pretending to be a saint. I shall expose him! I will send a beautiful courtesan to seduce him. Once he falls, everyone will see his hypocrisy.”
The plan was put into motion. A young, graceful woman, dressed alluringly, was sent to Haridāsa’s hut under the pretense of seeking his blessings.
The Saint’s Response: No Condemnation, Only Chanting
As she entered, Haridāsa Ṭhākura was seated, deeply absorbed in chanting. She offered respectful obeisances and then sat near him, trying to capture his attention.
In a soft, sweet voice, she said, “O saintly one, I have fallen in love with you. Please fulfill my desire, or I shall surely die.”
Haridāsa glanced at her without agitation and said gently, “I have taken a vow to complete my fixed number of rounds. Please sit for a while. When my chanting is complete, I shall fulfill your request.”
She waited the whole night. But Haridāsa continued chanting—Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare—uninterrupted. At dawn, she left, confused but determined to return.
Second and Third Nights: The Power of the Name Awakens the Heart
The second night she returned, again with seductive words, and again Haridāsa gave the same reply: “Please let me finish my vow of chanting, and then I shall speak with you.”
But something strange began to happen. As she sat listening to him chant, her heart began to change. The sweetness of the holy name entered her ears and touched her soul. Her lust turned into shame, and her desire into surrender.
On the third night, unable to bear the burden of her sinful intention, she fell at Haridāsa’s feet and cried, “Forgive me! I was sent here to ruin you, but now I only want to serve the holy name.”
Transformation into a Devotee
Haridāsa raised her up compassionately and said, “You are more fortunate than millions. Kṛṣṇa has cleansed your heart. Now renounce all sins and chant the holy name constantly.”
He gave her initiation into the chanting of the mahā-mantra and advised her to live in the same hut he was leaving. Following his instructions, she shaved her head, wore simple cloth, gave away all her wealth, and began to chant three lakh names of the Lord daily, just as her guru had.
People were astonished. She, who had once ensnared men with beauty, now radiated purity, detachment, and prema-bhakti.
Recognition of a Saint’s Purity
The landlord who had sent her was shocked to see this miracle. Haridāsa remained untouched by temptation, while the sinner was transformed into a saint. From then on, no one doubted his exalted position. They revered him not only as a brāhmaṇa by behavior but as the true ācārya of nāma-bhakti.
Lord Caitanya would later glorify her, saying:
“Such is the power of the holy name! It can purify even the most fallen, if heard with humility and faith.”
Lessons to Be Learned:
- The holy name purifies the most sinful hearts, even if initially heard in a crooked way.
- A genuine devotee does not fall, even when tested with worldly temptations.
- The holy name is independent of social status or gender—anyone can become perfect by chanting sincerely.
- As Haridāsa taught: “Even one utterance of the holy name can liberate a soul.”
Origin of the Story: This lila is recorded in Caitanya-bhāgavata (Ādi-khaṇḍa, Chapter 16) and is frequently quoted in The Divine Name, Haridāsa-carita, and Gaura-gaṇoddeśa-dīpikā.
