A Household Life Without Deep Devotion
In a town where the worship of Lord Viṣṇu was faithfully performed every day, there lived a brāhmaṇa woman married into a family of temple priests. Her husband was a dedicated servant of the Lord—engaged in rituals, recitation of scriptures, and offerings. Yet, the woman herself, though respectful and dutiful, was not spiritually inclined. She did not chant the holy names, observe sacred vows, or study the scriptures. Her life was focused on daily chores and family duties.
Prasāda in Routine Life
Every day, after completing the pūjā, her husband would bring home prasāda—the remnants of food lovingly offered to Lord Viṣṇu. He would eat this food with devotion, understanding its sacred nature. He would often share it with his wife, who accepted it as part of household custom. She would eat it without much thought, occasionally complaining about its simplicity and wishing for tastier preparations. But unknowingly, she was consuming that which was non-different from Lord Viṣṇu Himself.
The Unseen Power of Divine Remnants
Years passed in this way. The woman grew old and eventually passed away. To the external eye, her life had been ordinary. She had never fasted on Ekādaśī, never undertaken any sādhana, nor had she shown visible signs of spiritual pursuit.
But something divine occurred at the time of her death.
As her soul left the body, the Viṣṇudūtas—celestial messengers of Lord Viṣṇu—descended. They were radiant, holding conch shells, lotus flowers, and dressed in dazzling garments. The air filled with divine fragrance and a gentle spiritual light. To the surprise of all present, they smiled and spoke to her soul:
“O blessed soul! Though you did not consciously engage in devotional service, you honored Viṣṇu-prasāda. That prasāda is non-different from the Lord Himself. By consuming it regularly, you have become purified over time. The mercy of the Lord has silently worked within you. Come now—be free from material bondage and return to the eternal abode.”
Return to the Lord’s Eternal Service
Before the stunned eyes of the family and neighbors, the woman’s subtle form rose with the Viṣṇudūtas and disappeared into the sky. She was taken to Vaikuṇṭha, where she was given a spiritual body, fit for eternal loving service at the lotus feet of the Lord.
The entire village was astonished. The incident became widely discussed, and people began to treat prasāda with far greater reverence than before. They understood that the Lord’s mercy is hidden even in the simplest acts—like honoring His remnants.
Lessons from This Story:
- Prasāda Is Not Ordinary: The remnants of the Lord’s food are infused with His divine presence. To eat prasāda is to receive the Lord’s mercy directly.
- Even Unknowing Acts Bear Fruit: Just as fire burns whether one knows it or not, similarly, prasāda purifies the heart even when honored without understanding.
- The Lord Is Merciful Beyond Imagination: He accepts even casual or half-conscious service and blesses the soul in due course.
- Transformation Through Association: Simply by regularly taking prasāda, the woman’s heart became cleansed, and her destination was transformed—from ordinary life to eternal service in Vaikuṇṭha.
Origin of the Story: Padma Purāṇa
