Story 1: The Artist’s Revelation
The Artist’s Journey
One day, a very eccentric artist came to the ISKCON Sochi temple with a copy of Sri Isopanisad in his hand and shared his story with the devotees:
“I was looking for you people for three days and am unbelievably glad I have finally found you. One day I bought this book (he couldn’t even name its title or author, Srila Prabhupada, and only stammered something) and tried to read it. But it was very difficult to understand, with so many strange words. Therefore, I put it on the shelf and cared no more about it.”
The Turning Point
“I was drinking a lot of alcohol. One day, while lying drunk in my bed, I heard strange voices nearby. It was something absolutely new. I was looking for the source and saw two persons indistinctly. They were speaking about me—about my life and how sinful it was. They recounted all my sins in great detail, which I didn’t even remember, and also a few good things. Finally, they came to the conclusion: ‘He must go to hell!'”
The Divine Intervention
“I was screaming in protest: ‘I don’t want to go to hell and don’t know what is going on at all.’ But anyway, one of them put a stringent rope on my neck. I tried to get rid of it and run away but to no avail—the rope was very tight. I was almost finished, but suddenly a cover picture of this book (Sri Isopanisad with Lord Kesava and Sesa Naga) appeared before my eyes. It was actually not a picture but reality. The snake was moving, and suddenly a flame emanated from his many mouths. Totally bewildered about it, I asked those persons, ‘What does it all mean?’ They answered: ‘This is just the hell where you are going to go.’ But all of a sudden, everything disappeared, and I awoke in my bed, completely shocked. Immediately, I stopped drinking and smoking and tried to find you, devotees, to find an explanation about all of this. I beg on my knees, let me stay here somewhere!”
Moral of the Story
- This story refutes the scientists’ theory that one’s Near Death Experience (NDE) is influenced by his/her cultural background—Easterners are supposed to have different experiences than Westerners.
- We are all responsible for our actions and will enjoy or suffer results from them.
Story 2: Encounter in a Dream
The Dream
“Before I joined the temple, I had been reading Prabhupada’s books like anything—sometimes for hours a day—and I developed a deep appreciation for them. At that time, I still lived in my rented flat, whose owner was a woman living with her daughter. This girl was a heavy drug addict and often, when she had nightmares, her screams would wake me up. One night, I was awakened by her particularly horrible screaming. I looked at my watch—it was 12:30 AM. Knowing that this time is notorious for its inauspiciousness, I was a bit afraid and confused.”
The Revelation
“But then I fell asleep again, and in my dream, I saw a strange figure coming to me, looking like a devil—dark, with big ears and carrying a stick or something similar in its hand. It was looking at me and laughing, ‘Oh, you read these books! Ho, ho, ho!’ and pointed at my Bhagavatam lying beside my bed on a table. At once, I realized that I couldn’t do anything, but if Krishna is in the hearts of all living beings, He can protect me. Thus, I got a feeling of security. At that moment, the dream stopped, and I slept peacefully for the rest of the night. This incident even deepened my faith in Srila Prabhupada’s books.”
Lessons to Be Learned
- Divine Protection The sincere seeker who takes shelter of Krishna and His teachings is always protected, even in the most dire circumstances.
- Power of Scriptures Srila Prabhupada’s books have the power to transform lives and provide protection from negative influences.
- Self-Responsibility Our actions have consequences, and it is our responsibility to seek redemption and transformation.
- Faith and Devotion Developing a deep appreciation and faith in the teachings of the scriptures can lead to miraculous transformations and protection.
Prayer
“O Lord Krishna, please grant us the wisdom to seek shelter in Your holy names and teachings. Help us to understand the transformative power of Your divine literature and to always feel protected by Your presence. May we strive to live a life of devotion, free from sinful activities, and always be guided by Your grace.”
