Glorious Departure of Haridas Thakur

Dadi: "Guddu, have you ever heard of someone who chanted God's name three hundred thousand times every single day?"

Guddu: "Three hundred thousand? That would take all day!"

Dadi: "Yes, beta. And this man did it every day of his life. His name was Haridasa Thakur, and he was the greatest chanter in all of history."

Guddu: "How could anyone count that high?"

Dadi: "He used beads, like a rosary, and he chanted from morning until night. His whole life was dedicated to saying the names of God. People called him the "Namacharya" - the master of the Holy Name."

Guddu: "That sounds exhausting!"

Dadi: "It was his joy, beta. But when he grew very old, his body became weak. One day, he could barely lift his hand to count the beads. He was only managing to chant slowly, lying on his back."

Guddu: "Did he feel sad about that?"

Dadi: "He felt something else, beta. He knew his time was coming to an end. And he had one wish - one final request for his beloved Lord Chaitanya."

Guddu: "Lord Chaitanya? Who was he?"

Dadi: "Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was a great saint whom Haridasa served with all his heart. Many believe he was an avatar of Lord Krishna himself. Haridasa loved him more than anything."

Guddu: "What was Haridasa's wish?"

Dadi: "He said, "My Lord, I know that your time on this earth will also end soon. But please, let me go first. I don't want to see a world without you. Let me hold your lotus feet to my heart, gaze upon your face, chant your name with my tongue, and then leave this body.""

Guddu: "He wanted to die looking at his Lord?"

Dadi: "*nods* The most beautiful death he could imagine. Lord Chaitanya said, "You've already done everything - you've spread the glory of God's name throughout the world. You don't need to chant three hundred thousand times anymore. You can rest.""

Guddu: "But Haridasa wanted to keep going?"

Dadi: "He wanted to leave while chanting, beta. The next morning, Chaitanya came with all his devotees. They started singing and dancing in Haridasa's garden - a beautiful kirtan."

Guddu: "And Haridasa?"

Dadi: "*voice soft* He lay there, watching his beloved Lord. His eyes were fixed on Chaitanya's face. His lips were moving, repeating "Sri Krishna Chaitanya, Sri Krishna Chaitanya." And then... peacefully... his soul departed."

Guddu: "With the name of God on his lips."

Dadi: "Exactly as he had wished. And here's the beautiful part - Chaitanya Mahaprabhu himself lifted Haridasa's body in his arms and danced with it!"

Guddu: "Danced?"

Dadi: "In celebration! All the devotees joined in. They weren't crying - they were singing! Because Haridasa had achieved the perfect death. He had left exactly as he wanted, doing exactly what he loved."

Guddu: "That's different from how people usually act when someone dies."

Dadi: "Because this wasn't a tragedy, beta. This was a graduation. Haridasa had completed his life's work and returned to God in the most beautiful way possible."

Guddu: "What happened after?"

Dadi: "Lord Chaitanya himself carried Haridasa to the ocean. He bathed the body with his own hands and said, "This ocean is now a sacred place of pilgrimage because Haridasa touched it." Then he made a beautiful platform for the burial."

Guddu: "The Lord did all that himself?"

Dadi: "He even went from shop to shop, collecting food to give everyone a feast in Haridasa's honor. He blessed everyone there: "Anyone who came to this festival, who danced here, who chanted here, who even threw a handful of sand on the burial - they will all attain Krishna.""

Guddu: "He blessed the whole crowd?"

Dadi: "Because they honored his dear devotee. Lord Chaitanya said something sad too. He said, "The world has become jewel-less. We have lost a precious gem.""

Guddu: "Dadi, why is this story important?"

Dadi: "It teaches us something, beta. Haridasa showed us how to live - chanting God's name with every breath. And he showed us how to leave - peacefully, lovingly, with the name of God as our last word."

Guddu: "I want to remember God's name too, Dadi."

Dadi: "*hugs him* You do that every time you pray before bed. Every name you speak with love is heard. You don't need to count three hundred thousand - just say it with your heart."

Guddu: "Like Haridasa did."

Dadi: "Exactly like Haridasa did. Now, shall we say a small prayer together before sleep?"

Guddu: "Yes, Dadi. In Haridasa's honor."