King Prataparudra Receives the Lords Mercy

Dadi: "Guddu beta, tonight I'll tell you about a king who wanted to meet God - but God kept refusing to see him!"

Guddu: "God refused? But kings can meet anyone!"

Dadi: "Not this time! Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who many believe was Krishna himself in saint form, had taken vows of renunciation. He said, "A sannyasi like me cannot meet with kings. They are like black serpents - too worldly.""

Guddu: "That's harsh!"

Dadi: "King Prataparudra of Orissa was heartbroken. He begged everyone close to Chaitanya for an introduction. The answer was always no."

Guddu: "Did the king get angry?"

Dadi: "The opposite, beta! He became MORE humble. He said, "The Lord has descended to save all sinners. But it seems He has sworn to save everyone EXCEPT someone named Prataparudra!""

Guddu: "That's so sad."

Dadi: "The king even considered giving up his throne! He thought, "If being a king prevents me from meeting the Lord, why remain a king?""

Guddu: "He would give up everything?"

Dadi: "That's true devotion, beta - willing to sacrifice position for connection. Eventually, Chaitanya softened a little. He sent the king a piece of his cloth, which Prataparudra worshipped like it was the Lord himself."

Guddu: "But he still couldn't meet him?"

Dadi: "Not directly. Chaitanya did agree to meet the king's young son. When he saw the boy - with almond eyes, dark skin, wearing yellow cloth - Chaitanya saw Krishna himself and embraced him! From that day, the prince was considered one of the Lord's companions."

Guddu: "At least the son got blessed!"

Dadi: "Then came Rathayatra - the great chariot festival of Lord Jagannath. The king decided to show devotion in a very unusual way..."

Guddu: "What did he do?"

Dadi: "He took off his royal robes, grabbed a broom with a gold handle, and personally swept the road in front of Lord Jagannath's chariot!"

Guddu: "A KING sweeping streets?!"

Dadi: "Then he sprinkled sandalwood-scented water on the path. The most powerful ruler in Orissa, doing the work of a sweeper, out of pure love."

Guddu: "What did Chaitanya think?"

Dadi: "He was deeply pleased! For the first time, he thought, "This king deserves my attention." Then something miraculous happened - as Chaitanya danced in the procession, the king saw him dancing in ALL seven kirtan groups at the same time!"

Guddu: "Seven places at once?!"

Dadi: "Divine grace was opening. The king saw that Chaitanya and Lord Jagannath were the same being in different forms. Later, when Chaitanya went to rest in a garden, an advisor told the king, "Go to him dressed simply. Recite verses about Krishna's love.""

Guddu: "Did it work?"

Dadi: "The king approached the resting saint dressed like an ordinary person. He began massaging Chaitanya's feet while softly reciting beautiful verses about the gopis' love for Krishna."

Guddu: "And then?"

Dadi: "When Chaitanya heard one particular verse - about divine conversations being "most munificent" - he became ecstatic. He embraced the king! The long-desired meeting finally happened!"

Guddu: "After all that struggle!"

Dadi: "The scriptures explain that Chaitanya actually loved the king's company all along. But he needed to set an example - renunciants shouldn't casually meet with royalty. The rejection wasn't personal; it was teaching."

Guddu: "So the king had to prove he deserved it?"

Dadi: "By becoming humble, persistent, and willing to sweep streets. The lesson is beautiful, beta: God's grace comes to those who are meek and humble. Prataparudra had power and good qualities, but he had no pride."

Guddu: "He kept trying even when rejected again and again."

Dadi: "That's called "drdha-vrata" - firm determination. Not angry demanding, not giving up, just humble persistence. That's what finally opened the door."

Guddu: "Dadi, sometimes I feel rejected too..."

Dadi: "Then remember Prataparudra. Keep being sincere, keep being humble, keep sweeping your path clean. The doors that matter will open when you're ready."

Guddu: "And maybe I'll need to sweep some streets first!"

Dadi: "(laughing) Maybe you will! Goodnight, beta. May your humble heart find all the blessings it seeks."