Ramanujacharya – Biography - ebooks - ISKCON desire tree

However, when he heard about the wonderful prasadam they hadall been offered, he was astonished, knowing only too wellthe poverty-stricken condition in which they were living.When he inquired from his wife as to how she had been ableto serve their guests in a manner so befitting, Laksmidevibowed her head in shame and narrated to him all thearrangements she had made with the merchant.Far from being angry, however, Varadacarya began todance with joy when he heard what had happened and he criedout, "0, I am blessed! I am blessed!" Addressing his wife,he said, "Today you have shown the highest degree ofchastity. Narayana, who is represented by Sri Guru, is theonly purusa and thus he is the enjoyer of prakrti. Only agreat soul can fully realize this knowledge of devotionalservice. How fortunate I am to be married to such a lady whois the embodiment of religious principles."Taking his wife with him, Varadacarya then went intothe presence of Yatiraja and explained to his gurueverything that had taken place. By Ramanuja's order theysat down and took prasadam in his presence. When they hadfinished eating, he told them to go to the businessman'shouse together and take all the remaining prasadam to offerto him.When they arrived at the large mansion, Varadacaryawaited outside while Laksmidevi was admitted to themerchant's rooms. She immediately offered him the prasadamthey had brought, and he accepted it with pleasure. Prasadamis not ordinary food, and particularly the remnants left bypure devotees possess great spiritual potency. This prasadambegan to affect the merchant at once and by the time he hadfinished eating he was a changed man.All the sensual desires having been purged from hisheart, he looked upon Laksmi as he would his mother andspoke to her with tears in his eyes, "How sinful I am! Myfate would have been the same as that of the hunter who wasburned to ashes when he attempted to touch the chasteDamayanti. Only by your great compassion have I been saved.0 mother, please forgive all of my offenses and have mercyupon me by showing me the feet of your guru. "In great happiness Laksmidevi and Varadacaryareturned to their house along with the merchant. In thepresence of Ramanujacarya all three of them bowed down tothe ground to offer their prostrated obeisances. WhenYatiraja touched the merchant with his hand, all of theman's miseries were removed and he begged for initiationfrom that great soul.Desiring to make life easier for the devoted brahmanacouple, Ramanuja requested them to accept the large sum ofmoney the merchant had offered. At this Varadacarya spoke tohis spiritual master with folded palms, "0 master, by yourmercy everything that we require is provided for us. Moneyis the root of all evil, for it distracts the senses and70