Nityananda Caritamrta

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Lord Nityänanda Delivers the Thieves at the House of Hiraëya Paëòita
O brothers, listen to Nityänanda Prabhu’s salvation of
thieves and plunderers. A young brähmaëa, a dreaded thief
and plunderer, resided at Navadvépa. No one was equal to or
greater than him in terms of plundering. Indeed, he was the
commander-in-chief of all the thieves and plunderers in that
locality. He was a brähmaëa in name only. Actually, he was a
most evil-minded person. He had not a tinge of mercy in his
body. He did not hesitate to kill others, and he associated with
similarly minded men.
When this rogue saw the beautiful ornaments and valuable
necklaces worn by Nityänanda Svarüpa, he decided to steal
them. In the guise of a friend, he wandered with Nityänanda
Prabhu, just so that he could take His ornaments.
Nityänanda Prabhu understood that the so-called brähmaëa
was actually a mischievous and cunning dacoit. There was a pious
brähmaëa named Hiraëya Paëòita who lived in Navadvépa.
He was a most humble devotee of the Lord. Çré Nityänanda Prabhu
stayed at the house of this fortunate soul because his house
was in a secluded place. It was during this period that the evilminded
brähmaëa made plans, along with his friends.
“Brothers, why should we continue to suffer?” He addressed
his friends. “Goddess Caëòé has blessed us with a treasure. All
the jewellery this mendicant wears is made of gold, pearls, diamonds,
and other precious gems. I cannot estimate how many
millions of rupees these ornaments are worth. Goddess Caëòé
has kindly given us a wonderful opportunity. He lives in the
house of Hiraëya Paëòita, which is in a very lonely place. We
can snatch all these ornaments within an hour. Prepare yourselves
with swords and shields so that tonight, we will invade
Hiraëya Paëòita’s house and plunder it.”
Having made this plan, all the thieves left for home. That
night they gathered at the designated spot. They had swords,
knives, and tridents, and they surrounded the house where
Nityänanda Prabhu was staying. They had sent a spy ahead to
observe the situation in the house. The spy saw Nityänanda
Prabhu taking His meal, surrounded by devotees that were
chanting the holy names of the Lord. These servants of Nityänanda
Prabhu were intoxicated with kåñëa-prema. Some roared
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