Nityananda Caritamrta

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ÇRÉ NITYÄNANDA CARITÄMÅTA
like lions and others shouted wildly. Some wept in ecstasy while
others clapped their hands, laughing loudly. Some made noises
like hai, hai. They were all absorbed in the mellows of ecstatic
love.
The spy returned and informed the others that Avadhüta
was eating and the others were awake. The thieves decided: “Let
Him eat and go to bed. Then we will invade the house. For now,
we will simply wait and watch.”
The thieves sat beneath a tree, waiting for the right time to
plunder Nityänanda’s wealth. One of the thieves said, “I’ll take
the golden bangles.” Another said, “I’ll take the pearl necklace.”
Someone said, “The golden earrings are mine.” Yet another said,
“I’ll take the golden necklace.” Another thief said, “I’ll take the
silver ankle bells.”
In this way, the thieves were living in the abode of imagination.
That night, by the will of Nityänanda Prabhu, Nidrä-devé,
the deity of sleep, captured all the thieves. They fell asleep right
where they patiently waited, being bewildered by the Lord’s illusory
energy. The night passed, and yet they did not awaken.
At dawn, when the crows began to caw, the thieves finally
woke up. When they found that it was morning, they became
very sad. They hurriedly hid their weapons in the forest and
went to bathe in the Ganges. Finally, they returned to their
homes and began to accuse each other.
One of the thieves said to another, “It was you who first fell
asleep.” Another one replied, “Oh, you are talking like you were
awake all night, keeping track of who was asleep and who was
awake.” Then another thief said, “Stop this fighting! Goddess
Caëòé kindly saved us from disgrace.”
Finally, the sinful brähmaëa, the leader of the thieves, said,
“There’s no use in fighting. By the mercy of Goddess Caëòé,
whatever happened has happened. This does not mean that every
day we will fail. I think Goddess Caëòé baffled us last night
because we went to rob without first worshiping her. Therefore,
let us go and worship Goddess Caëòé very nicely. We should offer
her the best meat and wine.”
After discussing in this way, the thieves worshiped Goddess
Caëòé with offerings of meat and wine. The next day, the
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