Nityananda Caritamrta

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Lord Nityänanda Delivers the Thieves at the House of Hiraëya Paëòita
thieves armed themselves again with various weapons. They
wore dark-blue garments, like a band of warriors. In the dead of
night, when all were sleeping, the thieves surrounded the Lord’s
house. Then, from a distance, the thieves saw that many huge
guards surrounded the Lord’s house. They were armed with
fierce weapons and were loudly chanting the holy names of Lord
Hari. They were very strongly built and decorated with garlands
and sandalwood paste.
The thieves understood that only one guard could kill hundreds
of thieves like them without strain. Lord Nityänanda slept
peacefully within the house while these guards chanted the holy
name of Kåñëa on all sides. The thieves were astonished. They
gave up the idea of invading the house and retreated a short
distance to decide upon what should be done. One thief said,
“Where did these guards come from?” Another said, “I guess
that somehow or other Nityänanda Avadhüta came to know of
our plans and so He hired these guards.”
“Brothers, I have often heard people say that this Avadhüta
is a very learned scholar,” another thief said. “This Avadhüta
Mahäçaya is certainly a wise fellow. Just see how he has protected
himself. The guards that we saw do not appear to be ordinary
human beings. Because of His extraordinary powers, people address
Him as Gosäi, or Lord.”
“Oh, keep quiet!” another thief retorted. “How can He be a
Gosäi when He eats such opulent food and wears such extravagant
clothes?”
Then the sinful brähmaëa commander-in-chief of the
thieves then began to speak: “I know the reason for these guards’
presence. Many people come from distant places to see this
avadhüta. I would guess that a very wealthy person has come
here and these are his guards. The guards are very emotional
and constantly chant the holy names of Lord Hari. Even though
He has these guards today, how long can He go on avoiding us?
Let us go home today. We will patiently wait for ten days to
pass.”
The thieves returned home while Avadhüta Nityänanda
peacefully enjoyed His sleep. After some time, the sinful thieves
planned another raid to steal Nityänanda Prabhu’s ornaments.
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