Part 5
Divine intervention saves Poonthanam from robbers
The pious Poonthanam used to walk to his favorite temple of Guruvayur which was about 60 kilometers away from his home. The route to the temple was very desolate. The passers-by felt that it was very unsafe to walk along that route even in daylight; traveling in the night scared them all the more, because of the fear of armed looters.
One day, Poonthanam was walking fast on that route. His mind was fully immersed in thoughts of Guruvayurappan. Suddenly he found himself surrounded by robbers who began to abuse him and physically assault him. He gave them everything he had, the money and his gold ring. Still they were at him. They asked for the small packet he was clinging on to. Poonthanam said it was only Bhagavatam. The thieves were not convinced. Poonthanam did not want to part with the Bhagavatham book, which he considered as his whole treasure. So that lonely place was filled with the roars of the robbers and Poonthanam’s loud chants of “Narayana, Narayana “.
From nowhere, an armed man came on horseback and attacked the dacoits. He got back Poonthanam’s money and the ring and chased them away. Poonthanam was very happy that his treasure, the Bhagavatham, was intact and still in his possession. He thanked the young man and offered his ring to him as a gift. The youth did not accept the gift. He said that he was Samoothiri’s (Zamorin or ruler) Minister and it was his duty to protect the people. Still Poonthanam forced the ring on the young man's finger. So, he accepted the gift and guided Poonthanam up to Guruvayur temple and disappeared.
Poonthanam was very pleased. He was ready at the Guruvayur temple for “Nirmalya Darshanam” around 2.30 AM. After the Abhishekam, the Melsanti (Chief Priest) came out to give Prasadam. Then he told Poonthanam, Guruvayurappan appeared in his dream on the previous night and asked to give Poonthanam the ring the Lord’s idol had on His finger. The Melsanti handed over the ring to Poonthanam and Poonthanam was astonished to find that it was the same ring he had gifted to Samoothiri’s Minister. Poonthanam could not believe that Guruvayurappan Himself had come down to save him!
Our prayers will be heard and the great Bhagavan Krishna will come down to protect His faithful devotees. We have heard many instances wherein the Lord personally came and helped His devotees immediately after they called out to Him. Devotees such as King Gajendra, Draupadi, Kunti, Uttara, the Gopis and others are just a few examples. The quality of all such devotees is that all of them cried to the Lord and believed only Him to be the sole protector. Sharanagati or total surrender, is the only way to reach him.
From nowhere, an armed man came on horseback and attacked the dacoits. He got back Poonthanam’s money and the ring and chased them away. Poonthanam was very happy that his treasure, the Bhagavatham, was intact and still in his possession. He thanked the young man and offered his ring to him as a gift. The youth did not accept the gift. He said that he was Samoothiri’s (Zamorin or ruler) Minister and it was his duty to protect the people. Still Poonthanam forced the ring on the young man's finger. So, he accepted the gift and guided Poonthanam up to Guruvayur temple and disappeared.
Poonthanam was very pleased. He was ready at the Guruvayur temple for “Nirmalya Darshanam” around 2.30 AM. After the Abhishekam, the Melsanti (Chief Priest) came out to give Prasadam. Then he told Poonthanam, Guruvayurappan appeared in his dream on the previous night and asked to give Poonthanam the ring the Lord’s idol had on His finger. The Melsanti handed over the ring to Poonthanam and Poonthanam was astonished to find that it was the same ring he had gifted to Samoothiri’s Minister. Poonthanam could not believe that Guruvayurappan Himself had come down to save him!
Our prayers will be heard and the great Bhagavan Krishna will come down to protect His faithful devotees. We have heard many instances wherein the Lord personally came and helped His devotees immediately after they called out to Him. Devotees such as King Gajendra, Draupadi, Kunti, Uttara, the Gopis and others are just a few examples. The quality of all such devotees is that all of them cried to the Lord and believed only Him to be the sole protector. Sharanagati or total surrender, is the only way to reach him.
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