Story of Bandhu Mohanty: Lord Jagannath Himself Brought Food For This Devotee

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A person named Bandhu Mohanty lived in a village in Orissa. He was very poor and only used to feed himself and his family by begging. He used to go to Satsang (associating with devotees of the lord and hearing His glories) daily and was resolved to attain God. That’s why he did not even give much importance to alms. To fill his stomach, he would try to get alms from a few houses; if he could not, he would fast and chant the lord’s name in solitude.

Explaining the ultimate goal of life to his wife, he also asked her to chant and sing the glories of the Lord along with him. Now, both husband and wife started engaging in devotion together. There was a feeling in his heart that he would meet God. He was uncomfortable meeting family, friends, relatives, etc., and favoured solitude.

Jake Priy Na Ram Badaihi
Tajiye Tahi Koti Bairi Sam, Jadyapi Param Sanehi

The one who does not love Lord Ram and Goddess Janaki, should be left like millions of enemies, even if he is very dear to you.

Vinay Patrika written by Tulsidas Ji

His condition was very pitiful. He had no money and could only get food occasionally through alms. He had only torn, old and knotted clothes to wear.

Bandhu Mohanty’s Resolution To Go To Jagannath Puri

When they did not have enough to eat for several days, Bandhu told his wife if you agree, we could go to one of my friends. My friend is very rich and kind. He loves me very much. It is a five-day journey on foot, but after that, we will never have to go hungry.

His wife was devoted to him and understood his words, so she agreed to accompany him. Already hungry for many days, it was almost impossible to walk for five days. Bandhu Mohanty left the village with his two children and wife. Whenever the children or wife could not walk due to hunger, Bandhu would pick soft leaves from trees and feed them. They often had to be satisfied with just drinking water, and they all continued to move ahead.

The desire to meet God was so intense that Bandhu Mohanty did not care about hunger. But seeing his children and wife suffering from hunger, he started crying and praying to God, “O Lord! I can bear hunger, but how will my children be able to bear so much suffering? Would we be able to reach you? Give me strength so I can reach you soon.”

Test Of Bandhu Mohanty’s Patience

Bandhu Mohanty’s family struggled and somehow reached Jagannath Puri in five days. As soon as Bandhu Mohanty saw the Jagannath Temple from a distance, he prostrated himself and started rolling on the ground. He said to his wife, “I have seen my merciful Lord. This is my friend. I was talking about my friend; he is right there. With His strength, we have been able to reach here. Now, even if I lose my life, I don’t care.”

His wife did not have that much love for the lord in her heart, but she was happy that now they would get to eat well and the company of devotees. Walking in joy, Bandhu and his family reached in front of the temple’s main Gate. His wife and children were distraught with hunger, but they stood in a corner with torn clothes. No one was asking them for food or water. There was a huge crowd at the temple, and the temple doors closed after some time.

Bandhu told his wife that many people have come to meet my friend, so be patient. Now, let’s go towards the backside of the temple. They all sat down on the south side of the temple, where the water, after washing the utensils of the lord, came out (the drain). Bandhu told everyone that the Lord’s utensils are washed in this water, and we will drink it and sing his glories. We are very fortunate that we are getting to drink the holy water of the Lord. When the temple opens tomorrow morning, we will get some food from my friend. Saying this, the entire family filled their stomachs one by one by drinking the holy water.

The wife thought I do not know his friend, but I am blessed to have such a devoted and patient husband. She told Bandhu that we would all stay with you as you wish. We have no problems. Bandhu kept taking out the same water the whole time, giving it to everyone to drink, and said, “You guys go to sleep; we will get food when the temple doors open in the morning.

To please the Lord, Bandhu sat there and started chanting His name and started thanking God in his mind. In his feelings, he started saying to the Lord, “O Lord! You invited me to your abode. I have no wish, but you do me such a favour that my wife will believe you are my friend. Trouble me as much as you want, but my wife has endured so much pain at my request and has come here and is chanting your glories. Don’t let her faith be broken.”

Lord Jagannath brought Food for Bandhu Mohanty

There is a storehouse in the temple of Lord Jagannath, where food is kept for several days. It is locked from the outside at night. From there, God prepared beautiful food on a plate and brought it outside the temple. And then he stood in the guise of a Brahmin and started calling, “Has any devotee named Bandhu Mohanty come? Look, God has sent food for you.” Bandhu and his family were sleeping there at night. Hearing his name, Bandhu got up and asked his wife, “Is someone calling me?”

Bandhu got up and went to Him nervously. He saw a Brahmin standing there with a huge plate studded with gems and filled with food. The Brahmin said smilingly, “The Lord has sent a plate of food for you from the temple. Take it and after eating, keep the plate with you. I’ll take it back tomorrow morning.”

Bandhu’s heart began to ache, and he took the plate tremblingly. He started saying to his wife, “See! I was saying that my friend loves me very much. When all the crowd left, he sent food for me as soon as he got free time.” Saying this, he became blissful. Today, after many days, the whole family had a full meal. After eating the food, Bandhu thought he could not take this plate anywhere. So he wrapped it in his torn clothes, kept it near his head, and slept.

Bandhu Mohanty Accused Of Theft

The next morning, when the storehouse was opened, everyone saw that all the material was in disarray. The offering plate was missing, and the food was scattered. Some people went out to search for the plate. Outside, near the drain, they saw that the plate with gems was shining and tied in a torn cloth. There was an uproar, and all the servants started beating Bandhu Mohanty. Everyone started saying that he was a thief. Bandhu’s wife started crying and asked what kind of friend is this. He feeds us at night and gets us beaten in the morning. You used to say he is very kind; what type of kindness is this? On the other hand, as soon as Bandhu was slapped, he started chanting the lord’s name, “Jai Jagannath, Jai Jagannath”.

This is how the Lord tests the patience of His devotee. If such a coincidence happens, we should bear it, accept it as God’s will, and be happy. Bandhu Mohanty remained engrossed in joy and kept chanting the holy name. The cops asked him how he got the plate. Bandhu told them he didn’t even know where the plate or the food was kept inside the temple. He told them at night, a Brahmin called me and gave me food on this plate. When the cops asked Bandhu to identify the Brahmin from all the temple priests, Bandhu said it was none of them.

No one was ready to believe it, and everyone kept saying he was lying. The officials said that if he had entered inside, the main door’s lock would also have been broken. How can he go inside to collect the plate and food without opening the door? On the other hand, the crowd started looking at Bandhu with contempt. Everyone started saying, “Look how this poor man could not stop himself from stealing even from the temple of Jagannath”. Bandhu was smiling in his heart and was happy seeing this pastime of the Lord. Seeing his wife’s condition, he started praying, O’Lord, I know your every move, but do not let my wife lose trust in you.

Lord Jagannath Blesses Bandhu Mohanty’s Family

King Pratap Rudra of Puri was in a deep sleep. The Lord came to his dream and said, “You are sleeping peacefully here. Outside, my devotee is being harassed by being called a thief. Your employees are abusing my devotee instead of worshipping him. They are beating him. I myself had given him food on my royal plate at night. He is my friend and devotee. Go quickly and apologize to him. If such a devotee is insulted in your kingdom, I will punish you.” On the one hand, God is getting the devotee beaten; on the other hand, he is asking the king to worship him. God’s play is mysterious. While ordering Pratap Rudra, the Lord said, “My order is that from today onwards, he will be in charge of the entire accounting of my temple. The entire temple system will be governed only by his signature.” Saying this, the Lord disappeared.

The king immediately ran towards the temple. As soon as he reached there, he prostrated himself before Bandhu Mohanty and started apologizing with all his heart. He announced in front of everyone that it was a direct order from Lord Jagannath, “From today onwards, he will be the full officer of the temple. All arrangements of the temple will be run with his signature.” Bandhu stood there pitifully with folded hands in his torn old clothes. The king told him to please accept the order given by the Lord.

Even today, the descendants of Bandhu Mohanty serve in the temple in Jagannath Puri and handle all the accounting.

From this story, we learn that to please God, you do not need to be rich or come from a good family. If you have love and affection for God, He is pleased.

Additional reading for lovers of Lord Jagannath: Sadan Kasai’s Story: Lord Jagannath Himself Gave Proof Of His Devotion

Guidance By: Shri Hit Premanand Govind Sharan Ji Maharaj