There was a saint named Sadan. He was born into a butcher family and used to sell meat from the butcher yard and engaged in devotion to the lord. He was such a devoted person that great saints used to listen to his discussions on God. Once, he went to see Lord Jagannath. Earlier, travel was mostly done on foot. He went to a village to beg for food. There is a divine attraction in the saints. Even though their appearance may appear disfigured, one feels like looking at and talking to them. The lady of the house where he had gone to beg for alms got attracted after seeing him. She invited him to eat at her place. Seeing the woman’s dedication towards saints, he said, “Okay.” He made this mistake out of compassion.
Rules Of Alms And Sleeping For A Monk
The scriptures command that saints should beg outside five houses’ doors. Saints are not allowed to go inside the house. Call loudly three times from the door and then move forward. Saints have the right to ask for bread only to feed themselves and engage in devotion.
But Sadan ji accepted the invitation and went inside her house. The woman asked where are you headed? Knowing that he was travelling to Puri to see Jagannath ji, she said there was only a little time left for the night. You will definitely stop somewhere. Stay in my house tonight. This second mistake happened because of Sadan ji’s kind heart.
A detached (sanyasi) saint should never sleep in the bed of a householder because his bed contains the atoms of the married life. If they ever feel like sleeping, they should sleep outside the house in a shed in an open courtyard or a temple nearby. If there is an urgent need, the saints keep Ganga water in the kamandal, purify the place by pouring water, spread their mat, and sit for a few moments. But a sage should not sleep in the house of a householder.
Righteous People Never Accept Unrighteousness
The woman became lusty. She got up at night, went to Sadan ji, and expressed feelings. Sadan Ji told her, you have a husband; why do you think of such a bad thing? She thought what he meant was that her husband was still alive, so he could not fulfil her desires, So she went and killed her husband. A lustful person can do anything! After this, she went and told Sadan Ji about it. He said, oh, this is a great crime. How did your feelings become like this? He scolded her a lot. As soon as he started to leave, the woman stopped him and threatened him that if she made any noise to tell people that he was harassing her, he would not be able to leave alive. Sadan Ji said that I accept death but not wrong conduct.
That woman started shouting, called out all the neighbours and said, look, We allowed him to stay at our place considering him to be a saint, but at night he tried to molest me. When my husband protested, he killed my husband and tried to molest me. I started crying, and you all came. Otherwise, I don’t know what he would have done to me. The villagers beat him, tied him up and took him to the king in the morning.
The Faith Of A Devotee Does Not Waver In Any Situation
Sadanji smiled, thinking Lord Jagannath had performed a beautiful pastime. There is no one else in front of the devotees, only God. The devotee sees only God as if everything is His pastime. The king told Sadan Ji I would punish you only with your approval; you tell whether you have committed a crime. Only saints can understand the language of saints. He said how can there be punishment without crime? There will definitely be some crime. So God has punished me to purify me. Sadan ji is realizing that there is definitely some sin left from some previous birth, due to which God is getting him beaten. The king could not understand this sentiment. So he punished him by cutting off both his hands and leaving him. He was a saint, so the king did not give him a death sentence.
Sadan Ji’s Both Hands Reappeared
After being punished, Sadan ji went straight to Jagannath ji. He said you know everything. I wanted to greet you, but I don’t have the hands. Two new hands emerged when he tried to pray to lord Jagganath.
The signs of the beating he had suffered disappeared, and his body became strong, healthy and stunning. Sadan ji folded his hands and prostrated in front of Jagannath ji. God appeared and said, “Aren’t you angry at me that I got you accused and punished without any mistake?” Sadan ji told Thakur ji, Lord, I see your love in your every action.
conclusion
Sometimes, a person following righteousness may face misfortune, but there can never be any misfortune for him. Do not consider your duty small, be it farming or business. It is good even if you have a small shop. Chant the holy name and live a simple life with whatever you earn from following a truthful life. Your family will make great progress in the future. If you behave dishonestly and unrighteously, then one day, you will have to cry for the same family for whom you behaved sinfully.
Guidance By: Shri Hit Premanand Govind Sharan Ji Maharaj
