History of Bengali Language and Literature c9.s2.44

c9.s2.44

Nimāi started for Gayā; his companions were gay, but he was sad. An emotion passed over him which brought tears to his eyes and he yearned for better company. Near Kumār Hatta he halted, and wanted to have a sight of Içvara Purī, the saint whom he had so often ridiculed. As he came to Kumār Hatta, he said, "It is heaven to me—this native land of Içvara Purī." The saint was dining when Nimāi arrived at his place. He partook of the food which the veteran Vaiṣṇava was taking and wept for joy; he said, "Dearer than my own soul,—than anything that I possess, than my life itself, you are to me, O venerable sir, for you are a true servant of God." As he said this, tears began to flow from both his eyes, and he clasped the feet of Içvara Purī. The old man appeared as a god to him and he said again and again, "Blessed am I that I have seen such a holy man." Indeed Içvara Purī's devotion to God was such that he was admittedly the head of the Vaiṣṇava community at that time.