That evening when Jagannath Mishra came home, Sachi mata explained to him that their child Nimai was very unhappy that he could not study. She told him of the day’s affairs. And friends of the family told Jagannath Mishra that everything happens by the will of Krishna. And if Krishna wants, even with all his studies, Krishna could still keep him home. Jagannath Mishra then decided to resume his son’s studies.
Years before this when Nimai was a tiny child, there was a ceremony where they put chalk in the child Nimai’s hands. The little boy, within two or three days, could write not only all the alphabets, but also in all combinations of the alphabets. But Nimai, much to the delight of all present, wrote only the various names of Krishna. He would write nothing but the names of Krishna – Krishna, vanmali, Murari, ghanshyam, and other names.
At this time Jagannath Mishra decided to perform the sacred thread ceremony for his son. As brahmins chanted mantras and performed fire sacrifice, Jagannath Mishra placed the thread on Nimai’s body. At that time lord anantasesa personally incarnated as that sacred thread. Anantasesa felt blessed to serve the lord’s personal body. During the ceremony, Nimai assumed the form of lord vamanadev and charmed the hearts of everyone. The wives of demigods came down from the heavenly planets to give charity as Nimai begged for alms. Nimai went to all his devotees and asked for alms, and thus performed the pastimes of lord vamanadev.
Jagannath Mishra asked Nimai who he would like to be his teacher. Nimai replied that he would love to learn from Gangadas pandit. An incarnation of sandipani muni, Gangadas had incarnated from the previous age when he instructed Krishna and Balarama.
Jagannath Mishra took Nimai to Gangadas pandit’s ashram and entrusted his son to his tutelage. The teacher replied that it is the greatest fortune for a teacher to have a student like Nimai who is endowed with beautiful, virtuous qualities. He assured Jagannath Mishra that he will give Nimai everything he knows.
Nimai went on to become Gangadas pandit’s best student. He always kept Nimai by his side. Anytime Nimai heard anything just once from his teacher, he’d remember every word of it.
To be continued…
