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Strict followers of the caste system in sixteenth-century India avoided all contact with Muslims. Yet Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, founder of …

In the forest of Benāpola, in what is now known as Bangladesh, the solitary monk sat before the sacred tulasī …

But a landholder named Rāmacandra Khān, the district tax collector, was envious of devotees of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Unable to tolerate …

Rāmacandra Khān selected a ravishing young beauty to break the monk’s vow of celibacy and dishonor him. “I shall attract …

Rāmacandra Khān said to the prostitute, “My constable will go with you so that as soon as he sees you …

The prostitute replied, “First let me unite with him once; then the second time I shall take your constable with …

At night the prostitute, after dressing herself seductively, went to Haridāsa’s cottage. Haridāsa was young, strong, and handsome, and the …

“My dear Haridāsa, O great preacher, great devotee, you are so beautifully built and your youth is just beginning. What …

Haridāsa Ṭhākura replied, “I shall accept you without fail, but you will have to wait until I’ve finished chanting my …

Hearing this, the prostitute remained sitting there while Haridāsa Ṭhākura chanted on his beads until the light of morning appeared. …

“Today Haridāsa Ṭhākura has promised to enjoy with me,” she said. “Tomorrow I shall certainly have union with him.”

The next night, when the prostitute returned, Haridāsa Ṭhākura gave her many assurances. “Last night you were disappointed. Please excuse …

After offering her obeisances to the tulasī plant and Haridāsa Ṭhākura, she again sat down at the door. Hearing Haridāsa …

When the night came to an end, the prostitute was restless. Seeing this, Haridāsa said, “I have vowed to chant …

The prostitute returned to Rāmacandra Khān and informed him of what had happened. The next day she came earlier, at …

“Today it will be possible for me to finish my chanting,” the saint said. “Then I shall satisfy all your …

The night ended with Haridāsa still chanting, but now, because of her constant hearing of Haridāsa’s chanting, the prostitute’s mind …

“Because I have taken the profession of a prostitute,” she said, “I have performed unlimited sinful acts. My lord, be …

Haridāsa replied, “I know everything about Rāmacandra Khān’s conspiracy. He is nothing but an ignorant fool, so his activities do …

“Kindly act as my spiritual master,” she begged him. “Instruct me in my duty so that I can get relief …