Nothing Happens By Chance

By Maharishi Das

The door bell rang this morning and the man at the door said, “My name is Brian. I’m come from the alarm company to carry out the maintenance on your alarm”.
I had completely forgotten.Brian asked if he could walk around and check the system, I said “Yes.” After walking around he said, “You are fascinating.” When I asked why, he asked about my turntables and records and then saw I was building something. He said, ”You are very talented.”
I replied, “Most people never understand me.” and we laughed. He looked out of the window and saw the rath cart parked behind my house and asked if I ran a fun fair. I said no. I explained that the chariot was for Ratha Yatra and how the Lord comes out once a year. I took him to take Darshan of Jaganath on my altar. I also told him about Parasurama Prabhu and how I am storing the charriot for him and all about devotional service.
Brian actually folded his hands. I was amazed. I did not know him from Adam and he really looked so genuine and sincere. Brian went on to tell me how he had tried to commit suicide some time back when suffering from depression, but decided not too.
I sat him down and talked to him about Krishna and how I was a Hare Krishna and had, at one point, stayed in the temple. Brian was interested and asked me to tell him more. I said to him that he has the lord in his heart and he smiled. I then gave him a Bagavad Gita and he held it to his heart. He said, “I feel Krishna has brought me here.”
I then told him that every Saturday I go out with my friends chanting in the West End and asked if he would like to see some videos. He said “Yes I would really love to.” Afterwards he felt so happy and remarked that everyone was so happy chanting.
I said, “Yes because we all understand everything is temporary. Happiness and distress will be there but we have a higher purpose.” I asked Brian (who I had never seen before) if he would like to give me his personal number. He replied, “I would love to.” So I said, “I will send you the video’s every week.” He said, “Please please do”.
He told me he was down because his father had died and he had got divorced. I sympathised and went on too talk to him about my experience with Covid in coma and how I still knew what was going on and how it was just me and Krishna no one else. I told him about how I came face to face with the Lord and from nowhere Brian hugged me and said, “Please tell me more.”
I told him how I felt so peaceful knowing that Krishna would take care of me. Brian said, “This is amazing, I always wondered how it felt in a coma.” I told him I knew where I was and whilst it was scary and Ionely, I knew I was not really alone. Brian said, “This amazing.” I reassured him that it all is explained in the book and we do not have to die.
I told Brian how we are vegetarians and how we respect all living beings. Brian went on to say that two weeks ago he had gone vegan as he felt if he truly loved his dog he should not eat meat. He said, “It seems your God wanted me to meet you.” I said, “Yes.” and explained to him about the chanting of the Lords names. He said he would love to try so I showed him how and gave him a bead bag and some neem beads. I explained If one atones according to the directions of the sastras, one does not actually become free from sinful reactions, but if one chants the holy name of the Lord, even a glimpse of such chanting can immediately free one from all sins. Chanting the glories of the Lord’s holy name awakens all good fortune.The Lord works quite mysteriously, this is someone whom I had never met who took an instant interest in me and then in Krishna because he saw the Rath Chariot.
I find that quite incredible. Brian cried and said, “I go to lots of houses daily but this is the most special experience he had ever had.” I said if he ever felt suicidal again, or had any problem at all, just to call me and if he ever passes again he could come and see me. He said, “I feel like I know you from somewhere.” I said, “Well maybe from another life.” I asked if he would like to chant with me on Whats-app and he agreed.I know I don’t do so much for the Lord and for Srila Prabhupada, but somehow the Lord allows me to meet the most sincere loving souls and allows me to go out on the streets. He allowed me to see death head on and now allows me to speak about it to. Everyone who visits me is tottaly intrigued by the charriot so is not the lord plan is this not the lord working in his very special way once again.