Once a poor brahmana worshiped Lord Shiva for a benediction, and Lord Shiva advised the devotee to go see Sanatana Goswami. The devotee went to Sanatana Goswami and informed him that Lord Shiva had advised him to seek out the best benediction from him (Sanatana).
Sanatana had a touchstone with him, which he kept with garbage. On the request of the poor brahmana, Sanatana Goswami gave him the touchstone, and the brahmana was very happy to have it. He now could get as much gold as he desired simply by touching the touchstone to iron. But after he left Sanatana, he thought, “If a touchstone is the best benediction, why has Sanatana Goswami kept it with garbage?”
He therefore returned and asked Sanatana Goswami, “Sir, if this is the best benediction, why did you keep it with garbage?”
Sanatana Goswami then informed him, “Actually, this is not the best benediction. But are you prepared to take the best benediction from me?”
The brahmana said, “Yes, sir. Lord Shiva has sent me to you for the best benediction.”
Then Sanatana Goswami asked him to throw the touchstone in Yamuna flowing nearby and then come back. The poor brahmana did so, and when he returned, Sanatana Goswami initiated him with the Hare Krishna mantra. Thus by the benediction of Lord Shiva the brahmana got the association of the best devotee of Lord Krishna and was thus initiated in the maha-mantra, Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
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