CHAPTER – 21

Suvrata said:-

The Lord then ordered the king to serve the food to all his attendants, Kshatriyas, soldiers etc. The king immediately called them. 1

Those who had washed their hands, feet and face, he asked them to sit properly in a row and asked other Brahmins to serve them food. 2

In no time, four types of food items were served to them. O King, they also happily ate everything along with the other sages. 3

The Lord was very pleased as they ate and served them all the food items and desserts again. He happily shared enjoyment along with them, himself smiling and making them also smile. 4

In this way, they all were seen contented. (But), guessing their desire to get the food from His own hands, the Lord himself started serving (food) to them.5

He was sitting on a high seat, had worn silk clothes, put on variety of flowers, garlands of lotus and jasmine flowers. He was smiling and looking good as a festoons on the door, hanging amongst all the devotees as they were shouting -Jay! Jay! 6

All the sages, holding big copper vessels full of food and desserts, quickly came near as they were called, and amazingly stood in front of Him. 7

He quickly took the vessels from two of them and started serving six seven Poories. As with pleasant smile he went through all the lines serving food to everyone, they all were very happy. 8

Once he served in all lines and again he started serving Poories and other sweets slowly. 9 With skilful serving, he was seen everywhere, like god by all people. 10

O Soma, have Pindak, (Penda) O Alarka, have Jilebi and Poories. O Jeev-varman! have this soft ‘khajak’. 11

O Veer! O Ratnajeet ! have Laddoo, have Roties. Talking this way the Lord slowly served them all, again and again. 12

They all who were having food, knew the importance of mercy [Prasad] of the Lord; and ate everything to their highest limits, with their own and relatives’ astonishment. 13

At that time, Surakhachar, a devotee, who was very much contented while eating soft Jilebi with sounds, said to them, who were serving, ‘now my stomach will burst’. 14

The Lord told him,’ who was talking this way, that there was no need to worry; as the food was a mercy of Lord Krishna; so that will not harm the stomach. 15

As without looking up he was denying food with hand gestures the Lord looked at him and served Poori. 16

Then also he did not say anything; so the Lord smiled at him. Then looking up he roared thrice like a lion. 17

Somala khachar was looking at the Lord from distance and shaking his head. The Lord saw him and then approached to him and said. 18

‘You have not taken any food for much time. Are you ashamed?’ talking this way He served him ‘Shatakas’. 19

Then the Lord went to an old person called Mantric, who had no teeth in mouth and was roaring mockingly from a little distance. 20

As the Lord filled his bowls with porridge and ghee he shouted loudly. 21

Then the Lord put three four Laddooes in Hammiraj’s empty bowl who was laughing from other side. 22

Shyly with the hand gesture he said no to the Lord and giving back he roared like a lion. 23

As the Lord saw old Vera Bhai chewing fried items slowly, he served him Poories and told him that, that was proper for him to eat. 24

This way pleasing all his devotees and servants slowly, He served food to all of them appropriately. 25

Many other sages who were alert in serving, stood near the Lord holding the vessels full of food. 26

As one vessel was getting over, they were handing over another vessel full of food to Narayan Swami. 27

Brahmanand, with other devotees, who was walking behind the Lord, told them, ’O Kings, such favour and mercy is very rare’. 28

You understand that this body is not for ever; so leave your all fear and worries of body and eat everything.’ 29

Saying this he and the Lord himself started laughing and again by serving food, they filled their plates and bowls. 30

This way with smile, the Lord served them food appropriately and then washed his hands and sat on the sitting base. 31

As a result of hard work the droplets of perspiration on his forehead were looking good as string of pearls. 32

O King, then the Lord affectionately ordered them all, who were fully contented, to return to their respective places. 33

As they all went away, the Lord ordered them all who were serving food and devotee ladies, to have food and returned to his own chamber. 34

After taking bath, He himself cooked and offered food to Lord Shri Krishna and then ate the remaining food as the blessings of the God, as He is the great follower of religion. 35

All cooks and servers and devotees also had food and went to own places. Lalita served to other ladies also. 36 

Then Lalita properly distributed the remaining food to barbers, butlers, beggars and others who had come from far off regions who were desirous of food. 37

That time in the palace of the king there was so much of commotion and noise of the words like ‘give me, give me and please have it’, for much of the time. 38

Though till evening Lalita distributed the food which was actually a form of the Lord’s grace, it was not over. 39

She was much surprised; but she knew that that was because of the Lord’s supremacy. So she prayed Him whole-heartedly at all times even in sleep. 40

O King! in this way the king rightfully celebrated the Lord Krishna‘s Food Festival; Annakoot Mahotsav. And thus, he got the fame which is actually very difficult to achieve, in the whole world. In that congregation the generous Lord was sitting on the base as the string of lamps giving light in night and dawn. 41- 42

Thus ends the twenty-first chapter entitled, ‘Narration of description of listening the rapport from the various countries at the time of Annakutotsava,’ in the third prakaran of Satsangi Jivan, the life story of Lord Narayan, also titled as Dharmashastra, (the rules of the code of conduct). 21