Final test of Devchandra
Prannath Leelaamrit - Chapter 14
Fourteen years passed with Devchandra faithfully listening to the Bhaagwat Puran. Then, through a divine manifestation, Shri Raj bestowed his grace upon Devchandra.
Initially, Devchandra experienced some physical suffering. Maya (Satan) began creating obstacles in his path, but Devchandra's devotion to his beloved God did not waver.
Devchandra suddenly developed a fever, causing him to lose his appetite. Nevertheless, he continued to attend the Bhaagwat narration, covering his ears with a cloth.
Ten or twelve days passed with the fever. Due to not eating for so long, Devchandra's body became extremely weak. Nevertheless, he continued to attend the narration.
His father, Mattu Mehta, called a physician to take his pulse. The doctor prescribed medicine and gave strict instructions that Devchandra should not be exposed to any breeze.
Then Devchandra's mother, Kunwar Bai, said, "He is going to listen to the Bhaagwat narration."
Upon hearing this, the physician took back the medicine and said, "If he goes outside, he will develop a high fever from exposure to the air. I will not come here again."
His father, Mattu Mehta, told the physician, "Don't worry. We won't let him go anywhere. Only if the body is healthy can one perform religious duties."
Then Devchandra said, "I will not stop for any reason. Righteousness comes first, then the body."
The physician gave Devchandra the herbal decoction and left. When it was time for the narration, Devchandra covered his ears and set off with his walking stick. His parents tried their best to stop him, but he was determined to follow this path to spiritual fulfillment.
Then, Devchandra's father closed the door and stood in front of it to prevent him from leaving. Seeing this, Devchandra became very distressed and cried out, "O fools! I am not going to die! If you try to stop me by force, my body will stay here, but my soul will go there."
Even after hearing this, Devchandra's father did not move from the doorway. Devchandra fainted and fell to the ground. His mother cried out loudly when she saw this and pressured her husband to open the door. Devchandra's father began calling his name, but Devchandra could neither hear nor recognize him.
Then his father, Mattu Mehta, said, "Bhatt has sent for you. Go listen to the Bhaagwat narration. Now, no one will stop you. Come, we will take you."
About fifteen minutes later, Devchandra regained consciousness. He sat up, his face pale. Then, Mattu Mehta repeated the same words. Devchandra quietly walked to the Shyam temple and sat down to listen to the narration. Only after hearing the Bhaagwat narration did he find peace of mind. By the time he returned home, his fever had also subsided.
This was his final test. After that, his health improved day by day. Ten or fifteen days after the incident, he had a vision of Shri Raj. At that time, he was 40 years old.