55.15: Latibshah a Muhammadan Bhakta

178. Latibshah was a Muhammadan, a very pious Vaishnava who listened to the reading of the Gita and the Bhagwat, and sang the praises of Shri Rama day and night.

179. He gave up his own Muhammadan religion and took an intense liking for kirtans. With limitless love he performed bis daily worship.

180. Then all the Muhammadans reported to the king that Latibshah worshipped Shri Rama day and night.

181. The Muhammadan king was very thoughtless and sent men to loot the cottage of Latibshah and utterly destroy it at once.

182. Immediately at the king’s command all his officers went to the cottage but at the sight of him they all gained peace and happiness of heart.

183. They heartily repented and said, ‘We will no more serve the king. We will stay just here, listen to the Bhagavadgita, and stay here for ever.’

184. The king was very much astonished at heart and said, ‘No one has come back. Therefore let me go in person to persecute him.’

185. Latibshah mentally understood that the king was coming to persecute him and he therefore took out the book of the Bhagwat, and sat reading it near the altar of the tulsi plant.

186. Latibshah was surrounded by loving and pious men who were listening to his reading with love. In the meantime the Muhammadan king hastened and sat down.

187. As he looked round he found the place scrupulously clean. Right in the middle was the tulsi altar and around it were many fragrant flowering bushes which filled the place with their perfume.

188. The walls were covered with mortar and were very smooth and pictures were beautifully drawn on them. On them were the pictures of the ten principal avatars of Vishnu.

189. There were also pictures of sacred rivers and towns, and Kailas (Shiva’s heaven), and Vaikunth (Vishnu’s heaven). The drawings were in fast colours.

190. The Muhammadan flew into a rage as he saw this lovely place. Then he commenced his persecution.