3. The Jackfruit Thief

 3. The Jackfruit Thief

This story and a few more involve Jagannatha Swami and Balarama Dasa, a great Oriyan devotee who lived in Puri during the reign of King Prataparudra (1497-1535 a.d.). 

Late one night, Lord Jagannatha secretly left the temple and went to the home of Balarama Dasa. The Lord asked Balarama Dasa to accompany Him to an orchard to eat some juicy ripe jackfruit. After eating up to their necks the Lord and His devotee fell asleep. Just before sunrise Jagannatha Swami got up quietly and returned to Sri Mandira.

A short time later, the owner of that orchard came and caught Balarama Dasa red handed. He called the king and had Balarama Dasa arrested for stealing. That night, Lord Jagannatha answered the prayers of Balarama Dasa by instructing the king in a dream, "I personally engaged Balarama Dasa the other night in eating jackfruit with Me. He is not at fault, so please free My dear devotee." The astonished king released Balarama Dasa the next morning and begged him with folded hands to please reveal the path of pure devotion.

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