216 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 4, Ch. 7
quickly satisfied and gives benediction to his devotees without consider-
ation, he is called midhugtama, or the best of the benedictors. Materialistic
persons are always anxious to get material profit, but they are not serious
about spiritual profit.

Sometimes, of course, it so happens that Lord Siva becomes the best
benedictor in spiritual life. It is said that once a poor brahmana worshiped
Lord Siva for a benediction, and Lord Siva advised the devotee to go to see
Sanatana Gosvami. The devotee went to Sanatana Gosvami and informed
him that Lord Siva had advised him to seek out the best benediction from
him (Sanatana). Sanatana had a touchstone with him, which he kept with
the garbage. On the request of the poor brahmana, Sanatana Gosvami 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 Gosvami kept it with the garbage?” He
therefore returned and asked Sanatana Gosvami, “Sir, if this is the best
benediction, why did you keep it with the garbage?” Sanatana Gosvami
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 Siva has sent me to you for the best benediction.” Then Sanatana
Gosvami asked him to throw the touchstone in the water nearby and then
come back. The poor brahmana did so, and when he returned, Sanatana
Gosvami initiated him with the Hare Krsna mantra. Thus by the benedic-
tion of Lord Siva the brahmana got the association of the best devotee of
Lord Krsna and was thus initiated in the mahdmantra, Hare Krsna, Hare
Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama,
Hare Hare.

TEXT 7
ad Ateataarasa Tara: sets ht: |
e bat
TIAA Migr Fy I oll
tato midhvarmmsam amantrya
Sundsirah saharsibhih
bhityas tad deva-yajanarh
sa-midhvad-vedhaso yayuh

tatah—thereaflter; = midhvarhsam—Lord Siva; amantrya—inviting;

Sundsirah—the demigods headed by King Indra; saha-rsibhih—with all the
