His Immortal Words

These sweet words pleased the ecclesiastics who heard him, except for one, who was of a demoniac disposition. He said to the Governor, "Punish this evil person before the good name of our race falls into ruin." So the Governor tried once more to convince Haridasa to accept the religion of his birth and denounce his present activities. Haridasa answered with the immortal words that stand as a pinnacle of determination for chanting the holy name: "No one can do anything else than what Godhead directs. If my body be hacked to pieces, if life itself shall desert me, still I will not give up the practice of chanting the holy name." The assembly was quick to the verdict: "Let Haridasa be whipped at the twenty-two marketplaces of the city."