Kholavecha Shridhara

Kholavecha Shridhara

 Although poor, living in a broken down hut with holes in the roof, and drinking water from a cracked iron pot, Shridhar a Pandit (Kholavecha Shridhara) had the fortune of Mahaprabhu's affection. He would stay up at night chanting Hare Krishna. The neighbors thought because of poverty he had hunger pains and couldn't sleep. Everyday Nimai Pandit would buy banana-fruits, roots, stalks, flowers; gourds, and pumpkins from Kholavecha Shridhara. A sweet love quarrel would ensue because Nimai paid only half the quoted price.

   "If You don't like my prices," said Shridhara, "then please buy Your banana flowers somewhere else." Then taking the banana flowers, Mahaprabhu would just walk away without paying a paisa.

   Shridhara would snatch them back and chide the Lord, "I'm just a poor old brahmana. And whatever little profit comes we use to worship Ganga Devi." Finally, Shridhara agreed to give Nimai Pandit some banana flowers everyday without charge.

   Kholavecha Shridhara serves Krishna-Balarama in Vraja dhama as Kusumasava sakha. His samadhi is located in the 64 Samadhis Area.