In his early childhood, Dhanna Bhakt witnessed something that stirred a divine curiosity in his heart. A saint had visited his village to deliver spiritual discourses on Lord Krishna and to perform worship of Saligram—a sacred black stone symbolizing Lord Vishnu, just as a Shivalinga represents Lord Shiva.
All the villagers gathered at one place to listen to the saint’s spiritual talks. Dhanna Ji was among them, silently watching the saint as he lovingly served the Saligram: giving it a bath, applying tilak, offering food, flowers, Tulsi leaves, and performing daily worship with great reverence.
The next day, the saint continued his rituals and katha. Dhanna Ji, still a child, watched with wonder. His heart was filled with curiosity. He finally gathered the courage and asked the saint:
The saint smiled and replied gently,
“Maharaj, why do you do all these offerings and worship to this
stone?”
Dhanna Ji asked,
“So you’re doing all this for God?”
The saint nodded and said,
“Yes. Come, take this handmade fan and serve Thakur Ji by giving Him
air.”
Overjoyed, Dhanna Ji began doing the seva (service), waving the fan with pure love. Day after day, he continued this service. He fell deeply in love with serving the Lord in this form.
As the saint’s visit neared its end, Dhanna Ji, with hope in his eyes,
asked the saint:
“Maharaj, when you leave tomorrow, can you please give me this
Saligram, this Thakur Ji?”
The saint was surprised and said,
“Child, you are too young. Taking care of Saligram requires a lot of
responsibility.”
Tears welled up in Dhanna Ji’s eyes as he pleaded,
“We are poor people, Maharaj. But please trust me. I’ll take care of
Thakur Ji better than I care for myself. If He comes to our home,
maybe our suffering will also end.”
The next day, after finishing the katha, the saint packed his belongings, including the Saligram. As he mounted his horse, Dhanna Ji ran to him, crying and holding his feet, “Guru Ji, you said you would give Thakur Ji to me… please don’t leave without fulfilling your word!”
From that day, Dhanna Ji carried the stone Saligram with him always. Whenever he needed help, he called on Thakur Ji—and God would appear to him.
A guru guided his disciple, teaching that true wisdom and happiness come from within, through patience, self-awareness, and love.
One year later, the saint returned to Dhanna Ji’s village. Dhanna Ji humbly welcomed him with a danvat pranam and invited him home.
The saint saw an unusual divine glow on Dhanna Ji’s face and asked, “Child, you look so radiant. What have you been doing?”
Dhanna Ji smiled and replied, “It’s all the mercy of Thakur Ji. He talks to me, takes care of me, and even works in our fields.”
The saint was confused. “What? You mean the stone I gave you?”
Dhanna Ji replied, “Yes. But He is not just a stone. He is Thakur Ji. Come with me—I’ll show you.”
The guru followed him to the fields. Dhanna Ji pointed and said, “There, behind the cow—Thakur Ji is working.”
But the saint saw no one. Dhanna Ji went to the other side of the field and prayed, “Thakur Ji, why can’t my guru see You?”
Thakur Ji replied, “Dhanna, only you can see Me. Your guru doesn’t yet have the karmic grace to behold Me.”
Dhanna Ji, with folded hands, said, “If my guru cannot see You, then I too don’t wish to see You. You are the one who taught me that Guru comes before God. If my guru is not worthy, I am not worthy either.”
Thakur Ji was overwhelmed by Dhanna Ji’s humility and devotion.
Smiling, He embraced him and said,
“Dhanna, you’ve placed My own teaching before Me. I’m pleased with
your love. Let us both go and give your guru My darshan.”
As they approached, Dhanna Ji said, “Guru Ji, Thakur Ji is here with me. He will give you His divine sight.”
Suddenly, the saint fell to his knees, overwhelmed by the divine
presence. With tears streaming down his face, he said,
“Oh Dhanna! I gave you a fake Saligram—and you gave me real darshan of
the Lord!”
Dhanna Ji replied,
“Please don’t say that, Guru Ji. Had you not given me that stone, I
would have never found Thakur Ji.”
This story teaches us that even if a form of God seems ordinary, like a simple stone, true love and pure devotion can bring that form to life. God does not care for form, rituals, or wealth—He responds only to the heart that calls out with sincerity.