Why a Bhakt Refused to Chant Lord's 1000th Name?

Long ago, there lived a poor Brahmin. He was always engrossed in singing the glories of God and in doing so, often forgot all about eating, sleeping, and performing other household duties. People in the village used to stop by his cottage to give him something to eat, but that was never enough. Often his wife and children had to go to bed hungry.

His wife was upset by the fact that he did not pay any attention to her or the children. One day, as he was performing worship to Lord Vishnu and chanting His glorious names, his wife barged into his temple and started complaining about the children not having a proper meal for days. She started cursing him for not performing his duty as a husband and father and not earning a living.

Hearing his wife's complaints, the Brahmin was very distressed. He told her to look after the kids while he went to get some food to eat. But before leaving the temple, he put a cross on Lord Vishnu's face using a piece of charcoal saying, “From today onwards you are no longer called Bhootabhrit (provider of food). Instead of Vishnu Sahastra Naam (1000 names), I will chant only 999 names. 

​In Baikunth, Lord Vishnu was resting on Sheshnaag and Goddess Lakshmi was pressing His feet when she suddenly started laughing. Seeing her laugh, Lord Vishnu asked, “What is the matter Lakshmi, what makes you laugh like that?” Goddess Lakshmi could not control her laughter and simply pointed towards His face. Bhagavan Vishnu touched His face and saw black charcoal marks on His fingers. He immediately understood that it was a gift from one of His dear devotees.

He took leave of mother Lakshmi and headed straight to the poor Brahmin's house dressed as a trader. He carried lots of delicious food and expensive clothing and jewelry with Him. When the Brahmin's wife answered the door, He gave her everything he was carrying and told her that Her husband had sent all the stuff. When the wife inquired about Him, He replied saying, “Your husband knows me. Please ask him to remove the black mark he had placed on my face this morning.” Saying this, the stranger left. But before leaving, he turned their modest dwelling into a magnificent palace. 

The wife and the kids were delighted with the gifts they had received and dressed themselves up in fineries. After a while, the Brahmin came back with the small amount of food that he got as alms. Seeing a huge mansion, he thought he had lost the way and started retracing his steps. Seeing him, his wife came running out to greet him. Seeing her in such fine clothes and jewelry, he did not recognize her, but she caught his arm, dragged him inside the house, and narrated the whole story. She said the kind trader who came said that, “You know Him. He also requested you to remove the black mark that you put on His face this morning.” 

The Brahmin, who was always absorbed in the thoughts of Lord Vishnu, took no time to understand that God himself had come to satisfy his family's needs. This realization filled him with remorse. He ran out of the house shouting, “Oh my dear Lord, you gave your darshan to my wife who curses you day and night, and I who always sings your glories and praises, did not get a chance to behold your divine vision. Lord, please give me your darshan. I will myself clean up the mark on your face. You are indeed Bhootabhrit. Please let me behold your divine vision. I am sorry for accusing you of not being Bhootabhrit.” Saying so, he kept running hither and thither, looking for Lord Vishnu and soon fell unconscious on the ground.

​In his trance, he heard Lord Vishnu's sweet voice asking him to rise. He woke up with a start and saw His beloved Lord Vishnu smiling at him. Seeing his dear Lord standing in front of Him, he fell at His feet and started begging for forgiveness. Lord Vishnu said, “Now that you have beheld my vision, go back home and look after your wife and kids.” Having achieved the objective of his life, he was contented and did not want to go back to his family. He pleaded to Lord Vishnu saying, “My Lord, if I go back, Maya will again take control over me and I will forget you. I don't want to go back to the world of misery. Please take me with you.” Lord Vishnu smiled and said, “Maya controls those who are not surrendered to me. Maya cannot touch those who attain me. Now that you have attained me, Maya can never touch you again. Go chant My names and you will never have to work for food ever again”. 

​Purport: In Gita Lord Shri Krishn says 

अनन्याश्चिन्तयन्तो मां ये जनाः पर्युपासते । तेषां नित्याभियुक्तानां योगक्षेमं वहाम्यहम्‌ ॥
गीता 9.22​

“I myself take care of those fully surrendered unto Me”.

​God Himself takes care of His fully surrendered devotees.