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 benediction of Lord Siva the brahmana got the association of the best devotee of Lord Krsna and was thus initiated in the maha-mantra, the great mantra for deliverance.
