The story of Haridasa Thakura and Maya Devi is a famous Vaishnava tale from the Sri Caitanya-caritamrta detailing how the pure, steadfast devotion of Haridasa Thakura (known as the Namacharya or “Master of the Holy Name”) effortlessly defeated the personified external illusion of the material world.
The Attempted Seduction
While Haridasa Thakura was chanting the holy names in a secluded cave near Shantipur, the local Zamindar, Ramachandra Khan, became envious of his spiritual influence. He hired a beautiful and famous local courtesan, who later revealed herself to be the incarnation of Maya Devi (the material illusion), to seduce him and destroy his vows.
The Test of Faith
Maya Devi visited Haridasa Thakura on a full-moon night, attempting to use her beauty and sweet words to allure him. Despite her charms, Haridasa Thakura’s mind remained completely fixed on chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. He told her he would gladly engage with her after finishing his daily vow of chanting a fixed number of holy names.
The Transformation
Maya Devi returned for three consecutive nights. Astounded that the chanting of the holy names prevented his mind from wavering in the slightest, she finally admitted defeat. Recognizing the purity of his devotion, she fell at his feet, begged for spiritual mercy, and was ultimately initiated by Haridasa Thakura into chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta 1975 Edition
By His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Antya-lila Chapter 3
The Glories of Srila Haridasa Thakura
Haridas Thakura constructed a cottage in the forest of Benapola and, sitting in front of a tulasi plant, he would chant the holy name of the Lord 300,000 times a day. All of the neighboring people loved and worshiped Haridasa Thakur so much so that the Zamindar of the district Ramachandra Khan, became envious of him. Ramachandra Khan planned to dishonor him. However, he could not find any fault in the character of Haridasa, so he deised a plan to make him stray from his path. He called for a local prosititute who agreed and said she would attract the mind of Haridas Thakur within three days. At night she dressed herself very attractively and went to the cottage of Haridasa Thakur. After offering her obeisances to the tulasi plant, she sat at the doorway before him, and told Haridasa that her mind was greedy to be united with him. Haridasa Thakur replied, “I shall accept you without fail, but you have to wait until I have finished chanting my regular rounds on my beads. Untill that time, please sit and listen to the chanting of the holy name. As soon as I am finished, I shall fulfill your desire.” However, morning came and Haridasa had not yet finished his chanting. By his transcendental trick, Haridas Thakur arranged for the prostitute to sit and chant with him for three nights in a row. By the third night her mind was changed and she fell at his feet as a surrendered disciple. (Excerpted from Antya-lila 3.3)
The Hare Krishna Movement 