When Ramdasji was only nine years old, his parents arranged for him to be married to a young girl who was just a year younger than him. But Ramdasji was not like other children. His heart was full of peace and he always wanted to stay away from worldly matters. He didn’t enjoy playing with others or studying books. He just wanted to be quiet and alone.
One day, near a lake in his hometown called Rajanagar, Ramdasji saw something that changed his life. An oil merchant had brought his oxen to the lake to drink water. Suddenly, one of the oxen slipped into the water and drowned. The oilman began to cry. Ramdasji, who was just a little boy, asked gently, "Why are you crying?"
The oilman said, "My ox was fine, just drinking water. Now he is gone."
Ramdasji said innocently, "He is not gone. He is just lying in the water."
The oilman shook his head. "He has no more life left."
Ramdasji looked surprised and asked, "Does everyone die like this?"
"Yes," said the oilman, "sooner or later, everyone must go."
Hearing this, Ramdasji felt a deep feeling rise in his heart. He left everything and walked away from home. He wanted to find the truth. He walked all the way to Shri Dwarka.
In Dwarka, he heard the sweet teachings of Shri Mahaprabhuji. The words touched his heart and filled him with joy. After the talk, he bowed and said, "Please let me stay with you. I want to be your servant."
Shri Mahaprabhuji thought, "He is still very young, but very special. I must protect him. When his heart becomes strong and steady, I will let him go."
From that day, Ramdasji stayed with Shri Mahaprabhuji. He helped with cooking and other small tasks. Sometimes, Shri Mahaprabhuji would give him little food, and sometimes more, just to test him. But Ramdasji never complained. He always felt thankful for whatever he received, because it came from his guru.
Whenever Shri Mahaprabhuji traveled, Ramdasji would walk ahead and remove thorns from the path. One day, a sharp thorn got stuck in Ramdasji's foot. But he didn’t stop. He thought, "If I stop, my guru might step on a thorn. That would be so painful."
Shri Mahaprabhuji noticed and said, "Ramdasji, stop and remove the thorn. I am very pleased with your love. Ask me for anything."
Ramdasji replied with folded hands, "All I want is to stay at your feet forever."
Shri Mahaprabhuji smiled, "So be it. First, take care of your foot. I will wait here."
Later, while traveling in the South, a Brahmin gave Shri Mahaprabhuji a Deity of Shri Krishna. The Brahmin was too old to serve anymore. Shri Mahaprabhuji accepted it and also bought a pair of wooden sandals, but without the toe peg, as he always walked barefoot.
He gave the Deity and the sandals to Ramdasji and said, "Go back home now. Your heart is ready."
Though it was hard for him to leave, Ramdasji obeyed. For three days, he offered food to the Deity and the sandals and gave all of it to a cow. On the fourth day, Shri Mahaprabhuji appeared to him and said, "Take the prasad too. I am still with you."
Ramdasji went back to Rajanagar. His parents had passed away, and his wife was staying with her parents. When they heard Ramdasji was back, they asked their daughter, "Do you want to return to him? He might leave again."
She said, "I only want to be with my husband."
They brought her to Ramdasji, but he did not accept her. Later, he prayed and then initiated her with the teachings of Shri Krishna, as he was told by Lord Dwarkanathji in a dream.
After some time, Ramdasji thought, "It is not right to keep wandering with my wife." So they both went back to Rajanagar and stayed there. They spent their days worshiping Shri Krishna with love and care.
One day, Shri Mahaprabhuji visited Rajanagar. Ramdasji invited him to his home and asked him to give initiation to his wife.
Shri Mahaprabhuji said, "You already gave her mantra."
Ramdasji replied, "Yes, because Lord Dwarkanathji told me to do so. But you had made me leave you for this, so now, please complete her initiation."
Shri Mahaprabhuji smiled and agreed. He gave her Brahma sambandha and blessed their home. He told them, "Live in one place and serve Shri Krishna with love."
After Shri Mahaprabhuji left, the couple continued their worship. When they finished their daily service, Ramdasji would tell his wife about the sweet pastimes of Shri Krishna. They lived with peace and devotion, walking the path of love and surrender.
In this age of Kali, where becoming a renunciate is not advised, living as a pure and devoted householder is the greatest dharma. Ramdasji and his wife showed how one can live in the world, yet always be close to Shri Krishna. Their hearts were full of faith, and together they crossed the ocean of life with ease.
Poem: The Journey of Ramdasji
A boy once saw an ox fall down, The oilman cried, his face a frown, "Will everyone someday just lie still?" Asked Ramdasji, with a quiet will.
He left his home with heart so wide, To Shri Mahaprabhuji's side, He served with love, removed each thorn, His tender feet were scratched and torn.
With sandals, prasad, and a Deity bright, He walked back home, guided by light. His wife returned, with heart so true, And joined him in devotion too.
They cooked, they cleaned, they sang all day, Serving Shri Krishna in every way. Their home became a temple fair, With Shri Mahaprabhuji's blessings there.
In this world, we may not roam, But hearts can build a sacred home. With faith and love, both deep and kind, We leave all worldly cares behind.
So be like Ramdasji, calm and wise, With Shri Krishna ever before your eyes. Serve with joy, and you will see, Your home becomes divinity.
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