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A kind man named Vishnudas lived near the city of Agra. He worked by coloring cloth in bright shades and then took them to the city to sell. One day, as he walked toward Agra with his colorful cloth, Shri Mahaprabhuji saw him from far away. The beautiful colors caught Shri Mahaprabhuji’s eye. He told his loving follower, Krishnadasji, “I would like some of that cloth. Please buy it, no matter what price he asks.”
Krishnadasji walked over to Vishnudas and asked how much the cloth cost. Vishnudas, just to see what would happen, asked for four times the usual price. But Krishnadasji gave the money without any complaint. He did exactly what Shri Mahaprabhuji had told him.
This made Vishnudas stop and think. “This man didn’t argue at all,” he thought. “He must be a holy man. What if, by taking his money, my family turns away from the world and becomes saints like him? Would I lose everything?” Feeling nervous, he told Krishnadasji, “Please take back your money. I don’t want to sell the cloth anymore.”
But Krishnadasji replied, “This is a strange thing to say. First, you sell me the cloth, and now you want to take it back? If you want more money, I can give you more—but I will not return the cloth.”
Vishnudas explained, “It’s not about money. When I saw how calmly you paid, I felt something deep inside. I realized that maybe the Lord is pulling me toward a different life. Please, I beg you—take your money back.”
But Krishnadasji smiled and said, “My guru, Shri Mahaprabhuji, really liked this cloth. He told me to buy it no matter the price. So I cannot return it.”
Hearing the name of Shri Mahaprabhuji, Vishnudas felt something stir in his heart. He wanted to meet this great guru right away. “Where is your guru? I must see him,” he asked.
So Krishnadasji took him to meet Shri Mahaprabhuji. When Vishnudas saw him, he felt a deep joy and said, “You must be the Lord Himself to have such a gentle and faithful follower. Please let me be your disciple.”
Vishnudas was eager to begin his spiritual journey. He went to bathe in the holy Yamuna River. But as he came back, a leaf plate that someone had eaten from touched his foot. He felt impure and wanted to bathe again. Shri Mahaprabhuji saw this and gently called out, “Where are you going now? Come with me later when I go to the Yamuna for prayers.”
But Vishnudas said with care, “I do not want to trouble you in any way.”
Shri Mahaprabhuji smiled and said, “Dear one, I have come to this world for devotees like you. I have walked all across India, shared the path of love, and written many teachings to help seekers. Don’t ever feel that you are a burden.”
Then he took Vishnudas to the Yamuna and lovingly gave him a sacred mantra. Vishnudas felt peaceful and full of devotion. Still, he asked humbly, “Please teach me the deep meanings of the holy books.”
So Shri Mahaprabhuji gently taught him about devotion. He said that true worship brings blessings, but only when the Lord decides it is time. Some problems come from the world—those can be given up. But if a delay comes from the Lord, we should patiently wait, because He knows best.
Shri Mahaprabhuji explained that there are three special gifts a devotee might receive. The first is divine love, where the Lord becomes close to the devotee. The second is merging with the Lord. The third is a body that is perfect for serving the Lord. But he also warned that things like worry, worldly pleasure, and daily distractions can get in the way of true devotion.
Vishnudas listened with a full heart. He felt like a new person.
Later, Krishnadasji said to him, “If you want, take your cloth and your money back. Or give it to Shri Mahaprabhuji.”
But Vishnudas smiled and said, “What cloth? I have already given my whole life to the Lord. This cloth is nothing in front of that.”
Krishnadasji was quiet. He was amazed at how much love Vishnudas had gained so quickly.
When Shri Mahaprabhuji told Vishnudas, “Now return to your home,” Vishnudas replied with a prayer, “My true home is at your feet. Where else could I go?”
Shri Mahaprabhuji gently said, “I will be going to Adel now. When my son, Shri Gusainji, comes to Gokul, go to him. He will guide you. Don’t worry about the world. It will not trouble you. Always stay happy in the Lord’s service.”
Vishnudas kept these words close to his heart and returned home joyfully. As he reached home, his wife saw the change in him and became upset. “I don’t want to see your face again,” she said and left him forever.
But Vishnudas was not sad. He saw it as Shri Krishna’s way of helping him leave behind all worldly attachments. From that day on, he spent his time singing the Lord’s name and reading Shri Mahaprabhuji’s writings.
Years passed. Vishnudas grew old. One day, remembering Shri Mahaprabhuji’s words, he went to Gokul to meet Shri Gusainji. He told him about the promise Shri Mahaprabhuji had made long ago.
Shri Gusainji welcomed him warmly. “You may live here and do whatever you feel you can manage,” he said.
Vishnudas thought about his age. He said, “If I can be a door guard at your home, I will see you every day, and that will be enough.”
Shri Gusainji agreed happily.
From that day on, every time Shri Gusainji passed him, he would say with love, “Vishnudas, are you happy?”
And Vishnudas would reply with joy, “Because of your grace, I am always happy.”
One day, scholars started coming to Shri Gusainji to debate the scriptures. Vishnudas saw that they were bothering the guru too much. So he began speaking with them himself. Because of his deep understanding, none of the scholars could defeat him. They were so surprised that they thought, “If the door guard is so wise, how much greater must the guru be?” And they left without meeting Shri Gusainji.
Later, Shri Gusainji asked, “Why don’t any scholars come anymore?”
A Vaishnav said, “They come, but your door guard defeats them all, so they go back home.”
Shri Gusainji called Vishnudas and said, “You are wise because you are a true disciple of Shri Mahaprabhuji. But we should never send people away empty-handed. From now on, let them come in so I can bless them too.”
Vishnudas bowed and agreed.
There was a relative of Shri Gusainji named Bhatt who lived in Mathura. He often asked, “Let me feed your Vaishnavs one day.” But Shri Gusainji would say, “Why get involved?”
One day, Bhatt insisted and invited Shri Gusainji to lunch. Shri Gusainji took Vishnudas with him and asked him to bring some water. After the meal, Vishnudas washed his guru’s hands. Then Shri Gusainji told him to eat the remaining food from his plate.
Just as Vishnudas was about to eat the sacred leftovers, Bhatt came and said, “Why are you eating that? I have made fresh food for you!”
But Vishnudas said, “I don’t want your food. If you touch my plate, it will no longer be pure.”
Bhatt became angry and walked away. Vishnudas quietly gathered his things and left for Gokul.
Bhatt later complained to Shri Gusainji, “Your low-caste follower insulted me!”
Shri Gusainji replied, “You said you wanted to feed all the Vaishnavs, but you couldn’t even feed one. How then will you feed many?”
Bhatt had no answer.
Vishnudas only accepted food that was connected to Shri Krishna’s service. He lived a simple life filled with love, devotion, and the sweet memories of Shri Mahaprabhuji’s blessings.
Poem: The Cloth and the Calling
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