A long time ago in a peaceful village, there lived a young boy named Achyutadas Gaura. From a very young age, he loved spending time with a kind and wise devotee named Narayanadas. Whenever Shri Mahaprabhuji came to visit Narayanadas, Achyutadas would quietly sit and watch, his heart full of joy.
One special day, when Achyutadas was only eight years old, Shri Mahaprabhuji gently gave him initiation. It was a blessing that would stay in Achyutadas’s heart forever.
As years passed, Achyutadas grew into a thoughtful young man. When he turned twenty, he felt a strong wish to meet Shri Mahaprabhuji again. He hadn’t seen his beloved Guru in many years. So, with excitement in his heart, he traveled to Adel where Shri Mahaprabhuji lived.
When Achyutadas reached Adel, Shri Mahaprabhuji welcomed him lovingly and asked how he had been spending his time. Achyutadas smiled and said, “I enjoy walking around Govardhan Hill.”
Hearing this, Shri Mahaprabhuji said with kindness, “If you walk around Govardhan Hill three times in one day, you will receive a divine vision.”
Achyutadas’s heart leapt with joy. He bowed respectfully and set off right away.
He first stopped to pay his respects to Narayanadas, and then began the long walk. The path around Govardhan Hill is very long—forty-two miles! But Achyutadas did not feel tired. With every step, he thought of Shri Krishna and Shri Mahaprabhuji.
By the time he finished two rounds, night had fallen. It was dark and quiet. Achyutadas had only one more round left, but his legs felt weak, and his body was very tired.
Just then, a young cowlad appeared on the path. “Where are you going?” the boy asked gently. “There’s a lion up ahead. You should turn back.”
Achyutadas thought carefully. “How can I stop now?” he said. “Shri Mahaprabhuji asked me to complete three rounds.”
Hearing this, the cowlad smiled and suddenly disappeared. Achyutadas felt a strange, new energy fill his body. He stood up straight and walked forward.
Soon he saw the lion that the boy had warned about. But instead of turning back, Achyutadas kept walking. As he got closer, he realized something amazing. The lion wasn’t a lion at all—it was just a gentle cow!
Smiling with relief, Achyutadas lovingly rubbed the cow’s tail over his head. He then walked the rest of the way with a joyful heart and completed the third round.
Eager to understand what had just happened, he returned to Adel to ask Shri Mahaprabhuji.
Shri Mahaprabhuji listened and then explained, “The cowlad was Shri Krishna Himself. The lion was the form of Govardhan Hill. When you walked with love and courage, it turned into a cow. This was a very special experience, but because you do not yet have divine love, you were not able to see the full beauty of Shri Krishna’s divine play.”
Achyutadas bowed and asked softly, “How can I receive this divine love?”
“By serving Shri Krishna with love in your heart,” said Shri Mahaprabhuji with a smile.
Some time later, while walking under a big peepal tree, Achyutadas found something wonderful in the grass—a beautiful Deity of Shri Radha and Shri Krishna! He was full of joy. With Shri Mahaprabhuji’s blessing, he began to care for the Deities every day with great love and devotion.
For many years, Achyutadas served Them faithfully. Shri Radha and Shri Krishna were so pleased with him that They told him to ask for whatever he wished. But Achyutadas needed nothing more than Their love.
After Shri Mahaprabhuji left this world, Achyutadas felt deep sadness. Missing his Guru very much, he gave his beloved Deities to Shri Mahaprabhuji’s eldest son, Shri Gopinathji. Then he quietly made his way to the snowy mountains of Badripath, where he left his body and returned to Shri Krishna forever.
Achyutadas’s deep love for Shri Mahaprabhuji was the light that guided his heart. Just like a magnet pulls iron, the love of a true devotee pulls us closer to Shri Krishna. While worldly things may bind us, love for the Guru, the Lord, and His devotees sets us free.
Poem: The Three Sacred Circles
Tags: Achyutadas, Govardhan Hill, Shri Mahaprabhuji, Shri Krishna, Radha Krishna story, Vaishnav bedtime stories, Hindu values for children, devotional parenting, spiritual kids stories, 84 Vaishnav, Sanatan Dharma stories, love for Guru, Govardhan parikrama, Pushtimarg teachings for kids, Shri Gopinathji, Vaishnav devotional service