Long ago, in the sacred town of Thaneshwar, there lived a wealthy man named Govindadasji. He was kind at heart and wanted to live a spiritual life. One day, Shri Mahaprabhuji came to visit the town and gave blessings to many people. When Govindadasji met Shri Mahaprabhuji, he felt deep love in his heart and asked to become his follower.
After accepting him as a disciple, Shri Mahaprabhuji advised Govindadasji to use his riches in serving the Lord. But Govindadasji was unsure. "My wife won’t agree to this," he said.
Shri Mahaprabhuji gently told him, “Then give one part of your wealth to your wife, one part to Shri Nathji, and use the rest for doing the Lord’s seva.”
Govindadasji followed the advice and divided his wealth. He gave one-fourth to Shri Mahaprabhuji and used the rest for seva in Mahavan, where he served Shri Nathji with great love. Every day, he would share all the food offered to the Lord with others before preparing anything for himself. He believed that he should not eat anything that had already been offered to the Lord.
As time passed, all his money was spent on seva. But Govindadasji did not stop. Instead, he worked even harder. Every morning, he woke up four hours before sunrise. After bathing, he walked a long distance—fifteen miles—to Mathura to fetch holy water from Shri Yamunaji. Carrying the heavy pot of water on his back, he would return just in time for the Lord’s mid-day service.
After that, he cleaned the kitchen and all the pots. Then he went to nearby villages, where he would beg for a few kilos of wheat. He ground the wheat himself and offered it to the Lord. Only after adding a bit of sacred water, or charanamrit, to the offering and presenting it to the temple flag, would he take a small portion as his food. In the evening, he again cleaned everything.
Though he was working so hard every single day, Shri Nathji was not happy. Why? Because Govindadasji had become proud. He thought to himself, “No one does seva like I do. I am the best.”
Shri Nathji shared his feelings with Shri Mahaprabhuji at a place called Adel. He said, “One of your followers is giving me trouble.”
Shri Mahaprabhuji went to Jatipura to see what was going on. He spoke kindly to all the people serving at the temple. When he met Govindadasji, he said, “All others are taking the Lord’s prasada. Why don’t you?”
Govindadasji replied firmly, “It is not allowed. I should not eat food that has been offered already.”
Shri Mahaprabhuji softly explained that he could eat from his own kitchen, but Govindadasji still refused. He believed his way was the only correct one.
Seeing his pride and stubbornness, Shri Mahaprabhuji told him to stop doing the seva. Govindadasji left and went to serve at the temple of Lord Keshoraya in Mathura.
One day, a minister of the invading Sultan, called a hakim, heard someone say that the Lord's bed was more beautiful than his. Feeling jealous, he entered the temple and sat on Shri Keshoraya’s bed.
Govindadasji, who deeply loved the Lord, became upset. He picked up a sword and struck the hakim. The officer’s men later came and killed Govindadasji.
The local Vaishnavas performed his last rites with care and love. But some of them were puzzled. They asked Shri Mahaprabhuji, “Why did a great devotee like Govindadasji have such a painful end?”
Shri Mahaprabhuji explained calmly, “In the next world, he will be happy. But here, he suffered because he did not listen to his guru’s words. He was too proud, even in seva.”
Though Govindadasji was a strong devotee, his pride stood in the way of true love and service. Shri Mahaprabhuji taught everyone that seva must be filled with humility and surrender, not pride.
Poem: The Right Way to Serve
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