84 Vaishnav Story 79 Gopaldas Kshatriya of Naroda

Long ago, in the western part of India, there lived a boy named Gopaldas. From a very young age, Gopaldas was very smart. By the time he was just seven years old, he knew many scriptures and had become very famous. As he grew older, he became very rich. Wherever he went, ten people walked with him like guards. Gopaldas became proud and often found faults in others, even if they were good people.

One day, after getting married, Gopaldas was going home with his family. On the way, he met a learned man and got into a debate with him. They argued for three whole days, but Gopaldas could not win. The argument turned into a fight. Sadly, in the fight, Gopaldas’s father was hit by an arrow and passed away. Gopaldas tried to chase the man who caused it, but he could not find him. With a heavy heart, Gopaldas returned home after performing his father’s last rites.

Later, Gopaldas went to the holy city of Dwarka. There, he heard that a great saint and scholar, Shri Mahaprabhuji, was staying. Gopaldas, full of pride, thought he could defeat Shri Mahaprabhuji in a debate. But as soon as they began, Shri Mahaprabhuji gently defeated him with wisdom and calmness.

Gopaldas, confused, asked, “You say everything is Shri Krishna, but then why is a dog considered impure? Isn’t the whole world divine?”

Shri Mahaprabhuji smiled and explained, “Yes, the world is Shri Krishna’s form. But even then, some things are pure and some are not, just like clean and dirty water. Still, we must be kind to everyone, even animals. If you truly believe that everything is one, why do you feel proud? Why do you hate others? If you think you are the supreme soul, why do you wear clothes and do daily things like anyone else?”

These words touched Gopaldas’s heart. His pride slowly melted away. He bowed down and became a disciple of Shri Mahaprabhuji.

Later, Shri Mahaprabhuji told him something important. “Your wife and child are not divine souls. So, you will not be able to do Shri Krishna’s seva in your home. But because you love Shri Krishna deeply, you will feel His sweet separation. That feeling is also very special and will bring you closer to Him.”

Shri Mahaprabhuji gave Gopaldas a special mantra written on paper and said, “Offer all your food to this paper as if offering to Shri Krishna.” He also allowed Gopaldas to help other people come to the path by giving them mantra initiation. “You were born a svami,” he said. “You will share this path with many and win over people’s hearts.”

Soon, Gopaldas became known all over western India as a spiritual teacher.

One day, Shri Mahaprabhuji returned to visit Gopaldas’s home. Gopaldas was not there, so Shri Mahaprabhuji asked his young son, “Where has your father gone?”

The child proudly said, “He went to do Shri Krishna’s seva.”

Shri Mahaprabhuji gently frowned. “Seva is a quiet, secret act. One should not speak of it openly.”

A little while later, Gopaldas came home. Shri Mahaprabhuji asked, “Where were you?”

Gopaldas simply replied, “I had gone to fill my stomach.”

Shri Mahaprabhuji was pleased with this honest answer. It showed that Gopaldas had become humble and truthful.

Gopaldas had a strong wish to see Shri Nathji, the divine form of Shri Krishna. So he traveled to the holy place where Shri Nathji was worshipped. But while he was there, he fell sick with a high fever. One night, he became very thirsty. Everyone was asleep, and there was no water nearby. Gopaldas felt helpless.

Shri Nathji, who always cares for His loving bhaktas, felt Gopaldas’s pain. Shri Nathji Himself brought a pitcher of water and gave it to Gopaldas.

In the morning, the temple priests noticed that Shri Nathji’s pitcher was missing. Shri Nathji told Ramdasji, “I gave it to Gopaldas.”

Ramdasji went to ask Gopaldas, “Where did you get water last night?”

Gopaldas said, “I had fever and was so thirsty. Someone gave me water, but I don’t know who it was.”

Ramdasji smiled and said, “It was Shri Nathji Himself. You are truly blessed!”

Gopaldas was shocked. He felt sad that he caused trouble for Shri Nathji and scolded his disciples for not helping him. Before leaving, he visited the temple again to bow down to Shri Nathji. When he returned to his hometown, he felt Shri Krishna’s separation deeply. Day and night, he remembered the Lord and sang songs of longing. One of his songs went like this:

“Blessed will be that day,
When I see those lovely eyes,
Shri Nandakumar wearing a peacock crown,
With jewels shining bright and wise.”

Years passed. One day, Shri Gusainji, the son of Shri Mahaprabhuji, was traveling to Dwarka. He stopped near the town of Naroda, where Gopaldas lived. That day, Gopaldas was on his way to meet Shri Gusainji with two people. These people wanted to take mantra initiation from Shri Gusainji.

But Gopaldas said, “You can take initiation from me instead.”

They said again and again that they wished to be Shri Gusainji’s disciples. But Gopaldas, forgetting humility, insisted they become his followers.

When Shri Gusainji heard what happened, he told Gopaldas, “Shri Mahaprabhuji accepted you, so Shri Krishna will always be with you. But the people you initiated without proper guidance will remain outside the true path.”

Later, many of Gopaldas’s followers chose to follow Shri Gusainji instead. Those who didn’t were called Gargoj, which means water that has gotten separated from the holy river Ganga and become still and impure.

This story teaches us something very special. Pride can block us from seeing the truth, but humility opens our hearts to Shri Krishna’s love. Even though Gopaldas made mistakes, he truly loved Shri Krishna and was blessed to feel His presence and longing.

Poem: Gopaldas’s Journey

Gopaldas was clever and strong,

But pride made him feel he was never wrong.

He met Shri Mahaprabhuji wise and kind,

Who gently helped him change his mind.

From prideful talks to humble days,

He learned to walk in bhakti’s ways.

Shri Krishna’s love he came to feel,

And sang with longing deep and real.

Even sick and thirsty in the night,

Shri Nathji came with love so bright.

He gave him water with His hand,

A gift so pure, so sweet, so grand.

Though Gopaldas once led with pride,

He found the joy of Shri Krishna inside.

The story shows in every part,

True bhakti lives in a humble heart.

Tags: Vaishnav stories for kids, Shri Mahaprabhuji teachings, Gopaldas story for children, Shri Krishna devotion, Pushtimarg stories, humility in Hinduism, Sanatan Dharma values, bedtime spiritual stories, Shri Nathji miracles, devotional parenting, 84 Vaishnav child stories, Hindu teachings for families, Shri Gusainji and Gopaldas, faith and surrender for kids, stories of transformation in bhakti