84 Vaishnav Story 81 Surdasji
Long ago in a quiet village called Goghat, there lived a gentle and wise poet named Suradasji. Though he could not see with his eyes, his heart was full of love for Shri Krishna. He spent his days singing songs about the Lord and teaching many disciples who came to learn from him.
One day, Suradasji’s disciples brought exciting news. Shri Mahaprabhuji, the great saint who had shown the Path of Grace to the world, had come to their village. Suradasji felt his heart leap with joy. He asked his disciples to let him know when Shri Mahaprabhuji had finished his meal and was ready to meet visitors.
When the time came, Suradasji went to see Shri Mahaprabhuji, surrounded by his own disciples. Shri Mahaprabhuji welcomed him kindly and offered him a seat. With folded hands, Suradasji bowed low to the ground.
Shri Mahaprabhuji asked Suradasji to sing a song in praise of Shri Krishna. Suradasji’s sweet voice filled the air as he sang two beautiful poems. Pleased, Shri Mahaprabhuji then asked him to sing about Shri Krishna’s playful lilas (divine pastimes). Suradasji humbly said, “I do not know the lilas. I cannot sing of what I do not understand.”
Shri Mahaprabhuji smiled and said gently, “Go and bathe in the Yamuna river. Then come back to me, and I will show you the lilas.”
After his bath in the sacred river, Suradasji returned. Shri Mahaprabhuji blessed him with the ashtakshara mantra and gave him Brahmasambandha, the special initiation that connected his soul to Shri Krishna forever. As Shri Mahaprabhuji explained the Tenth Canto of the Shrimad Bhagavatam, Suradasji’s heart overflowed with devotion. He felt as if the entire world had disappeared and only Shri Krishna remained.
With these blessings, Suradasji began to truly see the Lord’s lilas with his inner eyes. Sitting on the banks of the Yamuna, he sang about Shri Krishna’s appearance day, describing the joy of the people in Braj as their beloved Lord was born.
When Suradasji started singing of the Gopis’ deep love for Shri Krishna, Shri Mahaprabhuji softly stopped him. “These feelings are too sacred to share with everyone,” he said. “Such devotion is only for the purest of hearts.” Suradasji understood and accepted this with humility.
He called his disciples and said, “Surrender to Shri Mahaprabhuji as I have done. In his grace lies the perfection of life.” From that day, Suradasji no longer wished to be called “Swami.” He became “Das” – a humble servant at the feet of Shri Mahaprabhuji.
Soon, Shri Mahaprabhuji and his group, including Suradasji, left Goghat for Gokul, the sacred land where Shri Krishna spent his childhood. When they arrived, Suradasji bowed deeply to the holy soil. With great devotion, he sang about Shri Krishna’s childhood games, laughter, and sweet pranks.
Shri Mahaprabhuji, noticing Suradasji’s deep love, decided to honor him. He gave Suradasji the duty of singing for Shri Nathji, so that the Lord could hear songs of His own daily and festive lilas.
At Govardhan Hill, Shri Mahaprabhuji asked Suradasji to bathe and then come for Shri Nathji’s darshan. When Suradasji entered the temple, Shri Mahaprabhuji said, “There is no more darkness in your heart. Continue to sing of the Lord’s lilas with joy and love.”
Suradasji obeyed. Every day, with a pure heart and divine vision, he sang of Shri Krishna’s cowherding, forest meals, dances, and endless games. His songs came alive with the sweetness of Braj, and Shri Mahaprabhuji praised him as an ocean of devotion.
One day, even Emperor Akbar heard of Suradasji’s fame. He sent his court singer, Tansen, to meet the poet. When Akbar himself visited, he requested Suradasji to sing. Suradasji sang a song so full of love for Shri Krishna that Akbar was deeply moved.
To test him, Akbar offered Suradasji wealth and land if he would compose a song praising the emperor. But Suradasji refused gently and said, “I have only one desire – to sing of Shri Krishna. My heart thirsts only for His darshan.”
Akbar tried again and asked, “How can a blind man’s eyes thirst for seeing?” Suradasji replied with a smile, “Eyes of the heart see more than physical eyes. True love longs for the Lord’s beauty endlessly.”
Akbar, humbled, offered him gifts, but Suradasji politely declined. “Please, never call me again,” he said and returned to his service of Shri Nathji.
Back at the temple, Suradasji continued to sing for Shri Krishna. Sometimes, he also sang cradle songs for Navanita Priyaji, Shri Krishna’s child form. Shri Gusainji, the son of Shri Mahaprabhuji, was delighted by Suradasji’s poems and even taught him some songs to sing to the Lord.
Suradasji spent his life in devotion, singing more than one hundred twenty-five thousand poems. One day, Shri Krishna appeared to him and said lovingly, “Your wish is fulfilled, Suradasji. Now return to My eternal home.”
Feeling immense bliss, Suradasji went to Parasoli. He lay down and remembered Shri Krishna and Shri Gusainji. Shri Gusainji, sensing what was happening, came to see him. Suradasji opened his eyes and smiled. “I have been waiting for you,” he whispered.
With tears of love, he sang his final song and fixed his mind on Shri Krishna and Shri Radha. Quietly, his soul left his body and merged into the divine lilas forever.
Through humility and service, Suradasji reached the highest state of devotion. His life taught that true joy comes from surrendering to the Lord and helping others find the path of love.
Poem: Suradasji’s Song
Tags: surdas story for kids, pushtimarg stories, vaishnav bedtime stories, devotional stories for children, storytime lover, hindu values for kids, krishna stories simple english, mahaprabhu pushtimarg, surdas poems for kids, pushti marg devotional tales
Comments
Post a Comment