84 Vaishnav Varta 2 - Krishnadas Meghna Kshatri

Now about the sevak (servant) of Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu—Krishnadas Meghna Kshatri, who lived in Soron. The sentiment of his discourse is spoken of here:

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Krishnadas was manifested from Vishakha Sakhi. Vishakhaji is the shadow form of Shri Swaminiji. Just as a shadow moves with the body, in the same way, Vishakhaji always remains with Shri Swaminiji. Similarly, Krishnadas also stayed constantly with Shri Acharyaji. Krishnadas had a great influx of divine majesty (aishwarya). This will be described further in the discourse.

Prasang 1 Three Boons and the Test of Gurubhava

Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu performed a circumambulation of the earth. On all three occasions, Krishnadas was with him. During the first circumambulation, at Badrinarayan, there are mountains named Parli and Kirni. From there, a large rock fell. Krishnadas Meghna held it back with his hand. At that moment, Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu became very pleased and gave him a supernatural reward. But in order to test him, Shri Acharyaji asked Krishnadas, “Ask, what do you wish for?”

Then Krishnadas asked for three things: 1) The principles of the path (Pushtimarg) should be firmly established in my heart. 2) The defect of speaking too much (verbosity) should be removed. 3)Please visit my Guru’s house and accept him. Shri Acharyaji granted him two of these requests but did not fulfill the third—that of visiting the Guru’s house.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): The reason is this: Previously, there was a sense of Gurubhava (devotion towards his Guru) in Krishnadas’s heart, which outwardly manifested here. Therefore, Shri Acharyaji withheld the divine boon and granted only two of the requests.

He did not visit the Guru’s house because that sentiment was not divine (daivi). Without divine sentiment, acceptance within this path is not possible. Thus, two things were granted, but the Gurubhava remained. As a result, Krishnadas did not attain full realization of the path. However, the defect of verbosity was removed. His original strength (spiritual power) slightly diminished because of this lingering Gurubhava.

Prasang 2 The Cave of Vyasji and the Half Shloka

Again, Shri Acharyaji proceeded from Shri Badrikashram and arrived at the cave of Vyasji. That place was inaccessible to ordinary souls. So Shri Acharyaji said to Krishnadas, “Stand here and wait.” When Shri Acharyaji went ahead, Veda Vyasji himself came forward. He welcomed Shri Acharyaji and took him into his own abode.

Afterward, Veda Vyasji said to Shri Acharyaji, “You have written a commentary on the Shrimad Bhagavatam. Please recite it to me.” Then Shri Acharyaji recited one shloka from the chapter Yugal Geet (The Song of the Divine Couple). That shloka was

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"यामबाहुकृतबामकपोलो वल्गितभूरधरार्पितवेणुम्।

Where Mukunda rests his left cheek upon his right arm, Places the flute on the earth with its end lifted slightly,

 कोमलांगुलीभिराश्रितमार्ग गोप्य ईरयति यत्र मुकुन्दः“ ॥१॥

And with his soft, tender fingers, beckons the Gopis To walk along the path where he leads them.” ॥1॥

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The explanation of this shloka was completed in three days. Then Veda Vyasji said, “I am not able to grasp the full essence of this explanation, so now please forgive me.”

Afterward, Shri Acharyaji said, “You composed the Vedanta Sutras in such a way that they have been interpreted to support Mayavada (the doctrine of illusion).” Then Vyasji replied, “What could I do? That was the command given to me—to compose them in such a way that both meanings could be derived.” Then Shri Acharyaji said, “But we have interpreted them in the sense of Brahmavada (the doctrine of the Supreme Brahman), and that is the meaning we have presented.” Hearing this, Veda Vyasji became very pleased.

Afterward, Shri Acharyaji took leave of Veda Vyasji and returned on the third day. When he saw Krishnadas still standing in the same place, Shri Acharyaji was very pleased and said, “You are still standing here. You did not leave. Why is that?” Krishnadas replied, “Maharaj! Where could I go? Without your lotus feet, I have no other refuge.” Hearing this, Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu became extremely pleased and said, “Ask—what do you desire?”

Then again Krishnadas asked for the same three things. Of these, two were granted, but the request regarding visiting his Guru’s house was not fulfilled.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): The reason is that there was still some Gurubhava (devotion towards his previous Guru) remaining in Krishnadas’s heart. Because of this, even from the beginning, his spiritual strength had somewhat diminished. This is why Shri Acharyaji did not take Krishnadas along with him into Vyasji’s cave.

This is also why the episode of the Yugal Geet was narrated at that time. But the deep realization (dharana) of it could not yet manifest in Krishnadas. Even Veda Vyasji himself could not grasp it fully. This is because Veda Vyasji is a partial incarnation (kala avatar). How could he fully grasp the bhava-filled speech of Purushottam?

Shrimad Bhagavatam was spoken directly by Shri Purushottam Himself while seated in Vyasji’s heart. Vyasji was merely the medium through whom it was transmitted. He did not experience the rasa (divine nectar) of the Bhagavatam fully. This secret has been expressed by Harjivandas in this verse:

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★ Raag Kedaro |  राग केदारो ★  

जोलों हरि आपुनपों न जनावें । तोलों वेद पुरान स्मृति सब पढे सुनें नहिं आवें ॥१॥ 

“If Hari does not reveal Himself personally, then reading or listening to all the Vedas, Puranas, and Smritis brings no realization.” ॥1॥

सुनि विरंचि नारायण मुख सो नारद सो कहिदीनो । नारद कहि वेदव्यास सो आप सोध नहि कीनो ॥ २॥ 

“Hearing this directly from the mouths of Brahma and Narayan, Narad spoke it, and Veda Vyas heard it, yet even he did not realize it fully.” ॥2॥

वेदव्यास औषध की नाई पढ़ि तन ताप नसायो । तिनतें पढे मुनि सुकदेवा परिक्षित को जु सुनायो ॥३॥ 

“Veda Vyas, like taking medicine, read the scriptures to remove the fever of his body. Later, Sage Shukadeva read them and narrated them to King Parikshit.” ॥3॥

जदपि नृपति सुनि ब्रज की लीला दसम कही सुकदेवा। तोऊ सर्वात्मभाव न उपज्यो तातें करी न सेवा ॥४॥ 

“Although the king heard the divine pastimes of Braj described in the Tenth Canto by Shukadeva, even then, a feeling of oneness with the soul (sarvatmabhava) did not arise, and therefore he could not engage in service (seva).” ॥4॥

श्रीभागवत अमृत दधि मथिके श्रीवलभ सर्वोत्तम। करि आवरन दूरि निजजन के हाथ दिये पुरुषोत्तम ॥५॥। 

“Shri Vallabh, the supreme among all, churned the nectar of the Shrimad Bhagavatam like churning yogurt, removed the covering and handed it into the hands of his own divine devotees—Purushottam himself.” ॥5॥

सेवा अरु श्रृंगार विविध रस श्रीवत्नभ प्रगटायो। करि कृपा निज दैवी जीवन पर हरिजीवन स्वाद चखायो ॥६॥ 

“He revealed various forms of service (seva) and adornments (shringar) filled with divine rasa, And by his grace, he let his own divine souls taste the sweetness of Hari’s nectar.” ॥6॥

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In this way, it is through the grace of Shri Acharyaji that the experience of rasa was obtained.

Prasang 3 Midnight Murmura and the Lesson of Asking

Once again, at another time, Shri Acharyaji went to Gangasagar. There, Shri Acharyaji was resting, and Krishnadas was pressing his feet. At that time, Shri Acharyaji thought in his mind, “If only there were some puffed rice (murmura), I would enjoy eating it.” Krishnadas Meghna understood this thought of Shri Acharyaji’s mind. Soon after, Shri Acharyaji fell asleep. Krishnadas quietly got up and went to Gangasagar.

There he saw, across the river, a lamp burning. Using that as a marker, he crossed the Ganga and reached the other side. There was a village there. In the fields, he had wet paddy cut. He paid the laborers and got puffed rice (murmura) prepared. Afterward, Krishnadas crossed the Ganga again and came back to Shri Acharyaji. He placed the puffed rice before Shri Acharyaji and, pressing his lotus feet, woke him up. Then he said, “Maharaj, please partake.” Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu asked, “Where did you bring this from?” Krishnadas narrated the entire sequence of events. Hearing this, Shri Acharyaji was very pleased and said, “Ask—what do you desire?”

Once again, Krishnadas asked for the same three things: 1) That the principles of the path (Pushtimarg) be firmly established in his heart. 2) That the defect of verbosity (speaking unnecessarily) be removed. 3) That Shri Acharyaji visits his Guru’s house and accepts him. This time too, Shri Acharyaji granted the first two but did not fulfill the third request regarding visiting the Guru’s house.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Shri Acharyaji had arrived at the banks of Gangasagar and was resting there at night. At midnight, he thought of puffed rice, which was only to test Krishnadas and shower grace upon him. For Purushottam, there is never any actual need for anything. If ever such a desire arises, it is only to bestow grace upon someone. This thought was known to Krishnadas.

Krishnadas then crossed the river and brought back the puffed rice. This was the work of God—it could never have been done by an ordinary soul. When Krishnadas pressed Shri Acharyaji’s feet and woke him up, Shri Acharyaji ate the puffed rice and was extremely pleased. He then said, “Ask.” Krishnadas once again asked for the same three things.

Shri Acharyaji replied, “What does a soul know how to ask? Asking itself is a hindrance.” In this context, Paramānanddās has sung: "Mange sarvasva jāt hai, Paramānand bhākhe" (“By asking, one loses everything,” says Paramānand.”)

Because of Krishnadas’s lingering attachment to his Guru in his heart, there was no firm faith in Shri Mahaprabhu’s words. For whatever is granted once by Mahaprabhu is unchanging and firm. Why, then, should one ask again? This also revealed the rarity and preciousness of this path.

Although Krishnadas understood Shri Acharyaji’s desire for puffed rice through his grace, for the principles of the path to be firmly established in his heart, grace was still needed. The defect of verbosity (mukharata dosh) is inherent in the soul’s nature. It cannot be removed by the soul’s own effort. Only when Shri Acharyaji himself removes it does it go away. Therefore, if one regards any other person as God or Guru apart from Shri Acharyaji, then the fruits of this path can never be fully realized. This sentiment is revealed here.

Later, when Krishnadas went to his Guru’s place, he suffered greatly. He let go of all other supports (anyashraya) and came back to Shri Mahaprabhu. Then the principles of the path became firmly established in his heart, and the defect of verbosity was also removed. After that, he no longer asked Shri Acharyaji for anything. Taking refuge in anyone other than Shri Acharyaji is itself a hindrance.

Prasang 4 Speaking the Secrets and Divine Smiles

Later, when the principles of the path became firmly established in his heart, Krishnadas once spoke confidential discourses (gopya varta) openly in front of everyone.

Then a certain Vaishnav went to Shri Acharyaji and said: Maharaj! Krishnadas is speaking secret discourses in front of everyone. Shri Acharyaji then asked Krishnadas: Why are you speaking confidential discourses in front of everyone? Krishnadas replied: Maharaj! Please ask them—what exactly have I said? So Shri Acharyaji turned to those Vaishnavs and asked: Did Krishnadas tell you any confidential discourses? The Vaishnavs answered: Maharaj! We do not remember anything at all. Hearing this, Shri Acharyaji smiled and said nothing further.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): The principles of the path had entered Krishnadas’s heart. He became so filled with rasa (divine nectar) that it could not be contained. Therefore, he spoke confidential discourses to the Vaishnavs. This reveals that Krishnadas was speaking out of his own personal experience. However, without proper receptivity (patratva) in the listeners, the rasa (divine essence) cannot be retained. (This is why the Vaishnavs later said they remembered nothing.) Also, Krishnadas’s state was somewhat similar to Damodardas’s. He could not restrain himself from speaking. Both these sentiments are shown here.

Prasang 5 Shri Thakurji’s Beloved and Unbeloved Things

Once, Krishnadas asked Shri Acharyaji a question: Maharaj! What is Shri Thakurji’s most beloved thing? Shri Acharyaji replied: Shri Thakurji is the enjoyer of the highest and most excellent things. But above all, milk and its products (goras) are extremely dear to him. The word "goras" in speech expresses an indescribable sentiment. And among all, the loving influence (snehmay prabhav) of a devotee is most beloved to him. That is why Shri Thakurji is called Bhaktavatsal (affectionate to his devotees). Then Krishnadas asked again: Maharaj! What is most disliked by Shri Thakurji? Shri Acharyaji replied: There is nothing more unpleasant to Shri Thakurji than smoke (dhua). But even more unpleasant to him is a devotee who is hateful toward other devotees.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): “Goras” here refers to the mutual love among Vaishnavs. And “smoke” represents the distress (klesh) caused among Vaishnavs. Wherever there is love, know that Shri Thakurji is present there. Wherever there is distress, know that Shri Thakurji keeps his distance.

Prasang 6 The Mystery of Not Knowing the Divine Leela

Again, at another time, Krishnadas asked Shri Acharyaji: Maharaj! Why is it that, even after becoming a devotee, one does not understand the secrets of Shri Thakurji’s divine pastimes? Shri Acharyaji replied: It is because such a person has not performed proper surrender (samarpan) as prescribed. The method (vidhi) of surrender requires knowledge of what is being surrendered. One must surrender their sense of “I-ness” (ahanta), “mine-ness” (mamata), and ego (ahankar), realizing: “Now I am a servant. I am under the control of my Master. Whatever the Lord does is supreme.” Without this internal state, the secret cannot be known.

Furthermore, if a person considers themselves qualified and does not associate with true devotees of God, then even if they perform actions, it is not done from the depths of the heart. Therefore, they fail to realize the true nature of Shri Thakurji’s form and pastimes. One must associate with excellent devotees, study scriptures like the Bhagavatam, Shri Subodhiniji, and other texts day and night. Then divine feelings (bhav) will arise.

Shri Thakurji always dwells among Braj devotees. There, through service, he becomes bound. For this reason, Pushtimargiya Vaishnavs hold Shri Thakurji within their hearts. One must associate with such devotees. Examples are given of Gajendra, Dhruva, and other Vaishnavs. Each of them, through heartfelt service, had all their desires fulfilled. One must reflect upon the moods of the Braj devotees in the divine pastimes.

The Vaishnav who understands Shri Thakurji’s true form perceives him with divine vision. Such a person knows everything by divine insight. When a Vaishnav understands Shri Thakurji, then whatever work they do is done for Shri Thakurji. They feel the pain of separation from him, consider their own faults, and reflect deeply:

"Who am I? Who was I before? After receiving a relationship with God (Brahmasambandh), who have I become? What is my duty now?" When one constantly reflects day and night in this way, they will realize their own true form (svarup). This realization manifests for the sake of the Braj devotees. Therefore, when one associates with excellent devotees, they come to know Shri Thakurji.

Even though there are many scriptures, Puranas, and histories, the true nature of Shri Thakurji, who appeared in Braj, cannot be known from them alone. Shri Thakurji can only be truly known when one associates with God’s devotees. The proper way to serve is understood only through Pushtimargiya Vaishnavs. One must meet them, inquire about the sentiments, and serve accordingly. Then divine feelings (bhav) will arise, and one will come to know all the secrets of Shri Thakurji’s divine pastimes.

Prasang 7 Badrinathji’s Temple, the Missing Half Shloka, and Divine Cooking

Once, Shri Acharyaji arrived at the temple of Shri Badrinathji. At that time, Vedavyasji was with him. Then Shri Acharyaji asked Vedavyasji: In the chapter of the Bhramar Geet, Uddhav was sent to the Braj devotees. In that context, half a shloka is missing. What is it?

Vedavyasji then recited the half shloka: “Ātmatvabhaktavashyatvātsatyavāktvātsvabhāvataḥ” (By nature, because of his identity, being under the control of his devotees, speaking the truth—)

This commentary on the shloka had already been written earlier by Shri Acharyaji. Hearing this, Vedavyasji said: You are blessed. Afterward, Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu entered the temple of Shri Badrinathji. That day was Vaman Dwadashi. On that day Shri Acharyaji was observing a fast (vrat). Both Vedavyasji and Krishnadas went in search of fruits and food suitable for fasting. However, they could not find anything.

Then Shri Badrinathji spoke to Shri Acharyaji: I have searched everywhere for suitable fruits and food, but nothing could be found. Therefore, you should prepare a meal yourself, offer it to Shri Thakurji as bhog, and then take your own meal.

Shri Acharyaji reflected: This seems to be Shri Thakurji’s wish. Just then, Krishnadas came and said: Maharaj! No suitable fruits or food can be found here. Through Vedavyasji, Shri Thakurji then conveyed: Prepare food and perform your meal. “Utsavānte cha pārṇā” (At the end of the festival, take your meal)—this is also my instruction.

After this, Shri Acharyaji himself cooked, offered the bhog to Shri Thakurji, and then took his own meal. From that day onward, Shri Acharyaji stopped observing the Vaman Dwadashi fast. Later, Shri Acharyaji took leave from Shri Badrinathji and returned with Krishnadas.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): No fruits or food were found. The purpose of this was to show that whatever Shri Acharyaji desires, everything becomes available accordingly. Vedavyasji and Krishnadas searched everywhere but did not find anything. This was so that Shri Acharyaji himself would prepare the festive offering in his own mind. Outwardly, in order to maintain decorum, they spoke of searching for fruit. But no fruits were found. Therefore, through Vedavyasji, Shri Thakurji instructed him directly. For this reason, Shri Gusainji later maintained the practice of fasting in the households of the seven sons (saat lalji), especially in the house of the eldest son, Shri Giridharji. And at other times, following “Utsavānte cha pārṇā,” Shri Thakurji would consume all food prepared.

Prasang 8 The Final Departure of Krishnadas

Later, when Shri Acharyaji performed the Asurvyamoh Leela (his divine disappearance), Krishnadas too, overwhelmed by separation (viprayog), left his body.

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