Now, Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu’s sevak, Gajjan Dhavan Kshatri, lived in Agra. The sentiment of his story is described here.
Prasang 1 – Shri Navneetpriyaji Placed on Gajjan’s Forehead
On Gajjan’s forehead, Shri Acharyaji placed Shri Navneetpriyaji. This will also be described in the varta of a certain Kshatrani.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): In the divine lila, Gajjan was a sakhi of Shri Chandravali. Her name was Subhanana. She appeared on the second day after Shri Thakurji manifested, on Dashami. Therefore, Subhanana played many childhood games with Shri Thakurji. She revealed to Shri Chandravali the meanings and secrets of all the games. Because of this, she was very dear to Shri Chandravali. Therefore, Shri Acharyaji placed Shri Navneetpriyaji on the forehead of Gajjan. These Navneetpriyaji are the Thakur of Shri Gusainji. Gajjan is the sakhi of Shri Gusainji; they always played together. That relationship will now be played again.
After some time, Shri Navneetpriyaji began to show affection and closeness towards Gajjan. Gajjan would make cows and horses for him, and he himself would climb on top. Because of this, the skin on Gajjan’s thighs became rubbed raw. Yet he had no awareness of his body. One day, Gajjan said to Shri Navneetpriyaji: “Install me at Shri Acharyaji’s place, so that you may also stay there.”
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): The reason for this is that Gajjan’s love had increased so much that he forgot the proper way of seva. He became careless in play and other matters. Then Shri Thakurji considered, “His state of devotion has already reached its perfection. If he remains in his home village, it will become an obstacle.”
Therefore, Gajjan immediately brought Shri Navneetpriyaji and installed him in Gokul. Bowing down to Shri Acharyaji, he said: “Maharaj! Shri Navneetpriyaji has come to your house.” Then Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu said: “There is no separate bed prepared, nor is any bedding ready. How then has he suddenly arrived?”
Then Gajjan replied: “Now, this is Shri Navneetpriyaji’s wish.” Then Shri Acharyaji took whatever things were already available, prepared them properly, and made him drink, and applied pure fragrance (sodho) to his body, and kept him close, lying beside him.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): The reason for applying sodho (fragrant attar) is this: perfumes like attar are the symbolic form of fragrance-love for the divine body of Shri Swaminiji. This was not spoken openly, but by this act it was indicated that Shri Swaminiji’s form was lying beside him.
Afterwards, in order to maintain propriety, a small cot was made. The next day, Shri Navneetpriyaji was placed upon it. Then Shri Navneetpriyaji said: “This bed is small. My feet are hanging down. Therefore, I will lie with you.”
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Here it is shown: “Why do you consider me a child in your bhava? In your house, I am in youthful form. And in the bhava of Yashodaji, I am a child. So why did you make a small bed, seeing me as a little child? Therefore, I will lie near you. This is what pleases me.”
Then Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu again applied sodho fragrance to his divine body and lay him close by. Afterwards, in the morning, Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu arranged a larger bed, and placed Shri Navneetpriyaji upon it. Then again Shri Navneetpriyaji said to Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu: “I will lie near you.”
Then Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu himself said: “Maharaj! One must maintain propriety among people. So, near your place I will keep a proper cot and bedding and, in the form of Shri Swaminiji, I will remain near you.” Thus said Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu himself.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Here it is shown that if one abandons propriety, it may cause the downfall of other souls. Others may imitate what they see. Then Shri Navneetpriyaji began to lie upon the bed.
Prasang 2 – Gajjan Sent to Bring Betel Leaves
Gajjan used to sit at the temple gate during the time of seva. Even at other times, he remained in the temple, never staying apart from Shri Navneetpriyaji, always playing with him. One day, there were no betel leaves. So, Shri Akkaji said to Gajjan: “Take this money and go bring betel leaves.”
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Gajjan could not say to Akkaji that “Shri Navneetpriyaji is moving with me.” This principle is shown here: even though Shri Thakurji speaks with the Vaishnav and keeps him close, if Guru gives a command, then placing that command upon one’s head and going to perform Guru’s work is dharma, and Shri Thakurji will be pleased. Therefore, Gajjan went. However, Shri Navneetpriyaji did not stop him either—this was to reveal the feeling of a Vaishnav.
Then Gajjan went to fetch betel leaves. But as soon as he stepped outside, such a fever of separation came upon him that he fell at a shop.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): The reason is that he had reached the state of vyasana (complete absorption). Therefore, with Shri Acharyaji and such other divine souls who are immersed in bhava, speaking and meeting causes all bodily relations to fall away.
Meanwhile, Shri Acharyaji offered the Rajbhog to Shri Navneetpriyaji. Then Shri Navneetpriyaji said: “I will eat only when Gajjan comes.” Then Shri Acharyaji asked everyone: “Where has Gajjan gone?” Then Shri Akkaji said: “I sent him to bring betel leaves.”
Then Shri Acharyaji said: “Why did you send Gajjan? Shri Navneetpriyaji moves with him. From today, do not say anything to him, do not send him anywhere.”
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Here it is revealed that he had attained the fruit-stage. His inner realization was already accomplished.
Then Shri Akkaji said: “From now on, I will not tell him to do any service.” Then Shri Acharyaji said to another Vaishnav: “Go quickly and bring Gajjan back. He has fallen at a shop. You bring the betel leaves.”
Then the Vaishnav went and saw that indeed, near the gate, at a shop, Gajjan had fallen. Then he said: “Quickly come! Shri Acharyaji has called you.” Hearing this, immediately Gajjan’s fever of separation left him. He ran and came quickly. Then he said to Shri Navneetpriyaji: “Baba! Why are you not eating?”
Then Shri Navneetpriyaji said: “Now that you have come, I will eat.” Such was the love between Gajjan and Shri Navneetpriyaji. Gajjan was such a divine soul. Therefore, there is no limit to his story—it can only be told so far.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): In this varta it is shown that the state of vyasana (complete absorption) is supreme, in which Shri Thakurji himself resides. As Kumbhandasji has sung: “When mutual separation overwhelms, nothing else remains in the heart.” In this way, the mutual love of Gajjan was revealed.
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