Now about Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu’s sevak, Narayandas Brahmachari, a Saraswat Brahmin who lived in Mahavan. The sentiment of his story is described here:
Prasang 1 – Shri Gokulchandramaji Rests on Narayandas’ Head
Once, Shri Gokulchandramaji was placed upon the head of Narayandas Brahmachari. This will be further mentioned in the story of a certain Kshatrani, where four divine forms were placed upon the heads of four different Vaishnavs.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): In the divine lila, Narayandas is one of the sixteen thousand fire-born maidens (Agni Kumarikas). Among them, he is the main companion of Radha. His name is Madhurekshana—the one whose gaze (ikshan) is sweet (madhur). By beholding the beauty of Shri Thakurji’s face, he would forget all bodily awareness. Such was his attachment to the divine form (svarupasakti). He constantly meditated upon the divine form throughout all eight periods of the day.
Narayandas served Shri Gokulchandramaji very devotedly. He would wash the grass and feed it to the cows so that not even a speck of dust would mix into the milk. Shri Thakurji is extremely delicate.
Bhav Prakash: This shows that he was cautious even about the suspicion of dust in milk. He maintained great purity in vegetables, water, and all ingredients—so that the Lord would not be troubled by anything.
Narayandas lived the life of renunciation. He would take alms properly. He accepted food from untouched hands, in separate portions, and would survive only on food that came to his door unasked. Wherever he would take soil to wash his feet, he would see money there. He would throw soil over the money and walk away. He never touched money.
One night, a great amount of money was scattered around his cot. In the morning, seeing it, he said to his niece, “There is impurity in the house. Sweep it out.” So the niece swept it up and threw it outside. Then she smeared cow-dung paste all over the area.
Bhav Prakash: This shows that Narayandas had upheld celibacy since childhood. He had tried many ways to earn wealth but was never successful. At the age of forty, he became a sevak of Shri Acharyaji. Then he gained knowledge of Shri Thakurji’s divine form. And he also realized the true nature of wealth. He then called money “the excrement of fire.” From that point, wherever he saw money, he would consider it like filth and throw soil over it. Riddhi and Siddhi (wealth and supernatural powers) would appear before him to test him. He began seeing money wherever he went, But he would consider it filth and cover it with soil—thinking that if others touch this money-form of illusion, it will spoil them. So he would cover it with soil. When he saw money spread in the house, he told his niece, “There is filth here.” But he did not touch or sweep it himself. That niece too was a sevika of Shri Acharyaji and recipient of his grace. She knew the true form of Narayandas.
Narayandas is the sakhi Madhurekshana, a companion of Radha in the divine lila. His niece’s name was Chatura, who was his sakhi in the lila too. She was very dear to Narayandas because she was very skilled in preparing offerings. She was a young widow and therefore stayed with Narayandas. Her name in the lila was also Chatura.
When Chatura heard Narayandas call the money “filth,” She swept it and threw it out. Though Narayandas had asked her only to sweep, She understood that since Narayandas called it filth, the place also needed to be purified. She smeared the floor accordingly.
Seeing such wisdom in the niece, Shri Thakurji was very pleased with her. In this way, both Narayandas and Chatura served Shri Gokulchandramaji.
Prasang 2 – The Cloud Will Shower on Shri Raghunathji
One day, Narayandas bathed and went to the temple. After offering the Mangala-bhog to Shri Thakurji, he dressed Him. Seeing the beauty of Shri Thakurji’s moon-like face, he became stunned and kept gazing for a long time. Then he asked, “Maharaj! Where will this cloud shower?” Then Shri Thakurji, being pleased, said, “It will shower upon Shri Raghunathji.” Then Narayandas became very happy.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): The reason for this is that the manifestation of Shri Raghunathji is of Radha’s sakhi. In Dandakaranya, Shri Raghunathji had given a boon that their desire would be fulfilled in Braj. That is why even Shri Gusainji took the name Raghunathji— Because one who delights greatly, pleases everyone’s mind, is called Ram. Hence, Shri Raghunathji too is the supremely beautiful form of Radha’s sakhi. In the same way, Shri Gokulchandramaji is beautiful, and Narayandas is the sakhi of Radha’s sakhi. Therefore, hearing that the cloud will shower upon Shri Raghunathji, he became very pleased, Knowing that his master will always remain connected.
Prasang 3 – Shri Thakurji’s Acceptance Through a Vaishnav
One day, Narayandas offered the Rajbhog to Shri Thakurji and came outside to sit. Then his heart became overwhelmed. He asked his niece, “In what manner will Shri Thakurji surely accept (the offering)?” He began thinking about this. Then the niece said, “Is this what you are thinking? Ordinary sevaks of Shri Acharyaji offer bhog through his method, and it is accepted. You are a recipient of Shri Acharyaji’s grace. So, in your case, it will definitely be accepted.”
Then Narayandas said, “Daughter, listen—Know that Shri Thakurji has truly accepted when suddenly a Vaishnav comes and takes Mahaprasad. Then understand that He has truly accepted.”
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): This shows: the bhog that is offered will definitely be accepted. But the suddenness refers to this: If a Vaishnav has been invited, then more items are prepared with devotion toward that Vaishnav. Then Shri Thakurji accepts according to the Vaishnav’s sentiment. But if no invitation was given, and a Vaishnav comes unexpectedly and receives whatever is available at home, then know that portion was taken from one’s own share and given to the Vaishnav. Shri Thakurji gives Mahaprasad to all.
This expresses love toward Vaishnavs—When an unexpected Vaishnav arrives, love for the Vaishnav is shown. Even if one remains hungry, considering it the Vaishnav’s good fortune, they are served. Then know that Shri Thakurji has accepted.
That is why it is said in Shikshapatra: "Tadiyāś cet svataḥ tuṣṭāḥ, tuṣṭaḥ kṛṣṇo na saṁśayaḥ" If those belonging to Him are pleased by your own will, then Krishna is pleased—no doubt about it. If “His own” are satisfied in this way, then Shri Thakurji is surely pleased. This shows that Narayandas had an indescribable love even for Vaishnavs in his heart.
Prasang 4 – Narayandas Offers Hot Kheer and Shri Thakurji Responds
One time, Narayandas adorned Shri Gokulchandramaji and prepared the shringar-bhog of kheer. He placed it on the platter and offered it. Just then, a Vaishnav gave Narayandas the news that Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu had arrived in Shri Gokul. Hearing this, Narayandas quickly filled the platter with hot kheer, offered it to Shri Gokulchandramaji, and left for darshan of Shri Acharyaji in Shri Gokul. But Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu was actually heading toward Mahavan. So they met on the way. Narayandas bowed down. Then Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu said from his lotus mouth, “Narayandas! What time is it for Shri Thakurji?” Narayandas humbly replied, “Maharaj! I have offered the shringar-bhog and am now coming for your darshan.” Shri Acharyaji hastened his pace. He immediately bathed and entered the temple, carrying the jar (jhari).
Then he saw that Shri Gokulchandramaji was shaking His hand. His hand was filled with kheer. On the throne and garments, splashes of kheer had scattered. Then Shri Acharyaji asked Shri Gokulchandramaji, “Baba! Why are you shaking your hand?” Shri Gokulchandramaji replied, “Narayandas offered hot kheer and left. So I lifted it with my hand. It was hot, so I shook my hand and licked my fingers. My lips and hands got burned. That’s why the splashes of kheer are scattered all around the temple.” Then Shri Acharyaji looked at His hand and lips—both were deeply reddened. He then cooled the kheer with a fan, completed the bhog offering, and came outside. Then, annoyed, he said to Narayandas, “Why did you offer hot kheer to Shri Thakurji?” Narayandas replied, “Maharaj! Hearing the news about you, I became eager and in that hurry, offered the kheer.” Then Shri Acharyaji said, “From now on, never do such a thing again.”
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): The meaning here is: Narayandas, upon hearing the news of Shri Acharyaji, was overcome with emotion. He thought: “If the kheer is hot, Shri Thakurji will blow on it and accept.” But delaying darshan of Shri Acharyaji was not proper dharma in his view. With that sentiment, he went.
Then Shri Gokulchandramaji held Narayandas’ hand to show that He had still accepted the offering— But also revealed through His entire hand shaking in kheer that the hot offering was inappropriate. Thus, it is shown that offering or adorning the deity in a hurry may cause offense.
Narayandas had the divine desire to visit Shri Acharyaji, but even so, his service caused discomfort to Shri Thakurji. This shows that even in worldly or Vedic matters, if haste is shown, it results in serious fault.
Therefore, when doing seva, the mind must be steady. Or, the appearance of the kheer may be the form of Shri Swaminiji’s bhav (sentiment), and the shringar-bhog too carries her bhav. That’s why, seeing the kheer, Shri Thakurji lovingly first dipped His hand into it. He then licked His fingers, enjoyed it, and only then accepted the bhog. This reveals the divine principle.
Later, when the time came, Shri Acharyaji performed achaman (ritual sipping), wiped His mouth, accepted the paan, and completed the offering. Then Shri Gokulchandramaji held both of Shri Acharyaji’s hands and said, “Please accept this kheer as Mahaprasad.”
Shri Acharyaji said, “Maharaj! Social and family customs are strict; therefore, we must maintain proper conduct.” Then Shri Gokulchandramaji said, “It is My command—so you must accept.” Then Shri Acharyaji accepted the kheer as Mahaprasad. From that day on, kheer has been included in the anasakhadi (non-festival daily offerings).
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): This is why Shri Gokulchandramaji said, “In the case of such kheer, do not apply family customs to My devotees.” So he accepted it.
From that day, kheer was included in the anasakhadi offerings. The reason is: in anasakhadi, Shri Thakurji accepts all bhog. But in festive offerings, kheer is not included—it is only in the daily bhog. The reason is: If included in festival offerings, Vaishnavs will reserve it only for special occasions. But kheer is always dear. There is no need to wait for a particular season or festival. Make it whenever it is pleasing.
Prasang 5 – Narayandas’ Final Wish
In this way, Narayandas performed much seva. Later, his body grew tired. One day, Shri Thakurji said to Narayandas, “Ask for something.” Then Narayandas said to Shri Gokulchandramaji, “I ask this of You—please take me to the home of Shri Gusainji and have me serve there.”
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): The reason for this is: Without being at Shri Gusainji’s home, Shri Thakurji would not feel joy.
Then Shri Gokulchandramaji became very pleased and said, “You asked for My happiness, not your own. You did not seek any personal comfort.”
Later, Narayandas’ niece passed away. On the third day, Narayandas himself passed away. After that, Krishnadas Swami, who lived in Mahavan and belonged to Narayandas’ lineage, Was a sevak of Shri Gusainji. Shri Gokulchandramaji stayed with him for a few days and received seva there.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): This shows: In the divine lila, he too is a sakhi of Narayandas. His name is Mridubeni. That’s why he performed seva. Later, the deity was brought to Shri Gusainji’s home in Mathura.
The conclusion of this story is this: It teaches the dharma of a brahmachari—One who, holding the eligibility for Mahaprasad, never asks for his own happiness, but only considers the joy of the Lord. This is the way of Pushtimarg. The story of Narayandas has no limit. We can only speak of it up to a certain point.
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