84 Vaishnav Varta 24 - Puranmal Jeval Kshatriya

Now about Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu’s sevak, Puranmal, Jeval Kshatriya, who lived in Ambalaya, the sentiment of his story is described here –

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): In the divine play, he is the sakhi of Lalitaji. His name is Chitralekha. He arranges the groves of Shri Swaminiji and creates various kinds of paintings there. So, in Angalaya, he was born in the house of a Kshatriya. Puranmal’s father served as a soldier carrying weapons. And Puranmal associated with a jeweler. He learned the skill of gems. When Puranmal was twenty years old, his mother and father passed away. Puranmal was married, but the wife he got was ordinary. And Puranmal’s mind was in God from childhood itself. So he listened to stories and discourses wherever possible. He followed the ways of discipline. His wife’s mind did not turn towards Thakurji. Then he made a separate place in his house. He gave her four rupees per month. There was much wealth, so he would send his wife’s expenses in the hands of another person. He himself did not speak much. His detachment was also firm.

Prasang 1 – The Dream Command for the Temple of Shri Govardhan

 So, Puranmal had much wealth tied up. One time, at night, considering Puranmal to be a divine soul, Shri Govardhandhar said in a dream, “In Braj, there is the Govardhan mountain. There I have manifested. So you come and construct my temple. And become the sevak of Shri Acharyaji.” Then Puranmal awoke and in the morning gathered all his wealth and went to Braj for the darshan of Govardhan. Then he asked Ramdas Bhitariya, saying, “Shrinathji has given me the command to construct the temple, so I have come.” Then Ramdas, Saddu Pande, and others said, “Shrinathji is the Thakur of Shri Acharyaji. Now, within two or four days, Shri Acharyaji will arrive. Then ask him, and if he gives permission, then construct the temple.” Later Shri Acharyaji arrived. Then Puranmal did dandvat (prostration) and made a request, “Maharaj! Please make me your sevak. And Shrinathji has given the command to construct the temple. So if you give your command, then I will construct it.”

Then Shri Acharyaji told Puranmal to write down his name in offering and said, “Call artisans from Agra.” So, Puranmal called artisans. Then Shri Acharyaji told them, “Bring the plan of the temple.” Then the artisan made the plan of a temple with a dome, flag, and kalash. Then Shri Acharyaji told the artisan, “For our Thakur, the temple should not have dome, flag, and kalash. Make it like the house of Nandarai.” Then the artisan made it the second time like a house. When the paper plan came to the hands of Shri Acharyaji, it again had dome, flag, and kalash. Then Shri Acharyaji asked, “Why did you make it with a dome?” Then the artisan said, “Maharaj! We had made it like a house. Now, why it became with dome, flag, and kalash, that we do not know.” Then Shri Acharyaji said, “We are sitting here. Make the plan in front of us.” Then the artisan, exactly as Shri Acharyaji said, made it like a house. When the plan was ready, again it became with dome, flag, kalash, and chakra. Then Shri Acharyaji understood that this was the wish of Shri Thakurji – that he be worshiped in the world and many souls be uplifted. So, it is proper to keep the form of a temple here.

Then Shri Acharyaji asked Girirajji, “Prabhu! The desire is to build a temple on you. When the temple is built, then by worldly ways much strain will come upon you.” Then Govardhanji said, “For me it is supreme bliss. Upon me, for my Lord, whatever is done, I am pleased with it. Therefore, with joy, make the temple by all worldly ways. It will not cause me any sorrow.”

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): That is why later Shri Gusainji also allowed Vaishnavas to climb Govardhan for darshan in service. And without material, without seva, permission to climb was not given. Then Shri Acharyaji gave the order to Puranmal, “Quickly construct the temple.” So, the foundation of the temple was dug. When the foundation was filled, Puranmal’s wealth was all spent. Then Puranmal went to earn.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): The meaning of this wealth getting finished is that this wealth was earned by Puranmal’s father. When the father dies, the son inherits the authority. Thus, knowing the authority of Puranmal, Shrinath accepted him. But as the wealth had been earned with worldly motives by the father, therefore the work was not accomplished. And if with this wealth the temple was built, then Puranmal’s seva would not be established in perfection. Therefore, the wealth was spent. Then Puranmal went to earn for the purpose of temple seva. Here it is shown that when a Vaishnav does business, it should be with the motive of Bhagavad seva, Guru seva, and Vaishnav seva. Only then does wealth become siddha seva.

Later, when Puranmal went, other Vaishnavs of royal means said, “If there is permission, we will construct the temple.” Then Shri Acharyaji said, “Puranmal will come and construct.”

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): The reason is that the Lord had given the command to Puranmal to construct the temple. So, it was destined to fulfill Puranmal’s wish.

After that, Puranmal, by his skill in jewels, earned much within a few days and returned.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Here it is shown to Vaishnavs that if one undertakes business with seva-related wishes, and if the work is not destined to be fulfilled, then even the business will not succeed. Therefore, Vaishnavs should accept all as the wish of the Lord. They should not be elated or sorrowful. Whatever the Lord desires to do will be fulfilled naturally.

So, bringing the wealth, Puranmal returned. He completed the temple. Then Shri Acharyaji, after seeing a good muhurta, installed Shri Govardhandhar in the temple. On the day of Akshaya Tritiya. Then Puranmal spent much wealth. Ornaments, garments, materials, offerings, etc. Then Shri Acharyaji was pleased and said to Puranmal, “Whatever wish you have, do not keep it hidden. Do it all.” Then Puranmal prayed to Shri Acharyaji, “Maharajadhiraj! My wish is that with my own hand I may apply the most fragrant argaja (sandal paste) upon the body of Shri Anga.” Then Shri Acharyaji said, “Happily do your wish.” Then Puranmal prepared the most fragrant argaja and applied it upon the entire body. He experienced great bliss. Then Shri Acharyaji covered Puranmal with the prasadi upper garment of Shri Anga. Afterwards, much wealth remained. That Puranmal offered as gift to Shri Acharyaji.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Puranmal’s wish was thus fulfilled. In the divine play, the sakhi “Chitralekha” realized her own true form. Then, knowing Shri Acharyaji was pleased, he thought in his heart, “The temple that I constructed is also seva in the divine play, decorating the kunj. But Shri Acharyaji is the very form of Shri Swaminiji. By his grace, I have performed some seva of Shri Anga.” The service of applying argaja is offered by Shri Swaminiji herself to the Lord at the time of union. And at the time of separation, Lalitaji offers it to Shri Thakurji. Why so? Because argaja is related to the sentiment of Shri Swaminiji’s body. So, without the grace of Shri Swaminiji, how can such seva be attained? Thus, by the pleasure of Shri Acharyaji, Puranmal’s wish was fulfilled. And Shri Acharyaji covered him with his own prasadi upper cloth. By that, the entire body of Puranmal became suitable for divine mental seva. Therefore, Puranmal did not establish worldly seva, but became absorbed in mental seva. In constructing the temple, the seva by wealth was perfected. Here it is shown that, with bhav (devotional sentiment), even one seva gives fruit. Once he applied argaja with his body. With wealth, he constructed the temple. Therefore, those who do bodily or financial seva for their entire life without bhav, do not attain the fruit of mental seva. But with love, in one act, he attained the fruit. Thus, love is shown as the highest that brings perfection. 

Later, year after year, Shri Gusainji sent prasadi dagla (woolen coats) to Puranmal.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): That dagla is the very form of Shri Govardhan. It personally came to Puranmal. In Puranmal’s heart there was unfathomable devotion. He remained absorbed in the divine play at all times. That is why the sentiment of his story is described here. Such was the devoted Puranmal, for whom Shrinathji himself, by his own divine power, gave darshan at home and gave the command to construct the temple.

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