84 Vaishnav Varta 25 - Jadavendra Das Kumhar

Now about Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu’s sevak, Jadavendra Das Kumhar, resident of Mahavan, the sentiment of his story is described here –

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): In the divine play, he was Nandaraya Ji’s cow. Among them, he was Bijaar. His name is called “Madonmata” by everyone. No other Bijaar could go along with him. Shri Thakurji fed him a lot. He was bathed in the waters of Yamunaji. So, in Mahavan, he was born in the home of a potter. He used to bring clay pots to the house of Narayan Das Brahmachari. So Narayan Das, regarding him as divine, one day fed him Mahaprasad. Then the mind of Jadavendra Das became pure. So he said to Narayan Das, “Make me the sevak of Shri Acharyaji.” Then Narayan Das said, “Your caste is of potters. If you leave the company of potters, then you can become a sevak.” Then Jadavendra Das said, “This I have already held in my mind before—that from today onwards I will not eat food nor drink water from the hands of my parents. I will only take from the hands of the Vaishnavas of Shri Acharyaji. But now I will not see the face of my own home.” Hearing this, Narayan Das became pleased and said, “You live in my house. When Shri Acharyaji comes, then you become sevak.” So he lived in the house of Narayan Das, bringing loads of wood and straw. Later Shri Acharyaji came to Mahavan. Then he stayed at Narayan Das’s house. Then Narayan Das, considering this, made Jadavendra Das a sevak. Afterwards, he truly became the sevak of Shri Acharyaji.

Prasang 1 – Jadavendra Das’ Service in Journeys

So Jadavendra Das was the supremely blessed devotee of Shri Acharyaji. When Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu and Shri Gusainji themselves traveled abroad, then he also stayed with them in foreign lands. Then Jadavendra Das would carry only so much: one canopy, one cot, provisions for two to four days, one small trunk. And when Vaishnavas walked along the road, he would reach the destination and do all the arrangements for their stay. At night he would keep watch, guarding the camp. Such was the service he did.

Prasang 2 – Digging the Foundation for Shri Gusainji’s Mandir

And once Shri Gusainji was in Gokul. One night, when about one and a half watches of the night had passed, it was the day of Phagun Vad 7. At that time Shri Gusainji said from his own mouth, “If at this time the foundation of the temple is dug, then it will be well established and strong. This is such a favorable moment.” Saying this, he himself lay down to rest.

Then Jadavendra Das immediately dug the foundation. By the second watch, he had dug it all and made a heap of the soil. Later, when Shri Gusainji awoke, he saw it and asked, “How has this soil come here?” Then the Vaishnavas said, “Jadavendra Das has dug it all.” Then Shri Gusainji asked Jadavendra Das, “Did you dig this?” Then Jadavendra Das replied, “Yes, as you said from your own mouth, I dug the temple foundation at that very time.” Afterwards, masons and craftsmen filled the foundation in a month—it had been dug so deep. Such strength he had. Later the temple was built, and Shri Navneetpriyaji and others were enshrined. Shri Gusainji became very pleased with Jadavendra Das.

Prasang 3 – Bringing Water for Shrinathji’s Service

And once, at the gate of Shrinathji, he himself dug a well near Rudrakund so that soil could be baked and made strong. But the water that came out was salty. Then Jadavendra Das went to Ganga Ji. There he went with his own hands into the water of Ganga Ji to perform tarpan. And he prayed, “Please make this water sweet.” When the water indeed became sweet, then he returned.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): The reason for this is that in the whole world, the water of Ganga is the most excellent and without defects. Therefore, in the service of Shrinathji, flawless substances should be used. For this reason he went to Ganga Ji. Thus, Jadavendra Das was such a blessed devotee and recipient of Shri Acharyaji’s grace. His story should be told up to this point.

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