Now about Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu's sevak, Gadadharadas Kapil, Saraswat Brahmin who lived in Kada. The sentiment of his story is described here:
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): That Gadadharadas used to go every year to the holy pilgrimage site of Prayag for the Makar Sankranti bath. Once, Gadadharadas was at Prayag. At that time, Shri Acharyaji also arrived there. Many scholars came to Shri Acharyaji to have discussions.
Gadadharadas's uncle used to live in Prayag, and Gadadharadas stayed at his place. His uncle was a scholar but followed the Shaiva path. His uncle said to Gadadharadas, “Shri Vallabhacharyaji has arrived. I have some doubts to ask him about, so I’m going to meet him.” Then Gadadharadas said, “I will come with you.” So both of them went.
Then Gadadharadas’s uncle asked Shri Acharyaji, “Maharaj! There is only one Lord, but why do different Vaishnav traditions worship Him in different forms? Some worship Krishna, some Ram, some Narasimha, some Narayan, and so on. So who truly is the Supreme Lord?”
Then Shri Acharyaji replied, “Just as the emperor has dominion over the entire earth, and yet there are other kings who govern various regions and villages — they are all called kings but are obedient to the emperor. In the same way, Shri Krishna, the Supreme Purna Purushottam, is above all. The various incarnations are partial expansions and serve Him. All should be called ‘Thakur’ (Lord), but they are under the command of Shri Krishna.” Hearing this, Gadadharadas’s uncle remained silent.
Gadadharadas was a divine soul. The Siddhant (spiritual principle) settled in his heart — that by taking refuge in Shri Acharyaji, one can attain Shri Krishna. Then Gadadharadas bowed down to Shri Acharyaji and requested, “Maharaj! Please accept me into your refuge. I have wandered greatly in the world.” Then Shri Acharyaji said, “First, ask your uncle. If he feels hurt, then why should you become a sevak?”
Then Gadadharadas’s uncle said, “Maharaj! I am only concerned with the Gayatri mantra. I know nothing else. Gadadharadas knows his own path. I will neither say yes nor no.”
Then Gadadharadas said, “From now on, I am your servant. I have no worldly dealings with this worldly man. That is why I have come to take your shelter. Please kindly accept me. And as for this outward-facing (bahirmukh) man, when will he say that I should be your sevak?”
Hearing these words of Gadadharadas, his uncle got up and stood outside. Then Shri Acharyaji was very pleased with Gadadharadas and said, “If one has such determination even before becoming a sevak, then upon becoming one, he will be an excellent Vaishnav.”
Afterwards, Shri Acharyaji said, “Go and bathe in the Triveni.” Then Gadadharadas went to bathe while remaining untouched by others. Then Shri Acharyaji recited the name to him and performed the Brahmasambandh initiation. After that, Gadadharadas requested, “Maharaj! Now what is my duty? Please give your command.”
Then Shri Acharyaji said, “Do Bhagavad seva. Bring a Swaroop (divine image of the Lord).” Then Gadadharadas thought, “There is a Swaroop at my uncle’s house. How will I get it? I do not speak to this outward-minded person.”
While thinking this, he came outside after wearing tilak and mala. His uncle asked him, “You have become a sevak — that is good — but at least come to my house.” Then Gadadharadas said, “If you give me the Thakurji (deity) that is in your house, then I will come.” Then he said, “Take Him. I have no use for Thakurji.” So Gadadharadas went with his uncle to his house and asked for Shri Thakurji. Then his uncle said, “At least eat and drink first. It is already afternoon. Take Shri Thakurji afterward.”
Then Gadadharadas said, “Now I have no food or social dealings with you. Please give me Shri Thakurji. If you no longer want to keep Him, then give Him to me.” Then the uncle said, “We are on the Shaiva path. What do I have to do with Thakurji? I consider only Mahadevji as my deity. So take Him quickly.”
Shri Thakurji changed the heart of Gadadharadas’s uncle in such a way that where the Lord’s devotee leaves, the Lord Himself also does not remain. So he gave Thakurji promptly.
Then Shri Acharyaji had the deity bathed with panchamrit and named Him Shrimadanmohanji. He was of golden complexion. Gadadharadas then stayed with Shri Acharyaji for three days. He learned all the rituals of seva. Shri Acharyaji delivered a discourse on the Bhaktivardhini text. In it, this verse was discussed:
"अव्यावृत्तो भजेत्कृष्णं पूजया श्रवणादिभिः। व्यावृत्तोऽपि हरौ चित्तं श्रवणादो यतेत्सदा ।।”
In this, it is said that the primary service should be uninterrupted. And if interrupted, then one must always keep the mind focused on Hari and continue hearing about Him.
Hearing this, Gadadharadas resolved that he would not engage in any worldly occupation (vyavritti) at all. Later, Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu departed, and Gadadharadas returned to his home in Orchha.
He was not married. His parents had also passed away. His age was around thirty years. His relatives said to him, “Now you also stay at home.” He replied, “I have become a Vaishnav. I have no dealings of food or conduct with any of you.” So he left that household. Gadadharadas began performing seva of Shrimadanmohanji with great love and devotion, dedicating his whole home to the Lord’s service.
Prasang 1 – The Day Gadadharadas Offered Only Water to Shri Madanmohanji
Gadadharadas showed deep heartfelt devotion to Shri Madanmohanji. Earlier, he would go to the homes of yajmans (patrons) and bring back whatever was needed. After becoming a Vaishnav, he lived in an unbroken state of devotion. He gave up all worldly matters. Whatever came, he would manage with that. His mind remained absorbed in mental seva as its fruit. He remained immersed in the sentiment of “Chetas tat-pravanam seva” — the mind should be inclined toward service. Whatever came through effort or money, he used it in seva. He never hoarded. Whatever he received, he would prepare offerings for Shri Madanmohanji from it. He would distribute Mahaprasad to Vaishnavs. In this way, he lived a renounced life. One day, by the will of God, nothing came from the yajmans’ homes.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): The reason was that Shri Thakurji tested him. To take a vow of uninterrupted seva is relatively easy, but to remain patient when nothing is received is extremely difficult. Hence, nothing came that day. So for Mangala Aarti, he offered only a pot of water. For Shringar and Rajbhog too, only water was offered. Later, at Utthapan until Shayan, only water was offered. However, he did not take anything on credit.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Why? Because that would be a worldly transaction. If one takes on credit, and the person does not give their belongings willingly, then it is not considered seva. Moreover, time is not guaranteed. If one takes on credit and dies before repaying, then the debt remains on their head, and they must take birth again. This is written in the scriptures. However, Gadadharadas was not afraid of time. He had taken refuge in the teachings of Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu’s scriptures, which instruct on uninterrupted devotion. In this way, a prahar and a half (about 4.5 hours) of the night passed while he slept. But his chest burned as if set on fire — “Today, my Thakur has remained hungry.”
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Even though he offered water with devotional sentiment in mental seva and believed Shri Thakurji accepted it, this feeling arose because he is a sakhi of Radha in the divine play. Her name is Kalkanthi. She belongs to the group of unmarried sakhis and has the shelter of Shri Yamunaji. During the singing of the sakhi group, she sings with full melody. Her voice is very beautiful. Therefore, out of Yamunaji’s sentiment, she offered only water for all the bhogs. Thus, all ingredients were offered with sentiment and were complete. But in this sentiment, there was no contentment for the Vaishnav. It did not involve all the senses — offering with the hand and the mental seva of Braj devotees — and Thakurji’s own special desire. This is the principle of Pushtimarg: if there is no love in offering with the hand, then even the emotions of Braj devotees vanish. The sentiment becomes one of the path of knowledge.
In the verse “Patram, pushpam, phalam, toyam, yo me bhaktya prayacchati,” there is deep meaning. On the path of rules (Maryada), if a devotee offers leaf, flower, fruit, or water, it is accepted regardless of quality. There is no insistence on the item. In the Gita, it says “the devotee offers” — meaning one who is a devotee offers all four items with love and understanding. If one is affectionate, they are called a devotee.
So for leaf — betel leaves, paan, or colocasia leaves — devotees lovingly make patrodas (rolls) and offer them. The knowledgeable do not savor the taste, so they sweeten all the leaves. For flowers — gulab (rose) is dipped in sugar and lovingly offered. For fruit — one tastes the best sweet ones and offers those. A true devotee even tastes it first. Even in the Maryada path, Bhilni Shabari tasted fruits in the forest and offered them to see if they had insects or poison, thinking — “Let the pain come to me first.” Yet Shri Ramchandraji appreciated this and said, “Fruits such as these were never served even at the wedding in the house of King Dashrath or Janak.” So there was not that level of love there.
A devotee presents with care; a person of knowledge just offers whatever they have. Therefore, Gadadharadas, being a devotee associated with the divine play of Pushtimarg, lovingly offered water. But since he was affectionate, his chest burned — “Today, nothing was offered.”
His heart caught fire with separation — “Today, nothing was offered. Without receiving anything from a Vaishnav, Shri Thakurji remained hungry.” Such deep sentiments exist only in the hearts of certain people. To offer the gift of separation to Thakurji — for that reason, nothing came that day. Thus, the fire of separation burned in his heart. He became the primary eligible recipient. Those who do not feel separation cannot truly experience the fruits of Pushtimarg. In this way, a prahar and a half of the night passed.
Then a yajman came. He called out to Gadadharadas, made him open the door, gave him four rupees and some clothes, and said, “Today was my Shuddha Shraddha (a pure ancestral ritual). Please accept this as your dakshina.” Saying this, he left.
At that time, Gadadharadas’s heart was burning with separation. “Let me quickly prepare something.” With this thought, he took one rupee and immediately went to the market. There he saw a halwai (sweet-maker) making jalebi. He asked him, “Have you sold any of this to anyone yet?” The halwai said, “It’s just being prepared now, not sold yet.” Then he said, “Here is a rupee — quickly weigh and pack some.”
Taking the jalebi, he returned home, bathed, and offered it to Shri Thakurji. Then he laid Thakurji to rest, called the Vaishnavs, and distributed all the Mahaprasad to them. He himself stayed hungry but felt great joy in his heart — that Shri Thakurji had eaten, and the Vaishnavs did not have to go without.
After that, he used the remaining three rupees to bring the necessary ingredients, prepared an offering, fed Shri Thakurji, called the Vaishnavs again, and served them Mahaprasad in proper vessels.
While taking the Mahaprasad, the Vaishnavs said, “Gadadharadas! The Mahaprasad you gave us last night — even though we make the same items — they never taste that good. Please tell us what you did differently.”
Then Gadadharadas said, “Yesterday, I had nothing at home. At night, four rupees came. I bought one rupee worth of jalebi from the market. That’s what I offered.” He told them everything in detail. All the Vaishnavs became very pleased with Gadadharadas.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): The reason is that Shri Thakurji and Shri Acharyaji are pleased with him. Therefore, they dwell in the hearts of all Vaishnavs. Shri Krishna, the inspirer of intelligence, ensures that no true-hearted, pure devotee Vaishnav is displeased by anyone. In this way, the Vaishnavs became delighted. Then Gadadharadas sang a kirtan.
"गोविंद-पद-पल्लव सिर पर बिराजमान, तिनको कहा कहि आवै सुखको प्रमान ।
Govind's lotus feet rest upon the head, What words can describe the measure of that joy?
ब्रज-दिनेस देस बसत कालानल हू न त्रसत, बिलसत मन हुलसत करि लीला रस पान ।
Living in the land of Braj like the sun in its glory, Even the fire of time does not cause them fear, Their mind delights and rejoices, drinking the nectar of divine pastimes.
भीजे नित नैन रहत हरि के गुनगान कहत, जानत नहि त्रिविधताप भानत नहि आन ।
Their eyes remain ever wet, constantly singing Hari's glories, They know no suffering of the threefold miseries, they are unaware of anything else.
तिनके मुख-कमल दरस पावन पद नु परस, अधम जन “गदाधर” से पावत सन्मान।”
Seeing their lotus face and touching their holy feet, even a lowly person like ‘Gadadhar’ receives honor.
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Even though he considered himself fallen, the deep affection that existed between him, Shri Thakurji, and the Vaishnavs made them inseparable. The Lord and His devotees were lovingly drawn to him. Gadadharadas was an excellent soul devoted entirely to God.
Prasang 2 – The Vegetable Offering
One day, Gadahardas had invited Vaishnavas for Mahaprasad. All the preparations were made, but there was no vegetable (saag). Then Gadahardas said to the Vaishnavas who were seated, “Is there any Vaishnav here who can bring some greens?”
Then Madhodas, the brother of Bainidas—who had kept a courtesan in his house—spoke up and said, “If you say so, I can bring it.”
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): His intention was this: “I have kept a courtesan; will you accept what I bring?” Then Gadahardas said, “Bring it.”
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): In Gadahardas’s heart, there was no fault-finding. He knew the soul’s relationship with Shri Acharyaji. That’s why he said, “Bring it.” Then Madhodas brought bathua greens. Gadahardas became pleased and said, “Quickly, prepare the dish.”
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): This shows that when something is brought with love, even the main offering service can be entrusted to that person. This shows that service should be done with love. Whoever it may be, Shri Thakurji will accept it lovingly if done with devotion. Then the entire preparation was completed and offered to Shri Thakurji. When it was time, the offering was removed, and Mahaprasad was distributed to all the Vaishnavas.
All the Vaishnavas, while taking Mahaprasad, praised the vegetable. Then while Gadahardas was serving, Madhodas came near. Gadahardas, pleased, said to Madhodas, “The vegetable you brought was accepted by Shri Thakurji. Therefore, may your devotion to Hari become firm.” This blessing was given.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): This shows that the small service of vegetables that Madhodas did with humility was accepted with love by Shri Thakurji. This should be understood as: when a Vaishnav accepts and praises the Mahaprasad, both the services become successful. And there is no one as generous as the Lord—who, by accepting even the smallest service like offering vegetables, destroys the bondage of countless lifetimes and grants devotion to Hari. Such is the Bhagavadiya (beloved of God) Gadahardas.
Prasang 3 – The Merchant and the Bulls
One day, outside the village, a merchant (banjara) came and settled down. He wanted some bulls. He entered the village, where ten to fifteen Brahmins—relatives of Gadahardas—were sitting. They used to mock Gadahardas, saying, “He has become a devotee.”
So the merchant asked those Brahmins, “Where can I buy bulls?” The Brahmins said, “Gadadhar Bhagat has many. Take as many as you want from him. But he won’t give them just like that. Go give him the money. Tell him to bring them from wherever he wants. Then come back the next day. You will get the bulls.”
So the merchant brought 100 rupees and went to Gadahardas. He said, “I want to buy bulls. Please arrange them.” Gadahardas replied, “Baba! Where do I have bulls? Ask in the village—I don’t know anything about this.”
Then the merchant placed 100 rupees before Gadahardas and left, saying, “I will come tomorrow to take the bulls. The villagers have told me this way.” Then Gadahardas realized, “It seems someone from my caste has tricked him.”
So Gadahardas said, “You won’t see any bulls here tomorrow at midday.” Even then, the merchant, pleased, said, “Fine. Keep the money.” Afterward, Gadahardas used those 100 rupees to gather ingredients. He prepared all the dishes and offered bhog to Shri Thakurji the next day. Later, while serving Mahaprasad to all Vaishnavas at midday, the merchant came.
Then Gadahardas said, “You have come at the right time. All these are Shri Thakurji’s bulls. Among them are calves and young bulls. See and choose whatever you want.”
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): The meaning is: the bulls are symbolic of dharma (righteousness). Gadahardas says, “In today’s times, dharma resides in these Vaishnavas. So if you wish to take dharma, look here.”
Bulls are such that they do only what task they are engaged in. They eat only what is given. They are content. Similarly, these Vaishnavas are like that. Whatever task they are given, they accept it. There is contentment in it.
So the merchant’s ingredients were accepted by Shri Thakurji. Vaishnavas partook of the Mahaprasad. Gadahardas was pleased and said so. Then the merchant realized, “This man is a devotee of God. The villagers made fun of me and tried to cause a conflict. But I am truly fortunate that the Lord accepted me, a sinner, in this form.”
“Now I will take refuge in him. I am fulfilled.” Then he did full prostration (sashtang dandvat) to Gadahardas and said, “I have been wandering day and night in the ocean of worldly life. Now I have come to your refuge. Please deliver me.”
Then Gadahardas said, “I do not offer service. But all these Vaishnavas and I are sevaks of Shri Acharyaji. He resides in Adel. Become his sevak.” Then Gadahardas, recognizing him as a divine soul, gave him Mahaprasad. The merchant went to Adel, received a name from Shri Acharyaji, and became fulfilled.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): This shows that even a moment in the company of a Bhagavadiya (beloved of God), if the soul is of a higher nature, can transform one’s life. Gadahardas is such a Bhagavadiya. His heart holds such deep feelings—they cannot be expressed.
Such is Gadahardasji, a divine beloved of Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu. Therefore, there is no limit to his story—so we will describe only this much.
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