Now about Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu’s sevaks, two Kshatriya brothers—Benidas and Madhavdas—who lived in Kada. The sentiment of their story is described here:
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Beniprasad is the bull that pulls the cart of Vrishbhanuji. He struck Rishabh, the friend of the bull, with his horn. As a result, Rishabh’s friend suffered for three days. Due to his curse, he fell to the earth. Madhavdas is the sakhi of Ratanprabha Lalitaji. Thus, both brothers were born on earth by divine will. However, their minds did not match. Madhavdas had kept a courtesan in his house, and all the Vaishnavs criticized him. But that courtesan was a divine Vaishnav. In the lila, she was Chandralata, a sakhi of Chandrawali. Without an extraordinary connection, strong divine love does not take form in a divine soul.
Prasang 1 – Shri Acharyaji Questions Madhavdas
Once, Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu arrived in Kada. All the Vaishnavs came for his darshan. Later, Madhavdas heard about it and came too. He bowed before Shri Acharyaji.
Then all the Vaishnavs said to Shri Acharyaji, “Maharaj! Madhavdas keeps a courtesan.” Shri Acharyaji asked, “Madhavdas, do you keep a courtesan?” Madhavdas replied, “Maharaj, my mind is attached to her. That is why I have kept her.” In this manner, Shri Acharyaji asked him three times. Each time, Madhavdas said, “Maharaj, my mind is attached to her. That is why I have kept her.” Then Shri Acharyaji remained silent.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): The meaning of this is: initially, the Vaishnavs criticized him so that Madhavdas would leave the courtesan, feeling ashamed from their rebuke. They considered him a brother, so there was no jealousy or hatred. If there had been any malice, it would have been an obstacle for all. Later, Shri Acharyaji told the Vaishnavs that if Madhavdas would leave her upon his instruction, that would be good. Let the worldly criticism of a Vaishnav be the reason for detachment.
Shri Acharyaji knew all kinds of divine play, so he asked, “Madhavdas, do you keep a courtesan?”— He asked this thinking, “If he leaves the courtesan because I told him to, it will become an obstacle to his devotion.” But Madhavdas did not leave her and even justified it: “Madhavdas, you have accepted one as low as a courtesan? You are not afraid of what society thinks?” Madhavdas said, “My mind is attached to her. She has no place elsewhere, so neither social shame nor Vaishnav criticism can make me leave her. I did not choose her. My own mind was the force. It was my mind that became attached and thus kept her.” In this way, he said it three times. This shows that when love is true, the words spoken become firm and truthful. So Madhavdas, with true love, spoke the same answer three times. Shri Acharyaji then became pleased. Such firm-minded Vaishnavs are rare.
Then all the Vaishnavs said to Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu, “Maharaj! Until now, this matter was not yours. But now he is not even leaving her after you have spoken. Won’t you say anything further?”
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): This shows the Vaishnavs were very worried.
They thought: “Now that Shri Acharyaji has spoken, what will become of Madhavdas’ salvation?” Out of concern, the Vaishnavs again asked, “Won’t you say something more?” This was the sentiment.
Then Shri Acharyaji consoled the Vaishnavs: “Do not worry. His mind is attached to her, but how many times does it take to turn one’s mind toward Shri Thakurji? Gadadhardas has already given him a blessing: this very Madhavdas will attain firm Hari bhakti.”
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): This shows: you need not worry. He is not worldly. That courtesan and others like her are to be removed from the world. The firm devotion that Gadadhardas gave him—I also gave it to him. If I forcibly separate them, how would Gadadhardas’ divine grace be understood? Gadadhardas gave him Hari bhakti, so it will become firm. Do not worry.
Then all the Vaishnavs became pleased and remained silent. Later, Madhavdas’ mind changed. He distanced himself from the courtesan and began living according to Vaishnav tradition. He became a good Vaishnav.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): This shows: the separation from the courtesan meant this—He told her, “You are the sakhi of Shri Gusainji. When Shri Gusainji arrives, your purpose will be fulfilled. Until then, I cannot be with you.” Saying this, he turned her away.
The courtesan then survived by eating dry, oiled flatbread without ghee for fifteen years.
Later, when Shri Gusainji came to Kada, the courtesan heard and came to make a request:
“Maharaj! Please accept me.” Shri Gusainji said, “I do not serve courtesans.”
So she returned home and lay down, giving up food and water. Shri Gusainji stayed in Kada for eight days. From a distance, she came for darshan. On the ninth day, when Shri Gusainji was about to leave, the courtesan came, holding the hands of two people, and said: “Maharaj! Today is the ninth day. If you do not accept me, I will leave this life without food or water.”
Shri Gusainji realized that her fault had been removed and she had become pure.
He then told her his name. Then the courtesan made a request for Brahmasambandh (spiritual initiation): “Maharaj! Madhavdas once told me that I am a maidservant of Shri Gusainji. Because of that connection, I survived for fifteen years eating dry flatbread. Now, since the ninth day, I have given up even water. Please give me your command. I will obey. Though I am a sinner, because of my connection with Madhavdas, I got the darshan of Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu and now yours too. Please give me Brahmasambandh and place the service of Bhagavan on my head. Only then will my life continue.”
Then Shri Gusainji, seeing her pure sentiment, gave her Brahmasambandh. He entrusted her with Shri Lalji. He told the Vaishnavs: “Explain all the customs and practices to her so that she may serve properly.”
In this way, the courtesan received a spiritual awakening. Still, the Vaishnavs warned her: “For four days, do not touch water or any impure substance.” But her love was so deep that she could not stay away. She began serving even during the period of restriction. On the fifth day, which was an impure day, she bathed Shri Thakurji with panchamrit. The Vaishnavs then broke all association with her.
Some days later, Shri Gusainji came to Kada. Everyone told him, “Maharaj! That courtesan disobeyed and performed service even during the restriction. She would not listen.” Hearing this, Shri Gusainji called her close and asked, “Why do you pour water in the temple during restriction days?” The courtesan replied, “Maharaj! I have had countless lovers in this world—equal to the number of hairs on my body.
All of them I left behind by your grace.
Now I have only one beloved—beyond this world. How can I live four days without him?
You are omniscient. You know what is in my heart. Even for one moment I cannot bear separation. On the fifth day, even during impurity, I bathed Shri Thakurji with panchamrit. I still observe the protocol. You know everything. Please instruct me.”
Then Shri Gusainji, seeing that Shri Thakurji was pleased with her, said, “Continue serving as you are.” With this, he sent her home, saying, “Go quickly. Shri Thakurji is waiting for you.” She bowed down and left.
Later, Shri Gusainji told the Vaishnavs, “Whatever she does, let her do. Do not say anything to her. But let no one imitate her out of imitation. Shri Thakurji is pleased with her in that particular way. He will be pleased with you through adherence to tradition.” In this way, the courtesan developed deep love through her connection with Madhavdas.
Prasang 2 – The Moti Mala and the River Incident
Madhavdas lived together with Benidas. One day, a pearl necklace of great value came for sale. Seeing it, Madhavdas said to Benidas, “This necklace is suitable for Shri Navanitpriyaji. So, please take it.” Then Benidas said, “What do you mean by ‘take’? Whatever belongings we have, everything is of Shri Thakurji only.” Saying this, he dismissed the topic.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): This shows how those who are attached to the world claim everything is for Shri Thakurji just for show in front of others, but they do not actually spend anything for Shri Thakurji.
Then Madhavdas said, “If everything is indeed Shri Thakurji’s, then why don’t we buy the necklace for Him?” Benidas replied, “How can we afford it?” Then Madhavdas said, “Split the wealth with me. I will live separately from you.”
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): This means: You are like a bull, bearing only the burden of household duties. I want to live separately and fulfill my own devotional desires.
So they divided their small amount of wealth in half and separated. But there was little money, so the necklace could not be purchased. Still, Madhavdas desired that such a necklace should be accepted by Shri Navanitpriyaji. So, he took that money and went south to earn more. The necklace Madhavdas had intended for divine acceptance could not be used in the worldly sense. It came for sale in Prayag. There, Vaishnavs bought it and gave it to Shri Acharyaji. Shri Acharyaji then adorned Shri Navanitpriyaji with it.
Meanwhile, Madhavdas earned a lot of wealth in the south and returned with a necklace better than the first one. While traveling, he reached a big river. He sat in a boat along with many other people. When the boat reached midstream, Shri Navanitpriyaji Himself arrived, holding a red ball of butter. He gave darshan to Madhavdas and said from His divine mouth, “Shall I sink the boat?”
Madhavdas replied, “Let it happen as You wish (nizechchhatah karishyati).” Then Shri Navanitpriyaji asked, “Where had you gone?” Madhavdas replied, “I had gone to bring the necklace.” Then Shri Navanitpriyaji said, “Don’t I already have necklaces? See, that same necklace is with Shri Acharyaji. I already have many.” Then Madhavdas replied, “Maharaj! You may have many, but it is not the duty of a sevak to sit idle. He must make an effort.” Then the boat was saved from sinking.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Shri Thakurji came on the boat and said, “Because of you I had to go to the south. Why did you go? Don’t I already have necklaces? Shall I sink the boat then? What would you do?” Your devotional desire stayed firm. Then Madhavdas said, “Let it happen as You wish (nizechchhatah karishyati).” Which means: “He will act according to the wish of His own devotees.” The Lord has always fulfilled the desires of His devotees. “Bhaktamanorathapurakaya namah” is His Name—Salutations to the One who fulfills the desires of His devotees.
So the acceptance of the necklace happened through Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu. After that, if the boat-like body sinks, I have no concern. When it is Your wish, then let it sink. You already have many necklaces—what need is there for my efforts? But if any of Your desires are fulfilled through my efforts, then the effort bears fruit. Otherwise, even householder life is wasted in vain. So the dharma of a sevak is to always strive to fulfill Your accepted desire.
Then Shri Thakurji prevented the boat from sinking. Otherwise, as Shri Thakurji said He would sink the boat, Madhavdas also affirmed it was the divine will. If the devotee commands it, then it would sink. But Madhavdas said, “Let it happen as You wish.” This means: if the devotee desires that the necklace be accepted, then let it be so.
Madhavdas had no worry about the boat sinking. But others sitting in the boat, being with the devotee, needed to be saved too. How could Madhavdas let them drown? Thus, the Lord’s speech is deep. Only He understands it. Whom He blesses, understands.
The boat was rocking, and everyone’s mouths had gone dry from fear. The boatman said, “This is no longer in our hands.” At that moment, Madhavdas felt joy in his heart, and the boat was saved from sinking.
Everyone said, “Because this great man is on board, the boat was saved. Otherwise, we all would have drowned.” Later, after reaching the shore, Madhavdas went to meet Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu. Then Shri Acharyaji asked Madhavdas, “How did the boat not sink?” Madhavdas told Shri Acharyaji the entire incident.
Then Shri Acharyaji told all the Vaishnavs, “Look, this is the same Madhavdas. See what firm resolve he has as a Vaishnav.” From that day, the necklace was called the ‘Madhavdas Necklace’—everyone calls it so.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): This shows that just as his divine name in the lila is Ratnaprabha, In the same way, the light of a gem shines through Madhavdas’ story. Such was Madhavdas—truly belonging to the Divine. This story reveals the greatness of the blessings of the Divine. Thus, Madhavdas was such a blessed recipient of Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu’s grace, that his story has no limit. We can only describe a little of it.
· · ────── ꒰ঌ·✦·໒꒱ ────── · ·