84 Vaishnav Varta 27 - Madhav Bhatt Kashmiri

Now, about Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu’s sevak, Madhav Bhatt Kashmiri, who lived in Kashmir. The sentiment of his story is described here –

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): This Madhav Bhatt, in the divine play, is Yashodaji’s maidservant. She is extremely clever. She prepares the bed for Shri Thakurji, brings water, and remains in the company of Kumari Radha’s companions. Her name is “Ratna.”

Prasang 1 – Madhav Bhatt’s Devotion and Service

Madhav Bhatt was born in the house of a Brahmin in Kashmir. At first, Madhav Bhatt became a sevak of Keshav Bhatt. Keshav Bhatt used to deliver discourses in Kashmir. Once Keshav Bhatt came to meet Shri Acharyaji. Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu was delivering the discourse on Shri Subodhiniji. Keshav Bhatt used to come to listen. Due to pride in his knowledge, he would sit on a high seat and listen to the discourse. But Madhav Bhatt listened attentively with the feeling of a servant.

Later, when Shri Acharyaji finished the discourse, Madhav Bhatt would go and sit near Shri Acharyaji’s Vaishnavas. He would listen to stories from their mouths. One day, Keshav Bhatt said to Madhav Bhatt: “I am giving discourses, yet you do not come to listen. Instead, why do you go and listen to humorous and playful stories?”

Then Madhav Bhatt said: “Compared to your discourses, I find the playful and humorous stories of Shri Acharyaji’s sevaks more pleasing. That is why I go there.” Hearing this from Madhav Bhatt, Keshav Bhatt thought in his mind: “Now he is of no use to me. Therefore, I will hand him over to Shri Acharyaji.”

After a few days, Keshav Bhatt prepared to return home. He said to Shri Acharyaji: “I have heard your discourse. Therefore, I am presenting this Madhav Bhatt to you. He is of no use to me.” Thus, Madhav Bhatt remained with Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu. Later, Keshav Bhatt departed.

Then one Vaishnav asked Shri Acharyaji: “Maharaj! Both Madhav Bhatt and Keshav Bhatt listened to the discourse from your mouth. Yet Madhav Bhatt attained understanding, and Keshav Bhatt did not. What is the reason for this?”

Shri Acharyaji said: “Keshav Bhatt listened while sitting with pride, and thus did not gain understanding. But Madhav Bhatt listened attentively with the feeling of a servant, and therefore he attained understanding.”

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Here it is shown that if one listens to a discourse with the feeling of a servant, then it bears fruit. For one who is proud, even if he listens, no result comes. This is the teaching. Originally, Madhav Bhatt is connected to the divine play. Therefore, Shri Acharyaji’s words bore fruit for him. But Keshav Bhatt is not connected to the divine play. He follows the path of discipline (Maryada Marg). He is eligible for heaven and liberation. Therefore, Shri Acharyaji’s words did not bear fruit for him. Later, Keshav Bhatt departed to his country.

And Shri Acharyaji performed the name initiation for Madhav Bhatt. Then Madhav Bhatt humbly asked: “Maharaj! What is my duty now?” Shri Acharyaji said: “You must perform the service of the Lord.” Then Madhav Bhatt said: “Maharaj! The form of Lalaji has always been with my forefathers. That form has always remained with me. I perform service by offering tulsi, sandalwood, incense, lamp, and food, following the method of invocation, offering, and dismissal in the path of ritual worship. Now please command me how I should serve.”

Then Shri Acharyaji said: “Go, bring the form.” Then Madhav Bhatt went and brought it. Shri Acharyaji performed the Panchamrit bath for the image and placed it on Madhav Bhatt’s head. Madhav Bhatt, after learning the practices of the Path of Grace for a few days, took permission and returned to Kashmir. There, with love, he began to perform seva at his home. After some time, Shri Thakurji began to show affectionate presence to him.

Prasang 2 – Madhav Bhatt Revives a Child

In the village where Madhav Bhatt lived, there was a wealthy householder. He had a son who died. Then that householder, in great grief, began to lament and said: “If someone brings him back to life, then I shall live. Otherwise, I will die with him.” In this way he spoke, falling down repeatedly, rolling on the ground.

Then one Vaishnav came near. Seeing the state of that householder, he said: “How can such sorrow exist in a village where a devotee like Madhav Bhatt lives?” Hearing this, the householder went to Madhav Bhatt. He bowed down and began to weep greatly. He said: “You are a great saint. My son has died. Please bring him back to life. Otherwise, I too will die with him.”

Seeing him so sorrowful, Madhav Bhatt felt compassion. He composed one shloka and placed it before Shri Thakur:

दयालोरसमर्थस्य दुःखायैव दयालुता। विश्वोद्धारणदक्षश्च शास्त्रेष्वेकस्य शोभना॥

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Its meaning is this – You are merciful. But how are you merciful? You show mercy to those without strength. Why so? Because the mark of true mercy is that it is expressed upon the sorrowful. That alone is true compassion. Such compassion is found only in you. And in saving the world, you alone are expert. In all the scriptures, only you are praised. Such compassion befits you; therefore, destroy this sorrow.

Hearing this shloka, Shri Thakurji said: “What is this matter? Since compassion has arisen in you, go tell him, ‘Your son lives.’” Then Madhav Bhatt went outside and said: “Your son lives.” But in the heart of that householder it did not enter, because no medicine had been given, only words were spoken. Just then, a person from the house came and said: “Your son lives, congratulations!” Then he ran to his house and saw – his son indeed lived. Rejoicing, he said: “Madhav Bhatt is a great devotee. At whose words alone, saying ‘live,’ the son lived.”

That night, Madhav Bhatt thought to himself: “This deed I have done is most improper. In the world, there are countless sorrowful and happy people. Therefore, it is not right to remain in this village any longer.” So, at midnight, he placed Shri Thakurji in a casket and departed. He came to Adel, to Shri Acharyaji.

This shows that a Vaishnav’s compassion must be considered carefully. If worldly glory is displayed, then it is proper to leave the village, otherwise later much sorrow comes. Therefore, to remain like an ordinary person is right. So that Shri Thakurji does not feel sorrow, and Vaishnavas also do not feel sorrow. Madhav Bhatt was all-powerful, yet he remained a servant. Thus, he acted considering the welfare of the Vaishnavas.

Prasang 3 – Writing Shri Subodhiniji

Madhav Bhatt had great practice in writing. Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu composed the commentary on Shri Bhagavat, Shri Subodhiniji. Madhav Bhatt was writing it down. Wherever Madhav Bhatt did not understand, there he would stop writing and sit. Then Shri Acharyaji would explain to him, and then he would write. And Madhav Bhatt would sit before Shri Acharyaji in such a way that his feet were not visible.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Why so? The scriptures say – before elders one should not sit on an equal seat. And one should sit in such a way that one’s feet are not seen. Thus he sat with the feeling of a servant.

Prasang 4 – Madhav Bhatt’s Passing

Once, Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu was abroad. Madhav Bhatt was with him, writing Shri Subodhiniji. One night, in the late hours, Madhav Bhatt arose due to a minor need. Then thieves shot an arrow. It struck Madhav Bhatt. At once, he took the name of Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu. Uttering the name, Madhav Bhatt’s body was left. Then the Vaishnavas performed his funeral rites.

Later, one Vaishnav prayed to Shri Acharyaji: “Maharaj! How is it that a devotee like Madhav Bhatt should die in such a way?” Shri Acharyaji said with his own mouth: “There is no harm in Madhav Bhatt’s afterlife. But he had once committed a slight offense towards the Lord. For that he received punishment.”

Then the Vaishnav asked: “Maharaj! What offense did he commit?” Shri Acharyaji said: “Formerly, Madhav Bhatt used to spread the Lord’s bed with flowers. One day, a needle was accidentally left among the flowers. Madhav Bhatt did not notice. That needle touched the sacred body of Shri Thakurji. From that offense this has happened. Yet, with great care, while taking the Lord’s name, he left his body. Therefore, nothing obstructs him. He has attained the lotus feet of Shrinathji. Now nothing remains to be done.”

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): From this it is shown that in the Path of Grace, Shri Acharyaji did not establish the practice of making a bed of flowers. Why? Because these are worldly flowers. Their stems are hard, they wither in a moment, and stain the cloth. Therefore, one should place flowers separately, so that only fragrance may come to the Lord. In the divine play, however, flowers are of the nature of forms, supremely delicate. Thus there a bed of flowers is made.

But Madhav Bhatt, leaving Shri Acharyaji’s discipline, considered the description of the bed of flowers in the divine play, and so spread flowers. This did not please the Lord. Thus a needle was left behind. Madhav Bhatt was punished, and thereby all Vaishnavas were given instruction – that in the Path of Grace, the practices revealed by Shri Acharyaji and the commands given in the scriptures should be followed exactly. If one acts according to one’s own imagination, even though there may be descriptions in the divine play, it does not please Shri Govardhandhar.

Although earlier Madhav Bhatt worshipped Shri Thakurji according to the path of discipline, and in that tradition a bed of flowers is made, so also it was an offense. For that he was punished. Later he was accepted into the divine play. This shows – in the refuge of Shri Acharyaji, sins of many births are endured in this very birth, and later no obstacles remain. Such is the power of that refuge. Thus, enduring all offenses, one attains divine play. Here his body was given up, showing the power of refuge.

So, Madhav Bhatt left his body. Then Shri Acharyaji said: “Now Shri Subodhiniji remains. It was the Lord’s wish that this much be revealed.” Thus Madhav Bhatt’s story is told until here. 

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Here it is shown that Shri Thakurji had called him near. Twice before the command came, but Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu did not consent. Then, under the pretext of this offense, Madhav Bhatt was called the third time. Then Shri Acharyaji, composing the work “Antahkaran Prabodh,” performed the play of disappearance. This too is a reason.

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