84 Vaishnav Varta 28 - Gopaldas Bansbada

Now, about Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu’s sevak, Gopaldas, resident of Bansbada, the sentiment of his story is described here –

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): This Gopaldas is the sakhi of Shri Yamunaji. Her name is “Rasprakashika.” In the divine play, she speaks such words to the devotees that the essence of rasa (divine bliss) becomes illuminated in everyone’s heart.

So, Gopaldas took birth in the house of a Kshatriya in Bansbada. That Kshatriya followed the business occupation and also kept a jewelry shop. Four sons of that Kshatriya were born earlier but they died. The fifth was Gopaldas. Then the Kshatriya made a vow, that if this son lives, then his mundan (first head-shaving ceremony) will be done at Prayag, the king of pilgrimages.

So, when Gopaldas was five years old, the Kshatriya was very busy in his trade, and could not go to Prayag. Thus, while things went on like this, Gopaldas became eleven years old. Then the Kshatriya prepared a cart, sent his helper along with him, and said, “If you quickly return after getting Gopaldas’s mundan done at Prayag, then his marriage will be arranged.”

So in this way Gopaldas set out from Bansbada. Arriving at Prayag, he had darshan of Shri Ganga and Shri Yamuna. They were goddesses. He had a supernatural vision of them. Then Gopaldas said to the helper, “I will not have my mundan done here in the middle. I will go five kos outside this pilgrimage area and do it there. Will you throw me into hell? Shall I drop my hair in the middle of this water which is itself the form of rasa?”

Even though the helper tried to explain many times, saying, “This is your father’s vow. And in Prayag, shaving the head brings great merit.” Then Gopaldas said, “My father is foolish for making such a vow. And I do not want such merit. Brahmins say these things only to receive donations at the pilgrimage. I will never shave here.”

So Gopaldas went five kos beyond Prayag, across the Ganga, and had his mundan done there. Afterwards he bathed and again came back to Prayag to bathe there too. He gave charity and merit. He worshipped Shri Yamunaji and Shri Gangaji with milk, arghya, garlands, and sandalwood. He stayed there for five nights.

At that time, Shri Acharyaji also came to Prayag. Gopaldas used to daily worship the Triveni. On the fifth day, Shri Acharyaji Himself came to bathe near Gopaldas. Recognizing him as a divine soul, He came to bestow grace. At that time Gopaldas was bathing. Then Shri Acharyaji took a palmful of water from Triveni and poured it on Gopaldas.

At that moment, Gopaldas attained realization of his own true form and also realization of Shri Acharyaji’s form. Then Gopaldas bathed his head again in the water. Folding both hands, he prayed to Shri Acharyaji, “Maharaj! I am a great sinner, I have wandered in worldly births for so long. Now please have mercy on me.”

Then Shri Acharyaji, seeing his humility, gave him initiation into the Path while still in the water. He established the principles of the Path in his heart, and told Gopaldas, “You should serve the Lord.” Then Gopaldas came out of the water, put on clothes, while Shri Acharyaji also changed into fresh clothes after bathing, performed the midday rituals, and told Gopaldas, “Wherever you bring the Lord’s form from Adel, come there.” Saying this, He Himself went to Adel.

Afterwards, Gopaldas gave offerings to Lalji at Prayag and then came to Adel. There, Shri Acharyaji placed Shri Thakurji, having given Him a Panchamrit bath, on Gopaldas’s head. Then for five days, Gopaldas stayed in Adel and learned all the practices of the Pushtimarg. Afterwards, taking leave of Shri Acharyaji, he returned home to Bansbada.

Then the helper told Gopaldas’s father everything, “Your boy went five kos beyond Prayag across the Ganga and got his head shaved. We told him much, but he did not agree. And he has returned as a Vaishnav.”

Then Gopaldas’s father said, “What has happened is correct. Do not speak further.” Because Gopaldas’s parents had great affection for him, they feared he might leave home. So they said nothing to him.

Later, the parents said, “You must be hungry, eat something.” Then Gopaldas said, “I will not even drink your water. If you become sevaks of Shri Acharyaji, then you will be mine. Otherwise, give me a little separate space to stay.”

Then the father said, “You must get married, how will that happen?” Then Gopaldas said, “For now, let the world do as it does. Later, whatever happens will be fine. Right now, marriage is not happening.”

Then the father gave him a separate place in the house. There, Gopaldas made a special space, cooked for Shri Thakurji, offered bhog, and partook of Mahaprasad. Afterwards, he decorated a temple for Shri Thakurji and began service with love.

Later, his father arranged Gopaldas’s engagement, and marriage also took place. But in the in-law’s house, he did not accept water from anyone’s hand. Afterwards, Gopaldas said to his father, “If you become a sevak of Shri Acharyaji, that will be good. Otherwise, I will make my wife a sevak.” Then his parents said, “Take whatever wealth you want, but we will not become sevaks.”

Then Gopaldas told his wife, “You should become a sevek. If you give up your parents’ food and customs, then you will belong to me.” Then his wife said, “I will become a sevak, but I will not give up my parents’ food.”

Then Gopaldas thought in his mind, “Let me at least make her Shri Acharyaji’s sevika. If she becomes an elevated soul, then everything will naturally be accomplished.”

So, placing his wife on the cart, he left from Bansbada and in some days reached Prayag. Then he came to Adel, bowed to Shri Acharyaji, and prayed, “Maharaj! My parents did not become sevaks, though I tried much. Now I have brought my wife with me. Please give her initiation with grace.”

Then Shri Acharyaji said, “Your wife is not a Pushti soul. Therefore, do not insist on giving her initiation. She will eat anywhere, and will not stay firm. If you give her the Name, then through your connection, your parents and wife will be uplifted. But there will be no divine play relationship.”

Then Gopaldas said, “Please, at least pronounce the Name.” Then Shri Acharyaji gave the Name to Gopaldas’s wife. Afterwards, Gopaldas stayed for some days with Shri Acharyaji, and then, taking leave, returned to Bansbada and began the service of the Lord.

Prasang 1 – Gopaldas Builds a Resting Place

So Gopaldas made a resting place near the door of his house, by the road, for those who traveled. Whoever came would stop there. Then Gopaldas thought, “In this village, there is no Vaishnav with whom I can talk about Bhagavad service and discourse. So, if a resting place is made, then some Vaishnav may come, and I will get to meet them.” With this wish in mind, he made the resting place.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): It was not called a dharmashala (charitable lodge), because dharmashalas are said to bring great punya (merit). And if the wish for punya is present, then for a Pushtimarg follower, that becomes an obstacle.

So, travelers walking the road would come there and stay. In the evening, Gopaldas went there. Whoever had arrived, he would ask them. If someone was hungry, he would give them food to eat. And if any Vaishnav came, he would take them to his house, lovingly offer them Mahaprasad, and keep them for two or four days. If they had no money, he gave them money for expenses.

In this way, one day Padmaraval, a Sanchora Brahmin, came by. So Gopaldas asked him, “Who are you? Where have you come from? Where will you go?” Then Padmaraval said, “I am a Sanchora Brahmin. I have love for the darshan of Shri Ranchhodji. My patron, Mavji Patel, is in Ujjain. I take expenses from him and go to Dwarka for Shri Ranchhodji’s darshan. When the expenses are finished, I again return to Ujjain, take expenses from Mavji Patel, and go to Dwarka for darshan.”

Then Gopaldas, hearing these words of Padmaraval, understood him to be a divine soul and began a conversation: “The kind of attachment you have for Shri Ranchhodji, if that same attachment were to be in Shri Acharyaji, then your life’s purpose would be fulfilled.” Thinking this, Gopaldas asked Padmaraval, “Do you ever speak with Shri Ranchhodji? Do you converse with him?” Then Padmaraval said to Gopaldas, “Does Shri Ranchhodji speak with anyone? Does he converse? If he does, tell me.” Then Gopaldas said, “Near Prayag, in Adel, Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu resides. That is Shri Ranchhodji himself, manifested. He speaks and converses with all.” Then Padmaraval said to Gopaldas, “Shall I go? Will I get darshan from Shri Ranchhodji there?”

Then Gopaldas said, “Just as Shri Ranchhodji gives darshan, in the same way Shri Acharyaji will give darshan to you. And he will speak with you.” Then Padmaraval became greatly eager, “When shall I go to Adel? When will Shri Acharyaji, in the form of Shri Ranchhodji, speak with me?” So Gopaldas came home. That night, Padmaraval could not sleep, saying, “When shall I go to Adel?” Early in the morning he got up and left. In a few days, he reached Ujjain. Then Mavji Patel asked Padmaraval, “Rawalji! This time you have come to Ujjain very quickly. And your mind looks unsettled. What is the reason?”

Then Padmaraval said, “In Adel, Shri Ranchhodji has manifested. He speaks and converses with all. So in the morning I will go to Adel.” Then Mavji Patel said, “Rawalji! I too will come with you. I will go for the darshan of Shri Ranchhodji.” Then Padmaraval said, “You are a royal man. We will walk on foot. With your group, horses and retinue, how will it be possible?” Then Mavji Patel said, “I will come alone with you on foot.” Then Padmaraval said, “Make preparations. In the morning we will go.” Then Mavji Patel came home and told his wife Birjo, “Tomorrow morning I will go with Padmaraval to Adel. There Shri Acharyaji, in the form of Shri Ranchhodji, is giving darshan and speaking with everyone.”

Then Birjo said, “I too will go with you.” Then Mavji Patel said, “How will you women go? I will walk on foot, without retinue or horses.” Then Birjo said, “I too will walk with you on foot.” Then Mavji Patel asked Padmaraval, “My wife says she will also come with us?” Then Padmaraval said, “How will she walk alone on foot?” Then Mavji said, “She says she will walk alone on foot.” Then Padmaraval said, “Then come quickly, all three of us will go.” Then Mavji Patel went home, made preparations, left someone to watch the house, and brought Birjo with him. So the three went to Adel.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Why so? Because they were divine souls, just by hearing of Shri Acharyaji’s darshan, eagerness arose in their hearts. In the lila, Padmaraval belongs to Dwarka-lila, the sakhi of Shri Rukmini. Her name was “Vimala.” When Shri Thakurji once joked with Shri Rukmini, she fainted and fell down. Later Shri Thakurji comforted her. At that time this sakhi stood nearby. Her name was Vimala. She laughed. Then Rukmini became upset with Vimala, saying, “When I fainted and fell, why did you just stand there? When Shri Thakurji attended to me, why did you wish to? It is not my duty to be served by Shri Thakurji. It is right for me to serve him. What Shri Thakurji did was improper. If you had served me, why would Shri Thakurji have to?” This Rukmini said. But Vimala did not reply, she simply smiled silently. Then Rukmini angrily said, “Go, fall to the earth. Why are you my sakhi? You are of no use to me.” Thus, Vimala sakhi was reborn as Padmaraval. Therefore her attachment to the darshan of Shri Ranchhodji was very deep. The earlier connection was firm. Mavji Patel and Birjo were connected to Brajlila, being two sakhis of Shri Chandravali. In the lila, Mavji’s name is “Rupa,” and Birjo’s name is “Harkha.” Therefore they too developed attachment to Shri Gusainji in Brajlila.

So, along with four or five men, they came to Prayag. Then on the opposite bank of Adel, darshan was to be had. The three of them were so eager that they wished to cross Shri Yamunaji quickly. At that very time, Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu came to the bank of Shri Yamunaji for the midday sandhya. Then, seeing the great eagerness of Padmaraval, Mavji Patel, and Birjo on the other side, a Vaishnav said to them, “Take a boat quickly and bring Padmaraval, the Sanchora Brahmin, and Mavji Patel, and Birjo across. Tell them that Shri Ranchhodji has sent the boat. Come quickly.”

So Vaishnav went with the boat to the other side and asked, “Who are Padmaraval, Mavji Patel, and Birjo?” Then those three said, “These are our names.” Then the Vaishnav said, “Shri Ranchhodji has sent this boat for you. So sit quickly and come.”

Then those three became very joyful, saying, “Truly Shri Ranchhodji has manifested. We had no delay in arriving; he called us by name and sent a boat for us.” So, with great eagerness, they sat in the boat, came across, and had darshan of Shri Acharyaji.

Then Shri Acharyaji, knowing their bhav (sentiment) to be in Shri Ranchhodji, thought, “If I give them darshan in the form of Shri Ranchhodji, then their feeling will be strengthened.” So he gave darshan in the form of Shri Ranchhodji.

Then the three bowed down. Then Padmaraval prayed, “Maharaj! By the grace of Gopaldas we have had this darshan. Gopaldas told us, ‘You become sevak of Shri Acharyaji.’ So now, please accept the three of us. We take refuge in you.”

Then Shri Acharyaji bathed the three of them in Shri Yamunaji, performed their initiation with name-giving. Then the people who had come with Mavji Patel were also given names. Afterwards, Padmaraval was taken by Shri Acharyaji into his temple. After that, Shri Acharyaji went for his meal.

At that time, Padmaraval thought in his heart, “Just as Shri Ranchhodji is offered bhog, if I could see Shri Acharyaji eating, I would take the remains.” Shri Acharyaji knew this desire of Padmaraval’s heart, so he called him inside. Then Padmaraval saw Shri Acharyaji eating in the form of Shri Ranchhodji. So he was very pleased in his heart.

Then Shri Acharyaji said, “Now is your doubt gone?” Then Padmaraval prayed, “Maharaj! We are lowly souls of little understanding. Still, again and again this thought came to my mind. You are truly Shri Ranchhodji himself.” Afterwards, Shri Acharyaji ate and gave his remnants in a bowl to Padmaraval, and also gave remnants to Mavji Patel and Birjo. All three took Mahaprasad and came before Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu.

Then Padmaraval prayed, “Maharaj! Now what is your command for us?” Then Shri Acharyaji said, “Do seva.” Then Padmaraval prayed, “Maharaj! Just as my mind is attached to your darshan, so that the same mind may remain constantly engaged in serving, then I will serve. Otherwise, I will not.” Then Shri Acharyaji said, “Your wish will be fulfilled by Shri Thakurji.”

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): This means that you will attain Shri Ranchhodji in Dwarka-lila. So Shri Thakurji will fulfill your wish.

And he gave permission to the three of them, “We will come to Ujjain in a few days. There we will bring Shri Thakurji into your home. And we will establish seva on the head of Mavji Patel and Birjo. So you must serve. Now you three go home. We will also later come to Ujjain. Then your wish will be fulfilled.”

So Padmaraval, Mavji Patel, and Birjo bowed and departed. In a few days they came to Ujjain. Thus Gopaldas is such a devotee that, through his small association, Padmaraval, Mavji Patel, and Birjo all attained refuge in Shri Acharyaji. Therefore, much of Gopaldas’s story is told. One who has firm faith in Shri Acharyaji.

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