84 Vaishnav Varta 32 - Rana Vyas

Now, the sevak of Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu, Rana Vyas, a Sanchoṛa Brahmin and resident of Godhra, his story is being told here.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): This Rana Vyas in the divine play (lila) was Indulekha, the companion of Shri Swaminiji. Among the sakhis, her name was Nagavelika.

When Rana Vyas was about twelve years old, he set out on a journey. At that time, he was accompanied by a vairagi (renunciate). That vairagi had traveled to all four dhams and returned. He narrated the glories of Badrikashram, Shri Jagannathji, Shri Ranganathji, and Shri Ranchhodji.

In the middle of the night, Rana Vyas got up and departed. He first went to Badrikashram, where he suffered much hardship on the road. He had darshan of Shri Badrinathji, but his mind was not pleased, for the cold there was severe and the path so difficult that life itself was in danger. Afterwards, he went to Shri Jagannathji. On having darshan there, he felt some joy, but later he fell seriously ill. After a month he recovered. Then he thought, “If I fall sick again, I will surely die.” With this in mind, he left from there.

He then traveled south to have darshan of Shri Ranganathji. There he wondered, “How should I perform darshan here? If I see the face, then I cannot see the feet. If I see the feet, then I cannot see the face. He is so very large.” So he decided, “Now I will go to Dwarika.”

He reached Dwarika and had darshan of Shri Ranchhodji. He desired to touch His feet. But there the priest said, “Only if you pay such-and-such money can you touch the feet.” Rana Vyas thought to himself, “These brahmacharis are allowing touching of the Lord’s feet only for money. They take this money for themselves.” Thinking this, he decided it was not right to stay there. Why? Because where faults arise in the heart, staying there cannot bring welfare, only harm. Thinking this, he left Dwarika and returned to his home in Godhra, Gujarat.

By that time, his parents had become very old. Rana Vyas returned after eight years. His parents said to him, “Son, where had you gone? If you had stayed home, we would have married you by now. Even now, stay at home. Follow the customs of your community and your marriage will take place.”

Rana Vyas replied, “I will always remain a brahmachari. Why should I marry and then fall into hell? I am the conqueror of the senses.” Hearing this, his parents remained silent. Later, his parents passed away. He performed their last rites and felt pleased in his heart that the bonds were cut. He thought, “Now I will do whatever I want. I also have ten to fifteen thousand rupees.”

In this way, he became proud of his conquest of the senses and also of his wealth. Out of pride, he did not speak to anyone. In the village he became known as a siddh (accomplished one). Jagannath Joshi also received his name through Rana Vyas. Later, by the instruction of his mother, that same Jagannath Joshi became a sevak of Shri Acharyaji.

Rana Vyas had also studied somewhat. He thought to himself, “In this village everyone is ignorant. I should go to Kashi and debate with scholars.” With this pride, Rana Vyas took some wealth from home and went to Kashi where the great scholars debated. There he was defeated and felt ashamed. Then he thought in his heart, “At midnight I will drown myself in the Ganga and die.”

So in the evening, hungry since morning, he went and sat on the banks of the Ganga at Hanuman Ghat, saying to himself, “When night comes and no one is around, then I will drown in the Ganga.”

At that time, Shri Acharyaji arrived there. A Vaishnav asked Shri Acharyaji, “Maharaj! If someone drowns himself in the Ganga, does he receive any fruit from the Ganga?” Shri Acharyaji replied, “If someone drowns out of pride or in anger, there is no fruit. He attains the birth of a serpent. It is suicide. Such a person becomes greatly sinful. He becomes afflicted with disease. If someone, with humility, accepts sannyas and drowns, only then is there some fruit—if at the time of death his mind is absorbed in Thakurji. Otherwise, there is downfall.”

Hearing this, Rana Vyas realized, “This is a great soul.” Understanding this, he came before Shri Acharyaji and prayed, “Maharaj! It is good that this Vaishnav asked this question. I was sitting here since morning without food, waiting to drown myself in the Ganga at midnight. But now you have saved me. Please show me the proper path. I surrender to you.”

Shri Acharyaji said, “You yourself give out names, call yourself ‘Swami,’ and consider yourself highly qualified. Why then do you speak of being a sevak?” Rana Vyas prayed, “Maharaj! Indeed I had much pride. But in Kashi, wherever I debated with scholars, I was defeated. Therefore I was ready to drown in the Ganga. It seems there is some good fortune in my destiny, that at this time I received your darshan. I am now very humble and without support. Please show mercy upon me.”

Then Shri Acharyaji said, “Go, bathe in the Ganga and come back.” Rana Vyas bathed in the Ganga and returned. Shri Acharyaji then gave him the Name, established Brahmasambandh with him, and gave instructions: “Now, wherever you have been defeated by the scholars, go there again and debate. You will return victorious.”

That night, Rana Vyas cooked, offered bhog, and accepted mahaprasad. His heart was filled with joy. The next morning, after bathing, he offered prostrations to Shri Acharyaji. Then Shri Acharyaji taught him the Chatushloki and said, “Go and debate with the scholars.” With just one statement he defeated all the scholars, by the power of Shri Acharyaji’s doctrine and strength.

Later in the afternoon, he returned, offered prostrations, and prayed to Shri Acharyaji. Shri Acharyaji said, “You have defeated the scholars, but do not become proud. Whatever thing you take pride in, that very thing will be destroyed.” Rana Vyas prayed, “Maharaj! I will no longer be proud. I have suffered greatly because of pride. Now please bless me so that I may receive divine grace. My life so far has been wasted in wandering.”

Shri Acharyaji said, “Bring an image of Bhagavan from somewhere.” Rana Vyas went to the market, purchased an image of Shri Lalji, and offered it. Shri Acharyaji performed Panchamrit Snan of the image, placed it upon Rana Vyas’s head, and said, “You have wandered much. But now go home, remain devoted, and perform seva of Bhagavan with full attention.” Rana Vyas offered prostrations to Shri Acharyaji, took leave, and returned to his home. Afterwards, he began to perform seva.

Prasang 1 – Jagannath Joshi Proves His Purity

At first Jagannath Joshi had received his name through Rana Vyas. When Jagannath Joshi heard that Rana Vyas had become the sevak of Shri Acharyaji, then Jagannath Joshi came to Godhra. He met with Rana Vyas. Both of them were very pleased. Afterwards, Jagannath Joshi stayed a lot with Rana Vyas.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): At that time, the pride of scholarship had gone away from Rana Vyas’s heart. But the pride of being the conqueror of the senses still remained. To remove this pride, Shri Thakurji performed a divine play.

By the will of God, Rana Vyas came into association with the wife of the Desai of Godhra. Someone reported this matter in the court of Rana Vyas. Then the officers of the ruler came and took Rana Vyas. At that time, Jagannath Joshi sent away Rana Vyas, the wife of the Desai to another village to hide. Jagannath Joshi remained in the house of Rana Vyas. He performed bhagavad seva and offered rajbhog.

In the meantime, the ruler’s officers arrived. They asked, “Where is Rana Vyas?” Then Jagannath Joshi asked, “What is the matter?” The officers said, “Rana Vyas has committed adultery with another’s wife. We will take him to the ruler.” Jagannath Joshi replied, “Rana Vyas has gone somewhere. Come, I will answer to the ruler.”

Then the officers took Jagannath Joshi and stood him before the ruler. The ruler said, “Bring Rana Vyas here. He has committed adultery with another’s wife. Why has he not been brought? This is Jagannath Joshi. Him, I know well. One whose name is Jagannath Joshi could never commit adultery. Therefore, it is Rana Vyas who has committed adultery. Bring Rana Vyas here.”

Jagannath Joshi said, “Please listen to me. Rana Vyas has not committed adultery. Someone has falsely slandered him. One whose name is Rana Vyas could never commit adultery.” Then the ruler asked, “How can it be known that Rana Vyas has not committed adultery?” Jagannath Joshi replied, “I will do as you say.” Then the ruler called for the wheel of a cart. He placed one spoke in fire until it became red hot. Then when it was glowing red, the ruler said, “Pick it up and wear it. If you are not burnt, then Rana Vyas is innocent.”

Then Jagannath Joshi came near the hot spoke, stood there, and said, “If Rana Vyas has committed adultery, then may my hand burn.” As soon as he said this, the fiery spoke became cool. Jagannath Joshi lifted the spoke with his hand and wore it around his neck. He stood there for a whole hour.

Then the ruler and all the people said, “Remove it, remove it! You are true.” Then Jagannath Joshi asked, “Whose neck shall I place this upon?” The ruler with great humility requested, “Please place it upon the ground.” Then he dropped it on the ground, and the earth was burnt. All were astonished and said, “O Jagannath Joshi, you are blessed. You are true.”

Then the ruler said to Jagannath Joshi, “I am very pleased with you. Ask for something.” Jagannath Joshi replied, “Whoever has slandered Rana Vyas before you, please do not say anything to him. This is what I ask.” Hearing these words, the ruler and all others were pleased. They said, “You are blessed. You even saved the slanderer. Otherwise, I would have had him killed. Such a person is very rare on this earth.”

Then Jagannath Joshi returned home. Later, Rana Vyas returned home. Rana Vyas said to Jagannath Joshi, “You have suffered much for me.” Jagannath Joshi replied, “A Vaishnav never commits a low act.”

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): At that time, the pride of being the conqueror of the senses which remained in Rana Vyas’s heart was removed. Afterwards, Rana Vyas fixed his mind in bhagavad seva. Then Shri Thakurji began to show His favor.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): In this story, the principle is established that where there is pride and arrogance, Shri Thakurji does not reveal His experience. And for His devotees, He Himself mercifully punishes and removes their pride. A Vaishnav never does a low action. And if it ever appears that a bhagavadiya (one devoted to God) has done something wrong, then one should not think badly of him in the heart. Because a bhagavadiya never does so. In that, one should see the act of God. And one should have compassion for all living beings. Even if someone is a thief or guilty, still he should be saved from harm. Protection should be given. This is the dharma of a Vaishnav.

In this way, such principles were revealed. And when Rana Vyas first set out from home, he went to Badrinath and Jagannath, afterwards to Dwarika. There was a Brahmin scholar named Madhav Saraswati. He became his sevak and received his name. Later in Kashi, he became the sevak of Shri Acharyaji, as has been said above.

Prasang 2 – The Rajput Woman Saved from Sati

So Rana Vyas was going from Godhra to Siddhpur. One day, Rana Vyas and Jagannath Joshi bathed in the Saraswati and were sitting to perform Sandhya Vandana. At that time, a Rajput woman’s husband had died. She came to become a sati. Then Jagannath Joshi asked Rana Vyas, “What is the nature of this sati act?”

Then Rana Vyas shook his head and said to Jagannath Joshi, “This woman is uselessly burning her human body along with a ghost. If such a beautiful body were used in bhagavad seva, she would attain liberation. But she is burning herself with a corpse, wasting her birth.” Thus Rana Vyas spoke while shaking his head.

At that time, the Rajput woman’s gaze fell upon Rana Vyas. Seeing him shake his head, the fire of sati within her was extinguished. Then the Rajput woman said to her companions, “I will not become sati. The fire of sati in me has gone out.”

Then the people told her, “If you do not become sati, then you will not be allowed back into your home. You will be burned here itself.” The Rajput woman replied, “I will not go back home. Build me a hut here on the banks of the river, I will stay here. If you forcefully burn me, then you all will be guilty of murder.” Saying this, she persuaded everyone, “Do not burn me.” So they cremated the dead man on the banks of the Saraswati, built a hut there, and all the relatives returned to their homes.

The next day, Rana Vyas and Jagannath Joshi came again to bathe in the Saraswati. Then the Rajput woman asked Rana Vyas, “Yesterday when you looked at me, why did you shake your head?” Then Rana Vyas said to her, “We were just speaking among ourselves on many topics. How did you take it into this matter?”

The Rajput woman replied, “Why are you hiding the truth from me? When you shook your head and spoke, the fire of sati within me was extinguished. I was not burnt. Therefore, this was a true matter for me. Now please tell me what my duty is. Whatever you say, I will do it. You saved me from burning by fire; it was by your mercy. You must now instruct me.”

In this way, the Rajput woman pressed him greatly. Then Rana Vyas said, “We were only saying that when a human body, the highest attainment, is wasted by burning with a corpse, it is a shame. That person is most sinful who does not use this body for the remembrance and devotion of Shri Thakurji.”

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): If this body is used for Shri Thakurji, then life becomes successful. There is nothing equal to this. This was what he was saying.

Then the Rajput woman said, “Now I surrender to you. In whatever way you instruct me, I will do bhajan and remembrance. Please have mercy on me so that my afterlife may be uplifted.” Then Rana Vyas said, “Right now you are in impurity (sutak). When the period of impurity is over, then come. At that time I will tell you.”

The Rajput woman offered prostrations and went to her hut. Her distress was very great, and every hour seemed like an age. She waited eagerly for the impurity period to end, so that Rana Vyas might instruct her. In the meantime, she remembered and worshiped Shri Thakurji.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Such deep yearning arises only in a divine soul. In the divine play, Rana Vyas was Indulekha’s companion Madhura, and Madhura’s companion was Nagavelika. Nagavelika’s companion was Rasaeni, who was obedient. The manifestation of Rasaeni in this world was this Rajput woman. Therefore, in the divine play also, she was the obedient companion of Rana Vyas. That is why the Rajput woman had firm faith in Rana Vyas, believing that through him her liberation would happen.

Later, as long as the impurity period lasted, Rana Vyas came daily to the Saraswati to bathe. The Rajput woman would have his darshan daily, offer prayers with humility, and ask, “When will you accept me?” In this way, she continued until the impurity period ended. Then she bathed, purified herself, and sat by the river.

When Rana Vyas came to the Saraswati to bathe, the Rajput woman came before him, offered prostrations, and prayed, “Now please have mercy upon me.” Rana Vyas said, “Come tomorrow morning. Then I will tell you.” She offered prostrations and returned to her hut. Out of sorrow and separation, she ate and drank nothing. The next morning she bathed and sat by the river. Then Rana Vyas came, bathed in the Saraswati, and said to her, “Bathe again.”

Then Rana Vyas gave her silken clothes, saying, “Wear these.” She wore them. Then Rana Vyas made her sit down, meditated upon Shri Acharyaji, and spoke the divine Name to her. Upon hearing the Name, the bhagavad feeling arose within the Rajput woman. Then she prayed to Rana Vyas, “Now please tell me what service I should do, so that I may perform it.” Then Rana Vyas showed his own dhoti and said, “Wash this and bring it to the house. And chant this Ashtakshar mantra with your mouth all day and night. Afterwards, more seva will be given.”

So she washed the cloth carefully, brought it, and Rana Vyas made her do Shri Thakurji’s seva, offering Rajbhog, and had her behold the Lord’s darshan. Afterwards, she was given mahaprasad. In this way, for some days, she was given the seva of washing dhotis, upper cloths, and women’s garments. She washed them with devotion, considering herself most fortunate. She brought the mahaprasad to Rana Vyas’s house.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): The reason for washing clothes is that as the clothes of bhagavadiyas are washed, so the heart becomes purified. As the dirt is removed from the cloth, so lust, anger, pride, envy, greed, and delusion are all removed from the heart. Then the heart becomes pure.

Later, in Rana Vyas’s house, she began to do all the work, arranging everything, organizing all the items for seva, and other such services. After some days, Shri Acharyaji arrived. Rana Vyas welcomed Shri Acharyaji into his home and narrated to him the entire story of the Rajput woman. He prayed, “Now please show mercy and make her your sevak.”

Then Shri Acharyaji, knowing her to be a divine soul, gave her the Name and established her connection. After some days, Shri Acharyaji stayed in Siddhpur and then went to Dwarika. Then that Rajput woman began to manage all the cooking arrangements. Shri Thakurji began to show His favor. In this way, through the association of Rana Vyas, that Rajput woman attained God.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): This shows that the association of a bhagavadiya is supremely great. By doing bhajan and remembrance of God, grace may come after a long time. But a bhagavadiya is filled with all powers. Even by a moment’s association with them, Bhagavan gives grace. This shows that Rana Vyas was such a recipient of grace, that through his association, the Rajput woman became a bhagavadiya. Therefore, her story is told here.

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