84 Vaishnav Varta 37 - Ishvar Dube

Now, about the sevak of Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu, Ishvar Dube, a Sanchora Brahmin—the sentiment of his story is told.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): His form in the lila has already been described above. And the manner in which he, in Agra, became a sevak has also been described above. When Uttamshlokdas came, after six months Ishvar Dube’s mother and father left their bodies. Then Ishvar Dube came to Giriraj, had the darshan of Shrinathji, offered prostrations to Shri Gusainji, and narrated everything fully: “We both, Uttamshlokdas and I, have become sevaks together. And this is the command of Shri Acharyaji—that we should serve Shri Govardhandhar. So now, give us your order, and we will do so accordingly.” Then Shri Gusainji said, “Uttamshlokdas does the cooking for Shrinathji and serves the sevaks. So you both together quickly begin the seva.” Thus the two began the seva.

Prasang 1 – Name Bestowed and Seva of Uttamshlokdas

After some days, when Uttamshlokdas left his body, then Shri Gusainji gave the name Uttamshlokdas to Ishvar Dube. So this Uttamshlokdas did the cooking of Shri Govardhandhar and served all the sevaks. And from his own bundle he served more ghee.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): From this it is shown—if a sevak only takes his allowance, then what seva is there in that? If from his own bundle he offers from his own resources, that is seva. With this feeling he served. And he served ghee in the food, the reason being this: by ghee the whole body gains strength, so that the seva of the Lord may be done properly and without fatigue. Therefore, in addition to the given portion, he served ghee.

Thus, all the sevaks addressed him as “mother.” This matter the Vaishnavs reported to Shri Gusainji. Hearing this, Shri Gusainji, very pleased with Uttamshlokdas, called him close and asked, “From your own bundle you procure ghee and serve ghee to the sevaks? Don't all the sevaks already receive their allowance?” Then Uttamshlokdas said, “Maharaj! In seva the sevaks undergo much exertion. They climb the mountain, they descend. Thus the mind of Shri Thakurji may become distressed. Therefore, if they take more ghee, the body will have strength and the sevaks will serve well. For this reason I serve more ghee.” Hearing this, Shri Gusainji became very pleased—that he has such affection for the sevaks.

Then Shri Gusainji said, “Uttamshlokdas! Ask something from me. I have become very pleased with you.” Then Uttamshlokdas said, “Maharaj! May I never become displeased with you—that is what I ask.” Then Shri Gusainji said, “So it shall be.”

Then all, hearing this, said, “What did he ask? If a soul is pleased, what is that? If displeased, what is that? The Lord should be pleased.” Then one Vaishnav prayed to Shri Gusainji, “Maharaj! What has this Uttamshlokdas asked—that I may always remain pleased with you?” Then Shri Gusainji said, “This matter you ask from Uttamshlokdas himself—what has he asked?” Then all the Vaishnavs together asked Uttamshlokdas, “What have you asked—that I may remain pleased with you?” 

Then Uttamshlokdas said, “I asked this: now, at this time, Shri Gusainji is pleased; but at some time, if during seva some fault occurs and he becomes displeased, then my mind would become disturbed and I would have no steadiness. Therefore I asked—that even if you become displeased, yet my mind may not become disturbed.” Hearing this, all the Vaishnavs became pleased. Then Shri Gusainji said to all the Vaishnavs, “Uttamshlokdas has asked with great insight. Now his mind will never become disturbed.”

So Uttamshlokdas was such a Bhagavad-related one. With constant, one-flavored love he remained steadfast in Shri Thakurji, in Shri Gusainji, in the sevaks, and in the Vaishnavs. Therefore, up to here is told his story.

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