84 Vaishnav Varta 42 - One Brahmani of Adel

Now, of the sevaks of Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu, there was a Brahmani who lived in Adel. The sentiment of her story is told—

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): That Brahmani is, in the divine play, the friend of Lalitaji. Her name is "Shashikala." She appeared in the house of a Brahman in Adel. When she was nine years old, she was married into the house of a Brahman in Adel. Her husband remained ill. When this Brahmani was forty-five years of age, death by disease took him away. Thus, this Brahmani never experienced worldly pleasures or the joys of home. Afterwards, she became alone, and then, by the will of God, a thought arose in her mind: “Now I shall become the sevak of Shri Acharyaji.”

So she went, bowed down to Shri Acharyaji, and prayed, “Maharaj! Please accept me under your shelter. My whole life has been spent in the service of my worldly husband, who has now died. Now I have come to your shelter.” Saying this, she began to weep.

Then compassion arose in Shri Acharyaji. He said, “Go, bathe in Shri Yamunaji and return.” Then that Brahmani bathed in Shri Yamunaji and returned. Then Shri Acharyaji seated her before Shri Navneetpriyaji, had her offer her name, and said, “Now you perform the service of God, through which you shall be fulfilled.” Then the Brahmani said, “Please bestow service upon me.” Then Shri Acharyaji said, “Tomorrow I will give you service. Today remain here.” Afterwards, he placed before her the leaf plate of remnants. She accepted that prasad and stayed there. She stayed the night, and the next morning came. Then that Brahmani completed her bodily duties, bathed in Shri Yamunaji, and returned.

Meanwhile, a Brahman from the south arrived. He gave Shri Acharyaji a book of Shri Bhagavat and a form of Shri Lalji, saying, “I am going to Kashi to accept renunciation. Please keep these.”

Prasang 1 – The Brahmani Receives Shri Balakrishnaji’s Service

Then Shri Acharyaji had that form of Shri Lalji bathed with Panchamrit, placed the service upon that Brahmani’s head, and gave the name Shri Balakrishnaji. Then that Brahmani bowed down to Shri Acharyaji and took leave, carrying Shri Balakrishnaji and beginning to lovingly perform service. Shri Thakurji began to reveal His affection.

That Brahmani was very simple, innocent, and without possessions. She had no wealth. She placed earthen pots filled with water before Shri Thakurji. In her kitchen too there were only earthen vessels. Her house was very small. In that very house were the kitchen, the temple, and the materials for Shri Thakurji. She did not understand much about religious practices and rituals, and her eyesight was weak. Yet she performed service with love.

Because of this, Shri Acharyaji and Shri Thakurji remained pleased. Whatever came from yajmans’ homes, she managed her livelihood with it. Then the Vaishnavs began to discuss among themselves: “Why did Shri Acharyaji bestow the service of God upon this Brahmani? She does not understand religious rules, she has no wealth. If service were bestowed upon us, we would perform it properly.” In this way they discussed among themselves, but could not say anything directly to Shri Acharyaji.

Later, one day, a Vaishnav prayed to Shri Acharyaji: “Maharaj! That Brahmani is very limited in wealth, does not understand religious practices, and her eyesight is very weak. If you were to bestow Shri Thakurji upon another Vaishnav, then the service would be done properly.”

Then Shri Acharyaji said, “Through rituals, practices, or wealth, Shri Thakurji is not pleased. Shri Thakurji desires love. That Brahmani has supreme love. Just as that Brahmani performs, so does Shri Thakurji accept it.” Then that Vaishnav remained silent.

Later, Shri Acharyaji, after performing evening worship at Shri Yamunaji, was returning. On the way, He came near the house of that Brahmani. Then a Vaishnav said, “Maharaj! This is the Brahmani’s house. Please go and see the manner of her service. Give her your darshan.”

Then Shri Acharyaji went to that Brahmani’s house. At that time, she was making rotis. She did not know that Shri Acharyaji had arrived. As she placed one roti aside, silently, Shri Thakurji Himself lifted it and ate it. But it was not visible to that Brahmani’s eyes. Then, as she reached out for the roti, she could not find it. Then she said aloud, “A mouse or a cat must have taken away the roti.” Striking her hand upon the floor, she again began making another roti.

Then Shri Acharyaji said to that Brahmani, “Your rotis are being eaten by Shri Thakurji. It is not a mouse or cat. You are very fortunate.” Then that Brahmani said, “Maharaj! You have come? I did not see you, so I did not know. Please forgive my fault. And I have no wealth. Only through your words does Shri Thakurji eat.”

Then Shri Acharyaji said, “Just as you are doing, so does Shri Thakurji accept with joy. Always do in this way.” In this manner, being pleased with that Brahmani, Shri Acharyaji returned to His home.

Afterwards, Shri Acharyaji said to all the Vaishnavs, “Shri Thakurji hungers for love. He is pleased with that Brahmani. All should know that great grace has been bestowed upon her.”

So Shri Thakurji, in this way, daily lifted the rotis with His own hand. Then that Brahmani would say, “I made all the rotis, but I do not know—maybe the mouse or cat has taken them.” Then Shri Thakurji, after eating, gave all the rotis to that Brahmani. Thus Shri Thakurji always cared for her. But that Brahmani, having a very simple nature, always said the same thing. And Shri Thakurji, overcome with love, would eat directly without the offering being formally placed, and then give it back. Thus that Brahmani became the recipient of Shri Acharyaji’s great grace.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): In this story, the principle is shown that pure and guileless devotion is very dear to Shri Thakurji. He is not pleased by cleverness. He is bound only by love.

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