84 Vaishnav Varta 48 - Ramdas Chauhan

Now, the sevak of Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu, Ramdas Chauhan, Rajput, resident of Bundelkhand, his story’s inner meaning is spoken.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): In the leela he is a friend of Lalitaji. So her name is ‘Madhuyeni’. So in her mind there was this wish, that just like Lalitaji I too should offer beedi to both the forms. Then Shri Thakurji said, your desire will be fulfilled sometime. Hearing this, Lalitaji cursed Madhuyeni, saying – If you secretly offer beedi, then what will I do? You have shown such pride, go live on earth! So in the world she took many births. Now in Bundelkhand she was born in the house of a Rajput. There she became twelve years old. The father of Ramdas was a sevak of the king in Bundelkhand. 

The father said one day, come, I will take you to meet the king. Because if you meet the king daily, then you will get service under him. Then Ramdas said, I will not go to the king. Because I will not salute the king, and I will not do the king’s service. I will do service only of Shri Thakurji, in which my birth will be uplifted. What use is the service of the king? Hearing this, the father said, you have met some vairagi who has deluded you. If you do not serve the king, then from where will you eat? Then Ramdas said, does the king nourish the whole world? Nourishment is done by Shri Thakurji. You are a fool, that’s why you think that our nourishment is done by the king. 

Hearing this, the father felt very troubled in his mind. But having only one beloved son, he did not say anything. He kept one man in the house so that no vairagi could come there. Because by the company of some vairagi, Ramdas has become like this. So the man was kept on guard. And Ramdas used to chant ‘Ram Krishna’. He did not speak to anyone else, did not talk. This matter was heard by a Rajput, and he told everything about Ramdas to the king. Then the king said to Ramdas’s father, go and bring your son here. He has grown so big, and you did not bring him to me? Then Ramdas’s father folded his hands before the king and fearfully said, my son’s mind has been spoiled by the company of some vairagi. He does not consider me either. I have kept a guard so that he does not meet any vairagi. Maybe in a few days he will understand, then I will bring him, right now he is ignorant. 

Then the king said, explain to him and bring him to me tomorrow, otherwise I will summon him and keep him imprisoned. Then how will he escape? And we have heard that he does not salute me. Let us see, how he will not salute? Then Ramdas’s father came home frightened and said to Ramdas, nothing has yet gone wrong, come to the king, meet him, otherwise the king will imprison you. Then Ramdas said, why do you try to frighten me? Whatever prison and sorrow is written in fate will not go away from anyone. I will myself go to the king. Then the father kept explaining, but Ramdas did not agree.

So the next day came. The king said to Ramdas’s father, you did not bring your son, so this is your fault. Now beware, I will deal with you. Then Ramdas’s father fearfully said to the king, do not be angry with me, the son is in the house, call him and explain to him yourself. I explained a lot, he did not listen. Then the king summoned ten men and said, bring Ramdas. Then the men came and said to Ramdas, the king has called you. Then Ramdas said, what do I have to do with the king? I will not come. Then the men caught hold of Ramdas’s hands, tied him and brought him to the king. They told everything – that he said what do I have to do with the king? So we tied him and brought him. 

Then the king said to Ramdas, if you do not salute me I will beat you and imprison you. Then Ramdas said, you protect yourself, how will you beat me? Then the king told his men, keep him in prison, beat him somewhat, frighten him. Do not give him food. In such a way, when he becomes straight and salutes me, then do so. So Ramdas was put in prison and given many sufferings. Ramdas did not speak anything. The queen of the king heard this matter and said to the king, what work have you done? If a twelve-year-old boy did not salute you, then what happened? You have given him so much suffering, this is not good. Who knows, maybe some bad fruit may come of this. Therefore, even now release that boy. In this way the queen explained. But the king did not agree.

So on the third day, at midnight, from the south came the army of another king. Battle happened. That king killed this king and looted the village. Ramdas’s father fled somewhere. Everyone was freed from prison. Then Ramdas left Bundelkhand and came to Mathura. Later, seeing the whole of Braj, he became pleased. Then he thought, if my father comes out somewhere, he may take me away. So he stayed in a cave at Govardhan called ‘Apchhara Kund’. He sat inside it all day, chanting the name of Bhagavan. When night came, then from the houses of the people of Braj he begged whatever he got and sustained himself with it.

Prasang 1 – Shri Acharyaji’s Sevak Ramdas begins service of Shri Nathji

So when Shri Acharyaji first manifested Shri Nathji, then a small temple was built, and after covering it with thatch, Shri Nathji was seated on the seat. Then Shri Thakurji revealed to Ramdas, you will be the sevak of Shri Acharyaji, do my service.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Because in the leela you begged from me, that the service of Lalitaji should come to me. So I had said, sometime it will be fulfilled. That time is now fulfilled, so now the time for your service has come.

Then Ramdas came and bowed to Shri Acharyaji. Then Shri Acharyaji called Ramdas near, asked his name and dedication, and said, you do the service of Shri Nathji. From the houses of Brajvasis whatever milk, curd, food grains come, you offer them to Shri Govardhannathji and then live with that. Later Shri Acharyaji told Sadu Pandey, Kumbhandas and other Brajvasis, you all keep Shri Nathji safe. Afterwards milk, curd, butter, grains, groceries, and all materials the Brajvasis used to bring. Ramdas used to offer bhog and live. Later, when Shri Nathji gave permission to Puranmal for building the temple, then Puranmal came and began the construction. Then wealth was exhausted. Again after earning and bringing, he completed the temple. Then Ramdas left his body. He attained leela.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Because his heartfelt wish was for exclusive service. So after serving alone he entered into leela.

Prasang 2 – Service of Shri Nathji in the new temple

Now the glory of Shri Nathji was to be increased, so he was seated in the new temple. Then Shri Acharyaji said to Sadu Pandey, if ten-fifteen Brajvasis are capable of service, then let them do service. Then Sadu Pandey said, Maharaj! Service cannot be done by Brajvasis, they have household work. Then Shri Acharyaji called Bengalis from Radhakund, gave them a hut at Rudrakund, and gave them the service of Shri Nathji. 

Later Krishnadas Adhikari removed the Bengalis and made Ramdas Sanchora Brahmin the chief of the inner temple. This is all told in the story of Krishnadas. The Brajvasis at first called him Devadaman. Later when a cow named Gopal happened, then they began calling him by that name. Later Shri Acharyaji gave the name Govardhannath. I

n this way Ramdas did service with devotion, and remained absorbed in manasi seva (mental service). So Ramdas, such a steadfast and blessed Vaishnav! That is why his story is spoken till here.

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