Now, the story of Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu’s sevak, Bhagwandas Sanchora Brahmin, is being told.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): In the divine play (Leela), Bhagwandas is one of Lalitaji’s companions. His name in the Leela is Sundari. Near Rajnagar in Gujarat, there is a village where he was born in the house of a Sanchora Brahmin. When he was about eight years old, he began going to a scholar in Rajnagar to study. By the age of ten, he had gained knowledge.
One day, that scholar went to have the darshan of Shri Ranchhodji, and Bhagwandas went along with him. At that time, Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu had also arrived there. The scholar went to debate with Shri Acharyaji, but he was defeated. Feeling humiliated, he returned to his lodging. Later, he said to Bhagwandas, “I will go to Kashi, study more, and then come back to debate again with Shri Acharyaji. You should come with me.”
Bhagwandas replied, “I have come for the darshan of Shri Ranchhodji. I came just yesterday, how can I leave today? Let me stay for a month for darshan.” The scholar said, “I am leaving now; we will meet again.” And so the scholar went to Kashi. Then Bhagwandas came to Shri Acharyaji, bowed down, and humbly said, “Maharaj! That scholar was defeated in the debate and has gone to Kashi in shame. I was his student will you please teach me now?”
Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu said, “What will you do by studying too much?” Bhagwandas replied, “Maharaj! If I study a lot, I will earn a lot of wealth. I will be respected among scholars everywhere. Whenever there is a discussion of scriptures, I will be able to debate. People will honor me in the world.”
Then Shri Acharyaji said, “There are two results of studying scriptures. When one studies, one reads and understands the scriptures. The scriptures are like cool water and like beautiful inner eyes through them, all knowledge is revealed. But this is for those who are truly saintly and pure. Like cool water, such people’s hearts become calm; they understand that happiness and sorrow are the will of God. They see God in every living being. Such people become humble, content, pure, and free from anger and other faults. They take refuge in God, and then their learning bears fruit. They attain happiness both in this world and the next.
But if an unworthy person studies, that knowledge becomes like fire for him. Already burning with lust, anger, pride, and jealousy, his arrogance increases even more with learning. Such a person is not respected in the world. Day and night, he burns in the fire of ego. Such a soul remains unhappy in this life and attains hell in the next. Therefore, do not study too many scriptures. Whatever you learn is enough. Wealth and fortune come according to one’s destiny. Great scholars serve foolish kings. So, maintain contentment and compassion. Give up lust, anger, greed, and delusion, and do the bhajan of Shri Thakurji. Your livelihood is already arranged by God, by His will, you will receive what is meant for you.
Hearing this divine and philosophical teaching from Shri Acharyaji, Bhagwandas’s heart became filled with devotion to God. He bowed down and said humbly, “Maharaj! All my doubts have vanished. I now know that the bhajan of God is supreme among all. Please be merciful and grant me refuge. I will do bhajan exactly as you instruct.”
Then Shri Acharyaji said, “Go and bathe, then come back.” Bhagwandas bathed and returned. Shri Acharyaji then gave him initiation by name and taught him how to offer his devotion. Bhagwandas said, “Maharaj! My heart longs to stay near you and serve you.”
Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu said, “You cannot stay with me. Many faults arise in living beings, and if ever I become displeased, it might obstruct your spiritual progress. These Vaishnavas here understand my nature well and are fit to stay with me. Therefore, you should return home. Spend some time in the company of Vaishnavas. Later, Shri Govardhannathji will manifest on Mount Govardhan. You should go there and serve under the command of Shri Gusainji. He will fulfill all your desires.”
Then Shri Acharyaji gave him the Brahmasambandh mantra and the eight syllable mantra written down. He said, “Prepare food, offer it to the Lord, and live your life with that.” Bhagwandas requested, “Maharaj! As long as you remain here, let me serve you.” Shri Acharyaji said, “Do it happily.” So Bhagwandas would fetch water and prepare all arrangements for the kitchen. When Shri Acharyaji would deliver discourses, Bhagwandas stood behind him, fanning him with the chavar (fly-whisk).
Shri Acharyaji was very pleased with Bhagwandas and taught him the “Chatushloki” that he himself had composed. He said, “Earlier, your mind was inclined only toward learning, but now you will naturally understand the meanings of the Vedas, Puranas, and Bhagavatam. I am pleased with you. Now return home.” Bhagwandas bowed and went home.
Later, Shri Acharyaji went on parikrama. Bhagwandas stayed home for many days. Some time later, his wife passed away. Bhagwandas felt at peace, thinking, “Now the bonds of household life are gone. I will go to Braj.”
After some time, he heard from Vaishnavas that Shri Govardhandhar (Shri Nathji) had manifested on Mount Giriraj, and Shri Gusainji was doing seva and adornment there. Bhagwandas sold all his possessions and gave them to a Brahmin relative, as he had no parents or close family left. Then he departed and reached Giriraj after some days. He had darshan of Shri Nathji and then of Shri Gusainji.
He bowed down and humbly said, “Maharaj! Shri Acharyaji had given me refuge and told me that when Shri Gusainji receives me, I should serve under his guidance. So I have come to you. I have no worldly ties left. Please bless me and assign me seva.”
Shri Gusainji, pleased, said, “You belong to Shri Nathji’s inner circle. Perform the seva of Balbhog (midday offering).” Bhagwandas began preparing beautiful ingredients for the offerings.
Prasang 1 – Bhagwandas Makes a Mistake in Seva
One day, Bhagwandas prepared the materials for the bhog, but the bhog got burnt. Yet he still offered it as bhog. When Shri Gusainji came to offer it to the Lord, he saw the burnt food and became very upset with Bhagwandas. He removed him from seva. Bhagwandas sat in a corner and began to weep, saying, “What shall I do now?”
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Shri Gusainji became upset because Bhagwandas had offered spoiled food. If it had gone bad, he should have made it again. Why offer spoiled food to the Lord? This showed carelessness. If he had told me, I would have had it prepared again. Or he could have asked the inner sevaks to do it. Thinking thus, Shri Gusainji became angry with him. Afterward, Bhagwandas went to Govind Kund and met Achyutdas. He told him everything, saying, “Now what should I do? I have been removed from seva.”
Achyutdas said, “Prepare the ingredients carefully next time. Do not worry. Shri Gusainji is very merciful. He will give you seva again. Go sit at Govind Kund.” Every day, Shri Gusainji would come to Govind Kund at noon to perform sandhya (ritual prayers). Achyutdas was elderly and always absorbed in mental seva. Shri Gusainji would come daily to see him. One day, after performing sandhya at Govind Kund, Shri Gusainji came to Achyutdas and saw tears flowing from his eyes. Seeing this, Shri Gusainji asked, “Why are you so sad?”
Achyutdas replied, “Maharaj! Shri Acharyaji entrusted all living souls to your care. You are to accept and uplift them. Souls are full of faults. If you begin to look only at their faults, how will they ever be uplifted?
“When Shri Govardhannathji gave the command to Shri Acharyaji to give Brahmasambandh, He said that all faults of the one who receives it will be removed. But now, if you begin to see their faults, how will souls attain liberation? That is why I am deeply saddened.”
Shri Gusainji said, “Do not worry. I have already instructed Bhagwandas, and through you, Shri Acharyaji has spoken to me. Henceforth, I will never be displeased with any Vaishnav.” Then Achyutdas was content. After that, Shri Gusainji went to Govind Kund, took Bhagwandas by the hand, and brought him into Shri Nathji’s temple. He said, “Do your seva and prepare the offerings carefully.” Bhagwandas was overjoyed and sang this kirtan:
श्रीविट्ठलेश चरन कमल पावन त्रैलोक्य करन दरस परस सुन्दर वर वार वार वंदे। समरथ गिरिराज धरन लीला निज प्रगट करन संतन हित मानुष तन वृन्दावन चन्दे ॥१॥
Shri Vithalesh’s lotus feet purify all three worlds; their sight and touch are beautiful and sacred, again and again I bow to them. He who holds up Mount Giriraj and reveals divine play for the sake of saints, whose human form in Vrindavan is most charming,glory to Him! (1)
चरणोदक लेत प्रेत ततछन तें मुक्त भये करुणामय नाथ सदा आनंद निधि कन्दे। वारने 'भगवानदास' विहरत सदा रसिक रास जै जै जस बोलि बोलि गावत श्रुति छन्दे ॥२॥
Taking the water from His feet, even ghosts are instantly liberated. O merciful Lord, ocean of bliss, I ever sing Thy praise! Bhagwandas sings and rejoices, chanting the name ‘Jai Jai Jas’ in melodious rhythm. (2)”
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Hearing this kirtan, Shri Gusainji was pleased. From then on, Bhagwandas engaged in seva with great devotion and care. Soon, Shri Nathji began to show him divine grace. Thus, Bhagwandas became one of the blessed devotees upon whom Shri Acharyaji’s grace was fully bestowed. This is where Bhagwandas’s story concludes.
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