Now Shri Gusainji’s sevak Gopaldas, the son-in-law of Bhaila Kothari, lived in Rooppura. The sentiment of his narration is being told.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): This Gopaldas is a sattvic bhakt. In the lila her name is ‘Sarangi’. She is manifested from Champakalata. Therefore this is her emotional form. And Sarangi has one intimate sakhi. Her name is ‘Gomati’. So here the wife of Gopaldas became Gomati.
This Gopaldas was born in Rooppura to a baniya family. Gomati was born in Asarva in the family of Bhaila Kothari. From birth, Gopaldas was mute and did not speak anything. Why is this said? Because in his previous birth he was Narasi Mehta. He made many kinds of requests to the Lord and caused him effort. Because of that offense he became mute. Later, when he was five years old, his engagement was arranged with Gomati, the daughter of Bhaila Kothari.
Prasang 1 — The Moment Gopaldas Received Grace
So Gopaldas was the son-in-law of Bhaila Kothari. When Shri Gusainji first came to the home of Bhaila Kothari, the Kothari had the whole family offer their names and bow down. Later, when the turn came for Gopaldas to offer his name and bow, Shri Gusainji asked, “Kothari, who is this?” At that time Gopaldas was nine years old.
Then Kothari requested Shri Gusainji, saying, “Maharaj! This is Gomati’s husband.” Then Shri Gusainji laughed and said to Kothari, “The husband of Gomati is the ocean. And this child is entirely innocent and simple. How will the pair match?” Then Kothari again requested Shri Gusainji, “Raj! By your grace he will indeed become the ocean.” Then Shri Gusainji, knowing him to be the son-in-law of Bhaila Kothari, seated him in his lap, and with his grace gave his own charvit tambul into the mouth of Gopaldas. The moment he swallowed it, Gopaldas obtained extremely brilliant intellect. Then Gopaldas bowed to Shri Gusainji and began the chanting of Shri Vallabhakhyan. The verse: "वंदों श्रीविट्ठलवर सुंदर नव घनशयाम तमाल ।…
This complete composition Gopaldas sang before Shri Gusainji. Then Shri Gusainji and Bhaila Kothari became very pleased. After that Shri Gusainji gave an instruction to Gopaldas, “Gopaldas! Sing the glories of Shri Acharyaji.”
Then Gopaldas again bowed to Shri Gusainji and sang another composition. Its verse: 'श्रीलक्ष्मण सुत श्रीवललभरायजी, सुमिरन करतां दुष्कृत जायजी।…
This composition Gopaldas sang before Shri Gusainji. Then Shri Gusainji said, “Now this husband of Gomati has become an ocean.” This blessing Shri Gusainji gave to Gopaldas. Later Gopaldas composed seven more narrations.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): In this narration Shri Gusainji shows the greatness of his bhaktas. Shri Gusainji, through Bhaila Kothari, declared that Gopaldas would become an ocean. And that speech was instantly fulfilled. Therefore Gopaldas also later sang, “Through the power of the dust of the feet of devotees, all difficult tasks are completed.”
Prasang 2 — Realizing His Previous Form
Later Gopaldas offered many of Shri Thakurji’s pads in Gujarati language, as offerings of Narasi Mehta.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): This means that he gained the knowledge of his previous form. That he was indeed the incarnation of Narasi Mehta. In that birth he sang the Lord’s greatness according to the rules of maryada. Therefore now he sings pads in the manner of Pushti, by which that speech becomes connected to Pushti.
Thus Shri Gusainji showered such grace upon Gopaldas and made him an ocean. And once Shri Gusainji, from Shri Gokul, gave this command to Chacha Harivanshji, “Chachaji! You go to Gujarat.” Then Chacha Harivanshji requested Shri Gusainji, “Raj! How will I pass the days without your darshan?” Then Shri Gusainji said, “Chachaji! You keep meeting Bhaila Kothari and Gopaldas. And I also will continue giving you darshan.”
Then Chachaji sought the Lord’s permission and went to Gujarat. From the day Chachaji left Shri Gokul, every day Shri Gusainji gave darshan to Chachaji. In this manner Chacha Harivanshji reached Gujarat. And every day Chachaji kept meeting Bhaila Kothari and Gopaldas. That Gopaldas was such a beloved recipient of the grace of Shri Gusainji. Therefore how far can one narrate his story?