Now the sevak of Shri Gusainji, Muraridas, a Suryadvija Brahman who lives in the East. The sentiment of his narration is being told.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): That Muraridas is a sattvic devotee. In the divine play his name is ‘Mandakini’. He manifests from Vishakhaji. Therefore he possesses her emotional nature. He has attachment to the divine child pastimes. So Mandakini remains always ready in the service of Nandalaya. Therefore Shri Thakurji is pleased with him. He reveals to Shri Chandawaliji the secret of all the meetings in the divine play. Therefore he is very dear to Shri Chandawaliji.
This Muraridas was born in the East to a Suryadvija Brahman. When he was six years old, his mother and father died. After that he stayed at his uncle’s home. That uncle had him educated. So he studied a little. After that when he became fifteen years old, he came into the company of a sannyasi. So Muraridas came to Kashi with that sannyasi. At home he did not say anything to anyone. So his uncle and all others searched everywhere for Muraridas, but they did not find him. Then all gave up and remained sitting in despair.
At that time Shri Gusainji was residing in Kashi. There Shri Gusainji was bathing at Manikarnika. At that same time Muraridas also came there to bathe. As soon as he saw Shri Gusainji he became absorbed. He stood there for one gharī. Then Shri Gusainji, knowing Muraridas to be a divine soul, called him, saying: “Muraridas! Have you come?” Then Muraridas bowed down and made a request: “Maharaj! Your grace has happened, so I have come. I have wandered for many days. Now please show mercy and take me into your refuge.” Then Shri Gusainji instructed: “Bathe in Ganga. I will accept you into my refuge.” Then Muraridas bathed. After that Shri Gusainji had the offering of name performed for Muraridas.
Then, knowing the immature condition of Muraridas, Shri Gusainji kept him near himself for a few days. Through the grace of Shri Gusainji the true form of the Path shone forth to Muraridas. Then he said: “Maharaj! Please grant me Shri Thakurji to receive. My heartfelt desire is to perform seva.” Then Shri Gusainji gave him the form of Lalaji to receive and instructed: “Serve with the emotion of a child. He will grant you all experience.” Then Muraridas bowed to Shri Gusainji and, receiving Shri Thakurji in a casket, came to his home. There he purified the house and began performing the service of the Lord. But there he had no means of livelihood. Therefore Muraridas came from his village to Patna for the sake of livelihood. He stayed as a worker for a Kayastha there. There he did writing work and received five rupees a month. After some days that Kayastha died. Then Muraridas left from there. He came to Gaudadesa.
Prasang 1 - Muraridas stays with Narayandas in Gaudades
There Muraridas went to Gaudadesa and stayed as a worker with Narayandas. Narayandas was a worker of the emperor ‘Daud’, a chief diwān of the entire realm. Whatever Narayandas did became known throughout the whole kingdom. So Muraridas went and stayed as a worker of Narayandas. But Muraridas never showed his mālā and tilak to Narayandas. And Muraridas did not reveal his Vaishnav identity. There Narayandas, in the government service, began giving Muraridas a salary of twelve rupees per month. Then Muraridas said to Narayandas: “I will take only eight rupees per month, but when the day begins I will come to you and work, and when half the day remains I will go. If this agreement suits your mind, then keep me as a worker; otherwise do not.” Hearing these words from the mouth of Muraridas, the whole assembly became astonished. They wondered: “Brother! What is he asking?”
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Why? Because other people would demand more wages for work, and here he is saying, ‘I will take less from you’! So neither Narayandas nor the entire assembly could understand this secret. Later Muraridas explained, and Narayandas agreed. So by the authority of Muraridas’ words, Narayandas kept him as a worker.
Whenever Muraridas came to the court, Narayandas, in front of the radiance of Muraridas, would appear like a worker. And whatever writing work others completed in four watches of the day, Muraridas completed easily in four gharīs. Seeing this, Narayandas and everyone else remained amazed. But even Narayandas did not know the inner secret of Muraridas.
And upon the forehead of Muraridas was the service of Shri Balkrishnaji, placed there by Shri Gusainji. So Thakurji expressed great affection towards Muraridas. Shri Thakurji spoke directly to Muraridas. Whatever the Lord desired, he asked from Muraridas. And if at that moment Muraridas did not give that object to the Lord, then Shri Balkrishnaji would quarrel with Muraridas like a natural child. Then Muraridas, knowing him as the Lord, would immediately give whatever Shri Thakurji asked into the divine hands of Shri Balkrishnaji. In this way Muraridas experienced and savored the supernatural divine play.
Muraridas would rise after the last watch of the night, complete bodily duties, bathe, go to the temple, cook, awaken Shri Thakurji, and offer the morning child offering. Then he would return to the kitchen. When the time for the offering came, he would perform the maṅgala ārati of Shri Thakurji, adorn him, and offer the adornment offering. Then he would go to the kitchen again, complete all services, offer the food, and perform ārati. After that, according to custom, he would prepare the materials, rock the Lord’s cradle, offer the royal meal, perform the resting service, do japa, and according to time offer the food and perform the anusar. Then Muraridas, filling the tray for Shri Thakurji’s anusar, placed some material in front of him as chavenā. After that, Muraridas took prasada, put on clothing, and when he set out for court, Shri Thakurji followed behind him. Then Muraridas placed various toys into the divine hands of Shri Thakurji and said: “Today I will bring this good item for your work.” Then Shri Thakurji released Muraridas’ garment. Then at the door of the house, Muraridas went outside. Then Shri Thakurji climbed down, came inside from the threshold, and played inside the house.
When evening came and Muraridas came to the door and called out, “Open the door,” then Shri Thakurji came near the door and asked: “What thing have you brought today for our work?” Then Muraridas would name all the fruits and other things that he had brought. Then Shri Thakurji opened the inner door. And on some days Muraridas would bring the things from the market, but he would hide the items meant for Shri Thakurji’s playful look. And when the Lord came to open the door, Shri Thakurji would ask in that same manner. Then Muraridas would say: “Lala! Today I did not find anything.” Then Shri Thakurji said: “Then I also will not open the door today.” Then Muraridas, standing outside, made many loving requests. Then he named the items. Then Shri Thakurji opened the door.
Afterwards, when Muraridas opened the inner door and went into the courtyard, then immediately Shri Thakurji, quarrelling with Muraridas, climbed upward. And when Muraridas arranged and washed the materials and placed them before the Lord, then Shri Thakurji accepted them.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): There may be a doubt here: how could Muraridas offer milk sweets to Shri Thakurji without bathing? This is not the practice of the Path of Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu. And how could Shri Thakurji even touch Muraridas without him having bathed? Here it is said that there are two kinds of divine forms of the Lord. One is the form that uplifts all beings, and the other is the form that uplifts devotees. This has been explained earlier. Here, in the devotee-uplifting form, Shri Thakurji gives all happiness to Muraridas. Why? Because the devotee-uplifting form does not depend on external purity. This form desires only love. Seeing the love of Muraridas, Shri Thakurji would manifest in his own form and come near Muraridas. Like a small child, he would cause Muraridas to experience all forms of joy.
Then Muraridas would bathe and prepare the kitchen. After that he would offer the meal, cleanse the kitchen of Shri Thakurji, offer the food, perform the ārati, then put Shri Thakurji to rest, step outside for a short walk, bring back the prasada, gather the materials needed for the next day, place them in the kitchen, and then sleep. In this way Muraridas went for his employment. Afterward, when he returned home from the court at evening time, he would bring a little of every new fruit, vegetable, or any greens that he saw in the market. But he would never return home without bringing some material. On the day when he found no fruit or other items suitable for the special offering, he brought some dry nuts from the stalls of the market.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Why? Because for the special “utthapan” offering, dry fruits are absolutely needed. This is service in the mood of the Pulindini. When Shri Thakurji awakens in the caves of Govardhan, the Pulindini offers fruits, flowers, and dry fruits. In this same emotional mood, Muraridas lovingly cared for Shri Balkrishnaji. But no one knew this secret.
After some days, Narayandas placed a spy behind Muraridas. Narayandas told that spy, “Stay with him in such a way that he does not know.” When Muraridas rose from the court, that spy followed behind him. He observed all his actions. After that, when Muraridas opened the door and went inside, the spy came to Narayandas and reported everything that he had seen there. But he could not grasp the inner secret. So great restlessness arose in Narayandas’ mind. Then Narayandas asked Muraridas, but Muraridas did not tell Narayandas what was in his heart.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Why? Because Narayandas was not yet a Vaishnav. So how could one reveal one’s dharma before someone who is not yet a Vaishnav? If done, the dharma would be lost. Therefore Muraridas did not reveal his secret.
One day, at evening time, Muraridas left the court and went home. Then Narayandas followed behind him to his house. Muraridas came home according to his daily routine. When he began to give the door panel, and then turned around, he saw Narayandas standing there! Narayandas said to Muraridas: “Muraridas! Today I have come to see your house.” Then Muraridas said to Narayandas: “Now I am not your sevak. My agreement with you was that I serve your work until evening. Again tomorrow morning, when the day rises, I will come for your service. Why have you followed me?” Saying this, Muraridas closed the door. But he did not allow Narayandas to enter his house.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Why? Because Muraridas had the shelter of Shri Thakurji. Therefore he did not fear Narayandas. And Muraridas knew that if Narayandas had true longing, then with humility he would come again. Therefore he did not allow him the first time.
Then Narayandas returned to his home. But from seeing Muraridas’ behavior, Narayandas understood in his mind that he must be some great soul. He does not reveal his true nature to anyone. Later, on the next day, when Muraridas left the royal gate at evening time, Narayandas again came to Muraridas’ house in the same manner. As soon as Muraridas began to close the door, Narayandas fell at Muraridas’ feet and made many requests. Knowing Narayandas’ earnest plea, Muraridas allowed him to come into his home.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): This shows that without being a divine soul, such humility does not arise anywhere. And in the divine play, Narayandas is Premalata. Premalata is the companion of Mandakini. Therefore here too, through Muraridas, she is being accepted. Seeing Narayandas’ humility, Muraridas allowed him to come into his home.
Then Narayandas, making many requests, asked Muraridas: “Muraridas, what is your lineage or tradition? And there seems to be no other person offering you any help in your home. So what do you do when you come home?” Then Muraridas, knowing the great humility of Narayandas, said to him: “Our lineage is the Shri Vallabhi Sampradaya. Our Guru-Prabhu is Shri Gusainji. We are his sevaks.” Then Narayandas fell at the feet of Muraridas. And Narayandas requested him: “Muraridas! Make me your sevak.” Then Muraridas said to Narayandas: “A sevak can be made only when Shri Gusainji comes here; then the opportunity will arise. If you go yourself to him, the opportunity will arise. Or if you send a man from here to the Lord, then whatever reply comes, that we shall do.”
Then Narayandas said to Muraridas: “Muraridas! Shri Gusainji does not know me at all. Therefore you please show grace and write a petition, and send a man as a messenger to the royal office.”
When Muraridas went to perform the service of Shri Thakurji, Narayandas remained seated at the house of Muraridas. After Muraridas completed Shri Thakurji’s service, Narayandas again requested him: “Now please write the letter to Shri Gusainji, then I will go to the court and arrange for the messengers.” Saying this, Narayandas had two letters written by Muraridas. After that Narayandas returned to his court and arranged two messengers and sent those letters to Adel. To those messengers Narayandas said: “Whoever brings me the replies to these letters quickly, I will give him a reward.” So those messengers of Narayandas quickly arrived before Shri Gusainji.
Someone among the Vaishnavs read Muraridas’ letters and requested Shri Gusainji: “Maharaj! How should the reply to these letters be written for Muraridas?” Then Shri Gusainji, with his own divine hand, wrote the eight-syllable mantra.
And from his divine mouth he said: “Write to Muraridas this — that before your Shri Thakurji you should announce the name of Narayandas. And I also shall come within a few days.” So, according to the command of Shri Gusainji, it was written and sent to Muraridas. Then from the place of Shri Gusainji, taking that reply letter, the four messengers departed. In a few days they returned back to Narayandas. Then Narayandas became very pleased with those messengers. He gave each one a gold coin and a turban and sent them off. After that, Narayandas himself came to the house of Muraridas and gave that letter into Muraridas’ hand. Muraridas read that letter and said to Narayandas: “Now you bathe.” Then Narayandas bathed right there. After that, Muraridas, offering the royal meal to Shri Thakurji, instructed Narayandas according to the letter of Shri Gusainji. After that, Muraridas made Narayandas do the remembrance of Shri Krishna.
Then Narayandas requested Muraridas, saying: “Why are you now doing this improper thing, that you make us bow to you?” Then Muraridas said to Narayandas: “Now between you and me, the practice of Shri Krishna remembrance has arisen. So do not bring any other feeling into your mind.” Afterwards, Muraridas gave Narayandas the darshan of Shri Balkrishnaji. Seeing that darshan, Narayandas became very pleased. Then Narayandas, taking prasada from the house of Muraridas, came to the court. From that day onward, Narayandas came daily to the house of Muraridas for the darshan of Shri Thakurji. And on any day when he could not obtain darshan, then that evening Narayandas would come with Muraridas, take darshan, and receive prasada.
From the side of Shri Gusainji, on the fifth day, Narayandas sent a messenger. In that letter he wrote: “Maharaj! Please come quickly.” When Shri Gusainji understood greatly the longing of Narayandas, and Muraridas also understood that in the heart of Narayandas there is great desire for the darshan of Shri Gusainji, then Muraridas wrote a petition and sent it to Shri Gusainji. Then the Lord, from Adel, decided to go toward Purushottampuri. And when Muraridas told Narayandas this — “Now Shri Gusainji will arrive here in a few days” — then Narayandas became extremely pleased in his heart.
And from the day Narayandas received the name from Muraridas, from that day onward, Narayandas showed great respect toward Muraridas. And in his own mind Narayandas understood Muraridas in this way: “All my wealth and everything I possess is Muraridas.” From the association of Muraridas, Narayandas became god-oriented in this manner. Therefore, one must associate with those who are god-oriented. Thus, Muraridas is such a beloved, grace-filled devotee of Shri Gusainji. Therefore the account of his life has no end. So up to this point it is being told.