Now the story of Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu’s sevak, Narhar Sanyasi, a Gaud Brahmin. His father had gone from Agra to Gujarat, and this is the account of Narhar Sanyasi’s life.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Narhar Sanyasi, in the divine play, is Shrutirupa, the daughter of Gopa Mansukha. Her name in the divine play was “Gulabi.” Gulabi had a friend named “Paudari.” She was born as Veni Kothari in Gujarat.
Once there was a famine in Agra. Then Narhar Sanyasi’s father left Agra with his family and went to live in Gujarat. There Narhar Sanyasi was born. When he became fifteen years old, he came into the company of a sanyasi and became a sanyasi himself. For twelve years he performed austerities. In the summer, he endured the heat of five fires. In the rainy season, he stood under streams of water on his head. In the cold season, he would sit in water early in the morning.
Narhar Sanyasi became highly respected in Gujarat. Many people became his sevaks. Among them, Veni Kothari also became his sevak. When Narhar Sanyasi saw a woman, he would cover his face with cloth. He lived in such a state of renunciation. He built a place to stay in solitude by the bank of the Mahi River, where there was no village nearby; the nearest village was two kos (four miles) away.
In that village, there was a family of oil pressers who had no children. The wife of that oil presser thought, “Narhar Sanyasi is a great holy man. If he gives me some medicine, I will have a son.” But since he never looked at a woman’s face, she wondered how to approach him.
One evening, after cooking sweet puris made of wheat and milk (called seera-puri), she came to Narhar Sanyasi. Covering her face with a cloth, she called out to him. Narhar Sanyasi came and asked, “Who are you?” She said, “I am the oil presser’s wife. I have brought you some seera-puri. Since you do not look at women, I have covered my face.”
Narhar Sanyasi said, “I am hungry today, but your affection is great that you came two kos just to bring this for me.” He accepted it. The oil presser’s wife was pleased that he took it. The next day, again in the evening, she brought seera-puri. Then Narhar Sanyasi said, “Now there is no one here; you may uncover your face.” So the oil presser’s wife uncovered her face and gave him the offering. After that, she began coming every evening at the same time. This continued for ten to twelve days.
One day, when she brought seera-puri, she went inside Narhar Sanyasi’s hut. At that very time, the governor of Gujarat, having heard of Narhar Sanyasi’s greatness, came to meet him. The oil presser’s wife hid inside the hut. The governor spent the night at Narhar Sanyasi’s place.
In the morning, the oil presser came to Narhar Sanyasi and said, “My daughter-in-law came here yesterday evening to bring you seera-puri. She has not returned home since. Why did you keep her? You do not even look at women!”
Narhar Sanyasi replied, “She did not come here.” The oil presser said, “She went into your house and did not come out!” Then he searched Narhar Sanyasi’s hut and found her hiding inside. Seeing this, the governor became very angry. He ordered Narhar Sanyasi’s hut to be torn down and told him to leave the country.
Then Narhar Sanyasi went to Braj. He thought in his mind, “Association with women is so bad. If one associates with them, even the next life is ruined. The Lord has given me punishment for that.” He roamed in Braj in repentance.
Later, when Veni Kothari heard that Narhar Sanyasi was in Braj, he thought, “It has been many years. Narhar Sanyasi is my guru. I will go to Braj and meet him.” So Veni Kothari came from Gujarat to Braj and met Narhar Sanyasi in Vrindavan. They would sit and talk.
One day, Shri Acharyaji came to Vrindavan. Narhar Sanyasi saw him and said to Veni Kothari, “Look! What a radiant man has arrived!” Veni Kothari said, “Let us stay with him for some days. Then we will know his true nature.” Narhar Sanyasi agreed, “Let’s go together and stay with him.”
Both of them went to Shri Acharyaji, bowed down, and humbly said, “Maharaj! Our hearts wish to stay with you for four nights. If you are pleased, please give us permission to stay with you.”
Shri Acharyaji said, “I am planning to go to Dwarika. If you wish, you both may come along.” So Narhar Sanyasi and Veni Kothari went with him. On the way, Narhar Sanyasi asked Shri Acharyaji, “Maharaj, I have a doubt in my mind. Which path is greater – the path of renunciation (sanyas dharma) or the path of devotion (Vaishnav dharma)?”
Shri Acharyaji said, “Each is distinct. In this Kali Yuga, it is very difficult to perfect the path of sanyas. After accepting sanyas, if even once the mind turns away from Narayana, then the merit of all lifetimes of sanyas is destroyed. But in the path of devotion, even if one becomes corrupted by bad company, the seed of devotion never dies. When one again attains the company of saints, devotion grows once more. This is stated in the Shrimad Bhagavatam.
Jad Bharat was delayed in liberation for three births due to attachment with a deer, yet ultimately attained perfection. Chitraketu, after being cursed by Parvati and becoming the demon Vritrasura, still advanced in devotion. Such is the difference.
And in this Kali Yuga, even the utterance of the Lord’s name purifies everyone, even the lowest born. Reflect on this. You performed austerities and followed the dharma of sanyas, but did you attain any true realization?” Then Narhar Sanyasi bowed and said humbly, “Maharaj, please redeem me as you wish. I have found only suffering in all other paths, and my mind has not become pure.”
Shri Acharyaji said, “You are a sanyasi, worshiped by the world, and people serve you as sevaks. But to become a sevak, one must adopt the mood of a das (servant). You are in the position of a master – how can you become a sevak while holding that position? Therefore, give up the position of master, and take refuge. Then the Vaishnav path will flourish in you.”
Narhar Sanyasi said, “Maharaj! I now give up the position of master. I am now your sevak. Whatever command you give, I will obey.” Then Shri Acharyaji said, “Shave your head and beard, remove the saffron robes, and wear white garments. Then you will become a sevak.” So Narhar Sanyasi shaved his matted hair and beard, bathed, and came wearing white clothes.
Shri Acharyaji said, “Today, observe a fast. Purify all your senses. Tomorrow, I will give you a name and initiate you.” Narhar Sanyasi fasted. The next day, Shri Acharyaji gave him a name and made him offer the initiation offering (nivedan).
Prasang 1 – Naming of Narhar Sanyasi and Veni Kothari
Then Narhar Sanyasi humbly said to Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu, “Maharaj! Please also give a name to Veni Kothari.” So Shri Acharyaji bathed Veni Kothari and initiated him with a name as well. Then Narhar Sanyasi said, “Maharaj! You made me observe a fast before initiation, but not Veni Kothari. Why so?”
Shri Acharyaji said, “You held the position of a master and performed many religious and ritual acts. Your mind was scattered in many directions. But he is a householder, who knows the troubles of household life, and does not know much about rituals or religious practices. Therefore, I did not make him observe a fast.”
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): This reveals that those who have followed other paths, studied many scriptures, and practiced much yoga and austerity, do not easily attain devotion. But one who is simple and without deceit attains devotion quickly through the company of saints.
Then Narhar Sanyasi became a great recipient of divine grace, and Veni Kothari too became a deeply devoted soul. Both remained ever absorbed in meditation upon the Lord. Later, when Shri Acharyaji went to Dwarika for the circumambulation of the earth, Veni Kothari stayed for some time in Dwarika with Narhar Sanyasi, then returned to Gujarat to his home. Narhar Sanyasi continued to wander in holy places.
Prasang 2 – Understanding the True Sanyas in Bhakti Path
Once, while wandering, Narhar Sanyasi came to Badrikashram. There, Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu was also present. Narhar Sanyasi saw him and humbly said, “Maharaj! Earlier, I had accepted sanyas, and later, by your grace, I came into the path of devotion. I know the kind of sanyas in the worldly path, but I do not know how sanyas works in the path of bhakti. Please, out of compassion, explain it to me.”
Then Shri Acharyaji said, “I will tell you the true meaning of sanyas in the path of bhakti.” Shri Acharyaji then composed the Sanyas Nirnaya scripture and taught it to Narhar Sanyasi, explaining its meaning. Then, the principle of the Pushti (Grace) Path became firmly established in Narhar Sanyasi’s heart. He began to experience the divine pastimes of Shri Thakurji, and his mind became absorbed in them.
Later, Shri Acharyaji went further on his travels, while Narhar Sanyasi, immersed in the bliss of Swarupanand (divine self-realization), continued to wander. Thus, Narhar Sanyasi was a deeply beloved and grace-filled devotee of Shri Acharyaji. Here, his story concludes.