Now, the story of Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu’s sevaks Sadu Pandey, Sadu Pandey’s daughter-in-law Bhavani, and his daughter Naro is told.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): They lived in Aniyor, at the foot of Shri Giriraj. In the divine play (Leela), Sadu Pandey was the cowherd Chandra Bhan, the brother of Vrishbhanuji. Naro and Bhavani were ‘Ramade’ and ‘Shyamade’, the sisters-in-law of Yashodaji. They were revealed as such.
Prasang 1 – The Manifestation of Shri Govardhandhar in Aniyor
When Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu was doing the parikrama of the earth and reached the southern region of Jharkhand, Shri Govardhannathji appeared before Shri Acharyaji there and said, “If you reveal my seva (worship) in this world, then divine souls will quickly take refuge. I have manifested on the Govardhan Mountain in Braj through three damans. I am Dev Daman, and near me are the other two damans.”
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): This means: Nag Daman is on the left side of Shri Thakurji, and Indra Daman is on the right. The left side, where Nag Daman is, represents Shriyamanaji, for she subdued the serpent of time (Kaal Sarp). The punishment of Yama or death cannot touch those who drink the waters of Shriyamanaji. She is the beloved and eternally perfect consort of Shri Thakurji, so she resides on his left and serves him. On the right side is Indra Daman, in the form of Girirajji himself, who is ever ready for seva. He is called Haridas Rai, the crown among devotees. During Indra’s wrath, he understood the Lord’s will and took the form of an umbrella to protect all of Braj, punished Indra, and revealed the Lord’s glory. Because of this, Girirajji never reveals his own fame but only the glory of the Lord.
In the middle is Dev Daman, therefore, of all divine incarnations like Shri Jagannath and Narayan, the one who humbles their pride is Shri Govardhandhar. Hence, in the Bhagavata Purana, it is said: “Ete cha ansha kala pumsah krishnas tu bhagavan svayam.” Therefore, my name is Dev Daman; please reveal me.
Then Shri Acharyaji left the southern region of Jharkhand and, leaving the earth’s parikrama incomplete, came to Braj. He arrived at Shri Govardhan. At that time, five sevaks were with him — Damodardas Harsani, Krishnadas Meghna, Bade Ramdas, Madhavdas, and Narayandas. In the evening, Shri Acharyaji sat on the platform (chotra) outside Sadu Pandey’s door.
Sadu came, bowed down, and said, “Swami, will you eat something?” Then Krishnadas Meghna said, “Shri Acharyaji does not accept anything from anyone’s house. The sevaks prepare, and he takes only what they offer.” While they were conversing, Shri Govardhandhar spoke from the mountain, saying to Sadu Pandey’s daughter, “Naro! Bring milk as my offering.”
Naro replied, “Oh, my dear Lal! I will go, but my guests have arrived. Let me first serve them, then I will bring your milk.” Shri Govardhandhar said, “Guests have come, that is good, but they cause me delay.” Then Naro filled a bowl with milk, went up the mountain, and offered it to Shri Govardhandhar. Whatever milk was left, she brought it back down. Shri Acharyaji asked her, “Where had you gone?” Naro replied, “I went to feed milk to the deity of the mountain — Dev Daman.” Shri Acharyaji said, “Give us the remaining milk from this bowl.” Naro gave it, and Shri Acharyaji drank it.
Then in the minds of Sadu Pandey, Naro, and Bhavani arose the thought — “He does not take anything from anyone’s home but accepts what was offered to Dev Daman. Therefore, he must have great affection for Dev Daman.” Sadu Pandey asked, “Maharaj! Have you come here to visit Braj’s holy places, or do you have some other purpose?”
Shri Acharyaji said, “In the south, in Jharkhand, Dev Daman appeared to me and said, ‘Reveal me. I dwell upon Shri Govardhan, between Indra Daman and Nag Daman.’ For that reason, I have come here. Dev Daman has great grace upon you.” Then Sadu Pandey, Naro, and Bhavani humbly said, “Maharaj! You are victorious; we are defeated. Please make us your sevaks.”
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Its meaning is this — “Whoever comes to our Braj and to Govardhan, whatever curd, milk, bread, or simple food they ask for, we give. But you do not take from anyone except sevaks. Therefore, we are defeated; please make us your sevaks. We, the Brajwasis, are worshipped by the world, but you are worshipped by us.” Then Shri Acharyaji said, “Tomorrow morning, I will give you your initiation.”
The next morning, Sadu Pandey, Naro, and Bhavani bathed and sat purified. Then Shri Acharyaji initiated them with names and made them offer their dedication. Then Shri Acharyaji said, “You should serve Dev Daman.” Sadu Pandey said, “Maharaj! We Brajwasis are simple folk; we do not know the rules of conduct and worship.”
Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu said, “Your love for Dev Daman surpasses all. You are guileless and pure devotees. Therefore, serve in whatever way your heart feels.” Then Sadu Pandey brought pure ingredients — milk, curd, ghee, sugar and Shri Acharyaji cooked, offered bhog, and ate. Afterward, he sat on the platform at Sadu Pandey’s door with all the Vaishnavas. Sadu Pandey’s brother, Manikchand, who lived separately, came at night.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Manikchand’s manifestation is that of Madhumangal, Krishna’s companion.
That night, Sadu Pandey told all the Brajwasis, “A great Mahapurush has come to my house. Tomorrow, he will reveal Dev Daman. So all of you come for darshan.” The next morning, all the elderly and respected Brajwasis came — Manikchand, Sadu Pandey, and others. Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu asked, “Tell us, how did Dev Daman manifest on Shri Govardhan Mountain?”
Sadu Pandey said, “Maharaj! There was once a cowherd in our village who used to take all the cows to graze. One Brahmin had a cow that gave a lot of milk. But when the Brahmin sat to milk her, she gave none. Even the next morning, she gave no milk. For two days this happened. On the third day, the Brahmin grew angry and said to the cowherd, ‘My cow gives plenty of milk, but you must be milking her secretly.’ Thus, he frightened the cowherd greatly.
The cowherd said, ‘I have never milked your cow. Tomorrow, I will show you the truth.’ The next day, he took all the cows to the forest, keeping a close eye on that cow. The cow climbed up the hill, and the cowherd followed quietly, hiding. The cow went to a rock on Govardhan Mountain that had a hole in it and poured all her milk there. Seeing this, the cowherd stayed hidden and observed.
For three or four days, he watched the same thing. Then he went home and told the Brahmin, ‘Your cow goes to Govardhan Mountain and pours all her milk into a hole on a rock. You falsely accused me of theft. If you don’t believe me, come with me tomorrow.’ The Brahmin said, ‘I will come in the morning.’ The next day, when he tried to milk the cow, she gave nothing, and then went up the mountain. The Brahmin followed with the cowherd. The cow poured her milk into that hole in the rock and then returned home.
That night, the Brahmin called a meeting of the Brajwasis and told them everything. One elder said, ‘Either there is some sacred object or treasure beneath that hole, or it is the divine form of Shri Thakurji. A cow would only offer milk there for one of these two reasons.’ So ten or fifteen Brajwasis decided to dig and see what was below. The next morning, they followed the cow. As before, she poured milk into the hole, then descended. The Brajwasis dug beneath the rock and found a seven-year-old boy. They asked, ‘Who are you?’
He said, ‘I am the deity of this mountain. My name is Dev Daman. I am very fond of milk and curd. Send your daughter Naro to offer it to me every morning and evening. And do not place the stone back over me.’
Then the Brajwasis went home. From that day, they would daily offer milk, curd, and butter to Dev Daman, in the morning and evening. If hunger arose, Dev Daman himself would come and ask for food. In this way, Dev Daman brought great joy to all the Brajwasis. Whatever wish they made, he fulfilled. Now, whatever your desire is, Maharaj, please do it. We have told you exactly how Dev Daman manifested.”
Then Manikchand, Sadu Pandey’s brother, said, “When Dev Daman appeared, he told me, ‘I have manifested upon Giriraj. Offer me butter daily.’ Since then, I have been offering butter every morning.” Shri Acharyaji said, “Tomorrow morning we shall go up the mountain for darshan.”
The next day, after bathing, Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu went to the mountain with all the Vaishnavas. He called Sadu Pandey and Manikchand, who came together. Manikchand said, “Maharaj! Please accept me as your refuge.” Then Shri Acharyaji bathed him, initiated him, and made him offer his dedication. Then Sadu Pandey, Manikchand, and all the Vaishnavas went up the mountain with Shri Acharyaji.
There, Shri Govardhannathji rose and came before Shri Acharyaji. Shri Acharyaji took Shri Govardhandhar in his arms, touched both his cheeks, and said, “Baba! What is your wish now?” Shri Govardhandhar said, “Please establish my seva (worship).” Then, upon Govardhan Mountain, near Apsara Kund, Shri Acharyaji had a small temple built. A Rajput named Ramdas Chauhan lived in a cave there. Shri Acharyaji appointed him as sevak to perform Shri Nathji’s seva.
He decorated the Lord with peacock feathers on his turban, a crown-like ornament with a crescent, and a garland of gunja beads. He offered bhog made of milk, curd, and butter brought by Sadu Pandey. Then Shri Acharyaji said to Sadu Pandey, “Whatever items or supplies are needed, give them to Ramdas.”
At that time, Kumbhandasji Gaurva lived at Yamunavat, and he too came and became a sevak. Shri Acharyaji assigned him the seva of singing kirtans. Many Brajwasis from around Giriraj became sevaks of Shri Acharyaji.
After some time, Shri Acharyaji instructed Purnamall to build a proper temple. When it was completed, Ramdas Chauhan, the Rajput, left his body. Then Shri Acharyaji told Sadu Pandey, “You should serve.” Sadu Pandey replied, “Maharaj! We Brajwasis do not know the rituals of worship, and we have much household work and farming. We will provide all the necessary items and offerings, but the seva we cannot perform.”
Then Shri Acharyaji said, “Think of someone suitable.” Sadu Pandey replied, “At Radhakund and Krishnakund, there are Bengalis. If you wish, I can call them.” Shri Acharyaji said, “Call them.” Then Sadu Pandey called the Bengali and built a small hut for him near Rudrakund. Shri Acharyaji appointed Krishnadas, a Shudra, as the overseer and sevak, saying, “Whatever the Bengali needs, bring it from Mathura or Agra.”
Later, Krishnadas removed the Bengali and placed a Vaishnav in his stead; his story will be told in Krishnadas’s Prasang. In this way, Sadu Pandey, Naro, Bhavani, Manikchand, and others became sevaks of Shri Govardhannathji and helped establish his worship in the open.
Prasang 2 – Cows Offered to Shri Nathji and Gopalpur Established
One time Shri Govardhandhar said, “Cows are very dear to me.” Then Shri Acharyaji called Sadu Pandey and gave him a pavitri used for Vedic rites, and said, “Sell this for its price and bring cows for Shri Govardhannathji!” Then Sadu Pandey said, “Maharaj! The cows at our house are all Shri Govardhannathji’s.” Then Shri Acharyaji said, “Do as I say. Sell this gold and offer cows on our behalf to Shri Nathji. And you Brajwasis, all together, each of you offer one or two cows separately.”
Then Sadu Pandey sold that pavitri and brought two cows. Shri Acharyaji offered them to Shri Nathji. And among Sadu Pandey, the Brajwasis, etc., some offered one cow, some offered two cows, some offered four cows. In this way, thousands of cows were offered. Then, for the cows to reside, a village named Gopalpur was settled near the temple. The name ‘Gopal’ was given to Shri Thakurji. From that day onward, the cows of Shri Nathji increased greatly. So, cows are very dear to Shri Thakurji. Thus Chhitswami has sung:
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★ राग गौरी | Raga Gauri ★
आगेंगाय, पाछ गाय इत गाय उत गाय, गोविंदा को गायन में बसिवोई भावें। गायन के संग घावें, गायन में सचुपावें, गायन की खुररेनु अङ्ग सो लगावें ॥१॥
Ahead, cows; behind, cows; here cows; there cows; Only in the company of cows does Govinda feel like dwelling. He moves with the herd of cows, finds true joy among the cows, He applies the dust raised by the cows’ hooves upon his body. ॥ 1 ॥
गायन सो ब्रज छायो, बैकुण्ठ हू बिसरायो, गायन के हेतु, गिरि कर लें उठावें। 'छीतरवामी' गिरिधारि, विठ्ठलेस वपु धारि, ग्वालिया को भेष किये, गायन मेंआवें॥२॥
By the cows, Braj became shaded; even Vaikunth was forgotten; For the sake of the cows, he lifted up the mountain. ‘Chhitarvami,’ the Holder of the Mountain, assuming Vitthalesh’s form, made the guise of a cowherd and came among the cows. ॥ 2 ॥
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In this way, Shri Govardhannathji gave happiness to Sadu Pandey and all the Brajwasis.
Prasang 3 – The Golden Bowl of Milk at Naro’s House
And one day, Shri Govardhannathji came from the temple to Sadu Pandey’s house carrying a golden bowl. He said to Naro, “Put milk in this for me.” Then Naro said, “This bowl is small; how will milk fit into it?” Then Shri Nathji said, “You keep pouring into it; I will drink.” So Naro kept putting milk into the bowl, and Shri Govardhandhar kept drinking. In this way, after drinking the milk, he tossed the bowl at Naro’s place and at night returned and went to sleep in the temple.
Then, when morning came, she did the house tasks—heated the milk, churned the curd and then, taking the daily offerings of milk, curd, and butter, and taking the golden bowl, she came to the temple and said, “At night Dev Daman came carrying a golden bowl; he drank the milk and threw the bowl at my house. Ah, a child indeed! So take this golden bowl.” Then all the inner sevaks were astonished, saying, “Such is the grace upon Naro.” In this way, he would come once daily to Sadu Pandey’s house.
Prasang 4 – The Old Mother’s Breakfast and Dev Daman Among the Children
Next to Sadu Pandey’s house lived Sadu Pandey’s younger brother, the Brajwasi Manikchand. There were many cows and buffaloes at his house. Manikchand’s mother and Sadu Pandey’s mother were very elderly. That old woman stayed at Manikchand’s house. When in the morning the churning of the curd was done, then bread with butter and curd would be placed before that old woman by all the household people. It was that old woman’s rule to distribute the breakfast to all the children. So all the children of Aniyor, having gathered together, sat at the door. When that old woman called out, “Oh, all you children! Come take your own breakfast,” then all the children came near. Among them, Shri Govardhandhar too came as a seven-year-old boy.
That old woman would take each child by the hand, ask his name, and place bread, butter, and curd upon his hand, giving in this manner to everyone. Then, when she held Shri Nathji’s hand, she asked, “What is your name?” Then Shri Nathji said, “My name is Dev Daman!” Then the old woman said, “Dev Daman, the deity of the mountain?” Then he said, “Yes, yes.” “I am devoted—come daily at this time to take breakfast.” Then Shri Nathji departed.
In this way, Shri Govardhandhar showed grace to the Brajwasis like Sadu Pandey, etc. He asked like a child and took. Thus Sadu Pandey, Manikchand, Naro, Bhavani, and the old mother—the mother of Sadu Pandey and Manikchand—are great recipients of Shri Acharyaji’s grace, belonging to the Lord. How far can one speak of their story?