Now we tell the story of Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu’s sevak, Badarayandas, a Pushkarna Brahmin couple who lived in Morbi.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): In the divine play (Leela), he is the sakhi (companion) of Shri Lalitaji, and his name there is “Shrutiroopa.” His wife’s name is “Ganga.”
Prasang 1 – Badarayandas Attains Shri Acharyaji’s Grace
In Morbi, he was born in the house of a Pushkarna Brahmin. His parents named him Bada. Later, when he became a sevak of Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu, Shri Acharyaji gave him the name Badarayandas. At that time, Bada was thirteen years old. He was married in his own village. He and his wife lived in Morbi.
There was also a Brahmin from Gujarat named Vatsabhatt (Vats Bhatt). He used to live in Gujarat and earned his livelihood by reciting the Shrimad Bhagavat Katha. Once, Vatsabhatt was going to Dwarika to have the darshan of Shri Ranchhodji. On the way, he reached the village of Morbi. There, Badarayandas offered him hospitality and kept him in his home. Thus, Bada became known as a sevak of Vatsabhatt.
Later, at home, Badarayandas listened to the complete Bhagavat Katha from Vatsabhatt. Afterward, Vatsabhatt went on to Dwarika. Some days later, Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu also came to Dwarika. When he arrived near the village of Morbi, he stopped at a garden outside the town. Then all the Vaishnavas of Morbi came to have Shri Acharyaji’s darshan. Among them was Bada as well.
At that time, Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu was narrating the Shrimad Subodhini commentary. When he explained the “Bhava Geet” section, Bada became so overwhelmed that he fainted. After about one watch (approximately three hours), he regained consciousness. Then Bada thought to himself, “When I heard the Bhagavat from Vatsabhatt, I did not experience such joy. But hearing it from Shri Acharyaji brought such divine ecstasy.” Bada then bowed to Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu and humbly said, “Maharaj! Please have mercy on me and make me your sevak.”
Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu replied, “You have already become the sevak of Vatsabhatt. How can you now become a sevak again? We cannot make you our sevak.” Bada returned home and told his wife, “Shri Vallabhacharyaji has arrived. He is none other than the Lord Himself. While explaining the Bhava Geet, I was so overcome that I fainted. Later, I begged Him to make me His sevak, but He said, ‘You are already Vatsabhatt’s sevak, so I will not make you mine.’ What should we do now? If Shri Acharyaji makes us His sevaks, our lives will be fulfilled in this very birth.”
His wife said, “You did not request it properly. Take me to Him; I will make the request.” Bada agreed and took his wife to Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu. When they arrived, Bada’s wife bowed to Him and said, “Maharaj! My husband requested you to make him your sevak, but you did not. You have come to this world to uplift the fallen and the wretched like us. Please grant us refuge.” Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu said, “I did not do so because he is already the sevak of Vatsabhatt. How can he be a sevak again?”
Then the wife said, “Maharaj! Becoming the sevak of Vatsabhatt did not mean anything to us. Those Brahmins wander from place to place, narrating the Bhagavat for their livelihood. How can they uplift us? Please take us under your refuge and deliver us.” Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu said, “It is already evening now. Tomorrow morning I will make you my sevaks. Go home for now.” The couple bowed to Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu and returned home. The next morning, both came again, bowed to Shri Acharyaji, and humbly said, “Maharaj! Please have mercy and grace our home by dining there.”
Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu then came to Bada’s house. Both husband and wife bathed, and Shri Acharyaji gave them new names and initiated them with Brahmasambandh (divine connection with God). Afterward, He accepted the meal they had lovingly prepared and performed bhog (offering). He gave Bada the name “Badarayandas,” presented him with prasadi (blessed) clothes of Shri Navneetpriyaji, and entrusted them with Bhagavad seva. Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu stayed in their home for two more days and then departed for Dwarika.
The couple also went to Dwarika along with Him. There, Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu stayed for one year and one month. During that time, Badarayandas and his wife performed all kinds of seva—bringing water, cooking, washing the upper cloth (uparena), and daily serving Shri Acharyaji with devotion. Pleased with them, Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu told Badarayandas, “Now you both go home and perform Bhagavad seva together.”
Afterward, Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu set out on a pilgrimage around the land of Bharat. Badarayandas and his wife returned to Morbi and began performing seva of the divine garments with deep love and devotion. Then Shri Navneetpriyaji began to reveal divine signs of affection towards them. Thus, both husband and wife of Badarayandas became such blessed recipients of Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu’s grace that their story can hardly be fully told.