Now the sevak of Shri Gusainji, Haridas Khavas, a Sanadhya Brahmin of Mathuraji, to whom a swoon came while listening to the Shrimad Bhagavat, his story’s sentiment is spoken.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): He is a royal-type devotee. In the Divine Play, his name is Sarla. His nature is very simple. He is manifested from Rati-kala, therefore his nature is of pure feeling.
So Haridas was born in Mathura in the house of a Sanadhya Brahmin. From childhood itself he was in a bewildered state. He had no knowledge of worldly conduct and such things. His mother and father, seeing his bewildered state, felt great sorrow: “How will this child turn out? What will become of him?” In this way they worried greatly. Later, when he was eight years old, he was sent to study under a pandit. He studied a little. Later, a great epidemic spread in Mathura. In that, his mother and father died. Then Haridas thought, “Now what should I do?” He could not understand anything. Then he went and sat at the bank of Shri Yamunaji at Vishrant Ghat. He wept greatly.
At that time Shri Gusainji was there performing the evening prayers. Shri Gusainji saw Haridas. At that very moment he sent a khavas and called Haridas to him. Haridas came to Shri Gusainji. Then Shri Gusainji said to him, “Haridas! Why are you crying?” Then Haridas said, “Maharaj! I have no one in this world. And I know nothing at all. Therefore I have come to your refuge. Please keep me with you. I am poor, I am without support.” Then Shri Gusainji commanded, “Do not worry. Bathe in Shri Yamunaji. We will make you our sevak and will keep you with us.” Then Haridas became joyful, bathed in Shri Yamunaji, and Shri Gusainji recited the Name to him and had him offer his submission. And he instructed, “Now you will serve as our khavasi.” From that day onward Haridas began to perform the khavasi-service of Shri Gusainji.
Prasang 1 — The Desire to Hear the Bhagavat
So Haridas served as the khavas of Shri Gusainji. One time Haridas made a request to Shri Gusainji: “Maharaj! My heartfelt wish is to hear the Bhagavat from your own holy mouth.” Then Shri Gusainji instructed Haridas, “You go to Ujjain. There Krishna Bhatt will recite the Shrimad Bhagavat to you. And for me, the time to narrate the Bhagavat is only two ghadi per day. But when will the entire Shrimad Bhagavat be completed? If I narrate the whole text, even with one pehar of free time, it would take five years for the entire Bhagavat to be completed. Therefore you go to Ujjain to Krishna Bhatt. He will narrate the Shrimad Bhagavat to you very properly.”
Then a letter was written by Shri Gusainji to Krishna Bhatt, which Haridas carried. Having taken leave from Shri Gusainji, he set out for Ujjain. In a few days he reached Ujjain. There Haridas met Krishna Bhatt and gave him the letter from Shri Gusainji. Krishna Bhatt, receiving it, became extremely happy, placed it on his head, and read it. Then Krishna Bhatt rejoiced greatly.
Then Haridas said to Krishna Bhatt, “I had requested Shri Gusainji, ‘Maharaj! Please narrate the Shrimad Bhagavat to me.’ Then Shri Gusainji commanded me, ‘You go to Ujjain. Krishna Bhatt will narrate the Bhagavat to you.’ Therefore I have come to you. So please narrate Shrimad Bhagavat to me.”
Then Krishna Bhatt said to Haridas Khavas, “Tomorrow is auspicious. Therefore we will begin tomorrow.” So on the next day, Krishna Bhatt began the Bhramar-geet section. As he narrated that episode, the moment Haridas heard it, he fell into a swoon. That swoon lasted for one prahar. Afterwards, by administering medicine, he regained consciousness. Then Krishna Bhatt closed the scripture for the day.
Then Haridas said to Krishna Bhatt, “Bhattji! Please continue the episode.” Then Krishna Bhatt said to him, “How will I answer Shri Gusainji? If I narrate another episode, your condition will become otherwise.”
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Because Haridas was still in an unripe spiritual state, he could not bear such comprehension; therefore his body would have left him.
Then Haridas took leave of Krishna Bhattji and in a few days came to Shri Gokul and bowed before Shri Gusainji and told all the news. Hearing it, Shri Gusainji remained silent. Afterwards Haridas again continued to serve as the khavas of Shri Gusainji, performing service to the Lord in that same manner.
Prasang 2 — The Lesson About the Coin
Once, a Vaishnav placed a rupee as an offering before Shri Gusainji. It was placed in front of the seat. Shri Gusainji himself had gone inside for his meal. After finishing his meal, when he came to the sitting area, he asked Haridas, “Haridas! Where did that rupee go?” Then Haridas said to Shri Gusainji, “Maharaj! It is in the thatch.” Then Shri Gusainji gave this instruction: “Haridas! Let offered wealth remain where it has been placed. But you must never again pick it up.” Haridas accepted this instruction.
Prasang 3 — The Lesson About Speaking With Women
Again, one time, Shri Gusainji went for his meal. He had instructed Haridas to dry a sheet. Then he himself went to eat. At that time Haridas was spreading the bedding. A lady Brahmani came and began talking with Haridas. In her conversations, Haridas forgot to dry the sheet. So both were talking when Shri Gusainji finished his meal and arrived. From a distance he saw the two talking and stood still. After a moment the woman finished speaking and left.
Then Shri Gusainji entered the sitting room and said to Haridas, “Haridas! Why has this sheet not dried today?” Then Haridas said to Shri Gusainji, “Raj! In talking with that lady, I forgot.” Then Shri Gusainji instructed Haridas, “Haridas! From today onward, never again speak with any woman other than necessity.” From that day onward Haridas did not speak with any woman. Thus Shri Gusainji showed such grace on Haridas. Haridas Khavas was such a recipient of the Lord’s grace; therefore how far can one recount his story?