Now the sentiment (bhav) of another renunciate sevak of Shri Gusainji, who used to perform the parikrama of Giriraj-ji, is narrated.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): These are tamasic devotees. In the divine play, their name is “Sudevi.” Sudevi manifested from Kalakanthi; therefore, their sentiments are of that form.
Previously, he was born as a Brahmin. When he became about twenty to twenty-five years old, he set out from his village with a group on a pilgrimage to Mathura. He too came to Mathura with that group. After resting there, he bathed. Then someone said that seven kos from there is Shri Govardhan Mountain. There Shri Govardhannathji himself resides. He is the direct form of Krishna, extremely beautiful and enchanting. By having His darshan, one becomes fulfilled. Then that Brahmin came from Mathura to Govardhan. There, arriving at Gopalpur, he had darshan of Shri Govardhannathji. As soon as he took darshan, that Brahmin became completely enchanted. He lost awareness even of his own body. Tears flowed.
Then, when he became composed, he began to reflect, saying, “Brother! Now, after leaving such darshan, I do not know how I could go anywhere. I will somehow sustain myself by begging, but I will not give up the darshan of Shri Govardhannathji.” In this way, that Brahmin resolved firmly in his mind. Some days passed like this. Then Shri Govardhannathji gave him darshan in a dream and commanded, “You should become a sevak of Shri Gusainji. Then you will be fulfilled.” Thus, that Brahmin became a sevak of Shri Gusainji. He received the name-initiation.
Prasang 1 – Daily Parikrama and Selfless Service
That renunciate took this vow, to perform one parikrama of Shri Giriraj daily. He would rise very early every day and go to perform the parikrama of Shri Govardhan. Then he would come and have darshan of Shri Nathji. After that, he would take darshan of Shri Gusainji and some other balaks who were present at Shrinathdwar. Then he would go to the villages to beg. He would collect dry flour by begging, make flatbreads from it, offer them to the flag of Shri Nathji, and take that as prasad. In this manner, he sustained his life.
One day, a thought arose in his mind: “Brother! I have been having darshan of Shri Gusainji for so many days, yet Shri Gusainji never speaks to me. What could be the reason for this?” This doubt remained in his mind, and he became worried.
After some days, the festival of Annakut arrived. Then it came into his mind, “Today the offering for the parikrama will be prepared, so I will go then. Until then, I will perform some service.” So, from the temple of Shri Navanitpriyaji, where the worship of Shri Giriraj takes place, he first carefully cleaned the entire path. Then, on the path, he did not let even a single pebble remain. In this way, he removed the stones. In his mind, this feeling arose: “Today, on this path, Shri Thakurji and Shri Gusainji will come for the worship of Shri Govardhan. If I make the path clean, my service will be done. And the feet of Shri Thakurji and Shri Gusainji are extremely tender, so the touch of stones should not come upon them.”
Later, Shri Shri Gusainji came along with Shri Navanitpriyaji on that path for the Govardhan worship. Seeing the beautiful path, Shri Thakurji and Shri Gusainji became very pleased. At that time, Shri Gusainji remained silent. Afterwards, when the Govardhan worship was completed and a grand offering was placed before Shri Nathji, and Shri Gusainji came to His seat, a Vaishnava told Shri Gusainji about the manner of this sevak’s service. Then Shri Gusainji became very pleased.
Later, that Vaishnava came to offer dandavat to Shri Gusainji. He used to offer dandavat daily, and in the same manner he offered dandavat and sat down. Then Shri Gusainji, smiling, said to him, “Vaishnava, have you come?” Then he again offered dandavat to Shri Gusainji and made a humble request, saying, “Maharaj! After so many days, today you have shown mercy and spoken words to me. Until today, you never spoke. Please be merciful and tell me the reason.” Then Shri Gusainji said to that Vaishnava, “Vaishnava! For all these days, you were engaged in the discipline of your own body. But today, leaving that discipline, you have performed service. Therefore, today I have spoken to you.”
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): The reason is that first Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu taught only one service as the means for the soul. These are the words of Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu: “Sevayāṁ vā kathāyāṁ vā”
Its meaning is that the soul should not waste time in performing other disciplines. First, one should perform service. Afterwards, one may speak or listen to discourse. In this manner, Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu gave the instruction of service. Therefore, in this path, there is no discipline equal to service.
After saying these words, Shri Gusainji Himself went into the temple. And that Vaishnava, from that very day, understanding the fruit of service, left other disciplines and began performing service. From then on, Shri Gusainji remained very pleased with him. That renunciate, knowing that the Lord was pleased, himself remained very joyful.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Therefore, in the path of Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu, service is the essence. Through this renunciate, Shri Gusainji gives instruction to all souls. Later, that renunciate, by the grace of Shri Gusainji, became a true devotee of Bhagavan. Therefore, how far should his narrative be told?