Now the sentiment (bhav) of the narrative of Krishna Das Kayastha of east, a sevak of Shri Gusainji, is being told.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): He is a rajasic devotee. In the divine play, his name is Nilvarni. Nilvarni manifested from Kalakanthi; therefore, his sentiments are of that nature.
He was born in the house of a Kayastha in a village located about ten kos from the town of Patna. That Kayastha was a sevak employed by a mlechchha. He managed a district, and therefore that mlechchha had great regard for him. Later, when Krishna Das became about thirty years old, that Kayastha died. Then the mlechchha kept Krishna Das as his sevak. After some time, the mlechchha sent Krishna Das to Delhi for some work. There, Krishna Das came into the company of a Vaishnava of the Maryada path. That Vaishnava said to Krishna Das, “Have you had darshan of Mathura and Vrindavan?” Krishna Das replied, “No, I have come to this land for the first time.” Then that Vaishnava said, “One must go to Mathura and surely bathe in Shri Yamunaji. Without that, the entire human birth is wasted. Since you have come here, have darshan of Mathura and Vrindavan, bathe in Shri Yamunaji, and make your birth fruitful.”
Then Krishna Das departed from there and came to Mathura. There he bathed in Shri Yamunaji. Afterwards, he came to Shri Gokul, Vrindavan, and Govardhan. There, bathing in Manasi Ganga, Krishna Das came from there to Gopalpur. Ascending the mountain, he had darshan of Shri Govardhannathji. At that time, Shri Gusainji was performing the Rajbhog aarti of Shri Govardhannathji. Krishna Das received darshan of Shri Gusainji. As soon as he took that darshan, a thought arose in his mind: “It would be good to become a sevak of him.”
Afterwards, Shri Gusainji had Shri Nathji retire and descended from the mountain to his seat below. Then Krishna Das made a humble request, saying, “Maharaj, please make me your sevak.” Seeing the humility of Krishna Das, Shri Gusainji Himself spoke Krishna Das’s name. Then Shri Gusainji commanded Krishna Das, “Tomorrow I will have you formally presented before Shri Nathji. Today, observe a fast, and tomorrow morning bathe and come quickly.”
The next day, Shri Gusainji Himself presented Krishna Das before Shri Nathji. Then Krishna Das submitted, “Maharaj, what is my duty now?” Shri Gusainji commanded Krishna Das, “You have been given the service of Vaishnavas. Therefore, keep the Vaishnavas pleased.” Then Krishna Das offered dandavat to Shri Gusainji, took permission, and returned to his own land.
Prasang 1 – Protection of Vaishnava Wealth and Firmness in Dharma
Krishna Das lived as a sevak under a mlechchha. Whatever Vaishnava came to Krishna Das, he would place him in government service and entrust him with work. And whichever Vaishnava did not do service, Krishna Das would give him capital from his own pocket and have him engage in trade. And if anyone going to another land asked for capital, he would give him that as well. Krishna Das never refused anyone. From those Vaishnavas, he would have promissory notes written. But even after giving money, he would never ask anyone to repay it.
After some days passed in this manner, the mlechchha put Krishna Das into prison. On the third day, the mlechchha again summoned Krishna Das to his presence and demanded a fine of twenty thousand rupees from him. Then Krishna Das said to him, “I have no money to give you.” Then again the mlechchha had Krishna Das put into prison.
After some days, Krishna Das’s family priest came to the prison and said to Krishna Das, “Why are you sitting here?” Then Krishna Das said to his priest, “They are demanding a fine of twenty thousand rupees from me.” The priest said, “Why do you not give it?” Krishna Das replied, “From where should I give it? I have no wealth.” Then the priest said, “You have promissory notes from Vaishnavas for twenty-five or thirty thousand rupees. Why do you not give those?” Krishna Das asked, “Where are those notes?” The priest said, “All those notes are with me.”
Then Krishna Das said, “Bring those notes. You have given good counsel.” Then Krishna Das said, “I am feeling very cold, so bring a brazier.” The priest brought a brazier. Krishna Das then asked for the notes and said, “You go and bathe, then come back to me. Until then, I will read through these notes. Afterwards, you yourself may take them to the court.”
The priest went to bathe. Krishna Das read through the notes one by one and threw all of them into the brazier, burning them completely, and then sat silently. When the priest returned after bathing, he asked, “Bring the notes. I will go to the court.” Then Krishna Das said to the priest, “O unrighteous one! You have already destroyed my dharma, but why should Bhagavan destroy my dharma? If at this time I were to keep these notes, should I give them to you so that Vaishnavas are harassed and I remain comfortable? For the sake of this one body, if I harass many Vaishnavas, then by their curses my dharma would be destroyed. Now, only when the enjoyments of this body are exhausted will I be released. Otherwise, even if this body perishes, my dharma will not perish.”
Having said this, Krishna Das dismissed the priest and himself remained seated there. The next day, the mlechchha summoned Krishna Das again. Krishna Das stood before him. The mlechchha said, “Give twenty thousand rupees.” Krishna Das replied, “I have nothing.” Then the mlechchha said, “At least give ten thousand.” Even then Krishna Das refused. Then the mlechchha understood that Krishna Das truly had no wealth. Immediately, he had Krishna Das’s shackles removed, honored him with a robe of distinction, and sent him to manage the district. Again, Krishna Das managed the district very well.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): The intent of this narrative is that a soul should keep firm faith in Bhagavata dharma. Before Bhagavata dharma, bodily pleasures should be considered insignificant. Even if suffering comes, one should not abandon one’s dharma. If a soul does not abandon dharma, Shri Thakurji provides assistance. Shri Thakurji cannot tolerate the suffering of His exclusive devotees, because Shri Thakurji has a very gentle nature. Therefore, a soul should maintain exclusive devotion.
Prasang 2 – Renunciation of the Body and Final Resolve
After some time, Krishna Das heard the news of Shri Rukmini Bahuji. Then Krishna Das felt great sorrow in his heart. After shaving his head, Krishna Das reflected in his mind, “Now this body is of no use for any purpose. Therefore, if this body were to be given up, it would be good. Yet it is not proper to commit suicide.” Later, a mlechchha attacked that village, and in the battle Krishna Das gave up his body.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Whatever Bhagavadiyas do, they should do with discernment, so that in no matter there arises dependence on others or any stain.
Later, when the mlechchha heard the news of Krishna Das, he felt deep remorse in his heart. In his assembly, he would say repeatedly, “I will never find a man like Krishna Das.” Saying this, that mlechchha would again and again express repentance in the assembly. Thus, even the mlechchhas of that time, through association with Vaishnavas, came to understand the true nature of a Vaishnava. Because Krishna Das upheld his dharma, Shri Thakurji helped Krishna Das by inspiring even the heart of that mlechchha. Thus, Krishna Das was such a recipient of Shri Gusainji’s grace, a true Bhagavadiya. Therefore, how far should his narrative be told?