Now there was a sevak of Shri Gusainji, a potter from Gujarat. The sentiment of his account is spoken as follows.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): He is a sattvic devotee. In the divine play, his name is Paramanand. Paramanand is the nephew of the gopa Manasukha. He is a helper in the intimate divine pastimes of Shri Thakurji. Therefore, Chandrakala has affection for him.
Prasang 1 – Receiving the Name and Protection through Grace
At one time, Shri Gusainji came to Gujarat. There, that potter received the darshan of Shri Gusainji. Then this thought arose in the potter’s mind, “If I become His sevak, it would be good.” Then that potter performed full prostration, folded his hands, and submitted to Shri Gusainji, saying, “Maharaj! By your grace, please bestow a name upon me.” Then Shri Gusainji, the abode of compassion, felt mercy. He said to that potter, “You go, bathe, wear a new dhoti, drape a new upper cloth, and then come. Then I will give you a name.” Then that potter went, bathed, wore a new dhoti, draped a new upper cloth, came, and stood before the Lord. Then Shri Gusainji, out of grace, bestowed a name upon him.
Afterwards, Shri Gusainji went to Dwarkaji, took darshan of Shri Ranchhorji, and then returned to Shri Gokul. After some days, darshan of the Rajbhog aarti of Shri Navanitpriyaji took place. After some days, Chacha Harivanshji went on a journey to the region of Gujarat. Then Chacha Harivanshji went to the house of this potter in Gujarat. In the house, there was no food provision at all. Then he went to the marketplace. There, a landlord said to this potter, “Will you dig a well?” Then he said, “Yes, I will dig a well, but I will dig it after four days.” Saying this to that landlord, the potter brought some money from him and, with humility, kept Chacha Harivanshji for four days.
Afterwards, Harivanshji left for Dwarkaji, and that potter began digging the landlord’s well. From above, thousands of measures of earth fell down. He remained buried beneath it. There he uttered, “Shri Vallabh, Shri Vitthal.” Even a little space opened. Inside, he kept repeating this. Meanwhile, someone told Chachaji, “Such-and-such potter has been buried in a well.” Then Chachaji returned. There he saw the people of his house crying and showed him the well. Then Chachaji had the earth removed and took him out. After that, Chachaji went from there to Dwarka.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): In this account, it is shown that when a Bhagavadiya Vaishnava comes to one’s house, he should be served and attended to properly with affection. Even if one does not have material means, one should borrow and still do so, but should not remain indifferent. Why? Because through the grace of Bhagavadiyas, the soul always and forever attains welfare. Through Chachaji’s grace, this potter’s life was saved. Therefore, the service of Bhagavadiyas is such a treasure.
Prasang 2 – Giving Everything to Vaishnavas and Firm Resolve
Again one day, the potter’s brother came as a guest. For him, laddus mixed with dry fruits were prepared. There was no water, so the potter’s wife went to fetch water. Her mind was on the laddus. In the meantime, two potter Vaishnavas came. This potter fed them the laddus. When the wife returned running and saw this, she felt as if fire had struck her. Afterwards, she cooked bread and fed the brother.
This potter, whatever good thing he saw in the house, he gave to Vaishnavas—utensils, clothes. Then the wife argued with the potter. Then the potter became very pleased. Afterwards, a famine occurred. Then the potter and his wife were dying of hunger. Here, Vaishnavas came daily and held gatherings. Then the wife came, fell at the potter’s feet, and said, “Now keep me in the house.” Then he said, “Now there is no place in the house. Stay outside the door. I will give you prasad.”
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Because the potter’s wife is opposed to dharma, through her company the potter’s mind would be spoiled, and then he would attain outward-mindedness. Therefore, he did not keep her in the house. And this is the dharma of a Vaishnava—that he should show compassion to all living beings. Here she is a woman; therefore, he said he would give prasad.
That potter was such a greatly favored Bhagavadiya recipient of Shri Gusainji’s grace. Through Shri Gusainji’s grace, he had such firm faith in Shri Gusainji. Therefore, how much of his account can be narrated?