Now the sevak of Shri Gusainji, Govinddas Khavas, a Sanadhya Brahmin, lived in Mathura. His Vaarta is spoken of with its sentiment.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): He is a tamas devotee. In divine play, his name is “Nrityakala.” Nrityakala is the younger daughter of the gopa Manasukha. Therefore, he is the embodiment of that sentiment. He is extremely skilled in dance. Therefore, he is exceedingly dear to Shri Chandravali ji. He belongs to the youth group of Chandravali ji.
This Govinddas was born in Mathura in a Sanadhya Brahmin family. When he grew older, at about twenty to twenty-five years of age, he developed a passion for pleasure and entertainment. He stayed in the company of courtesans and entertainers and would watch dances and performances. Then one day, Govinddas learned to dance by associating with them, and he also began to sing.
Later, Govinddas danced in such a way that whoever saw his dance would become enchanted. Thus Govinddas became very famous. After that, once Shri Gusainji arrived in Mathura. Then someone said to Govinddas that Shri Gusainji has arrived here and is residing at such-and-such a place. He is very fond of dance and music. Hearing this, Govinddas came for the darshan of Shri Gusainji. Upon taking darshan, he became overwhelmed. Then Shri Gusainji made Govinddas attentive and commanded him, “Govinddas, show your dance to Shri Navanitpriyaji.”
At that very moment, the doors opened for the darshan of Shri Navanitpriyaji adorned in full ornamentation. Govinddas began to dance before Shri Navanitpriyaji. While dancing, Govinddas became completely absorbed, one with the rasa. At that time, Shri Navanitpriyaji also granted Govinddas darshan in a divine, extraordinary manner. As soon as that darshan occurred, Govinddas fainted. Later, when he was called and pulled, Shri Gusainji called out to Govinddas and said, “Govinddas, arise. You will always receive such darshan of Navanitpriyaji.” Then Govinddas stood up.
After that, Govinddas made a humble request to Shri Gusainji, saying, “Maharaj, please show mercy and accept me into your refuge. Keep me always at your feet.” Then Shri Gusainji, showing grace, had Govinddas formally receive the Name and thereafter gave him the chewed betel leaf. As soon as he accepted it, Govinddas gained knowledge of the divine forms of Shri Acharyaji and Shri Gusainji. Then Govinddas began to sing the verses of Shri Acharyaji. Hearing this, Shri Gusainji became very pleased. Thereafter, Shri Gusainji, by his grace, appointed Govinddas as his khavasi.
Prasang 1 – Govinddas as the Khavasi of Shri Gusainji
This Govinddas served as the khavasi of Shri Gusainji. Whenever Shri Gusainji would perform the service and adornment of Shri Navanitpriyaji, Govinddas would tie on his anklets and dance before Shri Navanitpriyaji.
Once, on the day of Shri Radhashtami, after completing Rajbhog, Shri Gusainji arrived at Rawal along with all the children. There, Shobha Betiji filled the ceremonial vessel for the awakening service of Shri Navanitpriyaji. Later, at the time of bhog, Govinddas began to dance before Shri Navanitpriyaji. He became completely absorbed in rasa. During that, the bell of one anklet broke. Then Shri Navanitpriyaji placed it upon Govinddas’s foot with his own divine foot. Govinddas had no awareness of this at all.
Later, four watches of the night passed. Then Shri Gusainji returned from Rawal to Shri Gokul along with all the children. It was heard that it was the time for the bhog of Shri Navanitpriyaji. Then Shri Gusainji came into the temple and began to say something. At that time, Shri Navanitpriyaji said to Shri Gusainji, “Do not speak.” After that, at midnight, the dance concluded. Then Shobha Betiji came to awareness. She gathered together the evening bhog and night bhog, and when the proper time came, the bhog was offered, the sen aarti was performed, and Shobha Betiji put Shri Navanitpriyaji to rest.
That Govinddas khavasi was such a greatly favored and blessed devotee of Shri Gusainji. He would always dance in the presence of Shri Navanitpriyaji at the proper times. He always remained intoxicated with rasa through love. He was exceedingly dear and favored. Therefore, there is no limit to his Vaarta. So how far can one even narrate his Vaarta?