Now the sevak of Shri Gusai Ji, Mathuradas Kshatri, of Gopalpur, whom Shri Gusai Ji renounced, the sentiment of his Varta is being spoken.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): He is a sattvic devotee. In the divine play, his name is “Premvallari.” That Premvallari manifested from Subhanana; therefore, this is the form of his inner sentiment..
This Mathuradas was born in Gopalpur in a Kshatri family. When he became about thirty years old, he obtained the company of a Vaishnava and came to Shri Gokul, becoming a sevak of Shri Gusai Ji. From that day onward, he would go daily to Shri Gokul for the darshan of Shri Gusai Ji. After hearing the discourse of Shri Subodhini Ji, he would then return to his home.
Prasang 1 – The Renunciation and the Compassion of the Old Woman
At one time, Shri Gusai Ji was seated in his baithak. At that time, five or seven Vaishnavas were sitting nearby. At that moment, Mathuradas arrived. He offered a full dandavat to Shri Gusai Ji, then, after receiving permission, he sat down. After that, Mathuradas submitted a request to Shri Gusai Ji, saying, “Maharaj! How much difference is there between your creation and the creation of Shri Acharya Ji?” Hearing this, Shri Gusai Ji remained silent. Later, one day, those same Vaishnavas were all seated before the Lord. Then Shri Gusai Ji called Mathuradas and said, “Vaishnava! I have renounced you.” The words of Shri Gusai Ji were heard by all the Vaishnavas. After that, all the Vaishnavas returned to their respective homes. Then Mathuradas also, becoming ashamed, returned to his home. From that day onward, no Vaishnava would remember Shri Krishna together with Mathuradas. No one would even speak with him. Moreover, if he went to anyone’s house, the Vaishnavas would say to him, “Brother! Why do you come to our house? Shri Gusai Ji has renounced you. Therefore, do not come to our house.” In this way, all the Vaishnavas spoke to him.
Mathuradas did not take water or food for three days. Then on the fourth day, Mathuradas resolved in his mind, “Now I shall renounce this body.” So on the fourth day he went outside the village. There, on the way, he came upon the house of an old woman. That old woman was a sevakini of Shri Acharya Ji Mahaprabhu. Then Mathuradas thought in his mind, “She is a sevak of Shri Acharya Ji Mahaprabhu; therefore, at this time I should continue remembering Shri Krishna.” So Mathuradas came to the house of that old woman. At that time, the old woman, having offered the royal meal to her Shri Thakur Ji, was sitting outside. That Vaishnava went and remembered Shri Krishna. Seeing this, the old woman became very pleased, seated Mathuradas with devotion, and made a request, saying, “I have now become old; therefore, I am not able to go daily for the darshan of Shri Gusai Ji. But the Lord is very compassionate—today, by His grace, without being called, He has sent His Vaishnava to my house at this very time. Therefore, there is no limit to the Lord’s grace.”
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Here it is shown that when the Lord becomes pleased, Vaishnavas suddenly come to one’s home. Surdas Ji has sung:
तब वैष्णव जन दरसन पावे पाप रहे नहीं कोई। हरिलीला उर आवे ताके सकल बासना नासे । सूरदास निश्चय बिचार करि हरि स्वरूप जब भासे ।
When Vaishnava devotees obtain darshan, no sin remains at all. The divine play of Hari enters the heart, and all desires are destroyed. Surdas, after firm contemplation, knows with certainty when the form of Hari shines forth.
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In this way, that old woman had knowledge of the true nature of Vaishnavas. After that, the old woman said to Mathuradas, “Get up! Take a bath.” Then Mathuradas began to weep. The old woman said to him, “Why are you becoming distressed? Tell me the reason.” Then Mathuradas told her all his circumstances, saying, “Shri Gusai Ji and all the Vaishnavas have renounced me. Therefore, I wish to renounce my body. Today is the fourth day that I have taken neither water nor food.” Then the old woman said to the Vaishnava, “Good sir! Do you take to heart the harsh words spoken like those of children? Shri Gusai Ji is a child. Only those who are foolish take his words badly. Therefore, get up, take a bath, have darshan, and reach the temple. Then the two of us will go together for the darshan of Shri Gusai Ji.” Then Mathuradas bathed there. After arranging the offering, both of them reached Shri Thakur Ji, and then came for the darshan of Shri Gusai Ji.
That Vaishnava offered a dandavat to Shri Gusai Ji. Then Shri Gusai Ji asked that Vaishnava, “Vaishnava! You have not been seen for four days—where had you gone?” Then the old woman narrated all the circumstances of that Vaishnava before Shri Gusai Ji. Then Shri Gusai Ji said with his own mouth, “I have said nothing to him. I have not renounced him.” Hearing the words of the Lord, that Vaishnava, accepting the old woman’s words as true, became thrilled with joy and offered a dandavat to Shri Gusai Ji. Then Shri Gusai Ji said to all the Vaishnavas, “See, Vaishnavas! Such is the creation of Shri Acharya Ji Mahaprabhu.”
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): What does this mean? In the creation of Shri Acharya Ji Mahaprabhu, there is firm and steadfast love. It is known that on this path there is absolutely no renunciation. Therefore, this Vaishnava was saved from death. Just as Achyutdas showed grace to Bhagwandas Bhitariya, in the same way this old woman also showed grace to Mathuradas. Therefore, what can truly be said about the creation of Shri Acharya Ji Mahaprabhu?
Then all the Vaishnavas, hearing the Lord’s words, remained silent in their minds. After that, the old woman had those Vaishnavas offer dandavat, and she herself offered dandavat. Then, showing grace to them, Shri Gusai Ji gave two betel leaves. After that, the old woman took that Vaishnava to her home. In a good manner, she gave him Mahaprasad, made him pleased, and then sent him to his home. When the old woman departed from Shri Gusai Ji’s presence and went to her home, Shri Gusai Ji himself narrated all the details of that old woman before the Vaishnavas and praised her greatly. Then all the Vaishnavas, hearing this, remained silent. That old woman was such a sevakini of Shri Acharya Ji. Through her association, Mathuradas attained knowledge of the true form of Shri Gusai Ji.
Thus, Mathuradas became such a recipient of Shri Gusai Ji’s grace and a devotee belonging to the Lord; therefore, his Varta is spoken of to this extent.