Now, the sevak of Shri Gusainji, named Syamdas, an Anjana Kunbi, who was from Gujarat, bhav of his account is spoken of.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): He was a sattvic devotee. In divine play, his name is “Premkali.” He manifested from Bhadra. Therefore, he is of the nature of Bhav.
Prasang 1 – Acceptance into Refuge and the Life of Loving Service
Once, Shri Gusainji himself set out from Shri Gokulji to Dwarkaji for the darshan of Shri Ranchhodji. Going through Gujarat, he reached Dwarkaji, had the darshan of Shri Ranchhodji, and then returned. Shri Gusainji was traveling when, on the way, he came to a village. In that village lived Syamdas, the Anjana Kunbi. He had the darshan of Shri Gusainji. Then Syamdas reflected in his heart that it would be good to take refuge in Shri Gusainji. So Syamdas made a humble request to Shri Gusainji, saying, “Maharajadhiraj! Please be merciful and accept me into your refuge.” Then Shri Gusainji said to Syamdas, “Go and bathe, then come.” Syamdas went to bathe, bathed, and returned. After that, he performed full prostration before Shri Gusainji and said, “Maharaj! I have bathed and returned.” Then Shri Gusainji accepted Syamdas into his refuge.
Afterward, Shri Gusainji prepared the meal, offered bhog to Shri Thakurji, completed the bhog at the proper time, and then the Lord himself ate and performed achaman. Then he commanded Syamdas, saying, “Syamdas! You take this very mahaprasad.” Then Shri Gusainji placed his own leftover plate before Syamdas. Syamdas accepted the mahaprasad. After that, Shri Gusainji rested. The next day, Shri Gusainji departed from there. Taking Syamdas along with him, he again went toward Dwarkaji for the darshan of Shri Ranchhodji. After going there and having darshan, they departed from there and came to Shri Gokul. Syamdas, however, remained in Gujarat.
Later, once a person asked Syamdas, “What is your caste?” Then Syamdas replied, “I do not know my caste. My parents died when I was a child. I was abandoned in childhood. Therefore, I know nothing clearly about who I am or what my caste is. And what concern do I have with my parents? My entire wealth is Shri Gusainji, who has revealed to me the knowledge of the form of Shri Govardhan Nathji. I have taken refuge only in him. My upliftment has been done by Shri Gusainji himself. Then what use is there in caste for me?” Hearing this, that person smiled and said, “See how firm he is! There is not even the slightest trace of worldly matters in him.” After that, the person neither said anything further nor spoke anything at all.
Syamdas stayed there for some days and then went to Shri Gokul for the darshan of Shri Gusainji. Coming from Gujarat to Shri Gokul, Syamdas had the darshan of Shri Navanitpriyaji at the time of Rajbhog and aarti. After that, Shri Gusainji completed his service and came to his sitting place. Then Syamdas went for the darshan of Shri Gusainji. Upon reaching there, he performed full prostration. Shri Gusainji then asked Syamdas, “Syamdas! When did you arrive?” Syamdas replied, “Maharajadhiraj! I have just arrived.”
Then Shri Gusainji went to take his meal. After eating and performing achaman, the Lord said to Syamdas, “Syamdas! Get up and take the mahaprasad.” Then Syamdas bathed and went to take the mahaprasad. Shri Gusainji himself placed the plate before Syamdas with his own hands. Syamdas accepted the mahaprasad. After that, Shri Gusainji went to his sitting place and rested. Syamdas, however, began serving the lotus feet of Shri Gusainji. Later, Shri Gusainji awoke. It was the time for the awakening of Shri Navanitpriyaji. Shri Gusainji bathed, went to the temple, had the conch blown, offered the awakening bhog to Shri Navanitpriyaji, and completed all services up to the bedtime offering. Then he returned to his sitting place. Syamdas, having taken darshan, became extremely joyful.
After staying there for some days, Shri Gusainji departed for Shrinathji Dwar. Syamdas also went along with the Lord. Upon reaching Shri Giriraj, Shri Gusainji bathed and, as it was time for the Rajbhog of Shri Govardhan Nathji, went up the mountain to the temple and completed the offering. Syamdas had the darshan of Shri Govardhan Nathji during Rajbhog and aarti and became exceedingly joyful. He said, “Blessed is my fortune that by the grace of Shri Gusainji I have received such darshan.” After completing the observances, Shri Gusainji came down from Shri Giriraj and sat in his sitting place. Syamdas also came along. Shri Gusainji then asked Syamdas, “Syamdas! Did you have the darshan of Shri Govardhan Nathji?” Syamdas performed full prostration before Shri Gusainji and said, “Maharajadhiraj! You are an ocean of mercy. By your grace, a fallen one like me has received the happiness of such darshan.” Hearing this humble request and seeing the simple nature of Syamdas, Shri Gusainji became very pleased.
After that, Syamdas developed the desire that it would be good to go on forest pilgrimage. Syamdas made a request to Shri Gusainji, saying, “Maharajadhiraj! I have the desire to go on a forest pilgrimage.” Shri Gusainji commanded, “Very good.” Then Syamdas bowed to Shri Gusainji and departed for the forest pilgrimage. After completing the pilgrimage, he returned to Shri Giriraj, had darshan of Shri Girirajji, and then had darshan of Shri Gusainji. After that, Syamdas stayed there.
Then Shri Gusainji assigned Syamdas the service of the flower house. Syamdas requested Shri Gusainji, “Maharajadhiraj! What is the true form of flowers?” Shri Gusainji commanded, “The hearts of the Braj devotees, who are the gopis, are these flowers. They touch the limbs of Shri Thakurji.” Hearing this, Syamdas became extremely joyful. Knowing the flowers to be the hearts of the Braj devotees, he would not allow them to touch his feet, would not touch them without washing his hands, and took great care that they would not wither.
Later, one day Syamdas again requested Shri Gusainji, “Maharaj! If such is the nature of flowers, then how are they strung with a needle?” Shri Gusainji commanded, “The needle is the sutra. It gives the indication of Bhagavat sambandh in the hearts of the Braj devotees. Through that indication, the hearts of the Braj devotees become very joyful and blossom. They understand that now the indication of Bhagavat sambandh has come to us; now our swift acceptance will occur.” Hearing this, all the doubts of Syamdas were removed, and he continued his service with deep feeling.
One day, Syamdas saw groups upon groups of Braj devotees appearing in the flower house. Syamdas asked, “I do not recognize you.” The Braj devotees replied, “The garlands of flowers that you cause to be accepted are our form. Being pleased with your devotion, and with the permission of Shri Gusainji, we give you darshan. Ask for something.” Syamdas joined both hands and humbly requested, “May my heart never leave this service and go elsewhere.” The Braj devotees said, “So be it. It shall be thus.”
Then Syamdas reported this matter to Shri Gusainji. Shri Gusainji commanded, “Those whose final birth this is, Shri Thakurji keeps nothing concealed from them. For such a life, the path has been revealed.” After that, as long as Syamdas lived, he gave no thought to anything else. He left his body while engaged only in service. Then the Vaishnavs performed his final rites. This news was conveyed to Shri Gusainji by the Vaishnavs. Hearing it, Shri Gusainji greatly praised him, saying, “See what a pure, innocent nature he had—he did not even remain aware of his own body.”
Such was Syamdas, a greatly graced, Bhagavadiya sevak of Shri Gusainji, upon whom Shri Gusainji was always pleased. Taking him into his refuge, Shri Gusainji imparted to him the knowledge of his own divine form. Therefore, how far can the account of Syamdas be spoken?