Now, the Bhav of the account of Benidas Chhipa, the sevak of Shri Gusainji, who lived in Sahajadpur, is spoken of.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): He was a sattvic devotee. In divine play, his name is “Krishna Ranga.” His complexion is like Krishna’s. He manifested from Syama; therefore, he is of the nature of Bhav.
Prasang 1 – Acceptance into Service and the Experience of Divine Bliss
Once, Shri Gusainji himself had come to Sahajadpur. There, Chhipa Benidas had the darshan of Shri Gusainji. He had the darshan of the very form of the complete Purushottam. Then Benidas Chhipa made a humble request to Shri Gusainji, saying, “Maharajadhiraj! Please be merciful and grant me name-nivedan.” Then Shri Gusainji said to Benidas Chhipa, “Go and bathe, then come.” So Benidas went, bathed, and returned in a state of purity, standing before Shri Gusainji with folded hands. Then Shri Gusainji granted Benidas the name-nivedan. After that, calling the household members, Shri Gusainji made Benidas his sevak.
Afterward, Shri Gusainji offered bhog to Shri Thakurji, completed the bhog, then completed the observances, ate his meal, and lay down to rest. In this manner, Shri Gusainji stayed there for several days. Then Benidas requested Shri Gusainji, “Maharaj! Please grant me some service.” Then Shri Gusainji granted Benidas the service of one Lalji form. Later, someone said to Benidas that neel (bluing agent for whitening cloth) is not suitable for Shri Thakurji’s use. Then Benidas requested Shri Gusainji, saying, “Maharajadhiraj! I have heard that Shri Thakurji does not accept garments that have undergone “neel” processing.” Then Shri Gusainji said to Benidas, “There is no fault in the dyeing itself. But Shri Thakurji does not accept “neel” processed garments as attire. That which is the best among all best things is accepted by Shri Thakurji.”
Then Benidas offered a very fine patterned cloth, which was extremely excellent. Seeing that cloth, Shri Gusainji became very pleased and said, “See! What an excellent and fine item—worthy of Shri Thakurji!” Then Benidas requested Shri Gusainji, “Maharajadhiraj! There is another cloth just like this. If you command, I will bring it.” Then Shri Gusainji said from his sacred mouth, “Very good.” Then Benidas Chhipa completed some work that remained to be done on that cloth, and after finishing it, brought it before Shri Gusainji and humbly submitted, “Maharajadhiraj! There was some work remaining on this cloth, so I completed it and brought it to you.”
Hearing Benidas’s words and seeing his simple nature, Shri Gusainji became very pleased. While conversing thus, Benidas became filled with great spiritual thrill and became fully absorbed accordingly. Seeing Benidas’s state, Shri Gusainji stayed there for a very long time. After that, Shri Gusainji took leave from there and departed for Shri Gokul. Benidas Chhipa offered Shri Gusainji very valuable gifts and sent an offering for Shri Govardhan Nathji.
After that, Benidas Chhipa came to Shri Gokul. By the grace of Shri Gusainji, he had the darshan of Shri Navanitpriyaji. He had the darshan of all seven forms and also the darshan of the children. Having these darshans, he became extremely joyful. He had the darshan of Shri Gusainji—the direct vision of the complete Purushottam, whose beauty surpasses millions of Cupids. Shri Gusainji completed the service and adornment of Shri Navanitpriyaji, performed Rajbhog and aarti, completed the observances, and then came to his sitting place.
Then all the Vaishnavs came to offer prostration. After offering prostration to the Lord, each went to his own home. Benidas also came there, offered prostration, and sat. After that, Shri Gusainji went to take his meal. After eating, he came to the sitting place and said to Benidas, “Benidas! Get up and take the mahaprasad.” Then Benidas also offered prostration and took the mahaprasad. After that, Shri Gusainji rested, and Benidas stood and waved the fan. Then Shri Gusainji awoke, bathed, and offered bhog to Shri Navanitpriyaji. Completing all services up to the evening aarti, he completed the observances and came to his sitting place, sitting upon the cushion and bolster.
In this way, seeing these darshans, Benidas stayed in Shri Gokul for many days. After that, Shri Gusainji came to Shrinathji Dwar for the darshan of Shri Govardhan Nathji. Benidas also came along. It was the time of Rajbhog for Shri Govardhan Nathji. Shri Gusainji bathed, went up the mountain to the temple, offered Rajbhog to Shri Govardhan Nathji, and at the proper time completed the bhog and performed the aarti.
Having the darshan of Shri Govardhan Nathji, Benidas Chhipa became completely absorbed and forgot awareness of his body. There, in the temple, he fainted and fell. Then Shri Gusainji noticed Benidas and brought him back to awareness. At that time, Benidas requested Shri Gusainji, saying, “Maharaj! Why did you bring me out from such bliss?” Shri Gusainji commanded, “For now, you still have much work to do.”
After that, Shri Gusainji completed the observances of Shrinathji, came down to his sitting place, and sat upon the cushion and bolster. He brought Benidas along with him to the sitting place below. Then Shri Gusainji went to take his meal and said to Benidas, “Benidas! Today take the mahaprasad here itself.” After eating, Shri Gusainji came to his sitting place and gave his own leftovers to Benidas. Taking them, Benidas experienced great bliss.
After having the darshan of Shri Govardhan Nathji for several days, Benidas Chhipa requested Shri Gusainji, saying, “Maharajadhiraj! If you command, I wish to go on forest pilgrimage.” Shri Gusainji said, “Very good.” Then Benidas, having received Shri Gusainji’s command, went on forest pilgrimage. Having the darshan of Braj, Benidas attained immense joy. Returning to Shri Giriraj, he had the darshan of Shri Govardhan Nathji.
After that, Shri Gusainji came to Shri Gokul. Benidas also came with Shri Gusainji to Shri Gokul and had the darshan of Shri Navanitpriyaji. After that, Shri Gusainji became very pleased with Benidas. After staying for some days, Benidas requested leave from Shri Gusainji, saying, “Maharajadhiraj! If you command, I wish to go to my homeland.” Then Shri Gusainji gave Benidas prasad and a mahaprasadi upper garment. After that, Benidas performed full prostration before Shri Gusainji and humbly requested, “Maharaj! Shri Thakurji residing in my home grants me the darshan of Shrinathji.” Shri Gusainji commanded, “Shri Thakurji fulfills all the desires of those who live the Pushtimarg way of life.”
Then Benidas departed from Shri Gokul. After some days, he reached his home in Sahajadpur, met everyone there, and began serving Shri Thakurji in his home. Then Shri Thakurji began granting darshan to Benidas according to his desires—giving darshan just as Benidas conceived them.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): The intent of this account is that whoever serves Shri Thakurji with simple feeling, Shri Thakurji quickly reveals direct experience to that person. Benidas served in this manner for many days. After that, Benidas left his body. His body was cremated, and whatever wealth and valuables were in his home were sent to Shri Gokul. This news was conveyed to Shri Gusainji by one of Benidas’s Vaishnava associates. Hearing this, Shri Gusainji praised Benidas greatly and said, “Benidas was a good Vaishnava.” That Benidas Chhipa was such a graced Bhagavadiya of Shri Gusainji, upon whom Shri Gusainji always remained pleased. Therefore, how far can his account be spoken?