Now the sentiment of the discourse of Shri Gusainji’s sevak Gyanchand Seth, who lived in Agra, is being narrated.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): He is a rajasic devotee. In divine play, her name is “Anangini.” That Anangini manifested from Dhuwanand; therefore, he is of the form of sentiment itself.
This Gyanchand was born in Agra in a baniya family. That baniya was very wealthy. He ran a moneylending shop and employed ten servants. But he had no offspring, and because of this he suffered greatly. Then someone said to that baniya, “Open a perpetual charity kitchen in your house. By the grace of some sadhu or renunciate, you will have offspring.” Then he opened a perpetual charity kitchen in his house. Brahmins, sadhus, vairagis, and renunciates—whoever came to Agra—received sustenance from that baniya’s place. Whatever provisions were needed, he gave everything with his own hands. After doing this for some time, the baniya was blessed with a son. He named him Gyanchand.
When Gyanchand became fourteen years old, the baniya arranged his marriage. After some days, Gyanchand’s parents passed away. A short time later, his wife also died. Gyanchand became deeply distressed. His mind found no rest anywhere. Wherever there was any discourse or spiritual narration in the village, he would go there.
One day, a Vaishnava said to Gyanchand, “If you listen to the discourse at Santdasji’s house, you will experience great joy. But Santdasji does not allow anyone except Vallabhi Vaishnavas to enter his house. Therefore, if you become a Vallabhi Vaishnava, this will be possible.” Gyanchand asked that Vaishnava, “How does one become a Vallabhi Vaishnava?” The Vaishnava replied, “Go to Shri Gokul and become a sevak of Shri Gusainji; then you will become a Vallabhi Vaishnava.” Gyanchand then asked, “Who is Shri Gusainji?” The Vaishnava replied, “Shri Gusainji is the manifest Supreme Purushottam Himself. He resides in Shri Gokul.”
Hearing this, Gyanchand took some money for expenses and set out from Agra. He arrived in Shri Gokul and obtained the darshan of Shri Gusainji. That day happened to be Shri Gusainji’s birthday. Gyanchand saw that everywhere in Shri Gokul, celebrations of joy were taking place. Doorways were adorned with festoons and decorations. All the married women had gathered and were singing auspicious songs. Shri Gusainji Himself, after performing a saffron bath, was holding a saffron-colored dhoti and upper cloth in His own hands.
At that very moment, Gyanchand offered full prostration to Shri Gusainji. Shri Gusainji became pleased and looked toward Gyanchand. Then He said, “Gyanchand! When did you come from Agra?” Hearing Shri Gusainji’s words, Gyanchand was astonished and thought in his mind, “Shri Gusainji has never seen me before, and I have never obtained His darshan before. Yet He has called me by name and asked me!” Therefore, he perceived that there must be some reason.
Then Gyanchand reflected in his heart, “He is manifest Supreme Purushottam Himself. Who else could know this secret without Him?” Then Gyanchand submitted to Shri Gusainji, “Maharaj! I have just arrived now.” Then Shri Gusainji had water brought by Haridas, the attendant, and gave His own charanamrit to Gyanchand. At that moment, Gyanchand obtained darshan of Shri Gusainji’s transcendental form along with all divine play.
Then Gyanchand submitted to Shri Gusainji, “Maharaj! Please show mercy and make me Your sevak. I have been separated for a long time, and today I have obtained the royal lotus feet. Therefore, do not delay now. Quickly grant me refuge.” Knowing Gyanchand’s intense longing, Shri Gusainji bestowed the sacred name upon him. The next day, the formal initiation was performed. Gyanchand’s own divine form then manifested, and he became exceedingly joyful.
Thereafter, he obtained darshan of Shri Gusainji’s birth-lila and held it firmly in his heart. Gyanchand remained constantly absorbed in divine play. Then Shri Gusainji Himself gave Gyanchand the scriptures of Shri Acharyaji as well as His own writings. Gyanchand stayed in Shri Gokul for some days. Then, taking Shri Gusainji’s permission, he returned to his home in Agra. Gyanchand would daily recite the scriptures of Shri Acharyaji and Shri Gusainji and remained absorbed in the rasa of divine play.
Prasang 1 – The Final Remembrance and Union
Whenever Shri Gusainji came to Agra, He would stay at Gyanchand’s house. Such was the grace Shri Gusainji showed toward Gyanchand.
After some time, Gyanchand’s body became weak. He was laid on the ground. All the Vaishnavas came to Gyanchand’s house. Gyanchand said to them, “All of you who have come, please show mercy upon me and continuously chant the name of Bhagavan.” Then all the Vaishnavas began chanting the name of Bhagavan. Some recited the Panchadhyayi, some the Venugita, some the Jugal Gita, some the Gita Govinda, and some performed kirtan. In this way, all the Vaishnavas chanted the name of Bhagavan. Gyanchand listened with great joy.
When his final time approached, Gyanchand said to the Vaishnavas, “Listen! Once, on Shri Gusainji’s birthday, Shri Gusainji, after performing a saffron bath, was holding the saffron dhoti and upper cloth in his own hands. At that moment, I went and offered full prostration. Then the Lord recognized that I had come. Shri Gusainji had Haridas bring water and gave me charanamrit. Then Shri Gusainji graciously asked me, ‘Gyanchand, when did you come from Agra?’ I submitted to Shri Gusainji, ‘Maharaj, I have just arrived.’” At that very moment, remembering Shri Gusainji in meditation and urging all the Vaishnavas to remember Shri Krishna, Gyanchand immediately left his body. He was so deeply attached to Shri Gusainji’s form.
Thus, Gyanchand, taking on a new body, went to Shri Gokul and offered full prostration to Shri Gusainji. Shri Gusainji asked, “Gyanchand! When did you come?” Gyanchand replied to Shri Gusainji, “Maharaj! I have just arrived.” At that moment, the doors for the darshan of Shri Navaneetpriyaji opened. Gyanchand obtained darshan and entered into divine play. Such was Gyanchand, a recipient of Shri Gusainji’s grace, wholly belonging to Bhagavan. Therefore, how far can his discourse be narrated?