Now the sevak of Shri Gusainji, a Vaadhaji, a Rajput, a resident of Gujarat, his account is told as the sentiment.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): So this Vaaghaji is a royal devotee. In the divine play his name is “Charumati.” So he is of the sentiment-form of “Madonmattaa.” He has one companion-friend. Her name is “Charumukhi.” She became Vaadhaji’s wife here. So there is extremely deep affection between the two. Both of them are intimate companion-friends of Shri Thakurji.
So, in one village of Gujarat, both of them were born in the house of Rajputs. When they became eight to ten years old, then the parents of both arranged the marriage of the two. After that, in a few days, when the wife became grown, she came to her own home. So Vaaghaji’s wife was very worthy and a devoted wife. So she remained under Vaaghaji’s command.
After that, when Vaaghaji became twenty years old, he served as an attendant in the kingdom. So one day Shri Gusainji was proceeding to Dwarkaji. So on the way, he came to Vaaghaji’s village. There Shri Gusainji set up his camp. So Vaaghaji saw many chariots, horses, and men along with Shri Gusainji. Then Vaaghaji asked Shri Gusainji’s men, “Which king’s army has come? Where is it today?” Then one Braj resident said, “This is not a king. He is the king even of kings, Maharajadhiraj. He is an Acharya, Jagatguru. Great kings are his sevak.” Then Vaaghaji asked, “What is his name? Where does he live?” Then the Braj resident said, “He is Shri Vitthalnathji Shri Gusainji. He is Shri Gokuladhipati.” Then Vaaghaji felt longing for Shri Gusainji’s darshan. After that he said to that Braj resident, “Will you get me his darshan?” Then he said, “Look, he is standing there.” Then Vaaghaji looked, and saw that Shri Govarddhandhar himself was standing there. He saw such a form, brilliance, and majesty. Then Vaaghaji came and made a request to Shri Gusainji, “Maharaj! Have mercy and make me your sevak. Today my fortune has risen, that I have had darshan of the complete Purushottam, whose beauty defeats crores of Cupids.” Then Shri Gusainji, knowing Vaaghaji to be a divine soul, took him into refuge.
After that Vaaghaji made a request, “Maharaj! Please come to my home and also take my wife into refuge.” Then Shri Gusainji, seeing Vaaghaji’s great insistence, had mercy and came to his home. Then he asked the wife’s name. Then he had both of them observe a fast and on the next day had them offer the formal offering. After that Vaaghaji requested, “Maharaj! Please bestow Bhagvat-seva. Then we will do the seva.” Then Shri Gusainji bestowed upon them the Bhagvat-svarup.
And near Vaaghaji’s house there lived a Vaishnav. He was a sevak of Shri Gusainji. So Shri Gusainji commanded Vaaghaji, “From this Vaishnav, ask and learn the entire method of seva.” After that Shri Gusainji departed from there. So Vaaghaji the Rajput learned the whole method of seva from that Vaishnav.
Prasang 1 - Proper Seva and the Ghee in Tavapuri
So that Vaaghaji Rajput and his wife, both of them, did Shri Thakurji’s seva in a good manner. They offered very beautiful, new and fresh materials to Shri Thakurji. They would call the Vaishnav daily. Daily one or two Vaishnavs would come for the maha-prasad. That was their rule: if, by chance, no Vaishnav came for the maha-prasad, then that day they would fast, and they would give all the maha-prasad to the cows. And the wife would sleep hungry. Such was their rule.
And Vaaghaji was an attendant at the royal court. So one day, he prepared Shri Thakurji’s tavapuri and chickpea dal in a thick preparation. And in the morning, after getting up, he invited one Vaishnav. Then he adorned Shri Thakurji, placed the adornment-food offering, and came outside. Just then a man from the royal court came and said, “The king’s procession is quickly going for hunting. He has called you at once.” Then Vaaghaji said to his wife, “I am going with the king’s procession, so I will come late—by afternoon. Therefore you place the royal offering for Shri Thakurji, have him take the offering, perform the aarti as per rule, and I have invited that particular Vaishnav, so I am telling him as I go—so you go quickly. He will come. Get him to take the maha-prasad, and after that cover the maha-prasad and keep it. When I come, then we will take the maha-prasad ourselves.” Saying this, he put on his clothes, tied his weapons, put the saddle on the horse, mounted, and left.
Then on the way there was that Vaishnav’s house. So calling him out, he said, “You quickly go home and take the maha-prasad. I have the time of Shri Thakurji, but I am going in the king’s procession.” After that, at the time of offering, the wife had a little ghee near her. After that, that Vaishnav came quickly and sat waiting.
After that Shri Thakurji informed Vaaghaji while he was in the king’s procession, “In the tavapuri there is little ghee, and it is sticking in my throat. So how will I eat?” Then Vaaghaji Rajput immediately turned the horse toward the house. He pressed the horse with his heels and struck two or four whip blows. Then the horse ran, and at once, with the speed of the wind, he came home. After that he immediately got down from the horse, came into the house, and took the ghee vessel. Bringing ghee from the market, he came home, moved aside the curtain, closed his eyes, and in the bowl he offered ghee into the bhog. After that he at once mounted the horse again, pressed the horse with his heels, and went and met the king’s procession.
In that hurry, he did not even remain aware of his footwear. After that awareness came, “Look! I went into the temple wearing footwear. That was not proper.” After that, the Vaishnav who had been sitting saw that he had gone into the temple wearing footwear. So he thought, “This conduct of his is not proper. Therefore, without his knowing, I took the maha-prasad—yes, I took it. But now it is not proper to take it.” Thinking this, he got up silently from there and came to his home.
After that he told his wife all the news and said, “If Vaaghaji Rajput and his wife come to call me, then do not speak pleasantly; say that he took the maha-prasad and went to some village. He went for some worldly work.” So Vaaghaji Rajput’s wife did not know this matter at all. She was inside cleaning and cooking. Then she reached and went to have the offering accepted. Then she saw that in the temple a bowl of ghee had been filled. Then she remained astonished in her mind, “What is this? Perhaps Shri Thakurji has brought it.” After that she had the royal offering accepted. Performing the aarti as per rule, after that she came outside and looked—there was no Vaishnav. Then she came to the door and called. Then no one spoke. After that, that wife put on her clothes and went to that Vaishnav’s house to call him. Then at the door she called two to four times. Then that Vaishnav’s wife said, “He had some urgent work immediately, so he took the maha-prasad from the house and went to the village.” Then she came back, covered the maha-prasad, and herself became engaged in seva.
After that, at the time of uththapan, Vaaghaji Rajput came home. Then he asked his wife, “Did that Vaishnav take the maha-prasad?” Then the wife denied it, and said, “He came here and sat; when I placed the royal offering and came outside, I saw him sitting. And when I went to have the royal offering accepted, then I looked and there was no one here. After that, performing the aarti as per rule, I went to that Vaishnav’s house. Then the Vaishnav’s wife said, ‘He took the maha-prasad and went to the village.’ Therefore I came home and have covered the maha-prasad and placed it. And the wife asked, ‘Don’t know who filled and placed this bowl of ghee in the temple?’”
Then Vaaghaji Rajput said, “Shri Thakurji informed me that the dry tavapuri is sticking in my throat; there is little ghee. Then I immediately came and placed ghee, and after that I went into the procession. Then that Vaishnav, sitting there, saw it. But in the hurry I did not remain aware of my footwear. So wearing footwear, I offered ghee in the temple. After that I went there. Then awareness came. Then I thought in my mind, ‘May it not enter that Vaishnav’s mind’” So it happened. So, considering that conduct, he went back.
After that Vaaghaji Rajput went again to call that Vaishnav and came to his house. But that Vaishnav was not found at home. His wife said, “He has not come. Don’t know to which village he has gone? And when he will come—he did not say.” Thus that Vaishnav’s wife said. Then Vaaghaji Rajput returned to his home. After that Shri Thakurji lay down to rest. After that, upon reaching, the wife said, “Give this maha-prasad to the cows.” So the maha-prasad was given to the cows. And both of them slept hungry. And Vaaghaji became irritated with his wife, “Why did you keep so little ghee? Because of that Shri Thakurji had to come there, and so much trouble happened.” Then the wife said, “I kept what I always keep. I did not know it like this, I did not understand.”
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): So in this account, this is shown—that one should do seva and the planned offering with great carefulness. One must keep all materials and articles, and every sentiment, after thinking and understanding. There should not remain any deficiency in any matter. Otherwise, the Lord experiences strain.
After that, in the morning, getting up, she again cooked and placed the bhog for Shri Thakurji. After that, again Vaaghaji Rajput went to call that Vaishnav. But he was not found. Thus, until evening, two or three times they went to call that Vaishnav. But that Vaishnav was not found. Then on the second day also, the maha-prasad was given to the cows. And the wife and he—both of them—slept hungry.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Because this is the practice of this path: until the invited Vaishnav takes the maha-prasad to his own home, until then one should not take the prasad oneself. Then the feeling of being a sevak becomes established. From that, humility arises, awareness of one’s own fault arises, and then the Lord becomes pleased.
After that, that Vaishnav’s Lord, Shri Thakurji, said to that wife, “I am going.” Then that wife said to Shri Thakurji, “Why are you going?” Then Shri Thakurji said, “Why did your master come hungry from Vaaghaji Rajput’s house? There Shri Thakurji asked him for ghee. So, in haste, he came and offered ghee. So in haste, the awareness of footwear and clothes did not remain—so what happened? This is the manner of love.”
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Here this doubt is: why did Shri Thakurji say like this? The practice of Shri Acharyaji’s path is this—that one places bhog only in a state of separation from impurity. And if, by chance, in love one becomes overwhelmed and forgets that separation from impurity, then even when awareness comes, one removes that impurity-separation. Then did Vaaghaji not remove it? There it is said: Vaaghaji moved aside the curtain, closed his eyes, and separately offered the bowl of ghee. So the ghee is rasa, therefore it is not without rasa. And the separation from impurity was not touched. If he had touched the vessels and such of the separation-from-impurity, then he would have removed it. In love, awareness of footwear and clothing did not remain. That love is of the Bhagvat-svarup. Then how can any rule touch it? All rules are for making love manifest. That became proven in Vaaghaji. Therefore Shri Thakurji spoke in this way.
There, someone may say: “For the sevak of Acharyaji and Shri Gusainji, love is already established from the beginning. Then why do they keep impurity-separation and rule in seva?” There it is said: in an ordinary state, one must certainly follow rule. Because this is the rule that Shri Acharyaji made manifest. Shri Acharyaji is the revealer of the Pushti-path. Therefore one should perform the act of seva according to his command as the authority. Then the Lord becomes pleased. Therefore seva should not be done in an imagined manner. Shri Acharyaji says in the Navratna Granth this shloka: सेवाकृतिर्गुरोराज्ञा बाधन वा हरीच्छया।
Therefore, the act of seva should be done according to the Guru’s command. If obstruction comes by Hari’s will, then there is no fault in that. Understanding this, the sevak of Shri Acharyaji and Shri Gusainji, in the ordinary state, follow that rule. By following this rule, Shri Acharyaji and Shri Gusainji become pleased. Therefore, their refuge becomes established. With this sentiment, the sevak of Shri Acharyaji and Shri Gusainji keep the rule. But when there is the Lord’s special command, then love becomes full. Then, becoming overwhelmed in love, the rule automatically falls away. That is not an obstacle. Why? Shri Acharyaji says in the Vivek-dhairyashray Granth this shloka: “विशेषतश्चेदाज्ञा स्यादतःकरणगोचरः । तदा विशेष गत्यादि भाव्यं भिन्नं तु दैहिकात् ।
Therefore, if there is the Lord’s special command, then one should follow the Vaishnav in that manner. That is not an obstacle. Therefore here, when Vaaghaji received the command, then moving aside the curtain he offered ghee in bhog. That he did correctly.
At that time Vaaghaji closed his eyes. That too was following Shri Acharyaji’s rule. Because at the time of bhog, Braj devotees have the Lord partake of the materials. At that time, looking is not within the living being’s right. Therefore Shri Acharyaji established the method of the curtain. Therefore Vaaghaji, closing his eyes, offered the bowl of ghee. He followed the practice of the path.
But your master came home and took the maha-prasad. And those husband and wife have been hungry for two days. Therefore you showed such hardness, that those Vaishnavs remained hungry for your sake, and you took the maha-prasad in enjoyment. Therefore I cannot remain here. Thus he said in a dream.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): So this husband and wife, in the divine play, are companions of Charu-rati. The wife is “Bhaktini,” and the man’s name is “Anandini.” Therefore, having mercy on them, he indicated this matter. Otherwise, blame upon the mistress would have happened. Then both would have been spoiled. Therefore the Lord is supremely compassionate.
Then that wife woke up with a start. She told all this news to her husband. Then that Vaishnav at once put on clothes and came to Vaaghaji Rajput’s door and called out. Then Vaaghaji opened the door. Then, joining his hands, he fell at his feet and said, “Forgive my offense, that I took the maha-prasad to my own home, and kept you both hungry for two days. I did such a deed.” After that, what Shri Thakurji said to the wife in the dream, he told all that to Vaaghaji Rajput. And he considered his conduct and told the whole true matter as his own fault.
After that, that Vaishnav said to Vaaghaji Rajput, “Now you, husband and wife, take the maha-prasad. And if you keep my portion held back, then give that to me too. I will take it.” Then Vaaghaji Rajput said, “We gave the maha-prasad to the cows. We did not keep even a little.” Then that Vaishnav insisted greatly and stubbornly, and said, “If you give the command, then I will bring the Balbhog prasad from my house.” Then Vaaghaji Rajput said to his wife, “Do we have any Balbhog maha-prasad?” Then the wife said, “A little bit is there.” After that, they gave that maha-prasad to that Vaishnav. And the husband and wife also took a little. After that he became satisfied and went to his home.
After that, the next day, he got up early, awakened Shri Thakurji, placed the Balbhog, and quickly, without being called, came to Vaaghaji Rajput’s house and sat there. After that, Vaaghaji Rajput completed Shri Thakurji’s seva and adornment, the wife cooked, and then the royal offering was offered. After that, the time came. After that, having Shri Thakurji partake of the bhog and performing the aarti as per rule, after that, that Vaishnav, and the husband and wife—three persons—took the maha-prasad. After that there was joy.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Therefore Shri Thakurji could not bear the Vaishnav’s aarti. Whoever truly performs aarti from the heart, Shri Thakurji fulfills all his heartfelt desires.
That Vaaghaji Rajput, as a sevak of Shri Gusainji, was such a steadfast, grace-receiving Bhagvadiya. Therefore there is no end to his account—how far can his account be told?