Now, there are two Kunbi sevaks of Shri Gusainji, residents of Gujarat; the Bhav of their account is told.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Both of them are sattvic devotees. In the divine play, one’s name is “Pratima” and the other’s name is “Manoharini.” Both of them manifested from “Ratna.” Therefore they are of the form of Bhav.
Prasang 1 - Hiding Vaishnav Identity and Returning to Service
Both these Kunbis came from Gujarat to Shri Gokul and became sevaks of Shri Gusainji. Later, receiving Shri Gusainji’s command, they began to do the service of Shri Nathji. Then one day, in the minds of those two brothers, this arose: “We do the service of Shri Nathji, but we are not able to fulfill any wish (manorath).” Then one day, both of them, thinking like this in their minds, left the service of Shri Nathji there, and the two brothers went away.
A little distance from there, one man was having a pond dug. Those Kunbis saw him. Then those two brothers went and asked him: “Will you keep us here to do labor?” Then he said: “Stay comfortably. You also do labor.” Then both brothers stayed to do labor. Then they took off the mala from their necks and tied it inside their turban. So the turban remained on the head. Then, washing off the tilak, they began to do the work there.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): So, in this account it is shown that, hiding their Vaishnav identity, when they did labor, then the craftsmen there and the masons who were there, and those who were getting that pond dug, all of them remained pleased with those two people. And these two people did double the work compared to everyone. Later, when the masons distributed roasted chickpeas to everyone, then those two people, in exchange for those chickpeas, took only dry grain. Then the one who distributed those chickpeas, while distributing to everyone, gave them double.
Then at night, when they came to their place, they placed their flour in one spot, and taking out one unbaked earthen pot, they kept it separately. Then, wearing their cloth and putting on the mala, bathing, and with aparas, one person cooked, and one person did the outside duty. Then, after bathing, placing the tilak and the sacred marks, first they did japa; after that they did all the tasks. Then, after cooking, offering bhog to Shri Thakurji, both brothers took Mahaprasad. After that, reaching there, they slept. In this way they did it daily.
So one day, that man was paying their wages. He too was a Vaishnav. Then he saw their mala and tilak clearly. Because that day they had forgotten to remove the mala and tilak. So he understood: “These two brothers are Vaishnavs.” Then he thought in his mind: “These two people work very hard here, and they receive only a small earning. Therefore it would be good if they get a lot of wages.” Then when morning came, he said to those two people: “Well, well—we have recognized you. Therefore both of you are Vaishnavs, and sevaks of Shri Gusainji. And you did not tell me about your Vaishnav identity.”
Hearing this, both people said nothing. Then those two people thought in their minds: “Now our Vaishnav identity has been known. Therefore now let us leave from here. Now there is no point in staying here.” Thus those two people decided this. And that overseer thought: “Today I will assign these two people to some other place of work.” That mason was distributing money. To him that overseer said: “These two people have come; it will be good if, as I say, you assign them work in a better place.” Then others there also began to say: “These are good men; therefore decide such a thing for sure.”
And those two people were Vaishnavs. So taking the money of their wages, coming to their hut, then cooking, offering bhog to Shri Thakurji, and after that taking Mahaprasad, they divided the wage-money equally between the two. Then, when one watch of the night had passed, both people left from there. They came fifteen kos. Then morning came upon them. Then they cleaned their teeth and drank water. After that they went again, and they walked twenty kos. Then, at one place at night, cooking, offering bhog to Shri Thakurji, and after offering the bhog, both people took Mahaprasad. After that, at night they slept. Then the next day, in the morning, they again left from there. They had the darshan of Shri Nathji. After that they had the darshan of Shri Gusainji. Then they did a full prostration (sashtang dandavat).
Then Shri Gusainji asked: “Where had you two people gone?” Then they said: “Maharajadhiraj! One day, while doing the service of Shri Nathji, such a thought arose in our minds: ‘We do the service of Shri Nathji, but we have not arranged any offering-material for Shri Nathji.’ Therefore, Maharaj, we two people went there to do labor. By doing labor, today we have brought money.” Then the money they had, they placed all of it in front of Shri Gusainji. And whatever wish (manorath) they had in their minds, they narrated all of it.
Then Shri Gusainji put all that money into Shri Nathji’s storehouse. Then whatever materials those two brothers mentioned, Shri Gusainji gave the command to have those materials prepared. Then those two people told everything about that place in front of Shri Gusainji: “Maharaj! Our earning became very good indeed, but Maharaj, they recognized us—‘These are good Vaishnavs.’ Therefore, Maharaj, we fled from there. Maharaj, coming here today, we have seen the lotus-feet of the King.”
Then Shri Gusainji said from his own holy mouth: “Syabas! Your dharma remained. Therefore this alone is the dharma of a Vaishnav.” Then Shri Gusainji gave the command: “Now you do the same service that you used to do before for Shri Nathji. And, being pleased, knowing it to be Shri Thakurji’s service, you should do the service.”
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): So the intention of this account is this: a Vaishnav should keep his dharma hidden; he should not reveal it in front of anyone. And those who display their dharma and take money and such things are not Vaishnavs; their dharma is never truly accomplished. Such is the subtle movement of dharma.
Thus those two brothers became such supremely favored Bhagavadiyas of Shri Gusainji. Therefore, how long should their account be told?