Now, among the sevaks of Shri Gusainji, there was the daughter-in-law of a Gujar’s son who lived in Anyor. Shri Govardhannathji Himself arranged for her to receive a buffalo. The inner meaning of her story is told as follows:
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): She is a tamas devotee. In the divine play her name is “Paramesuri.” Previously, in the Jharika lila, she was the friend of “Bimala.” She manifested from Bimala. Bimala is the intimate companion of Shri Rukminiji. She is of Bimala’s devotional form.
Once, in Dwarkaji, Shri Thakurji was speaking to Shri Rukminiji about the pastimes of Braj. At that time Paramesuri came there for some task. From a distance she heard all these talks from the mouth of Shri Thakurji. Then the thought arose in her heart: “When will such fortune be mine that I may experience the Braj lila?” Because of this she felt great longing. She gave up all food and drink. Day and night her mind remained in sorrow. Nothing pleased her. Her mind did not attach to any work.
Shri Thakurji is the indwelling knower of all hearts. Therefore He understood her mind. He called Paramesuri and commanded her, “Why do you feel such sorrow? Worship Shri Yamunaji, for Shri Yamunaji is the presiding deity of the Braj lila. The fortune of Braj lila is obtained only by her grace. Therefore worship her. Your wish will be fulfilled.” In this way Shri Thakurji granted her a boon and went to Shri Rukminiji. After that Paramesuri, burning in the pain of separation, began to worship Shri Yamunaji. Within a few days Shri Yamunaji became pleased and granted her darshan. She said, “Ask for a boon, I am pleased with you.”
Paramesuri folded both hands and prayed, “O Great Queen! Just as you fulfilled the wish of the maidens, in the same way I also have a wish. Please mercifully fulfill it. I am in your refuge.” Shri Yamunaji kindly asked her, “What is your wish? Tell me.” Paramesuri said, “O Great Queen! You are the presiding deity of Braj; Shri Thakurji Himself told me so. Therefore show mercy upon this humble one so that I may be accepted into the Braj lila. I desire nothing else.”
Shri Yamunaji became pleased and said, “So be it. It shall happen.” Thus granting her the boon, Shri Yamunaji disappeared. After some time Paramesuri took birth in Braj. She was born in a Gujar family among the sakhis. When she was twelve years old, she was married to the son of a Braj resident, who was also a Gujar. That Gujar had gone with his family to Shri Gusainji and had received the Name.
Prasang 1 – The Devoted Daughter-in-Law of Anyor
That Braj resident lived in Anyor. Once he brought his son’s bride home after marriage. The bride was grown up. Her in-laws had her receive the Name from Shri Gusainji. Thus she became a sevakini of Shri Gusainji. From that day onward she went daily for the darshan of Shri Govardhannathji. She became deeply attached to Shri Govardhannathji. Without having His darshan she would not take food or water. Such was her firm vow. That bride became very devoted to Bhagavan.
Prasang 2 – The Lost Buffalo and the Prayer
Soon after she came into the house, within a few days the Braj resident’s buffalo was lost. All the people of the house went out searching for it. The bride’s mother-in-law was old, so she sat at the doorway guarding the house. The bride was inside doing household work. A neighbor said to the mother-in-law, “Your daughter-in-law has unlucky feet. See! It has only been a few days since she entered the house, and the buffalo is lost.”
The bride heard these words with her own ears. She went inside and began to weep greatly in distress. Then she prayed to Shri Govardhannathji, “Maharaj! Now here I have no one except You who will hear my call. O Gopal, friend in difficult days! My parents are far away. All these people have placed blame upon my head. Therefore, if today they return home bringing the buffalo, I will offer one day’s fresh butter to you.” Saying this, the Braj woman with pure feeling earnestly prayed to Shri Govardhannathji and offered dandavat, saying, “O Devadaman! If You release me from this trouble, then I shall be saved; otherwise I will give up my life in this house.”
Hearing her prayer, Shri Govardhannathji caused the Braj residents to find the buffalo. They returned home joyfully with it. They tied the buffalo and began speaking among themselves, “Brother! This daughter-in-law’s feet are very auspicious. The lost buffalo has been found.” All the Braj residents praised the bride. But in her heart she said, “This buffalo has been found by the glory of Shri Govardhannathji.” Such was her devotion. Her nature was very simple.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): In this story it is shown that even if any blame comes upon a Vaishnav, still one must not abandon the refuge of Shri Govardhannathji. For Shri Govardhannathji Himself protects the honor of His own people. Therefore a Vaishnav should keep refuge only in Shri Govardhannathji. And if ever the jiva loses patience and prays, then he should pray only to Shri Govardhannathji, and to no one else. Even if one makes a vow, it should be to Devadaman alone, and to no other. Why? Because Shri Govardhannathji is the family deity of Gokul. Gokul means the family of devotees, and He is their Lord. Therefore, apart from Him no other refuge should ever be taken. Why? Because He is Devadaman; He has subdued all the gods. Even Yama and Time fear Him. Surdasji has sung this in the raga Bilaval:
(राग बिलावल | Rāga Bilāval)
गोकुल कौ कुलदेवता प्यारो श्रीगिरिधरलाल। कमलनयन घनसाँवरी वपु बाहु विसाल।
बेगि करो मेरे कहे तुम पकवान रसाल । बलि मघवा बल लेत हैं कर करि घृत गाल ॥
इनके दिये वाढ़ी हैं गैया बच्छ बाल । संग मिलि भोजन करत हैंजैसे पसुपाल ॥।
गिरि गोवर्द्धन सेइये जीवन श्रीगोपाल। 'सूर' सदा डरपत रहे जातें यम-काल ।॥
The beloved family deity of Gokul is Shri Giridhar Lal. His eyes are like lotuses, His complexion is dark like a raincloud, and His arms are broad and mighty. Quickly prepare, as I say, delicious and sweet dishes for Him. Indra himself draws strength by repeatedly applying clarified butter to his cheeks in offering ॥ By His grace the cows, calves, and children have greatly increased. Together they sit and take their meal just like simple cowherds ॥। O my life, serve Shri Gopal of Govardhan Hill. Sur ever remains fearful of the coming of Yama and death ॥
✿✿✿
Therefore, greater than Devadaman there is no other deity. Thus it is established that a Vaishnav should take refuge in Him alone. After this, from the next day the bride began to set aside a little butter each day in a separate vessel. After five or seven days, enough butter from the buffalo was collected. One day she set aside all that day’s fresh butter. She gathered all the butter together and clarified it into ghee. That day she resolved in her mind, “Today I will offer this fresh butter to Shri Govardhannathji.”
She quickly finished cooking and sent food for her mother-in-law and sister-in-law. Then she took the butter from her house to go out. But in her mind she felt fear: “Let no one see me carrying butter. If someone sees and asks, ‘Where are you taking this butter?’ what answer shall I give?” Thinking thus, she returned the butter inside the house. At that very moment Shri Govardhannathji appeared before that Braj woman, holding a red stick in one hand. He appeared in the form of a seven-year-old boy.
Shri Govardhannathji said to her, “The butter which you brought to a certain place in the courtyard today and then took back—bring My lump of butter.” The Braj woman thought, “If this were an ordinary boy, how would he know this secret matter? Therefore He is surely Shri Govardhannathji Himself, who has come considering my plea.” Understanding that Shri Govardhannathji had mercifully come, she brought the lump of butter and placed it in His divine hand. Shri Govardhannathji ate that butter from her hand. Afterward He returned to His temple.
Then the Braj woman prayed to Shri Govardhannathji, “O Beloved! I am not able to come to You. Therefore, when I churn curd, if You come here at that time, I will daily offer You one lump of butter with care.” Shri Govardhannathji gave her this command, “I will come daily to your house. And if on any day I cannot come, then you keep My butter separately for Me.” From that day onward, whenever she sat to churn curd, Shri Govardhannathji would come and sit near her. First she would place one lump into His divine hand. There itself He would eat the butter and then go to the forest.
Thus, when someone has such a simple nature, Shri Govardhannathji Himself accepts that person’s offerings in this way. Because of this, Shri Govardhannathji became very closely united with that Braj woman. These are the signs of pure devotion.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Here it is shown that exclusive devotion is very dear to Shri Govardhannathji. One who has exclusive devotion—Shri Govardhannathji remains under that person’s loving control.
So that milkmaid of Anyor was such a recipient of grace of Shri Gusainji and Shri Govardhannathji, a true devotee of the Lord. Therefore, there is no end to her account; so how far can it be told?