Now, a sevak of Shri Gusainji, a Kunbi Patel, lived in a small village in Gujarat. The sentiment of his story is described as follows.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): These are tamas devotees. In the divine play, her name is ‘Satyavrata’. She manifested from ‘Gunchuda’. Therefore, that is her inner devotional form.
Prasang 1 – Receiving Grace and Initiation
At one time, Shri Gusainji arrived in Gujarat. Then that Kunbi Patel had the darshan of Shri Gusainji. At that time, the Kunbi humbly requested Shri Gusainji, “Maharaj! Please take me into your refuge.” Then, from his lotus mouth, he commanded, “Go and bathe, then come.” The Kunbi Patel bathed and returned. Then he prayed again, “Maharaj! I have bathed, therefore please show grace upon me and give me the Name.” Then Shri Gusainji, out of grace, gave him the Name. The next day, after making him observe a fast, he had him offer his dedication. Then that Kunbi Vaishnav made an offering according to his capacity.
After that, Shri Gusainji himself cooked and offered bhog to Shri Thakurji. When the time of offering passed, he performed achaman and mukhvastra, and then took his meal. After that, he again performed achaman, took betel, and sat upon the cushion and seat. All the attendants and Vaishnavas then took mahaprasad, and that Patel also took it. The moment he received mahaprasad, knowledge of the path arose within him. That path became firmly established in his heart.
After that, Shri Gusainji narrated the discourse of Shri Subodhini ji, which that Kunbi Vaishnav listened to. In this way, Shri Gusainji stayed in that village for several days. Then Shri Gusainji departed for Dwarka and had the darshan of Shri Ranchhodji. He stayed there for some days, then took leave of Shri Ranchhodji and departed. He then reached Gokul and had the darshan of Shri Navneetpriyaji.
Prasang 2 – The Truthful Vaishnav and the Brahmarakshas
Near the village of that Kunbi Patel, there was a large village where there was a great community of Vaishnavas. There, Vaishnav gatherings, discourses, and kirtans were held daily. In that village, there was a Vaishnav leader. This Kunbi used to go to him. This Kunbi Vaishnav would leave his home after performing the evening aarti of Shri Thakurji. After about six gharis of the night, he would reach there. Then he would sit with all the Vaishnavas, remembering Shri Krishna, and listen to the discourse.
When about one and a quarter prahar of the night remained, he would say “Jai Shri Krishna” to all and leave. Then he would return home and perform the seva of Shri Thakurji. In this way, many days passed. Then one Ekadashi came. That night, after completing the seva of Shri Thakurji, he set out. In the darkness, he lost his way, and it was raining. Moving ahead, he reached a pond where there were many trees.
From one tree, a ghost descended and stood blocking his path. The Kunbi Vaishnav asked, “Who are you, standing in this path?” It replied, “I am a ghost. I have been hungry for many days, so I will eat you.” The Kunbi Vaishnav said, “Today I am going for the Ekadashi jagaran. In the morning, I will return by this same path. Then you may peacefully eat me.” The ghost said, “I do not trust you. Why would you come back? Why would you enter the mouth of death?”
The Kunbi replied, “This is my word. In the morning I will come and call you. Then you may eat me peacefully.” The Brahmarakshas said, “Alright, I trust you. But come early in the morning.” Taking this promise, the ghost let him go. The Patel Vaishnav went to the gathering and listened attentively to the discourse and joyfully performed kirtan. He thought within himself, “In the morning, that demon will eat me. Since I have firmly promised, it is certain. Therefore, it is best to take as much of the Lord’s Name as possible.”
Thus, with great joy, he engaged in divine discourse, and the night passed. In the morning, after saying “Jai Shri Krishna” to the Vaishnavas, he returned to the same pond. He came near the demon and called out, “O brother, Brahmarakshas! Come!” He called him five times and said, “Come quickly and eat me.” But the ghost did not respond. Instead, it thought, “Look! He has come to die. He returned from the mouth of death. Truly, he is truthful to his word. He is a devotee of God. He has no fear of death.”
Then it said, “I will not eat such a devotee.” And after having the darshan of the Vaishnav, it turned back. Then the Kunbi again called, “O ghost! Come quickly, for I am getting late for the seva of the Lord.” The ghost said, “Now I will not eat you. You are a Vaishnav, a devotee of God. Your word is true. For the sake of your dharma, you did not fear death. Therefore, I ask you for one thing. Please give it to me.” Saying this, the ghost fell at the feet of the Vaishnav.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Here it is shown that one who has firm refuge in Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu, even Time fears him. What then can ghosts do? Therefore, devotees of God always remain fearless. They are supreme among all, and all three worlds bow to them. As Surdas has sung
(राग बिलावल | Rāga Bilāval)
हरि के जन की अति ठकुराई । महाराज ऋषिराज, महामुनि, देखत रहे लजाई ॥१॥
दृढ़ विश्वास कियो सिंघासन ता पर बैठे भूप। हरि गुन बिमल छन सिर राजत, सोभा परम अनूप ॥२॥
निस्पृह देस कौ राज करे, ताकौ लोक परम उत्साह। काम क्रोध मद लोभ मोह तहां, भये चोर तें साह ॥३॥
बने विवेक विचित्र पोरिया औसर कोऊ न पावे । अर्थ काम तहां रहें दूरि दूरि मोक्ष धर्म सिर नावे ॥४॥
अष्टसिद्धि नवनिधि द्वारें ठाढ़ी, करजोरें उन लीनी। छड़ीदार वैराग्य विनोदी, झटकी बाहर कीनी ॥५॥
हरिपद पंकज प्रेम परम रुचि ताही सों रंग राते । मंत्री ज्ञान औसर नहीं पावत करत बात सकुचाते ॥६॥
माया काल व्यापे नहीं कबहूं जो या रीतै जाने । 'सूरदास' यह नर तन पायो, गुरु प्रसाद पहचाने ॥७॥
The servant of Hari possesses the highest lordliness. Great kings, sages, and exalted saints feel shy upon seeing him. ॥१॥
With firm faith he has made a throne, and upon it sits as a king. The pure virtues of Hari shine upon his head like a crown, and his beauty is incomparable. ॥२॥
He rules a kingdom of detachment, and his people are in supreme joy. There, lust, anger, pride, greed, and delusion, who were once thieves, have become servants. ॥३॥
Discrimination stands as a wondrous gatekeeper, and no improper chance is allowed to enter. There, wealth and desire stay far away, while liberation and righteousness bow their heads. ॥४॥
The eight siddhis and nine treasures stand at his door with folded hands. Detachment, holding a staff, joyfully drives them away at once. ॥५॥
His deep love for the lotus feet of Hari is his supreme delight, and he is fully absorbed in that color. Knowledge, as a minister, finds no opportunity to speak and remains hesitant. ॥६॥
Illusion and time can never affect one who understands this way. Surdas says, having received this human body, he has recognized this through the grace of the Guru. ॥७॥
✿✿✿
Thus, one should understand the nature of a Bhagavadiya Vaishnav in this way.
Then the Kunbi Vaishnav asked, “What do you want?” The ghost replied, “Give me the fruit of the kirtan you performed today. Then I will be uplifted and freed from the ghostly state.” The Patel Vaishnav said, “I will not give the fruit of kirtan. If you wish to eat, then eat peacefully.” The ghost said, “Then give me half the fruit.” He replied, “I will not give even half.” Then the ghost asked for the fruit of one ghari, but he did not give that either. Then it asked for half a ghari’s fruit, but that too he did not give.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Here a doubt may arise—In the Pushti path, all actions are said to be done without desire. Therefore, there is no desire for fruits here. Then why did this Vaishnav refuse to give the fruit?
It is said that the fruit of kirtan is extremely divine. Through it, one attains Shri Govardhan Nath Himself. Along with His divine play, the Lord resides in the heart. How can such a fruit be given to this demon? Because he is not of divine nature. Therefore, he did not give it. Then the demon said, “O Vaishnav! Then at least give me the merit of five Taal (measure).”
At that very moment, a divine voice came from the sky, “O Vaishnav! You are a devotee of God. Therefore, show compassion and give him the merit of five Taal, so that he may attain liberation. Through your darshan, he has gained this understanding.” Then the Kunbi Vaishnav took water from the pond and placed it in the hands of the demon, saying, “I give you the merit of five Taal.”
As soon as he said this, the demon’s body was released, and he was freed from the ghostly state. Immediately, a celestial viman came from heaven. The demon assumed a beautiful divine form, circumambulated the Vaishnav, fell at his feet, and then boarded the celestial vehicle and went to heaven. Such is the glory of a devotee of God. After that, the Patel returned to his home.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): In this story, it is shown that the Kunbi Vaishnav used to travel such a long distance for satsang. Satsang is such a precious thing; therefore, one must associate with devotees of God, so that dharma is never lost. That Kunbi Vaishnav was such a recipient of grace and a true devotee of Shri Gusainji. Therefore, how far can his story even be told?