Now the sentiment of the story of a renounced Vaishnav, a sevak of Shri Gusainji, who lived in Braj, is being told .
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): He is a tamasic devotee. In the divine play her name is “Ramni.” She manifested from Ras-Prakasika. Therefore her form is of devotional sentiment.
He was born in Mathura in the house of a Vaishnav Brahmin. From childhood he remained in a state of renunciation. His parents had him receive the Name from Shri Gusainji. After that, he came to Braj for the darshan of Shri Govardhannathji. Seeing the incomparable beauty of Shri Govardhannathji, his mind became attached there. He remained there in a renounced state and, from time to time, had the darshan of Shri Govardhannathji. And at other times, day and night, he would study the books of Shri Acharyaji and Shri Gusainji.
Prasang 1 – The Test of Exclusive Devotion
A desire arose in the mind of that renounced Vaishnav: “I should go and see Shri Raghunathji.” After seeing all of Braj and having darshan of Shrinathji, he went to Shri Gusainji. Bowing down, he prayed, “Maharaj! If you permit, I will go to Ayodhya.” Shri Gusainji said, “Certainly.” After offering obeisance, he departed for Ayodhya. Then some Vaishnavs asked Shri Gusainji, “Maharaj! Why has such a devoted Bhagavadiya left Braj and the darshan of Shrinathji?”
Shri Gusainji replied, “Shrinathji fulfills the desires of His devotees. One day this thought arose in his mind — ‘How might Shri Raghunathji be? Let me go and see.’ Such a desire came to him. Therefore Shrinathji inspired his mind and sent him. He will go there, and there he will develop dispassion, and he will quickly return.” That Vaishnav traveled and reached Ayodhya. There he said to the gatekeepers, “I have come from Braj. Please inform Shri Raghunathji about me.”
The gatekeepers folded their hands and prayed to Shri Raghunathji, “Maharajadhiraj! Someone has come from Braj. He says, ‘Please inform Him that I have come for the darshan of Shri Raghunathji.’” Shri Raghunathji said, “Call him.” The gatekeeper went outside and brought him in.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): A doubt may arise here, in this age Shri Raghunathji does not speak with anyone, so how did He speak to the gatekeepers? It is said that when the Supreme Purushottam manifests on earth, then His divine forms enter into the deities and gods. Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu and Shri Gusainji are themselves the complete Purushottam. Therefore, at that time in the manifest state, their divine forms entered into all the deities and gods. Thus they would naturally speak with their exclusive devotees. In the present time, this is difficult to understand.
As soon as he had the darshan of Shri Raghunathji, he turned his back toward Him and stood facing away. He said, “Shame on me, that I left Braj and came here! After seeing Shrinathji, how could my mind turn elsewhere? Shame on me!” When he said this, instantly leprosy appeared all over his body. He stood with his back toward Shri Raghunathji. Then Shri Raghunathji came before him and said, “Why have you shown disrespect? Because of that, this condition has come upon you.”
The Vaishnav replied, “Nothing has happened to me. What I have done is such that worms should fall into every pore of my body! After beholding Shrinathji, how has this sight been turned elsewhere? It deserves such punishment.” Hearing such words of one-pointed devotion, Shri Raghunathji became very pleased. Immediately his body became divine again. Such was the firmness of that Vaishnav that he pleased Shri Raghunathji. After that, he departed from there and returned to Gokul. He bowed to Shri Gusainji. Shri Gusainji asked, “So, you have returned from Ayodhya?”
With folded hands, the Vaishnav replied, “Yes, Maharaj, I have returned.” Then he narrated all the events there before Shri Gusainji. Hearing it, Shri Gusainji smiled. After that, the Vaishnav went to the gate of Shrinathji and had His darshan. Thereafter, he never left Braj and went anywhere else.
Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): The meaning of this account is that a Vaishnav must maintain exclusivity. One should firmly keep the mind such that no sense is engaged elsewhere. Having attained the highest treasure, one should not look toward anything else. That Vaishnav was such a recipient of grace and beloved devotee of Shri Gusainji that how far can one describe his story?