Now the sentiment of the account of a sevak of Shri Gusainji — a Vaishnava whom Shri Gusainji saw climbing upon Shri Giriraj, upon which Shri Gusainji shook his head — is being described.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): This devotee is a tamasic bhakta. In the divine play her name is “Mukta.” She manifested from Madhura; therefore this is his devotional form.

He was born in Gujarat in a merchant family. When he was about ten years old, his parents passed away. Later some renunciates came to his village, and he associated with them. After some time those renunciates departed from the village for Kashi, and he also went with them. He arrived in Kashi and stayed there with those renunciates. When he became about twenty-seven years old, a thought arose within him: “I have never seen Mathura and Vrindavan. Therefore it would be good to undertake the Braj pilgrimage.”

So he departed from Kashi and arrived in Mathura. There he bathed at Vishrant Ghat. Afterward he went to Shri Gokul and arrived at Thakurani Ghat. At that time Shri Gusainji Himself was performing sandhyavandan at Thakurani Ghat. This Vaishnava had darshan of him, and as soon as he had darshan, the thought arose within his mind, “It would be wonderful if I became his sevak.” Then he submitted, “Maharaj! Kindly accept me into your refuge.”

Shri Gusainji replied, “First bathe in Shri Yamunaji.” Then he bathed in Shri Yamunaji, and afterward Shri Gusainji mercifully bestowed upon him the Name and performed nivedan for him. After that this Vaishnava stayed in Shri Gokul for some days and had darshan of Shri Gusainji. Then, taking leave of Shri Gusainji, he came to Shri Govardhan and had darshan of Shri Govardhannathji. Afterward he beheld the beauty of Govardhan Mountain, and his mind became attached there. He remained there and went nowhere else.

Prasang 1 – Shri Gusainji Explains the Greatness of Govardhan Once Shri Gusainji Himself came to Shrinathji Temple, and many Vaishnavas were present with him. There Shri Gusainji saw this Vaishnava climbing upon the mountain. On the path upward there was cow dung upon both sides of the trail. Therefore that Vaishnava left the path, touched Govardhan with his feet, and climbed upward. Seeing this, Shri Gusainji shook his head. Other Vaishnavas seated nearby asked, “Maharajadhiraj! What is the reason for shaking your head? Please tell us.” Then Shri Gusainji Himself said from his holy mouth:

“Shri Govardhan is directly the divine form of Bhagavan, studded with jewel-like splendor. Yet foolish and ignorant people climb upon Shri Giriraj in this manner, and even run about upon Govardhan Mountain. “There is an account in the Brahmavaivarta Purana concerning this.” Then Shri Gusainji narrated: “Once Shri Krishnachandraji and Naradaji were seated together. Shri Krishnachandraji said to Narada, ‘I am thirsty for water.’ “Then Naradaji went to fetch water. Going ahead, he saw a great lake. Beside it sat two boys performing austerities. Nearby there was a huge mountain-like heap of bones.

“Seeing this, Naradaji returned. “Then Shri Thakurji asked, ‘Did you not bring water?’ “Naradaji narrated the entire matter. Hearing it, Shri Thakurji smiled. “Then Naradaji asked, ‘Maharajadhiraj! What is the reason for this? Please explain.’ “Then Shri Thakurji Himself said, ‘These two are great yogis performing austerities for the darshan of Govardhan Mountain. So many births have passed for them that their accumulated bones have formed this mountain-like heap. When grace is bestowed upon them, then they shall attain darshan. Even now there is delay.

“‘Shri Govardhan is the blissful divine form of Bhagavan, filled with all divine pastimes. Such indeed is His nature. Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu graciously grants us darshan of Shri Govardhan, yet ordinary souls possess no understanding of this. Therefore I shook my head. Shri Govardhan is Haridasavarya.’” Thus, through the example of this Vaishnava, Shri Gusainji instructed all the Vaishnavas.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): In this account it is shown that Govardhan Mountain is supremely divine and extraordinary, because all divine pastimes eternally reside within Him. Therefore He is truly the blissful divine form of Bhagavan Himself.

A Vaishnava should therefore not place his feet upon Him. If one must climb upward for Bhagavad-seva or Bhagavad-darshan, then one should first offer dandavat pranam and afterward proceed only along the pathways, not placing one’s feet elsewhere. Otherwise it becomes a transgression against the divine pastimes, and the soul falls outside the lila.

That Vaishnava was such a greatly blessed Bhagavadiya and recipient of Shri Gusainji’s grace that the limit of his story cannot be reached; so how much can possibly be told?