Now the sentiment of the varta is being explained regarding a sevak of Shri Gusainji, who was a king from the East region and who used to inquire about the duties of a householder and a renunciate. Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): This devotee belongs to the Rajasic category of devotees. In the divine play, this devotee’s name is “Sanshayashila” (one inclined toward doubt). This devotee manifested from “Ranga,” and therefore possesses that corresponding devotional sentiment.

Previously, he was born as a king. Later, when he became twenty-two years old, his father passed away. Then he became the king. After some time, he came to Jagannath Temple in Purushottam Puri for the darshan of Lord Jagannath. During those days, Shri Gusainji was also residing in Purushottam Puri. The king received his darshan, and the darshan was extraordinarily divine. The king offered dandavat pranam and then submitted a prayer: “Maharaj! Please bestow your grace upon me and accept me as your sevak.” Then Shri Gusainji accepted him into His refuge. Afterward, other members of the king’s family also became sevaks.

Then the king submitted: “Maharaj! What is my duty now?” Shri Gusainji instructed: “O King! Perform the service of Bhagavan.” Out of grace, Shri Gusainji bestowed Shri Thakurji upon the king and instructed: “Serve Him with love and affection. Also keep the association of Vaishnavas who come and go.” Then the king took Shri Thakurji with him and returned to his kingdom.

Prasang 1 – The Doubt About the Duties of a Householder and a Renunciate That king served Shri Thakurji very properly. Whenever any Vaishnava came, he would lovingly offer Mahaprasad to him. Afterward, he would spread bedding, seat the guest comfortably, and provide excellent hospitality. He would keep the Vaishnava with him for fifteen days or a month. Then, when the Vaishnava was departing, the king would ask: “Please tell me, O Vaishnava! Which is superior—the duty of a renunciate or the duty of a householder?” The king always had doubts regarding this matter. He never reached a conclusion.

He asked many Vaishnavas, and many answers were given, but still no definite conclusion arose. His doubt remained unresolved. At one time, Adbhutdasji was wandering throughout Vraj and happened to arrive at the king’s residence. The king served Adbhutdasji very respectfully and offered him Mahaprasad. When Adbhutdasji was preparing to leave, the king submitted: “Maharaj! Please stay here for a few days.” Adbhutdasji replied: “I do not stay even one night in anyone’s house.” Then the king submitted: “Maharaj! By your grace, please allow me to ask one question. Kindly answer it and then proceed on your way.”

Adbhutdasji said: “Speak, O King. What do you wish to ask?” The king replied: “Maharaj! I have asked many Vaishnavas whether the duty of a renunciate is superior or the duty of a householder is superior. Many have given answers, but no conclusion has been reached. My doubt has not gone away. Please mercifully remove my doubt.”

Adbhutdasji said: “O King! Shall I explain it to you, or shall I demonstrate it?” The king replied: “Maharaj! Please demonstrate it.” Then Adbhutdasji said: “If you do exactly as I instruct, then I shall demonstrate it.” The king replied: “Maharaj! Whatever you command, I shall do.”

Adbhutdasji said: “Bring a fine horse from your stable and mount it. Then ride it alone. Continue riding, and wherever you come to a village, enter that village.” The king did exactly as instructed. Toward evening he came to a tree. He stopped his horse beneath it, tied the horse there, and sat under the tree.

In that tree lived a Bhil couple. They had a son and a daughter. They had gone into the forest and brought back four fruits. The four members of the family divided the four fruits among themselves, one fruit for each. Then they noticed the king sitting beneath the tree. The Bhil man said: “Today a guest has come to us. I will give him my fruit.” So he gave his fruit to the king. Then the Bhil woman said: “I too shall give him my fruit.” She also gave her fruit. Then their son and daughter also gave their fruits. Thus all four of them gave their fruits to the king.

The king accepted them and became very pleased. That night he remained there. The next morning he mounted his horse and rode on. After riding for some time, he arrived at a village and entered it. All the kings of that region had assembled there. The king also sat among them. The ruler of that village had a daughter whose marriage was to be arranged. A large cauldron of oil had been heated. A ring had been thrown into it.

The king had declared: “Whoever removes this ring from the boiling oil shall receive my daughter in marriage.” Many kings had gathered, but none had the ability to remove the ring from the boiling oil. At that moment Adbhutdasji arrived there. He sat directly in the cauldron of boiling oil and bathed in it repeatedly as if it were ordinary water. Then he took the ring in his hand and came out.

All the kings folded their hands and offered dandavat pranam, saying: “Maharaj! You are blessed indeed.” Then the king whose daughter was to be married folded his hands and submitted: “I give my daughter to you.” Adbhutdasji replied: “To me?” The king said: “Yes, to you.” Then Adbhutdasji pointed toward the king who had come there and said: “Marry her to him.” Immediately afterward, Adbhutdasji departed into the forest. The king was married to the princess and returned to his own home.

After returning, he again began serving Shri Thakurji. Whenever Vaishnavas came, he would offer them Mahaprasad and ask: “Tell me, O Vaishnava! Which is superior—the duty of a householder or the duty of a renunciate?” Some would say one thing, and others would say something else. Thus his doubt still did not disappear.

After some time, Adbhutdasji again arrived there. The king offered him Mahaprasad, served him well, and again submitted: “Maharaj! Which is superior—the duty of a householder or the duty of a renunciate?” Adbhutdasji replied: “O King! Have you forgotten a Vaishnava who once came to you?” The king said: “Yes, I have forgotten.”

Then Adbhutdasji explained: “You had ridden your horse and come to that tree. You sat beneath it. In that tree lived a family, and they had four fruits. All four gave their fruits to you and remained hungry themselves. “O King! This is the duty of a householder.

“Then you rode onward and reached that village where all the kings were assembled. There was a cauldron of boiling oil, and no one had the ability to retrieve the ring. “At that time a renunciate Vaishnava came. He sat in the boiling oil and bathed in it repeatedly. Then he came out holding the ring. “The king then requested him to accept his daughter in marriage. But that renunciate Vaishnava gave the daughter to you in marriage instead. “O King! This is the duty of a renunciate.

“Now do you understand? These are the duties of a householder and a renunciate. I have explained them to you.” After hearing this, the king said: “Maharaj! Both the duty of a renunciate and the duty of a householder are extremely difficult.”

Adbhutdasji replied: “O King! You possess abundant wealth and resources, and more continue to come to you. Therefore, continue to care for and serve the Vaishnavas. Why do you repeatedly ask this question? Do not ask the Vaishnavas about it anymore.” The king replied: “I shall not ask again.” Then Adbhutdasji departed for Vraj. After that, the king never again asked any Vaishnava this question. He continued to serve Shri Thakurji very properly.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): In this account it is shown that helping others is a very great virtue. There is no dharma equal to it. It is also taught that whatever one does should be done free from doubt and hesitation.

This king was such an extraordinary recipient of Shri Gusainji’s grace that the extent of his story cannot be fully described. How much of it can possibly be told?