Now the sentiment of the account of a king from the eastern region, who ate leftovers in the cremation ground and became a sevak of Shri Gusainji, is being described.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): This devotee is a rajasic bhakta. In the divine play her name is “Suvrata.” She belongs among the inner companions. She manifested from Mohini; therefore this is her devotional form.

Prasang 1 – The King Healed Through Faith That king belonged to the eastern region. He suffered from severe, decaying leprosy. The king summoned many physicians and underwent countless treatments. He also called astrologers and performed large amounts of charity and religious donations. He spent lakhs of rupees, yet his disease did not leave him. Then a Brahmin advised him, “O King, you should depart on pilgrimage to holy places.” So the king set out on pilgrimage. Traveling from place to place, after some time he arrived in Shri Gokul. Even after performing pilgrimage, however, his disease did not disappear. Then he came before Shri Gusainji and offered dandavat pranam. Afterward the king stood before Shri Gusainji with folded hands. Shri Gusainji, being supremely compassionate and omniscient, felt mercy toward the king. Then Shri Gusainji instructed a servant: “Ask him why he stands there with folded hands.” The servant asked the king, “Why are you standing here with folded hands?”

Then the king offered dandavat pranam and submitted: “Maharaj! I live in such-and-such a village in the eastern region. A terrible disease has arisen throughout my body. I summoned many physicians and underwent treatments and remedies. I also performed many charitable acts and donations connected with planetary rites. I spent lakhs of rupees and tried every remedy that anyone suggested, yet my disease did not disappear. “Then a Brahmin advised me, ‘If you undertake pilgrimage, your disease will vanish.’ Therefore, Maharaj, while journeying on pilgrimage I have come before you. “Maharaj, I have even taken poison two or four times, thinking, ‘If death comes to me in these holy places, that would be good.’ But my destined time has not yet arrived. “Therefore, Maharaj, I have become utterly helpless. I have now come here. Whatever may arise in your wish, please do that. Apart from you, where else can I go?”

The sevak narrated all this before Shri Gusainji and submitted: “Maharaj, this is the king’s plea.” Shri Gusainji could not bear the suffering of the king. Then he instructed the sevak: “Tell the king: ‘Stop standing here with folded hands. Why remain like this? Go to the cremation ground. One of our sevaks lives there. Eat his leftovers, and your disease will disappear. But that Vaishnava will not willingly give you his leftovers, so you must take them forcefully. Do not feel shame within your mind.’” The sevak conveyed this message to the king. Then the king firmly resolved within himself, offered dandavat pranam to Shri Gusainji, and went to the cremation ground.

There he requested leftovers from that Vaishnava. The Vaishnava refused to give them. Then the king forcefully took and ate the leftovers. The very moment the food entered his stomach, his leprosy instantly vanished, and he obtained a beautiful, healthy body. Then the king understood within his heart: “Shri Gusainji is directly the Supreme Lord Himself.” With this conviction firmly established, he returned before Shri Gusainji. At that time Shri Gusainji was seated upon cushions and bolsters in his bethak, narrating discourse upon Subodhini, while all the Vaishnavas listened. Then the king came, folded his hands, and submitted before Shri Gusainji:

“Maharaj! I had heard in the Bhagavata that Shri Thakurji once descended in incarnation. Today I have personally seen it. You are directly the incarnation of Shri Thakurji Himself. Therefore, Prabhu, please bestow grace upon me and grant me Name and Nivedan.”

Then Shri Gusainji replied: “Our path is extremely difficult, and you partake of forbidden foods. Therefore how can the Name be given to you?” Then the king submitted: “Maharaj! From this day onward I shall never again partake of forbidden things. Whatever you command, that alone I shall do. I shall remain near you and not return to my kingdom.” Then Shri Gusainji instructed: “Go bathe and return.” The king bathed and returned, then submitted: “Maharaj! Please show mercy upon me.” Then Shri Gusainji seated the king and bestowed the Name upon him.

Afterward Shri Gusainji instructed: “Tomorrow observe a fast. The day after, Brahmasambandha shall be performed.” The king observed the fast. Then, after bathing and putting on pure untouched garments, he came and stood before Shri Gusainji. He submitted: “Maharaj! Kindly bestow Brahmasambandha upon me.” After Shri Gusainji completed the rajbhog of Shri Navneetpriyaji, he performed Brahmasambandha for the king in the very presence of Shri Navneetpriyaji. Then the king had darshan.

After rajbhog-arati and anosar, Shri Gusainji returned to his bethak and sat upon cushions and bolsters. The king came and offered dandavat pranam and then presented gifts. Then Shri Gusainji instructed the king: “Today take mahaprasad here itself.” After Shri Gusainji had eaten, purified his mouth with achaman, and taken pan, he personally served a plate of his own leftovers to the king with his own hands. Then the king took mahaprasad. Afterward the king submitted: “Maharaj! If there is permission, I shall remain here.” But Shri Gusainji instructed: “You are a king. Therefore return to your home. Your suffering has now ended.” Then the king submitted: “Maharaj! Please grant such grace that my mind never turns away from you but always remains fixed upon you.” Then Shri Gusainji brought a cloth and marked it with the dust of his lotus feet.

He instructed the king: “Every day offer bhog to this and then take mahaprasad. Your mind will remain steady. And maintain affection toward Vaishnavas. Whenever Vaishnavas come, serve them properly.” Afterward Shri Gusainji took the king with him to Shrinathji Temple. There the king had darshan of Shrinathji. Then, after taking permission, the king departed on the Braj pilgrimage. After some time he completed the entire Braj pilgrimage and returned. Then he offered dandavat pranam before Shri Gusainji and for some days continued having darshan of Shrinathji. Afterward, taking leave of Shri Gusainji, he departed for his homeland. Upon reaching there, he began performing seva exactly according to Shri Gusainji’s instructions.

He served Vaishnavas and offered them mahaprasad. He maintained deep affection toward Vaishnavas and every year sent offerings to Shri Gusainji and Shri Navneetpriyaji. He also maintained immense devotion toward Shrinathji. In this manner he lived throughout his life and became an excellent Bhagavadiya.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Thus the association of Bhagavadiyas is such a powerful thing that by eating the leftovers of a Vaishnava, the king’s leprosy was cured, and he himself became a Vaishnava. Therefore one should seek the association of Bhagavadiyas.

That king became 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?