Now the sentiment of the account of Dharmdas Brahmin of Ading, to whom Shri Gusainji granted eyesight, is being explained.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): This is a tamasic devotee. In the divine play, his name is Nayanprabha. He manifested from one of the monkeys of Shri Gokul; therefore, this is his devotional form.

He was born in Ading in a Brahmin family. After some time, he was afflicted with smallpox in his body. Because of that, he became blind. His parents suffered greatly and remained worried. In this way, when he became about fifteen to seventeen years old, his parents passed away. After that, he sat on the road between Mathura and Govardhan and began begging. Whatever little came his way, he sustained himself with that.

Prasang 1 – Shri Gusainji Grants Sight to Dharmdas Once, Shri Gusainji was traveling from Shri Gokul to the abode of Shrinathji. On the way, a blind Brahmin was sitting there. Compassion arose in Shri Gusainji’s heart, thinking, “This poor man suffers because he has no eyesight.” At that very moment, by the wish of Shri Gusainji, the Brahmin’s eyes became well, and he began to see clearly. Then he looked around and said, “What has happened to me?” He became very pleased.

When Shri Gusainji saw him, the Brahmin had indeed become well. Shri Gusainji became very pleased. Then Shri Gusainji thought within himself, “Let him experience the joy of eyesight.” Shri Gusainji called that Brahmin. The Brahmin came, offered full prostrated obeisance to Shri Gusainji, and fell at his feet. He prayed, “Maharaj! You have shown great mercy to me. You have given me eyesight.”

Then Shri Gusainji said to that Brahmin, “Will you stay with us?” The Brahmin replied, “Maharaj! What else could I possibly need?” Then Shri Gusainji took him along and proceeded onward. They arrived at Shrinathji’s abode at the time of Utthapan. Immediately after bathing, Shri Gusainji entered the temple of Shri Govardhannathji. Then he had the conch sounded.

Shri Gusainji touched the cheeks of Shrinathji with his sacred hand, and they exchanged inquiries of well-being. Then Shrinathji said, “You have done well by giving him eyesight. Now make him a sevak.” Afterward, Shri Gusainji came outside and bestowed a name upon that Brahmin. At that moment, true awareness arose within him, and he realized how greatly blessed he had become. That day was Jyeshtha Shukla Dashami. Shri Gusainji instructed the Brahmin, “Tomorrow you should observe a complete fast without water.”

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Because he had been blind, he had never maintained any proper discrimination regarding eating and drinking. Therefore, he was instructed to observe the Nirjala fast.

The Brahmin observed the waterless fast. Then on Dvadashi, Shri Gusainji performed Brahmasambandh for him and accepted his complete offering. Then Shri Gusainji said to him, “Listen to discussions and sacred narratives from the Vaishnavas.”

Thereafter, the Brahmin began listening to sacred narratives and kirtans from the mouths of the Vaishnavas. Later, the Brahmin submitted a request to Shri Gusainji: “Maharaj! Please teach me some scripture.” Then Shri Gusainji taught him Shri Vallabhashtak. As a result, his intellect became purified, and he began to understand everything. Thereafter, Shri Gusainji engaged him in Charan-seva, and granted him authority for that very service.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): By saying this, it is indicated that through recitation of Vallabhashtak, the form of Shri Acharyaji manifests within the heart. Then the intellect becomes pure, steadfast single-pointed devotion arises, and the entire path becomes illuminated. One also gains understanding of the form of Shri Gusainji. Then the Lord, considering the devotee His own, grants the gift of das-bhava in this manner.

Shri Gusainji also gave him the mahaprasad of Shri Navneetpriyaji. After some time, he left his body. Then Shri Gusainji said, “He performed seva very well.” At that time, Shri Balkrishnaji was sitting near Shri Gusainji. He asked Shri Gusainji, “Why do you praise him in this way? The grace was entirely yours. You gave him eyesight, then kept him with you, and also engaged him in seva. Therefore, all these favors are yours. What, then, is the reason for praising him?”

Then Shri Gusainji replied from his divine mouth: “We owed something to him. When We manifested in the house of Shri Vasudevji, he showed partiality toward Us.” “What partiality?” he asked. Shri Gusainji said: “He was a servant of Kansa. At that time he had said, ‘A son has not been born; only a daughter has been born.’ Then Kansa had him killed because of that. For this reason, we felt great affection for him. Now his name will be Muraridas, and he will become one of Our special Vaishnavas.”

Thus, Dharmdas was such a greatly graced devotee of Shri Gusainji and belonged entirely to the Lord. Therefore, the extent of his sacred account cannot be measured; how much of it can possibly be narrated?