Now the revealing the Sentiment of the account of a Kshatriya Vaishnava from the South, a sevikni of Shri Gusainji, who brought a rose flower worth one lakh rupees, is being narrated.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): This is a tamasic devotee. In the divine play, her name is “Sneha Prakashika.” She reveals affection. She manifested from the ketaki flower; therefore her devotional sentiment is of that nature.

In the south, at a village near Pandharpur, a Kshatriya was born. He possessed great wealth. His father died when he was about thirty years old. He had not married and lived independently.

Prasang 1 – Receiving Shelter from Shri Gusainji Once, Shri Gusainji had traveled from Shri Gokul to the south. After preparing the meal and offering bhog to Shri Thakurji, when the time came, the offering was completed and he took his meal. Mahaprasad was then distributed to all the Vraj devotees and attendants. At that time, this Kshatriya had the darshan of Shri Gusainji. He prayed to him: “Maharaj! Please accept me into your shelter. I am a greatly sinful soul.” Shri Gusainji replied: “Go and bathe, then come. I shall give you the Name and accept you into shelter.” The Kshatriya bathed and returned, standing before him. He requested: “Maharaj! Please give me the Name.” Shri Gusainji mercifully bestowed the Name upon him. The next day he observed the prescribed fast and performed the offering of dedication (nivedan).

Thereafter, the Kshatriya Vaishnava offered many gifts to Shri Gusainji. Then he submitted a request: “Maharajadhiraj! Please establish seva for me.” Shri Gusainji personally entrusted a divine svarup for seva upon the head of that Kshatriya Vaishnava. He taught him every detail and method of seva. He also explained all the regulations concerning sakhadi and ansakhadi offerings. The Kshatriya Vaishnava learned everything thoroughly.

Afterward, Shri Gusainji instructed him: “Always offer the very best of the best things to Shri Prabhu at the proper time. Let there never be any deficiency in this.” Having given this instruction, Shri Gusainji departed from there and continued onward for the upliftment of divine souls. After some time he returned to Shri Gokul. Meanwhile, the Kshatriya Vaishnava began serving Shri Thakurji with great care. He would awaken the Lord, offer Mangala bhog, adorn Him with the finest ornaments, and prepare the most excellent ingredients according to the proper time and offer them as bhog.

When the offering was completed, he performed arati and anusar, and distributed Mahaprasad to the Vaishnavas. He did this daily. Later he would prepare further offerings for the next services and keep them ready. At the proper time he would offer bhog again. After the offering, he would put Shri Thakurji to rest. Then, after completing anusar, he would come outside and personally bring flowers, fruits, and other items with his own hands. He never asked anyone else to bring them. He never hesitated because of the expense.

One time, the first rose flower of the season arrived. The Kshatriya Vaishnava saw it and asked the gardener: “What is the price of this flower?” At that moment another man also arrived, having seen the excellent flower and wishing to purchase it. He said to the Vaishnava: “I will buy this flower.” Then the bidding began between them. The price rose from ten rupees, to twenty rupees, to one hundred rupees, to one thousand rupees, and eventually reached one lakh rupees. At that point the other man withdrew. Thus the Vaishnava paid one lakh rupees for the rose flower and brought it home. He offered it to Shri Thakurji. The Vaishnava became extremely pleased and thought: “It is my great fortune that Shri Thakurji has accepted this flower.”

At that very same time, Shri Gusainji was adorning Shri Govarddhan Nathji. He saw that a rose flower had been placed upon the head of Shri Govarddhan Nathji. Because of the weight of that flower, Shri Govarddhan Nathji appeared to be bending downward. Seeing this wonderful sight, Shri Gusainji offered darshan and asked Shri Govarddhan Nathji: “Bava! Why are you bending like this?” Shri Govarddhan Nathji replied: “In such-and-such village lives your sevak. He has purchased a rose flower for one lakh rupees and has offered it. Because of the weight of his devotional sentiment, I am bending beneath it.” How can one adequately praise the Vaishnavata of such a devotee?

Hearing these words of Shri Govarddhan Nathji, Shri Gusainji became greatly pleased. After completing the anusar of Shri Govarddhan Nathji, Shri Gusainji descended from the hill. He called a Vraj resident, wrote a letter addressed to that Vaishnava, instructed him regarding the message, and sent him off. The Vraj resident took the letter and traveled. After several days he reached that village and delivered Shri Gusainji’s letter to the Vaishnava. The Vaishnava placed the letter upon his head and became exceedingly joyful. Seeing Shri Gusainji’s own handwriting, he offered full prostrated obeisances. He called together the Vaishnavas of the village and had kirtan performed. Afterward he distributed Mahaprasad to all the Vaishnavas and greatly honored the Vraj resident.

Then the Vaishnava wrote a reply to Shri Gusainji: “Maharaj! All of this has happened solely through Your grace.” After writing the letter, he gave it to the Vraj resident. The Vraj resident carried it back and after several days reached Shri Gusainji. He presented the letter before him. Shri Gusainji read the letter and became very pleased. He said: “Blessed is that Vaishnava’s fortune! Shri Govarddhan Nathji Himself accepted such a flower from him. How can his good fortune be adequately described?” In this manner, Shri Gusainji repeatedly praised that Vaishnava.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): In this account it is shown that a Vaishnava should perform the seva of Shri Thakurji according to the proper times of service to Shri Govarddhan Nathji, and should lovingly offer articles with the devotional sentiment of Shri Govarddhan Nathji. Then Shri Govarddhan Nathji directly accepts those offerings and reveals His acceptance through experience.

Just as a certain Brahmin, at the time of Shrinathji’s Rajbhog, meditated upon Shrinathji in his home in Bengal and offered gud-bada as bhog. At that very moment Shrinathji left His own Rajbhog and immediately went there. Similarly, whenever a Vaishnava performs seva at home according to the sentiment of Shri Govarddhan Nathji, with loving devotion and at the proper time, Shri Govarddhan Nathji immediately accepts those offerings. This principle is established here. It is also taught that one should regard wealth as insignificant in Bhagavad-seva.

That Vaishnava was such an exalted recipient of Shri Gusainji’s grace and such a beloved devotee of Bhagavan. Therefore, how can his glories ever be fully described?