Now the sentiment (inner meaning) of the account of Raja Man Singh of the South, who had one hundred and eight queens, is being narrated.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): He is a rajasic devotee. In the divine play, her name is “Surya.” She possesses radiance like the sun. Surya has an intimate companion whose name is “Tarika.” Here, Tarika was born as the daughter of an oil merchant. Both of them manifested from Ketaki; therefore, these are their devotional forms.

Prasang 1 – Raja Man Singh Meets Shri Gusainji at Jagannath Puri Raja Man Singh had one hundred and eight queens. Each one had her own separate palace. The king would visit them in turn. Thus, after one hundred and eight days, his turn would come again to a particular palace. However, no son or daughter was born to any of them. It was for the sake of having children that the king had married one hundred and eight queens. But it was not in his destiny. Therefore, no child was born to any of them. The king made many efforts, but still no child was born. The king possessed immense wealth and ruled over the southern kingdom, but he had no offspring. Because of this, he became greatly distressed.

In his sorrow, the king made a resolve: “I shall go for the darshan of Shri Jagannathrayji. If Shri Jagannathrayji wishes to bestow His grace, He will do so.” Then he instructed his minister: “Make preparations for the army, for we shall go to Shri Jagannathrayji.” The minister obeyed the king’s command and made preparations of camps and tents. After everything had been prepared, the minister informed the king: “The army is ready.” Then the king arranged one hundred and eight palanquins and seated the queens in them. Taking the army with him, he set out for the darshan of Shri Jagannathrayji.

They arrived there and reached the place. The king set up camp in an open field. Then he took all the queens for the darshan of Shri Jagannathrayji. After arranging darshan for all the queens, he sent them back to the camp. The king himself remained standing and continued taking darshan of Shri Jagannathrayji. At that time, Shri Gusainji had come from Adel for the darshan of Shri Jagannathrayji. He was seated in his meeting place there. While the king was engaged in darshan, Shri Gusainji also came for darshan at that very time. Shri Gusainji too was having darshan of Shri Jagannathrayji. Afterward, the king asked one of the temple attendants: “Who is this person?”

The attendant replied: “This is Shri Gusainji of Shri Gokul.” Immediately, the king offered dandavat. At that very moment, Shri Gusainji cast his gracious glance upon the king. As soon as the king beheld him, he became completely captivated. After completing his darshan, Shri Gusainji departed. The king followed behind him and came to his meeting place. Then the king offered two gold mohurs and two coconuts as a gift.

Shri Gusainji instructed his attendant: “Tell the king that I accept offerings only from one who is my sevak. I do not accept gifts from anyone who is not my sevak.” The attendant conveyed this message to the king: “He accepts offerings only from his sevaks. He does not accept them from others.” Then the king prayed: “Maharaj, please bestow your grace and make me your sevak.” Shri Gusainji mercifully bestowed the Name upon the king at that very moment. Then the king submitted: “Maharaj! Will you now accept my offering? I have now become your sevak.” Then Shri Gusainji graciously gave him a kanthi and said: “O King, wear this.” The king put it on. Then Shri Gusainji graciously had prasad brought.

The king received it and placed it upon his head reverently. Thereafter, Shri Gusainji sent him back to his camp. The king then offered dandavat and prayed: “Maharaj! I shall now go and partake of Mahaprasad, and in the evening I shall return to your presence.” Shri Gusainji replied: “Very good.” The king returned to his camp and partook of Mahaprasad. Later, in the evening, he came again in procession and had darshan of Shri Jagannathrayji. After completing the darshan, the king came to the meeting place of Shri Gusainji. He approached, offered dandavat, and stood before him. Shri Gusainji instructed him to sit. The king sat down. Then Shri Gusainji began a discourse and recited sacred teachings. The king listened attentively. During the discourse, the topic of Name and Offering of the Self (Nivedan) arose.

The king heard this and then prayed: “Maharaj! You have bestowed the Name upon me, but please also perform Nivedan for me.” Shri Gusainji replied: “Very well. O King, observe a fast tomorrow. The day after that, Brahmasambandh will be performed.” Accordingly, the king observed a fast on the following day, and on the third day Shri Gusainji performed Brahmasambandh for him. Afterward, the king submitted: “Maharaj! What is your command for me now?” Shri Gusainji asked: “O King! What desire remains in your heart?” The king replied: “Maharaj! I have no children. For the sake of having offspring I married one hundred and eight queens, yet still no child has been born to me. Because of this matter I have become greatly distressed.

Then I formed the desire that I should have the darshan of Shri Jagannathrayji. By your grace I have obtained the darshan of Shri Jagannathrayji, and by your grace I have also received your own darshan.” Then the king said: “This is my great good fortune. Therefore, whatever command you now give, I shall carry out.” Then Shri Gusainji instructed him: “O King! Now install Shri Thakurji and perform His seva.” The king prayed: “Maharaj! Very good. Please bestow the seva upon me.” Then Shri Gusainji mercifully entrusted Shri Thakurji to him for seva. He bestowed upon him the swaroop of Shri Madanmohanji. Then the king submitted: “Maharaj! Please appoint two inner attendants and two water attendants.” Shri Gusainji graciously appointed them. There were two inner attendants. One prepared sakhadi food, and the other prepared ansakhadi food. There were also two water attendants. One brought water for the special use, and the other brought water for the sevaks.

Shri Gusainji personally showed the king how to perform the adornment of Shri Thakurji and instructed him: “Perform the seva in this manner.” The inner attendants then taught the king all the detailed procedures and practices. Thus the king himself performed all the seva and adornment of Shri Thakurji. Afterward, the king asked all one hundred and eight queens: “Will any of you become a sevak of Shri Gusainji?” All of them refused. They said: “We shall not become sevaks. We will not go to another man and receive instruction in our ears.” Then the king came again for the darshan of Shri Gusainji. After offering dandavat, he submitted: “Maharaj! I have one hundred and eight queens. I asked all of them, but not one became your sevak.”

Then Shri Gusainji said: “O King! Those souls who are demoniac do not come into refuge. Therefore, you are a divine soul; thus you naturally came into refuge and began performing seva.” After this, the king took leave of Shri Gusainji and requested permission: “Maharaj! If you permit, I shall now return to my kingdom in the South.” Shri Gusainji granted permission and said: “Now return to your kingdom and perform the seva of Shri Thakurji. And, O King, you will marry one more queen. She will be favorable to your seva.”

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Why was this said? Because she is a soul belonging to the divine play. The bond between you and her from previous times is very firm. The king became pleased. He offered gifts according to his ability, sought permission, offered dandavat, and departed. After some days he reached his own kingdom. Upon arriving, he installed Shri Thakurji in the palace and began performing seva. Although he had one hundred and eight queens, the king never went to any of them.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Why? Because all of them were turned away from Bhagavan. Therefore, by going near them and even by a moment's association with them, outward-mindedness would arise. Hence he renounced them in his heart. Shri Acharyaji Mahaprabhu has commanded: “Tattayāge dūṣaṇaṁ nāsti yataḥ kṛṣṇa-bahirmukhāḥ.” “There is no fault in renouncing those who are turned away from Krishna.”

Therefore, in Pushtimarg there is no fault in giving up association with those who are turned away from Shri Krishna.

Thus the king renounced all the queens in this manner. All the queens then became greatly sorrowful. “The king has abandoned us.” Because of this, all the queens grew thin. They possessed abundant jewelry, clothing, and wealth, yet because of worry they all became emaciated. Now there was a certain oil merchant’s daughter who used to collect cow dung near the base of their palace. One day a queen was sitting proudly in the palace and saw her. She noticed how extraordinarily beautiful she was. Seeing her, the queen called out: “You, come into our palace.” The girl replied: “Who would allow me to enter the palace?” The queen said: “I shall send a maidservant. She will bring you here. You wait there.”

Then the queen sent a maidservant and instructed: “That girl who is standing there collecting cow dung—bring her here.” The maidservant brought her before the queen. The queen asked: “Whose daughter are you?” The girl replied: “I am the daughter of an oil merchant.” The queen said: “The daughter of an oil merchant, yet so beautiful and so healthy? What kind of happiness do you have that makes you so flourishing?” The oil merchant’s daughter replied: “I am happy; that is why I am so healthy. I am my father’s only child. He has no other offspring. Therefore, whatever I ask for—to eat, drink, wear, or cover myself with—he gives me. Because of that I am very happy.

But you are the queen of a king, and yet you have become so thin. What sorrow do you have?” Then the queen said: “Sit down, and we shall tell you all our sorrow.” The queens explained: “The king married all one hundred and eight of us, but none of us bore a son or daughter. Because of this the king became greatly distressed. The king then took us for the darshan of Shri Jagannathrayji. After that, the king became a sevak of Shri Gusainji. Then he asked all of us, ‘Will any of you become a sevak of Shri Gusainji?’ We all refused. Because of that, the king has abandoned us. This is why we have all become thin. Otherwise, there is no shortage at all of clothes, ornaments, or comforts. But the king never comes to the palace of any queen.”

Then the oil merchant’s daughter said: “You are one hundred and eight queens, yet not one of you could win over a single king? If I were to marry, I would marry Raja Man Singh himself, and I would bring the king under my influence.” Having said this much, she returned to her home. After reaching home, she told her parents: “The queens called me, and such-and-such questions and answers took place between us.” Then she said to her parents: “And I told the queens that if I marry, I shall marry Raja Man Singh alone.” Her father replied: “How can that be? Where is Raja Man Singh, and where are you, the daughter of an oil merchant? How could such a thing ever happen?”

Then the oil merchant’s daughter said: “Father, this matter is exactly as I have said. Therefore, bring me fine ornaments and clothes. I shall wear them, win Raja Man Singh over, and marry him. Then there will never be any shortage of wealth for you.” The oil merchant replied: “Daughter, whatever ornaments and clothes you desire, wear them.” Then the girl asked for all those ornaments and garments, and they were brought to her. The oil merchant’s daughter adorned herself with all the ornaments and fine clothes. Taking a basket, she went to the forest to gather dried cow-dung cakes. At that time, the king was going to the garden after completing the adornment of Shri Thakurji. She was gathering cow-dung cakes along the road. Seeing the king, she respectfully saluted him with both hands.

Then she stood directly before him, smiling gently, displaying graceful gestures and expressive glances. The king stopped his horse and kept looking at her. Then the king asked: “Who are you?” She replied: “I am the daughter of an oil merchant.” Then the king called to her: “Come into the garden.” She entered the garden, and the royal party also entered. Then the king called her to a private place and asked: “What is your desire?” The oil merchant’s daughter replied: “My desire is this: if I marry, I will marry only you. Otherwise, I shall remain unmarried.” The king said: “Very well, that is acceptable. I shall marry you.” Then the king seated her in a palanquin and took her to his palace. He summoned astrologers and asked them to determine an auspicious wedding time. Preparations for the wedding were made. The marriage was celebrated with great splendor and festivity.

After the marriage, the king kept her in his own personal palace. Thereafter, the king would go daily to her palace and spend the nights there. She would massage the king’s feet, fan him, and render abundant personal service and attendance. Thus the king became greatly pleased with her.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): Here the power of seva is being demonstrated. By rendering seva, she pleased the king. Such is the nature of seva. Then she asked the king: “You are a sevak of Shri Gusainji and you perform the seva of Shri Thakurji. Please have me made a sevak as well, so that I may assist in the seva.” The king became very pleased and said: “This is very good.” Then the king prepared a pair of messengers, wrote a letter, and sent them to Adel. In the letter he wrote: “By your grace I have married another queen. Please make her your sevak so that she may assist in the seva. If, by your grace, you come to Shri Jagannathrayji, then I shall send the queen with my minister.” This was the prayerful letter that the king wrote.

After reading the letter, Shri Gusainji sent a reply: “We shall come to Shri Jagannathrayji for the festival of Rath Yatra. You should send the queen with the minister to Shri Jagannathrayji. We shall make the queen a sevak.” The messengers brought Shri Gusainji’s letter back to the king. The king read the letter and became very pleased. He summoned the minister and said: “Make preparations for the journey to Shri Jagannathrayji. You shall go with the queen.”The minister made all the necessary arrangements. Then the minister traveled with the queen to Shri Jagannathrayji. By his grace, Shri Gusainji also arrived at Shri Jagannathrayji. The queen and the minister were given darshan of Shri Jagannathrayji. Afterward, the queen was sent to the camp.

The minister came before Shri Gusainji, offered dandavat, and submitted: “Maharaj! I have brought the queen. Therefore, please bestow your grace.” Then Shri Gusainji instructed the minister: “Tomorrow have the queen observe a fast. The day after that, we shall bestow the Name and perform Brahmasambandh.” The minister then prayed: “Maharaj! Please also bestow your grace upon me.” Shri Gusainji replied: “Very well. You also observe a fast. We shall bestow the Name and perform Brahmasambandh for you as well.” The minister then asked: “Maharaj! If someone brings Mahaprasad of Shri Jagannathrayji, do I have permission to accept it?”

Shri Gusainji instructed: “You may take a small portion of Kanika Mahaprasad. Do not eat it in a quantity sufficient to fill the stomach.” Then the minister returned to the camp. He informed everyone: “Tomorrow observe a fast. By the Lord’s command we shall become sevaks.” Accordingly, both the queen and the minister observed the fast. Then, on the following day, Shri Gusainji graciously bestowed the Name and performed Brahmasambandh for both of them. Afterward, the queen offered a gift before Shri Gusainji on the occasion of receiving Name and Brahmasambandh. The minister also offered a gift. Then they requested permission and asked: “Maharaj! May the queen now be engaged in seva?”

Shri Gusainji replied: “Yes, now let her be engaged in seva peacefully.” Then the minister prayed: “Maharaj! Please write a letter to the king instructing him to engage both the queen and me in the seva.” Then Shri Gusainji personally wrote a letter and gave it to the minister. He said: “Go. The king will engage both of you in the seva.” The queen offered a considerable amount of wealth as a gift. The minister also offered a considerable gift. Then they took leave. Shri Gusainji bestowed upper garments upon them. After receiving permission from Shri Gusainji, they departed and returned to their kingdom in the South. Upon arriving, the queen went to her palace, and the minister went to the king. The king asked for all the news.

The minister related all the news concerning Shri Gusainji and Shri Jagannathrayji. Then the minister presented to the king the letter written by Shri Gusainji’s own hand. The king read it and became very pleased. Filled with joy, he said to the minister: “You have done a very good thing by bringing back Shri Gusainji’s command. This will be a great help in the seva. Now you too may peacefully enter into the seva.” Then, after gathering the Vaishnava assembly, distributing Mahaprasad, distributing kanthi and charanamrit, and receiving the permission of the Vaishnavas, the king engaged both the queen and the minister in the seva.

The king himself performed all the seva and adornment. The minister served in the temple before the king and attended to its arrangements. One night the queen asked the king: “Which seva will you assign to me?” The king replied: “You should perform the seva of the milk department. Shri Thakurji will accept everything prepared by your hands. There are two inner attendants; they will prepare the sakhadi and ansakhadi offerings.” When the king had become a sevak, he had also caused twenty to twenty-five people of his own community to become sevaks of Shri Gusainji.

All of them assisted in the seva. Some worked in the betel department, some in the flower department, some in the storehouse, and some brought supplies from outside. All of them remained constantly engaged in seva at the king’s residence. After Shri Thakurji had accepted the offerings, everyone partook of Mahaprasad. When Vaishnavas came, some accepted sakhadi Mahaprasad, some accepted ansakhadi Mahaprasad, and some accepted preparations from the milk department. The king saw that all of them were properly cared for. Afterward, the minister and the king took Mahaprasad. Then both attended to the affairs of the kingdom. Later, at the time of Utthapan, the king would bathe and prepare for seva. The minister would also bathe.

Together they would perform the seva from Utthapan until Sen, and after putting Shri Thakurji to rest, they would come out. Then, after taking Mahaprasad, both the king and the minister would attend to state affairs. At night the king would go to the queen. The king would say: “You prepare the ingredients of the milk department very beautifully. You perform excellent seva.” Because of this, the king would visit this Vaishnava queen every day, sit with her, and sleep there. Thus this queen pleased the king. She pleased him through her seva. Now the one hundred and eight queens became very jealous of this Vaishnava queen.

They said among themselves: “We are daughters of kings and queens of a king, yet we could not win the king’s heart. But this daughter of an oil merchant has won him completely.” They desired that if they met the oil merchant’s daughter, they would speak with her. One day, the oil merchant’s daughter happened to be free in her palace. Two or four queens came there. They said to her: “Praise to you! You have succeeded in winning the king completely.” The oil merchant’s daughter replied: “I have become exactly what I told you I would become.” The queens, pleased with her, said: “You are our elder sister, and we are your younger sisters. Therefore, please present our request to the king. The king has abandoned us. Whatever the king commands now, we shall do.”

She replied: “I shall speak to him.” Then the queens said: “There are one hundred and eight of us, and among us you are the eldest. Therefore, come and visit us sometimes.” She answered: “When I have leisure, I shall come to visit you.” Then they said: “We all one hundred and eight will come to visit you whenever you have leisure.” She replied: “When I have free time, I shall send for you.” Then she said: “Now you may go, for I must engage in seva.” So they departed. Then she entered into seva. She prepared all the ingredients of the milk department. The saffron-colored preparations she arranged in golden containers. The white preparations she arranged in silver containers. Thus the color of the vessels and the color of the offerings matched one another in appearance. In this way, the oil merchant’s daughter won the king completely through seva.

Whenever the king came to the queen at night, he would praise her greatly. He would say: “I could not be won over by all one hundred and eight queens, but I have been won over by you. You perform seva exceedingly well.” In this manner he repeatedly praised her. Every year, the king would send new preparations, new garments, and bills of exchange containing wealth to Shri Gusainji. And they also performed the seva of Shri Thakurji in an excellent manner. Then Shri Thakurji began to manifest His personal affection and responsiveness toward them. Whatever was needed, they would ask for it and receive it. Such was Raja Man Singh—a supremely grace-filled devotee and beloved servant of Bhagavan, greatly favored by Shri Gusainji. Therefore, there is no limit to the narration of his account. How much of it can truly be told?

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): The intention of this account is that one should not keep close association with a wife, son, daughter, mother, father, or any other person who is not a Vaishnava. Nor should one maintain attachment to them. The seva of a Vaishnava is indeed a very great and precious thing. Therefore, one should have affection for whoever assists in the seva of Bhagavan. And one should not remain even for a moment without seva. This is the principle that is being established here.