Now the sentiment of the account of Raja Bhim and his wife of Gujarat, sevaks of Shri Gusainji, who had knowledge of their previous birth, is explained.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): These two are rajasic devotees. In the divine play, their names are “Nrudevi” and “Nehdevi.” “Nrudevi” manifested as Raja Bhim, and “Nehdevi” manifested as his wife. They appeared from “Vandevi,” and therefore this is their devotional form.

Prasang 1 – Knowledge of a Previous Birth As soon as Raja Bhim was born from his mother's womb, he received knowledge of his previous birth. His wife also retained the memory of her previous birth. Therefore, both husband and wife constantly remembered their previous birth and remained troubled and distressed in their minds, thinking, “By what means can we now perform the seva of Shri Thakurji?” Then, during the night, Shri Thakurji revealed Himself to both of them and said, “Go to the shelter of the person who will tell you the account of your previous birth. Act exactly according to what he tells you.”

After this, both husband and wife thought within themselves, “Who is there here who can tell us about our previous birth? Therefore, let us go on pilgrimage. If someone there tells us, then we shall know.” With this thought, Raja Bhim said to his father, “We desire to undertake a pilgrimage. If you permit us, we shall go.” His father replied, “Go, certainly.” Then both husband and wife set out on pilgrimage. Wherever there was a great holy place, wherever there was a renowned scholar, they would go there and begin discussions. They would engage in conversation and inquiry. Yet no one spoke of their previous birth.

In this manner, after completing all the pilgrimages, Raja Bhim arrived at Shri Gokul. There Raja Bhim set up camp at Shri Thakurani Ghat. At that time Shri Gusainji was proceeding to perform the midday Sandhyavandan. His glance fell upon Raja Bhim. Raja Bhim then received the darshan of Shri Gusainji. Seeing the extraordinary divine radiance of Shri Gusainji’s form, Raja Bhim offered full prostrated obeisance. Then Shri Gusainji said from His lotus mouth, “You have gone on pilgrimage searching for a certain matter. Have you found what you were seeking?” Raja Bhim replied, “Maharaj, I have not found it.”

Shri Gusainji then said, “Come to the bethak. I shall tell you everything.” At that moment Raja Bhim became certain in his mind: “Since Shri Gusainji Himself has asked about this matter, this must surely be the truth.” After that Shri Gusainji proceeded to the temple. Rajbhog arati was performed. Then the period of Anosar took place. After Shri Gusainji had taken His meal and rested, the time for Utthapan arrived. Before the Utthapan, Shri Gusainji was seated upon the cushions of the gadi. Raja Bhim was sitting in the bethak. He offered full prostrated obeisance to Shri Gusainji and humbly prayed, “Maharaj! If You intend to bestow Your grace upon us, then kindly do so now.”

Shri Gusainji then sent all the Vaishnavas away. Afterward, Shri Gusainji narrated to Raja Bhim and the queen the entire account of their previous birth. He said: “In your previous birth, you were a farmer in a village. This woman, who is now your wife, was then the wife of a merchant. There was an adulterous attachment between you and her. She used to come daily to the fields. This continued for many days. One day, while digging in the field, you discovered an excellent piece of ground. A large stone emerged. Beneath it was a beautiful underground chamber. Within that chamber was a temple. In that temple was a beautiful form of Shri Thakurji. Seeing it, you were filled with great wonder.

At that very moment this woman arrived. You showed everything to her and asked, ‘What is this?’ She replied, ‘This is the form of Shri Kanhaiyalal, Shri Thakurji. Great indeed is our fortune that this form has manifested before us.’ Then you cleared away all the earth from there, brought water, and washed the temple. After bathing yourselves, you bathed Shri Thakurji. Then you brought beautiful forest fruits, carefully prepared them, and offered them as bhog. You also brought flowers from various places, made garlands, and adorned Shri Thakurji with them.

In this way you began performing daily seva. Whenever you brought any new item or ingredient, you offered it. You adorned Shri Thakurji and offered bhog. Afterwards you swept and cleaned the temple. You gathered flowers from various places and brought them. Thus both of you secretly performed seva very well, and no one knew about it. There are many such incidents. By continuing in this way, a deep attachment and supreme delight in Shri Thakurji arose within you. All worldly desires were abandoned. Your minds became absorbed in the seva of Shri Thakurji.

One day, while engaged in Bhagavad-seva and chanting the Lord’s Name, by the will of Bhagavan the underground chamber suddenly collapsed from above. At that moment both of you gave up your bodies. Then the messengers of Dharmaraj came to take you. Behind them came the messengers of Vishnu. The messengers of Yama said to the messengers of Vishnu, ‘These two committed adultery. They have performed many actions contrary to the Vedas.’ The messengers of Vishnu replied, ‘Shri Thakurji has granted them the supreme destination. They shall attain the highest state. They have cleansed the temple of Shri Thakurji. Therefore they shall attain the supreme position. There is no doubt in this.’

Having said this, the messengers of Vishnu took both of you away. They brought you before Shri Thakurji. Then Shri Thakurji said, ‘Ask for whatever you desire. I am greatly pleased with you.’ With folded hands both of you prayed to Shri Thakurji, ‘Maharaj! Why are You showing us such mercy? We performed very low actions. What is the reason for this?’ Shri Thakurji replied, ‘You indeed performed low actions, but you also cleaned My temple. Therefore I have accepted your seva. I am greatly pleased with you. Ask for whatever you desire.’

Then both of you said, ‘Maharaj! If You are pleased and wish to grant us a boon, then we ask for a human birth. Let us go again to the mortal world, become husband and wife, perform the seva of Shri Thakurji, and engage in Bhagavad-bhajan. Therefore we ask only this: please grant us a human birth.’

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): The reason is that without a human birth, Your seva is difficult to attain. Even the gods desire birth upon this earth. Therefore Gopaldasji sang: “Even the celestial beings desire residence upon the earth, so that they may perform the service of Shri Vallabh Kumar.” Thus the human body is exceedingly excellent. Therefore those two asked for human birth. The supremacy of Bhagavad-bhajan and seva is also shown here. Even after receiving the direct darshan of Bhagavan, they asked only for seva. Such is seva that even Bhagavan becomes bound by it. Therefore a Vaishnava should not remain even for a moment without seva. This principle is thus established.

Then Shri Thakurji said, “Your desire shall be completely fulfilled.” Afterward you took birth upon the earth. In this detailed manner Shri Gusainji narrated everything to Raja Bhim. Hearing it, Raja Bhim attained full understanding. Then he prayed to Shri Gusainji, “Maharaj! Please bestow Your grace upon us and now accept us into Your shelter.” Out of mercy, Shri Gusainji bestowed the Name upon Raja Bhim and the queen. The next day He had them observe a fast and then, in the presence of Shri Navneetpriyaji, granted them Brahmasambandh. Afterward Raja Bhim prayed to Shri Gusainji, “Maharaj! Kindly show mercy upon us and install for us the seva of Shri Thakurji.”

Out of grace, Shri Gusainji established the seva of Shri Thakurji for Raja Bhim. Then Shri Gusainji mercifully taught Raja Bhim all the proper methods and practices of seva. Afterward Raja Bhim prayed, “Maharaj! If it is Your command, we shall now return to our homeland.” Shri Gusainji then gave Raja Bhim permission to depart. Raja Bhim offered many gifts to Shri Gusainji. After some days they arrived in their own country. There, in a secluded part of the palace, they prepared a temple for Shri Thakurji and installed Him there. Thereafter both husband and wife together began performing the seva of Shri Thakurji properly and with great care. They also daily performed manasi seva of Shri Gokul. They composed many padas concerning Shri Gusainji and Shri Gokul.

Within a short time Shri Thakurji began manifesting His divine responsiveness. Whatever they desired, they could ask and receive. Such was Raja Bhim, an exceedingly great recipient of the grace of Shri Gusainji and a true devotee of the path. Therefore, how much can be said of his account?