Now the sentiment of the account of a Kayastha Vaishnava, a sevak of Shri Gusainji, from Surat, who used to cook and keep the cooking pot with him, is being explained.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): This is a tamasic devotee. In the divine play, his name is “Braj-Priya.” He manifested from “Ranga,” therefore his devotional sentiment is of that form.

He was born in Surat in a Kayastha family. From childhood he remained in a state of detachment. When he became fourteen years old, Shri Gusainji arrived in Surat. This Kayastha had the darshan of Shri Gusainji. Then he thought, “It would be good if I were to go into his refuge.” Afterward he submitted a request to Shri Gusainji, saying, “Maharaj! Please bestow your grace and accept me into your refuge.” Shri Gusainji recognized him as a divine soul and made him a sevak. He bestowed the Name and had him perform the offering of dedication (nivedan).

Thereafter this Kayastha came with Shri Gusainji to Shri Gokul and then went to Gopalpur. There he had the darshan of Shri Govardhannathji. After that he performed the Braj pilgrimage. He experienced immense joy from it. Therefore, every year he would come to Shri Gokul for the Braj pilgrimage.

Prasang 1 – The Clay Pot Filled with Braj Dust That Kayastha Vaishnav would come every year from Surat. Every year he would celebrate Hindola and Janmashtami in Shri Gokul. Afterward he would perform the Braj pilgrimage. Once he went to Kamvan. There he brought a clay pot and prepared lentils in it. Then he made baatis and offered the bhog. After cooking the lentils, he placed them in a bowl and offered them as bhog. Then he washed the clay pot, applied Braj dust to it, wrapped it in a blanket, and hung it on a tree. After completing the offering, he accepted mahaprasad. Then he put on his clothes and departed.

In this way, after completing the Braj pilgrimage, he would return to his home in Surat. However, he always carried that clay pot with him. And when he came again to Braj, he would bring it with him as well. He cooked his lentils only in that pot. Once that Vaishnav came to Shri Gokul. He offered dandavat before Shri Gusainji. Then Shri Gusainji asked him, “Vaishnav! Do you come every year?” The Vaishnav replied, “Maharaj! By your grace, I come every year.” “I come, celebrate Hindola and Janmashtami, then celebrate Annakut, and afterward return home. After earning five rupees there, I come back again.”

Then another Vaishnav submitted to Shri Gusainji, “Maharaj! This Vaishnav is very good, but he does one thing that is highly improper.” Shri Gusainji asked, “What improper thing does he do?” The Vaishnav replied, “Maharaj! He takes a clay pot from here when he goes, and he brings it back from there when he returns. He cooks his lentils in that same pot.” Then Shri Gusainji asked that Vaishnav, “Why do you do this?” The Vaishnav submitted, “O Lord of Grace! I indeed do so.” Then Shri Gusainji instructed him, “This is not the custom of this path.”

The Vaishnav then submitted to Shri Gusainji, “Maharaj! This is my clay pot of Braj dust. It is as valuable as gold to me.” “And, O Lord of Grace! In the course of coming and going during the year, I can easily save five rupees.” “With those five rupees I purchase ingredients and have them offered for the acceptance of Shri Govardhannathji.” “And, O Lord of Grace! For me, this clay pot is truly Braj dust itself.” “After that, whatever command you give, I shall do accordingly.”

Then Shri Gusainji instructed all the Vaishnavas: “What he does, you should not imitate merely by seeing him do it. What he does is appropriate because of his devotional sentiment.” “You should not say anything to him.” After hearing his words, Shri Gusainji became greatly pleased. Being delighted, he said, “Look, it is a great fortune that he comes to Braj every single year.” “And look at his devotional sentiment! It is he who has understood the value of Braj dust.”

“And by saving the five rupees that would have been spent on another pot, he has ingredients offered for the acceptance of Shri Govardhannathji.” “Such a Vaishnav is blessed.” In this manner, Shri Gusainji highly praised this Vaishnav. Then all the Vaishnavas became pleased and said, “This Vaishnav is indeed a divine soul.”

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): The intention of this account is that Braj is transcendental and divine. Therefore, one to whom the sentiment of Braj has been entrusted encounters no obstacle. But if anyone imitates such conduct merely by observing it, then an offense will arise for him and he will become outward-turned. This account also teaches that one should not judge the actions of a Bhagvadiya Vaishnav.

That Vaishnav was such a supremely grace-filled Bhagvadiya of Shri Gusainji that there is no end to the account of his greatness. Therefore, how much of it can possibly be described?