Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): He is a sattvik devotee. In the divine lila, his name is Brahmavalli. He manifested from Mohini, therefore her sentiments are present in him.

He was born in Gujarat in the house of a Brahmin. When he became about twenty years old, he joined the association of Vaishnavas. He joined their assemblies and daily listened to Bhagavad-katha. Then a desire arose in his heart: “When shall I obtain the darshan of Shri Gusainji and become a Vaishnava?” After some time, his parents passed away. Then a group of Vaishnavas was going to Shri Gokul, and he also set out for Shri Gokul with them.

Prasang 1 – Receiving Grace and Realization Once, Pitambar Das came to Shri Gokul in the company of Vaishnavas. After taking the darshan of Shri Gusainji, he offered full prostrated obeisance and submitted: “O Maharajadhiraj! Please bestow the Name upon me. I have wandered aimlessly for many days. Now please forgive my offenses.” Then Shri Gusainji mercifully bestowed the Name upon Pitambar Das and had him make his offering. Seated before Shri Navneetpriyaji, he was made to perform complete self-surrender. Thereafter, Pitambar Das offered a gift according to his capacity.

Afterward, Shri Gusainji completed the service of Shri Navneetpriyaji and returned to his seat. He sat upon the cushion and bolster. Then all the Vaishnavas came for darshan. Pitambar Das also came and offered full prostrated obeisance. After that, Shri Gusainji went for his meal. Having finished His meal, a leaf plate containing the remnants of Mahaprasad was given to Pitambar Das. As soon as Pitambar Das accepted the Mahaprasad, divine realization arose within him. He understood: “Shri Gusainji is directly the complete Purushottam.”

Then he reflected within himself: “I shall never go anywhere leaving Shri Gusainji. I shall keep refuge only at His lotus feet.” Therefore Pitambar Das did not go anywhere else. Afterward, Shri Gusainji kept Pitambar Das in His personal service. Pitambar Das performed that service with great joy and happiness.

Prasang 2 – Beginning the Braj Pilgrimage with Shri Gusainji Later, a desire arose in Pitambar Das’s heart to perform the Braj pilgrimage. He submitted this request to Shri Gusainji. Then Shri Gusainji said: “I too shall go on the Braj pilgrimage. You should also come.” Seeing the eagerness of Pitambar Das, Shri Gusainji considered this within Himself and made all the arrangements complete. These events occurred during the month of Chaitra. Shri Gusainji had been residing at Shri Gokul since Phagun Vad 7 of Samvat 1628.

Afterward, on Bhadrapad Vad 12, after performing the evening arati, He took Shri Gokulnathji with Him and quietly departed at an appropriate time. No one came to know of it. Thus Shri Gusainji proceeded and spent the night at Shri Mathuraji. Afterward, He summoned Ujagar Chaube, who lived nearby. He accepted from him the vows relating to the establishment of dharma. Then, with mutual agreement, great affection, and proper observance, He bathed at Vishram Ghat and returned.

Chaube then said: “May I accompany You?” Shri Gusainji replied: “Why should you undergo the hardship? Your word has already been accepted. Why should I make you serve without purpose?” Then he said: “Maharaj! First please go for the darshan of Bhuteshwar.” Shri Gusainji replied: “Bhuteshwar will regard this favorably from here itself.” Therefore He did not go there and instead dismissed him from that very place. Then He continued onward. The land was beautiful, and the calls of peacocks were resounding. In such a supremely delightful place, Shri Gusainji proceeded.

The following sevaks were accompanying Shri Gusainji: Chacha Harivanshji, Pitambar Das, Kanh, Malha Bhandari, Khavo Tiwari, Gopinath Das Gwal, Kesodas Bisal Nagara, Rupa Rajput, Murari Das Gwal, Liladhar Das, who prepared food for the Vaishnavas, Narayan Das Pandey Anyoriya, Krishnadas Moli, Jashrath — these three were kirtaniyas of Shri Gokul, Narayan Das, Ram Das, who joined from Shri Mathuraji, Giya Jat, who joked greatly and kept everyone laughing along the way, Keshav Bhatt, Jhanjha Maru Niko’s son, Bhagwan Das Gorva, Bhavani, a Tilang Brahmin, Govindi and Mathurani, who sang beautifully, Jivandas Nabara and Rupa. There was also a cart, a storehouse wagon, a horse, and a complete traveling camp.

First they arrived at Madhuvan. There they bathed in the kund and took the darshan of Bhagavat-svarup Shri Kalyanrayji. From there, while viewing the holy places, they proceeded to Talvan. There they bathed in the kund and afterward took the darshan of Shri Bihari Lalji. Then Shri Gusainji proceeded to Kamodvan. There He bathed in the kund and afterward took the darshan of Shri Gopinathji and Shri Kalyanrayji. From there, while viewing the sacred sites, He returned again to Madhuvan. There food was prepared and Shri Thakurji was offered bhog. After the offering was completed, everyone took their meal. Then Shri Gusainji rested.

The next morning, after rising and completing bodily duties, He proceeded to Satoye, to the abode of King Santanu. After fulfilling King Santanu’s desire, He took darshan of Surya and then proceeded to Bahulavan. There is the sacred form of Bahula Cow. There He performed cow donation and worship and then took the darshan of Shri Madan Mohanji. Thereafter Shri Gusainji personally performed the rite for the removal of Arishta. After that, from there He went to Radha Kund and Shri Krishna Kund, bathed there, and then took the darshan of Shri Radhaji and Shri Krishnaji. Thereafter, near Shyam Dhak, He partook of prepared delicacies. Then Shri Gusainji set foot in Govardhan.

That day there had been much exertion because the sun was extremely hot. Therefore Shri Gusainji’s divine body experienced considerable discomfort from the heat. Earlier, while still at home, Shri Gusainji had planned ahead, and Shri Gokulnathji had prepared a medicinal powder called Dharmada-tap Churna, consisting in equal proportions of coriander, cumin, amla, dry ginger, licorice, and sugar candy.

This was brought to Shri Gusainji, and He took it. Immediately His health was restored. Then Shri Gusainji became sleepy and rested upon a bed laid on the ground. After some time Shri Gokulnathji also fell asleep. Thereafter Shri Gusainji arose and prepared the cooking. He offered bhog to Shri Thakurji and then took His meal. That night Shri Gusainji rested there. The next morning, after bathing, He took the darshan of Shri Govardhannathji. Then, after returning from the temple, Shri Gusainji began the circumambulation of Shri Giriraj.

Keeping Shri Govardhan on His right side, He visited Manasi Ganga Tirtha and Brahma Kund, performed Sandhyavandan, and took the darshan of the forms of Shri Rasikrayji and Shri Danirayji. Thereafter Shri Gusainji bathed at Sankarshan Kund, put on a fresh dhoti, applied tilak and sacred marks, completed the parikrama, and returned to His own temple. Afterward He took His meal along with the Vaishnavas. Then Shri Gusainji went and stayed at Ganthauli. Later, during the night, Shri Gusainji arose and, passing through Paramdara, kept Sugandhi Shila Mountain on the right and Badrinarayan of Shvet Parvat on the left, and proceeded to Indrauli.

There He bathed with the water of Indra Koop, touched Vimal Kund, bathed at Surya Kund, and then passed by Shvet Kund and Shvet Bandha Rameshwar. Seeing Nandagop’s Kund and the Chaurasi Kunds, He arrived on Bhadrapad Sud 1 at the Kadam Khadi of Sunhera. After seeing the Chitra-Vichitra Shila, Shri Gusainji returned to His camp. In the morning He bathed at Dehkud, touched the waters of Ratan Kund, passed through Chiksoli and Novari-Chovari, and then through Doban arrived at Sanket Van. There, beneath Sanket Vat, is the platform of the Rasa Mandal and the sacred Baithak. There is also Vilas Vat. There He bathed in Krishna Kund and, after visiting all the forests, proceeded further.

Shri Gusainji then bathed at Madhu Kund and Yashoda Kund and passed by Shri Nandarayji, Shri Yashodaji, Lalita Kund, and Bajwari Kund. Passing by Shri Gopeshwar and then through Akrur Ghat and Uttareshwar Ghat, He arrived at the place known as Akrur Sthal. Afterward Shri Gusainji came to Isvara Ki Pokhar and the field known as Ragi Ki Kyari. It was there that Uddhavji had instructed the Braj devotees in the knowledge teachings. There is also Madan Kund there, and the Kadam Khadi of Jal Bihari Shri Thakurji. Shri Gusainji visited those places. Thereafter Shri Gusainji arrived at Pan Sarovar.

There Shri Gusainji prepared the cooking and, at the proper time, offered bhog to Shri Thakurji. After offering the bhog, Shri Gusainji took His meal. Thereafter, on Bhadrapad Sud 3, Shri Gusainji proceeded to Khidarvan. After bathing in Mool Nanakund, Shri Gusainji performed the parikrama and donated Nagavali. Then Shri Gusainji arrived at Karahela and Anjanokhar. There, Shri Yashodaji applies collyrium to Shri Thakurji. That place is the site of the Rasa of a new Kalpa. Leaving all the places on the right side, He came to the place where Shri Yashodaji’s parental home is situated. There Shri Gusainji established His camp.

In the morning, He touched Balabhadra Kund. Thereafter, seeing Charan Pahadi, Shri Gusainji proceeded to Dadhigaam and took the darshan of Shri Vrajbhushanji. Then, after seeing the place of Shankhachuda and leaving Sheshasayi on the left side, He arrived at Sei Gaam. This completed the seventeenth forest. There is the place of Ali Khan Gorva there. Earlier, Shri Gusainji had arranged for kheer to be prepared there. At that time, very heavy rain fell, and the kheer was washed away.

Thereafter, on Sud 5, Shri Gusainji rose early in the morning and, leaving Rasoli and Bachhavan, proceeded from Sei Gaam to Ram Ghat. There Shri Baldevji caused the Yamuna to flow in the reverse direction. There is also the Akshay Vat. At that place, Pralambasura was slain. After visiting that site, He again descended to the bank of Shri Yamunaji at Balabhadra Ghat. Thus the eighteenth forest was completed. Thereafter, Shri Gusainji touched Balabhadra Kund and Madhusudan Kund and then proceeded to Bhandirvan.

Ahead is Bhandir Koop. After performing the parikrama of Bhandirvan, Shri Gusainji prepared the cooking and offered bhog at the proper time. After the bhog was completed, He took His meal. Thereafter, He proceeded to Belvan. Thus the twentieth forest was completed. At sunrise, passing through Man Sarovar, Shri Gusainji bathed there. From there, Shri Gusainji proceeded to the Rasa Sthal. This place is described in the Sarasvata Kalpa and therefore should be viewed completely. Then, leaving all the places on the left side, He came to Bachhor, where Vatsasura was slain. Thereafter Shri Gusainji proceeded to Lohavan. There He touched the sacred kund. Thus the twenty-first forest was completed.

After that, Shri Gusainji proceeded to Mahavan. Passing through Brahmand Ghat and Yamalarjuna, He took the darshan of Shri Mathuranathji. From there, Shri Gusainji proceeded to Nanda Koop. Facing the Ukhal, He viewed the temple of Shri Rohiniji. Then, passing through Sapta Samudra and Uttareshwar Ghat and taking the darshan of Raman Reti, He arrived at Shri Gokul. There bhog was offered to Shri Thakurji at the proper time.

After the bhog was completed, He took His meal and at night went and stayed in Shri Mathuraji. Thus the twenty-second forest was completed. Thereafter Shri Gusainji came and proceeded to Vrindavan. There He visited Dharma Kund and Venu Koop and took the darshan of Shri Govindji. Then, passing through Keshi Ghat, He arrived at Bansi Vat. Afterward, Shri Gusainji returned to Shri Mathuraji.

Thus, on Bhadrapad Sud 7, the twenty-four forests were completed. Thereafter, taking all the Vaishnavas and Pitambar Das with Him, Shri Gusainji returned to Shri Gokul. He gave them the darshan of Shri Navneetpriyaji and all the other seven divine forms. In this way Shri Gusainji bestowed such grace upon Pitambar Das. Thereafter, Pitambar Das never went anywhere leaving the lotus feet of Shri Gusainji. Day and night he remained constantly engaged in seva without interruption.

Bhav Prakash (Revealing the Sentiment): The intention of this Varta is that every Vaishnava should certainly perform the pilgrimage of Braj at least once. By doing so, the form and glory of Braj become firmly established within the heart. Braj belongs to Bhagavan. Therefore, by taking its darshan and performing its mental contemplation, divine devotion and sentiments toward Bhagavan arise.

Pitambar Das was such a supremely blessed devotee and recipient of Shri Gusainji’s grace. Therefore, how much can one possibly describe his glory?