Sri-Harivansh-Vilasa

a brief retelling of the life and lilas

of Sri Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhuji

- hari-radhacharan das
INTRODUCTION

In the famous medieval work 'Bhaktamaal' by Nabhadasa, he sings the glories of hundreds of saints
of various traditions. When it comes to Sri Hit Harivansh, he rightly says:

(srī harivansh gosāī bhajan kī rīti sukrit kou jānihai)

srī rādhā charan pradhān hrdai ati sudridh upāsī
kunjkeli dampati tahā kī karat khavāsī
sarvasu mahāprasād prasidh tāke adhikārī
vidhi nishedh nahī dās ananya utkat bratadhārī
vyās suvan path anusarai soī bhalai pahachānihai
srī harivansh gosāī bhajan kī rīti sukrit kou jānihai

“Few will understand the pious mode of worship of Sri Harivansh Goswami. The feet of Sri Radha
are foremost in his heart and he is a most staunch worshipper [of them]. He performs attendance of
the divine couple [Sri Shyama-Shyam] in their lovesports in the kunjas [forest groves]. The
mahaprasad, of which he is a well-known claimant, is his entire property. Not [concerned with]
orthodox precepts and prohibitions, he is a single-minded servant and dedicated devotee. He who
follows the path of Vyasa's son [Sri Harivansh's father's name is Vyasa Mishra], he alone will
comprehend it fully; few will understand the pious mode of worship of Sri Harivansh Goswami.”

Sri Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu [1502 – 1553 AD] is one of the famous rasika saints from the
Vaisnava traditions of Sri Vrindavan. He is especially renowned for his fervent devotion to Sri
Radha along with her beloved Sri Krishna. Arriving in Vraja in 1533, he very quickly became an
important player in the resurgence of Vraja-bhakti and rediscovery of the sites related to Radha and
Krishna's eternal loving plays. He is responsible for the recovery and establishment of important
places such as Seva-kunja, Vanshivat, Radhavallabh mandir, Madan Ter and so on.

Sri Harivansh also composed many devotionally sweet Brajabhasa and Sanskrit works. Sri Hit
Chaurasi, Sphut Vani, Sri Yamunastaka and Radha-sudha-nidhi are known to be written by him.

Sri Harivansh is considered as (1) Sri Hit Sajani, a most dear sakhi of Sri Radha. (2) Sri Krishna's
all-enchanting flute. (3) Prema-avatara, the incarnation of Prema [in accordance with Radhavallabh
theology] and (4) Nitya-vihara avatara – the descent of the entire lila, Hari, Radha, Vrindavan and
Sahacharis [Sakhis].

Sources used for biography:

Lectures of Hit Ambrishji

Rasik-ananya-maal of Bhagavat Muditji
Rasik-maal of Uttamdasji
Hit Charit of Uttamdasji
Hit Chaurasi
Sevak Vani [Hitdasji Maharaja's edition]
Articles by Jagadananda das [Jan Brezinski]
Research by Rupert Snell
- BIRTH LILA
________________________________________________________________________________

Sri Harivansh appeared in a well to-do Brahmin family of Devbandh (Deobandh) in Vraja. He is the
only sampradaya acharya to have taken birth in Vraja itself. His father's name was Vyas Mishra and
his mother was Tara Rani. Vyas Mishra was a court astrologer to the Emperor Sikander Lodi and he
even accompanied him when the Emperor was on tour.

Before the birth of Hitacharya Sri Harivansh, his parents had remained childless for a long time.
Naturally, they were very worried about this. One of Vyas Mishra's brothers, Narsinghashram, was a
noted Sannyasi. Out of affection, Narsinghashram used to come to Devbandh and meet with Vyasji
often. Due to lack of a child, the couple were often found to be unhappy. During one of his usual
short meetings, Narsinghashramji advised them to remain happy and accept their fate in life. Vyasji
remained quiet, however Tara Rani asked her brother-in-law respectfully “If fate along was
everything, then with what hope have people been runnning after him [the Sannyasi
Narsinghashram] to get over their bad luck and attain positive change in their lives?”
Narsinghashramji did not reply. Being in a serious mood and absorbed in deep thoughts he left their
home. After some time, he returned and blessed Tara Rani that she would give birth to an
extraordinary devotee who would establish an independent and highly concentrated system of
Prema Bhakti.

The Emperor had planned to establish a town at the present site of Agra city to ensure better
administrative control over his territories. On one occasion, Vyasji had to accompany him to
supervise the work in progress. Vyasji took his wife Tara Rani with him as she was pregnant and
was expecting delivery of the baby any day.

This time when the Emperor along with his retinue had hardly covered a distance of 5 miles from
Mathura towards Agra, Tara Rani was in labour pains. In this emergency, they all stopped and
camped upon an elevated ground adjacent to Baadgram [The village “Baad”, which is near to
Gokula]. This is where Sri Harivansh was born in the year 1502 AD on Monday/Mohini Ekadasi
early in the morning.
Sri Harivansh's birthplace is marked by a small
Radhavallabhi settlement called Vyas-bhavan
which is looked after by the renounced order of
the sampradaya. There is a small temple and a
rasamandal [a round stone platform used as a
stage for rasalila dramas] in a pleasant site on
the border of Baad village, on a rise above a
large pond. The interior of the temple doorway
is surmounted by a painting which depicts the
birth of Sri Harivansh in an idealised setting
reflecting the comparison of the birth of Sri
Harivansh and the appearance of Sri Krishna in
the house of Nanda Maharaja.

After a short stay at Baadgram they left for their

home, Devbandh. This is where Sri Harivansh
then spent his first 30 years.
- DRESSING UP THE TREE AND THE VINE
________________________________________________________________________________

On one occasion, the child Harivansh was in the family garden playing with his friends. He only
loved to play a game he referred to as “Thakurji Thakurji” [which was simply service of the
deities]. He placed a yellow cloth on a dark tamal tree and a blue cloth on a creeper/vine. The dark
tamal tree represents Sri Krishna's dark, handsome heroic form. And the creeper/vine represents Sri
Radha being wrapped around him. Sri Harivansh himself has sung in Hit Chaurasi song 80 'ballavi
su kanak ballari tamal shyam sangh – lagi rahi ang ang manobhiramini' - “Enchanting in every limb,
the cowherdess [Radha] is a vine of fine gold clinging to the dark tamal tree of Shyam [Krishna].”

The child Harivansh then collected some easily available small fruits from the surrounding forest
and placed them before his images of the divine couple. He had such an intense loving service
mood right from his childhood. Meanwhile inside, Vyasji had dressed his Radha-Mohan with the
exact colours. He had placed blue clothes on Krishna and yellow on Sri Radha. When Vyasji
returned after a short while, Radha-Mohan's clothes were switched the other way round! Exactly
how Sri Harivansh had lovingly dressed them outside in the garden, in the form of the tamal tree
and vine.

- DEMANDING CHARANAMRIT AND THE GAME OF DICE

________________________________________________________________________________

In the middle of one night, Sri Harivansh woke up and said, “you didn't give me charanamrit
[usually water or a mixture of items such as milk, ghee, honey, curd etc used to bathe the
images/deities of the Lord] Mother, I want some”.

His mother said “Thakurji has already been put to rest. We can't get any right now”. The child
Harivansh replied, “Sleeping? They aren't sleeping. Priya Priyatam are still awake at this time. They
are playing dice and you say they are sleeping?

His Mother, Tara Rani looked at her Husband with a perplexed look as she was quite often confused
by her child's strange ways of speaking. His parents decided to bring some ordinary water from
outside the room to appease him, but after drinking just one drop, Harivansh refused it. “Are you
trying to fool me? This is not Thakurji's charanamrit.” “But son, we can't open the mandir's doors
whilst they are asleep, otherwise it will be considered as an offence in our service my dear son”.
“No! They are playing dice Mother”. The ever so soft young child, Sri Harivansh grabbed onto his
Father's hand with utmost stubborness and continued to pull his Father towards the mandir/temple
room. This stubborn nature of a child is well known in the world and so the Father had to submit.

Vyasji thought, “He will see that the doors are closed and become convinced. I'll just take him there
now and then we can all get back to sleep.” However when they arrived downstairs, they noticed
that the dividing doors of the temple were ajar. Becoming puzzled, Vyasji pushed them forward to
open them gently. At once he noticed that Sri Radhamohan were not on the bed where he had placed
them earlier for rest but were instead seated upon their playing pavilion and the dice were spread all
around in a way that suggested that someone had just rolled the dice! Furthermore, the numbers on
the dice indicated that Radha had just beaten Krishna. There is no easy way to explain all this. Sri
Shyama-Shyam were aways engaged in play with their own eternal girlfriend, Hit Sajani who was
now manifest in the home of Vyasji as his son.
- SWINGING SRI SYAMA SYAM
_________________________________________________________________________________
During his childhood, on one particular day in the month of Shravan/Saavan [the monsoon month],
Sri Harivansh was watching his father dress and serve their Radha-Mohan. As is the custom of love
during this season, his Father Vyasji had placed Radha-Mohan on a beautifully decorated swing to
celebrate the Jhulan Yatra [Swing festival]. Sri Harivansh was looking on with longing eyes, “O
when will I be old enough to serve our Thakurjis? When will I be able to adorn Priyaju Radha's
pretty ears? When will I be able to place the enchanting flute on Mohan's lips?” Seeing the
excitement of his son, and simultaneously remembering some important task that he had to
complete, he called young Harivansh over. He said, “I'll be back soon, so please use this silken rope
to swing Radha-Mohan back and forth very slowly and lovingly to ensure they have a good time.
But remember, don't swing them too fast as they may fall over.” His Father left and Sri Harivansh
was bubbling over with excitement!

As Young Harivansh was rocking the swing of Radha Mohan, Sri Radha said to him “Hey Sakhi!
Can you please push the swing faster? I am not enjoying the slow pace”. Sri Harivansh refused on
this occasion as his Father had told him to push the swing at a slow and steady pace. “What if I
swing too fast and you fall over? Father will be angry with me and never trust me again with any
seva”. Sri Priyaju Radha smiled at this, seeing the words of her eternal girlfriend/Sakhi, Hit Sakhi.

At that moment, Laalju Sri Krishna came down from the swing, tied his own turban's cloth and his
Beloved Radha's veil on the waist of Sri Harivansh and began to push the swing with great speed
and force! After a short while, Vyasji, Sri Harivansh's father quickly ran back to see what all the
commotion was. He could see that the Swing was moving back and forth at a very quick pace! He
scolded his son and said “I told you to do it lightly as I feared that they may fall off the swing” Sri
Harivansh replied “What can I do Father? It was not me. I even refused Laadili Radha's request to
swing faster and then Laalju Krishna got down and began to swing the swing quickly himself.”

Vyasji smiled and said “Wah!

Wow! You certainly know how to
tell stories my dear son”.
Sri Harivansh replied, “No Baba, I
am telling the truth. Just see, I
even have some of their clothing
tied around me, I could not have
reached them. Vyasji smiled but
did not say anything more to his
blessed son. Later that night he
spoke to his wife, Tara Rani with
glee. He said, “just look at our
great fortune, that very same
Radha Madhava who are beyond
the reach of great yogis and even
the Vedas. They are playing
directly with our son.”
In pada [song] 35 of Sri Harivansh's Hit Chaurasi, he has described the play of swinging of Sri
Shyama-Shyam.

jhūlat dou naval kishor

rajanī janit rang sukh sūchat ang-ang uthi bhor

“The two youths [Sri-Shyama-Shyam] are swinging to and fro,

having arisen at dawn, their every limb betrays them and indicates the night's merriment and joy.”

ati anurāg bhare mili gāvat, sur mandar-kal-ghor

bīch-bīch prītam chit chorat, priya nain kī kor

“Full of great love, they sing together in unison in a low tone and sweet musical voice.
From time to time the beloved [Radha] captivates her Lover's heart [with a glance] from the corner
of her eye”.

abalā ati sukumār darat mann, var hindor jhakor

pulaki-pulaki prītam urr lāgat, dai nav uraj ankor

“So delicate, the lady is frightened in her heart by the rush of the excellent swing.
In a thrill of emotion, she clings to her lover's chest, offering her breasts for a new embrace”.

arujhī bimal māl kankan sau, kundal sau kach dor

bepath jut kyau banai bivechat, ānand badhyau na thor

“His perfect garland becomes entangled with her bangles and strands of his curls with her earrings.
How can they be separated when trembling so? Their bliss grows greatly.”

nirakhi-nirakhi phūlat lalitādik, bivimukh chandra chakor

dai ashīsh harivansh prashanshat kari anchal kī cchor

“Looking on constantly, Lalita and the other sakhis are overjoyed – chakor birds to the moons of
those two faces. Sri Harivansh [in his female form as Hit Sajani] whilst spreading the border of her
garment*, praises and blesses the divine couple.”

* a physical gesture to indicate blessing/protecting a beloved.

Here are two audio versions of the song:

https://app.box.com/s/h8g8la6eq2iarkpkwtntedrmu6omw7fk

https://app.box.com/s/fgfk1mmn3fqvl7ww4xd2se6pwjx6x8at

- GYAANUJI AND SRI HARIVANSH

________________________________________________________________________________

Due to the mercy of Narsingha Bhagavan himself, Narsinghashramji was able to understand the real
divine nature of Sri Harivansh and this is why despite being a Sannyasi [who gives up
affection/attachment with the world and family] he frequently visited the home, just to see the child.
Narsinghashramji had a Sadhu friend by the name of Gyaanuji. He once asked Narsinghashramji,
“Please do not mind me saying so, but since you are a Sannyasi, your frequent visits to your
younger brother's home is not befitting for a renounced Sadhu of your repute. After taking sannyasa,
going to one's own home is forbidden.”

Narsinghashramji smiled and recited to himself “Seeing the beautiful smile of Laal [the child
Krishna, all Vedic rules and regulations are thrown out onto the bonfire”. He then said to Gyaanuji,
“What can I tell you? There is a smile in that home that can even enchant Sri Hari/God himself. I
don't go there to meet my younger brother. Nor do I go there to see some lovely child, my nephew.
I go there to relish the sight of that flute which forever drinks from the lotus lips of Shyamsundara.

Even though he heard this and other such explanations, Gyaanuji was not convinced. He told him,
“How did such a God-realied [brahm-gyani] such as yourself get so caught up in this illusion and
trickery? How did you get so caught up in these worldly affections? I understand that the real matter
of the fact is that because your younger brother has had a child after such a long time, both of you
have become overjoyed and are extremely attached to the child now.

Narsinghashramji could now understand that 'sri-radhika kripa binu, sab ke manan agamya' - “That
without Sri Radha's mercy, nothing can be understood” - Sri Hit Chaurasi pada 57.

However, Gyaanuji did not disbelieve Narsinghashramji completely either. He was fully aware that
he is a realised person and that he has the mercy of Narsingh Bhagavan upon him. Gyaanuji was
very disturbed. He could not meditate on brahman [the absolute truth] anymore and time and time
again the beautiful face of Vyasa-nandan [an epithet meaning 'son of Vyas'] Sri Harivansh would
come to mind! On one occasion, Gyaanuji followed Narsinghashramji secretly on his way to his
brother's home in Deoband. Gyaanuji saw that Sri Harivansh was playing with his friends in the
garden. What was he playing? His natural idea of playing was service of Sri Radha Shyamsundara.
This is why another name of the Radhavallabh sampradaya is dridh-rasik-ananya-sampradaya. The
principles are to be 'Dridh' [unshakeable], 'Rasik' [devoted to the sweetness of Sri Shyama-Shyam's
madhura lilas] and 'Ananya' [completely one-pointed]. And only when one can be fixed and one-
pointed can one be a rasik. It is not such an easy state to attain to.

Demonstrating this, Sri Harivansh has said in Sphut-Vani: rasana kato ju anrato, nirakhi anfuto
nain | sravana futo jo ansuno, sri radha yash bain | | - “one should cut that tongue which does not
continuously chant Sri Radha's name. Those eyes should burst which do not constantly see her
loveliness. And those ears should burst that fail to always hear the descriptions of Sri Radha's
glories.”

Young Harivansh was instructing his young playmates to all sing the name of Radha with their soft
sweet voices. “Radha Radha Sri Radha Radha!” they all sung out. All the while, Narsinghashramji
was sitting far away beneath a tree and relishing the sweetness of this lila.

Gyaanuji was also secretly looking and began to pray to Bhagavan Sri Hari, “My mind is disturbed.
I don't know what is the truth, please let me understand what the reality of this boy is.” Gyaanuji
was praying to Sri Hari, but Sri Harivansh heard the prayer. How? Sri Sevakji Maharaja, the famous
disciple of Sri Harivansh has said in his Sevak-Vani: 'hari harivansh bheda nahin hoi' - “There is no
difference between Hari and Harivansh”. At that very moment, Gyaanuji saw the real svarupa of Sri
Harivansh. Regarding his svarupa and the hindi syllables of his name, it is said 'Ha' is for Hari, 'Ra'
is for Radha, 'Va' is for Vrindavan and 'Sa' is for Sahacharis/Sakhis.” Therefore he is known as the
avatara of Radha and Krishna's nitya-vihara [eternal sporting in the kunja].

Gyaanuji could not believe his eyes and once again prayed with eyes closed. Upon reopening them,
it was still the same. He could only see Sri Shyama Shyam, Vrindavan and the Sakhis. He ran
towards Sri Harivansh and fell down at his feet. Sri Harivansh placed his hands on Gyaanuji's head
and destroyed his knots of material existence forever.

- INITIATION BY SRI RADHA HERSELF

________________________________________________________________________________

After receiving the sacred Brahmin thread at the age of seven, Sri Harivansh's desire to serve
Thakurji and Thakurani was becoming more and more intense. He was given instruction by Radha
in a dream to seek out a red leaf at the top of a peepul tree. Young Harivansh very eagerly climbed
up the tree and found the yugala-mantra written on it. He placed this leaf lovingly to his chest and
the mantra disappeared from the leaf and entered into his heart. Thus, his only guru was Sri Radha
herself. This was attested to by Sri Harivansh himself and his early followers.

A famous mangalacharan written by Harilala Vyasa, a later follower says:

rādhaiveṣṭaṁ sampradāyaika-kartā- cāryo mantra-daḥ sad-guruś ca |

mantro rādhā yasya sarvātmanainaṁ vande rādhā-pāda-padma-pradhānam ||

“I bow down with all my being to him whose worshipable deity is Radha, the founder acharya of
whose sampradaya is Radha, whose mantra-guru and teacher is Radha, and whose mantra is
Radha's name. He [Hit Harivansh] places Radha's lotus feet above all else.”

*Note: There is a claim by later adherents of the Gaudiya sampradaya that Sri Harivansh was a
disciple of Gopala Bhatta Goswami, this false view is completely refuted in the essay found here:
https://app.box.com/s/vz2pgm572wtsw1ltzg0mn696wnp6i9q6
THESE DREAMS ARE APRAKRIT (TRANSCENDENTAL)
______________________________________________________

It is of utmost importance to note that the dreams of realised souls are completely real. Sri Rupa
Goswami says that these visesa dream meetings are unlike ordinary dreams because they are not
produced by rajoguna (mode of passion) - Ujjvala Nilamani 15.219)

vyatītya turyām api saṁśritānāṁ tāṁ pañcamīṁ prema-mayīm avasthām |

na sambhavaty eva hari-priyāṇāṁ svapno rajo-vṛtti-vijṛmbhito yaḥ ||219||

“The beloved women of Hari, who are on the fifth level, prema, surpassing even the fourth state
called samādhi, cannot have dreams caused by rajoguṇa.”

Viśvanātha Cakravarti's commentary:

““Since it is well known in scriptures that dreams arise from intelligence in rajoguṇa, it is
impossible to have dreams about the Lord who is spiritual.” That is true for material persons, but
not for persons with prema. They surpass samādhi, the fourth state, in which one realizes one’s
svarūpa, and which is superior to the three states of waking, dreaming and deep sleep states.”

ity eṣa hari-bhāvasya vilāsaḥ ko’pi peśala | citra-svapnam ivātanvan kṛṣṇaḥ saṅgamayaty alam ||
220|| - “The pastimes of prema for Kṛṣṇa are inconceivably attractive. Kṛṣṇa produces something
like astonishing dreams and then associates with his devotees in them.”

So it has been established that for people on the level of prema, Bhagavan produces these special
dreams (visesa svapna) and personally enters them to perform pastimes. They are astonishing and
indistinguishable from the waking state (viśeṣaḥ khalu jāgaryā nirviśeṣo mahādbhutaḥ ||UN 211||).
- FINDING NAVARANGI-LAL
________________________________________________________________________________

Similarly, Radha further instructed him to look into the well in his father's garden where he would
find the deity Navarangi-lal, a two armed form of Krishna playing a flute.

Sri Harivansh had now grown up a little more. On one of the days he told his friends, “let's play
Thakurji Thakurji today!”. His friend replied, “First you need to ask your Father to give you a
Thakurji [deity/image of the Lord], then only can we play Thakurji Thakurji”. Sri Harivansh spoke
to himself “Father, won't give me a Thakurji, he still thinks I am too young to properly serve our
Radha-Mohan, so there's no way he will give me my own Thakurji. The boys were also stubborn
and said “We will only play 'Thakurji Thakurji' if you get a proper Thakurji, otherwise we will play
some other game.”

Young Harivansh became upset, but then suddenly hopeful and enthusiastic too! He also became
stubborn, and vowed “If they want a Thakurji in order for us to play, then this must surely take
place”. Then just as Sri Krsna jumped into the Kaliya snake inhabited sacred Yamuna river upon the
stubborn insistence of his friend Sridhama to fetch the very same ball that Krishna had thrown in,
Sri Harivansh was determined to get a Thakurji that day. All of a sudden, Vyasa-nandan Sri
Harivansh looked around and jumped into the well located in the courtyard! His friends started to
shout out to him “O brother! What have you done? We were just joking with you!”

Hearing the tumultuous noise of the children, Sri Vyasji came out of the home running. None of the
children were able to properly explain what had happened as their hearts were overwhelmed. Vyasji
noticed his son missing and asked “Where is my Harivansh?” One boy used his finger to indicate
inside the well. Vyasji's heart was struck with thunder and he cried out! Sri Harivansh's mother, Tara
Rani heard the cry of her Husband and also came running out. Seeing Vyasji's condition, Tara Rani
herself fainted! Just as Krishna vanquished the snake Kaliya and his poison from the Yamuna and
thus caused the production of sweet fresh water, Sri Harivansh had jumped into what was known as
a dry well, but now it had water inside. Harivansh thought, “This well was completely dry earlier
today, how did it fill up now?” The children pointed towards a brightness that was manifest within
the well. Then Vyasji and the children saw that Sri Harivansh was seated in the padmasana posture
and he had a Thakurji seated in his lap. Sri Harivansh came up with the Thakurji and then leapt out
of the well.
He said to his Father, “Why were you worried? I only went inside the well to fetch the Thakurji”.
His father asked “How did you know about all of this?” Beloved Harivansh explained that the
Thakurji had told him everything the night before. In order to revive his Mother Tara Rani's
consciousness, [Radha] Navarangi-lal's beautiful form was placed on her. Vyasji realised that what
many saints had said about his child, was really true. In fact, his child was not a child at all, but
something completely different. With a bright and beaming face Sri Harivansh told his father “Now
I don't need to ask you for a Thakurji anymore. My own Thakurji came to me by himself.”
According to the order of Sri Radha, Sri Harivansh then established a 'gaddi' [crown/cushion] in
place of Sri Radha's form on the left side of Navarangi-lal [the form of Sri Krishna]. This is the first
occasion where such a thing has been done. This 'gaddi' seva form of Sri Radha can also be seen in
the Radhavallabh and the nearby Radharaman temples of Sri Vrindavan.

- RENOUNCING FOR VRINDAVAN

________________________________________________________________________________

Sri Harivansh continued to live in peaceful harmony in his Deoband home until he was 32 years of
age. During this time, he was married to Sri Rukmini Devi and had 3 sons, Sri Vanchandra, Sri
Krsnachandra and Sri Gopinath and one daughter known as Srimati Saahib de. All of his children
were initiated by him as his disciples.

Upon the passing of his mother and father, though being married and having three sons and a
daughter, Sri Harivansh decided to move to Vrindavan. He was also summoned by the court to take
his father's place as an astrologer, however, he refused the summons, rejecting the worldly status
that the royal post entailed. He had now fulfilled the duties of a householder family man. His sons
said “You can remain and perform your worship here also. We will help you in every way.” Sri
Harivansh was determined though as he was being directed by his Swamini Sri Radha to establish
the path of rasopasana [rasika mode of worship] among the people. His wife Sri Rukmini devi
preferred to stay among her children and grandchildren and so Sri Harivansh left for Sri Syama
Syam's eternal playground, Sri Vrindavan dham. Sri Harivansh's descendants still continue to
worship Sri Radha-Navarangilal in Deoband today.

- THE BRAHMIN ATMADEV, RADHAVALLABH AND THE 2 BRIDES

________________________________________________________________________________

On his way to Braj in 1533, Sri Harivansh had another message from Sri Radha. She told him “I
want that you take my beloved with you to Vrindavan. My beloved Radhavallabh is in the village
named Chadathavali [understood as Charthawal, near Muzaffarnafar, U.P.] up ahead.” Mahaprabhu
Sri Harivansh was overjoyed! “Radhavallabh is not even waiting for me to arrive in Vrindavan. He
is meeting me midway like this.” Sri Radha said “But, there is a problem”. Sri Harivansh said “How
can you have any problem when I am here?” She told him “The problem is for you, not for me. You
must receive the Thakurji Radhavallabh from the Brahmin Atmadev, however, his vow is that he
will only give the Thakurji to someone who marries both of his daughters. They are to be your
assistants in the life of devotion. Sri Harivansh said, “This is no problem. I have surrendered all
varieties of honour and dishonour at your lotus feet a long time ago. Your order is everything to
me.”
Goswami Tulasidas has said in Ramacharitmanas that “the duty of a servant is the most difficult to
fulfil”. This is because one has to give up independence and be completely submissive to the
Master's will. Imagine the situation, Sri Harivansh has fulfilled all his family duties and is finally on
his way to Sri Vrindavan to lead the life of a Sadhu, but before he can reach Vrindavan, Sri Radha's
order and the condition by which to receive Radhavallabh lal is sprung upon him. Sri Harivansh
also cared greatly about his resolve to live a renounced life in Vrindavan, but in front of Sri Radha's
command, in front of getting the loving seva and company of Sri Radhavallabh lal, Sri Harivansh's
renunciation [vairagya] is so great, that he can even renounce renunciation! This could have led to
great criticism of him, just like in the case of Sri Nityananda Prabhu of the Gaudiya sampradaya.
Nityananda Prabhu had been living his life in the mood of a renounced Sadhu until Sri Chaitanya
Mahaprabhu [the joint descent/avatara of Radha and Krishna] gave him the order to marry. Still, it
is evident in the writings of early Gaudiyas such as Srila Vrindavan das Thakura's Sri Chaitanya
Bhagavata that Nityananda Prabhu received heavy criticism for many things by the common
ignorant folk, however he was highly regarded by the realised spiritual authorities.

Similarly, Sri Harivansh may have been criticised by the ordinary ignorant people but he was very
highly respected by the spiritual leaders of the sampradayas [groups] in Sri Vrindavan. [This can be
seen in the article link under the 'Initiated by Sri Radha herself' section above discussing Gopala
Bhatta Goswami].

Sri Radha's order came to

pass and Sri Harivansh was
married to Srimati Krishna-
dasi and Srimati Manohari-
dasi along with the self-
manifest form of Sri
Radhavallabh lal. Sri
Mohanchandra Goswami
was the 4th son that Sri
Harivansh later had through
these marriages.

To the left:
Sri Radhavallabh lal at the
Radhavallabh Mandir, Sri
Vrindavan.
- ARRIVAL AT MADAN TER, SRI VRINDAVAN
________________________________________________________________________________

Prior to Sri Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu's arrival in Vrindavan, the area was very much untamed. It
was covered with jungles and forests filled with many kinds of wild animals. But it was also a place
where a formidable group of dacoits/thieves lived. Even though the local people knew that
Vrindavan exists in this general vicinity, no one dared to go in that direction out of fear. They would
simply pay respects from afar. If by chance someone did venture into the area, they would be
attacked by the wild animals, and if they managed to survive, they would be attacked by these
dacoits, their belongings plundered along with risk to their very lives! The King of the dacoits was
Narvahan. He had become so intoxicated with his great power and wealth, he began to think that he
was the true king and owner of such a divine and beautiful place [Vrindavan]. By the grace of all
the Rasik Saints and their Prem Sadhana, the wild animals had become tame in Vraj, but who would
liberate Vrindavan from Naravahan’s terror?

- THE DELIVERANCE OF NARVAHAN

_________________________________________________________________________________
Now Naravahan's fame and fear was known far and wide, even the King of Delhi feared
Naravahan’s reign. But nevertheless Shri Hit Mahaprabhuji fearlessly went forward without fear
following the order of Srimati Radharani. Eventually Sri Harivansh reached Vrindavan and stopped
at Madan Ter, Unchi Tor [a high spot near the Yamuna] on the month of Kartika [oct-nov] Shukla
Paksa Trayodashi [the 13th day of the bright lunar fortnight/waxing moon] and established the deity
of Sri Radhavallabh Lal there and began his loving service. Later on, Radhavallabh lal was also
established at the famous spot known as Seva-kunja, which Sri Harivansh himself discovered as a
site of Sri Radha Govinda's eternal plays.

Once, Naravahan’s Commander-in-Chief saw Sri Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu and his associates at
Madan Ter. At first, he suspected that perhaps Sri Harivansh was a spy sent by the King, otherwise
who else could possibly dare to venture into the forest? The soldier whilst holding a weapon in
hand, proceeded towards him in order to confront and remove Sri Harivansh from Madan Ter.

However, upon coming closer and by simply having the darsan/the vision of Shri Harivansh
Mahaprabhuji's divine face, all the anger that was within him immediately vanished. He could not
have the heart to tell Sri Harivansh to leave, so what to speak of hurting Him?

The soldier decided anyhow, “Let me go and inform Naravahan that this Saintly person, along with
his family, associates and a beautiful deity of Thakurji ornamented with many priceless gems and
jewels is residing at Madan Ter doing Bhajan”. The soldier then arrived before Narvahan and said
"Master, at Madan Ter I saw that there is a great grihasta sadhu with a beautiful deity of Thakurji
doing Bhajan. I originally suspected him of being a spy sent by the king, but upon coming closer I
found him to be a saintly individual who has come with his family and associates to do his bhajan. I
tried my best to throw him out, but miraculously just by seeing him, all my anger went away and I
didn't have the heart to force him out no matter how hard I tried. I think we should leave him be and
let him do his bhajan."
When Naravahan heard this, his anger knew no bounds and he said to the soldier "You are a fool!
You think any sadhu would come along with this family into this dangerous forest filled with wild
violent animals and dacoits to do bhajan? This so-called sadhu is certainly a spy of the king. If you
cannot throw him out, then I will!" Naravahan then took his sword, and along with his commander-
in-chief and several other soldiers headed in the direction of Madan Ter. While all this was
happening Sri Hit Mahprabhuji was having a wonderful darshan of Sri Vrindavan Dham and
describing it’s supreme glories to his disciple Sri Naval das ji."

Just at this time, Naravahan arrived at Madan Ter and amazingly! Just upon seeing the divine back
of Sri Mahaprabhuji, all the anger and violent intent he had come with suddenly vanished from his
heart. The sword he was holding also dropped from his hands. He stood silent listening to Sri
Mahaprabhuji's Sri-Mukh-Vani [divine words flowing from his holy mouth] describing the supreme
glories of Sri Vrindavan to Sri Naval das ji. Naravahan was still a little proud and so he turned to his
commander-in-chief and said "I am in awe! Even I did not know how glorious this Virndavan forest
is and I am so fortunate that I am it's king!"

Shri Mahaprabhuji heard these words from Naravahan and turned around, casting his benevolent
glance towards him and said "Foolish Naravahan! Have you lost your mind? You think that you are
the King of Vrindavan?” “Narahavan Prabhu Nihar, Lochan Bhari Ghosh Nar, Nakh-Sikh
Saundarya Kaam-Dukh Nikandini - Naravahan Feast Your Eyes On The Lord, Whose Head-To-Toe
Beauty Removes The Agony of Desire!" Saying this, Mahaprabhu gestured towards Sri
Radhavallabh Lal Ji. When Naravahan looked towards Sri Radhavallabh Lal, not only did he
become absorbed in the darshan of the Vigraha, but Narvahana received the divine vision of Sri
Vrndavana's Nikunja Lila, of Sri Syama Syam along with the Sakhis/Sachacaris! One may ask what
punya [good deed] did Narvahan do to receive such a mercy to have darshan of Divya Nikunja Lila.
One can point out that Narvahan had a sense that Sri Vrindavan was his, and that this attitude
ensured a connection with the divine land and then his deliverance was made possible by the mercy
of Sri Mahaprabhuji. Sri Harivansh loved Naravahan so dearly that he wrote two padas/songs and
offered them to Narvahan. We have heard of examples where the disciple offers the gift of writing
to one's Guru, but we have never seen or heard of before that the Guru also offers poetry to the
disciple in this manner!

The two songs are number 11 [manjul kal kunj desh] and 12 [chalahi radhike sujaan] in the Hit
Chaurasi of Sri Harivansh. Just as Sri Harivansh Mahaprabhuji became immortalized in the history
of Sri Vrindavan Dham, so did his dear disciple Naravahan.
- NARVAHAN AND THE TRADER
_________________________________________________________________________________
So Sri Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu had now delivered Naravahan. Narvahan had become purified
and had given up his thieving dacoit ways. Naravahan no longer made money from stealing but he
still knew he had to make at least some money for maintenance and service. At the time, all trade
was done via the Yamuna and therefore Naravahan decided to charge traders using the river a few
rupees.

One trader of the Jain religion came with a huge amount of goods and Naravahan's men asked him
for payment. The trader and his soldiers flat out refused and therefore a bloody fight began wherein
all of the trader's soldiers were killed along with some of Naravahan's men.

Naravahan came to know of this and was very angry. Especially due to the fact that Sri Yamunaji
had become bloodied due to just a few rupees. Naravahan had the trader arrested and told him that
he would have to give double the amount of goods [cargo] he had on board or he would be hanged
after 7 days. The trader was then imprisoned.

This 7 days is significant, because we all will also die in 7 days. How? Because we will die in one
of the 7 days, either Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and so on.

Anyhow, one of the female servants would come and feed the prison inmates. After some days she
felt merciful towards the trader thinking of him as still yet being a young fellow with his whole life
ahead of him. She asked him “do you want to know a way to get out of here?”

The trader replied, “Yes, but I have no money to pay you or anyone to help me”.
The dasi said, “Money was the reason you became bound, it is not money that will set you free”.

The dasi told him to loudly sing “Jaya Radhavallabha Sri Harivansh!” during the quiet time of the
early hours of the morning and that all problems would then be resolved. She also adorned his
forehead with the Radhavallabhi tilaka.

When the auspicious time came, the trader loudly began to sing “Jaya Radhavallabha Sri
Harivansh! Jaya Radhavallabha Sri Harivansh!”

Naravahan was engaged in meditation at the time and he was surprised to hear this kirtan coming
from the direction of the prison. He could hear so much pain in that voice, that calling out and so
without delay he went there barefooted. Naravahan folded his hands in honour of his ista-deva Sri
Radhavallabha and his Sri Guru Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhuji.

He asked the trader, “Why are you chanting these names? What is this enigma? What am I seeing?”
The trader said, “Today I am to be hung and so I am remembering my beloved istadeva and Guru”.
The trader even lied and said, I had actually come to see them, but then all of the fighting broke out.

Naravahan believing every word, became choked up with emotions and fell flat on the ground
before the trader whom he believed to be his Guru-bhai. He then embraced him and asked for his
forgiveness. The trader was astonished. Naravahana said “please forgive me and take all my wealth
if it pleases you, how did I ever cause pain to a belved of my ista-deva and Guru?! I have made a
huge offense.”

The trader was released and he felt so grateful to that dasi that he looked for her to thank her. In the
same way we should also always be thankful for anyone little or small through whom we are
imparted such mercy and lessons.

The trader then thought that I should go and see this Sri Harivansh through whose name I was
delivered. Sri Mahaprabhu Harivansh was seated at Madan Ter with Sri Radhavallabha nearby.
The trader fell down prostrate before him and explained to him all that had happened. He also
offered all of the wealth [cargo] he had been carrying on board.

Hearing this, Sri Mahaprabhu laughed and said, “I don't want your wealth. Just see how much
trouble it has caused. When one acquires too much wealth [sampatti] they usually lose their good
intelligence [sumati] and therefore can not attain the beloved divine couple [dampati]. Just as
Alcohol, meat and other substances naturally intoxicate the mind, so does wealth. However, to
make good use of it, you can use the wealth to feed the Sadhus and serve them in various ways
instead.” In this way the trader received Sri Mahaprabhu Harivansh's mercy.

Naravahana had been especially attracted to the painful calling out of the trader's kirtan. And even
though that pain was not really for Thakurji, but rather the sorrow of his own impending death
through hanging, still Hari's names have power. Thus is the glory of Sri Naam.

- HARIRAM VYASJI
________________________________________________________________________________

Sri Hariram Vyasji was one of the great rasikas of Vrindavan and he is revered by Radhavallabhis,
Gaudiyas, Haridasis, Pushtimargis and Nimbarkis alike. In his collection of writings known as
'Vyas-vani', he has sung about Sri Radha Shyamsundara's nikunja-lilas and he has praised bhaktas
from many different traditions as well as nirgun-nirakaar bhakti saints such as Raidas [Ravidas],
Kabir and so on. Although he praises many bhaktas, his writings show that he revered Sri Harivansh
the most and was very fond of Swami Haridas as well. Together, the three of them are known as
'Rasika-triveni – the three rasikas' and 'Hari-trayi – the three Haris'. Here is one of the songs
wherein Hariram Vyashji praises various bhaktas of several sampradayas together:

“Is there a poor soul left nowadays, who can tread in the footprints of a connoisseur (rasika) like
Harivansh, or a dedicated [devotee] (ananya) like Haridas? They realised the true Vrindavan,
[through] Radhavallabh and Kunjabihari. Rupa and Sanatan are ascetics (vairagi), benefactors,
well-wishers of all. Vyas [says]: Blessed are the residents of Braj, and Krsnadas [with his]
Govardhan-dhari.”

Hariram Vyasji was a court pandit [raj-guru] of Orccha. He was an undefeated digvijay pandit, one
who has defeated all other scholars in all directions. For this reason, he also possessed a big ego at
certain parts of his earlier life.

One day, one of Sri Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu's disciples named Naval dasji was loudly singing a
pada/song from Sri Hit Chaurasi. It is a common practise of Radhavallabhis to sing the entire 84
songs from Sri Hit Chaurasi throughout the day and often whilst out walking/on parikrama etc.
When the sweet words and moods entered into the ear of Hariram Vyasji, his heart melted. Vyasji
immediately approached Vyasji and asked him “What is this that you are singing? It captured my
mind forcibly and plunged me into an ocean of sweetness”. Joyously, Navaldasji whilst folding his
hands replied, “This is a pada written by my Gurudev, Sri Harivansh Mahaprabhu”.

Since Hariram Vyasji had been on the lookout for a suitable guru, he immediately became anxious
to meet Sri Harivansh. “Please take me to meet your Guru. I must have sastrartha [discussion of
scriptures] with him.” Navaldasji advised him that he would take him to meet his Guru in the
morning. However, Hariram Vyasji could no longer wait and concinved him to take him
immediately. Before leaving, Vyasji packed many cartloads of scriptures so that he may have deep
philosophical discussions with Sri Harivansh on them.

The two of them arrived to Vrindavan and then to the place were Sri Harivansh Mahaprabhu was
staying. Navaldasji went inside and informed his Guru that a great pandit had come to see him and
seek advice. Sri Harivansh was cooking Dal [lentil soup] at the time and told his disciple,
Navaldasji “I will come to meet the Pandit shortly once this seva is complete. Please look after him
and serve him well until then.” However, Vyasji could not wait and entered the kitchen by himself!
He was shocked to learn that such a big Acharya and Guru was busy cooking dal himself despite
having so many disciples and servants. Vyasji thought it to be too simple a task and thought “Is this
really Navaldasji's Guru?” Sri Harivansh could have easily given the simple dal cooking service to
anyone to perform.

Seeing Vyasji, Sri Harivansh welcomed him and said “I won't be very long panditji. Let me
complete this seva and then I will discuss anything you wish to”. Vyasji replies “Please. I can not
wait. I am too restless to discuss with you.” A smiling Sri Harivansh then extinguished the cooking
fire and decided to oblige the Pandit Vyasji. This surprised Hariram Vyasji further, “Why did you
stop cooking? We can discuss whilst you are doing that.” Sri Harivansh replied “That is not
possible. Either I talk with you or I engage in cooking seva. Ananyata [single-mindedness/complete
focus] is needed to do anything well, and this can be done only focusing on one thing at a time.”

Becoming affected by Sri Harivansh's spiritual purity and learning the lesson of exclusive devotion
through this example of Rasikacharya Sri Harivansh, Hariram Vyasji's heart was moved. Vyasji's
desire for deep philosophical discussion and his desire for establishing his superiority in debate was
gone. “What all my many books and debates with great scholars haven't taught me in all these
years, you have taught me by just using these few words” exclaimed Vyasji. At this point, Vyasji
decided to take his shelter. Sri Harivansh was pleased with the Pandit's dedication and bestowed
mantra upon him. This conversion of Vyasji was followed by a dramatic incident wherein Vyasji
took the many cartloads of books and started to dump them into the river Yamuna! Sri Hit
Mahaprabhu and Navaldasji upon seeing this said “Why are you dumping the books in the River?”
Vyasji replied, “I have found everything I need here. I no longer have need for these books”.
“That is alright but why dump them? They can benefit someone else” they asked him. Vyasji replied
cleverly, “If myself, the famous court pandit of Orchha gained nothing from these books, how is it
possible for anyone else to benefit?” With this, we see Vyasji bidding farewell to his former life of
erudition to instead lead a life of rasopasana [rasika mode of worship] and renunciation.

In Sri Hit Chaurasi pada/song no. 59 we find a song that Sri Harivansh sung before and explained to
Hariram Vyasji:

yah ju ek mann bahut thaur kari kahi kaunem sachu payau

jaha-taha vipati jara juvati laun pragat pingala gayau

“Who has attained happiness by putting his mind, which is one, in many places? Tell me!
Likewise there is trouble everywhere for a prostitute: as Pingala [from the Bhagavatam] clearly
sang.”

dve turanga par jor chadhat hath parat kaun pai dhayau
kahi dhyon kau ank par rakhai jo ganika sut jayau
“Who could obstinately ride on two horses and run the race?
And who will claim the son born of a prostitute as one's own?”

(jay shri) hit harivansh prapanch banch sab kal vyaal ko khayo
yah jiya jani syama-syam padkamal sankh sirr nayo

“The world is an illusion/deception: everything is food for the serpent of death.

Knowing this, bow your head to those who are devoted to the lotus feet of Shyama-Shyam”.

Hariram Vyasji took this instruction so much to heart that he became known as Bhakt-nisth
[dedicated to the devotees], whereas Srila Prabhodananda became known as Dham-nisth [dedicated
to Sri Vrindavan dham], Sri Sevakji whose story will come later as Guru-nisth [dedicated to his
Guru] and Sri Harivansh as Radha-nisth [dedicated to Sri Radha].

However, in this song, Sri Harivansh has only instructed Vyasji to respect those who are devoted to
Sri Vrindavan's loving couple Sri Shyama-Shyam. Then how do we account for a few songs in
Vyasji's Vyas-Vani which also glorify other saints which were dedicated to a mixture of jnana [the
path of knowledge] and bhakti culminating in the formless aspect of the absolute [brahman]?

In Uttama dasa's Rasik-mal [1680] we find the following account:

On one day, two foreign holy men were seen by Hariram Vyasji singing the songs of Kabir and
Naamdev. Within those songs, while both wisdom and renunciation/asceticism figured prominently,
no loving devotion [prem-bhakti] or descriptions of God's beauty and qualities were described.
Vyasji thought to himself “the taste of rasa would be unknown to these people” and he returned to
his own place. As he sat down for meditation, the forms of Shyama-Shyam did not appear to him.
With vain attempts three days passed and Vyasji was suffering like anything! He was so used to
perceiving the ultra sweet forms and plays of his beloved Hari Radha. Becoming completely upset,
he went to Sri Harivansh for advice. He asked “for what reason do I not see them now? This
separation is too much to bear”. Sri Harivansh considered and told him, “This has happened due to
some offence made to great personalities.” Vyasji objected, “but I have not annoyed or offended
anyone.” Sri Hitacharya Harivansh repeated the same again and again, “You should mentally,
verbally and physically think very carefully and recall the offence that occurred. Without an insult,
your beloveds would never separate from your heart. Know this to be true”.

Taking the word of Sri Harivansh as absolute truth, Vyasji thought very carefully and remembered
how he had shown disrespect to the songs of Kabir and Naamdev being sung by the Sadhus. Vyasji
exclaimed “But only in thought did I do that, I did not trouble anyone by words or action.”

Sri Harivansh replied “This is a great offense, you considered only yourself to be virtuous and great
at that moment. Bhagavan inspires all, know that loving devotees come from him alone. To all these
holy men, bhaktas and sadhus you have committed an insult. Compose songs in praise for all, no
matter in which flavour of devotion (rasa) or sampradaya they come from. Only when you will be
freed from such a tendency to insult them, will the divine couple Sri Shyama-Shyam come to dwell
within your heart again.”

When Vyasji sang their praise, the divine couple came back to dwell in his own heart. The play of
Ramananda, Kabir, Raidas, Naamdev, Jayadev, Rupa, Sanatan, Mirabai and others too, he sang
songs of praise. When he had composed songs of all, he became content, though he did not identify
with anybody else other than Sri Harivansh.
- NAHARMAL
_________________________________________________________________________________
Naharmal was also a resident of Deoband, where Sri Harivansh had lived prior to moving to
Vrindavan. His home can still be visited and it is very close to Radha-Navarangi-lal's mandir, which
Sri Harivansh himself built. He was a great grihasta-bhakta. His whole family, including his two
brothers were also disciples of Sri Hit Harivansh. One day he came to Vrindavan along with his
family to take darshan of Guru Harivansh. At the time he reached the temple, Sri Harivansh had
gone to the river Yamuna with some youngsters. Hitacharya was teaching them how to fire an
arrow. When Hitacharya saw Naharmal, he immediately gave the bow to the children and came to
welcome Naharmal and speak with him. Naharmal became very unhappy that he had disturbed his
Gurudeva's lila in some way and he fell at his feet and cried regarding this. After some time he
regained his composure again.

Around 2 miles away from Sri Vrindavan [in uttar dasha], Hitacharya had established naam-seva at
the place known as Maansarovar. He would go there every evening to perform seva there too.
Seeing Naharmal's deep faith, Sri Harivansh took him with him to Maansarovar. He gave him the
order to bathe there first whilst he himself began seva. Upon entering the holy waters, Naharmalji
had darshan of the qualities, form and sweetness of Sri Radha's sahacharis. He became
overwhelmed with such a darshan and as soon as he came out of the water, he only Sri Harivansh to
be present. From this day onward, Naharmalji became steeped in bhava and bhajan. He performed
Sri Guru charan seva with much gusto.

Once when he came to Sri Vrindavan, he was told that Guru Harivansh had gone into the forest.
Naharmalji's condition had become such that he could not tolerate life without Sri Harivansh's
darshan. He saw that for Sri Radhavallabh lal's cooking seva, Sri Harivansh was collecting wood
and putting/typing it all into his scarf. Being overwhelmed by love and being hurt seeing his
Gurudev taking so much trouble, Naharmalji said, “O Gurudev, if you would be so kind, please
allow me to arrange good quality wood for you. Please do not take so much trouble yourself. It
pains me to see this.

Sri Mahaprabhu's expression changed from his usual smiling self. He looked at Naharmalji with
fierceness and spoke boldly. “That those who worship Shyamsundar, he gives them a boon and
escapes from them, but he does not give them pure bhakti easily. Such rare bhakti is attained
through the grace of great bhaktas, and you are coming here to relieve me of it are you?! You come
to this Sri Vrindavan in the guise of a big successful man, this Vrindavan which is full of materially
poor people who have only Sri Hari Radha as their true wealth, and you want this bhakti-activity of
mine to be performed by some woodcutter? You have comitted a great offense. All this time, I had
considered you as a sadhu, but you turned out to be a great asadhu. Today I forsake you.

Naharmal being distraught went into his kutiya and made the decision to fast from food and water
until Sri Hitacharya forgave him. If not, Naharmal would simply give up his life, for without Sri
Harivansh, he had no reason to live. Sri Harivansh was engaged in his prema seva as usual but Sri
Radha's soft heart could no longer take Naharmalji's suffering day by day. Sri Radha said,
“Naharmal is faultless. Whatever he said was out of love for you. You have taught him lesson
enough. Now is the time to forgive him.” Sri Harivansh called for Naharmal and placing his hand
on his head, made him to join the company of rasikas once again.
- SRI HARIVANSH AND HIS DISCIPLE VITTHALDASJI
________________________________________________________________________________

He was actually known to Hitacharya even when he lived in Deobandh, his home town. When Sri
Harivansh left for Vrindavan, Vitthaladas and his 2 brothers were sad and so they decided to move
to Vrindavan as well at different times of their lives. He was serving Hit Mahaprabhu in Vrindavan
and his rule was that he would take both darshan and Mahaprabhu's prasada remnants daily as he
could not be at peace without doing that. One day however, the court where he had previously
worked summoned him back. His whole family, whom he had left behind in Deoband were also
suffering a lot with no one to care of them, and so Vitthaladas was feeling really confused. What
was he to do? He came to Sri Harivansh for advice.

Hit Mahaprabhu told him to leave Vrindavan for now and fulfil his duties. And so Vitthaladasji went
back and would perform his service in various places. Once the King took Vitthaladasa to Dvaraka
with him. They arrived at the the famous Ranchodji temple [who is now in Dakor but was originally
in Dvaraka].

Everyone but Vitthaladasaji entered the mandir, he just stood outside. Later, this news spread like
wildfire and after some days the King felt compelled to ask him, “why didn't you enter the temple
that day?” He smiled and said, "look Raja, my heart is sold to the two handed form of
Radhavallabha laal in Vrindavan, I have no room for the Four handed form”. Vitthaladasji further
“Vrindavan is within me, my Guru established it there hence even when I'm not there, I am, because
Vrindavan is within me, all the latas, all the flowers and even Shyama Shyam!” Wherever the
names of Hari Radha are, they are also present, along with their dhama and associates.

The King heard all of this and declared it to be absolute nonsense” “He's not following sastra's rules
and just making excuses” he thought. And so the King decided to publicly disrobe Vitthaladasaji!
“I'll make him naked before everyone and see, where are these latas [plants/creepers] within him!?"
As they began to disrobe him, Vitthaladasaji shouted out “Sri Harivansh!” Gradually, the people
started to see so many plants and creepers come from the body of Vittaldasji! And they even heard
the madhura murali/flute vibrations coming from his form as well! All the people were
understandably very shocked.

This is why Sri Hit Mahaprabhu allowed Vitthaldasji to leave the physical proximity of Sri
Vrindavan. Vrindavan was already firmly established within the heart of Vitthaldasji.

The King finally understood and said, “So this is the result of ananyata?!! [one pointedness]
Now they could understand why he did not go into the famous temple at Dvaraka.

- SRI SEVAKJI MAHARAJA

_________________________________________________________________________________

Sri Sevakji [Damodar das] is an extraordinary personality and incredibly important in the
Radhavallabha sampradaya. He is the only person who is regularly placed alongside Sri Harivansh
in the temples and altars of the followers of the tradition. It has been proclaimed by Sri Vanachandra
Goswami, Sri Hit Harivansh's eldest son and Guru successor that Sevakji's written work known as
'Sri Sevak-Vani' is to be read alongside Sri Hit Chaurasi by all members of the sampradaya. Without
reading and serving Sri Sevak-Vani, it is not possible to understand the mysteries and experience the
rasa of Sri Harivansh's Hit Chaurasi.
 He along with his cousin Sri
Chaturbhuj dasji were born in garha
graam, near Jabalpur in Madhya
Pradesh. They were both close with
one another and at around 16 years of
age, both became well versed in
bhakti sastras and were well known to
the people. Both of their fathers soon
passed away and they therefore spent
all of their time in bhajan, katha, puja
etc and were living like viraktis
[renunciates], even though
Chaturbhuj dasji was a family man
with children.

The now elderly disciple of Sri

Harivansh, Navaldasji, came to their
village and stayed at their home for
some time. The two served him and
the bhaktas who had come along with
him very well. During this time, since
they were both aware that the sadhus
had come from Vrindavan, they asked
to hear about Sri Harivansh whom
they had heard much about from other
travelers. Navaldasji shook with
surprise and excitement! Navaldasji
praised their immense fortune.

That they had heard of Sri Harivansh's pure name despite being so far away from Sri Vrindavan was
a great mercy on them indeed. Navaldasji says “What can I tell you about his glories? I am
incapable. Only those who get his direct darshan can get some understanding of him directly
through him.” In this way, Navaldasji and other bhaktas would come from Vrindavan to garha-
graam and speak about the rasopasana worship taught by Sri Harivansh Mahaprabhu.

The time came and both Chaturbhuj dasji and Sevakji Maharaja were determined to make the trip to
Sridham Vrindavan and take shelter of Sri Harivansh together. However, such was the will of Sri
Radha that they had to remain at home for another 3 months. These 3 months passed with much
difficulty for them as they were very eager to make it to Sri Vrindavan. They were all set and were
ready to set out when the most unexpected happened.

Another group of bhaktas arrived from Sri Vrindavan at this time. The two brothers were overjoyed
to see them. They asked “Can you please tell us what wonderful lilas Sri Harivansh is enjoying
these days in the company of his beloved bhaktas and associates?” Hearing this, the bhaktas let out
a deep sigh and their eyes became wet with tears. “Your unhappy faces are giving our hearts so
much pain. Please tell us why you are showing such unhappiness dear bhaktas?” the brothers asked
them.

Being silent for some time they spoke. “The whole world is inauspicious for us! Was it the creator's
decision that he found only us to be put in such a predicament? To be the bearers of such intolerable
news? My dear children. The world has become a widow! Sri Vrindavan is completely empty and
void! We have become fatherless! Your deep desires are left forever unfulfilled! For
Rasikacharyapada Sri Harivansh has completed his divine play and gone away! The sadhus had not
even finished completing what they had to say when the two brothers fell down unconscious like
two tall trees being cut down and falling down thumping to the ground!

Their state of separation from Sri Harivansh was unbearable and the bhaktas also began to wail
loudly seeing their pitiable condition. After some hours in this condition, they began to settle down.
Within time, the bhaktas left that village and the brothers were left alone. What would they go to
Vrindavan for now? Their life and soul Mahaprabhu Sri Harivansh had already disappeared.

After some time, Chaturbhuj dasji made the decision to go to Vrindavan and take shelter of the new
head of the sampradaya, Sri Vanachandra Goswami, Sri Harivansh's eldest son. Sevakji Maharaj
could not be persuaded however. He refused to take the shelter of anyone other than Hit Harivansh
Mahaprabhu himself. So in this way, Chaturbhuj dasji went on his way to Vrindavan and Sevakji
Maharaja remained in his home village.

Sri Sevakji Maharaja left his home and stood under the shade of an Ashvatta tree [Sacred fig tree]
and made the following vow [pratigya]. “I dedicate my words, mind, heart and soul to Sri
Harivansh. Sri Harivansh is the enchanting flute of Sri Krishna. He is the eternal sakhi of Sri Radha.
He came to this world to deliver the jivas and bestow rasa-full love upon them. Since this is all true,
he must deliver me as well. I will sit down under this tree for 9 days without taking any food or
water. I will not get up until I receive his mercy. If he is not merciful to me by the 9th day, I will
burn this body in fire. This is my unbreakable vow!”

So with this vow, Sri Sevakji Maharaja sat down and begin to chant “Sri Harivansh...Sri
Harivansh....Sri Harivansh” with full concentration and devotion. 8 days passed in this way. On the
9th day he started seeing the trees and vines of Sri Vrindavan. He thought it to be simply a result of
his meditation and absorption and so closed his eyes. However, he continued to see it whilst his
eyes were closed. When he opened his eyes again, Sri Vrindavan was even clearer than before!
Then, he saw a golden bodied man standing before him with eyes full of deep love and kindness. He
was wearing a bright yellow cloth and displayed a mind stealing smile. The man approached him
and laid his hand on Sevakji and said “I have come to see you Damodar das. You are my real
disciple. You are a real Sevak [servant]. And so from today onwards, you shall be known as
Sevakji.” Sri Harivansh had been won over by Sevakji's love and determination that he had to
manifest himself once more again before him!

At this time Sri Harivansh showed him Sri Hari, Radha Vrindavan and the Sakhis within him and
bestowed upon Sevakji the Guru/Diksha mantra and then disappeared from his vision. Many of Sri
Harivansh's followers have had the fortune to receive his darshan since. In recent times Sri Hitdasji
Maharaja and Sri Hit Premanandaji have also revealed how Sri Harivansh manifest himself to them.

Later Sri Sevakji spent a very short time in Sri Vrindavan before disappearing from our vision.

JAYA JAYA RADHAVALLABH SRI HARIVANSH

JAYA JAYA SRI VRINDAVAN SRI VANACHAND

For interested readers: A much more detailed biography on Sri Harivansh will be available later.

More info: rbains@hotmail.co.uk or https://www.facebook.com/radhacharan.das