Protector of Dharma
Vitthalnath lived during the Mughal occupation in north India. Hindu temples were being destroyed and Vedic dharma was under attack. During this dark period, Shri Gusainji was able to promote the Path of Grace and infuse it with new life. Only a man of his divine stature could create a devotional renaissance amidst times of turmoil. Shri Gusainji filled the Path of Grace with profound lila bhava. He was not only a protector of Dharma but also a poet, musician, artist, as well as an amazing bhakti teacher.
Vitthalnath & Akbar
Shri Vitthalnathji's pilgrimages spanned a forty year period and were largely focused in Gujarat. In 1557 Shri Vitthalnathji decided to move from his home in Adel, by the conflunce of the Yamuna and Ganges rivers, to Gokul on the banks of the Yamuna river. In the stories of his 252 followers, the following account is given. Once, Emperor Akbar asked Birbal, "How can I find God?" Birbal went to Vrindavan and gathered many anwers to the ruler's question from the saints there, but Akbar remained dissatisfied. In search of the perfect rejoinder, Birbal visited many gurus in Vrindavan and relayed to the Emperor what they said, but Akbar was not pleased with anyone's teaching and rebuked him, "You had better find a good answer to my question, otherwise I will loot your house." That evening when Birbal returned home full of anxiety, his daughter asked, "What is wrong?" "I cannot pacify this Emperor." "Tell me the problem, perhaps I can help." "The Emperor demands to know how he can meet God. I have conveyed to him the teachings of many Vrindavan pandits and svamis, but he is not pleased with their teachings. Now he threatens me. I am overwhelmed. What should I do?" Birbal's daughter calmly replied, "Have you been to see Shri Gusainji?" "No." "You will not get the correct answer until you see him.
Only God understands Godly things. Now go to Gokul and stop worrying." Birbal reached Gokul in the early afternoon and waited until Shri Gusainji came out of seva. Birbal bowed before the guru and explained, "Emperor Akbar wants to know how he can meet God." Shri Gusainji replied, "The answer to that question will be revealed when I meet the Emperor. Only then will his doubts be removed. Tell him I have his answer." Birbal returned to Agra and after he told the Emperor what Shri Gusainji had said, Akbar thought, "I will go there alone." He set out for Gokul before sunrise on horseback. He was disguised so that no one would recognize him. He reached Gokul as Shri Gusainji was heading to the Yamuna river for his midday prayers and bath. When the Emperor bowed to him by the river, Shri Gusainji recognizied him and had everyone step aside, "What do you wish to know?" "How can I find God?" "Just as you have found me."Shri Gusainji replied. In this way he revealed an important teaching by showing that in this world, the Emperor is the most important man. If you want to meet him, you must please many people below him and even then if it is not the Emperor's wish, he will not meet you. If you make many plans, the royal meeting may occur, but only after surmounting numerous difficulties. If he wishes to meet you, however, then you can be before him in a moment, and he will be eager to see you! In a similar way, the soul who desires to find God thinks and ponders for a long time about how to find Him. Still God remains illusive. When the Blessed Lord resolves, "I want to meet this soul." Then there is no delay in the reunion. The Emperor was extremely pleased to hear Shri Gusainji's words and praised him. "People call you Kanhaiya (Krishna) and you truly are. Now please ask something of me. I am very delighted with you." Shri Gusainji responded, "I do not desire anything." The Emperor insisted, "Bless me and allow me the opportunity to serve you in some way." Akbar was so delighted with this explanation that he prostrated himself before Shri Vitthalnathji and presented the bhakti master with a swift Arabian horse so that he could ride the twenty miles between Gokul, where his child Krishna resides and Jatipura, where His other beloved Krishna (Shri Nathji) resides. Other accounts reveal Shri Gusainji's insight.[2]
References
- ↑ Shree Gusaiji (English) gokuldham.org। Retrieved : 20 April, 2016।
- ↑ Shri Vitthalnathji (English) nathdwara.in। Retrieved : 20 April, 2016।
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