The Master's doings at Brindaban
Dancing thus the Master reached the village of Arith, where He suddenly
recovered His senses. He asked the people about the Radha pool
(_kunda_); but they knew it not, nor did the Brahman guide. But the
omniscient discovered the hidden _tirthas_ and bathed in shallow pools
in two rice-fields. The villagers wondered at the spectacle. The Master
began to praise the Radha pool in love: "Radha is dearest to Krishna
among all the milk-maids. So is the Radha-_kunda_ dear (to him) as the
bathing-place of his darling. In this pool Krishna ever sported in the
water with Radha and on the bank he dallied in the _rasa_ dance.
Whosoever bathes once here gets from Krishna a love rivalling that of
Radha. The pool is charming like Radha's self; its glory is great like
Radha's."
Recollecting Krishna's acts in the pool, He danced in rapture on the
bank, and painted His forehead with its mud. Bhattacharya took a little
of the mud. Next, the Master went to the Suman tank. At the sight of the
Govardhan hill He was affected, prostrated Himself before it, and madly
embraced a rock. In a frenzy of devotion He proceeded to the village of
Govardhan, where he bowed to the god Hari-dev, the first incarnation of
Narayan, who dwelt on the western edge of Mathura. Before the god He
danced in rapture, the people at the wondrous news flocking to see Him,
and admiring His beauty and devotion. The attendant of the image
entertained Him. Bhattacharya cooked in the Brahma-_kunda_ and the
Master bathed, dined, and passed the night in the temple. At night He
cogitated, "No, I must not ascend Govardhan. How then can I get the
sight of Gopal?" He remained silent over the matter, but Gopal knowing
His mind, played a trick. The god Gopal was installed at Anna-kut, a
village of the Rajputs. Some one informed the headman at night that the
Turks were arming to sack the village, and so they should all flee at
night with their god. The villagers in alarm first transferred Gopal to
the Ganthuli village, where the god was worshipped in secret in a
Brahman's house. Then they all fled, leaving the village empty. Thus did
Gopal migrate repeatedly in fear of the Muslims, being removed from
temple to bower or to another village.
In the morning the Master after bathing in the Manas Ganga, set out to
walk round Govardhan. Moved to rapture at the sight of the hill, He
advanced dancing and chanting the verses, _Bhagabat_, X. xxi. 18.
Bathing at the Govinda-kunda and other holy spots, He learnt that Gopal
had gone to Ganthuli, whither He proceeded to see the god, before whom
He danced and sang in a transport of devotion. Moved by Gopal's beauty
He recited a _shloka_ and danced till the close of the day.
For three days did He view Gopal; on the fourth day Gopal came away with
Him, as He walked singing and dancing, and went back to his former
temple [on the hill], while the Master stayed at the foot of it. The
people in delight cheered aloud _Hari! Hari!_ Thus does the tender
Gopal descend from the hill on some pretext, in order to show himself to
the devotee who passionately longs to see him and yet declines to set
foot upon Govardhan. Thus did he appear to Rup and Sanatan. When Rup was
too old to walk and yet longed to see Gopal's charms, the god took
refuge for a month in the Vithaleshwar temple at Mathura in fear of the
Muslims. Then Rup with his disciples saw him there for a month. [Rup's
disciples named]. After a month Gopal went back to his temple, while Rup
returned to Brindaban.
Then the Master visited the Kamya forest, and all other places in
Brindaban in the manner described before. Thence to Nandishwar, at the
sight of whom He fell into an ecstasy. After bathing in the Paban and
other pools, He climbed the hill and asked if there was any temple on
the top. Being directed by the local people, He entered the cave and
there beheld the image of the fair dancing Child between his robust
parents. He bowed at the feet of Nanda and Yashoda, and in rapture
touched all the limbs of the child Krishna. After dancing and singing
there all day, He visited the Khadir wood, the Vishnu reposing on the
Sesha Snake, Khela-_tirtha_, the Bhandir wood, the Bhadra wood (across
the Jamuna), the Shri-ban, the Ivauha-ban, the Maha-ban, (the
birth-place of Radha), where He beheld the site of the killing of
Yamalarjun, to the over flowing of His love. After visiting Gokul He
returned to Mathura. Here He stayed at that Brahman's house, visiting
Krishna's birth-shrine; but He left Mathura on account of its press of
people and dwelt in seclusion at Akrur-_tirtha_.
Another day He visited Brindaban, bathed in the Kaliya lake and
Praskandan. From the Twelve Suns (_Dwadash Aditya_) He went to the
Kashi _tirtha_. At the place of _rasa_ He fainted away in love, and on
recovering rolled on the ground, laughed, wept, danced, recited verses,
and sang. In such deeds was the day spent there, in the evening He
returned to Akrur for breakfast.
Next morning He bathed at the Chiraghat of Brindaban, and rested under a
very ancient tamarind tree of the age of Krishna's exploits, with a
smooth platform built round its trunk. Close by flowed the Jamuna; cool
breezes blew; the water of the Jamuna gazed at the beauty of Brindaban.
After singing the holy names under the tamarind tree, the Master
performed His noonday prayer and breakfasted at Akrur. The people of the
village crowded in such numbers to see Him that He could not dance
freely. So He came back to Brindaban, and sitting apart sang the holy
names till noon. In the third quarter of the day He appeared to the
people and advised them all to make _sankirtan_ of Krishna's name.
Then arrived a Vaishnav, of the Rajput race, named Krishna-das, a
householder living in a village on the other side of the Jamuna. After
bathing in the Keshighat he was going to the Kali lake when he suddenly
beheld a holy man sitting under the tamarind tree. Admiring the beauty
and fervour of the Master, he bowed to Him in devotion. To the Master's
query as to who he was, he replied, "I am a miserable householder, a
Rajput from across the river. I long to be servant to a Vaishnav. Last
night in sleep I saw a vision which exactly agrees with you." As the
Master graciously embraced him, the Rajput mad with love danced crying
_Hari! Hari!_ He followed the Master at noon to the Akrur-_tirtha_ and
ate His leavings. Next morning he bore the Master's water-pot [to
Brindaban] and kept His company, leaving his wife, children and home.
Everywhere men began to say that Krishna had again appeared at
Brindaban. One morning the citizens of Mathura were returning from
Brindaban with a great noise, when the Master met them and asked them
whence they were coming. They replied, "Krishna has appeared in the
water of the Kali-daha lake. He is dancing on the hood of the snake
Kaliya, whose jewel is flashing in the water. We have seen it with our
own eyes. It is beyond doubt." The Master smiled and remarked, "It is
all very true." Thus for three nights people flocked there, all saying
on their return that they had beheld Krishna. When they said in the
Master's presence that they had seen Krishna, Saraswati indeed moved
them to speak the truth, for in seeing _Him_ they were beholding the true
Krishna; while they were neglecting the real before their eyes in order
to behold the unreal [apparition of Krishna in the lake]. When
Bhattacharya begged leave to behold Krishna there, the Master slapped
him and said, "You are a learned man, and yet you have turned a fool,
believing the story of fools! Why should Krishna appear in that lake?
Fools in their delusion are making a fuss [about nothing]. Don't lose
your senses. Stay at home. To-morrow at night go and see Krishna."
In the morning a quiet man came to the Master, and He asked him if he
had seen Krishna. The man replied, "A fisherman was catching fish in the
lake with a lamp in his boat. People seeing him from a distance mistook
him for Krishna dancing on the snake; the boat was regarded as the
snake's hood, and the lamp as its crown-jewel! True, Krishna _has_ come
to Brindaban, but it is not true that the people have seen him. Far from
seeing him they are holding a false notion, just as an imbecile
[_sthanu_] man takes things in a contrary light." The Master asked,
"Where have you seen Krishna?" The man replied, "You are a _sannyasi_ a
walking Narayan. You have come to Brindaban, as the incarnation of
Krishna, to deliver all men by your appearance." The Master invoked God
in horror and cried, "Say not so! Never regard this, the humblest of
creatures, as Krishna. A _sannyasi_ is a particle of _chit_, a
creature is like a single ray of light; but Krishna, full of all the six
powers, is like the Sun. A creature and the Creator can never be equal,
any more than a blazing fire and a solitary spark can be. The fool who
speaks of a creature as equal to God is a sinner, destined to be
punished by Yama."
The man replied, "You have not the human mind. Your appearance and
character are like Krishna's. In form you resemble the Son of Braja's
lord; your bright complexion eclipses your yellow robe. The musk's
fragrance cannot be concealed even if it is tied up in a cloth; so too
your Godly nature cannot be kept hidden. Supernatural is your character,
your wisdom unfathomable, the sight of you has driven the world mad with
the love of Krishna. Woman, child, old man, a Chandal, or even a
Muslim,--whosoever once beholds you, dances madly, chanting Krishna's
name. He becomes a teacher unto others and converts the world. Not to
speak of seeing you, the mere hearing of your name throws a man into a
frenzy of devotion to Krishna and makes him a spiritual deliverer to all
others. Your name sanctifies even Chandals. Super human are your
powers,--beyond description. _Vide Bhagabat_, III. xxxiii. 6. Such is
your glory, you have the attributes of detachment. Your form and
attributes prove you to be Krishna!"
The Master favoured these men, and they returned home wild with love.
Thus did He stay a few days at Akrur, saving men by imparting to them
the love of Krishna's name. That disciple of Madhav Puri invited every
householder in Mathura. The people of Mathura, Brahmans and good men, in
parties of ten or twenty every day invited Bhattacharya, who could
accept only one of the invitations. The people, getting no opportunity
of giving dinners, pressed that Brahman to accept their hospitality.
Kanauji, Deccani, and Vaidik Brahmans all humbly asked the Master to
dinner. They came to Akrur in the morning, cooked, offered the food to
the _Shalgram_, and fed the Master on it. One day, sitting on the Akrur
ghat, the Master reflected, "Here did Aknir see Vaikuntha, and the
people of Brindaban got a view of heaven. So saying He jumped into the
water; Krishna-das set up a loud lamentation; Bhattacharya hurried there
and dragged the Master out. Then he took secret counsel with the (local)
Brahman, saying, "The Master was rescued only because I was at hand. But
if He is drowned at Brindaban who will save Him? Here we have crowds of
visitors and the plague of invitation every day. It is not good for Him
to be constantly in an ecstasy. The best plan would be to remove Him
from Brindaban." The Brahman (host) replied, "Let us take Him to Prayag;
we shall enjoy the journey along the bank of the Ganges. You should ask
His consent to bathe in the Ganges at Soron and then start with Him by
the same route. It is now the month of Magh; if we start now, we shall
reach Prayag in time for bathing during Capricorn. After saying
something of your own sorrows, broach to him the request to lead you to
Prayag during Capricorn. Tell Him also of the joy of following the bank
of the Ganges."
Then Bhattacharva besought the Master thus "I cannot bear this
disturbance by the people. They worry me to accept their invitations.
When people come in the morning and fail to find you, they plague me to
death. I shall be happy if I follow the bank of the Ganges, and starting
now reach Prayag in time for bathing in Capricorn. My mind is restless.
I cannot bear [our life here]. I submit to whatever the Master may be
pleased to command." Though unwilling to leave Brindaban, the Master, to
gratify His _bhakta_, said sweetly, "Never shall I be able to repay my
debt to you for your having escorted me to Brindaban. I shall do your
wish. Take me wherever you desire."
In the morninq-He bathed and became overcome with devotion at the
thought of leaving Brindaban. Unconscious of the things outside, He fell
into a trance of love. Bhattacharya took Him in a boat across the river
to Maha-ban. The devoted Krishna-das and that Brahman knew the route
along the Ganges. On the way He sat down under a tree with His party, in
order to refresh them from fatigue. Many cows were grazing there, and
the sight filled Him with delight. Suddenly a cowherd played on his
flute, and at once rapture seized the Master; He fell down in a swoon,
foaming at the mouth and His breathing stopped.
Just then ten Pathan cavalrymen arrived there, dismounted, and gazing at
the Master jumped to the conclusion that His five companions were
sharpers who had poisoned Him with _dhutura_ in order to rob Him of His
gold. So they tied up the five and threatened to behead them. The
Bengalis began to tremble; only the Rajput Krishna-das was fearless and
that Brahman bold of speech. The Brahman cried out, Tathan! I appeal to
your Padshah! Take me with you to the _shikdar_. This hermit is my
_guru_; I am a Brahman of Mathura. I have a hundred acquaintances at
the royal Court. This hermit has a disease which makes Him fall down in
a fit. He will soon recover consciousness. Wait a little here. Keep us
tied up. After inquiring of Him, slay us if we deserve. The Pathan
replied, "You two are up-country men; here are three Bengali _thugs_
quaking in fear." Krishna-das said, "I live in this village, with 100
troopers and 200 bowmen under me. If I raise a shout they will come
here, kill you, and take away your horses and accoutrement. The Bengalis
are not sharpers. You are rogues, as you want to rob pilgrims and to
kill them!" At this the Pathan hesitated. Just then the Master came to
His senses, rose up with a shout of _Hari! Hari!_ and danced in rapture
with uplifted arms.
His devotional cry pierced the heart of the Muslim, who in fear released
the five, so that the Master saw not the captivity of His followers.
Bhattacharya held and seated the Master, who became aware of the things
around Him when He saw the Muslims. The Pathans bowed at His feat and
charged the five with having poisoned Him with _dhutura_. But He
replied, "They are not _thugs_, but my companions. I am a begging
hermit, with no wealth to be robbed. Occasionally I fall into epileptic
fits, when these five kindly nurse me." One of the Muslims, a grave man
clad in black and called a Pin, was melted at heart on seeing the
Master. He propounded monotheism and one common God, on the basis of his
holy book (_viz._, the _Quran_). But the Master refuted all his
propositions by arguments based on the Muslim scripture, till the man
was silenced. The Master continued, "Your scripture establishes one
common God [in the beginning] and refuting that theory sets up in the
end a particular God, who is full of all powers, dark of hue, the
embodiment of _sat_, _chit_ and _ananda_, the perfect Spirit, the soul
of all, all-pervading, eternal, the self of every thing, the source of
creation life and destruction, the refuge of all universes whether gross
or fine, the most excellent, adorable by all, the first cause of
everything. Men are saved by faith in Him,, and freed from the bondage
of the world only by serving Him. Delight in Him is the supreme human
attainment, while salvation can give only a particle of that bliss. The
highest beatitude comes only from serving His feet. After first
insisting on work, knowledge and mental abstraction, these are then set
aside and the service of God is laid down as the final duty. Your
theologians have no knowledge of their own scriptures; they forget that
where there are two injunctions, the latter is sronger. Decide after
studying your own holy books, and see what is laid down as the final
conclusion."
The Muslim replied, "True are your words. Men cannot realize God as
described in the scriptures. They discourse on the abstract God
(_Gosain_); nobody thinks of adoring the incarnate God. You are such,
God's own self. Have mercy on me, unworthy sinner! Much have I read, but
cannot ascertain the _sadhya_ and _sadhan_ from the Muslim scriptures.
At the sight of you my tongue utters Krishna's name, and I have been
cured of my proud confidence in my own knowledge. Tell me graciously
what are _sadhya_ and _sadhan_." So saying he fell at the Master's
feet, who said, "Rise! In repeating Krishna's name you have been washed
pure from the sins of million births. Say _Krishna! Krishna!_" They
chanted the name and were filled with rapture. The Master renamed him
Ramdas.
There was another Pathan named Bijuli Khan, a young Prince and the
master of Ramdas and other Pathan troopers. He too fell down at the
Master's feet, with the cry of Krishna! The Master touched his head with
His toe, and went on His way. All the Pathans turned _bairagis_ and
were famous as "Pathan Vaishnavs." They roamed everywhere singing the
Master's praise. The Bijuli Khan became a very spiritual person honoured
in every _tirtha_.
At Soron He bathed in the Ganges and walked along the river bank to
Prayag. When He dismissed the Mathura Brahman and Krishna-das, they
begged with folded palms, "Let us follow you to Prayag. Where again
shall we see your feet? It is a Muslim country, you may be oppressed
anywhere. Your companion, Bhattacharya, is a mere pandit and does not
know how to address people." The Master smilingly consented and they
followed Him. Everyone who beheld Him turned frantic with love and sang
_sankirtan_ aloud. They communicated their faith to others, and these
to others again, so that the whole land became Vaishnav, just as the
Master had previously converted the South during His pilgrimage.
So walking He reached Prayag, where He bathed for ten days at the
junction of the three rivers during the sun's progress through
Capricorn. [Text, canto 18.]