Sevak sam sevak nahin koi
Damodardasji, who became known as “Sevak ji,” held a unique place in the practice of seva (selfless service). His dedication to the service of his Guru and spiritual duties made him stand out among all the followers of the Hit lineage. The name of Shri Harivansh and his divine teachings were more dear to Sevak ji than his own life.
The Desire for Guru Surrender:
In the Gondwana region of Madhya Pradesh, there was a village named Garha, where a Brahmin named Chaturbhuj lived. He shared a deep friendship with Sevak ji. Both were great scholars and experts, with a natural love for devotees of Lord Krishna. They considered themselves fortunate to serve devotees from the heart. Both felt that it was essential to take a Guru, but despite a long period of contemplation, they could not decide who to accept as their Guru.
Blessings of the Rasik Saints from Vrindavan:
One day, a group of Rasik devotees from Vrindavan arrived in Garha and met them. The sight and conversation of these devotees filled their hearts with immense joy. At the special request of Sevak ji and Chaturbhuj, the Rasik devotees stayed at their home and held satsangs (spiritual discussions). During these satsangs, the Rasik saints spoke sweetly about the Yugal-Keli (divine pastimes of Radha and Krishna) and the essence of Vrindavan-Ras. Listening to this, both Sevak ji and Chaturbhuj felt a deep yearning for the divine essence of Vrindavan. Observing their longing, the Rasik saints asked, “Who is your Guru?” They replied, “We haven’t yet chosen a Guru, but we are considering it. Please bless us and tell us who we should accept as our Guru.” The Rasik saints then provided guidance.
Introduction to Goswami Shri Hit Harivansh chandra Ji Maharaj:
The Rasik saints said, “At this time, in the holy land of Vrindavan, Goswami Shri Hit Harivansh chandra Ji Maharaj is revered by all Rasik devotees. His way of life and his love-filled practices are supreme and an ideal for everyone.” In this context, the Rasik saints also narrated the story of Nandadas ji becoming the disciple of Hariram Vyas ji after the satsang with Navaladas ji.
Shri Hit ji Maharaj’s Disappearance and shri Sevak ji’s Resolve:
After hearing the glories of Shri Hit Harivansh chandra Ji Maharaj, both Sevak ji and Chaturbhuj resolved to take him as their Guru. However, despite their decision, due to other engagements, they could not travel to Vrindavan in time for initiation. Soon, they received the sad news that Shri Hit Harivansh chandra Ji Maharaj had entered divine transcendence (left the mortal world). This news filled them with great sorrow. Along with it, they learned that his eldest son, Goswami Shri Vanchandra ji, had now assumed the Acharya’s seat and was continuing to propagate the essence of the Hit tradition just as it had been during Shri Hitacharya’s time.
Shri Sevak ji’s Firm Resolve
Chaturbhuj Das Ji suggested to Sevak ji, “Now we should go to Vrindavan and take initiation from Goswami Shri Vanchandraji.” However, Sevak ji replied, “I have made a firm decision that I will only take initiation from Shri Hitji Maharaj. If I cannot receive initiation from him, I will give up my life.” Hearing this, Chaturbhuj Das Ji left for Vrindavan, where he received initiation from Shri Vanchandraji. On the other hand, Sevak ji remained steadfast in his vow. He gave up food and water, continuously remembering the name of Shri Harivansh ji.
Appearance of Hit Ji Maharaj in Shri Sevak Ji’s Dream
Three days later, Sevak ji had a dream where Shri Hitji Maharaj took him to Vrindavan. There, Shri Hitji gave Sevak ji a direct vision of himself, placed his hand on Sevak ji’s head, and accepted him as his disciple. Not only did he give Sevak ji the initiation of his personal mantra, but he also revealed the complete secrets of their tradition and faith. Additionally, he gave Sevak ji a direct vision of Vrindavan, its groves, the banks of the Yamuna, and the divine forms of Shri Priya and Priyatam. Shri Hitji Maharaj also blessed Sevak ji with the power to compose spiritual verses.
The Emergence of ‘Sevak Vani’
The outcome of this extraordinary blessing from his Guru became evident to all when Sevak ji began singing the mysterious pastimes of Shri Shyama-Shyam and describing the divine form of Shri Harivansh ji. When Sevak ji returned to Garha, he shared the mantra he had received from Shri Hit Harivansh chandra Ji Maharaj. Sometime later, Chaturbhuj Das Ji returned from Vrindavan and shared the details of his initiation from Shri Vanchandraji with Sevak ji. He was astonished to find that the mantra given to him by Shri Vanchandraji was the same mantra Sevak ji had received.
The Importance of ‘Sevak Vani’
When Chaturbhuj Das Ji read ‘Sevak Vani,’ he experienced indescribable joy. He happily fell at Sevak ji’s feet and embraced him. In ‘Sevak Vani,’ Shri Harivansh ji is considered everything, and he is seen as inseparable from Shyama-Shyam. The text discusses topics like unwavering devotion, different aspects of the faith, those deserving and undeserving of grace, incomplete and perfected devotees, and more. This is why Rasik (devotees) do not consider the words of those who are unfamiliar with ‘Sevak Vani’ as authentic. “Those who do not know Sevak Vani, their words are not accepted by the Rasik devotees.”
Shri Vanchandraji’s Desire to Meet Shri Sevak ji
When Shri Vanchandraji in Vrindavan heard ‘Sevak Vani,’ he developed a deep desire to meet Sevak ji. He made a vow that the day he met Sevak ji, he would offer all the treasures of Shri Radha Vallabhlal ji to him. When Sevak ji learned of this vow, his heart became restless. He thought, “I wanted to go to Vrindavan to have the darshan of Shri Radhavallabhlal ji, but if I go there, all of Shri Radha Vallabhlalji’s treasures will be given away. How can I go to Vrindavan now?” With this thought in mind, Sevak ji gave up the idea of going to Vrindavan.
Shri Sevak ji’s Secret Visit to Vrindavan
When Shri Vanchandra ji learned that Sevak ji was not coming to Vrindavan because of his vow, he wrote a heartfelt letter to him, urging him repeatedly to come, even swearing an oath to bring him there. Left with no other option, Sevak ji reluctantly agreed to visit Vrindavan. However, out of fear that Shri Radha Vallabh’s treasures might be given away because of his visit, he disguised himself and began having darshan of Shri Radha Vallabh in secret, blending into the crowd.
Fulfillment of the Vow and Exchange of Love
Despite Sevak ji’s efforts to hide in the crowd, Shri Vanchandra ji’s loving eyes recognized him. Overjoyed to see Sevak ji, Shri Vanchandraji rose and went to meet him. Sevak ji noticed that Goswamiji was preparing to fulfill his vow of offering all of Shri Radha Vallabh’s treasures. Seeing this, Sevak ji immediately pleaded, “Please, do not distribute Shri Radha Vallabh’s treasures because of my arrival.” However, when Shri Vanchandraji ignored his plea, Sevak ji placed his head at Goswamiji’s feet and begged once again.
At this, Shri Vanchandraji replied, “I have made a vow to shower the treasures upon you, and you are asking me to stop. Tell me, how can these two things coexist?” Then, offering a solution, he said, “The only way to resolve this is for me to shower the sacred prasadi (blessed offerings) upon you and thus fulfill my vow.” With that, Shri Vanchandraji distributed all the sacred offerings, and both their vows were honored.
Importance of “Hit Chaurasi” and “Sevak Vani”
This divine event demonstrates how a guru becomes immensely pleased with their disciples and showers all their grace, immersing them in the nectar of love. That day, Shri Vanchandraji also instructed all the devotees that “Hit Chaurasi” and “Sevak Vani” should always be written and recited together. There was no other devotee like Sevak ji, whose vow was upheld by his guru in such a profound manner.
The Beauty of Guru-Disciple Love
This entire event highlights the immense beauty of love and devotion between a guru and disciple. The guru is willing to offer everything to their disciple in love, and the disciple, in return, becomes blessed by the guru’s grace.
Shri Sevak ji’s Ultimate Devotion
Sevak ji stayed in Vrindavan for only about ten days. It is said that during this time, exactly one year had passed since Shri Hit Harivansh chandra ji Maharaj’s departure to the divine pastimes (Nikunj Leela). On that special day, Sevak ji sat under a tree in the Ras Mandal(Raseshwari Radharani Temple), near the Seva Kunj , deeply absorbed in meditation. His meditation became so intense that he entered the eternal pastimes (Nitya Leela) with his physical body.
