Shri Chhabildas Ji was born into a Tamori family in Devvan. He was a childhood friend of Shri Hit Harivansh Ji. When Harivansh Ji was just seven years old, he manifested Shri Rangilal Ji from a well and, alongside Him, established the seat of Shri Radha Ji, initiating the revered Aṣṭayām Seva. Shri Chhabildas Ji, deeply devoted, would lovingly offer betel leaves in daily service to Shri Rangilal Ji Maharaj.
In Vikram Samvat 1590, Shri Hit Prabhu moved from Devvan to Vrindavan. Although Chhabildas Ji continued his service of offering betel leaves to Shri Rangilal Ji Maharaj for some time, the absence of Shri Hitacharya became increasingly unbearable for him. Eventually, unable to bear the separation any longer, he set out for Vrindavan. Upon reaching there and reuniting with his childhood friend, Shri Harivansh Ji, Shri Chhabildas Ji was filled with immense joy, and Harivansh Ji welcomed him with great honor.
During their conversation, when Chhabildas Ji learned that Shri Hitacharya had established a Rāsmandal in Vrindavan, where the young boys of Braj would perform daily Rāsleela in imitation of the divine pastimes, he felt a strong desire to witness it with his own eyes. Recognizing his deep longing, Shri Hitacharya arranged for one of his attendants to accompany Chhabildas Ji to witness this re-enactment of the divine Rāsleela.
Even before reaching the Rāsmandal, from a distance, Chhabildas Ji heard the melodious sound of the flute, the rhythm of the mridang, and other instruments that were part of the Rās. When he arrived, he beheld the divine vision of Shyama-Shyam along with the sakhis, deeply immersed in the Rās-vilās. Overwhelmed by this divine experience, Shri Chhabildas Ji lost himself in ecstasy, falling unconscious. For an unknown period, even in his unconscious state, he continued to behold the eternal beauty of the Divine Couple(Priya-lal) with his inner eyes.
When people noticed his state, they gathered around him and, with great care, brought him to Shri Hit Prabhu. Shri Mahaprabhu Ji gently asked, “Do you wish to remain in this world a little longer, or would you prefer to enter the eternal service of Shri Shyama-Shyam in the Nikunj and attain supreme bliss?”
In response, Shri Chhabildas Ji simply bowed his head at Shri Mahaprabhu’s feet. In that moment, his soul left his mortal body and e
ntered the eternal Lila of the Divine Couple. When great souls offer even the smallest act of love to the Lord, they are blessed with the ultimate reward—attaining the eternal service of His lotus feet, transcending their earthly form and entering the divine realm.
