Vaishnava Samhita. Chaturbhujadasa Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 12 Shlokas 7 - 8

न मन्त्रेण न संस्कारात् कुलेनापि न वैष्णवः |

विष्णुभक्तिर्यदि दृढा स हि श्रीवैष्णवोत्तमः ||

महतां वैष्णवानां तु कुले जातो यदृच्छया |

न करोति हरौ भक्तिं यदि नीचाधमः स्मृतः ||

One is not considered a vaishnava because of high birth or adherence to rituals or knowledge of mantras. One who has unwavering Vishnu bhakti alone becomes a vaishnavottama. One who is born in a reputed vaishnava clan and yet fails to develop Hari bhakti is really considered a low-born.

Vaishnava Samhita. Chaturbhujadasa Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 12 Shlokas 5 - 6

जन्मान्तरे विष्णुपूजां विधाय भरतो यथा |

योगभ्रष्टा ये भवन्ति जन्मना तेपि वैष्णवाः ||

यदि जन्मान्तरे पुन्यमनन्तञ्चेश्वरार्पितम् |

तदैव प्राप्यते मर्त्यैर्वैष्णवत्वं सुदुर्लभम् ||

Those who are born as yogabhrastas, reaching high levels of spiritual attainment, like Jatabharata due to their devoted service to Lord Vishnu in the previous birth, remain vaishnavas from birth. In the present birth, one attains the unattainable 'vaishnava janma', if he had collected innumerable merits in the previous births with an idea of making them offerings to God.

Vaishnava Samhita. Chaturbhujadasa Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 12 Shlokas 3 - 4

गर्भस्थितोपि यो जीवः प्राप्नोति महतां कृपाम् |

प्रह्लाद इव सोप्येवं लभते जन्म वैष्णवम् ||

भगवत्पार्षदांशेन जगत्यवतरन्ति ये |

सौमित्रिरिव ते नूनं जन्मना वैष्णवाः स्मृताः ||

That soul which obtains the blessings of virtuous and great men, even while in the mother's womb, gains a life as that of Prahlada.Those who take birth as the manifestations of the parshadas of Bhagavan (the attendants of Shri Bhagavan) are born vaishnavas like Lakshmana.

Vaishnava Samhita. Chaturbhujadasa Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 12 Shlokas 1 - 2

श्रीसद्गुरुरुवाच

वैष्णवानां कुले जन्म विष्णुभक्तिप्रदायकम् |

लभ्यते बहुभिः पुण्यैः पूर्वजन्मसमार्जितैः ||

गर्भस्थितानर्भकान् यान् कृपया वीक्षते हरिः |

परीक्षितैव तैनूनं प्राप्यते जन्म वैष्णवम् ||

Shri Sadguru said

The birth as a vaishnava, which enhances devotion for Lord Vishnu is attained by one as a result of the accumulated effect of the merits of many births. Those who are protected by the merciful eyes of Shri Bhagavan, even when they are in the mothers wombs take birth as vaishnavas like Parikshit

Vaishnava Samhita. Shridaswami Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 11 Shlokas 37 - 42

श्रीसद्गुरुरुवाच

संसारसागरादेष विट्ठलेन समुद्धतः |

विरक्तः प्राप शैलेन्द्रं श्रीनाथं शरणं गतः ||

क्षमवान् समदर्शी च विरक्तो विज्तेन्द्रियः |

यदृच्छयालाभसंतुष्टः कृष्णकीर्तनतत्परः ||

अन्तःप्रज्ञो भावुकश्च लोकवेदपराङ्ग्मुखः |

विट्ठलेशप्रसादेन महाभागवतोsभवत् ||

तद्भक्तिशमापन्नः श्रीनाथो भक्तवत्सलः |

प्रददौ दर्शनं साक्षादात्मनः सुरदुर्लभम् ||

तस्य लीलां रसमयीं गायन् भक्त्या दिने दिने |

आनन्दसागरे मग्नो न सस्मार जगत्त्रयम् ||

दुराचारः पुरा भूत्वा महाभागवतोsभवत् |

एवमेव हि माहात्म्यं प्रत्यक्षं दृश्यते सताम् ||

Shri Sadguru continued

Thus Shridaswami was lifted up from the sea of samsara and taken ashore by Shri Vitthalanatha. He attained a withdrawn attitude, became the devotee of Shrinatha, and reached Govardhana Hill. Due to the blessings of Shri Vitthalanatha, he became a great bhagavata. He was blessed with forebearance, a uniform disposition toward all, a withdrawn attitude, control of senses, and a very sensitive and kind heart. He developed great love for Krishna kirtan. He los consicousness of the material world, and stood beyond the bindings of the Vedas and the common code of life. He developed such an attiutude that he took joy in anything that he got unsought for. Lord Shrinatha, who was captivated by his devotion, blessed him with His coveted darshan which is unattainable even to the devas. Shridaswami spent allhis time regularly singing with great devotion in praise of all the divine sports. He became oblivious to all the three worlds. Thus Shridaswami, who was a great sinner, got transformed into a great bhagavata. The glory of such sadhus can be seen vividly in this world

Thus ends Chapter Eleven entitles 'Shridaswami Charitam' of Book VII of Shri Vaishnava Samhita composed by Shri Shri Krishna Premi Swamigal

Vaishnava Samhita. Shridaswami Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 11 Shlokas 31 - 36

श्रीविट्ठल उवाच

उत्तिष्ठ वैष्णवोसि त्वं कृपापात्रमासि प्रभोः |

नास्ति ते पापलेशोपि श्रीनाथस्य प्रसादतः ||

न कश्चिदघवांल्लोके श्रीनाठस्य तु संनिधौ |

यन्नामकीर्तनं लोके सर्वपापविनाशनम् ||

ब्रह्मघ्नश्च सुरापश्च परदाररतोपि वा |

न याति नरकं घोरं कृत्वा तन्नामकीर्तनम् ||

भक्तिरेव परा लोके कृष्णसायुज्यदायिनी |

प्रतिज्ञा किल कृष्णस्य न मे भक्तः प्रणश्यति ||

तस्मादहर्निषं कुर्वन् मुरारेर्णामकीर्तनम् |

पुरुषार्थानावाप्नोति नामस्मरणमात्रतः ||

त्यक्तधर्मार्थकामस्त्वं वसन् गोवर्धने गिरौ |

प्रेमभक्तिपरो भूत्वा श्रीनाथं भज सन्ततम् ||

Shri Vitthalanatha said

Please get up. You have become a vaishnava. You have come into the fold of the merciful Lord. Due to the mercy of Shrinatha you are absolved from sins. There is no sinner on this earth in the Sanctum of Shrinatha. Namakirtan of Shrinatha destroys all sins. even the one who has committed the great sin of Brahmahatti (killing a brahmana), the one who takes delight in drinking and the one who has molested the wives of others, will not reach the Naraka, if he sings in praise of the Lord, Shri Bhagavan. In this world, intense devotion alone can bestow upon one the mercy of Shri Krishna. Has not Shri Krishna declared that His devotees would never get destroyed? Hence always sing in praise of Lord Murari. The very utterance of the Divine Names will bless you with all noble attainments. Cast off various practices of adharma, wealth and all pleasures. Stay near Govardhana Hill and always sing in praise of Shrinatha with true devotion.

Vaishnava Samhita. Shridaswami Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 11 Shlokas 29 - 30

श्रीसद्गुरुरुवाच

इत्युक्त्वा बाष्पपूर्णाक्षः श्रीदस्वामी पपात च |

विद्ठलेशस्य पदयोः साधुमण्डलसेव्ययोः ||

तमुत्थाप्य कृपासिन्धुः खलोद्धारणतत्परः |

उवाच विद्ठलेशश्च परमं तत्त्वमुत्तमम् ||

Shri Sadguru said

Having spoken thus, Shridaswami shed tears and feel at the feet of Shri Vitthalanatha, who is worshipped by all the sadhus. The most compassionate Vitthalanatha, who had the uplifment of the wicked as the only object of his life, lifted him up and preached him the greatest of the secrets.

Vaishnava Samhita. Shridaswami Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 11 Shlokas 24 - 28

श्रीदस्वाम्युवाच

शरणं भव मे नाथ पामरोsहं महामते |

अजानंस्तव माहात्म्यमपराधः कृतः प्रभो ||

मादृशानां विमूढानामल्पज्ञानाञ्च पापिनाम् |

प्रबोधनायैव भवांश्चरति क्षितिमण्डले ||

साधूनां दर्शनं पुण्यमिति सत्यवती श्रुतिः |

तव दर्शनमात्रेण पूतोsहं वैष्ण्वोत्तम ||

कृष्णभक्तिं प्रदायैव पाहि मां शरणागतम् |

तव संनिधिमप्राप्य व्यर्थमायुर्गतं हि मे ||

स्मरामि मम पापानि प्रायश्चित्तं न वेद्म्यहम् |

शरणं त्वां प्रपद्येsहं रक्ष रक्ष जगद्गुरो ||

Shridaswami said

Oh! Swami! I the most ignorant man, am surrendering to you. I committed a great sin not knowing your real greatness. You are treading the earth only to uplift the fools like me. The old proverb says that the very darshan of the sadhus is beneficial. Oh! the noted vaishnava! I have got purified by the mere darshan of yours. Please save me, who have surrendered to you, blessing me with Krishna bhakti. Alas! I have wasted all my life not reaching your presence. Now, I recall all my sinful deeds of the past. I do not know how I can get redemption from them. I take refuge in you, oh, universal preceptor! Please rescue me.

Vaishnava Samhita. Shridaswami Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 11 Shlokas 18 - 23

तदा खलजनैः साकं विट्ठलेशमुपेयिवान् |

नालिकेरफलं शून्यमादाय प्रहसन् खलः ||

समर्पयित्वा तस्मै तत्प्राञ्जलिश्च विनीतवत् |

अन्तः परिहसन् मूढस्तस्थावग्रे महात्मनः ||

खण्डद्वयञ्च सम्युक्तं नालिकेरस्य विट्ठलः |

शून्यं तत्कृत्रीमं वेद श्रीनाथस्य प्रसादतः ||

तस्मै प्रसादरूपेण प्रहसन् साधुसत्तमः |

तद्दत्वा विट्ठलः पराः भुक्त्वैतज्ज्ञानवान् भव ||

सद्य एवाग्रहीदुष्टः साधुनिन्दाकुतूहलात् |

अपश्यत् पूर्णमेवैतन्नालिकेरं तु कृत्रिमम् ||

परमाश्चर्यसम्युक्तो विट्ठलेशस्य चेष्टितात् |

सद्य एव प्रसन्नात्मा तमेव शरणं ययौ ||

Once, along with other wicked persons he glued two coconut shells together to give the false appearance of a real coconut. He came to Shri Vitthalanatha with that coconut in his hand. That foolish man offered that coconut to Shri Vittalanatha, pretending reverence and stood before him with folded hands and heart filled with malice. But, due to the mercy of Shrinatha, Shri Vittalanatha learnt that it was not a real coconut. The most distinguished of the sadhus, Shri Vitthalanatha, gave it back to him, and said that he would become agreat gnani if he ate that. That wicked man, who was interested in abusing the sadhus, broke that coconut into two. To his dismay, it was full. He was taken aback to realise the glory of Shri Vitthalanatha. With a purified heart, he surrendered to Shri Vitthalanatha.

Vaishnava Samhita. Shridaswami Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 11 Shlokas 15 - 17

मधुरायां महामूर्खो दुराचारपरायणः |

सत्सङ्गविमुखो दुष्टः साधुनिन्दाकुतूहलः ||

श्रीदस्वामीति विख्यातः कश्चिदासीद्धनोन्मदः |

नास्तिको डाम्भिको लोभी लीलया पापकृत्सदा ||

कदाचिद्विट्ठलेशस्य प्रख्यातं पावनं यशः |

श्रुत्वाप्यसूयया मूर्खः प्राप कोपमकारणम् ||

In Madhura, there lived a famous man named 'Shridaswami'. He was wicked and ill mannered. He hated the association of the sadhus. He was a crook who took pleasure in despising the seers. He committed many sins. He was an atheist, interested in pomp and show, and proud of his riches. Once, heard of the wide-spread of Shri Vitthalanatha, and became very envious of him. For no genuine reason he became angry.

Vaishnava Samhita. Shridaswami Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 11 Shlokas 11 - 14

यः कुर्यादञ्जलिं दृष्ट्वा पुण्यश्लोकस्य किङ्करान् |

अञ्जलिं सर्वदा तस्मै कुर्वन्ति निखिलाः सुराः ||

प्रदक्षिणञ्च यः कुर्यात् सञ्जनान् सुप्रसन्नधीः |

लभ्यते तेन सर्वं तद्भूप्रदक्षिणजं फलम् ||

विलुठन् भक्तवर्याणां पादरेणुषु विह्वलः |

वशङ्करोति गोविन्दं योगिनामपि दुर्लभम् ||

सहस्त्रजिह्वो नागेन्द्रः साधुमाहात्म्यमुत्तमम् |

वक्तुं नैव हि शक्नोति तन्मया वर्ण्यते कथम् ||

All the devas pay respect to that person who pays reverence to the haridasa. The spiritual benefit of going round the whole earth is attained by that person who goes around the sadhus with a clear and pious heart. The one who rolls down on the sacred dust of the holy feet of the bhaktas of Shri Hari and sheds tears, brings under his spell Shri Govinda, who is unattainable even to the yogis. Even Aadishesha, who has got thousand tongues, can not explain fully the glory of the sadhus. Then how can I explain that ?

Vaishnava Samhita. Shridaswami Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 11 Shlokas 6 - 10

पादप्रक्षालितं तीर्थं साधूनां यः पिबेन्नरः |

स पुण्यात्मा महाभागः सर्वतीर्थमयो ननु ||

यः पूजयेदभागवतान् स्मृत्वा साक्षाज्जनार्दनम् |

तस्मै भक्तवरिष्ठाय ददात्यात्मानमेव सः ||

यस्यान्नमल्पमेवापि निहितं वैष्णवोदरे |

महापातकयुक्तोपि यातनां नैव गच्छति ||

यदृच्छयापि यः साधुमजानन्नापि पश्यति |

तं पश्यति कृपासिन्धुः कृपया भक्तवत्सलः ||

उत्तिष्ठति च यो दृष्ट्वा बहुमानेन वैष्णवान् |

संसारसागराद्घोरात्तमुद्धरति माधवः ||

That fortunate one who drinks the sacred feet-wash of the sadhus gets purified and himself becomes venerable as the sacred teerthas. Shri Bhagavan offers Himself to that bhakta who considers the bhaktas equal to the Lord and treats them with reverence. One who eats atleast a portion of food remnants of a hungry vaishnava, will never reach the Naraka, howsoever great a sinner he be. A person who meets the sadhus unexpectedly, eventhough no aware of their magnificience, is blessed with a compassionate glance of the eyes of Shri Krishna, the Bhaktavatsala. Shri Madhava lifts up from the ocean of samsara and takes ashore the person who stands up with great reverence whenever he sees a vaishnava coming his way.

Vaishnava Samhita. Shridaswami Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 11 Shlokas 1 - 5

श्रीसद्गुरुरुवाच

दुष्टाश्च पामरा मूढाः सदाचारविवर्जिताः |

अचिरेणैव सत्सङ्गात्पूयन्ते ते यदृच्छया ||

न तथा सांख्ययोगाभ्यां न यज्ञैर्न व्रतादिभिः |

यथा सत्सङ्गमात्रेण पूयते करणाशयः ||

घोरे कलौ युगे नृणां विश्वासं नैव कुर्वताम् |

पापाचारेण युक्तानां पावनं साधुसेवनम् ||

तितिक्षवः कारुणिका निःस्वार्थचरिताश्च ते |

पावयन्ति जगत्सर्वं साधवः साधुभूषणाः ||

स्वयं नारायणो देवः पादरेण सतामपि |

श्रद्धया शिरसा धत्ते किं पुनर्मादृशा नराः ||

Shri Sadguru said

Eeven those people who are ignorant, foolish, wicked and are endowed with a bad character get purified easily and within a very short time when they happen to get the association of the sadhus. Cleansing of the hearts is not achieved that easily with the help of other means like performing yajnas, adopting austerities, contemplating on the Self and following the precepts of Yoga. The association with the sadhus cleanses the hearts very easily. In the dreadful Kaliyuga, only the company of the sadhus is the means to attain purity of hearts for people who are generally insincere and bad. The sadhus who are endowed with forbearance, tolerance, sympathy and selflessness and are adorned with a good conduct purify the whole world. Even Lord Narayana, the Supreme Soul bears on His head, with very great reverence, the sacred dust of the feet of the sadhus. Then what to speak of ordinary people as we are?

Vaishnava Samhita. Shri Nandadasa Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 10 Shlokas 22 - 26

भक्तानां प्रेमपूर्णानां भवुकानां महात्मनाम् |

अभितः कृष्णलीलैव सन्ततं संप्रवर्तते ||

हृदयं प्रेमभक्तानां दिव्यं बृन्दावनं ननु |

साक्षात्क्रीडति तत्रैव राधया माधवः सदा ||

यत्र क्वापि वसन्तस्ते स्वर्गे च नरकेपि वा |

पश्यन्ति हृदये कृष्णं बृन्दावनमये सदा ||

अमुं लोकं न स्मरन्ति दुःखमूलं कदापि ते |

प्रेमलोकं गता नित्यं भावयन्ति जनार्दनम् ||

एतद्गुह्यं न जानन्ति परमं पामरा नराः |

संशयं प्राप्नुवन्त्येव स्थूलदृष्टिं गता हि ते ||

The divine pastimes of Shri Krishna are exhibited at all times and in all places for the most sensitive and tender-hearted mahatma who are full of premabhakti. The heart of the prema bhaktas is the true Brindavan in itself. There Shri Madhava plays happily with Devi Radha always and eternally. The bhaktas always behold Shri Krishna in the Brindavan of their hearts, wherever they live either hell or heaven. Living in the world of prema bhakti, such bhaktas forget this world which is the source of all sorrows. They always meditate upon Shri Krishna. The ordinary people of the world who have a mere ephemeral outlook do not understand this fact. Hence they nurture doubts in their hearts.

Thus ends Chapter Ten entitled 'Nandadasa Charitam' of Book VII of Shri Vaishnava Samhita composed by Shri Shri Krishna Premi Swamigal.

Vaishnava Samhita. Shri Nandadasa Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 10 Shlokas 20 - 21

तावच्छ्रीनन्ददासश्च महाभागवतोत्तमः |

श्रीनाथं कीर्तयन् प्राप गोलोकं परमं पदम् ||

अवाप शोकं राजा च भक्तश्रेष्ठस्य दर्शनम् |

अनवाप्य तथैवायं तानसेनश्च गायकः ||

In the meantime, the distinguished bhagavata Shri Nadadasa reached the Goloka (the destination of the Krishnabhaktas), singing in praise of Shrinatha. Hence, the king and Tansen were very much distressed as they could not get the darshan of Shri Nadadasa.

Vaishnava Samhita. Shri Nandadasa Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 10 Shloka 19

गुह्ममेतत्परं तत्त्वं संप्रष्टुं कृतनिश्चयः |

आजगाम महाराजः सद्यो गोवर्धनं गिरिम् ||

The emperor determined to learn the great secret behind this. Hence he reached Govardhana Hill to meet Nandadasa.

Vaishnava Samhita. Shri Nandadasa Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 10 Shlokas 16 - 18

श्रीसद्गुरुरुवाच

एवं गायति सानन्दं नन्ददासस्य कीर्तनम् |

तानसेने महाश्चर्यस्तिमितश्चाग्बरोsभवत् ||

चिरवृत्तमिदं सर्वं नन्दबालस्य चेष्टितम् |

अस्माकं समकालीनो नन्ददासो महाकविः ||

वृश्चमूले निलीनोsयं तं द्रष्टुं शक्नुयात्कथम् |

एवं संशयमापन्नः परमाश्चर्यमाप सः ||

Thus sang Tansen with great absorption and involvement. Listening to this beautiful verse sung so melodiously, Akbar got spellbound.

"Shri Krishna displayed such pastimes in the human form long long ago when He was born on this earth. But Shri Nandadasa is our contemporary. How can he see Shri Krishna hiding himself behind a tree?" This doubt loomed large in the mind of Akbar and he was quite surprised to hear that song.

Vaishnava Samhita. Shri Nandadasa Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 10 Shlokas 11 - 15

प्रबन्धैर्ललितैर्नित्यं कृष्णलीलानुरन्जितैः |

श्रीनाथं कीर्तयामास परमानन्दवर्धनैः ||

कदाचित्तानसेनश्च सभायामग्बरस्य तु |

जगौ तन्मधुरं गीतं नन्ददासेन कीर्तितम् ||

श्रीनन्ददास उवाच

सखी पश्य प्रियं कृष्णं यमुनातटकानने |

वादयन्तञ्च मुरलीं चरन्तं राधया सह ||

दिव्यपीताम्बरधरं केकीबर्हावतंसकम् |

कुर्वन्तं विविधां लीलां मञ्जुशिञ्जितनूपुरम् ||

तत्र श्रीनन्ददासश्च निलीनो वृक्षमूलतः |

अपश्यन्नन्दसूनुं तं वल्लवीचित्तरञ्जनम् ||

Daily he used to sing in praise of Shri Krishna. He used to compose many verses which could bestow immense divine bliss. Those verses were very beautiful as their theme was a ription of the divine pastimes of Shri Krishna. Once, in the royal court of Akbar, Tansen sang a beautiful verse composed by Shri Nandadasa.

The gist of the verse composed by Nandadasa

"Dear friend! Behold Krishna, my beloved! Behold Shri Krishna, who is walking slowly in Shri Brindavan located on the bank of the Yamuna. Accompanied by Shri Radha, He moves on playing melodiously on the flute. Look at Him! He is wearing an exquisite yellow silk dress. He is adorned with a peacock plume. He is wearing anklets that tinkle sweetly. He is engaged in varied sports. Hiding himself behind a tree there, Shri Nandadasa also saw that enchanting Shri Krishna who captivates all the Gopis".

Vaishnava Samhita. Shri Nandadasa Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 10 Shlokas 7 - 10

तस्य श्रीनन्ददासस्य दृढया भक्तिनिष्ठया |

वशीकृतो जगन्नाथः साक्षाद्दर्शनमागतः ||

दिव्यपीताम्बरधरः सस्यश्यामलविग्रहः |

वंशीधरो वैजयन्तीवनमालाधरो हरिः ||

सन्ततं नन्ददासेन पर्यटन् गिरिगह्वरे |

चकार विविधो लीलां प्रेमानन्दविवर्धानीम् ||

आत्मानुभूतिं तां सर्वां कृष्णेन परमात्मना |

नोवाच कस्मैचिदपि तद्गुह्यं परमं खलु ||

Enchanted by the unwavering devotion of Shri Nandadasa, the Lord of the world (Jagannatha) Shri Hari gave him darshan, adorned with a yellow silk dress, a garland of fragrant sylvan flowers and the flute in His hand. He was in a bluish hue. Thus assuming a really visible form, He used to wander along with Shri Nandadasa at the foot of the Hill. He engaged in many divine sports which could augment the happiness born of devotion for Him. Shri Nandadasa did not reveal this experience that he had in the divine company of Shri Krishna, the Supreme Soul. For, is it not the secret of all secrets?

Vaishnava Samhita. Shri Nandadasa Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 10 Shlokas 5 - 6

आनन्दबाष्पसुस्निग्धो रोमाञ्चपरिभूषितः |

कण्ठावरोधसम्युक्तश्चक्रे श्रीनाथकीर्तनम् ||

रण्यन् मधुरं वीणां चिन्तयन् कृष्णकेलिकाम् |

कीर्तयन् हरिनामानि चचार च महावने ||

He used to sing in praise of Shrinatha in a voice choked with the emotion of prema bhakti, a body highly excited and damp with tears of divine joy. He used to wander all over Shri Brindavan chanting the Divine Names of Shri Hari and playing on the Veena very melodious compositions dealing with the divine pastimes of Shri Krishna.