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One night while Shri Gokulnathji was recounting the stories of the eighty-four Vaishnavas, he became so lost in bliss that he forgot to continue the story. One Vaishnavas then prayed, “It is past midnight, when are you going to continue with the varta? Shri Gokulnathji then said, “Now I will tell the fruit of all the vartas, the story of Damodardas Harsani, who was lovingly called Damala by Shri Mahaprabhuji. For Vaishanvas there is nothing higher than him.” Shri Gokulnath then began to relate Damala’s varta.
Damodardas father was a wealthy man, but childless. He used his money in supporting pious affairs, and even constructed a rest house for pilgrims. Once, Damodardas father went out to see one devotee. Later he invited that devotee to his house and for many days Damodardas father served him with much care and devotion. One day, that devotee becoming pleased with his seva (services), gave Damodardas father the boon of his choice. Damodardas father humbly replied that he did not have any sons, and that it was his sincere wish to have at least one. That great devotee immediately replied-“You will have not one son, but three. The first two will be quite normal while the third one will be in nature, form and quality like Bhagwan Hari himself.” Later that devotee left in order to continue his pilgrimage.
After some days Damodardas father’s wife became the mother of two quite ordinary sons. Her third son Damodardas was born at sunrise on Magh Sudi 4 of Sam. 1530, A.D. 1473. At that time the entire area became filled with light, and many auspicious marks appeared on the infant such as a red tilaka on his forehead, and long arms. Everyone seeing the divine child became most amazed. Later an astrologer was called. After he had studied how the stars were situated at the time of Damodardas birth, the astrologer remarked that his constellations were so high that they were beyond the scope of any description and added that countless souls would achieve final beatitude through Damodardas grace.
Damodardas form was beautiful. Because of his divine aura, whenever gold was put beside him it seemed dull. Damodardas as an infant always had his vision fixed on the end of his nose, for he was always lost in the divine remembrance of his beloved Shri Mahaprabhuji. Even when people would take him in their lap he would never look at them for Shri Mahaprabhuji lived within his eyes.
For this reason Damodardas never bothered to look elsewhere for he was always absorbed in the transcendental experience of Shri Mahaprabhuji, and saw Him within his heart as well as wherever he looked. Because he was so lost in His sublime remembrance, Damodardas was never conscious of eating, sleeping, wearing his clothes or anything else except Shri Mahaprabhuji. Observing this, his father became very upset for he wondered how his other two sons appeared normal and clever in worldly affairs while his youngest son Damodardas pass his days sitting on the balcony, looking down at the main road as if dazed, his father became worried how his son would be able to carry on with his life in such a bewildered state.
The reason why Damodardas would aimlessly sit looking at the main street below was that Shri Mahaprabhuji had told him that he would one day give him his sight at that very spot. He further advised Damodardas not to worry, so in accordance with Shri Mahaprabhuji’s divine order, Damodardas, remaining aloof passed his time in waiting for that divine moment when Shri Mahaprabhuji would appear before his ever thirsty eyes on the main street below.
After some days Damodardas father passed away. His two other brothers realized that the money, which their father had left them, would be a source of trouble if they did not divide it. They pleaded daily with their younger brother Damodardas to take his fair share. Damodardas, being too absorbed in other sublime matters, never paid any heed to his brother’s wishes. Later, Damodardas uncle who was also a Vaishnava, tried to convince Damodardas to take his share of the money, but Damodardas did not give him any reply. His uncle then told Damodardas brothers that he would take Damodardas’s share and keeps it in his custody and would return it to Damodardas when he happened to need it. Damodardas unaware of this continues to sit on that balcony anxiously waiting the auspicious moment when Shri Mahaprabhuji would arrive.
Because Damodardas was suffering the pangs of Shri Mahaprabhuji’s separation, his body became a mere skeleton. His concerned mother, unaware of the reason for her son’s ill health, thought it to be some sort of physical disease and called for all of the local doctors in hopes of discovering a cure. By divine will, that great devotee who had given the boon to Damodardas’ father many years earlier happened to visit Damodardas house. Upon seeing Damodardas he realized Damodardas’ true form and then explained to Damodardas uncle that Damodardas disease was not of a worldly nature, rather it had its roots in the depths of divine love and it was that love which was taking his very life.
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