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Once, after Shri Mahaprabhuji had completed His mission here Shri Gosainji asked His mother about Shri Mahaprabhuji’s way as well as the festivals that came within it. Shri Gosainji’s mother advised her son to ask the same question to Damalaji. When Shri Gosainji went to Damodardas’s house, He was greeted with the utmost respect and devotion. Later when Shri Gosainji asked questions, Damalaji answered Shri Gosainji, giving Him true knowledge of Shri Mahaprabhuji’s Path.
Here the question arises that if Shri Gosainji is the incarnation of Shri Krishna then why was it necessary for Damala to explain to Shri Gosainji about Shri Mahaprabhuji’s Path? Shri Mahaprabhuji has mentioned in his writings that it is necessary to keep the company of accomplished Vaishnavas who have true devotion in their hearts. Where there is no devotion, the Bhagwan remains concealed as the inner controller of the heart. In the Path of Grace Bhagwan comes to meet His devotees on an equal level. Only such pure devotees are able to relieve the anguish, which Bhagwan Himself experiences.
Once when Damala and Shri Gosainji were sitting alone, Shri Gosainji asked Damala what he thought about Shri Mahaprabhuji. Damala replied that Shri Mahaprabhuji was even greater than the Bhagwan. Shri Gosainji the questioned, “How do you reason like that?” Damala replied, “The bestower of the gift is even greater than the gift. Take the example of someone who has a lot of money, but even greater than his money is the source from which he received it. In the same fashion, Shri Mahaprabhuji gives the priceless gift of Shri Nathji. For this reason he is greater than the Bhagwan, for He gives us Shri Thakuji His beloved.”
Once while Shri Gosainji was playfully joking with Kumbhandas, Govind Swami and one or two other Vaishnavas, Damala entered into the room and bowed to Shri Gosainji who welcomed him with due respect. Damala then advised Shri Gosainji, “This Path is not to be taken lightly, this is the Path for suffering the pangs of separation”. Shri Gosainji hearing Damala’s balanced advice replied, “What you have said is absolutely correct: when Shri Mahaprabhuji showers His grace, then such an experience can be realized. In this Path, without the grace of Shri Mahaprabhuji nothing is possible.” Damala then said, “I only have to tell you anything once, for You my Bhagwan always know what is proper.” Shri Gosainji then joyfully replied, “If not for you, then how would I be able to hear about the stories of Shri Mahaprabhuji. When I see you I always experience delight, so please always feel free to tell me anything.” Here the question arises that how is it possible for the disciple to give the guru advice, but here we must understand that it was not actually Damala speaking but rather Shri Mahaprabhuji speaking through Damala.
One day after Damala had performed the shradha of his father, he went to have the sight of Shri Gosainji during the afternoon utthapan services. Shri Gosainji seeing Damala immediately asked him for a gift, for on the day of shradha it is customary to give gifts. Because Damala was an accomplished pusti devotee, thirty-two generations in his family became liberated, but through Shri Gosainji’s grace their devotional connection with the Bhagwan became firm. It was only for this reason that Shri Gosainji asked Damala for a gift. Damala replied that he would gift Him the purport of one and a half lines of Shri Mahaprabhuji’s doctrine Sidhantrahashya. When Shri Gosainji asked him to explain further Damala replied that he had made the promise of only one and a half lines. Later Damala explained to Shri Gosainji the outline and inner scope of the Path of Grace as well as Shri Mahaprabhuji’s commentary on Shrimad Bhagavatam and other devotional works. After that meeting Shri Gosainji did not let Damala bow down to Him or let him touch His feet for He reasoned that Shri Mahaprabhuji always resided within his heart. Later, Shri Mahaprabhuji divinely appeared to Damala and told him daily to bow and touch Shri Gosainji’s feet. The following day when Damala tried to touch Shri Gosainji’s feet the Latter prohibited him, but when Damala told Him that Shri Mahaprabhuji had ordered him to do so, Shri Gosainji allowed him the daily privilege of touching His lotus feet.
Even after Shri Mahaprabhuji had left this world, he would give his divine sight to Damala every third day, and would then enlighten Damala about Shri Krishna’s intimate aspects.
If by the third day Shri Mahaprabhuji did not give him His sight, Damala would begin to experience extreme pains of separation. Only when Shri Mahaprabhuji would appear to him would he become relieved. The reason why Shri Mahaprabhuji would give him His sight every third day was that Damala’s body could not bear any longer time of separation from his blessed Guru. After fully relishing Shri Mahaprabhuji’s blissful sight, Damala would go and tell Shri Gosainji all about what Shri Mahaprabhuji had told him. Shri Gosainji, pleased with Damala, would often praise him saying, “ Shri Mahaprabhuji always lives in your heart.”
Shri Gosainji used to always leave half of his throne for Damala to sit on. Shri Mahaprabhuji observing this appeared to Damala and asked him who he thought Shri Gosainji was. Damala replied that he thought that he was His son. Shri Mahaprabhuji then revealed to him that Shri Gosainji was His very own Form. From that day Damala looked upon Shri Mahaprabhuji and Shri Gosainji as one and the same.
What can be said or explained about Damala for within his heart lived the evident prescence Shri Mahaprabhuji. Damala to this day remains the perfect example of how a Vaishnava should be. For this reason Shri Mahaprabhuji said to Damala at Gokul, “This Path has appeared for you.” Damala was indeed the true recipient of Shri Mahaprabhuji’s total grace.
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