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Shri Mahaprabhuji after enlightening Damodardas to the meaning of his copper plate later initiated him. Afterwards, Damodardas invited Shri Mahaprabhuji to his home. There his wife as well as one divinely oriented maid both took Brahma Sambandh from Shri Mahaprabhuji, when Damodardas asked what his duty was, Shri Mahaprabhuji told him to make Shri Krishna’s Seva and to fine an appropriate Swarupa. Damodardas then bought one four armed Swarupa of Shri Drawkanathji from a local trader and after buying new pots for Bhagwat seva Shri Mahaprabhuji came and performed the traditional Panchamrita bath.
After establishing Shri Dwarkanathji in their temple, Shri Mahaprabhuji offered the Bhog. Later when Damodardas was about to offer Shri Dwarkanathji an unripe betel leaf, Shri Mahaprabhuji sternly said, “Don’t offer that to Shri Thakurji, offer only things of the highest quality.” From that day onwards, Damodardas and his wife only offered things of exceptional quality and would not even use old cloths in any part of the Bhagwat Seva.
Following Shri Mahaprabhuji’s teachings, they used all of their money in Bhagwat Seva and would not themselves use any unoffered items. When they offered mango juice, they would use a golden bowl, for then no one could distinguish that something was in the bowl, for their colors matched. In this and in many other ways they lovingly performed Shri Dwarkanathji’s Seva.
Damodardas used to bring well water for his Seva. When his in-laws noticed this, they exclaimed, “We feel ashamed to see you bring water, for it is not the custom of our caste to carry your own water. Please have your servant do it.” At that moment Damodardas remembered one poem by the famous poet Surdas, “Says the poet Sur, to make worship in the Kali age you must free yourself from the worldly code.” Then he sang another poem, “Do not be concerned with worldly regulations; remain firm to your oath.”
Because his love for Seva excelled everything else he continued on the following day with his wife to bring water. His in-laws observing this later fell at Damodardas’ feet and requested him not to make his wife carry the water. They pleaded, “In the future you please bring the water, we will pose no objections.” From that day Damodardas’ wife refrained from bringing the water. Because her devotion was not firm she feared to break her father’s command. This attitude of hers ultimately obstructed her Seva.
Because Damodardas’s devotion was pure, he began to have Shri Krishna evident realization. He pleased Shri Dwarkadis so much with his seva that Shri Krishna would ask of him whatever he desired. Shri Mahaprabhuji observing this once commented, “As King Ambarisha performed the Bhagwat seva so does damodardas, but King Ambarisha’s devotion was controlled by law while Damodardas is governed by grace, thus making his superior.”
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