An old Brahmin wanted to go on a pilgrimage. He had his own children, but they did not obey his orders. He wondered how he could undertake the pilgrimage alone, being so old. There was a young man who was a poor Brahmin’s son. The old Brahmin told him that you are wandering here and there for a job, and if you went on a pilgrimage with me, I would arrange for your food and give you money. The Brahmin said you would also see the pilgrimage places. The young Brahmin accepted the offer and took him wherever he wanted. When they came to Braj Dham (Mathura and Vrindavan area of Uttar Pradesh, India), the old Brahmnin got very feverish. That Brahmin served the old Brahmin a lot.
The Old Brahmin’s Promise
The old Brahmin was very moved by his service. He was rich. When the old Brahmin went to see Gopal Ji in Vrindavan, he said, Son, you have served me a lot; what can I give you? The old Brahmin said I have a daughter; she is very beautiful. I will marry my daughter to you and also gift you a lot of wealth. The young Brahmin said to the old Brahmin, you are speaking here, but you have young sons at home; they will beat me. That old Brahmin said I promise in front of Gopal Ji that I will marry my daughter to you and also give you wealth.
When he reached home after completing the pilgrimage, the old Brahmin did not have the courage to speak in front of his sons. That young Brahmin waited for a month, but no information was received. He went to the old Brahmin’s house and said, you had promised to marry your daughter to me. His boys slapped him a couple of times, asking what status he had to even think of marrying their sister. He told them that it was a promise made by their father. The old Brahmin completely changed after seeing the boys’ anger. He said that he does not remember anything. That young Brahmin said, Hey! You said this in front of Gopal Ji. They beat him and drove him away from there.
The young Brahmin felt very bad and vowed that he would definitely get married to the same girl. He called the Panchayat and said the old Brahmin promised his marriage before Gopal ji. The Panchayat said the matter would be resolved only if someone other than the two testified. He said there were only me, this old Brahmin and Gopal ji. The Panchayat said that if Gopal ji testifies, you can marry. The old Brahmin also agreed because he thought that Gopal ji would not come to testify. He thought an idol made of stone could not walk anyway. However, that young Brahmin did not consider Gopal ji an idol.
The Devotee Insisted Gopal Ji To Testify
He came to Vrindavan. Gopal ji was already asleep for that day. He was very upset; the temple door was closed; he knocked and said, “Listen, Gopal ji, I have come to ask you whether that old Brahmin had talked about marriage in front of you.” He called a few times, but no answer came. Then he said very loudly, “Look, I will not let you sleep peacefully, I have come on foot, I am also hungry, it is a matter of my marriage, not a small matter, you will have to speak”.
Gopal Ji spoke from inside, saying, are you mad? Does a stone idol walk? He said that when the idol spoke, why wouldn’t it walk? Gopal Ji got trapped. Gopal Ji came out. He saw a very handsome young boy, Gopal ji, walking. Gopal Ji said, look, due to your love, I am ready to go with you, but you will have to make arrangements for my food because I am Thakur of Vrindavan; I eat a lot of opulent food; I eat only Rabdi, Gulab Jamun, etc.
He said it was a marriage affair and would make arrangements for the lord. He asked Gopal Ji how he would go to Orissa. Gopal Ji said he would walk. Gopal Ji said you walk ahead, and I will walk behind you. Keep offering me food every now and then. You will keep hearing the sound of my anklets. If you turn back to look at me, I will stand there and will not move ahead from there.
Gopal Ji Followed The Devotee
Gopal Ji started walking behind the devotee. He kept offering food to Gopal Ji throughout the journey. When he reached near his village, he thought, was it just the anklets chiming or was Gopal Ji walking behind him? When he looked back, Gopal Ji was standing there. Gopal Ji said I will not go further; you call everyone and bring them here.
He ran to the village and announced that Gopal Ji of Vrindavan had come to testify. The crowd gathered to see Gopal Ji, and the panchayat also came. Seeing Gopal Ji standing before them, the old Brahmin and his sons did not dare say anything. Gopal Ji testified before everyone to protect the devotee’s word, and the young man got married.
Conclusion
It is a matter of our faith that if we accept Thakur Ji as an idol, he will remain an idol. And if we accept that we may not be able to understand, but he is our Thakur, then one day he will make you understand that he is God Himself. Never consider God as a photo or idol, He is the real God, if you have such a feeling, then you will start experiencing that Thakur ji is actually sitting in front of you.
Narrated by – Pujya Shri Hit Premanand Ji Maharaj
