Shyamanand Ji was a great Rasik Saint of Vrindavan and the Gurudev of Rasik Murari Ji. He used to sweep in Sevakunj, where Radharani-Krishna roam daily. While sweeping, he used to look very carefully under each creeper to see if there were any footprints. Sometimes, he would get a glimpse of Radharani-Krishna’s footprints and would get immersed in divine emotions. He used to recognize the marks on Radharani-Krishna’s feet by looking at them. One day, seeing him sweeping in Sevakunj, Shri Radharani desired to give him darshan. But unless there is the grace of a Sakhi/Sahchari, Shri Radharani cannot give darshan to anyone. Therefore, even if Shri Radharani wishes, she does not give darshan directly.
Shri Radharani Left Her Anklet For Shyamanand Ji
One day, Shri Radharani intentionally left one of her anklets in Sevakunj. In the morning, Shri Shyamanand Ji used to sweep daily. While sweeping, he saw that a very precious and wonderful anklet was there and was very happy to see it. He thought it must be from some newly married bride and that he would give it to her if she came to look for it. Thinking so, he tied the anklet in his turban and started sweeping again.
Shri Radharani told Shri Lalita Ji to keep the ornaments safe. Then Lalita Ji said, “Dear! One of your anklets is missing.” Shri Radharani intentionally dropped it because Shyamanand Ji had yet to receive the blessings of a Sakhi. Therefore, Shri Radharani said to Lalita Ji, “Go and see! It may have fallen under any creeper in Sevakunj.”
Lalita Ji Went To Meet Shyamanand Ji
Lalita Ji started searching and saw that Shri Shyamanand Ji was sweeping and chanting “Radharani-Radharani”. She thought it would not be good if she went in her original form and asked for anklets from him. So she went in ordinary attire and started saying, “Baba, did you find any anklets here while sweeping? If you have found any, give them to me.” Lalita Ji had gone in ordinary attire, seeing her Shyamanand Ji said, “That anklet cannot be yours.” Lalita Ji said, “It is not mine. It belongs to my daughter-in-law, bring it and give it to me.” Baba said, “No! I cannot give you anklets like this. If this anklet belongs to your daughter-in-law, show me the other one. If it is the same, I will give it right away; if not, then I will not give it.”
Baba felt happy inside because there was something special in this anklet. After all, it was being searched for. He was getting immense joy from talking to Lalita Ji. He understood that she was not an ordinary person. She was someone divine hiding in disguise. Lalita ji said, “No Baba! You give it to me.” Baba started refusing, “No, no! If I give it to you, and after some time, the person whose anklet has fallen comes and says that it was her anklet, where will I search for you? I will give this anklet to you only when I see the anklet of the other foot.” Lalita Ji insisted, but Baba did not give her the anklet.
Shyamanand Ji Ties Shri Radharani’s Anklets
When Lalita ji went and talked to Shri Radharani, she said, “Sakhi! Now I will have to go because Baba is very stubborn. And see, he does the beautiful service of my Kunj every day. Come, let us make him happy.” When Shri Ji becomes anxious about giving darshan to a devotee, she arranges it herself.
sahaj subhav parayau naval kishori ju kau,
mrduta, dayaluta, krpaluta ki rashi hain.
– Shri Dhruvdas Ji, Shringaar Shat, Bayalees Leela
Shri Radharani and Lalita Ji came to Shyamananda Ji. Lalita Ji told Baba, “Look at her feet; it is the same anklet, isn’t it? You have a similar anklet, right?” Baba looked at the anklet and said, “Yes! It is the same.” Saying this and seeing Shri Radharani’s compassion, he fell prostrate at her feet. Baba gestured, “Shall I tie it?” Shri Radharani nodded in affirmative. Baba tied anklets on Shri Radharani’s feet, and She placed her hand on Shyamananda Ji’s forehead. She started caressing Shyamananda Ji, saying she is my friend who sweeps my Arbour. Shri Radharani was very happy. While tinkling the anklets that Baba had tied, Shri Radharani placed them on Baba’s forehead, and the divine imprint of the anklets was left on Shyamananda Ji’s forehead. Now, he was immersed in love and devotion.
Shyamanand Ji’s Guru Wanted To Erase The Imprint Left By Shri Radharani
After some time, when Baba came to his Guru Shri Hridayananda Ji, he saw the imprint on Shyamananda Ji’s forehead and said, “How did you put an imprint against the sect? You did not put what we gave you.” He said, “Gurudev! This is not a willful impression. Shri Radharani has made this impression.” Hridayananda ji thought he was making an excuse and scolded him, saying, “Wash it quickly.” Shyamananda Ji obeyed, washed it a lot, and cleaned the impression by rubbing it, but how could the impression made by Shri Radharani be removed?
Hridayanand Ji understood that he had not washed it properly and said, “Come here!” And he rubbed it so much that blood started oozing out of Shyamanand Ji’s forehead. But the imprint did not go away. Then he got scared and said, “Tell me the truth! Is this the imprint put by Shri Radharani?” Shyamanand Ji replied in the affirmative. Hridayanand ji said, “Your life is blessed. Now, I am sure that Shri Radharani has accepted you.” But then Hridayanand Ji said, “Even then, we will believe that you put the imprint in place of our Tilak, so this is an offence. Therefore, we will decide on the punishment for this in the Vaishnav society.” Shyamanand Ji thought in his heart, “Gurudev! Shri Radharani has made me her companion only because of your grace. She has included me in his entourage by giving me the imprint of his anklet.”
Hridayanand Ji got punishment from Vaishnavas.
A meeting of the Vaishnava society was called to decide the punishment for Shyamanand Ji. Then Shri Krishna’s friend Subala appeared and said amid the entire Vaishnava group, “I testify that he did not put the mark on his own. Shri Radharani herself appeared and put the mark.” After saying this, Subal disappeared into a nearby Tamal tree. Immediately, a divine voice was heard: “Hridayanand Ji, now believe that your disciple has reached a place you cannot even reach. He has joined Shri Ji’s personal entourage.” Now Hridayanand Ji got scared and agreed to everything. But now his heart started burning that he had made a mistake towards his disciple.
The Vaishnavas said, “Look, Hridayanand Ji! You had gathered all of us to punish Shyamanand Ji. But today, we are punishing you because you did wrong. You rubbed your disciple’s forehead so much that blood started flowing from his forehead. He kept saying that Shri Radharani had put the mark, but you still did not believe it. Finally, Subala had to appear from the Tamal tree and testify. And now, the divine voice has also said it. We will not forgive you. To atone for this, you should arrange a feast for the saints for 12 days and organise continuous kirtan and discussions about the lord’s pastimes. This is your punishment.
From that day, celebrating Dand Utsav (festival of atonement) started at Hridayananda Ji’s place. Shyamananda Ji immediately stood before the Vaishnavas and, with folded hands, said, “I accept the punishment given to Gurudev. From today, I will perform Dand Utsav. This is my great fortune, and perhaps Gurudev wanted this to happen, so he did this pastime.” From this, we can see that the disciple still had no resentment towards his Guru. The Vaishnavas present there said, “Blessed are you, Shyamananda Ji. Blessed is your devotion to your Guru.” Saying this, the saints accepted Shyamananda Ji’s request. Shyamanand Ji celebrated the festival with great enthusiasm for 12 days. Although that punishment was for one time, it started being celebrated every year.
Guidance By: Pujya Shri Hit Premanand Govind Sharan Ji Maharaj
