Tripurdas was born in Shergarh in the Braj region of Uttar Pradesh, India. His father was a royal minister, and from a young age, Tripurdas had a deep inclination towards devotion. Once, he accompanied his father to Giriraj Govardhan on a trip from Agra. There, he saw Thakur Shrinathji and was captivated by His divine beauty. Tripurdas resolved not to return and decided to stay, longing for daily darshan and to remain close to the Lord.
His father, noticing this determination, entrusted him to a local acquaintance, requesting they take care of the boy for a few days. Leaving his son behind, his father set off for home but was attacked by enemy soldiers along the way and lost his life.
Devotees often face challenges early on. When Tripurdas learned of his father’s death, he looked to Shrinathji and said, “You are now my father, my friend, and my everything.” He felt a deep joy, realizing that though his earthly father had departed, he had found his true, eternal father. His trust was now entirely in Shrinathji, bringing him peace. Every day, he would sit before the Lord, overcome with tears.
Tripurdas Got Initiation Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya
One day, Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya, who revealed Shrinathji to the world, came to serve the Lord and noticed the boy crying in Shrinathji’s presence. Upon inquiry, he was told that this boy was the son of a royal minister whose father was killed on a journey, and he was now deeply devoted to Shrinathji. Tripurdas Ji bowed to Vallabhacharya Ji and said, “I am an orphaned child, and Shrinathji is my only protector. Please accept me.”
Vallabhacharya Ji was pleased and initiated Tripurdas Ji, keeping him close and instructing him in a life of devotion, service, and contemplation. After a few days, he instructed Tripurdas to continue his life devoted to Shrinathji and sent him back to his father’s town.
Tripurdas’s Vow of Service to Saints
As Tripurdas grew older, the king appointed him the new royal minister. Knowing wealth’s true purpose, he dedicated it to serving saints and the Lord. He spent his resources helping cows, serving saints and holy people, worshipping the deity, and assisting the needy. He believed the money spent on such selfless service would be deposited in the Lord’s “bank,” where it would be returned manifold. Tripurdas vowed to send a special, jewel-studded garment for Shrinathji each winter.
His house became a place of daily saintly service—sages would come daily to receive offerings, and the Lord joyfully accepted his gifted garments. Vitthalnath Ji, Vallabhacharya Ji’s son, noticed Shrinathji’s unique joy in wearing the garments from Tripurdas and appreciated how lovingly the Lord accepted the devotion behind these offerings.
Challenges Amidst Generosity
Those envious of Tripurdas Ji complained to the king, accusing him of abusing his position as a royal minister to misuse state funds. They alleged that Tripurdas Ji was using royal wealth to host and serve food to sages and saints and even stealing from the royal treasury. Influenced by these accusations, the king ordered that all of Tripurdas Ji’s assets be confiscated. As a result, there wasn’t a single utensil left in his home for food, nor a grain to eat. He began to live in extreme poverty and hardship.
Tripurdas Ji’s Resolve for Service Amid Hardship
As winter approached, Shri Tripurdas Ji made a vow, as he did every year, to send a garment for Shrinathji. He knew that he would never falter in serving Thakur Ji as long as he was alive. However, he now had nothing left. Seeing his inability to serve, he felt deep pain, realizing he could endure hardship, but life seemed meaningless without service to Thakur Ji. In great sorrow, he prayed earnestly, “Oh Lord! I can bear any suffering but cannot live without serving You.”
At that moment, his eyes fell on an inkpot on a shelf. The inkpot was made of brass, and Tripurdas Ji thought it might sell for a few coins. He took the inkpot and went to the market, thinking that if it sold, he would get a small amount of money and be able to fulfill his promise of sending a garment for Shrinathji. Tripurdas Ji received one rupee for the inkpot, which he took to a cloth shop. There, he purchased a simple piece of cloth.
He dyed that white cloth red, but his tears did not stop while dyeing it. He told the Lord, “O Lord, this is such a simple and coarse cloth that it is not even worthy of your servants. How can I offer it at your feet?” He dyed that cloth and kept it with him. He did not have the courage to offer that cloth to Shrinathji.
Height Of Devotion Of Tripurdas Ji
One day, Tripurdas Ji saw a servant of Shrinath Ji. He greeted the servant and brought him to his house. There was no proper arrangement of food and drink in his house, yet Tripurdas Ji took out that red coloured cloth with great hesitation and folded his hands and said, “It was my vow that I would send a dress to Shrinath Ji every year, but the law of fate is such that it could not be possible.” He handed over that cloth to the servant and said, “Please give it to the store keeper, but do not tell anything to Gosain Ji (Vitthalnath Ji) about this cloth or my present condition. The store keeper can use it as he deems fit.”
The servant took that cloth and gave it to the store keeper and told him about Tripurdas Ji’s poor condition and asked him not to insult this service. The store keeper used that cloth respectfully and kept it in the cupboard to wrap the lord’s other clothes.
Shrinathji Started Shivering
It was winter time, one day Shrinathji suddenly started shivering. When Shri Vitthalnath ji (Gusain ji) went to served the lord, Thakur ji told him, “I am feeling very cold.” Vitthalnath ji immediately made Thakur ji wear expensive warm clothes, but Thakur ji still said, “I am feeling very cold, I am feeling very cold.” On this Shri Vitthalnath ji immediately lit a heater and placed it near Thakur ji, but Thakur ji still shivered and said, “I am feeling very cold.” Gusain ji understood that this was not ordinary cold. This was a sign of pain in the heart of a devotee. Gusain ji said very embarrassedly, “Lord, what should I do now? I made you wear warm clothes and also placed a Heater near you, still you are saying that you are feeling cold.”
Shrinathji’s Grace On Tripurdas ji
Vitthalnath ji thought that the clothes sent by a devotee might be being insulted. He called the servants and said, “Bring the account book immediately and see whose clothes have come this year and whose have not.” The servants told all the names from the account book, but Tripurdas ji’s name was not there.
Vitthalnath Ji asked, “Why did you not mention Tripurdas Ji’s name? He used to send clothes for Thakur Ji every year. Did he not send anything this year?” The servants replied, “All his wealth was destroyed by the king and everything he had was taken away.” Vitthalnath Ji asked again, “Did he send anything this year?” The servants replied, “He has sent only a simple red cloth, which was not suitable for Thakur Ji’s dress. So we used it to wrap the clothes and kept it in the cupboard.”
Vitthalnath Ji immediately understood that this was the reason for Thakur Ji’s cold. He immediately called the tailor and made a beautiful dress for Thakur Ji from that simple cloth. As soon as Thakur Ji wore that dress, he smiled and said, “Yes, now my cold is gone.”
Conclusion
Our lord is pleased only with love and devotion. Whatever the situation, do not break your vows, do not miss your worship. Whatever vows you take on the spiritual path, follow them. By doing this we will definitely find God. Never forget God in happiness and do not give up devotion out of fear in sadness. You will get a lot of happiness in the future.
Guidance by: Pujya Shri Hit Premanand Govind Sharan Ji Maharaj
