- By Ankush Vaishnava
2024.12.05 (Vrindavan Today News): Shri Vitthal Vipul Dev Ji Maharaj, the first and most devoted disciple of Swami Shri Haridas Ji, was born on the 5th day of the waxing phase of the Hindu month Agahan in 1532 Vikram Samvat in Rajpur, Vrindavan. He shared a familial bond with Swami Shri Haridas Ji as his maternal cousin and was five years older than him. Renouncing worldly life at the age of 30, Shri Vitthal Vipul Dev Ji spent 70 years in Vrindavan, immersed in the divine love and service of his guru. His life was a testament to unwavering devotion and surrender.
Swami Haridas Ji, revered as a spiritual luminary, was the axis of Shri Vitthal Vipul Dev Ji’s existence. Renowned for his profound renunciation and his poetic expressions of divine love, Shri Vitthal Vipul Dev Ji earned the epithet Ras Sagar (Ocean of Bliss). His every moment was dedicated to gazing upon Swami Ji, listening to his melodious hymns celebrating the playful divine pastimes of the Divine Couple and serving him with unmatched dedication.
The Revelation of Thakur Shri Kunj Bihari (Banke Bihari ji)
One day, Shri Vitthal Vipul Dev Ji observed an unusual practice of Swami Haridas Ji. The saint would sit silently in a secluded spot in Nidhivan, gazing at a cluster of vines, often smiling, sometimes becoming enraptured, and finally bowing before leaving. Curious and bewildered, Shri Vitthal Vipul Dev Ji approached his guru and asked, “Swami Ji, I only see vines here. What is it that captivates you so deeply?”
Swami Ji, moved by his disciple’s sincerity, bestowed divine vision upon him. As Shri Vitthal Vipul Dev Ji looked towards the vines, he beheld a celestial palace where the divine couple, Radha and Krishna, resided in unparalleled splendor. Swami Ji, immersed in divine bliss, was singing hymns before them. Entranced by the vision, Shri Vitthal Vipul Dev Ji was instructed by Swami Ji to enter the celestial palace and bring a sacred vessel (jhāri) of water.
Entering the divine abode, Shri Vitthal Vipul Dev Ji experienced the supreme joy of witnessing Shri Radha Krishna’s eternal pastimes. When he returned with the vessel, tears streamed down his eyes. Overwhelmed, he expressed his concern, “Swami Ji, I have been blessed to see this divine vision through your grace, but how will the common people ever witness such divinity?”
Moved by his disciple’s compassion, Swami Ji prayed to Radha Krishna to manifest in a tangible form for the welfare of the world. In response, the divine couple assumed the enchanting form of Shri Banke Bihari Ji, the beloved deity of Vrindavan. Witnessing this divine manifestation, Shri Vitthal Vipul Dev Ji was overwhelmed with gratitude and devotion, cradling the sacred deity of Shri Banke Bihari Ji in his arms. Swami Haridas Ji composed a hymn to commemorate this moment:
“माई री, सहज जोरी प्रगट भई, जु रंग की गौर-स्याम घन-दामिनि जैसैं।
Shri Vitthal Vipul Dev Ji’s Final Devotion
Shri Vitthal Vipul Dev Ji remained in the service of Swami Haridas Ji until the latter’s divine departure from the mortal realm. Unable to bear the separation from his guru, he tied multiple layers of cloth over his eyes, vowing never to see anything again. He abstained from food and water, dedicating himself to Swami Ji’s remembrance, chanting, “Shri Haridas, Shri Haridas” with tears streaming from his eyes.
The rasik saints of Vrindavan, concerned for Shri Vitthal Vipul Dev Ji’s life, orchestrated a divine Raas Leela. The performers, embodying Shri Radha Krishna, were instructed to unveil his blindfold during the performance and offer him their prasadi (sanctified offering). At the request of the saints, Shri Vitthal Vipul Dev Ji attended the Raas Leela, and upon seeing the divine forms of Shri Radha Krishna, his eyes opened, but his heart yearned for Swami Ji.
As he expressed his longing to reunite with his guru, Shri Vitthal Vipul Dev Ji entered the eternal abode, attaining his divine consort form as a companion of Radha Krishna. Even in the presence of the divine couple, his devotion to his guru remained unparalleled, leaving an indelible legacy of supreme guru-bhakti.
Legacy
Shri Vitthal Vipul Dev Ji’s unflinching devotion reminds us of the highest spiritual ideal—unconditional surrender to one’s guru. His efforts and prayers paved the way for the world to worship Shri Banke Bihari Ji, whose divine presence continues to grace Vrindavan.
Poetic Tribute
“हमारें माई स्यामा जू कौ राज।
जाके अधीन सदाई साँवरौ या ब्रज कौ सिरताज।।
यह जोरी अविचल वृन्दावन नाहिं आन सों काज।
श्री विट्ठल विपुल बिहारिनि के बल दिन जलधर ज्यौ गाज।।”
“लालनु तेरेई आधीन।
सुनि री सखी हो साँचि कहति हौं तू जल है ये मीन।।
तेरे रस-बस स्यामसुंदर वर जाचत हैं जयौं दीन।
श्री बीठल बिपुल बिनोद बिहारी होत मनावत लीन।।”
“सुनहु रसिक श्रीवृन्दावन को जस।
कुञ्ज केलि मानिनी मनोहर
परबस भये नाँहिने अपने बस॥
इहि बन नित्य नवीन युगल वर
द्रुम दल दिव्य श्रवण सलिता लस।
श्री विट्ठल विपुल विनोद बिहारी कौ
पानि कियौ चाहत रसना रस॥”
Shri Vitthal Vipul Dev Ji’s life continues to inspire millions, illuminating the path of devotion, surrender, and divine love.
