MALA TILAK - Gokuleshji Invited Chidrup for Bhiksha

In V.S. 1676 on the 10th day of the bright half of the month Aswin, the news came that Chidrup sanyasi had come near Mathura, Gokuleshji himself according to family customs went to invite him for Bhiksha. Having said "Namo Narayan" he gave him an invitation for "Bhiksha" but Chidrup did not condescend to accept it. Mala Tilak - Shri Gokuleshji discusses with emperor Jahangir

Emperor Jahangir Set out to Kashmir, with his retinue came to the village Karnavati, Gokuleshji went to meet the king. Having seen a tilak on his forehead the king said to him, "Have you not obeyed the commands of the state ? Keeping a serene face he gave him to reply" It is our paramount duty to act or behave according to the dictates of ved shashtra. The emperor requested Gokuleshji to discuss this matter with Chidrup and come to the proper conclusion with Shashtrarth Scriptures authority either of the two has find out the solution of this matter.

MALA TILAK - The Queen Manbai & Jahangir

Gokuleshji prepared a book named "Sarasngrah" which has dealt with the usage of emblems Mala-Tilak. All the proofs from the scriptures have been collected in this "Sarsangrah" with all the paraphernatia of books including "Sarsangrah" he came to meet the King. The king went inside the cave where Chidrup was sitting, he told him about the advent of Gokuleshji. He also told him the purpose of his coming. Hearing this, chidrup told the king that matter. He hesitated to argue out this matter according to scriptures. He told the king to compel him to take out mala-Tilak by using his power and pelf. Looking to the dignity of Shri Gokuleshji the Emperor hesitated to make use to his authority. He was worried because his Hindu queen manbai threatened him by saying that she would commit suicide if any wrong had been done to their religious head. The emperor was puzzled by the promises given to that sanyasi. He was on the horns of dilemma. His position because precarious.

Mala Tilak - Shri Girdharji & Shri Gokuleshji discusses with Chidrup

Afterwards, once Gokuleshji came to chidrup's cave with his elder brother Girdharji. Then chidrup said they are Brahmin by caste and house-holder too and further asked him why he is not worshipping "Panchayatan" and why he is not putting Rudrakshmala ? There was no mention of Tulsimala at all in 48 rites and retuals. Gokuleshji refuting his statement gave many proofs and authorities from the scriptures like Skandpuran, Padmapuran, Prahladsanhita, Brahma Vaivartapuram, Garudpuran etc. He gave authoritive proofs about Tulsimala and Urdhva Pundra TIlak. He produced the proof to substantiate his arguments from the Shrutis of Veda also sanyasi argued about Shivpuran but Shri Gokuleshji shut his mouth by giving counter reply. Sanyasi had to stop his arguments and remain silent.

MALA TILAK - Terror of Chidrup

After the emperor's visit to Kashmir the terror of Chidrup increased.. He forcefully got the mala off & Chaitanya sampradaya broken in Mathura and Vrundavan. He prohibited the sale of Tulsi Kanthis at Mathura. He declared open battle against Vaishnava Sampradaya. He ordered the policemen to snatch malas and deface Tilak whereever they were seen. He spread terror among people by his autocratic orders, in the name of Jahangir order.
Now Chidrup's mind turned towards Gokuleshji and Gokul. He left no stone unturned to persuade Gokuleshji. He made use of terror, persuasion, fine and intrigue. He offered many enticements to make him leave the insistence of mala and Tilak. Chidrup sent mogul sardars to Gokul. They requested him to come to Mathura. At last Gokuleshji went to Mathura with the mogul officers. His younger brother Ghanshyamji accompained him. His two bodyguards also went with him. The bodyguards were Vaishnavas. The news spread like wild fire in Gokul. The people had a scent of malign motive behind that. They suspected that a plot to arrest was being hatched by chidrup. At once thousands of Vaishnavas reached Mathura with the weapons. It was summer season yet, Gokuleshji did not quench his thirst. No Vaishnav drank water. Chidrup was informed that Gokuleshji had come hearing this news. He got angry and spoke he had no purpose to meet him.
He ordered the mogul sipahis to snatch away their mala and deface their Tilaks. There was uproar. Chdirup having been persuaded he insisted that only Gokuleshji must come into the cave. Gokuleshji entered the cave and at once thousands of vaishnavas escorted him in the cave. Seeing a huge crowd of vaishnavas, chidrup became non-pleased and ordered Gokuleshji to obey the royal commands. But sanaysi was remained tongue-tied hearing Gokuleshji's reply. Gokuleshji at once came out of the cave afterwards he went to Gokul. Then people celebrated the festival of rejoicing. They hailed the victory of Shri Gokuleshji with great enthusiasm.

MALA TILAK - Shri Gokuleshji Going to Kashmir

Chidrup's malign practices began to increase day by day. He indulged in a fraud of false signature. He got a letter of complain written against Gokuleshji by taking false signatures and sent it to the emperor who had been at Kashmir.

At that time Shri Gokuleshji thought of seeing the emperor at Kashmir. He was 70 years old at that time. There are many disciples with him. Inspite of his old age he ventured to undergo tire some journey of 444 miles from Gokul to Kashmir. Gokuleshji started his journey on the ninth day (Thursday of the dark half of the month of Asadh in 1677.

He entered the city of Kashmir after finishing a strenuous journey of 444 miles on 13th day (Wednesday) of the bright half of the month Bhadrva. He entered Kashmir before sunset.

At the sunset time on Sunday the second day of the dark half of the month of aso of V.S. 1677 Shri Gokuleshji went to see the emperor and to discuss with him about mala (kanthi) and Tilak. He was accompanied by his nephew Madhusudhanji.

MALA TILAK -- Discusses in Kashmir with Emperor Jahangir

When the meeting was arranged then queen Nurjahan was very much impressed by the light and qura on the face of Shri Gokuleshji, She was eagerly listened to discussions taken place between the king and Gokuleshji. She was sitting behind the curtain to hear the talks. King told Gokuleshji to obey sanyasi's order. He further said that it was his order. Gokuleshji with calm and compose fearlessly expressed his inability to obey his order. He explained to the king the principles of "Swa Dharma" propounded in Ved, Upanishad, Bhagvat etc. It was a critical time. Even mighty kings would not dare to utter a single word of disagreement before the king.

Gokuleshji daringly expressed before the king his own determination in his matter. He remained undaunted. The king agreed that the Brahmins would only wear the sacred thread why they should wear Tulsimala. He discussed such religious matters. Gokuleshji categorically gave answers to all his questions. He also told the king that his thousands of followers were ready to sacrifice their lives for the protection of Mala and Tilak. The king allowed Gokuleshji to use Mala-Tilak, but he was not allowed to do so at Gokul. He told him to leave Gokul. Gokuleshji agreed to stay at Kashi leaving Gokul. He wrote to that effect to the Emperor. The king appreciated his gesture that enhanced more respect and honour no more towards him.

Mala Tilak - Victory of Shri Gokuleshji

It was decided during the discussion with emperor that if Gokuleshi were adamant to keep mala-tilak he should live elsewhere leaving Gokul forever.

Just for the protection of auspicious symbol of pushtimarg he agreed to stay at Kashi leaving Gokul. In this way achieving the victory of mala-tilak by arguing with emperor he left that place. Many vaishnavas accompanied him to Kashmir, they were all waiting outside the place to hear about the victory of Shri Gokuleshji. Hearing the news of his victory people began to shout "Three cheers of Shri Gokuleshji's victory". Jay Jay Shri Gokulesh Shesh Na Rahe Klesha

SHRI GOKULESHJI ARRIVED AT SHRIMAD GOKUL

On the 10th day of the dark half of the month aso, 1677 he started on a journey of Gokul. When he arrived in Gokul, his family members and thousands of people welcomed him splendid ovation.

Shri Gokuleshji going to Soramji

The emperor began to think deeply when Shri Gokuleshji returned from Kashmir. He felt that Kashi was far from Gokul. So he thought that it would be proper if he resided at SORAMJI. Soon he told Asatkhan to send messanger to Gokul with that proposal. In V.S. 1678 on the 5th day, the bright half Friday, he started for SORAMJI from Gokul

The first stop of his journey was at Mahavan. On the 16th day of the bright half of the month Magasara (Monday) he came to Soramji and stayed there.

He graced the place by his august presence for three months and 12 days.

STOMACH PAIN TO JAHANGIR

During this time the emperor was coming to Agra from Kashmir on his way he had a sudden stomach trouble. The pain was severe and unbearable. He sent gold coins to Agra to be distributed among the poor and the Brahmins. Chidrup sanyasi took all the gold coins and gave some of them for distribution among Brahmins and the poor. Noorjahan came to know about this, she narrated the whole affair to the emperor. The emperor Jahangir called saints and Hakims for medicine but the emperor disease could not be cured. A saint told him that he had attended a religious preacher. You will recover only if he forgives you.

Gradually chidrup's conspiracy was disclosed before him. He began to wonder that chidrup a sanyasi (Saint) took away the gold coins, which are meant to be distributed among the Brahmins and poor people. Whereas Shri Gokuleshji had shown his readiness to denounce his entire wealth and prosperity of Gokul to abandon his home and even sacrifice his life for the sake of mala of no value. He decided that he was a true religious preacher and a spiritual teacher free from desires like Shri Gokuleshji God will forgive me only if he forgives me. The emperor then sent his messenger to hand over his letter to Shri Gokuleshji to forgive him and to return to Gokul for permanent residence on hearing he went to Agra to see the emperor and to bliss him for his recovery.

In service of Shri Gokulnathji

And he used to come back to Gokul after finishing the service of Uthapan and returning to Gokul he was again doing the service of the divine form of Shri Gokulnathji. Rest of time was passed by him in meditation (Bhagvadchintan). He was also explaining to vaishnavas the salient principles of religion. That was all done by simple language.

Such a powerful protector of religion entered into "Nityalila" on the ninth day of the dark half of the Maha V.S. 1697. He was 89 years of age when his mortal remains entered into "Nitya Lila" (Eternal play). He was the advocate of truth when he merged his physical form with eternal play of Almighty, his most dedicated 78 disciples also could not bear his loss , left their bodies and breathed their last. The whole pushtimarg sect will be indebted to him forever.

In Service of Shri Goverdharan (Shrinathjibawa)

In V.S. 1678 on the 10th day dark half of the month Chaitra Shri Gokuleshji came to Gokul from Soramji and permanently stayed there. After coming to Gokul Shri Gokuleshji used to pass most of his time in the service of divine form of Shri Gokulnathji and till the service of Rajbhog. He used to stay in Gokul and after the he used to go on horse back to Jatipura. During all this time he remained pure and undefile (apras) was performing the "Arati" ceremony of Shri Govardhandharan at the time of Rajbhog.

BAITHAKS OF SHRI GOKULESHJI

There are totally 13 "Baithaks" of Shri Gokuleshji in India.

1. In Shri Gokulnathji mandir at Gokul
2. In Vrandavan
3. On Radhakrishna Kund
4. In Parasoli at Chandrasarovar
5. On Shrikund, Kamvana
6. In Karehala
7. In Jatipura
8. Soramji
9. Godhara
10. Bharuch
11. Kashmir - Still the place of Baithak is not found
12. Adel near Prayag
13. Naroda, near Ahmedabad.

Devotees of Shri Gokuleshji

Among the devotees attached only to Shri Gokuleshji the chief were Kalyan Bhatji, Mohanbhalji, Gokul Bhaiji, Narayanbhaiji, Haridasbhai, Malji Pancholi and Keshavdas Pancholi.

GRANTING 50 YEARS OF PUSTIMARG (Due to Shri Gokuleshji's Grace)

The Goldsmith went to Jatipura and showed "Kulhe" to Shri Gokuleshji seeing it he was very much pleased and told him to as for a boom. At that moment the goldsmith asked for the stable condition of Pushtimarg on this world for fifty years more. Shri Gokuleshji told by the favour (grace) of Shri Goverdhadharan your aspirations would be fulfilled.

This "Kulhe" is existing at Shri Goverdharan Shri Nathji Bava's temple and it is being offered to Shrinathji on the birthday festival of Shri Gokuleshji.
Once Shri Hariraiji got Jadav Kulhe prepared for Shri Goverdhandhara, seeing it Shri Hariraiji was very much pleased. He ordered the goldsmith to show this "Kulhe" to Shri Gokuleshji. He would be highly pleased and would tell the goldsmith to ask for anything he wanted. Then he would not demand and money but he would ask for a promise that he would give the blessings to pushtimarg that it might stay on this earth for 50 years more.