MALA TILAK

In V.S. 1671 Mogul emperor Jahangir left Agra and reached Dahod-Zalod in the Panchmahal District. There was a forest , near that place there were elephants. He wished to hunt elephants. So he engaged several chief Rajput princes with him. When the emperor Jahangir with his retinue. Came to Ujjain. The Rajput sing the praises of chidrup. They were lionized by his powers and breathed a wish to see him personally. He went inside the cave where Chidrap was living.

The emperor bowed to him, Then emperor expressed his desire to see his supernatural achievements. Chidrup used his devilish supernatural achievements. Chidrup used his devilish supernatural-powers and the cave became effulgent with light. The emperor was pleased to see this phenomena and spoke he would be ready to give anything that Babaji would ask for. Then Childrup replied that he was selfless and had no desire for anything. He simply asked for his help in one religious work, and added that his emperor and his subject would get some benefit if the emperor would be helpful by his good office. He ventilated his grievance by saying that many people put on mala and make Tilak on their forehead, which were against religious scriptures. He told the emperor that it was against the tenets of the religious of Brahmin and so it should be stopped.

When people behave against religion and commit sins the government has to suffer it's adverse effects. Hence we request you to stop injustice. Due to unjust and sinful behaviors of the people the king and his subjects will have to suffer miseries there will be lack of rain and famine. So it should be stopped.

Once Machiya Vyas and Gopal Pandya were going to Ujjain from Virnagar. They had passed near chidrup's cave but did not bow their heads. At that time chidrup saw them. He asked them who they are ? , then those vaishnavas gave him their introductions Chidrup rebuked them saying why they were putting on mala of Tulsi even though they were Brahmin. He remarked that the Brahmin should wear Rudrakshamala. He threatened them for taking off that mala. Then those Vaishnavas refused to take out their malas. They were ready to sacrifice their lives for that mala. Chidrup got angry and threatened them and forced them to do so, and he also challenged in excitement that if he would fail in his efforts he would cease to be known as "Chidrup" by name.

Gokuleshji came to know about that threatening declaration. He non-violently gave reply to that threat and he girded his loius to find out the way from that calamity befallen on the auspicious emblem of many vaishnavas.

According to Sanyasi's demand it was declared by beat of drum that no one should put on Tulsimala and do Tilak on their foreheads. The people were also threatened that if they would act against that declaration they would be severely fined and punished.

Gokuleshji came to know about that threatening declaration by vaishnavas. He non-violently reply to that threat and girded his loius to find out the way from that calamity befallen on the auspicious emblems of many vaishnavas. He put new courage into the heart of the vaishnavas. Besides being a man of action was something of an original religious teacher.

On the other hand chidrup spread no pains to harass the vaishnavas. He resorted to attrocite. Once Devabhai Sarania was the staunch follower of Vitthalnathji he used to pass by chidrup's cave many times. He never bowed his head to chidrup. Once chidrup saw him passing without paying his respect so he called Devabhai and told him to give his introduction when Devabhai introducted himself, he was ordered to take out kanthi (Mala). Hearing his order Devabhai boldly replied that Mala is the symbol of our religion and they were ready to sacrifice their heads for its protection. He further told hime with a tone of firmness that he would prefer to die for that mala. Hearing such a reply of Devabhai, Chidrup got excited with anger. He called Hakim Mahmad Taki of that village and ordered him to take out his mala by using physical force. Hakim ordered the elephant keeper to crush Devabhai under elephant's feet. Excited and agitated elephant was brought before him but the elephant ran away from that spot seeing Devabahi standing fearlessly before him. The elephant keeper tried his utmost to persuade the animal to trample him under his feet, but the elephant refrained from doing that heinous act of violence. Who would be able to kill the person whose-protector was God himself.