Chapter 21: In Harmony with Sakhaji's Gushing Rasas;Connected by a Terrifying Rush of Love to Lord Krishna (Bobo ji's Birth Anniversary:30th July,2026)

When we are steeped in the sweet love and romantic dalliance of dark-hued Krishna, the colour of the condensed sky and fair-complexioned Radha, there in nothing else worth serving or describing.

With Lord Krishna's stimuli, Sakhaji's contribution towards sensitively sighting, expressing and relishing the nitya lila of Radha-Krishna became more evocative within the context of religious aspiration.

The Playful Dalliance of Shri Radha-Krishna

The siddha's gushing bhavas turned more demonstrative and ecstatic and enriched the earlier conventional and austere Shastras. Living through countless legends of the playful dalliance of Radha and Krishna, recitation of sacred texts and singing songs of a devotional nature became an intrinsic part of Bahen ji's life.

Dr Rajendra Prasad

Bobo was heading towards spiritual evolution as well as conscientiously fulfilling her duties in other spheres of life. A feeling of patriotism was apparent and she longed for poetry. India had already become independent with Dr.Rajendra Prasad as its first President.The government had held six kavi sammelans to celebrate independence day.

Shri Maithali Sharan Gupt

One fine day, an invitation from the President's Office asking for her to take part in the seventh sammelan came by post. Usha ji's father who wrote by the name of 'Hatil Kairanvi' in Urdu was also called.The function was in 1955 and Shri Maithili Sharan Gupt, Uday Shankar Bhatt and many reputed poets of Urdu and other languages were invited to speak on this occasion. Bahen ji went there along with her father and eloquently read a poem she had written earlier.I have heard that an insistence to broadcast the composition on radio was made. But self-effacing Bahen ji sternly refused to allow even  a mention of her name.

At this end the ardent longing to head for Vrindavan was at its zenith. Gradually it had to be controlled due to her dutiful nature. There was only one respite if someone from Vrindavan talked about the land which so inhabits our hearts, it acted like a balm on her inflamed heart.

 She would often say," Shri Kalavati Bhabhi, Sugni Bhua and several matas have given me personal joy by talking about Vrindavan."

Detachment to worldly objects escalated and at times a desire to cast off all bonds and flee was overwhelming. She wanted to be free from the school and intermittently talked of resigning. People discussed this matter and were apprehensive. Until the inevitable did not crop up, its very thought grieved them.

Shri Usha Bahenji Longed for Krishna, The energy of her Life

Asking the gathered clouds about the Supreme Lover's whereabouts, Bahen ji could sense the in-dwelling Krishna in every particle of nature and mystically visualized Him as the world around her.She was not enamoured by the universe, a symbol displaying the dark god's presence and power but longed for Krishna, the energy of her life.

Shri Ram

Amazingly, once Shri Krishna had assumed the form of Shri Ram and approached her. She bowed before His power but rejected His advance.

"This body and mind is crazed for the closeness of the handsome Shyam.Instantly Ramji transformed into Krishna and embraced her," her firm resolve was nurtured by His terrifying rush of love and she sang:

Jab jab maine tumhe pukara

Tab tab tumne mridul bhav se madhur chav se mujhe dulara

Tumne sneh sikt chitvan se hans kar meri aur nihara.

Her instinctive verses showcased her ardent longing and tinkling heart strings. Bahen ji's superb rendition proved genuine when tested on the touchstone of 'Satya,Shiv and Sundaram.' If she has ever complained it is to her Supreme Lover about her abject state;repeatedly entreating for His madhur refuge which she had relished.

She met people of various temperaments, who were keen to know about her strong persona. This frail lady who meticulously undertook mundane tasks could be so steeped in religious devotion, was tough to believe. Undisputedly a bhakta is dexterous and can competently manage the temporal and spiritual plane.

Moreover she skilfully handled the school's work load.Above all, Bobo remained an ideal during the yearly conferences of the school along with functions of the Sanatan Dharam Sabha. Taking her mentor's students for examination, she would visit Delhi several times.

We must make a mention of Bahens like Sneh Bhasin, Vimla Arora and Sanyukta Mishra who selflessly served her. They knew her earlier but stayed in Delhi due to family concerns.Enlightened spiritually, a certain earnestness suffused their religious devotion because of Bahen ji. Keen for satsang they would cast off their worldly tasks and bonds on getting a chance to be with her.

Old Delhi Railway Station

Seva, maun, a vow of absolute silence and entrustment to Krishna which evolved in Bahen ji is unprecedented. She would live with austere simplicity. Several times she would wear paduka (wooden slippers) to Delhi and at times come barefoot. I have seen Sneh Bhasin carrying a pair of slippers in her huge purse and going to the station to receive Bahenji. Moved by her silent adulation, Bahen ji invariably wore the slippers.

Revealing her condition to the Supreme Lover Bahenji would say," I continue to distribute love in this world since it is a temporal reflection of eternal Vrindavan, where the god forever dwells. But occasionally my mind is bored with this service and longs to find respite in the amorous embrace of the handsome god."

" Support me as I am falling and the body seems to be wilting now. Nath there is a limit to endurance. Posit me at your feet," she would plead. 

Restlessness is a trait of love. Even on experiencing the joy of belonging, one longs for yet more.

Love squabbles are quintessential. At times, the beloved does wants her ardent longing to reach the Supreme Lover but that does not violate the zenith of spiritual awareness. Who else should we reveal our plight to? Such intimacy represents the purest emotion a soul may have for its divine source.

Sulking, is a Trait of Love

Sulking is an amazing feature of love. Embedded within is a powerful desire to meet Krishna.Unknowingly she would complain in several ways to Him and reveal an intense desire to be steeped in His rasa, the sentiment of sweet romance.

Spellbound, she would say," Now by a strange reversal of roles, I get looted. People simply flock to me because they are aware that the teasing,elusive and insistent paramour with a top knot has eternally become mine. This attraction draws them to me and I distribute You with a generous hand."

The Beloved Shri Radha & Her Lover Shri Krishna

The mazes and mysteries of love are a secret between the beloved and her Lover. All the men and women of the world who centre their devotion upon the handsome god can, if their ardour is sufficient and understanding complete,identify their passion and consummation of their love with Radha and Her gopis.

At one end His beloveds reproach the handsome god and  they can not resist His call. Beginning to know the Krishna who abides in their hearts, they sing His glories.

They pine for the ecstatic moment," Krishna as human lover and Divine Incarnate comes and holding their hands asserts,' Beloveds its enough! Now lets venture to the dense nikunjas of Vrindavan and live with your lovable sakhis.'"

Sometimes Bahen ji would take a vow of silence. She wanted seclusion not for the sake of some austere penance, but rather to remain alone by herself. 

Addressing Krishna, she would assert,"I want to spend those moments exclusively with You. In a trance, absorbed in You and oblivious of all living sentient beings. And appearing as the teasing Lover You intoxicate me with divine madness."

" What is the advantage of lamenting about our sorrows to God? He is omnipresent and all knowing," her father had once opined. 

She was hurt. The connection between the beloved and supreme lover is not only divine. It is to the mortal Krishna, the human lover, that she directed her anger and passion, her fear and her love.And when there is this intimacy through love there is no need for either contemplation or devotion that is generally reserved for god realization.

She would address the handsome god as, "My clear and unclear love."Krishna is very much in and of this world but yet above it."

Often irritated with the use of 'imperceptible' she would assert love can never be expressed. Though it is true that when love invades our hearts it can not stop from spilling over.

Complete absorption in the joy of Krishna does not require His human presence because He exists intensely in our hearts when we sing His praise and dwells in our longing for Him. And soon after we begin to know our friend not as a separate singular god-like body but as the Krishna that abides in our hearts.

The Gita

Physically she became incapable of bearing the burden of a busy regime.The body which had been ailing for some time now weakened further. Even so the icon of spiritedness diligently carried on essential tasks. Several Bahens came to her for reading of the 'Gita.' 

Out of concern her father often intervened," Rest for a while after such a relentless schedule." 

 But Bahen ji always endorsed,'"My exhaustion is dispelled by reciting the Gita and being rooted in spirituality is the cure which circulates Krishna's rasa in my being."

Chapter 20: Ushaji's Loving Devotion-Blessings by a Siddha on the Biddings of Lord Krishna ( Bobo ji's Birth Anniversary: 30th July,2026)

Shri Usha Bahenji Longed For Vrindavan

The longing to head for Vrindavan, where the god forever dwells, intensified in Bobo. But consciousness of her duties was a constraint. On several occasions she sat for hours at a stretch in front of Thakurji, absorbed in the deeper ecstasies of devotion.

Despite being invincible that beautiful dark-skinned cowherd of Vrindavan is hungry too for the fulfillment of love. Seeing this ardent longing of Bahen ji, Lord Krishna sent a close sakhi of His inner circle for drawing her closer, to give a loving assurance and for relishing his romantic dalliance.

Now we are about to introduce a siddha. Not remaining a dreamy archetypal figure casting its shadow over the mind of the subject but acting as a real three-dimensional personage, he appeared in broad day-light and conversed in commonly understandable idiom with Ushaji.Embodying himself, Sakhaji,the ethereal being began visiting Bahen ji on biddings of the handsome god to reveal certain esoteric secrets of Radha-Krishna.

Kusum Sarovar,Vrindavan

The amazing incident dates back to July 30, 1954 the 30th birthday of Bobo. While she was wondering over the meaning of the term nila parivestita,a saintly figure dropped in all of a sudden uttering jaya jaya radhika madhava. His presence triggered a peculiar vibration in the room. On inquiring, the celestial being replied mystically enough that he was Charana Sakha, friend of Lord Krishna's feet, and that he lived at Kusum Sarovar in Braj where Uddhava also lived. 

The Gopi Bhava

Revealing Krishna as the ardent lover of the love-struck soul, Sakhaji affirmed that He abides in those who assume the gopi bhava of sweet and total commitment and love for the dark god. In so doing, we get a glimpse of one's transcendent self and as madhurya translates into ananda comes the realization that everyone is ultimately a nayika searching for Krishna.

The sequence of narrating Krishna's playful dalliance became a daily affair. Several times Sakhaji would drop in twice.Usha ji sensed his arrival and he began reciting the lila the instant she called out. Bahen ji would speak and a Bahen sitting nearby would note down the episode. Many of us relished his narration. His sensitive perceptions are a great support for enlightening sadhakas and a vast repertoire was formed.

Supreme Lover Krishna

" Krishna Chandra took my soul and life with him.With tenderness and teasing, mischief and spontaneity and the beauty of His dark body, the colour of the condensed sky, He made me His captive. I recognized Him as my Supreme Lover," Sakhaji gave his introduction a year later.

"On becoming conscious the teasing paramour had vanished and I was lying alone in the pastures of Braj. Why am I a male even on being totally enraptured by the dark god? I pondered and the captivating dark-hued Krishna appeared before me. Now the body was not worthy of worldly tasks and I began living as the dust of Braj. I take part whenever I sight satsang and the elusive god appears at times to intoxicate me with divine madness. I roam around longing for yet more."

Sakhaji,a siddha (a great spiritual adept, moving on a a higher spiritual plane) and an intensely close sakhi of Krishna, had entry into the most intimate transcendental exchanges of Shri Radha-Krishna.

" The person who abandons all mundane desires can relish Krishna's playful dalliance,"he asserted,"

Sakhaji Had Assumed the Form of a Sakhi

Ever since, the pattern of narrating amorous frolics continued incessantly till the year 1991. By Lord Krishna's touch Sakhaji had abandoned his masculine identity and assumed a female form of a beautiful young sakhi in accordance with his bhava.

Initially he disclosed eventful lilas but with time playful dalliances in nikunjas, the group sports of Radha-Krishna and the isolated trysts of the sacred couple unfolded in succeeding episodes of union and separation.

In this manner two voluminous manuscripts of divine plays narrated by Sakhaji have been compiled. They help us relish the trysts of Radha-Krishna and their sakhis or kayavyuhas within the contexts of religious aspiration.

Krishna worship reached its most widespread development from the 15th century onwards when acharyas inspired bhaktas and the dark-hued god was adored with loving devotion and emotional exultation. With the passage of time the wave of accomplished adherents like Shri Hariramji Vyas, Shri Vishwanath Chakravarti Paad,Shri Bhagvatrasikji, Chacha Vrindavan Dasji and the ashtachap kavis, probably ended. 

After a long time span Sakhaji's mode of rasa relishing became an unprecedented future link in the sequential experiences of those accomplished rasikas.

Such a unique combination of love flowing towards the Lord and language is only possible by an intimate sakhi (Sakhaji) belonging to the nij parikar, inner circle , of Shyama-Shaym.

The Flute's Lack of Desire

 His Flute is Very Dear to Krishna

Jai Jai Radhika Madhav

 

The great good fortune of the flute is inexpressible. What great act of merit hath this bamboo-shoot performed that the delightful son of Nanda was enslaved and it became His constant companion, soon enough. The flute in the hands of Krishna is more than a musical instrument.It is the breath of love and a call to eternity.

Vanshi is a symbol of the great good fortune of a cowherdess assuming the form of this flute and revelling in His company. If it was just a bamboo stem He would not fervently hold it all the time and have no qualms in getting another on losing it. Some gopis know of this mystery and tease Krishna by hiding it on purpose.

The flute is His beloved and second to none other than Shri Radhika.Some of the frolics in Gaulok, where the god forever dwells, can be savoured here as well.

A Sakhi Named Vanshi

Once the son of Nanda, VrashbhanuNandini and several cowherdesses were busy in a romantic dalliance in some grove. A sakhi name Vanshi was present but was not so fortunate at that  time. The flute which Krishna played was embellished with gold and precious stones. Its sound also attracted the gopas-gopis but He did not love her intensely. He sported and interacted with everyone except Vanshi.

She was neither jealous nor furious at the others. There was an ardent longing for the dark god, which she tenderly hid in her heart. 

"I am definitely lacking because Krishna loves everyone equally,"she thought,

Several years passed by in this manner but Vanshi neither lost hope nor complained. 

Sometimes in the pitch dark nights she would console herself," Why are you impatient? He is well aware of your plight and will pamper you instinctively when the time arrives."

The beloveds of Krishna could not figure out her anguish. Rarely one of them would ask about her distraught state but she evaded the matter with a smile.

It was the night of purnima (full moon) and dalliances had been on since evening. But the son of Nanda did not cast a glance on her and the frolic ended in the silence of midnight.Everyone went to their sleeping chambers but Vanshi could not. In turmoil she stepped out and reclined against a tree.

Assuming Krishna's presence she lamented,"I know that I am unaware of my worthlessness. But please explain why you posited me in this ethereal Gaulok and never looked at me? As of now, you must placate this frenzied madness."

 Reproaching herself soon after she said," Why are you not pleased with His pleasure? Do not let this dejection reach Him  or His beloveds."

Morning dawned and Vanshi regained her composure. 

Standing up, she mumbled, "Rest assured Priyatam! I am happy in your happiness."

And giggling but hiding her distraught state, she entered her chamber.Going through the daily chores, Vanshi decked herself and met the sakhis but her grief was imperceptible.

Shri Radha-Krishna & Sakhis Dally in a Nikunja

Well in the evening of that day Nandnandan, VrishbhanuNandini and some sakhis were dallying in the grove. Vanshi was expectant as always little knowing that she was about to become not just a companion but Krishna's breath of love. Moonlight bathed the darkness of night and everyone went to their chambers after midnight.

The gopas had also gathered today but had left earlier to rest. 

Vanshi was in her bhavan, but certain of not stepping out," If the mischievous Supreme Lover or a sakhi passed by what would they say? I should not be disturbed since I see and adore His dark beauty everyday." 

Consoling herself she lay down with eyes shut. Unexpectantly a sound of the opening door was heard but she was sure it was a misapprehension. On sensing someone sitting down beside her, she was startled.

Vanshi swooned with ecstasy on sighting Krishna. The son of Nanda brought her back to consciousness with various measures. 

The final question of her trial ensued as He asked," Aren't you upset with these sakhis? Why did not they draw my attention to you?" 

" Why should I be vexed since they never neglected me. Do not blame them for my diffidence," she replied innocently.

The son of Nanda was greatly impressed now. Sincere honesty is what binds the frivolous god. Captivated by her answer and loving her intensely, He asked about her desired wish which He had already fulfilled.

Her plight could not be hidden from Shri Radhika who had sent Him today. The son of Nanda was eager to go Himself and ran on Her approval.

Vanshi is Transformed into a Flute

Enraptured by Vanshi's selflessness, the Lord gave her a boon.He transformed her into a flute, drinking nectar from the lips of Krishna and His energy whose melody attracts the cows and draws the gopis, the milkmaids of Vrindavan out of their homes in a romantic dalliance with Him.

May the flute and its player bestow such sincere dedication on us so that His terrifying rush of love invades our hearts.

Moral

Conventional norms are not violated in love but one casts off societal constraints. Hence we experience a related heightening of spiritual experience by ecstatic and evocative expressions of love in a land of highly restrictive social bindings.

Shri Sakhaji who founded an original concept of rasa, the blissful experience savoured by Radha, was a supreme siddha and close sakhi of Krishna.His perspective has certain freshness and is a variant of the traditional romantic sentiments of the earlier acharyas.

Shri Radha-Krishna

1.Braj denizens and those with the Vrindavan bhava have sometimes acclaimed handsome Krishna as the principal idol of devotion and at times Radha as the symbol of divine love. But in Sakhaji's opinion both are equally significant as far as divine play, time, attachment and drawing us passionately is concerned.

2.Several rasikas' sentiments have been confined to enchantment and the quest for a divine and transcendental love.But Sakhaji despite being deeply absorbed in madhurya, sweet love, is intoxicated yet again by rasa.His bhavas unfold in cyclical episodes of union and separation, the joy of Krishna's presence followed by the emptiness of His absence.

3.The relishing of rasa, the sentiment of sweet romance, which is always constant for Shri Radha, is also savoured by her kayavyuhas or replications. She manifests Herself as the many gopis of Braj, who fulfil Krishna's desire for a loving relationship in a variety of ways.

The Doctrine of Rasa within Krishna's Lilas or divine play

 Dark-hued Krishna is Love Incarnate

 

 All the sports of Krishna are engimatic and leave us spell-bound. Those who relish His playful dalliance are truly blessed.

• Lord Krishna is Love Incarnate. Actually He is the one who is affectionate and the Supreme Lover. Love can not attain perfection without Him.
• We are only concerned about honour, sense of decency, prestige and family norms until we haven't savoured His blue-hued sweetness or madhuri.Forgetfulness of the created universe accompanied by attachment to the Lord, is said to be moksha.
• All manners of the youthful Krishna are winsome and exude the romantic sentiment. Thus acharyas have acclaimed Him to be 'Rasraj' (an epithet of Krishna). New dalliances and spirited antics are delightfully enacted in Braj every day but a chosen few have the good fortune of sighting them.
• The sensually charged romantic love exists between the earthly and human gopis on one hand and a celestial and divine Krishna on the other. It is to Krishna that the gopis direct their anger and passion, fear and their love. While the scriptures and rishis aspire towards singing His glories these simple cowherdesses fondly address Him as a thief and a thug who is fickle and frivolous.
• Truly fortunate devotees are mentally steeped in the son of Nanda. Where He reigns all desires vanish and head towards the handsome god;not due to good deeds of several past lives and religious observances but by the grace of Gopivallabha and His gopis.

Swamini Shri Radha

• If their svamini Shri Radhika, merely casts a glance there is not a moment of delay for it is said that She controls Krishna with Her love and perfect spiritual life is unattainable without Her grace.
• Youth is the prime state of one's life and Gopivallabha is the one who relishes it.This age is one of innocence and emotional intensity, with the romantic sentiment being the highest expression that subsumes all other forms of devotion.
• His recollection is dearer than the Supreme Lover because it is constant. Krishna may abandon us because of His spirited antic but abides in our hearts since He very well knows that His devotee can't exist without Him.
• Singing His glories is not subject to speech but the highest ideal of religious rapture. It is virtually impossible to stash the deeper ecstasies of devotion thus experienced and we narrate His trysts with enthused exultation.
• Exclusive peace and the joy of isolation is being captivated by an intoxicating glance of Krihsna. The beauty of His dark body impassions our eyes with the madhur rasa , sentiment of sweet romance.But yet we long for more of His dalliance.
• If the teasing,elusive and insistent paramour is not near it is worthless.The highest ideal of religious rapture is experienced when one is constantly by the side of the Supreme Lover.
• Our distraught state binds the frivolous god. The devotion, propitiation, worship and adoration of the gopis, was in essence their passionate longing. They crossed a threshold of awareness that Krishna existed intensely in their hearts when they sang His praise and dwelt in their longing for Him.
• Krishna! Krishna! Krishna! A befittingly attractive name; sweet, flirtatious and teasing. Continue chanting the name by an inner meditation unconditioned by His physical presence, where Krishna is known not as a separate singular god-like body but mystically visualized as the world around us.
• Radha and Krishna, Krishna and Radha are in essence a single entity, who manifest as two distinct individuals for the sake of interpersonal romantic exchange. To attract rasikas and satiate their quest for a divine and transcendental love, Shri Radha-Krishna's romantic dalliances are constant.
• If there is one aspect of Krishna's enigmatic persona which distinguishes Him from all other incarnations it is His playful dalliance which is both real and illusionary. Delighting in play, He brings delight to all His bhaktas.
• Sublime prema is rooted in selfless surrender to the divine and is disengaged from attachment to oneself and any form of self-gratification.There is no greater symbol to denote the longing of the soul in its quest for the divine than the longing of the nayika for her beloved. Devotion to Krishna is not an end by itself but that devotion is to be expressed and experienced in the union of the lover and the beloved.
• Krishna is the sole purusha, supreme male and the human soul striving for spiritual evolution is therefore conceived as feminine,a celestial energy of the divine. While a woman is a natural devotee since her love for her husband or Lord is the greatest possible love. The male devotee visualizes himself as being inwardly a female aspirant and is hence privileged to witness the trysts of Radha and Krishna.
• By sweet and total commitment and love for Krishna, the young gopis know precisely how to relish His spirited antics. Just by glimpsing them, the handsome god's eyes become flirtatious and He has no choice, but to respond.There is development of His madhurima or sweetness and a romantic dalliance followed by a yearning for yet more.
• He is seen as the object of longing and of a love which is expressed in the cry of the enraptured cowherdesses for union with their teasing, elusive and insistent paramour. Seeing Him approach,they cast off their work and wordly cares, and move in delicious anguish to His side.The undivided whole, that is god, requires the absorption of its parts and their love for Krishna is reciprocated and thus made complete. Among Krishna's epithets is Gopivallabha, beloved of the gopis.

Chapter 19: Seva of Shri Thakurji ( Bobo ji's Birth Anniversary: 30th July,2026)

Bhava is Love Flowing Towards Shri Radha-Krishna

 Religious devotion has been considered superior to karmas and knowledge whereas bhava is love flowing towards Shri Radha-Krishna. When Krishna is seen as the object of longing and of a love expressed in the cry of the enraptured soul for god, we cast off all worldly cares and move in a delicious anguish to His side.

Shri Thakurji's Seva and Living Presence

Seva and bhajan have an inseparable bond in the perennial quest of mankind for a Divine and transcendental love. The individual idol of Lord Krishna which is Thakurji becomes a svarupa of His living presence and we experience the deeper ecstasies of devotion as per the intensity with which we attend to His needs.

Shri Shri Ramanujacharya ji gave tangible form to Lord Ranganath. Shaligramji incarnated as the Supreme Being for Nimbarkacharya ji and was his inspiration. Whereas Shri Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu ji's life points towards Lord Jagannath lilas or divine play.

Shri Nath ji Incarnated for Shri Vallabhacharya

Which Braj devotee is unaware of Shri Shri Nathji's astonishing character. He incarnated for Shri Manmahaprabhu Vallabhacharya ji and Goswami Vithalnath ji and was close to the ashtachap kavis( a group of eight Krishna poets who lived at Govardhan in the later sixteenth century.) His svarupa would sport with them, visit them and relish milk along with other delicacies. Besides,  we have the playful dalliance of Shri Madan Mohanji, who spared no effort in escalating the grandeur of Sanatan ji.

Shri Shri Banke Bihariji served by Shri Hari Das, Shri Radha Ramanji attended by Shri Gopal Bhatt and

Shri Shri Radha Vallabh ji Honoured by Shri Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu

Shri Shri Radha Vallabhji honoured by Shri Hit Harivansh became the living forms of Krishna in Vrindavan. In addition, no Braj devotee is unaware of the playful dalliance of Shri Gokul Nathji and Shri Gokul Chandramaji residing in Braj.

Similarly several bhaktas have sighted the amorous frolics of Bobo's Thakurji. Initially Bobo's great-grandmother (pardadi) used to do the seva which has been continuing for the past 125 years.Grieved, she had no other recourse because her husband had passed away at a young age. Attending to Thakurji's needs particularly escalated after Bobo took over.

Shri Usha Bahenji Inherits Thakurji in 1948

Bahen ji had inherited Thakurji from her dadi in 1948.The related heightening of spiritual experience, well within the contexts of religious aspiration, infused the service at sunrise, noon and sunset. Several people were attached spiritually and helped out as far as possible.

Shri Rang Bhagwan's eminent seva, the enthused seva of Shri Radha in the Nimbarka Sampradaya, the idealistic seva of the Gaudiyas, and the pampered seva of the Pushti Margis with remarkable affection for Shri Radha Vallabhji, all converged and became tangible in the seva of Usha ji.

Shri Radha Vallabh Thakur

I clearly remember that Goswami Shri Lalit Charan of the Radha Vallabh Sect was very pleased on hearing about her dedication. While going with Sushila Bahen ji for a dip in the Yamuna, Usha ji would visit him at times. Hearing her perspectives on the thousands of padas sung in daily and festive use he was delighted.

Usha Bahen ji clearly distinguished seva,service to the Lord's svarupa, from puja or ordinary honorific worship. When the devotee attends selflessly, without expectation, to the needs of the Lord and assumes a particular relationship with Him, the idol becomes a form of the living Krishna.

The idol of Krishna is a Svarupa of His Living Presence

She could not tolerate the use of words like metal or stone for the svarupa. Once some devotees of the south visited her and one of them promptly asked which metal her icon was made of. She said it was obvious that their devotion had not perfected or they would sight the living Krishna in Him.

Manasi Ganga, Goverdhan

 .An incident occurred in 1968. Revered Bobo, Sushila Bahen ji, Maa and Shri Manohar Das ji of Venu Vinod Kunj were staying on the banks of Mansi Ganga in Goverdhan for the Shivratri Mahotsav.They were singing the glories of Krishna in front of Shri Thakurji and His cheeks puffed up with joyous abandon. Their laughter was checked after several hours when His svarupa came back to His earlier state.

It so happened, that everyone was engrossed in narrating the lilas of the Lord. Shri Rama Devi ji,Shri Santosh ji and Sarla ji(bhaktas of Vrindavan) were present. Shri Thakurji imitated the expressions and postures referred to in the padas and this amazing scene was perceptible by all the fortunate devotees.

Shri Ghanshyam Das ji

Once Shri Ghanshyam Das ji came to have darshan of the Yugal Sarkar, Her Radha-Krishna Strangely  the holy limbs of Priyaji were radiant but Thakurji's lotus face and arms holding the flute appeared slightly blackish. He wondered why when Thakurji affirmed with His eyes that He wanted to get a massage of attar done through him. 

Shri Lalit Bahenji

Shri Lalit Bahen ji's  extraordinary spirituality has influenced several people. Amazingly churning curd in her kitchen she felt that someone was standing on the right. After some time she sensed it again and on turning saw Bobo's Shri Thakurji insisting to eat some butter. Taking some butter in a bowl, she ran to Bobo and persisted that it should be served to him.

Shri Santosh Bahenji

The waters of Jhelum abound with love tales of Laila Majnu and Shiri Farhad. Born in a Sikh family of those environs and impressed by Gandhiji's principles, Santosh Bahen ji, the daughter of an affluent father came to Vrindavan, longing for Krishna. Santosh Bahenji and

Shri Sarla Bahenji

Sarla Bahenji were cooking a meal for Thakurji when unexpectedly Vijay dropped in. They kneaded the cooked vegetable with the flour and made a roti which crumbled due to excessive ghee. Apprehensive that Vijay would not relish it they requested Thakurji to do so. Moved by their entreaty, instantly the Yugal Sarkar (Radha-Krishna)appeared and accepted the bhog

Once revered Bobo thought that certain clothes were somewhat old and should be discarded. Soon enough the Yugal Sundar reached Santosh Bahen ji's residence and revealed that Bobo was about to give away dresses which were very dear to Them. Bahenji went and narrated the incident to Bobo and ultimately it was decided that she would not distribute the garments.

Revered Dharam ji

Revered Dharam ji, the guru of Amarnath Sharma a major-general of independent India, and sister of Army Chief V.N.Sharma, is renowned for her exceptional absorption in Krishna and was a very close friend of Bobo. 

" Ushaji and I were sitting and singing His glories. This Thakurji came  as the Supreme Lover and sat between us. We were engrossed and He would tease me and her at times with His finger, which we both sensed!" she had once exclaimed.

Shri Ushja ji's seva had an all-consuming intimacy which has made her Thakurji a living presence of Krishna for all times to come.

Shri Radha Rani Shree ji Temple, Barsana

It was customary for Bobo to visit Barsana on Radha Ashtami. Once the bookings could not be done and the manager of Pili Kothi quickly arranged for them to stay in the personal room of Seth ji inspite of no previous introduction.

Seth ji arrived two days later and did not approve of this exercise. 

Soon after, enchanted by Thakurji's aura, he said," Such a handsome Thakurji will stay on in this room and I will take another."

Though Seth ji passed away and conditions changed, Shri Thakurji is posited in that same room and grand arrangements are made accordingly whenever He goes to Barsana.

A renowned speaker on the Shrimad Bhagwad had great regard for Bobo and valued her opinion. He would say that such a form of living Krishna is only possible by Bobo's seva which was the zenith of attending to His needs.

On the other front Shri Gokul Dasji, a resident of Chandra Sarovar and a Pushti Margi had enthused,"Bahenji! I have never seen such a spirited form as your Thakurji who seems to be virtually speaking. This has been feasible by your pampered seva."

Dr. Achyutanand Bhatt ji was learned in the Shrimad Bhagwad and the principal of a college. Greatly impressed by her way of adorning Thakurji he had affirmed,"The manifestation of her Thakurji is unprecedented because of Bahen ji's dedicated seva."

Shri Abhedanandji Maharaj is a famed saint of the south. He would definitely visit Ushaji on coming to Vrindavan. 

Adulating Shri Thakurji while singing padas he would exclaim," The romantic dalliance of Shri Thakurji is so lively that it makes me ecstatic!"

Bobo ji's Yugal Sarkar on A Swing

Not merely an idol, Bobo's Thakurji would literally talk, reveal His views, accept her service, and get the seva done as per His wishes. It seemed He would actually appear before His devotees who had sweet and total commitment and love for Him.

The matter dates back to 23.4.1978 when a bhog of khicdi was beeing offered to Shri Thakurji. Reclining against a pillow at one end, Bobo watched Thakurji put a mouthful in Kishoriji's mouth and thereafter help Himself to a bite. Smilingly Priyaji ate and kept looking at Bobo who was thrilled on seeing Them relish the meal.

An incident of October 1978 is truly amazing. Bidding farewell to summer, mild winter had sent in and there was a nip in the air. Since she was unwell it was difficult for Bobo to ascertain whether the Yugal Sarkar needed some woolens to cover them and waited for Their approval.

Kishoriji Shri Radha Rani

Putting them to sleep, she slept as well. 

A melodious voice, putting hundreds of lutes to shame, could be  heard,"Cover us with a warm sheet." 

Once in Keli Kanan Kunj Sushila Bahenj i was reading out a lila given by Sakha ji (a sidhha). 

The melodious sound of "A bit louder,"could be heard.

Stunned Bobo looked at Kishoriji who had made the suggestion. Krishna,the Supreme Lover and Radha His Beloved, eagerly heard their playful dalliance and participated when their glories were sung.

The regime of serving early morning tea to the Shri Yugal was being followed for some time now. Keeping the bhog, 

Bobo would invariably ask, "How is it?"

Priyaji, in Her lute like voice ,answered today,"Slightly sweet."

Everyone found the tea to be a bit sweeter that day.

Shri Radha-Krishna Wanted to Sleep Longer

Bobo woke up slightly late on 8th October 1985. This made her depressed. 

Seeing her in this state Priya-Priyatam naturally explained,"We ourselves wanted to wake up a bit late due to the cold and rain."

Singing padas, she would wake Thakurji at daybreak. Arranging to provide light, cleansing His mouth with cold or warm water as per the season and the sequence of bathing was worth watching. Serving bhoga early in the morning and doing shringar had her sentimentally involved. TheYugal seemed highly pleased with the play and choice of colours, beautiful and fitting dresses and were a treat to behold.

The Pushti Marg

Ecstatic and evocative expressions of love are essential for the seva of Krishna or else it is mechanical.She was delighted to know of this bhavana in the Pushti Marg. Complete absorption in the joy of Krishna is the mental perception whereby we begin to know the Krishna that abides in our hearts.

Round the year sequence began with muslin dresses, on to synthetic textiles in the rainy season and satin thereafter. Thick garments at the start of autumn, velvet, cotswool and then warm ones. Preferring white in summers, golden in winters, green in autumn and yellow in spring,the choice of colours was in accordance to Usha ji's sensitivity.

The adornments on coming into contact with Shyama-Shyam became living sentient beings for Bahen ji. If for some reason a dress or ornament did not adorn the Yugal she would assure them of their turn and the joy of proximity to Shyama-Shyam.

Becoming a living presence,Thakurji gave her energy, clues and interacted with her, making her relish the deeper ecstasies of devotion.Shringara was not time bound. Willingly He would get ready very soon sometimes and the process would take hours at times.

Fanning Shri Radha-Krishna

Occasionally giving us the honour of doing seva she would not let laxity creep into the steadfast norms and depended on nobody. Bhog was served in accordance to the seasons. She made an indefatigable effort to fan Radha-Krishna herself in summers, as far as possible. Personally she remained without a fan in the sweltering heat. She endorsed that there is no insignificant or great seva.

Shri Nath ji's Chhapan Bhog

 "One should check if the bhog is hot and seasoning is perfect", she asserted. 

 Bobo was very pleased to know that tasters had been particularly appointed for the seva of Shri Nathji. Her bhavna of 'tatsukhe sukhitva' was predominant.

Many a times,Shri Thakurji would suggest the dress He preferred to wear. One can sense a particular tenderness affecting objects which come in contact with Thakurji by touch. By acknowledging her seva,Shri Radha-Krishna made her conscious of Their living presence with energy and joyfulness and love.

Usha Bahen ji would always say," If at any point of time my physique is deprived of service then this body will certainly end."

In the course of time she had become increasingly weak. There had to be some excuse for the body to depart so on the fateful day when she could not attend to Thakurji's needs Bobo went into close proximity of Shri Radha-Krishna forever.