Introduction :
Shri Sarasdev Ji was as pure and great as his former Acharyas, who always kept Shri Shyama Kunjbihari in his heart. Every living being was his friend; despite being like a mountain's king, He considered himself small. He was as clear as the sky and the love was filled in the depths of his heart. He used to shower compassion on everyone like a thick cloud showers rain to everyone. He was as sober as the sea, as forgiving as the earth, and as gentle as the water. His body was as bright as fire and unattached as wind. He was the embodiment of Nectar of Nitya Vihar. His eyes were as huge as the soft petals of a lotus, and when He used to speak something, it seemed that flowers were springing from his mouth. He was as cool as the moon and as bright as the sun. Rasik devotees would always come to him and get immersed in the Nectar of Nitya Vihar. Shri Sarasdev was the shining Acharya as the pearl of the Haridasi sect who resided in the Vrindavan till the last breath. His happiness was the joy of Nitya Vihar Rasa.
Birth :
Shri Sarasdev was the younger brother of Shri Nagridas Ji. He was the younger son of Kamalapati, the Minister of State of Bengal. Like Nagridas Ji, He too had become a disciple of Shri Biharindas Ji. He was the exclusive devotee of Shyama Shyam. He used to serve all the saints and sages.
Shri Sarasdev was born on the Ashwin Purnima in the year 1554.
Sorahasai Ikadas Ki Sala. Kvar Maas Poonyau Sukh Kala.
Sarad Chand Pooran Hvai Aayau. Sarasdev Ko Janm Suhaayau.
- Nijamat Siddhant, Avasaan Khand
Shri Sarasdev stayed at home for 30 years.
“Tees Varsh Laun Base Su Geha”
- Nijamat Siddhant, Avasaan Khand
Arrival in Vrindavan and Spiritual Initiation :
After spending 30 years at home, Shri Sarasdev Ji came to Vrindavan with his elder brother Shri Nagridas Ji and received initiation from Shri Biharin Dev Ji.
Shri Sarasdev ji had lived in Vrindavan for 42 years.
Dvai Chaalis Varsh Banvasa. Kinaun Nij Guru Dharm Prakasa.
- Nijamat Siddhant, Avasaan Khand
Disciple Tradition :
Shri Sarasdev was a great devotee. It is said about him that he had declared the name of his successor Narharidas without any previous introduction. His prediction finally came true. The story is as follows -
Once upon a time, Shri Sarasdev Ji, the fourth Acharya of the Swami Haridasi sect, was seated in the Nidhivan and all the devotees were also there. Shri Sarasdev Ji had become old but had never initiated a single disciple. Now the question was who would sit on the throne after Shri Sarasdev Ji. All the disciples kindly requested a question at the lotus feet of the Acharya:
"O Lord, please make such a disciple who can surrender his body and mind unto your lotus feet, and who can be enthroned as ‘Acharya’ [master] of this sect and can further do the welfare of the devotees.”
Swami Shri Sarasdev, after carefully listening to the words of the saints, said:
O saints and devotees, listen to me carefully. In Bundelkhand, there is a village on the banks of the river Dhasan whose name is Gudha. At this place Sage Vishwamitra Ji did penance and Shri Hari had appeared to him. A pious brahman lives in that village whose name is Shri Vishnudas, in whose house a divine son has appeared. His name is Narharidev, he will be my disciple who will serve Shri Shyamashyam and by my permission, he will be enthroned on this seat as Acharya. Everyone was astonished and happy hearing these words.
Text Composition :
The Vani of Shri Sarasdev Ji consists of poetry, pada, and many more, which is less than Nagridas Ji in magnitude. In his Vani, there are words from Braj as well as other regional dialects and Persian also. This gives an indication of his versatility and scholarship.
Leela Samvaran (Disappearance) :
On the Shravan Purnima of 1626, Shri Sarasdev Ji, at the age of 72, left his material body and entered the Nikunj palace. He remained acharya for 24 years, after the disappearance of Shri Biharindas Ji. His name is famous among the Acharyas of the Haridasi sect due to his humble nature and being a lover of Satsang.
Varsh Bahattar Dhari Subh Deha.
Samvat Sorahsai Terasi. Nij Tanu Tyagi Bhaye Sukh-Raasi.
Savan Sudi Punyau Tanu Tyagau. Sarasdev Nij Bapu Anuragyau.
- Nijamat Siddhant, Avasaan Khand
Shri Sarasdev Ji was as pure and great as his former Acharyas, who always kept Shri Shyama Kunjbihari in his heart. Every living being was his friend; despite being like a mountain's king, He considered himself small. He was as clear as the sky and the love was filled in the depths of his heart. He used to shower compassion on everyone like a thick cloud showers rain to everyone. He was as sober as the sea, as forgiving as the earth, and as gentle as the water. His body was as bright as fire and unattached as wind. He was the embodiment of Nectar of Nitya Vihar. His eyes were as huge as the soft petals of a lotus, and when He used to speak something, it seemed that flowers were springing from his mouth. He was as cool as the moon and as bright as the sun. Rasik devotees would always come to him and get immersed in the Nectar of Nitya Vihar. Shri Sarasdev was the shining Acharya as the pearl of the Haridasi sect who resided in the Vrindavan till the last breath. His happiness was the joy of Nitya Vihar Rasa.
Birth :
Shri Sarasdev was the younger brother of Shri Nagridas Ji. He was the younger son of Kamalapati, the Minister of State of Bengal. Like Nagridas Ji, He too had become a disciple of Shri Biharindas Ji. He was the exclusive devotee of Shyama Shyam. He used to serve all the saints and sages.
Shri Sarasdev was born on the Ashwin Purnima in the year 1554.
Sorahasai Ikadas Ki Sala. Kvar Maas Poonyau Sukh Kala.
Sarad Chand Pooran Hvai Aayau. Sarasdev Ko Janm Suhaayau.
- Nijamat Siddhant, Avasaan Khand
Shri Sarasdev stayed at home for 30 years.
“Tees Varsh Laun Base Su Geha”
- Nijamat Siddhant, Avasaan Khand
Arrival in Vrindavan and Spiritual Initiation :
After spending 30 years at home, Shri Sarasdev Ji came to Vrindavan with his elder brother Shri Nagridas Ji and received initiation from Shri Biharin Dev Ji.
Shri Sarasdev ji had lived in Vrindavan for 42 years.
Dvai Chaalis Varsh Banvasa. Kinaun Nij Guru Dharm Prakasa.
- Nijamat Siddhant, Avasaan Khand
Disciple Tradition :
Shri Sarasdev was a great devotee. It is said about him that he had declared the name of his successor Narharidas without any previous introduction. His prediction finally came true. The story is as follows -
Once upon a time, Shri Sarasdev Ji, the fourth Acharya of the Swami Haridasi sect, was seated in the Nidhivan and all the devotees were also there. Shri Sarasdev Ji had become old but had never initiated a single disciple. Now the question was who would sit on the throne after Shri Sarasdev Ji. All the disciples kindly requested a question at the lotus feet of the Acharya:
"O Lord, please make such a disciple who can surrender his body and mind unto your lotus feet, and who can be enthroned as ‘Acharya’ [master] of this sect and can further do the welfare of the devotees.”
Swami Shri Sarasdev, after carefully listening to the words of the saints, said:
O saints and devotees, listen to me carefully. In Bundelkhand, there is a village on the banks of the river Dhasan whose name is Gudha. At this place Sage Vishwamitra Ji did penance and Shri Hari had appeared to him. A pious brahman lives in that village whose name is Shri Vishnudas, in whose house a divine son has appeared. His name is Narharidev, he will be my disciple who will serve Shri Shyamashyam and by my permission, he will be enthroned on this seat as Acharya. Everyone was astonished and happy hearing these words.
Text Composition :
The Vani of Shri Sarasdev Ji consists of poetry, pada, and many more, which is less than Nagridas Ji in magnitude. In his Vani, there are words from Braj as well as other regional dialects and Persian also. This gives an indication of his versatility and scholarship.
Leela Samvaran (Disappearance) :
On the Shravan Purnima of 1626, Shri Sarasdev Ji, at the age of 72, left his material body and entered the Nikunj palace. He remained acharya for 24 years, after the disappearance of Shri Biharindas Ji. His name is famous among the Acharyas of the Haridasi sect due to his humble nature and being a lover of Satsang.
Varsh Bahattar Dhari Subh Deha.
Samvat Sorahsai Terasi. Nij Tanu Tyagi Bhaye Sukh-Raasi.
Savan Sudi Punyau Tanu Tyagau. Sarasdev Nij Bapu Anuragyau.
- Nijamat Siddhant, Avasaan Khand