Birth and Childhood:
Raskhan is believed to have been born in the year 1548. His original name was Syed Ibrahim Khan and he lived somewhere in Delhi. His family was prosperous, for this reason, Raskhan's childhood was spent in happiness and affection. There was no shortage in the house.
Since the whole family was engaged in devotion to God, Raskhan also inherited religious curiosity in his childhood. Raskhan had great faith in Shri Krishn.
The following couplet of 'Premvatika' -
Dekhi Gadar Hit Saahibi, Dilli Nagar Masaan.
Chhinahin Baadsa-Bans Ki, Thasak Chhaandi Raskhan.
“Seeing the war in the royal family of Delhi, I have given up the arrogance of being of the royal dynasty.”
It is known from this couplet that Raskhan was related to the dynasty of the Mughal Empire and due to the domestic war of the dynasty, his mind became unattached from this material world.
Raskhan's attachment to the son of a Merchant from Delhi:
There lived a Merchant in Delhi whose son was very beautiful. Raskhan's mind got attracted towards that Merchant's son. Now day and night, Raskhan used to roam after the same son and also used to eat his leftovers. Raskhan started living with the son of the same Merchant the whole day. The people of his caste used to strongly condemn this act but Raskhan did not mind it.
One day four Vaishnavas were sitting and discussing the pastimes of the Lord. One of the Vaishnavas was saying, "The mind must be fixed in the Lord just as Raskhan's mind is devoted to the merchant's son."
Raskhan was coming from there and upon hearing his name in the discussion of Vaishnavas, he came to Vaishnavas and asked "What are you talking about me?"
On this, the Vaishnavas told him everything. Raskhan said, "I will definitely fix my heart on the Lord if I could have the vision of him."
On this, those Vaishnavas showed the picture of Shrinathji to Raskhan, and upon seeing the beautiful form of Shrinathji, Raskhan's mind became attached to it and he kept the picture of Shrinathji with him and took an oath that when I see Shrinathji with my own eyes, then only I will eat food.
Raskhan's arrival in Vrindavan:
Raskhan immediately got upon his horse and went towards Vrindavan. After riding the horse for the whole night he came to Vrindavan. In Vrindavan, he went to visit all the temples in disguise throughout the day, but he did not see the form of Shrinathji anywhere. From there Raskhan came to Govardhan and started entering Shrinathji's temple in disguise, but at the door itself, the servant recognized him that he was not a Vaishnava, he was Mlechha, so the servant pushed Raskhan out of the temple. Raskhan went and sat on Govindkund. It had been 3 days since Raskhan had taken food, but he did not even think of eating and drinking as the form of Shrinathji was settled in Raskhan's heart.
Shrinathji's compassion on Raskhan and initiation from Shri Vitthalnath Ji:
When Shrinathji saw this condition of Raskhan, he started thinking that this soul is divine, pure, and sattvik (moral), and is my devotee, I should give him darshan. Thinking so, Shrinathji came to Govindkund and gave darshan to Raskhan. On seeing Shrinathji, Raskhan ran to catch him but Shrinathji ran away.
In the temple, Shrinathji said to Gusainji, "Raskhan, a devotee of mine is sitting at Govind Kund, he is divine but he got the body of Mlechcha, you should have mercy on him and take him in your shelter. I do not touch, speak and accept offerings from the soul who has not taken refuge in you, so you should accept him as yours."
Hearing the words of Shrinathji, Gusainji came to Govindkund and gave initiation to Raskhan. Raskhan had darshan of Shrinathji in the form of Gusain Ji. Then Gusain Ji brought Raskhan with him to the temple and took Him to have darshan of Shrinathji and gave Him Mahaprasad. After seeing Shrinathji, Raskhan was enchanted by the form of Shrinathji and started reciting many verses to Shrinathji.
Raskhan's attainment of Shri Krishna:
Raskhan searched Shri Krishna everywhere but he could not found anywhere, it is clear from these verses of Raskhan about the place where he got Shri Krishna -
Bramh Main Dhoondhyo Puraanan-Gaayan, Ved Richa Suni Chaugune Chaayan.
Dekhyo Sunyo Kabahun Na Kahun, Vah Kaise Saroop Au Kaise Subhaayan.
Terat Herat Haari Paryo, Raskhan Bataayo Na Log Lugaayan.
Dekhyo Duro Vah Kunj Kutir Mein, Baitho Palotatu Radhika Paayan.
Raskhan says: “I have tried to Find Shri Krishna in various Leelas, Vedas, prayers, places, but unfortunately I didn’t find him. At last, after I tried almost Everything and tired of finding him, he appeared to me at the lotus feet of Shri Radha Rani, massaging her lotus feet.”
Raskhan's love for Braj:
It is very difficult to describe the love of Raskhan towards Braj. He himself is describing his love for Braj -
Maanush Haun To Vahi Raskhani Basau Braj Gokul Gaanv Ke Gvaaran.
Jo Pasu Haun To Kaha Basu Mero Charaun Nit Nand Ki Dhenu Manjhaaran.
Paahan Haun To Vahi Giri Ko Jo Dharyau Kar Chhatr Purandar Kaaran.
Jo Khag Haun Tau Basero Karaun Mili Kalindi-Kool-Kadamb Ki Daaran.
“If I become human in my next life, I wish to become the cowherd of Braj Gokul Dham. If I become an animal, let me become a cow of Maharaj Nand and be in the association of His other cows. If I become a stone, then I wish to be the stone of the Govardhan Hill which was lifted by Shri Krishna on his little finger because of Purandar (Indra). If I become a bird, then I wish to reside on the bank of river Yamuna on the branches of Kadamb trees.”
Compositions :
Raskhan has composed many couplets, poems, and verses in Brajbhasha. 'Sujan Raskhan' and 'Premvatika' are his available works. A collection of his works is found in the name of 'Raskhan Rachnavali'. Raskhan not only expressed his attachment with Shri Krishn, but his exclusive affection for the land of Krishn has also been expressed. In his poetry, there is a beautiful description of Krishn's form, the greatness of Braj, Shri Radha Krishn's divine pastimes. His compositions are included in the Braj Ke Sewaiya and Banke Bihari Ke sewaiyas, and sung at many places in the temples of Vrindavan and at other places too. Raskhan is famous not only for his tenderness of love, kindness, and blissfulness of attachment, but also for the sharpness of his language, word choice, and expression style. As an example-
Kaanan Dai Anguri Rahihaun, Jabahon Murali Dhuni Mand Bajaihain.
Mohini Taanan Son Raskhani, Ata Chadhi Godhan Gaihain To Gaihain.
Teri Kahaun Sigare Brajlogani, Kaalhi Kou Kitano Samujhaihain.
Mayi Ri Va Mukh Ki Muskaani, Samhaari Na Jaihain Na Jaihain Na Jaihain.
"O Sakhi, when Shri Krishna will climb up the attic and will play the melodious tune on the flute to call the cows, then we all must put fingers in our ears. I am calling out to everyone and saying, no matter how much someone explains to you tomorrow. Because, O friend, we will not be able to remain in consciousness after having a glimpse of the smile of Shri Krishna."
Disappearance :
In the year 1628, Raskhan left his body in Braj and attained the divine pastimes of the Lord. His Samadhi [tomb] is at Mahaban in Mathura.