Biography of Shri Kishordas Ji

There lived a great scholar, righteous, the abode of virtues, and a great devotee Shri Ghasiram Ji in the city of Amer, Rajasthan. He was a Saraswat Brahman. He was very good for scriptural discourses. His wife Khema was as beautiful, generous, and devout as Goddess Shri Lakshmi Ji. Shri Kishordas Ji was born from her womb. Shri Kishordas Ji had written in his famous composition "Nijmat Siddhant" that his initiation period was Akshaya Tritiya, 1734. He was initiated in adolescence. From this, his birth time has been estimated around 1713.

 

The parents of Shri Kishordas Ji had a great love for the Lord and his devotees and firm faith in spiritual master Shri Swami Pitambardev Ji. Shri Guru was the life of both. Seeing the child Kishordas's playful activities in childhood, the mother used to bless him for having love at the spiritual master's lotus feet. With the heart filled with love, she used to think that "when I see the lotus feet of my spiritual master, then my body, mind, and soul surrender to the lotus feet, but due to this female body, I can't serve the lotus feet of my spiritual master. If my son renounces the world and takes initiation in the renounced order to serve the spiritual master, and the spiritual master also accepts my son as his own, then my birth will be successful." At that time Shri Pitambar Dev Ji had come to Amer. Shri Kishordas Ji's mother expressed her feelings in front of Shri Pitambar Dev Ji. Shri Pitambar Dev Ji willingly initiated Shri Kishordas Ji on Akshaya Tritiya of 1734 and said, "He is very fortunate. He will be recluse in his youth." Hearing this, his mother was very happy.

Day by day, the mother used to teach him the essence of God, showing the ugliness of the world. She would say, "Son! Abandoning Maya like poison, you should put on the guise of the Guru."

 

When the mother left her body, then Shri Kishordas Ji became very detached from the material world. His father also started urging him to get married, then at that very moment, he took a vow that now he will become a recluse and roam in Shri Vrindavan. Thinking this, he left the house and came to Vrindavan and bowed at the lotus feet of his spiritual master. Shri Pitambardev Ji embraced him to his heart and while placing his hand on his head, asked "How did you come?"

Shri Kishordas Ji told everything and prayed "Lord! Keep me in your shelter now. By sacrificing everything, I have come with the desire to serve your lotus feet. Please illuminate your form in my heart." After performing auspicious rites, Shri Pitambardev Ji initiated him in renounced order and gave him the disguise of a recluse.

 

After a few days, the father of Shri Kishordas Ji came to Vrindavan with Brahmanas to get Kishordas Ji back to the home along with them. Shri Kishordas Ji did not wanted to go home. He thought of a solution. He went to the bank of Yamuna with a gudadi (a piece of cloth) on his shoulder and Karuwa (earthen pot) in his hand. While residing there, he would ask alms from the residents of Braj and by sprinkling Yamuna water on it, he would eat. His father went there and started praising the religious duties of a householder, showing the abundance of Varnashram (social duties) according to Shruti-Smriti (scriptures). Father was glorifying household religion, and son was glorifying renounced order. In this way, there was a great debate between father and son on bondage and salvation. In the end, his father defeated and came to Shri Swami Pitambardev Ji and said with humility, "Please send Kishordas with me. I will owe you a great favor. If he is truly a devoted recluse, then he will be firmly attached to your lotus feet and will come here. If there is no true faith in Kishordas, then how will he survive with you? Send him with me once."

Hearing Ghasiram's argument, Shri Swamiji sent Kishordas home with his father. After coming to the home, all the family members started explaining to him in many ways, stating the excellence of the caste system stated in scriptures. Just as a King's wife can never enter the house of the lowly, similarly the statements of the family members did not enter into Kishordas's heart. Ghasiram came close with folded hands, knowing Kishordas to be firmly situated in the  best of knowledge, and bowed down and said, "Now you have become a great devotee." Suddenly Shri Pitambardev Ji came there from Shri Vrindavan. All the servants gathered to have darshan of him. Shri Kishordas's father also came there and handed Kishordas to his spiritual master. Shri Swami Pitambardev Ji stayed for Chaturmas (rainy-season) in Pushkar via Lohagarh from Jaipur.

 

Shri Kishordas Ji's mind was totally detached from this material world. Now there was a strong desire to go for the pilgrimage in his heart. Taking the orders of the spiritual master, he left with a gudadi (a piece of cloth) in his neck, Karuva (earthen pot) in his hand, and two Kopins (cloth). While visiting many pilgrimages like Chaturbhuj, Yugalnath, Ekling, Bhadonch, Brahmakund, etc., his mind was pleased to see Tulsi-Shyam. From there he climbed to Girinar mountains via Prabhas town. From there he thought to go for ​​Pindarak pilgrimage. There he found two foreigners. They snatched the Japa beads of Shri Kishordas Ji given to him by spiritual master. Then he became very sad and accused the Lord by narrating him everything.

When he went ahead, he got the company of a group of two hundred and fifty saints. He resided in Neh Huti village. One hundred and fifty fumigations started burning.  Their smoke covered the sky and it was such a dark night. He fell asleep wearing his cloth. His mind was stuck in the Japa beads given to him by his spiritual master. At the same time, Shri Hari, taking the form of a human, came and while giving him the Japa beads said in a soft voice, "You are getting so worried for these Japa beads given to you by your spiritual master, so I am giving it to you."

A monk named Ramsanehi was staying with him. Shri Kishordas Ji told him that "this Japa beads have arrived." He was very pleased to see the Japa beads and said in astonishment "In a dark night full of smoke, who recognized you in a group of hundreds of saints and gave these Japa beads? Surely he must be Lord Ranchhodrai? Where did he go?"

Shri Kishordas Ji said, "He has entered this cowshed."

Hearing this, both of them ran and searched for a long time in the cowshed, but they did not find him.

As soon as it was morning, everyone went for a bath in the Gomti river. From there, they came to Ramdau village, where the saints get their bodies stamped by a hot iron, which is an impression of the Lord. All the saints started taking the impressions by stamping their arms with hot iron rods. But Shri Kishordas Ji started thinking in his mind "the religion of Shri Swami Haridas Ji Maharaj is the best. My spiritual master has given me the Rasik impression on my arms as a Tilak. So what is the need to take the stamp of others? Thinking this he did not take the Lord's impressions. All the saints started saying "You have not stamped your arms, how will you have darshan of Lord Shri Dwarkanath?"

He said, "Shri Hari is seated in everyone's heart, he knows everything. If I have true love in my heart for Shri Swami Haridas Ji, then Shri Hari will surely give me darshan." After descending the bay everyone came to Bent (Dwarka). Shri Kishordas Ji was the first among all who got the darshan of Shri Dwarkanath Ji.

 

From there, Shri Kishordas Ji went on pilgrimages like Gopichandan, Pindarak, etc. He went on a journey to the country of Kutchh by ship from the bay of the sea. But in between the journey, the ship stood in the middle of the sea for three days because a severe storm broke out. In the month of Jyeshtha (May-June), his mouth started drying up without water for two days in this severe hot season. There were evil Mlechchas in the ship, they started uttering bitter words, and planned to throw Shri Kishordas Ji into the sea.

Shri Kishordas Ji started remembering his spiritual master Shri Pitambardev Ji. At that very moment, a ship of the Vallabh sect arrived. The Vaishnavas gave him water and prasad of the Lord. The ship in which Shri Kishordas Ji was seated also sailed. All the evil people started praising his devotion. From there, Shri Kishordas Ji came to Narayan sir from Kutchh via Anjad, Bhuj Nagar.

 

In Narayan Sir, Shri Kishordas Ji met a saint named Rampuri, who was one hundred and one years old and was wearing a Vaishnav Tilak on his forehead. By meeting him and with devotional discussions, Shri Kishordas Ji was very happy. Shri Rampuri also considered the disciple of Shri Swami Pitambardev Ji as equal to him. He said to Kishordas "I have served your spiritual master for many days. I heard a story from his mouth, so I am telling you. In the tradition of Shri Swami Haridas Ji, there was an Acharya named Tribhangdevacharya Ji. He used to reside in Narayan Sir. Seeing his vast knowledge, devotion, and his divine body, the divine goddess Hingulaj Devi surrendered unto his lotus feet. By praising Shri Tribhangadev, she received mantra-initiation from him and the eternal secret of Shri Vrindavan. Then she became a pure Vaishnavi and gave up the animal sacrifice. In Guru-Dakshina (offering to spiritual master), she offered a long life to Shri Tribhangdevacharya Ji. Now you go to Kashmir, the birthplace of Brajbhushan, and Brajjeevan, the original teacher of the Sect while having darshan of Goddess Hingulaj. There, Shri Prakashdas Ji, the disciple of Shri Swami Haridas Ji, still resides, who has an exclusive love at the lotus feet of Shri Swami Haridas Ji Maharaj."

 

Shri Kishordas Ji visited Goddess Hingulaj Temple via many pilgrimage places, then he came to Kashyappuri while traveling. After having darshan of Nagarjuna, Shri Kishordas Ji came to Kshirbhavani and was pleased to see Kshirbhavani. Eight saints were also accompanying him. In Kshirbhavani, Brahmanas used to perform Yagya continuously. Seeing all this Vaishnav form, those Shakta Brahmins situated in pride, got angry and started uttering bitter words. Even the enraged Brahmanas ran to break their Kanthi (basil beads tied around their neck). Shri Kishordas Ji remembered his spiritual master. Immediately his spiritual master helped and near them there was a greenfield on the bank of a lake, from which, a man appeared, from whose body the rays like the sun were emanating. His bright huge forehead was adorned with Vaishnav tilak, a pair of basil beads were tied around his neck, a huge body of enormous arms, a kopeen (a piece of cloth) in his ribs, and a Karuva (earthen pot) in his hand. At the pace of a cheerful elephant, he came near them. All of them became extremely happy after seeing him. He bowed down and said, "You are all saints, respected by all. The saints of the four sects are the form of Brahm (supreme entity)." Then he told the differences of the different names, gurus, places, etc. of the saints who came with Shri Kishordas Ji. After that, he showed special love towards Shri Kishordas Ji like a spiritual master.

Seeing and hearing this, the Brahmanas who were performing the Yagya (fire sacrifice) got up and came running with folded hands and stood there in fear. Targeting him, that great saint Shri Prakashdas Ji started saying, "Veda-Purana has determined the essence of everyone's duty of devotion to Lord Shri Hari. Those who are not humble to Lord Hari, do not worship him, they are inferior, ill-mannered, filthy, Shudra, and those who are surrendered to Lord Hari, serve him, they are the noblest and virtuous sages even though they are Shudras. Those who do not have love at the lotus feet of the spiritual master, their taking birth is useless even after being born in a brahman family? Those who wear basil beads on their neck, apply Urddhava-Pundra (verticle tilak) on their head and chant the holy names of Lord Hari are the gods of the Varnashramis (performer of scriptural duties). Haters of Vaishnavas are all hypocrites and will be punished by Dharmaraja (God of hell). They are very vile and impure. They have destroyed everything. The saints are movable pilgrimage. By bathing in their words, the filthy people become pure by body and mind."

After speaking this, Shri Prakashdas Ji put his hand on the head of Shri Kishordas Ji. Shri Kishordas Ji touched his feet. Describing Nidhuvan, Shri Prakashdas Ji narrated the blessings of Shri Swami Haridas Ji Maharaj, Shri Vithalvipul Dev Ji, Shri Biharinidev Ji, Shri Sarasdev Ji, Shri Narharidev Ji, Shri Rasikdev Ji, and Shri Pitambar Dev Ji. Then he was pleased and said, "You have to stay here for three months. Then after staying for ten days in Kashtabaad, you will visit the land of Bhutan and have darshan of the sage Gautam." Saying this Shri Prakashdas Ji left.

Seeing such an incident, the Brahmanas got very scared and started praising Shri Kishordas Ji.

 

After residing in Kashmir for three months, Shri Kishordas Ji reached Kashtabaad while traveling. There he met Saint Purushottamdas Ji. Both of them went to Bhutan. Visiting many forests, mountains, and rivers, etc., they came to Dugdh Ganga lake. Both of them took bath in the lake and sat on a huge rock beside the lake and worshiped their deities. As soon as they were preparing to walk, a very beautiful young divine lady appeared and said to Shri Kishordas Ji, "Go to this wonderful garden, there you will get the darshan of sage Gautam." Hearing this, Shri Kishordas Ji went ahead after remembering the words of Shri Prakashdas Ji. After walking for a while, he looked back, then he did not see the beautiful divine lady. Then he came to know that the spiritual master has kindly shown the way from the mouth of the Goddess. Seeing many many trees full of fruits and flowers, his mind was filled with joy. A cave appeared there, at the entrance of which, he saw a huge rock capable of seating four hundred men. Both of them sat on it. Then suddenly a gust of wind came. As soon as the wind touched them, their bodies and mind became very happy, and spontaneously they were lost in an unknown state and the vision of Shri Radha Krishn was settled in their hearts and eyes. They remained in this state of happiness for 3 hours, then it was noontime.

As soon as they came out of that unknown state, the vision of Shri Hari appeared. After that, the outer form of the cave disappeared and a wonderful, bright light appeared in it. Green creepers, whispering clouds, lakes full of water, green land, and the clear sky began to be seen. After that, they heard a sound like thunder lightning. Now they had darshan of many sages cave. All of them were in the guise of Paramahansa (liberated souls) of Sanakadikas (four sons of Lord Brahma), their hairs were very smooth, and they were wearing Aadbandh, Kopin (cloth on waist), tilak on forehead, garland and had the same age with beautiful forms. They walked from east to west with folded hands, then came back there. They showed this sight to Shri Kishordas Ji for two hours, then they disappeared. After this, both of them saw evening, midnight, and morning in a very short span of time. Then such fear was created in both of them as hundreds of lions were roaring and following them. Both of them ran away from there. When they came to the real path after running for a long time, then the fear disappeared. Ongoing ahead, they forgot the path and entered the formidable forest. As night fell, they rested on a rock in front of the cave. In the night, when the terrible demon came out of the cave, they became very frightened. Shri Kishordas Ji remembered his spiritual master and Shri Swami Haridas Ji, due to which that evil spirit gave him milk while respecting him. Both of them went ahead from there.

 

Lake Raviganga is situated on the Prabha Jyoti mountain, on the banks of which the Sun God is seen with a chariot on the 7th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Ashwin (Sept-Oct) in Suryakund. Hearing this from the mouths of the saints, Shri Kishordas Ji along with the saint climbed the beautiful mountain which was laden with flowers, and took a bath in the Raviganga. After four hours in the night, they heard the sound of invisible Demigod's planes coming like the sound of a peacock flying and the fragrance of Demigod's bodies also came. This continued till midnight, after which the sound of many instruments and dances, songs, and ragas was heard. When four hours of the night remained, the sound of music stopped and the sound of the departure of planes was heard. Both of them came down from the mountain in the morning seeing the Sun God in the Surya Kund. There were 24 saints while climbing, but only 19 remained while coming down, no one could know the reason.

 

Shri Kishordas Ji walked from there and while bathing in Chandrabhaga and Vyasganga, he was very surprised to see the mountains floating above the waters in Rahubalsar. From there he stayed for twelve days in Suketpur. There was the great terror of the lion in this town. He would enter the town and devour humans. Because of his fear, all the doors were closed and people were sleeping. Shri Kishordas Ji used to live outside on a platform under the tree, people kept warning him about the lion. One day the roaring lion came in the middle of the night. Remembering the spiritual master, Shri Kishordas Ji sat fearlessly. The lion stood in front of him for four hours groaning, then returned to the forest on his own.

In the morning men and women started worshiping Shri Kishordas Ji considering him a great mystic saint.

 

Shri Kishordas Ji came from there to Haridwar, Rishikesh via pilgrimage places like Jwalamukhi, Kot Kangra, Sutlej, etc. From there he went to Dev Prayag, Shri Nagar, Kedarnath, Tungnath, and Badrinath. Then he came to Haridwar via Vishnu Prayag, Karna Prayag. From there via Shuktal and Kurukshetra, he came to Garhmukteshwar. There he found an Avadhoot (mystic saint) in the Hatkeshwar Shiva temple. He asked "Who are you? Where did you come from? Where do you live? And where are you going now?"

Hearing the words of the Avadhoot, Shri Kishordas Ji said, "I am the servant of the Achyuta clan - Shri Hari. I have firm faith in the lotus feet of Shri Swami Haridas Ji, who is the main Acharya of the sect. My sect is Nimbark and I always stay at the lotus feet of my spiritual master. Shri Vrindavan is my abode. Now I have come from the north direction and I hope to go to Vrindavan."

Hearing this, Avadhoot saint was very pleased, saying, "The Sanak sect is the best and is enshrined from the beginning of the universe. Shri Balabhadracharya Ji has become a great majesty in this sect of yours. He settled at this place for some time and determined the supreme principle." Hearing this, Shakta Brahmanas came running and filled with pride started uttering raucous words. The Brahmanas began to declare the form of Lord Shiva to be supreme with references from the Shruti-Smriti scriptures, upon which the Avdhoot would sing the glories of his worshipful deity. When Avdhoot saw their stubbornness, he said, "If you all are the true devotees of Shiva-Shakti, then go near Shiva and humbly tell him the opinion of both of us and ask him for his decision."

Hearing the words of Avdhoot, the Brahmins made a request in front of Lord Hatkeshwar. Everyone heard a clear voice from the temple, "Blessed be Balabhadracharya Ji. He has imbibed the wonderful principles of devotion to the supreme. There is no wickedness like a brahmin who acts against a saint." Hearing the words of Shiva, the Brahmanas feared and took shelter of Shri Kishordas Ji. So Lord Hatkeshwar is the Supreme devotee.

Shri Kishordas Ji was pleased to hear the voice of Avadhoot.

 

Shri Kishordas Ji walking from there came near Lohagarh and saw a surprise. In a small bright beautiful place near the mountain, he saw a house, inside the closed door of which appeared a man with a body like a blazing fire. Shri Kishordas Ji sat on a platform in front of the house. At 9 PM in the night, a beautiful woman brought flour. Then he asked, "Who are you?"

The woman said, "whatever you want." Saying this she entered inside the house. Then the man opened the door. After an hour, the man brought hot Mahaprasad rice and ghee. Shri Kishordas Ji was already very hungry, so immediately he ate the Mahaprasad. Then the man entered the house and closed the door. Being tired, Shri Kishordas Ji fell into sleep.

When he got up in the morning, he did not see the house, neither the man nor the woman. He was astonished. Even after asking in Lohagarh, no one could tell about them.

 

Shri Kishordas Ji came to Jaipur from there and became very happy after seeing the lotus feet of his spiritual master. While showering affection, Shri Swami Pitambardev Ji kept Shri Kishordas Ji close to him. Shri Kishordas Ji came to Shri Vrindavan with the spiritual master and with his permission started serving Shri Rasik Bihari Ji. Shri Pitambardev Ji, considering Shri Kishordas Ji to be the right candidate, illuminated his heart with the divine pastimes of Shri Radha Krishn and filled him with the Nectar. Now Shri Kishordas Ji like a fish used to dive in the ocean of Nectar being intoxicated, engrossed, and immersed in the divine pastimes.

Shri Kishordas Ji was a great scholar in the methods of worship of Nitya Vihar. He recognized the esoteric meaning of the composition of the great Acharyas. He was the ultimate scholar of this secret Nectar. He used to contemplate the divine pastimes of Shri Radha Krishn and would be engrossed in it. His composition is very fine, melodious, full of soft verses. His speech and literature are supreme. He composed his principles and biographies of the Acharyas and compiled them in the book "Nijmat Siddhant", in a fine poetic style. He was very generous, humble, simple, and very emotional.

Scholar Shri Harivallabh Ji has written in his praise:-

 

Due to the great love at the lotus feet of Shri Hari and devotees, he has been praised by the 

saintly scholars by saying "Bhavukam Vishwavandyam Hridyam Prembhajam".

 

Shri Swami Pitambardev Ji brought the beautiful Deity of Shri Radha Krishn from Jaipur. Shri Swami Rasikdev Ji was very pleased after seeing this beautiful sweet couple. The couple were named 

Shri Yugal Vihari. Shri Swami Pitambardev Ji after installing Shri Yugal Vihari Ji in a Kunj at Suraj Ghat, started doing their service while staying there. This Kunj was handed over to Shri Kishordas Ji later. He was the Mahant of this Kunj. This Kunj is situated in the lane next to Nand Bhavan (Ratanlal Ji's Dharamshala) in Biharipura, Vrindavan.

 

Mahant Shri Kishordas Ji is the first historian of the sect. He was a great scholar and also imaginative and poetic. His composition "Nijmat Siddhant" is like a Purana. It has been composed in couplets and quatrains. In between, other verses have also been used. From Adyacharya Jagadguru Shri Nimbarkacharya Ji to 12 Acharyas and from Shri Devacharya to Swami Shri Haridas Ji Maharaj and Ashtacharyas biographies are also found in detail. According to the occasion, he also included things like devotion, knowledge, dispassion, and preaching in "Vigyan-Gita". In terms of Nectar, finery, and quality, 'Nijmat' is a great composition. Thus it is a huge reference book of devotion. In short, it can be said that if only "Nijmat Siddhanta" is considered, then it is enough to keep the fame of Shri Kishordas Ji lasting. Apart from this, his more prolific compositions are available in abundance. All these compositions are written by Shri Kishordas Ji's own hand and a handwritten copy also has his signature :

 

A huge collection of his works on principles was published under the name "Siddhanta Ratnakar". There is no mention of the period of his composition anywhere; Shri Vasudeva Goswami has estimated the composition of "Nijmat-Siddhant" around 1763. Therefore, his composition period can be considered between 1753 to 1773.

 

The handwritten texts of Mahant Shri Kishordas Ji's Nectar of Nikunj pastimes were found in the private library of late Lala Shri Shalgram Ji Vaish of Kanpur. There is a compilation of works like Premanand-Pachisi, Shri Vrindavipun Vilas, Neh-Tarang, Varshotsava, and Acharyotsava, etc. Although all these are small works in quantity, yet they have their own importance. In these compositions, there is a heart-wrenching depiction of the themes of Shri Shyama-Shyam's form, beauty, attachment, intense love, and NiKunj pastimes etc. There is a wonderful description in 'Lalit Komal-Kant' verses of various festivals of Shri Radha Krishn throughout the year from Basantotsav to Vihar-Panchami in Varshotsava. After the verses of greetings on the birth ceremony of Adyacharya Jagadguru Shri Nimbarkacharya Ji in Acharyotsava, the verses of greetings on the birth ceremony of all the Acharyas from Swami Shri Ashudhir Dev Ji to Swami Shri Pitambardev Ji are described progressively. This is the only copy of it currently available to our knowledge, which was completed on the 4th day in the bright fortnight in the month of Ashadh (June-July) in 1897. It has been written by Shri Bandideen. Shri Kishordas Ji's works which have been found so far can be divided into the following three parts.

1. Nizmat Siddhant; Adi, Madhy, Avsaan and Acharya Sections.

2. Swami Shri Ashudhirdev Ju ko Charitra.

3. Swami Shri Viharindev Ju ko Charitra.

 

1. Siddhant-Sarovar

2. Siddhant Saar Sangrah

3. Adbhut Anand Sat

4. Upadesh-Anand-Sat

5. Savaiya-Pachisi

6. Futkar Kavitt

 

1. Premanand-Pachisi

2. Sri Vrindavipun- Vilas

3. Neh-Tarang

4. Varshotsav

5. Acharyotsav

 

The understandings of Mahant Shri Kishordas Ji was vast. He had done a good study of the philosophical texts like Shrimad Bhagwat, Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, Upanishad, and the Vanis of saint poets like Surdas, Tulsidas, Kabirdas, etc.; such a clear impression is found in his works. His language was filled with Nectar and full of qualities like radiance, prasad, melody, etc. Exclusive Nectar and picturesqueness are his main qualities. The use of fineries is abundant in his creations. These experiments are not just for use but are natural. With language and flow, the fineries have flowed on their own. The use of alliteration and pun, rhetoric in these fineries has become good. In terms of word-planning, verse-composition, and finery, etc., in all respects, he proves to be the best poet, skilled in the art.