Introduction :
Shri Gopaldas Ji "Laghu Sakhi" was a great devotee of the Radhavallabh sect. His birth is estimated around 1940 in Punjab.
Spiritual Life :
When Shri Gopaldas Ji was 14 years old, he came to Vrindavan in the service of his early spiritual master Shri Mukund Hari. He was very simple by nature and loved Vrindavan very much. He started Sohni service (brooming) at Sewa Kunj in Vrindavan. Shri Gopaldas Ji considered the vines of Sevakunj to be eternal companions of Shri Radha.
Praying Shri Radharani to teach Sohni Service (brooming) :
When Shri Gopaldas Ji started sweeping service at Sewa Kunj, at that time he was a new devotee and was not able to sweep properly. One day Goswami Ji of Sewakunj got very angry seeing Gopaldas Ji's sweeping service and scolded him very loudly that "You don't know even to sweep?" Shri Gopaldas Ji was very sad due to this scolding and went inside the vines and started crying a lot. Shri Gopaldas Ji started thinking how unfortunate I am, who does not even know to sweep. Then he prayed to Shri Radharani -
Kishori Mohe Sohani Den Sikhaavo.
He, Mand Muskaaye Laadali, Nav Nav Kripa Kor Barsao. [1]
Koti Kiran Chhidakat Angan Mein, Begi Kripa Kari Dhaavo.
Tab Bolo Hans-Hans Ke Shyama, Mand Svaran Batalaavo. [2]
Aisi Sewa Karo Ri Baanvari, To Gaal Pe Mithi Si Chapat Lagao.
Shri Gopal Hit Lalit Laadili Shri Hit Sajni Ki Daasi Banao. [3]
O Shri Radha, please teach me to do sweeping service. O soft hearted one, please smile gently and shower your evernew grace on me. [1]
O ever youthful mistress, various rays of light are emanating from your limbs, please come running quickly to have mercy on me. Then speak to me with a soft smile, talk to me in your soft voice. [2]
O Shri Radha, please teach me how to serve by saying "do such service", and even if I am not able to do service properly, then put a sweet pat on my cheek. Shri Gopaldas Ji is saying "O Pretty and Soft Hearted Shri Radha, make me the maidservant of Hit Sajni Sakhi." [3]
Shri Radharani listened to this prayer, due to which Gopaldas Ji kept sweeping in the Sewa Kunj for the rest of his life.
Shri Gopaldas Ji's routine of regular Sohni service :
It was the daily rule of Shri Gopaldas Ji to do sohni service in Shri Sewa Kunj. Once upon a time, at the request of some Vaishnavas, Shri Gopaldas Ji went to Delhi. There he was invited to a sankirtan ceremony. The ceremony lasted till midnight. It was around 2 o'clock in the night. Shri Gopaldas Ji told everyone that now I will sleep. Saying this Gopaldas Ji fell asleep. After 5-7 minutes Shri Gopaldas Ji got up quickly and started saying that I have to go to Vrindavan, I will miss my holy service of sweeping in Sewa Kunj, I will also miss Mangala Aarti of Shri Radharani. All the Vaishnavas brought Gopaldas Ji to Vrindavan and Shri Gopaldas Ji took the darshan of Mangala Aarti and started his sweeping service in Sewa Kunj.
State of mind of Shri Gopaldas Ji after the vines of Sewa Kunj was cut :
In 2013, for the renovation work of Sewa Kunj, some vines had to be removed so that the Rasleela Sthali (platform) could be constructed in the middle. The workers cut some of the vines. Seeing this Shri Gopaldas Ji became distraught and sat on fast. The construction work was stopped but according to Gopaldas Ji, the vines and trees of Sewa Kunj are the eternal Sakhis of Shri Radharani. Due to this, the health of Shri Gopaldas Ji got worse. He was treated but could not recover again.
Compositions :
Shri Gopaldas Ji has composed many verses which are compiled in the book "Nikunj Ras Vallari".
Disappearance :
Shri Gopaldas Ji left his body in 2013 due to illness and attained Nikunj.