Biography of Shri Rooprasik Devacharya

Shri Rooprasik Devacharya Ji was born in the southern state of the country and was a Brahmin by caste. The birth of Shri Rooprasik Devacharya Ji is estimated to be around 1500, due to being contemporary of Parshuram Devacharya. His childhood education was also done in his motherland. That is why His mother tongue was also south Indian. He was also a good scholar of Sanskrit. Since childhood, He used to always engage in the service of Shri Radha Krishn by following celibacy.

 

Shri Rooprasik Devacharya Ji used to do farming for livelihood. He had great devotion in the service of saints. For a long time, the service of saints continued smoothly at his place. In the absence of rain for a year, there was no production in agriculture. In such a situation, there was a state of fasting in the house. Children were starving. Shri Rooprasik Ji was going somewhere in search of food. He met some saints on the way, and He brought all the saints home by persuasion and humility. He was very happy with the arrival of the saints, but his wife panicked that how would so many saints be honored? There is no food or money in the house.

Shri Rooprasik Ji told his wife that if there is any ornament He can sell that can be sacrificed in the service of the saints. All His sorrows will be removed by the blessings of these saints. His wife had only one nose ring and She gave it to her husband. Shri Rooprasik Ji sold it and served the saints. After the saints left, everyone took the leftover food remnants of the saints. On the same night, Lord came in a dream of Shri Rooprasik Ji and said that there is a lot of wealth lying in a particular place in the house, dig it, and serve the saints happily. When Shri Rooprasik Ji dug that place, He really got a lot of money. Then the days of Shri Rooprasik Ji began to pass with great joy.

 

Shri Rooprasik Devacharya's love towards the saints is written in one of His couplets:

 

The devotees of Shri Hari are my worshipful deity, by whose service all desires are fulfilled and the mind attains bliss.

 

Shri Rooprasik Devacharya Ji was very interested in listening to the sweet nectar of Shri Radha Krishn along with nine types of devotion. He is overjoyed merely by hearing of the arrival of Vaishnavas. Seeing Vaishnavas, He used to run barefoot very joyfully with the utmost affection and used to meet them like a calf meets the cow. He used to satisfy his eyes by seeing the Vaishnavas and was very pleased to hear the pastimes of the devotees and Lord through them.

After spending 36 years in devotion and service of the saints, Shri Rooprasik Devacharya Ji had a true desire to attain a spiritual master. The Lord, considering Shri Rooprasik Ji His most beloved devotee, having seen his devotional practices of previous births, commanded him, "You must go to the Madhupuri (Mathura) Dham, surrender unto the Lotus Feet of Shri Harivyas Devacharya, and live life performing devotional practices according to His instructions. Only through him, You will attain your desired goal."

 

Glories of Shri Harivyas Devacharya:
Shri Rooprasik Devacharya Ji had already knew the influence and glories of Shri Harivyas Devacharya Ji in his heart. Many saints used to go there and used to describe the wonderful glories of Shri Harivyasdev Ji. Hearing the introduction of the devotional practices of the the devotees of Shri Harivyas Devacharya, and the great devotional spirit in them, there is to very fervent desire in Shri Rooprasik Ji's heart to see him. Shri Rooprasik Devacharya Ji used to pray "O Lord! O, great master! When will I get the good fortune of seeing your Lotus Feet, so that I will be able to fulfill the goal of this human body."

Shri Rooprasik Devacharya Ji was very pleased after receiving the orders of Shri Hari, at the same time breaking the difficult-worldly clutches, wandering in the garden of divine life, longing for the darshan of Shri Harivyas Devacharya Ji, left to Mathura. Every moment of not having His darshan began to appear like a million of years. Shri Rooprasik Ji started praising him on the way

 

Performing many such types of Shri Harivyas-Naam-Sankirtan, He reached Shri Harivyas-ashram in Mathura, But there was an empire of nostalgia in place of joy. All the Vaishnavas were absorbed in sadness as if thousands of Sun were without rays. Shri Harivyasdev Ji had left thousands of souls and had merged with his eternal form. Shri Rooprasik Ji also had to participate in the mourning of all the Vaishnavas of the place. Seeing everyone unhappy, he asked the reason for this, and then he came to know that Shri Harivyas Devacharya had left this material world. On hearing this, Shri Rooprasik Devacharya Ji felt as if there was a thunderbolt in his heart, fainting and lying on the lap of the earth. Panic spread among the saints and the spectators, that what happened to the Brahmin! They awakened him from unconsciousness by trying in many ways. Shri Rooprasik Devacharya Ji woke up and said the purpose of his coming in front of everyone and took a vow that - "I will not do anything until I see Shri Harivyas Devacharya." After saying this, he sat down firmly and started meditating. Seven days and nights passed, but He did not get distracted by his fasting.

 

Shri Hari Himself had to appear in the form of Shri Harivyasdev or Shri Harivyas Devacharya himself had to appear. No need to doubt here! However, Shri Harivyas Ji was the form of almighty Shri Haripriya (Shri Radha), describing his powers is like showing a lamp to the sun. Today, in the heart of one of his devotees, seeing the firmness of intense love, and being unable to delay more, He appeared and started saying with a melodious voice - “O dear child! Open your eyes." 
Hearing that divine loving voice, as soon as He opened His eyes, He saw Shri Harivyas Devacharya, and the heart of Shri Rooprasik Devacharya Ji was bursting away in love, there was no limit to His joy. Shri Rooprasik Ji prostrated at the Lotus Feet of Shri Harivyas Devacharya and after chanting His praises, He was enchanted by his grace. Shri Harivyas Devacharya ordered Rooprasik Ji to express his heart's desire. He prayed "O Lord! O protector of refugees! O, Master! You are omnipotent; however, You take great interest in listening to the gentle and melodious prayers of your devotees. Parents, out of love, entangle their child in many things, listening to his tender-sounding words, are very happy. I also give up hesitation and pray that - O protector of refugees! I am trapped in this material world, please save me." Devotional speech emanating from the heart of the devotee compelled Shri Harivyas Devacharya to grant this boon. At the same time, Shri Harivyas Devacharya embraced Shri Rooprasik Ji to his heart and ritually initiated him by giving him Shri Gopal Mantra. Shri Harivyas Devacharya Ji gave 'Shri Mahavani' to Shri Rooprasik Ji and instructed him to follow and spread 'Mahavani' among the devotees and He disappeared.

Just as Shrimad Bhagvat was composed by Shri Vyasji and spread in the world through Shri Shukdevji, similarly, Shri Harivyasdev Ji ordered to reveal Shri 'Mahavani' through Shri Rooprasik Ji. He spread Shri Mahavani among the Rasik devotees and kept on worshiping Shri Shyama Shyam while being engaged in the contemplation of Shri Mahavani Ji throughout his life as per the instructions of his spiritual master.

 

In the words of Shri Rooprasik Devacharya Ji, Vrindavan Dham is even Higher than Golok Dham. Therefore, It is impossible to compare Shri Vrindavan Dham with any other abode where Shri Radha Krishn performs Nitya Vihar. One may sacrifice Sarvopari Golokdham upon the beauty of the single-particle of Vrindavan. As described by Him:

 

The innermost essence of the four Vedas, six Shastras, and eighteen Puranas is contemplation [remembrance] of Vrindavan. As described by Him:

 

The biggest sin is to associate with the one who is disinterested in Vrindavan. One should immediately leave the association of the one who is not interested in hearing the glories of Vrindavan because there is no sin bigger than to associate with Him. As mentioned in His couplet:

 

Shri Roop Rasik Devacharya has also considered the devotion of Vrindavan from the mind equivalent to Vrindavan Vas. If for some reason, one cannot stay in Vrindavan, then make Vrindavan Dwell in your heart. That is also sufficient; Rasik saints have considered it equal to ‘Vrindavan Vas’ [residing in Vrindavan]. As described by Him:

 

There are many verses, and couplets in the ‘Leela Vanshati’ whose bhavas are of a very high order like other Rasikas.

Although Shyam Sundar is supremely proficient and the Supreme Personality of Godhead, yet, He remains humble and needy before Shri Radha, being influenced by Her love. This is beautifully depicted in the following couplet:

- Prem Manjari (2)

 

There is no bliss like the ‘Madhurya’ devotion of Vrindavan. Uncountable opulence can be sacrificed here on a single drop of this sweet nectar. As described in the following couplet:

- Madhurya Madhuri (13)

 

Shri Nitya Viharini Shri Shyama Ju is considered to be the life and soul of Shri Rooprasik Devacharya Ji as said:

- Nitya Vilas (4)

 

One of the padas He described in which He has expressed the bhava of His heart.

O Ghanshyam, don't sprinkle perfume on my limbs early in the morning. Do you want to make me as dark as you? You can't tolerate anyone's fair complexion. I know that you have been repenting in your heart for my limbs being of a different color than yours. Shri Rooprasik Devacharya Ji says, "All the works of the creator are completed even without desire, we have no control over it."

  

So far four texts composed by Shri Rooprasik Devacharya Ji have been found.

1: Vrihadotsav Manimal

2: Harivyasyashamrit

3: Nityavihar Padavali

4: Leela Vinshati

 

Shri Harivyasyashamrit describes the nature and essence of Shri Harivyasdev Ji. Vrihadotsav Manimal contains verses of the festivals of ten incarnations from Vasant to Vyanjan Dvadashi and has total of 1994 verses. 120 verses related to the eternal pastimes of Shri Radha Krishn are described in the Nityavihar Padavali. There are 20 pastimes described in Leela Vinshati. 19 pastimes are in the verses like Vrindavan Madhuri, Naam Madhuri, Ras Manjari, Madhurya Madhuri, Nitya Vilas, etc and "Siddhanta Madhuri" is in prose.