Vaishnava Samhita. Shri Paramanandadasa Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 8 Shlokas 29 - 32

त्यक्त्वा गोवर्धने वासं त्यक्त्वा श्रीकृष्णकीर्तनम् |

वृथा दधाति भूभारं मर्त्योsनित्यं कलेबरम् ||

परमानन्ददासस्य कृष्णप्रेमरतस्य तु |

सार्थं हि तस्य नामापि परमानन्दरूपिणः ||

सामान्यं जीवितं लोके विचारः परमोत्तमः |

साधूनां लक्षणं ह्येतत्सर्वमानवरञ्चकम् ||

डाम्भिकाश्च धनोन्मत्ता व्यर्थाडम्बरजीविताः |

एतत्तत्वं न जानन्ति पवित्रं साधुजीवनम् ||

Man unnecessarily bears the deadweight of his body, which is a burden for the earth, forgetting Krishna kirtan and the meaningful stay on the Govardhana Hill. The very name of Paramanandadasa became meaningful as he had deep longing for Krishna prem. Simple living and high thinking - this noble ideal of the sadhus appeals to all the people on this earth. Does it not? Those proud people who take delight in displaying their wealth rolling in pomp and show do not understand the meaning of such a simple and pious life.

Thus ends Chapter Eight entitled 'Paramamandadasa Charitam' of Book VII of Shri Vaishnava Samhita composed by Shri Shri Krishna Premi Swamigal

Vaishnava Samhita. Shri Paramanandadasa Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 8 Shlokas 24 - 28

अथ श्रीगोकुलं गत्वा परमानन्दसम्युतः |

दर्शयामास तस्मै तं नवनीतप्रियं हरिम् ||

अथ गोवर्धनं गत्वा वल्लभः शिष्यवत्सलः |

श्रीनाथं दर्शयामास परानन्दाय धीमते ||

परमानन्ददासश्च वल्लभाचार्यलालितः |

वासञ्चकार सानन्दं गोवर्धनसमीपतः ||

तीरे सुरभिकुण्डस्य गोवर्धनसमीपतः |

तमालवृक्षमूले स वासञ्चक्रे निरन्तरम् ||

तस्य कीर्तननादेन नित्यं मुखरतो गिरिः |

चकार नटनं तदग्रे भगवान् हरिः ||

Then he reached Gokulam along with Paramanandadasa, and showed him Shri Krishna, the child fond of butter.Then Shri Vallabha, the one fond of his disciples, returned to Govardhana and helped the wise Paramanandadasa, in gaining the coveted darshan of Shrinatha. Thus taken care of and patronized by Shri Vallabhacharya, Paramanandadasa stayed happily in the vicinity of Govardhana Hill. Then he chose the foot of a tamala tree near the pool of Surabhi located in the vicinity of Govardhana Hill as his permanent dwelling place. Daily his Krishna kirtan echoed on Govardhana Hill. Shrinatha danced in front of him.

Vaishnava Samhita. Shri Paramanandadasa Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 8 Shlokas 22 - 23

पुलकीकृतसर्वाङ्गो बाष्पसुस्निग्धलोचनः |

नानासात्विकभावैश्च संपूर्णस्वकलेबरः ||

कृष्णध्याननिमग्नास्तु न सस्मार जगत्त्रयम् |

शृण्वन् श्रीवल्लभाचार्यः परमानन्दकीर्तनम् ||

Shri Vallabha got excited to listen to Paramanandadasa's Hari Kirtan. He shed tears of joy and deep devotion. He was highly moved. He was filled with myriad shades of the emotion of prema bhakti. He became oblivious to all the three worlds and remained immersed in Krishna dhyana.

Vaishnava Samhita. Shri Paramanandadasa Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 8 Shlokas 19 - 21

अथ सङ्ग्कीर्तनं कर्तुमाज्ञापयदमुं गुरुः |

हरिलीलामृतास्वादपरमानन्दकौतुकः ||

परमानन्ददासश्च मधुरं वीणया सह |

संयोजयन् प्रेमवीणां हरिलीलां जगौ तदा ||

आकर्ण्य परमानन्ददासस्य हरिकीर्तनम् |

मूर्च्छामवाप चाचार्यः प्रेमोद्वेगाद्दिनत्रयम् ||

Shri Vallabha was inspired by the ardent desire to taste the nectar of Hari kirtan. Hence he ordered Paramanandasa to sing a song. Immediately Paramanandasa sang melodiously a song dealing with the sweet pastimes of Lord Hari, playing on the Veena with a heart filled with prema bhakti. Listening to the song in praise of Lord Hari rendered by Paramanandasa, Shri Vallabha was overwhelmed by the flow of prem and hence he remained unconscious for three days.

Vaishnava Samhita. Shri Paramanandadasa Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 8 Shlokas 16 - 18

श्रीसद्गुरुरुवाच

इति निश्चित्य मनसा परानन्दो दृढव्रतः |

निर्जगाम पुराच्छीघ्रं गुरुदर्शनलालसः ||

अचिरेणैव कालेन श्रीवल्लभमुपागतः |

न्यवेदयत्तथात्मानं श्रीपादकमले गुरोः ||

तदागमनहर्षेण प्रोत्फुल्लनयनांबुजः |

श्रीवल्लभः परानन्दमग्रहीत् परेमपूर्वकम् ||

Shri Sadguru continued

Arriving at this decision, the firm-minded Paramanandadasa started from Prayag, induced by the desire to have a darshan of his guru. In a short period, he reached the guru and submitted himself at the holy feet of the latter. Shri Vallabha who became very happy over his arrival accepted Paramanandadasa wholeheartedly

Vaishnava Samhita. Shri Paramanandadasa Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 8 Shlokas 12 - 15

परमानन्द उवाच

को भवानिह संप्राप्तस्तवाङ्के बालमाधवम् |

पश्यामि परमानन्दं जाने त्वां वैष्णावोत्तमम् ||

स होवाच

दासोऽहं वल्लभेन्द्रस्य गोवर्धननिवासिनः |

यदृच्छयाssगतोस्म्यत्र श्रोतुं ते कृष्णकीर्तनम् ||

परमानन्द उवाच

अहो यत्किङ्करस्यैवमङ्के क्रीडति माधवः |

तस्य श्रीवल्लभेन्द्रस्य माहात्म्यं वेद्मि तादृशम् ||

महात्मानं तमेवाहमाचार्यं मनसा वृणे |

द्रक्ष्यामि शीघ्रमेवाद्य सफलं मम जीवितम् ||

Paramanandadasa said

Who are you gracefully present here? I behold Shri Balagopala, the very embodiment of transcendental bliss on your lap. I understand that you must be a great vaishnava.

The bhakta said

I am a subordinate of Shri Vallabha, who resides in the area surrounding Govardhana Hill. Suddenly I came here to listen to your Krishna kirtan.

Paramanandadasa said

What a wonder it is! Shr Madhava plays hilariously seated on the lap of you, and you are a servant of Shri Vallabha. Then I now realise how great should be the glory of your master, Shri Vallabha. I have taken that mahatma to be my preceptor. I shall come to meet him very soon. My life has become really meaningful only now.

Vaishnava Samhita. Shri Paramanandadasa Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 8 Shlokas 6 - 11

साधवो बहवस्तत्र शृण्वन्ति हरिकीर्तनम् |

परमानन्ददासस्य भक्तश्रेष्ठस्य गायतः ||

ददर्श पमनानदः कस्यचिद्भाग्यशालिनः |

अङ्के निषण्णं गोविन्दं नवनीतप्रियं तदा ||

मयूरबर्हमकुटं प्रसन्नवदनाम्बुजम् |

कज्जलालिप्तनयनं कर्णज्वलितकुण्डलम् ||

नवनीरदसङ्काशं नानाभूषणभूशितम् |

नवनीतं करे धृत्वा भक्षयन्तं मुहुर्मुहुः ||

पश्यन्तं परमानन्दं दर्शनीयदिगम्बरम् |

यशोदानन्दनं कृष्णं बालकं कलभाषणम् ||

दर्शनानन्दसंमुग्धो मुरारेर्बालरूपिणः |

पप्रच्छ तं महाभागं परानन्दो महामनाः ||

Many sadhus used to assemble there, and listen to the Hari kirtan carried on by Paramanandadasa, the noted bhakta. Once Paramananda had a vision of Shri Krishna seated on the lap of a very fortunate bhakta. Shri Krishna's countenance had blossomed elegantly. His head was adorned with a peacock feather. His eyes were beautiful with khajal; His ears were decorated with glittering ear-rings; He had a shimmering blue complexion; He was wearing innumerable jewels; He was tasting the butter that He had in his hands; the Child looked extremely charming as He was unclad. That dear one of Yashoda, the lover of butter, Shri Krishna was looking at Paramanandadasa and was lisping some sweet words. Paramanandadasa, the bhakta was enchanted by Shri Krishna, who appeared in the form of a child. He asked that most fortunate bhakta the following question.

Vaishnava Samhita. Shri Paramanandadasa Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 8 Shlokas 2 - 4

शमादिगुणसंपन्नः सत्यधर्मपरायणः |

ज्ञानवैराग्यनिलयो ब्रह्मचर्यव्रते स्थितः ||

कृष्णभक्तिपरो विप्रः सङ्गीतरसतत्त्ववित् |

नानाशास्न्नपुराणज्ञो नामकीर्तनतत्परः ||

तीर्थराजे वसन्नित्यं साधुभिः परिसेवितः |

भक्तिं प्रकाशयामास मधुरैः कृष्णकीर्तनैः ||

He was endowed with all noble qualities. He was very firmly rooted in truth and dharma. He had attained great strength of wisdom and, as a consequence, had developed a withdrawn attitude. He observed strict celibacy. Krishna bhakti was his only aim in life. Born in a bhramana family, he had a very good taste for music. He took delight in nama sankirtan. He lived in the holy city of Prayag. He was venerated by all sadhus. He was spreading bhakti with the aid of sweet songs on Shri Krishna.

Vaishnava Samhita. Shri Paramanandadasa Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 8 Shloka 1

श्रीसद्गुरुरुवाच

परमानन्ददासाख्यः श्रीवल्लभपदाश्रयः |

आसीद्भागवतश्रेष्टस्तच्चरित्रं वदामि वः ||

Shri Sadguru said

There was a distinguised bhagavata named Paramanandadasa who was the disciple of Shri Vallabha. I shall tell you his life story now.

Vaishnava Samhita. Shri Kumbhaadasa Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 7 Shlokas 34 - 35

संमानं घोरगरलं कलयन्त्यात्मनाशनम् |

कृष्णभक्तिपराः सन्तो वैराग्यरसिकाः किल ||

भक्तानां शुद्धचित्तानां यत्सुखं त्वपरिग्रहे |

परिग्रहेण मूढानां तत्सुखं न कदाचन ||

The sadhus who are inclined towards Krishna bhakti alone, consider all gifts and honours as destructive as poison. For, they take delight only in a withdrawn life. The pleasure that the pious sadhus derive in not accepting gifts and offerings is not got by the foolish men who accept such honours.

Thus ends Chapter Seven entitled 'Shri Kumbhadasa Charitam' of book VII of Shri Vaishnava Samhita composed by Shri Shri Krishna Premi Swamigal.

Vaishnava Samhita. Shri Kumbhadasa Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 7 Shloka 32

श्रीसद्गुरुरुवाच

इत्युक्त्वा कुम्भदासश्च तृणीकृतजगत्त्रयः |

लोकवेदपरो भक्तो मौनेनास दृढव्रतः ||

Shri Sadguru continued

Pouring out like that, Shri Kumbhadasa, who considered all the three worlds equal to dust, who had unflinching faith and was above wordly bindings, became silent.

Vaishnava Samhita. Shri Kumbhaadasa Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 7 Shlokas 28 - 31

संपदेव विपत्प्रोक्ता कृष्णभक्तिविनाशिनी |

विपत्संपदिति प्रोक्ता कृष्णभक्तिप्रकाशिनी ||

व्याप्तसंसाररोगाणां गारिद्र्यं परमौधम् |

येनैव दूनचित्तानां कृष्णभक्तिः प्रजायते ||

ऐश्वर्यपरमोन्मत्ता डम्भाहङ्कारतन्मयाः |

प्राप्नुवन्त्येव ते लज्जां जगदीश्वरकीर्तने ||

तस्माद्दारिद्र्यमिच्छामि कृष्णभक्तिप्रवर्धनम् |

नाहमिच्छामि संद्रष्टुं धनिनां परुषं मुखम् ||

Attaining the riches that kills Krishna bhakti is dangerous. Even a danger that shall strengthen Krishna bhakti becomes a great blessing in disguise. For those who are engulfed by the disease of the cycle of births and deaths, poverty is the best cure.Suffering resulting from poverty induces Krishna bhakti. Those rich men who are proud of their wealth and are indulged in pomp and ostentation feel shy of singing the praise of Lord Jagannatha. Hence I love poverty that enhances the devotion to Lord Krishna. I do not want to see the stern, long faces of the rich.

Vaishnava Samhita. Shri Kumbhaadasa Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 7 Shlokas 26 - 27

दासोऽहं तस्य देवस्य तत्साम्राज्ये वसाम्यहम् |

संह्रुष्टोस्मि सदा राजन् दारिद्र्यं न कदाचन ||

कृपणो यस्त्वसंतुष्टः सन्ततं धनलोलुपः |

दरिद्रोपि स एवाढयो यः श्रीधरपदप्रियः ||

I am a devotee of that Lord. I live in this empire with happiness and contentment. I never consider myself a poor man. One who is stingy and is not contented with what he has, is a great miser. But one who is poor and yet has devotion to Lord Krishna is a very fortunate person.

Vaishnava Samhita. Shri Kumbhaadasa Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 7 Shlokas 24 - 25

कुंभदास उवाच

ग्रामोsयं न मया सृष्टो न त्वया च नरोत्तम |

नाहमिच्छामि मे नाम कर्तुमस्य महीपते ||

व्रजभूमिरियं सर्वा श्रीनाथपदलान्च्छिता |

तस्यैव संपदेषा तु न वयं भागहारिणः ||

Kumbhadasa replied

Oh, King! This village was not created by you or me. Hence I do not want it to be named after me. The entire land of Golkula bears the seal of the holy feet of Shrinatha. This is His exclusive personal property. I do not want to become one who confiscates other's property.

Vaishnava Samhita. Shri Kumbhaadasa Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 7 Shlokas 21 - 23

राजोवाच

ईदृशो ज्ञानवैराग्यसंपन्नो वैष्णवोत्तमः |

दुर्लभः सांप्रतं लोके कलिकल्मषदूषिते ||

कृत्वैव बहवो लोके कृष्णकीर्तनविक्रयम् |

धनार्जनपराः सन्ति साधुवेषपरायणाः ||

ग्रामस्यास्य करिष्यामि कुंभदासपुराभिधाम् |

अनुज्ञां देहि भक्तेन्द्र ममेच्छां पूरय प्रभो ||

The king said

It is very rare to find a vaishnavottama filled with wisdom and detachment in this Kaliyuga. In this Kaliyuga there are many who pretend to be sadhus. They make money selling Krishna kirtan. Oh, king of the bhaktas! Atleast, I shall name this village Kumbhadasapura after you. Please allow me to do so and thus fulfil my desire.

Vaishnava Samhita. Shri Kumbhaadasa Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 7 Shlokas 16 - 20

अयं महाभागवतो दैन्यमेतस्य जीवितम् |

तृणमेवासनं विद्धि मुकुरं जलमेव हि ||

श्रुत्वैतन्मन्त्रिणो वाक्यं सहसा पृथिवीपतिः |

प्रददौ कुंभदासस्य मुकुरं हेमभूषितम् ||

आश्रमस्थस्य दीनस्य भक्तस्यापि विशेषतः |

अनेन किं दर्पणेन ममेत्याह स वैष्णवः ||

अथ रत्नमयं दिव्यमासनं च ददौ नृपः |

तच्चापि नैव जग्राह महाभागवतोत्तमः ||

भक्तपूजाविधावस्मिन्नसंपूर्णमनोरथः |

राजापि परया भक्त्या प्राह साज्जलिसंपुटम् ||

"He is a very great bhagavata. He leads a poor life with the grass as his seat and water his mirror", (replied the minister). Hearing this the king at that very moment presented Kumbhadasa with a golden framed mirror. But that vaishnava declined that offer saying that the mirror was of no use for him, a bhakta living in a hut. Then, the king gave him an elegant seat studded with precious stones. But that bhagavta refused to accept that gift too. Thus the king's desire to honour that bhakta was not fulfilled. With great reverence, the king folded his hands and said as follows:

Vaishnava Samhita. Shri Kumbhaadasa Charitam. Vol III Book VII Chp 7 Shlokas 11 - 14

मान्सिह्म इति ख्यातः कश्चिद्राजा महामतिः |

कदाचिदाययौ द्रष्टुं कुंभदासं दृढव्रतम् ||

तदा श्रीकुम्भदासश्च स्नानं कृत्वा यथाविधि |

आह्वयामास पौत्रीं स्वां नामकीर्तनतत्परः ||

आगच्छ शीघ्रं कल्याणि मुकुरं पीठमानय |

अनुष्ठानस्य कालोयमतिक्रान्तः सुलक्षणे ||

एवं श्रीकुंभदासस्य वचः श्रुत्वा च साsब्रवीत् |

खात्वा पीठमजः कश्चिद्दर्पणञ्च पपाविह ||

Once a king named Mana Simha came to meet the firm devotee Kumbhadasa. At that time, Kumbhadasa had finished his bath with due rituals, singing the Divine Names of the Lord. He called out for his grand daughter. "Oh, beautiful girl! Kalyani! Come soon. It is time for me to perform my morningn rites. Bring the stool and the mirror". When Kumbhadasa said so, the girl replied that a lamb had eaten up the stool and drunk down the mirror.