05.12.17 (VT) On the occasion of the disappearance day of Sant Gaurshiromani, it is fitting to hear the lila describing how he learned to read the words written between the lines. We usually think of the phrase ‘read between the lines’ as referring to a reader’s ability to understand what is said-without-being-said, but, Gaurshiromaniji did not engage in speculation – he saw words that appeared in gold letters in between the printed lines.
Sant Gaurshiromani was from a family of scholars; however he took no interest in studies until he was 20 years old. When he was 20, people shamed him into taking interest in scripture and he started attending Bhagavat Katha programs. During one program, he demanded of the speaker: Why are you doing vandana (worship) after opening the Bhagavatam? The sage answered that it is written in the Bhagavatam that vandana should be conducted. Gaurshiromaniji demanded that the sage tell him which verse instructs devotees to conduct Bhagavat Vandana.
The sage said, look there, it is written between the lines. But the young Gaurshiromani could not see and told the sage, “there is nothing there”. The sage smiled and told him that, in order see what is written between the lines, you need divya dristi (transcendental vision). The sage went on to tell the young Gaurshiromani that, if he wants to see the words, he must take initiation from a qualified guru and follow specified rituals for one week. The sage promised: If, after completing these requirements, the words still do not appear, I will cut off my tongue.
Believing the sage, Gaurshiromaniji took initiation from Chaitanya Das Maharaj and followed the prescribed rituals. On the 8th day, he returned to the sage. The sage showed him the Bhagavatam and, there it was, written clearly in gold letters: “Vandana”.
Gaurshiromaniji was overcome with emotion and tears fell from his eyes. At that moment, he made the decision to dedicate the rest of his life to transcendental pursuits and, together with his family, he relocated to Sri Dham Vrindavan.
Sant Gaurshiromani left his body in 1891, after many joyful years of residence in Sri Vrindavan Dham.
This lila describes how transcendental vision is bestowed on those who follow the instructions of a bona fide guru with a genuine desire to know the truth.
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