Swami Prakashanand Saraswati, reflecting on Swami Haridas’ teachings, emphasized the humility and devotion necessary in service to a Divine personality. Haridas’ lesson to Emperor Akbar underscores the essential qualities of humility and sincerity in spiritual service, which highlights the profound connection between devotion and grace that transcends material wealth and pride. In the section below, Swami Prakashanand Saraswati beautifully describes more about Swami Haridas, illustrating his singular love for and devotion to Radha-Krishn.
Other article you might like: The Consequences of Karmas by Swami Prakashanand Saraswati
“Swami Haridas was a rasik Saints who lived in India about five hundred years ago. He lived a renounced life, never had any family, and spent his entire life in the jungles of Vrindaban in a small hut. He was a descended Divine personality sent by Radha Herself to establish divine-love-consciousness on this earth. He always remained engrossed in remembering Krishn and Radha.
Haridas was a very good singer. There is a famous story about him. In those days a great Muslim king named Akbar reigned in India. In his court was a singer named Tansen who had a great command of singing classical songs. Even after his death, no one has ever equaled him. Tansen was an evolved soul. He was a disciple of Swami Haridas.
Once when Tansen finished singing a beautiful song Akbar asked him, “Tansen, could you tell me who taught you the art of singing? Who is your Master?” Tansen said, “My Master stays in Vrindaban, his name is Haridas and for twenty-four hours he adores his Beloved Radha Krishn.” Akbar said, “Can I see him?” Tansen said, “Why not? But you will have to come not as a king but as a humble devotee.” Akbar accepted.
Having listened to the devotion and charm of Haridas’ singing, Akbar fell at his feet and said, “I am Graced by you, I am very grateful to have your audience. Can I be of any service to you?” Haridas understood and said, “Actually I do not need any service. As regards my food, villagers bring it, and my hut is enough for me to live in.” But Akbar was the emperor of India and had some pride in his heart. Haridas wanted to teach him that if one has pride, he cannot serve a Divine personality. Service to a Divine personality must be prideless and must follow humbleness. So, to give him a lesson Haridas showed a devotional miracle. He said to Akbar, “If you really wish to do some service, repair the corner of the pond from where I get water for my beloved Bankey Bihari, Krishn”.
Akbar thought that it was a very small service. He could build a whole new pond for him. However, Haridas asked him to go and see if he could just fix it. Haridas temporarily transferred his Grace to Akbar to show him a glimpse of a pond of Vrindaban, not the Divine Vrindaban, (Divine Vrindaban is seen only when you have become Divine) but a reflection (bhao) of the Divine Vrindaban. So Haridas just imparted a reflection.
Akbar saw with amazement, “Oh, every inch of this pond is jeweled with precious jewels.” He touched the broken corner and said to himself, “If I spent all of my wealth I could not repair this corner. There are no such jewels in my treasury.” He was ashamed, came back, did not say anything, just looked at Haridas and bowed. Afterward, Akbar went back to his kingdom.”
Swami Prakashanand Saraswati thus uses the example of Swami Haridas’ story to illustrate that true service to the Divine requires humility and sincerity, and must transcendall materialistic pride.