Prasang 4
Nilkanth Varni’s Selfless Sevā
As Nilkanth Varni, Bhagwān Swaminarayan traversed India on foot, uplifting countless souls. During his travels from Venkatadri to Kānchipuram, he encountered Sevakram, a sadhu renowned for his Sanskrit scholarship and expertise in the Bhāgwat. Impressed by Sevakram’s deep understanding of the Shrimad Bhāgwat and his beautiful recitation of the “Gopika Geet,” (poems describing the love of Gopis for Shri Krishna) Nilkanth Varni chose to stay with him for a time.
While Sevakram was a skilled orator, he lacked the qualities of a true sadhu. Despite possessing a thousand gold coins, he had neither disciples nor anyone to serve him. During his journey, Sevakram fell ill with dysentery, suffering frequent, bloody stools that left him weak and in agonizing pain. Soon, he was unable to walk and began to weep in despair. Seeing Sevakram’s suffering, Nilkanth sympathetically comforted him by saying, “Do not worry, I will take care of you.”
From that moment on, Nilkanth dedicated himself to Sevakrām’s service, day and night. Beneath a large banyan tree, in a banana grove, he prepared a comfortable bed of banana leaves one arm’s length high. He lovingly tended to Sevakrām, washing his soiled clothing multiple times a day, without hesitation or disgust. Nilkanth would venture into the village, beg for alms, and then cook and feed Sevakrām.
Despite this, Sevakrām never once offered to share his food with Nilkanth, even though he sent Nilkanth Varni to purchase provisions with his own money. Consequently, Nilkanth often had to fast when he received no alms. At times, he endured fasts lasting two days, yet Sevakrām never suggested using his funds to prepare a meal for both of them. Nevertheless, Nilkanth Varni served him diligently and lovingly for two months until Sevakrām fully recovered.
Upon Sevakrām’s recovery, they continued towards Rameshwaram. Sevakrām, now strong enough to digest a pound of ghee, made Nilkanth Varni carry his heavy, 20-kilogram pack. Despite having always travelled with minimal possessions, Nilkanth Varni carried Sevakrām’s load without complaint. Sevakrām showed little appreciation or concern for Nilkanth Varni’s well-being, treating him as a mere servant. Nilkanth Varni realized, “He has no bhakti and no appreciation for anyone’s sevā.” Recognizing Sevakrām’s ingratitude, Nilkanth Varni decided to leave him.
Selfless service is inherently challenging. However, to serve an inconsiderate and ungrateful person with unwavering love for months is the epitome of sevā. Through this incident, we witness Nilkanth Varni as the ultimate example of selfless service.
