Bhakta Raskhan - Muslim Krishna Devotee || 1550 - Vrindavan || HG Maha Vishnu Dasa
Syed Ibrahim Khan (1548-1628) was an Indian Sufi Muslim poet who became a devotee of the Krishna
Birth and Childhood:
Raskhan is believed to have been born in the year 1548, in a pathan family in pihani village, hardoi district, UP. His original name was Syed Ibrahim Khan and he lived somewhere in Delhi. His family was prosperous, for this reason, Raskhan's childhood was spent in happiness and affection. There was no shortage in the house.
Since the whole family was engaged in devotion to God, Raskhan also inherited religious curiosity in his childhood. Raskhan had great faith in Shri Krishna.
The following couplet of 'Premvatika' -
Dekhi Gadar Hit Saahibi, Dilli Nagar Masaan.
Chhinahin Baadsa-Bans Ki, Thasak Chhaandi Raskhan.
“Seeing the war in the royal family of Delhi, I have given up the arrogance of being of the royal dynasty.”
It is known from this couplet that Raskhan was related to the dynasty of the Mughal Empire and due to the domestic war of the dynasty, his mind became unattached from this material world.
Raskhan's attachment to the son of a Merchant from Delhi:
There lived a Merchant in Delhi whose son was very beautiful. Raskhan's mind got attracted towards that Merchant's son. Now day and night, Raskhan used to roam after the same son and also used to eat his leftovers. Raskhan started living with the son of the same Merchant the whole day. The people of his caste used to strongly condemn this act but Raskhan did not mind it.
One day four Vaishnavas were sitting and discussing the pastimes of the Lord. One of the Vaishnavas was saying, "The mind must be fixed in the Lord just as Raskhan's mind is devoted to the merchant's son. Anyone who develops such attachment to Lord would attain perfection in a moment."
Raskhan was coming from there and upon hearing his name in the discussion of Vaishnavas, he came to Vaishnavas and asked "What are you talking about me?"
On this, the Vaishnavas told him everything, “if you love Srinathji in this way, you would be enlightened”. Raskhan said, ‘how would I recognize Srinathji?’ "I will definitely fix my heart on the Lord if I could have the vision of him."
On this, those Vaishnavas showed the picture of Shrinathji to Raskhan, and upon seeing the beautiful form of Shrinathji, Raskhan's mind became attached to it and he kept the picture of Shrinathji with him and took an oath that when I see Shrinathji with my own eyes, then only I will eat food.
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My dear Arjuna, he who engages in My pure devotional service, free from the contaminations of fruitive activities and mental speculation, he who works for Me, who makes Me the supreme goal of his life, and who is friendly to every living being - he certainly comes to Me.
Bhagavad Gita 11.55
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