Chhitswami, the outstanding Ashtachapa poet of Vrajabhasha, disciple of Sri Vitthalanathji-Gusaiji.

- Vikha-Vithika-Devesh Mehta

Chi Taswami was a disciple of Sri Vitthalanathji-Gusaiji and one of the outstanding 'Ashtakhapa poets' of Vrajabhasha. Vikram Samvat 1572 AD He was born in 1515 in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. Earlier he was a well-to-do Choba of Mathura and was hosted by related royals like Birbal. Being a Choba, he was previously a very stubborn, headstrong person with an impudent nature. But after taking confirmation initiation by Goswami Vitthalanathji, there was a complete change in him. He became a unique devotee of Lord Sri Krishna, an outstanding poet and a singer of his praises.

During those days the Yash Gatha of Shri Vitthalnathji-Gusaiji, the second Lalan of Shri Vallabhacharya Mahaprabhuji, was sung everywhere. When Chitaswamy was 20 years old, he came to Sri Gusaiji with a fake rupee and a dry coconut to test him. He presented it to Sri Gusaiji. By the supernatural, divine power of Sri Gusaiji, the false rupee became true and the dry coconut became a green coconut bursting with water. Shree Gusaiji warmly welcomed that cheeky Panda (Choba) of Mathura who had come to deceive him. Chitaswamy's heart changed due to his divine influence. Life just changed. At that time a verse was sung from his mouth -

Bhai ab Giridhar Son Pahichana.

Come with deceitful guise, do not know Purushottam.

I don't know anything big or small, Ignorance is the shadow.

Chitaswami Dekhat Apnayau, Vitthal Kripanidhan.

Shri Gusaiji gave him Brahmasambandh and initiated him. After taking initiation, Chitaswamy had darshan of 'Navaneetpriya'. After some time he started living permanently under the dark tamal tree at the 'Poonchhari' place near Govardhan. He used to sing Sanmukh Kirtan of Srinathji and composed beautiful verses of Prabhu's Lila. His verses are in simple, simple, tender, elegant, melodious language.

He had immense love for Vrajabhoomi. 'A ho Bidhina! So his love for Vraja is introduced through the line 'Son Achara Passari Mangau, Janam Janam Dijai Yahi Braj Basibau'.

Chitaswamy left Birbal's throne for his support. Once Emperor Akbar received a copy of the divine power of Chitswamy's guru Sri Vitthalanathji-Gusaiji. Emperor Akbar was traveling along the river Yamuna on a boat with Birbal. Vitthalnathji is sitting on the banks of the Yamu at Thakurani Ghat, closing his eyes and meditating. When Akbar bowed down to him, he blessed him with closed eyes. At that time Akbar had a miraculous gem which gave five tolas of gold every day. Akbar gifted that gem to Shri Gusaiji. Sri Gusaiji threw the gem into the Yamunaji without looking at it. Akbar did not like this. He got annoyed and said - 'That gem is not an ordinary gem. If you don't want it, give it back to me. You threw it in the water of Yamuna, now where will you get it back?'

Hearing this from Emperor Akbar, Shri Vitthalnathji - Gusaiji extended his hand from where he was sitting on the bank of the Yamuna, took out a fistful of beads from the water and pointed them towards him and started saying - 'Identify and take any of these beads. All these beads are the same as your original beads.' Emperor Akbar and Birbal were stunned by this supernatural power of Gusaiji.

Chitaswamy became very indifferent and was engrossed in the service and remembrance of Srinathji. He was engaged in singing the praises of Lord Sri Krishna's various leelas. Samvat 1642 AD after the Nitya Lila entry of Gusaiji Vitthalnathji. In 1585, Chitaswamy committed suicide at his residence in Poonchari. There are 64 verses of Chitaswamy which relate to the Ashta Prahar Seva of Srinathji, the occasion of Sri Krishna Leela and the rise of Sri Gusaiji.