Listen to this beautiful account: the Varni became Swami's disciple, wise and endowed with every virtue, extraordinary day and night. Swami held this wise and intelligent Hari in the regard of a friend, and would ask his opinion joyfully on various matters. Wherever Swami traveled, the Varni accompanied him. Around Girnar and its surroundings, they brought many souls to the true refuge, spreading devotion to Krishna intensely among the people; seeking out sincere seekers, they wandered together arm in arm.
Sometimes staying a fortnight, sometimes a month, thus they wandered through the country, the imperishable one giving darshan wherever he went, until they arrived at the village of Jetpur. There a chieftain named Unad Khachar received them with great reverence, saying, "All that is here is yours — consider it Swami's own." So Ramanand remained there, giving joy to all the people. Hari remained attentive in service, serving Swami beautifully.
He was superior to all in virtue, and these virtues were natural to him, not acquired. At all times and in all places he remained unmoving in his own true nature. Truthfulness, purity, compassion, forgiveness, renunciation, contentment, honesty, dispassion; tranquility, self-control, equanimity, withdrawal from the world; austerity, radiance, endurance — he was master of all these. Knowledge of scripture, true glory, strength, heroism, memory; independence, skill, radiance, steadiness; a gentle heart and eloquence of speech; humility, good conduct along with vigor and strength; steady and profound resolve, unfathomable depth; faith, freedom from hypocrisy, freedom from pride; fame, silence, absence of vanity or desire for gifts; moderate eating, wisdom, true friendship; universal benevolence and great compassion; a mind untouched by lust or agitation; freedom from malice, victory over the six inner enemies; great respect for others, non-possessiveness, reverence for Brahmins; tender protectiveness toward those who take refuge, and freedom from selfish desire — such and other virtues were in him.
Seeing these, everyone was struck with wonder, and, beholding such virtues, all regarded Hariji as truly great. Such a virtuous Brahmachari served Swami excellently. Serving thus day and night, two years passed in his company. He never abandoned the vows and disciplines he had resolved upon; he never faltered in austerity or yoga.
Seeing such a Varni-king, Swami resolved to establish him as the "holder of the pillar of dharma," for he himself now wished to withdraw from manifest presence. He began to persuade the Varni to accept the responsibility for worldly affairs, of which the Varni had no experience.
Swami said: "Listen, O wise one — I speak these words; you must accept them as authoritative. All the men and women who take refuge in me must be kept established in dharma. You know the Vasudev Mahatmya, whose recitation is your regular practice — in it are described the duties proper to each class and stage of life, and the highest duties for women. Keep everyone established in these; this is the command I give you.
Perform the worship of Krishna in the manner that Vitthaleshji performs it, for Krishna himself dwells within you continually, day and night. Observe the vows and fasts as the Vaishnavas do. You know the scriptures deeply, so honor this word of mine. There is no one but you fit to occupy my seat.
From the day I first beheld you, I formed a resolve in my heart — fulfill it now, O king of ascetics; you alone are worthy of this, and so I say it. I know how intense your dispassion is, Father, but this task can be accomplished only by you — how could it be asked of anyone else? You alone are like yourself; there is no other — I have seen this with careful discernment. Knowing you to be utterly unattached and unbound, I speak these words.
Accept the clothing, ornaments, and vehicles that devotees offer you. Fulfill the hopes of my own people, and protect them at all eight watches of the day and night. Do not let the fault of this Kali age touch them; rescue those who take refuge in you. You are capable, a great ascetic — wealth and women will never bind you. In virtue you are equal to Krishna — all know this for certain. You have shown yourself utterly steadfast to me; therefore I have made you great."
Hearing Swami's words thus, the Lord spoke with a heavy heart: "Swami, whatever command you give, it is right that all should obey it. But as for the vow of brahmacharya which I keep — this particular command I am not capable of accepting.
It is said, even in worldly scripture, that even the mere suggestion of impropriety against brahmacharya cannot be tolerated; how then could I remain near it? Moreover, the company of women, even for great seekers of liberation, always leads to bondage — I have heard with my own ears that even liberated souls have fallen through such company. Consider Saubhari, and Ekalashringa, in whom desire was awakened by such company. Where desire arises, anger follows; where anger, delusion is known to follow. From delusion comes loss of memory, from loss of memory the ruin of intellect, and then one falls from the path of liberation, rising instead into deeper sin through such company.
Therefore I fear this very company — how could I accept this command? Those who placed their trust in it, even the great, became small. Consider the story of Shiva and Brahma, famously recorded in the scriptures — whoever trusted in it was consumed inwardly by its fire. Desire, anger, pride, greed, delusion, fear, grief and the rest — this whole army of enemies arises within through such company, and by it karmic bondage is created.
Therefore one who is called wise should never keep such company. One should never trust one's own mind in this matter — this is the understanding of Krishna's true devotees. If out of compassion the mind consents to such company, one's vow breaks as it did for Bharat. Better to burn in fire, better to drink deadly poison, than to have the company of women — it feels utterly repulsive to me in every limb. Nor do I desire wealth either; let me tell you why.
Even one of great righteousness becomes corrupted for the sake of wealth. Consider the story of Nimi and Vasishtha, famous of old in the Puranas: out of greed they cursed each other, and both suffered — Vasishtha was born the son of a courtesan, and Nimi lost his very life. Thus there is torment bound up in wealth; for wealth's sake much sin is committed. Therefore the wise must discern clearly: woman and wealth bind equally — there is no difference between the two.
Moreover, place, time, action, deity, scripture, initiation, mantra, and company — all these can turn out well or ill, depending on how they are used; used rightly they turn out right, used wrongly they turn out wrong. As one associates, so one's intellect becomes; then one's actions follow, whether right or wrong, and one reaps the fruit according to that karma. Therefore the discerning stay far away from such things.
Just as both the wise and the foolish become equally intoxicated if they drink liquor or bhang, so too, through the deceptive power of wealth and women, even a sattvic, wise soul can forget the Lord himself. For the qualities inherent in wealth and women are of such a nature by their own inherent power that no one is capable of resisting them once truly engaged with them.
Therefore in this matter I have no natural inclination whatsoever. Yet you have given this command — tell me now what I am to do. My heart is deeply troubled; tell me what would truly be good for me. To have everyone observe dharma — you, Swami, are yourself capable and greatly renowned for this. So what work is there here for me? Tell me instead some other path to that abode of happiness."
Thus did Narayan Muni express what was truly in his heart, speaking as one giving instruction to renunciants. He himself is the Purushottam, of whom the Vedas say only "not this, not this" (neti neti).