There was a Vaishno Sadhoo who was a selfless devotee of Sri Krishan ji. His name was Mai Das. He was a “svaim paaki” (person who cooks food for themselves), Att Aachari (one who keeps pureness in their food, thinking and speaking). He was a strict vegetarian who would cook his food with washed firewood, cooked in a stove dug 8 inches into the ground. He wouldn’t let anyone else touch his food. He worshiped Sri Krishan ji with selfless love. He did the company of saints and great beings. He would recite “Krishan, Krishan” all the time. He would remember the “mor mukat” (peacock crowned), “Pitamber” (the one who wears yellow robes) form of Sri Krishan. This was the Bhagti of the Sargun Saroop (visual/tangible form of Akaal Purakh). He would focus on this form and did it day and night. He did no other task except focus his mind on the dark-skinned, lotus-eyed; whose forehead was beautiful. The form which had curly hair and a slight, but sweet, smile; which increased the love in the Bhagats; is, who Mai Das worshipped. He did the Simran of Hari Krishan with love. He heard about the glory of Sri Guru Amardas ji. The Sikhs of Guru ji had told him about Guru ji. Many Sikhs told him this. He then wished to see Guru ji. A few days had passed and he planned to go but for some reason, his household tasks would occupy his attention. After a few months, he finally got the chance to go to Goindwal.
Mai Das stood at the door of Guru ji’s court and told the Sevadaar that he wanted to see Guru ji. The Sevadaar informed Guru ji about a person who was here to see him. Guru ji said: “tell him about our traditions. If he wishes to see me, he must eat Langar in the Pangat first and then come to see me, afterwards.” Mai Das got the message and was in doubt. He thought to himself: “the Langar may not be prepared with the traditions that I follow. I cannot eat food cooked in an open tradition. My ways of purification and hygiene are not followed here. What should I do now? I will not break my traditions. If I break my traditions, what will be the use of visiting the Guru?” He kept thinking, as he stood there. He didn’t know what to do. After about a half hour, he made a decision: “if I don’t eat, I can’t see the Guru. If I eat the Langar, this will be against my traditions of cooking my own food in a hygienic way. It is better not to see the Guru than break my tradition over many years of hard work. It is my determination to live in my way.” Mai Das then returned without seeing Guru ji.
Mai Das went home but he was uneasy about not seeing Guru ji. He thought to himself: “the Saints are Avatars of Akaal Purakh. They are filled with many powers. I didn’t visit him. That was bad. He has saved thousands and made them into Brahmgyaanis. Many were given moksha and became Sidh Purushas (ones who are able to do anything). My karma was bad. Which karma was it that did not let me see the Guru? I did not get to visit the Guru.” He was depressed after realising his mistake. He decided to go to Dwarka: “I need to wash this sin away. I will go to Dwarka and visit Hari.” With great love, he set off to Dwarka reciting the name of Hari. He had no other wish in his heart. He wanted to visit Krishan Bhagwan. He wanted to see the idol of Krishan ji and ask for forgiveness. He was in a Bhagti trance and danced the whole way to Dwarka. He travelled during the day and felt happier as he got closer. He would travel great distances. As he approached Dwarka, he was in between the jungles. It was the Ekadashi (the first day of the Lunar Calendar) and he used to fast on this day every month. It was the thick of the jungle and there was no other person in sight. Later that day, there came a big storm with dark winds. It began to rain and thunder. The lightening was ferocious. It began to hail. Mai Das was hungry and tired. He got really anxious. There were no fruits on the way and he did not drink water (as per his fasting rules). His clothes were wet and he began to tremble because of the cold. He began to look around and could not find shelter or fire. The rain made him more anxious and the hunger was unbearable. At night time, there was no place to rest either. There was an old tree that was hollow, in the middle of the jungle. He was able to lean against it and shelter himself from the rain. He stood in the stump and recited the name of Krishan. He was hungry. He spent the whole night like this. It was soon morning and he had no other wish left. There was only the love of Krishan. The next day was Dwadashi (the 2nd day in the Lunar calendar). There was no way to break his fast. He kept reciting “Krishan, Krishan.” There was only the Prema Bhagti of Krishan. Krishan ji heard his cries: “my devotee is depending on me. He has no other wishes in his heart. His faith on me is deep. He is drenched in love.” He was about to be blessed. Krishan ji incarnated into a human form. He became a human and put a plate of food in front of Mai Das. Mai Das opened his eyes and saw a plate with lentils and rice. He said to himself: “I am an Att Aachari. Without proper hygiene and tradition, I cannot eat this food. I wonder who put this food here? I wonder if they bathed and prepared it with pure and hygienic methods? If I eat this, my tradition will break. If this was fried (ghee is considered pure), then I could have eaten it and satisfied my hunger.” He had many doubts in his mind. He was hungry and did not eat the food. Krishan ji understood his wish and incarnated into another form and brought him Puris (fried rotis). The plate was placed again in front of Mai Das. When Mai Das opened his eyes, he thought: “there is no human here. Who brought puris here? First the food was cooked and now it is fried. Whoever it is, they know what I am thinking. I wonder who brought this plate? Who is able to read my mind other than Prabhoo? It has to be Prabhoo that knew my wishes. Prabhoo is nearby but did not show himself to me. Prabhoo came twice.” He began to look around and wanted to find Prabhoo. He shouted out in love “Bhagavan ji.” The puris were still there and Mai Das began to look around, forgetting his hunger. He wanted to see Prabhoo ji. He was drowning in the ocean of love. He couldn’t find Prabhoo and began to cry and shout. He lost the awareness of his body and sang out loud “oh redeemer, the creator, Ghanshyam, the saviour, the deliverer of the poor and weak, Manmohan (the enchanter). I am a sinner. You are great. Please ignore my shortcomings and show yourself. You brought me food. Show me yourself.” He kept praying. He jumped over the plants and through the leaves, looking for Prabhoo. He called himself low and a sinner. Shyamghan (Krishan) then listened to his devotee. There was an Akaash Vani (voice from the sky): “Mai Das, you are my Bhagat. You have great love for me. Listen to what you have done wrong: where there is love, traditions have no place there. Where there are traditions, love has no place there. For this reason, your heart was empty. When you went to see Sri Satguru ji in Goindwal, you had doubt in your heart and you kept strict to your tradition. You rejected love. The Satguru and I are one. I will bless you. You knew about the glories of Guru ji, and yet, you still rejected love. Your regret at this point is useless. You will not be able to see me. Go back to Goindwal. That is where you will see me. There is no difference between Sri Guru Amar ji and I. We are one. You will see the form in Goindwal which you have in your heart. Guru ji is on Earth in bodily form to save the people of the world. Become a Bhagat and visit him. Let go of your doubts and visit him with faith and devotion.” Mai Das heard the Akaash Vani and was shocked. He was regretting his actions: “it is true. I am guilty. Why would Prabhoo visit me here? Sri Satguru ji is the form of Parbraham. He is the wisest and most enchanting in the world. My traditions have led me astray of what really matters. I will meet the Guru with humility and faith. I will see him as Sri Krishan.” Mai Das made up his mind and ate the food that was in front of him. He then went backwards to go to Goindwal Sahib.