Shri Biharin Dev - Rasik Saint of Vrindavan

Shri Biharin Dev Ji was the son of Shri Mitrasen who was a devotee of Swami Shri Haridas. Swami Sri Haridas Ji named his son 'Bihari Das'. Mitra Sen was a 'Surdhavaj Brahmin'. After the demise of his father, Shri Bihari Das was appointed in the Government Service. But his mind was not in peace during his service. Soon after the last rites, of his father, his innate devotion prevailed and his mind became tired of worldly affairs and he dreamt of surrendering his life to Radha Krishn and doing devotion at Vrindavan in complete detachment. He kept on thinking about residing in Vrindavan. He writes as:

"बसी वृंदावन उत्तम ठाऊँ, सत्संगति परमारथ पाऊं |

नित दंपति संपत्ति दिखाऊं, श्री बिहारिनिदासी भई गुन गाऊं ||"

Bihari Das Ji continued working as a state employee till the age of 33. It is said that afterward he went to Vrindavan and surrendered at the feet of Swami Shri Haridas Ji (Lalita Sakhi Avtar) and Swamiji gave him all rights to his divine property and also the name 'Bihari Das'.

He took guidance from Swami Shree Vitthal Vipul Dev Ji and started a new journey of detachment from the world and chanting the glories of Radha Krishn. He used to perform Bhajan and Chant Glories at Nidhivan. His dream of residing in Vrindavan and performing constant devotion finally came true.

He gave up all his worldly desires. With the grace of the dust of Vrindavan, his mind got a very deep attachment in the feet of Shri Radharani and finally, he never looked back to the world.

It was as if his heart was drenched in Shree Radharani’s (swaminiji’s) seva, where he writes in his poems:

“ मेरे विषै विसन वर वाम, तन गोरी मन भोरी नवल किशोरी राधा नाम |

निस बासर जागत सोवत चितवत अंग अंग अभिराम |

अंजन मंजन करात परम रूचि चोप चौगुनी काम ||

ताकि हिलगी तजै मैं अपने कर्म धर्म धन धाम |

दई पीठि सब जगतें लगतें पायो बन विश्राम || "

As soon as he took Shelter in the feet of Shri Radharani, by residing in Vrindavan and giving up the material desires, His fickle mind has finally got the ultimate rest and relief.

He became totally dependent upon Brajwasis (residents of Braj) for food. This way he started living renounced life by begging food from them. He described it as:

"रुचे मोहि ब्रजवासिन के टूक"

He has expressed his unique loyalty to Braj Dham and Brajwasis. In one pada, he has not hesitated to tell himself the pet of Brajwasis.

"हौं ब्रजवासिन कौ पाल्यो पीला "

Now with the passing time, He became totally lost in the Nitya Vihar Ras. There is a very famous incidence related to his life. Once, while going for a bath in the Yamuna, he had dantun (brush) in his mouth. He remained standing on the road for three days, remained absorbed in divine bliss singing a certain verse:

“Viharat Laal - Viharin Dou - Shri Yamuna Ji ke Teere"

(Yugal Sarkar (Radha & Krishna) are performing leelas and are passing at the bank of Yamuna).

After eating Prasad of Bihariji, he gained back consciousness. It is said that after this incidence, He gave up the Prakat (physical) Bihariji Sewa and remain absorbed in Mansik (Mind) Sewa.

He writes this way saying, some get intoxicated with drugs, but Biharin Das is always intoxicated in the divine bliss of Shree Shyama Shyam.

"कोऊ मदमाते भांग के, कोउ अमल अफीम,

श्री बिहारीदास रसमाधुरी, मत्त मुदित तोफीम”

After few days, Swami Sri Haridas Ji entered Nikunj Leela, 7 days after his departure, Vithal Vipul Dev Ji also entered Nikunja. After that Viharin Dev Ji became the Acharya. Shri Biharin Dev Ji remained Acharya of the sect for a long time.

His compositions are very different for a normal sadhak’s (spiritual aspirant) understanding. He was indulged in this pure happiness where the seeker and the master are so united that now the master considers his seekers equal to himself or rather higher than himself, and, seeker keeps on giving selflessly without actually seeking anything from his master. Because of his continuous thought for his master’s happiness alone, he seeks blessings for his master's happiness only. That is how he narrates in his padas related to Shyama Shyam. Therefore He gives blessings to the pair of Radha Krishn. 

"देत आसीस विहारिनि दासी करहुं नवल नित रलियां “

He even says, due to his immense love for Kishori Ji, Shri Radharani, he doesn’t mind Bihariji, which he describes in the lines:

"किये रहै ऐंड बिहारी हूँ सौं, हम बेपरवाह विहारिनि के “

This says as Since we belong to Shri Radha, So we are fearless from everyone including Shri Krishn. 

Swami Shri Biharin Dev Ji entered Nikunja around 1670. His samadhi is still in Nidhivan. In his disciple tradition, Swami Shri Nagaridas Ji and Shri Saras Das were his main followers.