Mirabai and Rupa Goswami

Dadi**: "Guddu, Mirabai's story has a wonderful encounter where she teaches a scholar about true devotion."

Guddu**: "Mira taught a scholar?"

Dadi**: "When Mirabai traveled to Vrindavan - the sacred land of Krishna - she wanted to meet the great Goswami who was considered the most learned person about God."

Guddu**: "Who was this Goswami?"

Dadi**: "Different traditions say it was either Jiva Goswami or Rupa Goswami - both were famous disciples of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. What matters is what happened when Mira asked to meet him."

Guddu**: "Did he agree?"

Dadi**: "No! Through his attendant, the Goswami sent a message: 'I am a vairagi - a renouncer - and I am a man. The scriptures forbid meetings between a male renouncer and a woman. I have vowed never to see any woman.'"

Guddu**: "He refused to see her!"

Dadi**: "Here's where Mirabai's wisdom shines. She sent back a reply that silenced the great scholar: 'I did not know there was any man in Vrindavan other than Shree Krishna!'"

Guddu**: "What did she mean?"

Dadi**: "Think about it, beta. In devotion to Krishna, all souls are considered feminine. Krishna alone is the male, the beloved - and all devotees are like His beloveds. By claiming to be a 'man,' the Goswami was saying he saw himself as separate from devotion to Krishna!"

Guddu**: "She caught his mistake!"

Dadi**: "His statement had implied that he considered himself a man independent of his identity as Krishna's devotee. Mira gently pointed out this spiritual inconsistency."

Guddu**: "What did the Goswami do?"

Dadi**: "He realized his mistake immediately. He came out of his hut and bowed down to Mira. It was a beautiful meeting - the great scholar humbled by a woman's simple devotion."

Guddu**: "The teacher got taught!"

Dadi**: "Yes! Scholars have actually questioned whether this meeting really happened. Some say the timing doesn't match - Mira and these Goswamis may not have overlapped. Even Srila Prabhupada said there's no authoritative record of it."

Guddu**: "So it might be a legend?"

Dadi**: "Perhaps. But the story remains popular in Vrindavan because it teaches something important: sometimes book learning isn't enough. The scholar knew all the scriptures but missed their essence."

Guddu**: "What was the essence?"

Dadi**: "That true devotion dissolves all distinctions - including the distinction between male and female. When you're completely absorbed in loving Krishna, you don't identify as man or woman, high or low. You're simply the beloved."

Guddu**: "Mira understood that better than the scholar."

Dadi**: "Her heart understood what his head couldn't reach. That's why simple devotees sometimes see truths that scholars miss. Learning is wonderful, but without love, it becomes just information."

Guddu**: "Is that why her songs are still so popular?"

Dadi**: "Her songs come from the heart, not just the head. When you sing her bhajans, you feel her love - not her learning. That direct emotion touches people in ways that philosophy can't."

Guddu**: "I want to have both - learning AND devotion!"

Dadi**: "That's the ideal, beta. Learn everything you can, but let your heart lead your head. The Goswami eventually had both. After meeting Mira, his knowledge was seasoned with humility. Sleep now, and may your heart and head grow together."