Dhanna Bhagat was a revered mystic poet and a deeply devoted Vaishnav saint, born into a humble Jaat family in the Tonk district of Rajasthan. His life stands as a shining example of pure Krishna bhakti and unwavering faith in the Divine. Known for his simplicity, honesty, and hardworking nature, Dhanna Bhagat grew up in the inspiring company of saints and scholars, always eager to serve others with a compassionate heart.
It is said that his devotion was so profound and innocent that he could perceive the presence of God even in a simple stone. As we continue this story, we discover how the Lord showered extraordinary blessings upon His beloved devotee, Dhanna Jaat, and revealed the boundless power of true devotion.
Dhannaji’s Birthplace and Family
Dhanna ji was born in a small village Dhuwan Kalan in Tonk district of Rajasthan. His father, Rameshwar Jaat, was a simple farmer who used to support the family through his farming. Apart from farming, Rameshwar ji also had many cows. His family had a Kulguru named Pandit Trilochan ji. Pandit Ji had the special power of Shaligram ji and he always kept Shaligram ji with him.
Pandit Trilochan’s arrival at Dhanna’s house and his daily routine
One day, while returning from his journey, Pandit Trilochan decided to stay at Dhanna’s house in Dhuwan Kalan village. Dhanna’s father served Pandit ji very well. Pandit Trilochan had a special routine. Every morning he would bathe in the Ganga and after that he would take out Shaligram from his bag. He would make Shaligram sit on a special seat and perform Jalabhishek, offer beautiful flowers to him and eat food only after offering it to God. Child Dhanna used to see Pandit ji doing all this, he liked serving God very much.
Dhanna’s innocent insistence and Panditji’s solution
A few days later, when Pandit ji was about to leave their house, Dhanna started insisting on taking Shaligram Bhagwan from Pandit ji and kept telling Pandit ji repeatedly, “I want Thakur ji, I want Thakur ji!” Pandit ji heard Dhanna’s innocent insistence and thought how can he give a deity to a small child. He explained to Dhanna, “Son, you are still very young. You will not be able to serve properly. When you grow up, we will give you a good Thakur ji.”
But Dhanna’s stubbornness was so strong that he was not listening to Pandit ji. His parents also tried to convince him. Dhanna’s father said, “We are Jat people, Puja-Paath is not our cup of tea. We are simple farmers. Puja-Paath is the work of Pandits. You listen to Pandit ji, and leave Shaligram ji.” But Dhanna’s crying and his stubbornness did not reduce.
Gradually, people from the neighbourhood also came and started requesting Panditji to fulfill Dhanna’s wish. They said, “It is not easy to explain to children, they do not know the difference between a normal stone and a Shaligram. You give him a Shaligram, even if it is a normal stone, it will fulfill his wish.” Panditji took people’s words into consideration and thought that this could be the best solution.
An ordinary stone given in the name of Shaligram
The next day, Panditji went to bathe in the Ganga and returned with a plump, black stone. Panditji applied perfume on the plump stone, applied tilak on it, and offered Tulsi leaves. After this, he placed it on a high seat and placed his Shaligram Ji on the floor, spreading a cloth underneath.
Then Panditji called Dhanna and said in a cunning manner, “Look Dhanna, I will give you Thakurji, but I have two Thakurjis—one Raja Thakurji and one Sipahi Thakurji. Tell me, which Thakurji do you want?”
Danna innocently asked, “What is the difference between Raja Thakurji and Sipahi Thakurji?” Panditji replied, “The one who is sitting on the high seat is Raja Thakurji, and the one below is Sipahi Thakurji.”
Danna said without thinking, “I want Raja Thakurji.” Panditji was happy, because this was the stone he had placed on the high seat. He immediately picked up the ordinary stone and gave it to Dhanna, along with saying, “Dhanna, you have taken Raja Thakur ji, but worship him with great devotion and accept the bhajan only after offering the bhog.”
Pandit ji had said these things jokingly, but Dhanna took them seriously. Thus, Pandit ji completed his work by fulfilling Dhanna’s wish and started towards his home.
Dhanna’s simple devotion and waiting for Thakurji’s offering
On the other hand, the innocent child Dhanna was very happy to see that stone and with great emotion, Dhanna ji started serving the stone in the same way as Pandit ji used to do. One day, when Dhanna went to graze the cows in his field, his mother gave him millet rotis, sang and jaggery. Dhanna took the rotis and headed towards the field taking Thakur ji with him. On reaching the field, when he felt hungry, he took out his rotis. But he remembered Pandit ji’s words that first he has to offer bhog to Thakur ji, then only he has to eat.
Danna made Thakur ji sit on a cloth and started praying to him to offer bhog. He resolved that till Thakur ji does not offer bhog, he himself will not eat anything. The whole day passed, but Thakur ji did not offer bhog. Dhanna finally gave the rotis to the cows and himself returned home hungry.
The same story was repeated the next day too—Dhanna again prayed to Thakur ji to offer bhog, but Thakur ji did not offer bhog. This continued for three days. On the fourth day, Dhanna again took rotis and jaggery from his mother and started towards the field. Reaching the field, he called Thakur ji and prayed for offering.
When Thakur ji did not offer the offering even on the fourth day, Dhanna cried loudly and said, “Thakur ji, you are a king Thakur, you are offered fifty-six types of offerings, but I can only offer millet roti and sang. Are you ignoring my simple offering? I have been hungry for three days. Please show mercy on me and accept a little offering. Pandit ji had said that first Thakur ji has to be fed, then only one has to eat. Therefore, Thakur ji, first you offer the offering, then I will also eat.”
Lord Krishna appeared on the call of the innocent boy Dhanna
Hearing Dhannaji’s innocent call, Karunanidhan became distraught and on the insistence of his true devotion, appeared in person. When Dhanna saw Lord Shri Krishna in person, he was extremely happy, but also a little angry due to his innocence and naivety. Happened. He said to God, “King Thakur ji, it has been three days, I am tired of calling you. Why didn’t you come? I am also hungry. Please offer the food first, then I will serve you later. I have been hungry for three days and I have only millet rotis, sang and jaggery.”
Dhanna immediately offered the millet rotis, sang and jaggery made by his mother to Lord Shri Krishna. Lord Krishna started eating rotis with great love. After eating the first loaf of bread, he picked up the second loaf. As Lord Krishna moved towards the third roti, Dhanna held his hand and said, “Lord, if you eat all the rotis, what will be left for me? I am also hungry and I have not eaten anything yet. Please leave two rotis for me.”
Hearing this innocent talk of Dhanna, Lord Krishna smiled and said, “Okay, Dhanna, I am full. Now you can eat your rotis.” After this, Lord Krishna gave the two remaining rotis to Dhanna, which Dhanna happily ate.
When Lord Krishna became Dhanna’s Gopal and started grazing the cows
After this incident, Dhanna made it a daily rule to sing bhajans and worship Lord Krishna whenever he went to the fields to graze the cows. One day Lord Krishna said to Dhanna, “Dhanna, you feed me rotis every day, and I eat them every day. I don’t like it. Can you give me some work?”
Dhanna asked in surprise, “Prabhu, have I done any mistake? Why are you saying such things?” Lord Krishna replied, “Dhanna, there is nothing like that. I just want to say that I don’t like eating your free rotis. You tell me any work, I will do that work, and you will keep feeding me rotis.”
Dhanna thought, “Prabhu, you are a king, what work can you do? And I am a small child, what work can I give you?” Lord Krishna said, “Dhanna, I have a lot of experience in grazing cows. I have grazed cows for many days with my Baba. I will graze your cows in exchange for your rotis.”
Danna said, “Okay, Lord, as you wish.” Thus, Lord Krishna started grazing Dhanna’s cows.
One day the Panditji, who had given Dhanna the Shaligram stone, came to Dhanna’s house. Dhanna saw the Panditji and bowed to him. The Panditji jokingly asked Dhanna, “Where is your king Thakur? Are you serving him properly?”
Danna replied, “Thakurji has just gone to graze the cows. He goes to graze the cows at this time every day.”
The Panditji laughed and said, “Hey, you are still a child, what are you saying!” Dhanna’s parents also said, “He says the same thing every day. He takes the cows to graze in the morning and brings them back home in the evening.”
Danna said sadly, “No one believes me.”
Panditji asked, “So where is that stone that I gave you?”
Danna smiled and said, “That stone has gone to graze the cows.” Dhanna told Panditji in detail how Lord Krishna appeared in that stone and had food with him every day and also grazed the cows.
Panditji did not believe it, so Dhanna requested, “Come with me in the evening. I will introduce you to God.”
Due to Dhanna’s devotion, Guruji had the vision of Lord Krishna
In the evening, when Dhanna went to the forest with his Guru, he saw that the cows were grazing. Guru asked Dhanna, “Where is your Thakur Ji? I cannot see him.”
Danna pointed towards Thakur Ji and said, “Thakur Ji is walking behind the cows, you can see him.”
Guru replied, “I cannot see him.”
Danna immediately went to Lord Krishna and humbly prayed, “Prabhu, please let your Guru Ji appear before you.”
Lord Krishna replied, “I am your friend, I will be visible only to you.”
Danna replied, “Don’t say that. It is our Guru Ji who brought you and me together. He introduced us to you.”
Lord Krishna was pleased to hear Dhanna and appeared. Seeing this, Guru Ji, who was standing far away, had tears in his eyes and bowing to Dhanna, he said, “Danna, your devotion is blessed. You have made God appear from the stone.”
