Listening to Bhaagwat narrative at Navtanpuri
Prannath Leelaamrit - Chapter 12
Devchandra and his family moved from Bhojnagar to Navtanpuri, which is now part of Jamnagar.
The Vallabhacharya sect was very influential in Navtanpuri. At the Shyam Temple, Kanhji Bhatt used to narrate the Bhaagwat Puran. Devchandra regularly attended these narrations but began to disagree with other Vallabhacharya followers.
Devchandra first nourished his soul by listening to the narration. Only then did he eat to nourish his body. If he arrived late and missed a verse or two of the narration, he would go to Kanhji Bhatt's house. There, he would have Kanhji Bhatt read the book again and explain those verses to him before he returned home. Due to Devchandra's unwavering devotion, Kanhji Bhatt would not start the Bhaagwat narration until Devchandra arrived.
The other listeners of the narration besides Devchandra were the city's landlords and moneylenders, who were connected to the Vallabh sect. Envious of Devchandra's importance, they often argued with him.
One day, they asked Kanhji Bhatt, "Do you receive any income from Devchandra? If not, why don't you start the narration until he arrives?"
Then Kanhji Bhatt replied, "I don't expect anything from anyone. I recite the Bhaagwat to please Shyamji (God), but Devchandra listens to the narration very attentively. I only receive wealth from wealthy merchants like you. What could that poor man give me? But if I recite a verse out of order, does any of you ask about it? If a verse is missed, Devchandra comes to my house, makes me recite the Bhaagwat again, and listens to that particular verse."
Upon hearing Bhatt's reply, the listeners fell silent and returned home. However, their resentment did not subside. Superficial and arrogant, they were always looking for flaws in Devchandra and ready to argue.