niskincanasya bhagavan-bhajanon-mukhasya
param param jigamisor-bhava-sagarasya
sandarsanam visayinam-atha yostams ca
ha hanta hanta vis-bhaksanato'py asadhu
"For one who really wants to cross the material ocean and who wants to engage in the transcendental loving service of the Lord without any connection with anything material, seeing a materialist engaged in sense gratification and seeing a woman who is similarly interested is more abominable than drinking poison willingly." (Caitanya-candrodaya-Nataka 8.23) The letter and spirit of this verse was the very life and soul of Gaura Kisora dasa Babaji Maharaja. He never accepted anything from materialists. He used to find cloth discarded from the bodies of the dead at the burning ghat. After washing it in the Ganges he would tear it into pieces to make some outer cloth and kaupins. He would beg some handfuls of parched rice from the houses of pious and saintly grhasthas, and then he would go and soak that rice in the Ganges until it was soft. After adding some salt and pepper he would take that as his sustenance. He would not beg for anything more than this. He was completely without material desires.
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupada, the founder/acarya of Sri Caitanya Matha and Sri Gaudiya Math as well as their various branches took bhagavata-diksa from this siddha-mahatma, this great-souled perfected spiritual master. Of course, Gaurakisora dasa Babaji Maharaja is a mahapurusa, a great personality, a niskincana devotee free from all material things; still, in connection with the shelter he accepted previous to manifesting his greatness as a devotee, it has been learned that he took birth in a Vaisya family by the banks of the river Padma near Tepakhola in a place called Bagayan.
When Babaji Maharaja was living in the grhastha-asrama,his name was Vamsi dasa. At that time he was maintaining his life by farming corn, in this way doing honest work and living a regulated life according to the principles of the scriptures along with his chaste and humble wife. In this way he lived for some time. Gradually he began searching for the ultimate meaning of life. Finally, the time for renunciation came. Breaking off his connection with his wife once and for all, he left family life behind and went to Vrndavana. There he came in connection with Bhagavata dasa Babaji Maharaja, one the disciples of that topmost Vaisnava, Jagannatha dasa Babaji. From Bhagavata dasa Babaji Maharaja he accepted the dress of one in the renounced order of life and thus became a Babaji after first having wandered the sixty-four miles of Vrndavana, visiting all the holy places there. At this time he maintained his life by practicing madhukari and sleeping under a different tree each night. He saw all the residents of Vrndavana as being the direct personal associates of Sri Krsna and offered his obeisances to every tree, creeper, insect, and locust in the holy dhama.
For many days he stayed in Barshan. There, among other kinds of service that he rendered, he would constantly make flower garlands for Radha and Krsna. In this way he enjoyed great transcendental happiness. Srila Babaji Maharaja stayed in Vrndavana for nearly thirty years, experiencing great inner satisfaction by render all kinds of service to the Master and Mistress of Vrndavana, Sri Radha and Krsna. After this time, by the mercy of the divine couple, he was ordered to go to Nabadwipa-dhama in Gauda-mandala. Seeing Nabadwipa-dhama as nondifferent from Vrndavana, Babaji Maharaja made his way to Gauda-mandala, the holy place of Sri Gaurasundara's sweet pastimes. There, he visited all the holy places connected with Lord Gauranga.
At this time, Babaji Maharaja constantly found himself overwhelmed by different divine moods of ecstasy. Sometimes in one of these moods he would go to the banks of the Ganges crying "Gaura! Gaura!" and dancing, then fainting in ecstasy. On the banks of the Ganges there was a a small forest grove. There he would wander, lost in ecstatic remembrance of the divine pastimes of Radha and Govinda. Sometimes he would wander in the jungle oblivious to his own bodily existence, dressed only in his kaupina, and sometimes he would simply wander about naked. From time to time he would quietly chant the holy name with the help of his mala, his rosary of tulasi beads. And from time to time he would chant japa using a knotted cloth as beads to count the names on. From time to time he would go to Svananda-Sukhada-Kunja in Godruma. There he would stay on the porch of Bhaktivinoda's place and hear from his lips the sacred message of Srimad-Bhagavatam. For his own part, Bhaktivinoda himself was very eager to render such a service to Babaji Maharaja, who would accept nothing material, and whose service was difficult to get.
How difficult it was to get the service of Babaji Maharaja is illustrated by the following example. Once the Maharaja of Kasi Bazaar, Manindra Chandra Nandi Bahadur, sent someone to fetch Babaji Maharaja to his royal palace. At that time Babaji Maharaja said, If I were to go to the king's palace, the desire for riches would arise within me. So, in the king's company mutual ill-feelings would develop between me and the king. If the king wants to be my friend, tell the king to leave behind all his material opulence and the objects of the enjoyment and come here where I am. He can live here with me, and live just as I am doing. He can make a small covering out of a straw, like those used for covering the boats used by the fisherman. There the two of us can live—the king and I—and together we can worship Hari in great ecstasy.
Babaji Maharaja use to say that one who wanders here and there to gratify the tongue, eating anything and everything in pursuit of enjoyment (bhojana) will find that his worship, his bhajana is in vain. In other words: one who wants bhojan will spoil his bhajan. Once a devotee named Haren Babu in his bhajan-kutir in Nabadwipa-dhama accepted some festival prasada in his bhajan-kutira. For this reason, Srila Babaji would not speak to him for three days. On the fourth day he said, "In your bhajan-kutira you have accepted "festival prasada" given by low-class harlots and beautiful women. Because you have eaten things without regard for where they have come from, your bhajan is useless.
Once on the anniversary of the disapperance of Srila Sanatana Goswami, Srila Babaji Maharaja said, "This afternoon we shall have a great festival, a mahotsava, for this holy day marks the passing of Srila Sanatana Goswami." His servant, who was nearby at the time, heard him and asked, "Where will you get the things we need for a festival?" Srila Babaji Maharaja explained, "We have no need of anything. We may fast and chant the holy name of Krsna, and in this humble way we shall enjoy a great festival."
One day, a resident of agaratala named Sri Nirendra Kumara Sena came to visit Srila Babaji Maharaja. He wanted to know the siddha-pranali, the path of perfection. Srila Babaji Maharaja told him, "You cannot know Bhagavan through your fanciful imagination. If you go on chanting the holy name, you will gradually realize the internal meaning of its syllables—the svarupa of the holy name will manifest itself. The sadhaka at that time will also realize his own internal self. At that time also, the sadhaka will awaken to his particular divine service to Sri Krsna, the service that will be dear to his heart upon attaining perfection."
Once a certain Doctor told Srila Babaji Maharaja that he wanted to come and live in Nabadwipa Dhama so that he could heal people for free. At that time, Srila Babaji Maharaja told him, "If you really want to live in Nabadwipa, thengive up your desire to set up a free clinic; give up your plans to help the sense enjoyers by healing them. If you want to render some substantial service, then give up everything except what promotes haribhajan. All other kinds of service and duties simply bind one to a ghastly karmic reaction.
Biography # 2
In 1849, Srila Gaura Kishora Dasa Babaji left grhasta life after the death of his wife. He moved to Vrndavana and took initiation from Sri Bhagavata Dasa Babaji, a disciple of Sri Jagannatha Dasa Babaji. For over thirty years Gaura Kishora Dasa stayed in Vrndavana performing bhajana under the trees at Giri-Govardhana, Nandagrama, Varsana, Radha-kunda, Surya-kunda, Raval, Gokula.
Sitting in seclusion, he chanted 200,000 names of Krishna every day (128 rounds of japa). He felt painful separation from Radha-Govinda and cried profusely. As he wandered through the dvadasa vana (12 forests) of Vraja, he would loudly chant the holy names in a deep voice full of lamentation. He would also relish the following bhajan:
kothay go prema-mayi radhe radhe!
radhe radhe go jaya radhe radhe! dekha diya prana rakho radhe radhe! tomar kangal tomay dake radhe radhe! radhe vmdavana-vilasini radhe radhe!
radhe kanu-mano-mohini radhe radhe! radhe astha-sakhir siromani radhe radhe! radhe vrsabhanu-nandini radhe radhe!
"0 Radhe Radhe! Where are You, 0 Goddess of ecstatic love? 0 Radhe Radhe! All glories to You, 0 Radhe Radhe!
0 Radhe Radhe! Please show Yourself to me and thereby maintain my life. Your most despicable fallen servant calls out to You, 0 Radhe Radhe!
0 Radhe! Oh artful enjoyer of Vrndavana. 0 Radhe Radhe! 0 Radhe! Oh enchantress of Kanu's (Krishna) mind. 0 Radhe Radhe!
0 Radhe! Oh crest jewel of Your eight main girlfriends. 0 Radhe Radhe! 0 Radhe! Oh delightful daughter of Maharaja Vrsabhanu. 0 Radhe Radhe!"
Srila Babaji Maharaja's mood of renunciation was unparalleled. Sometimes he ate mud from the banks of Radha-kunda or the Yamuna. Other times he took madhukari from the Vrajavasis. Madhukari is a babaji's daily practice of begging a little food from one to seven houses, just as a bee collects a drop of honey from each flower. He saw all the Vrajavasis (residents of Vrndavana) as being the direct personal associates of Radha and Krishna. As a result of this vision, he would pay respects to every person, cow, animal, bird, tree, creeper, insect, ant in the holy dhama.
While staying in Varsana he made a flower garland everyday for Rai and Kanu (Radha-Krishna). After thirty years of rendering intimate services to Radha and Krishna in Vrndavana, Babaji felt inspired by the Divine Couple to see Sri Navadvipa Dhama. He visited all the lila sthanas of Lord Gauranga in Gaura Mandala. In Navadvipa, he used to sing one bhajana which means, "By receiving Nitai's mercy one gets Gauranga's mercy, which makes one eligible for Krishna prema. With Krishna prema one can attain the service of Srimati Radharani and the gopis."
Gaura Kishora Dasa Babaji was the embodied form of Sri Rupa-Raghunatha's renunciation. Completely detached, he would wash discarded cloth to cover his body. He drank from a rejected clay pot. Parched rice mixed with Ganges water or simply some mud from Ganga's bank sustained his life.
He carried two books written by Sri Narottama Dasa Thakura; Prarthana, Prema-bhakti-candrika. On Ekadasi he didn't eat or drink a drop of water. Recognizing him to be a mahabhagavata, many tried to serve, but he never accepted.
Regularly, he associated with and heard Srimad Bhagavatam from Srila Thakura Bhaktivinoda in Svananda sukhada kunja in Godrumadvipa. Constantly absorbed in bhajana, Srila Babaji Maharaja had no desire to make disciples. On the request of Bhaktivinoda Thakura, however, he reconsidered. Upon seeing the true humility and deep attachment of Thakura Bhaktivinoda's son for bhajana, Srila Gaurakishora Dasa Babaji accepted one disciple-Sri Varsabhanavi-dayita Dasa (Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura).
To keep mundane people from approaching him for material boons he once resided in the lavotories at the Kuliya Dharmashal-la (in Koladvipa) for six months. When public officials came offering to build him a proper bhajana kutir, Babaji Maharaja locked himself inside and said he already had one. He believed that associating with materialistic people was much worse than the smell of stool in the latrine.
Gaura Kishora Dasa Babaji advised a Calcutta doctor who wanted lo open a free health clinic in Navadvipa Dhama: "If you really want to live in Navadvipa Dhama, then give up your desire to run a free clinic for healing sense enjoyers. If you want to render substantial service, then renounce everything except what promotes Hari bhajana. All other kinds of duties and services simply bind one to the ghastly cycle of karmic reactions."
Babaji Maharaja spoke gravely to a newly married man: "A Vaisnava wife is extremely rare and difficult to find in this world. If one has the good fortune of having one, he should see it as a benediction from Krishna. The wife worships the husband as her lord and master. Similarly, the husband should worship the wife because she is Krishna dasi, a servant of Krishna. In this way, the husband can protect his devotional enthusiasm by not considering his wife to be his maidservant, but she is always the maidservant of Krishna."
"One who wants bhojana (eating palatably) will spoil his bhajana," was a favorite quote of Srila Babaji Maharaja. In other words, eating here and there simply to gratify the tongue (bhojana) destroys any attempts to worship Krishna (bhajana). Once a devotee ate some festival prasadam in his bhajana kutir. Babaji Maharaja would not speak to him for three days. On the fourth day he said, "You accepted "festival prasadam" given by low class harlots and beautiful women. Because you took food without considering its origin your bhajana is useless."
The essence of Srila Gaura Kishora Dasa Babaji's instructions:
"The Divine Name of Krishna offers the one and only shelter. One should never try to remember Radha-Damodara's transcendental pastimes by artificial methods. Constant chanting of the Divine Names will purify the heart. By chanting Hari Nama the syllables of the maha-mantra (Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare) will gradually reveal the spiritual form, qualities, pastimes of Sri Krishna. Then you will realize your own eternal spiritual form, service, and the eleven particulars of your spiritual identity."
In pursuance of Babaji Maharaja's statement, "drag my dead body through the streets of Navadvipa," a group of so-called advanced devotees proposed to commit the said sacrilege. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, however, challenged them:
"According to sastra, one who has had carnal association with a loose woman within the last twenty-four hours is contaminated, and therefore not qualified to touch my Guru Maharaja." Hearing this bold statement, the black-hearted brahmanas made a hasty retreat.
On 19 November 1915, Srila Gaura Kishora Dasa Babaji Maharaja joined the eternal blissful pastimes of Gandharvika-Giridhari. His beloved disciple, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, established his samadhi on the banks of Sri Caitanya Matha's Radha-kunda, near Lord Caitanya's Yogapitha in Srid-hama Mayapur.
In Vraja lila he serves Srimati Radharani as Guna-manjari. His pushpa samadhi stands besides the Radha-Kunja Bihari Gaudiya Matha near Radha-kunda.
[Available from: www.stephen-knapp.com]
Srila Gaurakisora Pranati
namo gaura-kisoraya saksad-vairagya-murtaye
vipralambha-rasambhode padambujaya te namah
namo gaura-kisoraya saksad-vairagya-murtaye
vipralambha-rasambhode padambujaya te namah
namah--obeisances; gaura-kisoraya--unto Gaurakisora Dasa Babaji; saksat--directly; vairagya--renunciation; murtaye--unto the personified;
vipralambha--(of) separation (from Krsna) rasa--(of) the mellow; ambhodhe--O ocean; pada-ambujaya--unto the lotus feet; te--your; namah--obeisances.
vipralambha--(of) separation (from Krsna) rasa--(of) the mellow; ambhodhe--O ocean; pada-ambujaya--unto the lotus feet; te--your; namah--obeisances.
I offer my respectful obeisances unto Gaurakisora Dasa Babaji Maharaja [the spiritual master of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati], who is renunciation personified. He is always merged in a feeling of separation and intense love of Krsna.
niskincanasya bhagavan-bhajanon-mukhasya
param param jigamisor-bhava-sagarasya
sandarsanam visayinam-atha yostams ca
ha hanta hanta vis-bhaksanato'py asadhu
param param jigamisor-bhava-sagarasya
sandarsanam visayinam-atha yostams ca
ha hanta hanta vis-bhaksanato'py asadhu
"For one who really wants to cross the material ocean and who wants to engage in the transcendental loving service of the Lord without any connection with anything material, seeing a materialist engaged in sense gratification and seeing a woman who is similarly interested is more abominable than drinking poison willingly." (Caitanya-candrodaya-Nataka 8.23)
The letter and spirit of this verse was the very life and soul of Gaura Kisora dasa Babaji Maharaja. He never accepted anything from materialists. He used to find cloth discarded from the bodies of the dead at the burning ghat. After washing it in the Ganges he would tear it into pieces to make some outer cloth and kaupins. He would beg some handfuls of parched rice from the houses of pious and saintly grhasthas, and then he would go and soak that rice in the Ganges until it was soft. After adding some salt and pepper he would take that as his sustenance. He would not beg for anything more than this. He was completely without material desires.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"One who wants bhojana (eating palatably) will spoil his bhajana," was a favorite quote of Srila Babaji Maharaja. In other words, eating here and there simply to gratify the tongue (bhojana) destroys any attempts to worship Krishna (bhajana). Once a devotee ate some festival prasadam in his bhajana kutir. Babaji Maharaja would not speak to him for three days. On the fourth day he said, "You accepted "festival prasadam" given by low class harlots and beautiful women. Because you took food without considering its origin your bhajana is useless."
The essence of Srila Gaura Kishora Dasa Babaji's instructions:
"The Divine Name of Krishna offers the one and only shelter. One should never try to remember Radha-Damodara's transcendental pastimes by artificial methods. Constant chanting of the Divine Names will purify the heart. By chanting Hari Nama the syllables of the maha-mantra (Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare) will gradually reveal the spiritual form, qualities, pastimes of Sri Krishna. Then you will realize your own eternal spiritual form, service, and the eleven particulars of your spiritual identity."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SRI GADADHARA DASA THAKURA
Sri Gadadhara dasa Thakura previously lived at Navadwip. When the Lord went to live at
Nilacala Sri Dasa Gadadhara also there to be with Him. Later on Mahaprabhu sent him back
with Nityananda Prabhu to preach in Bengal. He first stayed at Eriyadahagram, which is
situated on the banks of the Ganges. Then he spent some time in Navadwipa, taking care of
Saci Mata and Visnupriya, but after their disappearance he came to live at Katwa, where
Mahaprabhu had accepted sannyasa from Kesava Bharati.
He was a very confidential associate of Sri Sri Gaura-Nityananda. In Gaura-ganoddesadipika
it is stated that he is an incarnation of the effulgence of Srimati Radharani's body,
as well as an expansion of Purnananda gopi. Though he was one of the associates of
Nityananda Prabhu, the majority of whom were cowherd boys and thus situated in the
mellow of friendship, he was always absorbed in the mood of a gopi.
Once, as he was carrying a pot of Ganges water on his head, he called loudly, "Who wants to
buy some milk?" Sometimes he would say, "Here is some first class yogurt. Whoever wants
to buy some, come here." Calling out like this, he would then laugh very loudly.
When Mahaprabhu instructed Nityananda Prabhu to preach in Bengal, He sent Sri Rama dasa
and Sri Gadadhara dasa along with Him. [C.C. Adi 11.13,14]
One day Nityananda Prabhu came to Dasa Gadadhar's temple at Eriyadahagram. In the
temple was a very beautiful Deity of Sri Bala Gopala, which Nityananda Prabhu carefully
picked up from the altar. While holding Him against His chest, He began to dance in ecstasy.
When all of the devotees saw that Gopala had taken shelter of the heart of Sri Anantadeva,
they made the heavens resound with the vibrations of "Hari! Hari!" Nityananda Prabhu, who
was very robust and heroic, then began to roar very loudly while engaging in His ecstatic
dance with Gopalaji.
Then Madhavananda Ghosa began to sing some songs describing Krsna's dan-lila (from Dankeli-
Kaumadi). Hearing his sweet voice and the poetic descriptions of Krsna's dan-lila,
Nityananda exhibited all of the ecstatic symptoms within His body simultanously as He
danced like one intoxicated. The gestures He exhibited while dancing were like slashes of
lightning; His limbs moved with unparalleled grace. His expressive eye movements, His sweet
smiling and eruptive laughter, and the shivering and quaking of His head, provided a feast
for the devotees' eyes and ears. Bringing His two beautiful lotus feet together, He would
then jump in such a way as to completely captivate ones mind. Whomever He would look at
would find themselves floating in an ocean of the mellows of love of Krsna, and by His
merciful glance they forgot about the existence of their physical body. The level of
devotion that is sought by great yogis and munis was attained
that day by the ordinary men and women of that place, as they relished the remnants of
Lord Nityananda's love for Krsna.
Someone as fat as an elephant becomes so thin and weak if he fasts for three days that he
can barely walk. However, by the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu, one small child of that village
didn't eat anything for one month, yet his movements and behavior were like those of a lion.
Such was the mysterious influence of Nityananda Prabhu, though no one could understand
His activities due to the Lord's yogamaya potency. Nityananda Prabhu thus enjoyed various
pastimes at the temple of Gadadhar dasa Thakura.
In Sri Caitanya-bhagavata, Sri Vrindavana dasa Thakura has described the glories of Dasa
Gadadhara in this way: "Nityananda Prabhu was personally present within the body of Sri
Gadadhara das; such are his glories."
Amongst Caitanya Mahaprabhu's associates, no one wanted to go near the Mohammedan Kazi
for fear that he might lose his caste. Simply by looking at the face of a Mohammedan, a
Hindu would lose his name in society. It was Dasa Gadadhara who had the power to influence
the notorious Kazi, and so he bestowed his merciful glance upon him. Even at their first
meeting, he was able to lift that Kazi beyond the limits of his caste and creed, and thus
those limitations completely fell away.
One day Sri Gadadhara dasa Thakura, intoxicated in ecstatic love while chanting the Holy
Names of Hari, came to the house of the Kazi at Eriyadahagram and began to call him. The
Kazi, in a fit of anger, came storming out of his internal apartment, but upon seeing the
transcendentally serene appearance and mood of Dasa Gadadhara Prabhu, he became
stunned. His anger softened and his expression became friendly. The Kazi inquired, "Thakur,
why have you come just now?"
Dasa Gadadhara Thakura answered, "I should like to have a few words with you."
"Yes, whatever you have to say, just speak up."
"Sri Sri Gaura-Nityananda have appeared on this earth to distribute the nectar of the Holy
Names to all classes of men, from the highest to the lowest, even to the most sinful,
despicable persons. Why haven't you accepted this sweet treat? Why haven't you taken up
the chanting of these nectarean Holy Names?"
"We'll accept it tomorrow."
"Why tomorrow?! Today you should accept. I have come here today to deliver you from the
depths of ignorance and sin by the power of these Holy Names. So you please take this
supremely auspicious Harinama. I will deliver you from all your sinful activities this very
day."
Having listened to Gadahara dasa Thakura's sweet speech, the Kazi
became a little bewildered. He began to laugh and said, "Tomorrow I'll say Hari."
When he heard the two syllables 'ha' and 'ri' emanate from the Kazi's mouth, Dasa
Gadadhara Thakura became overwhelmed in the happiness of ecstatic love and exclaimed,
"Tomorrow?! Sir, you said Hari just now! All of your sins have fled far away. You have
become supremely pure." Saying this he began to dance in ecstasy.
The Kazi, having been purified by the transcendental vibration of Hari, took shelter at das
Gadadhara Thakura's lotus feet. In this way, das Gadadhara Thakura delivered many sinful,
wicked yavanas and other such people.
He disappeared on the eighth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Kartik.
Eriyadaha gram is reached from Calcutta by bus from Esplanade. Gadadhara dasa Thakura's
samadhi-mandir and the samadhi of the hair of Lord Caitanya shaved off by the barber
Madhi Sil when He accepted sannyasa are united within the same tomb at Kesava Bharati's
ashrama at Katwa.
Sri Dasa Gadadhara Thakura established a temple at the place where Mahaprabhu accepted
sannyasa, and the Deity of Lord Gauranga was personally installed by him. This deity is one
of three Deities which were carved from one Nimba tree as per the order of Sriman
Mahaprabhu, which he communicated to Narahari Sarkar Thakura and the bhakar (deitymaker)
on the same night through the medium of their dreams. The next day, when the two
met and learned that they had both had the same dream, they could understand that they
should carry out the Lord's instruction immediately. The other two Deities are at Sri
Khanda. There is also a Deity of Balarama (Nityananda) who is about half the size of
Mahaprabhu and who came later on. Thus the Deities here are known as Sri Sri Nitai-
Gauranga.
There is a local anecdote concerning this Deity of Balarama. He is said to have once been
worshiped by Mineketana Rama dasa, who used to carry this Deity of Balarama with him
wherever he went. Mineketana Rama's body was very strongly built, so he would carry
Balarama upon a simhasana mounted on his back. The simhasana itself weighed perhaps
twenty kilos. When he became somewhat advanced in years and it was difficult to carry the
simhasana, he entrusted the worship of his Balarama to the pujari of Lord Gauranga here.
There is another story that claims that as Mineketana was a non-Bengali, his native tongue
was a non-Bengali dialect. In his language, the word for hair was awa. Thus the name of the
place where Mahaprabhu accepted sannyasa became Katwa, literally meaning 'cutting hair'
or 'the place where Prabhu's head was shorn of its beautiful locks.' The previous name of
this place was Kantak Nagar, supposedly given by Saci Mata. Kantak means thorn. The
disciple of Dasa Gadadhara was Yadunandana Cakravarti. The present sevakas of this temple
are his descendents. This is a very nice temple where many of the local people attend the
arati ceremonies and classes on the devotional scriptures. There is a railway station at
Katwa. From there one should go by ricksaw to Gauranga Bari.
SRI DHANANJAYA PANDITA
"Dhananjaya Pandita was a very rare soul. Nityananda Prabhu was always present in his
heart." [C.B. Antya 5.733]
His Sripat is at Sitalgrama, Mangal Kota Khana, Barddhaman district. There is a railway
station at Kaicor on the metre gauge line from Katwa to Barddhaman. If one gets down at
Kaicor, then it is about a twenty minute walk to the village of Sitalgrama.
Dhananjaya Pandita also stayed at Sancra Pancra for some time. According to the opinion of
some he was born in the village of Jargrama, within the district of Cattagrama. He was
present during Mahaprabhu's sankirtana pastimes in Navadvipa. After returning from
Vrndavana, he also worshiped the Deities at Jalandigrama. At present the Deities of Sri
Gopinatha, Sri-Sri Nitai-Gaura and Sri Damodara salagrama-sila are being worshipped there.
He has no descendants, but he had a brother by the name Sri Sanjaya, whose son was Sri
Rama Kanai Thakura. His Sripat is located at Mulukgrama (near Bolpura). Sanjaya was
perhaps the disciple of Dhananjaya Pandita. The present sevakas at Sitalgrama are the
descendants of Dhananjaya Pandita's disciple.
Disappearance: Eighth day of the bright fortnight, in the month of Kartika.
Adi-lila: Chapter Eleven, Text 31 :TEXT
nityananda-priyabhrtya pandita dhananjaya atyanta virakta, sada krsna-premamaya
TRANSLATION
The sixteenth dear servant of Nityananda Prabhu was Dhananjaya
Pandita. He was very much renounced and always merged in love of Krsna.
PURPORT
Pandita Dhananjaya was a resident of the village in Katwa named
Sitala. He was one of the twelve goplas. His former name, according to
Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika, was Vasudama. Sitala-grama is situated near the
Mangalakota police station and Kaicara post office in the district of
Burdwan. On the narrow railway from Burdwan to Katwa is a railway
station about nine miles from Kutwa known as Kaicara. One has to go
about a mile northeast of this station to reach Sitala. The temple was
a thatched house with walls made of dirt. Some time ago,the Zamindars
of Bajaravana Kabasi, the Mulliks, constructed a big house for the
purpose of a temple, but for the last sixty-five years the temple has
been broken down and abandoned. The foundation of the old temple is
still visible. There is a tulasi pillar near the temple, and every year
during the month of January the disappearance day of Dhananjaya is
observed. It is said that for some time Pandita Dhananjaya was in a
sankirtana party under the direction of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and
then he went to Vrndavana. Before going to Vrndavana, he lived for some
time in a village named Sancadapancada, which is six miles south of the
Memari railway station. Sometimes this village is also known as the
"place of Dhananjaya" (Dhananjayera Pata). After some time, he left the
responsibility for worship with a disciple and went back to Vrndavana.
After returning from Vrndavana to Sitala-grama, he established a Deity
of Gaurasundara in the temple. The descendants of Pandita Dhananjaya
still live in Sitala-grama and look after the temple worship.
SRINIVASA ACARYA THAKURA:
He was a famous devotee of Lord Gauranga. In 1441 Saka, he was born in Cakundi village
north of Agradvipa in the district of Nadia. He was the son of Gangadhara Bhattacarya, a
brahmana of the Radha clan, who was present when Lord Caitanya accepted sannyasa.
Because Gangadhara continuously chanted the Lord's name at that time, he later became
known as Caitanyadasa.
Srinivasa Acarya's biography is narrated elaborately in the following works:
Bhaktiratnakara, Premavilasa, Karnananda, Anuragavali and Narottamavilasa. Srinivasa's
contribution as a preacher and writer of Vaisnava-Vedanta is immeasurable. According to
BRK 1.232-234, Lord Caitanya empowered Rupa and Sanatana to write books on the science
of Krsna consciousness, and He empowered Srinivasa to preach.
Srinivasa Acarya's mother was Sri Laksmipriya and his father was Sri Gangadhara
Bhattacarya (later known as Sri Caitanya dasa). They lived in the village of Cakhandi near
the Bhagirathi river. When Sri Gaurasundara completed His activities in Nadia and went to
the asrama of Sri Kesava Bharati in Kantak to take sannyasa, the news spread rapidly and
thousands of people from far and wide assembled to witness the ceremony of Mahaprabhu's
sannyasa initiation. Gangadhara Bhattacarya also went to witness the event. The devotees
were overwhelmed with grief at the thought of Mahaprabhu shaving off His beautiful curly
hair. Madhu, the barber, was completely depressed and stood motionless, unable to cut the
Lord's hair. Only after the Lord repeatedly insisted, did Madhu finally cut off
Mahaprabhu's beautiful locks. However, immediately thereafter Madhu fainted on the
ground crying pathetically, "Oh what have I done, what have I done?" The entire
atmosphere was filled with lamentation and no one was able to console each other. Even the
birds in the trees began to cry, and Gangadhara Bhattacarya fainted in grief.
After a long time Gangadhara Bhattacarya regained consciousness and began reciting the
name "Sri Krsna Caitanya, Sri Krsna Caitanya." He then returned to Cakhandi village and like
a mad man incessantly chanted the name of Sri Caitanya. His devoted wife also cried her
heart out when she heard the news of Mahaprabhu's acceptance of sannyasa. Thus people
began calling Gangadhara, Caitanya dasa.
Later, Caitanya dasa and his wife went to Puri to visit Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. From a
distance Caitanya dasa spotted the Lord and immediately he and his wife fell prostrate,
offering obeisances with tearful eyes. The Lord called them near to Him and lovingly
addressed them in a sweet voice, "By the grace of Lord Jagannatha you have reached here
safely, now you must proceed at once to take darsana of the Lord and He will fulfill your
desire" (Bhakti R.).
Accompanied by Govinda, Mahaprabhu's servant, Caitanya dasa and his wife went to see Sri
Jagannatha. They tearfully offered prayers to the Lord, then went to the residence
arranged for them by Mahaprabhu.
The days passed and Caitanya dasa and his wife relished every moment of their stay in
Nilacala. One day Sri Gaurasundara informed Govinda that both Caitanya dasa and his wife
had prayed to Lord Jagannatha to give them a son, thus they would soon be the proud
parents of a beautiful son named Srinivasa. The Lord further explained, "Through Rupa and
Sanatana, I manifested wonderful devotional literatures, and through Srinivasa, I will
distribute those sastras far and wide. Now you may tell Caitanya dasa to return to Gauda
immediately."
As desired by the Lord, Caitanya dasa happily returned to Bengal. Sri Laksmipriya's father
Balarama Bipra, who was a great astrologer and scholar, predicted that soon a great
personality would be born to Laksmi devi. Sure enough, on the auspicious full moon day in the
month of Vaisaka (April-May), when the star Rohini was visible in the sky, a son was born to
Laksmipriya. All the markings of a great personality were visible on the child's body.
Immediately Sri Caitanya dasa offered the boy to the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu and happily distributed gifts and charity to numerous brahmanas. Everyone was
overwhelmed with joy.
As the child grew Laksmipriya chanted the holy name of Sri Gauranga constantly and taught
her son to do the same. Time passed quickly and soon he accepted the sacred thread and
began his studies under the guidance of Dhananjaya Vidyavacaspati. Within a very short
period he became well versed in every subject.
In his boyhood, Srinivasa received the mercy of Sri Govinda Ghosh and Sri Narahari
Sarkara Thakura, as well as others. However, at a young age he lost his father and was
greatly aggrieved. Sri Laksmidevi was overwhelmed with sorrow and could be pacified only
be seeing the face of her beloved son. Shortly thereafter Srinivasa took his mother to his
grandfather's house in Yajigrama. The residents there were delighted to meet Srinivasa,
and the learned brahmanas were charmed by the boy's divine characteristics, his vast
knowledge and love for the Lord. Srinivasa had no interest what so ever in materialistic
activities and was above all temptations. He was always immersed in thought of Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu and eagerly awaited the time when he would be able to visit Nilacala.
Srinivasa eventually went to meet Sri Narahari Sarkara in Srikhanda. With tears streaming
from his eyes, Srinivasa fell at the feet of Sri Sarkara, who lovingly picked him up and
embraced him. Srinivasa then prayed that he would be allowed to visit the places of Sri
Gauranga's transcendental pastimes in Nilacala. Sri Narahari Thakura and Sri Raghunandana
Thakura both welcomed this proposal and advised Srinivasa go to Puri along with the other
devotees of Bengal who would be visiting there shortly.
Srinivasa then returned to Yajigrama and requested his mother's permission to visit
Nilacala. Although she was reluctant to let him go, she eventually gave her consent. Thus a
few days later he met the other devotees of Bengal and started for Puri. Arriving in
Nilacala he stayed the night in the house of a priest near the Simhadvara. In the morning he
went to the house of Sri Gadadhara Pandita. Crying incessantly, Srinivasa fell prostrate at
his lotus feet. Sri Gadadhara picked him up and embraced him, but Srinivasa could not stop
crying.
After spending some time with Sri Gadadhara, Srinivasa proceeded to meet Sri Ramananda
Raya, Sri Sarvabhauma Pandita, Vakresvara Pandita, Paramananda Puri, Sikhi Mahiti, Govinda
Sankara, Gopinatha Acarya and other associates of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Upon meeting
Srinivasa all the Vaisnavas were filled with happiness, understanding that Srinivasa was
empowered by Sri Gauranga and would eventually take an active role in distributing books
and spreading the message of the Lord. Thus the devotees were very kind to Srinivasa and
offered him invaluable advice. Srinivasa stayed in Puri for some time, visiting all the places
of the Sri Gaurasundara's pastimes. Thereafter he sought permission from the devotees to
return to Bengal. Thus the devotees embraced him and bade farewell.
While returning to Bengal, Srinivasa received the news of Sri Gadadhara Pandita's
disappearance from this world, and he fell unconscious on the ground. That night Gadadhara
Pandita appeared before Srinivasa in his dream and pacified him. Srinivasa then regained
enough strength to continue his journey. However, shortly thereafter, he again received
word that Sri Advaita Acarya and Sri Nityananda Prabhu had also departed from the world.
Srinivasa was overwhelmed with grief and cried incessantly, but Sri Nityananda and Sri
Advaita also consoled him in a dream. At last Srinivasa reached Bengal. He first visited Sri
Narahari Sarkara and Sri Raghunandana Thakura at Srikhanda, who wholeheartedly gave him
their blessings.
He then traveled on to Navadvipa Mayapura, where he visited the birthplace of Sri
Gaurasundara and rolled on the ground in ecstatic pleasure. At that time Sri Vamsivadana
Thakura was living in the house of Mahaprabhu and upon seeing him, Srinivasa fell humbly at
his feet, weeping loudly and calling out the holy name of Mahaprabhu. Sri Vamsivadana
Thakura was also overcome with joy upon meeting him. Srinivasa then begged to meet Sri
Visnupriya Thakurani. At that time no one was allowed to meet her, but when Sri
Vamsivadana Thakura mentioned Srinivasa's name to her, she thought for a moment and
then agreed to see him. When Srinivasa was brought before her, he fell prostrate on the
ground with tearful eyes. Sri Visnupriya blessed him and requested that he take prasada
there that day.
In Navadvipa, Srinivasa met Sri Murari Gupta, Srivasa Pandita, Damodara Pandita, Sanjaya,
Sri Vijoy, Suklambara brahmacari, Dasa Gadadhara and others. He then went to the house
of Sri Advaita Acarya, in hopes of meeting Sri Sita Thakurani. She immediately called him
to her room and blessed him heartily. He also met the other devotees of Santipura. From
there he went to Khardaha, where Sri Paramesvari dasa Thakura was staying in the house of
Sri Nityananda Prabhu. He happily introduced Srinivasa to Sri Vasudha, Sri Jahnava and Sri
Viracandra. When Srinivasa lay at their feet crying, Sri Jahnava placed the dust of her feet
on his head, and the others greeted him affectionately. After spending a few days in
Khardaha, Jahnava mata advised him to proceed towards Vrndavana. Srinivasa then traveled
on to the house of Sri Abhirama Thakura in Khanakula. When he worshiped Sri Abhirama, he
touched Srinivasa's body three times with his "Jaya mangala" whip, although Malini devi,
Abhirama's wife, tried to prevent him from doing so. When the whip touched Srinivasa's
body, he felt his body become surcharged with divine love. Srinivasa then started for
Srikhanda, where Sri Narahari Sarkara and Sri Raghunandana Thakura happily greeted him.
Thereafter he went to Yajigrama where he visited his mother and offered worship to her.
He then sought her permission to visit Vrndavana and she gladly gave her sanction.
On his way to Vrndavana, he saw the lotus feet of Lord Visnu at Gayadhama at the place
where Mahaprabhu received initiation from Isvara Puri. From Gayadhama, he went to the
house of Sri Candrasekhar in Kasi and met the other devotees. There he joyfully listened to
Sri Candrasekhar and Sri Tapana Misra recount the wonderful pastimes of the Lord in Kasi.
After spending a few days in Kasi, Srinivasa traveled on to Mathura where he bathed at
Visrama ghata (the place where Sri Krsna took rest after killing Kamsa). In Mathura he
visited the birth place of Sri Krsna and then started for Vrndavana. On his way to
Vrndavana some brahmanas from the area told Srinivasa the heart-breaking news that Sri
Rupa, Sanatana and Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami had departed from the world. The
brahmanas tried to console the grief-stricken Srinivasa and in the afternoon of the full
moon day in the month of Vaisaka they took him to meet Sri Jiva Gosvami.
Srinivasa happily worshiped the lotus feet of Sri Jiva Gosvami, who embraced Srinivasa with
great pleasure. They eagerly sat down and discussed numerous topics together and Sri Jiva
enquired about the devotees from Bengal. After some time Sri Krsna Pandita, the priest of
Sri Govinda Deva, brought prasada and Sri Jiva and Srinivasa relished prasada together.
The following morning, Sri Jiva Gosvami and Srinivasa went to visit Sri Radharamana, where
Srinivasa was introduced to Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami. Srinivasa worshiped the lotus feet
of Gopala Bhatta and humbly prayed for his spiritual guidance. Gopala Bhatta happily agreed
and the following morning, Srinivasa received spiritual initiation from him. The next day Sri
Jiva sent Srinivasa to meet Raghunatha dasa Gosvami at Sri Radhakunda. With great
pleasure Srinivasa worshiped the sacred feet of Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Sri Krsna
dasa Kaviraja and Sri Raghava Pandita. Srinivasa remained in their association for three
days relishing the nectar of their invaluable instructions. Thereafter, with their kind
permission, he returned to Sri Jiva in Vrndavana.
Sri Jiva Gosvami then began instructing Srinivasa on Srimad Bhagavatam and the Gosvami's
books. To Sri Jiva's delight, Srinivasa was able to imbibe all these teachings within a very
short time. Thus Sri Jiva did not hesitate to confer upon him the title of Acarya. From that
day he became famous as Srinivasa Acarya amongst the Vaisnava community of Bengal.
Srinivasa Acarya had previously heard the glories of Sri Narottama dasa and was anxious to
meet him. Eventually Narottama arrived in Vrndavana and immediately upon meeting each
other, they became great friends. Sri Jiva advised Srinivasa and Narottama to visit all the
forests of Mathura and Vrndavana along with Sri Raghava Gosvami, a brahmana from the
South and intimate associate of Sri Gaurasundara. Kavi Karnapura wrote that Raghava
Pandita was Sri Campakalata (the life of Sri Radha) in Krsna lila. Sri Narahari Cakravarti has
given a beautiful description of their travels in the fifth chapter of Bhaktiratnakara.
After completing their travels to all the forests, Srinivasa and Narottama returned to Sri
Jiva Gosvami's place in Vrndavana. Around that time Sri Krsna dasa (Syamananda prabhu)
reached Vrndavana from Bengal. Krsna dasa was a favorite disciple of Sri Hrdaicaitanya
prabhu, and he himself had sent Krsna dasa to receive instructions from Sri Jiva Gosvami.
The devotees sat together and listened as Krsna dasa conveyed the good news of the
devotees of Bengal and Orissa to Sri Jiva.
Krsna dasa, Srinivasa and Narottama became very intimate friends and studied happily
together under Sri Jiva Gosvami. Because these three devotees were extremely dedicated,
well-versed in the scripture, and completely renounced they were chosen by the Gosvami's
of Vrndavana to distribute the books of the Gosvami's in Bengal, a task which was eagerly
accepted by these three exalted souls. In this way Sri Jiva's long cherished desire to
distribute the Gosvami's books was eventually fulfilled. Srinivasa was appointed the chief of
this journey and their departure date was fixed on any day of the bright fort-night in the
month of Agrahayana (Nov.-Dec).
After seeking the permission of the Gosvamis, and worshipping Sri Govinda, Sri Gopinatha
and Sri Madana mohana, Sri Jiva Gosvami sent Srinivasa, Narottama and Krsna dasa to
Bengal with the books written by the Gosvamis. A few armed guards were deputed to
protect the vehicle which carried the precious books. As the caravan moved on from
Mathura to Bengal, many travellers followed along behind the carts. At various places
special arrangements were made to shelter the traveling party, and they happily engaged in
sankirtana and worshipped the Lord wherever they stopped. Eventually the party arrived at
the outskirts of Vana Visnupura, which was ruled by a bandit leader named Vira Hamvira.
When the king was informed that a caravan was passing through Vana Visnupura on its way
to Bengal, carrying a cart filled with a valuable treasure, he at once decided to attack the
travelers and steal their treasure.
As the caravan plied on, unaware of the evil desires of the king, dusk approached and they
stopped near a lake for the night. In the evening the three exalted Vaisnavas began ecstatic
kirtana and the people of the nearby village watched in amazement, astonished by their
graceful dancing and beautiful singing.
Meanwhile, happily anticipating his grand victory, Vira Hamvira remained alert, anxiously
waiting for the devotees to retire for the night. Eventually the Vaisnavas accepted prasada
and then lay down around the cart to rest. When they were sound asleep, the dacoits
stealthily approached. With great care they snatched the chest full of books and rushed to
the inner apartment of the king's palace. The king's astrologer had informed him that the
chest was filled with the most priceless treasure, thus he greedily gazed at the chest with
delight. Praising the robbers for a job well done, he offered them beautiful cloths and
valuable gifts.
Early in the morning the Vaisnavas awoke and were shocked to find the cart empty. Their
grief was unbearable. Rushing in all directions they frantically tried to find some trace of
the books, but their search was to no avail. They were mad with despair, but after
considerable time passed they managed to console themselves thinking that Sri Govinda
Deva would surely help them to recover the books.
Meanwhile, the king opened the chest and found the books covered with valuable cloths.
When he saw Sri Rupa Gosvami's pearl like handwriting on the books, Hamvira was suddenly
freed from all past sins, his heart became purified and swelled with loving sentiments. That
night he had a wonderful dream; a beautiful man smilingly told him not to worry, the owner
of the books would soon arrive and Hamvira should become his servant.
Srinivasa decided to send Narottama to Kheturi and Sri Krsna dasa to Amvika, while he
himself stayed in Visnupura to recover the lost books. At that time a brahmana pandita
from Visnupura, Sri Krsnavallava, happened to see Srinivasa. Being charmed by his
appearance, Sri Krsnavallava invited Srinivasa to his house, where he was welcomed and
worshipped respectfully. Krsnavallava, along with several others attentively received
spiritual guidance from Srinivasa, and shortly thereafter many of them accepted initiation
from him.
When Srinivasa happened to learn that the king was accustomed to listening to Bhagavata
readings daily at his court, he wanted to go to the king's palace to read the Bhagavatam.
Thus Krsnavallava took Srinivasa to the palace. When Vira Hamvira saw the effulgent
countenance of Srinivasa, he fell prostrate on the floor and offered him scented flowers
and garlands. Srinivasa then began reciting from the Bhagavata in a sweet and melodious
voice. Hearing his excellent pronunciation and succinct explanation, everyone present,
including the King, was charmed and their hearts overflowed with loving sentiments.
After completing his Bhagavata reading, Srinivasa began chanting and dancing in sankirtana.
The King humbly worshipped the holy feet of Srinivasa Acarya and repeatedly prayed for
his mercy. Sri Acarya embraced the King and assured him that Sri Gaurasundara would
bestow His mercy upon him. Finally the king brought forth the trunk full of missing books
and falling on the ground, offered himself, as well as the books, at the lotus feet of Sri
Acarya. Overwhelmed with happiness, Srinivasa showed his kindness to the king and
immediately sent news to Sri Jiva Gosvami in Vrndavana that the books had been recovered.
Shortly thereafter Srinivasa took the books and went to Yajigrama, where he narrated the
whole story of their journey to the devotees. At that time Srinivasa received a message
from Navadvipa informing him of the demise of Sri Visnupriya Thakurani. Grief-stricken,
Srinivasa fell to the ground unconscious. When the devotees eventually managed to pacify
Sri Acarya, another message suddenly arrived from Sri Raghunandana Thakura inviting
Srinivasa to Srikhanda. Without delay, Srinivasa immediately rushed to Srikhanda. Upon
seeing him, Sri Narahari Thakura, Sri Raghunandana Thakura and the other devotees were
filled with joy. Srinivasa worshipped the lotus feet of all the associates of Mahaprabhu and
told them the news of the Gosvamis in Vrndavana.
At that time, Narahari Sarkara Thakura requested Srinivasa to marry, as it was the desire
his mother. Srinivasa followed the order of his mother without objection. After staying for
sometime in Srikhanda, he went to Kantaka nagara to visit Sri Gadadhara dasa Thakura, who
welcomed him warmly with great affection. Srinivasa spent a few days with Gadadhara, who
happily listened to the news of the Gosvamis in Vrndavana. Srinivasa then left for
Yajigrama, but before his departure, Gadadhara Thakura offered his blessings and valuable
advice.
As soon as Srinivasa arrived in Yajigrama, Sri Raghunandana began making arrangements for
his marriage to Draupadi, the beautiful daughter of a devout brahmana living in Yajigrama.
On the Akshya Tritiya day in the month of Vaisaka (April-May), the marriage took place and
afterwards Draupadi was renamed Isvari. Some time later Gopala Cakravarti, as well as his
two sons-Syamadasa and Ramacandra, took initiation from Sri Acarya. Sri Narahari Sarkara
was very happy when he heard the news of Srinivasa's marriage.
Thereafter Srinivasa Acarya began teaching from the Gosvamis books to his disciples in
Yajigrama. Dvija Haridasa's sons, Sridasa and Sri Gokulananda, took initiation from Acarya
and studied under him intently. Day by day Srinivasa's popularity grew and many people
came to Yajigrama to receive his mercy.
One day while Srinivasa was engaged in devotional discussions with his devotees at his house
in Yajigrama, Sri Ramacandra Kaviraja, son of Sri Ciranjiva Sen, passed by along with his
newly wed bride. When Srinivasa Acarya and Sri Ramacandra Kaviraja saw each other from a
distance, feelings of love suddenly arose in both of their hearts and they immediately
desired to meet one another. The following day Ramacandra Kaviraja went to the house of
Srinivasa and they meet each other with great delight. After a few days Srinivasa initiated
him in the Radha-Krsna mantra.
Some time later Srinivasa, along with a few devotees, again left Yajigrama for Vrndavana.
Along the way he visited Sri Visnupada padma in Gaya and then Kasi. There he joyfully met
Sri Candrasekhar and the other devotees. After spending two-three days in Kasi, he
traveled on to Mathura, where he visited the temple of Adi Kesava after taking bath at
Visrama Ghat. He then eagerly rushed to Vrndavana and met Sri Jiva Gosvami, who was
eagerly waiting for him. Sri Syamananda Prabhu also arrived in Vrndavana from Puri and Sri
Jiva embraced both of them happily. However, they were both stricken with grief upon
hearing of the demise of Dvija Haridasa.
Srinivasa and Syamananda stayed in Vrndavana and studied the Sat-sandarbha under the
expert guidance of Sri Jiva Gosvami. During that time, Sri Jiva began writing Sri Gopala
Campu, and he read the mangalacarana slokas to Srinivasa and Syamananda. After some time
Sri Ramacandra arrived in Vrndavana hoping to bring Srinivasa back to Gauda, as requested
by the residents of Gauda.
Srinivasa Acarya introduced Sri Ramacandra Kaviraja to Sri Jiva Gosvami, and Ramacandra
fell at his lotus feet. Sri Jiva embraced Ramacandra affectionately and advised him to take
darsana of Sri Radharamana, Sri Govinda, Sri Gopinatha and the Gosvamis of Vrndavana.
Thus Srinivasa and Syamananda happily took him to various sacred places of Vraja.
Eventually they arrived at the bhajan kutir of Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami and Sri Krsna
dasa Kaviraja at Radha kunda. The Gosvamis were very pleased to observe Ramacandra's
humility and devotion.
Later, as directed by Sri Jiva Gosvami, Srinivasa Acarya and Sri Syamananda Prabhu
traveled to Vana Visnupura on their way to Bengal. When king Vira Hamvira saw Srinivasa, he
danced in ecstacy and after worshiping his lotus feet, immediately fed Srinivasa many
varieties of foodstuff. Thus a grand festival ensued in the king's palace. Sri Syamananda
Prabhu was charmed by the king's display of devotion. Srinivasa then initiated the king into
the sacred Radha Krsna mantra and gave him the name Sri Caitanya dasa. The king's son,
Dhadi Hamvira, also accepted initiation and was named Sri Gopala dasa. Thereafter, through
Vira Hamvira, Acarya Prabhu installed the Deity Sri Kalacand and personally performed the
abhisekha and puja.
After spending a few days in Vana Visnupura, Sri Syamananda Prabhu proceeded towards
Puri. Srinivasa also began preparations to leave for Yajigrama, but at that time the king of
Sikharesvara, Sri Harinarayana deva, invited him to his house. Thus Sri Acarya and his
associates spent some days with the king, where he gave wonderful discourses from the
Bhagavata. In this way many persons there received the mercy of Srinivasa Acarya.
From Sikharesvara he traveled to Srikhanda. There, in the month of Agrahayana (Nov-Dec),
on the 11th day of the dark fortnight, Srinivasa received the heartbreaking news of Sri
Narahari Sarkara Thakura's demise. Srinivasa fell on the ground unconscious and cried in
lamentation. Sri Raghunandana Thakura was also shocked by the departure of Sri Narahari
Thakura, but was relieved to some extent when he met Srinivasa. After spending a few days
at Srikhanda, Sri Acarya went to Kantaka nagara and was informed of the death of Sri
Gadadhara dasa Thakura in the month of Kartika (Oct-Nov), which was a shock difficult for
Srinivasa to bear. After sometime Srinivasa managed to calm himself and traveled on to
Yajigrama, where he invited the devotees to his house for a grand festival in honor of Sri
Gadadhara. Then on the 11th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Magh (Jan-Feb), he
started for Kancana Gaida to observe the death ceremony of Sri Dvija Haridasa, which was
celebrated with great pomp. On that festival day, Sridasa and Sri Gokulananda, the sons of
Dvija Haridasa, received initiation from Sri Acarya Prabhu. After a few days, Srinivasa
proceeded towards Kheturi to participate in the grand festival arranged by Narottama
Thakura on the Purnima day of Falguna (Feb-March). This festival was arranged by Sri
Santosa Datta, the nephew and disciple of Sri Narottama. Sri Jahnava mata herself
attended this wonderful festival. At that time the six Deities; Sri Gauranga, Sri
Vallavikanta, Sri Vrajamohana, Sri Krsna, Sri Radhakanta and Sri Radharamana, where
installed.
After the festival, Srinivasa and Syamananda Prabhu went to Yajigrama where another
wonderful festival began in the house of Acarya Prabhu. A few days later Sri Narottama
Thakura also joined them. After some time, Sri Syamananda Prabhu left for Orissa and
Srinivasa Acarya, Sri Narottama and Sri Ramacandra Kaviraja proceeded to Navadvipa.
There they visited the house of Sri Gauranga, where they introduced themselves to the
aged Sri Isana Thakura and worshipped his lotus feet. Isana Thakura embraced them
warmly with great pleasure. At that time Isana Thakura was the only resident in the house
of Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu. The following day the devotees arranged to tour the sacred
places of Navadvipa with Isana Thakura as their guide. They spent the entire day listening
intently to the sweet pastimes of Sri Gaurasundara as told to them by Isana. After
completing the tour they worshipped Isana Thakura, tearfully bade him farewell and
returned to Srikhanda.
Shortly thereafter they received the news of Isana Thakura's departure from this world,
thus the devotees lamented loudly. In this way all the associates of Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu in Navadvipa breathed their last one by one.
One day Sri Raghunandana Thakura sent a devotee to Yajigrama to bring Sri Acarya. At
once, Srinivasa rushed to Srikhanda and worshipped the lotus feet of Sri Raghunandana
Thakura, who in turn blessed Sri Acarya and wished him a long life for the purpose of
spreading the message of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. With these words he came before the
Deities and offered his son Kanai to the lotus feet of Sri Madana Gopala and Sri Gauranga
Deva. The three following days were spent entirely immersed in sankirtana. At the end of
the third day, Sri Raghunandana Thakura fixed his eyes on the Deities and breathed his
last. Kanai Thakura, Srinivasa Acarya and the other devotees could not endure the pain of
separation and fell unconscious on the ground. Eventually Kanai Thakura managed to organize
a grand festival in honor of his father and sent Vaisnavas all around the country to invite
everyone to the celebration.
On the festival day, the Vaisnavas assembled and began sankirtana in the courtyard in front
of Raghunandana Thakura's samadhi. The festival was so ecstatic that it seemed as if
Raghunandana himself had appeared to join in their sankirtana. Srinivasa supervised the
various activities of the festival and at the end of the festival he, along with the other
devotees, took leave and went to Vana Visnupura to visit Vira Hamvira. There Srinivasa,
surrounded by many devotees, read from the Bhagavata and engaged in sankirtana in the
king's palace. At that time the king took pleasure in serving the devotees and from that day
Vana Visnupura became rightfully known as Visnupura. Taking advantage of the situation,
many persons took shelter of the lotus feet of Srinivasa Acarya.
At that time one great devotee brahmana named Sri Raghava Cakravarti lived in Gopalapura.
He had a daughter named Sri Gaurangapriya, but unfortunately he had not been able to
arrange for her marriage. One night he dreamed that he was giving his daughter's hand to
Srinivasa Acarya. Raghava explained the dream to his wife the following morning and they
were both filled with happiness. The brahmana then went to meet Srinivasa. After
worshiping his lotus feet, the brahmana stood humbly before Sri Acarya. Srinivasa could
understand his intention and smilingly asked the reason why he had come. The brahmana
then revealed his mind, as Sri Acarya listened smilingly. The devotees were all very happy to
hear his proposal and at last Sri Acarya Prabhu agreed.
Vira Hamvira made arrangements to celebrate the marriage ceremony of Srinivasa with
great pomp. Thus Sri Raghava Cakravarti happily presented his daughter with ornaments and
nice dresses to Sri Acarya Prabhu. Thereafter Srinivasa returned to Yajigrama with his
newly wed wife. At that time Sri Jahnava mata also arrived at Yajigrama on her way from
Vrndavana, and came to the house of Srinivasa. Seeing the beautiful and devoted wife of
Srinivasa, Jahnava happily took the bride on her lap. She showed great affection to both
the two wives of Srinivasa, then informed Srinivasa of the well-being of the Gosvamis of
Vrndavana. After spending a few happy days in the house of Sri Acarya, she returned to
Khardaha.
Srinivasa Acarya and his disciples lived happily in Yajigrama studying and giving lectures on
the Gosvami Grantha. Everyone who heard him speak was enchanted by his divine appearance
and wealth of spiritual knowledge. Even the most notorious immoral persons could not avoid
his influence and came before him seeking his mercy.
Srinivasa, Sri Narottama and Sri Ramacandra were inseparable friends. Srinivasa had three
sons and three daughters. The daughters were-Krsnapriya, Hemalata and Phulapi Thakurani.
The three sons were-Vrndavana Vallava, Radhakrsna and Sri Gatigovinda.
Sri Gatigovinda's son was Krsnaprasad Thakura and his son was Jagadananda Thakura. Sri
Jagadananda Thakura had two wives. From his first wife he had one son-Yadavendra
Thakura and from his second wife he had five sons-Radhamohana Thakura, Bhuvana mohana
Thakura, Gaura mohana Thakura, Syama mohana Thakura and Madana mohana Thakura. The
descendants of Bhuvana mohana Thakura are still living in the village of Manikyahara in the
district of Mursidabad.
No comments:
Post a Comment