Sreepat Bharatpur - Gadadhar Pandit - Nayanananda Mishra - A Review

Sreepat Bharatpur is situated in Kandi Subdivision of District Murshidabad. It consists of nineteen localities. The holy temple of Gadadhar-Nayanananda is Situated at Goswami Para (Western side of Bharatpur).

Gadadhar Pandit is a widely discussed name in the circle of Gaudiya Vaisnava devotees. His father Madhab Mishra used to stay at Beleti village in Chittagong (now in Bangladesh), where Gadadhar was born, on the auspicious new moon in the summer of 1408 (Shakabda). His brother was Baninath.

Gadadhar spent long twelve years in Beleti; he reached Nabadwip when he was thirteen only. He was younger than MAHAPRABHU. Despite that, he became very much intimate with the latter. They used to attend the same school (Path Sala) and always moved together. No force could separate them. Since his boyhood, Gadadhar was very calm and quiet, reasonably patient in nature and devoid of earthly attractions. He liked lonely atmosphere. MAHAPRABHU was exactly opposite in nature. Always pulsatile and bubbling with energy, he somehow chose someone from somewhere for complicated discussions on Nyayashastra and left him perplexed and a laughing stock. Gaddhar, on the contrary, disliked this mock fight and heckling tendency. He occasionally remained aloof from MAHAPRABHU, but the latter never let their bond loose for even a moment. Instead of getting ashamed, he frequently declared "Dear friend, just see, I will soon prove myself to be such an extraordinary devotee that Lord Brahma, Mahewar, and others will come down to find me out".

Gadadhar's intimancy with Mukunda Dutta was similarly beyond description. At that time, learned people from all corners used to conglomerate in Nadia. Some came for practicing higher level of knowledge, some for residing near the Ganges. Mukunda regularly reached these news to Gadadhar One day, Pundarik Vidyanidhi, the zamindar of Chakrashala (Chittagong) came to Nabadwip. Incidentally, some days back, while singing holy Kirtana, MAHAPRABHU had burst into tears, crying "Pundarik my dear, Pundarik, my dear I" His sudden change of temperament made Gadadhar extremely curious. Subsequently, MAHAPRABHU described about Pundarik in details. According to Him, merely uttering or hearing the name of this Brahmin devotee anywhere made the place holy. In his dress and dealings, he appeared to be a high profile familyman, but his devotion for lord Krishna was so pure that "it floats like a life boat even in the midst of a turbulent sea". And to add more, "He never takes bath in the river Ganges, lest his feet touch Her. He pays Her homage at night (because), even the sight of people polluting the holy river with dirt, cause excruciating pain within him". Mukunda and Gadadhar were present there.

Eventually, inquisitive Gadadhar with his friend, met Pundarik. One day but he was stuck dumb with disgust! What sort of Vaishanava this man was, he asked himself! A well nourished physique, lavishly made up with costly garments and perfume! To him, Pundarik appeared to be as aristocrat as a prince, sitting in the midst of admirers! What a Vaishanava! Mukunda would read his hopelesness. Then, to rectify the misconception, he went in front of Pundarik and recited two slokas on SRIKRISHNA from Sri Bhagabata. As soon as it reached his ears, Pundarik's mood got completely changed, as if some eternal force took him over to an entirely differfent state of mind, tears rolled down his cheeks.

Gadadhar was taken aback. He felt so much guilty within that he bowed Pundarik and left the place as soon as possible.

Later on, he discussed the whole episode with Mukunda. It was finally decided that he would take 'Diksha' from Pundarika, whom MAHAPRABHU himself often referred to as 'the symbol of total love'.

Anyway, the whole ritual was successfully executed on next twelth day of full moon MAHAPRABHU already gave him green signal. Gadadhar, after his Diksha, dedicated himself wholeheartedly to his Master's lotus feet.

After performing rituals for his deceased father, Nimai Pandit came back from Gaya. Since then, Gadadhar never left him for even a moment. But Nimai Pandit gradually appeared to be a different one as if, continuously searching for a newer meaning of life. Gaya was the first place where the hidden and unique fountain of all pervading love sprang out from and started to flow. After coming back to Nabadwip, the stream gained a barrier breaking speed and flooded everywhere.

The vast impact of this movement changed the stagnant surroundings to something kinetic. The volcano of heavely love went on errupting. The shattered and exhuasted common man's life was bathing in it and waking up in a newer spiritual realm.

One day MAHAPRABHU was discussing on SriKrishna just outside Suklambar Brahmachari's house. Gadhadhar came in time and kept waiting inside. The audience was nearly mad, bathed in the heavenly essence of Sri Hari. Gadadhar heard everything and sobbed helplessly. After the discussion was over, MAHABPRABHU asked: "who laments there" ? "He is none other than Gadadhar" replied Suklambar. The Master, highly admiring of his genuine devotion, went inside the house and embraced him.
Another day, after crossing the congested areas of Nabadwip, tired MAHAPRABHU took rest in a lonely place by the riverside. Mukunda Dutta started singing 'Purbaraga'. Gadadhar Pandit made a garland with flowers available over there presented it to the master and sat by his left side. Sri Nityananda was on his right. All of them started singing and dancing around him. Seeing all those, perplexed Adwaita Prabhu, began to worhsip MAHAPRABHU with holy flame.

In Katwa (Bardhaman), Nemai Pandit took 'Sannyas' from Keshab Bharati. There he was renamed as Sri Krishna Chaitanya. Afterwards, he extensively toured 'Radh Bhumi' and its adjacent region. Nityananda and Gadadhar followed him, as a man is intimately followed by his own shadow. MAHAPRABHU'S keen desire was to stay in Vrindaban. Nityananda somehow convinced him comeback to Shantipur. In fact no one wanted him to stay at Vrindaban, because the place was far away and was under Mughal administration. Puri was unanimously a better choice, as it was nearer to Nabadwip and was ruled by a Hindu King. Nimai nodded his ascent. Gadadhar Pandit accompanied him and started living in Puri. The Master stayed at the outhouse of Kashi Mishra, the Guru of the ruling the King, while Gadadhar, in the Temple of Tota Gopinatha in Chataka hills near the sea. MAHAPRABHU was very fond of different recipie prepared by Gadadhar. Naturally, he handed over the rice Nityananda brought from Nadia. The 'Bhog', consisting of boiled rice, curry made from local vegetables and soup of tamarind leaves, was dedicated to Sri Tota Gopinatha. The contemporary devotees narrate many a tale of joy and heavenly feeling related to this'Bhog' ceremony (Tota Gopinatha Festival takes place in Hera Panchami)

On Vijaya Dashami, 920 B.S, MAHAPRABHU started for Vrindaban (fronPuri). Gadadhar, in fact disobeyed the discipline and protocol of 'Kshetrasannyasa' and left Puri as the separation with His Master was unbearable. While He was in Cuttack, MAHABRABHU fetched Gadadhar by some devotees and asked him to go back to Puri to complete his "Kshetra Sannayasa". But the Gadadhar replied : "0 Lord ! To me any place you stay is synonymous to Nilachal. "Kshetras-annyasa" matters little". The Master further ordered him to go back and serve Lord Gopinatha; again, Gadadhar replied "when I look at your lotus feet, I feel more satisfied than worshipping all Gods for thousand times". His love for Sri Chaitanya was fathomless and beyond all logic; that was why he was able to disobey all his orthodox commitments of Kshetrasannyasa.MAHAPRABHU, though happy within, emphatically ordered him again to start for Nilachal, otherwise the former would curse himself for his devotee's attitude of disrespect towards God.

As the master proceeded towards his boat, Gadadhar fell faint on the ground. Sarbabhouma was asked to take him back to Nilachal (Puri). Since then, MAHAPRABHU frequently stayed at the temple of Tota-Gopinath. Here, it is said, he disappeared in the statue of Sri Gopinath. He was only a few months after his fortyseventh year.
Gadadhar Pandit lived only eleven months more after his greatest friend philosopher and guide had passed away. Memoirs of the past and unruly tears constantly accompanied him. He somehow dragged his existence for the purpose of suitably and permanently arranging flawless 'Seba' programme of Tota Gopinath. Otherwise therewas no reason for him to survive even for a moment in absence of his "MAHAPRABHU". Ultimately, Gadadhar started his voyage from mortal world to immortal one when he was only fortyseven years and a few months.

Nayanananda, the eldest son of Baninath used to live with Gadadhar since the last days of Sri MAHAPRABHU. During his last days, Gadadhar, physically exhausted and mentally shattered, gave Nayanananda a manuscript of Gita copied by himselt and a Bigraha (small statue of God Krishna) regularly worshipped by himself. He asked Nayan to found a temple in a suitable place in Sri Gour Mandal, and continue the 'Puja'. In the manuscript, MAHAPRABHU himself wrote a 'sloka' which reveals the numerical assessment of 'Slokas' present in original Gita. The manuscript has recently been scientifically processed for preservation. Rare Manuscript preservation Deptt. of Govt. of India played an active role in this regard.

The small statue (6" in height) of Lord Krishna playing a flute is made of black stone. Slightly below stands two tiny female figures, one on each side. The research scholars may reveal their real identity one day' but in the eyes of a devotee they represent Sri Radha and her 'Sakhi' (friend), Lalitaji or Lalitaji and Bishakaji. Gadadhar kept the statues hanging in front of his cervical logion. The male statue (of Lord Krishna) in known as 'Meya Krishna' (Meya probably means something small and light weight)

Nayan was not only his nephew but also an extremely affectionate disciple. Naturally, to carry out the last order of his Master, he left the place with the statue and the manuscript. He travelled, extensively in Gourmondal. His tenacity mainly rested on unconditional loyalty towards God and firm belief on his Guru. While moving from place to place, he used to recite, "Let your desire be fulfilled in my lifetime".

Ultimately, one day he reached his destination, Bharatpur. At that time, the Zamindar of Bharatpur was a good soul, who belonged to Sur Dynasty. He wanted to construct a Vishnu-Vaishnava temple and hand over its entire management to a genuine devotee. At that critical juncture, they met each other. Seeing the statue of Lord Krishna hanging from his neck, the zamindar came forward. The introductory dialogue was casual but in no time, their acquaintance took a permanent shape. The zamindar made all possible arrangements for Nayan's comfortable living and regular worshipping of MeyaKrishna" in Bharatpur. For the purpose, he lavishly donated land for cultivation, several ponds and orchards. Nayan made his 'Bhadrasana' over there and completely dedicated himself to God.

In course of time, the heavenly cult of 'Meya Krishna' got enriched by some additions.If one visits Bharatpur at present, one may see the following Bigrahas on a medium-sized wooden throne. On extreme right, the statue of 'GOURANGA MAHAPRABHU' with a flute in his hand. 'Meyakrishna' is placed in the middle. To his left, a black statue of 'Gopinatha' approximately 12" in height, holding a flute and standing on a lotus made of stone. In front of Gopinatha, the special Shalagram-Vishnu Chakra, His representative. To the left of Gopinatha, is the 10" statue of Srimati Radha, made of eight metals. In anterior part of of throne, stand several statues of 'Gopala' and Shalagrams. In the evening, all of them are transferred on a bigger throne. In the morning they are placed facing south rind in the evening, facing west.

It may please be noted that the model of God Krishna worshipped by Gadadhar in Puri was called 'Gopinatha'. the similar one worshpped by Nayanananda was also named 'Gopinatha' as desired by his Master.

Nayan collected a naturally dislocated tooth of Gadadhar. While in Vrindaban, he erected a temple in Keshi Ghat and buried the tooth there. This place is known as Pandit Goswami's Danta (Tooth) Samaj.

A model of Radha and Krishna built together worshipped here is also known as "Radha Gopinatha".Nayan's fascination for the name of "Gopinatha" reflects his master's deep regard for the very name.

God knew why MAHAPRABHU asked Nayanananda to enter into family life. He got married in ripe age and gave birth to a son, who was named as Ballabha. Ballabha also got married in due time. He had one son (Ramanath) and two grandsons (Ramachandra and Ramakalyan)

The present generation of the family, till this day, has been able to preserve the original tradition and culture they inherited from there ancestors They sincerely perform all holy deeds, including regular worshipping schedules and arranging festivals, as was done by Nayanananda in his lifetime.

The main yearly festival of Sreepat Bharatpur is Birthday Celebration of Gadadhar Pandit. Local people and devotees from far and near attend the occasion and take active part in this three days' celebration. This includes holy Adhibasa, Nama Sankirtana, distribution of Prasada, community song and other functions. The place at this time often vibrates with thousands' voice roaring "Our GOURANGA is Gadadhar's life".

After taking 'Sannyasa' Sree CHAITANYA started for Katwa. He crossed the Ajoy (river) and entered the Radh region, surrounded by dense forest. His followers were Nityananda, Gadadhar, Acharyaratna Chandrasekhar and Mukunda Dutta. As the saying goes, MAHAPRABHU and others sat by the side of Kuye, a tributary of River Mayurakshi, flowing along north east of Bharatpur. As he washed his feet there, the spot became famous as Dhoya Ghat (Dhoya means washing or cleaning), which exists till this day. He took rest in an adjacent village, called Alugram – Vishramtala (Resting place). His feet also fouched Sreepat Kanchan Garia where Dwija Haridas used to stay. That might be the period when he walked through Bharatpur.
No doubt, the speculation smells very positive and logical. The local people are quite aware of it, and feel proud of their heritage.

So, come one and all ! Let us bathe in the holy dust of Sreepat Angan, touched and blessed by MAHAPRABHU SRICHAITANYA. Let all thirsty souls be filled to the brim with eternal joy.

Please see the Meya Krishna" deity given to Nayanananda Misra by Sri Gadadhar Prabhu here as http://nitaisundar.blogspot.com/2008/05/meya-krishna-deity-of-sri-gadadhar.html.

( From Dhimahi 2007 - Annual Vaishanava Magazine publication from Nityananda Janmasthan Eachakra - Birbhum West Bengal by Srimat Jivasaran Das Babaji )