Nitai Gaura Radhe Shyam

GauriDas Pandit And SriPat Ambika kalna in Dist Burdwan West Bengal

2009-02-14T13:20:00.003+05:30

The river Ganges occupies the pride of the place. Situated on its banks is Ambika –Kalna. In all probability it was previously known as Ambika only. Mention of Ambika is found in Ain –e–Akbari authored by Abul Fazl the renowned courtier of Mughal Emperor, Akbar. Under the Satgaon Sarkar from 1582 A.D there were 53 Parganas and Ambika's name figured first on the list. Ambika and Kalna were close to each other and a large portion of the sub division of Kalna being within the periphery of Ambika. Pargana, at one time Ambika became more prominent. Later Ambika became subdued and Kalna was well known, so much so that even the rail station was named Kalna Court.With the spin of the wheel of time it was renamed later as Ambika-Kalna.
One of the DWADASA GOPALS and a close associate of SRI CHAITANYA and NITYANANDA PRABHU was Gouridas. After taking permission from his elder brother Suryadas, he shifted his residence from his native place Shaligram to Kalna. At that time the area was more popularly known as Ambika. This fact is authenticated by the famous historical treatise on Gaudiya Vaishnavism "BHAKTIRATNAKAR" penned during the middle ages. Muragacha is a rail station on the Eastern Railway on the Sealdah – Berhampore Court line. From Muragacha one proceeds to Dhan-nada – a small hamlet. On the North East of Dharmada lies Shaligram.
Gouridas's presence at Ambika is also mentioned in " SRI CHAITANYA PARISHAD JANMANIRNAY" and "CHAITANYA SANGITA".
Apart from these three books, Gouridas Pandit's name and his exploits are mentioned in SRI CHAITANYA BHAGWAT, SRI CHAITANYACHARITAMRITA, CHAITANYAMANGAL authored by Jayananda, ADWAITA PRAKAS by ISHAN NAGAR, VAISHNAVA ABHIDHAN, DWADASPAT NIRNAY, ANANTASANHITA, SUBALMANGAL, GOURGANODDESH DIPIKA, BHAKTAMAAL, VAISHNAVAACHAR DARPAAN and VAISHNAVA VANDANA penned by Daibaki Nandan. Gouridas Pandit also finds mention in Brindaban Das Thakur's VAISHNAVA VANDANA. Incidentally, NITYANANDA PRABHU had profound influence on Brindaban Das Thakur and he was also the last disciple of NITYANANDA PRABHU.
Gouridas Pandit's birth as mentioned in scriptures was in 1485 A.D.He was more or less the same age as SRI CHAITANYA MAHAPRABHU. His father was Kansari Misra and mother Kamala Devi. They were six brothers, namely Damodar, Jagannath, Suryadas, Gouridas, Krishnadas, and Nrisinhachaitanya. Their original surname was Ghosal (Sarkhel).
To lead a secluded life, Gouridas left Shaligram and settled on the banks of the River Ganges at Ambika. He took along with him the shalgram shila (black stone being the symbolic representation of Lord Vishnu), Damodar which he worshipped daily. It appears from his traits that since his childhood he was oblivious of this material world and had a holistic approach towards life. On the opposite bank of Ambika Kalna was Santipur – the home of Adwaita Acharya. It can be assumed that Gouridas Pandit must have heard about Adwaita Acharya and Chaitanya Maharabhu. But not for once did he go to visit them.
Shibananda Sen was a well known aide of Sri Chaitanya Mahaparbhu. His son was born dumb but as a toddler, he sucked the great toe of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and regained his power of speech. Later on he became to be known as KabiKarnapur the author of the famous " Gourganoddesh". In this book he proclaimed that Gouridas Pandit was the incarnation of Subal. This is further supported in the books "Vaishnavachardarpan","Ananta Sanhita", "Bhaktamal", "Vaishnavabandana", "Adwaltaprakash","Chaltanyasangita". In Vrindaban, the close associates (Sakha) of Lord Krishna were divided in four categories. Namely Sakha, Suhrid, Priyasakha and Priyanarmasakha. Amongst the Priyanarmasakha, the role of Subal was the most illustrious,. This was authenticated by Sri Rupa Gowasmi in his book "Ujjwalnilmani" where he states that only Subal had abundant access to Lord Krishna during His most intimate moments. This further strengthens the belief that Subal was indeed favoured by the Lord.
Subal, later on incarnated himself in the form of Gouridas Pandit . Now with even more conviction and maturity. This has been amply ilustrated in the life of Gouridas Pandit. He had heard of Nimai Pandit (Sri Chaitanya) while at Shaligram and on arriving at Kalna it was quite well known to him. But not for once did Gauridas Pandit go and meet Nimai. It was as if to say that " You are my Lord. Hence you must come first to meet me". Ultimately it turned out that way. During his stay at the residence of Adwaita Prabhu at Shantipur, one day Mahaprabhu set off on a boat and crossed the river Ganges and landed at Kalna. There are differences of opinion whether Mahaprabhu came alone or he was accompanied by some one else. While some say it was Nityananda Prabhu who accompanied Him, others say it was Basudev Ghosh. But according to the authentic text "Bhaktiratnakar", it was Mahaprabhu who came alone. In all probability he had not met Nityananda Prabhu at that time. For the first time Mahaprabhu accepted Gouridas Pandit's hospitality at Ambika Kalna. While returning to Nadia, Gouridas accompanied Mahaprabhu. At Nabadwip, Gouridas was completely overwhelmed by Mahaprabhu who gifted a copy of the Gita written by him on palm leaf to Gouridas. After some time Gouridas returned to Kalna. His entire entity was now totally engulfed by the influence of Mahaprabhu. The Gita became the symbol of Mahaprabhu at the time of separation and he felt Mahaprabhu's existence at the touch of it.
The second time Mahaprabhu visited Gouridas Pandit, he was accompanied by Nityananda Prabhu. It was after his initiation as a Sanyasi and prior to His departure to Nilachal. Gouridas must have been saddened at the sight of shaven headed Mahaprabhu in garb of a Sanyasi but he accepted it knowing very well that it was inevitable. Mahaprabhu stayed for some time and sensing Gouridas's restlessness, Mahaprabhu asked him to bring neem wood from Nabadwip and carve out two idols of Him and Nityananda Prabhu. Gouridas did as he was ordered and two idols were carved out. On completion the idols were consecrated as per the rites and installed on a throne. Till now plain facts and authentic documented history has been narrated. But there are more than what meets the naked eye. Some facts which defies our reason and intelligence. Standing in the courtyard of Gouridas Pandit's house one sees five doors side by side at the entrance of the main temple. Only the middle door is opened and then closed immediately. Obviously one becomes curious to know the reason behind it. The view of the sevaits and hearsay have the following to say.
After the consecration ceremony was over, Mahaprabhu confided to Gouridas of His decision to depart for Nilachal as it was preplanned. With tearful eyes Gouridas bade farewell to them and returned to the temple in his house to perform his daily rituals. While conversing with the idols he found the idols to be immobile. He rushed back to the two travelers (Mahaprabhu & Nityanandaprabhu). Sensing his urgency the two of them came back and immediately the two idols descended from the throne and walked towards the courtyard. But when Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu ascended the throne. They were transformed into two idols much to the dismay of Gouridas. Again he ran back to the two who descended from the throne and implored them to come back. This situation continued for some time. It was now time for the afternoon offering to the Deities. It was decided that the two of them would proceed after their after noon meals. Accordingly offering was placed before the four of them. The two idols and the two living beings accepted the offerings. After resting for some time it was time for them to depart. Again tearful, Gouridas bade them farewell. This time Mahaprabhu himself confided to Gouridas that He would accept whatever Gouridas offered him but that would be in solitude, not in public view. Since this episode, much time has passed and in the mean time Mahaprabhu left this material world in 1534 A.D. Devotees in large numbers thronged Gouridas's house to have darshan of the deities. But Gouridas on hearing of Mahaprabhu's demise had closed the gate of the temple permanently. He feared that the two idols may leave him again or that they be removed by any body in the guise of a devotee. With the passage of time Nityananda Prabhu too departed in the year 1542 B.S.
Wind carries the word of mouth. Nityananda Prabhu's wife Jahnava Devi came to know that the devotees returned heart broken without having a darshan of the deities. It is pertinent to mention here that Jahnava Devi was the younger daughter of Suryadas Pandit, the elder brother of Gouridas Pandit. Without prior information , one day she arrived in a palanquin at the house of Gouridas Pandit from Khardah, and narrated to the Pandit the plight of the devotees. It was decided that the doors of the temple would be opened to the devotees but only for a glance of the deities. The time taken to view the deities from head to toe. Since then this practice has been maintained and the devotees have been able to quench their thirst by having a glance at the Deities. Although nothing of mention is found in the accepted history of Gaudiya Vaisnavism about Gouridas Pandit but he was beside Nityananda Prabhu at the Dandamahotsav at Panihati according to "Sri Chaitanyacharitamrita."
On attaining mature age, Gouridas Pandit handed over the management of the Sripat to his worthy disciple Hridaychaitanya and proceeded to Vrindaban. His mortal remains remain buried at Dhir Samir in Vrindaban. Near by the Sripat of Gouridas is the Sripat and temple established by Suryadas, elder brother of Gouridas. Here the deities of Nitai-Gour and Shyamsundar are worshipped. Another important and sacred place in Kalna is the Asram of Siddha Bhagwandas Baba. The Sri Naam Brahmaji (5.6" X 1.2") engraved on Muchkunda wood and worshipped by Siddha Bhagwan Das Baba can still be seen. Sri Ramkrishna, Sri Bijay Krishna Goswami and Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar visited Kalna to have a look of Bhagawandas Baba. Other than these there are various Sakta Pithas, Vaishnava Temples, Shaiva Temples and places of importance of Christian, Muslim and Buddhist religions in Kalna.

( Wrtten By Srimat Jivasaran Das Babaji : From Uttaran Feb 2009 – Tri-monthly Vaishanava Magazine publication from Nityananda Janmasthan Eachakra - Birbhum West Bengal by Srimat Jivasaran Das Babaji

TRANSLATION: SABYASACHI KUNDU )

Ananda-murti Vaisnavas

2008-08-26T17:24:00.002+05:30

An excerpt from The Life of Love:

RADHARAMANA KUNJA: THE MIRACLE OF MAHAPRASADA

The aforementioned Babu purchased a Math in Puri. The Math was named Radharamana Kunja after the name of the deities installed there. It was situated in a secluded place, where the environment was peaceful, and Babaji Mahashaya often lived in it. One day he called Navadwip Das Babaji and said, "Navadwip, go and invite some ananda-murti Vaishnavas for the prasada of Radharamana."

Navadwip Das was surprised, because Babaji Mahashaya used to say that all Vaishnavas were by nature ananda-murti, that is, they were the very image of ananda. Why then, he thought, did he specify the ananda-murti Vaishnavas? Obviously, he wanted to invite some special category of Vaishnavas. Navadwip Das, who was one with Babaji Mahashaya in thought, word and deed, however, did not lose time in understanding which class of Vaishnavas he wanted to be invited, and said, "The Vaishnavas have been invited." "What?" said Babaji, "You have not yet gone anywhere. How have the Vaishnavas been invited?" "The Vaishnavas were invited the moment you desired them to be invited!" replied Navadwip. This was the conversation between the two siddha-mahapurushas. Each understood what the other meant, but no one else could under-stand it. Babaji added, "Some sweets, curd and pattals will also be required. But you need not bother about that, Nitai will arrange for everything."

At about ten o'clock came a man and a gvala (cowherd) with some sweets, curd and pattals. The man said to Babaji Mahashaya, "I have brought these things for the bhoga of Radharamana."
Babaji asked, "Did someone ask you to bring them?"
"No," replied the man, "I went to Jagannath's temple for darshan, and when I reached Simhadvara it came to my mind that I should offer some sweets to Radharamana. So I went to the sweet-seller and asked him whether he had any fresh rasagullas for Radharamana. This gvala was also there, and he said, "Baba, I also have some curd for Radharamana."
"Very well," I said, "How many pots of curd have you?" He said, "Four pots."
So I asked him to come along with me. As we were coming, a cloth-merchant named Haripatra asked me, "Where are you going?"
"I am going to Barha Babaji Mahashaya," I replied.
Immediately he said, "Then I need not go. You may kindly give him this milk and khanda (raw sugar) and also these plantain- leaves. If he asks anything you can tell him that Nitai Chand has so wished."
Navadwip Dada had so far been sitting quietly. Suddenly he shouted "Bol Nityananda!" and shot out dancing and singing, "Bol Nityananda bol, Nityananda bol"

At 12 o'clock Babaji Mahashaya heard sky-rending sankirtan sound coming from outside the kunja. Immediately he went out and saw Navadwip coming along with a crowd of one hundred children, boys and girls, dancing and singing like one, who had gone mad and was completely lost in himself. As the crowd came near, Babaji Mahashaya also joined it and began to sing. The children surrounded him and began to sing, "Bol Nityananda bol, Nityananda bol!" with renewed vigour and enthusiasm. sankirtan went on for about an hour. Then Babaji Mahashaya made the young ananda murti Vaishnavas sit in a line for prasada.. Yes, they were Vaishnavas because Babaji Mahashaya regarded everyone who resided in the Bhagavata-dham Puri as a Vaishnava, and anandamurti, because the children were simple, pure-hearted and joyful by nature.

Jai Gopal was asked to serve prasada. He was in a quandary, because the prasada was sufficient only for about twenty persons and he had to serve it jo about one hundred twenty persons, including the beggars who had arrived on the scene. So, he was serving in small quantity. Babaji Mahashaya was aware of the situation. He said angrily, "What are you doing? Serve well and serve full. Why are you so calculative? You have been asked to serve, not to calculate. Leave that to mahaprasada itself. Don't you know that mahaprasada is chinmaya and merciful? If you don't have faith in mahaprasada, what kind of a Vaishnava are you?" Jai Gopal began to serve accordingly. And what a surprise! Each one of the one hundred twenty persons took the prasad to his hearts content, yet what was left was more than enough for the fifteen persons living at Radharamana Kunj.

Sreepat Bharatpur - Gadadhar Pandit - Nayanananda Mishra - A Review

2008-04-13T21:52:00.003+05:30

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 )

SRIMAT RAMDAS BABAJI MAHASAYA — Beyond Barriers

2008-03-29T12:16:00.003+05:30

Of the many places visited by Babaji Mahasaya during His lifetime. Bankura enjoys an exalted position. Not only Babaji Mahasaya stayed here in long stretches but also quite frequently. He had a huge number of followers and admirers here . They included the common people, the devoted, the intellectuals as well as people from every sphere of life. In the beginning though, Babaji Mahasaya had His share of non-believers, skeptics and antagonists too. Later on these were won over by Babaji Mahasaya's charm. It is not surprising that Bankura was witness to Babaji Mahasaya's unique feats which at times verged on the supernatural.
Bishnupur, a town in Bankura. The venue- Sarvamangala temple on the banks of Lalbandh. (Bandh means an embankment or dam). Here the Holy name " Hare Krishna. Hare Krishna Hare, Hare" was chanted every year for three days continuously as Naam Yagna was performed. Lot of people gathered here for this joyous occasion which was started by the Late Ramrup Bhattacharya. One of the organizers of this occasion was Kaviraj Rishikesh Dasgupta. Babaji Mahasaya was invited to be present on this occasion by His disciple Lalit Bhattacharya. Babaji Mahasaya obliged, by coming to Bishnupur with His entourage. He reached Bishnupur by train at around 3'O'clock in the afternoon.
Babaji Mahasaya along with His group was put at the local girl's school. The school ,was closed for summer vacation. Within half an hour of Babaji Mahasaya reaching Bishnupur a rumor spread that there could be trouble if the Kirtaan procession proceeded to Lalbandh. All the seniors were very much worried. At night Adwaita Das appraised Babaji Mahasaya of the tense situation and advised Him not to visit Lalbandh with the Kirtaan procession.
Babaji Mahasaya was a bit annoyed and irritated. He replied that Kirtaan was neither His nor Adwaita Das's. It belonged to none other than Radharaman ( Bodo baba ). Hence it was their duty to pray to Radharam and to Nitaichand – the founder of Kirtaan , to overcome all hurdles. Nothing more was spoken that night.
Next morning everybody was surprised to see that the school building was surrounded by a huge posse of armed policemen. Babaji Mahasaya woke up as usual, performed His daily duties and ordered the Kirtaan to start. On the right and left of Babaji Mahasaya were the two Srikhol players Madan Das and Janaki. Behind Him were Adawita Das, Gopal Das, Bhagaban Das, Priyalal Das and others. The residents of Bishnupur followed. The whole procession was led from front by the two bearers of Sri Khunti. After falling prostrate on the ground and paying due respect to everybody Babaji Mahasaya started chanting the Sri Naam. The solemnity and fervour of the ambience cannot be described in a few words. It suffice to say that the residents of Bishnupur had not seen anything of this stature before. They joined the procession in numbers. They fell on the ground in frenzy as tolled down their cheeks. While a few gathered to see the confrontation as procession reached Lalbandh and some for the fun of it. The advancing procession was surrounded by the police contingent. Actually the police protection it ranged by Chandra Bhusan Dutta, a highly placed official of Bankura Judge's court.
As the procession reached a short distance from Lalbandh, there was trouble. Hundreds of people armed with sticks, spears and axe started shouting obscenities. They dared the procession to come forward. The situation was extremely tense but the Kirtaan continued even though everybody apprehended trouble. Suddenly at the blowing of a whistle, the policemen rushed forward, ahead of the procession. The trouble makers were warned and the policemen knelt down, Inking guard and aiming their guns towards them.
In flash Babaji Mahasaya broke the police cordon lay prostrate on the ground and then proceeded chanting the name of the Lord. The others stayed back. As Babaji Mahasaya went ahead towards Sarvamangala temple he was garlanded by Rishikesh Kaviraj. Suddenly there was a dramatic change. All those who stood there to pounce on Babaji Mahasaya joined Him in Sankitaan. Babaji Mahasaya could not be recognized when He returned back to the school. His entire body was covered with sandalwood paste and many garlands decked His neck.

Bishnupur became a witness to a historic occasion which can only be compared to Nityananda Prabhu's unarmed struggle and victory over the tyrannical Kazi of Nabadwip hundreds of years ago.

( From Dhimahi 2006 - Annual Vaishanava Magazine publication from Nityananda Janmasthan Eachakra - Birbhum West Bengal by Srimat Jivasaran Das Babaji )

PEARLS OF WISDOM - Divine Discourses of Srimat Ramdas Babaji Mahasaya

2008-03-29T11:59:00.003+05:30

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Why hanker for this and that? You have nothing more to ask for as you have got your Sri Gurudeva. Did you ever imagine in your dreams of your present situation? Think of your self. That would be more than enough. You do not deserve, nor can you demand what you have been endowed with.

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Every morning after rising one has to tell the Lord — Make me as you would like to. I should not be a slave of my nature. Whenever you are derailed from your desired path by your material senses you must immediately pray to your Lord — Sri Gurudeva to lead you from your sins and temptations towards salvation. For He has the power to free you from the slavery of your senses. Likewise before going to bed think of your wrong doings. You should be sincere in your efforts to get receive His blessings. By swimming along with the tide you would not get anything.

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When you are devoid of devotion you are left with nothing. This applies to both the material world as well as the world of religion. In the material world after we are disillusioned we turn devoted. In the world of religion devotion is must since the beginning. Surrender self. Everything belongs to the Lord.

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VAISHNAVISM is not easy. Embracing the lowest rungs of society is Vaishnavism

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Those who renounce everything take His shelter. They can leave everything for Him. But the materialistic man leaves Him for his family.
When a sapling is planted, a fence is built around it. When the fence is loosened the sapling can be easily destroyed. Devotion is like a fence and discipline is like a guard. Only fencing will not do. One has to guard the sapling from other elements too. When the sapling transforms into a tree it gives shelter to those who could have destroyed it earlier.

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It is said that one who falls on the ground gets up from the same ground Likewise the person you have wronged is the only one who can pardon you.

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( From Dhimahi 2006 - Annual Vaishanava Magazine publication from Nityananda Birthsite Ekachakra Dham - Birbhum West Bengal by Srimat Jivasaran Das Babaji )

Disappearance of Srimad 108 Madhusudan Das Babaji - Mahanta of Sri Pathbari Kolkata - Disciple of Srimad 108 Ram Das Babaji

2008-02-06T12:41:00.001+05:30

Sri Sri RadhaRamano Jayati
(Bhaja) Nitai Gour Radhey Shyam
(Japa) Hare Krishna Hare Ram

Jay Nitai,

With deep grief and pain in my heart I am announcing that my Gurudeva, the Mahanta of Sri Pathbari Asram and the backbone of Radharaman Gan, Sri Srimad 108 Madhusudan Das Babaji has left this world to enter the nitya lila on the moring of 17th December, 2007. He was 92 . Previously, he had been suffering from age-related illness and was admitted to the hospital.

A few years after the disappearance of his beloved Gurudeva Sripad 1008 Ram Das Babaji, he started taking care of Pathbari and all its 40+ branches as Mahanta, head of the Asram. Thus Gurudeva has been serving his Gurudeva's mission for more than 60 years. In such way he has been acting as a big banyan tree under which saints and devotees could take secure shelter for their own bhajan process.

Pathbari and its associated branches has been acting as the main back bone of the Gaudiya Vaishnava samaj specially in Bengal and Orissa by maintaining various lila places of Sri Sri Nitai Gour and by conducting various lila festivals like Jhali Samarpan, Gundicha Marjan, Oriya-Gaudiya Milan, Ratha Yatra etc. as started by Sri Sri Radharaman Charan Das Dev. Thus almost all the gaudiya vaishnava paramparas, Goswamis of Nityananda Prabhu Vamsha and Adwaita Prabhu Vamsha, descendants of associates of Sri Sri Nitai Gour take part in all these festivals arranged by Sri Pathbari for years in Bengal, Orissa and Vrindavan. My Gurudeva acted as a dedicated soldier to maintain all these festivals as started by his Guru Varga. Thus he was very well-known and popular within the Gaudiya Vaishnava samaj for years.

Not only the devotee community but also the community of saints has reserved great respect and love for my Gurudeva. The Prabhupadas of
Nityanand Vamsa and Adwaita vamsha used to give very special respect to him. He was even loved by saints outside the Gaudiya Sampradaya.

Over the years he earned so much respect among saints even his elder godbrother and crown jewel of Pathbari, great Bhagavata Pathak Nityalila Prabista Pandit Sri Srimad Krishnananda Das Babaji (Pandit Kedar Ray) used to reserve great respect for my Gurudeva, although he was senior to him; sometimes Krishnanda Das Babaji used instruct his disciples not to offer dandavat to him without first offering dandavat to the Mahanta (My GuruDeva).

Thus, this was a great loss to us and the vaishnava samaj in general.

My Gurudeva and his elder brother, the great bhajananandi saint Srimad 108 Shyamananda Das Babaji, were initiated by Sripad Ram Das Babaji and came into his fold in their childhood. Since then these two brothers lived together in Pathbari Asram for years. After that long journey Sri Srimad 108 Shyamananda Das Babaji was forced to say good bye to his younger brother after 92 years of association.

This is a prayer to the Vaishnava samaj to pray to my Gurudeva's beloved Sri Nitai-Gour to keep him always in Their divine association.

Jay Nitai Jay Gour
Jay Sri Radharaman

In the picture above Srimad Madhusadan Das Babaji is chanting at the bank of RadhaKunda after having a bath at Shree Kunda. On the Back we can a glimpse of Srimad Hridayananda Das Babaji.

In the picture above Babaji Maharaja is in Vrindavan during RasPurnima with devotees of pathbari.

With Pandit Sri Ananta Das Babaji at Shree Radhakunda.

With Nityananda Vamsha Vaishnavacharya Prabhupad Sri Virbhadra Goswami of Sribas Angan Navadwip at Pathbari Kolkata

Introducing new blog nitaisundar.blogspot.com

2007-09-30T20:44:00.000+05:30

Jay Nitai,

It is my pleasure to announce I have decided to start posting in a new blog called nitaisundar.blogspot.com. The main reason behind this decision is, presently in this blog I am acting as a poster by the invitation of Vishakha and Sakhicharan ji. As they have few moments from Sri Radhakunda to access the internet to keep this blog updated with approval of viewers comments, and as I do not have that administrative permission to do the same, I felt to introduce new blog where I can have admin permission for more rapid interaction with curious devotee around the world. Hope it will make some of my old friends on internet happy.

Any suggestions are welcome.

Jay Nitai
Subrata

Dandomahatsava lila of Sri Nitai Chand - Dandomahatsava Tala Panihati Westbengal

2007-07-26T00:30:00.000+05:30

Sri Sri Radharamano Jayati
( Bhaja ) Nitai Gour Radhey Shyam
( Japa ) Hare Krishna Hare Ram

Jay Nitai,

Last 28th June there was annula celebration of Danadamahatsava Lila of Sri Sri Nityananda Mahaprabhu. Prabhu Nitai performed the lila to blessed Srila Raghunath Das Goswami to attain his beloved Lord Gauhari's Lotus feet. The lila has been celebtared by the all most all Gaudiya Vaishnava devotee at Sripat Panihati. The main attraction of this celebration is the Kirtan of Namacharyaa Sripad 108 Ram Das Babaji, which has been continuing by his followers following his footsteps. It is organised at Dandamahatsava Tala at Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's Mandir. After the Kirtan devotee goes to Sri Raghav Pandit Bhavan for Darshan of Sri Nitaichand as per the lila. This Kirtan of Sripad 108 Ram Das Babaji had become legendary among the Gaudiya world. Almost all Gaudiya Vaishnava Acharyya starting from almost all family descendant Goswami's of Nityananda Prabhu, Advaita Prabhu , Goswamis of Associates of Sri Sri Nitai Gaur, all most all contemporary Vaishnava Saints such as Kanupriya Goswami, Dr. Radha Govinda Nath , whos who of Vaishnava world used to attained the Kirtan to taste the nector of Babaji Mahasaya's akhar with head down with respect. Devotees used to wondered by seeing the divine ecstacy's Asta Sattwik symptoms that used to appeared in Babaji Mahasaya's body. Still those days of Babaji Mahasaya are being relished with great respect and astonishment by family descendant Goswami Prabhupadas of Sri Nityananda Prabhu.

The Akhar Kirtna of Babaji Maharaja was unique in depeciting the Lila of his beloved Nityananda Prabhu and GaurHari.

After departure of Sripad Ram Das Babaji, the same tradition of performing kirtan has been continuing by saints of Pathbari. Before departure of Sripad Hridayananda Das Babaji , he used to lead the kirtan for long years. This year the mantle went to his disciple Birbhadra Dasji ( nick name Bablu ).

Here goes the celebration picture of that very sacred day at Sripat Panihati Dandamahatsava Tala. Various family descendant Prabhupada of Nityananda Prabhu and descendants of other associates of Sri Sri Nitai-Gaur took part in the occasion and Kirtan.

Launch of www.nitaisundar.com

2007-07-01T11:38:00.000+05:30

Sri Sri RadhaRamano Jayati
(Bhaja) Nitai Gour Radhey Shyam
(Japa) Hare Krishna Hare Ram

Jay Nitai,

Dearest Vaishnava,

It is pleasure to share that by the grace of Sri Nitaichand , Sri Guru and Sri Vaishnava a new website ( www.nitaisundar.com ) has been inaugurated on the auspicious day of Sri Sri Jaganatha Deva Snan Yatra. Inauguration was done by Sriman Nityananda Vamsha Prabhupad Sri Virchand Goswami of Kharadaha,Navadwip and Srimad 108 Madhusudan Das Babaji Maharaja , present Mahanta of Sri Pathbari Asram. This website is dedicated to Gaudiya Vaishanva samaj worldwide.

In the picture Prabhupada Virchand Goswami and Srimad Madhusudan Das Babaji are inaugurating the website at Sri Pathbari Asram, Kolkata . India

PS : Website is still evolving. Any suggestion would be welcome.

Jay Nitai, Jay Gaurhari
Jay Sri Radharaman

Disappearance of Sri Srimad 108 Hridayanada Das Babaji Maharaja

2007-05-26T02:55:00.004+05:30

Sri Sri RadhaRamano Jayati
(Bhaja) Nitai Gour Radhey Shyam
(Japa) Hare Krishna Hare Ram

Gurudeva is his youth.

Famous kirtaniya and blessed disciple of the famous Namacharyya Siddha Sri Sri 108 Ram Das Babaji Mahasaya, Sri Sri 108 Hridayananda Das Babaji Maharaja left this mortal world to join his beloved Guru Deva in Nitya Lila on the 23rd of May at 12:33 AM in full consciousness. He was 78.

Sri Srimad 108 Hridayananda Das Babaji was the family descendant of Mahaprabhu’s famous associate Uddharan Dutta who was among the Dwadash Gopalas of Nityanada Prabhu. He was saved at the age of four from a life-threatening disease by Sripad Ram Das Babaji at Jhanjpita Math in Puri, where Babaji Maharaja saved his life by placing his Japa Beads on his head and shouting "Jay Nitai." According to the words of Hridayanada Das Babaji, “When Babaji Maharaja placed his Japa beads on my head, and shouted "Jay Nitai!" a current flowed through my spine and I was completely relieved from suffering.” From that time onwards Babaji Maharaja became his heart and soul for all his last days.

He was from a very aristocratic family. One of his family members was the District Magistrate in Orissa, but despite that, his mother left him in the shelter of Babaji Maharaja at the age of five. His intelligence was reflected in his eyes, in his talks, in his arguments and in his boundless love for others. He was full of life energy and was an unbiased positive thinker. He never hesitated in making the correct call no matter what the consequences might be. He even told me that despite the success/failure or lack of paramapara stuff, ISKCON founder Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami was indeed energized by Sriman Nityananda Prabhu.

He received the full blessings of his beloved Guru Deva in regards to Kirtan. His Kirtan was very famous throughout the Gaudiya Vaishnava world. He followed in the footsteps of his Guru Deva by visiting various Gaudiya Vaishnava pilgrimage sites to perform astonishing soul-wrenching Kirtan describing the various lilas of Sriman Mahaprabhu and Sriman Nityananda Prabhu. Among those were Danda Mahotsava at Sripat Panihati at Raghava Pandit’s house, Raghava Pandit’s Jhali Samarpan Lila at Sri Gambhira in Puri, Sriman Mahaprabhu’s search for Krishna at Sri Vrindavan, Swapna Vilasa Kirtan at Sri Nidhuvan Brindavan, Bhramara Ghat Kirtan at Vrindavan, and RathYatra Kirtan at the forefront of the Ratha Yatra procession at Sri Kestra Puri to name a few. He wrote numerous Suchaka Kirtanas of various Gaudiya Vaishnava Mahatmas. Famous siddha Sri Sri 108 TinKuri Goswami Prabhu was very much affectionate to him. He used to love him so much that once on hearing the news of his arrival, Tinkuri Goswami Prabhu broke his vow of silence (Mauna Vrata) and asked him to perform kirtan for him. He also wrote the suchaka of Tinkuri Prabhu.

One of the most striking features of his Kirtana was his Bhava during kirtana. He used to become so engrossed in Lila while performing Kirtan that he used to forget all external affairs. The audience sometimes used to burst into tears or fall unconscious upon hearing his Kirtan but he used to remain unfazed externally while internally he was swimming in the Lila of his beloved Gaur Sundar. In Sri Khestra Puri even devotees of the Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya used to request Diksha upon hearing his Kirtan. Though he refrained from giving Diksa to already initiated disciples from other valid Sampradayas, he sometimes gave them Nitai-Gaur mantra, keeping their original Guru Line. In West Bengal at Asansol he once delivered sweet, nectarean Nityananda Tattva, upon hearing this even sadhus from Gaudiya Math fell at his feet and received his blessings and collected his Nityananda Tattva grantha.

Though he was suffering from heart disease he was doing very well for the last couple of years. He continuously performed Kirtana at various holy places around Vrindavana, West Bengal and Orissa with the same affection and enthusiasm. On the 1st May 2007 he was admitted to the hospital for some minor problem with his stomach, without much anxiety. Upon diagnosis the doctor all of a sudden discovered a growth on his liver. Later on a detailed medical test confirmed a case of cancer, which had already spread throughout his body. Despite the seriousness of his health, Babaji Mahasaya did not feel any pain which was normal for this kind of cancer. The news of the medical findings were kept hidden from him and as per the doctor's advice he was taken back to Sri Pathbari Ashram to spend his last days.

The next two weeks he spent with his beloved disciples and dearest ones at Pathbari, reading, chanting and hearing Hari Katha without the slightest sign of pain. He always gave good feedback about his health. On the evening of May 22nd, he spent an entire four hours in hearing Hari katha and various recitations by a disciple in cheerful health, and was doing intense chanting and meditation. At about 12 o’clock at night he suffered a slight breathing problem and coughing and called his dearest disciples. He indicated by gesture to start chanting Sri Nama. He called out, "Jaya Guru Ram, Sri Guru Ram" he left his body to join his beloved Gurudev in Nitya Lila.

At the end of his various writings he seeks the blessings from the Vaishnavas to grant him the boon that while he is taking his last breath he can call out, “Jaya Guru Ram, Sri Guru Ram” It seems that he was not denied his prayer.

Jay Nitai Jay Gour Jay Sri Radharaman

In the top picture with the microphone, Sri Srimad Hridayananda Das Babaji is performing the Suchaka kirtan of his beloved Gurudev Sri Srimad 108 RamDas Babaji at Pathbari. He can be seen here in complete ecstacy and in the state of Bhava.

In the next to the last picture Nityananda Prabhu's Descendant famous Vaishnava Acharyya Prabhupad of Sribas Angan Nabadwip, 108 Sri Sri Birchand Goswami is listening to his Kirtan at Pathbari and he is also equally engrossed in Kirtan.

In the last picture Babaji Mahasay is performing the suchaka Kirtan of Sri Sri Uddharan Dutta Thakur at the residence-temple of Uddharan Dutta Thakur in Sripat Saptagram, West Bengal. Babaji Maharaja is performing in front of Sri Uddharan Dutta Thakur's Sri Nitai Gaur Gadhadhar Deity.

From Raghav Pandit’s Panihati to Bhagavata Acharyya’s Barahanagar– Eternal Lila of Sri Sri GourSundar

2007-03-30T00:32:00.000+05:30

Sri Sri RadhaRamano Jayati
(Bhaja) Nitai Gour Radhey Shyam
(Japa) Hare Krishna Hare Ram

Two weeks ago, on the 16th of March, 2007, the Gaudiya Vaishnavas in Bengal observed a festival celebrating Mahaprabhu's eternal lila of coming from Raghava Pandit's house at Sripat Panihati to Sri Pathbari at Barahanagar to hear Srila Bhagavat Acharyya's Srimad Bhagavat Path (recitation).

On 15th Chaitra 1341 BS., krishna dashami, Sri Sri Mahaprabhu touched his foot prints at Raghav Bhavan, Panihati. The next day (ekadashi), after revealing the secret tattva of Sri Nitai to Raghava Pandit under the Banyan tree on the bank of the Suradhuni (Ganges), the Lord sang Kirtans round the clock.

On the following day, (17th Chaitra, dwadashi tithi) Sri Sri Mahaprabhu went from Raghav Bhavan to Barahanagar Pathbari, the place of Bhagavat Acharyya.

This year also Mahaprabhu accompanied the devotees from Raghava Bhavan in a well-decorated boat on the Ganges. Devotees performed continuous Kirtan with musical instruments to entertain the Lord on his journey. From the Pathbari of Sri Bhagavat Acharyya, a huge crowd of devotees along with many saints went towards the bank of the Ganges with a decorated throne to welcome Mahaprabhu at their door. All the way the devotees danced with great joy, singing loudly “Gour Haribol,” and “Jay Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu ki Jay.”

The devotees then led Mahaprabhu from his boat to the throne they had brought for him. The big sankirtan possession then began to march towards Sri Path Bari. All the devotees were dancing and singing joyfully while bringing Gour from the bank of Ganga to Sri PathBari. This is the place where Sri Mahaprabhu danced continuously for 9 hours about 500 years ago. The saints of Pathbari gave a gala reception to their beloved Gour. The devotees were singing

Panihati gram dhanya kore
Gour aila Barahanagare

After making Panihati Village glorious
Sri Gouranga came to Barahanagar

After offering Bhoga Arati to Sriman Mahaprabhu in the evening, Nityananda Prabhu's descendant Prabhupada Sri Birachand Goswami delivered a lecture on the Gopi Geet from Srimad Bhagavatam and described the significance of the day's events. Afterwards, sadhus from Pathbari performed Kirtan into the night.

The next morning the 24 Prahar Nam Yajna was begun and Malsa Bhog was offered to the 64 Mahantas. Thousands of fortunate devotees attended the festival commemorating Mahaprabhu's stay at Pathbari, which concluded with the taking of Prasad.

Jay Nitai Jay GourHari
Vishnupriya Prananatha Nadiya Bihari

Financed by Nitai Chand

2007-03-15T08:26:00.000+05:30

Before the time of Dada Mahashay (Sri Radharaman Charan Das Dev) the care and management Jagannath Dev's Mandir was "out of gear." So on the occasion of one Ratha Yatra six days had passed and the ratha still hadn't reached Gundica Mandir. Since it was not possible for Jagannath Dev to eat His usual bhoga, Dada Mahasay felt pained at heart. One morning Dada came for darshan of Jagannath and the panda doing His service gave Dada Mahashay His datun (toothbrush). Upon receiving this prasad the sattvika bhavas appeared all over his body and there was no end to his happiness. He asked Sakhi Maharani (Lalita Sakhi Dasi) to clean out a room adjoining the temple room in Jhanjpita Math. They installed the datun and began to serve it bhoga in earthen pots in the same fashion as in Jaganatha's Temple. The following day he received the toothbrush of Subhadra, and the day after the toothbrush of Baladev which he also had installed. After leaving Gundica Mandir the ratha got stuck for a number of days and again Jagannath was unable to eat properly. The beggars who depended on Jagannatha's free mahaprasad were also without food. Dada Mahashay's kind heart could not bear to see this so he made arrangements in the math to feed them. Someone asked how it was possible to feed two to three hundred people each morning and evening. How is it financed? Dada Mahasay said, "the financier is Nitai Chand. I don't know how He manages. Everyday we find we have exactly enough provisions to feed whoever comes."

A number of days passed in this way and then Sakhi Ma noted that they were all out of money and provisions for the next day. She brought this to the attention of Dada Mahasay and said, "we don't have the funds to make the necessary purchases today, I don't know how we are going to feed the people tomorrow."

Dada Mahasay: "Why tell me about this. It's not my show. Why not go and tell Them who are running the show?"

Sakhi Ma: "I tell you because I see you. I do not see anyone else. You are directly perceived, others are inferred. Why should I leave perception and run after inference?"

Dada Mahasay: "I also say that you should abide by perception, not by inference. But you are mistaken when you think you know me by perception. What you perceive is not me but my body. When I die my body will remain, but you will not see me. You will infer from the dead body that I am gone, while the body remains. It will then be clear that you know me by inference, not by perception. You are also mistaken when you think you know the One Who is the very condition and support of all knowledge and existence by inference. We do not need any inference to know Him. We know Him directly and intuitively."

Sakhi Ma: "Then tell me what I should say, and to whom."

Dada Mahasay: "I told you many times that Sri Murti is real and eternal. Go to the temple and say to Nitai, "In your ashram, so many people are being fed
every day. We have no money to purchase provisions for tomorrow. Now you do what you like."

Sakhi Ma did likewise. After about 20 minutes Dada Mahashay called her. She saw that there were rupee coins piled up before him, and that an ordinary looking person was sitting by his side. Dada asked him what for he was giving that money. He replied, "I came to know you were short of funds, so I am giving this small amount. I wish I could give more, but I am a poor man and this is all I can afford."

Dada Mahasay said to Sakhi Ma, "See how kind is Nitai Chand, he listened to your request."

Sakhi Ma was suprised. She began to curse herself for her lack of faith. With tears in her eyes she said, "I did not make the request with faith. I was rather angry with you to see your indifference and was worried to think what would happen tomorrow. I only repeated before Nitai Chand what you said in sheer obedience to you."

Dada Mahashay replied, "Now you see, if this can be the result of a request made to Nitai Chand without faith, what can be achieved by faith? Man suffers only for want of faith. Nitai Chand is very kind. He administers to all our needs even without our prayer if only we have faith in Him and depend entirely upon Him."

Nitai at Srivas Pandit's House

2007-03-11T16:43:00.001+05:30

In honor of Srivas Pandit and his wife Malini Devi on his appearance day.

Nityananda prabhu used to stay in the house of Srivas Pandit. He loved Srivas and Malini Devi like a father and mother, and they loved him as a son. Nitai always played in their home like an innocent child.

Nitai refused to eat unless Malini fed him with her own hands. Sometimes, in the mood of a child, Nitai would sit in Malini Devi's lap and drink milk from her breast. Malini Devi had long passed the age when nursing was possible, but at Nityananda's touch milk again flowed. She was amazed by this miracle. Sri Caitanya ordered her not to reveal it to anyone.

One day Visvambhara, Nitai, Gadadhara, Srivasa and Haridasa were sitting together in Srivasa's house. Visvambhara said to Nitai, "Listen Nityananda! Do not act recklessly and cause trouble to Srivas and his family."

Nitai countered, "O Kanu! Unlike you, I am never reckless. You will not find anyone as well-behaved as me!"

"I know your recklessness very well!"

"Then explain my shortcomings."

Visvambhara smiled. "Oh, so you want to know all your faults? It seems you incarnated just to shower rice about the room!"

"Only a madman would do such a thing... not I! This accusation of yours is just an excuse to stop feeding me. You want to eat everything yourself! That's fine with me, but why defame me in front of everybody?"

"I feel embarassed by your misconduct, so I'm trying to correct you."

"Oh yes! You must always teach me when you see me misbehaving. You are correct - I am guilty indeed!"

Nitai laughed joyfully as he merged into the great ocean of ecstatic love. Taking the cloth from his waist and tying it on his head, he danced like a maddened lion.

Visvambhara held Nityananda and said, "What are you doing? This is certainly not what I meant when I asked you to behave. One minute you tell me that you are not a madman, but the next minute you contradict yourself!"

But what effect could words have on Nitai who had plunged in the ocean of prema, floating this way and that on waves of ecstasy? Visvambhara had to bring a cloth and dress Nitai with his own hands.

Source: Sri Caitanya Bhagavat of Sri Vrindavan Das Thakur
Photos: Nityananda Prabhu and Malini Devi at Srivas Angan, Sri Nabadwip Dham

Bodo Babaji's Abhishek Video

2007-02-27T05:39:00.000+05:30

In response to the previous post about Sri Radharaman Caran Das Deva's Abhishek Utsav, I have uploaded a short clip from 2005's festival. Please enjoy darshan of the bath ceremony of Bodo Babaji's murti at his purna samadhi.

The full VCD is available from Samajbari Ashrama in Nabadwip.

Abhishek of Bodo Babaji prior to his disappearance date by Nityananda Vamsha Goswami Prabhupad of Sribas Angan , Sri Navadwip Dham

2007-02-26T21:06:00.000+05:30

Sri Sri RadhaRamano Jayati

(Bhaja) Nitai Gour Radhey Shyam

(Japa) Hare Krishna Hare Ram

Last week 17th Day of February was a big festival in Navadwip Dham at RadharamanBagh Samajbari. This is Utsava for Abhishek Utsava (Bathing Ceremony) of BodoBabaji (Radharaman Charan Das Dev) which is being done customarily by Nityanada Vamsa Prabhupadas of Sribas Angan Navadwip Dham. This has been going on in Navadwip since the time of Bodo Babaji's disappearance.

The reason behind the festival is very sweet pastime of Bodo Baba. One day while living in Navawip dham, Bodo Babaji called Goswamis of Sribas Angan suddenly. Nobody knew what was in his mind, and knowing the wish of Great Bodo Baba, the Goswamis came running along with all the other devotees. Then Bodo Babaji revealed that he had decided to leave this world, and asked the Goswamis please perform my Abhishek (Bath). Then all Goswamis of Sribas Angan along with other devotees started arranging for the event. Within a moment that news was spread through the whole Navadwip and thousands of people gathered at Samajbari to attend the ceremony. The news went to Bodo Babaji's Bhek Guru Sidhdha GaurHari Das Babaji Maharaja (Disciple of famous Siddha Jagannatha Das Babaji ) who was staying at Boral Ghat at Navadwip. Bodo Babaji was the soul of his Gurudev, Gurudev could not live for a moment without Bodo Baba, and GuruDev used to refer him as 'Premer Jadukar' - Wizard of Prema. Hearing the news of Bodo Babaji's wish, he came rushing to SamajBari, and started scolding Bodo Baba about such a wish, as he being his Gurudeva has the right to decide who would leave the world first. But he was bound by Bodo Babaji's love. Bodo Babaji's sweetly laughed and said, "I want to go first in presence of you, this is certain, you please come after three days of mine." Gurudeva could not resist him. Meanwhile Goswamis of Sribas angan started Abhishek ceremony of Bodo Babaji, that was such an event in Navadwip, thousands of devotees started bringing water from nearby Sribas Angan Ghat of Ganges, thousands of thousands pot full of Ganga Water was being poured on Bodo Babaji's head by Goswami's and all the devotee, for hours. Everybody got the chance to fulfill the desire of Bodo Baba for long time. Then he started taking prasad offered to Nitai Gaur Radhey Shyam. He ate all the food that was offered to Thakurs by so many devotees.

After this event on the next 3rd day Bodo Babaji left this world in front of his GuruDeva. His GuruDeva followed him within exact three days to join his beloved disciple in Nitya Lila.

The same abhishek are still being carried out by Goswami's of Sribas Angan and devotee of Sri Navadwip Dham.
Here we see a small glimpse of that event. - Jay Nitai

Description of Sri Nitai from Murari Gupta's kadaca

2007-02-21T01:18:00.000+05:30

gandha-candana-liptAGgo nIlAmbara-samAvRtaH |
svarNa-raupya-pravAlAdyair alaGkAraiz ca maNDitaH ||

His body is fragrantly smeared with sandal paste and draped in deep blue garments. His limbs are arrayed in precious ornaments of gold, silver and coral.

karpUra-tAmbulAdyaiz ca pUrNa zrI mukha paGkajaH |
loha-daNDa-dharo rUpya-hAra-kaustubha-bhUSaNaH ||

His mouth, a radiant lotus in bloom, is fragrant with camphor-laced tambula. He carries a copper cowherd's stick. He wears a silver necklace bearing the kaustubha gem.

kuNDalaika-dharaH zrImAn vanamAlA-vibhUSitaH |
veNu-pANiH sadA kurvan gaurAGga-guNa-kIrtanam ||

He wears a single earring and a garland of forest flowers on His chest. He holds a flute. He always sings Sri Gaura's glories.

caura-dasyu-gaNAH sarve dRSTvA tasya vibhUSaNam |
hartuM kurvanti te nAnA sva-yatnam AtatAyinaH ||

All the theives and dacoits noticed Nitai's ornaments and tried many times to steal them.

tAn eva kRpayA pUrNo nityAnando mahA-prabhuH |
gaurAga-kIrtanAnanda-paripUrNAn cakAra ha ||

But Nityananda Mahaprabhu's mercy foiled them; He plunged them fully into the bliss Gauranga-kirtana.

Disappearance Day of Bodo Babaji

2007-02-20T09:44:00.000+05:30

Today was the disappearance day of Sri Radharaman Caran Das Deva (Bodo Baba)...

(more soon)

Nitai's Journey to Bengal

2007-02-01T02:18:00.000+05:30

(from caitanya bhagavat)

One day Sri Gaurasundar was sitting in a secluded place talking with Nityananda. "My dear Nitai, if you remain here in Nilacal lost in prema, how will the fallen souls of kali be saved? You go to Bengal and shower them with the nectar rain of prema! Go, Nitai - and fulfill my name, Visvambhar!"

Thus Nitai started for Bengal, leaving his prana Gaur behind. But Nitai did not go alone. Ramadas, Gadadhar Das, Raghunath Vaidya, Krishnadas Pandit, Parameshvari Das, and Purandara Pandita started with him on foot for Gauda-desh.

The devotees were astounded to see Nityananda exhibiting sattvika bhavas, smiling and dancing like a maddened bull elephant. Soon his mood infected them as well. Ramadas was imbued with the mood of Krishna Himself. He suddenly froze in the middle of the road, standing like Sri Tribhanga-Sundar. He stood like that for almost an hour, oblivious to the outside world.

Gadadhar Das was overwhelmed with the mood of Sri Radha. Laughing, he called out "Who will buy yoghurt?"

Raghunath Vaidya was draped in the personality of Revati-Ma. Paramesvari Das and Krishnadas were steeped in the mood of gopalas. They made sounds like "hihi" as if herding cows.

Purandara Pandit climbed a tree and shouted from its branches, "I am Angada!" before leaping to the ground. Nitai infused these ecstasies into everyone's hearts.

They walked like this for miles, wandering left and right. After many hours they asked some local people, "Please tell us how to get back to the Ganga." The locals replied, "Oh goodness! You have come so far from Ganga! You must go back a full two hours!" Laughing, Nitai and his companions started off in the proper direction. But soon they were wandering aimlessly again, lost in their ecstatic mood. They had to stop again to ask for directions.

"You have to travel twenty miles to the left." Realizing their confusion and looking at one another, they laughed and again started on their journey. They had forgotten their own bodily needs, what to speak of the proper direction. They were always immersed in supreme joy. Who can fully describe the play of Nityananda and his companions?

The Initiation of Nayanatara Devi

2007-01-26T01:30:00.000+05:30

The story of Nayanatara Devi of Sonamukhi city is another example of the mercy of Ramadas Babaji Mahasaya's mercy upon the fallen. Nayantara came from a respectable Brahmin family who were all educated. She was also highly educated. She was married to the son of rich man of Varanasi, who was also learned. She did not like him and ran away with the son of a goldsmith. He took her to Delhi and other places. Finally he took her to Calcutta and lived with her there for some time before giving her up. She was obliged to go back and live with her parents, but she was not well received in the family. After some time she went to Bankura and began to live as a prostitute in the area where the other prostitutes lived.

Once Baba Mahasaya happened to pass through that locality while he was out for nagara-kirtan. He looked at her piteously and mercifully. His glance touched her heart. There was a total change in her. The next day she went to find Baba Mahasaya and received initiation from him. She distributed all her wealth among the other prostitutes, shaved her head and went to Braj with only the single dhoti with which she wrapped her body. For a long time no one knew anything about her.

In 1933 Baba went to Braj on the occasion of Rasotsava. A large number of devotees and Gosvamis accompanied him. One day he was doing svapnavilasa-lila-kirtan. One of the stanzas of the kirtan was:

vRndAvana kuJja nikuJjahi nivasayi
tuhu vara nAgara kAna |
aharniza tuhAri daraza binu jhUrala
tejaba sabahu parANa ||

O Kana! You revel in the kunjas of Vrndavan, I know.
But You do not appear before me.
In Your separation I weep and weep
Weeping I shall die!

As soon as a lady heard this, she fell senseless on the ground and her consciouness never returned. She died weeping in separation from Krishna. She was the same Nayanatara, the outcast of society, that was saved by the all merciful Ramadas Babaji. She became a true Vaisnavi. The manner in which she died would be coveted by many saints. She left her body in Nidhuvan in the presence of her gurudev while hearing him singing nikunja-lila-kirtan.

Siddha Gauranga Das Babaji

2007-01-25T22:08:00.000+05:30

Gauranga Das Babaji was born in an aristocratic brahmin family. He was highly educated and uncommonly intelligent. While still in college he received the merciful glance of Sripad Ramadas Babaji Maharaj who was performing sankirtan in the streets. It became difficult for him to go to college. Instead of attending school he would sit at the feet of Babaji Maharaj and listen to Hari katha and heart-melting kirtan. A few days after passing his University exams and obtaining his MA he left his home and joined Babaji Maharaj who asked him to reside in Braja. Gauranga Das Babaji went to Braja and did bhajan under the guidance of Siddha Pandit Ramakrishna Das Babaji, Siddha Advaita Das Babaji and other great mahatmas. He fashioned clothing from old jute sacks and wandered around Braja Mandal calling out the name of Sri Radhika, "O Pyari Ji! O Pyari Ji!" Noticing his wonderful devotional characteristics, his kaka guru Sripad Sital Das Babaji asked him to stay in his ashram at Raman Reti and do bhajan there.

Whenever any devotee came from Braja to Bengal, Ramadas Babaji would immediately inquire about the welfare of his dear disciples living there. Upon hearing about the bhajan of Gauranga Das Babaji tears of joy would roll down his cheeks. The devotion of Gauranga Das Babaji was so great that Pyari Ji Herself gave him darshan and fed him payasam with Her own lotus hand.

As time went on Sripad Ramadas Babaji Maharaj left this world. When the news reached the ears of Gauranga Das Babaji he proclaimed, "Everything is gone for me! I will not stay here anymore!" Saying this, he entered his bhajan kutir and closed the door. He refused to eat or drink. He did not even touch a single drop of water. Thirteen days after the departure of his beloved Sri Gurudev, he departed from this world to join him in the nitya-lila.

Sripad Ramdas Babaji - The Divine Nature of His Kirtana

2006-09-25T13:03:00.000+05:30

For more than sixty years Sripad Ramdas Babaji Maharaj performed kirtan at various festivals in Braja, Navadwip, and Puri. On one such occasion Babaji Maharaj was performing svapna vilas kirtan at Nidhuvan in Braja. Because he was famed as a siddha mahatma, many of the great Vaisnavas of Braja came to hear his kirtan.

As usual the kirtan was ecstatic and caused people to go mad in bliss. After the kirtan was finished, Babaji Maharaj came to know that Siddha Pandit Ramakrishna Das Babaji had been in attendance. On hearing this news he cried out to a disciple, "Alas! I may have commited a grave offense at the feet of Pandit Babaji! He is siddha in Yugal worship, and we worship Nitai-Gaura. Hearing my kirtan may have caused rasa bhanga to his worship!" In this way Babaji Maharaj was repenting. He instructed his senior disciple, Siddha Gauranga Das Babaji (OBL Kapoor's gurudeva) to go to Pandit Baba on his behalf and seek to be excused from any offense that may have been committed.

Gauranga Das Babaji went to Pandit Babaji's ashram and learned from his disciples that since returning from the kirtan of Ramdas Babaji the day before, Pandit Baba had entered bhava-samadhi. Gauranga Das Babaji had to wait until Pandit Baba came back to external consciousness. When at last Pandit Baba opened his eyes, he noticed Gauranga Das Babaji sitting in front of him. Smiling, he asked the reason for his visit.

Gauranga Das Babaji told Pandit Baba that his Gurudeva had sent him to seek forgiveness on his behalf, for any offense which may have been committed by him while singing in kirtan. Hearing this, Pandit Baba laughed and said, "Gauranga, apparently you do not know who your gurudev is. Do not think that your gurudev is himself performing such astonishing kirtan and improvising such akhar. That Naughty Person who is sitting in his heart tells His own story through the mouth of your divine gurudev. Thus, Siddha Pandit Ramakrishna Das Babaji blessed Siddha Gauranga Das Babaji and sent him back to Siddha Ramdas Babaji Maharaj.

Nityananda Prabhu and the Lime Tree

2006-09-25T10:36:00.000+05:30

Yesterday I began reading Sri Vrindavana Das Thakur's Chaitanya Bhagavat. In this book one discovers many detailed descriptions of Nityananda Prabhu and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu that do not seem to be elaborately depicted elsewhere. Here is one such story.

baDa prIta AmAra kadamba-puSpa-prati |

kadambera vane nitya AmAra vasati ||

My love for kadamba flowers is very great. I always reside in a forest of kadamba flowers. ||CB 278||

One day Nityananda Prabhu asked Raghava Pandit for a garland of kadamba flowers. Sorrowfully, Raghava folded his hands and replied, "This is not the season. There are no kadamba flowers to be found anywhere!" Nitai smiled and said, "Just search carefully around the house. Perhaps you will find some blooming somewhere!"

Raghava Pandit began to search. To his amazement, the lime tree in his courtyard was covered with freshly-blossomed kadamba flowers! When he saw those flowers, Raghava was filled with joy and lost external consciousness. Then, collecting himself, he gathered some of those kadamba flowers and strung a beautiful garland. As he presented that miraculous garland to Nitai Chand, everyone swam in bliss.