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Sri Bhakti Ratnakara May 09, CANADA (SUN) — A serial presentation of Sri Bhakti Ratnakara by Srila Narahari Cakravarti Thakur.
By chance a world renowned scholar paid a visit to Navadvipa. He advertised himself as the representative of Sri Sarasvati devi by whose mercy he had become a great scholar. The professors of Navadvipa wee panic stricken and the people of Cakhandi became bewildered. At that time Lord Narayana, the husband of Sarasvati devi, lived in Navadvipa as Nimai Pandita and was teaching his pupils Vyakarana and other scriptures on the bank of the river Jahnavi.237-242 The scholar had heard of the academic fame of Nimai Pandita but seeing that Nimai was merely a boy he did not consider him a competitor. Nevertheless he approached Nimai who requested him to explain the glory of the Ganga. The scholar easily and quickly cited many slokas of a superior quality and astonished the people who were listening. From the slokas Prabhu selected one and pointed out that the scholar had wrongly interpreted in three aspects. When the scholar could not give any satisfactory or correct interpretation of the verse he felt ashamed and acknowledged his own defeat. Nimai Prabhu behaved like a gentleman with the scholar. When the scholar learned the real identity of Nimai from Sarasvati devi, he submitted himself at the feet of the Lord. The scholars of Nadia were delighted to hear of Nimai Pandita's victory and the Lord's fame spread throughout the country.243-253
Mahaprabhu went to Gaya with many followers and returned from Gaya as a transformed person. With the aim of teaching entire mankind. He began to demonstrate the real meaning of devotional love and this delighted his disciples. They admired the devotional qualities of Nimai Pandita.254-256 The people of Nadia had never identified Nimai as the Supreme Lord. He gave his blessings to Srivasa and other devotees and they gradually came to understand who he really was. At last Gaurahari could no longer hide his identity and revealed himself to his devotees; Srivasa Pandita, Sri Pandit Gadadhara, Sri Murari Gupta, Haridasa, Suklambara Brahmacari and others, all of whom were charmed by his devotional qualities. Advaita Gosvami and Prabhu Baladeva Nityananda joined with Mahaprabhu in his pastimes in Navadvipa.257-264
My dear son Srinivasa, I want to tell you that there is no limit to the kindness which has been shown on mankind by this incarnation. Without any weapons he has delivered mankind simply by divine love. Nimai particularly wanted to deliver the wicked, wretched and heretic people who were influential in the Kali Yuga. In Nadia there were two notorious decoits named Jagai amd Madhai. They were addicted to wine and mean and continually performed sinful activities. The people of Nadia knew that only the Lord himself could punish them. Even Ravana and Kamsa were no match for these two brothers. Prabhu delivered them from their sinful lives with the help of Nityananda Prabhu, the ocean of mercy.265-273 One day Prabhu advised Nityananda to preach the teachings of Lord Krsna. Nityananda and Haridasa took the responsibility seriously and went into the streets singing Harinama. The sound of their singing infuriated Jagai and Madhai who came running to kill Nityananda and Haridasa. In a drunken state Madhai hit Nityananda on his forehead, but Nityananda the ocean of mercy, remained unmoved and unexcited. Mahaprabhu grew angry when he heard the news but Nityananda checked the Lord's anger and requested him to bless the two utterly helpless brothers. Prabhu at once pardoned them and Jagai and Madhai fell at the feet of Nityananda and Gauracandra. The two notorious brothers were transformed and with tears in their eyes they prayed to the Lord to forgive them and help them settle their disturbed minds. Prabhu was pleased with them, and ordered them to clean the bathing ghats of the Ganges. They adhered seriously to the order of the Lord and engaged themselves in that cleaning task everyday. Thus they became favorite associates of Mahaprabhu.274-288 Some inferior students laughed at Nimai Pandita because he had delivered those two notorious brothers. They always tried to criticise Nimai and find fault with him. But the people of Navadvipa in general were greatly relieved by the thought that Prabhu had conquered these two brothers through love and kindness. Thereafter the devotees were able to sing sankirtana safely.289-296
At that time Navdvipa and other places were under the powerful influence of a Yavana named Kazi. The Yavana king of Gaudadesha was also under the control of this Kazi. The common people in these places could not perform the religious rituals out of fear of the Kazi who forbid them to sing sankirtana. This increased the anger of Mahaprabhu. One night Prabhu took his companions to the streets to sing sankirtana. On the order of Mahaprabhu all the inhabitants of Nadia arranged a divine festival in each house and lit many lamps. Carrying their lamps, lakhs of people went out in the streets to join in the sankirtana. The sounds of the khola, kartals and the dancing feet of the devotees filled the air. As they danced and chanted the crowd angrily destroyed the house and flower garden of the Kazi, Prabhu had already shown himself in the form of Nrishna avatara so the Kazi could understand that Prabhu was not an ordinary man. Meanwhile he was informed by his men that the great sankirtana led by Mahaprabhu was destroying his house and gardens. The Kazi grew frightened and hastened to meet Mahaprabhu with tears in his eyes. He fell at the feet of Gauracandra and begged for mercy. Prabhu at once favored the Kazi and since that time sankirtana in the streets and everywhere has been free from all obstructions.297-319
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