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Sri Bhakti Ratnakara May 11, CANADA (SUN) — A serial presentation of Sri Bhakti Ratnakara by Srila Narahari Cakravarti Thakur.
In Vrndavana Prabhu Gaura Rai had many duties to be performed by Rupa and Sanatana. The duties carried out by these two brothers proved that they were not ordinary persons.360-361 Caitanyadasa told his son that when he had first seen Rupa and Sanatana he could not recognize them. Now that he knew then he could describe their life stories to his son.362-363 Most of the professors from Navadvipa would assemble at that village Ramkeli. My professor was the most learned man in Cakhandi and he was invited to visit Ramkeli. We also accompanied our professor to Ramkeli and reached that place at an auspicious moment.364-366 After settling in our residence near the house of Rupa and Sanatana we accompanied the professors to the court. There we saw that just like Indra the king of deities, Rupa and Sanatana were sitting in the court surrounded by professors and Pandits. Their beauty and brilliance immediately captured the hearts of everyone present. They smiled sweetly at everyone as they glanced around with their large beautiful eyes. We were attracted by their long hands, broad chests and beautiful waists. 367-372 They received us with great respect and we were astonished by their humble and modest attitude. Although they had enormous wealth, they had no pride at all. On the contrary, they requested everyone to bless them so that they might achieve devotion to the lotus feet of Lord Krsna.373-374 Sanatana was the elder brother and Rupa was the younger brother but both were scholars in all scriptures. They satisfied the professors of the different countries, with enormous wealth and they attentively listened to the professors' opinions and views on different subjects.375-376 The professors also appreciated the brothers for their explanations and interpretations of different verses.377 Although they held the most influential and prestigious positions as Prime Ministers in the court of the king of Gauda who had great affection for them, they never insulted anyone. We were quite satisfied to stay with them for many days.378-380 After a long time the professors left Ramkeli and we also returned to our village. A few days after that Mahaprabhu embraced ascetic life and went to Nilacala with any Vaisnava devotees.381-384 From Nilacala Prabhu went to Vrndavana and stopped on his way in the village of Ramkeli where he met Rupa and Sanatana. After blessing them Prabhu decided to return to Puri instead of Vraja. Sometime later Prabhu again started for Vrndavana.385-387 In Ramkeli Rupa and Sanatana heard that Prabhu had gone to Vrndavana. We do not know what motivated them but at that time they renounced everything related to wealth, knowledge or pleasure. Sri Rupa and his brother Sri Vallava first left for Vraja but met Sri Krsna Caitanya in Prayaga.388-391 Prabhu was happy to see Rupa and blessed him in various ways. From Ramkeli Gosvami Sanatana clandestinely went to Vraja but met Prabhu in Kashi. Sri Caitanya was also happy to meet Sanatana and gave the two brothers valuable advice.392-396 When the people of different countries came to know that Rupa and Sanatana had gone to Vraja they wondered how it was possible for the two brothers to give up all types of pleasure and wealth. The people of Ramkeli -- women, men, children, old and young -- all praised the activities of Rupa and Sanatana. The professors of Ramkeli did not want to stay ther in the absence of Rupa and Sanatana and sadly left. Everyone except the Vaisnavas felt sorry because Rupa and Sanatana had lost their interest in worldly matters. In Vrndavana Sri Rupa and Sanatana took up the profession of teaching.397-403
After re-establishing the lost holy places, Sri Rupa Gosvami felt anxious on only one point. According to the scriptures Sri Govinda Vrajendra Kumar had been installed as a deity in a holy place in Vrndavana, but Sri Rupa had not found that deity although he had searched many places for a long time. He even searched the houses of the people of Vraja, but when he could not find the deity he sat patiently on the bank of the Jamuna.404-407 One day by chance a Vrajabasi came to Sri Rupa Gosvami. He was beautiful, calm and quiet in his manner and he asked Sri Rupa why he looked so sad. Sri Rupa felt a great attraction toward The Vrajabasi and told him his story. The Vrajabasi told him not to be anxious because there was a spiritual place named Gomatila in Vrndavana where a certain cow used to willingly let down her milk every afternoon. Sri Govinda devi kept himself hidden there under the ground. The Vrajabasi led Sri Rupa to Gomatila.408-413 After locating the place that Vrajabasi suddenly disappeared and Sri Rupa fell on the unconscious. After a long time he regained his senses but he could not control the tears which rolled down his face. Sri Rupa Gosvami realised the desire of the Lord and checked his emotions. He told the Vrajabasis about the hidden deity of Sri Govinda deva and they came to Gomatila in a crowd. They were surprised to learn that Gomatila was a spiritual place. A divine oracle from Balarama was heard by everyone, and the Vrajabasis dug very carefully until they at last unearthed the deity of Govinda deva who was as beautiful as millions of Kandarpas.414-421 In the book Sri Sadana Dipika written by Sri Radha Krsna Gosvami, the disciple of Sri Haridasa Pandita GOsvami of Vraja, the details of the above mentioned narration have been written.422-432 Everyone glorified the name of Sri Govinda deva and people were attracted to Gomatila to see the deity. Even Lord Brahma and other demigods came in the disguise of human beings to pay their respects to that deity. The place overflowed with lakhs of people. Sri Rupa Gosvami at once sent a letter to Mahaprabhu in Sri Khetra and Mahaprabhu could not control his happiness upon receiving the news. 433-437
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