Feb 27, 2023 — CANADA (SUN) — A serial presentation of Sri Bhakti Ratnakara by Srila Narahari Cakravarti Thakur.
Chapter Thirteen
Sri Virachandra Prabhu's marriage
Sri Iswari visited the village of Jamatpura near Rajvalahat and stayed at the house of one of her servants. There she met the brahmana Yadunandanacarya whose devotion increased immensely by Iswari's association.
Yadunandanacarya's wife, Lakxmi, was a very humble and submissive lady, she had two very beautiful daughters named Sreemati and Narayani. By the arrangement of Sri Iswari, these two girls became the fortunate wives of Virachandra prabhu. On the day of the wedding Yadunandana took initiation from Virachandra, and Sri Jahnava happily accepted Sreemati and Narayani as her disciples. Virachandra brought his two wives home and Sri Vasu was extremely happy to see her two daughers-in-law. The whole Khardaha village was mad with joy about this marriage and flooded the brides with gifts. Gangadevi was also very pleased with her brother's marriage. On this occassion the people remembered how they had enjoyed the marriage of Gangadevi, who was said to have been manifested from the lotus feet of Visnu. Her husband, Acarya Madhava, was an extremely devotional person. According to Sri Gauraganaddeshakipika Gangadevi was born from the feet of Sri Visnu, and is the daughter of Sri Nityananda Prabhu. Her husband, Madhava Acarya, was formerly King Santanu.
Sri Janhava devi's service to Sri Gopinatha.
After the marriage of Virachandra, Sri Jahnavadevi and her followers immediately went to Vrndavana. Arriving there she rushed to the temple of Gopinatha and was filled with delight upon seeing Sri Gopinatha with Radha on either side. Sri Iswari humbly offered Sri Radha-Gopinatha the numerous gifts she had brought from Gaura. She also took great pleasure in cooking many preparations for the Lord's pleasure. She visited the temples of Sri Radha Govinda and Sri Radha Madanamohana and relished Their exquisite beauty. These three Deities, along with Sri Radhika, were the heart and soul of the people of Gaura. Further descriptions of Sri Iswari's visit to Vrndavana can be found in the book Anuragavalli.
Sri Virachandra Prabhu visited Vrndavna, after receiving his mother's permission.
After receiving permission from his mother, Virachandra and some of his followers started for Vrndavana on an auspicious day. Along the way they stopped at Saptagrama for two days, where they stayed in the house of a fortunate Vanika and spent there time absorbed in sankirtana. Through the association of Virachandra prabhu, many of the residents of Saptagrama were relieved from all miseries of life. The party then traveled on to Santipura. There Virachandra met Krsna Misra, the son of Advaita Acarya, and they enjoyed performing sankirtana together. From there Virachandra went to Amvika, and then on to Navadvipa for two days. From there he traveled to Sri Khanda and was cordially received by Sri Kanai, son of Sri Raghunandana. They also enjoyed nama-sankirtana together. From there he went to Yajigrama and affectionately received by Srinivasa Acarya, who took him to his house where they spent the entire day relishing discussions about Lord Krsna. The next day Srinivasa and his followers accompanied Virachandra to Kantakanagara, and spent a day with him there.
After biding farewell to Acarya, Prabhu Virachandra went to Khetari via Budhari. Sri Narottama Thakura Mahasaya warmly welcomed Virachandra and took him to the courtyard of Sri Gauranga. Virachandra's wonderful singing and dancing in sankirtana pleased the hearts of the villagers. After a private discussion with Thakura Mahasaya, Virachandra and his followers started for Vraja. On his way he bestowed the rare jewel of devotion upon a poor brahamana. He also destroyed the pride of an arrogant brahamana and transformed him into a deeply devotional man.
After a few days Virachandra entered Mathura and the residents ran to greet him and marveled marveled at his beauty. Conversed amongst themselves they remarked with amazement: "Look at the extraordinary son of Nityananda Baladeva." Someone else said, "Is there any other human being who is so beautiful?" Other's said, "He certainly cannot be a an ordinary human being." Another person remarked, "Just look at the amazing and spirited features of Virachandra and his companions." As news of Virachandra's arrival in Vrndavana rapidly spread, hoards of people rushed to see him.
Sri Jiva Gosvami, Krsnadasa Kaviraja, Gadadhara Pandita Goswami's disciples, the adhikari of Govinda, Sri Anantacarya and his disciple Haridasa Pandita Gosvami (from whom Sri Govinda Himself demanded milk and rice for eating), the adhikari of Madanagopala and disciple of Gadadhara, Krsnadasa brahmacari, Gopaladasa goswami-another disciple of Gadadhara, Sri Madhu Pandita-the disciple of Gadadhara and adhikari of Sri Gopinatha, Vabananda-the friend of Sri Madhupandita, the adhikaris of Sri Govinda, Haridasa, and Gopala--all of them advanced forward to receive Virachandra. Kashiswara Pandita-a great friend of Sri Krsna Pandita-along with his disciples, Govinda Gosvami, and Sri Yadavacarya were all extremely happy to hear of Virachandra's arrival. The people of Vraja greatly admired the devotional qualities of Virachandra.
Virachandra and his followers delightfully visited the temples of Sri Govinda, Gopinatha, Madanamohana, Sri Radhavinoda, Radha Ramana and Radha Damodara.
