Oct 12, 2016 — CANADA (SUN) — A serial presentation of Sri Bhakti Ratnakara by Srila Narahari Cakravarti Thakur.
Chapter Four
Srinivasa gets the news of the disappearance of Mahaprabhu and his associates
In Nilacala Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu disappeared from the world.
194
After hearing that unbearable news, Kashiswara Gosvami also left the world.195
Raghunatha Bhatta, the great Bhagavatam reciter, also disappeared when he heard about the disappearance of Mahaprabhu.196
A few days ago Sri Sanatana Gosvami also left this world.197
Now Sri Rupa Gosvami is also gone.198
Sri Gopal Bhatta Gosvami and Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami constantly burn in the fire of seperation.199
They are the most unfortunate as they have had to see so much misery.200
When he heard the brahmins lamenting in that way Srinivasa Thakura inquired about the cause of their unhappiness.201
Crying bitterly they related the story of the disappearance of Rupa and Sanatana Gosvami.202
Srinivasa also began to cry and fell on the ground in a faint.203
Gaining consciousness he rose up crying,
Alas! What have I heard! What have I heard! and again he fell to the dusty ground in a faint.204
Again he cried out,
my dear Lord Rupa Gosvami. My dear Lord Sanatana Gosvami why have you been so unkind to an unfortunate soul like myself?205
I will never see your lotus feet and my desires will never be fulfilled.
As he cried he tore the skin on his chest with his nails.206
A Mathura brahmin consoles Srinivasa
Observing Srinivasa's miserable condition a brahmin from Mathura held his hand and tried to console him in various ways just to save his life.207
All the inhabitants of Mathura also came forward to console him but it was of no use.208
Srinivasa offered obeisances at the feet of that Mathura brahmin and started for the road leading back to Gauda.209
The Vaisnava devotees of Gauda advised me to go quickly to Vrndavana,
he thought.210
Now I understand why they wanted me to go quickly, but I was not fortunate enough to reach here in time.211
Although cruel destiny has forced me to suffer in this way, my sinful life continues.
212
As he contemplated his miserable plight tears flowed constantly from his eyes and from time to time he shouted in acute agony.213
My dear Sanatana my dear Rupa Raghunatha Bhatta, Sri Kasiswar Pandita you were the ocean of devotional qualities,
he shouted.214
I have heard that you were all extremely kind hearted, so why have you been so unkind to a poor soul like me?
215
With that Srinivasa decided to give up his life and he fell to the ground with no further concern for his own condition.216
With the dark hours of the night after travelling quite a distance Srinivasa rested beneath a tree.217
His lamentations were so pitiful that even a stone or a piece of wood would crack upon hearing them.218
The inhabitants of the nearby village grew morose when they heard Srinivasa's continuous crying.219
Throughout the night he sobbed until he finally fell asleep by the desire of the Lord.220
Rupa Sanatana and other Gosvamis appear in Srinivasa's dream
Rupa Gosvami, Sanatana Gosvami and other merciful Gosvamis appeared before Srinivasa in a dream.221
All the Gosvamis were extremely beautiful and seeing them, Srinivasa's heart filled with ecstasy.222
Feeling symptoms of ecstasy his eyes filled with tears and he fell at the feet of the devotees.223
They placed their feet on his head and embraced him, consoling him in various ways.224
They caressed his emaciated body and bathed him with tears from their eyes.225
Again seeing Srinivasa's face, Sanatana Gosvami spoke to him in ecstatic love.226
My dear son Srinivasa, this is not the time for you to lament.227
Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami is no different from me. Go and take initiation from him.
228
Sanatana also directed Srinivasa to take the books of the Gosvamis to Gauda in order to propagate the Gosvami philosophy.229-230
By directing Srinivasa in various ways they blessed him and then remembering Caitanya Mahaprabhu they disappeared.231
By observing the Gosvamis and hearing their nectarine instructions Srinivasa's ecstasy overflowed. The next day he reversed his course and started for Vrndavana.232
That same night Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami appeared in a dream of Jiva Gosvami's to give some instruction.233
The orders of Sri Rupa Sanatana to Sri Jiva and Sri Gopala Bhatta
Previously I told you that on the 20th day of the month of Vaisakh you will obtain wonderful association.234
That devotee will reach Vrndavana today, and after meeting him you will become very happy.235
At the time of the arati of Govinda deva, when the crowd is thin, you should search for him.236
His complexion is like a golden champa flower and his is very thin. He is young and tears constantly flow from his eyes.237
In great pain he left Gauda and he has already gotten news of our disappearance.238
He decided to give up his life but we appeared before him to console him.239
We cannot describe his affliction but when you see him you will understand.240
You should arrange his initiation from Gopala Bhatta Gosvami and when his study is completed give him all the books.241
Send him to Gaudadesha where he will distribute the transcendental jewels of literature to the masses.242
What more can we tell you about him? Through this Srinivasa Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu will perform many activities.
243
After instructing Sri Jiva Gosvami they appeared to Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami.244
Your Srinivasa has come from Gauda but his suffering is beyond description.245
Accept him as your disciple.
Then Sri Rupa Sanatana disappeared. 246
In the early morning Gopala Bhatta awoke and cried out the names of Rupa and Sanatana.247
At that very moment Sri Jiva Gosvami arrived there and Gopala Bhatta controlled himself.248
Sri Jiva Gosvami bowed at the feet of Gopala Bhatta with tears in his eyes and Gopala Bhatta embraced Jiva Gosvami in deep emotion.249
He soaked Sri Jiva with tears from his eyes and both of them broke down in emotional crying.250
They discussed the instructions they had got in the dream but their state of mind at that time is beyond my ability to describe.251
After sometime Sri Gopala Bhatta checked himself, composed himself nd composed Sri Jiva aftr much consolation.252
Sri Gopala Bhatta himself with Radharaman Singhasana Yatra.253
Jiva Gosvami offered his obeisances to Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami and returned to his village.254
In anxious anticipation for Srinivasa's arrival he began to tell everyone about the event.255
He waited eagerly for Srinivasa and from time to time he looked down the path hoping for his arrival.256
