Shri Karnananda, Part 2
BY: SUN STAFF
Oct 04, 2021 — CANADA (SUN) — Shri Karnananda – Seven Extracts by Srila Yadunandana Dasa.
FIRST EXTRACT – PART TWO
Shri Gopimohana dasa of Mirjapura was a disciple of Gokuladasa Thakura, and Shyamadas of Khadagrama was a follower of Shri Gopimohana. Shrinivasa favored Govinda Charavarti, who became famous for his worship when he was a young boy.
Bhavaka Chakravarti of Borakuli village was an embodiment of devotional love and had many disciples. His wife, Sucharita, was an intelligent woman and received the favor of Shri Iswari. It was her practice to chant one lac of japa daily and regularly discuss the pastimes of Mahaprabhu.
The eldest son of Thakurani, Shri Rajavallava Chakravarti, was a man of high qualities and a great devotee of Shrinivasa. Her other two son, Shri Radhavinoda and Shri Kishanidasa, took mantra from their mother. Shri Karnapura Kaviraja was also blessed by Shrinivasa, and had many disciples of his own. Prabhu initiated Vyasa as his disciple and educated him in many mysterious doctrines of Vaisnavism. Many branches and twigs grew from him. They were all known as parama bhagavatas. Shri Vamsidasa Thakura was one of these branches. He was one of Shrinivasa's favorite devotees, and was also absorbed in singing Harinama. Shri Gopaladasa Thakura was also one of the favorite followers of Prabhu. Shri Krishna Kirtanity of Vundhaipara was a famous kirtana singer. Even stones would melt upon hearing his beautiful glorification of Radha Krishna's pastimes.
Shri Rupa Ghataka was another dear servant of Prabhu. He had no other activity other than chanting the holy name of the Lord continuously. Shrinivasa also offered the title of "Ghataka" to Shri Raghunandana dasa. These two Ghatakas were always engaged in the service of Shrinivasa Acarya.
Shri Sudhakara Mandala and his wife, Shri Syamapriya, received the mercy of Shrinivasa. Their son, Shri Radhavallava Mandala was always engrossed in singing Harinama. Kamdeva Mandala was also similarly engaged, and Gopala Mandala was known for his faith in Prabhu. Both of them received the blessings of Shrinivasa.
The two fathers-in-law of Shrinivasa were pure hearted souls. One of them, Shri gopala Charavarti, was also busy serving Shrinvasa and used to shed tears while dancing in kirtana. Shrinivasa also favored his other father-in-law, Shri Raghunandana Chakravarti, as well as the two brothers-in-law. The elder brother, Syamadasa, was an exalted devotee and could beautifully recite from the Bhagavata. The younger brother, Shri Ramacarana Chakravarti, was very dear to Shrinivasa. He used to dance madly and cry during the kirtana recitals.
Another favorite follower of Shrinivasa was Krishnadasa Chatta. He had strong faith in the holy name of the Lord. Vanamali Dasa, born of a Vadiya family, was another devoted servant of Prabhu. Shri Mahanadasa, who also came from a Vaidya family was engaged in naisthik bhajan and was the most favorite follower of Prabhu. Shri Radhavallava Dasa, Shri Mathura Dasa, Shri Radhakrishna Dasa, Shri Ramana Dasa, and Ramadasa were all devout followers of Shrinivasa Acarya.
Shri Kavi Vallava a devoted servant of Shrinivasa, he was famous for his nice handwriting and dedicated many of his own books to Prabhu. The father of Vanamali Dasa, Shri Gopaladasa, was another great devotee who received the blessings of Shrinivasa, as well as parama bhagavata, Shri Syamadasa Chatta. Shri Atmarama became completely indifferent to worldly affairs and became a disciple of Prabhu. Shri Kumudananda Thakura, Shri Rama Dasa Thakura, Shri Radhavallabha Thakura were all great devotees who attained the blessings of Shri Acarya. Shri Gokulanandadasa Chakravarti, Shri Gokulananda Dasa, Shri gopala Thakura, and Shri Syamadasa of the Chatta family were all favored by Shrinivasa.
Once Shrinivasa Acarya Prabhu took a journey to Shri Purusottama, carrying the books of the Gosvamis. One night he halted at a village. At that time a gang of bandits saw him and mistook the parcel he carried to be valuable jewels, thus they stole the precious books.
To protest this action, Shrinivasa went to the court of the king. At that time one brahmana named Shri Rama Chakravarti happened to be explaining topics from the Puranas to the king. The king was pleased with his discourse and offered him the title of "Acarya". The brahmana then read from the Bhramara Gita. Standing off to the side, Shrinivasas listened to the brahmana defective explanations. Finally, Shrinivasa entered into the court and corrected the brahmanas mistakes. The king was charmed by Shri Acarya's explanations and requested him to explain further. Shrinivasa then went gave a beautiful dissertation based on the conclusions of the Gosvamis of Vrndavana. The king, having never heard such a scholarly and devotion presentation, was overwhelmed with joy and immediately fell at the feet of Shrinivasa and humbly begged for his blessings. Shrinivasa showered his mercy on the Mala King Shri Vira Hamvira, giving him the name of Krishna. In turn Vira Hamvira offered all his properties to Shri Acarya. Thereafter many of the residents of Vanavisnupura became the disciples of Shrinivasa.
Two brothers belonging to Shri Karava's family used to write letter of ten to Prabhu and thus earned the title of Visvasa. The elder brother, Shri Ganakirama Dasa and the younger one, Prasada Dasa, became great devotees of Shrinivasa. They were formerly known as Majumdar by title, but after receiving the blessings of Shrinivasa they were known as Visvasa.
Shri Vallavi Kavi considered himself most fortunate, having received the favor of Shrinivasa. He uttered the holy names lacs of times and never drank water until completeing this task. Shri Vallavi surrendered all his properties and his family to the service of Shrinivasa. Thus he remained n the association of Prabhu constantly. The two elder brothers of Shri Vallavi Kavi, Shri Ramadasa and Shri Gopala dasa, also dedicated themselves to the service of Shri Acarya.
Shri Krishna Vallava Thakura lived in the village of Deuli, where Shrinivasa visited first after the theft of the books. He was extremely dear to Shrinivasa, as it was he who heard of the recovering of the books robbed by the bandits, which greatly relieved Shrinivasa. Prabhu visited the king with him and reclaimed the lost books. Being extremely satisfied with Krishna Vallava, Shri Acarya placed his feet on his head and blessed him in the name of Shri Radharamana, Shri Govinda Ji, Shri Madanamahana, Shri Gopinatha, Rupa Sanatana, Shri Gopala Bhatta, Shri Jiva, Shri Raghunatha Bhatta, Shri Raghunatha Dasa, Shri Krishnadasa, and Lokanatha Gosvami. He prayed that by the good wishes of all these Gosvamis, Vallavi Kaviraja would succeed in attaining the priceless gem of devotional love. Pleased with Vallavi, Shrinivasa stayed a few more days with him.
When Shrinivasa visited the king again, Virahamvira fell flat at the feet of Prabhu. Shrinivasa took his seat and conversed with the king about the divine topics of Lord Krishna. Virahamvira was filled with joy to have the darsana and blessings of Shrinivasa. Thereafter Prabhu returned home.
That night the king dreamt of Shrinivasa and Kalachanda. In his dream the king loudly spoke some lines of poetry describing the divine beauty of Prabhu and Kalachanda. The queen awoke from her sleep and heard the lines of poetry which the king was reciting and she spent the night weeping. When the king awoke, he was still absorbed in thinking of the lotus feet of Prabhu. in his absorption, he cried loudly, calling out the names of Shri Rupa, Sanatana and Shri Bhatta Gosvami. He lamented pitifully having lost the vision in his dream. But even in his wakeful state he could clearly recall the figure of Shrinivasa beckoning him to worship the Deity which he had seen in his dream. While the king was absorbed in this ecstatic remembrance, Pattadevi fell at his feet and requested him to again recite the lines of poetry. When the king denied, the queen begged him again and again. The king then relented. He confessed that he no longer hankered after the joy of royal prestige and riches. These things appeared to him now as poison. Now he had found true nectar, by the mercy of Shrinivasa Acarya, who was his life and soul. By his grace only, was he able to become a servant of Radha and Krishna and observe their divine pastimes in the groves of Vraja. With great emotion the king revealed that his mind again and again wanted to fly to the bank of the Yamuna in Vraja where his Lord Krishna enjoyed the company of Shri Radha. He described the state of mind and condition of Radha when she was bereft of Krishna's company. Having lost Kala (Krishna), Radha's heart burned incessantly in the fire of separation. She was unable to calm herself. She smeared the paste of aguru over her entire body, yet was unable to cool her burning heart. She was so restless that she was unable to perform her household duties. She would simply sit on the bank of the Yamuna, hoping to see Krishna again. Due to this behavior of Shri Radha, her mother-in-law and sister-in-law rebuked her and her husband became indifferent to her. The king further explained that his deepest desire was to serve the lotus feet of Kalachanda, by the mercy of Shrinivasa.
Pattadevi was overwhelmed by her husband's realisation and requested the king to help her to become a disciple of Shrinivasa. The king could understand by his wives fervent emotions, that she had already received the blessings of Prabhu.
Virahamvira happily went before Shrinivasa and reported everything to him. Patta Mahadevi ran to the feet of Shrinivasa, earnestly requesting him to give her diksa. Observing the queen's sincerity, Shrinivasa was greatly pleased. He first poured Harinama in their ears and then gave them Radha Krishna mantra. He directed them to worship by the method of Kamabija and Gayatribija. They were also instructed to serve a Tulasi manjari lovingly because without the performing these various practices, no one could attain the essence of parakiya lila and rasa in the abode of Vraja. They were further directed to worship with a pure mind and pure devotion if they desired to attain the divine favour of Radha and Krishna. They were also told to listen intently to kirtana and to worship the feet of the Vaishnavas. Shrinivasa Acarya also favored the prince, Shri Raja Hamvira.
Thereafter, the king installed the Deity of Kalachand. Shrinivasa Acarya personally performed the abhiseka ceremony for the installation. The king wished to serve the Vaishnavas everyday. Knowing his intention, Shri Jiva Gosvami sent Shri Gopala Dasa who came to stay there. Shrinivasa appointed Shri Vyasa as the salaried worshiper of the Deity. Shri Acarya also cast his mercy upon the wife of Shri Vyasa, Shri Indumukhi Thakurani, and his son, Shri Syamadasa Chakravarti.
Shrinivasa favored the great scholar Bhagavana Kavi, as well as the devoted worshipers of Krishna, Shri Narayana Kavi and Narsimha kaviraja. Shri Vasudeva Kaviraja also became a devotee of Prabhu. Shri Vrndavana dasa, who was famous for his title of "Kaviraja", also became a disciple of Shri Acarya. Nimai Kaviraja, the brother of Rupa Kaviraja, received the mercy of Shrinivasa. He chanted harinama in lacs every day and danced madly during the kirtana rectitals. Shriman Chakravarti, being indifferent to worldly pleasures, took shelter under the protection of Shrinivasa. Prabhu favored Raghunandana Thakura and Gaurangadasa, who was a man endowed with divine qualities. He would cite Harinama constantly, remembering the lotus feet of Radha Krishna. He used to ecstatically shout the names of Rupa and Sanatana and cry madly in remembrance of Bhatta Gosvami. He was fully absorbed in the memory of Shri Gauranga and his own Prabhu.
Shrimanta Thakura, who belonged to a brahmana family, was another disciple of Prabhu. He favored Shri Gopijana Vallava who used to become ecstatic while chanting the name of Shri Krishna Chaitanya. Shri Tulasiramadasa, belonging to a weaver class, always thought of the grace of Prabhu and would immediately become ecstatic upon chanting the name of Shri Gauranga. Shri Balaramadasa, a brahmana from Utkaladesa, lost all interest in worldly pleasure upon meeting Shri Acarya. The brahmana Dayarama Choudhury lived with Shri Balaramadasa in the same village. They both dedicated themselves fully to the feet of Shrinivasa. Shri Hari Vallava Sarkara and Krishna Vallava Chakravarti became disciples of Prabhu. Shri Krishna Purahita and Syama Chatta of Gaudadesa were great devotees of Shrinivasa who later attained many disciples of their own. Shri Jayarama Charavarti of Ekatra was another famous devotee, and Thakuradasa Thakura also became Shrinivasa's disciple. Shri Mathuradasa of Mathura was born of a brahmana family, and Shri Syamasundara Dasa was a simple-minded brahmana who regularly chanted Harinama in lacs daily. Shri Atmarama from Ekatraya received the blessings of Shrinivasa. Vrndavanadasa of Shri Vrndavana was a man endowed with extremely devotional qualities and was a favorite disciple of Prabhu. Shri Govindarama and Shri Gopala Dasa of Ektraya were also devoted disciples.
Shri Mohanadasa, Vrajanandadasa, and Shri Ramadasa of Shri Kunda were three celebrated servants of Shrinivasa. Shri Rasikanandadasa, Shri Hariprasada, and Sukhananda Dasa of Shri Govardhana, as well as Premi Harinama and Muktaramadas were Shrinivasa's devoted disciples who used to dance and sing harinama together. Bajanahari was another disciple. Rama Kalanidhi, from a brahmana family in Vangadesa, had the title of Acarya. Shri Rama Sarana, Premadasa, and Rasikadasa were dedicated devotees, always eager to serve the Vaishnavas.
I am unqualified to sufficiently describe how many persons from Vishnupura, as well as from Prabhu's own country, received initiation from Shrinivasa. Many people from different countries such as Radha, Vangadesa, Gaudadesa, Vrajabhumi, Magadha, Utkaldesa, Baragangapara, Vindhya Kandhala and the places near the Ganges took initiation from Shri Acarya. Those who attentively hear these description can easily attain the ecstasy of Krishna bhakti. Shri Hemalata, the daughter of Shrinivasa, was a great Vaisnavi. Bowing to her lotus feet, I, Yadunandanadasa attempt to distribute the essence of Karnananda to every listener.
