Nov 20, 2023 CANADA (SUN) A serial presentation of Sri Prema Vilasa by Sri Nityananda Dasa.
CHAPTER 17, Part 2
That night the two Vaisnavas spoke together, remarking that they had never seen such a devotee like Syamananda or such a disciple as Murari. "It is certainly the earth's good fortune that a wonderful devotee like Syamananda has taken birth here." While discussing the two Vaisnavas decided to return to Vrndavana rather than go on to Kshetra.
In the morning when the two devotees revealed their plan, both Syamananda and Murari bowed at their feet and requested them to stay for a few more days. But the two Vaisnavas humbly expressed their desire to leave for Vrndavana. Thus Syamananda gaved them one hundred coins for the journey and asked that they convey his worthless respects at the merciful feet of Sri Jiva Gosvami. The two Vaisnavas bid farewell feeling great admiration for Syamananda and Murari, who served the Vaisnavas with great devotion.
In the month of Pausa, Acarya came to Yajigrama as he had heard that his mother in poor health. Upon reaching there he found that was seriously ill. In the month of Magha
after his mother's death, he desired to hold a festival in her honor. Thus Srinivasa began to make preparations; he sent a letter of invitation to the king of Visnupura, who sent many items for the festival.
After the time of the festival many Mahanats, Adhikaris, and Vaisnavas came to participate in the ceremony. At that time Raghunandana and Sulachana Thakura of Khanda requested Srinivasa Acarya to accept a wife. Acarya protested asking how he could marry without the permisssion of his spiritual master. But Raghunandana explained that a disciple's only fear is in disobeying the order of his guru, but there is certainly nothing wrong in marrying. Eventually Sri Acarya was convinced and gave his consent. In the meantime the ceremony came to a close and all the invitees returned to their homes.
Sulochana and Raghunandana then took the initiative to find a bride for Srinivasa. For this purpose one brahmana was engaged to search out a suitable match. The brahmana went to the house of Gopaladasa of Yajigrama and stated that Srinivasa Acarya would make a suitable bridegroom for his daughter. Gopaladasa consulted with his younger brother Vrndavana who gave his consent to the marriage proposal. Thus on the auspicous day of Tritiya in the month of Vaisakha the marriage took place.
The bride's two brothers, Syamadasa and Ramacarana, studied under Sri Acarya, who had many disciples. Sometimes Acarya stayed in Visnupura, and at other times he visited Khetari or Bhudari.
In the village of Gopalapura in Rarha there lived a brahmana named Raghu Chakravarti. He had a beautiful daughter adorned with all good qualities. One day she told her father of her desire to marry Srinivasa Acarya. Her father immediately went to the Acarya and expressed his hope that he would accept his daughter in marriage. Acarya happily accepted the proposal and married the beautiful Padmavati. He took her took his house in Visnupura where she established a sweet relationship with the first wife of Acarya. Padmavti sometimes visited Yagigrama. By the time she was twenty-five she was still without issue. The first wife of Sri Acarya who was also desirous of having a son, consulted an astrologer and was told that she would soon give birth to a son.
One day the son of Nityananda Prabhu, Viracandra, paid a visit to the king who felt greatly fortunate to have such an exalted guest and welcomed him warmly. He served him food and looked after him with great care. Having heard about Viracandra's arrival, Acarya Thakura quickly came to meet him. Acarya fell flat on the ground before the son of Nityananda Prabhu, then they embraced each other affectionately. The king watched this scene wondering within himself who on the earth could be more beautiful than Viracandra prabhu. Being the son of Nityananda Prabhu he was naturally extremely attractive.
Srinivasa brought Viracandra to his home, where the family members considered themselves most fortunate to have such a guest. They quickly busied themselves preparing foodstuff and offered him many different types of sweets. Acarya asked Gosvami if he would like to cook for himself, but he requested that Srinivasa's second wife prepare something for him.
Acarya went into the house and ordered his second wife to cook for Gosvami. She was very happy to have the opportunity to serve the Gosvami and prepared many varieties of food. She arranged all kinds of sweets and fruits, then kAcarya informed Gosvami that the food was ready and requested him to take his seat. Viracandra sat down and requested Sri Acarya to sit on his right side. The wives of Acarya carefully served them prasada and they happily ate everything. Acarya was then requested to tell them something about Krsna. Submitting to their request, Srinivasa began to sing Gaura lila to Gosvami who at once stopped eating and began to float in an ocean of joy. After washing his mouth, Viracandra took his seat and someone offered im betel leaf. The two wives of Acarya brought garlands, flowers and sandalwood paste and offered them to Gosvami. Thakurani smeared sandalwood paste on the body of Gosvami and placed a garland on his neck saying, "I am the most fortunate woman as Prabhu Viracandra has come to our house."
With his own hands Gosvami placed a garland on the neck of Acarya and smeared sandalwood paste on his body. Gosvami then asked Acarya about his wives, noting that the second wife was named Padma. Viracandra then inquired about their childrenm, and Srinivasa replied, "We have no children. But if you show us your mercy, I'm sure we will be blessed with a son with your features and strength. In any case I will happily accept what the Lord sends, whether physically handicapped or not."
Viracandra smilingly said, "Lusten to me Acarya, you will soon have a son who will honor your family. From today Padma will be called Gauranga Priya and she will get a beautiful son." Saying this Viracandra gave his chewed betel leaf to Gauranga Priya and while holding her hand transferred his own power into her. She ate the betel leaf and bowed to him falling prostrate on the ground.
The next day Viracandra took his leave of the Acarya who offered him a golden coin, a new piece of cloth, and a pair of silk loin cloth. Ten days after this incident Padmavati became pregnant. Two months later all the inhabitants of the place came to hear of the news and ten months later she had a beautiful son. The parents were very happy and Acarya sent a message to Gosvami announcing the birth of his son.
Two months later Viracandra Gosvami came to Visnupura and visited the house of Srinivasa Acarya, which became transformed into the abode of happiness due to his presence there. Srinivasa happily served Gosvami in various ways. On an auspicious day Gosvami gave Harinama into the ears of the child. After six months, the rice eating ceremony (Anna Prasana) took place. Then the ceremony of tying the sacred thread took place. The child walked with his right leg curved and his features were as beautiful as Cupid. Gosvami named the child Govindagati.
When the child was thirteen years old, Srinivasa invisted Gosvami to his house and with his help performed the initiation ceremony of his son. Gosvami told Acarya, "Govindagati is my favorite, I shall be very happy if you give your son initiation. You are empowered by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and I by Nityananda Prabhu, thus you and I are the same. Anyone who does not accept this will never get the favor of Sri Caitanya." Hearing this from Gosvami, Srinivasa became ecstatic with divine love. Gosvami embraced Acarya and told him to call in an astrologer to calculate an auspicious time for the boy's initiation.
Srinivasa called on an astrolger who selected an auspicous date. When the appropriate time arrived Acarya gathered many items and asked his son to sit on his left side and gave him initiation. After being initiated the boy came out of the room and fell prostrate on the ground at the feet of Gosvami who blessed him with a long life. Acarya then held a grand festival and concluded it by bowing humbly at the feet of Viracandra Gosvami.
On the eve of Gosvami's leaving, Acarya gave him many gifts. Greatly satisfied Viracandra blessed Acarya saying, "You will have many disciples who will be just like sons." Gosvami then took his leave.
Thereafter Srinivasa began to teach his son. Due to the favor of Viracandra and the powerful initiation by Sri Acarya, the boy gradually became very spirited and a versatile genius. The other sons of Acarya were also highly qualified. By the mercy of Jahnava Thakurani I am able to describe all these topics. Now, dear readers, listen to the glories of Narottama dasa Thakura.
After returning to his own country Thakura Mahasaya absorbed himself in intensely serving Gauranga, Bhallavi Kanta, Krsna Raya, Vraja Mohana, Sri Radha Ramana and Radha Kanta. The sincerity of the brahmanas and Vaisanvas who assisted Thakura Mahasaya in his service is also beyond description. Some of them decorated the deities gorgeously, others cooked for their Lordships, and others prepared twenty-five sears of boiled Atap rice daily. Many varieites of vegetable curries, sweets, ksira made with curd, sugar, milk and ghee were also prepared. Everything was prepared with the utmost sanctity and purity. The cooks were even accustomed to covering their mouths until they had completed the cooking. Arati was performed five times a day, and betel leaves and kesturi perfume (musk) was also regularly offered to the deities.