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Sri Bhakti Ratnakara Sep 25, CANADA (SUN) — A serial presentation of Sri Bhakti Ratnakara by Srila Narahari Cakravarti Thakur.
Nityananda Prabhu happily entered into the village of Saligrama and came to the house of Suryadasa. The people who rushed forward to touch the Lord's feet were suddenly filled with devotion. From a hidden place, Sri Vasu and Jahnava observed the beauty of their husband with extreme pleasure. As a great crowd began to congregate in the house of Suryadasa, young girls decorated Vasu and Jahnava in beautiful dresses and ornaments. According to the customary procedures. Suryadasa then offered his daughters to Nityananda. All the brahmanas, and even the demigods, were enchanted by the beauty of the brides and the bridegroom. The next day the house of Suryadasa was filled with joyous festivities as Suryadasa humbly performed the various social customs, and Nityananda satisfied the desires of all the devotees. Afterward, Nityananda Prabhu and His two wives returned to Badagachi. Srivasa's wife and all the ladies there, admired the beauty of the newlyweds. In Sri Gauraganoddesha Dipika it is stated that Sri Suryadasa, who was a great man and brilliant as the sun, was the incarnation of Kokudmi. His daughters, the wives of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, where previously Sri Varuni and Sri Revati. According to some, Sri Vasudha devi was formerly Kalavani, and Sri Jahnava devi was Anangamanjari. The wise saints also support this opinion. Thereafter, Nityananda happily stayed in the village of Badagachi. The extraordinary qualities of the deliverer of mankind, Nityananda Prabhu, who was mad after Sri Gauranga, have been sung by many poets. This is one of Narahari's songs in Raga Kamoda: Rama was the husband of Revati and Varuni. He blessed the Kaliyuga by appearing as Nitaisundara, the elder brother of Gauracandra and son of Padmavati. By His supernatural qualities, Nityananda Prabhu, the husband of Vasudha and Jahnavi, bestowed His mercy upon mankind. Being mad with affection for Gauracandra, He purified the world with His divine love. He satisfied everyone by revealing the ecstasy of of pure love for Gauracandra. His bright golden complexion shone like the glowing red sun. Ornaments bedecked His beautiful ears and His long arms touched His knees. His beautiful mouth always chanted, "Gaura, Gaura" as streams of tears flowed from His eyes. He was always floating in the endless ocean of sankirtana, dancing elegantly along with His followers. He was extremely kind to the helpless and distressed fallen souls. After a few days Nityananda Prabhu and His followers returned to Nadia. Sacimata, and all the great devotees of Gaurahari and their wives, were very happy to see Vasudha and Jahnavi. Following the order of Sacimata, Nityananda visited Santipura and then Saptagrama. According to the desire of the devotees, Nityananda Prabhu then went to Khardaha where He stayed with his wives in a beautiful house. He spent some wonderful days there, causing great joy to His followers by the performance of sankirtana. Then again he returned to Nadia to see Sacimata. Nityananda's pastimes are described in Narahari's song in Raga Kamoda: is the son of Padmavati. For twelve years He lived with his followers in the village of Ekacakra. When Gaura was born, He left home as an avadhuta. He visited all holy places and after twenty years gladly came to Nadia. Reviving His life in Gaura's association, He fell into His love-trap and threw away His danda and kamandalu. Absorbed in sankirtana, He went with Prabhu to Ksetra and broke Prabhu's danda into pieces. By the order of Prabhu, He came to Gauda from Ksetra and performed His duties as desired by Prabhu. The husband of Vasu-Jahnavi and the resort of dasa Narahari, distributed His love to all. Oh dear Srinivasa, Sri Advaita and his followers were always absorbed in sankirtana, sometimes in Santipura and sometimes in Nadia. This is described in a song by Narahari in Raga Kamoda: is a mine of good qualities. He was born in Navagrama in Bengal and lived there happily until coming to Santipura. When his parents passed away after a pilgrimage, he decided to stay in Santipura. He married Sri Sita devi and through intense meditation brought Krsna and Haladhara to this earth. Observing the Lord's Nadia-vihara, Advaita became very satisfied and danced with Him in sankirtana In his house Advaita serves the great sannyasi Gauracandra very carefully. While Prabhu stayed at Nilacala, he enjoyed visiting there often and the people's attraction for Gaura increased. Dasa Narahari says that Sri Advaita's kindness earns the praise of the world. Srivasa, Murari and all the devotees constantly sang the glories of Gauracandra and were always concerned about the upliftment and well being of mankind. After giving this description, Sri Isana Mahasaya became very emotional. After some time he calmed himself and the three of them went to sleep in the compound of the Prabhu's house. The night passed swiftly, yet Srinivasa lay wide awake looking here and there in the house of Prabhu. Srinivasa began to think, "Why is the house of Prabhu made of grass and other trifle materials, and why did Prabhu keep me, His devotee, in a far distant place, depriving me of the enjoyment of His Nadia Vihara?" In his dream Srinivasa observed the pastimes of Mahaprabhu and the real origin of Sri Navadvipa. Thinking in this way, Srinivasa, by the will of the Lord, eventually fell asleep. In his dream he witnessed the beautiful pastimes of Prabhu and the origin of Navadvipa was revealed to him. His dream is described as follows: 1) The origin of Navadvipa: At first he saw the golden city of Nadia and the jewel embossed ghat of the river Suradhuni. Then he saw the house of Gauracandra, which was more beautiful than anything found in the palace of Indra. He wondered who could have built this extraordinary house which was surrounded by a golden wall. Perhaps it was Viswakarma? Prabhu performed His various pastimes in different sections of the house. 2) Vilasa inside the house (Antapuru Vilasa): Inside the house, there was a beautiful flower garden in the middle of which was a temple embossed with jewels. Inside the temple was a beautiful canopy covering a throne bedecked with jewels. Gauracandra sat on the throne with his two exquisitely beautiful wives Laksmi and Visnupriya seated by His side adorned with gorgeous dresses and ornaments. Millions of maid servants were engaged in fanning them with camara's, serving betel leaves, offering garlands and sandalwood paste. Sri Gauracandra looked extremely enchanting in this setting. 3) Kirtana-Vilasa with His companions: Srinivasa then awoke, but soon fell asleep once more and again saw Sacinandana sitting on another jeweled throne a different area of His house. The Lord's elegant appearance put millions of Cupids to shame, and His beautiful face defeated the pride of the moon. By His side was Sri Nityananda, Sri Advaita, and Pandita Gadadhara. Surrounding Him stood Vidyanidhi, Gangadasa Pandita, Srivasa, Sri Candrasekhar Acarya, Murari, Haridasa, Damodara Pandita, Mukunda, Vakreswara, Gauridasa, Suryadasa, Dasa Gadadhara, Sri Mukunda, Narahari, Sri Raghunandana, Ciranjiva Sen, Sen Sulocana, Dwija Haridasa, Brahmacari Suklambara, Srivasa Pandita, Nandanacarya, Sridhara, Vijaya, Sri Svarupa, Kashiswara, Yadunarayana, Sri Lakshmipati, Madhavendra Puriswara, Vasudeva Sarvabhauma, Kesava, Sankara, Sri Prataparudra the king, Rai Ramananda, Trimalla, Venkata Bhatta, Sri Prabodhananda, Sri Gopala Bhatta, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta. Sanatana, Rupa, Sri Jiva, Bugarba, and Sri Lokanatha. Seeing Gauracandra surrounded by His innumerable associates, Srinivasa, filled with ecstasy, bowed to the feet of the Lord and His devotees, but suddenly his dream disappeared. 4-7) Divine Vilasa (Aisarjya Vilasa): Srinivasa became very impatient to see the Lord again and once more fell asleep and envisioned another beautiful portion of the house where the Lord sat upon a jewelled throne as many servants waited upon Him with utmost care. Brahma, Siva, Indra and other demigods where also there offering words of praise and falling at the Lord's lotus feet. Overwhelmed by the Prabhu's elegance, Srinivasa trembled with emotion. 5) In another portion of the house Srinivasa observed the Vaikuntha Vilasa and his body trembled with excitement. 6) He also observed Ayodhya Vilasa and Dwaraka Vilasa which made him extremely happy. Observing Mathura Vilasa, he felt very humorous. He saw himself as a confidante of Sri Radha in Prabhu's Vraja Vilasa. Srinivasa was filled with ecstasy as he observed the dancing performance in the Sri Rasamandala. While he was observing the Nikunja Vilasa, his dream faded away, he woke up from sleep and saw that it was morning. Overwhelmed by the remembrance of his dreams and the infinite kindness of Prabhu, it took Srinivasa considerable time to control his emotions. Anyone who attentively hears these pastimes with utmost respect, can obtain the mercy of Gaurahari. Those who have received the mercy of the Lord can perceive and enjoy the transcendental town of Sri Navadvipa. Taking the lotus-like feet of Prabhu Srinivasa Acarya on my head, I Narahari Dasa, take pleasure in writing this book Sri Sri Bhakti Ratnakara.
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