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Sep 19, 2020 — SRIDHAM MAYAPUR, WEST BENGAL (SUN) — Compiled by Sriman Padmalochan dasa; Revised Edition (1992). GODRUMA DVIPA With my head I bow down to Godruma. The following story is narrated in the Navadvipa-Dhama Mahatmya. When Lord Krsna was present on the earth, King Indra had offended Him by trying to inundate the land of Vrindaban with rain. After this King Indra offered his prayers to Krsna, who forgave him. But King Indra was greatly fearful that he may commit the same mistake again in the future. Indra decided to approach Surabhi (the mother of the cows) and enquire from her how he could avoid future offences. Surabhi replied, "Let us go to Navadvipa Dhama and worship Gauranga." In Navadvipa they performed Gauranga bhajana. Because offenses are not considered in chanting Gauranga's Name, one can very quickly attain darshan. By calling Gauranga's Name and weeping, they very quickly attained darshan of Lord Gauranga. The Lord told them, "I know your wish. Do not fear. Very soon I will appear in Nadia and perform My pastimes. Upon seeing those pastimes, Maya will not be able to touch you." At this the Lord vanished and the Surabhi cow remained here under a large banyan tree, continuously serving the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya. Therefore this place is called Go (cow) Druma (tree) Dvipa (island). At this spot the devotees' desires are fulfilled. One who builds a cottage here and worships Lord Gauranga very soon attains His darshan. The sage Markandeya had the benediction to be able to live for seven kalpas. When the time for devastation came, the entire universe became filled with water and the sage Markandeya got tossed here and there in the deluge. In great distress he started speaking to himself, "Oh why did I get such a benediction from the Lord, to remain for seven kalpas?" The Dhama of Navadvipa remained unaffected by the inundation, giving shelter to the devotees. The sage Markandeya, submerged in the waves, became unconscious. When he regained consciousness, he saw a beautiful island with brilliant streams and rivers everywhere. Amongst the trees and vines were birds singing the glories of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. The island was Godruma. He saw a large banyan tree with a Surabhi cow standing underneath it. The muni approached her and begged her for some milk. Surabhi, being very merciful fed the muni. When the muni became strong again, he approached Surabhi and told her that he was very unhappy with his benediction. "How can I get real knowledge?" Surabhi answered him, "This is Navadipa-dhama; it is not material. To the material eyes it only stretches for sixteen Kroshas (32 miles), but in actuality all of the Vaikuntha planets and all tirthas, devas, rishis reside here. So please stay here and simply worship Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and chant the name of Gauranga day and night." Upon hearing the words of Surabhi, he folded his hands and said, "If I take to the worship of Gaura, what will be my destination?" Surabhi answered, "In Gaura bhajana there is no consideration, or deliberation. When you call out the name of Gaura, all karma is destroyed and there will be no more distress. "Markandeya, upon hearing this, started to shout the name of Gaura. This place of Gada Gacha is non-different from Surabhi Kunja by the side of Govardhana Hill and Nandagram in Braja Dhama.
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