Nityananda Caritamrta

Transcription

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2 sri Nityananda Caritamrta All glories to Nityänanda Prabhu! Maddened by ecstatic love of Godhead, He overwhelmed the universe with ecstasy. He slapped His hands together like a warrior who is about to attack, and upon seeing this, the wicked Kali fled in terror, fearing for his life. All souls were drowned in happiness because of the dancing of Çré Nityänanda and Çré Gauräìga. Seeing such dancing or even hearing about it melts the hearts of great atheists. (Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura, Gétävalé)

3 Other Publications by Touchstone Media Gétä Mahätmya and Çrémad Bhägavatam Mahätmya Prärthanä Çré Bhaktivinoda Väëé Vaibhava Volume 1, Sambandha Çré Bhaktivinoda Väëé Vaibhava Volume 1I, Abhideya and Prayojana Çré Prema Bhakti-candika Särvabhauma Çataka Hari Bhakti Kalpa Latika Çré Nityänanda-caritämåta Pada Sevana Sweet Pastimes of Damodara Dog and the Wolf Epic Characters of Mahabharat Series Krishna Pocket Guide Sri Prema Vilasa Uddhava Gita If you are interested in the purchasing or the distribution of this book or any of the above publications, you may contact the publisher at: Touchstone Media Block FE 2/3, Sector 3 Salt Lake, Kolkata , India Tel: 91(33) isvara99@gmail.com

4 ÇRÉ GURU-GAURÄÌGAU JAYATAÙ sri Nityananda Caritamrta The Nectarean Life and Pastimes of Lord Nityänanda (SECOND EDITION) compiled from the writings of Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura Adapted and Published by Éçvara däsa Translated by Bhümipati däsa Second Edition Edited by Pürëaprajïa däsa

5 Çré Nityänanda-caritämåta (2nd Edition) Adapted and Published by Éçvara däsa Translated by Bhümipati däsa First edition edited by Deena Bandhu däsa Second edition edited by Pürëaprajïa däsa Proofread by Kåñëa-kåpä däsa Cover painting by Saccidänanda däsa Line Arts by Çatadhäma däsé Title Page Painting by Çyämapriyä däsé Layout and design by Éçvara däsa ISBN Éçvara däsa and Touchstone Media. No parts of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, photocopied or transmitted, except brief extracts for the purpose of review, without the written permission of the publisher.

6 Dedication This book is dedicated to Çréla Gour Govinda Svämé Mahäräja, who was a stalwart preacher of the glories of Lord Nityänanda. His contribution to the spread of love of Gaura and Govinda will forever be remembered by the devotees of Lord Caitanya.

7 CONTENTS Introduction 1 Biographical Sketch of Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura 4 Maìgaläcaraëa 9 ADI-LÉLÄ CHAPTER ONE The Birth and Childhood Activities of Lord Nityänanda 15 CHAPTER TWO Lord Nityänanda s Traveling to the Holy Places 21 CHAPTER THREE Lord Nityänanda s Meeting with Çrépad Mädhavendra Puré 27 MADHYA-LÉLÄ CHAPTER ONE Lord Nityänanda s Meeting with Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu 35 CHAPTER TWO Lord Nityänanda s Stay With Çréväsa and His Vyäsa-püjä Ceremony 47 CHAPTER THREE Lord Nityänanda Offers Prayers to the Six-armed Form of Lord Caitanya 55

8 CHAPTER FOUR Çréväsa s Love for Lord Nityänanda and the Dream of Mother Çacé 61 CHAPTER FIVE Eating Pastimes of Çrémän Mahäprabhu and Lord Nityänanda 65 CHAPTER SIX Nityänanda s Pastimes at the House of Çréväsa 69 CHAPTER SEVEN Çrémän Mahäprabhu Glorifies Lord Nityänanda 75 CHAPTER EIGHT The Deliverance of Jagäi and Mädhäi 81 CHAPTER NINE Prayers of Jagäi and Mädhäi to Lord Nityänanda and Gauräìga Mahäprabhu 99 CHAPTER TEN Mädhäi s Prayers to Nityänanda Prabhu and His Devotional Service 103 CHAPTER ELEVEN Lord Gauräìga Discusses His Sannyäsa with Lord Nityänanda 109 ANTYA-LÉLÄ CHAPTER ONE Lord Nityänanda and Mahäprabhu Meet the Residents of Navadvépa 115 CHAPTER TWO Lord Nityänanda Breaks Mahäprabhu s Sannyäsa-daëòa 121 CHAPTER THREE Lord Nityänanda s Darçana of Lord Jagannätha 127 CHAPTER FOUR Lord Nityänanda s Grand Bathing Ceremony at the House of Räghava Paëòita 131

9 CHAPTER FIVE Lord Nityänanda s Meeting with Gadädhara Däsa 139 CHAPTER SIX Lord Nityänanda s Deliverance of the Merchants of Saptagräma and His Meeting with Advaita Äcärya 145 CHAPTER SEVEN Lord Nityänanda Delivers the Thieves at the House of Hiranya Paëòita 149 CHAPTER EIGHT A Brähmaëa s Doubt About the Character of Lord Nityänanda and its Removal by Lord Caitanya 159 CHAPTER NINE Lord Nityänanda s Departure for Néläcala and His Glorification by Lord Caitanya 169 CHAPTER TEN Lord Nityänanda s Pastimes of Accepting Lunch at the House of Gadädhara Paëòita 175 CHAPTER ELEVEN Lord Caitanya Instructs Nityänanda Prabhu to Marry 179 CHAPTER TWELVE The Marriage of Lord Nityänanda 185 CHAPTER THIRTEEN The Birth of Véracandra Prabhu and Disappearance of Lord Nityänanda 195 APPENDICES Descriptions of the Associates of Lord Nityänanda 205 A Song by Vrindavana dasa Thakura 210 Prayers to Lord Nityananda 213 Lord Nityänanda Prabhu s Appearance Day Lecture 229 Glossary 237

10 Introduction Sréla Narottama däsa Öhäkura has sung, hena nitäi bine bhäi rädhä kåñëa päite nai; without the mercy of Lord Nityänanda, no one can attain Çré Çré Rädhä and Kåñëa. The ultimate goal of life is the attainment of kåñëa-prema, or love for Kåñëa. This is possible only by the mercy of a sädhu-guru. Çré Nityänanda Prabhu is the sum total of all gurus (samañöi-guru). Indeed, He is guru-tattva. All individual gurus (vyañöi) are representations of Çré Nityänanda. Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura wrote in his Harmonist magazine about the manifestation of guru as the representative of Çré Nityänanda: The guru is the embodiment of the manifestation of the Divinity to the pure receptive spiritual essence of the disciple. Nityänanda is the primary manifestive constituent of the Divinity. Nityänanda alone possesses the distinctive function of the guru. In Nityänanda the function is embodied. Nityänanda is the servant-god. He serves Çré Gaurasundara by the distinctive method of reverential servitude. He is identical with Çré Balaräma of kåñëa-lélä. Çré Balaräma is not the chum of Kåñëa, but His respected elder brother. It is an intimate relationship characterized by becoming reserved on one side, and of respectful deference on the other. Individual souls are under the direction of Nityänanda. They receive their service of Çré Gaurasundara, i.e., of Kåñëa, at His hands. Nityänanda is not a jéva. He is Divinity. He is the ultimate source of the jéva. The jéva is a potency of Nityänanda. No jéva can be the medium of the service of the Absolute to another jéva. The Absolute alone may communicate 1

11 ÇRÉ NITYÄNANDA CARITÄMÅTA His service to the separable constituents of Himself. This is the real nature of the function of the guru. But Nityänanda does not directly instruct in the confidential service of Kåñëa. Çrématé Rädhikä is the guru of the inner circle of the servants of Kåñëa. Çrématé Rädhikä, however, accepts the offer of service of only those souls who are specially favored by Nityänanda and are deemed by Him to be fit for Her service. There is, therefore, a most intimate relationship between the function of Nityänanda and that of Çrématé Rädhikä, which is at once supplementary to and inclusive of the former. But all jévas are not liable to be eclipsed by the deluding potency. Those who are so liable are again distinct from the eternally free jévas. The eternally free jévas are inseparable associates of Nityänanda. They are integrated parts and parcels of Himself. They never fall into the clutches of mäyä. When Nityänanda manifests His appearance on the mundane plane, His inseparable constituents also appear in His company. They sometimes manifest their function on this lower place in a visible form on the errands of Nityänanda. They are Vaiñëavas whose subordination to Nityänanda is natural and ingrained in their nature. It is not necessary for such souls to undergo the process of enlightenment for being restored to the spiritual plane. Unless this fact is borne in mind, the conditioned soul may be tempted to undervalue the constant guidance of the guru on the hypocritical plea of following in the footsteps of the eternally free pure devotees. Those, therefore, who suppose that deliverance from the bondage of this world should be practicable without the constant guidance of the spiritual preceptor, confound the conditioned state with the free. There is no difference between Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityänanda. Just as Lord Kåñëa and Lord Balaräma are essentially the same and original forms of Godhead, Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityänanda, who are directly Kåñëa and Balaräma, are the same personality. Lord Kåñëa manifested Himself as the separate form of Lord Balaräma for the performance of His léläs and to benefit the jévas by showing them the path of cultivating loving service unto Himself. 2

12 Introduction In Çré Caitanya-caritämåta, Çréla Kåñëadäsa Kaviräja Gosvämé explains that Lord Kåñëa eternally enjoys Himself in Goloka Våndävana, along with His unlimited associates. It is Lord Balaräma who is the source of all spiritual and material manifestations. All the Näräyaëa and Viñëu expansions come from Lord Balaräma. As such, Lord Balaräma is the source of all incarnations in this material world. Just as Lord Caitanya s pastimes are even more pleasing than Kåñëa s pastimes, Lord Nityänanda s pastimes are even more pleasing than those of Lord Balaräma. Lord Balaräma is famous for His pastimes of chastising the miscreants, such as His killing of many demons, His determination to drag the city of Hastinäpura into the River Ganges, and His killing of Romaharñaëa Sutä. Lord Balaräma s form as Lord Nityänanda, however, is described as akrodha paramänanda nityänanda-räya He never becomes angry. Lord Nityänanda is the most merciful form of Lord Kåñëa, for He is the giver of kåñëa-prema-bhakti. Lord Caitanya Himself declared (Çré Nityänanda-caritämåta, Antya-khaëòa, Chapter three): Those who develop love, affection, and respect for Çré Nityänanda, develop love and affection for Me (Lord Caitanya). All the demigods, headed by Lord Çiva and Lord Brahmä, worship Nityänanda Svärüpa. If somebody thinks ill of Çré Nityänanda, or blasphemes Him; whoever he may be, he will fall down. Even if such a person professes to be My devotee, he is not really My devotee. Çré Nityänanda-caritämåta is an authentic Vaiñëava literature compiled from the writings of Vedavyäsa Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura. This book describes the transcendental glories of Lord Nityänanda. The birth of Nityänanda, His childhood pastimes, His leaving home, His travelling to holy places, His arrival at Navadvépa and meeting with Lord Caitanya, His preaching of the chanting of the holy names of the Lord by the order of Lord Gauräìga, His pastimes with Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu at Nadia, His presence at the Lord s pastime of accepting sannyäsa, His accompanying the Lord to Néläcala, His return to Navadvépa by the order of the Lord, His marriage, 3

13 ÇRÉ NITYÄNANDA CARITÄMÅTA His distribution of love of God, and His disappearance from this world are elaborately and properly described in this book. Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura is forever remembered in the communities of Vaiñëavas for his wonderful literary work, Çré Caitanya-bhägavata. The glories of Çré Caitanya-bhägavata were nicely described by Çréla Kåñëadäsa Kaviräja Gosvämé in his book Çré Caitanya-caritämåta as follows: manuñye racite näre aiche grantha dhanya våndävana-däsa-mukhe vaktä çré-caitanya No human being can compose such a book. Actually, Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu speaks through the mouth of Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura. (Çré Caitanya-caritämåta Ädi-léla 8:39) Çré Caitanya-bhägavata is a biography of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu written in the Bengali language that was compiled before Çré Caitanya-caritämåta. Following in the footsteps of the statements of Çré Caitanya-bhägavata, other books, such as Çré Caitanya-caritämåta, were compiled. Çré Nityänanda-caritämåta has been compiled from the statements of Çré Caitanya-bhägavata about Lord Nityänanda and additional pastimes have been added. These include the affection of Häòäi Paëòita for Lord Nityänanda, the marriage of Vasudhä and Jahnavä with Lord Nityänanda, and the disappearance of Lord Nityänanda. For this reason, Çré Nityänanda-caritämåta is very similar to Çré Caitanya-bhägavata. It is hoped that this book narrating the pastimes of Lord Nityänanda will serve as a great inspiration for Vaiñëavas worldwide. A Short Biographical Sketch of Çréla Våndävana Däsa Öhäkura Çréväsa Paëòita, an intimate associate of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu, had an elder brother named Nalina Paëòita. His daughter, Çré Näräyaëé-devé, was the mother of Çréla Våndävana 4

14 Introduction däsa Öhäkura. Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu advented in this world to distribute love of God. He inaugurated His pastimes of distribution of love of God by first giving prema to four-year-old Näräyaëé-devé. The Lord gave Näräyaëé-devé remnants of His chewed betel nuts and thus empowered her. Later on, because of Lord Caitanya s favor, Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura was born as her son. Çré Näräyaëé-devé personally witnessed the pastimes of Lord Gauräìga. Whatever Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura heard from his mother, and whatever he later found in Muräri Gupta s diary, which recorded the transcendental pastimes of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu, he wrote in Çré Caitanya-bhägavata. Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura was a direct disciple of Lord Nityänanda and His associate in various pastimes. This book, Nityänanda-caritämåta, was compiled from his writings. There is no direct evidence that Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura ever met Lord Gauräìga Mahäprabhu, but he was born as the Lord s manifested pastimes were in progress. The book Çré Prema-viläsa describes his birth and family as follows: There was a brähmaëa named Vaikuëöha däsa who lived in the village of Kumärahaööa. Çré Näräyaëé-devé was married to him. From the womb of Näräyaëé-devé, Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura, the incarnation of Çréla Vyäsadeva, was born. When Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura was within the womb of his mother, his father, Vaikuëöha däsa, left this world and went to the spiritual world. When Çréväsa Paëòita saw that his niece was pregnant and a widow, he brought her to his home. Thereafter, when Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura was five years old, he lived with his mother at Mämagäcchi. Väsudeva Datta, a celebrated recipient of Lord Caitanya s mercy, took responsibility for the maintenance of Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura and his mother. At the house of Väsudeva Datta, Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura grew up and studied various scriptures. After the disappearance of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu, Çré Nityänanda Prabhu, and Çré Advaita Prabhu, Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura resided at a village called Denuòa. Regarding the eternal identity of Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura, Çréla Kavi Karëapüra wrote (Çré Gaura-gaëoddeçadépikä. verse 109): 5

15 ÇRÉ NITYÄNANDA CARITÄMÅTA vedavyäso ya eväsiddäso våndävanodhunä sakha yaù kusumäpiòa karyatstaà samävisat The combined form of Vedavyäsa, the son of Satyavaté, and Kusumäpiòa, a cowherd boy in Vraja, is Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura. Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura spent some time at Mämagächi and then went to Denuòa, where he compiled Çré Caitanya-bhägavata. By the causeless mercy of Lord Nityänanda, the storekeeper of Lord Gauräìga s love, we hope we will be successful in our attempt to glorify Him. May Lord Nityänanda destroy all our obstacles and help us spread the understanding of His transcendental qualities and glories, and those of His associates. This is our heartfelt desire. We conclude this life sketch of Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura by singing the following songs composed by the Öhäkura himself. antare nitäi bähire nitäi nitäi jagatamaya nägara nitäi nägari nitäi kathä ye kaya sädhana nitäi bhajana nitäi nitäi nayana tärä daçadika maya nitäi sundara nitäi bhuvana bharä rädhära mädhuri anaìga maïjaré nitäi nitu se seve koöi çaçadhara vadana sundara sakhä sakhé baladeve rädhära bhagini çyämasohäginé sava sakhégaëa präëa jäìhära läbari mandapa säjani çré maëi mandira näma nitäi sundara yogapéöha dhare ratna siàhäsana seje basana nitäi bhuñana nitäi vilase sakhéra mäjhe ki kahiba ära nitäi sabära aìkhi mukha sava aìga nitäi nitäi nitäi nitäi nitäi nutara raìga nitäi baliyä dubahu tuliyä caliba vrajera pure däsa våndävana ei nivedana nitäi nä chäòo more Nitäi is within and without. He is everywhere within this world. He is the lover and He is the sweetheart. Everyone says this. Nitäi is my regulative principles, my object of worship, and the light of my eyes. 6

16 Introduction Nitäi is in all ten directions. In fact, He fills all the three worlds. Nitäi as Anaìga-maïjaré eternally serves Çrématé Rädhikä. He is non-different from Baladeva, whose beautiful face resembles millions of moons, and who is surrounded by sakhäs and sakhés. The sister of Rädhäräëé, Anaìga-maïjaré, is very dear to Çré Çyäma, and she is the life and soul of all the sakhés. She decorates the arena of the temple named Maëi-mandira. Nitäi sustains the yogapéöha and becomes a throne for the Lord to rest on. Nitäi also becomes the Lord s garments and ornaments. He enjoys pastimes with the sakhés. What more can I say? Nitäi is the eyes, mouth, and limbs of everyone. Nitäi, Nitäi, Nitäi, Nitäi; I see only Nitäi dancing. Raising my hands and chanting Nitäi, I will go to Vraja. I, Våndävana däsa, only request Nitäi that He kindly never leaves me. Éçvara däsa This revised edition completed in January 2008, Çrédhäma Mäyäpura, India. 7

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18 Maìgaläcaraëa äjänu-lambita-bhujau kanakävadätau sankértanaika-pitarau kamaläyatäksau viçvambharau dvija-varau yuga-dharma-pälau vande jagat priya-karau karuëävatärau offer my respectful obeisances unto Çré Caitanya I Mahäprabhu and Çré Nityänanda Prabhu, whose long arms extend to Their knees. They have splendid golden complexions, and They inaugurated the congregational chanting of the holy names of the Lord. Their eyes resemble the petals of lotus flowers. They are the maintainers of all the worlds, the best of the brähmaëas, and the protectors of the religious principles for this age. They bring happiness to the people of the world and are the most merciful of all incarnations. namas trikala satyäya jagannätha sutäya ca sa-bhåtyäya sa-puträya sa-kalaträya te namaù O my Lord! You eternally exist in the past, present, future, yet You are the son of Jagannätha Miçra. I offer my repeated obeisances unto You, along with Your servants, Your sons, and Your consorts. Note: In this verse, servants refers to His associates. Sons refers to His gosvämé disciples, or the different forms of bhakti, such as the chanting of the holy name. Consorts can refer to Viñëupriyä as 9

19 ÇRÉ NITYÄNANDA CARITÄMÅTA Bhü-çakti, Lakñmépriyä as Çré-çakté, and Navadvépa as Nélä, Lélä, or Durga. It can also refer to His very dear associates; Narahari, Rämänanda, Jagadänanda and others, and the two Gadädharas; Gadädhara Paëòita and Gadädhara Bhaööa. Muräri Gupta 1 writes in his kaòacä: avatirnau sa-karunyau paricchinnau sad éçvara çré kåñëa caitanya-nityänandau dvau bhratau bhaje I worship the two brothers, Çré Kåñëa Caitanya and Çré Nityänanda, who have descended into this world as the supreme controllers. Concealing Their true forms, They have mercifully descended to this world. sa jayati visuddha-vikramaù kanakäbhaù kamaläyatekñnaù vara-jänu-vilambi-sad-bhujo bahudhä bhakti-rasäbhinartakaù All glories to Çré Gaurasundara, whose powerful activities are supremely pure, whose bodily complexion is like molten gold, whose eyes are like lotus petals, whose six beautiful arms extend to His knees, and whose heart is flooded with loving devotional bliss as He enjoys dancing in various ways in kértana. 1 Muräri Gupta appeared in a vaidya (physician) family at the village of Çré Haööa. Later he came to live in Navadvépa. He was a great devotee of Lord Rämacandra and is considered to be an incarnation of Hanumän, the foremost devotee of Lord Rämacandra. He was greatly learned in the medical science. Çré Gauräìgadeva disclosed the glories of Muräri Gupta on the pretext of enjoying His pastimes. After hearing the glorification of Çré Räma from his mouth, the Lord wrote the name Rämadäsa on his forehead. Muräri Gupta composed the pastimes of Çré Gauräìga in Sanskrit, in the form of verses known as the kaòacä of Muräri Gupta. This is the original Sanskrit literature describing the pastimes of Lord Caitanya. He composed this kaòacä in the month of July in the year 1435 Çaka era. 10

20 Maìgaläcaraëa jayati jayati devaù kåñëa-caitanya-candro jayati jayati kértis tasya nityä paviträ jayati jayati bhåtyäs tasya viçveça-mürter jayati jayati nåtyaà tasya sarva-priyäëäm All glories to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Çré Kåñëa Caitanyacandra! All glories to His eternally pure fame! All glories to the servants of the great master of the worlds! All glories to the dancing of His beloved associates! First I offer my unlimited obeisances to the feet of the loving confidential devotees of Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu. I then offer my obeisances to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Çré Kåñëa Caitanya. He incarnated in Navadvépa and is known as Viçvambhara. That same Supreme Personality of Godhead has declared in the Vedas and in the Çrémad-Bhägavatam: ädaraù paricaryäyäà sarväìgair abhivandanam mad-bhakta-püjäbhyadhikä sarva-bhüteñu man-matiù Great respect for My devotional service, offering obeisances with the entire body, worshipping My devotees more than Me, consciousness of Me in all living entities. I therefore offered my prayers first to the devotees, as this is the secret for attaining perfection. I now offer my respectful obeisances unto my worshipable Lord, Çré Nityänanda Räya. By His mercy, the glories of Lord Caitanya became manifest. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the thousand-headed Lord Balaräma. His thousands of mouths are the abode of Lord Kåñëa s transcendental glories. As valuable jewels are kept in a favorite place, so the jewel-like glories of Lord Kåñëa are kept in the jewellery case of Lord Ananta s mouths. I thus offer my prayers to Lord Balaräma so that the glories of Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu will manifest from my mouth. Lord Balaräma is thousand-headed Lord Ananta and all His activities are extraordinary. The Supreme Lord, Balaräma, carries 11

21 ÇRÉ NITYÄNANDA CARITÄMÅTA a plough and possesses a gigantic body. Although exceptionally grave, He is intoxicated by the glories of Lord Caitanya. There is no one dearer to Lord Caitanya than Lord Nityänanda. Therefore, Lord Caitanya eternally enjoys pastimes with Him. Çré Kåñëa Caitanya becomes most satisfied with one who hears or chants the glories of Lord Nityänanda. I have thus described a portion of Lord Ananta s glories. Please, therefore, develop attachment for Lord Nityänanda. Those who wish to cross the ocean of material existence and drown in the ocean of devotional service should worship Lord Nityänanda. My only desire at the feet of the Vaiñëavas is that I may worship the lotus feet of Lord Balaräma, birth after birth. Just as dvija, vipra, and brähmaëa are different names of the same person, so Nityänanda, Ananta, and Baladeva are different names of the same Lord. Therefore, Çré Ananta is the embodiment of Lord Caitanya s glories. I have thus described a fragment of the glories of Lord Ananta. Hearing the pastimes of Çré Nityänanda brings all auspiciousness. Know for certain that they are revealed only by the mercy of the devotees. Who can understand the pastimes of Lord Nityänanda? They are confidential even to the Vedas. I write only what I have heard from the devotees. I find no beginning or end to the pastimes of Lord Nityänanda. I write whatever He inspires me to write. Just as a puppet dances only by the control of the puppeteer, whatever I describe is simply by the direction of Lord Nityänanda. Let me offer my respectful obeisances at the feet of the Vaiñëavas, so that I may not commit any offences to them. My dear brothers, please hear with rapt attention the narrations of the pastimes that Lord Nityänanda performs with His devotees. The pastimes of Lord Nityänanda are the abode of all happiness. These pastimes are divided into three parts; Ädi-khaëòa, Madhya-khaëòa and Antya-khaëòa. O Lord Gauracandra, please give me shelter at the lotus feet of Lord Nityänanda Prabhu, who sustains the universes as Ananta Çeña. O dear brothers, please hear attentively the topics of Ädi-khaëòa that describe the appearance of Lord Nityänanda. Accepting Çré Caitanya and Çré Nityänanda as my life and soul, I, Våndävana däsa, sing the glories of Their lotus feet. 12

22 ÄDI-LÉLÄ

23 CHAPTER ONE The Birth and Childhood Activities of Lord Nityänanda All glories to Çré Kåñëa Caitanya, the ocean of mercy! All glories to Lord Nityänanda, the friend of the fallen souls! All glories to Çré Advaita Äcärya, whose life and soul are Çré Caitanya and Çré Nityänanda! All glories to Çréväsa and Gadädhara Prabhus! All glories to Çré Viçvambhara, the beloved son of Jagannätha and Çacé! All glories to all the devotees and associates of the Lord! There is a village called Ekacakra in Räòha-deça in West Bengal, where the Supreme Lord, Nityänanda, appeared. From the day of His appearance, the whole of Räòha-deça became all-auspicious. Famine, poverty, and other distresses at once disappeared. A short distance from Ekacakra, the Deity of Maureçvara is located. Lord Nityänanda, who is non-different from Lord Balaräma, had worshipped this Deity. In the village of Ekacakra lived Häòäi Paëòita. He was a qualified brähmaëa, very detached, and full of compassion. His wife s name was Pad- 15

24 ÇRÉ NITYÄNANDA CARITÄMÅTA mavaté, who was a very chaste woman and exalted devotee. She was the mother of the universe. Both Häòäi Paëòita and Padmavaté-devé were very magnanimous. Lord Nityänanda appeared in their family out of His own sweet will. On the auspicious thirteenth day of the waxing moon in the month of Mägha (January-February), Lord Nityänanda made His appearance. He was the eldest among the sons of Häòäi Paëòita. Seeing His all-auspicious characteristics, everyone s eyes filled with joy. In due course of time, Lord Nityänanda grew. Due to the influence of His illusory energy, however, no one could recognize Him. He concealed His real identity and happily played with His boyhood friends. Whatever pastimes He enjoyed with His childhood friends were related to the pastimes of Lord Kåñëa. Once, He and His friends formed an assembly of demigods, and one of them acted as mother earth praying for their mercy. The demigods then led mother earth to the riverbank, where all the children began offering prayers. One boy, hiding from the rest, loudly declared, I will soon take birth in Mathurä, Gokula. One night, the Lord and His friends enacted the marriage of Vasudeva and Devaké. Another night, while everyone else was asleep, they made a jail cell and enacted the birth of Lord Kåñëa. They made a place represent Gokula. Taking baby Kåñëa there, He was exchanged with Mahämäyä, thus tricking Kaàsa. Another time, they dressed someone as Pütanä. Someone climbed on her chest to suck her breast. One day, Lord Nityänanda and His friends made a çakaöa, or handcart, out of reeds and then broke it. Another day, the Lord and His friends stole from the houses of the neighboring cowherd men. The boys never left Nityänanda to go home, but sported with Him, day and night. The children s parents never complained; rather they affectionately embraced Nityänanda. They said, We ve never seen such transcendental sports. How does this child know so many of Kåñëa s pastimes? One day the Lord made snakes out of leaves and took His friends to the water. One of them jumped into the water and did not move. Later, the Lord brought him back to conscious- 16

25 Birth and Childhood Activities of Lord Nityänanda ness. Another day, the Lord and His friends went to Tälavana, where they killed Dhenukäsura and then ate täla fruit. Lord Nityänanda and his childhood friends went to the fields and enjoyed various pastimes, such as the killing of Bakäsura, Aghäsura, and Vatsäsura. In the afternoon, the Lord and His friends returned home, blowing their buffalo horns. One day they enjoyed the pastime of lifting Govardhana Hill, and another day they created a Våndävana, where they enjoyed various sports. Once, they enacted Kåñëa s pastime of stealing the gopés clothes, and another day they enacted His meeting the wives of the brähmaëas performing sacrifices. On one occasion, a boy dressed up with a false beard as Närada and gave Kaàsa some secret news. Another day, a boy dressed as Akrüra and took Kåñëa and Balaräma to Kaàsa s capital. As Lord Nityänanda cried in the mood of the gopés, it seemed to His friends that a river flowed from His eyes. By the influence of Lord Viñëu s illusory energy, no one could recognize Lord Nityänanda as He enjoyed pastimes with His friends. The children arranged a city of Mathurä and then wandered through its streets. Someone played the role of a gardener, while another accepted a flower garland from him. Someone dressed as Kubjä and someone else accepted sandalwood paste from her. They made a large bow and shouted with joy when it was broken. They also enacted the pastimes of killing the elephant, Kuvalayäpéòa, and the wrestlers, Cäëüra and Muñöika. Thereafter the Lord chastised Kaàsa by grabbing him by the hair and throwing him upon the ground. After killing Kaàsa, the Lord danced with His friends in such a way that everyone watching Him began to laugh. In this way, Lord Nityänanda and His friends imitated the pastimes of various incarnations. One day, Lord Nityänanda dressed as Vämana and went to cheat Bali Mahäräja out of his kingdom, which covered the three worlds. Someone playing an aged Çukräcärya forbade Bali to give the three steps of land requested by Lord Vämana. Accepting the gift, the Lord placed His last step on Bali s head. One day, Lord Nityänanda enacted the pastime of building a bridge across the ocean with the boys playing the role of monkeys. They cut castor plants and made a bridge across the water. Then 17

26 ÇRÉ NITYÄNANDA CARITÄMÅTA all the boys shouted, Jaya Raghunätha! Nityänanda Prabhu, taking the role of Lakñmaëa with a bow in His hand, went in anger to rebuke Sugréva. He said, O king of the monkeys, My Lord is in distress. Come quickly or I will kill you! How can you sit here enjoying with women while Lord Rämacandra is lamenting on Mälyavän Mountain? Another day, Nityänanda spoke in anger to Paraçuräma, O brähmaëa, I m not at fault. Leave here at once. Lord Nityänanda was thus absorbed in the mood of Lakñmaëa. The boys, unable to understand this, thought it was just a game. Another time, the boys took the role of five monkeys and the Lord took the role of Lakñmaëa. He asked, Who are you monkeys, wandering in the forest? I am the servant of Lord Rämacandra. Please tell me who you are! The boys replied: We are wandering in fear of Bali. Please take us to Lord Rämacandra. We wish to take the dust of His lotus feet. Nityänanda, in the role of Laksmana, embraced them and led them to Lord Rämacandra, where they all fell at His lotus feet. Once, the Lord enacted the pastime of killing Indrajit, the son of Rävaëa. Another day, in the mood of Lakñmaëa, He accepted defeat. They brought someone in the role of Vibhéñaëa before Lord Rämacandra, and Lord Räma crowned him as the King of Laìkä. One boy said, I am mighty Rävaëa. Now I ll release the çakti-çela weapon. Stop it if You can, Lakñmaëa! Saying this, the boy threw a lotus flower at Lord Nityänanda, who in the mood of Lakñmaëa fell to the ground. After He fell unconscious, all the boys tried in vain to revive Him. When they found no symptom of life in the body of Lord Nityänanda, they all held their heads and cried. The Lord s father and mother came running there and saw their son without a sign of life. They too fell senseless to the ground. Everyone who saw this tragedy was struck with wonder. As the boys described the entire incident, one person said, I know why He s unconscious. There s a boy who is dressed as Hanumän. If he gives Nityänanda medicine, then He ll be cured. 18

27 Birth and Childhood Activities of Lord Nityänanda Before the play, the Lord had instructed His friends, When I fall unconscious, you all surround Me and cry. After a while, send Hanumän for some medicine. I will be revived when he puts the medicine to My nose. The Lord fell unconscious by His own sweet will, but this bewildered all the boys. Since everyone there was confused, they forgot the Lord s instructions. They simply cried loudly, O brother, please get up! Hearing the people s comments, the boys remembered Lord Nityänanda s order and the boy dressed as Hanumän immediately went for the medicine. Another boy who was dressed as a renunciate welcomed Hanumän with fruits and roots. He said to Hanumän, My dear sir, please stay and grace my äçrama. It s a wonderful fortune to meet such a person as you. I must go and complete my important mission. Hanumän replied. I d like to stay, but I cannot delay. You must have heard that Lakñmaëa, the younger brother of Lord Rämacandra, is unconscious from the çakti-çela weapon of Rävaëa. I m on my way to Gandhamädana Hill to bring medicine. Only then He ll survive. The renunciate then said: If you must go, first take a bath and have something to eat. The two boys repeated whatever Lord Nityänanda had instructed them. Everyone gazed at them in astonishment as they listened to their dialogue. On the request of the renunciate, Hanumän went to take a bath in the lake where another boy grabbed hold of his feet. The boy playing a crocodile tried to pull Hanumän into the water, but Hanumän pulled the boy onto the shore. After a short fight, Hanumän defeated the crocodile. On returning to the renunciate s äçrama, Hanumän saw a mighty warrior. A boy dressed as a Räkñasa tried to swallow Hanumän. He challenged, You defeated the crocodile, but how will you defeat me? I will eat you. Then how will you revive Lakñmaëa? Hanumän replied: Your Rävaëa s a dog! I think him most insignificant. Get out of my way. After first exchanging some harsh words, Hanumän and the Räkñasa began pulling each other s hair. Finally, they be- 19

28 ÇRÉ NITYÄNANDA CARITÄMÅTA gan striking each other with their fists. After swiftly defeating the demon, Hanumän went to Gandhamädana Hill. There he fought with some boys dressed as Gandharvas. After defeating the Gandharvas, Hanumän took Gandhamädana Hill on his head to Laìkä. Another boy playing a doctor meditated on Lord Räma as he held the medicine to Lakñmaëa s nose. At that very moment, Lord Nityänanda came to His senses. His parents and others smiled in relief. Häòäi Paëòita embraced his son and all the boys were overjoyed. Everyone asked, Dear son, where have You learned all these plays? These are all My pastimes, The Lord smilingly said. In His early childhood, the Lord was most attractive. No one wanted Him to leave his lap. Everyone had more affection for Lord Nityänanda than for his own son, but none could recognize Him due to the influence of Lord Viñëu s illusory energy. In His childhood, Lord Nityänanda had no other happiness than enjoying the pastimes of Lord Kåñëa. All His friends left their parents to constantly sport in the company of the Lord. I offer repeated obeisances at the feet of those boys who enjoyed the association of Lord Nityänanda. From His childhood, Lord Nityänanda had no interest other than enacting the pastimes of Lord Kåñëa. Who can describe the pastimes of Lord Ananta? They are only manifest to one who has received His mercy. Accepting Çré Caitanya and Çré Nityänanda Prabhu as my life and soul, I, Våndävana däsa, sing the glories of Their lotus feet. 20

29 CHAPTER TWO Lord Nityänanda s Traveling to the Holy Places Lord Nityänanda enjoyed His pastimes at the house of Häòäi Paëòita for some time. Then, He decided to leave home. However, from fear of separation, His mother and father were unable to allow Him to leave. If His mother Padmavaté did not see Him for a moment, she felt this as more than a yuga. His father felt the same. Fearful of His leaving, Häòäi Paëòita never went anywhere. Whether he went to the field for farming, or to the temple, or the market, or anywhere else, Häòäi Paëòita repeatedly looked back at Lord Nityänanda, so that He might not leave home. Häòäi Paëòita embraced Lord Nityänanda again and again, and the Lord s butter-soft body merged in His father s. Häòäi went everywhere with Lord Nityänanda. Häòäi Paëòita s life and soul was Lord Nityänanda and Lord Nityänanda s body was Häòäi Paëòita s. Lord Nityänanda is the indwelling Supersoul of everyone. Knowing all this, He tried to give pleasure to His father. 21

30 ÇRÉ NITYÄNANDA CARITÄMÅTA One day, by providence, a very attractive sannyäsé came to Häòäi Paëòita s house. Knowing the etiquette for receiving guests, Häòäi Paëòita welcomed the sannyäsé and happily fed him. Lord Nityänanda and His father spent the whole night discussing topics of Lord Kåñëa with the sannyäsé. In the early morning, the sannyäsé was about to leave. He then spoke to Häòäi Paëòita: I would like to request something from you. Please tell me whatever it is that you desire, replied Häòäi Paëòita. I wish to travel to the holy places, the sannyäsés said, but I don t have a good brähmaëa companion. Will you please give me your eldest son for a few days? I ll take good care of Him, treating Him as being dearer than my own life, and at the same time, He ll be able to visit all the holy places. Hearing the words of the sannyäsé, pure-hearted Häòäi Paëòita felt intense distress. He thought, This sannyäsé has begged for my very life. At the same time, if I refuse his request, I ll be ruined. It is a well known fact that in the past many pious men became glorious by offering their lives to satisfy mendicant sannyäsés. Lord Rämacandra was the life and soul of King Daçaratha. The holy sage Viçvämitra asked Daçaratha to give him his son. The Puräëas say that although King Daçaratha was unable to live without Lord Rämacandra, he still offered Him to the sage. Today, the same thing has happened to me. O Kåñëa, please protect me from this dilemma. The same situation is here, so why should I not have the same mind as Daçaratha? Lakñmaëa has now appeared in my family as Nityänanda. Thinking like this, the brähmaëa, Häòäi Paëòita, went before his wife and explained the situation to her in detail. Hearing of the dilemma from her husband, the chaste Padmavaté, the mother of the universe, said, My lord, do what you think is best. That is my opinion. Häòäi Paëòita then came before the sannyäsé and, with his head bent down, offered him his son. Taking Nityänanda with him, the sannyäsé dep a r te d. I n t h i s w ay, L ord Nit y ä- nanda left home. As soon as Lord Nityänanda left home, Häòäi Paëòita fell senseless to the ground. Who can describe the lamentation and crying of Haòai Paëòita? Even wood and 22

31 Lord Nityänanda s Traveling to the Holy Places stone melted hearing his lamentation. Häòäi became stunned due to his absorption in devotional mellows and people began to say that he had become a madman. He did not eat any grain for three months. He survived only by the mercy of Lord Kåñëa. It is natural that, due to attachment, both the Lord and His servants are unable to leave one another. This is the inconceivable nature of the Lord and the Vaiñëavas. Lord Kapila manifested indifference and left His widowed mother Devahüti. Çukadeva Gosvämé left his Vaiñëava father, Çréla Vyäsadeva, without even looking back. Lord Caitanya, the crest-jewel among sannyäsés, left home, leaving His mother Çacé-devé alone. From the spiritual point of view, such leaving is never actual leaving. Some intelligent persons will understand this. All these pastimes are performed for the deliverance of the fallen souls. Hearing of such pastimes melts even stones. If even a Muslim hears of such pastimes, as the lamentation of Lord Rämacandra when He lost Sétä, he will certainly cry. Lord Nityänanda Prabhu left home, wandering to the holy places by His own sweet will and ecstasy. The Lord first went to Vakreçvara, and then He went alone to Vaidyanätha. From Vaidyanätha, he went to Gayä and then to Käçé, the abode of Lord Çiva where the Ganges flows towards the north. Lord Nityänanda was extremely pleased to see the Ganges. He took bath and drank some water, yet this could not relieve His grief. In the month of Mägha (January), the Lord took early morning baths at Prayäga. Then He went to Mathurä, His former birthplace. Lord Nityänanda sported in the waters of the River Yamunä at Viçräma-ghäöa. Then He went with great curiosity to see Govardhana Hill. He visited each of the twelve forests, beginning with Våndävana. When He saw the house and courtyard of Nanda Mahäräja at Gokula, He sat down and cried profusely. After offering His obeisances to Madana-Gopäla, Lord Nityänanda left for Hastinäpura, the abode of the Päëòavas. Seeing the Päëòavas home, He began to cry. The local people, due to lack of devotion, were unable to understand the Lord s sentiments. Remembering Lord Balaräma s glorious activities in 23

32 ÇRÉ NITYÄNANDA CARITÄMÅTA Hastinäpura, He called out, O Haladhara, please save Me! and then offered obeisances. Nityananda Prabhu then went to Dvärakä, where He joyfully took bath in the ocean. He next went to Siddhapura, the place of Lord Kapila. Then He went to Matsya-tértha, where He served prasäda at a festival. He then visited Çiva-käïci and neighboring Viñëukäïci. He smiled when He saw the followers of Lord Viñëu and Lord Çiva quarreling with each other. He also visited Kurukñetra, Påthüdaka, Bindu-sarovara, Prabhäsa, and Sudarçana-tértha. He then visited the exalted holy place called Trita-küpa. He went to Viçäla, Brahma-tértha, and Cakra-tértha. The Lord visited Pratisrotä, where the Sarasvaté River flows in the opposite direction. The most magnanimous Lord Nityänanda then went to Naimiñäraëya. He next visited the city of Ayodhyä, where He cried upon seeing the birthplace of Lord Räma. From Ayodhya, He proceeded to Caëòäla-Guhaka s kingdom, where He fell unconscious. By remembering the activities of Caëòäla-Guhaka, Lord Nityänanda remained in an ecstatic trance for three days. Seeing the forest where Lord Rämacandra had resided, He rolled on the ground in separation. He then went to both the Sarayü and Kauçiké rivers and took bath. He saw the äçrama of Pulastya Åñi and next took bath in the Gomaté, Gaëòaké, and Çoëa rivers. He also climbed to the top of Mahendra Mountain. There He offered obeisances to Lord Paraçuräma. He then visited Haridvära, the source of the Ganges. The Lord took bath in the Pampä, Bhémarathi, Veëvä, and Vipäçä rivers. After seeing Kärttikeya at Madurai, the most intelligent Lord Nityänanda went to Çré Çaila, the abode of Çiva and Pärvaté. Çiva and Pärvaté live on this mountain in the form of a brähmaëa couple. When Lord Nityänanda arrived there, Çiva and Pärvaté understood that their most worshipable Lord was wandering on pilgrimage as a mendicant. Most satisfied to receive such a guest, Pärvaté happily cooked for the Lord. They fed the Lord with loving affection and Lord Nityänanda smiled and offered them His respects. Only Lord Kåñëa knows about their confidential discussions. 24

33 Lord Nityänanda s Traveling to the Holy Places Lord Nityänanda then continued His journey, going to Draviòa-deça. The Lord visited Veìkaöanätha, Kämakoñöhé Puri, Käïcé, and the River Käveré. There the Lord visited the sacred place of Çré Raìganätha. Then He went to Hari-kñetra, Åñabha Mountain, Madurai, and the Kåtamälä, Tämraparëé, and Uttara Yamunä rivers. He visited the äçrama of Agastya Åñi in the Malaya Hills. The residents there were all jubilant to see the Lord. The Lord stayed as a guest in their äçrama and then departed in deep ecstasy for Badarikäçrama. Lord Nityänanda stayed in seclusion for some days at the äçrama of Nara-Näräyäëa Åñis. He went to the äçrama of Çréla Vyäsadeva, who recognized that He was Lord Balaräma. Çréla Vyäsadeva personally received Lord Nityänanda as a guest, and the Lord offered His obeisances to him. The Lord then visited a Buddhist monastery where He found the residents all sitting together. The Lord asked a question, but no one replied. Becoming angry with them, the Lord kicked them in the head. They all simply smiled and ran away. Lord Nityänanda thus fearlessly continued His travels through the forest. He eventually arrived in Kanyä-kumäré. After seeing Goddess Durgä there, He went to see the Southern Ocean. He then went to Anantapura, and thereafter, He went to Païcäpsarä-kuëòa. He next visited the temple of Lord Çiva known as Gokarëa. He visited Kerala and the various places in Trigarta. He also visited Goddess Pärvaté, who dwells on an island near Gokarëa. The Lord then visited the Nirvindhyä, Payoñëé, and Täpi rivers. He went to the city of Mähiñmaté on the banks of the Revä River and saw Malla-tértha. The Lord then passed through the holy district of Sürpäraka on His way to the West. In ecstasy, Nityänanda Prabhu traveled in this way without fear of anyone. He had no control over His body due to ecstatic love for Kåñëa. Sometimes He cried and sometimes He laughed. Who could understand His ecstatic moods? Accepting Çré Caitanya and Nityänanda Prabhu as my life and soul, I, Våndävana däsa, sing the glories of Their lotus feet. 25

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35 CHAPTER THREE Lord Nityänanda s Meeting with Çrépad Mädhavendra Puré As Lord Nityänanda traveled, by the will of providence He met Çré Mädhavendra Puré. The body of Çré Mädhavendra Puré was imbued with ecstatic love of God and his followers shared the same sentiments. He did not relish anything other than loving sentiments for Lord Kåñëa, who enjoyed performing pastimes in the body of Mädhavendra Puré. What can I say about the devotion of he who was the spiritual master of Çré Advaita Äcärya? Seeing Mädhavendra Puré, Nityananda Prabhu at once fell unconscious onto the ground, stunned in ecstatic prema. Seeing Lord Nityänanda, Mädhavendra Puré forgot himself and also fell unconscious. Çré Gauracandra repeatedly said that Çré Mädhavendra Puré is the original root of worship in ecstatic love. After both Lord Nityänanda and Mädhavendra Puré swooned, the disciples, headed by Éçvara Puri, began to cry. 27

36 ÇRÉ NITYÄNANDA CARITÄMÅTA Recovering after some time, Lord Nityänanda and Mädhavendra Puré embraced each other and cried. Overwhelmed by ecstatic love for Kåñëa, they rolled on the sand and cried out loudly. The tears of love flowing from their eyes like rain soaked mother Earth, making her feel gratified. Shivering, shedding of tears, and the hair of their bodies standing on end, as well as other ecstatic symptoms manifested themselves one after another endlessly. This ecstasy was caused by Lord Kåñëa personally residing in their bodies. Lord Nityänanda said, The results of visiting all the holy places of pilgrimage have now born fruit. Today I have seen the lotus feet of Mädhavendra Puré. Seeing his ecstatic love of God, My life has become successful. Çré Mädhavendra Puré embraced Nityänanda Prabhu but was unable to reply because his throat was choked up due to ecstatic love. Mädhavendra Puré was so pleased that he was unable to release Nityänanda Prabhu from his embrace. Éçvara Puré, Brahmänanda Puré, and all the other disciples of Mädhavendra Puré felt intense attachment for Nityänanda Prabhu. They had met many sädhus, but never before had they seen such symptons of prema. Feeling distress at the thought of mixing with materialistic people, they had wandered in the forests. But now, after meeting Lord Nityänanda, their distress was relieved and their kåñëa-prema was aroused. Nityänanda Prabhu traveled for some time with Mädhavendra Puré, relishing kåñëa-kathä. The qualities of Mädhavendra Puré were most wonderful. He would swoon just by seeing a dark cloud. Out of love for Kåñëa, he laughed and cried throughout the day and night, shouting, Haya! Haya! like a drunkard. Lord Nityänanda was intensely absorbed in His loving sentiments for Govinda. He laughed loudly, swaying to and fro. Mädhavendra Puré s disciples constantly chanted the holy name of Lord Hari, seeing the extraordinary symptoms of love manifested by Nityänanda Prabhu and Mädhavendra Puré. The two forgot whether it was day or night in their absorption of ecstatic love of Kåñëa. Although remaining together for a number of days, Nityänanda Prabhu and Mädhavendra Puré felt that period to be as hardly a mo- 28

37 Lord Nityänanda s Meeting with Çrépad Mädhavendra Puré ment. Who knows all that took place between the Lord and Mädhavendra Puré? Only Kåñëa knows! Unable to give up the company of Nityänanda Prabhu, Mädhavendra Puré constantly remained with Him. mädhavendra bale prema nä dekhilun kathä sei mora sarvatértha hena prema yathä jänilu kåñëera kåpä ache mora prati nityänanda hena bandhu päinu saàhati ye se stäne yadi nityänanda saìga haya sei stäna sarvatértha vaikuëöhädi maya nityänanda hena bhakta çunile çravane avaçya päiba kåñëacandra sei jane nityänanda yächära tilaka dveña rahe bhakta haile o se kåñëera priya nahe Mädhavendra Puré said, I ve never seen such ecstatic love. Wherever there is such prema is my favorite holy place. I know Kåñëa has given me His mercy because He has given me such a friend as Nityänanda. Wherever one finds Nityänanda s company is the most sacred and transcendental place. That devotee who hears the name of Nityänanda will certainly attain the lotus feet of Kåñëacandra. If one has the slightest envy for Nityänanda, Kåñëa never favors him even if he s a devotee. Mädhavendra Puré exhibited great affection for Lord Nityänanda throughout the day and night with his speech and deeds. Nityänanda Prabhu considered Mädhavendra Puré to be nothing other than His guru. These two vastly learned personalities did not know whether it was day or night due to their ecstatic love for Kåñëa. After staying together for some days, Nityänanda Prabhu left for Setubandha (Rämeçvaram) and Mädhavendra Puré went to see the Sarayü River. In their absorption for love of Kåñëa, both Lord Nityänanda and Mädhavendra Puré forgot their bodies. Feelings of separation for the Lord maintain a devotee s life. Otherwise, how could one tolerate such intense 29