Mathura-mandala Parikrama, Part 27
BY: SUN STAFF
Govardhan Temple at Mathura
Oct 07, 2011 — CANADA (SUN) — By Srila Narahari Chakravarti Thakur.
Lord Nityananda's Pastimes at Shringara-vata
Look at this wonderful vata tree on the bank of the Yamuna. Everyone calls it Shringara-vata. At this place Lord Krishna would enjoy Himself by dressing in various ways for the pleasure of Subala and the others. Some other people call this place Nityananda-vata. This is also correct. Please listen while I explain briefly how Lord Nityananda came to this place.
Nityananda Ram and Lord Chaitanya are one and the same body. Lord Nityananda was born in Radha-desha in the village of Ekacakra-grama. His father's name was Hadai Pandita and mother's was Padmavati. To describe their affection for their son is beyond the power of my words. The son of Padmavati, who is always filled with the greatest ecstasy, manifested various pastimes at Ekacakra. He displayed for everyone the pastimes of the various incarnations in Their different moods. The residents of Ekacakra were most fortunate as they accepted Nityanandacandra as their life and soul.
Lord Nityananda remained at home for twelve years, during which everyone's affection for Him increased. However, who can understand the mind of Nityananda? He could not remain peaceful without Lord Chaitanya.
One day He considered in His mind, "It is not proper for Me to go to Navadvipa just now. Lord Chaitanya has appeared there and presently is hiding Himself as a child. When He discloses His identity to His devotees, then I will go to meet Him. At present I will go on pilgrimage." Thinking like this, Nityananda Prabhu smiled to Himself.
At that time one sannyasi came to the village. He inquired from the people about where Hadai Pandita lives. On understanding the location of Hadai Pandita's house, the sannyasi went there. Seeing the sannyasi, Hadai Pandita became very happy. He immediately brought many eatables and offered them to the sannyasi. The sannyasi however said, "I have one request from you. If you accept my request then only I will eat." Hadai Pandita vowed to accept the sannyasi's request and proceeded to feed him. As the sannyasi was about to leave he asked for Nityananda to accompany him. Nityananda, remaining peaceful at heart, solaced His parents and left with the sannyasi. In this way He was able to leave His home. Who can understand His wonderful pastimes?
Whoever sees the youthful Nityananda, whose beauty attracts the whole world, feels his eyes coolly refreshed. Wherever Lord Nityananda went people came rushing to see Him with agitated hearts. Majestically walking like the best of elephants, Nityananda distributed the Lord's mercy to everyone. Just as He travelled in Dvapara-yuga in the form of Baladeva, now He travelled in the same way to all the holy tirthas.
While travelling to the south, He went to Pandrapura where He saw the Deity of Vitthalanatha. In that village lived one sober brahmana who was a Godbrother of Madhavendra Puri. That brahmana took Lord Nityananda to his house and offered Him fruits and milk. The people of Pandrapura where greatly fortunate. By seeing Nityananda, their lives became successful. Who can understand the Lord's mind? Seeing Vitthalanatha, Nitai remained there in seclusion.
Then one day by the invitation of the brahmana, his guru, Lakshmipati, came there from a distant place. Lakshmipati was expert in all the shastras and he had many disciples with him. Who can describe the loving affection he had for his disciples, just as parents have for their child. Performing the most ancient rituals which cannot be described in words, he was a well known saint in the devotional path. Who can describe the glories of Lakshmipati, whose disciple was Madhavendra Puri?
Madhavendra Puri was full of ecstatic loving devotion. Whoever remembers his name achieves all success. Ishvara Puri, Ranga Puri, and many others where his disciples. All of the disciples of Madhavendra Puri in Bengal and Orissa were devotees of Lord Krishna, attached in pure love. Madhavendra was well known in the Madhva-sampradaya. He was an ocean of transcendental qualities, being very dear to Lakshmipati.
This Lakshmipati stayed at the house of his brahmana disciple and, accepting his food there, he passed his time in krishna-katha. Repeatedly Lakshmipati told his disciple, "There is some special auspiciousness in your house. I have come many times to your house, but I have never felt such happiness in my mind. I think there is some great devotee here." The brahmana replied, "Your mercy is very strong." By the desire of the Lord, the brahmana did not reveal His presence. In this way they spent the day in different topics.
In the evening, while sitting in a secluded place, Lakshmipati sang the glories of Lord Balarama. With unflinching devotion he prayed to Baladeva with tears in his eyes, "O Lord, I am the lowest, sinful person. Please be merciful to me. By so doing, Your fame will spread throughout the universe." After he offered these prayers, he fell to the ground, tears streaming from his eyes. The state of Lakshmipati cannot be properly described. He was very old, and in intense lamentation he fell unconscious. He was unable to remain steady due to his profound loving ecstasy.
Suddenly, by the will of the Lord, he fell asleep. Lord Nityananda, in the form of Balarama, appeared in a dream before the sannyasi. What wonderful beauty, defeating that of Cupid! His limbs defeated the beauty of a mountain of silver. His arms extended to His knees, His chest was broad and His lotus eyes extended to His ears. His earrings attracted the minds of the whole universe and at the left side of His waist He kept a beautiful buffalo horn. His body was decorated with various ornaments. Indeed, nothing within the universe can be compared to His beauty. His face defeats the beauty of the full moon. While speaking, unlimited nectar flowed from His mouth.
Speaking slowly He said, "My dear Lakshmipati, My heart breaks hearing your lamentation. O Lakshmipati, Krishna is the Lord of My life and you are His servant life after life."
Lakshmipati, holding the lotus feet of Baladeva replied, "I pray that I will not have any differentiation like this in my mind."
Hearing these words of Lakshmipati, Lord Balarama smiled and said, "In this village one brahmana's son has come in the dress of an avadhuta. He will become your disciple. With this mantra you initiate Him as your disciple." Lord Balarama then uttered the mantra in the ear of Lakshmipati who, on receiving that mantra, became ecstatic. After thus bestowing His mercy, Lord Balarama disappeared.
After rising in the morning, as the sannyasi was remembering the dream, Nityananda Prabhu appeared before him. Seeing the luster of Nityananda, Lakshmipati considered, "What a wonderful bodily effulgence! He cannot be a human being!" Thinking like this, the learned sannyasi looked on Lord Nityananda's beautiful face with unblinking eyes.
Falling on the ground, Nityananda offered His obeisances to the sannyasi, who quickly picked up the Lord and took Him on his lap. Nityananda said to Lakshmipati again and again, "Please initiate Me and deliver Me."
Hearing Nityananda's sweet words, the sannyasi was agitated and began to float in his own tears. Unable to disobey the order of Lord Balarama, Lakshmipati on that very day gave initiation to Lord Nityananda. After giving Him the mantra, the sannyasi took the Lord on his lap and, becoming overwhelmed, his body trembled in ecstasy.
The most merciful Lord Nityananda is very dear to Lakshmipati. What is there He cannot do? He is Himself the fully independent Supreme Lord. In this way, Lord Nityananda, the reservoir of love and well-wisher of the devotees, increased the ecstasy of the whole Madhva-sampradaya. By becoming a disciple of Shri Lakshmipati, Lord Nityananda increased the ecstasy of His guru.
Very soon after this, Lord Nityananda went to another place. Others are unable to understand the Lord's pastimes. Being bereft of Nityananda's association, that sannyasi became greatly agitated. Without speaking to anyone, he thought deeply to himself.
