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Sri Bhakti Ratnakara May 13, CANADA (SUN) — A serial presentation of Sri Bhakti Ratnakara by Srila Narahari Cakravarti Thakur.
All glories to Sri Gaura Sundara, Nityananda Avadhuta-Haladhara, Advaita Iswara, the Lord of Santipura and Gaura's favorite Sri Pandita Gadadhara.1-2 All glories to Pandita Thakura Srinivasa, the Hari namamrtamagna Haridasa, Sri Svarupa Damodara and Sri Murari Gupta.3-4 All glories to Vasudeva Sarvbhauma Mahasaya, Rai Ramananda, the abode of love, Gauridasa, Sri Pandita Vakreswara, narahari, Sri Mukunda and Kashiswara.5-6 All glories to Jagadisha, Gauridasa, Dhananjaya, Sanatana, Rupa, Jiva, Gopala, Bhujarva, Lokenatha and Raghunatha Bhatta. 7-8 All glories to Raghunatha Dasa of Srikhanda, Sri Ragava of Govardhana, Srinivasa, Narottama, Ramacandra and Syamananda.9-10 All glories to Sri Thakura who was a great Vaisnava and from whose touch the universe became pure.11 All glories to the numerous listeners who have great devotional qualities.12
While keeping the memory of Sri Gaura in his mind, Srinivasa engaged himself in the service of his parents. His parents also had great affection for their son. Even the residents of Cakhandi village loved Srinivasa so deeply that they could not live a single day without seeing him. Srinivasa behaved with them very modestly and this increased their affection for him. After a long time Srinivasa's father died and his mother bore her grieg only for the sake of Srinivasa.13-18 A few days after his father's death Srinivasa went to the house of his maternal grandfather in Jajigrama. He planned to settle in Jajigrama with his mother. The inhabitants of Jajigrama were happy to hear this and most willingly they built a beautiful cottage for them. Srinivasa was the life of the inhabitants of Jajigrama and the surrounding areas. He was always absorbed in devotion and this pleased the associates of Caitanya. Srinivasa heard the pastimes of Sri Caitanya from the Caitanya devotees and his ecstasy increased as he listened.19-25
Srinivasa was anxious to go to Nilacala. He worried whether or not he would get the association of Prabhu, whether the associates of Prabhu would favor him, whether Sri Pandita Gadadhara would give refuge to him and allow him to live under his shelter, whether he could sit with Mahaprabhu while the Lord heard Srimad Bhagavatan and explained it to his followers, of whether he could see Prabhu Nilacalacandra Jagannatha with Prabhu Balarama and Subadra devi.26-31
Srinivasa made up his mind and left for Srikhanda. With tears rolling down his cheeks he bowed before the deity and before the favorite companions of Sri Gauracandra. Thakura Narahari affectionately extended hs hands and embraced Srinivasa. He soaked the body of Srinivasa with tears and inquired about his well being. Srinivasa told him that he was on his way to Nilacala to see the lotus feet of Mahaprabhu. Sri Narahari gladly gave him permission to go to Nilacala without delay because Prabhu would soon disappear from the world.32-39
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