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BY: SUN STAFF
Lord Chaitanya Chanting through Navadvipa Feb 28, 2014 — CANADA (SUN) — A serial presentation of the holy places mentioned in the Jaiva Dharma of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur - Part 12.
The glories of Antardvipa are endless, and will take several segments even to summarize. We begin today with this glorification of Antardvipa from Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati's Sri Navadvipa-sataka:
"When, as I wander in Navadvipa's forests, will I fall unconscious as I suddenly see wonderful, youthful Lord Gaura jubilantly dancing with His associates?
May scriptures where the very wonderful glory of Lord Gauranga's city is not heard never enter my ears. May wretched people who do not become joyful when Mathura's glory enters their ears never come to speak to me or even enter the path of my eyes.
Enough! Enough with the happiness of staying among women she asses! Enough! Enough! with wealth, children, scholarship, and fame! Enough! Enough with the troubles of many kinds of spiritual practice! Take shelter of Antardvipa and become fortunate!
The home of Lord Gaura's youthful pastimes, Sri Mayapura, where the ground is soft, there is a great splendour of many jewels, there are wonderful sounds of many birds and animals, and there are wonderful trees and vines with many flowers, is my life and soul.
Million on millions of cintamani jewels may meet together somewhere else. Still, my body darkened with Godruma's dust will never go to any other place."
(Sri Navadvipa-sataka: A Hundred Verses Glorifying Navadvipa, Verses 3-7)
There is another excellent description of Antardvipa found in the Bhakti Ratnakara of Srila Narahari Dasa. In Chapter 12, we read about the travels of Sri Ishana Mahasaya, Srinivasa Acarya, Narottama and Ramacandra. After paying their respects at the temple of Mahaprabhu they left Mayapura and started for Atopura (a later name for Antardvipa). Sri Ishana describes the glories of Antardvipa to Srinivasa Prabhu:
The description of Antadvipa
"Sri Ishana explained that Atopura had fallen into obscurity for a long time. He then explained the origins of its original name Antardvipa. In the Dwarapara Yuga, Lord Krsna enacted his pastimes in Vraja. Once Lord Brahma stole the cows and cowherd boyfriends of Lord Krsna, but to destroy the pride of Brahma Krsna assumed the form of each calf or cowherd himself. Brahma could not understand the trick and became quite nervous. Driven by guilt Brahma to eulogize Krsna in various ways and Krsna let him continue for a long time before he felt satisfied with Brahma's repentance. Brahma, however, could not forgive himself and decided that his own guilt could not be absorbed without the help of the incarnation of Caitanya.
By appearing in the first half of the Kali Yuga, Sri Krsna Caitanya would benefit the entire age, and if Brahma could worship the Lord in Navadvipa, then certainly the Lord would fulfil his desires. It was here in Atopura that Brahma began his worship of Sri Krsna Caitanya.
When Prabhu Gauracandra appeared as the great lover of devotees, the glittering brightness of his body seemed to illuminate the ten kotas of the globe. His golden complexion defeated the pride of gold and the glory of Kandapa. He was beautiful with his long arms that reached his knees as well as his gorgeous dress and ornaments. His large eyes stretched wide to his ears and their glance seemed to conquer the pride of millions of moons. His nectarine smile mesmerized the entire universe. Brahma was so overwhelmed by the presence of Sri Caitanya that he lost his composure and wept as he eulogized the Lord. He fell on the ground in humble obeisances at the feet of Sri Caitanya. Seeing the sincerity of Lord Brahma, Sacinandana was satisfied and spoke sweetly, "You are always my favorite and I am always pleased with you. Now tell me what your desire."
Brahma humbly replied, "My dear Lord please take your birth in Nadia in the Kali Yuga and reveal your pastimes with your associates. At that time please allow me to take birth in a lower caste because I want to destroy my own pride. People should look on me with contempt so that my ego will be destroyed and I will rest humbly at your feet. In this incarnation please do not cover me with your illusory maya as you have done previously. I want to be continually involved with your associates and I want to worship throughout my many lives and deaths."
Sri Mahaprabhu was quite satisfied with the prayer of Lord Brahma and granted his request. Brahma was delighted and asked, "You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead itself, so who can understand your intentions? In your previous incarnations you have performed many pastimes. What will you reveal to us when you come to Nadia? I know you will appear there to save mankind from damnation, but I want to hear the details of your activities."
"In the form of a devotee I shall practice devotion, and I shall reveal the glory of the precious jewel sankirtana," replied Mahaprabhu. "I shall attract the attention of mankind to the glory of Vraja by an application of Madhurya rasa.
As he spoke Sri Ishana cried softly in memory of the love and devotion of Sri Radha and of the three wishes of Mahaprabhu which he expressed to Brahma and later revealed to qualify unvirteous devotees.
Sri Caitanya Caritamrta has also mentioned these three goals of Prabhu Sri Krsna Caitanya.
Prabhu Caitanya repeated his promise to Lord Brahma, "I assure you that you will be present in Navadvipa to observe my pastimes." Thereafter, Mahaprabhu disappeared and the place became known as Antadvipa. Brahma was satisfied that he had obtained the mercy of the Lord and waited eagerly for the auspicious incarnation of Mahaprabhu in Navadvipa.
"My dear Srinivasa," said Ishana, "who can describe the pastimes of Mahaprabhu in Antadvipa? Simply seeing Antadvipa fulfills all desires."
(Bhakti Ratnakara by Srila Narahari Dasa- Chapter 12,
Verses 142 to 237)
Worshipping Lord Gauranga
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