|
|
|
|
BY: SUN STAFF
May 06, 2014 — CANADA (SUN) — A serial presentation of the holy places mentioned in the Jaiva Dharma of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur - Part 78.
Among the many transcendental qualities of Koladvipa, the divine pastimes performed there and the tirthas residing within that Navadvipa dham precinct, the samadhi and bhajana kutir of Srila Jagannatha das Babaji is one of the foremost.
In Sri Navadvipa Parikrama (153), Srila Bhaktivinoda writes:
"Before coming to Navadvipa, Jagannatha das Babaji performed his bhajana at Surya Kunda in Vraja. In the later part of his life he came to Navadvipa dhama. At this time he was considered by the Vaishnavas, including Bhaktivinoda Thakur, to be the most advanced rasika Vaishnava in Vraja-Mandala, Gaura-Mandala and Jagannatha Puri. He was therefore known as Vaishnava-sarvabhauma, or the chief of the vaishnavas…"
While biographical information varies somewhat, Srila Jagannath Das Babaji remained in this world for long years past the 100-year mark, reportedly between 130 and 140 or more years.
Jagannath Das Babaji's bhajan-kutir and samadhi tomb are situated by the Ganges, where this topmost Acarya in our Sampradaya engaged in bhajan. He constantly chanted the Holy Name and told everyone about the glories of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
For six months of the year, Srila Jagannnath resided in Vraja mandala, and for the remaining six months he lived in Sri Navadvipa dhama. According to Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura:
"During his time, Sri Jagannatha Dasa Babaji was the most advanced rasika Vaishnava in Gaura and Vraja mandalas, and Purusottam Ksetra [Jagannatha Puri]."
Srila Bhaktivinoda gave him the title 'Sarvabhauma' -- chief of the Vaisnavas.
In 1893, Srila Jagannnath Dasa Babaji went from Koladvipa to Surabhi-kunja in Godrumadwipa. His arrival there was a wonderful event. He remained in Nadia for some time, visiting the holy sites and performing his bhajan on the banks of the Ganges. His bhajan kutir and samadhi mandir are still present at Koladvipa, where he ordered Bhaktivinoda Thakur to build a hut so the Vaisnavas could stay near by his bhajan kutir. And this Srila Bhaktivinoda did.
Srila Jagannath Dasa Babaji disappeared from this world on the Shukla-pratipad of the month of Phalguna -- Monday, February 25, 1895. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur wrote the following about this in Sajjana-toshani (22,2):
"At ten o'clock in the morning, in the Bhajana-kutira in Koladvipa in Nabadwip town, the old general of the Vaishnavas went to his eternal abode. The Siddha Babaji went to the spiritual world, but left this world in darkness. We will no longer be able to see his ecstatic dancing in kirtan with these mundane eyes. May he bestow his blessings on us from his place in the eternal home."
| |