Adi Lila Chapter Nine
by Vrndavana dasa
"All glories to Sri Krishna Chaitanya, the unlimited ocean of mercy. All glories to Lord Nityananda, the dearest friend of the distressed.
All glories to Lord Chaitanya, the life's treasure and soul of Sri Advaita Acarya, and the priceless treasure house of Sri Gadadhara Pandita. All glories to Lord Visvambhara, the son of Sri Jagannatha Misra and Mother Saci. All glories to all the devotees who are such dear associates of the Lord.
Lord Ananta Sesha appeared in the Radha district on an order given previously by Sri Chaitanya. He remained in the material world according to Mahaprabhu's transcendental desire.
Sri Nityananda Prabhu, the Lord of the Gaudiya Vaishnavas, appeared in the village of Ekacakra. His father was a brahmana named Hadai Pandita and his mother was Srimati Padmavati devi.
From His early childhood Sri Nityananda Prabhu had a serene disposition and was highly intelligent. He was a reservoir of excellences. His charming beauty overshadowed the attractiveness of millions upon millions of Cupids.
From the time of Nityananda's birth, everything became auspicious in the district of Radha. Famine, poverty and all kinds of disturbances were totally dispelled.
On the day of Lord Chaitanya's appearance in Nabadwip, Sri Nityananda, Who was still in Radha, roared with jubilation.
The sound of that roar filled the universe and robbed everyone of his senses.
Some people speculated, "It must be a thunder-clap." Others thought it was the sound of some impending disaster. Still others said, "We know the reason for this sound. Lord Nityananda, the Lord of the Gaudiya Vaishnavas, is roaring in ecstasy."
People offered different opinions on this subject, but no one actually knew Lord Nityananda in truth due to his illusory potency.
Lord Nityananda concealed his identity and played gleefully with the other young children of His age.
The various games Lord Nityananda played with His young friends were actually manifestations of different pastimes of Lord Krishna.
The children got together and formed a divine council where some of them took the role of Mother Earth and submitted a petition.
Those children were accompanied by many others when they went to the bank of the milk ocean and offered their choicest prayers to Lord Krishna.
A certain young boy unseen by anyone called out in a loud voice, "I shall appear in Gokula, Mathura."
On some evenings, Lord Nityananda gathered his young friends and enacted the marriage of Sri Vasudeva with Devaki devi.
Closing all the doors and windows to the room to create a dungeon, Lord Nityananda enacted the birth of Lord Krishna which took place deep in the night while the rest of the world slept.
Then they carried baby Lord Krishna to their imaginary Gokula Dham and exchanged Him for the baby girl Mahamaya, the external potency of the Lord. Thus they tricked the wicked King Kamsa.
Nityananda dressed a young boy as Putana and had someone climb on her breast to suck her milk.
Helped by some friends, He one day built a cart with some tough reeds and then He smashed it.
Unseen by anyone, He entered the milkmen's houses in the near vicinity and stole butter with His young friends.
The young boys never wanted to leave the company of Lord Nityananda and return home. Day and night they relished His transcendental association.
The parents of these young boys never remonstrated Him, but all of them affectionately held Him on their laps.
Everyone was amazed. "We never saw such wonderful activities. How does a mere child know so many transcendental pastimes of Lord Krishna?"
On another day He made snakes just like Kaliya out of leaves. He took all the young boys and went down to the water.
When the young boys jumped in the water and fell unconscious, Nityananda revived them.
One day He went to the forest of tala trees with His young friends. After killing the donkey demon Dhenuka, He enjoyed tala fruits with everyone else.
When He would take His young friends out to graze cows, they would enact many different pastimes. Once He dressed them as Bakasura, Aghasura and Vatsasura and then enacted Lord Krishna's pastimes of killing those demons.
Playing His horn all the way, He would return home at sunset with the cows and His young friends.
One day He enacted the pastime of lifting the Govardhana Hill; another day he recreated Vrndavana Dham and played about while remembering its many different places.
He performed the pastime of stealing the clothes of the Vraja cowherd damsels, and He also met the wives of the brahmanas who were engaged in performing sacrifices.
Someone would occasionally dress up as Narada Muni--complete with dress and beard--and give secret council to Kamsa while sitting in a secluded place.
Once a young boy dressed as Akrura enacted the lila of taking Lord Krishna and Balarama from Vrndavana to Mathura on the order of the cruel King Kamsa.
Taking the part of the Vraja gopis, Nityananda wept bitterly in a mood of intense separation. His tears flowed like a gushing river and all the boys looked on in amazement.
Being deluded by the illusory potency of Lord Vishnu, no one could understand the truth about Lord Nityananda. Oblivious to his identity the young boys played happily with Him.
After recreating Mathura in their play, Lord Nityananda roamed about the city with his young friends. Someone dressed up as a gardener and someone else adorned himself with a flower garland.
He dressed someone as the hunch-backed woman from Mathura and enacted the pastime of going to her place to be smeared with fragrant sandalwood paste. Next He made a bow, strung it and then broke it in the midst of great tumult.
Acting like Krishna, Lord Nityananda pretended to kill the mad elephant Kuvalaya and the two wrestlers Canura and Mustika in the arena of Kamsa. Then he sought out the young friend who was dressed as Kamsa, pulled him down by his hair and straddled his chest.
He danced jubilantly with his young friends after the mock killing of cruel King Kamsa. Everyone who watched the drama laughed in appreciation.
In a playful mood Lord Nityananda imitated the many different transcendental pastimes of the incarnations of the Supreme Godhead, Krishna and Balarama.
One day Lord Nityananda became Lord Vamana, making someone else take the part of Bali Maharaja. He enacted the pastime of Lord Vamana tricking King Bali out of his vast kingdom which extended throughout the three worlds.
Someone acting as Sukracarya appeared in an old man's attire and forbid Bali Maharaja to entertain Lord Vamana's request for three paces of land. But King Bali granted Lord Vamana's request and the Lord blessed him by placing His lotus feet on the King's head.
One day Lord Nityananda became Lord RamaChandra and built a bridge across the ocean to Lanka. All the young boys dressed as monkeys to form a monkey-army for the Lord. Shouting "Jai Raghunatha!" they felled some castor oil trees and threw them on the water, imitating Lord Rama's monkeys throwing rocks in the water to build a bridge.
Another time, Lord Nityananda played Sri Laksmana. Taking His bow in hand, He stalked off angrily to meet Sugriva. "O you wretched monkey, My Lord is in anguish. If you care for your life then come right now. RamaChandra awaits us anxiously in Malyavan Mountain, and here you are enjoying in the midst of women."
On another day He chastised Sri Parasurama with mounting fury, "I am not to be blamed for this, O brahmana. Now run away, immediately!"
Lord Nityananda was extremely adept when accepting the role of Laksmana, but the young boys thought it was all in fun. They were unable to grasp its recondite significance. The young boys dressed up as the famous five monkeys and the Lord as Laksmana enquired from them, "Who are you? I see all of you belong to the monkey race, but why are you roaming in the forest? I am the servant of Raghunatha, Lord RamaChandra, please introduce your-selves."
They replied, "We are roaming in the forest in fear of Bali. Please take us to Lord RamaChandra so that we may accept the dust from His lotus feet.
After embracing everyone, Laksmana brought them to Lord RamaChandra, and all of them fell at the Lord's lotus feet,offering Him their prostrated obeisances.
One day Lord Nityananda enacted the pastime of killing Indrajit, and another day he lost Himself in the emotions of Laksmana.
After dressing one boy as Vibhisana, Nitai brought him to Lord RamaChandra and the Lord appointed him the King of Lanka.
One boy approached Nitai and said, "I am Ravana, the demon King. I shall discharge my most powerful sakti sila weapon at you. Avert it if you can, Laksmana." Challenging Laksmana with these words the boy threw a lotus flower at Nitai. Engrossed in Laksmana's battle mood, Nitai fell back and dropped to the ground unconscious. Despite the boys' efforts to rouse him, Nitai lay there unmoving.
The Lord lay without a trace of consciousness in His entire body while His friends sat around holding their heads and lamenting. Nitai's mother and father rushed to the spot but when they saw their son's lifeless body they both fainted and dropped to the ground. Whoever observed the situation was certainly astonished.
The young boys described the details to a crowd that had gathered and someone said, "I think I understand the reason for Nitai's loss of consciousness.
"Previously Nitai expertly enacted the role of King Dasaratha who suffered tremendously and finally died when he heard of Rama's banishment to the forest.
"He is simply play acting," explained the man, " and if Hanuman gives Him medicine, He will become well again."
Before the drama Lord Nityananda had instructed all His young friends, "If I should fall then surround me and weep. After waiting for a few moments send for Sri Hanuman and when he holds the medicine to My nose My life will be revived once again."
The Lord fell unconscious simply experiencing His own mood as Sankarsana, Laksmana. Naturally this confounded His young friends.
The boys had become confused by Nimai's seeming unconsciousness and forgotten the Lord's instructions to them. They simply repeated, "Wake up dear brother", and wept in loud voices.
When the boys heard the man's suggestions they remembered the instructions of the Lord. A boy dressed as Hanuman and ran off to gather the medicinal herbs.
Another young boy, dressed as an ascetic but actually the demonic maternal uncle of Ravana, met Sri Hanuman on his way and invited him to share some fruits and food. "Please remain here, dear Hanuman, and grace my humble hermitage. I feel greatly fortunate to be able to meet a personality like your good self."
"My mission is urgent and grave," replied Hanuman. "I must hasten; I cannot remain. You must have heard that Laksmana, Lord Rama's younger brother, is lying in a coma hit by the powerful Satkisela weapon of Ravana. So I must rush to the Gandharva hills to get medicine and save His life."
The ascetic persisted, "If you must leave then at least take your bath, and after eating something you can continue your victorious journey."
By the potency of Lord Nityananda, His young friends played their individual parts so eloquently that the entire crowd watched in amazement.
On the prompting of the ascetic, Hanuman went to the big lake for his bath. A young boy dressed as a crocodile caught hold of Hanuman's feet and dragged him into deep water. But mighty Hanuman pulled the crocodile onto the bank of the lake.
He fought a short battle with the crocodile and after vanquishing him, Hanuman, who is also known as Mahavira, moved on toward his destination.
Another young boy dressed as a demon chased Hanuman with the intent of eating him.
"You have killed the crocodile, but how do you propose to kill me? I shall devour you. Then who will save Laksmana's life?" roared the demon.
Sri Hanuman retorted, "Your Ravana is a dog. I despise him. You had better run far away." They hurled abuses at each other in this manner for sometime and then tearing at each others hair, they broke into a fist fight. Soon Sri Hanuman destroyed the demon and continued toward the Gandharva Hill where he entered the forest.
Some young boys dressed as Gandharvas put up a fight and Hanuman was obliged to battle with them.
When they were defeated, Hanuman carried the Gandharva mountain on his head to Laksmana.
Another young boy dressed as a physician, placed the medicine next to Sri Laksmana's nose thinking of Lord Sri RamaChandra.
Lord Nityananda, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, then stood up, to the great relief of His parents and all others present there.
Sri Hadai Pandita hurried to Nitai and took Him fondly on his lap. The young friends felt light hearted and jubilant.
Everyone was impressed with the drama and enquired, "Dear boy, where did you learn to play all these pastimes?"
Nimai smiled and replied, "These are all My transcendental activities."
In His early years Lord Nityananda was an extremely handsome child. Who could resist holding Him to their heart's delight.
The people of Radha loved Him more than they loved their own sons; yet no one could recognize Him as the Lord. His associates were deluded by the illusory potency of Lord Vishnu.
Lord Nityananda played in this manner throughout His childhood. His only source of pleasure was the wonderful pastimes of Krishna which He enacted.
Away from their homes, the young friends of Nityananda enjoyed His sweet company.
I offer my countless obeisances at the feet of all those young associates of Lord Nityananda who enjoy pleasurable pastimes with Him.
From His childhood Nityananda's only inclination was to relive the transcendental activities of Lord Krishna.
Who can describe the unlimited superhuman pastimes of Lord Ananta Sesha, Sri Nityananda? Only by His mercy can proper percipience manifest within the heart.
Lord Nityananda lived at home for twelve years, continuously enacting such pastimes. Thereafter He left on pilgrimage.
He travelled to different places of pilgrimage for twenty years. Then He at last met Sri Chaitanya.
Please hear the narrations of Lord Nityananda's travels to different places of pilgrimage as I have written in this Adi Khanda portion of the book. Whoever criticizes the Lord and His activities in anyway is certainly a mischievous sinful atheist. This Supreme Personality Lord Nityananda, Who liberated the entire universe, is surely the unlimited ocean of mercy. By His grace I am able to know the transcendental truth of Lord Chaitanya, and by the same grace the divine glories of Lord Chaitanya are revealed to me.
Hear attentively the description of the pilgrimage of Lord Nityananda, the most beloved associate of Sri Chaitanya.
The first holy place Lord Nityananda visited on His journey was the temple of Vakresvara; thereafter He roamed the forests of Vaidyanatha all alone.
After visiting GayaDham, Nityananda went to Kasi, the principal pilgrimage place for the Saivites which is situated on the banks of the Ganga as she flows swiftly westward. Lord Nityananda was exhilarated by drinking and bathing in the waters, yet for some reason his longing and fatigue clung to Him.
In Prayag, the Lord bathed at the rivers' confluence in the early hours of a chilly Magha morning. Then He proceeded to Mathura where He had appeared in a previous Yuga. There He visited Lord Krishna's birthplace.
Attracted by the river Jamuna, the Lord sported in her gentle waters at the bathing place named Visram Ghat. He then circumambulated Govardhana Hill and experienced spiritual ecstasy.
One by one the Lord visited all twelve forests including Sri Vrndavana and roamed at will in their shady woods.
In Gokula, the Lord saw the residence of Nanda Maharaja. In ecstasy he sat down and wept profusely.
The Lord then offered worship to the deity of Lord Madana Gopala and went to Hastinapura, the famous fortress city of the valiant Pandavas.
Lord Nityananda wept, being intensely moved by the sanctified place of the elevated devotees of the Supreme Lord. However, the residents of that place could not comprehend such emotions due to their lack of devotional sentiments.
The visit to Hastinapura brought back memories of Lord Balarama's activities, and Lord Nityananda called out, "Save Me O Lord Haladhara!" In this way he worshipped the holy place.
Thereafter Sri Nityananda travelled to the holy city of Dvaraka and bathed in the ocean, feeling great spiritual bliss.
Next He went to Siddhapura. That place was rendered holy by the presence of Lord Kapila. After that Nityananda went to Matsya Tirtha where He gave away grains in charity on the occasion of a big festival.
The Lord visited Siva-Kanci and Vishnu-kanci. Being the original Supreme Person, Nityananda was amused at the fanatical conflict that existed between the followers of Lord Siva and Lord Vishnu.
He travelled to Kuruksetra, Prthudaka, Bindu Sarovar, Prabhasa and Sudarsana Tirtha.
Then He went to Tritakupa, Visala, Brahma-tirtha, and Cakra Tirtha.
With exhilarated spirits Nityananda then travelled to Pratisrota where the Praci-Sarasvati flows gently into the ocean. From there He visited the forest of Naimasaranya.
Lord Nityananda travelled to the city of Ayodhya. Seeing the birthplace of Lord RamaChandra, He felt spiritual ecstasy moving Him to shed profuse tears of divine love.
Then He travelled to the tribal kingdom of King Guhaka (Srnga Verapura). King Guhaka reigned during the time of Lord RamaChandra, and in that holy place Sri Nityananda fell into a massive ecstatic trance.
When Sri Nityananda thought of His devotee, the tribal king of Guhaka, He went into a ecstatic trance for three days.
Lord Nityananda visited the different forests in which the Supreme Lord RamaChandra once roamed. His feeling of separation from the Lord made Him roll in the ground in anguish.
Then the Lord went to the spot where the holy Sarayu river quietly flows in Ayodhya. After bathing in the water of the Kausiki river, He continued to Pulasta Ashram, a most sanctified place.
Thereafter Sri Nityananda went to Gomati and bathed in the waters of Gandaki and Sona. He climbed the Mahendra Hill where He offered obeisances to Lord Parasurama. From there He travelled to Haridvara, the source of Mother Ganga.
He visited Pampa, Bhima, Godavari, Benva and in the Bipasa (or Vyasa) river He remained submerged in the water for a while.
In Madurai he visited the temple of Lord Kartika and then went on to the place known as Sri Prabat. There, in a massive and impressive temple, His devotees Lord Siva and Parvati were being opulently worshipped as a brahmin and his wife.
Lord Siva and Parvati recognized Lord Nityananda as their worshipable Supreme Lord. The original Sankarsana appeared before them as a pilgrim in mendicant's dress.
Siva and Parvati joyfully received their exalted guest and attended to him affectionately. Parvati cooked palatable dishes for His satisfaction and in reciprocation Sri Nityananda offered them his obeisances.
Only Lord Krishna, knows the confidential topics that transpired between them, but thereafter Lord Nityananda went to the Dravida territory.
He travelled through different pilgrimage spots touching upon the places of Vyenkatanatha, Kamakosthipuri and Kanci, arriving at last at the sacred river Kaveri. Then He proceeded to the famous holy place of Sriramgam where merciful Lord Sri Ragunatha received opulent worship from His devotees. Thereafter Lord Nityananda visited Hariksetra.
He then visited Rsabha hills, Madurai, Krtamata, Tamraparai and Uttara Jawra. In the Malaya hills He went to Agastya's hermitage and all the residents were spiritually enthralled by having such a divine personality as their guest.
Arriving in Badarikasrama with unbounded spiritual joy, He absorbed its divine atmosphere and spent some days in quiet solitude.
From there He trekked to the hermitage of Srila Vyasadeva who immediately recognized Lord Nityananda as His worshipable Lord Balarama. He cared for his guest attentively and Sri Nityananda reciprocated by offering His obeisances to Srila Vyasadeva.
Continuing His travels, Lord Nityananda came across a place where a number of Buddhist monks were sitting around. He made a few inquiries there but none of the monks would reply. This sparked His anger and He chastised them for their misbehavior by kicking each one in the head. The Buddhists dispersed in fear, and the Lord continued his journey, strolling fearlessly through the forest.
Sri Nityananda travelled South to Kanya Kumari and saw the beautiful deity of Durga devi installed near the shore of the Indian Ocean at the southern tip of India.
He also went to Sri Avantapura and the Panca-Apsara Lake. In Gokarna he visited the temples of Lord Siva. In Kerala and Trigarla He went house to house showering His causeless mercy.
He crossed most of the rivers that flowed down from the Vindhya Hills and covered the tract of land south of the Vindhyas known as Payonci; then He wandered a while in Tapti. He visited Reba, Mahismati, Mallatirtha, Surparaka and then headed westward.
Lord Nityananda travelled all over the country in a joyful mood, fearless and carefree. He was constantly submerged in ecstatic love of Krishna. Overcome with ecstasy, sometimes He cried and sometimes He laughed. Who can understand the blissful turmoil which stirred in His heart?
During the period of His journey when He travelled in the western provinces, He met Sri Madhavendra Puri by divine arrangement.
Sri Madhavendra Puri is the embodiment of ecstatic transcendental love for Lord Krishna and all His swan-like disciples are full of that spiritual love. His only means of subsistence is the nectar that flows out of Krishna's loving exchanges. Lord Krishna personally resides in the form of such unalloyed devotees as Sri Madhavendra Puri.
Sri Advaita Acarya Prabhu is foremost amongst Sri Madhavendra Puri's disciples, so how can I begin to describe his intense love for Krishna provided as I am with inadequate words.
On meeting Sri Madhavendra Puri Lord Nityananda became paralyzed and lost consciousness, overpowered by ecstatic transcendental love; and Madhavendra Puri also went into an ecstatic trance, loosing all external senses upon seeing Lord Nityananda.
Lord Chaitanya often remarked that Sri Madhavendra Puri was the main trunk of the tree of nectarine devotional mellows.
Isvara Puri and other disciples of Madhavendra Puri witnessed the unique meeting. Tears flowed freely from their eyes as they saw the two forms lying in devotional trance.
When consciousness returned and they became aware of each other's presence, Madhavendra Puri and Nityananda embraced while crying tears of joy. They rolled in the sand and roared loudly, unabashed in expressing their sublime emotions, totally absorbed in the ecstasy of love of Godhead. Their profuse, unrestrained tears purified the earth. Mother Earth felt she was receiving her greatest benediction. Within their bodies different ecstatic symptoms of shivering, weeping and horripilation appeared in endless waves; such devotional emotions confirmed that Sri Chaitanya resided within each of them.
Lord Nityananda spoke first saying, "Today, in one instance, I have received the utmost benefit of My pilgrimages. My eyes have rested on the lotus feet of Sri Madhavendra Puri and seeing his transcendental love, My life has become blessed and meaningful."
Sri Madhavendra Puri sat speechless holding Lord Nityananda to his breast, his voice choked with tears of ecstatic emotions. Such was his feeling of love for Nityananda that he never desired to release Him from his embrace. Isvara Puri, Brahmananada Puri and all the other disciples could perceive what had just spiritually transpired, so their natural attraction and attachment for the Lord increased.
In the past both Madhavendra Puri and Nityananda had seen pilgrims and many amongst them in saintly garb, but now they realized that none of those pilgrims had possessed the transcendental gift of love of God .
Remembering their brief association and conversations with such non-devotional persons they were overcome with remorse. They had wandered everywhere looking intently for Krishna and His pure loving devotees. They found each other--pure transcendentalists--and they felt the burden of their despondency lift in each other's association. In each other they witnessed the manifestation of love of God.
Blissful days passed, filled with confidential Krishna conscious discussions which created in both the Lord and Madhavendra Puri an insatiable thirst for continued association. Sri Madhava's spontaneity drove him into ecstatic trance when he saw a dark cloud that reminded him of Krishna's complexion. Day and night he seemed intoxicated by his love for Krishna, sometimes laughing, next moment crying and sometimes making a great deal of noise or shouting.
Lord Nityananda was also drunk with the divine nectar of love of Lord Govinda. He stumbled and fell repeatedly, often roaring with laughter.
The disciples were very impressed by the extent of their spiritual master's and Lord Nityananda's extraordinary love for the Supreme Lord, and they in turn responded by continuously singing the name of Sri Hari. Steeped in the ambrosia of transcendental love, they lost count of time; no one knew when day turned to night and their surroundings passed into oblivion.
Who can grasp the highly confidential topics Sri Madhavendra Puri discussed with Lord Nityananda? Only Lord Krishna, the omniscient supersoul, knows everything. Sri Puri grew so attached to Lord Nityananda that he could not imagine leaving His company; he spent every moment of his time with Him.
Sri Madhavendra Puri said, "Nowhere have I found the exhibition of such supramundane love par excellence as in Lord Nityananda. Wherever that love is found becomes the best of all the holy pilgrimages. I am now convinced that the blessed Lord Krishna is graciously disposed towards me because I have found an intimate associate like Lord Nityananda. Wherever one meets Lord Nityananda - that place becomes the most holy place. The very spiritual planet of Vaikuntha descends there. Whoever associates with Lord Nityananda and hears from Him will surely attain purest devotional love at the lotus feet of Lord Krishna. And whoever harbors even a tinge of apathy for Lord Nityananda is forever cast aside by Lord Krishna, though he may be in the guise of a devotee."
Sri Madhavendra Puri expressed his feeling of deep affection for Lord Nityananda with unhesitating praises. Simultaneously Lord Nityananda developed His affection and reverential mood towards Sri Puri which can only be offered to a mentor. A wonderful relationship blossomed where each continually exhilarated the other with his ecstatic love for Krishna.
They relished each other's transcendental association for some days and then Lord Nityananda left for the South where Lord RamaChandra built a bridge to Lanka with the help of the monkeyarmy. Sri Madhavendra Puri set out towards Saraju. They parted ways, merged in a state of complete bliss of love of Krishna, unmindful of even their own physical conditions.
Lives of such unalloyed devotees of Krishna are sustained only by their intense love for the Lord. Otherwise, once they are aware of that love it would not be possible for them to continue living, feeling the excruciating pangs of separation from Him.
Those faithful souls who hear this narration of the wonderful meeting between Sri Madhavendra and Lord Nityananda will surely attain the highest perfection, love of Krishna.
Lord Nityananda travelled for a few days submerged in that ambrosia of love of Krishna and finally arrived in Setubhandha. He bathed in Dhanstirtha and proceeded to Ramesvara. Thereafter He travelled to Vijayanagara, and from there, on to the temple of Lord Nrsimhadeva in Geoda. He visited Mayapuri, Avanti and the river Godavari. This time the Lord decided to go to Jagannatha Puri and on the way He visited Tirumala and Kurmaksetra.
The Lord saw the high fluttering flag of Lord Jagannatha's temple just as He entered Purusothama-ksetra, Puri, and immediately He fell into an ecstatic trance. He saw Lord Jagannatha, as the Lord of Dvaraka along with all His divine associates and devotees present in that holy Dham. Such visions revived Lord Nityananda's ecstatic mood and He fell unconscious to the ground. When He regained consciousness, the different ecstatic symptoms of shivering, paling, weeping, horripilation and loud roaring became manifest and again He fell to the ground. Who can perceive the magnitude of Lord Nityananda's extraordinary love of Godhead?
He spent a few days more in Nilacala and then, immersed in total spiritual joy, He travelled north to Gangasagara. How is it possible for me to describe Lord Nityananda's pilgrimage? My feeble attempt is made possible only by His grace.
Caught up in the fervor of His pilgrimage, the Lord again travelled to Mathura and Vrndavana. Completely absorbed in thoughts of Krishna, Sri Nityananda was unaware of the passage of many days and nights in Vrndavana. He forgot about eating and only occasionally drank a little milk if it came to Him unsolicited.
Sri Nityananda could visualize His Lord, Sri Chaitanya, living as an ordinary boy in Nabadwip. He thought to Himself, "When Lord GauraChandra reveals his magnanimous pastimes of congregational chanting of the Lord's holy name, at that time I shall devote Myself to His service." He thus resolved to wait in Vrndavana and not proceed to Nabadwip. He filled His days happily frolicking in the dark cool waters of the Kalindi, lost in the mood of a young cowherd boy. At other times He found inexplicable pleasure playing in the sand with young friends.
Lord Nityananda was the original Lord Vishnu and He possessed the absolute full potency to grace anyone with love of Godhead. Yet He restrained Himself and waited patiently so that He could execute the order of Sri Chaitanya and profusely distribute that precious love of God to everyone. Lord Chaitanya's associates did not desire to act without their Lord's instructions to guide them, nor did they feel slighted by taking a humble position. Lord Visnu, Lord Brahma and Lord Siva all carried out Lord Chaitanya's orders to maintain, create and annihilate this world according to their respective duties. Unfortunately the sinful atheists feel unhappy because they cannot accept this point, and unseen by the poor Vaishnavas they thrive everywhere. Yet Lord Nityananda is famous for inundating the universe with love of God.
Lord Nityananda is the original devotee of Lord Chaitanya. His tongue is the abode of Lord Chaitanya's glories, vibrating incessantly the sublime pastimes of Sri GauraChandra. One can obtain full devotion at Lord Chaitanya's lotus feet simply by worshipping Lord Nityananda. All glories to Lord Nityananda, the primeval Lord; it is only by His causeless mercy that the glorious pastimes of Sri Chaitanya manifest in one's heart. And by the grace of GauraChandra one can become lovingly attached to Lord Nityananda. All obstacles and misfortunes in life are extirpated as soon as the knowledge of the truth about Lord Nityananda dawns upon one. Those who desire to overcome the material whirlpool and drown in the ocean of devotional service should worship NitaiChandra. Many praise my Lord saying, "Lord Nityananda is like Lord Brahma", while others say, "He is very dear to Lord Chaitanya." I hear various opinions about Him--that He is a sannyasi, or a humble devotee, or an erudite Vedic scholar. People conjecture without inhibition and stop at nothing; some go to the extent of saying that His connection with Lord Chaitanya is not intimate. None of these affect me at all, I simply pray that His lotus feet remain impressed upon my heart eternally.
After repeated attempts to invoke good judgement in all people, if some sinful lot continues to criticize my Lord, then I kick them in their heads to save them from imminent disaster. Those who misinterpret the remarks of Advaita Acarya Prabhu or Lord Nityananda as criticism of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu should realize that those remarks were in fact shaded glorifications of my Lord. All the Vaishnava associates of Lord Chaitanya are externally liberated and enlightened souls. What is wrongly understood to be disturbing arguments or abusive language used between them is actually one way they express their deep love for each other. An ordinary person is therefore discouraged from taking sides in such a mock fight, for if he criticizes anyone then he places himself in a precarious position. That person who is not critical of Lord Nityananda and who is steadfast in his spiritual practices will certainly attain the lotus feet of Lord Chaitanya. I intensely yearn to see the lotus feet of my Lord and master Sri Nityananda Prabhu and Sri Chaitanya.
Lord Nityananda is my absolute master; by taking shelter of His lotus feet let me worship Lord Chaitanya. I greatly desire to study Srimad Bhagavatam in Lord Nityananda's presence. This is my humble submission eternally. All glories to Supreme Lord Sri Chaitanya. You are fully independent to act as You wish. You can give me the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda or separate me from them. I pray that You, My Lord Chaitanya, be merciful to me and grant that my whole heart and soul remain fixed at Your lotus feet and at the lotus feet of Sri Nityananda. NitaiChandra is devoted exclusively to You so no one can attain His shelter without Your blessings.
Lord Nityananda roamed throughout Vrndavana waiting for Lord GauraChandra to manifest His pastimes openly. Lord Nityananda's pilgrimage was part of His transcendental pastimes. Whoever hears these narrations with devotion is crowned with the most precious gem of success--love of Godhead. Lord Krishna Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda are my heart and soul. Their humble servant, Vrndavana dasa, offers his song at their lotus feet.
