All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga

The Holy Appearance Day of 
Lord Nityananda Prabhu

Page One | Page Two

The Unlimited, Unconditional Mercy of Nityananda Prabhu

The Deities of Parama Karuna Sri-Sri Nitai-Gaurachandra, chosen by Srila Gurudev and now installed in the Temple of Caracas, Venezuela, recently graced by his divine presence. parama koruna, pahun dui jana,      nitai gauracandra  saba avatara- sara siromani,       kevala ananda-kanda 'The two Lords, Nitai-Gauracandra, are very merciful. They are the essence of all incarnations. The specific significance of these incarnations is that They introduced a process of chanting and dancing that is simply joyful.'

From a discourse by His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj on the Appearance Day Festival of Lord Nityananda Prabhu, February 15, 2003, Nabadwip, India

Today is a very auspicious day for this world because Sri Nityananda Prabhu appeared, who is so merciful, more merciful even than Mahaprabhu. When Mahaprabhu is chastising someone a little, Nityananda Prabhu is giving much nourishment to him. Kala Krsna Das was unwanted in the Sampradaya, this was shown by Mahaprabhu, but Nityananda Prabhu didn't care. He took him and gave him so much mercy, and took him as His own parsada. Like that, Nityananda Prabhu's character is very, very deep and very merciful. What can I say about Nityananda Prabhu!

We have seen Srila Guru Maharaj show us that he is always depending on the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu. A servitor wanted to give Srila Guru Maharaj his Harinam japa mala to chant, but he said, "No, no, no my only hope now is Nityananda Prabhu. Dayal Nitai! Dayal Nitai! Dayal Nitai!" This we have seen in Guru Maharaj's character.

Anyhow, that Nityananda was so merciful to Jagai and Madhai, to the Kazi Muslim leader, and to so many others, fallen souls and asuras. By the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu they all received liberation and Prema Bhakti ó not only liberation. That Nityananda Prabhu is more merciful than Mahaprabhu. Sri Vrindavan Das Thakur and Sri Krsna Dasa Kaviraj Goswami told us that Nityananda appeared in Rarha-desa, Birbhum District. He was the only son of Hadai Pandit and Padmavati Devi, but from that day Rarha-desa became so much enriched with Krsna-Bhakti, and Nityananda Prabhu played at Ekachakra Dham. Ekachakra village later took the name Virachandrapur. At that time Virachandra Prabhu bestowed his mercy more than Nityananda Prabhu all over the world at that time.

The Play of the Lord

All the children would play with Nityananda Prabhu in the village, but His play was Krsna lila. Krsna played in Braja Dham, and Nityananda Prabhu played all the pastimes of Krsna in the form of Nityananda, as Balaram. His nature was like that. And that Nityananda Prabhu was just twelve years old when a sannyasi came to his father's house. As soon as the sannyasi saw Nityananda, he immediately understood that He was not an ordinary boy. He asked His father, Hadai Pandit, "I am going to many pilgrimage places, and it is my prayer that you give this boy to me." Hearing this was like a thunderbolt to Hadai Pandit and he fainted, but finally he gave Nityananda Prabhu to that sannyasi.

"The pastimes of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu are revealed by Nityananda's mercy only, because His personal expansion, Ananta Sesa, is the storehouse of information about Lord Chaitanya and Lord Krsna's pastimes." -Sri Chaitanya Bhagavata, Adi Lila, Chapter One This Deity of Lord Anantadev holds the Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Sridhar Seva Ashram of Veracruz, Mexico, recently visited by Srila Gurudev.

In this way Nityananda Prabhu left His house when He was twelve years old, but His pastimes were miraculous. Everywhere He went he gave Krsna-Prema but He Himself was hiding from all the circumstances. Until joining with Mahaprabhu's pastimes, Nityananda Prabhu did not reveal much of His actual nature.

Some said the sannyasi was Madhavendra Puri, and some said he was another sannyasi but that later Nityananda met Madhavendra Puri at the pilgrimage places. Anyhow Nityananda Prabhu and Madhavendra Puri could understand each other easily, and Madhavendra Puri accepted Nityananda Prabhu, by divine will, as his disciple.

Madhavendra Puri's meeting with Nityananda Prabhu made a turning point in His life, and after that, Nityananda Prabhu went to so many pilgrimage places. Nityananda Prabhu was perhaps one year senior in age to Mahaprabhu. Then, when He was seeing all the pilgrimage places with ecstasy of Krsna-Prema He went to Vrindavan, where He searched, "Where is Krsna? Where is Krsna?" And Krsna himself in the human form came to him and said: "I have now appeared in a household in Nabadwip." Then Nityananda Prabhu came to Nabadwip. At that time, Mahaprabhu also came back from Gaya Dham and showed His Krsna-Prema in the devotees' assembly. When the devotees understood what was the form of Mahaprabhu, they were very happy and they understood that this is the incarnation of the Lord and that the Lord Himself had appeared for bestowing His mercy through Harinam Sankirttan.

Mahaprabhu started there, little by little, a Sankirttan programme. After coming back from Gaya Dham, Mahaprabhu started some Sankirttan program every night in Srivas Pandit's house. This way Mahaprabhu was spending His time and waiting for Nityananda. Nobody knew why Mahaprabhu wasn't widely starting, but when Nityananda came, they understood that this is the cause. Adwaita Prabhu declared that Mahaprabhu is Bhagavan. Srivas Pandit, Gadadhara Pandit, all declared everywhere that Mahaprabhu is Bhagavan, and Mahaprabhu also showed them that. But Mahaprabhu was not showing His full manifestation as the giver of Krsna-Prema. He was waiting for Nityananda. We see this in the Scriptures.

Where is Krsna?

Sriman Mahaprabhu at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, London, visited by Srila Gurudev in September 2004. bhajo bhajo bhai, caitanya nitai, sudrdha bisvasa kori'  visaya chadiya, se rase majiya, mukhe bolo hari hari 'My dear brother, I request that you just worship Lord Caitanya and Nityananda with firm conviction and faith. If one wants to be Krsna conscious by this process, one has to give up his engagement in sense gratification. One simply has to chant, "Hare Krsna! Hari Hari!" without any motive.

Nityananda Prabhu came, searching, "Where is Krsna? Where is Krsna?" But when He understood that Mahaprabhu was living in Jagannath Misra's house, and He is also searching for Nityananda, then Nityananda came to Nabadwip to Nandan Acharyya Bhavan. Nandan Acharyya was a great disciple of Mahaprabhu, and He stayed hiddenly in his house.

That morning, Mahaprabhu said to the Vaisnava group: "Last night I have seen in My dream that in Haladhar's chariot, Baladeva's chariot, there is one mahapurusa and He is searching where is Nimai Pandit's house. That chariot came in front of My house and met with Me. I have seen that mahapurusa. I am thinking that Baladeva Himself has taken the form of a mahapurusa and He has already come to Nabadwip. You go and search where He is!"

The devotees searched in so many places, but they could not discover where Nityananda Prabhu was. They came back, and they were thinking it was simply Mahaprabhu's dream. But Mahaprabhu said, "It is not only a dream, it is a truthful dream. Then I shall go." Then Mahaprabhu went to search in Nandan Acharyya's Bhavan, and there they saw Nityananda Prabhu seated. When Mahaprabhu saw Nityananda, He was with full joy in His heart with Krsna-Prema and He was very much intoxicated. And Nityananda Prabhu also saw Mahaprabhu and could not move, He was so full of ecstasy and joy in His heart and He became like a senseless man, with Krsna-Prema.Mahaprabhu came forward and embraced Nityananda, and They both fainted. They both took Their divine form, and the devotees understood that Nityananda Prabhu was not an ordinary sannyasi or ordinary brahmachari. They did not know Nityananda Prabhu, but they saw Mahaprabhu's expression and Nityananda Prabhu's expression and they immediately understood that They both appeared from the divine abode.

In many places in the Scriptures it is said that Mahaprabhu is non-different from Krsna, Abhinna-swarup, and in that way they also considered Nityananda Prabhu. When Nityananda Prabhu joined in the party of Mahaprabhu, the party of Mahaprabhu took full form. Haridas Thakur also joined. So Mahaprabhu got two generals at once: Haridas Thakur and Nityananda Prabhu. Then Mahaprabhu started to preach widely His conception.

harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam 
kalau nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha

Mahaprabhu said to Nityananda Prabhu and Haridas Thakur: "Now you go door to door and tell everyone: Bolo Krsna, bhaja Krsna, koro Krsna siksa. Nothing else is necessary to do, and whoever will take it with a clean heart, I shall be a slave of them, and whoever will be 'anti,' I shall punish them." This way Mahaprabhu gave orders to Nityananda Prabhu and Haridas. At first they started preaching to the gentle families without any problem, but then they saw Jagai and Madhai in the road. Jagai and Madhai were prestigious in the city as Circle Inspectors of the government, but they were very bad character men, always drinking, eating meat and doing many wrong things. That day they were drinking in the road in front of everyone.

Nityananda and Haridas both thought, "This is the best place to bestow the mercy of Mahaprabhu." Then Nityananda Prabhu proposed to Haridas, "I shall go there," and Haridas, being a little aged, told him, "If they will chastise You, You may be able to run, but I cannot run, then it will be dangerous for us, so it is not necessary to go there." He was testing the mind of Nityananda, but Nityananda Prabhu said, "No, this is a first class opportunity for showing Mahaprabhu's quality."

Then Nityananda Prabhu went to Jagai and Madhai and said: "You chant 'Hare Krsna!' Take Krsna's Name! Bolo Krsna, bhaja Krsna, koro Krsna siksa." Jagai and Madhai said: "Oh, You are a sannyasi and trying to teaching us! Get out from here, nonsense person, otherwise we shall kill You!" Nityananda again approached, but then they came to beat Nityananda and Haridas. They ran away that day by some means, but Mahaprabhu received a report and smiled to hear that.

Nityananda Prabhu's determination

"Nityananda Prabhu's approach was somewhat peculiar. His strategy was to uplift the most fallen. Like Napoleon, whose policy was to attack the strongest position of the opposing army, Nityananda Prabhu wanted to capture the most sinful." -The Golden Volcano of Divine Love, His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj

The next day Nityananda Prabhu settled, "I must give Krsna-Prema to them." That next day He went, and that day also He saw Jagai and Madhai drinking wine. Nityananda Prabhu said, "Jagai and Madhai, anything you can do, but you chant 'Hare Krsna!' It is the order of Mahaprabhu."

"Oh, the order of Mahaprabhu! You ran away that day but today again you have come?" There was a wine pot nearby, and they threw that wine pot to the head of Nityananda and cut it. Blood was falling, and Nityananda Prabhu exclaimed, "This is more mercy of Mahaprabhu to Me," and He again told them: "You can beat Me more and more, but you chant 'Hare Krsna!' It is the order of Mahaprabhu. You will get liberation."

Madhai said, "Now again you are coming to me!" Then again Madhai took a wine pot, a clay wine pot as used at that time, and wanted to throw it at Nityananda Prabhu, but Jagai took his hand and told him, "Nonsense! He is a sannyasi. Why you are behaving with Him like this? Nonsense. Leave him!"

Like this, Jagai made some good comment and stopped him. In the meantime other people saw what was happening, and they gave news to Mahaprabhu that Nityananda Prabhu was hit and that He did not want to come back, determined to give them Harinam and Krsna-Prema. Then Mahaprabhu went there with His big devotee party, and He saw the blood on Nityananda Prabhu's head, and Mahaprabhu was very angry. He forgot His mundane appearance and He called the sudarshan chakra and He wanted to cut off the heads of Jagai and Madhai. In the meantime, Nityananda Prabhu took the lotus feet of Mahaprabhu and said, "What are You doing? This is not dwarpa-yuga. It is kali-yuga. Here tolerance and humility are necessary. If You want to bestow Your mercy to others, through tolerance and humility You can do that. You cannot use the chakra in this Avatar. This incarnation is not for that."

And Mahaprabhu said, "I cannot tolerate this type of activity of the asuras." Nityananda Prabhu said, "But both of them are not offenders. One is an offender but one rescued us from him. One saved us from the other's stupidity." After hearing of Jagai's activity to save Them, Mahaprabhu excused Jagai. Jagai took the Hare Krsna Mahamantra and fell down thinking of his previous karmma. He took the lotus feet of Mahaprabhu: "Mahaprabhu, please forgive my offences. There is no other way." Jagai then received Krsna-Prema.

The circumstances there were very heavy, but in the meantime Madhai also became a little conscious to see Jagai's activities. Seeing that, Madhai also took the lotus feet of Mahaprabhu, but Mahaprabhu said, "I cannot do the same for you. You go to Nityananda. If He will give you forgiveness, then you will get My embrace. Otherwise, it is not possible." Then Madhai took Nityananda's lotus feet.

preme matta nityananda kapa-avatara
uttama, adhama, kichu na kare vicara
ye age padaye, tare karaye nistara
ataeva nistarila mo-hena duracara

If anyone will take shelter of Nityananda Prabhu, He is very merciful to him. Then He gave all forgiveness with Krsna-Prema to Madhai, and Mahaprabhu also embraced Madhai. Jagai and Madhai then chanted 'Hare Krsna' and danced with Krsna-Prema.

Sri-Sri Nitai-Chaitanyadev at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Sri Jagannath Puri Dham. dekho ore bhai, tri-bhuvane nai emona doyala data pasu pakhi jhure, pasana vidare,  suni jara guna-gatha 'My dear brother, just try and examine this. Within the three worlds there is no one like Lord Caitanya or Lord Nityananda. Their merciful qualities are so great that upon hearing them even birds and beasts cry and stones melt.

To see Mahaprabhu's pastimes as rescuer of the conditioned souls, the general people were so astonished and they glorified Mahaprabhu so much. Mahaprabhu said to Jagai and Madhai, "Jagai and Madhai, if you do not do this again, I can forgive your offences forever. Now chant 'Hare Krsna!'" Jagai and Madhai asked Mahaprabhu, "Please give some service to us, Your servitors." Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu said, "You chant 'Hare Krsna' and give this Hare Krsna Mantra to everyone, and sweep the pathway by the Ganges and keep it clean. Then with a clean heart you can proceed." Jagai and Madhai every day did that, and that place is still known as Madhai Ghat. Our parikrama party crosses the Ganges from that place.

Anyhow, everyone knows that Nityananda Prabhu is the Supreme Personality of Godhead's second incarnation. That is Nityananda Prabhu. Madhavendra Puri initiated Nityananda Prabhu. Haridas Thakur, Adwaita Acharyya Prabhu and others there also received initiation from Madhavendra Puri.

Iswara Puri was a sannyasi, and he was always with Madhavendra Puri. Many times Madhavendra Puri came to Nabadwip and Shantipur, and stayed with Isvara Puri in the house of Adwaita Acharyya. Sometimes they took prasadam in Mahaprabhu's father's house, Jagannath Misra's house.

Nityananda Prabhu is the main pillar of preaching Krsna consciousness of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Mahaprabhu took sannyas. Before that, at a function, Mahaprabhu gave permission for Nityananda Prabhu to hold a Vyasa-puja ceremony. Nityananda Prabhu did that puja, but He gave the final garland to Mahaprabhu, thereby showing Chaitanya's glories. Mahaprabhu chanted the Holy Name of Lord Krsna: "Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare." This was Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's preaching, but more than that, He was the non-different form of Hare Krsna ó the non-different form of Radha Krsna. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu bestowed His mercy to the general people.

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The Nectarine Fountain of Chaitanya-lila

By His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj

From The Golden Volcano of Divine Love, Section One

It is the nature of divine mercy to extend itself without caring for any law. The only consideration is our eagerness to accept it. Mercy is offered in this way: "Do you want this?" If we simply agree, "Yes, it is wonderful and most tasteful," then we can have it. If our prayer is genuine, then nothing else is required. It is a simple transaction. If we want it, we will get it. Krsna consciousness is most simple. Whether one is fit or unfit is unimportant. Anyone who simply wants it may have it.

And what of those who don't want this divine gift? For them, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu distributed special mercy though His most magnanimous canvassing agent, Sri Nityananda Prabhu. Nityananda Prabhu won't allow even those who want to avoid Krsna consciousness to escape. If someone says, "I don't want it," Nityananda Prabhu won't allow it. He will say, "No! You must want it. I request you earnestly-take it! Use it and you will be able to feel the value of Krsna consciousness."

To capture the market, a clever merchant may distribute free samples of his product to his customers, saying, "Take one free! There is no question of paying any price now. I am giving this away. Use it, and if you feel the value, the utility of my product-buy it." And then afterwards everyone will purchase.

"Please accept Gauranga!"

In a similar way, Nityananda Prabhu traveled throughout Bengal making His humble appeal. Nityananda Prabhu would knock at the door and fall at the feet of His customers, crying, "Please accept this! Don't dismiss Me. Don't drive Me away. Please do what I say. Give all your attention to Gauranga and you will be benefited beyond expectation. This is My request to you." He would shed tears, roll at their door, and say, "You are reluctant to accept this, but have no doubts. I implore you - take it! Believe Me. Please accept Gauranga!" In this way, Nityananda Prabhu used to wander down both sides of the Ganges, roaming here and there and preaching about Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Nityananda Prabhu knows only Gauranga. He is represented in krsna-lila as Baladeva. Baladeva apparently performed the rasa-lila, but at heart was only arranging rasa-lilafor Krsna: His nature shows the experts of devotion that He is always dedicated to Krsna. Otherwise He would not be Baladeva. He has no individual thoughts for His own enjoyment; every atom of His body is always eager to make arrangements for the enjoyment of Krsna. In a similar way, every atom of the body of Nityananda Prabhu is conscious transcendental substance. And every atom of His body is meant only for the service and satisfaction of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

"Come Down From Your Throne!"

One day, Mahaprabhu's mother, Sacidevi, had a dream that Krsna and Balarama were on a throne and Nityananda Prabhu was addressing Baladeva, "Come down from Your throne! Your days are over. Now my Lord Gauranga will be installed." Baladeva refused: "No. I have My Lord - Krsna." There was a fight, but Nityananda Prabhu was stronger and He took Baladeva down from the throne, saying, "Your day has gone. Now the time for My master, Gauranga, has come. You are a trespasser, an usurper - You must come down." And Baladeva could not defeat Nityananda, who took Him down from the throne.

Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Sri Nabadwip Dham "What is Krsna-lila? It is the real essence of nectar. It is the gist of sweetness, happiness and ecstasy. The sweetness of the sweetest thing that can ever be conceived of is represented in Krsna-lila. Then what is Chaitanya-lila? InChaitanya-lila, that sweet nectar of Krsna-lila is flowing in all ten directions in hundreds of streams as is from a fountain. That fountain is Chaitanya-lila" - The Divine Servitor, His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj

This is the nature of Nityananda Prabhu's relationship with Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He has nothing of His own; His everything is Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. As Baladeva is to Krsna, Nityananda Prabhu is to Sri Chaitanya Mah‰prabhu.

The aim of Sriman Mahaprabhu's descent was to distribute the devotional service of Vrndavana most generously. On the other hand, Nityananda Prabhu used to sing,

bhaja gauranga, kaha gauranga laha gauranger nama, yei jana gauranga bhaje sei amara prana

"Worship Gauranga, speak of Gauranga, chant Gauranga's name. Whoever worships Sri Gauranga is My life and soul." Nityananda Prabhu tried His best to make the people at large accept Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. What did He say? "Come straight to the campaign of Sri Chaitanya and you will safely attain Vrndavana."

Of course, Navadwipa, the abode of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, is no less valuable than Vrndavana, the abode of Krsna. The same rasa which is found in Vrndavana is present in another feature in Navadwipa. Some devotees have a special attraction forvrndavana-lila, others have a special attraction for navadwipa-lila, and a third group represents both camps, but Navadwipa is the most generous. In Vrndavana, the pastimes of Krsna are confined to a confidential circle, but in Navadwipa, those pastimes are distributed. Gaura-lila is more generous than krsna-lila.

In the Chaitanya-charitamrita (Mad. 25.271), Krsnadasa Kaviraja Goswami explains his conception of the difference between gaura-lila and krsna-lila:

krsna-lila amrta-sara, tara sata sata dhara, 
dasa-dike vahe yaha haite 
se caitanya- lila haya, sarovara aksaya, 
mano-hamsa caraha' tahate

He says, "There is no doubt that we find the highest nectarine taste of rasa in krsna-lila. But what is gaura-lila? In gaura-lila, the nectar of krsna-lila is not confined to a limited circle, but is being distributed on all sides. It is just as if from all ten sides of the nectarine lake of krsna-lila hundreds of streams are flowing."

Our highest aspiration is to achieve the service of Srimati Radharani, but in the beginning, we must approach Sri Nityananda Prabhu through His manifest representation, the Guru. Nityananda Prabhu consolidates the foundation which helps us progress further in devotion. Quick progress without a good foundation invites a negative reaction, so the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu is our primary necessity.

nitai-pada-kamala, koti-candra-susitala  ye chayaya jagata juray heno nitai bine bhai, radha-krsna paite nai,  drda kori' dharo nitaira paya The holy lotus feet of Nitai, cooling like ten million moons -  In the shade of which the world gains soothing relief;  Without that Nitai, O brother, no one can reach Radha and Krsna- Clasp His lotus feet with full conviction.

"Without the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu 

I will not get Mahaprabhu's mercy."

"The incarnation of Nityananda Prabhu is Gurudev."  The Divine Trinity of Gurus: Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj, Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj and Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabupada.

By His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj

From The Divine Servitor, Part Two

Service to the Guru and Vaisnava is our life, and we must try to perform that service. No doubt we cannot always satisfy Guru and Vaisnava, but the main thing is to have the tendency and inner desire to satisfy them. Transcendental power comes down through the channel, and if we want it, we must try in this way. Through the Guru and the Vaisnavas, transcendental power comes to us and gives us devotional strength. That strength is the service to Guru and Vaisnava. Narottama Das Thakur wrote nitaiyer karuna habe, vraje radha krsna pabe. When we can please Guru and Vaisnava, they will give their mercy and then we must surely get service to Radha-Govinda andMahaprabhu. This is very clear. In this

tomara karuna mage trikala vilase gandharvvika-giridhari seva-matra ase 'Past, present, and future - for all eternity, we beg your mercy. Only by your mercy will one receive devotional service to Sri-Sri Gandharvvika-Giridhari.'

way Nityananda Prabhu is very merciful and He takes the conditioned souls from the very low level up to the high level: that is the power of Nityananda Prabhu. The incarnation of Nityananda Prabhu is Gurudev. Always He distributes the mercy of Mahaprabhu and He gives entrance to the lila of Radha-Krsna. He is actually the first treasurer of the whole of the transcendental world. He is the master of the whole of that realm, and when we may get entrance to Goloka, Vraja-dham, we shall receive the mercy of Radharani's servitors. But first, to serve Nityananda Prabhu is most necessary; we must satisfy Nityananda Prabhu.

In Sri Chaitanya-Charitamrta it is related that Raghunath Das Goswami many times tried to go to join with Mahaprabhu's mission in Jagannath Puri, but he was always unsuccessful and could not meet with Him. Many times he tried to go to the lotus feet of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu but his father tried to keep him in household life and therefore Raghunath was very sad.

One day he heard that Nityananda Prabhu had come to Panihati near Raghunath Das Goswami's father's house. Immediately he went to see Nityananda Prabhu thinking, "Without the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu I will not get Mahaprabhu's mercy."

So he went to Nityananda Prabhu. Seeing him Nityananda Prabhu was happy and said, "You are a thief. Always you are trying to go to Mahaprabhu in the manner of a thief, but first you arrange a festival to feed all the devotees gathered here for My satisfaction. If you can satisfy Me in this way, I shall give you direct entrance to Mahaprabhu's lotus feet."

At that time wherever Nityananda Prabhu went He was accompanied by many devotees; also on that occasion in Panihatigram many were present.

Raghunath Das was very happy to hear Nityananda Prabhu's order and said, "Yes Prabhu, I shall try." So from many villages he collected large quantities of yoghurt, milk, flat rice, bananas, sandesh and many other eatables in order to feed the devotees. He made all arrangements. Nityananda Prabhu with His associates, servitors and devotees all very happily took that maha-prasadam. Nityananda Prabhu said, "Yes, now you have finished your grhasta life. Your household life is now finished, and you will attain to Mahaprabhu's lotus feet."

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"I am fully indebted to Sri Gurudev"

By His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj

From Sri Guru and His Grace, Chapter Four

To get the grace of Nityananda Prabhu, we should try as far as possible to study the character of Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu, to serve Him, to serve His dhama, and His devotees. That will easily help us attain the grace of Nityananda Prabhu. And there will always be so many practical dealings in our present stage, but we must always keep the highest ideal over our heads. With this ideal we shall be able to make progress. Our ideal, our highest model - that is our all in all in life. To be acquainted with the conception of the highest ideal and to be on the path of realization of that goal is the greatest wealth in one's life.

Srila Raghunatha Das Goswami prays, "I only aspire after one thing. I cherish the hope that one day I may be welcomed into the plane where Radhika and Madhava are in Their glory, sitting and playing." That should be our prospect. This is found in Raghunatha Das Goswami's prayer to his Guru. He says:

nama-srestham manum api saci-putram atra svarupam
rupam tasyagrajam uru-purim mathurim gostavatim 
radha-kundam giri-varam aho radhika-madhavasam
prapto yasya prathita-krpaya sri gurum tam nato 'smi

"I am fully indebted to Sri Gurudev. Why? He has given me so many things. He has given me the highest conception of the holy name of Krsna, the highest form of sound which contains the highest form of thought, aspiration, ideal, everything. And next he has given me the mantra." The name is there within the mantra. Without the name, the mantra is nothing. If the name of Krsna is withdrawn and replaced with another name, the mantra will give the opposite result. The name of Krsna is all in all. And within themantra, the name is couched in a particular way as a sort of prayer.

And then he says, "He has given me the service of that great savior, the son of Mother Sachi, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is like a golden mountain standing to show the direction of krsna-lila. And Gurudev has brought me to the lotus feet of Mahaprabhu's most favorite personal assistant, Svarupa Damodara, who is the representation of Lalita-devi, the most favorite friend of Radhika.

"Then he has brought me in connection with Sri Rupa, who was ordered to distribute the highest kinds of devotional love, rasa." Vaidhi-bhakti, the worship of the Lord in awe and reverence, is of a lower order. But raganuga-bhakti, spontaneous love, the hearts innermost dealings, was distributed through Srila Rupa Goswami. Mahaprabhu considered Sri Rupa the best to deal with raganuga-bhakti.

sri bhakti sundara deva prabhu siromani gosvami govinda jaya anandera khani 'All glories to Sri Bhakti Sundar Govinda Goswami, who is our supreme master and is like a reservoir of joy.'

Das Goswami says, "Then, by his grace, I have achieved the association of Srila Sanatana Goswami, who adjusts our position in relation to raganuga-bhakti. He explains the path ofvaidhibhakti, and gives us sambandha-jnana: the knowledge of what is what, a proper acquaintance with the environment." Then he says, "Gurudev has given me Mathura Mandala, where Radha and Govinda have Their pastimes; where the forest, the hills, every creeper, shrub, and grain of sand, everyone is bearing the acquaintance of Radha-Krsna lila, and wherever I shall cast my glance they will help me in my remembrance of Radha and Govinda. I have received all these things from my Gurudev: Vrndavana, where the cows and the milkmen have their village constructed. I am becoming acquainted with their association, their nature, and their feelings of love for Krsna.

"By the grace of Gurudev, I have become acquainted with Radha-kunda, the favorite place of Radha and Govinda for Their pastimes, and this great Govardhana. And lastly he has given me the hope that one day I can get the service of Sri Sri Radhika and Madhava. I have been given all these assurances by my Gurudev, so I bow my head with all my respects to his lotus feet."

So, if we are conscious of all these spiritual matters, then we can think that we have approached our Gurudev properly. What is our Guru? What is his mission? It is filled with all these things. Devoid of that, what is our interest?

---

"My Only Hope is Dayal Nitai"

By His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj

From The Divine Servitor, Part Two

"...seeing our intention they must surely help us by giving guidance as to which way we can go and what will be beneficial for us."

Here where we are living is the mundane plane where in a cyclic way we are receiving birth after birth throughout the fourteen worlds. But our goal is to cross over this environment to Paravyoma Dham and to Goloka Dham: that is our destination. By repeatedly trying, one day we must be successful in reaching that goal. Another way for us to go is by the merciful blessings of Guru and the Vaisnavas. They are not blind, but seeing our intention they must surely help us by giving guidance as to which way we can go and what will be beneficial for us. What we may get by way of inspiration is received from thecaittya-guru, the internal Guru. Other directives we receive from the mahanta-guru, the external manifestation of Sri Guru.Therefore our future is very bright no doubt, but we must follow the directives of Srila Guru Maharaj and try to go to our transcendental destination. This is our only duty; there is no other duty.

It is very fortunate when the opportunity to engage in direct service to Krsna comes for the jiva souls, and Krsna gives that through Guru. Therefore Nityananda Prabhu, that is Sri Guru, is the only hope in our lives. Lastly we have seen how Srila Guru Maharaj was always chanting "Dayal Nitai, Dayal Nitai, Dayal Nitai." He said, "My only hope is Dayal Nitai, Dayal Nitai."

Nobody could understand the meaning within that, but by the mercy of Srila Guru Maharaj I immediately guessed it. Srila Guru Maharaj is showing us the proper line. He has crossed over all the stages of practising life; that is called paramahamsa, and now he is showing us our fortune, that is Dayal Nitai. By the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu we must be successful, therefore our practising life must go in that direction. This is my advice to you all and also I am trying, and praying to Sri Guru and the Vaisnavas, "Please give me that type of increasing inspiration and power to preach to others and be successful as a servitor myself."

---

sri-guru karuna-sindhu, adhama janara bandhu, lokanatha lokera jivana ha ha prabhu koro doya, deho more pada-chaya, ebe jasa ghusuk tribuvana  'O spiritual master, ocean of mercy, and friend of the fallen souls, you are the teacher of everyone and the life of all people. O master! Be merciful unto me and give methe shade of your lotus feet. May you glories now be proclaimed throughout the three worlds.'

"Without the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu 

I will not get Mahaprabhu's mercy."

"The incarnation of Nityananda Prabhu is Gurudev."  The Divine Trinity of Gurus: Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj, Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj and Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabupada.

By His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj

From The Divine Servitor, Part Two

Service to the Guru and Vaisnava is our life, and we must try to perform that service. No doubt we cannot always satisfy Guru and Vaisnava, but the main thing is to have the tendency and inner desire to satisfy them. Transcendental power comes down through the channel, and if we want it, we must try in this way. Through the Guru and the Vaisnavas, transcendental power comes to us and gives us devotional strength. That strength is the service to Guru and Vaisnava. Narottama Das Thakur wrote nitaiyer karuna habe, vraje radha krsna pabe. When we can please Guru and Vaisnava, they will give their mercy and then we must surely get service to Radha-Govinda andMahaprabhu. This is very clear. In this

tomara karuna mage trikala vilase gandharvvika-giridhari seva-matra ase 'Past, present, and future - for all eternity, we beg your mercy. Only by your mercy will one receive devotional service to Sri-Sri Gandharvvika-Giridhari.'

way Nityananda Prabhu is very merciful and He takes the conditioned souls from the very low level up to the high level: that is the power of Nityananda Prabhu. The incarnation of Nityananda Prabhu is Gurudev. Always He distributes the mercy of Mahaprabhu and He gives entrance to the lila of Radha-Krsna. He is actually the first treasurer of the whole of the transcendental world. He is the master of the whole of that realm, and when we may get entrance to Goloka, Vraja-dham, we shall receive the mercy of Radharani's servitors. But first, to serve Nityananda Prabhu is most necessary; we must satisfy Nityananda Prabhu.

In Sri Chaitanya-Charitamrta it is related that Raghunath Das Goswami many times tried to go to join with Mahaprabhu's mission in Jagannath Puri, but he was always unsuccessful and could not meet with Him. Many times he tried to go to the lotus feet of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu but his father tried to keep him in household life and therefore Raghunath was very sad.

One day he heard that Nityananda Prabhu had come to Panihati near Raghunath Das Goswami's father's house. Immediately he went to see Nityananda Prabhu thinking, "Without the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu I will not get Mahaprabhu's mercy."

So he went to Nityananda Prabhu. Seeing him Nityananda Prabhu was happy and said, "You are a thief. Always you are trying to go to Mahaprabhu in the manner of a thief, but first you arrange a festival to feed all the devotees gathered here for My satisfaction. If you can satisfy Me in this way, I shall give you direct entrance to Mahaprabhu's lotus feet."

At that time wherever Nityananda Prabhu went He was accompanied by many devotees; also on that occasion in Panihatigram many were present.

Raghunath Das was very happy to hear Nityananda Prabhu's order and said, "Yes Prabhu, I shall try." So from many villages he collected large quantities of yoghurt, milk, flat rice, bananas, sandesh and many other eatables in order to feed the devotees. He made all arrangements. Nityananda Prabhu with His associates, servitors and devotees all very happily took that maha-prasadam. Nityananda Prabhu said, "Yes, now you have finished your grhasta life. Your household life is now finished, and you will attain to Mahaprabhu's lotus feet."

---

"I am fully indebted to Sri Gurudev"

By His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj

From Sri Guru and His Grace, Chapter Four

To get the grace of Nityananda Prabhu, we should try as far as possible to study the character of Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu, to serve Him, to serve His dhama, and His devotees. That will easily help us attain the grace of Nityananda Prabhu. And there will always be so many practical dealings in our present stage, but we must always keep the highest ideal over our heads. With this ideal we shall be able to make progress. Our ideal, our highest model - that is our all in all in life. To be acquainted with the conception of the highest ideal and to be on the path of realization of that goal is the greatest wealth in one's life.

Srila Raghunatha Das Goswami prays, "I only aspire after one thing. I cherish the hope that one day I may be welcomed into the plane where Radhika and Madhava are in Their glory, sitting and playing." That should be our prospect. This is found in Raghunatha Das Goswami's prayer to his Guru. He says:

nama-srestham manum api saci-putram atra svarupam
rupam tasyagrajam uru-purim mathurim gostavatim 
radha-kundam giri-varam aho radhika-madhavasam
prapto yasya prathita-krpaya sri gurum tam nato 'smi

"I am fully indebted to Sri Gurudev. Why? He has given me so many things. He has given me the highest conception of the holy name of Krsna, the highest form of sound which contains the highest form of thought, aspiration, ideal, everything. And next he has given me the mantra." The name is there within the mantra. Without the name, the mantra is nothing. If the name of Krsna is withdrawn and replaced with another name, the mantra will give the opposite result. The name of Krsna is all in all. And within themantra, the name is couched in a particular way as a sort of prayer.

And then he says, "He has given me the service of that great savior, the son of Mother Sachi, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is like a golden mountain standing to show the direction of krsna-lila. And Gurudev has brought me to the lotus feet of Mahaprabhu's most favorite personal assistant, Svarupa Damodara, who is the representation of Lalita-devi, the most favorite friend of Radhika.

"Then he has brought me in connection with Sri Rupa, who was ordered to distribute the highest kinds of devotional love, rasa." Vaidhi-bhakti, the worship of the Lord in awe and reverence, is of a lower order. But raganuga-bhakti, spontaneous love, the hearts innermost dealings, was distributed through Srila Rupa Goswami. Mahaprabhu considered Sri Rupa the best to deal with raganuga-bhakti.

sri bhakti sundara deva prabhu siromani gosvami govinda jaya anandera khani 'All glories to Sri Bhakti Sundar Govinda Goswami, who is our supreme master and is like a reservoir of joy.'

Das Goswami says, "Then, by his grace, I have achieved the association of Srila Sanatana Goswami, who adjusts our position in relation to raganuga-bhakti. He explains the path ofvaidhibhakti, and gives us sambandha-jnana: the knowledge of what is what, a proper acquaintance with the environment." Then he says, "Gurudev has given me Mathura Mandala, where Radha and Govinda have Their pastimes; where the forest, the hills, every creeper, shrub, and grain of sand, everyone is bearing the acquaintance of Radha-Krsna lila, and wherever I shall cast my glance they will help me in my remembrance of Radha and Govinda. I have received all these things from my Gurudev: Vrndavana, where the cows and the milkmen have their village constructed. I am becoming acquainted with their association, their nature, and their feelings of love for Krsna.

"By the grace of Gurudev, I have become acquainted with Radha-kunda, the favorite place of Radha and Govinda for Their pastimes, and this great Govardhana. And lastly he has given me the hope that one day I can get the service of Sri Sri Radhika and Madhava. I have been given all these assurances by my Gurudev, so I bow my head with all my respects to his lotus feet."

So, if we are conscious of all these spiritual matters, then we can think that we have approached our Gurudev properly. What is our Guru? What is his mission? It is filled with all these things. Devoid of that, what is our interest?

---

"My Only Hope is Dayal Nitai"

By His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj

From The Divine Servitor, Part Two

"...seeing our intention they must surely help us by giving guidance as to which way we can go and what will be beneficial for us."

Here where we are living is the mundane plane where in a cyclic way we are receiving birth after birth throughout the fourteen worlds. But our goal is to cross over this environment to Paravyoma Dham and to Goloka Dham: that is our destination. By repeatedly trying, one day we must be successful in reaching that goal. Another way for us to go is by the merciful blessings of Guru and the Vaisnavas. They are not blind, but seeing our intention they must surely help us by giving guidance as to which way we can go and what will be beneficial for us. What we may get by way of inspiration is received from thecaittya-guru, the internal Guru. Other directives we receive from the mahanta-guru, the external manifestation of Sri Guru.Therefore our future is very bright no doubt, but we must follow the directives of Srila Guru Maharaj and try to go to our transcendental destination. This is our only duty; there is no other duty.

It is very fortunate when the opportunity to engage in direct service to Krsna comes for the jiva souls, and Krsna gives that through Guru. Therefore Nityananda Prabhu, that is Sri Guru, is the only hope in our lives. Lastly we have seen how Srila Guru Maharaj was always chanting "Dayal Nitai, Dayal Nitai, Dayal Nitai." He said, "My only hope is Dayal Nitai, Dayal Nitai."

Nobody could understand the meaning within that, but by the mercy of Srila Guru Maharaj I immediately guessed it. Srila Guru Maharaj is showing us the proper line. He has crossed over all the stages of practising life; that is called paramahamsa, and now he is showing us our fortune, that is Dayal Nitai. By the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu we must be successful, therefore our practising life must go in that direction. This is my advice to you all and also I am trying, and praying to Sri Guru and the Vaisnavas, "Please give me that type of increasing inspiration and power to preach to others and be successful as a servitor myself."

---

sri-guru karuna-sindhu, adhama janara bandhu, lokanatha lokera jivana ha ha prabhu koro doya, deho more pada-chaya, ebe jasa ghusuk tribuvana  'O spiritual master, ocean of mercy, and friend of the fallen souls, you are the teacher of everyone and the life of all people. O master! Be merciful unto me and give methe shade of your lotus feet. May you glories now be proclaimed throughout the three worlds.'