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Contents
A Note from the Publisher
3
Sri Syamananda Prabhu Disappearance
4
Sri Vakresvara Pandita Appearance
6
Sri Srivasa Pandita Disappearance
8
Yogini Mahadvadasi
10
Sri Gadadhara Pandit Disappearance
13
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura Disappearance
16
Gundica Marjana
20
Rath Yatra Pastimes
22
Sri Svarupa Damodara Gosvami Disappearance 25
Sri Sivananda Sena Disappearance
27
Hera Pancami
29
Return of Rath Yatra
30
Sayana Ekadasi
32
Srila Sanatana Goswami
36
Credits40
A Note from the Publisher
Hare Krishna
Please accept our most humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
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To the assembled devotees who will read these pages.
We hope that you are finding these simple publications helpful in increasing
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Sri Syamananda Prabhu
Disappearance
Shayamanda a dear devotee of
the Lord took birth in a village
in Orissa in a kingdom known
as Utkala. Feeling very sad
(dukhi) over losing several
children before his birth, his
parents named him Dukhi
Krishna Dasa. Upon taking
diksha from Hrdaya Chaitanya
he became known as Krishna
Dasa. In Vrindavana, he joined
Narottama Dasa Thakura and
Shrinivasa Acharya to study the
Goswami granthas under Shri
Jiva Goswami.
Many “ankle bell stories” describe
how Krishna Dasa received
Radharani’s mercy, the name
Shyamananda, and his unique
tilaka mark.
A brief description of this is given
thus;
While living in Vrindavana,
Krishna Dasa regularly swept the
streets before dawn. He performed
this humble service so that the
Vaishnavas would not hurt their
feet while walking to the Temples.
One morning he found
a captivatingly beautiful
golden ankle bracelet. While
contemplating on whom the
bracelet belonged to, two
cowherd girls appeared at the
scene and requested that he
hand it over saying it belonged
to their friend. However Krsna
Dasa would not let go of the
bracelet.
To finally convince him the two
cowherd girls assumed their
real forms as Lalita and Visakha
sakhis, then he understood that
the friend they spoke about
must have been Radharani
Herself. When Lalita and
Visakha sakhis asked for the
bracelet Krishna Dasa said he
would only give it to the original
owner.
Blindfolding Krishna Dasa, the
gopis brought him to Shrimati
Radhika. She allowed him to put
the bracelet on Her ankle. But
before fastening it, Krishna Dasa
reverentially touched it to his
forehead. This left a new tilaka
mark permanently there.
Rejoicing over Krishna Dasa’s
transcendental fortune, Shri Jiva
Goswami awarded him the name
Shyamananda (one who pleases
Shrimati Radharani or the servant
of Shyamasundara Krishna).
Sometime after Hrdaya Chaitanya’s
disappearance, he reappeared in
a dream telling Shyamananda
to preach. With the help of his
foremost disciple, Rasikananda,
Shyamananda profusely spread
the worship and service of GauraNityananda all over Orissa.
Twenty-four hour kirtana
surrounds Shyamananda’s pushpa
samadhi which is located on the
opposite side of the street running
between Radha-Shyamasundara
and Radha-Damodara Temples in
Vrindavana. Sri Vakresvara Pandita
Appearance
Sri Vakreshwar Pandit was present
with Sriman Mahaprabhu during
His pastimes in Navadwipa and
after his acceptance of Sannyasa
he also accompanied Him to
Jagannath Puri. During the time
of the Lord’s residence in Puri he
continued to live with Him there
as well. Sri Vakreshwar Pandit took
birth in the village of Guptipara
near Triveni. He was an especially
proficient dancer and kirtaniya and
could dance continuously for 72
hours.
at Jagannatha Puri.
Vrindavana Dasa Thakura said,
‘To awaken the sleeping souls
in the age of Kali, Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu came to distribute
the nectar of the holy name of
Krishna. When He came the
khol (mrdanga) and karatals
sounded like thundering clouds.
Absorbed in moods of ecstatic
love and shouting “Hari bol
Hari bol,” Sri Gauranga told
everyone to chant the holy name
of Krishna. Raising His golden
Once in the house of Srivasa
arms to the sky, Lord Gaura
Thakura, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Hari would dance in ecstasy. At
sang while Vakresvara Pandit
that time, Vakresvara Pandit and
danced in constant ecstasy for
others would dance with the
seventy-two hours. At that time
Lord.”(Caitanya Bhagavata)
Lord Caitanya said, “Vakresvara, I
have only one wing like you, but if By Vakresvara’s blessings
I had another certainly I could fly
Devananda Pandit was freed
in the sky”.
from the Vaisnava aparadha
he committed against Srivasa
Expert at singing and dancing,
Pandit. Then Sri Caitanya
Vakresvara Pandit always pleased
accepted Devananda Pandit
Lord Caitanya with his service
as one of His “own devotees.”
in the Navadvipa sankirtana
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu
parties (which he joined from the
commented on this incident,
beginning), the dramas at Srivas
“Krishna has made His home
Angam, and the yearly Ratha-yatra in the heart of Vakresvara
Pandit. As Krishna dances in
his heart, so Vakresvara Pandit
himself dances. Whatever place
Vakresvara Pandit blesses with
his association becomes a holy
place of pilgrimage more sacred
than all the holy places.”
Vakresvara Pandit established
Deities of Sri-Sri Radha-Kantha
in Kashi Mishra’s house next
to the Gambhira in Jagannatha
Puri. Kavi Karnapura says
Vakresvara Pandit is an
incarnation of Aniruddha
of catur-vyuha. Vakresvara
Pandit initiated Gopala Guru
Goswami and many others in
Orissa. Dhyan Candra, a disciple
of Gopala Guru Goswami, says in
his books that Vakresvara Pandit
is an incarnation of Tungavidya
sakhi, an expert singer and
dancer serving as one of Srimati
Radharani’s asta-sakhis. His
samadhi is in the 64 Samadhis
Area.
Sri Srivasa Pandita
Disappearance
Srivasa Pandit, fifth member
of the Panca-tattva; Sri Krishna
Chaitanya, Prabhu Nityananda,
Sri Advaita, Gadadhara and
Srivas lived in Navadwipa
before the advent of Lord
Chaitanya. Srivasa led his
brothers Sri Rama, Sri Nidhi,
and Sripati in their devotional
lives of singing Krishna’s
names, worshiping the Lord,
and bathing thrice daily in the
Ganges.
Srivas Pandit would regularly
meet with Sri Advaita Acharya
Prabhu to study the Bhagavatam
and prayed for an incarnation
of the Supreme Lord. Why did
they pray? They prayed because
only an avatara of Krishna could
restablish Vaishnavism among the
staunch atheists, logicians, and
proud pandits harassing Nadia at
that time.
Malini, wife of Srivasa, was a
constant friend of Sachi Devi. She
served Nimai as a nurse. When
Lord Vishvambhara appeared,
the hearts of all of these Devotees
were filled with parental affection
(vatsalya bhava). Gaurachandra
loved Malini and Shrivasa as a
second mother and father.
Shrivasa Angan was located two
hundred yards north of Nimai’s bari
(house). Shrivasa Pandit’s palatial
home had large comfortable rooms,
a high protective boundary wall,
and lush densely foliated gardens
and groves. Every night Shri
Gauranga Mahaprabhu and His
dearest friends would enjoy ecstatic
kirtans here and taste the mellows
of Vrindavana.
Here, the raging Muslim Kazi
broke the sacred mridanga in
his foolish attempt to stop Sri
Krishna’s Sankirtana Movement.
Henceforward, Srivasa Angan was
known as Khol Banga Danga (place
where the mrdanga was broken).
The Kazi passed an ordinance
prohibiting sankirtana. Violators
would be converted to the Muslim
faith and lose their property.
Although most the residents of
Navadwipa panicked over this,
Srivasa Pandit laughed at the
fanatical law.
Within Srivasa Angan, Lord
Gauranga-sundara showed His
divine form to all His eternal
associates. The house of Srivasa
Pandit served as the headquarters
of Gauranga’s Sankirtana
Movement. The daily Bhagavatam
classes, nightly kirtans, and many
confidential Vraja pastimes of Lord
Gaura occurred here.
Srivasa Pandit and Sri Advaita
Acharya, the learned chiefs of the
brahmana community, dedicated
all their energy to the Lord’s HariNama Sankirtana Movement.
They surrendered their bodies,
minds, homes, friends, family, and
all possessions to Lord Gaura’s
service. They knew no other
gods or goddesses. Srivasa Pandit
maintained his family, not because
they were his relatives, but because
they were Sri Caitanya’s loving
servants.
Srivasa Pandit represents the
marginal living entity (tatastha jiva). The Devotees headed by
Srivasa are described as Lord
Chaitanya’s smaller limbs (His
face, eyes, hands, disc, and other
weapons). They all took part in
Sri Gaurasundara’s pastimes.
With them Lord Gauranga
spread the sankirtana movement.
Shrivasa Pandit is Narada
Muni, an inter-galactic preacher
and constant associate of the
Lord. His samadhi is in the 64
Samadhis Area in Vrndavan.
Yogini Mahadvadasi
Yudhisthira Maharaja said, “O
Supreme Lord, I have heard the
glories of Nirjala Ekadasi, which
occurs during the light fortnight
of the month of Jyestha. O killer of
the Madhu demon.”
very lustfully attracted to his
gorgeous wife, Svarupavati, who
had large, enchanting eyes.”
“O best of kings, this Ekadasi
delivers people who drowning
in the vast ocean of material
existence and transports them to
the shore of the spiritual world.
In all the three worlds, it is the
chief of all sacred fasting days. I
shall reveal this truth to you by
narrating a history recounted in
the Puranas.”
“O king, while Hemamali was
enjoying with his wife, Kuvera
began worshiping Lord Siva in
his palace and soon discovered
that there were no flowers ready
for the midday puja. The lack of
such an important item angered
the great demigod, and he asked
a Yaksa messenger, ‘Why has
dirty-hearted Hemamali not
come with the daily offering of
flowers? Go find out the exact
reason and report back to me
in person.’ The Yaksa returned
and told Kuvera, ‘O dear Lord,
Hemamali is freely enjoying sex
with his wife.’
“Hemamali’s daily duty was
to visit Manasarovara Lake
and bring back flowers for his
master, Kuvera, which were
The Sureme Lord, Sri Krsna,
then used in the worship of Lord
replied,” O king, I shall tell
Siva. One day, after picking the
you the best of all fasting days,
flowers, Hemamali went to his
the Ekadasi that comes during
wife instead of returning directly
the dark part of the month of
Asadha. Famous as Yogini Ekadasi to his master and fulfilling his
duty. Absorbed in loving affairs
it removes all kinds of sinful
with his wife, he forgot to return
reactions and awards supreme
to the abode of Kuvera.”
liberation.
“The king of Alakapuri, Kuvera,
the treasurer of the demigods,
was a steadfast devotee of Lord
Siva. He employed a servant
named Hemamali as his personal
gardener. Hemamali a Yaksa, was
‘Kuvera became extreamly angry
when he heard this and at once
summoned lowly Hemamali
before him. Knowing that he had
been remiss and dawdling in his
duty, Hemamali approached
his master in great fear. The
gardener first paid his obeisances
and then stood before his lord,
whose eyes had become red
with anger and whose lips
trembled. Enraged, Kuvera
cried out to Hemamali, ‘O sinful
rascal’ O destroyer of religious
principles! You are an offense to
the demigods! I therefore curse
you to suffer from white leprosy
and to become separated from
your beloved wife! Only great
suffering is deservedly yours!
O lowborn fool, leave this place
immediately and betake yourself
to the lower planets!’
he continued to worship Lord
Siva faithfully, his consciousness
remained pure and steady.
Although implicated by great sin
and its attendant reactions, he
remembered his past life because
of his piety.
“After wandering for some time
here and there, over mountains
and across plains he came to
the Himalayan range. There he
had the wonderful good fortune
to come upon the great saint
Markandeya Risi, the best of
ascetics, whose duration of life, it
is said, extends to seven days of
Brahma.”
“And so Hemamali fell at once
from Alakapuri and become ill
with the terrible affliction of
white leprosy. He awoke in a
dense and fearful forest, where
there was nothing to eat or
drink.
Markandeya was seated peacefully
at his asrama, looking as effulgent
as a second Brahma. Hemamali,
feeling very sinful, stood at a
distance from the magnificent sage
and offered his humble obeisances
and prayers. Always interested in
the welfare of other, Markandeya
saw the leper and called to him, ‘O
you, what sort of sinful deeds have
you done to earn this dreadful
affliction?’
Thus he passed his days in
misery, unable to sleep at night
due to pain. He suffered in both
winter and summer, but because
“Hearning this, Hemamali
replied, ‘Dear sir, I am a Yaksa
servant of Lord Kuvera, and my
name is Hemamali. It was my
daily service to pick flowers
from Manasarovara Lake
for my master’s worship of
Lord Siva, but one day I was
late in returning with the
offering become I had become
overwhelmed with passion for
my beautiful wife. When my
master discovered why I was
late, he cursed me in great
anger. Thus I am now bereft
of my home, wife, and service.
But fortunately I have come
upon you, and now I hope to
receive from you an auspicious
benediction, for I know that
devotees of the Supreme Lord
always carry the interest of
others uppermost in their hearts.
That is their great nature. O best
of the sages please help me!
“Markendeya Risi replied,
‘Because you have told me the
truth, I shall tell you about a
fast day that will benefit you
greatly. If you fast on the Ekadasi
that comes during the dark
fornight of the month of Asadha,
you will surely be freed of this
terrible curse.’ Upon hearing
words from the renowed sage,
Hemamali fell to the ground in
complete gratitude and offered
him humble obeisances. But
Markendeya stood and lifted
Hemamali up, filling him with
inexpressible happiness.”
“Thus as the sage had instructed
him, Hemamali dutifully
observed the Ekadasi fast, and
by its influence he again become
a handsome Yaksa. Then he
returned home, where he lived
very happily with his wife.”
Lord Krsna concluded, “So you
can readily see, O Yudhisthira,
that fasting on Yogini Ekadasi is
very powerful and auspicious.
Whatever merit one obtains by
freeding eighty-eight thousand
pious brahmanas is also obtained
simple by oberving a strict fast on
Yogini Ekadasi. For one who fasts
on this sacred Ekadasi, he destroys
heaps of past sinful reactions and
this makes him most pious. O
king, thus I have explained to you
the purity of Yogini Ekadasi.
Sri Gadadhara Pandit
Disappearance
Sri Gadadhara
was the consant
companion of
Mahaprabhu from
the time of their
childhood. His
father’s name was
Sri Madhva Misra
and his mother’s
name Sri Ratnavati
devi. They lived
very near the house
of Sri Jagannatha
Misra in Mayapura. Ratnavati-devi
thought of Saci-devi as her own
sister, and always used to visit her.
During their childhood, Sri
Gaura Hari and Gadadhara
would play together, sometimes
at Mahaprabhu’s house and
sometimes at Gadadhara’s house.
They both studied together at
the same school. Gadadhara was
a few years younger than Nimai.
Nimai couldn’t remain without
Gadadhara even for a moment and
Gadadhara likewise couldn’t stand
to be separated from Nimai. Saci
Mata knowing that Nimai had an
intense affection for Gadadhara
would send him to fetch Nimai
who used to play at
Srivas Angan. Nimai
ordinarily wouldn’t
listen to anyone’s
request for him to
stop playing and head
home, except for
Gadadhara. Ironically,
when Gadadhara
pandit showed up
to take Nimai home,
they would both end
up playing the whole
time and neither of them would go
home.
In the Gaur-ganoddesa-dipika, it
is described that that person who
in Vraja was the daughter of Sri
Vrsabhanu Raja, namely Srimati
Radharani, is now celebrated as Sri
Gadadhara Pandita.
Srila Svarupa Damodara has
written in his diary: avani sura
bavah Sri Panditakhyo jatindrahsa
khalo bhavati Radha Srila
Gauravataro.
Sri Vasudeva Ghosa Thakura has
also written:
“Lord Gaurasundara, who
is beyond the purview of the
scriptures, beyond the entire
Brahman, and above even the
Vedas, can never be known by
the atheists whose intelligence
is dull. Lord Nityananda is
His eternal self. Lord Caitanya
is Lord Govinda Himself and
Pandita Gadadhara is none
other than Sri Radha. The divine
couples, who are present in Sri
Caitanya, are a well of rasa.
Advaita Acarya (Sadasiva) has
prayed for His descent.
Within He is blackish but
of a golden hue without, the
manifestation of the divine couple.
Thus Vasudeva Ghosa sings of
the beauty of this divine couple
Sri Gaura-Gadadhara – in
whose worship he has been
completely subjugated. He
prays that he will desire to
serve them birth after birth.”
In Sri Caitanya-caritamrta
we likewise find:
“The emotions and
expressions of Pandita
Gadadhara are not possible
to describe. Another name of
Lord Gauranga is the ‘Lord
of the life of Gadadhara.’
Who can understand what
mercy has been bestowed
upon him? Their glories are
sung by everyone as GadaiGauranga.” During the time
when Sri Isvara Puri was
present for a few months in
Navadwipa at the house of Sri
Gopinath Acarya, he taught
Gadadhara from the book he
had composed, Sri Krishna
Lilamrta.
Gadadhara was from his
very childhood very serene,
patient, calm, quiet, fond of
solitude and very renounced.
Nimai Pandit during the
time of His precocious
youth would ask his fellow
students meaningless,
fallacious questions in logic.
Gadadhara however, was
not especially fond of this
pastime, and therefore he sometimes
used to remain at some distance
from Nimai. But Nimai wouldn’t
allow him to get away. He would tell
him – “Gadadhara! In a very short
time I’ll become such a Vaisnava
that Lord Brahma and Lord Siva
themselves will come to my door.”
Sri Gadadhara Pandita was very
affectionate towards Mukunda
datta. Whenever any Vaisnava
came to Navadwipa, Mukunda
would inform Gadadhara and they
would both go to have darsana.
One time Pundarika Vidyanidhi
came from Cattagram to Navadwipa
and Mukunda invited Gadadhara
to come along and meet him.
Gadadhara was very excited to meet
such a Vaisnava and thus the two
of them happily set out together to
take advantage of sadhu-sanga with
the famous Pundarika Vidyanidhi. Read More ([Chaitanya Bhagavat.
Madhylila 7.78-79].)
Srila Bhaktivinoda
Thakura Disappearance
(September 2, 1838 – June
23, 1914) A prominent
figure among the Gaudiya
Vaishnavas of Bengal, was
born as Kedarnath Datta in
the town of Birnagar, Bengal,
India. He was the son of Raja
Krsnananda Datta and Jagat
Mohini Devi. Professionally,
he was a High Court judge
in Jagannath Puri in Orrisa. It’s
also interesting to note that He
was a High Court judge at the
time when the British were still
in Power and generally didn’t
respetct Indians much. However
his moon like personality
couldn’t be covered by the Dark
clouds of Colonialism. To further
prove this when he asked to retire
in order to spend most his time
in developing his Nama Hatta
preaching and book writing,
the British just couldn’t come to
terms with this recognizing the
importance of his presence in
their administration as a strong
cohesive force. To facilitate his
shuttle between his house and
the Office they built the rail way
tracks right up to the very front of
his house, this way he was picked
up and dropped off everyday
right at his door step.
Bhaktivinoda married
and had several children,
including Bimal Prasad
(later Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati
Thakura), the founder of
the Gaudiya Math and the
guru of His Divine Grace
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Prabhupada.
Despite his busy schedule
as a High court Magistrate
Bhaktivinoda Thakur was able
to execute his duties efficiently
as a householder and he
exemplified this by the way he
was able to cater for his eleven
children and wife without
having any issues. It is said that
after his day’s duty he would
spend at least five minutes
each with each of his children,
coming to a total of minimum
one hour a day. He would ask
each one of them how they were
faring and answer any questions
they had to ask.
He revived the Sankirtan
Movement started by
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
Bhaktivinoda was among
the first Vaishnava scholars
to present the teachings
of Caitanya Mahaprabhu and
the principles of Gaudiya
Vaishnava Theology to the English
speaking world.
Bhaktivinoda took initiation
(diksha) from Bipin Bihari
Goswami, a descendant of the
family dynasty of Vamsivadananda
Thakur, a companion of
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s,
and an initiate in the lineage
descending from Sri Jahnava
Thakurani, the wife of Lord
Nityananda. In his autobiography
entitled Svalikhita-jivani,
Bhaktivinoda narrates how he
had long prayed for a suitable
guru and felt his prayers were
responded to in a dream as Sri
Chaitanya himself directed him to
Bipin Bihari.
From the very beginning of
Chaitanya’s bhakti movement
in Bengal, Haridasa Thakur and
others Muslim or Hindu by
birth were the participants. It is
said that this openness received
a boost from Bhaktivinoda
Thakura’s broad-minded
vision in the late 19th century
and was institutionalized
by Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati in
his Gaudiya Matha in the 20th
century.
It is accepted by many
Gaudiya Vaishnavas that
the predictions given by the
Thakura laid the foundation
of the worldwide spread of
the bhakti yoga movement.
He predicted the coming of
the day when fortunate nonIndian Vaishnavas would
perform Harinama Sankirtan in
different cities of the
world. He predicted that a
great acharya would come
to create a worldwide
movement to propagate
the sankirtana mission. This
prediction was fulfilled by A.
C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Prabhupada.
He also envisioned that
many devotees from all
nationalities would assemble
at Mayapur to sing the names
of Krishna and Chaitanya.
Besides laying the foundation
for the spread of Bhakti yoga in
the world over, he also was very
quick to check the activities of
pseudo-guru’s, impersonalist or
God imposters. There is a very
remarkable story of how he ended
the duplicitous activities of one
mystic called Phalgu baba. This
mystic had acquired a siddhi’s or
powers from his austerities and
claimed to be God (Krsna). People
were afraid of him and soon news
about him reached Bhaktivinoda
Thakur who summoned him and
asked him to show his Universal
form which was a standard test
for God imposters. Unable to
exhibit this form Bhaktivinoda
Thakur ordered for his arrest and
imprisonment.
While in cell the Mystic Baba
used his powers and inflicted
some terrible sickness on all of
Bhaktivinoda Thakur’s family.
In a short time all his family
members were sick and people
afraid that Bhaktivinoda Thakur’s
children and wife might die
from the sickness caused by this
Baba asked him to release the
Baba. This illness did not deter
Bhaktivinoda Thakur in his
firm faith in the Supreme Lord.
Meanwhile the Baba had also
refused to eat anything given
to him and was continuing
his austerities while in cell.
Understanding his intentions,
Bhaktivinod Thakur ordered
that the matted hair locks of
the mystic Baba be shaved as
that was where he had kept his
shakti. As soon as this was done
the Baba became powerless and
died soon after. The entire family
regained their health and people
were overjoyed to hear the defeat
of another fake God.
Bhaktivinoda later
accepted siksa (instruction)
from Srila Jagannatha dasa
Babaji Maharaj, who is said
to have lived for 135 years.
Bhaktivinoda accepted the babaji
way of life in 1908 and adopted
the lifestyle of a Vaishnava
recluse. He continued to travel
between Kolkata and Puri until
1910. Then he spent most of
his time living quietly at home
unable to travel much due to
poor health until his death June
23, 1914.
His remains were interred at
Godruma, one of the nine islands
of Navadwip.
To learn more about his works
and songs (http://kksongs.org/
authors/list/bhaktivinoda.html)
For a complete list of songs
(http://kksongs.org/authors/full_
list/bhaktivinoda_full.html)
Gundica Marjana
The Cleansing of the gundica Temple
In commenting on the cleansing of the
Gundica temple, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta
Sarasvati Thakura says that Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu was personally giving
instructions on how one should receive
Lord Krsna, the Supreme Personality
of Godhead, within one’s cleansed
and pacified heart. If one wants to see
Krsna seated in his heart, he must first
cleanse the heart, as prescribed by Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu in His Siksastaka.
In this age, everyone’s heart is unclean,
as confirmed in Srimad−Bhagavatam
(hrdy antah−stho hy abhadrani ) To
wash all dirty things accumulated within
the heart, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu
advised everyone to chant the
Hare Krsna mantra. The first result
will be that the heart is cleansed
(ceto−darpana−marjanam).
Similarly, Srimad−Bhagavatam (1.2.17)
also confirms this statement:
srnvatam sva−kathah krsnah punya−
sravana−kirtanah
hrdy antah−stho hy abhadrani vidhunoti
suhrt satam
“Sri Krsna, the Personality of Godhead,
who is the Paramatma [Supersoul] in
everyone’s heart and the benefactor of
the truthful devotee, cleanses desire for
material enjoyment from the heart of
the devotee who relishes His messages,
which are in themselves virtuous when
properly heard and chanted.”
If the devotee at all wants to cleanse
his heart, he must chant and hear
the glories of the Lord, Sri Krsna
(srnvatam sva−kathah krsnah [SB
1.2.17]). This is a simple process.
Krsna Himself will help cleanse the
heart because He is already seated
there. Krsna wants to continue
living within the heart, and the
Lord wants to give directions, but
one has to keep his heart as clean
as Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu kept
the Gundica temple. The devotee
therefore has to cleanse his heart
just as the Lord cleansed the Gundica
temple. In this way one can be
pacified and enriched in devotional
service. If the heart is filled with
straw, grains of sand, weeds or dust
(in other words, anyabhilasa−
purna), one cannot enthrone the
Supreme Personality of Godhead
there. The heart must be cleansed
of all material motives brought
about through fruitive work,
speculative knowledge, the mystic
yoga system and so many other
forms of so−called meditation. The
heart must be cleansed without
ulterior motive.
The cleansing of anartha’s from the
heart could be classified in three
phases; the first is the removal of
very obvious impurities and this
is compared to the instance when
Lord Caitanya and his associates
removed trunks, trees and garbage
from the temple. These were quite
visible and easy to take out. The
second phase is the removal of
less visible impurities from the
heart and this is compared to the
removal of medium size dirt such
as sand, leaves and stains from the
Gundica temple. Though less visible
than the first set of impurities their
presence was none the less felt
and it took a little more attention to
take them out, same thing applies
to the anartha’s present at this
stage in our heart. The third and
most intricate stage is the removal
of those subtle impurities in our
heart that are almost not visible but
felt in an undertone. This is likened
to the stain between cracks in the
temple and most of these were
spotted by the Lord himself, suffice
it to say that cleansing this last
stage of impurities from the heart
one requires the Lord’s infinite
mercy.
In his Amṛta-pravāha-bhāṣya, Śrīla
Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura summarizes
this chapter as follows. The King
of Orissa, Mahārāja Pratāparudra,
tried his best to see Lord Caitanya
Mahāprabhu. Śrīla Nityānanda Prabhu
and the other devotees informed the
Lord about the King’s desire, but Śrī
Caitanya Mahāprabhu would not agree
to see him. At that time Śrī Nityānanda
Prabhu devised a plan, and He sent a
piece of the Lord’s outward garment
to the King. The next day, when
Rāmānanda Rāya again entreated Śrī
Caitanya Mahāprabhu to see the King,
the Lord, denying the request, asked
Rāmānanda Rāya to bring the King’s
son before Him. The prince visited
the Lord dressed like a Vaiṣṇava,
and this awakened remembrance of
Kṛṣṇa. Thus Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu
delivered the son of Maharaja
Pratāparudra.
After this, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu
washed the Guṇḍicā temple before the
Ratha-yātrā took place. He then took
His bath at Indradyumna Lake and
partook of prasādam in the garden
nearby. While Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu
washed the temple of Guṇḍicā, a
Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava washed the lotus
feet of the Lord and drank the water.
This incident is very significant, for it
awoke within the devotee ecstatic love.
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Rath Yatra Pastimes
fourteen mṛdaṅgas.
A summary of this chapter is given
by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura in
his Amṛta-pravāha-bhāṣya as follows.
After bathing early in the morning,
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu saw the
deities (Jagannātha, Baladeva and
Subhadrā) get aboard their three
cars. This function is called Pāṇḍuvijaya.
At that time, King Pratāparudra
took a broom with a golden handle
and began to cleanse the road. Lord
Jagannātha took permission from
the Goddess of fortune and then
started in the car for the Guṇḍicā
temple. The road to the temple
led along a broad, sandy beach,
and on both sides of the road were
residential quarters, houses and
gardens. Along that road the servants
called gauḍas began to pull the cars.
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu divided
his saṅkīrtana party into seven
divisions. With two mṛdaṅgas in
each division, there were altogether
While performing kīrtana, Śrī
Caitanya Mahāprabhu
exhibited various symptoms
of transcendental ecstasy,
and Jagannātha and Śrī
Caitanya Mahāprabhu
exchanged Their feelings
very blissfully. When the cars
reached the place known
as Balagaṇḍi, the devotees
offered the deities simple
food. At this time, in a nearby
garden, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu
and His devotees took a brief rest
from the dancing.
As Lord Jagannātha rode in His car
and saw the beauty on both sides,
His mind was filled with pleasure.
The pullers of the car were known
as gauḍas, and they pulled with
great pleasure. However, the car
sometimes went very fast and
sometimes very slow.
Sometimes the car would stand still
and not move, even though it was
pulled very vigorously. The chariot
therefore moved by the will of the
Lord, not by the strength of any
ordinary person
As the car stood still, Śrī Caitanya
Mahāprabhu gathered all His
devotees and, with His own hand,
decorated them with flower garlands
and sandalwood pulp.
Paramānanda Purī and
Brahmānanda Bhāratī were both
personally given garlands and
sandalwood pulp from the very
hands of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
This increased their transcendental
pleasure
Similarly, when Advaita Ācārya and
Nityānanda Prabhu felt the touch
of the transcendental hand of Śrī
Caitanya Mahāprabhu, They were
very pleased.
The Lord also gave garlands and
sandalwood pulp to the performers
of saṅkīrtana. The two chief
performers were Svarūpa Dāmodara
and Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura.
There were altogether four parties
of kīrtana performers, comprising
twenty-four chanters. In each
party there were also two mṛdaṅga
players, making an additional eight
persons. When the four parties were
formed, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu,
after some consideration, divided the
chanters.
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ordered
Nityānanda Prabhu, Advaita Ācārya,
Haridāsa Ṭhākura and Vakreśvara
Paṇḍita to dance in each of the four
respective parties.
Svarūpa Dāmodara was chosen as
the leader of the first party and was
given five assistants to respond to his
chanting.
The five who responded to the
singing of Svarūpa Dāmodara were
Dāmodara Paṇḍita, Nārāyaṇa, Govinda
Datta, Rāghava Paṇḍita and Śrī
Govindānanda.
Advaita Ācārya Prabhu was ordered to
dance in the first group. The Lord then
formed another group with Śrīvāsa
Ṭhākura as the chief man.
The five singers who responded
to the singing of Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura
were Gaṅgādāsa, Haridāsa, Śrīmān,
Śubhānanda and Śrī Rāma Paṇḍita. Śrī
Nityānanda Prabhu was appointed as a
dancer.
Another group was formed consisting
of Vāsudeva, Gopīnātha and Murāri.
All these were responsive singers, and
Mukunda was the chief singer.
Another two persons, Śrīkānta and
Vallabha Sena, joined as responsive
singers. In this group, the senior
Haridāsa [Haridāsa Ṭhākura] was the
dancer.
The Lord formed another group,
appointing Govinda Ghoṣa as leader.
In this group the younger Haridāsa,
Viṣṇudāsa and Rāghava were the
responding singers.
Two brothers named Mādhava Ghoṣa
and Vāsudeva Ghoṣa also joined
this group as responsive singers.
Vakreśvara Paṇḍita was the dancer.
There was a saṅkīrtana party from
the village known as Kulīna-grāma,
and Rāmānanda and Satyarāja were
appointed the dancers in this group.
Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu wandered
through all seven groups chanting
the holy name, “Hari, Hari!” Raising
His arms, He shouted, “All glories
to Lord Jagannātha!” Lord Caitanya
Mahāprabhu then exhibited another
mystic power by performing
pastimes simultaneously in all seven
There was another party that came
groups. Everyone said, “Lord Caitanya
from Śāntipura and was formed by
Mahāprabhu is present in my group.
Advaita Ācārya. Acyutānanda was the
Indeed, He does not go anywhere else.
dancer, and the rest of the men were
He is bestowing His mercy upon us.”
singers. Another party was formed by
the people of Khaṇḍa. These people
were singing in a different place.
Actually, no one could see the
In that group, Narahari Prabhu and
inconceivable potency of the Lord.
Raghunandana were dancing.
Only the most confidential devotees,
those in pure, unalloyed devotional
service, could understand.
Four parties chanted and danced
in front of Lord Jagannātha, and on
either side was another party. Yet
Lord Jagannātha was very much
another was at the rear.
pleased by the saṅkīrtana, and He
brought His car to a standstill just to
see the performance.
There were altogether seven parties
of saṅkīrtana, and in each party
two men were beating drums. Thus
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fourteen drums were being played
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at once. The sound was tumultuous,
and all the devotees became mad.
All the Vaiṣṇavas came together
like an assembly of clouds. As the
devotees chanted the holy names in
great ecstasy, tears fell from their
eyes like rain.
When the saṅkīrtana resounded,
it filled the three worlds. Indeed,
no one could hear any sounds or
musical instruments other than the
saṅkīrtana.
Sri Svarupa Damodara
Gosvami Disappearance
Therefore his name became Swarup
(a brahmacari name). Thereafter,
by the order of his guru, he came
to Sri Nilacal, where he again met
Mahaprabhu.
One of the closest associates
of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu,
Purushottama Acharya (Svarupa)
knew exactly the heart of Sri
Krishna Chaitanya. Glorifying him
as “the storehouse of all devotional
mellows,” Lord Caitanya added
the word Damodara to his name.
He was always present with
Mahaprabhu. When Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu exhibited His pastimes
of accepting sannyasa, Swarup
Damodara became like a madman
and, journeying to Baranasi he
also accepted sannyasa from one
sannyasi named Caitanyananda.
His sannyasa guru ordered him
that, “You should yourself study
the Vedanta and also teach it to
others.” Sri Purusottama acarya
didn’t accept the garments of
sannyasa, but simply gave up
his sikha and brahmana thread.
Then one day, Swarup Damodar, who
was very intimate with Mahaprabhu,
and an ocean of the mellows of
devotion, came to Sri Jagannath Puri.
Though his scholarship was practically
unlimited, he spoke very little with
others and preferred to remain alone.
Thus very few were aware of his
actual position. He was completely
conversant with the understanding
of the mellows of devotion to
Sri Krsna and his body was fully
imbued with love for Him. He was
as though a second Mahaprabhu.
Whenever anyone wanted to present
to Mahaprabhu some book, verse
or song that they had composed,
Swarup Damodar would first hear
what they had written before it could
be presented to Mahaprabhu. If
these compositions contained any
points which were in contradiction
to the superior position of bhakti,
as concluded in scriptures, then
hearing these writings would not be
a source of transcendental pleasure
for Mahaprabhu. Therefore Swarup
Gosai would first examine what
had been composed and if it was
untainted then it could be presented
to Mahaprabhu. Usually he would
recite Sri Gita Govinda, and the
writings of Candidas and Vidyapati,
for the transcendental happiness of
Mahaprabhu. In music and singing
he was like a Gandharva and in
knowledge of the shastras he was
like Brhaspati. There was no one
to compare with him in talent and
intelligence. He was extremely
dear to Sri Advaita and Nityananda
Prabhu and was the life and soul of
devotees like Srivas and others.
When Sri Swarup Damodar arrived
in Puri from Kasi (Varanasi) he
recited this sloka in praise of
Mahaprabhu: “Oh You, who are
the personification of mercy – Sri
Caitanya. That which very easily
causes grief to retreat far away,
and which is spotlessly pure; which
causes the appearance of the
highest happiness, and by whose
appearance disputation over the
intricacies of scriptural statements
ceases; that which causes the spirit
to become extremely agitated in
ecstatic love, by a shower of grace
and beauty; may that extremely
expansive and auspicious mercy
by its sweetness and dignity shine
its rays upon me.” (Sri Caitanya
Candrodoy Natak.) Seeing that
Swarup Damodar was offering his
dandavats to Him, Mahaprabhu
picked him up and as He embraced
him he said, “I saw in a dream
this morning that you had come.
Just as a blind man finds unlimited
happiness by regaining his eyesight,
so I am feeling by regaining
your association.” Mahaprabhu
kept Swarup Damodar close to
Him. Whenever Mahaprabhu became
immersed in a particular ecstatic
emotion, Swarup Damodar would
perform a kirtan in that particular mood.
During this period Sri Ray Ramananda
also arrived from Vidyanagar in
South India. Thus the two of them,
Swarup Damodar and Ramananda Ray
would enhance the ecstatic moods of
Mahaprabhu by singing different songs
and reciting various poetic verses.
During the day, Mahaprabhu would
engage in his pastimes of sankirtan with
His devotees, and at night He would
taste the mellows of the ecstatic love of
Sri Sri Radha-Krsna in the company of
these two. As Lalita and Visakha were
very intimate with Srimati Radharani,
Ray Ramananda and Swarup Damodar
were similarly intimate with Caitanya
Mahaprabhu.
Swarup Damodar’s place of residence
in Puri was the “Satasan Math”. This
is located near Bhaktivinode Thakur’s
“bhakti kutir”, near the ocean at Svarga
Dwar. Mahaprabhu entrusted him to
look after and instruct Raghunath Das
Goswami. Swarup Damodar Goswami
disappeared on the second day of the
bright fortnight in the month of Asar.
Sri Sivananda Sena
Disappearance
Every year one month before
Chaturmasya (four month
period of the rainy season)
Shivananda Sena would
lead a party of two hundred
Devotees from Bengal to
Jagannatha Puri to attend
the annual Ratha-Yatra
festival. He would pay for
everyone’s food, tolls, ferries,
and lodging. He personally
arranged for their comfort.
Shivananda Sena showed
Vaishnava compassion for all living
entities, be they man or beast.
When a stray dog joined the party
Shivananda Sena fed the dog and
even paid his boat fare. When the
dog disappeared one day Shivananda
sent 200 men to search for him.
Upon arriving in Puri, they saw Lord
Chaitanya throwing coconut pulp to
the dog. The dog became purified of
all material contamination by eating
the Maha-Prasadam remnants of
Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. The
dog was clearly barking out the Holy
Names and eating the prasad given
him by the Lord.
Everyone was completely astonished
to see this extraordinary happening.
Shivananda Sena prostrated himself
on the ground in obeisances to the
dog and begged him for forgiveness
with all humility. After this, the dog
disappeared and was never seen
again. By Mahaprabhu’s mercy, the
dog had received a spiritual body and
gone to Vaikuntha. Not seeing the
dog the next day, Shivananda Sena
understood that the dog had attained
liberation by the mercy of Lord
Chaitanya.
A summary of the Twelfth Chapter of
Caitanya Caritamrta is given by Śrīla
Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura in his Amṛtapravāha-bhāṣya as follows. This
chapter discusses the transformations
of ecstatic love that Śrī Caitanya
Mahāprabhu exhibited day and night.
The devotees from Bengal again
journeyed to Jagannātha Purī to see
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. As usual,
the leader was Śivānanda Sena, who
traveled with his wife and children.
Because arrangements were delayed
en route and Lord Nityānanda did
not have a suitable place to reside,
He became somewhat disturbed.
Thus He became very angry with
Śivānanda Sena, who was in charge
of the affairs of the party, and kicked
him in loving anger. Śivānanda Sena
felt highly favored to have been
kicked by Nityānanda Prabhu, but his
nephew Śrīkānta Sena became upset
and therefore left their company.
He met Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu at
Jagannātha Purī before the rest of the
party arrived.
Observing chaturmasya in Puri,
Shivananda and the Devotees would
regularly bathe in Shri Chaitanya
Mahaprabhu’s blissful association.
Shivananda used all his possessions
in the service of Krishna and the
Vaishnavas. His entire family and
servants were ardent followers of Lord
Gauranga.
Kavi Karnapura, the son of
Shivananda Sena, says in Gauragannodesh-dipika: “Shivananda Sena
is the embodiment of love of Shri
Chaitanya Deva. And in Krishna lila
he is Vira gopi, Shrimati Radharani’s
messenger.” In one bhajana
Devakinandana Dasa glorifies him, “I
bow down to Shivananda Sena, who is
full of divine love. His caste, life, and
wealth are the two lotus feet of Shri
Gaura Raya.”
His samadhi is in the 64 Samadhis
Area in Vrindavan.
Hera Pancami
Hera panchami is a unique
festival at the Gundicha Temple,
dedicated to Goddess Laxmi. It
is celebrated on Ashada Shukla
Panchami, fifth day in bright
fortnight of Ashad month in the
Oriyan calendar.
It is said that before Lord
Jagannath visits Gundica
Temple with his siblings, he
promises his wife Lakshmi Devi
that He will return the next day.
But Lord Jagannath in the
company of his brother
Balabhadra and Sister Devi
Subhadra forgets to return
to Lakshmi Devi, as He finds
himself in the midst of millions
of loving devotees.
Lakshmi Devi after waiting
for his return for 5 long days
becomes impatient and a little
agitated. On the instruction
of Devi Vimala, her elder
sister, at night she goes out
to the Gundicha temple on a
palanduin to ask Jagannath
Swami why he has not returned
yet. Seeing Lakshmi-Devi
coming down the street with an
angry looks in her eyes, Jagannath
Swami quickly locks her out of the
Gundicha Temple.
Laksmi-devi becomes furious at
this and speaks some sarcastic
remarks saying, “Hey pati
(Husband)! You have become
more attracted to your sister
Subhadra than me? Is that
why you locked me out of the
Gundicha Temple?” Devi Lakshmi
feels insulted and expressesHer
anger by breaking off some wood
from Lord Jagannath’s chariot.
Avoiding the direct route via the Grand Road, and Lakhsmi Devi
returns to the Jagannath Mandir via Hera Gouri Sahi, a side road
inhabited mostly by Jagannath’s priests.
Meanwhile, immersed in the joy of His Vraja-lila, Jagannath Swami
forgets all about Devi Lakshmi. Four days later, Jagannath Swami,
Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra ride their chariots back to Sri Mandir,
Lakshmi –Devi, still fuming over Jagannath’s absence, locks the
temple doors out of defiance. Jagannath Swami is stuck outside,
locked out his own home by an infuriated wife. Servants of Devi
Lakshmi and Jagananth shout bad names at each other and shove
each other back and forth. Finally Jagannath Swami makes peace
with his wife. Devi Lakshmi showes her forgiveness by offering him
a huge bowl of big juicy, sweet rasagullas. Later She happily relishes
Jagannath’s remants, distributes some to her maidservants and then
opens the door to welcomes Jagannath Swami back to His temple.
Return of Rath Yatra
Bahuda Yatra is the Return
Journey of the three chariots
to Jagannath Temple. After
spending a week inside the
Gundicha temple, the Deities
commence their Bahuda Yatra
on the 10th day. The return
journey follows the same
protocol and schedule, as is
found during the Ratha Yatra.
During the return journey, the
three chariots stop for awhile
at the Mausima Temple, also
known as Ardhasani Temple.
This temple is dedicated to the
aunt of Lord Jagannath. Here
They are offered ‘Poda Pitha’,
a special sweet made of rice,
coconut, lentils and jaggery.
After taking Poda Pitha, They
start Their journey to the main
temple.
The chariots of Balabhadra
and Subhadra move forward
and are parked at Lion’s
gate (Singha dwara) of the
temple whereas the chariot of
Jagannath again halts in front
of the King’s palace. In the
meanwhile Goddess
Lakshmi (wife of
Lord Jagannath)
steals a glimpse
of the safe return
of Jagannath’s
chariot from
the Chahani
Mandapa
(Pavilion for
viewing).
Being pleased, Goddess
Lakshmi is carried to the
chariot of Jagannath while
sitting in a Palanquin. She is
offered a loving garland from
Lord Jagannath as prasadam
from Her husband. After
receiving the garland, Goddess
Lakshmi goes back to the
Temple and awaits her husband.
On the day of Bahuda Yatra
the Deities remain in their
respective chariots parked in
front of the main temple.
A small procession arrives in
front of the chariot. The king
lifts the small statue of Lakshmi
above his head and makes her
face the statue of Jagannath.
The circumambulation ends
right by the palace gate. Here
the king and his entourage
faces the crowd so that the
people may have a last Darshan of
Lakshmi Devi. Lakshmi Devi then
returns to the temple. Jagannath’s
chariot is pulled to the main
temple. The priests offer dry food
items to Him.
The deities are then dressed in
“golden attire” and their heads
bedecked with Golden crowns. To
view the golden dressed deities is
considered very auspicious for the
pilgrims.
After the gold ornaments and
dresses have been removed, Lord
Jagannath is brought in the inner
sanctum of the temple and placed
on the dais. The purificatory
rites are carried out. Goddess
Lakshmi’s is placed on the dais to
the left of her Lord.
Lord Jagannatha has come home!
Sayana Ekadasi
Yudhisthira Maharaja said, “O
Kesava, what is the name of the
Ekadasi that occurs during
the light fortnight of the month
of Asadha [June-July]? Who is
the worshipable Deity for this
auspious day, and what is the
process for observing it?’’
“Fasting on this Ekadasi purifies
one of all sins and fulfills all
one’s desires. Therefore, whoever
neglects to observe this sacred
this fast day is good candidate
for entering hell. Asaddha-sukla
Ekadasi. Is also famous as Padma
Ekadasi. Just to please Hriskesa,
the master of the senses, one
Lord Sri Krsna replied, “O
should fast on this day. Listen
caretaker of this earthly planet, I carefully, O Narada, as I relate to
shall gladly tell you a wonderful
you a wonderful history from the
history that Lord Brahma once
scriptures concerning this Ekadasi.
narrated to his son Naradaji.
Just hearing this account destroys
all kinds of sins, along with all
“One day Narada asked his father, obstacles on the path to spiritual
‘What is the name of the name
perfection.
of the Ekadasi that comes during
the light part of the month of
“O son, there was once a saintly
Asadha? Kindly tell me how I
king in the Sun dynasty whose
should observe this Ekadasi and
name was Mandhata. Because he
thus please the Supreme Lord,
always stood up for the truth, he
Visnu.’
was appointed emperor. He took
care of his subjects as though
Lord Brahma replied, ‘O great
they were his very own chidren.
orator, O best of all sages, O
On account of his piety and great
purest devotee of Lord Visnu,
religiosity, there was no pestilence,
your question is excellent. There drought, or disease of any kind in
is nothing better than Ekadasi,
his entire kingdom. All his subjects
the day of Lord Hari, in this or
were not only free of all kinds of
any other world. It nullifies even disturbances but also very wealthy.
the worst of sins if observed
The king’s own treasury was free
properly. For this reason I shall
of any ill-gotten money, and thus
tell you about Asadha-sukla
he ruled happily for many years.
Ekadasi.
“Once, however, because of
some sin in his kingdom, there
was a drought for three years.
The subjects found themselves
beset by famine. The lack of
food grains made it impossible
for them to perform the Vedic
sacrifices, offer oblations
to their forefathers and the
demigods, engage in ritualistic
worship, or even study the
Vedic literatures. Finally, they
all come before their beloved
king in a great assembly and
said,”O king, you always see to
our welfare, so we humbly beg
your assistance now. Everyone
and everything in this world
needs water. Without water,
almost everything is rendered
useless or dead. The Vedas
call water nara, and because
the Supreme Personality of
Godhead sleeps upon water,
His name is Narayana. God
makes His own abode on water
and takes His rest there.’ In His
form as the clouds, the Supreme
Lord is present throughout the
sky and pours forth rain, from
which grow the grains that
maintain every living entity.
and the population is decreasing
as people die off or leave your
kingdom. O best ruler on earth,
please find some solution to this
problem and bring us peace and
prosperity once again.”
“The king replied, “You speak the
truth, for grains are like Brahman,
the Absolute Truth, who lives
within grains and thereby sustains
all beings. Indeed, it is because
of grains that the entire world
lives. Now why is there drought
in our kingdom? The holy
scriptures discuss this subject very
thoroughly. If a king is irreligious,
both he and his subject suffer. I
have meditated upon the cause of
our problem for a long time, but
after searching my past present
character I can honestly say that I
find no sin. Still for the good of all
you subjects, I shall to remedy the
situation.”
“Thinking in this way, King
Mandhata assembled his army and
entourage, paid his obesiances
to me, and then entered the
forest. He wandered here and
there, seeking great sages in their
asramas and inquiring about
“O king, the severe drought has how to resolve the crisis in his
caused a great lack of valuable
kingdom. At last he came upon
grains; thus we are all miserable, the asrama of one of my other
sons, Angira Muni, whose
effulgence lit up all direactions.
Seated in his hermitage, Angira
looked like a second Brahma.
King Mandhata was very
pleased to see that exalted sage,
whose sences were completely
under control.
“The king immediately
dismounted his horse and
offered his respectful obeisances
to the lotus feet of Angira Risi
Then the king joined his palms
and prayed for his blessings.
That saintly personage
reciprocated by blessing the
king with sacred mantras;
then he asked him about the
welfare of the seven limbs of his
kingdom.
“After telling the sage how the
seven limbs of his kingdom
were faring, King Mandhata
asked about the sage’s own
happiness. Then Angira Risi
asked the king why he had
undertaken such a difficult
journey into the forest, and the
king told him of the affliction
his kingdom was suffering.
The king said, “O great sage, I
am ruling and maintaining my
kingdom while following the
Vedic injunctions, and thus I
do not know the reason for the
drought. To solve this mystery,
I have approached you for
help. Please help me relieve the
suffering of my subjects.”
“Angira Risi said to king, “The
present age, Satya-yuga, is the best
of all ages, for in this age Dharma
stands on all four legs. In this
age everyone respects brahmanas
as the topmost members of
society. Also, everyone fulfills
his occupational duties, and only
twice-born brahmanas are allowed
to perform Vedic austerities
and penance. Although this
is the standard, O lion among
kings, there is one sudra who is
unlawfully performing the rites
of austerity and penance in your
kingdom. This is why there is
no rain in your land. You should
therefore punish this laborer with
dealth, for by so doing you will
remove the contamination and
restore peace to your subjects.”
“ The king replied, “How can I
kill an offenseless performer of
austerity? Please give me some
spiritual salution.”
“The great sage Angira said, “O
king, you should observe a fast
on the Ekadasi that occurs during
the light fortnight of the month
of Asadha. This auspicious
day is named Padma Ekadhasi
and by its influence plentiful
rains will surely return to your
kingdom. This Ekadasi bestows
perfection upon its faithful
observers, removes all kinds
of bad elements, and destroys
all obstacles on the path to
perfection. O king, you, your
relatives, and your subjects
should all observe this sacred
Ekadasi fast. Then everything in
your kingdom will undoubtedly
return to normal.”
“Upon hearing these words,
the king offered his obeisances
and then returned to his palace.
When Padma Ekadasi arrived,
King Mandhata assembled all
brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas,
and sudras in his kingdom
and instructed them to strictly
observe this important fast day.
After they had observed this
important fast day, the rains fell,
just as the sage had predicted,
and in due course of time there
were abundant crops and a rich
harvest of gain. By the mercy
of the Supreme Lord Hrisikesa,
the master of the senses, all
the subject of King Mandhata
become extremely happy and
prosperous.
“Therefore, O Narada, everyone
should observe this Ekadasi fast
very striclty, for its bestows all
kinds of happiness, as well as
ultimate liberation, upon the
faithful devotee.’
Lord Sri Krsna consluded, “My
Yudhisthira, Padma Ekadasi
is so powerful that one who
simply read or hears its glories
becomes completely sinless. O
Pandava, one who wishes to
please Me should strictly observe
this Ekadasi, which is aslo know
as Deva-sayani Ekadasi. O lion
among kings, whoever wants
liberation should regularly observe
a fast on this Ekadasi, which is
also the day when the Caturmasya
fast begins.”
Srila Sanatana Goswami
Srila Sanatana Goswami was born
in 1488 in West Bengal. He was
the elder brother of Sri Rupa
Goswami. They were educated in
Sakurma, a village near the capital
of Gauda (Bengal).
In 1514, Sanatana Goswami met
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in
Ramekeli and was initiated by
him. He eventually managed to
shake off his government duties
and escape from imprisonment
by the Nawab, to make his
way to Benares where he met
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
enlightened Sanatana into the
truths of bhakti and devotion
and further instructed him to
(1) write books on devotional
service (2) establish proper
devotee etiquette, (3) install
Deities and proper Deity
worship and (4) to excavate the
lost holy places of pilgrimage in
Vrindavana.
In his youth, Shri Sanatana
dreamt that a beautiful
brahmana boy gave him a
Shrimad Bhagavatam. Feeling
ecstatic he awoke. But seeing
neither the boy nor the
Bhagavatam he felt sad. When
Sanatana began his puja that
morning, however, Krishna
Himself, disguised as a beautiful
brahmana boy, came and said,
‘Take this Shrimad Bhagavatam
from me, always study it, and
you will attain perfection. “
In Krishna-lila-stava, Shri
Sanatana Goswami glorifies the
Shrimad Bhagavatam: “O holy
Bhagavata, you are my only
company, my only friend, and
my guru. You are my greatest
treasure and my personal
saviour. You are the emblem
of my highest fortune and the
very form of ecstasy. I offer my
obeisances unto you.”
Forced to submit to the
ruling Muslim government,
Sri Rupa and Sri Sanatana
became ministers and lived at
Ramakeli. Sanatana was known
as Sakara Mallik and appointed
private secretary. But their
real engagement was teaching
shastras which they learned
from Vidyavachaspati, brother
of Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya.
Pandits and brahmanas from all
over India came to study under
the two brothers. Shri Rupa
and Sanatana were acclaimed as
the “crest jewels of the Gaudiya
Vaishnava scholars.” After the
Lord visited Ramakeli and freed
them, they renounced everything
for Lord Gauranga’s service.
To maintain himself, Sanatana
would beg some wheat flour, roll
it into a ball by adding a touch
of Yamuna water, and drop it
in smoldering coals to cook. He
would offer this bati (salt-free,
baked bread ball) to his Deity of
Madana Mohana. Giving up all
kinds of material enjoyment, the
Goswamis accepted the poorest
way of life as mendicants. They
ate just enough to maintain their
bodies.
The Radha-Madana Mohana
mandir established by Sanatana
Goswami was the first one
opened in Vrindavana by the six
Goswamis. Described as “the
personal extension of the body
of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu,”
Shri Sanatana is the ideal spiritual
master because he gives one
shelter at the lotus feet of Madana
Mohana. The three Vrindavana
Deities (Madana Mohana,
Govindaji and Gopinatha) are
the life and soul of the Gaudiya
Vaishnavas. The Deity of Madana
Mohana has the specific quality of
helping the neophyte Devotees
understand their eternal
relationship with the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, Lord
Shri Krishna.
Shri Sanatana Goswami spent
forty-three years wandering
from village to village in
Vrindavana. The Vrajavasis
would ‘affectionately care for
him treating him like their
father. With patience and
concern he listened to their
problems. Then he would
please all the villagers by his
preaching and practical advice
on everything from increasing
crop yields to solving family
quarrels.
In his last years, he left
his beloved Deity of Madana
Mohana with Krishna Dasa
brahmachari, his disciple.
He did bhajana on the banks
of Manasi Ganga next to
Chakaleshvara Mahadeva
at Govardhana. Daily he
walked the twenty-four mile
parikrama (original longer
route) of Govardhana Hill.
Although he was sixtyfive years old, he kept his
daily vow of offering 1,008
obeisances to Govardhana Hill and
to any Vaishnava whom he met.
Understanding the difficulty of
His pure Devotee, Shri Madana
Mohana appeared one day and said,
“Baba! You are too old. Don’t take
so much trouble to walk around
Govardhana Hill every day.”
Sanatana replied, “This is one of
the daily activities of my bhajana: I
must maintain it.”
“Since you are old,” said Madana
Mohana, “you may now give up this
vow.”
Starting to walk again, Sanatana
replied, “I will never give up my
religious principles.”
Sanatana Goswami’s firm
determination to complete his daily
devotional vow pleased Shri Madana
Mohana (Krishna). But in the loving
dealings between the Lord and His
pure Devotee, Krishna’s desire to
please His Devotee often defeats the
Devotee’s desire to please Him. So
out of loving compassion for His
Devotee, Shri Krishna stood on a
large flat stone (Govardhana shila)
taken from Giriraja. He played His
irresistable flute. The Govardhana
shila melted in ecstasy, capturing
the impression of Krishna’s lotus
feet.
Presenting this to Sanatana,
Krishna said, “If you
circumambulate this shila
everyday it will be the same as
going around Govardhana Hill
every day. You will keep your
vow intact and not compromise
your religious principles.”
Seeing that Giriraja Himself
(Shri Krishna) had given the
shila, Sanatana Goswami
gratefully accepted. One can
still see that Govardhana shila
in the Radha Damodara Temple.
Shri Bhaktivinoda Thakura said
in Jaiva Dharma: “Sanatana
Goswami was empowered to
explain the esoteric aspects
of Krishna’s manifest and
unimanifest Vraja lila.” Sanatana
Goswami made a significant
literary contribution to
the Gauidya sampradaya with
his Hari-bhakti-vilasa, BrhadBhagavatamrta, and BrhadVaishnava-toshani.
In the form of Labanga manjari
Sanatana Goswami serves
Shrimati Vishakha sakhi in
Radha Madhava’s nitya nikunjalila. Sanatana Goswami’s
samadhi is behind Radha
Madana Mohana’s Temple.
Sanatana’s literary works include
Haribhakti Vilasa, the Brihadbhagavatamrita, Dashama-tippani,
also known as the BrihadVaishnava-Toshani, and the
Dashama-charita.
His most important work is
the Haribhakti Vilasa, which
covers the code and conduct
of Vaishnavas. The Brihadbhagavtamrita expounds on
the science of Sri Chaitanya
Mahaprabhu’s teachings. The
Dashama-tipanni is a commentary
on the tenth canto of the SrimadBhagavatam and the Dashamacharita covers Krishna’s pastimes
up to Mathura.
Sanatana Goswami established
worship of the Madana Mohana
deity. With the help of a wealthy
merchant Krishna Dasa Kapoor,
a lavish temple was built for Sri
Madana Mohana. This temple is
an important place of pilgrimage
for all Gaudiya Vaishnavas even to
this day.
Sanatana Goswami passed away at
the age of 70 in 1558.
Credits
Artwork [or photos, or text] courtesy of The Bhaktivedanta Book
Trust International, Inc. www.krishna.com. Used with permission.
www.krishna.com
Videos from JPS Archives,
NIMAINITAI Youtube Channel
Researchers
Yamunajivana Das (BTS, BCS)
Chaitanya Tirtha Das (JPS)
Dharmaraja Gaura Das (JPS)
Graphics & layout
Jaiprakash