Srila Prabhupada quote from the lecture: on visiting/ staying in the dham.
"When I shall be free from the desires of material enjoyment, then it will be possible to see the real nature of Våndävana.'' Viñaya chäòiyä kabe çuddha ha'be mana: "When my mind will be completely purified, uncontaminated from the material contamination, at that time it will be possible for me to see what is Våndävana.'' Actually, one cannot go to Våndävana by purchasing a ticket. In other words, one cannot go to Våndävana by force and live there, and he will achieve that transcendental bliss. No. One has to make his mind freed from all material desires. Then one can live at Våndävana and relish its residential benefit. So Narottama däsa Öhäkura says that. Viñaya chäòiyä kabe, çuddha ha'be mana: "When my mind will be freed from the contamination of this material enjoyment and I shall be purified, then it will be possible for me to see Våndävana as it is.'' Otherwise it is not possible.
And he says again that to go to Våndävana means to understand the transcendental pastimes of Rädhä and Kåñëa. How this will be possible? So he says, rüpa-raghunätha-pade hoibe äkuti. Rüpa, Rüpa Gosvämé, beginning from Rüpa Gosvämé down to Raghunätha däsa Gosvämé, there were six Gosvämés: Rüpa, Sanätana, Gopäla Bhaööa, Raghunätha Bhaööa, Jéva Gosvämé, Raghunätha däsa Gosvämé. So he says, rüpa-raghunätha-pade: "Beginning from Rüpa Gosvämé down to Raghunätha däsa Gosvämé," pade, "in their lotus feet, at their lotus feet. When I shall be eager to be attached at their lotus feet..." Rüpa-raghunätha-pade, hoibe äkuti. Äkuti, eagerness. What is that eagerness? That means to understand Rädhä-Kåñëa through the guidance of the Gosvämés. One should not try to understand Rädhä-Kåñëa by his own effort. That will not help him. As these Gosvämés, they have given us direction, just like Bhakti-rasämåta-sindhu, so one has to follow step after step how to make progress. Then there will be a fortunate day when we shall be able to understand what is the pastimes or loving affairs between Rädhä and Kåñëa. Otherwise, if we take it as ordinary boy and girls reciprocating their loving feelings, then we will misunderstand. Then there will be the production of prakåta-sahajiyä, victims of Våndävana.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Pastimes at Kurmarhatta (Sri Ishvara Puri Spiritual Master of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu)
Srimad Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami writes: "All glories to Madhavendra Puri, the storehouse of all Krishna-prema! He is a desire tree of bhakti, and it is to him that the seed of bhakti first fructified. The seed of Krishna-prema next fructified in the for of Sri Ishvara Puri, and then the gardener himself, Caitanya Mahaprabhu, became the main trunk of the tree of bhakti." Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati comments on this section of the Caitanya Caritamrita (CC Adi 9.10): "
Sri Isvara Puri was a resident of Kumarahatts. (At this place there is now a railway station known as Kamarhatty. Nearby there is also another station named Halisahara, which belongs to the eastern railway that runs from the eastern section of Calcutta). Isvara Puri appeared in a brahmin family and was the most beloved disciple of Sri Madhavendra Puri."
The nature of Sri Ishvara Puri's personal devotional service to the lotus feet of his guru, Sri Madhavendra Puri, is mentioned in another part of the Caitanya Caritamrita by Kaviraj Goswami as follows: "At the last stage of his life, Sri Madhavendra Puri became an invalid and was completely unable to move, and Isvara Puri so completely engaged himself in his service that he personally cleaned up his stool and urine. Always chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra and reminding Sri Madhavendra Puri about the pastimes of Lord Krishna in the last stage of his life, Ishvara Puri gave the best service among his disciples. Thus Madhavendra Puri, being very pleased with him, blessed him, saying, 'may you have Krishna prema.' Thus Ishavara Puri, by the grace of his spirutal master, Sri Madhavendra Puri, became a great devotee in the ocean of love of Godhead."
Srila Prabhupada Bhaktivedanta points out in his commentary on this verse, "It is by the mercy of the spiritual master that one becomes perfect, as vividly exemplified here. A Vaishnava is always protected by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but if he appears to be an invlaid, this gives a chance to his disciples to serve him. Ishvara Puri pleaed his piritual master by service, and by the blessings of his spiritual master he became such a great personality that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu accepted him as his spiritual master. "
Before Initiationg Sri Caitanya, Ishvara Puri stayed at the house of Gopinath Acarya in Nabadwip-dham. There he lived for a few months. At that time he met Sri Caitanya, when he was Nimai Pandit, and requested him to help him with his book, Krishna-lilamrita. The Lord was highly pleased with Ishvara Puri's devotion and highly praised his book, saying that it was faultless. Still, when he was pressed, he made some corrections with his own lotus hands. This pastime is elaborately described in the Caitanya Bhagavata. The following is a synopsis of Vrindavan Das Thakur's account of Sri Ishavara Puri.
When Mother Sachi saw that Sri Caitanya was happily engaged in his studies, her own ecstasy increased. At that time, Sri Ishvara Puri came to Nabadwipa in disguise. Caitanya Bhagavata records that Ishavara Puri was overwhelmed with the ecstasy of Krishna-rasa. And yet, as he was very dear to Krishna, he was also very humble and didn't want to attract any attention to himself as a great devotee. So that no one would know who he was, he hid his real identity and went to the temple of Advaita.
Upon arriving there, he found that Advaita was busy in service to the Lord in the temple, so he came in and sat down very cautiously and timidly. But the power of a great Vaishnava is not easily hidden from another great Vaishnava. Again and again, Advaita Acaraya kept looking away from his duties in the direction of Ishvara Puri. finally he asked him "O Father! who art thou?"
With great humility, Ishvara introduced himself, saying, "I am a sudra of the lowest class." In this way, the jewel of learned scholars and the best of the renounced, Ishvara Puri, showed how humility is the true ornament of a Vaishnava.
Immediately upon seeing him, Mukunda Datta recognized that Ishavara Puri was a Vaishnava Sannyasi. At that time, Mukunda Datta very sweetly began to perform Krishna-lila kirtan. Vrindavan Das asks, Who is there who can remain unmoved when Mukunda Datta performs his sweet kirtan? Upon hearing the deeply moving songs of Mukunda Datta, Sri Ishvara Puri lost his composure and fainted on the ground in a trance of deep ecstasy. Tears of ecstasy rained forth from his eyes. The assembled devotees were dumbstruck upon seeing such a display of transcendental emotion. When their power of speech returned, they all remarked that nowhere had any of them ever seen a Vaishnava such as this. Sri Advaita Acarya also began to experience grave symptoms of transcendental emotion. After this, they all concluded their visitor must be none other than the dearmost disciple of Madhavendra Puri—Sri Ishvara Puri. At this, they all joyously began chanting the holy name of Krishna, saying, "Hari! Hari!" over and over again.
Sri ishavara Puri stayed in Nabadwipa for a while. One day, the footpath near where he stayed was blessed by the divine footsteps of Sri Gaurasundara. Mahaprabhu was going home from school. Upon seeing Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Ishavara Puri was amazed by his perfect body and supremely grave disposition. He wanted to somehow make contact with the Lord. Finally, he called out, "O best of the brahmins! What is your name? Where is your house? And what book are you reading?"
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu with great humility offered his humble obeisances to Sri Ishvara Puri. Mahaprabhu's disciples said, "His name is Nimai Pandit." Ishavara Puri said, "You are THE Nimai Pandit!?" Ishavara Puri's joy knew no bounds. Mahaprabhu with great humility bowed his head and said, "Sripada, have mercy upon me and kindly grace my house with your company. This very afternoon we shall prepare prasada for your pleasure. Please accept it. With these sweet and humble words, Mahaprabhu extended his invitation to Ishavara Puri. Accepting the invitation, Ishavara Puri went to the house of Mahaprabhu.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu washed the lotus feet of Ishavara Puri with his own hands. Sri Saci devi quickly prepared various wonderful kinds of preparations and offered them to the Deity. After it had been offered, Mahaprabhu accepted it.
Later, the two of them entered the temple of Vishnu and discussed Krishna with each other at great length. And gradually Krishna-prema sprang up in their hearts and flooded them with the ecstasy of love of Godhead.
In this way, for one month, Sri Ishavara Puri stayed at the house of Sri Gopinatha Acarya. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu would constantly invite Ishavra Puri to visit him. And from time to time Ishvara Puri would invite Mahaprabhu to visit him.
At this time, Sri Gadadhara was a young boy. Sri Ishvara Puri was very affectionate to him. He would read to Gadadhara from the book he had written, "Shri Krishna-Lilamrita." Every day around sunrise Mahaprabhu would come and offer his obeisances to Sri Ishavara Puri. One day, Ishvara Puri told Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, " You are the topmost of pundits; I am writing a book about krishna's pastimes. You must help me by pointing out whatever faults you may find in this work. This will give me great pleasure. Sitting at the holy feet of Sri Ishvara Puri and hearing these words, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu smiled and said, "The words of Krishna's devotees are as good as Krishna himself. They are in the same category as he is, they are from his "alphabet," not from any material alphabet. Such words are not mundane. One who finds fault with Krishna or his devotees is a great sinner. What a bhakta writes is not mere poetry; it is completely different—it is dear to Krishna, and so is perfect." "A devotee's prayers of love for Krishna have nothing to do with the rules of grammar and does not depend on them. Krishna is only interested in the love in such prayers. They are dear to Krishna in any case, whether they are properly constructed according to the rules of grammar or not. One who looks for faults in the words of a devotee will never be pleasing to Krishna."
Upon hearing Caitanya Mahaprabhu's words, Ishvara Puri felt as if his senses had been drenched in nectar. Ishvara Puri could understand that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Absolute Person. A few days later, Ishvara Puri left Navadwip with some devotees to continue visiting the holy places of pilgrimage.
In this way, Sri Gaurasundara's pastimes of scholarship reached their completion, and the Lord wanted to manifest his divinity. He wanted to reveal himself and distribute the nectar of the holy name of Krishna, and inundate the world in Krishna-prema, thus delivering the world. But first, he went to Gaya to offer oblations to his ancestors. At that time, Sri Ishavara Puri was in Gaya.
After staying in Gaya for some time, When Mahaprabhu had finished his offerings to his ancestors, he went to complete his worship of the lotus feet of Vishnu. when he had darhsan of the holy feet of the Lord, and had heard the glories of the Lord he began to drown in the ecstasy of love of Godhead, and fell to the ground in wonder and delight. By divine arrangement, it was at that time that Ishvara Puri arrived. Upon seeing Sri Gaurasundara, he became speechless. Candrashekaracarya, who was close by was informed of all this. A little time later, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu returned to external consciousness and saw Ishavara Puri nearby. At once he arose and then offered his humble obeisances at the lotus feet of Sri Ishvara Puri.
At that time, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Sri Ishvara Puri heartily embraced one another. Soon the two of them were drowning in an ocean of tears that poured incessantly from their lotus eyes. At that time, Mahaprabhu said, "Now my visit to Gaya has really been fruitful, as by coming here I have had the chance to see your lotus feet. By traveling to a holy place and offering pinda one may deliverer one's ancestors—that is the person who offers the pinda may deliver only his ancestors. But one who sees you automatically delivers millions of ancestors, and not only will they become free from certain of their sins, but they will all attain eternal deliverance from material bondage. Therefore this pilgrimage I have undertaken is unparalleled, because of your holiness having rendered everything perfectly auspicious.
In this way, Sri Caitanya mahaprabhu in great humility told Ishvara Puri, "All my visiting of holy places has become perfect because I have seen you. A saintly person is a real "tirtha," or holy place, since he sanctifies the holy places by his very presence. Therefore you are the supreme fulfillment of all holy places. All the holy places pray for the dust of your lotus feet. O Ishvara Puri, in the same way, I am praying for the dust of your lotus feet, knowing which I shall become free from the ocean of repeated birth and death and drink the nectar of divine rasa at the lotus feet of Sri Krishna. Because you alone can free me from the ocean of repeated birth and death, I offer you this body to do with as you wish. You alone can make me drink the nectar of divine rasa at the lotus feet of Krishna, and my desire is that you grant me this gift."
Hearing this from Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Ishavara Puri spoke as follows: "Listen Pandit: Upon seeing your learning and character, I can understand that you are divinity Himself, descended amongst men. This very day, I had a beautiful dream. In my dream were many people, and their hands were laden with fruit. O Pandit! To speak truthfully, upon seeing you, I am filled with an unusual feeling of transcendental bliss that surpasses ordinary joy. In fact, after I first saw you in Nabadwipa-dhama, from that time on, I couldn't think of anything else but you. I didn't want to think of anything else but you. I am speaking the truth! Upon seeing you I am as happy as if I were seeing Krishna Himself!
Upon hearing all this, Mahaprabhu humbly lowered his head in respect and smiling, said: "I am supremely fortunate."
A few days later, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, in a mood of great humility sought out Ishavara Puri and said, "Your holiness, please show mercy upon me and initiate me in the Gayatri mantram as your disciple. For want of the Gayatri mantra my mind is very much disturbed. "
Sri Ishvara Puri, upon hearing the words of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was very happy and spoke as follows: "Whether I am giving you my words in speech or a mantra, it is my life I wish to give you; I wish to give you everything I have."
After this, Sri Ishvara Puri initiated Sri Gaurasundara in the divine mantra. One day, Sri Ishvara Puri came to the residence of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Upon seeing him, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu became ecstsatic. He offered his obeisances and all proper respects and greetings and begged him to stay for lunch.
Ishvara Puri said, "I would consider myself extremely fortunate to accept some rice from your lotus hand." Mahaprabhu cooked with his own hands and with great care fed Sri Ishavara Puri. After lunch, the Lord smeared sandalwood pulp over the limbs of Sri Ishvara Puri and offered him a nice garland of flowers.
In this way, in order to acquaint us with the way in which to properly worship the guru, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has instructed us all by his personal example how to serve the guru-parampara. One who does not undertand how to honor a saintly person can never attain Krishna-prema-bhakti. Service to the lotus feet of the guru is the gateway to Krishna-bhakti.
When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was returning to Nabadwipa from Gaya, he passed through Kurmarhatta, the divine birthplace of Shri Ishvara Puri. Upon arriving there, he became filled with divine love and his voice choked up in ecstasy. He soaked the earth with the tears of divine love from his lotus eyes. Before he left Kumarahatta, he went to the place of Ishavara Puri's birth and took some dust from his birthsite. As he left for Nabadwipa, he announced, "This dust is my life and soul!" After this, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu took sannyasa and went to Jagannatha Puri on the order of his mother. At that time, Sri Ishvara Puri had finished his role in the Lord's manifest pastimes. At the time of his passing into the unmanifest pastimes of the Lord, he ordered his two disciples, Govinda and Kashishvara Pandit to live near Mahaprabhu and render service to Him.
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta has written: "The best of sannyasis, Madhavendra Puri had as his foremost disciples Ishvara Puri, Nityananda and the great Advaita. In order to honor Sri Ishavara Puri, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the guru of the whole world accepted him as his spiritual master.
Sri Isvara Puri was a resident of Kumarahatts. (At this place there is now a railway station known as Kamarhatty. Nearby there is also another station named Halisahara, which belongs to the eastern railway that runs from the eastern section of Calcutta). Isvara Puri appeared in a brahmin family and was the most beloved disciple of Sri Madhavendra Puri."
The nature of Sri Ishvara Puri's personal devotional service to the lotus feet of his guru, Sri Madhavendra Puri, is mentioned in another part of the Caitanya Caritamrita by Kaviraj Goswami as follows: "At the last stage of his life, Sri Madhavendra Puri became an invalid and was completely unable to move, and Isvara Puri so completely engaged himself in his service that he personally cleaned up his stool and urine. Always chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra and reminding Sri Madhavendra Puri about the pastimes of Lord Krishna in the last stage of his life, Ishvara Puri gave the best service among his disciples. Thus Madhavendra Puri, being very pleased with him, blessed him, saying, 'may you have Krishna prema.' Thus Ishavara Puri, by the grace of his spirutal master, Sri Madhavendra Puri, became a great devotee in the ocean of love of Godhead."
Srila Prabhupada Bhaktivedanta points out in his commentary on this verse, "It is by the mercy of the spiritual master that one becomes perfect, as vividly exemplified here. A Vaishnava is always protected by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but if he appears to be an invlaid, this gives a chance to his disciples to serve him. Ishvara Puri pleaed his piritual master by service, and by the blessings of his spiritual master he became such a great personality that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu accepted him as his spiritual master. "
Before Initiationg Sri Caitanya, Ishvara Puri stayed at the house of Gopinath Acarya in Nabadwip-dham. There he lived for a few months. At that time he met Sri Caitanya, when he was Nimai Pandit, and requested him to help him with his book, Krishna-lilamrita. The Lord was highly pleased with Ishvara Puri's devotion and highly praised his book, saying that it was faultless. Still, when he was pressed, he made some corrections with his own lotus hands. This pastime is elaborately described in the Caitanya Bhagavata. The following is a synopsis of Vrindavan Das Thakur's account of Sri Ishavara Puri.
When Mother Sachi saw that Sri Caitanya was happily engaged in his studies, her own ecstasy increased. At that time, Sri Ishvara Puri came to Nabadwipa in disguise. Caitanya Bhagavata records that Ishavara Puri was overwhelmed with the ecstasy of Krishna-rasa. And yet, as he was very dear to Krishna, he was also very humble and didn't want to attract any attention to himself as a great devotee. So that no one would know who he was, he hid his real identity and went to the temple of Advaita.
Upon arriving there, he found that Advaita was busy in service to the Lord in the temple, so he came in and sat down very cautiously and timidly. But the power of a great Vaishnava is not easily hidden from another great Vaishnava. Again and again, Advaita Acaraya kept looking away from his duties in the direction of Ishvara Puri. finally he asked him "O Father! who art thou?"
With great humility, Ishvara introduced himself, saying, "I am a sudra of the lowest class." In this way, the jewel of learned scholars and the best of the renounced, Ishvara Puri, showed how humility is the true ornament of a Vaishnava.
Immediately upon seeing him, Mukunda Datta recognized that Ishavara Puri was a Vaishnava Sannyasi. At that time, Mukunda Datta very sweetly began to perform Krishna-lila kirtan. Vrindavan Das asks, Who is there who can remain unmoved when Mukunda Datta performs his sweet kirtan? Upon hearing the deeply moving songs of Mukunda Datta, Sri Ishvara Puri lost his composure and fainted on the ground in a trance of deep ecstasy. Tears of ecstasy rained forth from his eyes. The assembled devotees were dumbstruck upon seeing such a display of transcendental emotion. When their power of speech returned, they all remarked that nowhere had any of them ever seen a Vaishnava such as this. Sri Advaita Acarya also began to experience grave symptoms of transcendental emotion. After this, they all concluded their visitor must be none other than the dearmost disciple of Madhavendra Puri—Sri Ishvara Puri. At this, they all joyously began chanting the holy name of Krishna, saying, "Hari! Hari!" over and over again.
Sri ishavara Puri stayed in Nabadwipa for a while. One day, the footpath near where he stayed was blessed by the divine footsteps of Sri Gaurasundara. Mahaprabhu was going home from school. Upon seeing Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Ishavara Puri was amazed by his perfect body and supremely grave disposition. He wanted to somehow make contact with the Lord. Finally, he called out, "O best of the brahmins! What is your name? Where is your house? And what book are you reading?"
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu with great humility offered his humble obeisances to Sri Ishvara Puri. Mahaprabhu's disciples said, "His name is Nimai Pandit." Ishavara Puri said, "You are THE Nimai Pandit!?" Ishavara Puri's joy knew no bounds. Mahaprabhu with great humility bowed his head and said, "Sripada, have mercy upon me and kindly grace my house with your company. This very afternoon we shall prepare prasada for your pleasure. Please accept it. With these sweet and humble words, Mahaprabhu extended his invitation to Ishavara Puri. Accepting the invitation, Ishavara Puri went to the house of Mahaprabhu.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu washed the lotus feet of Ishavara Puri with his own hands. Sri Saci devi quickly prepared various wonderful kinds of preparations and offered them to the Deity. After it had been offered, Mahaprabhu accepted it.
Later, the two of them entered the temple of Vishnu and discussed Krishna with each other at great length. And gradually Krishna-prema sprang up in their hearts and flooded them with the ecstasy of love of Godhead.
In this way, for one month, Sri Ishavara Puri stayed at the house of Sri Gopinatha Acarya. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu would constantly invite Ishavra Puri to visit him. And from time to time Ishvara Puri would invite Mahaprabhu to visit him.
At this time, Sri Gadadhara was a young boy. Sri Ishvara Puri was very affectionate to him. He would read to Gadadhara from the book he had written, "Shri Krishna-Lilamrita." Every day around sunrise Mahaprabhu would come and offer his obeisances to Sri Ishavara Puri. One day, Ishvara Puri told Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, " You are the topmost of pundits; I am writing a book about krishna's pastimes. You must help me by pointing out whatever faults you may find in this work. This will give me great pleasure. Sitting at the holy feet of Sri Ishvara Puri and hearing these words, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu smiled and said, "The words of Krishna's devotees are as good as Krishna himself. They are in the same category as he is, they are from his "alphabet," not from any material alphabet. Such words are not mundane. One who finds fault with Krishna or his devotees is a great sinner. What a bhakta writes is not mere poetry; it is completely different—it is dear to Krishna, and so is perfect." "A devotee's prayers of love for Krishna have nothing to do with the rules of grammar and does not depend on them. Krishna is only interested in the love in such prayers. They are dear to Krishna in any case, whether they are properly constructed according to the rules of grammar or not. One who looks for faults in the words of a devotee will never be pleasing to Krishna."
Upon hearing Caitanya Mahaprabhu's words, Ishvara Puri felt as if his senses had been drenched in nectar. Ishvara Puri could understand that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Absolute Person. A few days later, Ishvara Puri left Navadwip with some devotees to continue visiting the holy places of pilgrimage.
In this way, Sri Gaurasundara's pastimes of scholarship reached their completion, and the Lord wanted to manifest his divinity. He wanted to reveal himself and distribute the nectar of the holy name of Krishna, and inundate the world in Krishna-prema, thus delivering the world. But first, he went to Gaya to offer oblations to his ancestors. At that time, Sri Ishavara Puri was in Gaya.
After staying in Gaya for some time, When Mahaprabhu had finished his offerings to his ancestors, he went to complete his worship of the lotus feet of Vishnu. when he had darhsan of the holy feet of the Lord, and had heard the glories of the Lord he began to drown in the ecstasy of love of Godhead, and fell to the ground in wonder and delight. By divine arrangement, it was at that time that Ishvara Puri arrived. Upon seeing Sri Gaurasundara, he became speechless. Candrashekaracarya, who was close by was informed of all this. A little time later, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu returned to external consciousness and saw Ishavara Puri nearby. At once he arose and then offered his humble obeisances at the lotus feet of Sri Ishvara Puri.
At that time, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Sri Ishvara Puri heartily embraced one another. Soon the two of them were drowning in an ocean of tears that poured incessantly from their lotus eyes. At that time, Mahaprabhu said, "Now my visit to Gaya has really been fruitful, as by coming here I have had the chance to see your lotus feet. By traveling to a holy place and offering pinda one may deliverer one's ancestors—that is the person who offers the pinda may deliver only his ancestors. But one who sees you automatically delivers millions of ancestors, and not only will they become free from certain of their sins, but they will all attain eternal deliverance from material bondage. Therefore this pilgrimage I have undertaken is unparalleled, because of your holiness having rendered everything perfectly auspicious.
In this way, Sri Caitanya mahaprabhu in great humility told Ishvara Puri, "All my visiting of holy places has become perfect because I have seen you. A saintly person is a real "tirtha," or holy place, since he sanctifies the holy places by his very presence. Therefore you are the supreme fulfillment of all holy places. All the holy places pray for the dust of your lotus feet. O Ishvara Puri, in the same way, I am praying for the dust of your lotus feet, knowing which I shall become free from the ocean of repeated birth and death and drink the nectar of divine rasa at the lotus feet of Sri Krishna. Because you alone can free me from the ocean of repeated birth and death, I offer you this body to do with as you wish. You alone can make me drink the nectar of divine rasa at the lotus feet of Krishna, and my desire is that you grant me this gift."
Hearing this from Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Ishavara Puri spoke as follows: "Listen Pandit: Upon seeing your learning and character, I can understand that you are divinity Himself, descended amongst men. This very day, I had a beautiful dream. In my dream were many people, and their hands were laden with fruit. O Pandit! To speak truthfully, upon seeing you, I am filled with an unusual feeling of transcendental bliss that surpasses ordinary joy. In fact, after I first saw you in Nabadwipa-dhama, from that time on, I couldn't think of anything else but you. I didn't want to think of anything else but you. I am speaking the truth! Upon seeing you I am as happy as if I were seeing Krishna Himself!
Upon hearing all this, Mahaprabhu humbly lowered his head in respect and smiling, said: "I am supremely fortunate."
A few days later, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, in a mood of great humility sought out Ishavara Puri and said, "Your holiness, please show mercy upon me and initiate me in the Gayatri mantram as your disciple. For want of the Gayatri mantra my mind is very much disturbed. "
Sri Ishvara Puri, upon hearing the words of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was very happy and spoke as follows: "Whether I am giving you my words in speech or a mantra, it is my life I wish to give you; I wish to give you everything I have."
After this, Sri Ishvara Puri initiated Sri Gaurasundara in the divine mantra. One day, Sri Ishvara Puri came to the residence of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Upon seeing him, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu became ecstsatic. He offered his obeisances and all proper respects and greetings and begged him to stay for lunch.
Ishvara Puri said, "I would consider myself extremely fortunate to accept some rice from your lotus hand." Mahaprabhu cooked with his own hands and with great care fed Sri Ishavara Puri. After lunch, the Lord smeared sandalwood pulp over the limbs of Sri Ishvara Puri and offered him a nice garland of flowers.
In this way, in order to acquaint us with the way in which to properly worship the guru, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has instructed us all by his personal example how to serve the guru-parampara. One who does not undertand how to honor a saintly person can never attain Krishna-prema-bhakti. Service to the lotus feet of the guru is the gateway to Krishna-bhakti.
When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was returning to Nabadwipa from Gaya, he passed through Kurmarhatta, the divine birthplace of Shri Ishvara Puri. Upon arriving there, he became filled with divine love and his voice choked up in ecstasy. He soaked the earth with the tears of divine love from his lotus eyes. Before he left Kumarahatta, he went to the place of Ishavara Puri's birth and took some dust from his birthsite. As he left for Nabadwipa, he announced, "This dust is my life and soul!" After this, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu took sannyasa and went to Jagannatha Puri on the order of his mother. At that time, Sri Ishvara Puri had finished his role in the Lord's manifest pastimes. At the time of his passing into the unmanifest pastimes of the Lord, he ordered his two disciples, Govinda and Kashishvara Pandit to live near Mahaprabhu and render service to Him.
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta has written: "The best of sannyasis, Madhavendra Puri had as his foremost disciples Ishvara Puri, Nityananda and the great Advaita. In order to honor Sri Ishavara Puri, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the guru of the whole world accepted him as his spiritual master.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Wedding of Lord Gauranga and Laksmipriya.
A brahmana pandit of the name Sri Vallabha Acarya used to live in Navadwip. He had a very well behaved and beautiful daughter who was just like Laksmidevi and whose name was Laksmipriya. Thinking that the time for her marriage had arrivedhe called the match maker, Vanamali Acarya. Vanamali Acarya considered Nimai Pandit [Sri Caitanya] to be the most suitable match for Vallabha Acarya's daughter and so he came to see Saci Mata. He spoke to her thusly: "The time for your son's marriage has come but why is it that you haven't thought to arrange a nice bride for Him? There is a brahmana by the name Sri Vallabha Acarya, who is from a very good family and who is very well behaved. There is no taint whatsoever on his name. He has a daughter who is just like the goddess of fortune in beauty and good qualities. Why don't you accept this proposal if you have a mind to." [C. B. Adi 10.54] Sri Saci devi replied, "My son has no father. Let Him get a little older first. Now he is absorbed in studies." Vanamali was not very engladdened by Saci Mata's reply and so, in a melancholy mood he went away. However, just by chance, he happened to meet Nimai Pandit on the way. Nimai inquired, "Acarya Mahasaya, where had you gone?" Vanamali replied, "I have just been to your house, to see your mother. You see, Vallabha Acarya has a very nice daughter and he considered You to be a quite suitable bridegroom in this respect. However I didn't notice any enthusiasm in your mother's part regarding this matter. Therefore I am going home now." Hearing this, Nimai Pandit smiled. After bidding farewell to the brahmana He Himself returned home but kept completely silent. His mother accosted Him, "Nimai why are you so grave today. You are not speaking?" Nimai replied, "Why couldn't you speak nicely with Vanamali Pandita?" By this Saci Mata could understand that Nimai had a desire to marry that girl. Therefore she sent someone to call the match maker again. This time she addressed him, "Vipra! That which you spoke to me about yesterday - please complete the arrangements quickly. I am in full agreement with your proposal." [C. B. Adi 10.45]. Hearing this latest development, Vanamali went to Vallabha Acarya's house. Seeing the cheerful face of Vanamali, Vallabha Acarya, could guess that his work had turned out successfully, and so his own mind became filled with joy. Receiving him with all due respects he seated him and inquired about the good news. Vanamali replied, "Very auspicious news: you can now begin the arrangements for your daughter's marriage to Nimai Pandit. To get a boy like this as a son-in-law is a matter of great fortune." Having heard this happy news the household members of Vallabha Acarya felt unlimited joy. Sri Ballabha told Vanamali, "If Krsna is pleased with me and if Laxmi devi and Gauri devi are satisfied with my daughter, then such a son-in-law as this might be obtainable. Please arrange everything as soon as possible." "But the only thing is that I am not able to give a proper dowry. I am just a poor brahmana. I'll only be able to give 5 haritaki (dried fruits) as a dowry along with my daughter. You will have to plead this on my behalf." So Vanamali came to Saci mata and spoke to her on this point. Sacimata replied, "Since she is a nice girl, we won't demand any dowry. Whatever he gives, we will be satisfied with that." Vanamali returned to Vallabha Acarya and informed him that again he had arranged everything satisfactorily. Hearing those glad tidings the members of Vallabha Acarya's house were completely delighted. Meanwhile Sacidevi informed Srivas Pandit, Advaita Acarya and the other well wishers of her son about Nimai's impending marriage. Everyone was very happy to receive this news and requested her to complete everything as soon as possible. Saci Mata then called the astrologers (Bhattacharya) and requested them to ascertain when the next favorable conjunction of the constellations would take place. Vallabha Acarya had also done likewise so the two families discussed it together and then set a date for the wedding. With the wedding date finalized, Saci Mata in joyful anticipation of the event, now sent out people to personally invite the family's friends and relatives to the preliminary ceremony, which would be held at her house before the wedding. Having received the news of Nimai Pandit's marriage, everyone was very happy and began to look forward to the event. On the morning of the Adhivas ceremony, the professional dancers and musicians arrived and by their music and dancing created a festive atmosphere. Meanwhile the ceremonial pavilion was very nicely and charmingly constructed, with banana trees, mango leaves, decorative designs painted on the ground with rice flour, and flower garlands. The brahmanas known as Bhattacarya recited various hymns from the Vedas, such as "Nandi Mukh" sraddha, as the preliminary rites. Then the invocation ceremony began as Sri Vallabha Acarya arrived with many auspicious articles to present to the bridegroom. These articles are waved before the bridegroom as in an aroti ceremony, in order to convey the blessings of the father upon his future son-in-law. As the rituals were performed the musicians filled the air with the vibrations of their instruments while Sacimata was very busy in receiving the many guests with sweets and plates of pan leaves and betel. In this way the invocation ceremony was completed. Early the next morning preparations for the wedding ceremony began as the friends and relatives of Jagannath Misra began to arrive. Sacimata received the ladies by annointing their heads with oil and arranging their bath. After arranging their hair she placed the vermilion dot between the eyebrows. Then by presenting them new cloths and offerings of puffed rice, bananas and sweets, etc., she satisfied everyone to the fullest extent. They all felt as though they were floating in an ocean of happiness having been welcomed so nicely by Sri Sacimata. On the morning of the wedding, Sri Gaurasundara, after taking bath in the Ganges, first performed the daily worship of Lord Visnu and then worshipped his forefathers. In all directions the sweet sound of the musicians playing on their instruments could be heard as the singers and dancers began their activities. Demigods and demigoddess from the heavenly planets, havingdisguised themselves as ordinary human beings, arrived in anticipation of seeing the Lord's marriage ceremony. Meanwhile, Sri Vallabhacarya had also completed his duties on the evening of the preceeding day by conducting the invocation ceremony and worshipping his forefathers. At his house, also the air was filled with the sound of singing and dancing, playing on instruments and chanting auspicious hymns. During the go-dhuli lagna (time period of day) Sri Gaurasundara set out from his house with a huge crowd of friends, relatives, students and musicians, after first offering His salutations at the feet of His mother and the other elders present. To the accompaniment of the musicians, music, singers and dancers the party proceeded towards the Ganga. There Sri Gaurasundara got down from His palanquin and offered His obeisances to Mother Ganges. Then they proceeded along the banks of the Ganges, finally approaching the house of Sri Vallabha Misra. Vallabhacaryaji, seeing that the bridegroom's party had arrived was completely in ecstasy and came out to greet them. He very respectfully led his future son-in-law in the the courtyard and seated Him within the wedding pavilion. Then he brought his daughter, who had been decorated very beautifully with ornaments and tilok markings on her face, and seated her next to Sri Gaurasundara. The ladies all began to yodel while the musicians made the heavens resound with the sound of their instruments. After Laksmipriya was seated on a wooden seat, she was picked up along with the seat and caused to circumambulate Sri Gaurasundara seven times. Finally Laksmidevi, after having offered water at the lotus feet of her husband offered her obeisances to Him. She placed a garland of flowers around the neck of her Prabhu, Who in placing His garland on her neck, duly accepted her as His wife. In this way Sri Sri Laksmi-Narayana were united with auspicious shouts of joy. Sri Gaurasundara now seated Laksmipriya on His left side, after performing the Mukhcandrika ritual. Prabhu, still in the bloom of youth, was defeating the beauty of Cupid himself, with Laksmidevi seated on His left side, their radiant beauty increased manifold, and the waves of ecstatic bliss which were felt at that moment in Sri Vallabh Misra's house are beyond description. [C. B. Adi 10.102] It was late into the night when the ladies completed their various family customs and social rites and rituals. Finally the Supreme Lord along with His eternal consort Laksmidevi lay down on a bed of flowers and slept. In the early morning they rose and completed their morning duties. After spending the day at Vallabha Misra's house, Sri Gaurasundara set out for His own house during the go-dhuli lagna. At the time of bidding farewell to his daughter and son-in-law, Sri Vallabha Acarya along with his family members became completely overwhelmed. The divine couple having been decorated with sandalwood paste, flower garlands, ornaments, crowns and eye shadow looked radiant as they were seated in the palanquin. The people along the path were very pleased to see the newly wedded couple and exclaimed, "This young girl must have worshiped Hara-Gauri for a long time in order to have obtained such a handsome husband." Amidst the music of the musicians and the joyous shouts of those accompanying him, Sri Gaurasundara entered the courtyard of His own house. Saci Mata along with many other brahmana ladies received the couple by offering aroti and many auspicious articles. The house of Sacimata became inundated with an ocean of happiness as the musicians' music filled the sky. In this way the marriage of Sri Gaurasundara was performed very auspiciously and thus the whole world became filled with joy. All of the guests, brahmanas, dancers, musicians and various performers received presents of money, cloth and foodstuffs from the Lord as tokens of appreciation and as a means of bidding them farewell. All of the desires of Sacimata were thus fulfilled and she began to float in an ocean of happiness. Her house was as though filled with a divine aura and the scent of lotus flowers emanating from the body of Laksmipriya. From this Sacima could understand that the goddess of fortune, Laksmidevi, was personally present in the body of Laksmipriya. Sacima treated her with great affection, as though Laksmipriya was dearer to her than her own life. Laksmipriya was extremely well-behaved and could understand by simple gestures what activities were to be accomplished by her. Sometimes Sri Gaurasundara would come and sit next to Laksmipriya when she was in the company of Sacimata, simply to increase the happiness of His mother. In the mornings, Laksmi would clean the Deity room, make rice paintings on the floor, pick flowers and Tulasi leaves, and then begin to cook. Every day Mahaprabhu would invite some guests and serve them in his house. Mahaprabhu, as the instructor of religion to the householders, taught that their main duty is to receive guests in their house. Those who do not serve guests are inferior to birds and beasts. If due to one's previous bad activities, he has nothing to offer, then he can at least offer a grass mat on the ground as a sitting place and some water. [C. B. Adi 14.21] The Lord descends to this world to disseminate the principles of religion. He is very affectionate to His devotees and thus enacts many pastimes for their pleasures. Laksmidevi, as His eternal consort, would act in such a way as to enhance these pastimes. "She was always engaged in the service of Tulasi and above and beyond that, her primary attention was the service of Sacimata. Hearing of the activities of his wife, Sri Gaurasundara remained externally silent but was very pleased within." [C.B. Adi 14.43] After entering the grhastha ashram, and accepting the responsibility of maintaining others, Sri Gaurasundara decided to go to East Bengal as a teacher, for the purpose of earning some wealth. After submitting this proposal to His mother He instructed His new bride, "During this time you should give your full attention to serving My mother." Thereafter, on an auspicious day for beginning a journey, He set out for Bangladesh, with a small number of students. Gradually they reached the Padma River, as the news of Nimai Pandit's arrival spread far and wide. Being invited to stay in the houses of various greatly fortunate householders, he would hold classes which were attended by thousands of students. By obtaining the sight of His divine personage, the residents of that land became blessed. "Even to this day the virtuous gentlemen and ladies of this land are so fortunate that they still sing the glories of the Lord (Hari-nam-sankirtan). This is due to the fact that the Lord came here and cast His merciful glance on this land." [Caitanya Bhagavat] In this way the Lord of Vaikuntha engaged in His pastimes of scholarship while in the land of Bangladesh. Meanwhile, in Navadwip, Laksmipriya had given up eating and sleeping due to intense feelings of separation from Mahaprabhu. Allthe family members tried to console her but to no avail. In name only she would place a few morsals of food in her mouth and her nights were spent simply crying. Unable to bear separation from the Lord of Vaikuntha the Goddess of fortune relinquished her mortal frame and went to join her eternal consort. As she is the Supreme Goddess of Fortune and endowed with unlimited opulences, she is capable of accomplishing anything. Giving up her reflected form of this world, she went to join her Lord in her original form. Her disappearance from this world was not like that of an ordinary human being, however. For her, separation from the Lord was like a dose of strong poison, thus having taken this form, she was bit by the snake of separation and being unable to bear the pain of that poison she gave up her existence in this world. [C. B. Adi 14.104] Seeing that Laksmidevi had left this world all of the family and friends were plunged into grief. Sacimata became completely immersed in sorrow. The all omniscient Lord became aware of everything and thus returned home in the company of many students and with many possessions earned through His teaching profession. Arriving home he came to know of Laksmipriya's deparure and in imitation of ordinary mortals he displayed some sorrow. Then He consoled His mother and imparted many transcendental instructions to her. Saci Mata somehow tried to restrain her grief while Sri Gaurasundara again engaged in His pastimes of scholarship.
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