Sri Sri Gaura-Nityanander Daya The Mercy of Sri Gaura and Nityananda (from Dhamali) by Locana Dasa Thakura (1) parama koruna, pahu dui jana nitai gauracandra saba avatara-sara siromani kevala ananda-kanda (2) bhajo bhajo bhai, caitanya nitai sudridha biswasa kori vishaya chadiya, se rase majiya, mukhe bolo hari hari (3) dekho ore bhai, tri-bhuvane nai, emona doyala data pasu pakhi jhure, pashana vidare, suni’ janra guna-gatha (4) samsare majiya, rohili poriya, se pade nahilo asa apana karama, bhunjaye samana, kahoye locana-dasa
Translation: (1) The two Lords, Nitai-Gauracandra, are very merciful. They are the essence of all incarnations. The specific significance of these incarnations is that They introduced a process of chanting and dancing that is simply joyful. (2) My dear brother, I request that you just worship Lord Caitanya and Nityananda with firm conviction and faith. If one wants to be Krishna conscious by this process, one has to give up his engagement in sense gratification. One simply has to chant, "Hare Krishna! Hari Hari!" without any motive. (3) My dear brother, just try and examine this. Within the three worlds there is no one like Lord Caitanya or Lord Nityananda. Their merciful qualities are so great that upon hearing them even birds and beasts cry and stones melt. (4) But Locana dasa regrets that I am entrapped by sense gratification. Since I have no attraction for the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda, then Yamaraja, the superintendent of death, is punishing me by not allowing me to be attracted by this movement.
Sri Guru-parampara by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada (1) krishna hoite catur-mukha, hoy krishna-sevonmukha, brahma hoite naradera mati narada hoite vyasa, madhwa kohe vyasa-dasa, purnaprajna padmanabha gati (2) nrihari madhava-bamse, akshobhya paramahamse, sishya boli’ angikara kore akshobhyera sishya jaya-tirtha name paricaya, tara dasye jnanasindhu tore (3) taha hoite dayanidhi, tara dasa vidyanidhi, rajendra hoilo taha ha’te tahara kinkora jaya-dharma name paricaya, parampara jano bhalo mate (4) jayadharma-dasye khyati, sri purushottama-jati, ta ha’te brahmanya-tirtha suri vyasatirtha tara dasa, lakshmipati vyasa-dasa, taha ha’te madhavendra pure (5) madhavendra puri-bara, sishya-bara sri-iswara, nityananda, sri-adwaita vibhu iswara-purike dhanya, korilen sri-caitanya, jagad-guru gaura mahaprabhu (6) mahaprabhu sri-caitanya, radha-krishna nahe anya, rupanuga janera jivana viswambhara priyankara, sri-swarupa damodara, sri-goswami rupa-sanatana (7) rupa-priya mahajana, jiva, raghunatha hana, tara priya kavi krishnadasa krishnadasa-priya-bara, narottama seva-para, jara pada viswanatha-asa (8) viswanatha-bhakta-satha, baladeva jagannatha, tara priya sri-bhaktivinoda maha-bhagavata-bara, sri-gaurakisora-bara, hari-bhajanete ja’ra moda (9) ihara paramahamsa, gaurangera nija-bamsa tadera carane mama gati ami seba-udasina, namete tridandi dina sri-bhaktisiddhanta saraswati
Translation: (1) In the beginning of creation the science of devotional service was received by the four-headed Brahma from the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna. Devarshi Narada’s understanding of this divine science was obtained from Brahma. The great sage Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa who was empowered to compile the Vedic literatures, became a disciple of Devarshi Narada. Sripada Madhvacarya, the founder of the suddha-dvaita school of Vedanta-philosophy, who visited Vyasadeva at Badarikasrama in the thirteenth century to learn from him Vedanta philosophy, calls himself a servant of Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa. Purnaprajna Tirtha [Madhva] is the guru and sole refuge of Padmanabha Tirtha. (2) The two other principal disciples of Madhva are Nrihari Tirtha and Madhava Tirtha. Madhava Tirtha accepted the great paramahamsa Aksobhya Tirtha as a disciple. The principal disciple of Akshobhya Tirtha was known as Jayatirtha. Jayatirtha’s service was for his disciple Jnanasindhu. (3) Dayanidhi received the science of devotional service from Jnanasindhu, and the servant of Dayanidhi was Vidyanidhi [Vidyadhiraja Tirtha]. Rajendra Tirtha became a disciple of Vidyadhiraja Tirtha. Rajendra Tirtha’s servant was known as Jayadharma or Vijayadhvaja Tirtha. In this way you should properly understand this disciplic succession. (4) The great sannyasi Sri Purushottama Tirtha received his knowledge in the service of his guru, Vijayadhvaja Tirtha [Jayadharma]. The principal disciple of Purushottama Tirtha was Subrahmanya Tirtha. His servant was the great Vyasatirtha [Vyasa Raya]. Vyasatirtha’s servant was Lakshmipati Tirtha whose disciple was Madhavendra Puri Gosvami. (5) The chief disciple of Madhavendra Puri was Isvara Puri, and two of his other disciples were the renowned incarnations of Godhead Sri Nityananda and Advaita Acarya. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the spiritual preceptor of all the worlds, made Isvara Puri greatly fortunate by accepting him as His spiritual master. (6) Mahaprabhu Sri Caitanya is nondifferent from Sri Sri Radha and Krishna and is the very life of those Vaishnavas who follow Sri Rupa Gosvami. Sri Svarupa Damodara Gosvami, Rupa Gosvami, and Sanatana Gosvami were the givers of great happiness to Visvambhara [Sri Caitanya]. (7) The great souls Jiva Gosvami and Raghunatha dasa Gosvami became very dear to Rupa Gosvami. Jiva Gosvami was a disciple of Rupa Gosvami, and Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, a disciple of Advaita Acarya’s disciple Yadunandana Acarya, was accepted by Rupa and Sanatana as their third brother. Raghunatha dasa Gosvami’s beloved student was Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami. Krishnadasa Kaviraja was an intimate friend of Lokanatha Gosvami. They lived together in Vrindavana and always discussed the topics of Krishna with one another. Lokanatha Gosvami, a disciple of Gadadhara Pandita, had only one disciple, whose name was Narottama dasa. Narottama dasa was always engaged in the service of his guru, and he also engaged himself in the service of his guru’s intimate friend. Thus he became very dear to Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami. To serve the feet of Narottama dasa Thakura was the only desire of Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, who was the fourth acarya in disciplic succession from Narottama dasa. (8) Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura was the siksha-guru [instructing spiritual master of Baladeva Vidyabhushana, to whom he taught the precepts of Srimad-Bhagavatam. Jagannatha dasa Babaji was a very prominent acarya after Sri Baladeva Vidyabhushana and was the beloved siksha-guru of Sri Bhaktivinoda Thakura. Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s intimate friend and associate was the eminent maha-bhagavata Sri Gaurakisora dasa Babaji, whose sole joy was found in hari-bhajana. (9) These great saintly Vaishnavas are all paramahamsas, or devotees of the highest order, and they are all part of Lord Gauranga’s own spiritual family. Their holy feet are my refuge. I have no real interest in devotional service, and I am a poor and lowly tridandi sannyasi named Sri Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati. sri-varshabhanavi-bara, sada sevya-seva-para, tahara dayita-dasa-nama tara pradhan pracarako, sri-bhaktivedanta namo, patita-janete doya-dhama The renowned Sri Varshabhanavi-dayita dasa [the initiated name of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati] is always engaged in the service of his spiritual master, Srila Gaurakisora dasa Babaji. His foremost disciple-preacher is Sri A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who has spread the message of Lord Caitanya throughout the world and is thus a reservoir of mercy and compassion for all fallen souls.
"The spiritual master is receiving benediction from the ocean of mercy. Just as a cloud pours water on a forest fire to extinguish it, so the spiritual master delivers the materially afflicted world by extinguishing the blazing fire of material existence. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is an ocean of auspicious qualities.
"Chanting the holy name, dancing in ecstasy, singing, and playing musical instruments, the spiritual master is always gladdened by the sankirtana movement of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Because he is relishing the mellows of pure devotion within his mind, sometimes his hair stands on end, he feels quivering in his body, and tears flow from his eyes like waves. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
sri-vigraharadhana-nitya-nana
shringara-tan-mandira-marjanadau
yuktasya bhaktam cha niyunjato pi
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
"The spiritual master is always engaged in the temple worship of Sri Sri Radha and Krsna. He also engages his disciples in such worship. They dress the Deities in beautiful clothes and ornaments, clean Their temple, and perform other similar worship of the Lord. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
"The spiritual master is always offering Krsna four kinds of delicious food (analyzed as those which are licked, chewed, drunk, and swallowed). When the spiritual master sees that the devotees are satisfied by eating bhagavat-prasada, he is satisfied. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
"The spiritual master is always eager to hear and chant about the unlimited conjugal pastimes of Radhika and Madhava, and Their qualities, names, and forms. The spiritual master aspires to relish these at every moment. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
"The spiritual master is very dear, because he is expert in assisting the gopis, who at different times make different tasteful arrangements for the perfection of Radha and Krsna's conjugal loving affairs within the groves of Vrndavana. I offer my most humble obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
sakshad-dharitvena samasta-shastrair
uktas tatha bhavyata eva sadbhihi
kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
"The spiritual master is to be honored as much as the Supreme Lord, because he is the most confidential servitor of the Lord. This is acknowledged in all revealed scriptures and followed by all authorities. Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is a bona fide representative of Sri Hari (Krsna).
"By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Krsna. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement. Therefore, I should always remember and praise the spiritual master. At least three times a day I should offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master."
Replies
The Mercy of Sri Gaura and Nityananda
(from Dhamali)
by Locana Dasa Thakura
(1)
parama koruna, pahu dui jana
nitai gauracandra
saba avatara-sara siromani
kevala ananda-kanda
(2)
bhajo bhajo bhai, caitanya nitai
sudridha biswasa kori
vishaya chadiya, se rase majiya,
mukhe bolo hari hari
(3)
dekho ore bhai, tri-bhuvane nai,
emona doyala data
pasu pakhi jhure, pashana vidare,
suni’ janra guna-gatha
(4)
samsare majiya, rohili poriya,
se pade nahilo asa
apana karama, bhunjaye samana,
kahoye locana-dasa
Translation:
(1) The two Lords, Nitai-Gauracandra, are very merciful. They are the essence of all incarnations. The
specific significance of these incarnations is that They introduced a process of chanting and dancing that is
simply joyful.
(2) My dear brother, I request that you just worship Lord Caitanya and Nityananda with firm conviction and
faith. If one wants to be Krishna conscious by this process, one has to give up his engagement in sense
gratification. One simply has to chant, "Hare Krishna! Hari Hari!" without any motive.
(3) My dear brother, just try and examine this. Within the three worlds there is no one like Lord Caitanya or
Lord Nityananda. Their merciful qualities are so great that upon hearing them even birds and beasts cry and
stones melt.
(4) But Locana dasa regrets that I am entrapped by sense gratification. Since I have no attraction for the lotus
feet of Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda, then Yamaraja, the superintendent of death, is punishing me by
not allowing me to be attracted by this movement.
by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada
(1)
krishna hoite catur-mukha, hoy krishna-sevonmukha,
brahma hoite naradera mati
narada hoite vyasa, madhwa kohe vyasa-dasa,
purnaprajna padmanabha gati
(2)
nrihari madhava-bamse, akshobhya paramahamse,
sishya boli’ angikara kore
akshobhyera sishya jaya-tirtha name paricaya,
tara dasye jnanasindhu tore
(3)
taha hoite dayanidhi, tara dasa vidyanidhi,
rajendra hoilo taha ha’te
tahara kinkora jaya-dharma name paricaya,
parampara jano bhalo mate
(4)
jayadharma-dasye khyati, sri purushottama-jati,
ta ha’te brahmanya-tirtha suri
vyasatirtha tara dasa, lakshmipati vyasa-dasa,
taha ha’te madhavendra pure
(5)
madhavendra puri-bara, sishya-bara sri-iswara,
nityananda, sri-adwaita vibhu
iswara-purike dhanya, korilen sri-caitanya,
jagad-guru gaura mahaprabhu
(6)
mahaprabhu sri-caitanya, radha-krishna nahe anya,
rupanuga janera jivana
viswambhara priyankara, sri-swarupa damodara,
sri-goswami rupa-sanatana
(7)
rupa-priya mahajana, jiva, raghunatha hana,
tara priya kavi krishnadasa
krishnadasa-priya-bara, narottama seva-para,
jara pada viswanatha-asa
(8)
viswanatha-bhakta-satha, baladeva jagannatha,
tara priya sri-bhaktivinoda
maha-bhagavata-bara, sri-gaurakisora-bara,
hari-bhajanete ja’ra moda
(9)
ihara paramahamsa, gaurangera nija-bamsa
tadera carane mama gati
ami seba-udasina, namete tridandi dina
sri-bhaktisiddhanta saraswati
Translation:
(1) In the beginning of creation the science of devotional service was received by the four-headed Brahma from
the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna. Devarshi Narada’s understanding of this divine science was obtained from Brahma.
The great sage Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa who was empowered to compile the Vedic literatures, became a disciple
of Devarshi Narada. Sripada Madhvacarya, the founder of the suddha-dvaita school of Vedanta-philosophy,
who visited Vyasadeva at Badarikasrama in the thirteenth century to learn from him Vedanta philosophy,
calls himself a servant of Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa. Purnaprajna Tirtha [Madhva] is the guru and sole refuge
of Padmanabha Tirtha.
(2) The two other principal disciples of Madhva are Nrihari Tirtha and Madhava Tirtha. Madhava Tirtha
accepted the great paramahamsa Aksobhya Tirtha as a disciple. The principal disciple of Akshobhya Tirtha
was known as Jayatirtha. Jayatirtha’s service was for his disciple Jnanasindhu.
(3) Dayanidhi received the science of devotional service from Jnanasindhu, and the servant of Dayanidhi
was Vidyanidhi [Vidyadhiraja Tirtha]. Rajendra Tirtha became a disciple of Vidyadhiraja Tirtha. Rajendra
Tirtha’s servant was known as Jayadharma or Vijayadhvaja Tirtha. In this way you should properly understand
this disciplic succession.
(4) The great sannyasi Sri Purushottama Tirtha received his knowledge in the service of his guru,
Vijayadhvaja Tirtha [Jayadharma]. The principal disciple of Purushottama Tirtha was Subrahmanya Tirtha.
His servant was the great Vyasatirtha [Vyasa Raya]. Vyasatirtha’s servant was Lakshmipati Tirtha whose disciple
was Madhavendra Puri Gosvami.
(5) The chief disciple of Madhavendra Puri was Isvara Puri, and two of his other disciples were the
renowned incarnations of Godhead Sri Nityananda and Advaita Acarya. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the
spiritual preceptor of all the worlds, made Isvara Puri greatly fortunate by accepting him as His spiritual master.
(6) Mahaprabhu Sri Caitanya is nondifferent from Sri Sri Radha and Krishna and is the very life of those
Vaishnavas who follow Sri Rupa Gosvami. Sri Svarupa Damodara Gosvami, Rupa Gosvami, and Sanatana
Gosvami were the givers of great happiness to Visvambhara [Sri Caitanya].
(7) The great souls Jiva Gosvami and Raghunatha dasa Gosvami became very dear to Rupa Gosvami. Jiva
Gosvami was a disciple of Rupa Gosvami, and Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, a disciple of Advaita Acarya’s
disciple Yadunandana Acarya, was accepted by Rupa and Sanatana as their third brother. Raghunatha
dasa Gosvami’s beloved student was Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami. Krishnadasa Kaviraja was an intimate friend
of Lokanatha Gosvami. They lived together in Vrindavana and always discussed the topics of Krishna with
one another. Lokanatha Gosvami, a disciple of Gadadhara Pandita, had only one disciple, whose name
was Narottama dasa. Narottama dasa was always engaged in the service of his guru, and he also engaged himself
in the service of his guru’s intimate friend. Thus he became very dear to Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami. To serve
the feet of Narottama dasa Thakura was the only desire of Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, who was the
fourth acarya in disciplic succession from Narottama dasa.
(8) Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura was the siksha-guru [instructing spiritual master of Baladeva Vidyabhushana,
to whom he taught the precepts of Srimad-Bhagavatam. Jagannatha dasa Babaji was a very prominent acarya
after Sri Baladeva Vidyabhushana and was the beloved siksha-guru of Sri Bhaktivinoda Thakura.
Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s intimate friend and associate was the eminent maha-bhagavata Sri Gaurakisora
dasa Babaji, whose sole joy was found in hari-bhajana.
(9) These great saintly Vaishnavas are all paramahamsas, or devotees of the highest order, and they are all part
of Lord Gauranga’s own spiritual family. Their holy feet are my refuge. I have no real interest in devotional
service, and I am a poor and lowly tridandi sannyasi named Sri Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati.
sri-varshabhanavi-bara, sada sevya-seva-para,
tahara dayita-dasa-nama
tara pradhan pracarako, sri-bhaktivedanta namo,
patita-janete doya-dhama
The renowned Sri Varshabhanavi-dayita dasa [the initiated name of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati] is always engaged
in the service of his spiritual master, Srila Gaurakisora dasa Babaji. His foremost disciple-preacher is Sri A.
C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who has spread the message of Lord Caitanya throughout the world and
is thus a reservoir of mercy and compassion for all fallen souls.
samsara-davanala-lidha-loka
tranaya karunya-ghanaghanatwam
praptasya kalyana-gunarnavasya
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
"The spiritual master is receiving benediction from the ocean of mercy. Just as a cloud pours water on a forest fire to extinguish it, so the spiritual master delivers the materially afflicted world by extinguishing the blazing fire of material existence. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is an ocean of auspicious qualities.
mahapraboh kirtana-nritya-gita
vaditra-madyan-manaso rasena
romancha-kampashru-taranga-bhajo
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
"Chanting the holy name, dancing in ecstasy, singing, and playing musical instruments, the spiritual master is always gladdened by the sankirtana movement of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Because he is relishing the mellows of pure devotion within his mind, sometimes his hair stands on end, he feels quivering in his body, and tears flow from his eyes like waves. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
sri-vigraharadhana-nitya-nana
shringara-tan-mandira-marjanadau
yuktasya bhaktam cha niyunjato pi
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
"The spiritual master is always engaged in the temple worship of Sri Sri Radha and Krsna. He also engages his disciples in such worship. They dress the Deities in beautiful clothes and ornaments, clean Their temple, and perform other similar worship of the Lord. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
chatur-vidha-sri-bhagavat-prasada
swadv-anna-triptan hari-bhakta-sanghan
kritwaiva triptim bhajatah sadaiva
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
"The spiritual master is always offering Krsna four kinds of delicious food (analyzed as those which are licked, chewed, drunk, and swallowed). When the spiritual master sees that the devotees are satisfied by eating bhagavat-prasada, he is satisfied. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
sri-radhika-madhavayor apara
madhurya-lila-guna-rupa-namnam
prati-kshanaswadana-lolupasya
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
"The spiritual master is always eager to hear and chant about the unlimited conjugal pastimes of Radhika and Madhava, and Their qualities, names, and forms. The spiritual master aspires to relish these at every moment. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
nikunja-yuno rati-keli-siddhyai
ya yalibhir yuktir apekshaniya
tatrati-dakshyad ati-vallabhasya
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
"The spiritual master is very dear, because he is expert in assisting the gopis, who at different times make different tasteful arrangements for the perfection of Radha and Krsna's conjugal loving affairs within the groves of Vrndavana. I offer my most humble obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
sakshad-dharitvena samasta-shastrair
uktas tatha bhavyata eva sadbhihi
kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
"The spiritual master is to be honored as much as the Supreme Lord, because he is the most confidential servitor of the Lord. This is acknowledged in all revealed scriptures and followed by all authorities. Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is a bona fide representative of Sri Hari (Krsna).
yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado
yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto 'pi
dhyayan stuvams tasya yashas trisandhyam
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
"By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Krsna. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement. Therefore, I should always remember and praise the spiritual master. At least three times a day I should offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master."