Modadrumadwipa
Modadrumadwipa is non different other than Bhandiravan. Bhaktivinod Thakur says:
“This forest is non different from Sri Bhandiravan in Vraj where birds, animals are all spiritual…Oh Bhandiravana, the land of spiritual treasure, my heart is breaking off in separation from you! In that place Krishna and Balarama in the form of cowherds performed Their pastimes. Lord Gauranga performed here in Modadrumadwipa His pastimes along with His friends inebriated from the sounds of Kirtan.”
There is village Mamgachhi in Modadrumadwipa – the eternal abode of Lord Ramachandra. Also this place is the place of appearance of many Vaishnavas – associates of Lord Gauranga. Malini Devi, Vasudeve Datta, Sharanga Thakur used to reside here also Vrindavan das Thakur took birth here.
Pastimes of Lord Ramachandra in Navadwipa
Here in Modadrumadvipa always resides Ayodhya. When the Lord was in exile once He came here along with Lakshman and Sita. They built a hut under the huge Banyan tree and for sometimes lived here peacefully and happily. Seeing the effulgence of Navadwipa Lord Rama mysteriously used to smile. Seeing His smile Sita the daughter of Janaki asked if for what He is happy. Lord replied to Her:
“Please, hear Sita, one very hidden story. When there will be the glorious age of Kali I will descend to this world, to Nadia, accepting golden color form. I will become a Son of Mother Sachi at the house of Jaganatha Mishra. To those souls who will see my childhood pastimes I will bestow upon them the pure love for Godhead. I will enjoy my school year pastimes and I will open to people the glories of the Holy Names. Later I will accept sannyasa and leave to Puri, leaving my Mother and Consort in tears.
Hearing Rama Sita asked:
“Oh lotus eyed One! For what reason to make Your Mother to cry? Why You will leave Your wife and accept sannyasa? What kind of happiness for You in Her tears?
Lord replied:
“Devotees know that the suffering of separation gives to them great bliss. After the separation there will be meeting and that increases bliss many times as it was before. That one who is known as Aditi in the Vedas will become My Mother – Sachi and You Sita will serve to Me under the name Vishnupriya. In separation from You will worship to My Deity Form and glorify My glories. Soon in separation from You I will worship Your golden Deity in Ayodhya and You will worship My Deity Form in Navadwipa. But all these things are very hidden, do not open it to people…Navadwipa is very dear to Me even Ayodhya is not equal to it. When there will be the age of Kali this huge banyan tree, Ram Vat will disappear from vision and will remain here invisibly.
Sadananda Vipra
Bhaktivinod Thakur writes that here in Modadrupadwipa took birth king Guhaka – the friend of Lord Rama. He became a son of a brahmana and got a name Sadananda Vipra Bhattacharya. He was very devoted to Lord Rama. He was at the home of Jagannatha Mishra when Lord Chaitania appeared in this world because he was His friend. When seeing the child all the Demigods arrived to this world Sadananda understood that His Lord appeared on the Earth. In great joy he came back to his home and mediated upon Lord Rama and saw Lord Gaurasundara.
Lord was sitting on the throne in the association of Demigods. Lord Brahma fanned Him with chamara. After some moments this Kirtana changed and Sadananda saw on the place of Lord Gauranga Lord Ramachandra in His greenish complexion. In the right was Lakshman, in the left Sita and in front of Them was sitting Hanuman. Seeing that image Sadananda went to Mayapur and for a long time gazed to the beautiful face of Lord Gauranga. “I am blessed! I am blessed! The same Lord Ramachandra stands before me in the form of Lord Gauranga!” Subsequently, when Lord Chaitania began His Sankirtana, Sadananda joined that. He used to sing and chant the Holy Names of God.
Modadrupadwipa in Spiritual World
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur explains his journey to spiritual Navadwipa, hidden from the eyes of humans:
“There are bird here on the twigs of the trees who always glorify the glories of Gauranga and Sita – Rama. Unlimited Banyan trees give shade screening the Sun. When will be revealed to my eyes the place where Lord Krishna and Balarama performed Their pastimes?
When I will see the house of Lord Ramachandra while walking in the forest and enjoying the charms of the forest? There I will see Lord Rama, whose body is in the color of a durva grass, who wears the clothes of a hermit, who sits close to Lakshman and Sita.
Seeing Lord Rama I will become unconscious. Love will embrace me, and I won’t be able to speak, because with my eyes I will drink His non earthly beauty.
Lakshman mercifully will come to me in order to give some fruits and will put His lotus feet on my head. “My dear son, please eat these fruits. We live in the forest because of that we do not have anything to offer to guests.”
After that the vision will disappear and I will weep in separation eating the fruits. Within my heart I am thinking of that vision: “Will I ever see that form of Lord Rama?”
(Navadwipa bhava Taranga”, 110-115)
Places to visit here:
02. Arka – tila
