In the Christian year 1590 (Sakabda 1512), on the first day of the
bright fortnight of the month of Kartik, during the night of the
festival Dipamalika, when the
houses are decorated with rows of lamps, Sri Rasikananda
Deva made his appearance in this world. His father was Sri Acyuta
Deva, the king of Rohini. After passing many years without having a
male issue, Sri Acyuta Deva, by the mercy of Sri Jagadisa (Jagannath), was blessed
with this jewel of a son. The
village of Rohini or Royni was situated within the country known as Mallabhumi,
encompassed on one side by the Suvarnarekha River (Suvarna meaning
golden and rekha, a line). This Suvarnarekha River cleansed the
sins of all the local people. Near Royni was another village of
the name Barayita, by the
side of which flowed the Dolanganadi River, whose banks were
adorned with beautiful gardens. Raja Acyuta Deva very
affectionately maintained his subjects and was famous for impeccably observing
the rites attendant upon kings. In the village of Royni the son of
King Acyuta appeared as the sun appears in the eastern sky and
became dearly beloved by the people. He was known as Rasikananda
and also Murari. As he grew up, shining qualities appeared by
degrees in his person that caused the further exaltation of his
family, just as the waxing moon gradually expands its influence in
the night sky and causes the sea to rise. At a very young age he
became quite proficient in all of the scriptures. He was very
devoted to his parents, especially his mother, whose name was
Bhavani. His father married him at very young age. Murari's wife
Syamadasi was a mine of good character who hailed from the village
of Ghonta Sila, not far from Royni on the banks of the Suvarna
Rekha, where in days of old the Pandavas had lived in exile. One
day, Murari was sitting in a lonely place, wondering when and where
he might become so fortunate as to get shelter at the lotus feet of a spiritual preceptor.
Just then a voice from the sky addressed him, "Don't be in anxiety,
you will become the disciple of Sri Syamananda." Having heard this
proclamation, Rasik Murari became very jubilant, and began to
repeatedly murmur the name Syamananda, as though chanting japa.
From moment to moment his eagerness increased without diminition,
as tears flowed from his eyes
by his chanting of the name of Syamananda. He was in such a
state that he spend most of the night sleeplessly, calling to his
master Syamananda. Finally, towards the early morning, he drifted
off to the land of dreams, where he saw his spiritual master, the
very figure of charm and grace. Smilingly, Syamananda informed him,
"When tomorrow the eastern sky becomes tinged with pink, you will
obtain me." Saying this, Syamananda disappeared. Rasikananda's
heart began to swell in ecstatic bliss. Then, with the first rays
of morning which dispel the dense darkness of the world, the wise
Murari sat silently watching the path. After some time Syamananda
approached from the distance, looking as beautifully effulgent as
the sun and surrounded by his disciples like Sri Kishora dasa and
others. His smiling face was like the lotus flower that opens to
greet its friend the sun, and his chest was as broad as a door. His
captivating appearance was made all the more irresistable by the
sweet sounds of 'Sri Krsna Caitanya-Nityananda' emanating from his
lotus mouth. Absorbed in intense love he moved along the path like
the clouds move in the sky. When Rasika caught sight of this divine
form, he fell down in front of him to touch his lotus feet. In
great ecstasy Shyamananda embraced him and began to bathe him with
his tears of ecstatic love. Sri Rasika Murari then felt himself to
be one of the most fortunate living beings within this universe. On
an auspicious day Syamananda initiated Rasika and his wife in
Radha-Krsna mantra. After
that, Rasikananda began to travel with his guru, during which time
he became a very intimate disciple. Syamananda then bestowed upon
him the service of Sri Radha- Govinda Deva at Sri Gopiballabhapur.
Rasikananda became totally engaged in their Lordships service, and
the devotees were charmed by his excellent services. At Gopiballabhpur and other places he
began to seriously take up the preaching of the message of Sri
Gaura-Nityananda. By his influence many atheists and unbelievers
were transformed into devotees of Sri Gaura-Nityananda. "By the
tremendous influence of Rasikananda's preaching, many rogues,
robbers and atheists were delivered from their sinful activities
and received his mercy. He distributed the jewel of devotion even
to the infidel Mohammedans, as he travelled from village to
village, in the company of his disciples. He even converted the
wild elephant which was sent for his destruction into his disciple
and engaged him in the service of Krsna and the Vaisnavas. That
wicked miscreant who sent the elephant, a Mohammedan, bowed at his
feet when he realised his mistake. It is not possible to count the
number of living entities that were extricated from the ocean of
material existence by Rasikananda Deva's association. He was always
intoxicated with the chanting of the Holy Name. Who cannot but be
overwhelmed by hearing about his uncommon qualities?" [B.R. 15.86]
By Sri Rasikananda's mercy many Mohammedans, who were actually just
impious and wicked atheists, became worshipers of the Supreme Lord.
Also many virtuous kings and zamindars such as the king of
Mayurbhanj named Vaidyanatha Bhanj, the king of Patashpur known as
Gajapati and Candrabhanu, the king of Moyna, took shelter at his
lotus feet. What to speak of those pious and noble gentlemen, even
the sinful zamindar Bhima, the Mohammedan Suba Ahmadbeg and the
wicked atheist Srikar also surrendered themselves at his lotus
feet. A vicious, wild elephant was tamed by Rasikananda's
transcendental influence and henceforward was known as Gopala das.
Later, two jungle tigers likewise gave up their ferocious nature.
Accepting the order of his guru, Sri Syamananda, on his head,
Rasikananda preached the message of Sri Gaursundar in the world for
approximately 16 years. Thereafter he entered into his eternal
pastimes through the lotus feet of Gopinatha at Remuna. On the
first day of the bright fortnight in the month of Phalguna, Sakabda
1574 (Christian year 1652), Rasikananda quietly slipped out of the
village Santa without anyone's notice and walked to Remuna.
Arriving there, he discussed Krsna-katha with the devotees there
for a while and instructed everyone to serve Sri Krsna with
devotion. Then, after requesting them to begin sankirtana, he
entered the temple of Sri
Gopinatha, and after touching Kshira-chora Gopinatha's lotus feet,
which bestow complete fearlessness, he entered into their ultimate
shelter.
Rasikananda prabhu’s samadhi is at the Temple of Kshira-chora
Gopinath at Remuna just in front and to the right as you go in the
main gate, with the temple to the left, and admin’ offices straight
ahead.
Sri Rasikananda had three sons: Sri Radhananda, Sri Krsna-Govinda
and Sri Radha-Krsna. The present servants of Sri Sri
Radha-Govindadeva at Gopiballabhapur are their descendents. He
composed Sri Shyamananda-sataka, Srimad Bhagavatastaka as well as
other hymns and songs. His Sripat Gopiballabhpur can be reached
from Calcutta by taking a train to Khavagpur, and a bus to
Gopiballabhpur from there. There is also a temple of Rasikananda at
Puri. One year, during Lord Jagannatha's Ratha-yatra festival,
Rasikananda Deva was preaching somewhere in the country, but when
he realised that it was time for Ratha-yatra he dropped everything
and rushed like the wind in order to come to Nilacala in time for
the festival.
But in the meantime the festival had already begun. Lord Jagannath,
Who felt reciprocal separation from His dear devotee Rasikananda,
caused the Rath to stop. Though the king summoned his elephants to
push the Ratha, under no circumstances could they budge it, not
even an inch. Then Lord Jagannatha, seeing that the king was
becoming frustrated, informed him that he was waiting for His
devotee Rasika. Finally Rasikananda Deva arrived, carrying with him
many offerings of silk clothes and other presents. He fell down to
offer his dandavats before Lord Jagannatha, and the king requested
him to pull the rope at which the cart began to easily move along
the road, just as the clouds move in the sky. Later the king
requested Rasikananda to accept a gift of land so he might
establish a temple there. Rasikananda requested the place known as
Fultota Math, which is now known as Kunja Math. There he installed
the Deity of Sri Bat Krsna. The Deity is now known as Sri Sri
Radha-Rasika Raya.
