Glory to Gaura, Nityananda, Advaita and others. Be favorable to this poor soul. Glory to the merciful listeners.
While going to Vrindavana from Khetari, Sri Jahnava Iswari had done some transcendental deeds. Many wicked heretics got favor and mercy from her and obtained the most valuable gem-like devotion. Those who came in contact with her, got the favor of Sri Krishna Caitanya and became mad in singing the glory of Him. The road which Sri Iswari had taken for her travel, the local people used to follow her in that way. The village which she used to choose for her halt, the villagers there used to get extreme pleasure. In this way, favoring many poor souls, she went to Madhupuri (Mathura) quickly via Prayaga. She with all her followers took bath in Sri Visrama Ghata. She paid respect to a brahmana of Mathura and stayed there for that night. In the morning, after taking bath, again started her journey.
The news of her coming to Mathura, spread all over the country. The Gosvamis of Vrindavana quickly came forward to receive her. Here Sri Iswari became charmed to see the beauty of the forests of Vrindavana. She could not control her tears. So she got down from her palanquin and started walking on foot. Sri Paramesvara dasa told slowly to Iswari, "Sri Gopala Bhatta, Sri Bhugarbha, Lokanatha, Sri
Jiva, Sri Krishna Pandita and others have come here to receive you." Saying so, he showed her their coming towards her. Seeing them, Sri Jahnava became overwhelmed with joy. The Gosvamis began to shed tears on seeing Sri Iswari and fell on her feet. They were introduced to Krishnadasa Sarkhela, MadhavAcharya etc. Sri Paramesvara dasa introduced Sri Govinda and others to them. Sri Govinda Kaviraja and others bowed to the feet of the Gosvamis. The Gosvamis most cordially and affectionately embraced them. Sri Jiva Gosvami talked alot with Sri Iswari and very carefully helped her to get on the palanquin. He took all of them very quickly to a lonely house. The people took to their heels to meet Sri Iswari. The priests of Sri Govinda, Gopinatha and Madanamohana came also to meet her. How can I describe the highest of pleasure which occurred in Vrindavana after this meeting?
When Sri Iswari with her followers settled themselves in that house, many items of food came to them. Sri Iswari first fed her men and then took something herself. Sri Gopala Bhatta and others most gladly returned to their houses. For observing the rajabhoga arati of Sri Govinda Sri Jiva Gosvami took all of them to the temple. Sri Jahnava Iswari became charmed to see the beauty of Sri Radha Govinda after entering into the temple. Sri MadhavAcharya and others also became overwhelmed to observe Sri Govinda. After arati, they took mahaprasadam and returned to their house for taking rest. Sri Jiva Gosvami returned to his house. In the afternoon, Sri Jahnava Iswari and others quickly took their baths. Then they observed Madanamohana, Gopinatha, Sri Radhavinoda, Sri Radharamana and Sri Radha Damodara. She offered those clothes and ornaments to the deities which she had brought with her. Then they took prasadam.
She reported to Lokanatha about the great festival at Khetari and the course of her coming to Vrindavana. The Gosvamis became very glad to hear those incidents. The Gosvamis also narrated the happenings in Vrindavana. Sri Iswari became very perturbed to listen to the narrations. After checking her emotion, she told all of them to listen to the poetry composed by Govinda. His compositions so charmed the Gosvamis that they conferred the title of Kaviraja on Govinda.
After taking permission from them, Sri Iswari started for Bahulavana and then for Srikunda. Those who came from Srikunda, now accompanied Sri Iswari to that place. After visiting Radhakunda and Syamakunda, they went to Sri Manasa Ganga and Govardhana. Then they went to Vrsabhanupura and from there to Nandisvara. They also visited Sri Javata village where Balarama had done His rasalila sport. Again they returned to Vrindavana.
Sri Iswari cooked food for the deities and offered them. Then she distributed that prasadam among the Gosvamis. In this way, Sri Jahnava stayed a few days there. Sri Jiva Gosvami read out from his books for Sri Iswari. Now Sri Iswari with her followers visited the twelve forests of Vraja. Then she began to think returning to Gauda. The Gosvamis permitted her to go. She took her leave of Sri Govinda, Gopinatha, Madanamohana, Radha Damodara, Sri Radharamana and Sri Radha Vinoda. I am unable to describe her pathetic state of mind at the time of leaving. Madhava Acharya and others pacified her. That day they stayed there.
Gauridasa Pandita had a favorite disciple whose name was Varu Gangadasa, a man of fine qualities. Once he had come to Vrindavana but he could not live in one place for a long time and used to travel always here and there. Sri Iswari favored him and ordered him to go with her to Gauda. Thus by her order, he prepared himself to go with her. Here Govinda and others went to the houses of the Gosvamis to take farewell. They bowed to the feet of Sri Gopala Bhatta and Lokanatha. The Gosvamis blessed them by putting their feet on their heads and conveyed their blessings to Srinivasa and Narottama. From there they went to the house of Bhugarbha Gosvami and then to the house of Sri Jiva Gosvami. There they found Sri Krishnadasa Kaviraja and others. So getting all of them there, they fell on their feet. The Gosvamis blessed them wholeheartedly.
So Jiva Gosvami affectionately told Govinda, "Report everything to Acharya and send me a copy of your book Gitamrta. I shall finish this book which I am writting now very soon. I shall send it with a letter to you there." Saying so, he gave his book Gopala Virudavali to Govinda. Krishnadasa Kaviraja highly recommended that book. In this way, they visited all the Gosvami houses and returned to their house for some rest.
Sri Iswari at late night went to bed and during her sleep Sri Gopinatha appeared before her in her dream. He gave His own garland to Iswari and in a sweet smile told her, "What you have thought about my lady-love, send me from Gauda as soon as possible. She will sit by my left side and this will remain on my right side. The beauty which will come out of that, you can see later on." Saying so He entered into the temple.
She woke up and hid the garland in a private place. She went to observe the morning ceremony of waving light. Then she came back very gladly to her house. On that morning, in an auspicious moment, she started from there. The Gosvamis came to bid farewell and acompanied her for some distance. Then being ordered by Sri Iswari, they stopped following her but burst into tears. Sri Jahnava Iswari also began to weep. Krishnadasa Pandita, Madhava Acharya, Murari, Caitanya and others began to weep to. With them wept the people of Vraja. After a long time, the people of Vraja stopped following them and returned to their houses.
Sri Iswari with others came to Sri Mathura and decided to do a night halt there. She very carefully fed the Mathura brahmana. From there she started for Gauda. After a few days, she reached Khetari. Having got the news of her coming, Narottama out of joy, forgot his own entity. He sent a message to Ramacandra who with others at once came to Narottama's house. They moved forward with the people of Khetari to receive Sri Iswari. Who can describe the flood of happiness when all of them met one another?
Narottama and others fell on the ground to bow to her feet. She became glad too to see Narottama and others again. Then with a big crowd she entered into Khetari proper. Sri Iswari was given the same house of the time of festival. Many Vaisnavas were engaged to serve her. Her companions were also given the same houses. Varu Gangadasa felt charmed to see the loneliness of the place. Ramacandra Kaviraja very carefully carried many necessary things to their houses separately. Sri Thakura Mahasaya earnestly requested Sri Iswari to take her bath. Thus she took hot bath and then ate some prasadam. Then she quickly cooked for Prabhu and offered Him. When the mahantas finished their baths, Sri Santosa offered them new clothes and some prasadam. Then the cooks prepared food, offered Sri Krishna and then served the prasadam to the mahantas. Then Sri Govinda Kaviraja and others with the cooks sat for taking food. After that, all of them took a little nap. Sri Iswari also took a litte nap and then got up quickly to complete her bath.
Narottama, Ramacandra, Santosa and others gladly came to meet Sri Iswari. Sri Iswari ordered them to take their seats. Narottama cherished the hope of telling something to her and she at once realised that. For his satisfaction, Sri Iswari explained the incidents that had happened at Vrindavana. She also very subtly explained the order of Sri Gopinatha. When she told them that she would start soon, Ramacandra with folded hands told her, "We hope that you will stay here for sometime but your decision has made us very much disappointed." Iswari said, "I cannot think anything at all you better suggest me what to do." Sri Thakura Mahasaya said slowly, "It is good to start for Khardaha within a couple of days for your presence is necessary at the time of building the image. It is not wise to waste time in relation to this type of job. It will take some time to reach Khardaha. Tomorrow I shall send a man to Khardaha." Saying so, in the presence of Sri Jahnava Iswari, he wrote a letter and handed over to Santosa. He also wrote a letter to Sri Acharya and despatched both the letters without delay through two persons.
In the evening Sri Iswari went to the courtyard of Prabhu to observe the waving light ceremony. She remained there for a long time in listening to kirtana. Then she returned to her house Madhava Acharya and others also returned to their places. Ramacandra and others remained in the courtyard of Prabhu. After the offering of food to Prabhu, they distributed the food among the mahantas. After eating they relaxed on the beds and Sri Santosa and others remained engaged in massagingg their legs. Ramacandra with a little milk offering of Prabhu, went to Sri Iswari and requested her to drink that. The brahmana ladies who were with Sri Iswari, were given food also. While Sri Iswari went to sleep, Ramacandra returned to the temple of Prabhu. He with Govinda and others took some prasadam. Thakura Mahasaya also ate something. In an opportune moment, Thakura Mahasaya instructed Govinda Kaviraja about some duties to be done towards the Gosvamis on their journey and handed over the book Gopala Virudavali to Govinda. Govinda gave that to Ramacandra. Then all of them went to sleep.
In the dream of Narottama, Sri Lokanatha Gosvami appeared. Narottama fell on his feet and soaked his lotus feet with his tears. Lokanatha embraced Narottama and consoled him with very sweet words. Then he disappeared. Sri Thakura Mahasaya became very happy and spent the whole night in singing Sri Nama kirtana.
In the morning all the mahantas took the pleasure of discussing about Sri Vrindavana with Narottama. They spent four days in this way during which Sri Iswari took the pleasure of cooking for them. Sri Thakura Mahasaya after discussing with Ramacandra, fixed up a date of Iswari's going. He sent Sri Govinda Kaviraja and some others to Vudhuri. Sri Santosa said, "Tomorow they will start in the morning. So let us prepare the arrangements. He instructed the priests, "Be careful in serving Prabhu and the Vaisnava's." Warning them in this way, he reported everything to Sri Iswari. Sri Santosa Raya prepared everything and handed over the things for Sri Iswari to Paramesvara dasa. In the morning they all took their leave of Prabhu. The priest gave them Prabhu's garlands and clothes. They all bowed to Prabhu by lying on the ground. We do not know what Sri Iswari had prayed to Prabhu silently. She held the garland and clothes on her head.
Then she started with all from the courtyard. Sri Thakura Mahasaya bade her farewellby citing a hymn written by himself: "Gauranga Vallabhi Kanta Sri Krishna Vrajamohana. Radharamana he Radhe Radhakanta Namahastute." Ramacandra with those who would accompany her, became very perturbed at the time of their leaving. The people of Khetari village became very perturbed also. They followed her up to the bank of Padmavati. After consoling everybody Sri Iswari got up on the boat. Sri Thakura Mahasaya ordered the boatman to cross the Padmavati quickly. The people of Khetari in a perturbed mind returned to their village.
After crossing the river, they quickly came to Vudhuri. The people of that village came running to see the mahantas entering into their village. The mahantas became very satisfied with them and blessed them. Sri Iswari with all went to stay in a lonely place. Sri Govinda Kaviraja ordered the cooks to start cooking. Then they offered food to Krishna and kept aside the prasadam after sometime. Sri Iswari completed her cooking very briefly and offered them with milk to Krishna. Then she ate very gladly. After taking another bath, she came to take her seat. The cooks distributed prasadam among the mahantas. Then Sri
Thakura Mahasaya with the rest of all ate very gladly.
On that day, Sri Iswari became very happy and negotiated the marriage of Varu Gangadasa who was a very apathetic type of man and had no intention to marry. But due to the order of Sri Iswari, he had to marry. Syama Raya, which was a beautiful image in looking, appeared in the dream of Sri Iswari and told her, "Now hand me over to Varu Gangadasa." Being ordered in her dream, Sri Iswari became very happy and did that what he had said. She arranged the food offering to Syama Raya and a great festival took place on the next day. We do not know what she had instructed Varu Gangadasa but we can see that since that day, he was engaged in the service of Syama Raya and began to settle at Vudhuri.
Sri Iswari with all came to Kantakanagara. Sri Yadunandana and others came forward to receive them and brought them in the temple of Prabhu at the time of Prabhu's just going to bed. All of them became very happy to see Gauracandra and then went to an arranged house. Sri Thakura Mahasaya and other also were given beautiful but solitary houses. They went to take bath in the Ganges.
Sri Yadunandana sent a message to Yajigrama and Sri Acharya Thakura with his men came quickly to that place. Then all of them ate prasadam. They became very glad to see Acharya. Srinivasa bowed to the feet of all the mahantas who affectionately embraced him. They asked Acharya about his well being. The persons who came with Srinivasa, bowed to the feet of the mahantas. The cooks prepared the food and offered Krishna. After that they kept aside the prasada. Sri Iswari cooked quickly in brief and offered to Krishna. Then she ate something and after taking another bath, she requested the mahantas to eat. The mahantas along with Srinivasa and others ate most gladly. Then Srinivasa went to Sri Iswari and they remained engaged in talking to each other. Then Srinivasa went to the house of Narottama. Sri Govinda Kaviraja reported everything to Srinivasa what the Gosvamis had instructed him. Ramacandra Kaviraja gave the book Gopala Virudavali to Acharya who held it on his head.
He with all the mahantas observed the ceremony of waving light before Prabhu. They they started sankirtana. Sri Jahnava became overwhelmed to see the beauty of Prabhu. After a long time, she returned to her house. Sri Gauranga also was led to the bed to sleep. Srinivasa and the mahantas also went to their places to sleep.
At the end of the night Sri Gopala Bhatta appeared in the dream of Srinivasa who at once fell on his feet and washed the lotus feet of his religious master by his tears. Sri Bhatta Gosvami embraced him and told Srinivasa sweetly, "I am always with you. You are my principal disciple in birth after birth." Saying so he put his feet on the head of Srinivasa and then disappeared. Srinivasa in the memory of Sri Gopala Bhatta, got up on his bed and sang the glory of Sri Krishna Caitanya.
In the morning he finished his morning duties and bathing in the Ganges. He visited the temple of Sri Gauranga and the place of Sri Bharati. At the time of departing all of them became perturbed with misery. Srinivasa consoled Sri Yadunandana and others. Then with Sri Iswari Srinivasa came to Yajigrama. Acharya Thakura sent a message to Khanda which made the people of that place mad in joy.
Sri Raghunandana came to Yajigrama and observed the feet of Sri Jahnava. He stayed at Yajigrama for a long time during which he became restless in listening to the incidents of Vraja. Again with Srinivasa, he went to meet Sri Iswari and told her mildly, "I have heard everything from Srinivasa. There should be no delay to go to Khardaha. Tomorrow, do come to Sri Khanda. I have to go now." Saying so, after bowing to her feet, Sri Raghunandana returned to Khanda happily. He collected all necessary things for her service and cleaned the house for her. The people of Khanda began to wait eagerly for Sri Iswari.
There at Yajigrama, Sri Iswari with others quickly finished their eating. Acharya read out from the devotional books for some time and they started sankirtana. In the morning, Sri Iswari with others went to Sri Khanda. Quickly they moved to the courtyard of Prabhu and became glad to observe the beauty of Prabhu.
They became overwhelmed with emotion to see the places where Nityananda Prabhu had danced, where He had drank honey in a trance of love, where Nitai had observed the dance of Narahari. After enjoying the pleasure of those places, they returned to their houses. On that day they quickly finished their cooking and after offering food to Prabhu, they finished their eating quickly.
Knowing the mind of Sri Iswari, Sri Raghunandana started beautiful kirtana and in the flood of sankirtana, everyone began to swim happily. They began to roll on the ground forgetting their own entities. Playing of musical instruments was as beautiful as dancing. They began to sing the glory of singing, dancing and playing of instruments in that way. In a trance of emotion, they spent the whole night in singing kirtana. Due to the wish of Prabhu they stopped at last and went to their houses to take rest.
In the morning they did their morning duties. Sri Iswari hastily finished her bath, cooked for Prabhu and then fed all of them by her own hand. Who knows how they had enjoyed the eating on that day? Sri Raghunandana became overwhelmed with emotion observing the affection of Sri Iswari towards them. The people of Sri Khanda were greatly moved by the high qualities of the associates of Sri Iswari. Sri Iswari again took her bath and sat among Srinivasa and others. She told him, "From here, we should move to Khetari. Tomorrow morning, we should start for Khardaha. I shall send a messege from there soon." Saying in this way, she came to the courtyard of Prabhu and observed the evening waving light. Then all of them started Sri Nama kirtana.
When all of them went to their houses Sri Raghunandana and his men met Sri Iswari and told her softly, "We heard that tomorow morning you will start from here. We don't dare to forbid you to go now. As you are independent one, we are seared to request you that we will be obliged if you please visit our place from time to time. There is no one so shameless creature like me. My worthless life is still alive though it is always burning in the fire of separation." Hearing these humble utterances of Sri Raghunandana, Sri Iswari could not check her tears. After a long time Sri Iswari and Raghunandana pacified themselves. Raghunandana distributed prasadam to everybody though they were not at all hungry. He handed over the things what were for Sri Iswari to Sri Madhava Acharya. As it was already late for going to bed, they hastily went to their houses.
In the morning, apathetic scene occurred there when all of them began to say goodbye to one another. Sri Iswari took the same course to go to Khardaha. Here Sri Thakura Raghunandana at Sri Khanda used to be very glad to get the company of Acharya and his associates. Sri Acharya stayed that day at Sri Khanda. In the morning he went back to Yajigrama. After spending 2-3 days at Yajigrama, Acharya went to Nadia with two persons. His Navadvipa tour had been discussed in Bhakti-ratnakara.
From there, he came back to Yajigrama and spent that day in sankirtana. On the next day, he started in the morning and within 4-5 days came to Vudhuri. He ordered Sri Govinda Kaviraja and others to stay at Vudhuri and he himself came to Khetari on the next day. The people of Khetari came to meet him. He with Thakura Mahasaya talked to them very sweetly. All of them came to the courtyard of Gauranga and observed Him. In the meantime, a letter from Khardaha arrived. Being relieved to know about the well-being of Khardaha, he sent a reply with the news of well being of Khetari to Khardaha. After going back to their house, Acharya and Thakura Mahasaya remained engaged in discussing about Krishna. We do not know what Acharya, Thakura Mahasaya and Ramacandra had discussed alone. Sri Acharya stayed there for 15 days and then went to Kancanagaria via Vudhuri. There they stayed for 5 days and then went to Yajigrama.
At Yajigrama, Sri Acharya remained engaged in teaching his disciples all the devotional scriptures. Who will dare to interfere in his discussions? The debate-loving persons used to flee from that place. Students from distant places used to come to him to study. Acharya used to visit many places as a professor of devotional scriptures due to the favor of Sri Caitanya. Sinners and heretics due to the favor of Acharya began to sing the glory of Sri Krishna Caitanya.
Sri Thakura Narottama who was an ocean of qualities and a non-detachable? feature of Sri Acharya, began to spend his days happily with Ramacandra who was more favorite to him than his own life. Sri Thakura Mahasaya and Ramacandra remained engaged in teaching Srimad Bhagavata and the books of the Gosvamis to their students. On listening to the analysis of devotional scriptures by Narottama, the believers in karma and jnana began to criticise Thakura Mahasaya by saying, "Being a Vaisnava, he is criticising karma and jnana." But even the brahmanas of distant places used to come to Khetari to study Gosvami books along with the Vaisnavas and then began to teach others.
One day, Narottama with Ramacandra had been discussing the topic of Krishna. In the meantime, a distinguished brahmana came to Narottama and told him in crying, "Oh being proud, I told so many things against you to many students but on that particular day I had criticised you, I became a prey to the disease of leprosy. I took many medicines and performed many rituals, but alas, apart from cure, the disease began to aggravate day by day. I thought of commiting suicide by jumping into the Ganges. In my dream, Devi Bhagavati apeared and angrily told me, "You will face a severe misfortune. Being proud, you have insulted Narottama by calling him a sudra. You are still a fool after studying so many scriptures. He who has taken Narottama as an ordinary man, has no chance of averting misfortune in any life. If he forgives you, then you will get rid of misfortune." Saying so, she disappeared. In the morning, I have come straight to you. First of all, I became afraid of facing you but a brahmana in my way told me that you are ever merciful. I looked at you from a distance but your merciful feature at once has cooled my eyes as if I have got back my life. Oh lord, be merciful to me. I am taking refuge to your feet." Saying so, the brahmana began to cry loudly. He fell on the ground to touch the feet of Narottama.
Sri Thakura Mahasaya said, "You have done nothing to humiliate me." The brahmana said, "Do put your feet on my head, then a sinner's mind will be pacified." Narottama thinking of Sri Krishna Caitanya, embraced the brahmana. The brahmana being very glad took the dust of Narottama's feet and began to dance by raising his hands. After a long time, he became quiet but by that time his disease had gone and he became purified at long last. The feeling of love and devotion arose in the mind of the brahmana which led him to think, "This cure seems to me very dangerous. I hope I could get the disease again for this cure may create pride in my mind." So this thought made him a Vaisnava and his followers became Vaisnavas too.
These news spread all over the village which made all the brahmanas scared. They began to warn one another in this way, "Be careful in your behaviour about Narottama. Don't call Narottama a low caste person." Someone said, "Being proud of our brahmanism, we have failed to acknowledge a jewel like Narottama." Someone said, "There is no question of being a brahmana or a high caste person. Without his mercy, it is not possible to identify him." Someone said, "Narottama is himself an abode of mercy. He by his own quality can save the sinners." Someone said, "So many qualities do not belong to an ordinary man. He is a man only in appearance. He is an incarnation to save the beings from damnation." The brahmana warned his followers by singing the glory of Narottama. Narottama's qualities were above any discussion. He used to visit Yajigrama from time to time to meet Acharya.
I have elaborately discussed the meeting of Narottama and Acharya with Vira Hamvira in Bhakti-ratnakara.
So be patient in listening to Narottama Vilasa by Narahari.
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