On the subject of the supreme goal of life, Ramananda first proposed observance of the four orders of social and spiritual life and executing one's duties in accordance with these. Next, one after another, he mentioned renouncing the fruits of one's activities, rendering formal service to the Lord, serving the Lord in devotion mixed with knowledge, and finally pure devotional service.

Though Mahaprabhu assented that the rendering of pure devotional service is the entrance into the ultimate goal of life, he urged Ramananda Raya to go even beyond this. One after the other, Ramananda then described attachment to Krsna in servitorship, friendship, parenthood, and finally conjugal love, to which Mahaprabhu again replied, "Kindly proceed further and tell me something more." Ramananda Raya then explained that amongst the gopis who worship Krsna in conjugal love, the mood of Srimati Radharani is superexcellent.

This Mahaprabhu accepted as being the essense of perfection. As He still wanted to hear more, Ramananda Raya sang a song of his own composition that nicely conveyed Srimati Radharani's confidential mood known as prema-vivarta-vilasa. Hearing this song, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu covered Ramananda's mouth with His hand, confirming that he had expressed the limit of the goal (sadhya) of human life, which could only be realized by the practice of devotional service (sadhana). Then Ramananda Raya explained that Srimati Radharani is the creeper of love for Krsna and her sakhis are like the twigs, flowers and leaves of that creeper of devotion. Sri Krsna is the reservoir of pleasure and Radharani is the greatest manifestation of ecstatic emotions.

Finally Lord Caitanya and Ramananda Raya embraced, crying in the ecstacy of Krsna-prema. Toward the end of the night they concluded their talk and each went to take rest.

The next evening Ramananda again came to Mahaprabhu's lotus feet and offered his prostrated obeisances. Mahaprabhu firmly embraced him and after seating him began to again ask him questions:

"What is the best education?" "Devotion to Krsna," answered Ramananda Raya.

"What is the greatest activity for a living entity?" "To be the servant of Krsna."

"What is the supreme wealth?" "Love of Radha-Krsna."

"What is the greatest unhappiness?" "To not have the association of devotees of Krsna."

"What is the highest liberation?" "The best jewel of all kinds of liveration is to develop love for Krsna."

"What is the best song?" "Songs describing the pastimes of Radha-Krsna."

"What is most auspicious for living entities?" "The association of a devotee of Krsna."

"What is the only thing we have to remember?" "Krsna's name, qualities and pastimes."

"What is the only thing to meditate upon?" "The lotus feet of Radha-Krsna."

"Where is the best place to live?" "In the place where Krsna has His pastimes."

"What is the best thing to be heard?" "Descriptions of the loving pastimes of Radha-Krsna."

"What is the only thing which has to be glorified?" "The name of Radha-Krsna."

 

"What are the destinations of those who desire liberation, and those who are gross materialistic enjoyers?" "The first attain bodies as trees and the second, demigods."

Ramananda Raya continued, "Those who are devoid of all mellows are like the crows that suck the juice from the bitter fruits of the nimba tree of knowledge, whereas those who enjoy mellows are like the cuckoos who eat the buds of the mango tree of love of Godhead."

 

Ramananda Raya concluded, "the unfortunate empiric philosophers taste the dry process of philosophical knowledge, whereas the devotees reularly drink the nectar of love of Krsna. Therefore they are the most fortunate of all."

Thereafter Mahaprabhu revealed His form of Radha-Krsna, seeing which Ramananda fell unconscious. Regaining his senses he began to offer hymns and praises in glorification of the Lord. Mahaprabhu requested him to please not reveal any of these esoteric truths to anyone.

When Mahaprabhu was about to take leave of Ramananda Raya, He gave him the following instruction: "Give up all material engagements and come to Jagannatha Puri. I will return there very soon after finishing My tour and pilgrimage. The two of us shall remain together at Jagannatha Puri and happily pass our time discussing Krsna."

When He returned to Puri He found that Ramananda had gotten the permission of Maharaja Prataparudra to leave his post and reside in Sri Ksetra, Jagannatha Puri. He had become a close friend of Sri Svarupa Damodara.

Ramananda Raya would compose dramas and then would have them acted out for the pleasure of Lord Jagannatha by young girls. Mahaprabhu stated that the minds of great yogis can become disturbed simply by seeing a female doll, but the mind of Raya Ramananda doesn't slightly waver, even he personally bathed and decorated the bodies of young dancing girls.

Ramananda Raya and Svarupa Damodara were the constant companions of Mahaprabhu during His final pastimes.

"When the Lord acutely felt pangs of separation from Krsna, only Sri Ramananda Raya's talk about Krsna and the sweet songs of Svarupa Damodara kept Him alive." [C.C. Antya 6.6]

"Hearing that Mahaprabhu had closed his earthly pastimes, Maharaja Prataparudra threw himself on the ground and lost consciousness, his head suffering heavy blows with the earth, while Ramananda Raya was only just barely able to remain alive." [B.R. 3.218]


Ramananda Raya's house is still existing at Jaganath-Ballabha Uddyan, on the Grand Road, Puri.


Courtesy: Saci Gaurasundara Das Prabhu
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Comments

  • hari bol

    Thnx a lot prabhu g for posting this blog......

    hare krishna

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