Lord Nityananda descended to assist Lord Caitanya in spreading the chanting of the holy names of Lord Krishna in harinama-sankirtana, or the congregational chanting of the Lord’s holy names, and to bring the mercy of Lord Krishna to the fallen, materially conditioned souls.
Sri Nityananda was born to a pious brahmana family. His father was Hadai Ojha and mother Padmavati. He also had a brother named Banka Raya. He appeared in the second half of the 15th century, before the appearance of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Sri Nityananda was born on Shukia Trayodashi, in the month of Magha, in the year 1473, 12th of February (Shakabda Era – 1395).
Just before the advent of Sri Nityananda a sage came to the home of Padmavati, mother of Nityananda. Upon seeing her, he started dancing and saying repeatedly “This is the womb”. The stranger was Garga Muni in disguise.
He predicted the arrival of Balarama on earth as Sri Nityananda. He emphasized that Padmavati was the reincarnation of Rohini (mother of Balarama), and that she cradled in her womb Balarama, the other self of Nityananda.
He predicted the descent of Nityananda in the month of Magh, on Sukia Trayodashi. Saying this, Garga Muni disappeared. In this connection, one can remember that it was this Garga Muni who revealed the name of Balarama and Krishna in the Court of Nanda so many years before, as described in the Srimad-Bhagavatam.
Although Nityananda Prabhu possessed complete potency in all respects, He abstained from bestowing devotion to Lord Krishna. Thinking that when Lord Gaurachandra manifested, the time would come for distributing love of Godhead, by the order of the Lord.
By thinking that nothing should be done except by the instruction of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the greatness of the Lord’s service was not reduced, and so Nityananda Prabhu awaited the command of the Lord.
Once, Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu approached His devotees and said, “Last night I had a wonderful dream. I saw that an extraordinary chariot appeared. It had the flag of a palm tree, which is the chariot sign of Lord Balarama. And there was a very large and beautiful personality on that chariot and He was repeating over and over again ‘where is the house of Nimai Pandit.’
This extraordinary person, I could understand last night arrived in Navadvipa. He is none other than Balarama Himself. You must go out and you must find Him.”
Srivasa Thakur and Haridasa Thakur went to every home and market place and inquired, have you seen an exalted personality who has come recently? After searching everywhere they came back and told Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, we cannot find such a person. Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said, “I’ll personally lead the way.”
Lord Chaitanya came to the house of Nandanacarya and from within the house Lord Nityananda saw His effulgence like millions of moons. When He and Lord Chaitanya met, They both stood stunned, unable to speak with eyes glued to each other.
Lord Nityananda fell down in ecstasy on the ground and Lord Chaitanya embraced Him. As They embraced, rivers of tears flowed from Their eyes. It was then that Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Lord Nityananda began to dance and chant together in the holy kirtan of the name of Krishna.
It was from that point that Lord Nityananda in the loving service of Sri Gaura Sundara would travel everywhere possible to deliver the holy name.
Source: https://ramaiswami.com/lord-nityananda-appearance-7/
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