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Glory to Shri Chaitanya, the ever merciful. Glory to Nityananda, the soft hearted. Glory to Shri Jahnava and glory to Viracandra. Glory to Shrinivasa and glory to Narottama. Rupa and Sanatana ordered Narottama to forget his miseries and go to Madhupuri and take refuge at the feet of Lokenath. They also advised him to go to Vrndavana without delay and visit Radha Kunda where he should worship the feet of Raghunath. He should take shelter under the feet of Lokenath and it would give him success in all things. In the meantime, five Gaudiya Vaishnavas came to Narottama and told him to go with them. Narottama forgetting all his pains started walking with them. He thought that he must visit Varanasi as it was once visited by Prabhu. Prabhu had stayed in the house of a Mohanta, so he would like to meet that Mohanta. Narottama crossed the river Ganges and visited the Rajghat where God Siva had His temple. He went round the place and paid homage. Then he started northward. On the left side of the ghat there was a beautiful house, inside the house there was a door on the eastside and a tulasi tree on its left. He then knew that this had been the place of Sanatana, he paid homage there. In the interior of the house an old Vaishnava was sitting, seeing him Narottama bowed at his feet. That Vaishnava warmly welcomed him and embraced him. He asked Narottama who he was and where he had come from. Narottama said his name and the name of his birth place. He also told him that he wanted to go to Vrndavana. After taking some food they talked to each other. The aged Vaishnava said that he was a disciple of Candra Sekharacarya and being ordered by his master, he had been there to carry on the service to the deity of is master. They spent that night in discussing Krishna. In the morning Narottama took his leave. He reached Prayaga where he took a bath. From there he went to Mathura. He visited the temple of Bhutesvara and the birthplace of Krishna. He took his bath in the Visrama Ghat and then entered into the village. Here in Vrndavana, Shri Rupa gave an order to Shri Jiva, "Listen Shri Jiva, a devotee is coming to you. His name is Narottama of Gadera Hata. You should hand him over to Lokenath with great affection. He is now taking rest in Mathura." When Shri Jiva came to his senses, he became very glad and ordered his Vaishnava companions to bring Narottama from Mathura as soon as possible. They found Narottama at the bathing ghat and told him to go with them without any delay. They came to the temple of Govinda. The beauty of the temple maddened Narottama and he fainted on the ground. Observing his bhava, Shri Jiva Gosvami decided to inform Shri Lokenath Gosvami and take him there. Shri Jiva told the others, "Let us go to Gosvami at once, as I have observed a wonderful bhava in this young man. Such acute apathy at such a young age is not imaginable. His whole body is trembling in bhava and his golden complexion is reminding me of Prabhu Gauranga. My Prabhu has ordered me to bring him from Mathura. Gauranga is really an image of kindness for he is helping me to meet such devotees. It is really my good fortune." After that Shri Jiva brought Lokenath to the place and both of them saw that Narottama was lying there in a trance. Lokenath Gosvami asked the Vaishnavas as to whose name was Narottama. They pointed out to Narottama lying on the ground. Lokenath eagerly put his hand on Narottama's breast and Narottama gained back his senses. He at once held the feet of his master. Gosvami with tears in his eyes took Narottama on his lap. Narottama felt divine pleasure at the touch of his master. Gosvami told Narottama, "I knew that you would come for I dreamt it last night. Chaitanya is ever merciful as he has sent you here and it is like a poor man getting profuse wealth." He took Narottama to the temple of Govinda. Shri Jiva dedicated Narottama to the feet of Lokenath. When Shri Jiva took Narottama in front of Govinda, out of ecstasy he became unconscious. He was brought to the cottage of Narottama. In the meantime being ordered by Govinda, Lokenath asked everybody to take prasadam. He also called Narottama to have some prasadam. Lokenath Gosvami being impressed by his apathy asked him about his former life. Narottama told him everything and also about the way in which he had recieved love from Gauranga. He said that the golden complexioned child had entered into his body and this empowered him to visualise Shri Rupa. He said to Gosvami, "I am here without having any guru, how can I sit with you to have prasadam?" Hearing this Gosvami laughed and told him, "You saw with your own eyes that a golden complexioned child has entered your body. He is the guru of this universe. Besides him who else do you want for a guru? He himself has given you love, the love for which all devotees worship for their whole lives. You possess that love. Now what is the use of having another guru? You are gifted with the love of Prabhu. You should not be in want of anything. It is that love which has helped you to have the darshana of Govinda." Narottama said, "Prabhu, I am a poor man, your order is my only valuable thing. If you permit it, I shall tell you something." Gosvami said, "Do not hesitate to tell me what you like." Narottama said, "Chaitanya as an incarnation has delivered all types of mankind from damnation. He is the only master of this universe. Still he has faith in you to be a guru. Chaitanya has established the norm of being and making gurus. So also has been done by the companions of Chaitanya. The guru used to guide his disciples by directing them in the right path. I have no guru, who will guide me in the path of devotion? I am an ignorant person. I have no audacity to give you any advise." Lokenath laughed at this and he requested repeatedly by the Vaishnavas to give Narottama initiation. He said, "Only order cannot be accepted always because the scriptures have directed that a devotee should do hari nama continually for one year and Harinama should be habituated in his ear and heart." So Narottama began to practise doing Harinama for one year. Now I shall discuss the selection of masters and disciples. Gosvami told Narottama in private, "Mahaprabhu has ordered his devotees to do harinama because he wanted to deliver mankind from damnation. A being after many lives can get the form of a human. To save it there is a useful medicine. A human being used to suffer different kinds of miseries life after life but he does not remember them in his present life. A human can get rid of his miseries only through worship to Krishna. He is known as a devotee and disciple and he who helps him is known as the guru. A wise guru always notices the devotional efforts of his disciple as to whether he is faithful and devoted to his guru or whether he is mixing and serving Vaishnavas or if he is doing harinama along with his guru. When a disciple becomes too eager for devotional accomplishments, his guru favors him at long last. I am forbidden to have too many gurus for they spoil the efforts of their guru's worship and meditation and thereby his accomplishments. So Narottama, do Harinama, and you will be able to gain everything." Narottama being ordered by Gosvami began to meditate on Krishna by counting Harinama in numbers for days and nights. In the morning he would visit Gosvami and bow at his feet. He used to ask, "How are you Narottama?" Narottama used to reply, "Your favor has kept me well." Sometimes Narottama used to visit Gosvami at the time of his eating and take pleasure in eating the leftovers of Gosvami. Sometimes he would nurse the feet of Gosvami. He would always be in the service of Gosvami. He would visit the places of the pastimes of Krishna with Shri Jiva sometimes. Daily late in the night it was his duty to clean the place where Gosvami would go for evacuation. Narottama would sweep the place and keep clay dust for washing the hands of Gosvami. Gosvami would be astonished to find all this as it was beyond his knowledge. Narottama would dig the broom in the ground and sometimes he would cry holding the broom hoping for the favor of Gosvami. Gosvami on the other hand would think who is this person, who is cleaning the place. Who else could do such work except a disciple like Narottama? Another year passed in this way. One day Gosvami decided to stay in the place and find out the person who did the cleaning. He thought to himself, "I want to find the person who is serving me for such a long time. I am half dead with the separation of Shri Rupa and I am guilty of taking service while living in Vrndavana." While he was thinking all this Narottama came to have his darshana. Gosvami asked Narottama, "about his well being." That night Gosvami went to the place little earlier and Narottama was already present there. Gosvami noticed that someone was standing in the dark and asked, "Who are you?" To which Narottama replied, "I am Narottama, your servant." Gosvami saw that Narottama was standing holding the broom to his breast. Gosvami said, "Why are you doing this? I am very much ashamed." Narottama said, "O my Lord, do not deprive me of doing service to you." Realising everything Gosvami ordered Narottama to give him clay and water after his evacuation for washing his hands. Getting the recognition, Narottama gladly bowed at the feet of Gosvami who put his foot on the head of Narottama. After bathing in the Yamuna, he took Narottama to his hut where Narottama himself washed the feet of Gosvami. Gosvami sat on a celestial seat for doing his japa. After a long time, Gosvami called Narottama inside the room. Gosvami made arrangements for collecting tulasi, sandal paste, flower garlands, kunikama and Kastari and ordered Narottama to sit on his left side. He told Narottama to hold the feet of Krishna who was sitting on the ornamental throne with Radhika on his left side. "Pray to Vilasa manjari to take you over forever. Vilasa manjari is a companion of Manjulali. Lalita and others used to adorn the left side of Krishna and the Manjaris used to adorn the left side of Radhika. Worship the manjaris and put the garland around the neck of Krishna along with Radha and apply kunkuma and Kastari on their bodies. Worship the sakhis one by one." In this way Gosvami dedicated Vilasa manjari to the hands of the sakhis. Then he gave Kamabija and Radha Krishna mantra in the ears of Narottama. He ordered Narottama to go to Shri Jiva and bow at his feet. Now Gosvami accepted him most affectionately by putting his foot on the head of Narottama and offered him his feet for washing. Then Narottama went to Shri Jiva and bowed at his feet. Shri Jiva embraced him and favored him with many blessings. Narottama again went to Gosvami at the time of his taking his meal and took pleasure in eating the remnants of his master's food. In the morning Narottama went to meet his master and requested him to teach him the methods of worship and also to favor him in becoming devoted towards the Vaishnava sect of his own master. Gosvami said, "Always think of Radha and Krishna. There are two forms of a devotee - accomplished body and Sadhaka body. Human features is the best form of worshipping Krishna. Radha is the empress of Vraja. Lalita and Visakha are the foremost sakhis of Radha. Manjaris such as Shri Rupa, Hemanga, Rati, Rasa, Guna and Manjulali are the only possessors of serving Shri Radha. The sakhis used to live in the places of the pastimes namely Nandisvara, Javata, Sanketa and Varsana and there they used to serve their queen." Narottama asked his master about the different hymns which he should meditate on and what would be the proper time of doing these practises. Gosvami helped him to learn everything. Gosvami also defined what was known as Ragatmika devotion. He said that Radha and Candravali used to be on both sides of Krishna. Candravali on the right and Radha on the left. Candravali was rough but Radha was polite in her dispositions. Narottama asked as to what he should do at the time of separation of Radha and Krishna. Gosvami said that at that time he should try to sing the glories of Krishna in front of Radha so as to try and make her happy. When Radhika was in her husband's house at that time he should try and serve her the most. When Radha and Krishna lived together, at that time he should serve Radha with a delightful heart by decorating her with sandal paste, saffron and Kasturi. Ragatmika bhakti had been defined by Shri Rupa in his books (Ujjvala Nilamani and Hari-bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu). Now Gosvami discussed Parakiya and Svakiya methods. Parakiya love was possessed by he sakhis and the Vrajavasis possessed Svakiya love. Satyabhama and other queens of Krishna had possessed the Svakiya love. "I am," said Gosvami, "a follower of Svakiya type of worship. You should taste this rasa being obedient to the sakhis. O Narottama, you should fully engage yourself in austerity and meditation. Some regard Vrndavana as Goloka whereas some regard it as Dvarka. It is the question of taking a certain type of abode and in that way a devotee can attain accomplishment. You will learn everything from me by living in Vrndavana. You should perform all your duties being devoted to Krishna. Otherwise all your efforts will be in vain." Gosvami told him about the necessity of taking refuge at the feet of the guru and the sixty four methods of worship and meditation. Narottama then asked him about Vaidhi Raga and the 64 methods in this connection. Gosvami became glad on being asked this question by Narottama because if doubts arose in the minds of the devotees then their meditation would become useless. According to Shri Rupa's book those who meditate and worship being afraid of the aftereffects caused by the scriptures were said to be following the Vaidhi method. Mahaprabhu had empowered Shri Rupa by which he had taken the responsibility of writing the Sadhana Sastras. Shri Rupa sent his books with Mahaprabhu to Purusottama. He called Svarupa and Ramananda and ordered them to read the books. They were very glad to read the books. Prabhu accepted the books gladly and wrote a letter to Vrndavana in which he gave his full recognition to the methods of worship and meditation as empowered by Shri Rupa. Since then the methods expounded by Rupa became universally acceptable. Shri Rupa first gave Harinama to Jiva which taught Jiva to give up his pride for Karmajnana and to accept the only truth that Shri Krishna Chaitanya was the only guru. It was his order to do Harinama. He who wanted to be a Vaishnava had to do Harinama. He who does Harinama by counting in numbers whould gain the favor of Shri Gaura. If he could complete one lakh harinamas in a nama mala, he would attain the feet of Shri Krishna. A devotee should touch his mala to his forehead after a complete round of mala. A devotee should be careful in doing nama. If a devotee committed three faults at a time, he was to sure to suffer misfortune. Gosvami pointed out the efforts of Shri Rupa Gosvami and Shri Dasa Gosvami who used to show great respect to all Vaishnavas. He advised Narottama to bow his head before any Vaishnava. A genuine Vaishnava never cared to be proud of his seniority in regard with other Vaishnavas. Narottama obeyed the teachings of his master and began to practise all methods which his master had instructed him to do. Day by day, he began to advance towards his accomplishments. One day when he was lying in his hut half awake, the daughter of a Vaishnava appeared before him and told him with a smile, "Dedicate yourself to the feet of your guru and do what he has said. Your sincere austerity has pleased me to a great extent. Every afternoon I meet Shri Krishna in the kunja where the sakhis serve Krishna with utmost care. They used to prepare kshira for Krishna. In this duty Campakalata is the most efficent sakhi. You will perform the duty of boiling the milk from now on for the kshira. I become happy if Krishna is happy." Narottama regained his senses but could not sleep at all. In the morning he hurriedly went to meet his master. After bowing at the feet of his master, Narottama reported everything which he had seen in his dream. Lokenath Gosvami began to cry in joy and told Narottama, "How fortunate you are, Narottama. For the person you are engaged in meditating on (Shri Radha) has given you the duty of boiling milk for her Krishna. O my boy, go on worshipping those lotus feet attentively and sincerely." One day while Narottama was engaged in boiling the milk, he observed the divine sports of Radha Krishna. While the milk was boiling on the fire he used to put dry wood to keep it burning, while doing this the milk began to overflow he trying to save the milk from overflowing used bare hands. His hands were scorched but he did not feel it as he was senseless. When he got back his senses he found that his hands were scorched. He thought that he could no longer serve Krishna and so began to lament in various ways. Yet he went to his master covering his hands with a piece of cloth. Bowing to his Gosvami, who came to know everything and was extremely happy and took Narottama in his lap. Shri Jiva also did favor to Narottama and they became intimate friends. I am unable to write about the quality of Narottama's love, the love which Narottama had obtained from Shri Gauranga. Later I shall write about Narottama's glory. Being faithful to the feet of Shri Jahnava and Shri Viracandra, Nityananda dasa narrates Prem Vilasa.