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Glory to Shri Chaitanya, the ever merciful.

Glory to Nityananda, the mine of rasas.

Glory to Shri Advaita Candra, the life of the needy.

Glory to the devoteees of Shri Gaura.

Glory to Shri Jahnava and glory to Viracandra.

 O my listeners, listen to the episodes of Shrinivasa and Narottama, though I am worthless in describing them properly. I am unfortunate for not having millions of mouths and hands to tell and write the glory of those two great Vaishnavas. Shrinivasa got the title of Acarya and Narottama became known as Thakura Mahasaya. Both of them became great friends and both of them came to Gauda. Narottama for some time studied under his master. Sometimes he used to visit Shri Jiva and study the drama Sandarva of Gosvami. Shri Jiva holding the hands of Narottama requested him to narrate the incident of burning his hands. Narottama told everything and Shri Jiva became ecstatic listening to the episode and told Narottama, "From today you shall be known as Shri Vilasa manjari as you are the image of Vilasa of Shri Rupa Gosvami." Shri Jiva said with a smile, "Both of us have accomplished names. Who can understand your effort of austerity? Now you should be known as Thakura Mahasaya." Narottama said, "Shri Radhika Herself has addressed me as Vilasa manjari." Shri Jiva again embraced Narottama and said, "You are the manifestation of Prabhu's love by which you can flood the whole universe."

One day Shridasa Gosvami while on the bank of the kunda heard about Narottama. He told Krishnadasa Kaviraja, "Narottama dasa is the manifestation of Prabhu's favor. I have seen his beautiful method of serving his guru and his method of meditation. He has done everything being favored by his guru. All these methods are in the book of Shri Rupa Gosvami." Lokenath Gosvami and Shri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami were sitting in a place and discussing Krishna. They heard all the saying about Thakura Mahasaya. Shri Bhatta Gosvami said, "What a successful life, he gets every accomplished just living in Vrndavana." Lokenath Gosvami smiled but did not say a word. Shri Bhatta told Gosvami, "It is your grace that has helped him. He has also got the favor of Shri Radhika. He really deserves the title of Thakur Mahasaya."

Now I shall narrate the meeting of Shrinivasa with Narottama. One day Narottama went to see Gosvami. In the meantime by chance Shrinivasa also went there. Shrinivasa bowed at the feet of Lokenath Gosvami. Narottama was standing there with folded hands. Shrinivasa came across to Narottama and at once he ran to embrace Narottama and said, "O my friend, I am happy to meet you here in Vrndavana." Narottama said, "I am a poor man, please be kind to me. When did you come to Vrndavana?" Shrinivasa said, "I have been here for one year and three months. In the month of Vaisakha I got initiated to Prabhu." Both of them became ecstatic in love. Gosvami smiled and asked Shrinivasa whether he knew from where this person had come. Shrinivasa said, "He is the son of Krishnadasa Raya of Gadera Hata and his name is Narottama. He is my life." From that day both of them became intimate friends, sometimes they used to meet together either in one or the other's house or in Vrndavana. Shrinivasa used to serve his own master by cooking for him. Sometimes he used to go to Shri Jiva Gosvami to learn the scriptures. At other times he would meditate quietly in his own hut. Shri Jiva taught everything he had read from Shri Rupa to Shrinivasa, he taught Shrinivasa Vrajalila, Sandarva and also explained the annotations given by Shri Rupa. One day Shri Jiva was engaged in studying the book Lalita Madhava in which it had been explained that Krishna had gone to Mathura and Radha was about to die being separated from him. It had been written by Shri Rupa but Shri Jiva began to think about all the pastimes and becoming ecstatic he lost consciousness. Coming back to his senses after a long time he noticed that all the trees in the kunja had become pale and the leaves were shedding drops of water and were drooping downwards. He noticed a kadamba tree in front of him which had some flowers. He became very astonished to see these incidents. In the meantime Shrinivasa came to meet him. Gosvami told Shrinivasa, "Sit down Shrinivasa, I have a question to ask you." Shrinivasa said, "Prabhu, am I capable of answering your question?" Gosvami said, "See all the creepers in the kunja have become pale and are shedding water. It has charmed me as it is not the rainy season and so I want to know the reason." Shrinivasa said, "Prabhu I shall come a little later." Gosvami agreed. Shrinivasa returned to his hut and began to think of the feet of Shri Rupa in the hope of understanding the happenings. After a while he went again to the hut of Shri Jiva and found Gosvami sitting there. Being asked by Gosvami, he presented his opinion with folded hands. "Vrnadavana is the place of Krishna's pastimes. When Krishna goes back home, the trees and creepers become morose in grief. If once Krishna comes to the kunja for his pastimes, they become full of joy again. When again he takes his leave it is not possible for them to remain alive." Hearing this explanation Shri Jiva began to shed for now he realised that the kadamba tree had been planted by him was giving flowers because of his thoughts. He had been thinking of Krishna even though Krishna had gone to Mathura and his thinking has helped the tree to bloom. Shri Jiva was so happy that he offered the title of Acarya to Shrinivasa. In the evening he took Shrinivasa to the temple of Govinda to observe the festival of the waving lights. After the ceremony the priest gave the flower garland of Govinda to Shrinivasa. He also offered saffron and sandal paste for the forehead of Shrinivasa. Everyone present there cheered the name of Shrinivasa Acarya. Shri Jiva embraced him lovingly. Lokenath Gosvami was very happy to hear this episode. Shrinivasa then went to pay homage to Lokenath Gosvmi who blessed him in various ways. Thakura Mahasaya came to congratulate Shrinivasa as he had got the title of Acarya. That night Shri Jiva decided that he must carry out the order of Prabhu. As Gauda was ignorant of the books, Acarya must go to Gauda with the books. Thakura Mahasaya would go with him. This was the time of performing the Karti Vrata festival and Shri Jiva had arranged a big festival. Letters of invitation had been sent to all Vaishnava mohantas. All the invitees assembled in the house of Shri Jiva Gosvami who paid respect to them according to their positions. On that night of Ekadashi the cooking was started and in the morning the cooking was completed. All the Vaishnava devotees began to sing Krishnanama. The place was cleaned and food was served to the deities of Radha Krishna and Shri Chaitanya Nityananda. Then food was offered to Rupa, Sanatana, Raghunatha Bhatta, Svarupa and Shri Ramananda and the other associates of Prabhu. After some time Shri Jiva ordered Shrinivasa to offer the water for the washing of the deities. Then Shri Jiva requested Raghunath, Gopala Bhatta, Lokenath Gosvami and others to take their seats for eating prasadam. Acarya began to serve food whose flavor gave great satisfaction to the invitees. In the meantime Shri Jiva began to cry at the memory of Rupa and Sanatana which moved the hearts of all of them. They then washed their mouths and took betel leaves and Shri Jiva was very pleased to feed them. The festival continued the next day in the same way. Shri Jiva told the Vaishnavas about Shrinivasa and his studies of the various scriptures. Shri Jiva informed then that he had decided to propagate the books of his Prabhu in Gauda. All of them agreed with the plan. Then Shri Jiva told them that only Shrinivasa could carry this work of taking the books to Gauda. Thakura Mahasaya would assist him. Lokenath Gosvami happily gave his permission. Acarya Thakura and Thakura Mahasaya at once agreed to carry out the order though they wanted to remain in Vrndavana very much. In the morning all of them took their baths and then after blessing Shrinivasa and Thakura Mahasaya left the place. Shri Jiva thought that he should write a letter to a devotee in Mathura nagara. When the devotee came to Shri Jiva and bowed at his feet, Shri Jiva ordered him to arrange for cart to be pulled by four strong oxen. Ten men would accompany the cart. Shri Jiva introduced those men to Shrinivasa. He told the devotees that Prabhu had written one thousand books which described the pastimes of Radha Krishna. Shrinivasa would carry those books to Gauda. He ordered the man to cover the cart with some cloth which would save the books from the rain and sun. He warned him to be careful with the books. He gave money to the man and ordered him to have everything ready within ten days and said that he himself should go with the cart. The man obeyed the orders of Shri Jiva and began to arrange everything fast. Shri Jiva then went to the house of a Vaishnava with Thakura Mahasaya. He told Narottama, "O Narottama, this man is Shyamananda, once he was with me. Take him with you and later send him to his own country giving him some allowance for travelling." Then he told Shyamananda, "Look, this Narottama is my life, behave with him as you would behave with me."

Now I shall narrate the story of Shyamananda. He was not born in Gauda but in the South in a good devoted family. It is funny as to how he became apathetic towards material life and left his home late one night in search of Krishna and also a guru. His parents searched for him in vain. After a few days he reached Nadadin village an then Khanakula via Caoyanagara. He observed the idol of Gopinatha and the Shripata. The next evening he reached Amvika and sat in a lonely place. He became charmed to see the beauty of the temple of that place. He became overwhelmed to see the idols of Chaitanya and Nityananda. On that day there was a great festival in the temple as they were performing the waving of the lights, sankirtana and feeding the Vaishnavas. At night a person found him sitting there alone. He asked, "What is your name and where is your house?" He answered, "I have come from the South." Thakura Mahasaya (Hrdaya Chaitanya) wanted him to take prasadam so he entered into the temple yard. He found that Thakura was sitting there amongst some Vaishnavas and talking about Krishna with great emotion. He bowed at this feet and ate prasadam. Then he began to think as to how he could serve Thakura. He slept there that night and in the early morning he began to sweep the courtyard of the temple singing Krishnanama. In the meantime Thakura Mahasaya came to the place and liked the boy. From that day he used to perform the duty of sweeping. One day Thakur called him and he stood in front with folded hands and he trembled. Thakur asked him where he was coming from and why was he so apathetic. How many members were there in his family? The boy replied, "I am alone in this vast world, I am an unfortunate person, only your feet are my source of happiness." Thakur became very impressed by the celestial beauty of the boy and ordered the priest to give him prasadam every day. Day and night the boy would serve in the temple. One day while sitting in the Natmandira, Thakura watched the boy performing his duties. He asked him smiling, "Listen, my boy though you have no one in this world, you have Prabhu as your very own. Who is your guru?" The boy replied, "Your feet are my resort. I am the most unfortunate person. O my Lord, be kind to me, who else but you can favor me." From that day Thakura showed more affection towards him.

One day he humbly told Thakura, "Prabhu, you are the deliverer of the poor and the miserable. Be kind to me by giving me initiation." Thakura favored him by giving him Krishna nama in his ears. The boy out of gratitude bowed again and again to Thakura and Thakura put his feet on his head. Since then he was permitted to serve his guru. He was very sincere in doing Krishnanama and in his behavior to the Vaishnavas. Prabhu one day called him just after he had come back from taking a bath in the Ganges and taught him how to meditate on Krishna. He renamed him as Duhkhi Krishnadasa and allowed him to stay with him. From that day he became fully engaged in the service of Krishna and his guru. Thakura observing his sincerity told him one day, "Listen to this episode of Prabhu of whom Nityananda and Chaitanya were his life. He is the best friend of Suvala Thakur. When Chaitanya and Nityananda were still alive, Gauridasa Pandit installed two idols of the two Prabhus and on the occassion of their installation he fed many Vaishnavas. The two Prabhus came to the place of Pandit and wanted to see the two idols. They ordered Prabhu to cook for them. Then Pandit offered the food before the two Prabhus and also before the two Pandits and requested them to eat, the four ate all the items. Then the two Prabhus told Pandit that they would always be present in his house at the time of the taking of food. This is my Prabhu to whom I have dedicated myself." One day Krishnadasa humbly requested his guru to permit him to go to Vrndavana. Hrdaya Chaitanya realised all and gave him the permission. In the morning Thakur bade Krishnadasa farewell, he prayed a lot to Chaitanya and Nityananda for Krishnadasa. He brought a piece of cloth of the two Prabhus and tied round the head of Krishnadasa and Krishnadasa started on his journey. Gradually he reached Visrama ghata and thought that he would visit all the places of Vrndavana. In the morning he started his journey again and could see the Cakraveda of Govinda from a distance. He at once fell unconscious on the ground. He then visited the temple of Govindadeva and began to cry with emotion. From there he reached Dhira Samira and Vamsivata, he visited the bank of the Jamuna, Ciraghata, Imlitala and then he went to Govardhana. He observed the two kundas and bowed to Kundesvara. He met Shridasa Gosvami who asked him about his whereabouts. He said, "I am Duhkhi Krishnadasa, the disciple of Hrdaya Chaitanyadasa Mahasaya whose guru was Shri Gauridasa Pandit Thakur." Gosvami became very glad to hear this and welcomed him. He told him to meet Krishnadasa Kaviraja who was in the room. Entering the room he found a very old Vaishnava. He stood there for sometime, then he fell at the feet of Kaviraja. He gave his name and the purpose for his coming there. Kaviraja became very happy to meet him and asked about the well being of his guru and other Vaishnava devotees. From there Krishnadasa came to Vrndavana and visited the temple of Shri Madana Mohana and observing the beauty of the deity he fainted on the ground. Then he went to meet Shri Jiva Gosvami. He could not take his eyes off Jiva Gosvami and after sometime he bowed at his feet. Gosvami was very glad to see Krishnadasa and asked him all particulars. When Gosvami learnt that he was the disciple of Hrdaya Chaitanya, he became very happy and permitted him to stay in Vrndavana. Jiva Gosvami also told him, "If you are eager to study the scriptures, I shall help you in it." On an auspicious day Jiva Gosvami started teaching Krishnadasa. In a short while Krishnadasa became a scholar in all subjects. Then Shri Jiva Gosvami ordered him to read the devotional books. Krishnadasa started reading Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu and Ujjvala Nilamani. Shri Jiva taught him the method of worship and meditating. Krishnadasa was very obliged to Shri Jiva Gosvami and expressed his gratitude. After a few days Shri Jiva Gosvami gave him Pancanama of Krishna and Pancanama of Shri Radha and then the Kamabija. He also taught Krishnadasa how to meditate on those names. Since then Krishnadasa used to study the books from Gosvami and at night he would meditate quietly.

One day Radha and Krishna with their confidants danced there. Radha danced with so much enthusiasm that the foot bell of the left leg fell off without her knowing. Even her sakhis did not know where it had fallen. At the end of their amusements Radha Krishna entered into the Kunja to perform their pastime of love making and the sakhis took pleasure in peeping through the windows to observe the divine pastime. The night came to an end and the sakhis requested Radha Krishna to leave their bed. Radhika becoming ashamed left the bed. All returned to their own houses and the foot bell remained unnoticed there. In the morning Duhkhi Krishnadasa came to the Rasasthali and found the foot bell under a leaf. He took it in his hand and put it to his head. He showed it to Shri Jiva who at once knew the owner to the foot bell. Becoming emotional he touched it to his eyes, breast and head. His voice became choked and he fell to the ground. Krishnadasa held Gosvami and helped him to sit. He said, "You are fortunate Krishnadasa, the saffron of her feet have left their mark on your forehead with a dot in the midst of the marks. These are the marks of Krishna's feet and the dot is the mark of Radhika. All the Vaishnavas will be very happy to see it. From today, you will be known as Shyamananda."

I know from my guru that Shyamananda will deliver millions of mankind. Shri Jiva in the morning sent a person to Mathura ordering Shyamananda to bring the cart. He also ordered him to call Thakur Mahasaya and Shrinivasa Acarya. He ordered them to take their leave of their master. Both of them went to Lokenath Gosvami who was very sad and began to cry. He advised them not to get married nor to use oil or eat boiled food. Serve Gauranga first and then Radha Krishna is what he told them and then serve the Vaishnavas always. He called Acarya and dedicated Narottama to him and told him to look after Narottama. Both of them then bowed at his feet and took their leave. They then went to meet Bhatta Gosvami who told them to carry out their work well following all the advise of Gosvami. He told them to visit Vrndavana for the second time and began to cry in grief. Shrinivasa said, "O my Lord what can I say? I have not done anything to serve you. Am I to fortunate enough to see you again?" Shrinivasa taking Narottama in his lap began to cry. Both of them cried in emotion. How can I describe the efforts of Narottama and Shrinivasa by which they served their masters? I am fortunate enough to write something about them.

Being fatihful to the feet of Shri Jahnava and Shri Viracandra, Nityananda dasa narrates Prem Vilasa.