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Glory to Shri Chaitanya, who is the deliverer of wicked mankind.
Glory to Nityananda, the wealth of the poor.
Glory to Advaita Candra, the abode of all qualities.
Glory to the devotees, let your desires be fulfilled.
Glory to Shri Jahnava and Viracandra.
I am able to write all these episodes due to the grace of my Prabhu.
Gosvami told Shrinivasa, "Do not cry, you have Narottama with you. Write to me about all that happens, all say that you are of one heart. I will forget my miseries if you write to me about your mission. Be very careful on your journey." Acarya then took his leave. Thakura Mahasaya was then with Gosvami. He bowed to the feet of the Gosvami who told him, "I have nothing to say to you Narottama. I know that all your desires have been fulfilled in Vrndavana. Stay with Shrinivasa always." Narottama bowed to him and came out of the Kunja. They went to Shri Jiva who then was engaged in arranging the cart. He filled up the cart with the books written by Shri Rupa and himself. He locked the chest before all present and covered the cart with cloth. He then gave the three their travelling allowances and warned them to be careful. The cart moved forward and reached the temple of Govinda. Shri Jiva prayed to the deity for the safe journey of Shrinivasa and Narottama. He then offered them the garlands and sandal paste of the deities. The cart then moved towards Mathura. Shri Jiva also went with them to Mathura. They stayed there for the night. He sent a Mahajana to the king for a passport. In the morning they started their journey. When they crossed the border of the country, Shri Jiva said to them when taking his leave, "Gauranaga is the owner of all rasas. Rupa and Sanatana are his second features. Shri Gauranga has manifested his love in these two bodies. Being ordered by Shri Chaitanya they have written books propagating love everywhere. It is not my order but the order of Prabhu Himself. Make haste and go to the country of Prabhu Gauranga. Let your journey be successful. You are both my life. Always live together." He began to cry holding the necks of the two. Then he told Shyamananda holding his hand, "When you are back in your country engage yourself in the service of Krishna and the Vaishnavas. Propagate the religion of Prabhu. Do not worry, all will be well. You will get a number of disciples. Murari Dasa, the son of Acyutananda has already decided to make you his guru." He handed over Shyamananda to Narottama and told him, "You will teach the lessons of Gaura Ganoddesa as I have taught you, also teach Bhakti-rasamrta Sindhu and Ujjvala Nilamani. After teaching him all send him back home after giving him some expenses for travelling." The cart started under the care of ten armed Hindus and this relieved the cartmen. Shri Jiva then returned to Vrndavana. The cart stopped at Agra for the night. In the morning it started off again. The passport given by the king helped them alot and they were allowed to enter many places. In this way they crossed Itarinagara. They then decided to take the road to Jhari Khanda. Leaving Magadesa on the left, they took the opposite direction. They chose the forest road for a peaceful journey. They then reached Tamluka and halted there for the night. Vira Hamvira, the king of Vishnupura was a wicked man. He would encourage dacoits to rob. He ordered the dacoits to follow the carts at a distance under disguise but not to do anything until they reached their own village. The carts then crossed Pancavati, Raghunathpura and then reached Maliyada village where there was a man named Bhoumika who welcomed them to take rest in his house. The dacoits thought that the carts were loaded with wealth. They reported this to the king who asked how many guards were guarding the carts. They said that there were 15 and the king ordered them to take 200 dacoits with them to rob the carts but he told them that they were not to kill anyone.
In a village named Gopalapura, they halted for the night. When they were resting at night the dacoits attacked and robbed the carts. They took the carts to the king who became happy to see the carts which were full of wealth. He went into his palace and removed the covers from the carts becoming more excited. When he opened the chests he found that they were full of books. He then became disappointed and frightened at the same time. He asked the dacoits about the people who were carrying the carts and the direction from which they had come. They told the king all, he became more frightened and told them not to disclose anything to anyone. He then carefully preserved the carts in a inner room. In the meantime Acarya Thakura and Thakur Mahasaya were searching frantically for the carts. Shyamananda was astonished at their calmness. They were extremely disheartened and asked everyone if they had seen the stolen carts. But no one knew anything about them. They then decided to write a letter to Jiva Gosvami. They entered the village to collect some paper and a pen to write a letter. Acarya Thakur and Thakur Mahasaya began to appeal to Shri Chaitanya and Nityananda, Shri Rupa and Sanatana. They began to lament in various ways. After crying for a long time, they thought there must be some reason for these happenings. They thought that the dacoits had robbed the books thinking them to be great wealth. The conversation between Raya Ramananda and Prabhu, the writings of Krishnadasa Kaviraja, the books of Shri Rupa Sanatana all were more valuable than wealth. Love for Radha Krishna is the most precious of all wealth and he is possesses this is the most wealthy man. They also thought that the person who had stolen the books thinking them to be a great wealth most probably had kept them in his house and would bow down his head to the religion of love. If the dacoit was a king then surely the whole universe could get a share of love. All this was what Acarya hoped for.
After some time the messenger reached Mathura and the next day delivered the letter to Jiva Gosvami in Vrndavana. After reading the letter Shri Jiva understood all and reported it all to Lokenath Gosvami and Shri Bhatta Gosvami who were extremely sad at the news. Raghunatha and Kaviraja fell on the ground crying. Kaviraja said, "Prabhu, we do not understand you." As Kaviraja had become quite old he could not walk and not being able to bear the misery he departed from this world. Shri Bhatta Gosvami jumped into Radha Kunda in despair and misery. Raghunatha cried helplessly taking the names of all the Prabhus and he also left this world. All the Vaishnavas began to cry loudly taking the names of the departed Gosvamis.
I shall now discuss what Acarya Thakur and Thakur Mahasaya were doing. Out of despair they took Shyamananda with them and went about inquiring for news of the books. One night Acarya Thakur told the two of them, "I think you ought to go back to your own countries. I shall go on searching and inquiring to find who has stolen these books. If I succeed I shall inform you and go to your places with armed men. Tomorrow you both should start." The next morning Thakur Mahasaya and Shyamananda took their leave. Acarya Thakur while holding the hands of Narottama cried and said, "If I do not recover the books I shall give up this worthless life." Then Thakura Mahasaya and Shyamananda roamed from place to place. After sometime Narottama returned to his own country. His parents ran to meet him and on seeing him they rolled on the ground crying. All his relatives also came to see him and he bowed at their feet. Many brahmins and friends also came to meet him and his parents took him home where he spent his days in worshipping and meditating on Krishna. Sometimes he used to spend his time alone sitting in the forest and remembering the grace of his Prabhus. I shall now describe as to why Shyamananda had accompanied Narottama. He began to study the devotional books under Narottama. After ten days Shyamananda bade farewell to Narottama who gave him some money for travelling as directed by Jiva Gosvami. Who can describe the pain when they took leave of each other?
In the meantime Acarya Thakur who was travelling from forest to forest reached Vishnupura where he knew no one and no one knew him. Some took him to be a beggar. He roamed the village like a stranger and would either beg or live on plain water. For ten days he travelled in the village. One day while he was sitting under a tree, a brahmin boy came to him. Being impressed by the young man, Acarya Thakura asked his name. He replied, "I am Krishna Vallava. I live here under the grace of the king." Acarya then asked him about the king. The boy replied, "Our king is a wicked man who encourages dacoits to rob. His name is Vira Hamvira, just lately he has robbed two carts of wealth and is very fond of listening to the Puranas from a brahmin Pandit. We, the subjects are duty bound to attend the session." Acarya asked whether he had learnt anything. He said that he had just completed Vyakarana. Acarya then asked him some points on the grammar and then had a discussion on different subjects with the young brahmin. The man was so impressed by Acarya's method of teaching that he requested Acarya to become his teacher. He asked Acarya to go with him to his house which was situated in village Deuli. Acarya agreed and went with the brahmin. When he reached the house of Krishnavallava the latter brought water for washing his feet. Acarya told him that now he wanted to cook something for himself. Krishnavallava brought all the necessary items for the Acarya's cooking. Acarya told him, "I eat boiled food. So for it I would like to bring the water myself." The young man gave Acarya a water pot. Then Acarya brought water and cooked some food for himself. After that he started teaching Krishnavallava. Krishnavallava used to go to the palace of the king everyday and return in the evening. Acarya would ask him, "What did you learn today?," to which he would reply, "Today I learnt from the Bhagavata, but when the king went into the house I came back as I am more eager to learn from you." Acarya then said, "Take me tomorrow to your king." So the next day Acarya went with the young man to the palace of the king. He found that the Pandit having no knowledge of the Bhagavata was explaining it to the king. On that day Thakur pointed out some mistakes of the Pandit in his explanations. The Pandit was insulted and told the king, "Who except I can explain the Bhagavata? This unknown brahmin is trying to interfer in my explanations." Then he addressed Acarya Thakura asking him to compete in a debate. Acarya gladly accepted the challenge and began to explain the Bhagavata in such a way that even the king was charmed with it. All the people who had assembled were also charmed. In the evening when the session came to an end, the Pandit fell at the feet of Acarya and asked for his mercy. The king then asked Acarya his identity. Acarya said, "I am Shrinivasa of Ganaddesa. I had hoped to meet you. I am very glad that I could meet you." The king paid his respects to Acarya and asked him to live in the kingdom. The Pandit went with Krishnavallava to meet Acarya. In the night the king went to the house of Acarya and requested him to have dinner in the palace. Acarya said, "I am used to eating only once in the day." But being requested again by the king he agreed to eat uncooked food. So the king offered him some milk, sugar and flattened rice. Being tired Acarya returned to his home and sitting in his bed he prayed to the Prabhus. The king on the other hand could not sleep and began to think if it was possible for a man to have so much qualities and devotion. In the morning the king went to meet Acarya. Acarya welcomed him and asked him to take a seat. He said, "I am fortunate to see a king in the morning." The king said, "All sins can be washed away by just glancing at you." Thakur said, "Now I shall take a bath." So the king took two earthen pots and carried them for the Acarya. The king asked the Pandit if he could explain what Thakur had taught yesterday. He said that it was impossible to understand the meaning of his explanation. The king then ordered the Pandit to serve Thakur. After his eating, the king requested Thakur to read something. Acarya started reading with a happy heart. Hearing the way in which he read and his way of explaining the king began to cry and in a dream he was ordered to take refuge at the feet of Shrinivasa. When he asked where he could meet Shrinivasa, he was told that he was in the king's palace itself. The king then repented for all his wrongs. The Pandit even began to cry and Thakur sat like a stone. The king then got up and bowed at the feet of Acarya and asked, "Who are you? From where have you come?" Thakur replied, "I am Shrinivasa and have come from Vrndavana. I was ordered to publish the books of Rupa and propagate them in Gaudadesa, but someone has stolen the books and I have not found them as yet. My guru is Shri Gopala Bhatta and I was ordered by Shri Jiva Gosvami to carry these books to Gauda. I had ten armed men and two cart men with me. I along with Shyamananda and Thakur Mahasaya started from Vrndavana and travelled a long distance without any trouble. But in Gopalapura, we were robbed of the books." The king said, "How fortunate is my family, because of the books being stolen we have been able to meet you. Who except you can deliver a sinner like me?" The king then told Acarya that he had robbed the books. Saying so the king began to cry helplessly and rolled on the ground. Hearing the good news Acarya's happiness knew no bounds and he jumped in joy with tears in his eyes. He asked, "Where have you kept the books?" and the king took him and showed him the books. Acarya at once fell on the ground in front of the books and the king holding the feet of Acarya cried. After having a bath, Acarya ordered the king to bring flower garlands, tulasi, and sandal paste for he would now worship the books. The king at once arranged for everything. Acarya sat on a new celestial seat and ordered the king to take a bath. The king returned after taking a bath and on being ordered by Thakur took a seat near him and listened to Krishnanama. Thakur poured Harinama Mahamantra in the ears of the king and helped the king to touch the books and put a garland round the neck of the king. When Thakur returned to his house, the king called his Pandit and ordered him to do service to Thakur. The Pandit then bowed to the feet of Thakur who asked his name. He said, "People call me Vidya guru Vyasa. Please let me be your servant." Thakur poured Krishna nama with Radha Krishna nama in his ears. The Pandit began to cry and fell at his feet. At this time Acarya accepted water from his hand. He himself painted the sectarian mark on his forehead and put his foot on the head of the brahmin. The king watching all with his own eyes could not check his tears.
On the third day of the solar eclipse, Thakur gave mantra diksha to the king. He also taught the king the doctrines of Vaisnavism from the books of Shri Rupa Gosvami. The king then asked Acarya to stay in his kingdom and he agreed. Thakura also began to teach Shri Vyasa Acarya Pandit the Bhagavata and other books by Shri Rupa. Thakur renamed the king as Haricarana dasa. One day Thakura told the king, "Vyasa has learnt all from me. Now he can be the court Pandit and you can listen to the scriptures from him. From now he should be known as Shri Vyasa Acarya." The king gladly accepted him. "Now, O king, listen to me, send a man with all travelling expenses to Khetari village of Gadera Hata where there is a devotee known as Narottama Dasa. He is spending his days in utter misery. At once the king sought out a man to go to Khetari. Acarya wrote a letter and the king requested Acarya to tell him about Narottama Dasa. Acarya said, "I met him in Vrndavana, he was along with me when we started from Vrndavana with the books and he was very sorry when the books were stolen by your men. Being grief stricken he returned to his house. He is still in misery as he has not got any information from me. Krishnadasa Raya is the zamindara of Gadera Hata and his son Narottama became indifferent to material pleasures. Mahaprabhu gave him the name Narottama. He went to Vrndavana and took refuge at the feet of Lokenath Gosvami. How can I describe his way of worshipping? He got the title of Thakur Mahasaya in Vrndavana." The king was very glad to hear all this and expressed the desire of meeting Narottama. Thakur said, "I do not know when I shall get his darshan. There is no one who is a better devotee of Krishna than him. He and me are of the same features. Both of us understand each other."
In the meantime the two messengers reached Khetari and Thakur Mahasaya asked them who had sent them. They told him that they were coming from Vishnupura and Acarya had sent him a letter through them. He took the letter and read through it. He was so glad with the contents of the letter that he could not control his tears. He at once ordered the musicians to play their instruments. He announced everywhere that the books had been found by Acarya Thakur. On the fifth day he wrote a letter to Acarya Thakur and sent the messengers back after giving them money for travelling. When reading the letter Acarya became emotional and began to cry. Who can understand as to why he was crying? Acarya then read out the letter to the king. Acarya said, "When can I see Narottama again and discuss all with him?" One day Acarya told the king, "I shall have to go to Rarhadesa where my mother is living alone. I am eager to meet her." The king gave him many gifts and also sent some men to accompany him. Vyasacarya and Krishnavallava also accompanied Acarya. In the way Acarya came to Rarha and took all the books with him. Four days later he reached Jajigrama and went to his house to meet his mother who could not recognise him. When he told her that he was Shrinivasa she began to cry holding his hands. He informed his mother on all that had happened and stayed for some days with her.
Now I shall tell you another beautiful story. In a big village named Teliavudhari which is situated on the bank of the Padmavati lived two brothers, Ramacandra and Govinda. They were both scholars and born in a Vaidya family. Ramacandra heard about the fame of Acarya Thakur and became very eager to meet him. He started for Vishnupura with a servant. On the way he reached Katoya where he came to know more about Acarya Thakura. Someone told him that he had come from Vrndavana. Some said that he used to live in Vishnupura. Others said that there was no scholar like him and others said that he was a brahmin pandit. They informed him that recently he had been in Jajigrama visiting his mother. Ramacandra after hearing all came to the outside of the village. There he asked someone if he knew the directions of to Jajigrama and came to know that it was one mile away. He then quickly left for Jajigrama and on reaching there came to know that Acarya had started for Shri Khanda that morning. I shall discuss this later.
Now being faithful to the feet of Shri Jahnava and Shri Viracandra, Nityananda dasa narrates Prem Vilasa.