Glory to Shri Chaitanya, Nityananda, Advaita Candra and all the devotees of Gaurachandra.
Shri Jahnava who was an image of love appeared in this world having being empowered by Shri Chaitanya. She came to Khetari on her way to Vrndavana which made Thakur Mahasaya very happy. He along with Ramacandra Kaviraja went forward to meet her and first of all they sang her praises and then bowed at her feet. They took her to their house with great respect and served her sincerely. Thakurani was overwhelmed to observe the deity of Gaura Raya, she stayed there for four days and during those days she manifested many new ways of worship. The devotees of that village arranged for great quantities of curd, flattened rice, sugar and bananas and a large quantity of sweets. They also brought milk, ghee, pickles and kasandi etc. and a great festival took place, the festival continued for four days and the people enjoyed the kirtana and delicious food.
One day while sitting Thakurani called Narottama and ordered him to take his seat near her. By caressing his body, she told him affectionately, "O my dear Narottama, now listen to me. I am very impressed by your qualities. I am very glad to observe your efforts in following all the customs that should be followed by a Vaishnava. I am also very impressed by your pleasing disposition and so I want to name you Thakur Mahasaya. How sincere you are in serving the Vaishnavas. I wish I can see you again. I have found in you more good than that I have heard from other Vaishnavas. In Vrndavana you have already earned the name of Thakur Mahasaya where they always talk of your sincere way in serving the Vaishnavas. I have not told anyone that I have come here to visit you, except Ramacandra Kaviraja who knows all. In my life I have never seen another person like you who is so sincere in serving the Gods and the Vaishnavas. I promise I shall sing your praises in Vrndavana, Gauda and whatever other place I shall visit. Who can understand how King Gauranga is and who can know who will get Prabhu's spirit and favor? Your love for Gauranga has attracted me to you. I know that you and Ramacandra are the same and you have decided to be together always in life and death. This is really very pleasing to me. It is also the blessings of Prabhu that your Acarya has got true disciples like you. Now be kind to me and permit me to go to Vrndavana happily to meet all the devotees of Prabhu Gauranga. I wish I can get the opportunity of visiting Radha Kunda, Govardhana and other holy places there." When Thakurani actually announced her leave the two of them felt very sad. They gave her a hundred coins for her expenses on the way and accompanied her on her journey for about half a crosa (little more than two miles) crying. Observing them crying so helplessly, she held their hands and told them affectionately, "Please be quiet and go to your homes, both of you are my life. I bless you that you will be able to worship Krishna properly in your lives. Now let me go to Vrndavana safely." Thakurani then started for Vrndavana and they being disheartened returned to their own home. After a long journey Thakurani reached Mathura.
She happily visited the birth place and the resting place of Shri Krishna and then went to Vrndavana. She began to feel herself a fortunate woman as she could visit all the kunjas of Vrndavana. She then visited the place where Shri Jiva Gosvami lived. He bowed at the feet of Thakurani and sent news of her arrival to other Vaishnavas. Shri Gopala Bhatta and Gosvami Lokenath came to meet her and bowed at her feet. Thakurani became very pleased and requested Shri Jiva to introduce her to them. Shri Jiva told her, "He is Gopala Bhatta and came as soon as possible to meet you. He is Lokenath Gosvami who lives here on the order of Shri Chaitanya. I am very fortunate to meet you as you are the personification of Shri Chaitanya." She said, "I have come here on the order of Prabhu. So be kind to me as I have heard from the wise people that if you remain kind to me, I shall attain every accomplishment." She said to Lokenath Gosvami, "I am very fortunate as I have met you, who are the religious guide of Narottama. I am charmed by Narottama's good qualities and also by his efforts in serving Krishna and the Vaishnavas. I have never seen in all the three worlds a character as loving as Narottama. The title Thakur Mahasaya is appropriate from all points of view. He does not know anyone but you and I think the one who has such a disciple is most fortunate in the three worlds." Thakurani told Lokenath Gosvami, "I am greatly impressed by the loving disposition of Ramacandra who is a disciple of your disciple. I am very glad to see both of them tied with the same string of love and friendship. He is the true disciple of a true religious guide like Shrinivasa. I know that all these persons will be the deliverers of mankind later." Gopala Bhatta and Lokenath felt very self conscious at hearing their own praises. I, being Nityananda dasa, take refuge at the feet of Thakurani and make a great effort in writing this book. I am an incapable person in this sphere yet being repeatedly ordered by her, I am taking this chance. My only aim is to worship Krishna. I have no need to write this book as I am a bit short of hearing and in some places I have made a few mistakes. But if it is the wish of Prabhu no one will accuse me of this. In some places my explanations differ from the actual meaning for which some Mahajanas have accused me but I cannot stop writing as I will be guilty of disobeying my guru. I confess that I try to write what I have heard from my Prabhu and I believe that there will be no question about it as the mode of thinking of the devotees of Gauranga is completely a private matter which is beyond the understanding of a layman. If anyone says it is not mentioned in the scriptures then I can only say that it is by the order of my guru that I take a daring chance of writing all these things.
With the favor of Shri Jahnava and Viracandra I try to write the book Prem Vilasa.
Comments