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Glory to Mahaprabhu Shri Krishna Chaitanya.

Glory to Nityananda, an image of kindness and mercy.

Glory to Advaita Candra, a man of extreme kindness who has brought Shri Gauranga on this earth to fulfil the desires of mankind.

Glory to Gadadhara, an ocean of Rasa.

Glories to the numerous Gaura devotees.

 I have not as yet written anything about the branches and twigs of the Gosvami class of Vrndavana.

I am ordered by my Prabhu to write the book. My Thakurani has been empowered by Shri Gaura himself and I am writing according to her order. What Gauranga had said is just the same as what Thakurani had said later. But I do not mention it because in doing so I may be guilty of making Siddhantavada. The words from Prabhu himself are above any criticism.

Rupa and Sanatana were two brothers who had been empowered by Prabhu himself. Rupa and Santana would worship the feet of Prabhu. Sanatana used to respect Rupa to a great extent. Pandit Kashiswara was a famous person in Mathura Mandala and had great respect for Rupa and Sanatana. He was the disciple of Isvara Puri and had dedicated himself to the feet of Shri Krishna Chaitanya. Gadadhara Pandita was alwo empowered by Prabhu himself. Once Prabhu had begun to weep for not seeing Vidyanidhi for a long time. Pandit Gadadhara was the disciple of that Pundarika Vidyanidhi. Bhugarva was also his disciple and a favorite devotee of Prabhu. Rupa and Sanatana used to respect him very much. Some of them were loved and respected and some of them favored by these two brothers. Gosvami Lokenath was also a favorite associate of Prabhu who was an extremely kindhearted man concerning the salvation of mankind. Rupa and Sanatana had great respect of him. Lokenath was so indifferent to this world that he never bothered about eating and used to spend his time meditating.

Thakur Mahasaya was the disciple of Lokenath. There was a disciple of Kashiswara named Bhakta Kashi of a brahmin family who was also a Brajabasi. Govinda Gosvami and Yadava Acarya after discarding their household activities, took refuge under the feet of Kashiswara. A certain son of a brahmin who was a Gauravasi surrendered himself with his Prabhu at he feet of Kashiswara. Krishna Pandit Thakur was a pure devotee living in the village Vraja. Rupa and Sanatana had great respect for him. Shri Rupa Gosvami alone knew the glories of Kashiswara and Krishnadasa. He knew that they were the embodiments of two confidants of Shri Radhika. Raghunatha Bhatta to whom Gauranga was the life, used to give company to Rupa and Sanatana all the time. Shri Yadunandana was a disciple of Acarya Gosvami. Shri Raghunatha dasa was the disciple of Yadunandana. Raghunatha became able to discard worldly pleasures due to the favor of Nityananda and went to Nilacala to meet Prabhu. He remained with Prabhu there upto Prabhu's asceticism. Prabhu loved him very much. After a long time Prabhu dedicated Raghunatha to Swarupa who educated him very sincerely. Gauranga alone realised the reason behind his sincerity in educating Raghunatha because Raghunatha was very efficient in Shringara Lalita Rasa just like Lalita. Prabhu never told anyone about the real character of Raghunatha but only outwardly showed everyone that he only loved Raghunatha as he was a favorite disciple of Swarupa. After a few days Prabhu offered a gunjamala to him and dedicated Raghunatha to Radha. Prabhu also gave Raghunatha a salagrama sila for worshipping and advised him to go to Vrndavana. He dedicted himself to Rupa and Sanatana. In this way three really pure souls were united in one string. Raghunatha became as favorite to Rupa Sanatana as their very lives. Raghunatha used to respect them and they used to love Raghunatha. They advised Raghunatha to live at Radha Kunda who used to worship Krishna throughout the day and night measuring 56 dandas of time. He in his apathy (Vairagya) became the most favorite person to Shri Radha. Kaviraja became his disciple and used to be with him all the time. For the fulfillment of his own religious desires, Kaviraja himself wrote he was the disciple of Yadunandana. While Krishnadasa Kaviraja remained busy in worshipping Krishna in Gaudadesha, one day in Jhamatapura village appeared Shri Nityananda with his associates. He was looking so beautiful that Kaviraja became enchanted to observe his beauty. After eulogising in various ways, Kaviraja bowed at the feet of Nityananda who advised Kaviraja to go to Vrndavana. Kaviraja wrote in his book that he was the disciple of Prabhu and also wrote that being an extremely helpless person, he became able to get the favor of Prabhu Nityananda. He again went to Vrndavana and took refuge at the feet of Raghunatha. Only those who had real reasoning power could understand why Kaviraja had written or done so. This type of behavior had most likely been very pure and because of this quality of Kaviraja, Rupa and Sanatana accepted him cordially. Gopala Bhatta was of the same opinion and that is why he had decided to stay in Vrndavana. When Mahaprabhu went to the South he ultimately reached Ranga Kshetra to see Shri Ranganatha. After taking his bath in the river Kaveri he went to the temple of Ranganatha and took pleasure in taking alms from Tarimalla Bhatta. Being pleased with the service of Bhatta, Prabhu stayed at his house for four months and used to spend his days and nights in discussing about Krishna with Bhatta. Bhatta used to worship Lakshmi Narayana formerly. Prabhu with a smile told Bhatta, "Though Lakshmi would live in the heart of Narayana like a submissive wife, yet she had been discussing the company of Krishna." While talking in this manner Prabhu kept on smiling. Bhatta became very nervous because he could not understand the real intention of Prabhu. He asked Prabhu humbly, "I am really helpless in understanding you as I know nothing about devotion and meditation. I only know that you are Lakshmi Narayana and have favored me greatly by coming to my house in the dress of an ascetic. I find no more words for eulogising you. Please be kind by taking me as an ignorant fellow." This pleased Prabhu to a great extent and after embracing him, Prabhu empowered Bhatta with his own power. At that very moment in the mind of Bhatta appeared to sports of Vraja and being ecstatic in joy he began to dance. Prabhu showed Bhatta his real image and ordered Bhatta to bring all the members of his family to observe the real image of Prabhu.

Being ordered by Prabhu, Bhatta brought his two brothers with their wives and children. Prabhu out of extreme favor purified the minds of all of them and they began to weep ecstatically observing the real image and beauty of Prabhu. They prostrated themselves in respect and fell to the ground bowing at the feet of Prabhu who favored them very much by placing his feet on their heads. Then all except three of them left the room.

Prabhu then told Tarimalla with a sweet smile, "I like your son Gopala Bhatta. Try to educate him properly and do not give him in marriage." Then Pabhu looked at Prabodhananda and said with a smile, "Your disciple will be a versatile genius." Shri Gopala Bhatta at that time used to absorb himself in reading the Shri Bhagavata. Prabhu told him, "You will stay in your house for sometime but after the passing away of your parents you should go to Vrndavana where you will get extreme pleasure." Prabhu again said to Prabodhananda, "You should send Gopala at once to Vrndavana as I have something I want fulfilled by him." Then Prabhu announced that he would be leaving which made them all heartbroken. All of them began to cry helplessly due to the thought of being separated from Prabhu. This Prabhodhananda became the life of Prabhu who by his favor helped Prabodananda to be a great Bhagavata.

Now I shall describe the Vrndavana visit of Gopala Bhatta. After a long time Prabodhananda was able to remember what Prabhu had said and called Bhatta and reminded him of the order of Prabhu about going to Vrndavana. Gopala Bhatta at once decided to go to Vrndavana. Prabodhananda had become indifferent to family life and he wrote a letter to Rupa and Sanatana Gosvami informing them that he was sending Gopala Bhatta to them. Gopala Bhatta with the letter reached Jhari Khanda and after a long time reached Mathura. On the next day he reached Vrndavana and met Shri Rupa. After eulogising in many ways, he bowed at the feet of Rupa and handed over the letter to the two Gosvami brothers. Rupa and Sanatana happily accepted Gopala Bhatta and took him into their hearts. The two Gosvami brothers ordered Gopala Bhatta to write a book and that book was called Hari Bhakti Vilasa and dealt with Vaishnava practices namely Kriya, Mudra and Niyamas (rules). After completing the book he dedicated it to Sanatana. At the beginning of the book he sang the glory and Mangalacharana of his own guru.

Now I will tell about all those who became disciples of Shri Gopala Bhatta. Shrinivasa Acarya, Harivamsa Brajabasi and Gopinath Pujari who got the opportunity of serving Shri Radha Ramana, became disciples of Gopala Bhatta. But Harivamsa did not like to follow the rules of his guru and so he left him and all his efforts were useless. Shri Jiva Gosvami became the disciple of Shri Rupa Gosvami. What all these devotees did not do just to please Prabhu? The smarana and vajana by them was only to increase the pleasure of Prabhu. Shri Chaitanya was the Kalpataru (wishing tree) with Panchafala (five fruits i.e. five main disciples). Prabhu always wanted the assistance of these devotees. But he had favored numerous devotees in his lifetime. Shrinivasa and Narottama were the two main among the five. They had many branches and twigs. I do not have the capacity of describing them all. The branches and twigs of Shrinivasa were so many in number that I dare not describe them due to the fear of the book becoming too long. Poet Karnapura has described them in his book. He wrote in his book that numerous devotees got favor from Shrinivasa. Thakura Mahasaya was a man of magnetic qualities who had nursed Gauranga with his own mind and had served his image outwardly with utmost care and sincerity. He used to perform great festivals, Vaishnava Sevana (service to the vaishnavas) and used to spend his time in vajana and smarana. He used to advise each and everyone of his disciples to serve Krishna and do Vaishnava Vajana. While thinking of himself as the most unfavored disciple of Prabhu, Narottama used to address his disciples and say, "O my dear fellows, if you want to attain the feet of Krishna, you should take his name one lakh times daily." In this way he got many disciples outside his own country.

Shri Raghavendra Raya was a brahmin by caste. He used to rule over Gadera Hatta and had two sons named Santosha and Candra Raya. Candra Raya was a very powerful fellow and had great capacity in the art of war. Everyone used to fear him. He was a zamindar having eighty four thousand coins. He became the Foujdar of a fort and made the place named Rajmahala as its Thana and became the all in all there. He became a tyrant and refused to pay the Padishah and brought the whole village under his control. He kept five thousand horses and infantry. He captured many countries and looted many places for the purpose of collecting wealth. Robbing and killing of people became his regular pastimes and in carrying out these cruel acts he did not care for anybody. People would cover their ears as they could not bear to hear his sinful activities and they began to leave the country. Candra Raya was a Sakti worshipper and used to take fish and meat as his food. He would seduce the wives and daughters of the inhabitants of that place. On the auspicious festival of Goddess Durga he used to build an image of Goddess and used to offer thousands of animals at the altar of the Goddess. Even Chitragupta (the secretary of Yama, the God of death) in Yamalaya failed to keep record of the sins committed by Candra Raya. Once Chitragupta told Yama, "These two brahmins have been doing so many sins that I am afraid for their future. Where will they stay and how long will they suffer the punishment of Naraka (hell)? I can remember the former names of two brothers Jagai and Madhai, but these two brothers are more notorious than Jagai and Madhai." Yamalaya told him, "Let them remain in this position." So Candra Raya continued his tyranny.

One day the spirit of a wicked brahmin demon entered into the body of Candra Raya and that demon began to beat and rebuke Candra Raya all the time. Gradually Candra Raya began to lose the vigor of his life and was about to die. His father used to give calls Vaidyas (doctors) from many countries but in vain. His father brought a great astrologer who by calculating told his father that an evil spirit of a brahmin demon had entered into the body of Candra Raya and had no desire of leaving him. The only way of recovery depended on Narottama Thakura, the son of the zamindar of Khetari. The demon also admitted this. On hearing this the father of Candra Raya sent a message to a Pandit and invited him to his house. He requested the Pandit to write a letter to Thakur Mahasaya and then sent Sukapala with the letter to Khetari. He gave the letter into the hand of Majumdar who told him flatly that he could not dare send the letter to Thakur. When the father came to know about this, he began to cry in despair and pray to Goddess Durga saying, "O mother Durga, save my son. Who accept you will be able to do so?" At night Thakurani in the disguise of an old lady told Candra Raya with a smile, "It is very bad of you that you are so full of sins. I have nothing to do with it. There are no sinful activities that have not been practised by you. You never try to worship Krishna. I am not pleased with your worship as you have neglected Krishna. No one can attain accomplishment in this earth without worshipping Krishna. I always do harm to those who neglect Krishna. Those who try to worship me without worshipping Krishna, it is sure that they will lose their chance of earning good fortune in their next birth. My Lord Siva used to absorb in singing the glory of Krishna and used to dedicate his everything at the feet of Krishna. Trilochana Panchanana is made for Krishna and I am his subordinate. You two brothers have sought my favor but there is nothing good I can do for you. I only want devotion from those who are endowed with Sattvagunas. I hate devotion from those who are motivated by Rajagunas and Tamagunas. The Shastras say that Krishna is the Lord of this universe. Who except He can give devotion and salvation in this world? You have done so many sins that Yamaraja and Chitragupta have become very shocked. How can I bear all the sins committed by you which have become as high as the mountains? So, O my sons, try to worship the feet of Govinda at once. The astrologer immediately advised the father to send for Thakur Mahasaya and to take refuge under his kind feet. Shri Govinda Kaviraja, the disciple of Shrinivasa has made himself absorbed in my worship after discarding all types of activities. He has prayed to me in various ways for his own salvation. But I am unable to do anything for him. Narottama is a devout person to the feet of Acarya and his devotion to Krishna has enabled him to remain above the worldly fears. So Shrinivasa and Narottama are the same. Only for the manifestation of Vilasa they have become different in features. Chaitanya and Nityananda with all their associates appeared on this earth to gratify the Kaliyuga. They have gratified mankind by giving Krishnanama. Shrinivasa and Narottama have fallen in loving devotion with them. He who can worship the two Prabhus as the same is sure to get Krishna. He who tries to criticise them by taking them as different from each other, is sure to suffer miserably." After saying all these things, Thakurani disappeared. Candra Raya became very astonished and in the morning he told all he had dreamt to his father and brother. He told his father, "Please send a call to Thakura Mahasaya if you want me to be saved. Please send two brahmins with a letter praying Thakura Mahasaya to favor a servant like me." Two brahmins went to Khetari with the letter and meeting Thakura Mahasaya, they bowed at his feet. Thakura Mahasaya heartily received them and asked from where they had come. They said that after reading the letter he would know all. Thakura Mahasaya gave them food and a house to live in. Thakura Mahasaya read the letter and came to know about the problem. He told Kaviraja to read the letter and give his opinion. Kaviraja told him, "It is a delicate matter to handle. What can I say when you are the all powerful? It is all in your hands. You are the image of love and a pleasing feature in the eyes of all." While thinking of a way out, Prabhu Gaura Raya appeared before Narottama and advised him saying, "Listen to me Narottama, it is not difficult for you. You go there and meet the two wicked brahmin sinners as they are waiting for your favor. Favor them and save them from their great sins. It is my wish that the evil spirits must leave the body. You appeared in this world to save sinners from their sins. His name will be Krishnadasa after he is cured. Go there with Kaviraja as it will be a pleasure to all there."

In the morning they completed their baths and started for the house of Candra Raya. In the meantime Majumdar came to meet them and came to know all about the letter. He said to Thakura Mahasaya, "That person is very fortunate as he can see your feet. I wish I could go with you. I am very unfortunate as I cannot observe the whole thing. But I wish to hear it later from you." There was a big crowd in the house of Thakura Mahasaya as they all wanted to go with him. Thakura Mahasaya started with Kaviraja and many Vaishnavas after bowing at the feet of Gauranga. Those who could not go with him began crying. After pacifying them all, he started on his journey and the two brahmins followed behind. That day they halted in a village and one of the two brahmins went to the house of Candra Raya to inform them about the news of Narottama's arrival. On hearing the news, Candra Raya began weeping in joy and he along with many wise brahmins went forward to meet Thakura Mahasaya. Many instrumentalists followed them with their instruments. After sometime they met Thakura Mahasaya on the way and they were all overwhelmed on observing his beauty. When he entered the village, all observed his beauty. After a short distance the father of Candra Raya came forward and on seeing the beauty of Narottama he began crying and fell at his feet. Narottama spoke to all with great affection. The whole village was decorated because of his coming. They had put full jugs of water in different places on the road and planted hundreds of banana trees here and there. All the houses had been decorated by flower garlands. The people had gathered in crowds on the streets and the ladies made auspicious sounds with their tongues. On hearing of his arrival people from other villages also hurried to come and see Narottama. Narottama entered the house of the father of Candra Raya who most carefully washed the feet of Thakura Mahasaya and offered him a beautiful seat on which to sit. Raya told Narottama very humbly that he was the most fortunate man for having Thakura Mahasaya in his house. Thakura Mahasaya said, "It is very good of you, now let me see your son." He was told that Candra Raya had been lying on the bed in his room. Thakura Mahasaya with all his men entered the room and stood before Candra Raya. When Candra Raya looked at him the evil spirit in him began shouting saying, "I have become an evil spirit due to my sinful activities and have found a sinful soul like me to live in. I have been in this body for a long time. Now be kind to me and let me go elsewhere." Everyone who was present there heard the shouting. He shouted again, "O my Lord, save me from this cursed life for you are the only savior. To me Khetari is not only a village but also Vrndavana in disguise. I wish I could be born in this village and this time I want your gracious feet as my resort. O my Lord, be kind to me." Thakura Mahasaya addressed the spirit saying, "Listen to me, leave this soul at once and go elsewhere." So the evil spirit left the house. All present shouted in joy and began to praise Thakura Mahasaya. Candra Raya got back his normal state of mind and with folded hands he fell at the feet of Thakura Mahasaya. He cried aloud saying, "There is no one as cursed as me. All well being go away just by looking at me. I have committed all sins that are mentioned in the scriptures. How can I get salvation from so many sins?" Crying profusely he fell to the ground and touched the feet of Thakura Mahasaya. "Being a brahmin, I have committed so many sins. For so long I have been under the influence of worldly attractions just for power and pleasure." Santosh began crying and said to Thakura Mahasaya, "We two brothers were born of the same womb and have been committing sins together for so long. We have nothing to pray to Prabhu except the favor of your gracious feet. O my Prabhu, now please accept these two wicked poor souls and be our Lord for life." Raghavendra fell at the feet of Thakura Mahasaya and said, "I am now in your debt along with all my family members in life and death." Thakura ordered him to sit beside and put his right hand on his head. He ordered Raya to complete their baths and come to him for instructions on Krishnanama. Gaura, the God Himself would favor them at once. Raghavendra along with his sons took their baths and wore new loin cloths and came to Prabhu. Thakura Mahasaya told them to sit on his left side and poured Harinama into their ears. Ramacandra Kaviraja had been sitting on the left side of Thakura Mahasaya. He at that time could not control himself and being ecstatic rolled on the ground. He began to strike his head with his own hands as he had become very perturbed on observing the endless kindness of Thakura Mahasaya. All the Vaishnavas present there began to weep. Even all the people who had assembled there began to cry along with them. Raya and his sons lay prostrate at the feet of Thakura Mahasaya who placed his foot on their heads. On another auspicious day he poured Radhakrishna mantra into the ears of Raya and his two sons. Now listen as to what happened then. Yamaraja and Chitragupta began to sing the glory of Narottama saying, he is the savior of all sinners in this world. "O Chitragupta, bring the record book and tear the pages where the sinful accounts of these two brothers had been kept. From today I have lost my right." Then the Goddess of Earth came to him and suggested that he should worship Krishna. She also lamented, "I have nothing, no influence as formerly Jagai and Madhai had been saved from damnation and now these two brahmin brothers have got the same favor." When they got the favor of Prabhu, they offered many items to Thakura Mahasaya. He was given villages, clothes, wealth, horses, cows and calves. In the morning started the preparations of sweets and cooked food, different types of curries, scented rice etc. After Thakura Mahasaya had eaten, Raya and his two sons took prasada and water for washing the feet. They got the title of Vaishnavas and became famous in the world. They took lessons in Vaishnava rituals and practises and became engaged in Vajana and Smarana of Krishna. Thakura Mahasaya told them that he wanted to observe the idol of Gaura Raya and took his leave. They began to cry on hearing this. One day Thakura Mahasaya told Candra Raya, "O my dear son, as a result of your own sins you have to suffer. Now try to give up all types of worldly pleasures." This is the account of the salvation shown to these three people. Now listen to the qualities of Candra Raya.

Being ordered by Thakura, Candra Raya sent a letter to the Nawab through his pleader. The Hakim became very afraid and the other ministers advised him, "There is no need of it because he who goes there will lose his life. So no one was willing go along with him." One day Thakura Mahasaya said, "I now wish to return home as I am feeling depressed at not being able to see Prabhu Gaura Raya for such a long time." All were very sorry but they thought what could they do as it was the wish of Prabhu. Raya decorated ten boats with gold and jewels. One boat was made ready for Thakura and his associates, one for the father and his two sons and the other boats were filled with different items such as rice, pulses of Muga and Maskalai, clothes and other things. Many men accompanied the boats and there were men to steer the boats. Many Vaishnavas gladly accompanied Thakura. The family members of these Vaishnavas and their servants and maidservants began to weep. Candra Raya and his brother got on their boat and started on their way. They spent their time discussing about Krishna and in the middle of their journey they halted at a place. The next day at noon they reached Khetari and visited the temple of Gaurahari. While observing the idol of Prabhu they became ecstatic in emotion and started rolling on the ground. When they came to their senses they took their seats. Thakura invited them warmly to eat. Candra Raya got up and went forward to meet Raya who came out of the room and Candra Raya fell at his feet. Raya embraced him and asked about his well being. Candra said, "I am a sinner. It is by the kindness of you all that I got your auspicious touch." Then they all went to Thakura to observe the ceremony of the waving lights before the idol and to get prasada. They all took their seats for receiving prasada. There were different items of food and the sweet and delicious smells entered their nostrils. While eating they all enjoyed listening to topics on Krishna. They were all looking very beautiful as if the moon had been surrounded by stars. After washing their mouths, they sat in place and took betel leaves to chew. At this time they all began to think about their fortune. Candra Raya told all of them how unfortunate he had been for such a long time. The boats had been emptied and stocked in the store room. At night Devidasa with other Kirtaniyas started sankirtana before Prabhu. Shri Thakura Mahasaya listened to the kirtana with Kaviraja by his left side. Krishnananda Raya and his family enjoyed the songs. On his left side was seated the father and his two sons. While listening to the songs they had become ecstatic in love and began to tremble in Madhuri (beauty) and Piriti (love). Shri Thakura Mahasaya also began to cry ecstatically. His body trembled and tears began to roll down from his eyes. Suddenly he fell on the ground unconscious. Krishnananda Raya and others began to roll on the ground and offered clothes, gold, scarves and silver etc., before the idol. Ramacandra Kaviraja became mad in ecstasy and began to weep profusely. The pores of his body stood up as if they had become thorns of shimli. He would lie on the ground with his body stiff and only beating of his heart could be heard. Candra Raya with his father and brother kept on observing the wonderful scene. Candra Raya became so excited that he too began to roll on the ground crying and lamenting in various ways. He held the feet of his father and brother and began bowing repeatedly at the feet of Thakura. At the end of the kirtana they took their seats but Thakura remained in an ecstatic condition throughout that night. In the morning he came to his senses. In this way they spent ten days and nights while discussing about Krishna.

One day Candra Raya requested Thakura to grant his leave. He very humbly touched the feet of Thakura telling him that he was sad to take his leave. Thakur said, "O my dear son, always keep in mind that the feet of Shri Krishna is the only truth and everything is false." In this way he favored Candra to a great extent and bade him farewell. Crying helplessly Candra Raya went to the side of Kaviraja and he embraced Candra Raya. Candra Raya told him that his life now meant something as he had met such a great devotee like him. Candra Raya offered a hundred coins and two garments to Kaviraja and prayed to him to be always kind to him and regard him as his servant. The Vaishnavas who had come with Prabhu also bade them farewell. After paying homage to Prabhu Gauranga, Candra Raya and his father and brother got on the boat and started for home. While returning home, they became absorbed in sadhana and smarana of Krishna as had been directed by Thakura Mahasaya. I have no capacity of describing the glories of Prabhu which had no bounds.

One day Candra Raya decided to go for a bath in the Ganges. He started with hundreds of horsemen and four hundred companions. They all happily took their baths in the Ganges and cooked food to eat. At that time on the bank of the Ganges, there was a spy of the Pathan king who went to the king and told him all. The king at once sent his army to capture Candra Raya. The army imprisoned Candra Raya and brought him before the angry Nawab who had been waiting there. Candra Raya bowed to the Nawab, who angrily asked him, "How dare you capture so many different countries," and began to lash him with a koda (whip). Candra Raya remained undisturbed and thought that he had been rightly served. He told the Nawab, "I am ready to pay fines as you wish." The Nawab ordered that he should not be whipped but imprisoned in an underground jail. Candra Raya thought, "This is the end of my life." They kept in custody without any food. His parents and other family members were very sad on receiving the news of his capture. His father tried asking everyone to do something for his son. He wrote a letter to Thakura Mahasaya who became shocked and sent a person who was well known to the zamindara. But Candra Raya remained locked in the prison and his father Raghavendra had to spend his days in extreme sorrow and continued to ask all to do something. He said, "Is there anyone who can bring my son out of prison? I will give him a big reward if he is capable of doing this task." In the meantime a person came to him and told him, "I will do it." Raghavendra told him that he would reward him well by giving him many villages, horses, cattle and other things. "I cannot live without Candra Raya," said Raghavendra.

That person knew many tricks and he went to the prison after digging a tunnel. Candra Raya who was surprised asked him, "How did you come here? And are you not hurt in coming?" He said, "Your father requested me and I shall take you home with the help of my tricks." Candra Raya asked, "How can you take me out? What is the special method?" He said, "I shall go first and you must follow me. I know some hymns to Goddess Kali and I shall pour two and a half letters of the hymn into your ear. You have to cite the hymns and do not get afraid as it will help you to get out of here. Do not speak anymore, let us make a start." Raya said, "Of what use is it, my life has come to an end. I have done many sinful things. Thakura Mahasaya placed his feet on my head and I have become his servant and he is my Lord. He has poured Radha Krishna mantra into my ears. It is not possible for me to hear any other hymns. Tell my father that I only want to be submissive to the gracious feet of my Prabhu and to cite the mantra which my Prabhu has given me. According to his wish, I shall stay here. Here I am free to discuss Krishna mantra as I am free from the noise of my home. Tell my father no to be sorry. My only sorrow is that I am not able to see the gracious feet of my Prabhu." Saying all this he then began to recite Krishna nama. Sometimes he would sing songs on Krishna. He did not feel the need for food or water. He would at times cry loudly the name of Krishna. He tried to follow the orders of his guru and remained absorbed in Sadhana and Smarana. He tried to keep the sports of Radha Krishna always in his mind. With that thought in mind he would sometimes think of the divine faces of Radha Krishna. At times he would taking pleasure in smearing saffron on the bodies of Radha Krishna and at times he would fan them and massage their gracious legs. He began to pray to the confidants of Shri Radha namely, Lalita, Vishakha, Chitra, Champaka Latika by asking them to favor him to attain the feet of Radha Krishna. He prayed to Rupavati, Lavanga, Gaura Manjari and Manjulali to favor him. He told them that he always wanted to remain with his guru Narottama and serve Krishna by living anywhere at any place. His request to them was to keep him in their confidence by making him one of their confidants. In this way he passed his days in Sadhana and Smarana and through this he could tear the net of maya as his days and nights all became the same.

After sometime the Nawab one day paid a visit to the prison and met Candra Raya. He asked Candra Raya angrily, "Why is it you do not try to bribe me? You can see that it is the end of your life. I will kill you by throwing you under the feet of an elephant." He ordered the elephant master to bring a drunk elephant to the place. A big crowd gathered at that place to see the death of Candra Raya who had been brought there with his hands and feet tied. The mad elephant ran towards him and Candra Raya began to think of the feet of Prabhu Narottama. The elephant caught him with his trunk and threw him a little distance away. Again the elephant came running angrily but this time Candra Raya grasped its trunk with his two hands and pulled the trunk from its mouth. With a shout of pain the elephant fell to the ground dead. All the people wondered at the power of Candra Raya. The Nawab got up from his throne and holding the hands of Candra Raya requested him to sit beside him. He told Candra Raya, "What a powerful man you are, you have killed the elephant just with your own hands." Candra Raya said, "It is not mine but the power of my Prabhu." The Nawab then asked him to tell everything. Candra Raya told him all and he said to the Nawab, "When you ordered your men to imprision me in the underground jail, I thought about my guru's favor. I tried to remain jolly instead of feeling sorry. Though you did not give me any food, I always ate by citing Krishnanama all the time. My father out of affection sent a person to request my aged lady nurse to give me some food. She quietly gave me some food which has saved my life. During all these days in prison I did not feel sad and I felt so cosy as though I was at home. Now you have brought me here to kill me. What power I have is all from my Prabhu. When the elephant threw me at a distance, I at once began to think about the feet of my Prabhu and when the elephant caught me for the second time I took hold of his only by the grace of my Prabhu and killed it. I want to tell you if you will allow me to. Somedays ago my father sent a person to me who came to me through a tunnel. I asked him how he had managed it without getting hurt and he told me that he knew Kalimantra and because of which he had been able to come. He wanted to pour the mantra into my ears but I rejected it as it was impossible for me to hear any other mantra other than Radha Krishna which my Prabhu had given me. I advised the man that I would not leave the place and to please tell my father. Now I have told you all." The Nawab being pacified took him to his bosom. All the people standing there bowed at the feet of Candra Raya by falling on the ground. The Nawab ordered a horse be brought as a reward for Candra Rai and ordered him to return home saying he was free and he will give him back all his property. So the Nawab handed over the Dastaka and letter himself and ordered his ministers to work under Candra Raya. He gave the Parayana with the mark of his Panja (mark of the palm) to Candra Raya. Candra Raya took his leave from the Nawab and started for his home. But he began to think that his guru had given him strength and that now he should visit his guru. So he sent a letter to his father. He also sent a letter to his brother asking him to come without any delay. He wrote, "I am free from jail, both of you should come here without any delay and bring various items and we shall go immediately to visit my Prabhu. Come here as quick as possible." The bearer of the letter gave it to Raghava who became full of joy and told all to Santosh. They at once gathered all the necessary items and went to meet Candra Raya. They at once started for Khetari on horse. On reaching Khetari, Candra Raya got off the horse and went on foot. He went straight to meet Prabhu. When he reached the house of Thakur Mahasaya, he found him sitting with Kaviraja. Thakura Mahasaya and Kaviraja became very glad to see Candra Raya. Candra Raya fell at his feet and began to cry. Thakur took him in his lap and asked about his well being. Candra Raya told him all and Thakur placed his feet on his head. Thakura then came to know that Raghavavendra Rai and his son Santosh had also come to see him. They came and stood before Thakura Mahasaya and both father and son started singing the glories of Thakura. Thakura favored them by patting them on their backs. Then Candra Raya spoke to his father and brother and they all embraced each other crying. Candra Raya told his father, "Why did you send that man to me? Do you not know it was wrong?" Thakura smiled at Candra Raya. Raghavendra felt ashamed hearing this from his son. He bowed at the feet of Thakura Mahasaya and requested him to forgive him. He even requested his son for forgiveness. The father and son embraced each other and began to cry. The father said, "We are all tied to the gracious feet of Thakura Mahasaya." They stayed there for five days and spent those five days and nights in darshan and kirtana. They then took their leave and started for home.

After sometime Candra Raya went to visit the Nawab. Seeing his farman, the king came quickly to meet him with his Laskaras (army). He offered the Ahira Pargana to Candra Raya. The next day Candra Raya took his leave and went back to his house.

"O my listeners, listen to the Shri Krishna Vajana and try to feel in your minds. The qualities of Thakura Mahasaya are beyond my capacity to describe. The love brought from Vrndavana has flooded the world and all its human beings. The Bhakti Shastra has said about "A Kinchana" (having nothing) which can be found in the character of Thakura Mahasaya to its fullest meaning. Thakura Mahasaya had discarded Upalanva (meaning reproach, reproof, censure and reprimand) which is a mixture of Dambha (pride) and Matsarya (malice). The good qualities of a disciple depend on what type of guru he is found to be. The magnanimous touch of a real guru can make his disciple a real jewel. This should be the method of Sadhana of a disciple. Acarya Thakura and Thakura Mahasaya were the embodiments of Chaitanya and Nityanana who had saved numerous human beings from damnation. Acarya Thakura had favored Vira Hamvira and Thakura Mahasaya had favored Candra Raya. I bow at the feet of all these devotees to whom Shri Radhika is the only resort, who are the garlands of Shri Rupa and who are the only means of accomplishing the desires of Prabhu Gauranga. There were many persons who became disciples of Acarya Thakura. I have described the branches of Thakura Mahasaya in a nutshell. Gradually they grew.

I am ordered by my Prabhu to write all these narrations. I have described the qualities of Shri Gopala Bhatta, Shri Lokenath, Shrinivasa and Shri Narottama. I know that all the Vaishnavas to whom Prabhu Gauranga is the life, will get pleasure from this book.

Taking the gracious feet of Shri Jahnava and Prabhu Viracandra, I, being Nityananda Dasa, write the book Prem Vilasa.