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Glory to Shri Krishna Chaitanya who is an image of love.

Glory to Nityananda, the most kind hearted.

Glory to Advaita Candra, the king of the devotees and who is the main instrument to carry out the activities directed by Prabhu Chaitanya.

All glories to the favorite devotees of Gaura to whom Gaura is the life and glory to Shrinivasa, who is an abode of all good qualities.

Glory to Narottama, the possessor of love of Gaura and also to Radha Krishna.

My Prabhu ordered me to write about Shrinivasa and Narottama who have propagated the love of Gaura in this world. These two illustrious persons have come to Gauda to carry out the orders of Prabhu Gaurachandra.

One day a certain Gaudiya Vaishnava came to see Shri Jiva Gosvami in Vrndavana. Gosvami asked him about the well being of Gauda and became very happy. He also asked about Shrinivasa and Narottama and about their activities. The Vaishnava told Gosvami that he had heard about Shrinvasa and Narottama from the Vaishnavas and that he had also seen with his own eyes. King Hamvira Malla of Vishnupura had been favored by Acarya Thakur. Thakura Mahasaya used to live in Khetari who was Gauranga Raya himself. There was no one in this world who was as sincere as Thakura Mahasaya in serving the Vaishnavas. His love and sincerity to the Vaishnavas had maddened the people and he had soaked the whole country with the nectarine juice of love. Ramacandra Kaviraj had also joined him. Acarya Thakur used to visit Khetari very often and sometimes Vishnupura, sometimes he would go to Bhudari and sometimes to Jajigrama. Acarya Thakura once visited Khetari while on his way to Vrndavana. He visited the place of Lokenath and became very glad to meet him. When Gosvami heard about the coming of Narottama he became very glad and also satisfied to see the sincere devotion of Narottama. Acarya Thakur told Lokenath that everything had been possible due to his favor to Narottama and out of ecstatic joy the two Gosvamis began to cry. Gopala Bhatta also heard about Narottma and said the same thing which Acarya had told Lokenath.

Another disciple of Shrinivasa was Ramacandra who was famous for his sweet disposition. In the meantime many Vaishnavas came to Gauda which made the Gosvamis very happy. The disciple of Pujari Thakur was Krishnadasa who was a man of great qualities. Ramdasa was the disciple of Bhugarva Thakur and at this time both of them used to stay in Vrndavana. They came to Gauda with the hope of visiting the temple of Jagannatha. At the time of their leaving, all the Gosvamis told them many things that they had in their minds. Lokenath Gosvami told them to stay with the Vaishnavas there. "Tell Narottama to act properly according to the order of Prabhu with utmost care and to try to avoid making any faults. Tell him that I always want his well being." Shri Jiva Gosvami said in a sad voice, "I am very sorry at not being able of seeing him. The tree of love has grown up in Vrndavana itself and it has begun to give fruit in Khetari. Khetari has become a cultivable land of love from where everyone used to collect his food and people of other countries would collect grains in their bags. Tell him that Shri Jiva has sent his loving embrace to him. You should also tell him that my eyes have become blind because of not seeing his face. On reaching there you must tell him to give you food. Do not hesitate to convey my heartiest greetings to the Acarya. From there you should go to the South and tell Shyamananda that I send my wishes to him. Tell him to follow his own religious practises strictly and to serve the Vaishnavas with utmost care." Bhatta Gosvami said, "Convey my good wishes and embrace Narottama warmly from me. Convey my blessings to Ramacandra and tell him that I am very eager to see him. Convey my blessings to Shrinivasa and meet him on my behalf. Then coming back here report all to me and I shall be very happy to hear about their devotional progress from you." The Vaishnavas assured them all and started on their journey. After travelling for a long time the Vaishnavas began to think whether they would be able to find the place Gadera Hatta. They asked people on the way for the right direction and in this way reached Gadera Hatta and were very happy to observe the wonderful scene. They noticed that all the people of the place were engaged in singing Harinama and they welcomed the two Vaishnavas who were very glad to notice their humble behavior. Then they came to Khetari where they observed the idol of Gauranga and bowed before the idol offering clothes to it. Then they noticed that two Gosvamis were sitting there and they brought water for washing the feet of the two Gosvamis. After washing the feet they told the Gosvamis how fortunate they were to be able to wash their feet. After some time the two Vaishnavas asked the Gosvamis their names and they came to know that they were Narottama and Ramacandra Kaviraja. They told Narottama and Ramacanda all that Lokenath had said. Narottama and Ramacandra becoming overwhelmed in joy fell to the ground and bowed at the memory of their Prabhu. They also conveyed the messages sent by Shri Bhatta Gosvami to Ramacandra and he becoming perplexed held on to the neck of Narottama and cried. The two of them then began to cite hymns singing the praise of their own Prabhu. When they came the their senses the two Vaishnavas told them that they would take their leave after taking their food. They informed the priest of the temple that they would eat now. The priest prepared the bhoga (food) for Gauranga and offered it before the idol. He then arranged two seats and requested them to begin eating. The two Vaishnavas were very awkward but did not dare disobey the orders of Shri Jiva. They sat to eat and told Narottama and Ramacandra to sit with them. They asked the priest to serve them rice, vegetables, kshira, curd etc., and they ate with happy minds. At the end of the meal they washed their mouths and requested Narottama and Ramacandra to bid them farewell. Narottama and Ramacandra asked the two Vaishnavas to stay the night telling them that they could cross the river Padmavati the next day. Actually they had something on their minds which they wanted to ask the two Vaishnavas. Narottama asked, "How is my Prabhu? Where is he now? I am really a very wicked person as I did not remember him but he remembered me with so much affection." Saying this Narottama began to cry. "O I have turned like dry wood as I have ignored him and remained in the well of worldly attractions. O my Prabhu Lokenath, you are my life." He also repented while remembering Shri Jiva and said, "O Prabhu, what favor you have given me, I do not know what you see me," and again he began to cry. Ramacandra said, "Tell me how Shri Rupa Gosvami has remembered me? I totally forgot him. There is no one as sinful as me in this world. When shall I get a chance to see his lotus feet?" Crying profusely Thakur Mahasaya asked them, "Tell me how is Shri Bhatta Gosvami who has told me so many things." Hearing all this the two Vaishnavas decided to stay that day. At night Narottama saw Gauranaga in his dream who told him, "Jiva has sent these two persons only to feel your pulse. You know I would eat food through the eating of the Vaishnavas. But I understand why you have offered me food for the second time. I know it is the daily practise of yours only to show respect to the customs of the Shastras." In the morning the two asked them, "Tell us where is Acarya actually living now." The two Gosvamis said, "A few day ago he went to Rarha. If you go to Jajigrama you will find him." Then they took their leave of Narottama and Ramacandra after bowing at their feet. On the eve of their departure, the two Gosvamis humbly told the Vaishnavas, "We have already dedicated ourselves to the feet of our Prabhu." The two Vaishnavas reached the outside of the village and bowed at the memory of the two great Gosvamis. They said to each other, "We have never seen such sincere disciples who have so much respect for their guru and who are so careful in serving the Vaishnavas. Now I know that Gosvami sent us here to purify ourselves after observing these two Gosvamis. We can never forget these two Gosvamis in life or death and we pray that we can always remember the feet of these two Gosvamis." In this way singing the praises of the two Gosvamis they came to Katwa and observed the idol of Mahaprabhu. After asking the local people they came to Jajigrama and visited the place where Thakura used to sit on a beautiful seat. When they bowed at his feet he asked them from where they had come and they informed him that they had come from Vrndavana. Thakura at once got up from his seat and bowed to the memory of Vrndvana by touching his hands to his head. When they conveyed all that Shri Bhatta Gosvami had said he bowed lying prostrate on the ground at the memory of Bhatta Gosvami and said, "Prabhu will now favor me as I have sunk into the well of worldly attractions." After crying for some time he then came to know all that Shri Jiva Gosvami had said to them. All the people present began to weep to hear the message of Gosvami who had sent his favor to Thakur. Thakur kept on crying saying, "He is my Prabhu, there is no one like him in all the three worlds. How kind he is for sending me so much favor. I know that you have been sent by Prabhu." In this way he spoke many humble words addressing his Prabhu. On the next morning the two Vaishnavas took their leave and took Gosvamis's permission to go to Purusottama (Puri) on their way, they took the pleasure of remembering all the favors they had received from the Gosvami and they began to think, "When can we purify ourselves? We were sent here to purify our proud minds. We have never seen a humble devotee like him or never heard in our lives such a humble confession from a human being like him or never in any Shastra read such hard religious efforts being practised by him. Our lives have gone in vain." They travelled towards the border of the South and became very much surprised to observe all the inhabitants of that place were engaged in the worship of Krishna which made them very glad. One day they came across many Vaishnavas who had assembled in the village and they asked the Vaishnavas whose disciples they were. They told them, "We have all got favors from Shyamananda." They looked after the two Vaishnavas very well. They informed them that they were from Vrndavana and wanted to meet Shyamananda as they had a message for him from Gosvami. "Tell us where he is now and we will go and meet him." The disciples of Shyamananda took the two Vaishnavas to the place of Shyamananda and the people of the village were very glad to see them. Shyamananda got up from his seat and showed his respect to the two of them. One of the disciples of Shyamananda, Murari dasa, observing his guru with his own eyes, brought a water pot and stood in front of his guru. He then washed the feet of his guru with utmost care and respect. Shyamananda asked the two Vaishnavas from where they had come and they replied that they were from Vrndavana. They informed him that Shri Jiva had sent his favors to Shyamananda. At night the two Vaishnavas thought that they had never seen such a disciple like Shyamananda or such a devotee like Murari. Shyamananda repented saying, "Who on this earth is as worthless as me? I have so long remained absorbed in futile matters and I have not thought of those gracious feet, when will he favor me." Shyamananda and Murari both began to cry falling on the ground. With the wonderful effort is was the good luck of the earth that she had got such a Vaishnava to take birth here. The two Vaishnavas decided to go back to Vrndavana instead of Kshetra. In the morning they decided to take their leave and on hearing the guru and his disciple both bowed at their feet and requested them stay for a few more days. But the two Vaishnavas humbly told them that they wanted to go to Vrndavana. Shyamananda gave them some money for their journey on the way and to tell Gosvami that there was no one as worthless as him as he had been absorbed in family life and had avoided the worship of those gracious feet. Shyamananda gave them one hundred coins and told them not to forget to give his regards to Gosvami. The two Vaishnavas greatly admired Murari and the great efforts by which he served the Vaishnavas.

In the month of Pausa, Acarya came to Jajigrama as he had heard that his mother was not well and on reaching there he found that her health was bad. In the month of Magha, his mother died. He cherished the deisre to hold a great festival to celebrate the funreal of his mother and he gathered many things for the forthcoming ceremony. He sent a letter to the king Vira Hamvira of Vishnupura who sent him many items. Many mohantas, adhikaris and Vaishnavas came to participate in the ceremony. Raghunandana and Sulochana Thakur of Khanda told Acarya to marry at this time. Acarya said that he had not as yet got the permission of Prabhu in this matter. How he could marry? Raghunandana said that there was no wrong in getting married. The only fear of a disciple lay in disobeying the orders of guru. Acarya then at last gave his consent. In the meantime the ceremony came to a close and all the invitees returned to their own houses. Sulochana and Raghunandana then took the initiative of finding a bride for Acarya and for this purpose engaged a brahmin. He told brahmin Gopaladasa of Jajigrama that Shrinivasa would make a suitable bridegroom for his daughter. He also said to Gopaladasa that he was very eager to establish a marriage relationship with a respected person like him. Gopaladasa consulted this with his younger brother Vrindavana who gave his consent to the marriage proposal. On the auspicious day of Tritiya in the month of Vaishakha the marriage took place and everyone was pleased to see the bride. The bride had two brothers, Shyamadasa and Ramcharana who took their education from Acarya. Acarya got many disciples in the meantime. So he would sometimes stay in Vishnupura and sometimes in Khetari of Bhudari. There was a brahmin by the name of Raghu Chakravarty of Gopalapur village in Rarha. He had a beautiful daughter of many high qualities who began to think that she would be fortunate enough if her father would offer her to the hands of Acarya Thakur. She told her father of her desire who became very glad. Her father went to the Acarya. He told the Acarya that he cherished the hope of offering his daughter to him in marriage. Acarya was happy with the proposal and married Padmavati and took her to his house in Vishnupura. There was no one as beautiful as her and she established a sweet relationship with the first wife of Acarya. Padmavati would sometimes visit Jajigrama. Gradually she had grown to be 25 years of age but had not had a son. The first wife of Acarya wanted a son very much. She consulted with an astrologer who consoled her saying that soon a son would be born.

One day the son of Nityananda Prabhu paid a visit to the king who welcomed him with saying he was a great fortune to the king. The king gladly served him food and looked after him. Having heard of his coming Acarya Thakur came to meet him. Acarya bowed at the feet of the son of Nityananda by lying prostrate on the ground and both of them embraced each other affectionately. The king seeing this thought to himself, who on earth was more beautiful than his Prabhu. He was the son of Prabhu Nityananda and was very beautifully looking. So Prabhu Gauranga must be the most beautiful looking of all. Acarya invited the son of Nityananda Prabhu to his house. The family members of Acarya also considered themselves very lucky to have such a guest. They busied themselves preparing food for him and offered many different types of sweets. Acarya asked the Gosvami if he would like to cook for himself and he ordered Acarya to prepare something for him soon saying that his second wife should cook for him. Acarya went into the house and ordered his second wife to cook for Gosvami and she was very glad to get the opportunity of serving the Gosvami. She prepared various items of food and arranged different varities of sweets and fruits. Acarya then informed the Gosvami that the food was ready and requested him to take his seat. He took his seat with his followers and asked Acarya to sit on his right side. The wives of Acarya served them food carefully and they all ate it very gladly. Then they requested Acarya to tell them something about Krishna. Thakura sang Gaura lila to Gosvami who at once stopped eating and began to float in joy. After washing his mouth, he took his seat and someone gave him betel leaf. Then the two wives of Acarya came with garlands, flowers and sandal paste and offered them to Gosvami. Thakurani smeared sandal paste on the body of Gosvami and put a garland on his neck and said, "I am a fortunate woman as Prabhu Viracandra has come to our house." Gosvami with his own hands put a garland on the neck of Acarya and smeared sandal paste on his body. Gosvami asked Acarya about his wives and came to know that the name of the second wife was Padma. He then asked about the children and came to know that Acarya did not have any. Thakur said, "We have no children, if you are kind enough, I know there will be a son with your features who will be powerful just like Prabhu himself. But I shall accept anything whether he is physically handicapped or not." With a smile Gosvami said, "Listen to me Acarya, you will have a son from whom will come a great heredity. From today Padma will be called Gauranga Priya and she will get a beautiful son." He gave his chewed betel leaf to her and while holding her hand transferred his own power into her. She ate it and bowed to him falling prostrate on the ground.

The next day Gosvami took his leave of the Acarya and who gave him a golden coin, a new piece of cloth and a pair of silk loin cloth for himself. Ten day after this incident Padmavati became pregnant. Two months later all the inhabitants of the place came to hear of the news and ten months later she got a beautiful son. The parents were very happy and Acarya sent a message to Gosvami about the details of his son. After two months Gosvami came to Vishnupura and visited the house of Acarya and on his arrival there was an abode of happiness. Thakur served Gosvami in various ways. On an auspicious day Gosvami gave Harinama into the ears of the child. After six months, the rice eating ceremony (Anna Prasana) took place. Then the ceremony of tying the holy thread (Paita) tookplace. The child would walk with his right leg curved and his features became as beautiful as kandarpa. Gosvami named the child Govindagati. When the child was thirteen years, Acarya invited Gosvami to his house and with his help performed the ceremony of initiation of his son. Gosvami told Acarya, "Govindagati is my very favorite, I shall be very glad if you give your son mantra (special hymns) yourself. I think you possess Chaitanya's divine love. Now believe what I am saying, you are empowered by Chaitanya and I by Nityananda. You and I are the same but others do not know it. Whoever disobeys this order of mine will not get the favor of Chaitanya." Hearing all this from Gosvami, Thakur became ecstatic in love. Gosvami embraced Acarya and told him to call in an astrologer. He advised Acarya by telling him, "Let the days be counted for the initiation of your son as it will be good for him. I shall have to leave for home soon as it is the request of my wife." Being ordered by Gosvami, Acarya called on the astrologer who after counting selected an auspicious date for the initiation. Acarya gathered many things and asked his son to sit on his left side and gave him initiation. After being initiated the boy came out of the room and falling prostrate on the ground fell at the feet of Gosvami who blessed him with a long life. Acarya then held a great festival after which he bowed at the feet of Gosvami.

On the eve of Gosvami's leaving, Acarya gave him many gifts. Acarya being satisfied blessed Acarya and said to him, "You will have many disciples who will behave with you just as your son behaves." Gosvami then took his leave of Acarya who then began to teach his son.

Due to the favor of Viracandra and the powerful initiation by Acarya, the boy gradually became very spirited and a versatile genius. The other sons of Acarya were also qualified. Due to the favor and order of Shrimati Thakurani I am able to write all these qualities of the sons of Acarya. Now dear readers, listen to the topic on Thakur Mahasaya.

After returning to his own country Thakur Mahasaya began to practise such religious rites and worship that I never have seen or heard in my life. He had been sincere in serving and worshipping Gauranga, Ballava Kanta, Krishna Raya, Vraja Mohana, Shri Radha ramana and Radha Kanta. What can I say about the sincere service of the Vaishnavas and brahmins who assisted Thakur Mahasaya? One of them would decorate the bodies of the idols, some would cook for the idols, preparing twenty five sears of boiled Atap rice everyday. Others would prepare vegetable curries, sweets, ksira of various types made of curd, sugar, milk and ghee. They would perform all these duties being conscious about the sacredness of the method of preparation. They used to cover their mouths and remain like that till they had finished preparing the items. Some brahmins would sit in a seperate part of the house and prepared parboiled rice and some Vaishnavas liked parboiled rice. The ceremony of the waving of the lights would be performed five times in the day in front of the idols and also food with betel leaves and kesturi perfume (musk) would be offered to the idols.

I am now describing the festivals performed by Thakur Mahasaya throughout the year. He would perform the birthdays celebration of Radharani and Gauranga. He used to observe the day of Gosvami's worldly disappearance and he used to arrange for a sankirtana recital in which many Vaishnavas participated and in which many different types of food would be prepared for them. Having passed the whole day in sankirtana, in the evening they would enjoy eating food. I have never seen such type of devotion to Krishna and the Vaishnavas as practised by Thakur Mahasaya. He became famous for his religious efforts in the world. Though I do not have the capacity of describing his qualities yet due to the order of my guru and for the rectification of my own soul, I took the chance of singing his praises. Ramacandra and Thakur Mahasaya were very good friends. They always used to eat or sleep or bathe together. It seemed they would think alike but were only different in features. They would only sleep for four hours at night and leave their beds in the early morning to perform the auspicious waving of lights before the idol of Gauranga. After paying homage to the idol they would go inside the house and perform their usual morning duties of cleaning their teeth, washing and taking their baths etc. After taking their baths they used to sit in the cottage worshipping and paint sectarian marks on their foreheads, to cite the hymns and go around the temple five times. Then they used to bow before the temple by falling prostrate on the ground. They used to offer water to the tulasi tree and drink the water after washing the feet with tulasi in it. Then they would busy themselves in preparing (bhoga) food for the idols. For this purpose they would gather superior quality of materials from all places. They did not speak a word when worshipping and taking Harinama which they would cite silently. They then would take their baths for the second time. After the eating of the idols they used to observe the auspicious waving of the lights before the idols by placing their hands on their breasts. After that they used to take prasada with all the other Vaishnavas. During the time of eating they would discuss Krishna with great emotion and then direct the servants to clean the eating place. Thakur Mahasaya ordered his disciples not to touch the leaf on which he had eaten. After washing his mouth he used to take a myro balan (Haritaki) while Kaviraja was in the habit of chewing betel leaves. Then last of all they would take their seats and discuss the book Bhagavata. Sometimes they would remain silent. They used to recite Harinama a lakh of times everyday. In the evening they would observe the waving of lights and dance in the kirtana before the idol. They were very strict about observing the day of the full moon. They would sing kirtana and sometimes dance and become emotional. Thakur Mahasaya would make fun of Krishna and his sports with Kaviraja. They would never take rest being indifferent to the coming of days and nights. Kaviraja's wife stayed in his house and her day to day expenses would be borne by Mahasaya. His wife had one servant and two maid servants but no children. One day something happened in her mind and she wrote a letter to Mahasaya saying, "I want to meet Kaviraja just once and then I will not call him again. Please do send him to see me if possible." One day while they were sitting discussing about Krishna, Thakur Mahasaya told Ramacandra to go to his house just once but Kaviraja did not pay any attention to him." Again on another day he told Ramacandra, "It is my wish that you should go once to your house. Again you can return the next morning." In the afternoon of that day after taking prasada, Ramacandra went to his house feeling very depressed at being separated from Thakur Mahasaya. Thakur Mahasaya became very sad for not having the company of Ramacandra and used to keep silent all the time. On the way to his home, Kaviraja began to think about many things. He began to revolt in his mind at the thought of spending the night in his home but he could not change his mind as he had made a promise to Thakur Mahasaya. He knew that he would not find any joy in his house. So he halted on the way for the night and in the morning came to Khetari and entered the Rasamandala where he found that the priest had already started waving lights before the idol. Kaviraj began cleaning the place with a broom. In the meantime Thakur Mahasaya came out of the room and saw Kaviraj from the corner of his eyes. But Kaviraj did not see him as he was happily absorbed in cleaning the place. When he realised Thakur Mahasaya was there he began to hit his back with the broom and Thakur Mahasaya not being able to bear it placed his hands on his own back requesting Kaviraja to stop it saying that he could feel the pain on his own back. How can I describe as to what happened at that time? The back of Thakur Mahasaya began to swell at once. He then placed his hand on the back of Kaviraja and the two of them began to cry holding each other. Only Gaura Raya knew how deep was the love between the two of them.

Ramacandra and Narottama were of the same heart just like Ramkrishna and Harirama. One day while discussing about Krishna, both of them, Harirama and Ramkrishna strolled in the path. A Kulia brahmin named Ganganarayana Chakvarty began to criticise them saying that it had been written in the scriptures that Vaishnavas were more qualified than brahmins. They told him, "Being ignorant about the actual facts why do you become angry and criticise the scriptures? The activities of the brahmins are different from those of the Vaishnavas." In this way the three of them had a debate. Ramkrishna said to Ganganarayana, "He who though belonging to a brahmin class does not perform his duties and who does not know that Krishna is the only Prabhu, is a great sinner." Ganganarayana said, "What a queer thing; do you know that if a brahmin does not practise Gayatri mantra (to be practised by a brahmin after taking the holy thread) regularly, he cannot attain spiritual salvation? I know that you have read many scriptures but you are still ignorant and have ruined both the classes of brahmins and Vaishnavas." They said, "O Chakravarty, listen to us. You should know that there is a brahmin who himself has delivered all the brahmins. Shri Krishna Chaitanya appearing in this Kali-yuga, with his companions has gratified the universe. He has delivered many poor souls except these two worthless souls like us. There are two persons in Gadera Hatta and Khetari who are the embodiments of Shri Krishna Chaitanya himself." They began to sing the praise of those two persons and became ecstatic in love while doing so. Ganganarayana became overwhelmed to observe the state of mind of these two brahmins. At last after thinking for a long time, Ganganarayana said to the two brahmins very politely, "It is very good that you have explained all this to me. Now please come to my house, we shall discuss something more there and find out whether you are right and I am wrong." He took them to his house and gave them some food. At night the three of them sat down to discuss and came to the conclusion that without any attainment of the gracious feet of Krishna, there is no way of salvation for a brahmin. Caste, Shastra, meditation etc., everything of a person become futile if any person had no devotional mentality for God. In the process of purifying one's soul by means of action (Kriyayoga), the way of salvation of a brahmin has been worked out. If a brahmin took a pure soul as his guru and followed him with utmost sincerity, he could attain salvation. They said to Ganganarayana, "In this case we can say that you are somewhat fortunate as though it is not true you have taken the untruth as a truth and followed it with utmost care in your life." Ganganarayana said, "Oh my brothers, take me into your confidence and save me from sin. Now my eyes have become opened to the real truth." He began to lament miserably. They said, "Listen to us, go and find a real guru and take refuge at his feet. Then you will find your way." Talking in this way, all three started off in the morning. Ganganarayana being very much agrieved said, "How can a worthless person like myself obtain the favor of Thakur Mahasaya?" While thinking so, they entered Khetari and went to the house of Thakur Mahasaya. On entering into the house they first of all observed the idol of Gauranga. They told Ganganarayana to wait in a hiding place and both of them went to see Shri Thakur Mahasaya and bowed at his feet. Thakur asked about their well being and also the places from where they had come. They requested him with folded hands to meet a person who was eagerly waiting to meet him. Thakur Mahasaya asked them, "What is the name of the person and for what purpose has he come?" They said, "He has come only to see your gracious feet." He said, "Go and bring him here." Ramkrishna went outside to bring Ganganarayana who kept on observing the divine beauty of Prabhu Gauranga Raya. After bowing at his feet, Ganganarayana started crying helplessly and said, "There is no one as worthless as me in all the three worlds. I never tried in my life to obtain the feet of Prabhu and I am a great sinner and I am afraid that I cannot get your favor as I am so guilty of doing so many sinful deeds." As he bowed to his feet, Thakur Mahasaya put his hand on his head and said, "You will get favor from Prabhu Lokenath."

Harirama and Ramkrishna were still there. He ran to them and fell at their feet. Both of them embraced him very warmly. Ganganarayana said, "It is the kindness of both of you that I am able to observe the feet of Prabhu." In the meantime Ramacandra Kaviraja came to that place and bowed to the feet of Thakur Mahasaya by falling on the ground. Thakur Mahasaya favored him very much and he regarded Kaviraja as his very life.

Ramkrishna with his two brothers got themselves initiatied by Thakur Mahasaya to the hymns of Radha Krishna. Mahasaya directed them about the principles of worship and meditation and the method of citing the hymns silently. Ramkrishna was a man of good devotional qualities who used to engage himself in studying the religious books and obtained perfection in this therefore very soon. I will now tell abour Haricandra Raya who came one day to meet Thakur Mahasaya. He had been a very wicked person but by the favor of Thakur Mahasaya he became a changed person. The landlord of Jalapantha was a very influential man but of no good qualities. Due to the favor of Thakur Mahasaya, that landlord became a highly devotional person and completely surrended to the feet of his guru. He had been very sincere in his worship and a man of humble disposition. He used to serve the Vaishnavas with utmost care. One day he came to that place to pay homage to Thakur Mahasaya. He offered not only trifle things but also his everything to the feet of Thakur Mahasaya. Then Hari, Ramkrishna and Ganganarayana said humbly to Prabhu, "Please direct us as to how we can carry on in our worship. How we can get the feet of Radha Krishna?" Thakur told them, "Listen to me carefully, sit by my side. According to Shri Rupa, you should follow the religious method as practised by Mahaprabhu. There are many types and methods of religion to be followed by others. He used to put stress on sincere devotion instead of doing activities. He thinks by giving up efforts of activities, mankind can obtain the favor of Krishna. The human being should keep in mind that serving Krishna is the only way to get Him. Household life is always dealt with by various types of duties and activities and in it mankind is also bound by material love and attractions. His advice is to give up family life. You know it is the method of worship and meditation. All the material duties related to household life are of no use. You should keep yourself away from family life and absorb in religion. Wise persons and accomplished saints used to follow the same way. You should be undaunted in performing your religious duties. For this purpose has given two processes which you should follow strictly. Now listen to what are the proofs of the sayings according to Shri Rupa. The real essence of religion lies in simple things. Chaitanya has empowered Nityananda. Advaita and other associates are the most favorite followers of Prabhu. All of these have taken Prabhu as the only God. I am also a worthless person but I cannot completely rely on the feet of my guru. Advaita, Sanatana and others are the only life to me and so also Lokenath Bhatta and his brother. This is all I can tell you as I know nothing else besides this. I am not afraid of anybody as I have my guru with me."

They asked him, "If we want to remain in family life, do we have to avoid some duties such as performing the sraddha ceremony of relatives, meeting the loans made by a mother or father? In these cases what should we do?" Thakur said, "Shri Rupa has given some ways to get out of this. But first of all listen to what the scriptures say." In this way he explained some of the meaning of some of the hymns from other scriptures. They bowed at the feet of Prabhu and asked, "Are there many problems in family life? How can we save ourselves from all these difficulties?" Kaviraja replied, "O my dear friends, he who can discard all these difficulties by remaining indifferent can save devotion out of all these trifle matters. One should everyday pray to God for the fulfillment of his accomplishments. The perfection in sincere devotion becomes possible for one who can discard the attractions of this material world and trifle activities. If one tries to do any action which is against devotional methods, one should be guilty of breaking the rules of the scriptures."

Kaviraja after bowing to his feet said again, "Worship of Krishna is not always advised to be done, even in the lives of the ladies of Vraja there has been proof of it. He who remains unmoved even in such circumstances is known as the greatest devotee of all. He who can remain indifferent to family life and serve the Vaishnavas and worship Krishna can attain the happiness of Vrndavana after his death. Heaven and Vrndavana are all the same. If someone tries to disobey the order of Guru and follow the rules of the scriptures only, it seems that he is afraid of being guilty of violating the rules of the Shastras. But if one's guru is with one always then what harm can the Shastras do to one?" In reply to all these questions Thakur Mahasaya that day explained Shri Rupa's book Prema Bhakti Candrika.

In this book the sentiments of devotion has been clearly explained. For the good of his disciples Thakur Mahasaya had preached the theories of Shri Rupa everywhere. Again Shri Kaviraja said to them, "Listen to me as to what is the method of worship. It is the advise of Shri Rupa which he himself has practised that we should make numerous disciples(?)." All the sayings of Shri Rupa in his book cannot be grasped by anyone who has not got a real guru. It is the advise of Shri Rupa to always avoid the company and contact of talking to such persons, even avoid eating with them and sever all relations with them. The pride of class, clan or wealth is always against the method of devotion. The guru himself should follow religion and teach his disciples to do the same. The diverse is always to be regarded as faults. The Shastras, sayings of saintly persons and the words of the guru should be taken as the same in body, mind and words."

Kaviraja again making himself humble asked Thakur Mahasaya, "It is a very stiff and difficult method to be practised but if I can get your favor I may be able to accomplish it. I know that the word of the guru is final but what can I do if any questions arise in me about the real method of worship? Please explain to me as to what a Vaishnava should do in connection with religious practises?" Thakur Mahasaya said, "Enjoy and remember the sports of Krishna with a pure mind and body. Try to treat your guru as a confidant. All the confidants of Krishna would treat him differently, so you should discuss with your guru. Try to think of yourself as one of the members of the family of confidants. Try to be a sincere servant always remaining with your guru. The methods of serving Krishna are of various kinds. Sometimes try to serve and sometimes only try to observe the serving of others. The confidants used to serve Krishna by fannign him or offering perfumes of Kasturi and saffron. But always try to serve guru in the kunja (grove). You should go with your guru wherever he wishes to go. This type of sincerity is called Parakiya. If you please your guru, you can please Prabhu." Kaviraja asked, "What is meant by Svakiya sincerity?" Thakur Mahasaya replied with a smile, "Krishna's love for Radhika is Parakiya but the attraction here is more stronger than anything. It has been explained in the book Rasa Lila. The place where Radha Krishna used to sport always is the most holy place where meeting and separation are both eternal." Kaviraj said, "Please explain to me what the time limit is in this sphere." Thakur Mahasaya said, "It is of two kinds namely gross (sthula) and subtle (sukshma). Shri Rupa and Raghunath gave their opinions in this connection. Some say Astakala and some otherwise (Astakala literally means eight divisions of time or eight incarnations or eight births). I have heard from my guru that Panchakala had been the high time of Radha and her confidants. Try to keep this opinion in your mind. Try to be a sincere servant instead of mixing with undesired persons." After saying so much Thakur Mahasaya gave all of them the holy hymns to be worshipped silently. He told everyone that his accomplishments would depend on how much sincerity he was applying in following the principles of serving Prabhu. Kaviraj asked, "Then what is the normal method?" Thakur Mahasaya said, "What Shri Krishna Chaitanya had said formerly is all the same as what Shri Rupa has said. Gosvami's opinion is to practise religious formalities lawfully (Vaidiraga Sadhana) which the wise people always used to keep in their minds. Not realising it fully many persons used to speak in different ways. The worship of the body only depends on complete reliance on the gracious feet of the guru. One should worship the three, i.e. Krishna, guru and the Vaishnavas in one's Bhavamaya Deha. All parts of the body can be employed in worshipping and getting Krishna. This is called Raganuga Bhakti. By following this type of Bhakti, the gross and subtle, both bodies can attain accomplishments. If the body is devotionless, then accomplishment is nil in that case. Gosvami says that accomplished bodies always remain invisible. The Harinama cited by Shri Chaitanya is just like the Pancha nama given by Shri Rupa. Harinama is the greatest of all names in the sphere of love."

"Prabhu used to take nama three lakh times a day and he had favored one lakh of devotees. Shri Rupa had written one lakh books and he used to cite one lakh nama everyday. Dasa Gosvami used to cite one lakh times the Harinama. Gauranga himself had advised Shri Rupa(?) that the Vaishnavas should cite harinama at least one lakh times daily. Harinama is like a wishing tree to all devotees." Hearing all these precious teachings, they all bowed at the feet of Thakur Mahasaya who favored them by putting his hand on their heads. I, the poet am only trying to write according to the wish of my Prabhu. What I have written may have some mistakes and misinterpretations which are against devotion, but I think that this fault is only a portion among hundreds of faults done by others. Someone used to cite Harinama while some do not. Some after performing only one or two portions would become afraid. Some types of disciples used to follow blindly their Guru's directions about the religious practises without knowing their real causes and effects. Some types of people would follow the methods directed by some wise persons. Some would not do so till the end. Some wise persons were of the opinion that it was the method of attaining Krishna while others used to say otherwise. Those people could not realise that this type of their repression (Nigraha) had been given by Krishna Himself and ultimately they gave up the real way of attaining accomplishments. Those who could continue their religious practises by discarding trifle interests, could remain undaunted even at the time of death. Those who tried to get material gains by giving up interests in Krishna and used to sell words instead of engaging themselves in worshipping Krishna, their life invariably went in vain. Now I am explaining the intentions of those who pose to be Vaishnavas and for this purpose what are their efforts. Some Vaishnavas used to follow strictly the religious practises on their own; by doing so they used to say that they have got acknowledgement from Krishna. Some would address him as Thakura and some as Bada Mahasaya. In this way those Acaryas would waste their time. They did not know even what was right and what was wrong and used to be absorbed in duties towards family life which had been adverse to the principles of the Shastras. That Vaishnava used to make numerous disciples and regard himself as an accomplished person. He used to earn much money from the many disciples and would never go to serve the Vaishnavas and remain interested in serving and nursing his own family members. He never tried to perform festivals with regard to Krishna and would give his children in marriage in a Kulina family. He would give dowry, sometimes about hundred coins and would say proudly that it was called devotion and sincerity to Krishna. While he used to boast that he had discarded the Shastra or Saiva religious, in the Bhagavata it is called very small imitation. He would behave in a rough manner with the parents of bride and regard himself as a great Kulina. He would worship Krishna most negligently and to worship other deities only the pretext of well being and good fortune. From all this it can be understood that he wasted the golden days of his lifetime. In my opinion I think that everyone should discard the above mentioned faults. I suggest that one always does good deeds in this life and then one can get much pleasure from one's second birth. The happiness in one's present birth depends on the good deeds performed by one in one's former birth. I shall also suggest to be very cautious about doing any forbidden activities. I wish I could follow always the word of my Shri Guru, Vaishnavas and Prabhu and by no means get myself mixing with bad elements.

I wish I could always keep in my mind the feet of Shri Jahnava and Viracandra and in this way Nityananda dasa writes Prem Vilasa.