Lord Caitanya's Jagannatha Deities

 

                                                           .Lord Caitanya's Jagannatha Deities
Sri Rangam
In the year 1510 A.D., Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu traveled to South India, spending four months of Caturmasya Vrata, the monsoon season, at the home of a brahman known as Vyenkatta Bhatta. During His stay, the Lord converted the entire family from Ramanuja Vaisnavism to Krsna Bhakti (Gaudiya Vaisnavism). In his paper entitled Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Srila B.V. Puri Goswami of Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mission, Ganjam, Orissa, states that Lord Caitanya's discourse on the fundamental principles of rasa in Srimad Bhagavatam converted the whole family of Venkata Bhatta from the worship of Laksmi-Narayana to the worship of Sri Sri Radha-Krishna.Vyenkatta Bhatta's son, Gopala, who was seven years old at the time, served Lord Chaitanya continuously during His stay and developed an intense love for Him. When Lord Chaitanya was ready to depart, Venkata Bhatta fainted, and young Gopala Bhatta's eyes filled with tears. To please the boy, Lord Chaitanya agreed to stay for a few more days. During this time, Gopala Bhatta had a vision in which Mahaprabhu revealed Himself as Lord Krsna. The Lord told Gopala that one day he would meet two jewel-like devotees in Vrindavan— Rupa Goswami and Sanatana Goswami. Waking from the dream, Gopala wanted to leave at once for Vrindavan, but Mahaprabhu told him to stay at home and serve his parents. As predicted by the vision, young Gopala later went to Vrindavan and became one of the illustrious Six Goswamis.
While staying in Vyenkatta Bhatta's family asrama, Lord Caitanya became very lonely for Lord Jagannath in Puri. In this mood of separation, Mahaprabhu lovingly carved His own set of Jagannatha Deities, which reside to this day not far from the Bhatta family's original home. The family descendants of Vyenkata Bhatta also continue to live at Srirangam.
The Deities of Lord Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra carved by Mahaprabhu are extremely beautiful and captivating. Their Lordships are seen here in pictures that were taken over several years, the more recent ones being obvious because the Deities had been repainted.

There are several other divine personalities residing in the temple enclosure along with Lord Caitanya's Jagannatha Deities, including Lord Nrsimhadeva, Laksmi Devi, and Sudarsana. Outside this Jagannatha matha is a monument with Mahaprabhu's footprints. A board outside the shrine reads, in Tamil:
"A treasure that cannot be found. The source of the Hare Krishna Hare Rama mahamantra, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's (who is an Avatra of Sri Krishna) footprints is found here. All devotees are requested to chant this mahamantra and gain happiness."

                                                                          Mahaprabhu's Footprints monument

A small picture depicts all of the transcendental symbols found on Mahaprabhu's Lotus Feet. On the monument slab itself is written:

"Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu visited the place in the year 1510 and stayed for four months at Srirangam."

There are many paintings in the Jagannatha matha depicting Caitanya Mahaprabhu's pastimes at Sri Rangam. In the center hall of the temple is a diorama of the Lord and the Jagannatha Deities Sri Caitanya carved.

In his article entitled Sri Rai Ramananda, HDG Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur wrote the following narration of Lord Caitanya's travels in South India, and His time spent at Sri Rangam:
"Spending a few days with Ramananda on Krishna topics Sri Chaitanya in His progress through the South visited Mangalgiri in Guntur, Ahobilam in Karnul and Tirupati in Chittur Districts. He visited almost all the shrines of Tamil country. He had been to Conjiveram, Sri Rangam, Madura, Shiyali, Kumbakonam, Tanjore and saw several shrines in the Tinnevelly District and in the Travancore State where He saw Janardana and Ananta Padmanabha, Adikeshava and Kanya Kumari before He visited Payoshni and the Western-coast shrines.
At Sri Rangam He lived for four months in the house of a Sri vaishnava, who had migrated to that place, named Venkata Bhatta, with whom He had a comparative discussion of the principles of majesty (aishvarya) and mellow attraction (madhurya). It resulted in the conversion of his brother Prabodhananda, a tridandi sannyasin, and his son Gopala Bhatta who turned out to be one of the six principal disciples at Vrindavan.

At Tiruvattar He picked up the Fifth Chapter of Brahma Samhita which bore testimony to the highest excellence of Krishna and His pastimes together with a nice delineation of the diverse conception of the kathenotheists, He visited several places on the Western coast including Shringeri, Udipi, Todri, Gokarna, etc. At Udipi He was misunderstood as a mayavadi sannyasin, i.e., as being a recluse of the impersonal school; but theistic discourses turned the tables against the holders of this wrong view. It was stated by the other side that the procedure of fruitive work would lead to salvation. But He established bhakti to be both the means and the end of all activities, which could not be denied by the successors of the Madhva School. He approved their doctrine that the object of worship and the fountainhead of all different aspects of Vishnu is Krishna, the all-embracing resort of all rasas and who is the presiding deity of the Madhva School.
He went to Kolahpur and visited other places on His way back to Purusottam Kshetra (Puri), including Pandharpur where His elder brother Vishwarupa, known as Swami Sankararanya, left His body on the bank of the river Bhima.

On returning to Puri He met His former comrades of Nadia, including Thakur Haridas and Damodar Swarup. He rejoined Ramananda Rai and Vasudav Sarvabhauma and His Utkal followers. People from Nadia went to Puri to have a sight of the Supreme Lord Who returned thither after visiting all the shrines of the South, including East and West coast, and after meeting all the then religious heads."

fonte :

http://www.bvml.org/SCM/deities/index.html

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu

Shri Gauranga Mahaprabhu
excerpted from Part 2 chapter 1 of Sri Navadvip-dham Parikrma by Shri Shrimad Bhaktivedanta Narayan Gosvami Maharaja.

Antardvipa’s central point, the Maha-yogapitha, is the appearance-place of the Lord, and is also known as Mayapura. This Antardvipa consists of Ballala-dighi (Prithu-kunda), a portion of Vamana-pukura, Shrinathapura, Ganga-nagara and other places. Shri Jagannatha Mishra’s house was within the present Vamana-pukura. Although Shriman Mahaprabhu eternally performs pastimes here, only fortunate souls can witness them.

When the foundation to the present grand Yogapitha Temple in Mayapura was being dug, a small four-armed deity was found. This deity had been worshipped by Shri Jagannatha Mishra, whose temple was located in that spot. And just nearby, under a large neem tree, Nimai took birth from Shri Shachi-devi’s womb. Shachi-devi’s father, Shri Nilambara Cakravarti, was a renowned scholar of astrology and logic. Shachi-devi was highly chaste, devout and the embodiment of mercy. Her eight daughters died at birth, one after the other. She then gave birth to an extraordinary son named Shri Vishvarupa. He was learned in the scriptures, peaceful in nature and benevolent. He was omniscient and his intellect was unparalleled. Although he was incomparably beautiful, he was completely detached from sense enjoyment. Nimai took birth after Vishvarupa.

Nimai was none other than Vrajendra-nandana Shri Krishna Himself who had accepted the mood and lustre of Shri Radha. He chose to appear in this world for several reasons among which four are prominent:

(1) To propagate the yuga-dharma, or the religious practice for the age. This is the congregational chanting of the holy names (shri-nama-sankirtana).
(2) To distribute what had never been given before – unnatojjvala-prema, transcendental love in the elevated amorous mellow.
(3) To respond to the entreaty of Shri Advaita Acharya, who was perturbed by the extremely irreligious state of the world at that time. Shri Advaita Acharya had wor-shipped Shri Krishna with Ganga water and tulasi leaves, and thus induced the Lord to appear.
(4) To fulfil His three confidential desires. Krishna, who is supremely merciful and the enjoyer of all transcenden-tal mellows, accepted the mood and lustre of Shri Radha and appeared as Shri Gauranga:
(a) to taste the greatness of Shrimati Radhika’s prema,
(b) to personally taste, as Shrimati Radhika does, all the sweetness of His form, and
(c) to taste Shrimati Radhika’s happiness when She relishes His sweetness.

Shri Gauranga Mahaprabhu took birth on 23rd Phalguna in the Shakabda Era 1407, that is [according to the Christian Era] 28th February, 1486. It was a full-moon day, and He appeared at twilight. There was a lunar eclipse that evening, and everywhere hundreds of thousands of people were singing the glories of Hari. In such a glorious atmosphere, which was surcharged with the chanting of the holy name, He appeared from the womb of Shri Shachi-devi. Because He took birth under a neem tree He was named Nimai, and because His complexion was golden in lustre, He became known as Gauranga (golden-limbed). The ladies exclaimed, “Hari Bol, Hari Bol!” and that abode resounded continuously with the vibration of the holy names.

Nimai’s childhood nature was extremely restless, just like Shri Krishna’s. Once, in the house of Jagannatha Mishra, He caught a snake and proceeded to play with it. Another time He climbed upon the shoulders of a thief and rode on them throughout the town. On an Ekadashi day He begged for the food that was being offered to the deity in the house of a devotee. He cried often, and only stopped when someone chanted the holy names, at which He broke out into loud peals of laughter. Sometimes, on His way home from school He would play games in the Ganga with the other children. When His elder brother Vishvarupa accepted the renounced order, however, Nimai’s behaviour became more subdued and He studied at Shri Gangadasa’s school, which He attended with Gadadhara, Damodara, Jagadananda, Mukunda and other boys. Later He established a Sanskrit school in His own home where He taught grammar.

At one of the Ganga’s ghatas in Antardvipa, He crushed the pride of a champion of erudition named Keshava Kashmiri and instructed him in bhajana. In Antardvipa He was married twice; first to Shri Lakshmipriya-devi, and after she left this world, to Shri Vishnupriya-devi. It was from here that He travelled to Gaya, where Shri Ishvara Puri initiated Him into the chanting of Shri Krishna’s names. When He returned He had become transformed into an exalted devotee who constantly tasted transcendental sentiments. Finally, in a mood of detachment, He left His aged mother and His wife Vishnupriya and crossed the Ganga to accept the renounced order in Katava.

Later, in Shantipura, His mother requested Him to take up His residence in Puri-dhama instead of Vrindavana, and He agreed to do this. He later left Puri to travel throughout South India where He discussed bhakti-tattva with Shri Ramananda Raya on the bank of the river Godavari. In all, He remained based in Puri-dhama for twenty-four years, the first six of which were spent travelling to Vrindavana, South India and other places. During the remaining eighteen years He experienced an unceasing restlessness caused by feelings of separation from Krishna. Svarupa Damodara and Raya Ramananda were able to pacify Shriman Mahaprabhu’s specific moods by reciting appropriate verses from Shrimad-Bhagavatam, or by singing songs by Chandidasa, Vidyapati, or from Jayadeva Gosvami’s Gita-Govinda. He had conducted His married life as an ideal house-holder, and when He renounced it, He lived a life of complete detachment. In this way He set the example how to engage in the ideal, renounced life of bhajana.

When Shriman Mahaprabhu accepted sannyasa, the lives of Mother Shachi and Vishnupriya-devi became filled with intolerable separation from Him. At that time, they were cared for by Ishana Thakura and Shri Vamshi-vadanananda. In separation from Mahaprabhu, Vishnupriya-devi forgot to eat, drink or tend to other bodily needs. Indeed, she forgot everything, and became extremely weak and frail. She simply chanted the maha-mantra from morning to noon, and for each mantra she chanted, she put aside one grain of rice. At noon she prepared that rice and offered it to Shri Radha-Krishna and her deity of Mahaprabhu. She then offered the prasada to Shachi-devi, who would accept some and leave the rest, which amounted to a mere handful, for Vishnupriya-devi. With a restless heart she remembered Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu day and night, and as she chanted the holy name, she wept. Faithful devotees received darshana of her lotus feet only after repeated requests.

Unable to tolerate separation from Shriman Mahaprabhu, Vaishnavas like Shri Nityananda Prabhu, Shri Advaita Acharya and Shrivasa Pandita gradually moved away from Navadvipa to reside elsewhere. Later, when the Ganga flooded a large part of Navadvipa, the inhabitants of Navadvipa moved to the western bank, called Kuliya-Pahadapura.

More on Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's sankirtan movement

Sri Caitanya pioneered a great social and spiritual movement in India over five hundred years ago, which today continues to spread its profound influence worldwide. While man in the West was exploring outward in the physical universe, in India Sri Krishna Caitanya was exploring inward, exhibiting unparalleled spiritual potency, and discovering the truths of consciousness and transcendental reality. As a young boy he overwhelmed astounded scholars, establishing his own school at the age of sixteen. Within his lifetime, Sri Caitanya transformed India in four respects: philosophically, by defeating the greatest philosophers of his day; socially, by opposing the blindly rigid caste system; politically, by organizing India's first civil disobedience movement against repression by the Mohammedan government; and spiritually, by freely distributing nonsectarian love of God. Sri Caitanya is the Golden Avatar, the incarnation of Krishna in this age. He has come to freely distribute the most elevated mood of loving devotion by chanting the Holy names of the Supreme Personality of Godhead: Sri Krsna.

Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu instructed His disciples to write books on the science of Krsna, a task which His followers have continued to carry out down to the present day. The elaborations and expositions on the philosophy taught by Lord Caitanya are, in fact, the most voluminous, exacting, and consistent, due to the system of disciplic succession. Although Lord Caitanya was widely renowned as a scholar in His youth, He left only eight verses, called Siksastaka. These eight verses clearly reveal His mission and precepts. These supremely valuable prayers are translated herein.

1
ceto-darpana-marjanam bhava-maha--davagni-nirvapanam
sreyah-kairava-candrika-vitaranam vidya-vadhu-jivanam
anandambudhi-vardhanam prati-padam purnamrtasvadanam
sarvatma-snapanam param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam

Glory to the sri-krsna-sankirtana, which cleanses the heart of all the dust accumulated for years and extinguishes the fire of conditional life, of repeated birth and death. This sankirtana movement is the prime benediction for humanity at large because it spreads the rays of the benediction moon. It is the life of all transcendental knowledge. It increases the ocean of transcendental bliss, and it enables us to fully taste the nectar for which we are always anxious.

2
namnam akari bahudha nija-sarva-saktis
tatrarpita niyamitah smarane na kalah
etadrsi tava krpa bhagavan mamapi
durdaivam idrsam ihajani nanuragah

O my Lord, Your holy name alone can render all benediction to living beings, and thus You have hundreds and millions of names, like Krsna and Govinda. In these transcendental names You have invested all Your transcendental energies. There are not even hard and fast rules for chanting these names. O my Lord, out of kindness You enable us to easily approach You by Your holy names, but I am so unfortunate that I have no attraction for them.

3
trnad api sunicena
taror api sahisnuna
amanina manadena
kirtaniyah sada harih

One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige, and should be ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.

4
na dhanam na janam na sundarim
kavitam va jagad-isa kamaye
mama janmani janmanisvare
bhavatad bhaktir ahaituki tvayi

O almighty Lord, I have no desire to accumulate wealth, nor do I desire beautiful women nor do I want any number of followers. I only want Your causeless devotional service, birth after birth.

5
ayi nanda-tanuja kinkaram
patitam mam visame bhavambudhau
krpaya tava pada-pankaja-
sthita-dhuli-sadrsam vicintaya

O son of Maharaja Nanda (Krsna], I am Your eternal servitor, yet somehow or other I have fallen into the ocean of birth and death. Please pick me up from this ocean of death and place me as one of the atoms at Your lotus feet.

6
nayanam galad-asru-dharaya
vadanam gadgada-ruddhaya gira
pulakair nicitam vapuh kada
tava nama-grahane bhavisyati

O my Lord, when will my eyes be decorated with tears of love flowing constantly when I chant Your holy name? When will my voice choke up, and when will the hairs of my body stand on end at the recitation of Your name?

7
yugayitam nimesena
caksusa pravrsayitam
sunyayitam jagat sarvam
govinda-virahena me

O Govinda! Feeling Your separations I am considering a moment to be like twelve years or more. Tears are flowing from my eyes like torrents of rain, and I am feeling all vacant in the world in Your absence.

8

aslisya va pada-ratam pinastu mam
adarsanan marma-hatam karotu va
yatha tatha va vidadhatu lampato
mat-prana-nathas tu sa eva naparah

I know no one but Krsna as my Lord, and He shall remain so even if He handles me roughly by His embrace or makes me brokenhearted by not being present before me. He is completely free to do anything and everything, for He is always my worshipful Lord, unconditionally.

fonte :

http://www.purebhakti.com/teachers/bhakti-yoga-masters/770-sri-caitanya-mahaprabhu.html

Life of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

by : Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja.

Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda

Prayers in Worship of Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda

These are verses in praise of Lord Sri Caitanya (Nimai), the most recent incarnation of the Supreme, Lord Krishna, who appeared 500 years ago. Then there is the 108 names of Lord Caitanya. These are followed by prayers to Lord Nityananda (Nitai), the incarnation of Lord Krishna's brother, Balarama.

[See my articles on Sri Caitanya and Nityananda Mahaprabhu to learn more about Them.]

Prayers to Lord Caitanya

svardhunyash charu-tire sphuritam ati-brihat-kurma-prishthabha-gatram

ramyaramavritam san-mani-kanaka-mahasadma-sanghaih paritam

nityam pratyalayodyat-pranaya-bhara-lasat-krishna-sankirtanadhyam

shri-vrindatavy-abhinnam tri-jagad-anupamam shri-navadvipam ide

"I praise that holy dham, Navadvipa, which, being entirely nondifferent from Shri Vrindavana, is completely different from the material world consisting of the three planetary systems. It is situated on the gorgeous banks of the Ganges covered by beautiful groves and gardens appearing in form like the back of a gigantic turtle. Situated there are many great palatial houses made of gold bedecked with brilliant jewels, where Krishna-sankirtana is always being performed in the mellow of ecstatic love."

shriman-mauktikadama-baddha-chikuram susmera-chandrananam

shri-khandaguru-charu-chitra-vasanam srag-divya-bhashanchitam

nrityavesha-rasanumoda-madhuram kandarpa-veshojjvalam

caitanyam kanaka-dyutim nija-janaih samsevyamanam bhaje

"I worship Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who is being served by all His devotees and associates; whose hair is bound with strings of pearls; on whose moonlike face is the nectar of His gentle smile. His beautiful golden body is covered with lovely garments and various shining ornaments. He is so charming, being absorbed as He is in the enjoyment of sweet mellows in dancing, and is more splendid in His dress than even Cupid himself."

yad advaitam brahmopanishadi tad apy asya tanu-bha

ya atmantaryami purusha iti so 'syamsha-vibhavaha

shad-aishvaryaih purno ya iha bhagavan sa svayam ayam

na chaitanyat krishnaj jagati para-tattvam param iha

"What the Upanishads describe as the impersonal Brahman is but the effulgence of His body, and the Lord known as the Supersoul is but His localized plenary portion. He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna Himself, full with six opulences. He is the Absolute Truth, and no other truth is greater than or equal to Him." (Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi-lila 1.3)

anarpita-charim chirat karunayavatirnah kalau

samarpayitum unnatojjvala-rasam sva-bhakti-shriyam

harih purata-sundara-dyuti-kadamba-sandipitaha

sada hridaya-kandare sphuratu vah shacinandanaha

"May that Lord, who is known as the son of Srimati Shacidevi, be transcendentally situated in the innermost chambers of your heart. Resplendent with the radiance of molten gold. He has appeared in the age of Kali by His causeless mercy to bestow what no incarnation ever offered before: the most sublime and radiant spiritual knowledge of the mellow taste of His service." (Cc. Adi, 1.4.)

radha krishna-pranaya-vikritir hladini-shaktir asmad

ekatmanav api bhuvi pura deha-bhedam gatau tau

chaitanyakhyam prakatam adhuna tad-dvayam chaikyam aptam

radha-bhava-dyuti-suvalitam naumi krishna-svarupam

"The loving affairs of Sri Radha and Krishna are transcendental manifestations of the Lord's internal pleasure-giving potency. Although Radha and Krishna are one in Their identity, They have separated Themselves eternally. Now these two transcendental identities have again united in the form of Sri Krishna Caitanya. I bow down to Him, who has manifested Himself with the sentiment and complexion of Shrimati Radharani although He is Krishna Himself." (Cc.Adi,1.5)

shri-radhayah pranaya-mahima kidrisho vanayaiva-

svadyo yenadbhuta-madhurima kidrisho va madiyaha

saukhyam chasya mad-anubhavatah kidrisham veti lobhat

tad-bhavadhyah samajani shachi-garbha-sindhau harinduhu

"Desiring to understand the glory of Radharani's love, the wonderful qualities in Him that she alone relishes through Her love, and the happiness She feels when She realizes the sweetness of His love, the Supreme Lord Hari, richly endowed with Her emotions, appears from the womb of Srimati Shachidevi, as the moon appears from the ocean." (Cc. Adi. 1.6)

dheyeyam sada paribhava-ghnam abhishta-doham

tirthaspadam shiva-virinchi-mutam sharanyam

bhrilyarti-ham pranata-pala-bhavabdhi-potam

vande mahapurusha te charanaravindam

"O Supreme Personality of Godhead, O protector of the surrendered souls, You are now playing the role of Your own devotee, and Your lotus feet are the only object of perpetual meditation for the pure living entities. They destroy the material existence of the living entity. They are the fulfiller of all desires, the abode of all holy places, worshipable even by Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva, the shelter of all that exists, the destroyer of the troubles of Your devotees and the only boat for crossing over the ocean of material existence. Therefore I offer my obeisances unto Your lotus feet." (Bhagavatam 11.5.33)

tyaktva-sudustyaja-surepsita-rajya-laksmim

dharmishtha arya-vachasa yadagad aranyam

maya-mrigam dayitayepsitam anvadhavad

vande mahapurusha te charanaravindam

"O Mahaprabhu, You have given up the goddess of fortune (Lakshmi, Your wife), whose glance is desired by the great demigods, and who is the most difficult attachment to renounce. In order to keep the word of some brahmana's curse, You have gone to the forest. Thus to show Your great mercy to the helpless living entities who are following maya--the illusory energy--You have chased after them to give them Your own devotional service. Therefore I offer my humble obeisances unto Your lotus feet." (Bhagavatam 11.5.34)

pancha-tattvatmakam krishnam

bhakta-rupa-svarupakam

bhaktavataram bhaktakhyam

namami bhakta-shaktikam

"I bow down to Lord Krishna, who appears as a devotee (Lord Caitanya), as His personal expansion (Sri Nityananda), His incarnation (Sri Advaita), His devotee (Sri Srivasa), and His energy (Sri Gadadhara), and who is the source of strength for the devotees." (Cc.Adi.1.14)

ananda-lilamaya-vigrahaya

hemabha-divyach-chavi-sundaraya

tasmai maha-prema-rasa-pradaya

caitanya-chandraya namo namas te

"Obeisances unto Him, Sri Caitanya-chandra, the giver of the mellow of the highest love of Godhead, who is the embodiment of blissful pastimes, and who is so beautiful, having a dazzling luster, like gold." (Chaitanya-chandramrita)

namo maha-vadanyaya

krishna-prema-pradaya te

krishnaya krishna-chaitanya-

namne gaura-tvise namaha

"O most munificent incarnation! You are Krishna Himself appearing as Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahaprabhu. You have assumed the golden color of Srimati Radharani, and You are widely distributing pure love of Krishna. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You." (Cc.Madhya. 19.53)

Sri Gauranga-Ashtottara-Shata-Nama-Stotram

108 Names of Lord Chaitanya

by Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya

1) namaskritya pravaksyami deva-devam jagad-gurum

namnam-ashtotara-shatam caitanyasya mahatmanaha

After offering my respectful obeisances unto the Lord of Lords, Who is the spiritual master of the entire universe, I will now narrate 108 holy names of Lord Chaitanya, the great soul.

2) vishvambharo jita-krodho maya-manusha-vigrahaha

amayi mayinam shreshto vara-desho dvijottamaha

Vishvambhara--He sustains the universe

Jita-krodha--He is victorious over the influence of mundane anger

Maya-manusha-vigraha--He assumes the illusory form of a human

Amayi--He is bereft of fraudulent behavior

Mayinam Shresta--He is the foremost of (transcendental) cheaters

Vara-desha--He appears in the best of lands

Dvijottama--He is the ultimate brahmana

3) jagannatha-priya-sutah pitri-bhakto maha-manaha

lakshmi-kantah shachi-putrah premado bhakta-vatsalah

Jagannatha-priya-suta--He is the dearest son of Jagannatha Mishra

Pitri-bhakta--He is the devotee of His father

Maha-mana--He has great mental power

Lakshmi-kanta--He is the beloved husband of the Goddess of Fortune

Shachi-putra--He is the son of mother Shachi

Premada-He is the bestower of ecstatic loving devotion

Bhakta-vatsala--He is very affectionate to His devotees

4) dvija-priyo dvija-varo vaishnava-prana-nayakaha

dvi-jati-pujakah shantah shrivasa-priya ishvaraha

Dvija-priya--He is dear to the twice-initiated brahmanas

Dvija-vara--He is the best amongst the brahmanas

Vaishnava-prana-nayaka--He is the hero of the devotees' life & soul

Dvi-jati-pujaka--He is the worshiper of the brahmanas

Shanta-He is peaceful and saintly

Shrivasa-priya--He is very dear to Srivasa Pandita

Ishvara--He is the supreme controller

5) tapta-kanchana-gaurangah simha-grivo maha-bhujaha

pita-vasa rakta-pattah sad-bhujo 'tha chatur-bhujaha

Tapta-kanchana-gauranga--His complexion is like molten gold

Simha-griva--His neck is like the lion's

Maha-bhuja--His arms are very muscular

Pita-vasa--He wears yellow cloth (when a householder)

Rakta-patta--He wears red cloth (when a sannyasi)

Sad-bhuja--He exhibits a six-armed form [atha--and furthermore]

Chatur-bhuja--He exhibits a four-armed form

6) dvi-bhujash cha gada-panih chakri padma-dharo 'malaha

pancha-janya-dharah sharngi venu-panih surottamaha

Dvi-bhuja--He exhibits a two armed form [ca--and]

Gada-pani--He holds the mace

Chakri--He holds the discus

Padma-dhara--He holds the lotus

Amala--He is sinless

Pancha-janya-dhara--He holds the Panca-janya conchshell

Sharngi--He holds the bow

Venu-pani--He holds the flute

Surottama--He is the foremost of the demigods

7) kamalaksheshvara prito gopa-liladhara yuva

nila-ratna-dharo rupya-hari kaustubha-bhushanaha

Kamalaksheshvara--He is the Lord of the lotus-eyed Lakshmi

Prita--He is beloved to all living beings

Gopa-liladhara--He is the abode of cowherding pastimes

Yuva--He is supremely youthful

Nila-ratna-dhara--He likes to wear sapphires

Rupya-hari--He likes to wear silver necklaces

Kaustubha-bhushana--He is adorned with the Kaustubha gem

8) shrivatsa-lanchano bhasvan-mani-dhrik kanja-lochanaha

tatanka-nila-shrih rudra-lila-kari guru-priyaha

Shrivatsa-lanchana--He is decorated with the mark of Shrivatsa

Bhasvan-mani-dhrik--His form is embellished with many beautiful jewels

Kanja-lochana--He has lotus petal-shaped eyes

Tatanka-nila-shri--His majesty is enhanced by sapphire earrings

Rudra-lila-kari--He sometimes enacts the pastimes of Lord Shiva

Guru-priya--He is very dear to His spiritual master

9) sva-nama-guna-vakta-cha namopadesha-dayakaha

achandala-priyah shuddhah sarva-prani-hite rataha

Sva-nama-guna-vakta--He is aware of the attributes of His own holy name

Namopadesha-dayaka--He imparts teachings about the holy names

Achandala-priya--He is dear even to the lowest outcastes

Shuddha--His character is totally immaculate

Sarva-prani-hite-rata--He is engaged in the welfare of all living beings

10) vishvarupanujah sandhyavatarah shitalashayaha

nihsima-karuno gupta atma-bhakti-pravartakaha

Vishvarupanuja--He is the younger brother of Vishvarupa

Sandhyavatara--He incarnated during the time of dusk

Shitalashaya--He is desirous of cooling the burning sufferings of living beings

Nihsima-karuna--His compassion is limitless

Gupta--He is very secretive

Atma-bhakti-pravartaka--He preaches devotion unto the true Self

11) mahanando nato nritya-gita-nama-priyah kavihi

arti-priyah shuchih shuddho bhavado bhagavat-priyaha

Mahananda--He is absorbed in the greatest bliss

Nata--He behaves as a dramatic actor

Nritya-gita-nama-priya--He is fond of dancing, singing & chanting the holy names

Kavi--He is a learned scholar and poet

Arti-priya--He is dear to those who are suffering

Shuchi--He is meticulously clean

Shuddha--He is spotlessly pure

Bhavada--He confers ecstatic loving emotions

Bhagavat-priya--He is intimate with the great devotees

12) indradi-sarva-lokesha-vandita-shri-padambujaha

nyasi-chudamanih krishnah sannyasashrama-pavanaha

Indradi-sarva-lokesha-vandita-shri-padambuja--His divine lotus feet are worshiped by Lord Indra and all the rulers of various heavenly planets

Nyasi-chudamani--He is the crest jewel of renunciates

Krishna--He is the all attractive Supreme Personality of Godhead

Sannyasashrama-pavana--He is the purifier of the renounced order

13) chaitanya krishna-chaitanya danda-dhrig nyasta-dandakaha

avadhuta-priyo nityananda-shad-bhuja-darshakaha

Chaitanya--He is the living force of all creation

Krishna-Chaitanya--He is the all-attractive living force

Danda-dhrik--He carries the staff of the renounced order

Nyasta-dandaka--He abandons the staff of the renounced order

Avadhuta-priya--He is dear to the divine madman (Srila Nityananda Prabhu)

Nityananda-sad-bhuja-darshaka--He shows His six-armed form to Nityananda

14) mukunda-siddhi-do dino vasudevamrita-pradaha

gadadhara-prana-natha arti-ha sharana-pradaha

Mukunda-siddhi-da--He gives perfection to His devotee Mukunda

Dina--He behaves with meek and humble mannerisms

Vasudevamrita-prada--He gives nectar to this devotee Vasudeva (the leper)

Gadadhara-prana-natha--He is the Lord of the life of Gadadhara Pandita

Arti-ha--He removes the distress of His devotees

Sharana-prada--He bestows ultimate shelter to His devotees

15) akinchana-priyah prano guna-grahi jitendriyaha

adosha-darshi sumukho madhurah priya-darshanaha

Akinchana-priya--He is dear to those who possess nothing

Prana--He is the life and soul of all creation

Guna-grahi--He accepts only the good qualities of others

Jitendriya--He is victorious over the influence of the material senses

Adosha-darshi--He is blind to the faults of others

Sumukha--He has a pleasant face

Madhura--He is supremely sweet

Priya-darshana--He is very precious to behold

16) pratapa-rudra-samtrata ramananda-priyo guruhu

ananta-guna-sampannah sarva-tirthaika-pavanaha

Pratapa-rudra-samtrata--He delivers Maharaja Pratapa Rudra from obstacles

Ramananda-priya--He is the beloved of Ramananda Raya

Guru--He is the spiritual master of every living being

Ananta-guna-sampannah--He is endowed with limitless good qualities

Sarva-tirthaika-pavana--He is the sole purifier of all places of pilgrimage

17) vaikuntha-natho lokesho bhaktabhimata-rupa-dhrik

narayano maha-yogi jnana-bhakti-pradah prabhuhu

Vaikuntha-natha--He is the Lord of the spiritual world of no anxiety

Lokesha--He is the Lord of all the material planets

Bhaktabhimata-rupa-dhrik--He assumes different forms according to the desires of His devotees

Narayana--He is the supreme shelter for all living beings

Maha-yogi--He is the greatest performer of yoga

Jnana-bhakti-pradah--He imparts intellectual knowledge of devotion

Prabhu--He is the Lord and Master of all

18) piyusha-vachanah prithvi-pavanah satya-vak sahaha

oda-desha-jananandi sandohamrita-rupa-dhrik

Piyusha-vachana--His words emit showers of pure nectar

Prithvi-pavana--He is the savior of the earth

Satya-vak--He speaks truthfully

Saha--He can endure all forms of misery

Oda-desha-jananandi--He delights the people of Orissa

Sandohamrita-rupa-dhrik--He embodies the form of all universal nectar

19) yah pathed pratar utthaya chaitanyasya mahatmanaha

shraddhaya parayopetah stotram sarvagha-nashanam

prema-bhaktir harau tasya jayate natra samshayaha

It is recommended that upon rising in the morning, one faithfully approach and recite this transcendental sin-destroying prayer to Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the great soul. One who does will feel the awakening of ecstatic loving devotion unto Lord Hari; of this there is no doubt.

20) asadhya-roga-yukto 'pi muchyate roga-sankatat

sarvaparadha-yukto 'pi so 'paradhat pramucyate

Even if one is afflicted with an incurable disease, one becomes freed from all danger of the ailment. Even if one has committed all types of offenses, one becomes freed from their effects.

21) phalguni-paurnamasyan tu chaitanya-janma-vasare

shraddhaya paraya bhaktya maha-stotram japan purch

yad yat prakurute kamam tat tad evachiral labhet

If one chants this great prayer with faith and transcendental devotion on Lord Chaitanya's appearance day (the full moon day in the month of Phalguna), then one perpetually attains the fulfillment of their each and every pure desire.

22) aputro vaishnavam putram labhate natra-samshayaha

ante chaitanya-devasya smritir bhavati shashvati

If a devotee couple wishes to have a child but are unable, then they will obtain a Vaishnava child without a doubt. And at the time of death, they will attain remembrance of Sri Chaitanya-deva and enter His eternal pastimes.

Prayers to Lord Nityananda

nityanandam aham naumi

sarvananda-karam param

hari-nama-pradam devam

avadhuta-shiromanim

"I bow down to the Supreme Lord Nityananda Prabhu, who is the awarder of the highest joy to all, the bestower of the holy name and the crest jewel of all paramahamsa mendicants."

sankarsanah karana-toya-shayi

garbhoda-shayi cha payobdhi-shayi

sheshash cha yasyamsha-kalah sa nitya-

nandakhya-ramah sharanam mamastu

"May Sri Nityananda Rama be the object of my constant remembrance. Sankarshana, Shesha Naga and the Vishnus who lie on the Karana Ocean [Maha-Vishnu], Garbha Ocean [Garbodakashayi Vishnu] and ocean of milk [Kshirodakashayi Vishnu] are His plenary portions and the portion of His plenary portions." (Cc.Adi.1.7)

mayatite vyapi-vaikuntha-loke

purnaishvarye shri-chatur-vyuha-madhye

rupam yasyodbhati sankarshanakhyam

tam shri-nityananda-ramam prapadye

"I surrender unto the lotus feet of Sri Nityananda Rama, who is known as Sankarshana in the midst of the chatur-vyuha (consisting of Vasudeva, Sankarshana, Pradyumna and Aniruddha). He possesses full opulences and resides in Vaikunthaloka, far beyond the material creation." (Cc.Adi.1.8)

maya-bhartajanda-sanghashrayangaha

shete sakshat karanambhodhi-madhye

yasyaikamshah shri-puman adi-devas

tam shri-nityananda-ramam prapadye

"I offer my full obeisances unto the feet of Sri Nityananda Rama, whose partial representation called Karanodakashayi Vishnu, lying on the Karana Ocean, is the original purusha, the master of the illusory energy, and the shelter of all the universes." (Cc.Adi.1.9)

yasyamshamsha shrila-garbhoda-shayi

yan-nabhy-abjam loka-sanghata-nalam

loka-srashtuh sutika-dhama dhatus

tam shri-nityananda-ramam prapadye

"I offer my full obeisances unto the feet of Sri Nityananda Rama, a partial part of whom is Garbhodakashayi Vishnu. From the navel of Garbhodakashayi Vishnu sprouts the lotus that is the birthplace of Brahma, the engineer of the universe. The stem of that lotus is the resting place of the multitude of planets." (Cc.Adi.1.10)

yasyamshamshamshah paratmakhilanam

poshta vishnur bhati dugdhabdhi-shayi

kshauni-bharta yat-kala so 'py anantas

tam shri-nityananda-ramam prapadye

"I offer my respectful obeisances unto the feet of Sri Nityananda Rama, whose secondary part is the Vishnu lying in the ocean of milk. That Kshirodakashayi Vishnu is the Supersoul of all living entities and the maintainer of all the universes. Shesha Naga is His further sub-part." (Cc.Adi.1.11)

vande shri-krishna-chaitanya-

nityanandau sahoditau

gaudodaye pushpavantau

chitra shandau tamo-nudau

"I offer my respectful obeisances unto Sri Krishna Caitanya and Lord Nityananda, who are like the sun and moon. They have arisen simultaneously on the horizon of Gauda to dissipate the darkness of ignorance and thus wonderfully bestow benediction upon all." (Cc.Adi.1.2.)

shri-krishna-chaitanya prabhu nityananda

shri-adwaita gadadhara shrivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrinda

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

Sri-Nityanandastaka

Eight Prayers Glorifying Lord Nityananda

by Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura

(Translations by Srila Gour Govinda Svami)

TEXT 1

sarac-candra-bhrdntim sphurad-amala-kantim gaja-gatim

hari-premonmattam dhrta-parama-sattvam smita-mukham

sadaghurnan-netram kara-kalita-vetram kali-bhidam

bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi

Sri Nityananda Prabhu's face is more beautiful and cooling than the autumnal moon. The effulgence coming out from His body is supremely beautiful. He always moves like a mad elephant, since He is always intoxicated with krsna-prema (love of God). He is always mad after krsna-prema. His body is completely pure spiritual energy. He always has a smiling face. His eyes are very fickle, moving to and fro. His lotus hand always holds a glowing staff. Yes, that is Sri Nityananda, who by the beating of that staff, destroys all our reactions of Kali-yuga. We should take shelter of Sri Nityananda and cry for the mercy of Sri Nityananda! He is the root of krsna-prema bhakti-kalpa-taru, the root of the tree of loving devotion unto Krsna. I do my bhajana of Lord Nityananda, the very root of the krsna-bhakti-vrksa.

TEXT 2

rasanam agaram svajana-gana-sarvasvam atulam

tadiyaika-prana-pramita-vasudha-jahnava-patim

sada-premonmadam param aviditam manda-manasam

bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi

Sri Nityananda Prabhu is the reservoir of all transcendental mel­lows. He is the life and soul of all the devotees. Nobody can compare to Him in all the three planetary systems. He is very dear to one and all. He is the beloved husband of Sri Vasudha and Sri Jahnava. He is always in an ecstatic mood of love! Always maddened and intoxicat­ed with that mellow of love, krsna-prema. He is unknown to crooked and evil-minded persons. I do my bhajana of Lord Nityananda, the very root of the krsna-bhakti-vrksa.

TEXT 3

sacl-sunu-prestham nikhila-jagad-istam sukha-mayam

kalau majjaj-jivoddharana-karanodddma-karunam

harer dkhydndd vd bhava-jaladhi-garvonnati-haram

bhaje nitydnandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi

Lord Nityananda is very dear to Sriman Gaurahga Mahaprabhu. He always does good to the whole universe. He is always supremely bliss-ful. He is the embodiment of supreme happiness and blissfulness. He comes to this material world in this Kali-yuga to deliver the sinful persons. There is no limit to His mercy. He constantly does nama-sankirtana, (congregational chanting of the Lord’s holy names) destroying the pride of this dreadful ocean of material existence. I do my bhajana of Lord Nityananda, the very root of the krsna-bhakti-vrksa.

TEXT 4

aye bhratar ninam kali-kalusinam kim nu bhuvita

tatha prayascittam racaya yad-anayasata ime

vrajanti tvam ittham saha bhagavata mantrayati yo

bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi

Lord Nityananda tells Sriman Gauranga Mahaprabhu, "0 brother, what will happen to those most distressed and fallen jivas of Kali-yuga? What will happen to them unless You shower Your mercy on them? Please show them a way for their deliverance by which they can approach and get Your lotus feet." He always talks to Sriman Mahaprabhu like this. I do my bhajana of Lord Nityananda, the very root of the krsna-bhakti-vrksa.

TEXT 5

yathestham re bhratah kuru hari-hari-dhvanam anisam

tato vah samsarambudhi-tarana-dayo mayi laget

idam bahu-sphotair atati ratayan yah pratigrham

bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi

Lord Nityananda goes to every doorstep and requests everyone with folded hands, "0 my dear brothers, all of you engage yourselves in the chanting of hari-nama (chanting the holy names of Hari). If you do this and follow My instruction, I promise that you will very easily cross over this dreadful ocean of material existence." I do my bhajana of Lord Nityananda, the very root of the krsna-bhakti-vrksa.

TEXT 6

balat samsarambhonidhi-harana-kumhhodbhavam aho

satam sreyah-sindhunnati-kumuda-bandhum samuditam

khala-sreni-sphurjit-timira-hara-surya-prabham aham

bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi

Like Agastya Muni, who by drinking a handful of water made all the oceans dry up, He forcibly swallows the ocean of repeated birth and death. He arose like a moon to swell up the ocean of mercy for the welfare of the jivas. He very easily destroys the sinful reactions of the most sinful degraded persons. He is very dear to the devotees. He is always busy doing good to the devotees. He is like the sun that dis­pels the darkness of the ignorant fools which descended by their sin­ful activities. I do my bhajana of Lord Nityananda, the very root of the krsna-bhakti-vrksa.

TEXT 7

natantam gayantam harim anuvadantam pathi pathi

vrajantam pasyantam svam api na dayantam janu-ganam

prakurvantam santam sa-karuna-drg-antam prakalanad

bhaje nityanandam bhajana-turu-kandam niravadhi

He is always dancing and chanting, "Haribol! Haribol!" Uttering the name of Hari. He always engages in hari-nama-sankirtana. He always wanders on the streets of every city, town, and village casting His merciful glance over His dear devotees. I do my bhajana of Lord Nityananda, the very root of the krsna-hhakti-vrksa.

TEXT 8

su-bibhranam bhratuh kara-sarasijam komalataram

mitho vaktralokocchalitu-paramananda-hridayam

bhramantam madhuryair ahaha madayantam pura-janan

bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi

He moves with Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu holding His very soft lotus-like palm. He always looks at the moon-like beautiful face of Sri Gauracandra and becomes ecstatic and blissful! And Sriman Gauranga Mahaprabhu also looks at the moon-like, beautiful face of Sri Nitai. In this way, the two of Them are completely filled with blissfulness. He always makes all the inhabitants of the towns and cities wherever He goes mad with the intoxication of His beauty. I do my bhajana of Lord Nityananda, the very root of the krsna-bhakti-vrksa.

TEXT 9

rasanam adharam rasika-vara-sad-vaisnava-dhanam

rasagaram saram patita-tati-taram smaranataha

param nityanandastakam idum apurvam pathati yah

tad-anghri-dvandvabjam sphuratu nitaram tasya hridaye

Srila Vrindavana dasa Thakura says, "Whoever reads and recites with firm faith this Sri Nityanandastakam, will have the lotus feet of Sri Nityananda Prabhu soon revealed to him. These eight verses are the essence of bhakti-rasa. They are the life and soul of all rasika-bhaktas and the reservoir of all mellows. Lord Nityananda is the essence of the universe, the three planetary systems, and by His remembrance, the sinful reactions of all sinful persons are destroyed."

12 Names of the Moonlike Nityananda Prabhu by Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya

One who recites these 12 auspicious holy names of the moonlike Nityananda-candra everyday between 6 - 8.30 a.m. will become free from all difficulties, and attain all his most cherished desires. Very soon he will receive the mercy of Shri Caitanya-deva.

nityanando ´vadhutendur, vasudha-prana-vallabhah
jahnavi-jivita-patih, krishna-prema-pradah prabhu

Shri Nityananda Prabhu is the embodiment of eternal bliss. He is the moon of all avadhutas, and the beloved of the life-breath of Vasudha (his wife). Lord Nityananda is the husband enthusing Jahnavi with life. Nityananda Rama bestows ecstatic love for Krishna, and He is the Lord and Master of the devotees.

Padmavati-sutah shriman, shaci-nandana-purvajah
Bhavonmatto jagat-trata, rakta-gaura-kalevarah

Shri Nityananda is the dear son of Padmavati, and He is full of splendrous transcendental majesty. Nitai is the older brother of Shacimata´s son Nimai. Nityananda Avadhuta is maddened in overwhelming ecstatic emotions. Shri Nityananda Prabhu is the saviour of the universe. His complexion is golden tinged with red.

NITAI AMAR DAYAR AVADHI

My Most Merciful Nitai

By Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura

are bhai! nitai amar doyara avadhi!

jivere karuna kori,' dese dese phiri' phiri'

prema-dhana jache nirabadhi

adwaitera sange ranga, dharane na jaya anga,

gora-preme gada tanu khani

dhuliya dhuliya chale, bahu tuli' hari bole,

du-nayane bahe nitaiera pani

kapale tilaka sobhe, kutila-kuntala-lole

gunjara antuni chuda taya

kesarijiniya kati, kati tate niladhati

bajana nupura ranga paya

bhubana-mohana besa! majaila sava desa!

rasd bese atta atta hasa!

prabhu mora nityananda kevala ananda-kanda

guna gaya vrindavana dasa

TRANSLATION

1. 0 Brothers! My Nitai's mercy is limitless. He wanders village to village giving prema-dhana (the mood of love of God) to one and all.

2. He always cuts jokes with Sri Advaita Acarya. His whole body is made of love for Gauranga Mahaprabhu. He is always intoxicated with prema-rasa. An intoxicated person is unable to walk properly. How does He walk? Like that: dhuliya dhuliya chale. Raising His arms and saying, "Haribol! Haribol! Haribol!" and shedding tears from His two lotus eyes.

3. Nice tilaka and curly locks beautifully decorate His forehead. His hair is bound up with red gunja. A blue belt encircles His lion-like waist. His feet look red. He wears nupura on his reddish feet always making a tinkling, tinkling sound.

4. His beauty enchants the whole world. Always absorbed in prema-rasa, He smiles and laughs! —Atta atta hasa! Vrndavana dasa sings, "Lord Nityananda Prabhu is my Prabhu (master). He's full of nothing but pleasure."

NITAI GUNA-MANI AMARA

My Lord Nitai is the Jewel of all Transcendental Qualities

By Srila Locana dasa Thakura

nitai guna-mani amara, nitai guna-mani

aniya premera banya bhasailo avani

premera banya loiya nitai aila gauda-dese

dubilo bhakata-gana dina hina bhase

dina hina patita pamara nahi bachhe

brahmara durlabha prema sabakare jache

abaddha karuna-sindhu katiya muhana

ghare ghare bule prema-amiyara bana

lochan bole hena nitai jeba na bhajilo

janiya suniya sei atma-ghati hoilo

TRANSLATION

It is said that Srila Nityananda Prabhu is more merciful, more mag­nanimous, more munificent than Sriman Gauranga (Sri Caitanya) Mahaprabhu.

1. My Nitai is the jewel of transcendental qualities, the jewel of tran­scendental qualities. Bringing the flood of prema, He inundated the earth.

2. Sri Nitai came to Gauda-desa with a flood of krishna-prema. dubilo bhakata-gana dina hind bhase, those who are bhaktas drowned in that flood, premera banya. But the dina hina, the fallen souls and unfortu­nate, floated on the surface!

3. Lord Nityananda Prabhu offers this pure love of Godhead, pure love of Krishna indiscriminately. He distributes this prema with two hands! He never discriminates whether one is patita or pamara: most degraded, most fallen or most elevated, qualified or not qualified. He never discriminates. Even it is very difficult for Brahma to get such prema. But Sri Nitai gives indiscriminately.

4. That prema is karuna-sindhu—like an ocean of mercy. Nitai broke down the strong embankment of the ocean of love. Completely dev­astated that dam! That ocean of love is an unlimited ocean of love. So then there was a heavy rush flowing, heavy rush! Such a flood came. A flood in every home. That flood came to every home. It inun­dated the whole world!

5. Locana says, "He is an unfortunate fellow who does not take shel­ter of Nitai and does not do the bhajana of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, begging for the mercy of Sri Nitai. He willingly commits suicide.

SRI NAGAR KIRTANA

The Market Place of the Holy Name

By Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

nadiya-godrume nityananda mahajana

patiyache nam-hatta jivera karana

(sraddhavan jana he, sraddhavan jana he)

prabhura ajnay, bhai, magi ei bhiksha

bolo krsna, bhajo krsna, koro krsna-shiksa

aparadha-shunya ho 'ye leha krsna-nama

krsna mata, krsna pita, krsna dhana-prana

krsnera samsara koro chadi anacara

jive doya, krsna-nama-sarva-dharma-ssra

TRANSLATION

1. Nityananda Mahajana so mercifully opened a marketplace in Nadiya-Godruma for the welfare of the suffering souls. In that mar­ket place only the Holy Name is traded.

2. What is the price? sraddhavana jana he! sraddhavana jana he! Those who have faith in the Holy Name and faith in the words of sadhu, sastra, guru. This is the price! Faith! Only those persons are allowed to enter that marketplace. They can buy and sell the Holy Name. Sri Nityananda Prabhu requests the faithful persons, those who have developed faith in the Holy Name, to come and take it! Sri Nityananda Prabhu says, 'This is the order of My Lord! My Prabhu! My Master! Therefore I have come to your doorstep, 0 brother! I am a beggar! I beg for these alms. 'Utter the name of Krsna! Do krsna-bhajana! Accept what Krsna has taught us!' These are the alms I am begging from you.

3. Chant this Holy Name without offense. Chant the pure Name of Sri Krishna. Sri Krishna is Mother, Sri Krishna is Father, Sri Krishna is wealth and asset. Sri Krishna is the Lord of my heart, Sri Krishna is life and soul, Krishna is everything.

4. Give up all your bad dealings, habits, and behavior and enter into krsna-samsara. The only relationship is with Sri Krishna, establish yourself in that relationship. Shower mercy on all the jivas seeing them as Sri Krishna's and completely surrender unto the Holy Name of Sri Krishna. This is the essence of all dharma.

MADHUR E HARINAMA

This Holy Name is So Sweet

By Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

hare krsna hare

nitai ki nam eneche re

(nitai) nam eneche, namer hate

sraddha-mulye nam diteche re

hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare re

hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare re

(nitai) jiver dasa malina dekhe',

nam eneche braja theke re

e nam siva jape pancha-mukhe re

(madhur e harinam)

e nam brahma jape catur-mukhe re

(madhur e harindm)

e nam narada jape bina-jantre re

(madhur e harindm)

e nama base ajamilo vaikunthe gelo re

e nam bolte bolte braje calo re

(bhaktivinoda bole)

TRANSLATION

Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai (Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda) are so wonderfully merciful. They brought this harinama from Goloka-Vrndavana. Golokera prema-dhana hari-nama sankirtana. It doesn't belong to this material world. Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai brought it here because they are so wonderfully merciful. Who is the custodian of nam-hatta? Sri Nitai! Nama-hatta means market­place. A market-place where the (holy) name is sold and purchased. What is the price? The price is unflinching faith. He who has strong faith, unflinching faith in the Holy Name and faith in the words of sadhu, sastra, Sri Guru and Sri Krishna, only he can purchase it. The market is always eternally open.

hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare re

hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare re

Sri Nitai is more merciful than Sriman Gauranga Mahaprabhu. Sri Gaurasundara (Lord Caitanya) is wonderfully merciful. Sri Nitai is more merciful than Sri Gaurasundara. Sri Nitai is so merciful. He saw that the jivas have been suffering here, drowning in this ocean of materialistic existence from time immemorial. His heart bleeds, so Sri Nitai felt love, affection and compassion for them. He became sympathetic for the suffering souls, so He brought the Holy Name from Sri Vrajabhumi for those Kali-yuga people.

Lord Sivaji with His five faces is chanting this madhura e harinama; this is so sweet this harinama! Lord Brahma chants this Sri- nama with His four faces, because it is so sweet!

Sri Narada Muni sings this Holy Name with his stringed instrument,

hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare

hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare

All are chanting because it is so sweet!

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura says, "By only obtaining the namabhasa stage (offenseless chanting), Ajamila, a greatly sinful person was delivered. All his sinful reactions were destroyed, then at last he went to Vaikuntha!" So Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura says, "Just chant this Name, utter this Holy Name and go to Sri Vrajabhumi."

AKRODHA PARAMANANDA NTTYANANDA RAYA

Sri Nityananda Prabhu Never Gets Angry

By Srila Locana dasa Thakura

akrodha paramananda nityananda raya

abhimana shunya nitai nagare bedaya

adhama patita jivera dware dware giya

harinama maha mantra dena bilaiya

jare dekhe tare kahe dante trina dhori'

amare kiniya laha bhaja gaurahari

eta boli' nityananda bhume gadi jaya

sonara parvata jena dhulate lotaya

hena avatare jara rati na janmilo

locana bole sei papi elo ara gelo

TRANSLATION

1. Lord Nityananda Raya never gets angry. He is always in ecstasy, supreme bliss. He has no false ego. He wanders to every town and village in Nadia chanting Hare Krishna, dancing, and offering krsna-prema (love of Krishna) to everyone indiscriminately.

2. Sri Nitai goes to every doorstep and knocks on the door, 'Tap! Tap!Tap!' He goes to those who are very much distressed, degraded, and fallen. He goes to them and gives them krsna-prema. He says, "Please Chant! Please Chant! ": hare krishna, hare krishna, krishna Krishna, hare hare / hare rama, hare rama, rama rama, hare hare. If they do not chant and shut the door, then He rolls there on the ground and cries!

3. Whomever He meets, catching a straw between His teeth, He begs, "0 Brothers! Please do the bhajana of Sri Gaurahari and pur­chase Me, purchase Me, purchase Me."

4. Saying this, Lord Nityananda rolls on the ground in the dust, cries, and sheds tears, looking like a mountain of gold rolling on the ground.

5. Such a merciful incarnation is Lord Nityananda. If someone doesn't develop love for such an incarnation as Sri Nityananda-Rama, Locana says, "Such a sinful person wastes his life, remain­ing in the cycle of birth and death. He cannot be delivered."

DOYA KORO MORE NITAI

My Dear Lord Nitai! Please Be Merciful To Me

By Srila Kanu Ramadasa Thakura

Doya koro more nitai, doya koro more

agatira gati nitai sadhu loke bole

jaya prema bhakti data-pataka tomara

uttama adhama kichhu na kaila bichara

prema dane jagajanera mana kaila sukhi

tumi hena doyara thakura ami kene dukhi

kanu rama dasa bole ki boliba ami

e bada bharasa more kulera thakura tumi

TRANSLATION

1. 0 my Nitai, please shower your mercy on me. All sadhus say, "You are so merciful. You give the right destination to the fallen souls."

2. Lord Nityananda has a flag. That flag gives prema-bhakti. He never discriminates whether one is uttama or adhama, most elevat­ed or most degraded. He gives prema-bhakti to one and all.

3. Sri Nityananda Prabhu gives prema to one and all and makes the whole world happy. You are such a merciful Thakura, why am I so unhappy?

4. Kanu Ramadasa says, "What more shall I say? 0 Lord Nityananda, You are the Lord of our parampara; so this is a great hope for me, that You are such a merciful Lord.”

NITAI-PADA-KAMALA

The Lotus Feet of Lord Nityananda

By Srila Narottama dasa Thakura

nitai-pada-kamala, koti-chandra-susitala,

je chayay jagatu juray

heno nitai bine bhai, radha-krsna paite nai,

dridha kori' dharo nitair pay

se sambandha nahi ja'r, britha janma gelo ta'r,

se pashu bodo durachara

nitai na bolilo mukhe, majilo samsara-sukhe,

vidya-kule ki koribe tara

ahankare matta hoiya, nitai-pada pasariya,

asatyere satya kori mani

nitaiyer karuna habe, braje radha-krsna pabe,

dharo nitai-charana du'khani

nitaiyer carana satya, tanhara sevaka nitya,

nitai-pada sada koro asha

narottama bodo dukhi, nitai more koro sukhi,

rakho ranga-charanera pasha

translation

1. The lotus feet of Sri Nityananda are as cool as millions of moons. The whole universe gets peace by the shade of those lotus feet. Without the mercy of Sri Nityananda, nobody can get Radha and Krishna, the aim of human life. Therefore, catch hold of the two lotus feet of Sri Nityananda Prabhu very tightly.

2. One who has not established a relationship with Sri Nityananda is a two-legged animal. A great beast! His whole life is finished. He can­not be called a human being. He never utters the name of Sri Nityananda. He is always immersed in enjoying material happiness and has forgotten Sri Nitai. He may have acquired all material scholarship and learning, but what is the value of such education? This will never help.

3. They are so puffed up with their mundane education and scholar­ship. They are never humble at all. They have forgotten the lotus feet of Sri Nitai because of their false ego and pride. They are complete­ly under the clutches of Maya. They accept the untruth as truth. If Sri Nityananda showers His mercy upon someone, he will get Sri Sri Radha Krishna in Vrajabhumi. So catch hold of the two lotus feet of Lord Nityananda very tightly.

4. The lotus feet of Sri Nityananda are eternally true. And those fol­lowers or servants of those lotus feet of Sri Nityananda are also eter­nal. Always aspire for the lotus feet of Sri Nityananda. Srila Narottama dasa Thakura says, "I am very distressed, and an unhap­py person. I am drowning in this dreadful ocean of material exis­tence. 0 Sri Nityananda Prabhu, please make me very happy! Please keep me at Your lotus feet."

Prayers to Nitai

īsad-ārunya-svarnābham nānalankāra-bhūsitam

hāinam mālinam divyopavītam prema-varshinam

āghūrnita-locanam cha nīlāmbara-dharam prabhum

prema-dam paramānandam nityānandam smarāmy aham

I meditate on Lord Nityananda Prabhu, supreme bliss personified. For bestowing pure love of God, he has created a shower of that love. His body, shining with the luster of red-tinged gold, is decorated with various ornaments and a necklace. Donned in blue garments, he wears a flower garland and divine sacred thread.

śuddha-svarna-vidambi-sundara-tanum ratnādi-bhūshāñchitam

premonmatta-gajendra-vikrama-lasat-premāśru-dhārākulam

śuklam sūkshma-navāmbarādi-dadhatam sankīrtanaika-priyam

nityānandam aham bhaje sa-karunam premārnavam sundaram

I worship Lord Nityananda, who is the beautiful ocean of prema endowed with compassion and the sole lover of sakītana. His handsome bright form, dressed in fresh fine clothes and decorated with ornaments like precious jewels, derides the glow of pure gold. Possessing the prowess of an intoxicated regal elephant and mad in pure love of God, Lord Nityananda is filled with the streams of tears shed out of that love.

vidyud-dāma-madābhimardana-rucim vistīrna-vakshah-sthalam

premodghūrnita-locanāchala-lasat-smerābhiramyānanam

nānā-bhūshana-bhūshitam su-madhuram bibhrad-ghanābhāmbaram

sarvānanda-karam param pravara-nityānanda-chandram bhaje

I worship the transcendental moon of the foremost Lord Nityananda, who, being exquisitely sweet, makes everyone blissful. His effulgence defeats the pride of a string-like lightning. His chest is broad and his face extremely pleasing with its shining smile, and its eyes, restless out of pure love of God, making sidelong glances. He wears garments resembling a raincloud and is adorned with various ornaments. 

— Translated by Nityananda Das from Śrī Manohara Bhajana Dīpikā, published by Sri Sudhasindhu Das. Govardhan.