Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya

All glories to Lord Caitanya, the moon of Navadv…pa and son of mother Saci! All glories to Nity€nanda Raya, the avadhuta! All glories to ®r… Advaita Prabhu, the Supreme Lord! All glories to ®r… Gad€dhara and ®r…vasa Pandita! All glories to Navadv…pa-dhama, the essence of all dh€mas! And all glories to the residents of Navadv…pa, the associates of Gauranga!

Offering obeisances to the feet of all the devotees, I will now briefly describe ®r… Navadv…pa-dhama. Even the demigods headed by Lord Brahm€ do not know the unlimited glories of Navadv…pa-mandala, so who can possibly describe that dh€ma fully? Since the thousand-mouthed ®e�a cannot describe it completely, how can I, an insignificant living entity, do so? Even Lord ®iva can find no end to the unlimited glories of Navadv…pa-dhama. Nevertheless, the desire of ®r… Caitanya is powerful, and according to His wish the devotees have given me an order. Therefore, by the mercy of the devotees, I hereby describe the glories of Nadia.

There is one other topic I would like to mention. As it is a confidential matter, I hesitate to disclose it. But, on the other hand, I cannot resist telling it, for Lord Caitanya instructed His devotees to publicize the glories of His pastimes and abode after His disappearance. Though ®r… Caitanya is the most concealed of all avataras, I know well that He is all in all. But because His confidential activities are described ambiguously in scripture, the nondevotees are unable to realize them. For a long time M€y€devi kept hidden the confidential scriptures that describe Lord Caitanya's pastimes. These topics are described in both the unmanifest scriptures, which were scattered here and there, as well as in the manifest scriptures. M€y€ kept all these scriptures hidden from view by covering the eyes of the scholars.

After Gauranga completed His pastimes on earth, however, His obedient servant M€y€devi, understood the desire of the Lord. She lifted the veil of illusion from the eyes of the living entities and revealed the true nature of ®r… Gauranga within this material universe. Thus the hidden meaning in the scriptures became easily revealed, and the arguments inhibiting understanding Lord Caitanya were dispelled. It was the all-merciful Nity€nanda Prabhu who revealed the truth about Gauranga in the hearts of the living entities. On His command, M€y€ pulled away the covering so that the pure devotee scholars could receive this precious treasure of the scriptures.

If one remains doubtful in spite of the scriptural evidence, he is most unfortunate and useless. Why should he continue living? When Nity€nanda Prabhu distributed the mercy, the fortunate living entities accepted and reached the perfection of happiness.

Everyone should know the symptoms of the unfortunate living entity as well; it is he who is overconfident of the power of his own intelligence. Such a person rejects the mercy of the Lord, and by the force of false logic he falls repeatedly into the pit of illusion.

“Come, spirit souls of Kali-yuga! Give up this hypocrisy and just accept the pure ecstatic love of ®r… Gauranga!” In this way Nity€nanda Prabhu would call out again and again. But still the unfortunate living entities did not accept.

Now let us consider carefully why these people do not accept such wonderful love of God. In pursuit of happiness, living entities in the material world follow various processes, such as logic or mystic yoga. And, in quest of happiness, some give up the material world and go to the forest, while kings constantly wage wars amongst themselves. Desiring happiness, others run after women and wealth, while others take to arts and sciences. In pursuit of happiness, others reject happiness and learn to tolerate the miseries of life, and still others simply drown themselves in the ocean.

Raising His lotus hands in the air, Lord Nity€nanda exclaims, “Come, living entities! Give up the troubles of karma and jñana. Since you are endeavoring for happiness, I will give you happiness without asking anything in exchange. In this happiness there is no trouble, loss, or pain. Just chant the name of Gauranga and dance without anxiety. There's nothing equal to the happiness that I am giving. That happiness is pure, eternal ecstasy-beyond all illusion!”

In this way, Nity€nanda Prabhu begged everyone to take pure ecstatic love. Still, unfortunate persons, influenced by previous sinful activities, did not even want it. But if such persons chant even once the names of Gauranga and Nitai, the effects of unlimited sinful activities are destroyed.

Listen, everyone, to one more confidential topic. The most suitable thing for the souls of Kali-yuga is this treasure of gauranga-lila. Gaurahari is the combined form of R€dh€ and K��Ša, who eternally enjoy pastimes in V�nd€vana along with the sakhis. The truth of R€dh€ and K��Ša's eternal pastimes and the glories of Vraja-dhama are known by everyone through the scriptures. And the unlimited glories of K��Ša's name and abode are known through the scriptures by people all over the universe. But still, actually obtaining K��Ša-prema is not at all common. Let us contemplate the reason why.

Herein lies the secret of secrets which the living entities bound by M€y€ cannot discern. One who does not attain love of God after worshiping K��Ša birth after birth has certainly committed heaps of offenses. For only by chanting K��Ša's name without offenses can one attain incessant K��Ša-prema.

®r… Caitanya's incarnation, however, is most uncommon. By His mercy, a serious person, though filled with offenses, can quickly obtain love of God. When someone calls out the names of Nitai and Caitanya, K��Ša-prema comes looking for him. Offenses do not hinder his progress, and he soon sheds tears of ecstasy out of pure love of God. By the mercy of Lord Caitanya, all the offenses quickly flee away, the heart becomes pure, and love of God fully blossoms. Because people in Kali-yuga commit unlimited offenses, which are difficult to check, there can be no means of deliverance other than Gauranga's name. Therefore, in Kali-yuga, I see no alternative to ®r… Gauranga. This is also the proclamation of the scriptures.

As ®r… Gauracandra appeared in Navadv…pa, it is therefore the crest jewel of all holy places. Offenders are the object of punishment at other holy pilgrimage places, but in Navadv…pa-dhama they are purified. The example is the two brothers Jagai and Madhai, who committed great offenses yet still received Nitai and Gaura. What to speak of other places, at V�nd€vana the offenders are punished. But a person who has committed hundreds of offenses can easily receive the mercy of Nity€nanda Prabhu and overcome those offenses in Navadv…pa-dhama. For this reason, sages endlessly praise Navadv…pa of Gaura-mandala.

He who lives in Navadv…pa-dhama is very fortunate, for he achieves attraction for K��Ša. He who happens to go there becomes freed from all offenses. What one attains by travelling to all the holy places is attained just by remembering Navadv…pa. In this way the scriptures sing. He who sees Navadv…pa-dhama gets ecstatic love of K��Ša birth after birth. Even one who goes to Navadv…pa desiring to gain material comforts through pious activities will not take another birth. The sastras say that one who walks around Navadv…pa attains the fruit of millions of asvamedha-yajñas at every step. And one who lives in Navadv…pa and chants mantras obtains the sound of Caitanya as his mantra and easily gets free from m€y€. What yogis obtain after ten years at other tirthas is obtained in three nights at Navadv…pa.

That liberation attained by Brahm€n realization at other holy places is obtained simply by bathing in the Ganges at Navadv…pa. Thus, all types of liberation-salokya, sarupya, sarsåi, samipya, and nirvana-can be obtained in Navadv…pa without speculative practice. Falling at the feet of the pure devotees in Navadv…pa, Bhukti and Mukti (personified material enjoyment and liberation) remain there as obedient servants. Not caring for their blessings, the devotees kick them away, but still they do not leave the devotee's feet. The fruits obtained by staying one hundred years at the seven holy cities can be attained by staying one night in Navadv…pa-dhama.

In conclusion, Navadv…pa is the topmost tirtha. Taking shelter of it, the living entities can cross over Kali-yuga. At this place, taraka, the name of Rama, which gives liberation, and parakaFTaraka and paraka are mentioned in Cc. 3.3.257., the name of K��Ša, which gives prema, always serve the residents of the dh€ma.

Aspiring for the shade of the lotus feet of Nitai and Jahnava, Bhaktivinoda thus sings in bliss.

All glories to Lord Caitanya, the moon of Navadv…pa and son of mother Saci! All glories to Nity€nanda Raya, the avadhuta! All glories to Navadv…pa-dhama, the essence of all spiritual abodes! Who has the ability to describe the truth of Navadv…pa?

Navadv…pa-dhama within Gauda-mandalaIGauda-mandala;measurement of is served by the Ganges and situated in eternal splendor. This Gauda-mandala is one hundred sixty-eight miles in circumference, with the Ganges running through the center. Gauda-mandala takes the form of a hundred-petaled lotus with the most beautiful Navadv…pa in the center. The circumference of the central stamen of the flower, or Antardv…pa, is ten miles, and the circumference of the eight-petaled flower, or Navadv…pa, is thirty-two miles. Outside this are the hundred petals of Gauda-mandala, whose circumference measures one hundred sixty-eight miles. According to the scriptures, the diameter of Gauda-mandala is fifty-six miles and the radius is twenty-eight miles. The center point, situated within Navadv…pa, is the YogapiåhaIYogapiåha, the sacred spiritual abode where the Lord advented.

The whole of Gauda-mandala is cintamani, or touchstone, yielding all desires. The dh€ma is full of knowledge and bliss and is completely spiritual. The water, the land, the trees-everything in the dh€ma is spiritual, unlike the dull matter of this material world. Always present in the dh€ma are K��Ša's three spiritual energies-sandhini potency, samvit potency, and hladini potency. K��Ša's original energy, svarupapotency -sakti, manifests in these three divisions. Of these, the sandhini potency energy, which supports all existence, finds its perfect function in manifesting the eternal dh€ma. In that position, the dh€ma acts eternally as the base or support for the Lord's appearance and activities. All this is the action of the inconceivable energy of the Lord, which is anti-material and completely transcendental.

One who sees only the activities of material nature in the dh€ma is a conditioned soul under the influence of ignorance and illusion. When a person's vision is covered by a cloud, he may think that the sun is covered, but actually the sun can never be covered by a cloud. In the same way, only persons whose vision is covered by the cloud of illusion see the transcendental form of Gauda-mandala as a transformation of the material energy.

Whoever gets the mercy of Lord Nity€nanda, the master of the sandhinii potency, can see that blissful dh€ma as fully spiritual. The holy rivers such as the Ganges and Yamuna as well as the seven holy cities headed by Prayaga are all situated in various places within Navadv…pa-dhama. One who is fortunate can see that this pure realm, Gauda-mandala, is directly the spiritual world.

Following the order of the Lord, M€y€, the shadow of the Lord's svarupa-sakti, spreads her influence of illusion. She covers the eyes of those living entities who have turned away from the Lord so they are unable to see the glories of the spiritual dh€ma.

Those people who always reside in Gauda-mandala are the most fortunate in the world. The demigods in the heavenly planets see them as having beautiful four-handed forms of blackish complexion. Within the sixteen krosas (One krosa is approximately two miles.) of Navadv…pa-dhama, the numerous residents, who are golden in complexion, constantly engage in congregational chanting of the Lord's holy names. Brahm€ and other demigods come from outer space and worship them in various ways.

Lord Brahm€ prays, “When will I become so fortunate to take birth as a blade of grass in Navadv…pa-dhama. Then I will receive the dust from the feet of the devotees who are engaged in serving the lotus feet of ®r… Gauranga. Alas, Lord Caitanya has cheated me, for He has placed me in charge of the management of the universe. When will the knots of my karma be cut? When will my mind be purified as I give up false pride? And when will the illusion that I am the supreme authority cease as I become a pure servant under the shelter of Gauranga's lotus feet?”

The devas, rsis, and Rudras always reside in different parts of Navadv…pa. Although they are engaged in austerities for a long time, still they do not get Nity€nanda's mercy. As long as bodily consciousness is not given up and humility does not awaken within, one cannot obtain the treasure of ®r… Caitanya and ®r… Nity€nanda's mercy, no matter what efforts one make, even if he be ®iva or Brahm€. All this will be explained later. O brother, just hear with faith and attention.

In these spiritual topics, one should avoid mundane logic and arguments, which are useless and inauspicious. The transcendental pastimes of ®r… Caitanya are a deep ocean, whereas the process of mundane logic is simply troublesome, like the sheath covering the banana flower. Whoever wants to cross the ocean of material existence by logic and argument will simply toil in vain. He will receive nothing. But by giving up false arguments and taking the guidance of sadhu and sastra, one will soon receive ®r… Caitanya. For on the order of Nity€nanda Prabhu, the sruti (Vedas), smrti (Puranas), and tantra sastras are continuously singing the glories of Navadv…pa-dhama. By reading these scriptures and accepting the words of the devotees, one will realize the truth of Navadv…pa-dhama.

In Kali-yuga, all holy places are extremely weak; only Navadv…pa is supremely strong. By the Lord's desire, however, this tirtha was invisible for a long time and its glories lay unrevealed. When the influence of Kali-yuga increased, naturally the holy places lost their power.

At that time, desiring the good fortune of all living entities, the Supreme Lord thought, “Upon diagnosing a disease, a doctor prescribes an appropriate medicine. Accordingly, a strong medicine is given for a severe disease. Now that Kali-yuga has become terrible and the disease is serious, there will be no relief without a strong medicine. If I do not reveal the dh€ma, the name, and My form, which I have been holding secretly for so long, how will the living entities ever recover? The living entities are My servants, and I am their Lord. If I do not help them, they will never be delivered.”

Saying this, Lord Caitanya appeared on earth with His name, dh€ma, and associates. The Lord promised that He will always deliver the living entities from the troubles of material existence.

Gauranga said, “Without considering who is fit and who is unfit, in this incarnation I will freely distribute the treasure of love which is rarely attained by even Lord Brahm€. I will see how Kali can destroy these living entities! I will manifest Navadv…pa-dhama and break the poison teeth of Kali by performing congregational chanting of the holy names of God. As long as My name is sung, Kali will be controlled.”

Saying this, Gaurahari appeared in the beginning of Kali-yuga in Navadv…pa by His own internal spiritual potency. Withdrawing the covering of illusion, Gauracandra revealed His eternal pastimes in Gauda-mandala.

I see no one in Kali-yuga more unfortunate than that lamentable, wretched person who does not worship such a merciful Lord as ®r… Caitanya, or who rejects such an inconceivable dh€ma as Navadv…pa. Therefore give up all other desires and attractions, and simply fix your mind on Navadv…pa-dhama.

Aspiring for the shade of the lotus feet of Nitai and Jahnava, Bhaktivinoda reveals these truths.

All glories to Lord Caitanya, the moon of Navadv…pa and son of mother Saci! All glories to Nity€nanda Raya, the avadhuta! All glories to ®r… Advaita Prabhu! All glories to Gad€dhara and ®r…vasa Pandita! All glories to Navadv…pa-dhama, the essence of all dh€mas, which advented along with Gauracandra.

Now hear, brothers, of the places that I will describe within the sixteen krosas of Navadv…pa-dhama.

There eternally exists sixteen rivers within the sixteen krosa area of Navadv…pa. On the eastern bank of the main Ganges are four islands and on the western bank there are five. The different tributaries of the Ganges surround these islands and give the dh€ma its splendor. The main Ganges always flows in the middle, while other pious rivers flow in various tributaries. Near the Ganges flows the beautiful Yamuna, and the SarasvatRiver flows within another river. East of the Yamuna are the long streams of the Tamraparni, the Krtamala, and the Brahm€putra. The Sarayu, Narmada, Sindhu, Kaveri, Gomati, and Godavari flow swiftly throughout the breadth of Navadv…pa. All these rivers intersect to form the nine different islands of Navadv…pa.

Following the desires of the Lord, sometimes the streams dry up, and then again by His wish they flow with water; by the Lord's wish sometimes places become covered with water, and by His wish they again become visible. In this way the dh€ma endlessly enacts its lila, but the same dh€ma remains always manifest to the fortunate living entity. If a devotee has an acute desire in his heart, all the islands and rivers will be visible. By devotion, the dh€ma is sometimes visible in dreams, meditation, or to the naked eye.

The island which lies at the junction of the Ganges and Yamuna is known in the sastras as Antardv…pa. Within Antardv…pa lies the holy sanctuary of M€y€pur, where Lord Caitanya appeared. Know, devotees, that Mahavana, in the center of Goloka, is none other than M€y€pur of Navadv…pa.

Svetadv…pa, Vaikunåha, Goloka, and V�nd€vana reside in Navadv…pa at all times. By the order of Gauracandra, the seven holy cities: Ayodhya, Mathura, M€y€ (Haridvara ), Kasi, Kañci, Avanti (Ujjain), and Dvaraka, are always present in their own places within Navadv…pa. The city of M€y€, at Gangadvara, has its original form as M€y€pur in Navadv…pa-dhama. The glories of this particular place are profusely sung in the scriptures.

That person who once visits M€y€pur is easily freed from the bondage of m€y€. One who walks throughout M€y€pur is freed from the influence of m€y€ and the repetition of birth.

North of M€y€pur lies Simantadv…pa. Sadhu and sastra have explained the rules of parikrama. After having darsana of M€y€pur in Antardv…pa, learned devotees go to Simantadv…pa. Next one should go south of M€y€pur to Godruma dv…pa, then one should joyfully go to Madhyadv…pa. After seeing these four islands on the east bank, one should reverently cross the Ganges. Having walked around Koladv…pa at leisure, then take darsana of ¬tudv…pa. After you have seen the most beautiful Jahnudv…pa, go and see Modadrumadv…pa and then Rudradv…pa. Then again cross the Ganges, and walk back to M€y€pur. There, respectfully enter the temple of Jagann€tha Mi�ra and Saci and take darsana of the Lord. This is the procedure of parikrama for all times. One who follows this practice will obtain unlimited happiness.

Everyone considers the best time for performing parikrama is from the tithi of Makara-saptami up to the full moon, or purnima, of Phalguna. After finishing parikrama, fortunate persons take darsana at M€y€pur on the birthday of Lord Caitanya. Nitai and Caitanya bestow Their mercy and the shade of Their lotus feet on those persons, who thus attain the qualification to execute devotional service.

Briefly I have described the rules for parikrama, and now I will describe everything in detail. Therefore, please listen. Whoever walks around the one hundred sixty-eight miles of Gauda-mandalaIGauda-mandala will quickly obtain the treasure of gaura-prema.

Desiring to obtain the shade of the lotus feet of Jahnava and Nitai, Bhaktivinoda reveals these truths.

All glories to Lord Caitanya, the moon of Navadv…pa and son of mother Saci! All glories to Nity€nanda Raya, the avadhuta! All glories to the topmost dh€ma, Navadv…pa, where ®r… Caitanya advented. Whatever benefits are attained by residing in all other tirthas can be achieved by staying in Navadv…pa for only one day.

Listen, O saintly people, as I sing this description of Navadv…pa parikrama referring to scripture. The statements of sastra, the words of the Vaisnavas, and the teachings of the Lord-these three are my life. Taking shelter of these three, I will describe the rules for circumambulating Navadv…pa. Listen everyone!

When ®r… J…va Gosvami as a young man left his home in Candradv…pa, in great eagerness he cried out “Nadia, Nadia!” As he travelled along the paths, he lamented with tears flowing from his eyes like streams, “O Gauranga! Nity€nanda! You are the life of the living entities. When will You show mercy on me and give me Your darsana?” Again and again he exclaimed, “O Navadv…pa, topmost of all dh€mas, when will I see you?”

It was a startling sight to see the young, attractive form of J…va, who was practicing extreme renunciation. His heart was always full of ecstatic love as he traveled along. Then, after some days, he arrived at Navadv…pa. Seeing the city from a distance, he offered his dandavats and nearly lost consciousness. After some time he regained his composure and, trembling in ecstasy, he entered the town of Navadv…pa. When he came to Barakona-gh€ta he asked, “Where is Nity€nanda Prabhu? Please let me see Him.”

One devotee saw the elevated emotional state of J…va Gosvami and offered to take him to where Nity€nanda was staying. At that time, Nity€nanda, in great ecstasy, began roaring with laughter on perceiving that ®r… J…va was coming to Him. As Nity€nanda ordered His servants to bring J…va there, many Vaisnavas went to call him.

Upon seeing J…va, whose body was filled with ecstatic symptoms, they could understood his identity. Filled with love, someone came forward to reveal the order of Nity€nanda Prabhu. Just on hearing the name Nity€nanda, J…va fell to the ground unconscious.

After a few moments he got up and exclaimed, “Oh, I am greatly fortunate. Though the lowest of men, I have received the mercy of Nity€nanda Prabhu.”

Offering his dandavats to those devotees with a glad heart, he said, “If you all show mercy to me, then I can get the mercy of Nity€nanda. This is the verdict of scriptures.” Seeing the good fortune of J…va Gosvami, some of the Vaisnavas took the dust from his feet on their heads with great celebration. Then they all took him to Nity€nanda's place. Nity€nanda was surrounded by devotees as He spoke about K��Ša. Seeing that transcendental form of Nity€nanda, J…va's body was transformed with extraordinary emotions. “What a wonderful form I am seeing today!” he exclaimed and fell unconscious.

Swayed by great compassion, Nity€nanda lifted J…va up and accepted him as His own. J…va was overcome with emotion. He stood with his hands folded and began to speak to his Lord, “You are the form of the universe, the abode of the universe, Balarama. Being an insignificant living entity, what can I know of Your qualities? You are my eternal master, I am Your servant. My only aspiration is the shade of Your lotus feet. That person who receives Your mercy easily attains the lotus feet of ®r… Caitanya and drowns in the water of prema. Without Your mercy no one will get Gaura, even if he worships Gaura for a hundred lifetimes. Sometimes Gauranga may punish someone, but You will protect him; but if You punish someone, Gaura will never accept him. Therefore, Lord, only on the strength of my past devotional activities, I take shelter of Your lotus feet. Be merciful and give permission that I may receive the darsana of Gauranga and gain attachment for Him.

“When Gauranga came to Ramakeli and accepted my uncles, I was a young child. At that time my eyes filled with tears as I saw Gauranga's form, which since then always appears in my mind. I fell and offered obeisances at Gauranga's feet, and I became filled with happiness as I touched His body. At that time, the Lord told me to study the scriptures and, after finishing studies, go to Navadv…pa, where I would attain everything at the lotus feet of Nity€nanda Prabhu. Although I am insignificant, I took that order on my head and acquired as much knowledge as I could. But though I studied all the books in Candradv…pa, I could not get a suitable Vedanta teacher. The Lord ordered me to study Vedanta and reveal K��Ša-bhakti conforming with the Vedanta-sutras. So I have come to Navadv…pa to Your lotus feet. Whatever You order, I will obey. By Your order, I will go to Jagann€tha Puri and study Vedanta under Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya.”

Upon hearing the sweet words of J…va, Nity€nanda Prabhu embraced him and, unable to contain Himself, began weeping.

“Listen, J…va, to these confidential words. Rupa and Sanatana know all the philosophy. The Lord ordered Me to tell you not to go stay in Puri. Everyone knows that you and your two uncles are pure servants of the Lord. The Lord ordered that you go to Varanasi and thoroughly study Vedanta under Madhusudana Vacaspati. From there, go to V�nd€vana, where you will get the mercy of Rupa and Sanatana. Under Rupa Gosvami's direction, worship Their Lordships R€dh€ and K��Ša, and thoroughly discuss scriptures such as Vedanta. You should preach that ®r…mad Bhagavatam is the topmost scripture and the natural commentary on the Vedanta-sutras.'

“Previously, Lord Caitanya bestowed His mercy on Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya and explained Vedanta to him according to the Bhagavata tradition. Sarvabhauma then taught this carefully to Madhusudana in Puri. On the order of ®r… Caitanya Mah€prabhu, Madhusudana Vacaspati now resides in Varanasi. Go there and meet him.

“Externally he acts like a traditional Vedantist, and many followers of Sankaracarya study under him. Gradually, however, he gives them mercy by teaching them the precepts of Gauranga through the Vedanta-sutras.

“At this time there is no necessity for a separate commentary on the Vedanta-sutras, for the Bhagavatam explains all the sutras. When there will be need of another commentary, ®r… Govinda-bhasya will be revealed. Along with Sarvabhauma, Gopin€tha Acarya heard the Lord's commentary. Later, by the wish of ®r… Caitanya, Gopin€tha Acarya will take birth as Baladeva Vidyabhusana;, and he will conquer Jaipur with his philosophical commentary. In Jaipur, he will serve Gauranga by writing the Govinda-bhasya, and thus free all living entities from material bondage. Your two uncles, Rupa and Sanatana, will tell you all these confidential topics.”

Upon hearing Nity€nanda Prabhu speak, J…va Gosvami began weeping and fell to the ground unconscious. Nity€nanda then bestowed His mercy on J…va by putting His two lotus feet upon his head, thereby giving him spiritual strength. J…va then began dancing in that assembly of Vaisnavas while chanting, “Jaya ®r… Gauranga! Jaya Nity€nanda Raya!”

Witnessing this display of Nity€nanda's mercy, ®r…vasa Th€kura and the other devotees present all began dancing and chanting, “®r… Gauranga! Nity€nanda!” The place resounded with great spiritual vibration.

After some time J…va controlled his dancing, and Nity€nanda had him sit down nearby. J…va stayed at ®r…vasa's place, but in the evening he again came to see Nity€nanda Prabhu.

As Nity€nanda was sitting alone, singing the glories of Lord Gauranga, J…va came forward and fell at His lotus feet. Nity€nanda was very particular to make J…va sit very close to Him. J…va, however, became very aware of his own miserable condition. He folded his hands and said, “Lord, be merciful to me and describe the essential truths about Navadv…pa-dhama.”

Lord Nity€nanda said, “O J…va, I will tell you, but you should keep these deep topics within your heart. Do not broadcast them here and there just yet. They will be propagated after our Lord completes His manifest pastimes.

“This Navadv…pa is the best of dh€mas. Crossing over the Viraja River and the Brahm€n effulgence, beyond the Vaikuntha planets one comes to Svetadv…pa, ®r… Goloka. Penetrating further, one comes to Gokula V�nd€vana, or K��Šaloka.

“That K��Šaloka exists in two states of emotion. R€sa expands there in the form of madhurya and audarya, sweetness and munificence. Audarya exists within madhurya in fullness, and madhurya exists within audarya in fullness. But, that place where madhurya is the chief state is known by fortunate persons as V�nd€vana. And that place where audarya is eternally predominant is called Navadv…pa in all the Vedas. There is no difference between V�nd€vana and Navadv…pa, only the different manifestations of r€sa makes them distinct.

“The dh€ma is eternally perfect, fully spiritual, and unlimited. Those whose intelligence is tinged with dull matter cannot approach there. But, under the influence of the hladini-sakti, the energy governing bliss, the living entities give up material paths and by the strength of perfect knowledge attain their eternal spiritual activity of devotional service. The whole of Navadv…pa is a spiritual manifestation, for at this holy place ®r… Gauranga performed His transcendental activities.

“People with material vision see Navadv…pa as made of material elements; for them m€y€ covers the eternal dh€ma. Actually m€y€ does not exist in Navadv…pa, for it is not a material place influenced by time, nor are the living entities there subject to material troubles. But, as the living entity becomes bound by his fruitive activities, under illusion he perceives the dh€ma to be a material place.

“Thus I have related the truth of Navadv…pa-dhama. O J…va, please consider all this with a pure heart.”

Aspiring for the shade of the lotus feet of Nitai and Jahnava, Bhaktivinoda reveals these confidential topics.

All glories to ®r… Caitanya, the son of Saci! All glories to Nity€nanda, the life of Jahnava! All glories to Navadv…pa, the topmost dh€ma where Gauranga advented in Kali-yuga.

Nity€nanda Prabhu began speaking, “Listen to My words. Navadv…pa extends over sixteen krosas. Within the sixteen krosas of Navadv…pa, which are nondifferent from V�nd€vana, there are nine islands, which form an eight-petaled lotus floating on the water. In the middle of the eight islands, or petals, lies Antardv…pa. And within Antardv…pa, lies the very central point, M€y€pur. The eternal pastimes of Lord Caitanya take place within Yogapitha and the circle of M€y€pur, the circumference of which measures three and a half miles and the diameter measures just over one mile. Because the Pañca-tattva are seated at the Yogapitha, it is the most glorious of all places.

“Very soon, by the desire of the Lord, this will be nearly hidden under the waters of the Ganges. Then later, by the powerful desire of the Lord, the dh€ma will again be revealed and shine effulgently. The eternal dh€ma is never really lost but is temporarily covered, and then again it appears to our eyes.

“My worshipable Lord eternally resides at M€y€pur, situated on the east bank of the Ganges. Although in the eyes of common people, Visvambhara took sannyasa and left Navadv…pa to go elsewhere, actually My Gauranga never gives up M€y€pur or Navadv…pa. The devotees can perceive His daily lila. You, J…va, will also see Gauranga dancing.

“Around M€y€pur is beautiful Antardv…pa, where Brahm€ received the darsana of Gauranga. O J…va, if you want to see all this, please go on parikrama. It will be very beneficial for you.”

Hearing the Lord's words, J…va, with tears in his eyes, fell flat like a stick at Nity€nanda's feet and requested, “You will show real mercy on this unworthy wretch if You Yourself take me on parikrama.”

Hearing J…va's request, Nity€nanda Raya simply said, “So be it.” By that, He revealed His mind. Nity€nanda said, “J…va, today take darsana of M€y€pur. Tomorrow we will tour more extensively.”

Saying this, Nity€nanda Prabhu got up, and J…va followed Him with a happy heart. Nity€nanda moved forward slowly, for His body was extremely agitated with ecstatic love for Gauranga. Nity€nanda Prabhu was engrossed in ecstasy, and His enchanting form was decorated with gold ornaments which glittered and shone. The very feet that Brahm€ and ®iva cannot attain by meditation were served out to ®r… J…va simply by the mercy of ®r… Nity€nanda. Thus J…va followed the Lord taking the dust of the Lord's feet and smearing it over his body. Off he went in great happiness.

They entered Jagann€tha Mi�ra's house and Nity€nanda introduced J…va at the feet of mother Saci, “O mother, this is the magnanimous ®r… J…va, a fortunate and dear servant of ®r… Caitanya.”

When the Lord said this, J…va fell over like a tree uprooted by a storm. Falling at Saci 's feet, he rolled on the ground out of control as he exhibited various symptoms of ecstasy. Mother Saci mercifully blessed him, and on that very day, in that very house, they took pras€da.

Receiving the order from mother Saci, Vi�Šupriya devi cooked various dishes of rice, vegetables, chutney, and sweets. Vaˆsiv€dana Th€kura D€sa offered the bhoga attentively to Gauranga. Isana Th€kura felt delighted within as he arranged a sitting place and served Nity€nanda the pras€da. In motherly affection, Saci said, “My child Nity€nanda, eat at Your mother's house! Unseen by You, I have made Gauranga eat this. So when You eat, my mind becomes very happy.”

Hearing His mother's words, Nity€nanda Raya ate in great bliss. Afterwards, as J…va took the remnants, he exclaimed, “I am greatly blessed to take pras€da in the house of Caitanya Mah€prabhu in M€y€pur.”

Having eaten, Nity€nanda took leave of Sacidevi 's lotus feet. At this time they took Vaˆsiv€dana D€sa into their group. After J…va offered his respects at Vamsi's feet, Nity€nanda introduced him to J…va, “The devotees know that this Vaˆsiv€dana Th€kura is none other than K��Ša's dear flute, by whose mercy the living entities become attracted to K��Ša. They then develop great thirst, to attain the r€sa dance.

“Look, J…va, ®r… Caitanya would bring us in this house, and we enjoyed many pastimes here. See, here is Jagann€tha Mi�ra's temple, where he would daily worship Lord Vi�Šu. And in this house, he used to serve his guests. See this tulasi bower. While Gauracandra was still here, He performed all the duties that His father observed. Relying on the authoritative words of Vaˆsiv€dana Th€kura, Isana Th€kura now performs those duties every day. Here, there was a nimba tree, which disappeared by ®r… Caitanya's touch.”

Lord Nity€nanda wept as He described this, and J…va and Vaˆsiv€dana Th€kura also cried in response. Meanwhile, ®r…vasa Pandita came there to see what was happening. The four of them then left Jagann€tha Mi�ra's house and proceeded to ®r…vasa's courtyard, two hundred meters to the north. With a joyful mind, Nity€nanda Prabhu showed this to J…va.

J…va was agitated with love as he remembered the Lord's pastimes, and he rolled on the ground in ®r…vasa's courtyard. Then, just as J…va was getting up, he saw Gauranga dancing wonderfully amidst His intimate associates in saŠk…rtana. Advaita, Nity€nanda, Gad€dhara, and Harid€sa Th€kura were dancing and singing. And they were joined by ®ukl€mbhara and hundreds of others. Seeing this, J…va became unconscious with ecstatic love.

Regaining his consciousness, he could no longer see that pastime. J…va Gosvami began to cry and lament, “Why couldn't I have taken birth a little earlier? I have not been fortunate enough to enjoy the bliss of such kirtana! Nity€nanda's mercy is unlimited, however, for by His grace I have been fortunate for a moment's time. My wish is to stay here forever so that the troubles of material existence will go far away. But the Lord's order is stronger than the servant's wish! My heart is beating wildly at the thought of leaving M€y€pur !”

Nity€nanda next took J…va to Advaita's house, twenty meters to the north. “J…va, see the house of Sita-n€tha, Advaita Acarya, where the Vaisnavas would meet to discuss K��Ša. ®r… Advaita worshiped K��Ša here and, calling loudly, brought this treasure, My Lord Gauranga.”

After rolling on the ground there, the four men went to the house of Gad€dhara, just ten meters to the east. From that place, Nity€nanda showed J…va the various houses of Lord Caitanya's associates. After seeing the houses of the br€hmana community, they proceeded to the bank of the Ganges in a happy mood. There, at the border of M€y€pur, J…va saw the V�ddha ®iva temple.

Nity€nanda Prabhu said, “He is the guardian of M€y€pur. This is where the praudha-m€y€ energy, yoga-m€y€, in charge of spiritual perception) is eternally situated. When our Lord disappears, by His desire, the Ganges will swell. The Ganges water will almost cover M€y€pur for a hundred years, and then the water will again recede. For some time only the place will remain, devoid of houses. Then again, by the Lord's desire, this place will become prominent, and people will live in M€y€pur as before. All these gh€tas on the bank of the Ganges will again be manifest, and the devotees will build temples of the Lord. One exceedingly wonderful temple will appear from which Gauranga's eternal service will be preached everywhere. Praudha M€y€ and V�ddha ®iva will again come and perform their duties of revealing the spiritual dh€ma according to the Lord's desire.”

Hearing this, J…va folded his hands and then, taking hold of Nity€nanda's lotus feet, he said, “O Lord, You are the cause of ®e�a. You expand Yourself as the dh€ma and the holy name, and You are the shelter of the various forms of the Lord. Even though You act according to the Lord's desire, still You are the guru of all living entities and all energies rest upon You. Of course, whoever distinguishes between You and Gauranga is considered by the wise to be a rascal. O omniscient Supreme Lord, You have descended to display Your pastimes. One doubt has come into my heart. Please tell me where ®iva and his consort will go when the Ganges hides M€y€pur.”

Nity€nanda said, “Listen to My words, J…va. Please look at that land on the west side of the Ganges. That high sandy shoal is called Paradanga. A community of br€hmanas live there. North of that, is the bank of the Ganges, which the wise know as Chinadanga. At that place, a village will be established wherein ®iva and his energy will stay for some time. Who can properly describe the glories of that riverbank, called Pulina? There, where the Ganges flows, is the location of the r€sa dance. Only a sandy place of land is visible to the naked eye, but that place is a jewel-like eternal dh€ma where transcendental pastimes take place. M€y€pur is considered Gokula Mahavana, and Paradanga is Sattikara [presently Chatikara]. And that place, Pulina, is V�nd€vana with ®r… R€sa-mandala. Later, the sound of tumultuous kirtana will be heard there.

“There is M€y€pur and ®r… Pulina and in the middle flows the Ganges. O magnanimous one, you should understand that all of this is the abode of Gauranga. One who walks these five krosas of the dh€ma will see M€y€pur and ®r… Pulina. And whoever walks these five krosas with the devotees on the Phalguna Purnima day receives the eternal treasure of love of God.

“O J…va, hear a confidential topic. There is a very beautiful Deity of Gauranga belonging to Vi�Šupriya, which in the future will be brought to Sattikara by br€hmanas descending from the family of Jagann€tha Mi�ra. Four hundred years after Lord Gauranga's appearance in this world, the worship of the Deity will be restored to the highest standard. But do not reveal any of this. Just do parikrama, feeling internal joy.

“Six meters from V�ddha ®iva-gh€ta, see Gauranga's own gh€ta. There Gaurahari in His childhood played in the water and pulled many pranks. Seeing the Yamuna 's good fortune of taking part in K��Ša's pastimes, the Ganges performed penance for the same purpose. K��Ša bestowed His mercy by appearing before Gangadevi and saying, ‘In the form of Gauranga I will perform pastimes in your waters.' Those pastimes were performed by the Supreme Lord of the three worlds, Gauranga, at this gh€ta. Fortunate people who see this place attain great happiness.”

“Thirty meters north is Madhai's gh€ta, which is known to all. Ten meters north of this lies one gh€ta that attracts the minds of the townspeople. This exceedingly beautiful gh€ta is called Barakona-gh€ta. It was constructed on K��Ša's order by Visvakarma. At this gh€ta you will see five ®iva temples with five lingas. These four gh€tas make M€y€pur very beautiful. Moreover, whoever takes bath here is relieved of all miseries.

“East of M€y€pur, the land is known as Antardv…pa. By the Lord's desire this place will remain uninhabited for a long time. Then later, people will again live there, and it will be famous as one of the glories of Nadia. J…va, today stay in M€y€pur and tomorrow we will go to Simantadv…pa.”

Hearing this, J…va then said, “One question has arisen. Please listen. When Gangadevi again uncovers M€y€pur, by what signs will the devotees be able to rediscover the concealed sites?”

Hearing this, Nity€nanda Prabhu answered with nectarlike words, “Listen, J…va, when the Ganges covers this place, one corner of M€y€pur will remain intact. Many yavanas will take up residence there, yet the name will remain M€y€pur. About one thousand meters southwest of the remaining place, one will see a slightly raised area covered with vegetation. That will indicate Jagann€tha Mi�ra's house. Ten meters from there is the V�ddha ®iva temple. From such measurement one will be able to discern everything. A pond called ®iva-doba will be seen, indicating the previous bank of the Ganges. In this way, by the Lord's wish, the devotees will reveal the lost places. Know this for certain. At the end of four hundred years, the task of recovering the lost tirthas will begin.”

®r… J…va said, “O Lord, what is the reason for the name Antardv…pa ?”

Nity€nanda Prabhu answered, “At the end of Dvapara-yuga, Brahm€ undertook austerities here with a desire to achieve Gauranga's mercy. Brahm€ had tried to deceive Govinda by stealing the cowherd boys and calves, but when he saw he was defeated by his own tricks, he became miserable and regretted his offense. He entreated K��Ša with many prayers, and K��Ša forgave him. But later, Brahm€ considered, ‘Thinking that I am the creator of the universe is useless. Simply because of this fault I have been deprived of K��Ša-prema and enjoyment of the r€sas of V�nd€vana. If I could have taken birth as a cowherd boy, I could have easily served the master of the gopis. Although I was not able to achieve the nectar of those pastimes, now, when Gauranga appears, I will not fall prey to my wicked mind!'

“Thinking like this, Brahm€ began meditating and performing austerities in Antardv…pa. After many days, Gauracandra mercifully came and said, ‘O Brahm€, I am satisfied with your austerities. I have come to fulfill your desire.'

“When Brahm€ opened his eyes, he saw Gauranga and fell to the earth unconscious. The Lord put His foot on Brahm€ 's head, and Brahm€ was enlightened with transcendental knowledge and began to pray.’I am a low and worthless wretch, controlled by pride. Forgetting Your lotus feet, I have turned to material sense gratification. I myself, Lord ®iva, and the demigods headed by Indra are Your subjugated servants. This is written in scripture. But we are not so fortunate as Your pure servants, and thus m€y€ covers us with the net of illusion. The first one hundred trillion years of my life have passed and I have been forced to realize this at last. How will I spend the second one hundred trillion years of my life? If I remain in illusion, I will simply suffer. My only prayer is that I may become Your associate when You manifest Your pastimes. Having given up the illusion that I am the creator, I want to take birth in Your association and sing Your glories.'

“Hearing Brahm€ 's prayers, Lord Gauranga benedicted him saying, ‘So be it. When My pastimes become visible on earth, you will take birth in a yavana's house. Your name will be Harid€sa Th€kura, and you will be famous for your humility and completely free from all pride. You will chant three hundred thousand names a day, and when you pass from this world you will be seeing Me. And at the end of the second one hundred trillion years of your life, you will attain Navadv…pa-dhama and be absorbed in eternal r€sa.

“‘Brahm€, hear these secret (antara) words, but do not reveal this openly in the scriptures. Taking the role of a devotee, I will taste the nectar of bhakti-r€sa and propagate the most rare process of saŠk…rtana. I will make the devotees of all the previous avataras drunk with the nectar of V�nd€vana. The love that ®r… Radhika possesses is beyond My experience, so I will appear with Her sentiments and complexion. Taking the position of R€dh€, I will taste that happiness that only R€dh€ obtains in serving Me. From today, act as My disciple and, in the form of Harid€sa Th€kura, always serve Me.'

“Saying this, Gauranga became invisible, and Brahm€ fell to the ground unconscious.

“‘O Gauranga! Friend of the poor, dear to the devotees. when will I attain Your lotus feet?' he cried. In this way he wept for many days and then returned to his duties in Brahm€loka.”

Desiring only to attain the lotus feet of Nitai and Jahnava, this low, worthless, and useless Bhaktivinoda sings this glorification of Nadia.

®r… Ganganagara, Prthu-kunda, Simantadv…pa

Saradanga, Visrama-sthana

All glories to ®r… Caitanya, the son of mother Saci! All glories to Nity€nanda, the life of Jahnava! All glories to Advaita, the husband of Sita. All glories to Gad€dhara! And all glories to Gauranga's associates headed by ®r…vasa!

Early the next morning, Nity€nanda went out with ®r…vasa and ®r… J…va. Rama D€sa and other devotees joined as they continued on, performing saŠk…rtana all the while. When they came to the very edge of Antardv…pa, Nity€nanda pointed out Ganganagara to J…va.

“Listen, J…va, this Ganganagara was founded by Bhagiratha of the Raghu family. When the Ganges came down, King Bhagiratha led the way, blowing a conch shell. But when the Ganges arrived at Navadv…pa-dhama, she stopped and would not proceed. Bhagiratha saw this and became fearful. Retracing his steps, he came towards the Ganges. At this place, Ganganagara, he began to perform austerities. Satisfied with this, Gangadevi personally appeared before him.

“Bhagiratha said, ‘Mother Ganges, if you do not proceed on, my forefathers will never be delivered.'

“Gangadevi said, ‘Listen dear child, Bhagiratha. Just stay here patiently for a few days. Now we are in Navadv…pa, and Magha month is coming. At the end of Phalguna month I will go to deliver your forefathers. O Bhagiratha, my waters emanate from the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord, so now here in His own dh€ma I would like to have my desires fulfilled. On the Phalguna Purnima, the birthday of the Lord, my vow will be completed. Then certainly I will go with you. Do not fear.' Thus Bhagiratha, the leader of the Raghu family, stayed here in Ganganagara until the Phalguna Purnima.

“On the Phalguna Purnima, one who fasts, takes bath in the Ganges here, and worships Gauranga will cross over the material ocean along with his ancestors. Along with one thousand ancestors, he attains Goloka after death no matter where he dies.

“O J…va, this place is unlimitedly glorious because ®r… Caitanya danced here many times. Also see here the houses of Gangad€sa and Sañjaya D€sa, which are always pleasing.

“O learned one, now hear the glories of this beautiful pond to the east. Although it is now known as Ballal-dighi, it was variously described in Satya-yuga. At that time, Prthu Maharaja was leveling the rough places of the earth by cutting down the hills. As he began leveling this area, a great effulgence came forth. When the workers told this to Prthu Maharaja, he came to see the phenomenon. As he was a saktyavesa-avatara, an empowered incarnation, by meditation he understood that this place was Navadv…pa. He kept the glories of this place secret at that time and ordered that a kunda be established there. This kunda thus became celebrated as Prthu-kunda throughout Navadv…pa-dhama. The villagers felt indescribable bliss on drinking the pure water of this kunda.

“Later, King Laksmana Sena dug out the kunda and made it bigger and deeper. Desiring to deliver his forefathers, he named it Ballal-dighi [after his father, Ballal Sena]. See that beautiful hill. Laksmana Sena's house, now broken with the passing of time, once stood there.

“All these places are ornaments of Navadv…pa which various kings established to gain pious credits. Later, the yavana kings desecrated this place, therefore the devotees no longer worship here. The earth itself is very pure, but no one lives here due to fear of the impure yavana's association. Because a great offense was committed to the Deity of the Lord, the devotees gave up this place.”

Saying this, Nity€nanda Prabhu roared loudly and went on to nearby Simuliya. He then described that place to J…va, “Know this to be Simantadv…pa. Saints know Simantadv…pa to be on the border of Navadv…pa on the south bank of the Ganges. In time, the Ganges will devour all but one sacred portion, named Simuliya, where materialistic people will worship Parvati. Listen to the story.

“One time during Satya-yuga, Lord Lord ®iva began madly dancing, while chanting the name of Gauranga. Parvati asked him, ‘Please tell me who is Gauranga. By seeing your astonishing dance and hearing the name of Gauranga, my heart is melting. All that I have heard in the way of mantra and tantra till now only leads to more entanglement for the living entities. Dear husband, please tell me something of this Gauranga. By worshiping Him will I receive actual life?'

Hearing Parvati's words, Lord ®iva meditated on Gauranga and said, ‘Unto you, who are the primordial energy, one portion of ®r… R€dh€, I will tell the crest-jewel of all truths. Accepting the spiritual emotions of ®r… R€dh€, K��Ša will descend in this Kali-yuga at M€y€pur in the womb of Saci. Lord Gauranga, intoxicated with pastimes of kirtana, will distribute the jewel of prema to everyone without discrimination. Whoever does not drown in that flood of prema is most unfortunate. O Devi, just by remembering the Lord's promise that He will come, I pass my life drowning in love of God. Being unable to control myself, I have given up my own city of Kasi. Within M€y€pur, on the bank of the Ganges, I will live in a hut and worship Gauranga.'

“Hearing ®iva's words, beautiful Parvati quickly went to Simantadv…pa. As she constantly meditated on the form of Gauranga and chanted His name, she became immersed in prema. After some time, Gauracandra appeared with His associates to bestow mercy on Parvati. His complexion was like molten gold. He had long arms, wavy hair, and beautiful limbs. He was wearing a long dhoti folded thrice, and from His neck swung a garland of flowers, which was very attractive to behold. In a voice choked with love, Gaura Raya said, ‘O Parvati, why have you come here?'

“Parvati fell at the lotus feet of the master of the universe and with an agitated mind explained her sorrow: ‘O Prabhu Jagann€tha, life of the universe, though You are merciful to all, You have deceived me. O deliverer of the fallen, You have appointed me to bind up all the living entities in the material world who are averse to You. I have come into the material world to do this work, and have thus been cheated of Your unlimited prema. People say that wherever K��Ša is there is no M€y€. I am therefore forced to always remain outside Your spiritual realm, in the material world. So how will I ever see Your pastimes? If You do not offer a way, I am without hope.'

“Saying this, Parvati put Gauranga's foot dust on her simanta (part in the hair) in great distress. From that, the name of Simantadv…pa came. Ignorant people call the place Simuliya.

“Gauracandra was pleased, and He said to Parvati, ‘O supreme goddess, listen carefully to My words. You are My energy, you are not separate or different from Me. My one energy has two forms. Within the spiritual kingdom, My original energy has one form as ®r… R€dh€, but for carrying out activities in the material world She has expanded Herself as you. Without you, My lila could not be accomplished, for in the form of Yogam€y€, you are necessary in My pastimes. In Vraja, you are eternally present as Paurnamasi, and in Navadv…pa you are present as Praudha M€y€ along with Ksetrapala Lord ®iva, guardian of the dh€ma.'

“Saying this, Gauranga disappeared, and Parvati became overwhelmed with love. Parvati stays in one form as the goddess of Simantadv…pa, and in another form as Praudha M€y€ in M€y€pur.”

After saying this, Nity€nanda Prabhu took J…va and quickly entered the Chand Kazi’s village, where He said, “O J…va, hear My words. The Chand Kazi's village is none other than Mathura. After performing kirtana, Gauranga gave love of God to the Kazi and liberated him. Mathura 's King Kaësa of K��Ša-lila became Chand Kazi;as King Kamsa in gaura-lila. For that reason Gauranga addressed the Kazi as His maternal uncle, and out of fear the Kazi took shelter of Gauranga's lotus feet.

“Under orders from Hussain Shah, who was the king of the Bengal empire and Jar€sandha in K��Ša-lila, the Kazi caused disturbance during kirtana performance by breaking the mrdangas. The Lord, appearing in the form of Nrsingha, put fear in the Kazi's heart. Like Kamsa, the Kazi cowered in fear. ®r… Caitanya, however, gave him prema and thus made the Kazi a great devotee. The very fortunate hear this story of the Kazi's liberation.

“Just see the difference between Vraja-tattva and Navadv…pa-tattva. Those who offend K��Ša are liberated by merging into the Lord's effulgence, whereas in Navadv…pa the offenders receive the treasure of love of God. Therefore, Lord Gauranga's pastimes are considered the highest. Gauranga's abode, name, form, and qualities do not consider offense; rather, they expertly deliver one from any offense. If the devotee has some offense in his heart, then K��Ša's name and abode will deliver him only after a long time. But Gauranga's name and abode immediately bestow prema on the devotee, for offenses create no obstacle and are easily overcome. O J…va, see the Kazi's samadhi. By seeing this samadhi the living entities' old age and disease are vanquished.”

Overwhelmed with love, Nity€nanda then quickly moved on to Sankhavanik-nagara, where He spoke to J…va, “Saradanga is a wonderful sight. Even the name is most enchanting. Jagann€tha resides here with the sabaras. When the demon Raktabahu created disturbances, the Lord came here with His dayita (beloved). Know for certain that this place is nondifferent from Jagann€tha Puri, for Lord Jagann€tha is eternally situated here.”

Going past Tantuvaya-grama, they saw the cottage of Kolaveca ®r…dhara. The Lord said, “After performing kirtana, Gaurahari blessed His devotee by taking rest here. For that reason it is called Visrama-sthana (place of resting). Now you may take rest here at ®r…dhara's house.”

When ®r…dhara heard the Lord coming, he came out and offered full obeisances and worship to the Lord. ®r…dhara said, “O Lord, You are very merciful to this servant. I beg You to take rest here.”

Nity€nanda said, “You are very fortunate, for the Lord showed His mercy on you. Today we will take rest here.”

Hearing this, ®r…dhara's desire was fulfilled. With great attention he gathered suitable items and had some devotee br€hmanas cook. After Nity€nanda and ®r…vasa finished their meal, ®r… J…va took the remnants with great bliss. ®r…dhara then made Nity€nanda Prabhu lie down on a cot, and, along with his family, he began massaging the Lord's lotus feet.

In the afternoon, ®r…vasa took J…va to see óasåhi-tirtha. ®r…vasa said, “Listen, J…va. Previously, when the demigods heard that Mah€prabhu would descend at Navadv…pa, Visvakarma came to Nadia town. He saw that it would be hard to get water on the roads where the Lord would do kirtana in the future. In one night he dug out sixty (sasåhi) wide ponds, the last at the Kazi’s village. See one of those ponds near ®r…dhara's beautiful banana patch. Mah€prabhu would sometimes play in the water here and then take ®r…dhara's bananas. Even now ®r…dhara takes his banana flowers and banana stem vegetables to Saci with great happiness.

“Nearby this place is M€y€mari. Listen to the story from the Puranas. When Baladeva was on pilgrimage, He came to Navadv…pa to take rest. The br€hmanas there told Him about the M€y€sura demon. Hearing about the disturbance that the demon was causing, Baladeva quickly came running to meet the demon in the field. A great battle ensued between Balarama ;kills the demon M€y€ and the demon, and at last the demon was killed. Since then the place has been called M€y€mari. This is a very old story I am telling you. In V�nd€vana, this tirtha is called Talavana, and it is visible to those who are fortunate.”

That night they all stayed there, and the next day, with cries of, “Hari! Hari!” they continued their pilgrimage.

Aspiring only to attain the shade of the lotus feet of Jahnava and Nity€nanda, this servant reveals the glorification of Nadia.

All glories to ®r… Caitanyacandra! All glories to Prabhu Nity€nanda! All glories to Advaita and Gad€dhara! All glories to the devotees addicted to Gauranga's feet headed by ®r…vasa! And all glories to Navadv…pa, the topmost abode!

Leaving Visrama-sthana, the party proceeded to Suvarna-vihara. There, Nity€nanda said, “O J…va, this is a wonderful place. Like the rest of Navadv…pa, it is transcendental to material nature. During Satya-yuga, a well-known king named Suvarna Sena lived here. For a long time he was simply engaged in ruling the kingdom, and even when he grew old he took no rest. The king's mind was absorbed in material hankering, and he was always thinking how to increase his wealth. Who knows by what good fortune Narada Muni happened to come there? After being profusely worshiped by the king, Narada Muni took him to a secluded place and mercifully instructed him on the Absolute Truth.

“Narada Muni spoke as follows: ‘O king, your days are going by uselessly with thoughts of material wealth and gain. Know that this wealth is of no value. The supreme wealth is spiritual knowledge. Just once consider this in your heart. You have no real relationship with your wife, sons, or friends. After your death they will immerse your body in the water and return to their homes. If one can not claim anything as his own, then why hold on to this false hope and aspiration, this thirst for material objects-which are like a drop of water with no capacity to quench the thirst? If you think that by getting happiness you can avoid distress, and therefore you must earn wealth, that is also false. Because this life itself is impermanent, lasting not more than a hundred years.

“‘Therefore, know the truth. You must go beyond this world of illusion, to the place where there is happiness without pain. By what process can one attain a result in which there is no fear, pain, or grief? Simply by renunciation or cultivating knowledge, one cannot get this result. By vairagya and jñana one can get freedom from material bondage and merge into the Brahm€n, but in Brahm€n there is no bliss. Rather, I say, merging into Brahm€n is utterly condemned, for it is annihilation of the self. By this liberation you will lose material enjoyment, and nothing good is gained. Just consider that aspect of liberation.

“‘The wise man does not accept the path of material enjoyment or liberation, bhukti or mukti, but rather engages in devotional service to ®r… K��Ša. That person is free from the attraction to material enjoyment and completely attracted to serving the lotus feet of K��Ša.

“‘The process of bhakti may be divided into three parts: sambandha, abhidheya, and prayojana. The living entity is the servant of K��Ša, therefore without performing devotional service, everything is lost. The tree of bhakti, however, bears fruit in the form of love of God. That fruit is the necessity, or ultimate goal, and eternal treasure of all living entities. Bhukti and mukti are insignificant in comparison.

“‘K��Ša is the sun, full of knowledge and bliss. M€y€ is His shadow, or perverted reflection. The living entity is an in finitesimal particle of K��Ša's effulgence. Because of his marginal nature (tatastha), when the living entity contacts m€y€, then m€y€ captures and binds him. When one goes away from K��Ša, he can only go towards m€y€. By m€y€'s contact, the living entity becomes attached to fruitive activities. In m€y€'s net, one suffers while wandering throughout the universe. Karma and jñana promise relief from the suffering and deliverance from this world, but they are unable to give it.

“‘Sometimes one takes to the regulative activities of the Vedas for material gain, sometimes one takes to the eightfold path of yoga, sometimes one takes to discussion on knowledge of Brahm€n, and sometimes one takes to logic and argument. But ultimately there is no success, for one does not consider the treasure held within his own soul, the actual nature of his soul.

“‘While wandering from body to body, if he happens to meet a pure devotee, he will receive real sraddha, pure faith. By association with the devotees, he will eventually take to the worship of K��Ša and then give up all unwanted habits (anarthas). Then he becomes firmly fixed (nisåha) in devotional service. As one continues to engage in devotional service, he develops taste (ruci). Gradually this taste leads to attachment (asakti). This turns to bhava, and bhava becomes prema. This is the progression of pure bhakti.

“‘Hearing, chanting, remembering, serving, worshiping, bowing down, servitude, friendship, and self surrender-these are the ninefold processes. One who performs these in the association of devotees attains K��Ša-prema.

“‘You are very fortunate, for your kingdom is in Navadv…pa. Your residence here is the beginning of your good fortune. Now develop your faith by associating with devotees and singing the name of K��Ša, let the sun of prema rise in your heart.

“‘Fortunate will be the coming of Kali-yuga, for K��Ša will bring His associates here and manifest His pastimes as Gauranga. One who chants Gaura's name will get the mercy of K��Ša, and he will be able to live in V�nd€vana. One who worships K��Ša without chanting the name of Gaura will get K��Ša only after a long time. But he who takes Gaura's name quickly gets K��Ša, for offenses do not remain within him.'

“While saying this, Narada Muni lost control of himself and began to dance and chant the name of Gaura. ‘Gaurahari bol!' the vina joined in. ‘O Gaurahari! When will blessed Kali-yuga come?' Saying this, Narada Muni went off, leaving the king filled with prema. Crying the name of Gauranga, dancing, and begging love of God from the devotees, he became free from material hankerings. Later, while sleeping, the king saw Gauranga and Gad€dhara with their associates dancing in the courtyard. Surrounding the golden form of Gaura, they were all chanting ‘Hare K��Ša!' while dancing and embracing one another.

“Awakening, the king was in anguish and began weeping in separation from Gauranga. Then a voice spoke. ‘O king, when I appear, you will be amongst My associates. Your name will be Buddhimanta Khan. You will receive the transcendental dh€ma and serve the lotus feet of Gauranga.' Hearing this, the king became composed and began to worship Gauranga.”

When Nity€nanda finished His story, ®r…vasa, who is an empowered incarnation of Narada Muni, fell unconscious. Overcome by great ecstasy and intoxicated with the nectar of Gaura's name, ®r… J…va also fell flat on the earth.

“O Lord Gauranga, will I ever be able to see Your golden jewel-like figure here?” J…va repeatedly called out. At that time, Gauranga's kirtana party became visible before their eyes. Nectar was defeated by the beautiful form of Gauranga, who then began dancing. Then Nity€nanda Prabhu, along with Advaita and all the other devotees, began to sing Gauranga's glories. The sound of mrdangas and karatalas joined in as that sweet display of saŠk…rtana manifested the previous pastime. The bliss of that scene, which lasted uptil midday, is impossible to describe.

Then, singing loudly the glories of Gauranga, the party of pilgrims entered Devapalli. In that village, they took rest as the guests of the presiding Deity, Nrsimha, and then took their midday meals. At the last minutes of daylight, as they all wandered in the village, Nity€nanda spoke: “This is Devapalli, and here is the temple of Nrsimhadeva, well known since Satya-yuga. After bestowing His mercy on Prahlada by killing Hiranyakasipu, the Lord came here to rest.

“Brahm€ and the other demigods made their houses here and formed a village. This village was established on åilas, hillocks, here on the bank of the MandakinRiver, and all the residents were absorbed in the worship of Nrsimhadeva. According to the scriptures, this village in Navadv…pa, named ®r… Nrsimha-ksetra, is most purifying.

“See here Surya-tila and Brahm€-tila and to the east was Nrsiëha-tila. The place is now transformed. See there Ganesa-tila, and over there is Indra-tila. Though Visvakarma built hundreds of jeweled houses here, in time, all were destroyed, and the Mandakini dried up. Now only the hillocks mark the places. See these countless broken stones, the remnants of the temples. Again in the future, one devotee king will receive a drop of Nrsimha's mercy, and he will make a large temple, reinstall Nrsimha, and take up service to Nrsimha again. This is on the border of the Navadv…pa parikrama within the sixteen krosas.”

Giving up the net of m€y€ and having only the wealth of the lotus feet of Nitai and Jahnava, this beggar, Bhaktivinoda, sings the glories of Navadv…pa, which have no limit.

®r… Harihara-ksetra, Maha-Varanasi, and Godruma

All glories to Lord Caitanya, ®r… Sacisuta! All glories to Lord Nity€nanda, ®r… Avadhuta! All glories to Sitapati, Advaita Prabhu, king of the devotees! All glories to Gad€dhara and the society of devotees! All glories to beautiful Navadv…pa-dhama! And all glories to the name of Gaura!

Lord Nity€nanda continued on with the devotees while chanting, “Hari, Hari!” Because of ecstatic love, Nity€nanda Prabhu tottered as He walked and mumbled as he talked. Tears streamed down His face, and in agitation He cried out “Gaura, Gaura!” All His ornaments glittered and His divine form illuminated the ten directions. ®r…vasa, along with J…va, repeatedly wept and danced. And the other devotees all danced along.

As they approached Alakananda, Lord Nity€nanda, immersed in bliss, said, “Starting to the west of Bilvapaksa village (Bel Pukur), the MandakinRiver comes and surrounds Nadia. At Suvarnavihara, the Alakananda River leaves the Mandakini. On the eastern bank of the Alakananda River, at Harihara-ksetra, a beautiful Deity will be discovered in the future, amidst a lovely forest.

“To the west of the Alakananda River see Kasi, where the followers of Lord ®iva and his consort endeavor for liberation. This Navadv…pa Kasi, however, is superior to the other Kasi. Here, Lord ®iva is always dancing and chanting the name of Gaura, begging his followers to accept gaura-bhakti. The sannyasis who live for a thousand years in Kasi may attain liberation through the cultivation of jñana, but here the devotees kick away that liberation as they dance and chant the name of Gauranga. While leaving the body here, living entities are delivered by Lord Lord ®iva, who chants the name of Gauranga in their ears. This dh€ma is thus called Maha-Varanasi, for here there is no fear of death.”

At that moment Nity€nanda Prabhu began dancing, and He asked J…va to accept gaura-prema. Invisible to everyone, Lord ®iva came forward and bowed at Nity€nanda's lotus feet. Lord ®iva and his consort, Gauri, achieved all their desires by always singing the name of Gauranga.

The independent Lord Nity€nanda then walked with the devotees to GadigachaIGadigacha village. When they arrived there, He smiled and said, “This island is named Godruma dv…pa. Surabhi stays here eternally. When Indra was overcome by K��Ša's illusory energy, he proudly flooded Gokula with rain. The Lord, however, carefully protected Gokula by lifting Govardhana mountain. Thus Indra's pride was crushed, and he understood K��Ša's identity. To mitigate his offense, he fell down at the lotus feet of K��Ša. The son of Nanda mercifully forgave Indra and pacified him.

“Still, Indra remained fearful, so he approached Surabhi and said, ‘I cannot understand K��Ša's pastimes, and for that reason I committed a great offense. I have heard that in Kali-yuga Vrajendra-suta will perform wonderful pastimes in Nadia. But I fear that I will again fall into illusion and commit offense. As you are Surabhi, a desire cow, you know everything. Kindly tell me what I do should now.'

“Surabhi answered, ‘Let us go to Navadv…pa-dhama and worship Nimai.'

“They came here and worshiped Gauranga. Since the worship of Gauranga is easy, its results are easy to attain. By chanting Gauranga's name, tears of love filled their eyes and they quickly attained the darsana of Gauranga.

“How extraordinary was His charming form! Gauranga was gently smiling and His voice was choked with love, for He was a reservoir of nectar. The Lord said, ‘I know your wish. I will soon appear in Nadia town. At that time you will serve Me, and the net of m€y€ will no longer catch you.'

“The Lord vanished, and Surabhi remained here beside a banyan tree, constantly serving the lotus feet of Gauranga. Therefore this place is called Godruma [go-cow; druma-tree]. At this place the devotees' desires are fulfilled. One who builds a cottage and worships here will easily become absorbed in ®r… Caitanya's lotus feet.

“Markandeya, the son of Mrkanda, once lived on this island during the flood of devastation. The muni was awarded a lifetime of seven kalpas. Seeing the great danger during the devastation as everything became inundated with water, he began looking for a place to stay. Tossed in the waves, he went here and there. ‘Oh why did I take such a benediction?' he lamented.

“The dh€ma of Navadv…pa remained however, giving shelter to the devotees. Submerged in a wave, the muni became unconscious and sank. But merciful Surabhi happened to see him and carefully lifted him out. When the son of Mrkanda regained consciousness, he saw the island of Godruma -an astounding place extending for a billion krosas. He saw beautiful streams and rivers, beautiful trees and vines, and birds that sang the glories of Gauranga. He saw a banyan tree extending over an area of eight miles, and under the tree he saw Surabhi.

“The muni was extremely distressed due to hunger, so he begged Surabhi, ‘O goddess, please protect my life! Kindly rescue me by giving me your milk.' Surabhi then mercifully gave her milk to the muni.

“The muni thus regained his strength and said to Surabhi, ‘O goddess, my mother, you pervade the universe by your mystic potency. Without understanding the consequences I took a boon to live for seven kalpas. But at the time of devastation, I suffered greatly from various miseries. There was no happiness at all. What am I to do, mother? Please tell me how to get free from this misery.'

“Surabhi then instructed the muni: ‘Worship the two lotus feet of Gauranga. This Navadv…pa is beyond material nature and therefore never destroyed. By material vision this place is sixteen krosas, but it is the supreme Vaikunåha and therefore without fault or illusion. Place and time here have nothing to do with material existence, nor is anyone here affected by material illusion. Just see the unprecedented wonders of Navadv…pa, which is surrounded on all sides by the chaste River. Each part measures a billion krosas, and in the center is M€y€pur, a vast city. The eight islands are like petals of a lotus with Antardv…pa as the central stamen. All the tirthas, devas, and rsis reside here, worshiping Gauranga. For your own good, dear Markandeya, take shelter of Gauranga's feet. Take shelter of unmotivated dharma, by keeping far away from the desire for bhukti and mukti.'

“‘By taking shelter in the worship of Gauranga, you will attain the sweet fruit of love of God. When that prema sits in your heart, it will drown you in the nectar of the artful pastimes of the Lord. You will get the shelter of R€dh€'s lotus feet in Vraja, and your mind will be fixed in the service of the divine couple. The happiness of this service is unmatched, while in the nondifferentiated Brahm€n there is only illusory knowledge.'

“The muni, hearing the words of Surabhi, folded his hands and said, ‘If I worship Gauranga, what will be my destiny?'

“Surabhi answered with the essence of siddhanta, ‘In worshiping Gauranga, there is no consideration. When you call out the name of Gaura, your sinful reactions are destroyed and you are freed from all distress as your material life is vanquished. Besides sinful reactions, even the fruits of mental speculation, which are only trouble, will be cut out at the root. Therefore, you should stay on this island and submerge yourself in gauranga-r€sa while worshiping the Lord.'

“Hearing this, Markandeya became filled with bliss. As he chanted the name of Gaura, he sometimes laughed and sometimes cried. Look at this remarkable place where Markandeya received life.”

J…va felt supreme happiness after hearing the glories of Gauranga from the mouth of Nity€nanda. After spending the day at this place, they then went to Madhyadv…pa while chanting the name of Hari.

Holding the order of Lord Nity€nanda on his head and knowing that the lotus feet of Nitai and Jahnava are the essence of life, this worthless Bhaktivinoda describes the glories of Nadia.

All glories to Lord Gauracandra and Prabhu Nity€nanda! All glories to Gad€dhara and the devotees headed by ®r…vasa! All glories to Navadv…pa, the topmost abode of devotees!

When night had ended, ®r… Nity€nanda, intoxicated with songs of Gaura, went off with the devotees. They were absorbed in love of God and distributed that supreme bliss along the way. Coming to Madhyadv…pa, Nity€nanda smiled and said, “This is Majida-grama. In the current Manu's reign, the seven sages are: Kasyapa, Atri, Vasistha, Visvamitra, Gautama, Jamadagni, and Bharadvaja. stayed here a long time and engaged in worshiping Gauranga.

“In Satya-yuga, the rsis began singing the glories of Gaura in their father's presence. Completely absorbed, they begged for the eternal treasure of gaura-prema. Lord Brahm€ was pleased with his seven sons and told them, ‘Go to Navadv…pa and sing the glories of Gaura, then you will easily attain prema. Whoever gets the mercy of the dh€ma, gets the association of devotees. Then, by worshiping in the association of devotees, you will become absorbed in K��Ša-prema. That is the supreme activity. Whoever gets attraction for Navadv…pa will receive the benediction of living in Vraja. To live in the spiritual dh€ma and recite the name of Gaura is the only aspiration of the devotees.'

“The seven rsis took their father's instructions to heart and came to this place. When they arrived, they engaged in dancing and chanting the name of Hari. They begged for gaura-prema while singing the Lord's glories in a loud voice, ‘O Gaurahari, be merciful and reveal Yourself to us just once! Being offenders, we have followed many paths, but now we are taking to the path of devotional service.'

“The rsis underwent austerities and became firmly situated in devotional service by worshiping Gauranga. They completely gave up eating and sleeping and simply recited the name of Gaura. Around noon (madhyahna), the all-merciful Lord Gauranga appeared before the rsis.

“The Lord was as brilliant as a hundred suns, and He attracted the minds of the yogis. He appeared with the Pañca-tattva. How extraordinary was that form! His form had a beautiful golden hue. Around His neck was a garland of flowers, and His glittering ornaments illuminated all directions. His glance was beautiful, His hair was long and curled, and a dot of sandalwood decorated His forehead. He wore threefolded cloth, a shining thread, and His neck was decorated with a beautiful jasmine garland. Seeing this form, the rsis were enchanted and they humbly petitioned, ‘We surrender to Your lotus feet. Please give us devotion.'

“Hearing the rsis' prayer, Gaurahari replied, ‘Listen rsis. Give up all desires, the chains of jñana and karma, and just discuss topics of K��Ša. Within a short time I will unfold My lila in Navadv…pa. Then you will see My pastimes of nama-saŠk…rtana. But now, keep this subject a secret. Worship K��Ša at Kumarahatta at the ghata made by you.'

“When Lord Gauranga disappeared, the seven rsis went to Kumarahatta. At this place now you see seven tilas, or hillocks. These seven hills are arranged in the same pattern as the seven rsis in the sky (the constellation). By living here one will receive Gaurahari without having to undergo a strict process of rules and regulations.

“To the south of this see one stream, the very pure GomatRiver. Beside it is Naimisaranya. At the beginning of Kali-yuga, the rsis headed by Saunaka heard about Gauranga from the mouth of Suta. Whoever reads the Puranas here during the month of Kartika becomes free from all distress, becomes absorbed in the pastimes of Gauranga, and easily attains V�nd€vana. Giving up his bull carrier, Lord ®iva; on Brahm€'s swan once mounted ®r… Haˆsa-vahana, Brahm€'s swan, and came here to hear the recitation of the Puranas. Along with his followers, he sang the glories of Gaura. While singing and dancing, the followers surrounded Lord ®iva, and shouting the name of Gaurahari, threw heaps of flowers all around.”

On hearing the words of Nity€nanda, J…va became spiritually excited and began rolling on the ground in ecstasy as he tasted the influence of the dh€ma. The devotees spent the day there in the association of Nity€nanda and the next day they went to take darsana of Puskara.

Bhaktivinoda, within whom the ever worshipable Jahnava and Nitai have appeared, sings the glories of Nadia and the sweetness of the devotees while tasting transcendental flavors.

Description of Br€hmana Puskara, ®r… Uccahatta and the Sequence of Parikrama

All glories to Gauranga and Nity€nanda along with Advaita! All glories to Gad€dhara and ®r…vasa Pandita! All glories to Navadv…pa, the abode of pure bhakti! And all glories to the names of Gaura and Nity€nanda!

O souls of Kali-yuga, please listen. Give up karma and jñana, give up all dharmas and adharmas, and just worship Nitai and Caitanya, for They are oceans of mercy! They bountifully give out the bliss of V�nd€vana -dhama.

When the darkness had lifted, Nity€nanda Raya took J…va and continued on the pilgrimage. He explained as follows: “See this enchanting village. Now everyone calls this place Br€hmanapura, but in the scriptures it is named Br€hmana Puskara. The mysteries of this place are very confidential.

“In Satya-yuga, a br€hmana named Divad€sa gave up family life and went on pilgrimage. Puskara-tirtha was very dear to him, but during his wandering he came to Navadv…pa. While here, he dreamt that if he stayed he would receive a great treasure. The br€hmana built his cottage and lived here till he became old. Though he wanted to see Puskara, he found it impossible to move about. In this situation he began to weep, ‘Now I will never see Puskara!'

“The personality of Puskara mercifully came before Divad€sa in the form of a br€hmana and said, ‘Do not cry. Before you is a splendid pond. Take bath there once, and you will see Puskara before your eyes.'

“The br€hmana took his bath in the pond and received transcendental eyes to see Puskara before him. The br€hmana cried and said to Puskara, ‘I have given you so much trouble.'

“Puskara replied, ‘Listen, fortunate br€hmana. I am not coming from far off, for I am present here. This Navadv…pa is the embodiment of all tirthas, which reside in and render service to Navadv…pa. I have exhibited one form in the west, but I myself always reside here. The results one attains by bathing one hundred times there are achieved by one bath here. Therefore, whoever gives up Navadv…pa with the desire to go to other holy places is a fool and a rascal. If one attains the fruit of travelling to all the holy places, then he may reside in Navadv…pa. See that raised area that resembles a market. Kuruksetra and Brahm€varta.

Generally Brahm€varta refers to the area of northern Uttar Pradesh between the Ganges and the Yamuna. are present there. SarasvatRiver and Drsadvati flow on its two sides. It is splendid and gives much punya.

“‘O br€hmana, I will tell you a very secret thing. In a short time, there will be ecstasy given out here. Gauranga will appear at M€y€pur in Sacidevi 's house, and He will freely distribute prema. In all these places the Lord and His devotees will dance madly in the nectar of saŠk…rtana. The Lord will perform kirtana along with the devotees of all the previous incarnations. The whole universe will be drowned in the flood of prema; other than the false logicians, everyone will receive that gift of love.

“O Divad€sa, whoever lives in the dh€ma with firm faith will attain the feet of Gaura. Although the evil-minded may worship K��Ša for millions of years, they will not get attraction for the holy name. But if one worships Gauranga, all one's wicked sentiments will be uprooted and very soon one will attain R€dh€ and K��Ša in V�nd€vana. That person will attain his spiritual body and serve the divine couple in a secluded grove under the shelter of the sakhis. O br€hmana, stay here and worship, then you will see Lord Gauranga with His associates.'

“Saying this, Puskara Raja departed. Then a voice from the sky said, ‘The glorious age of Kali is coming. At that time you will again take birth and swim in the ocean of Gauranga's kirtana.' Hearing this, the br€hmana was freed from anxiety and stayed on the shore of the pond worshiping the Lord.”

While ®r… J…va was listening to this story, they entered Uccahatta in Kuruksetra. ®r… Nity€nanda spoke again: “All the devas along with the tirthas came here to Kuruksetra. Whatever tirthas are in the region of Brahm€varta varta and Kuruksetra are all present here. Prthu Maharaja performed ten asvamedha sacrifices at this place, which is presently known as Pehowa and is situated twenty km west of Kuruksetra. And other holy places reside here and serve Navadv…pa. The fruit attained by living in Kuruksetra for a hundred years is obtained by residing here for one night.

“The devas came here and set up a market (hatta) for discussing Gauranga's pastimes. Therefore this place is called Hattadanga. By seeing this place, one will receive the ocean of prema. This is one boundary of Navadv…pa. Now let us cross the Ganges.”

As they crossed at noon, Nity€nanda Prabhu looked like the sun rising on the horizon of Koladv…pa. While on the way to Kuliya Pahadapura, Nity€nanda Prabhu said to J…va, “The order in which we have proceeded till now is the authorized order of parikrama with the best effect. When ®r… Caitanya brought His associates to purify the Chand Kazi with an evening kirtana contingent of fourteen mrdangas, His starting point was M€y€pur. Through the period of one night, which became one night of Brahm€ due to the sweet kirtana, Gauranga wandered through His land. After that, every Ekadasi tithi My Lord went on saŠk…rtana, wandering over the sacred islands. Sometimes He wandered over the five krosas of Antardv…pa, and sometimes, according to His desire, He wandered eight krosas.

“From His house, He went first to Barakona-ghata, then around Ballal-dighi, and then to ®r…dhara's house. From there, He would go to the edge of Antardv…pa and thus easily complete a five krosa tour. From Simuliya, He would go to the Kazi's house. After talking to ®r…dhara, He would go to Gadigacha (Godruma ), then Majida (Madhyadv…pa ). Crossing the Ganges at that point, on the other bank He would go up to Paradanga and Chinadanga, on the bank of the Ganges. Then crossing the Ganges again, He would return home, completing eight krosas.

“The complete parikrama is sixteen krosas, and if that is done, the Lord is pleased. This is the tour I am taking you on. There is no equal to this. Within this tour you will see all the twelve forests of V�nd€vana which extend over sixteen krosas. This tour ends after nine nights and is thus called navaratra-parikrama in the scripture. One does the five krosa parikrama in one day, and the eight krosa parikrama is completed after three nights. The first night is spent in M€y€pur, the second night in Godruma, and the third night at Pulina, the opposite bank of the Ganges.”

Hearing this instruction on the method of parikrama, J…va Mahasaya could not contain his love.

Desiring to attain the lotus feet of Nitai and Jahnava, this worthless pauper describes the glories of Nadia.

All glories to ®r… Caitanya! All glories to Nity€nanda! All glories to ®r… Advaita Prabhu and the devotees of Lord Caitanya headed by ®r…vasa! All glories to Gaura-bhumi, the essence of all abodes, where ®r… Caitanya descended with the holy name.

Nity€nanda spoke, “Listen everyone! This is Pañcaveni, where five rivers join the Ganges. The Bhagirathi mixes with the Mandakini and Alakananda, and the SarasvatRiver flows here hidden from view. From the west, the Yamuna flows along with the Bhogavati. The Manasa-ganga also quickly flows there. This place is called Maha-Prayaga by the rsis, who performed millions of sacrifices here along with Lord Brahm€. The glories of this place are incomparable. If one takes bath here, he will not take another birth. Who can describe the glories of this place? All other tirthas become like dried up rivers in comparison. One who leaves his body here on the earth, in the air, or in the water will attain ®r… Goloka V�nd€vana.

This place, known as Kuliya Pahadapura, is situated on the bank of the Ganges and is raised up like a mountain. This place is called Koladv…pa in the scriptures. Now hear one story from Satya-yuga.

“A young br€hmana named Vasudeva was always engaged in the service of Varaha. As he worshiped the form of Varaha, he always prayed to the Lord in these words ‘Please be merciful and appear before me. Let my eyes and life be successful.' Saying this, he cried and rolled on the ground. ‘If my Lord does not show Himself, my life is worthless.'

“Shortly thereafter, the merciful Lord showed Himself to Vasudeva in the form of a boar. His body was decorated with ornaments, and His feet, neck, nostrils, face, and eyes were all-attractive. His body was as tall as a mountain. Seeing him, the br€hmana thought himself very fortunate. He fell on the earth and offered his respects. Crying and confused, he rolled on the ground.

“Seeing the vipra's devotion, Varaha sweetly said, ‘O Vasudeva, as you are My devotee, I am satisfied by your worship. When Kali-yuga comes I will display My pastimes here. Hear My words. In the three worlds, there is no comparison to Navadv…pa. Though it is hidden now, it is My very dear abode. The scriptures confirm that all holy places such as Brahm€varta varta reside here.

“‘The place where Brahm€ performed a sacrifice and I appeared to kill Hiranyaksa with My tusks, that holy place is present here, where I have appeared now. By serving Navadv…pa, all tirthas are served; and by living in Navadv…pa, the fruit of living at all other tirthas is attained. You are fortunate to serve Me in Navadv…pa. When Gauranga advents, you will be born here again. You will see the maha-saŠk…rtana and the astounding form of Gauranga.'

“After speaking these words, Varaha disappeared, and the vipra researched the meaning of the Lord's words. Being a great pandita, Vasudeva scrutinized the scriptures and thus clearly understood that during the reign of Vaivasvata Manu, at the beginning of Kali-yuga, Lord Gauranga would manifest His pastimes at Nadia. The sages kept this secret, but they indicated by hints so that intelligent men could understand. After the Lord manifested His pastimes on earth, the scriptural evidences would also become clear. Thus the br€hmana received the hint about the secret truths of Gaura.

“In great bliss, the br€hmana performed saŠk…rtana. He constantly sang the name of Gaura within his mind. After seeing the mountainous form of Varaha, Vasudeva carefully decided to call this place Koladv…pa Parvata [kola-boar; parvata-mountain], but it is now known as Parvata. The devotees know that this is Giri Govardhana of V�nd€vana.

“See to the north is Bahulavana, whose wonderful effulgence spreads out in all directions. O son of Vallabha, in V�nd€vana, the twelve forests come in a particular sequence, but here they are not in the same order. By the Lord's desire, the sequence here is reversed. One should see the forests in the order that they are arranged here, for the change in the sequence enhances one's prema.”

Going a little further, Nity€nanda again said, “See here Samudragarh. O wise one, both Dvaraka Puri and Ganga-sagara are directly present here. Samudra Sena, a king and great devotee, held K��Ša as all in all. When Bhima came here with his soldiers to conquer all opponents, he surrounded Samudragada. The king knew that K��Ša was the only resort of the Pandavas and that when they were in danger, He would come to their rescue. He thought that if he could get Bhima to show some fear and cry out, then K��Ša would appear, being merciful to His devotees.

“‘He will be kind and come to this servant's country, and I will easily see the blackish form of K��Ša with my own eyes.' Thinking like this, he gathered together his soldiers, elephants, horses, and foot soldiers and went to battle. He began firing his arrows while remembering K��Ša. Bhima was very oppressed by the shower of arrows, and in great danger he called for K��Ša within his mind, ‘O Lord, protect Your Bhima! Give me shelter at Your lotus feet. I cannot fight with Samudra Sena. If he were to defeat me, that would be humiliating. O merciful K��Ša! You are the Lord of the Pandavas, so if I am defeated it will be very shameful news.'

“Hearing the plaintive call of Bhima, K��Ša appeared on the battlefield. No one could see that form except the King. The complexion of His youthful form was like the color of a new cloud. Around His neck hung a garland, and on His head a crown sparkled. His wonderful form was covered with yellow garments, and His limbs were decorated with beautiful ornaments.

“Seeing that form, the king fainted in ecstasy. After controlling himself, he revealed his desire to the Lord, ‘O K��Ša, You are the Lord of the universe, the deliverer of the fallen. Seeing me so fallen, You have appeared here. Everyone sings the glories of Your pastimes, and hearing that, I desired to see them. But my vow was that You should appear in Navadv…pa. Now that I see Your enchanting form here, I will never leave Navadv…pa. You have mercifully upheld my vow by appearing in the form of K��Ša in Navadv…pa. But my desire goes even further. Please become Gauranga before my very eyes!'

“As he looked on, the king beheld the sweet pastimes of R€dh€ and K��Ša. In the forest of Kumudavana, K��Ša and His friends performed their afternoon activities of going to herd the cows. Then in an instant this lila disappeared and he saw Gauranga with His devotees in a huge kirtana. Gauranga was dancing and singing. His brilliant golden complexion was most enchanting, His eyes rolled as if due to intoxication, and His mind was agitated with love.

“When he saw this, the king considered his great fortune and offered prayers at the Lord's lotus feet. In a few moments, however, this all vanished. Deprived, the king began to weep.

“Bhima had not been able to see this incident and thought that the king had suddenly become afraid of his prowess. And the king, who was completely satisfied, simply begged to pay his tax. Bhima took the levy and went off to other places. The whole world sings the praises of Bhima, conqueror of all directions.

“That incident took place at Samudragada, on the edge of Navadv…pa. Even Brahm€ cannot know the glories of this place. The ocean once took shelter of the Jahnavi and came here to serve the Lord's feet with devotion. Jahnavi said, ‘O ocean, very soon my Lord will stay in a forest on your shore.'

“The ocean answered, ‘Listen, goddess! The son of Saci will never leave Navadv…pa. Although He will stay for some days on my shores, He will remain here unseen to the common eye. This Navadv…pa is the eternal abode of the Lord. All the Vedas sing of His manifest and unmanifest pastimes here. O beautiful one! I will stay here under your shelter and serve Gauranga in Navadv…pa.' Thus the milky ocean stayed at Navadv…pa, contemplating always the eternal pastimes of Gauranga.”

Nity€nanda Prabhu then came to Campahatta, and the party took rest at Vanin€tha's house. In the afternoon, as they toured Campahatta, Nity€nanda Prabhu said, “Listen, son of Vallabha, there was once a campaka forest at this beautiful place, which is a portion of Khadiravana of V�nd€vana. Campakalata-sakhi takes campaka flowers, strings garlands, and offers them to R€dh€ and K��Ša as her eternal pastime. When Kali-yuga grew in influence, capitalists moved here and eagerly took the flowers. They set up a hatta, or market, and sold the campaka flowers to the villagers and townsfolk. Therefore this enchanting place is called Campakahatta, or, more commonly, Canpahati.

“When Laksmana Sena was the king of Nadia, Jayadeva was one of his subjects in Navadv…pa. He built a hut on the bank of Ballal-dirgika and peacefully lived there with his wife, Padma. He wrote the D€sa-avatara poem there, which came into the King's hand. The king read the poem with great relish and inquired who had written it. Govardhana Acarya told the king the great poet Jayadeva had written it. The king asked where he lived, and Govardhana told him Jayadeva stays in Navadv…pa.

“Hearing this, the king secretly searched and arrived in the night at Jayadeva's house. The king entered the cottage dressed as a Vaisnava and, after offering respects to the poet, seated himself. Jayadeva, however, knew he was the king dressed as a penniless Vaisnava. The king soon introduced himself and begged the poet to come to his palace. Jayadeva, being very detached from materialism, could not agree to go to the house of a materialist.

“He answered the king, ‘I will give up your kingdom and go elsewhere. Association with materialists is not auspicious. I will cross the Ganges and go to Nilacala, Jagann€tha Puri.'

“The king said, ‘Listen to me, Prabhu, you should never leave Navadv…pa. Your words should remain true, but my wish should also be fulfilled. O Prabhu, kindly do what you must in such a way that I may also be favored. Across the Ganges is the enchanting Campahatta. Stay there for a few years. I will not go there as I please, but I may see your lotus feet only when you desire.'

“Hearing the king's words, the great poet agreed and immediately replied, ‘Though you are endowed with so much wealth and such a kingdom, you are a devotee of K��Ša and not bound to the material world. I called you a materialist to test you, but you have tolerated it. Thus I know that you are a devotee of K��Ša. Though accepting material things, you remain unattached. I will remain some time in Campahatta and you can come secretly, giving up your opulent position.'

“The king very happily had his ministers build Jayadeva a cottage in Campahatta. Jayadeva stayed there for some time and worshiped K��Ša according to the process of raga-marga. Padmavati would bring heaps of campaka flowers, which Jayadeva would offer to K��Ša.

“In great love the poet worshiped K��Ša, who then appeared before Jayadeva with a complexion the color of the campaka flower, resplendent with the radiance of molten gold. The shining beauty of a million moons would have been put to shame by His beautiful face. He had curly hair and a garland of flowers around His neck. His arms were long, and His effulgence illumined the room. Seeing that form of Gauranga, Jayadeva fainted with tears streaming from his eyes, while Padmavati also fell to the earth unconscious.

“The Lord lifted the couple up with His two lotus hands and spoke nectarean words, ‘Both of you are My exalted devotees, therefore I desired to give you My darsana. Very soon I will take birth in Nadia in the womb of Saci. With all the devotees of all the avataras, I will distribute the gift of prema and K��Ša-kirtana. After twenty-four years, I will take sannyasa and live in Nilacala. There, in the association of the devotees and overcome with prema, I will continuously taste the poems of your Gita-govinda, for it is very dear to Me. You will return to this Navadv…pa-dhama after death. This I say for certain. Now, both of you go to Nilacala, where you will attain love of God by worshiping Lord Jagann€tha.'

“After speaking, Gauranga disappeared and they both fainted in separation. When they recovered, they began to weep profusely. While weeping, they humbly stated, ‘What a form we have seen! How can we live in His absence? Why did the Lord order us to leave Nadia? We must have committed some offense here. This Navadv…pa-dhama is fully spiritual; just to think about leaving, we are becoming disturbed. It would have been better to be a bird or beast in Navadv…pa, for then we could stay a long time and always meditate on the dh€ma. We can give up living, but we cannot give up Navadv…pa, for the attachment is too deep. O Lord Gauranga, give us Your mercy. Give us shelter at Your lotus feet so we may stay here.'

“As they were crying, they heard a voice say, ‘Do not be sorrowful, but go to Nilacala. There are two things to keep your heart undisturbed. Some time before, you were both thinking of going to stay in Nilacala for a while. The Lord had to fulfill that wish. Lord Jagann€tha is eager for your darsana. By pleasing Him, on leaving your body, you will again come to Navadv…pa and remain here eternally.' Hearing that, the two immediately left.

“While going, they turned back and glanced once more at Navadv…pa. As they went, tears flowed from their eyes and in distress they spoke to the residents of Navadv…pa, ‘Please bestow your mercy on us. We are offenders. Please purify us!'

“As they proceeded further on, they repeatedly looked back at Navadv…pa, which shines like an eight-petaled lotus. After going some distance, Navadv…pa was no longer visible, and they crossed out of Gaura-bhumi, weeping as they went. Arriving at Nilacala some days later, they were pleased to have darsana of Lord Jagann€tha. O J…va, this is the place of Jayadeva. Only a raised portion of earth remains. This is the story the old people tell.”

Seeing Jayadeva's place, J…va began weeping as he rolled on the ground in ecstatic love. “Fortunate are Jayadeva and Padmavati! And glorious is Gita-govinda and their attachment to K��Ša! Be merciful to me and give me one drop of the ocean of prema that Jayadeva enjoyed!” Saying this, J…va fell to the ground and rolled in the dust at Nity€nanda's feet.

That night they stayed in Vanin€tha's house, where Vanin€tha and his family attended to Nity€nanda Prabhu.

Aspiring for the shade of the lotus feet of Nitai and Jahnava, this vile worthless one sings this glorification of Nadia.

All glories to ®r… Caitanyacandra and Prabhu Nity€nanda! All glories to Advaita and Gad€dhara! All glories to the devotees headed by ®r…vasa! All glories to the house of Jagann€tha Mi�ra! All glories to Navadv…pa, the topmost abode!

When night lifted, the devotees raised their bodies and called out “Nitai Gaura!” Then, leaving Campahatta behind them, they blissfully went on.

From this point, Vanin€tha accompanied Nity€nanda, saying, “When will that day come when I shall have the pleasure to accompany Nity€nanda on parikrama to Gauranga's house in M€y€pur ?”

They came to Ratupura and saw the beauty of that town. ®r… Nity€nanda said, “We have now come to ¬tudv…pa. This place is extremely attractive. The trees are bending down their heads in respect, the breeze is blowing gently, and the flowers are blooming everywhere. The humming of the bees and the fragrance of the flowers intoxicate the travelers' minds here.”

As He was saying this, Nity€nanda became like a madman and exclaimed, “Quickly, bring My horn! The calves have gone far off, and K��Ša is fast asleep and won't come. He is acting like a baby. Where are Subala and Dama? All alone I cannot go and herd the cows!” Shouting, “Kanai! Kanai!” Nity€nanda jumped a few yards.

Seeing His state, the devotees immediately supplicated at Nity€nanda's feet, “O Prabhu Nity€nanda, Your brother, Gauracandra is no longer here. He has taken sannyasa and gone to Nilacala, leaving us poor beggars.”

Upon hearing those words, Nity€nanda became dejected and fell to the ground crying, “You have put us in such sorrow, Kanai, My brother! You have taken sannyasa and left us to go to Nilacala. I will not continue My life. I will jump in the Yamuna River!” Saying this, ®r… Nity€nanda lost consciousness.

Sensing Nity€nanda Prabhu's elevated state of spiritual emotional, they began to chant the holy name. After two hours had passed, Nity€nanda still did not rise. Finally, when the devotees began chanting the glories of Gauranga, Nitai awoke.

“This is the place of R€dh€kunda!” He exclaimed. “Here in the afternoon, Gaurahari would perform kirtana with His associates. Look at the brilliance of Syama-kunda, which attracts the minds of everyone in the universe! And look, here and there are the sakhis' groves. In the afternoon, Gauranga would become immersed in singing K��Ša's glories and satisfy all by distributing prema. Know that in the three worlds there is no equal to this place, where the devotees worship the Lord. Whoever lives here will get love of God, which will soothe the burning fire of material life.”

That day the devotees stayed there and drowned in love of God as they called out Gauranga's name. Staying there in ¬tudv…pa, they passed the whole day and night worshiping the moonlike Lord Caitanya. The next day Nity€nanda Prabhu, dancing all the while, came to Vidyanagara, a splendid place attractive to munis. This gladdened the devotees.

Holding the devotees' feet and begging from them the treasure of K��Ša-bhakti, this worthless and unqualified Bhaktivinoda, whose only wealth is the lotus feet of Nitai and Jahnava, sings the glories of Nadia.

All glories to Gauranga, Nity€nanda, Advaita, and Gad€dhara! All glories to ®r…vasa! And all glories to Navadv…pa, an ocean of kirtana!

Coming to Vidyanagara, ®r… Nity€nanda Raya explained to ®r… J…va its significance, “At the time of pralaya, Navadv…pa, the eternal dh€ma, remains situated in its pure form as an eight-petaled lotus. All the avataras and fortunate living entities stay in one part of the lotus at that time. Matsya avatara carried the Vedas to Vidyanagara within átudv…paIátudv…pa. Since the Vedas, which contain all vidya, or knowledge, were brought here, this place is therefore named Vidyanagara.

“When Brahm€ became inclined to start creation again, he glanced fearfully upon the devastated earth. At that time, the Lord bestowed His mercy on Brahm€ here. As Brahm€ began offering his prayers to the Lord, he opened his mouth and the beautiful Sarasvati goddess was born from his tongue. By her potency, Brahm€ then offered prayers to K��Ša and thus obtained great happiness.

At the time of creation, M€y€ directs the three gunas to spread throughout the material creation on the side of the River. The rsis then labor to reveal knowledge within this universe manifested by M€y€. Taking shelter of this abode of Sarasvati goddess, Sarada-piåha, the rsis conquer over ignorance. After having received lessons on the sixty-four branches of knowledge, the rsis set themselves up at various places throughout the world. But all the rsis study their respective branches of knowledge eternally at this holy spot.

Valmiki came here and, by the mercy of Narada Muni, received the Ram€y€na. Dhanvantari received the Ayur-veda, and Visvamitra and others received the teachings of the Dhanur-veda. SaunakaISaunaka and the rsis recited the mantras of the Vedas, and Lord ®iva discussed tantra. On the rsis' request, Brahm€ produced the four Vedas from his four mouths. Living here, Kapila created Sankhya philosophy, and Gautama brought forth logic and argument. Kanabhuk produced the Vaisesika philosophy here, and Patañjali, the Yoga-sutra. Jaimini wrote the Karma-mimaësa sastra here, and Vedavyasa wrote the Puranas. The five rsis: Sandilya, Upagayana, Mauñjayana, Kausika, and Bharadvaja were previously each instructed for one day and night by Lord Narayana. Narada Muni wrote the Pañcaratra here to teach the people about practical devotional service.

“In this forest, the Upanisads all worshiped Gauranga for a long time. Unseen by them, Gauranga said, ‘Your understanding of God as formless (nirakara) has spoiled you all. In the form of sruti you do not recognize Me, but when you appear as My associates on earth, you will see My pastimes with your own eyes. At that time you will sing My glories at the top of your voices.' The srutis became dumbfounded on hearing this. Secretly, they stayed here waiting for that time. Blessed is this Kali-yuga, the topmost of yugas, for in this yuga Lord Gauranga appeared.

“Hearing that Gauranga would perform His educational pastimes here, Brhaspati took birth as Vasudeva Sarvabhauma ; as Brhaspati and took great care to please the Lord. He knew that the Lord would perform pastimes as a student in Navadv…pa, so he became indifferent and abandoned the abode of Lord Indra. He brought his associates and happily took birth on earth.

“Sarvabhauma made his school and taught here in Vidyanagara. But thinking that he would drown in the network of dry knowledge and lose Gauranga, he performed one pastime. Before Gauranga was born, Sarvabhauma left his students behind in Nadia. He thought, ‘If I am the servant of Gauranga, He will certainly be merciful and come to me.' Thus, Sarvabhauma went to Nilacala and became powerful in the knowledge of M€y€vada philosophy.

“The Lord enjoyed his pastimes as a young student here by defeating and deriding Sarvabhauma 's pupils. In the guise of a logician, the Lord vanquished everyone. Teachers and students were all defeated in argument by Gauranga, and they would flee away from Him. Whoever hears the unprecedented educational pastimes of the Lord in Vidyanagara will become freed from ignorance.”

Hearing this, J…va was filled with bliss and rolled on the ground in ecstatic love here at Vyasa-pitha. He then submitted the following question at the lotus feet of Nity€nanda Prabhu, “Please cut down this one doubt. If Sankhya and logic are inauspicious, why do they have a place in the eternal dh€ma?”

Nity€nanda embraced J…va and affectionately said, “There is nothing inauspicious in the Lord's holy dh€ma. Sankhya and logic are not independent or powerful here. They are dependent on and therefore serve bhakti. But due to impious activities, wicked men turn everything backwards. Bhakti, devotion, is the goddess here, and all others are her servants. They only serve to reveal bhakti. The residence of ninefold bhakti is Navadv…pa. Here, karma and jñana serve bhakti. The scriptures award evil intelligence to materialistic persons, but the same scriptures award attachment for K��Ša to the pure devotees.

“Praudha M€y€ is the servant of Gauranga and presiding deity here. She stays here through all the yugas and serves Gauranga. In the form of Maha M€y€, she blinds and gives various miseries to that person who, by his sinful activities, has come to envy Vaisnavas. In the form of actual knowledge, Praudha M€y€ dissolves all sin and karma. But if one has offended a Vaisnava, she keeps him away and gives him all the troubles of karma. Such rogues may study to attain knowledge here in Nadia, but they never attain the treasure of prema at K��Ša's feet. They attain only ignorance in the guise of knowledge, so they are never able to see the opulences of Nadia or Gauranga.

“So real knowledge is not inauspicious, but its shadow, ignorance, certainly is. O J…va, by the mercy of Gauranga, you will reveal all this. By the desire of the Lord, you will write scriptures. Through you, scripture will be revealed. Now let us go to Jahnu Muni 's residence.”

As Nity€nanda spoke, they went to Jannagara where they saw the enchanting hermitage of Jahnu Muni. Nity€nanda Prabhu explained, “This enchanting place named Jahnudv…pa is known as BhadravanaIBhadravana. At this place, Jahnu Muni underwent penances and received darsana of the golden form of Gauranga.

“Jahnu Muni was sitting here chanting his Gayatri mantra, when his acamana cup fell into the Bhagirathi and was swept away by the currents. He opened his mouth and drank all the water in one gulp. King Bhagiratha thought, ‘Where has the Ganges gone?' He concluded that Jahnu Muni had drunk the Ganges. The king was overwhelmed with anxiety and worshiped the muni for several days. The muni then released the Ganges from his body. Because of this incident the Ganges is known as Jahnavi, the daughter of Jahnu Muni, throughout the world.

“Some time later, Bhi�ma, the son of Ganga, came here to see Jahnu Muni, his grandfather. Jahnu Muni was very pleased with Bhisma and kept him here many days. At this place Bhisma learned the highest knowledge, which he in turn taught to Yudhisthira at Kuruksetra. By living in Navadv…pa, Bhi�ma attained devotional service and therefore is counted amongst the great Vaisnavas. Therefore this dv…pa is the greatest deliverer. Whoever lives here is always fortunate.”

That day, Nity€nanda and His associates stayed at a devotee's house in Jahnudv…pa. Early the next morning the Lord led the devotees on to Modadrumadv…pa.

Bhaktivinoda, whose only pride is the lotus feet of Jahnava and Nitai, sings the glories of Navadv…pa.

All glories to Gaurahari, who has manifested Himself as the Pañca-tattva! All glories to Navadv…pa-dhama, the topmost abode!

Arriving at Mamagacchi village, Nity€nanda explained to J…va, “Here, in Modadrumadv…pa is Ayodhya. In a previous kalpa, when Lord Ramacandra was banished to the forest, He came to this place with Laksmana and Janaki. He built a hut under a huge banyan tree here and lived happily for some time. Seeing the effulgence of Navadv…pa, the son of Raghu began to slightly smile.

“How attractive was that form, green as new grass, with lotus eyes and a graceful bow in hand! Wearing the dress of a brahm€cari and His head piled with matted locks, He stole the minds of all living entities. Seeing Lord Ramacandra smiling, Sita, the daughter of Janaka, asked Him the reason.

“‘Listen, Sita, here is one very secret story. When the glorious age of Kali advents, I will display a yellow complexioned form here in Nadia. I will take birth in the womb of Saci in Jagann€tha Mi�ra's house. I will give all the fortunate souls who see My childhood pastimes the supreme gift of prema. At that time, I will enjoy My beloved educational pastimes and reveal the glories of the holy name. I will then take sannyasa and go to Puri, and My own mother will weep with My wife in her arms.'

“Hearing this, Sita asked, ‘O lotus-eyed one, why will You make Your mother cry? Why will You give up Your wife and take sannyasa? What happiness is there in giving sorrow to Your wife?'

“®r… Lord Ramacandra replied, ‘O dear one, you know everything. But you have become ignorant just to teach the living entities. Listen Sita, My devotees relish prema-bhakti in two ways. In union with Me they enjoy sambhoga, and in separation from Me they enjoy vipralambha. My eternal associates desire sambhoga, but I mercifully give them vipralambha. The devotees know that distress due to separation from Me is actually the topmost bliss. After separation, when union occurs, they feel happiness so much greater than before-a million times multiplied. That is the explanation of how there can be happiness in separation. You should accept this mood which is described in the four Vedas.

“‘She who is known as Aditi in the Vedas is now mother Kausalya and will become mother Saci in Gauranga's pastimes. And you, Sita, will serve Me as Vi�Šupriya. In separation, you will worship My Deity and spread My glories. Separated from you, I will worship a golden Sita Deity in Ayodhya. But this topic is very confidential, Sita. Do not reveal this to the people now.

“‘This Navadv…pa is My dear place, even Ayodhya is not equal to it. When Kali-yuga comes, this huge banyan tree, Rama-va˜a, will disappear from vision and stay here in an unmanifest form.'

“In this way, Lord Ramacandra passed His time here with Laksmana and Sita. Later, He went to Dandakaranya to complete His activities. See here the place where His hut stood.

“By the desire of the Lord, Rama's friend Guhaka took birth here in a br€hmana's family. His name was Sadananda Vipra Bhattacarya. He knew nothing in the three worlds except Rama. He was present in Jagann€tha Mi�ra's house when Gauranga was born. At that time all the demigods came to see the child. The exalted Sadananda realized by the demigods' presence that his Lord had taken birth. In great delight he returned home, and, while meditating on his worshipable Lord R€macandra, he saw Gaurasundara.

“Lord Gauranga was seated on a throne and surrounded by the demigods, headed by Lord Brahm€, who were waving camaras. Then Sad€nanda Vipra saw Ramacandra, green as grass. On Rama's right was Laksmana, the abode of Ananta. On His left was Sita, and in front was Hanuman. Seeing this, the vipra understood the truth about the Lord.

“The vipra went to M€y€pur in great ecstasy, and, unseen by anyone, he feasted his eyes on the form of Gauranga. ‘Blessed am I, blessed indeed! Lord R€macandra is present before me as Gauracandra!' Later, when the saŠk…rtana movement started, Sad€nanda Vipra took part by dancing and chanting the name of Gaura.

“O J…va, here the pure devotees see the Bhandiravana forest.”

Hearing the topics and seeing the places in the eternal dh€ma, the devotees surrounded Nity€nanda and danced. J…va's body displayed symptoms of ecstasy as he shouted the name of Gauranga.

That day Nity€nanda stayed in the house of Narayani. And Narayani, the pure chaste mother of Vedavyasa (V�nd€vana D€sa Åhakura), served the Vaisnavas. The next morning, after walking some distance, they entered Vaikunthapura pura.

To carry out the order of Jahnava and Nitai, this worthless wretch sings the glories of Nadia.

All glories to Gauranga and the Pañca-tattva! All glories to Navadv…pa, the abode of ®r… Caitanya!

Coming to Vaikunthapura, Nity€nanda Prabhu spoke to ®r… J…va while mildly smiling, “On one side of the eight-petaled Navadv…pa is this Vaikunthapura. Listen, without doubt. This is Vaikuntha, the abode of Narayana, situated in the spiritual sky beyond the River. M€y€ can never enter this place, where Lord Narayana is served by His energies, ®r…, Bhu, and Nila. The effulgence radiating from this spiritual abode is the Brahm€n. With material vision, people see only the material world. But with his transcendental vision, Narada Muni once saw Narayana manifest as Gaurasundara in this spiritual abode. After seeing this, the best of the munis stayed here for some time.

“There is one more confidential story. Ramanujacarya once came to Puri and pleased the Lord with many prayers. Lord Jagann€tha appeared before him and said, ‘Go and see Navadv…pa-dhama, for I will soon appear there in the house of Jagann€tha Mi�ra. The entire spiritual sky is situated within one corner of Navadv…pa, My very dear abode. As My eternal servant and leading devotee, you should see Navadv…pa. Let your students, who are absorbed in dasya-r€sa, stay here while you go. Any living being who does not see Navadv…pa has been born uselessly. Just one portion of Navadv…pa contains Ranga-ksetra, ®r… Venkaåa (Tirupati), and Yadava Acala. O son of Kesava, go to Navadv…pa and see the form of Gauranga. You have come to the earth to preach bhakti, so let your birth be successful with the mercy of Gaura. From Navadv…pa, go to Kurma-sthana and join again with your disciples.'

“With folded hands, R€manuja submitted to Lord Jagann€tha, ‘In Your narration You have mentioned Gauracandra, but exactly who He is, I do not know.'

“The Lord mercifully replied to R€manuja, ‘Everyone knows K��Ša, the Lord of Goloka. That K��Ša, whose vilasa-murti is Narayana, is the Supreme Truth, and He resides in V�nd€vana. That K��Ša is fully manifest in the form of Gaurahari, and that V�nd€vana is fully manifest in the form of Navadv…pa-dhama. I eternally reside as Lord Gauranga in Navadv…pa, the topmost abode in the universe. By My mercy that dh€ma has come within Bhu-mandala, yet it remains without a scent of m€y€. This is the verdict of scripture. If you say that Navadv…pa is part of the material world, then your devotion will dwindle day by day. I have placed this spiritual abode within the material world by My desire and inconceivable energy. Simply by reading scriptures one will not get the highest truth, for the highest truth surpasses all reasoning power. Only the devotees can understand by My mercy.'

“Hearing this, the sober-minded R€manuja was agitated with love for Gauranga. He said, ‘Lord, Your pastimes are truly astounding. The scriptures cannot know Your opulences. Why isn't gauranga-lila clearly described in the scriptures? When I closely examine the sruti and Puranas, I find only some hint of the Gaura-tattva. After hearing your instructions, my doubts are gone and the sweet mellows of Gauranga's pastimes have arisen in my heart. If You order me, after going to Navadv…pa, I will preach gaura-lila throughout the three worlds. I will give people evidence from the hidden scriptures and establish devotional service to Gauranga throughout the universe. Please instruct me.'

“Seeing R€manuja 's eagerness, Lord Jagann€tha said, ‘R€manuja, do not broadcast like this. Keep the confidential pastimes of Gauranga secret. Only after Gauranga has finished His pastimes will the general public receive them. For now, preach dasya-r€sa, while in your heart worship Gauranga constantly.'

“Taking the Lord's advice, R€manuja secretly cultured his attraction for Navadv…pa. So that Gauranga's pastimes were not revealed prematurely, Lord Narayana then led R€manuja here to Vaikunthapura pura and mercifully showed R€manuja His transcendental form served by ®r…, Bhu, and Nila. R€manuja considered himself fortunate to obtain darsana of his worshipable Lord, when suddenly he saw the Lord assume the enchanting form of Gaurasundara, the son of Jagann€tha Mi�ra. R€manuja swooned at the brilliance of the form. Then Gauranga put His lotus feet on the head of R€manuja, who was thus divinely inspired and recited prayers of praise. ‘I must see Gaura's actual lila on earth. I can never leave Navadv…pa!'

“Gauranga said, ‘O son of Kesava, your desire will be fulfilled. When the Nadia pastimes will be revealed in the future, you will take birth here again.'

“Gauranga disappeared and R€manuja, contented, resumed his journey. After some days he arrived at Kurma-sthana and saw the place with his disciples. During his life he preached dasya-r€sa throughout South India, while internally he was absorbed in gaura-lila. By Gauranga's mercy, he took birth in Navadv…pa as the devotee ®r… Ananta. He went to the house of the father of Laksmipriya and saw the marriage of Laksmipriya and Gauranga.

“See the house of Ananta, where many devotees of Narayana gathered. It is well known that the kings of that time established Narayana worship here.

As the devotees saw Niésreyasa Forest, situated on the other side of the River, they attained unlimited bliss. In this way, while reciting these narrations, they arrived at Mahatpura.. Nity€nanda explained, “This place is Kamyavana of Vraja. See it with great devotion. There were five banyan trees here in ancient times, but these have now disappeared. This place is now called Matapura, but according to scripture, the name was previously Mahatpura. When the five Pandavas and Draupadi were living incognito during exile, they came to Gauda-desa, Bengal. While in Ekacakra, Yudhisthira Maharaja had a dream in which the glories of Navadv…pa were revealed to him. The next day he became anxious to see the place, so they all happily came here. Seeing the splendor of Nadia, they praised the good fortune of the residents. And while living here for some time, they killed many demons. See, here is Yudhisthira -åila, and here is Draupadi's kunda. Aware of the glories of this place, Yudhisthira stayed here for some time. Then one day in a dream, he saw Gauranga, whose extraordinary form illumined all directions.

“Smiling, Gauranga said, ‘See My rare form. At your house, I am K��Ša, the son of Nanda, and I always stay with you as a friend. This Navadv…pa-dhama is the topmost abode, and in Kali-yuga it will manifest and drive away all darkness. As you have all been My servants for a long time, when My pastimes take place, you will again take birth. I will stay with you day and night on the shore of the ocean at Jagann€tha Puri in Orissa. Please go now to Orissa, purify the place, and eliminate the suffering of the living entities.'

“Yudhisthira explained this dream to his brothers. After deliberation, they all went to Orissa. It was painful to leave Navadv…pa, but the order of the Lord had to be obeyed.

“Madhvacarya and his disciples also stayed here for some time. Gaurasundara mercifully appeared to him in a dream and while smiling said, ‘Everyone knows that you are My eternal servant. When I appear in Navadv…pa, I will accept your sampradaya. Now, go everywhere and carefully uproot all the false scriptures of the m€y€vadis. Reveal the glories of worshiping the Deity of the Lord. Later, I will broadcast your pure teachings.'

“Saying this, Gauracandra disappeared, and Madhvacarya awakened dumbfounded. ‘Will I ever see that beautiful golden form again?' he cried.

“In reply, a voice from the sky said, ‘Worship Me secretly, and you will come to Me.' With this instruction, Madhvacarya went on with great resolution and defeated the m€y€vadi philosophers.”

While relating these stories, the party arrived at Rudradv…pa and looked around.

“Rudradv…pa has been cut in two pieces by the Ganges. See how this western island has now moved to the east bank. By the Lord's desire, no one lives on this side now. From here see ®r… Sankarapura. Even from a distance, see how it beautifies the bank of the Ganges. When Sankaracarya went out to defeat all opponents, on his way to Navadv…pa, he first arrived there. Within his heart, he was the topmost Vaisnava, but externally he played the role of a m€y€vadi, a servant of M€y€. Actually, he was an incarnation of Lord ®iva, and by the Lord's order he expertly preached a covered form of Buddhism. While engaged in this way, he came to Nadia.

“When Sankaracarya came to this place, Gauracandra appeared to him in a dream and mercifully spoke to him in sweet words, ‘You are My servant. Following My orders, you are preaching effectively the M€y€vada doctrine. But as Navadv…pa-dhama is very dear to Me, the M€y€vada philosophy has no place here. On My behalf, V�ddha ®iva and Praudha M€y€ spread the imaginary impersonal interpretations of scriptures, but only to those people who envy the devotees of the Lord. In this way I cheat them. Since this Navadv…pa-dhama is generally a place for My devotees, not for the envious, you should go somewhere else. Do not contaminate the inhabitants of Navadv…pa.'

“Realizing the truth about Navadv…pa in his dream and with devotion instilled in his heart, he went elsewhere.

“In this Rudradv…pa, the eleven Rudras reside. Headed by Nila-lohita ®iva, the Rudras chant Gauranga's glories and constantly dance in bliss. As the demigods watch their dancing, they become happy and shower flowers from the sky.

“One time, Vi�Šusvami came here during the course of his tour to defeat opposing philosophies. He stayed the night with his followers here in Rudradv…pa. The disciples began dancing and singing, ‘Hari bol!' while Vi�Šusvami recited prayers from the sruti. Pleased by the discussion of bhakti, Nila-lohita mercifully appeared there. Upon ®iva's Lord arrival in the assembly, Vi�Šusvami became startled. He folded his hands in prayer and recited appropriate praises. Lord ®iva spoke to him, ‘All of you Vaisnavas are dear to me. Your discussion on devotional service has pleased me. Ask a boon, and I will grant it. There is nothing I will not give to the Vaisnavas.'

“Vi�Šusvami offered his dandavats and, filled with ecstatic love, he said, ‘Give us this one gift; that henceforth we will perfect a sampradaya teaching devotional service.'

“In great bliss, Rudra consented and named the sampradaya after himself. Thus Vi�Šusvami's sampradaya is called the Rudra-sampradaya. With the mercy of Rudra, Vi�Šusvami stayed here and worshiped Gauracandra with a desire to attain love of God.

“Gauranga appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘By Rudra's mercy you have become My devotee. You are fortunate to attain the treasure of bhakti in Navadv…pa. Now go out and preach the philosophy of suddhadvaita (purified monism). The time of My appearance on earth will soon come. At that time you will appear in the form of ®r… Vallabha Bha˜˜a; as Vi�Šusvami. You will meet Me in Puri, and you will perfect your sampradaya when you go to Mahavana.'

“O J…va! ®r… Vallabha is now in Gokula. When you go there, you will be able to see him.” Saying this, Nity€nanda happily went south to Paradanga in ®r… Pulina. Here he showed the place where ®r… Rasa-mandala and Dhira-samira of Vraja were located. He said, “O J…va, this is V�nd€vana. One can see the V�nd€vana pastimes here.” Upon hearing the word ‘V�nd€vana,' J…va began trembling and tears flowed from his eyes.

The Lord continued, “Gauranga brought His devotees here, and they performed kirtana describing the r€sa-lila. The place of the r€sa-lila in V�nd€vana is situated here on the bank of the Ganges. The r€sa-lila pastimes with the gopis, which are eternally enacted here, are sometimes seen by fortunate persons.

“Listen sober-minded one, west of here, see ®r… Dhira-samira, a nice place for worship of the Lord. In V�nd€vana, Dhira-samira is situated on the bank of the Yamuna, and here it lies on the bank of the Ganges. Actually what you see, however, is not the bank of the Ganges, but that of the Yamuna, which flows on the western side of the Ganges. As this beautiful Pulina lies on the bank of the Yamuna, Visvambhara therefore calls this place V�nd€vana. You should know that all the pastime places of V�nd€vana are situated within this place. Make no distinction between V�nd€vana and Navadv…pa, nor between Gauranga and K��Ša.”

In this way, overwhelmed with ecstatic love, Nity€nanda Raya took J…va and showed him around V�nd€vana. Then, heading some distance to the north, they spent the night in Rudradv…pa.

With the lotus feet of Nitai and Jahnava as my only wealth, Bhaktivinoda sings this glorification of Nadia.

All glories to ®r… Gauracandra, the wanderer of Nadia's groves! All glories to ®r… Nity€nanda, the master of Ekacakra! All glories to Advaita Isvara, the master of Santipura! All glories to Gad€dhara of Ramacandrapura! And all glories to Gaura-bhumi, the essence of cintamani, where K��Ša wandered in Kali-yuga.

The son of Padma, ®r… Nity€nanda, after crossing the Ganges and going some distance, said to the devotees, “See this attractive pl' amed BilvapaksaIBilvapaksa. Generally people call it Bela Pukhariya. The place known in the scriptures as BilvavanaIBilvavana in Vraja is situated here in Navadv…pa.

“One time some br€hmana devotees of Lord ®iva worshiped him by offering the leaves of his favorite tree, the bilva, or bael, tree for a fortnight's duration. ®iva was pleased with the br€hmanas and gave them K��Ša-bhakti. Amongst those worshipers was Nimbaditya, who had been very attentive in the worship. Lord ®iva spoke to him, ‘At the edge of this village is a sacred bilva forest. Within that forest, the four KumarasIKumaras are sitting in meditation. By their mercy, you will receive transcendental knowledge. They are your gurus. By serving them, you will receive all that is of value.' Saying this, Lord Lord ®iva disappeared.

“Nimbaditya searched and found that place. On an attractive platform in the forest near ®iva, he saw the four brothers-Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatana, and Sanat-kumara-sitting unseen by others. They were young, naked, and noble in character. NimbarkaINimbarka cried out in excitement, ‘Hare K��Ša! Hare K��Ša!'

“On hearing the holy name, the KumarasIKumaras ' meditation broke. They opened their eyes and saw before them an ideal Vaisnava. Satisfied by this sight, one after another they embraced Nimbaditya. ‘Who are you?' they asked. ‘Why have you come here? We will certainly fulfill your prayers.'

“NimbarkaINimbarka offered his obeisances and humbly introduced himself. Sanat-kumara smiled and said, ‘The all-merciful Supreme Lord, knowing that Kali-yuga would be very troublesome, decided to propagate devotional service. He empowered four men with devotional service and sent them into the world to preach. R€manuja, MadhvaIMadhvacarya, and Vi�ŠusvamiIVi�Šusvami are three of these men. You are the fourth of these great devotees. ®r…, Laksmi, accepted R€manuja, Brahm€ accepted Madhvacarya, Rudra accepted Vi�ŠusvamiIVi�Šusvami, and we, meeting you today, have the good fortune to teach you. This is our intention. Previously we were engaged in meditating on the Brahm€n, but by the Lord's mercy that sinful act has gone away. Now that I know the sweet taste of pure devotional service, I have written one book named Sanat-kumara Saˆhita. You should receive initiation into its teachings.'

“Seeing his guru's mercy, the wise NimbarkaINimbarka quickly took his bath in the Ganges and returned. He offered obeisances and humbly said, ‘O deliverer of the fallen, please deliver this low rascal.'

“The four brothers gave him the R€dh€-K��Ša mantra and instructed him how to worship R€dh€ and K��Ša filled with sentiments of great love, called bhava-marga. Having obtained that mantra, Nimbaditya resided at this sacred place and worshiped according to the injunctions of that saˆhita.

“R€dh€ and K��Ša bestowed Their mercy by appearing before NimbarkaINimbarka. Lighting up all directions and gently smiling, They said, ‘You are very fortunate. You have performed sadhana in Navadv…pa, Our dear abode. Here We take on one form, as the son of Sacidevi.'

“While saying this, They combined in one form as Gauranga. NimbarkaINimbarka was astounded on seeing that form and exclaimed, ‘Never have I seen or heard of such a remarkable form anywhere!'

“Mah€prabhu said, ‘Please keep this form secret now. Just preach K��Ša-bhakti and the pastimes of R€dh€ and K��Ša, for I am very happy in those pastimes. When I appear as Gauranga, I will enjoy educational pastimes. At that time, you will take birth in Kashmir and tour India as a champion scholar out to defeat all opponents. Your name will be Kesava Kasmiri, and you will be celebrated everywhere for your great learning. While wandering on tour, you will come to M€y€pur. The learned scholars of Navadv…pa will flee when they hear your name, but I will be intoxicated with learning and take pleasure in defeating you. By the mercy of Sarasvati goddess, you will realize My identity, give up your pride, and take shelter of Me. Then I will give you the gift of bhakti and send you out to preach devotional service again. So you can satisfy Me now by preaching the philosophy of dvaitadvaita (monism and dualism), keeping My identity secret.

“‘Later, when I begin the saŠk…rtana movement, I Myself will preach the essence of the four Vaisnava philosophies. From MadhvaIMadhvacarya I will receive two essential items: his complete defeat of the M€y€vada philosophy, and his service to the Deity of K��Ša, accepting the Deity as an eternal spiritual being. From R€manuja I will accept two great teachings: the concept of bhakti unpolluted by karma and jñana, and service to the devotees. From Vi�ŠusvamiIVi�Šusvami 's teachings I will accept two main elements: the sentiment of exclusive dependence on K��Ša, and the path of raga-bhakti. And from you I will receive two excellent principles: the necessity of taking shelter of R€dh€, and the high esteem for the gopis' love of K��Ša.'”

“When Gauracandra disappeared, NimbarkaINimbarka wept out of love. After worshiping the feet of his gurus, he left for preaching K��Ša-bhakti.”

Nity€nanda then pointed out to J…va in the distance, Rama-tirthaIRama-tirtha, where Lord Balarama ;kills Kolasura killed the Kolasura demon and then took bath with the Yadus. This place is now known as Rukmapura, and it is situated on one end of the Navadv…pa parikrama. During the month of Kartika this place is especially glorious.

Leaving behind BilvapaksaIBilvapaksa, Nity€nanda Prabhu and the devotees went up to BharadvajaIBharadvaja-åila -åila village. Nity€nanda explained, “After seeing Ganga-sagaraIGanga-sagara, BharadvajaIBharadvaja Muni Muni came to this place. The great muni stayed here for some days and worshiped Lord Gauracandra.

Satisfied by the worship, Lord Visvambhara mercifully appeared before the muni and said to him, ‘Your desire will be fulfilled. When I advent, you will see Me.'

“After speaking these words, the Lord disappeared and BharadvajaIBharadvaja Muni fainted in great ecstasy. After staying on this hill for some days, the muni departed to see other tirthas. The common people call this place Bharuidanga. The scriptures consider this a major tirtha.”

While speaking these topics, they returned to M€y€pur, where IsanaIIsana Åhakura Åhakura came forward to welcome them back. Nity€nanda Prabhu, in unprecedented prema, danced and sang amongst the devotees. That day, in the house of Jagann€tha Mi�ra, the best of all holy places where Gauranga appeared with the holy name, the Lord's own mother fed the Vaisnavas. How to describe the bliss at that place? The sound of the kirtana resounded loudly.

Desiring the shade of the feet of Nitai and Jahnava, Bhaktivinoda sings these pastimes of Navadv…pa.

All glories to Lord Gauracandra and Prabhu Nity€nanda! All glories to Advaita and Gad€dhara, who relish ecstatic prema! All glories to the devotees headed by ®r…vasa! All glories to Navadv…pa-dhama! And all glories to nama-saŠk…rtana, the abode of prema.

Nity€nanda Prabhu was sitting in ®r…vasa Åhakura's courtyard with tears of love for Gauranga streaming from His eyes. From all directions saintly Vaisnavas came, overcome by that inundation of love. At that time, J…va Gosvami appeared there intoxicated with love for R€dh€ and K��Ša. Offering dandavats to Nity€nanda's lotus feet, J…va rolled in the dust of that place.

Nity€nanda Prabhu affectionately asked him. “After how many days will you go to V�nd€vana ?”

J…va answered, “The Lord's order is supreme. Accepting that order, I must indeed go to V�nd€vana. But I have a few questions to ask. O Lord, for the benefit of Your servant, please answer. You say that Navadv…pa and V�nd€vana are nondifferent. If that is so, why should one make the effort to go to V�nd€vana at all?”

After hearing J…va's question, Nity€nanda Prabhu answered, “This is a deep topic, so listen carefully. But as long as the Lord's pastimes are manifest, see that the materialists do not know of this.

“Navadv…pa and V�nd€vana are one principle, one is neither less than nor greater than the other. V�nd€vana is the receptacle of r€sa, the goal of the living entities, but one who is not qualified cannot receive that nectar. Therefore, that same dh€ma has mercifully become Navadv…pa, where the living entities can attain qualification for that nectar. In other words, R€dh€ and K��Ša's pastimes are the highest of all transcendental mellows, therefore one has no immediately right to them.

“After many lifetimes of austerity one reaches the stage of knowledge. When that knowledge matures, one inquires about this r€sa. But there are always many obstacles, so to obtain the great treasure of this nectar is very rare indeed. Therefore, anyone and everyone who goes to V�nd€vana does not get that r€sa. Rather, because of offenses, that sweet nectar turns sour.

“In this terrible age of Kali, offenses are continuous, the body is short-lived, and there are many troubles, so even if one wants the V�nd€vana r€sa, it is not attainable. Therefore, the only method of getting that r€sa is by the mercy of K��Ša.

“R€dh€ and K��Ša have given that mercy to the living entities by manifesting V�nd€vana in the form of Navadv…pa and by incarnating in the womb of Saci in a combined form as Gaurahari. In that form, They have given the process to qualify for vraja-r€sa. Even the initial presence of offenses does not bar one from quickly attaining the goal of prema.

“If one lives in Navadv…pa and takes shelter of the holy name, his offenses will be destroyed and the qualification for the r€sa will appear. Love of K��Ša will soon shine within his heart and topics of R€dh€ and K��Ša will prevail. In this way, by achieving Gauranga's mercy, the living entity attains V�nd€vana, the holy abode of R€dh€ and K��Ša's nectarean pastimes.

“As this is a confidential topic, do not discuss it openly. Actually, there is absolutely no difference between Navadv…pa and V�nd€vana. Now you are qualified to take shelter of the place where R€dh€ and K��Ša's r€sa is fully manifested, so you should go to V�nd€vana. In a strict sense, there is no need to go to Vraja-dhama, for upon attaining qualification that Vraja-dhama appears here in Navadv…pa. Still you should go to Vraja, for that is the Lord's order. For living entities it is always proper to first take shelter of Navadv…pa to obtain the qualification for relishing the r€saD of Vraja. Then one may live in V�nd€vana, the place for actually acquiring that r€saD, and there he will enjoy those transcendental mellows. When you get the mercy of Navadv…pa, you will easily attain V�nd€vana .”

Hearing Nity€nanda Prabhu's conclusions, J…va caught His lotus feet in ecstatic bliss and said, “I have one more question. Please listen. Many people live in Navadv…pa, but why they are still unable to attain K��Ša-bhakti? As they are staying in this dh€ma, how do offenses remain in them? This has been disturbing me. O Lord, You are the abode of the universe, yet You remain eternally free from material contamination. Please tell me how the devotees will be freed from this doubt?”

Desiring the shade of the lotus feet of Nitai and Jahnava, this low and worthless Bhaktivinoda speaks these topics.

All glories to ®r… Gauranga, the son of Saci! All glories to Nity€nanda, the son of Padmavati and life of Jahnava! All glories to Advaita Prabhu, the husband of Sita! All glories to Gad€dhara! And all glories to the devotees headed by ®r…vasa!

After hearing ®r… J…va's question, Nity€nanda Raya spoke this profound truth amongst the assembled devotees, “Listen, J…va. Both V�nd€vana and Navadv…pa are the shelter of countless blissful devotees. Purified living entities who have crossed over the material nature live here as K��Ša's associates. This dh€ma is an eternally pure spiritual abode, where material nature and time are conquered. In this abode, the land and time are eternally full of bliss and completely opposite to the material world. You should know that the houses, doors, rivers, streams, forests, and court-yards are all completely spiritual and intensely attractive.

“That blissful place, transcendental to material nature, rests on K��Ša's inconceivable and supremely magnanimous Sandhini potency energy. By that energy the dh€ma has descended here in Nadia, for K��Ša's real desire is to deliver the living entities. Materialistic persons cannot enter the dh€ma, nor is there any material influence here. M€y€ has eternally covered the dh€ma with a film of dull matter. People who have no relationship with K��Ša Caitanya simply live on top of that covering, blind to the real truth. Though one is thinking, ‘I am in Navadv…pa,' Praudha M€y€ happily keeps that person far away from the dh€ma. But if by some great fortune one receives the association of a devotee, that relationship, or sambandha, with ®r… Caitanya will be established.

“This topic of sambandha is a deep thing, O son of Vallabha, a treasure that the conditioned souls cannot easily understand. Even if one calls out the name of ®r… K��Ša Caitanya with seeming affection, if that relationship is not established in his heart, he simply remains in the material realm. Such a person resides on top of the dh€ma's illusory covering and never attains pure bhakti. That person is the dharmadhvaji, or hypocritically devout, who is especially duplicitous, who has no humility and is full of pride, yet still thinks he is fully qualified.

“By the devotees' mercy, even such a person can give up his pride and perform devotional activities. One should think himself lower than a blade of grass and more tolerant than a tree. He should not desire respect for himself but should expertly offer respect to others. When one possesses these four qualities and sings the glories of Lord K��Ša, his relationship with ®r… Caitanya manifests within his heart.

“Now, with K��Ša there are five relationships: santa, dasya, sakhya, vatsalya and madhurya. By first worshiping Gauranga in the mood of santa and dasya, the devotee attains K��Ša's service in the other r€sas. According to his relationship with the Lord, the devotee's eternally perfect mood spontaneously manifests in the course of his devotional service.

“Whoever makes a distinction between Gauranga and K��Ša is contemptible and will never attain a relationship with K��Ša. But, in the association of devotees, one who possesses the qualities beginning with humility will first worship Gauranga in dasya, or servitude, relationship. This dasya-r€sa is the highest mood in the worship of Gauranga. It is in that mood that the devotees call ®r… Gauranga ‘Mah€prabhu.'

“One who is qualified in madhurya -r€sa worships Gauranga in the form of R€dh€ and K��Ša. As R€dh€ and K��Ša have combined in one form as My Gauranga Raya, Their pastimes do not appear to be manifest in His form. When the worship of Gauranga in dasya-r€sa reaches full maturity in the heart of the living entity, madhurya -r€sa naturally develops in his heart. At that time one's worship of Gaurahari qualifies him to worship R€dh€ and K��Ša in V�nd€vana. Gauranga then drowns the devotee in the nectar of R€dh€ and K��Ša's eternal pastimes, which the devotee enters as he attains V�nd€vana.

“The materialist, who is blind to spiritual life, cannot see the deep relationship between Navadv…pa and Vraja, which are simultaneously one and different. Know for certain that this same relationship exists between Gaura and K��Ša, who are also simultaneously one and different. Gauranga, however, is worshiped in madhuryaD -r€saD in the form of R€dh€ and K��Ša. O son of Vallabha, very soon, Rupa and Sanatana will teach you all these truths. Now the Lord Himself has given to you the right to enter V�nd€vana . J…va, do not delay any longer in going there!”

Saying this, the all-merciful Nity€nanda Prabhu put His feet upon J…va's head and invested him with spiritual power. In ecstatic love of God, J…va Gosvami remained unconscious for some time at Nity€nanda Prabhu's feet. He then began to roll on the ground there, in ®r…vasa's courtyard, as ecstatic symptoms of love manifested in his body. Crying, he said, “How unfortunate I am that I did not see the Lord's pastimes in Navadv…pa with my own eyes. Gaurahari performed His pastimes to free the souls bound in the material world, but I did not see those activities, so my days simply pass uselessly.”

Hearing that ®r… J…va was going to V�nd€vana, many devotees came to ®r…vasa's courtyard. The senior Vaisnavas gave J…va their blessings, and the junior Vaisnavas begged for his mercy. Folding his hands, ®r… J…va said to all of them, “Please excuse all of my offenses. You are ®r… Caitanya's servants, the gurus of the world. O desire trees, be merciful on this insignificant living entity. Let the attraction of my mind reside in Lord Caitanya. And let Nity€nanda Prabhu be my goal birth after birth! Without understanding I have given up my home as a mere child, but you are my friends, taking care of my life. Without the mercy of the Vaisnavas one cannot attain K��Ša. Therefore, brothers, give me the dust from your feet.”

Having said this, he glorified and bowed down to each one of the Vaisnavas and then, with the consent of Nity€nanda Prabhu, he went to Jagann€tha Mi�ra's house. At the feet of mother Saci, his mind agitated by spiritual emotions, he received the order to go to V�nd€vana. Giving him the dust from her lotus feet and all blessings, she bid him well on his journey.

J…va wept as he crossed the Ganges. Calling out the name of Gauranga as he went, he knew the Lord's order was supreme. After some time, he crossed the boundary of Navadv…pa. As he left the dh€ma, he offered his dandavats and headed for V�nd€vana. At that moment, Vraja-dhama, the Yamuna, and his uncles, Rupa and Sanatana, awoke in his heart.

One night along the way, Gauranga appeared to him in a dream and said, “Go to Mathura. You and your uncles, Rupa and Sanatana, are all very dear to Me. Together you should manifest the scriptures of devotional service. Dedicate your life to the service of My form as R€dh€ and K��Ša, and always see Their pastimes in Vraja.”

Awaking from his dream, J…va was in great bliss and rushed quickly to V�nd€vana. The service that J…va Gosvami did there is impossible to describe. Later, one fortunate person will describe his activities, and the devotees will hear that in great bliss. The worthless, unfit Bhaktivinoda has made this description of travelling in the dh€ma.

I make one request at the feet of the Vaisnavas. Let my relationship with Gaura be sealed. Along with that relationship, let me reside in Navadv…pa for a long time. This is my wish. I am a worm in the hole of materialism, extremely evil in conduct, devoid of devotion, filled with lust, and insane with anger. How else can such an evil person as I, the servant of m€y€, attain a relationship with Gauranga?

O Navadv…pa-dhama, show favour on me and appear in my heart, so that I may be delivered. O Praudha M€y€, protecting goddess, please be genuinely merciful, for you are the only hope to cross over the obstacles due to ignorance. V�ddha ®iva, protector of the dh€ma, be compassionate on me, let the transcendental dh€ma be revealed to my eyes.

O residents of Navadv…pa and devotees of Gauranga, put your feet upon my head, rascal that I am. Everyone, please hear this prayer of mine, so that I will quickly attain the feet of ®r… Caitanya.

Though I am very low, taking the order of ®r… Nity€nanda and Jahnava, I have herein described Navadv…pa-dhama. It is a fact that this book is filled with the names: Gauranga, Nity€nanda, and Navadv…pa. On that basis this book is a supreme deliverer, and I cannot be held guilty, though there be many faults in the writing. By reading this book, Gauranga's devotees always earn the fruits of performing parikrama. And if one reads this book while doing parikrama, the fruits increase a hundredfold. That is the verdict of the scriptures.

Aspiring for the shade of the lotus feet of ®r… Nitai and Jahnava, this low and worthless Bhaktivinoda has thus sung this glorification of Nadia.

O devotees, having offered obeisances to R€dh€ and K��Ša and Their combined form of

®r… Caitanya Mah€prabhu, please listen to the glories of Navadv…pa-dhama proclaimed

through this collection of scriptural evidence.

For the pleasure of the devotees, I will first bring together evidences from the Upanisads. O devotees, first hear with faith and a nonenvious heart what the Chandogya Upanisad says concerning Navadv…pa.

The Chandogya Upanisad describes a wonderful city called Brahm€pura pura;defined FBrahm€pura is a name of the Lord's abode. in the shape of eight-petaled lotus. The center of that lotus is M€y€pur, the abode of the Supreme Lord ®r… Caitanya as Paramatma. The sky within that lotus, or antarakasa, is known as Antardv…pa.

Hari om. Within Brahm€pura pura is a lotus-shaped dahara-the heart. In the center of that is the antarakasa, or the interior sky. One should seek out and realize what is within that antarakasa.

The students may ask: In Brahm€pura pura is a lotus-shaped dahara, the heart, and within that exists the antarakasa. What exists there that should be sought out and known?

Then the guru will reply: Just as there is a sky in this external world, there is a similar sky in the midst of the heart. In that sky, there is heaven and earth, fire and air, sun and moon, lightening and stars. Whatever is in this external world and even what is lacking here is existent in that internal place.

Then the students may again ask: In this Brahm€pura pura within the body, if all elements, living beings, and desires are present, then what remains when the body grows old and dies?

Then the guru will answer: When the body grows old, the elements of Brahm€pura pura do not grow old, and when the body perishes at death those elements do not perish. This real Brahm€pura pura is indestructible and is the abode of complete satisfaction. This atma, the Supersoul, is devoid of sin, old age, death, lamentation, hunger, and thirst. His desires are pure, satyakama, and He attains fulfillment of His desires immediately and without obstacle, satya-sankalpa.

But people in this world who desire various objects-some country or even a small portion of land for the gratification of bodily pleasure-they inevitably develop attachment and fall under the control of those objects, like citizens who are bound to follow the laws of the state.

Whatever one earns by work on this earth is exhausted by its enjoyment, and whatever one earns by pious activities such as sacrifice is exhausted by heavenly enjoyment. In this manner, those who pass from this world without seeking out and obtaining knowledge and realization of the Supersoul do not attain complete satisfaction of their desires wherever they may go.

But those who pass from this world, having sought out and obtained knowledge and realization of the Supersoul, the all-blissful Lord, attain complete satisfaction wherever they may go.

If he desires a relationship with fatherly personalities, by his very desire the fathers are present, and with the fathers he enjoys serving the Lord (in vatsalya-r€sa). If he desires motherly personalities, by his very desire the mothers are present, and with the mothers he enjoys serving the Lord (in vatsalya-r€sa). If he desires brothers, then by his desire the brothers are present, and with the brothers he enjoys serving the Lord. If he desires sisters, then by his desire the sisters are present, and with the sisters he enjoys serving the Lord. If he desires friends, then by his desire friends are present, and with the friends he enjoys serving the Lord (in sakhya-r€sa).

If he desires people offering pleasurable items such as perfumes and garlands, then by his desire these persons are present, and with them he enjoys serving the Lord (in dasya-r€sa).

If he desires servers of food and drink, then by his desire they are present, and with them he enjoys serving the Lord. If he desires performers of song and music, then by his desire they are present, and with them he enjoys serving the Lord. If he desires the company of beautiful women, then by his desire they are present, and with them he enjoys serving the Lord (in madhurya -r€sa).

Whatever he desires, by his very desire it is present, and with it he blissfully serves the Lord.

These eternal enjoyments and desires are covered by ignorance in this world. Though they are real, there is a covering of ignorance. Thus, in this world, we can never again see those to whom we are attached after they depart from this world.

But if a person achieves Brahm€pura pura, he meets all his friends and relatives, both living and dead, and he gets everything he desired but could not attain. But in this conditional world, all is covered by ignorance. Just as people ignorant of a hidden treasure of gold beneath their feet walk over it constantly but cannot enjoy it, so the living entities who are covered by ignorance contact Brahm€loka everyday, even in this world, but they do not know it and therefore cannot enjoy its eternal spiritual bliss.

The Lord, or Paramatma, resides within the heart (hrdayam). The word hrdayam is derived in this way: hrdi-in the heart; ayam-is this atma, the Lord. The person who knows this meaning of hrdayam (who is always conscious of the Lord within) goes to the highest effulgent abode.

That which goes upwards from the body attains the highest light, the Supreme Lord, and is born in his spiritual form. That is the real self, who attains qualities similar to the Lord. He is immortal, fearless, pure spirit, and Brahm€n. He, like the Lord, is called satya.

In the word satya, there are three syllables: sat, i, and ya. Sat means what is immortal; i means what is perishable; and ya is the Lord, who controls both the immortal and mortal. Because the Lord controls both the immortal and mortal by His energy, He is called ya. The person who understands consistently this meaning of satya attains to the highest effulgent abode.

The Lord is known as a bridge or boundary, setu, for He keeps this world separate from the spiritual world. By His will old age, death, lamentation, good deeds, or bad deeds can not penetrate there. All sins are dissolved in His presence. This Brahm€loka destroys all sin. By crossing this bridge and attaining realization of the Lord, the blind attain sight, the afflicted become peaceful, and the sufferer gains relief. If one crosses this bridge, night becomes day. For this Brahm€loka is constantly illumined by pure consciousness.

A person attains this Brahm€loka, the Lord, by being absorbed in the Lord. Such persons can then move freely anywhere. What is called yajña is actually brahm€carya, or absorption in Brahm€n, for one who attains proper knowledge by absorption in Brahm€n, attains Brahm€n. What is called is€ha, or worship, is absorption in Brahm€n, for by worship with absorption in Brahm€n, one attains Brahm€n.

What is called sattrayana (a type of long sacrifice) is absorption in Brahm€n, for by this absorption one attains liberation, trana, of the soul, sat. What is called mauna, or silence, is actually absorption in Brahm€n, for by absorption in Brahm€n and understanding the soul, one attains discernment or manana.

What is called anasakayana, or severe fasting, is actually absorption in Brahm€n, for by absorption in Brahm€n and understanding the soul, one attains immortality (anasakayana).

What is called aranyayana, or study in the forest, is absorption in Brahm€n. For Ara and ÿya are two oceans in Brahm€pura pura, in the third sky, beyond this world. In that Brahm€loka, there is a refreshing lake; a wish-fulfilling asvattha tree, which yields soma; and an invincible, oppulent, spiritual city of goldFIn this verse, the forest can be taken as Gokula Mahavana or M€y€pur. The two oceans as Prthu-kunda and the Ganges. The third sky is the spiritual sky beyond the gross and subtle material universe. The refreshing lake is the nectar of prema, and the asvattha tree shades the kirtana hall at ®r…vasangana. Lord Caitanya's saŠk…rtana-yajña yields soma, and the invincible spiritual city of gold is Yogapitha..

Those who discover these two oceans in Brahm€loka by absorption in Brahm€n become fixed in the spiritual world and are free, with no limitations of the material realm.

In the Chandogya Upanisad it is stated: “Within the golden abode, is the golden effulgent Lord, with effulgent hair, effulgent beard, and effulgent from head to foot. His eyes are like the petals of the lotus opening in the morning sun. He is called ut or transcendental. He is beyond all sins. He who knows this Lord also becomes transcendental to all sin.”

Similarly, in the Mundaka Upanisad a description is given of the spiritual, effulgent, golden abode. That is none other than the spotless Yogapitha within M€y€pur.

It is stated there: “Those who are truly in knowledge understand that within the golden covering is situated the pure Lord, uncontaminated by passion, absolute and indivisible (niskalam). The indivisible Lord is the combined form of R€dh€ and K��Ša or Lord Gauranga, the light of lights.

“Those persons without material desire who worship the supreme pure person and understand the supreme spiritual abode, which is ornamented with all spiritual variety, surpass this material world.”

O devotees, now listen attentively to the Caitanya Upanisad's statements which glorify Navadv…pa:

Again he (Pippalayana) asked a question. “O Lord, how can the people immersed in sinful life attain liberation in Kali-yuga? Please tell me who is the worshipable Lord and what is the mantra for Kali-yuga.”

He (Brahm€ ) replied, “Listen, as I speak this confidential knowledge to you. On the bank of the Ganges in Navadv…pa-dhama, which is nondifferent from Goloka, the all-pervading Supreme Personality of Godhead, Govinda, will appear in His two-armed form as Lord Gaura, a great saint and powerful mystic who is above the three modes of nature and is the emblem of transcendental activity. He will preach the cult of devotion throughout the world.”

Chapter Two

For the pleasure of intelligent people, I will first present what Lord Lord ®iva described long ago to Parvati in the Ananta-saˆhita.

®r… Parvati said, “Who is K��Ša Caitanya? What are His auspicious characteristics? What is the Ananta-saˆhita? How and by whom was it revealed? I have heard you chant various names of Vi�Šu, but never the two names ‘Gauranga' and ‘K��Ša Caitanya.' O lord of my life, please tell me why you are loudly chanting these all-auspicious names. Also, please narrate that Saˆhita which contains Lord Caitanya's glorification.”

®r… Mahadeva said, “O Parvati, daughter of Himalaya, you are very fortunate. Lord Vi�Šu glorifies you as being equal to ®r… R€dh€. You have surrendered both body and mind to ®r… K��Ša. Therefore, my beloved, you have the proper qualification for hearing about ®r… K��Ša Caitanya, for only those who have devotion to R€dh€ and K��Ša are qualified to hear about ®r… Caitanya. Nondevotees are not qualified.

“O beloved, K��Ša Caitanya is the first amongst the gods, the Lord of all worlds from whom everything comes. He is the Paramatma, and everything merges in Him at the time of universal destruction. The knowers of the Vedas call Him Brahm€n, while some call Him the original learned person. Some persons call Him the sole Lord of the universe, and others see Him as the Supreme Person.

“Some call Him the fruit of work, and others know Him as the grandfather. Someone else knows Him as the Lord of sacrifice, and others as the omniscient Lord. O Mahesvari, the Supreme Person, ®r… K��Ša Himself, who is the life of ®r… R€dh€rani and Lord of the universe, appeared at the time of creation as Gaura. O gentle-faced Parvati, because He appeared at that time as pure consciousness, caitanya, the wise call Him K��Ša Caitanya. The syllable ‘krsi' means ‘support' and ‘na' means ‘universe.' The wise understand that K��Ša is the person who supports the universe.

“Previously you heard from me in detail about K��Ša. Because He appeared at the beginning of the creation of the universe in a golden form, the Vaisnavas know Him as Gauranga. At that time, Prakrtidevi, the mistress of the three modes and mother of the universe, was not present, so the mahat-tattva and the material elements were not yet manifest.

“Let me offer my obeisances unto the Supersoul, the cause of all causes, the Lord of lords, Gauranga, the form of eternity, knowledge, and bliss.

“O Parvati, one day the Lord known as Ananta, the king of snakes, went to Svetadv…pa where Lord Vi�Šu, the protector of the three worlds, resides. The thousand-headed Ananta offered His respects to the all-powerful Vi�Šu and praised Him by reciting the Purusa-sukta. Then, with hands folded, He began to ask questions.

“Nagaraja said, ‘O Narayana, O ocean of mercy! You know everything, and You affectionate to Your devotees. By Your mercy I support this earth. By Your mercy I have been able to see and understand all moving and nonmoving things. Now I wish to see the pastimes of R€dh€ and K��Ša. O husband of Laksmi, by the mercy of Your lotus feet I have been able to go everywhere except V�nd€vana. Now I desire to go to Mahavana, the best of dh€mas. Please tell Me how I can go there.'

®r… Mahadeva continued, “Hearing Nagaraja speak, the Lord of Svetadv…pa, Madhusudana, slightly smiled and spoke the following sweet words.

“The Supreme Lord said, ‘O greatly intelligent Nagaraja, how can You ask such a question? This is like desiring to cross the ocean by holding the tail of a dog. O upholder of the earth, what great austerities or pious activities have You done that You desire to see the beautiful abode of R€dh€ and K��Ša? Neither Brahm€, the grandfather of the universe; nor Lord ®iva ; nor I Myself, the sustainer of the universe; nor Garbodakasayi Vi�Šu; nor Karanodakasayi Vi�Šu; nor M€y€devi, who bewilders everyone in the universe, can go to that spiritual abode of K��Ša, R€dh€'s Lord.

“‘That place where the trees, leaves, flowers, and fruit are spiritual; where the swans, cuckoos, deer, and other animals are spiritual; where the ground, rivers, mountains, and lakes are spiritual-not born of gross material energy-that place is glorified by the great devotees as the best of places. It is called Goloka. R€dh€ and K��Ša perform Their pastimes there. V�nd€vana is the dearmost abode of K��Ša, whom all the devatas desire to see.

“‘O Nagaraja, how have You come to desire to see this supreme abode, from one corner of which are born all places dear to the living entities such as VaikunåhaIVaikunåha, and which the sages cannot see even in their dreams?

“‘Long ago, Brahm€ performed austerities at Puskara for a hundred years, hoping to get the dust from the lotus feet of Lord K��Ša. But You-so unqualified, so unintelligent-how can You desire to see the supreme pastimes of R€dh€ and K��Ša?

“‘But, O king of the snakes, I consider You the best of the devotees, because You have developed such a taste for the pastimes of R€dh€ and K��Ša. After ten million kalpas of performing pious deeds, the living entity becomes a Vaisnava. Thereafter he develops a taste for the pastimes of R€dh€ and K��Ša.

“‘That person who develops the fine intelligence to perceive the pastimes of R€dh€ and K��Ša is a liberated soul, who is worshipable by all the demigods.

“‘One cannot attain R€dh€ and K��Ša by hearing the glories of Vi�Šu for a billion kalpas. R€dh€ and K��Ša can be attained only by association with the gopis. And one cannot attain the association of the gopis except by taking shelter of the lotus feet of Gauranga. Therefore, please, constantly worship Gauranga with full devotion.

“‘Devotees exclusively attracted to the lotus feet of Gauranga, like bees attracted to nectar, certainly attain R€dh€ and K��Ša. If You desire the goal of devotion-servitorship to R€dh€ and K��Ša in V�nd€vana, which is so rare in this world-then go quickly to Navadv…pa and worship Gauranga, the ocean of mercy. At present, K��Ša, the dearmost of R€dh€, is residing there in the form of Gauranga.

“‘In order to bestow the mood of the gopis, K��Ša, the son of Nanda, has appeared in a two-armed golden form, with hands extending to the knees, and with pleasing eyes and face. In the dress of a devotee, He chants His own auspicious name in a loud voice and sometimes He chants ‘gopi, gopi, gopi.'

“‘Sometimes He will hold a danda and waterpot, and sometimes He will be overcome with the sentiments of mahabhava for bestowing realization to the souls of this world. By worshiping with great devotion this form of Gauranga, the great mountain of mercy, You will obtain R€dh€ and K��Ša in V�nd€vana.'”

Mahadeva continued, “Receiving the instruction of the Lord, Ananta went to Navadv…pa to meet Gauranga.”

Parvati said, “Please tell me, O Lord, O ocean of mercy, O great yogi, where is this Navadv…pa in which Gauranga resides? What did Ananta do when He went there? The name of Gauranga has forcibly stolen my mind. You have already told me the glories of V�nd€vana. Now, Lord, tell me the glories of Navadv…pa.”

Hearing Parvati's words, Lord Lord ®iva embraced her and with great respect said, “O Gauri, please listen as I describe the glories of Navadv…pa, which bestow prema-bhakti on mankind and destroy all types of sins. I describe truly the glories of Navadv…pa just as I have described the glories of V�nd€vana.

“The Lord, who gives bliss to His devotees, performs His pastimes in Navadv…pa just as K��Ša enjoys pastimes with R€dh€ in V�nd€vana. Just by remembrance of glorious Navadv…pa, an island situated within the combined Ganges and Yamuna Rivers, one will develop attraction for R€dh€ and K��Ša.

“A person may wander about the earth and visit a thousand holy tirthas, but if one does not see Navadv…pa, he cannot obtain R€dh€ and K��Ša. O Parvati, in just one portion of Navadv…pa all the sacred places, sages, munis, demigods, asramas, Vedas, scriptures, and mantras constantly reside for the pleasure of R€dh€ and K��Ša. Whatever results a person can attain by performance of thousands of horse sacrifices, thousands of vajapeya sacrifices, various types of rituals and yoga exercises, can be attained ten million times over just by remembering Navadv…pa. What can I say then of the results of actually seeing Navadv…pa?

“O Parvati, if even the most sinful people remember Navadv…pa just once, they become devotees. Know this for certain. Day by day their devotion will increase. The earth becomes purified by the dust from their lotus feet.

“Those who live in Navadv…pa and accept Gauranga as their only worshipable Lord should not be thought of as ordinary mortals. They are personal associates of Gauranga. Just by remembering those devotees the most sinful persons become purified. And what to speak of seeing them!

“If Ananta with His thousands of mouths is unable to describe the glories of Navadv…pa, how will I be able to do so with my five mouths? O Parvati, the wise men know that Navadv…pa is the only means by which to ascend to V�nd€vana.

“Ananta went to Navadv…pa, performed penances, and worshiped Gauranga for ten thousands years. Being pleased with Ananta, Lord Gauranga appeared before Him. On seeing that form, Ananta fell to the ground offering His respects.

“Then, raising Himself, Ananta folded His hands and began to sing the glories of Gauranga, who appeared with a complexion of molten gold. Gauranga's lotus feet were very beautiful, His toenails glowed like ten million moons, His form glowed like a thousand suns, and He was decorated with a forest flower garland and the mark of ®r…vatsa on His chest. Wearing silk cloth, He was as attractive as ten million Cupids. His arms extending to His knees and a sacred thread draped across His chest. He was smeared with sandalwood pulp and decorated with arm bands and tulasi beads around His neck. He had graceful eyes and beautiful eyebrows and nose. He was slightly smiling, and His ears were decorated with shark earrings. He was peaceful, and His feet are eternally worshiped by the devotees. He is the deliverer of the suffering living entities and the cause of the universes. His form is full of eternity, knowledge, and bliss. With a choked voice, Ananta offered His prayers.

“Ananta said, ‘O Lord, You are the origin of everything, the only cause of the universe. You are the independent, merciful, eternal person. As fire gives birth to sparks, You give birth to all living entities who take bodies of demigods and humans.

“‘O omniscient Lord, since Your eternal energy cannot give rise to Me without Your wish, I surrender unto You in Your eternal form. O destroyer of the miseries of material life, O Paramatma! Those who give up the all-auspicious, blissful service of Your lotus feet and instead labor constantly for speculative knowledge engage in useless activity.

“‘O lotus-eyed Lord, those who give up Your service with the aim of merging with You by yoga practice cannot actually be considered to be amongst the intelligent persons on this earth, being cheated of the bliss of serving You.

“‘Therefore, O friend of the miserable, please engage Me in Your service. I have no other desire at Your lotus feet.

“‘O savior of the earth, for those whose minds are satisfied by the nectar of service to Your

lotus feet, anything on this earth is easily obtainable.

“‘O best of the godly, today I am more fortunate than the mental speculators, because I have seen Your form, which is transcendental to the material world. O Lord, I offer My respects to You, whose form is full of eternity, knowledge, and bliss, whose complexion is like molten gold, and whose lotus feet are easily attained by the devotees.

“‘O merciful Gauranga, I wish to see You once again in the future, in the form which enjoys pastimes in V�nd€vana.'

“The Lord said, ‘O Ananta, I am satisfied with Your service because You are the first amongst the best devotees. For this reason, when I appear in Navadv…pa You will appear as My best servant.

“‘O fortunate one, Navadv…pa is equal to V�nd€vana. Long ago it was created by R€dh€ to bestow mercy on the living entities. V�nd€vana and Navadv…pa are as dear to Me as R€dh€ Herself. This I testify is the truth. O Ananta, as I always reside in V�nd€vana with Radhika, so I always reside in Navadv…pa combined with Radhika in one form as Gauranga. Just as I never leave V�nd€vana, I never leave Navadv…pa. I appear in V�nd€vana during every kalpa, and I perform pastimes for the pleasure of the devotees and to purify the world. O Ananta, please describe those same pastimes as they occur in Navadv…pa.

“‘O fortunate one, when I appear in person for the benefit of the populace, You will also appear. I do not tolerate separation from You even for a moment. Therefore, in another age I take You as My elder brother in V�nd€vana.

“‘I will appear in Navadv…pa, the great holy place, in the house of a br€hmana. Being prayed for by the devas, I will kill the fear generated by the advent of Kali-yuga. At that time, appearing as the large-bodied Nity€nanda, You will be absorbed in kirtana pastimes and transform the bewildered faithless into My devotees. You will convert the living entities into the best of devotees by gathering the essence of My eternal pastimes and composing an attractive saˆhita approved by the great devotees.'”

Lord ®iva said, “O Parvati, being ordered by the Lord in this way, Ananta offered His obeisances to the Lord and then composed this great saˆhita which gives prema-bhakti. When Ananta offered this saˆhita at the lotus feet of the Lord, He felt great satisfaction. Since this work was full of the Lord's infinite (ananta) pastimes, and since it came from the mouth of Ananta, the Lord called this work, Ananta-saˆhita.

“My dear Parvati, one time in Vaikun˜ha the Lord gave this saˆhita to Brahm€ for the benefit of all the worlds, and later, in another kalpa, He mercifully gave it to me when I was overcome from drinking poison. As my mouth was burning with the poison, I took this nectarean saˆhita in my mouth. O Parvati, since that time I have been constantly reciting this saˆhita along with the auspicious mantra of Gauranga's name. Being purified by this, I am considered the best of devotees. I am now satisfied, having been freed from the sinful reactions due to creating the atheistic M€y€vada scriptures which criticize K��Ša.

“O Parvati, because you are my beloved, in a previous kalpa I gave this saˆhita to you, but because of your being a woman, or because of your predominance of speculative knowledge, you could not remember it. Described in this saˆhita are the attractive pastimes of K��Ša and the character of Gauranga, which bestows direct meeting of R€dh€ and K��Ša.

“O Parvati, by hearing, reading, or teaching this scripture, a person can attain direct service to Lord Gauranga, who is merciful to the devotees and whose form is eternal and full of knowledge and bliss. Such a person resides in Navadv…pa for many kalpas. Then, by Gauranga's mercy, that person becomes a gopi and resides with R€dh€ and K��Ša in the groves of V�nd€vana as an attendant (sakhi). This is without a doubt the truth.

“O Sati, without service to the lotus feet of Gauranga, a person cannot obtain R€dh€ and K��Ša, even after accumulating lifetimes of pious activities. Therefore Parvati, you should constantly hear about the character of Lord Gauranga.”

®r… Narada Muni said, “O Gautama, being again questioned by Parvati, the merciful Lord Lord ®iva began to describe in a loud voice the character of Gauranga.”

Gautama said, “O best of the munis, please be merciful and tell me what Parvati then asked Lord Lord ®iva.”

®r… Narada Muni said, “After hearing the glories of Navadv…pa and wanting to know the cause of its appearance, Parvatidevi inquired from Lord ®iva.”

Parvati said, “O Lord, please describe exactly how and when ®r…mati Radhika created Navadv…pa.”

Lord Lord ®iva replied, “O Parvati, please hear the reason for Navadv…pa's appearance, as described in the Ananta-saˆhita and as I have heard from the mouth of Lord Narayana.

“As a bee plays in a lotus, K��Ša was enjoying with Çrémati Rädhäräni in the pleasant forest groves of V�nd€vana. Moon-faced, doe-eyed Radhika heard this news from one sakhi and hastily ran to find K��Ša. Seeing that R€dh€ was coming, K��Ša suddenly disappeared, and became a river. R€dh€ again heard that K��Ša was enjoying with, but when She arrived there She could not find them. Absorbed in thoughts of K��Ša, R€dh€ began to think.

“She gathered Her sakhis together between the Ganges and Yamuna Rivers. She created there a beautiful place, decorated with creepers and trees and filled with male and female bumble bees. Deer and buck were happily enjoying as they wandered about, and the whole area was filled with the fragrance of jasmine, mallika, and malati flowers. That transcendental abode was adorned with tulasi forests and decorated with various groves. On R€dh€'s order, the Ganges and Yamuna, with their pleasant water and banks, acted as a moat to protect the garden. Cupid himself, along with springtime, eternally reside there, and the birds constantly sing the auspicious name of K��Ša.

“R€dh€, dressed in a colorful cloth, then began to play a beautiful melody on a flute in order to attract K��Ša. Attracted by that melody, K��Ša appeared in that enchanting place. R€dh€, the attractor of K��Ša's mind, seeing that K��Ša had come, held His hand and experienced ecstatic delight. Then K��Ša, understanding R€dh€'s mood, spoke in a voice choked with love.

“‘O lovely-faced R€dh€, You are My very life. There is no one more dear to Me than You. Therefore I will never leave You. Just for Me You have created this wonderful place. Staying with You, I will transform this place, filling it with new sakhis and groves. The devotees will glorify this place as New V�nd€vana (Nava V�nd€vana ). As this place is like an island, or dv…pa, the wise will call it Navadv…pa. By My order, all the holy places will reside here. Because You have created this place for My pleasure, I will live here eternally.

“‘Those people who come here and worship Us will certainly obtain Our eternal service in the mood of the sakhis. O dear R€dh€, like V�nd€vana, this place is extremely pure. If anyone comes here just once, he will obtain the results of going to all sacred places. He will quickly attain devotional service, which satisfies Us.'”

Lord ®iva continued, “O most fortunate Parvati, saying this, K��Ša, the Lord of R€dh€, merged with R€dh€'s body and began to reside there eternally. Seeing that sat-cit-ananda form¾outwardly of a fair complexion but inwardly K��Ša Himself¾Lalita gave up her beautiful form for the service of Gauranga. She took on a male form to suitably receive the affection of Gauranga. Seeing that Lalita had taken such a form, Visakha and all the other sakhis also suddenly took on male forms.

“At that time the tumultuous vibration of ‘Jaya Gaurahari!' filled the four directions. From that time the devotees call this form of K��Ša, Gaurahari. As R€dh€ is Gauri (fair) and K��Ša is Hari, when They combine in one form, They are called Gaurahari. Since then, the lotus-eyed, flute-playing, threefold bending form of K��Ša and the lotus-eyed form of Radhikadevi remained there combined in one form.

“O Parvati, in blissful V�nd€vana, R€dh€ stays by the left side of K��Ša and always pleases Him. Similarly, in Navadv…pa K��Ša takes R€dh€rani in His heart and bestows bliss upon Her. Just as in V�nd€vana the sakhis headed by Lalita serve R€dh€ and K��Ša in their own forms, in Navadv…pa also the sakhis always joyfully serve Gaurahari as His devotees. R€dh€ and K��Ša are Gaura, and V�nd€vana is Navadv…pa. That low person who differentiates between V�nd€vana and Navadv…pa or between R€dh€-K��Ša and Gauranga will be pierced by my arrows and experience pain in the worst hells until the time of the universal devastation.

“O Parvati, I have described to you the reason for the appearance of Navadv…pa. When heard by mankind, this narration removes all sins and bestows devotional service. Whoever rises early in the morning and with devotion to Gaura recites or hears this story of Navadv…pa's creation will certainly attain Gauranga.

“Even now the devotees, but not the faithless, can see the sat-cid-ananda form of Lord Gauranga in Navadv…pa. Previously, in the r€sa dance at V�nd€vana, I saw K��Ša, the Lord of the r€sa dance and attractor of Cupid, appear as Gauranga. That same Lord, K��Ša Caitanya, appears in Navadv…pa in every kalpa and gives pure devotional service to the living entities.

“O Parvati, these secret topics that I have told you should never be revealed to the foolish nondevotees. Give it to the pure- minded devotee. Please tell me now, what else do you wish to hear?”

In the ùrddhvamnaya-saˆhita, the Lord says, “O Brahm€, during the reign of Vaivasvata Manu, I will take a golden form on the bank of the Ganges and, giving out the name of Hari, I will deliver hundreds and thousands of br€hmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas, candalas, and other low class men. I will go to Kañcana-grama is an old name of Katwa, where Lord Caitanya went to take sannyasa. and take sannyasa.”

Chapter Three

In this chapter, I will briefly present the references from the Puranas which glorify Navadv…pa. First, I will present the references from the ®r…mad Bhagavatam. The character of PrthuIPrthu Maharaja is described in the Bhagavatam (4.21.11-12) as follows:

My dear Vidura, King PrthuIPrthu lived in the tract of land between the two great rivers Ganges and Yamuna. Because he was very opulent, it appeared that he was enjoying his destined fortune in order to diminish the results of his past pious activities. Maharaja PrthuIPrthu was an unrivaled king and possessed the scepter for ruling all the seven islands on the surface of the globe. No one could disobey his irrevocable orders but the saintly persons, the br€hmanas, and the descendants of the Supreme Personality of Godhead [the Vaisnavas].

A description of the earth planet is given:

Similarly the branch of the Ganges known as AlakanandaIAlakananda flows from the southern side of Brahm€puri [Brahm€-sadana]FBrahm€puri, or Brahm€pura, was related with M€y€pur in the beginning of this Pramana-khanda. As in this description, the Alakananda also flows south of M€y€pur between Madhyadv…pa and Godrumadv…pa of Navadv…pa. flows into the ocean of salt water in the south. (Bhag. 5.17.9)

Description of the Pilgrimage of Vidura:

Thus being pierced by arrows through his ears and afflicted to the core of his heart, Vidura placed his bow on the door and quit his brother's palace. He was not sorry, for he considered M€y€pur to be supreme (and therefore decided to go there). (Bhag. 3.1.16)

He began to travel alone, thinking only of K��Ša, through various lonely places He traveled where the air, hill, orchard, river and lake are all pure and sinless and where the forms of the Unlimited decorate the temples. Thus he performed the pilgrim's progress.

While so traversing the earth, he simply performed duties to pleases the Supreme Lord Hari. His occupation was pure and independent. He was constantly sanctified by taking his bath in holy places, although he was in the dress of a mendicant and had no hair dressing nor a bed on which to lie. Thus he was always unseen by his various relatives. (Bhag. 3.1.18-19)

O Lord, You are pure, therefore Your complexion is pure golden. You are situated in Your own abode ®r… Navadv…pa as ®r… Caitanya Mah€prabhu, the combined form of the energy and energetic. M€y€ is Your eternal potency. You, the independent and supremely pure ®r… Gauranga, eternally reside in M€y€pur, which is manifested by Your cit-sakti and is untouched by Your material energy. (Bhag. 4.7.26)

The method of worship appropriate for this yuga is described in these words (Bhag. 11.5.19,31-34): King Nimi inquired: “In what colors and forms does the Supreme Personality of Godhead appear in each of the different ages, and with what names and by what types of regulative principles is the Lord worshiped in human society?”

“O King, in this way people in Dvapara-yuga worshiped the Lord of the universe. In Kali-yuga they also worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead by the regulations of the revealed scriptures. Kindly now hear of that from me.

“In the age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the name of K��Ša. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is K��Ša Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons, and confidential companions.”

“We offer our respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of Him, the Lord, upon whom one should always meditate. He destroys insults to His devotees. He removes the distresses of His devotees and satisfies their desires. He, the abode of all holy places and the shelter of all sages, is worshipable by Lord ®iva and Lord Brahm€. He is the boat of the demigods for crossing the ocean of birth and death.” (Bhag. 11.5.33)

“We offer our respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of the Lord, upon whom one should always meditate. He left His householder life, leaving aside His eternal consort, whom even the denizens of heaven adore. He went into the forest to deliver the fallen souls, who are put into illusion by material energy.” (Bhag. 11.5.34)

In the Vayu Purana as well, the Lord Himself speaks of His appearance, “In Kali-yuga I will appear in populated Navadv…pa on the bank of the Ganges as the son of Sacidevi to begin the saŠk…rtana movement. I will appear in a br€hmana's house, in the best br€hmana family.”

In the Agni Purana, the following is said: “He will appear as Gauranga, very peaceful, with long neck, surrounded by devatas or devotees.”

In the Garuda Purana it is said: “In Kali-yuga, the devotees will give up all other holy places and reside in either V�nd€vana or Navadv…pa.”

The Skanda Purana says: “In Kali-yuga, anyone who takes shelter of M€y€pur and worships Me will be freed of all sins and attain the highest goal.”

The glories of whatever tirthas are present throughout Navadv…pa increase a million times in Kali-yuga. The glories of all tirthas increase by association with Gauranga just as the value of metal increases by association with a touchstone. M€y€pur is none other than the spiritual energy of the Lord, yogam€y€, which increases everyone's bliss.

In the Garga-saˆhita this place, which destroys all sins is described in these words: “M€y€ manifests from either Bilvanila-ksetra or Gangadvara. It is situated in Kusavarta of the Dhruva-mandala. O king, attractive M€y€-tirtha is one mile north of the Lord's temple. Mounted on a lion, the form of Lord ®iva's Lord consort, Durga, or Bhadrakali, the killer of Canda and Munda and destroyer of miseries, resides there eternally. Whoever bathes at M€y€-tirtha and worships M€y€devi obtains fulfillment of all his desires.”

In the Garga-saˆhita Arjuna inquires about PrthuIPrthu-kunda -kunda: “Please tell me, O son of Devaki, who owns this wonderful kunda, which is surrounded by golden creepers and filled with golden lotuses?”

The Lord said, “It belongs to the great King PrthuIPrthu of the Surya dynasty, who in ancient times performed extreme austerities here. O Arjuna, if one drinks the water from this pond, he is released of all sins, and if one bathes in its waters, he goes to the supreme abode.”

In the north is situated Mathura, which fulfills all desires and is glorified in the Varaha and Vi�Šu Puranas. Mathura, situated in Simantadv…pa, is glorified in the Padma Purana in the following words: “This Mathura is more auspicious than VaikunåhaIVaikunåha, for simply by residing here for just one day a person develops devotion to the Lord!”

In the Vi�Šu Purana it is said: “O best of munis, on the twelfth day of the waxing moon in the month of Jyesåha when the moon is in the constellation Mula, one who fasts, bathes in the water of the Yamuna, and worships Acyuta in Mathura obtains the result of performing an asvamedha sacrifice.”

In the Varaha Purana, Varaha says, “O Vasundhara, in the heavenly, earthly, or hellish planetary systems there is no place dearer to Me than Mathura.”

Hearing the Lord speak, Prthvi, mother earth, bowed her head in respect and spoke the following pure words. Prthvi said, “O Lord, why do You ignore Puskara, NaimisaranyaINaimisaranya, and Varanasi to praise only Mathura ?”

Varaha answered, “O sinless earth, listen as I describe clearly everything. My birthplace, Mathura, is extremely pleasant and agreeable, and it is very dear to Me. Listen as I explain why I praise Mathura. This city destroys all sins, and whoever lives here obtains liberation. Whatever results men attain at PrayagaIPrayaga during the month of Magha are attained by the residents of Mathura every day. O mother earth, whatever results a person attains during the month of Kartika at Puskara can be attained at Mathura every day. Whatever results a person can attain by residing in Varanasi for one thousand years can be attained at Mathura in one moment. That person who leaves Mathura due to being attracted to other places becomes bewildered by My external energy and wanders in the world of birth and death forever.

“Anyone who hears or speaks the glories of Mathura is freed from all sins. All the tirthas on earth, including the oceans and lakes, go to Mathura when Janardana goes to sleep. Even the lowest persons residing in Mathura attain the highest goal by My mercy. Of this there is no doubt.

“Yamuna, the sister of Yamaraja, is worshiped by all people. If a person bathes in the Yamuna River, he attains My supreme abode and becomes glorious.

“One who dies in Mathura after engaging in My service, without doubt attains a four-armed form and does not take birth on earth again.”

VisramaIVisrama-sthana -sthana, the place where Mah€prabhu rested after His kirtana, is described in the Varaha Purana as follows, “O Devi, if one bathes in the holy place called Visranti, which is renowned in the three worlds, he will be glorified in My abode. The results that one obtains by bathing in all the tirthas can be obtained by seeing the Lord as He takes rest. O goddess, if a person bathes at VisramaIVisrama-sthana -tirtha, he obtains results that cannot be attained by performance of sacrifice, austerity, meditation, and yoga. A person who sees the Lord at rest and circumambulates Him twice in the morning, noon, and evening attains Vi�Šuloka. At VisramaIVisrama-sthana -tirtha there are twelve rare sacred places. If one takes bath, performs charity, japa, or sacrifice there, one gets results a thousand times increased. Even by remembering those places, a person becomes freed from all sin.”

HariharaIHarihara -ksetra and Kasi -ksetra are described in these words: “Maha-VaranasiIMaha-Varanasi is the highest abode of Lord Lord ®iva. Know that this place, which extinguishes all sin, is better than Kasi.”

In the Matysa Purana it is said: “Since one cannot get liberation except from the Lord, this place is called Avimukta. Whatever sins a man or woman may commit intentionally or unintentionally are turned to ashes on entering into Avimukta-ksetra. This place is greater than Tirtharaja PrayagaIPrayaga, because, living entities attain liberation here with very little effort.”

In the Linga Purana it is said: “If a killer of a br€hmana enters Avimukta-ksetra, he will be freed from his sin by the power of this place, and if a person lives in this place he attains a position similar to my own.”

In the Brahm€ Purana it is said: “Whoever enters Avimukta-ksetra and worships a linga will not take birth in this world in a billion kalpas.”

In the Skanda Purana, concerning Godruma it is said: “Those excellent people who live in the Lord's place named Godruma are liberated from all sin and attain the supreme abode.”

In the Garga-saˆhita, Naimiksetra in Madhyadv…pa (where the GomatRiver flows) is glorified as follows: “Whoever takes the pure dust from the bank of the GomatRiver is liberated from the sins committed in a thousand lifetimes. Of this there is no doubt. O King of Videha, if a person bathes at PrayagaIPrayaga in the month of Magha when the sun is situated in Capricorn, he gains the result of a thousand horse sacrifices. But if the person bathes in the GomatRiver in the month of Magha when the sun is in Capricorn, he gets a thousand times that benefit. Even Lord Brahm€ is not able to properly glorify Gomati-tirtha.

Whoever bathes in Cakra-tirtha (in NaimisaranyaINaimisaranya ) on the twelfth lunar day attains the abode of Vi�Šu, even if he has committed the worst sins.”

In the Mahabharata, Kuruksetra-mahatmya, the great sage Pulastya says, “O Rajendra, please go to Kuruksetra, which fulfills all desires. By seeing that place all living entities are liberated from their sins. Whoever continually says, ‘I will go to Kuruksetra, I will live in Kuruksetra.' will be freed of all sins. If the dust of Kuruksetra is raised by the wind and falls on the limbs of a sinner, that sinner will attain the highest abode.”

In the Mahabharata, concerning Br€hmana Puskara, it is said: “The holy place of Lord Vi�Šu, Puskara -tirtha, renowned in the three worlds, is situated on this earth. Fortunate souls can enter that place. O son of the Kuru dynasty, at Puskara -tirtha billions of tirthas gather at daybreak and sunset. The Adityas, Vasus, Rudras, Sadhyas, Maruts, Gandarvas, and Apsaras reside there. Sins of both men and women, including the sin which caused their birth, are destroyed simply by taking a bath at Puskara IPuskara -tirtha. As Madhusudana is the original God, so Puskara IPuskara is the original tirtha.”

In the Garga-saˆhita there is glorification of BhalukaFThe meaning of bhaluka is bear. There is also a place named Bhaluka within Madhyadv…pa in t in these words: “In this way the king of the bears, Jambavan, with great devotion to the Lord guards the southern door continuously.”

In the Mahabharata, concerning SamudragadaISamudragada there is the following statement: “O King, all the seventy million tirthas of this universe are present in Sapta Samudra-tirtha.”

In the Vi�Šu Purana it is said: “This is the ninth island, surrounded by the ocean.”

In the Garga-saˆhita, concerning Vidyanagara it is stated: “He went to that attractive Vedanagara in Jambudv…pa, where all the scriptures incarnate reside. At the assembly, Sarasvati goddess herself, with vina and book in hand, sings the all-auspicious qualities of K��Ša. O king, at this village of the Vedas, the eight talas (rythms), seven svaras (melodies), and three gramas (groups of melodies) are personally present. Mimaësa is the hand of the Vedas, astrology is the eye, Ayur-veda (medicine) is the back, Dhanur-veda (military science) is the chest, Gandharva-veda (music) is the tongue, Vaisesika is the mind, Sankhya is the intellect, nyaya (logic) is the false ego, and Vedanta is the heart.”

In the Garga-saˆhita, concerning Rukmapura, Rama-tirtha, it is said: “O King of Videha, the auspicious place where Balarama bathed in the Ganges (after killing Kolasura) is called Rama-tirthaIRama-tirtha by wise men. Whoever bathes there during the Kartika Purnima gains a hundred times the results of bathing in Haridvara.”

“Bahulasva said, ‘Tell me how far Rama-tirtha is from Kusanagara, and where it is situated.'

“Narada Muni said, ‘O King, the wise say that Rama-tirthaIRama-tirtha is situated thirty-two miles northeast of Kusanagara, thirty-two miles northwest of Koladv…pa, twelve miles southeast of Karnaksetra, and ten miles southeast of Nalaksetra. It is six miles from V�ddhakesi and Bilvakesavana in the east.'

“There was a king in Navadv…pa named Drdhasva, who always laughed at the deformed Lomasa Muni. The sage cursed him, ‘O cruel-minded one, you will become a fierce pig-faced demon.'

“By the sage's curse, the king was born as a demon with a pig's face. Later, when Balarama ;kills the Kola demon beat that demon, named Kola, the demon gave up that body and attained liberation. Then Balarama, accompanied by his ministers such as Uddhava, went to Jahnu-tirtha, where the Ganges appeared from Jahnu Muni's right ear after he swallowed the river. Thus Ganges takes her name Jahnavi, having emerged from the ear of the great br€hmana Jahnu Muni. After giving the br€hmanas of that place charity, Balarama spent the night there with His entourage.

“Then, going to the west, He arrived at the Pandava's very dear eating place and spent the night there. Lord Balarama sumptuously fed the br€hmanas there and gave many articles in charity to them. He then went with His associates to a place about eight miles away where the great devotee Manduka was performing austerities in his last days with a desire to attain the mercy of the Lord. Balarama placed His hand on that devotee's head and told him to ask a boon.

“Manduka said, ‘O Lord, if You are pleased and I am the recipient of Your mercy, please recite to me the Bhagavata, the scripture which destroys the faults of Kali-yuga and which issued from the lips of Sukadeva.'

“Balarama said, ‘Know for certain that when Gauranga appears in Kali-yuga, the divine message of Bhagavatam will be preached.'”

From the Garga-saˆhita, concerning Rudradv…pa, it is stated: “In the north is the sacred place known as Naila-lohita-ksetra. Lord ®iva with the name Nila-lohita resides there. O King of Videha, all the devatas, the munis, the seven rsis, and the Maruts live there. At this place, Ravana, who gave fear to the three worlds, worshiped ®iva and obtained great powers. O King, whatever results a person receives by going to KailasaIKailasa are obtained a hundredfold by seeing this Nila-lohita Lord ®iva.”

@SUB_END = Thus ends the Third Chapter of the Navadv…pa-dhama-mahatmya, Pramana-khanda.

Chapter Four

Now, please listen with devotion to the glorification of Navadv…pa which Lord Lord ®iva spoke to Parvati in the ùrddhvamnaya Maha-tantra.

After hearing Lord ®iva speak about Gauranga, Parvati, the form of Vi�Šum€y€, asked him with great devotion and joy, “O Lord, I have heard from you about the Gaura mantra and other things. Now please narrate the glories of Navadv…pa. O Lord, discussions of Navadv…pa are extremely auspicious and destroy all sins. Until now you have not been so merciful to speak on this subject.”

Lord Lord ®iva said, “O Parvati, the Lord's supreme energy is called svarupaISvarupa potency -sakti. You, the Lord's m€y€-sakti composed of three gunas, are the shadow of that energy. The svarupa-sakti has three forms: samvitISamvit potency (knowledge), sandhiniISandhini potency (existence), and hladini potency (bliss). The sandhini-sakti reveals such things as the Lord's dh€ma and name. By the order of the sat-cid-ananda Lord, the sandhini-saktiISandhini potency reveals Navadv…pa-dhama to mortal eyes. O Devi, the wise know that Navadv…pa manifests from the Lord's potency like fruits come from flowers. All the Vedas glorify Navadv…pa as nonmaterial, spiritual, full of variety, beyond matter, the supreme eternal Brahm€pura pura, an enchanting abode in the form of a lotus. The nine islands of Navadv…pa exactly resemble a lotus flower. O Devi, please listen as I describe the real form of Navadv…pa where the Lord as Gaurasundara is eternally situated.

“Antardv…pa , Simantadv…pa , Godruma dv…pa, and Madhyadv…pa are situated on the east bank of the Ganges. And Koladv…pa, átudv…paIátudv…pa, Jahnudv…pa, Modadrumadv…pa, and Rudradv…pa are situated on the western bank. Flowing in various places of Navadv…pa are all auspicious rivers such as the Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari, SarasvatRiver, Narmada, Sindhu, Kaveri, Tamraparni, Payasvini, Krtamala, Bhima, Gomati, and DrsadvatiIDrsadvati. Navadv…pa is always surrounded by these holy rivers.

“O Parvati,INaimisaranya present within this eternal Navadv…pa-dhama are Ayodhya, Mathura, M€y€ (Haridvara ), Kasi, KañciIKañci, Avanti (Ujjain), Dvaraka, Kuruksetra, Puskara, and Naimisaranya. The four streams of the Ganges -Bhagirathi, AlakanandaIAlakananda, MandakiniIMandakini, and BhogavatiIBhogavati -enclose the thirty-two mile circumference of Navadv…pa. All the holy places in the heavenly, earthly, and lower planets are present in Navadv…pa.

“Actually I do not stay in KailasaIKailasa, and you also do not reside in my house there. The devatas do not reside in the heavenly planets, nor do the sages stay in their respective forests. After having sung the name of Gaura, we have developed a strong desire to obtain gauranga-prema, and thus we all reside in Navadv…pa on this earth planet.

“Those intelligent people who reside in Navadv…pa take Gauranga as their only protector and master. Whoever worships Gaurasundara, the embodiment of five spiritual truths, is most dear to me.

“This Navadv…pa has the form of a lotus flower with Antardv…pa as the whorl and Simantadv…pa and the other seven islands as the petals. Within the whorl is a jewelled piåha. Whoever meditates constantly on Gaurasundara along with the other members of the Pañca-tattva who are situated on the piåha will be known as the best amongst the best of men. If anyone-householder or sannyasi-constantly chants, ‘O Gaura!' anywhere in Navadv…pa, he will obtain perfect bliss.

The wise say that on the eastern bank of the Ganges at M€y€pur, Gokula is situated, while on the western bank, V�nd€vana is situated. In that place is Pulina, the sandy riverbank which is the site of the r€sa-lila. West of the r€sa-lila site is the auspicious Dhira-samira. O Devi, whatever exists in V�nd€vana also exists in Navadv…pa. Of this there is no doubt.

“As the external energy of Lord Hari, you give difficulties to the conditioned souls. By your influence, you hide from them the brilliant sunlike Lord of Antardv…pa. For that reason YogapiåhaIYogapiåha is known as M€y€pur, the city covered by M€y€, and you are known as Praudha M€y€. But when Gaurasundara goes to Pulina, then take shelter at Vaësi-vaåaIVaësi-vaåa and attend to the devotees.

“I am known as V�ddha ®iva. Following the Lord's order, I delude the materialistic fools by means of various false scriptures. And through your power, I am able to enhance the pastimes of Lord ®r… Caitanya.

“In Antardv…pa, the Lord Himself described to Brahm€ the significance of Gauranga's incarnation. And you saw the attractive form of the Lord at Simantadv…pa.

Close by is Mathura, where Kaësa took birth in Kali-yuga in the family of yavanas. After purifying Kaësa through His kirtana and discussions, Gaurasundara went to twelve tirthas on the Ganges and then to ®r…dharaI®r…dhara 's house, which is the same as Sudama's house. O Parvati, in that place is a pond called VisramaIVisrama-sthana -kunda.

“Then going to M€y€mariIM€y€mari, Gauranga witnessed the prowess of Balarama. Passing from there, the Lord danced in kirtana at the fort of Suvarna SenaISuvarna Sena. O Parvati, Gauranga then went to DevapalliIDevapalli, where He flooded the devatas headed by Surya with the blissful chanting of K��Ša's name.

“Having visited HariharaIHarihara -ksetra and Kasi, which give liberation, the Lord arrived at Godruma dv…pa, which is eternally worshiped by SurabhiISurabhi. There He danced before MarkandeyaIMarkandeya ási in great ecstasy. Then He went to Naimisa-tirtha (Naimisaranya)INaimisaranya in Madhyadv…pa and danced with Nity€nanda and His other associates in the mandapa of the seven rsis. Going to Puskara -tirtha, which is worshiped by the br€hmanas, He inundated Kuruksetra of Brahm€varta varta with kirtana.

“Crossing the Ganges at Maha-PrayagaIMaha-Prayaga, the confluence of five holy rivers, Gauranga arrived at Koladv…pa. After chanting the holy name in the kingdom of Samudra SenaISamudra Sena, where the Ganges and ocean meet, He proceeded to CampahaååaICampahaååa. Arriving at átudv…paIátudv…pa and seeing the splendid forest, the son of Saci remembered R€dh€IR€dh€-kunda -kunda and began to weep.

“Enjoying the bliss of kirtana, the Lord and His associates saw Vidyanagara, where Vedic knowledge resides. After going to Jahnudv…pa and seeing the place where Jahnu Muni performed austerities, the Lord went to Modadrumadv…pa and became blissful remembering the pastimes Lord R€macandra performed there. The Lord saw Niésreyasa forest within VaikunåhaIVaikunåhapura pura and Brahm€ninagara ninagara across the River, and then He went to Mahatpura.

“After seeing the auspicious KamyavanaIKamyavana, where the Pandavas resided in exile, and Pañcavati, the Lord went to SankarapuraISankarapura. Arriving at Pulina, Gauranga, chanting the name of K��Ša, saw that place as nondifferent from V�nd€vana. Seeing the place of the r€sa-lila along with His associates, He began to sing appropriate verses from the Bhagavatam. O Devi, at the Rasa-mandala in Pulina, the Lord attained the state of mahabhava while remembering the r€sa-lila of K��Ša. At that time drums sounded from the sky and showers of flowers fell to the earth. The sages chanted the Chandogya Upanisad and other Vedic verses. Finally when the name of K��Ša was chanted in His ear, the long-armed Lord recovered and loudly chanted ‘Hare K��Ša!' He then went off to the bank of the Ganges.

“Crossing the Ganges, the son of Saci and His associates performed kirtana all over Rudradv…pa. The Lord of the universe then went to BilvapaksaIBilvapaksa and flooded the devotee br€hmanas and KañciIKañci puram with love of God. After going to the asrama of BharadvajaIBharadvaja Muni and chanting the holy names, the Lord entered M€y€pur.

“O Parvati, anyone who hears with devotion how Lord Gauranga traversed Navadv…pa with His kirtana party will never again fall into the ocean of material existence. O Parvati, you will not find any place comparable to Navadv…pa, any form of the Lord comparable to Gauranga, nor anything comparable to K��Ša-prema. The success of life, particularly for Vaisnavas, is attained in Navadv…pa by worshiping the Lord following the path of the inhabitants of Vraja.

“Shaving the head, fasting, sraddha rites, bathing, and charity, which are prescribed at other tirthas are not prescribed in Navadv…pa. If one performs any pious activities in Navadv…pa, the effect is quickly dissipated, because all the knots of karma are cut. Just by seeing the Supreme Lord Gaurasundara, the knots in the heart are cut, as all doubts and material reactions are destroyed. O Parvati, for this reason the sages take shelter of Navadv…pa and perform pure devotional service to the lotus feet of R€dh€ and K��Ša. They see the various forms of the Lord in the different islands, sing the names of the Lord, and bathe in the waters of the Ganges. With great devotion they spend nine days visiting the nine islands and pass their lives in bliss while taking maha-pras€da.

“O Parvati, the pras€da of Gauranga is purifying for all living entities but is rarely obtained by sinful people. You and I, Brahm€, as well as the devatas, pitrs, munis, and rsis all long to eat Gauranga's pras€da. The food offered to Gauranga is worshipable by us, and the pure flowers and tulasi offered to the Lord should be taken by all people. I will throw into the hell called Raurava and punish those people who have no attachment for maha-pras€da, being blinded by family pride and illusion, puffed up with knowledge, or contaminated with sin. I am telling you the truth. Do not doubt it.

“If anywhere in Navadv…pa a candala offers Vi�Šu-pras€da to Lord Brahm€, he will certainly eat it. Even if the pras€da is dried up, stale, or brought from a distant place, one should immediately eat it without consideration of proper or improper time. In taking Gauranga maha-pras€da, there is no rule concerning purity of place, giver, or receiver. O Parvati, if a person takes Gauranga maha-pras€da up to the throat, he will develop devotion to Gauranga. In eating gaura-pras€da, there is no consideration of the fault of overeating.

“There is no consideration of fitness for hearing the glories of Navadv…pa. Dying in other tirthas gives either material enjoyment or liberation, but dying in Navadv…pa gives pure devotion to the Lord. In Navadv…pa there is no consideration of a faulty death-at an inauspicious time, in pain, in the house, or by accident. Death at other tirthas while practicing yoga or death in Kasi while absorbed in impersonal meditation become insignificant when compared to death in Navadv…pa.

“Living in Navadv…pa for one day is better than living for a kalpa in PrayagaIPrayaga, Varanasi, or any other tirtha. Whatever results one obtains by yoga, one achieves in Navadv…pa. With every step one attains the results of great sacrifices, and by lying down and sleeping in Navadv…pa, one gets the results of offering obeisances. Just by taking an ordinary meal in Navadv…pa, one gets the results of eating the Lord's remnants. So, what more can I say regarding the faithful person who is devoted to chanting the holy name and taking Gauranga's remnants with faith and devotion?

“O Parvati, in brief I have narrated as you wished. By the desire of Gauranga, please keep this a secret. When the fortunate age of Kali arrives, Gauranga will manifest His attractive pastimes and the glories of Navadv…pa will become apparent.”

@SUB_END = Thus ends the glorification of Navadv…pa from theR ùrddhvamnaya Maha-tantra.

In the Visvasara-tantra, Lord ®iva says to Parvati, “In the southern part of the Ganges, at attractive Navadv…pa, on the Phalguna Purnima, Lord K��Ša will be born in the house of Jagann€tha Mi�ra in the womb of Saci to destroy the sins of Kali-yuga.”

In the Kularnava-tantra, Lord Lord ®iva says to Parvati, “Then at the beginning of Kali-yuga a great person with all good qualities will be born on the bank of the Ganges to preach the name of Hari.”

In the Brhad-brahm€-yamala-tantra it is stated: “All glories to blissful Gauracandra, Narahari, the conqueror of the three worlds. He appears in Kali-yuga at Navadv…pa on the bank of the Ganges with a beautiful form and golden complexion. He delivers the sinful from the ocean of sin by giving them the pure name of Hari.

“I offer my respects to ®r… Gaurasundara, who lives in Navadv…pa for the destruction of the sins of Kali-yuga. He has a garland around His neck, His cheeks shine from the luster of golden ornaments hanging from His ears, His arms are decorated with jeweled bracelets and armbands, and He gives the devotees the name of Hari, which destroys all sins.”

In the Kapila-tantra it is said: “In Kali-yuga, the Lord will take birth in a br€hmana's house at M€y€pur in Jambudv…pa. He will perform kirtana along with His associates.”

In the Mukti-sankalini-tantra it is said: “In Satya-yuga, Kuruksetra is the tirtha; in Treta-yuga, Puskara is the tirtha; in Dvapara-yuga, NaimisaranyaINaimisaranya is the tirtha; and in Kali-yuga, Navadv…pa is the tirtha.”

In the Brahm€-yamala it is said: “Sometimes I personally appear on the surface of the world in the garb of a devotee. Specifically, I appear as the son of Saci in Kali-yuga to start the saŠk…rtana movement.”

In the K��Ša-yamala it is said: “I shall appear in the holy land of Navadv…pa as the son of Sacidevi.”

@SUB_END = Thus ends the Fourth Chapter of the Navadv…pa-dhama-mahatmya, Pramana-khanda.

Chapter Five

In this chapter I will present bliss bestowing statements of the devotees. First listen carefully to descriptions of Navadv…pa from the Caitanya-carita by Kavi Karnapura.

This earth is more fortune than the heavenly planets and has become filled with all spotless qualities, for although it brings forth various precious jewels, it has manifested the rarest jewel of all in the form of Navadv…pa.

All the fortunes scattered on the earth are gathered together in one expanse of land known as Navadv…pa, due to which the earth's hair, in the form of trees, is standing on end in ecstasy.

“When will the Lord appear?” Thinking in this way and becoming full of joy, the earth, under the influence of this desire, follows the lotus footsteps of the devotees.

The earth, has created a rival for the unrivalled Mathura in the form of Navadv…pa, which offers liberation to those whose mind and heart have been purified by the nectarean touch of the Lord's lotus feet.

Having fallen upon the matted locks of Lord Lord ®iva, who is decorated with a garland of skulls, the Ganges takes on the appearance of millions of gleaming fish as her droplets glitter with the light reflected from the crescent moon on ®iva's Lord head.

Having emanated from the two lotus feet of the Lord, the pleasant, sweet streams of the Ganges purifies the universe as she flows forward in all directions. Indeed, the chaste Ganges has yielded within her spotless waters the most exalted place, Navadv…pa.

Though liquid in form, the Ganges dries up the ocean of material suffering; though white in color, she is famous for refreshing blackish K��Ša with her waters; though flowing on the earth, she is called by a heavenly name; and though she removes the confusion of the living entities, she is filled with whirlpools and eddies. Having attained the taste of the Lord's lotus feet, her waves and currents become agitated. Taking up her residence in Navadv…pa she adds glory to that tract of land.

In Navadv…pa live exalted br€hmanas, who follow strict rules of conduct and are personified forms of the sruti and smrti injunctions. In Navadv…pa live doctors with elevated character as well as vaisyas fixed in their occupational duties and adorned with the fame attained by their noble behavior.

In the Caitanya-candrodaya-naåaka it is said: “All glories to Gauda-bhumi, the crest jewel of all holy places, within which is situated the town known as Navadv…pa. The golden-complexioned Gauranga descended there, and every house vibrates with the presence of Bhaktidevi.”

In the Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika it is stated: “All glories to Navadv…pa, filled with astonishing glories, which the men in full knowledge of r€sa call V�nd€vana, which men of knowledge call Goloka, which some others call Svetadv…pa, and still others call Paravyoma, the spiritual sky.”

In the Caitanyadeva Stava it is said: “May that form of Lord Caitanya be merciful on us. He is the only goal of the Vaisnavas. He revealed the glories of Navadv…pa, ornamented the br€hmana families by His birth, and purified the order of sannyasa by accepting its vows.”

Now listen to the words of Prabodhananda Sarasvati concerning Navadv…pa. “I praise the Supreme Lord in the form of Lord Caitanya, who, crossing the limits of Godhead, appeared in the form of a devotee to generously help the living entity relish K��Ša. He appeared in the supreme abode Navadv…pa-dhama for bestowing on the living entities the sweet nectarean stream of His own pure prema.”

®r…la V�nd€vana d€sa Åhakura says: “With the eternal devotees and eternal Bhaktidevi, in the eternal dh€ma, I eternally worship the one Absolute Truth, brahm€ sutram, the essence of Godhead, eternally appearing in the form of Nity€nanda Prabhu, Advaita Prabhu, and Caitanya Mah€prabhu.”

Meditation on Navadv…pa-dhama:

On the banks of the Ganges are the most excellent flowering trees and creepers, and in her waters are rows of waves. Gentle refreshing breezes blow over her surface, and bees gather amongst clusters of the pink and yellow lotuses. The stairs leading to her waters are inlaid with rare jewels. She is overcome with ecstasy, having been touched by the dust pollen from the Lord's lotus feet. On a beautiful stretch of golden land on the banks of the Ganges, is situated the all-auspicious Navadv…pa-dhama, flooded with the Lord's bliss.

This place is most enchanting being always served by great devotees and filled with various flowers, fruits, creepers, and trees. Throughout Navadv…pa, colorful birds enchant the mind and ear with their songs.

Within Navadv…pa are the pleasant courtyards of the br€hmanas, large groves, and beautiful stages and parks. The great devotees, motivated by pure love, perform great festivals of worship, and effulgent forms of ®r… K��Ša reside in every house.

In Navadv…pa is situated Gaurasundara's blissful house. The golden gates and walls shine more brilliant than the sun. Within is the Lord's room; in front of that is a kirtana area; and in their respective places are the kitchen, dining area, bedrooms, upper rooms, and room of the Lord's consort.

In this house is a spotless canopy and a temple wonderfully adorned with moonstones. The temple has four doorways with eight doors effulgent with inlaid jewels. There are nine domes topped by jeweled kalasas, or pinnacles, on the golden roof. The temple is decorated throughout with diamonds, moonstones, strings of pearls, and various other jewels which are produced from pure devotion and shine with a golden effulgence.

Within the temple are six corners with the syllables of the mantra engraved in gold and jewels. In the central of this yantra is the turtle-shaped YogapiåhaIYogapiåha standing like the stamen in the center of a lotus flower. On top of this, beneath an umbrella, shines a lotuslike siëhasana with petals as pure white as ether, sunshine, and camphor.

The sides and bottom of the siëhasana are made of rubies, the legs are sapphire, and the back, which glitters with huge pearls and exquisite gems, is made of vaidurya gems. It is furnished with soft pillows covered with the finest cloth and a cloth-covered cushion filled with soft cotton. The siëhasana is on a golden platform decorated with eight corners on which the eight syllables of the gaura-mantra are inscribed for meditation on the Supreme Lord.

Navadv…pa Stuti, by ®r…la Rupa Gosvami:

I meditate on Navadv…pa-dhama, which is filled with eternal bliss and situated on the pleasing bank of the auspicious Ganges in Gauda-desa. I mediate on Navdv…pa-dhama, which some people call the spiritual sky, others call Goloka, and others, V�nd€vana.

I meditate on Navadv…pa-dhama, which is decorated every-where with various shade-giving trees that quiver in the breeze, where Gauracandra gives charity during the midday, where the banks of the Ganges, studded with golden steps, becomes filled with playful waves. I meditate on Navadv…pa-dhama, which is filled with innumerable golden houses within each of which Laksmi resides.

I meditate on Navadv…pa-dhama, which is praised by sages, devatas and realized persons and which is filled with people endowed with knowledge, mercy, forgiveness, sacrifice, and the six good qualities.

I meditate on Navadv…pa-dhama, wherein is situated Jagann€tha Mi�ra's house, which is filled with Gaurasundara's pastimes beginning from birth and which is meant for the Lord's pleasure alone.

I meditate on Navadv…pa, where Gauranga would wander along with His devotees. Filled with prema generated from their kirtana, they would drown everyone in the ocean of love of K��Ša.

Whoever reads with devotion these eight verses filled with thoughts of Navadv…pa-dhama will obtain precious prema at the lotus feet of ®r… Gaurahari, the son of Saci.

Thus ends the Navadv…pasåaka of ®r…la Rupa Gosvami

Many other learned persons have also glorified Navadv…pa-dhama again and again in different moods in the Bengali languageFSee next page.. May the devotees read all these works and develop attachment to hearing about Navadv…pa-dhama.

@SUB_END = Thus ends the Fifth Chapter of the Navadv…pa-dhama-mahatmya, Pramana-khanda.

@ENDING = End of the Pramana-khanda.

V�nd€vana d€sa Åhakura says in Caitanya-bhagavata: “Even now Gauranga is performing His pastimes, and the fortunate person can see them. The dh€ma is the Lord's eternal associate. One who thinks otherwise is a rascal.”

®r…la Narottama d€sa Åhakura says: “Whoever understands that Gauranga's abode is purely spiritual is qualified to live in V�nd€vana.”

®r… K��Šad€sa Ka has written: “The Lord said, ‘I am known as Visvambara. That name will have meaning if I fill the universe with prema.' Thinking in this way, the Lord accepted the role of gardener, began to grow an orchard in Navadv…pa.”

®r…man Narahari D€sa has said, “Navadv…pa and V�nd€vana are one. In Navadv…pa the Lord is golden, and in V�nd€vana He is black.”

@TITLE2 = ®r… Navadv…pa Bhava-taranga

Ecstatic Waves of Navadv…pa

Navadv…pa, which extends sixteen krosas, is the crest jewel of all spiritual abodes and sporting ground of the Lord's sandhiniISandhini potency potency. It is the home of the Lord's cit and ananda potencies and the resting place of all rsis, tirthas, demigods, and Vedas. May that ®r… Navadv…pa-dhama become visible to my eyes.

May my eyes see the sixteen krosas of V�nd€vana within Mathura-mandala as identical with Navadv…pa within Gauda-mandalaIGauda-mandala. These two dh€mas manifest from one principle which appears as two infinite and purely spiritual abodes to accommodate the Lord's diverse pastimes.

By His inconceivable, infinite spiritual potency (acintya-sakti), the Lord has brought these two dh€mas into the material world to liberate the living entities dwelling here. By the mercy of ®r… K��Ša, may living entities bound by ignorance see V�nd€vana and Navadv…pa-dhama.

By attaining proper qualification, the senses of the living entities can taste the spiritual nectar of these dh€mas. Those with unqualified material senses cannot taste that sweet nectar and repeatedly deride these places as insignificant matter.

The mercy of K��Ša and His devotees is the agent for qualifying the senses. Out of compassion, the sadhus give this mercy to the devotees by their association. Proper qualification cannot be attained by following the paths of jñana, karma, or yoga. Only by the strength of devotional faith and association with devotees is material illusion conquered.

The moment the senses are released from the network of material illusion, the eyes will see the splendor of the spiritual dh€ma. Oh, when will I attain that state? When will I see ®r… Navadv…pa-dhama beyond the illusion of this material world?

Resembling an eight-petaled lotus, this pure abode is more cooling than ten million moons and more effulgent than ten million suns. When will that dh€ma appear before my eyes?

The supreme island named Antardv…pa is surrounded by eight islands, resembling lotus petals. In the center of that most beautiful Antardv…pa rests M€y€pur, the Lord's appearance place. Upon seeing that place, I will achieve overwhelming bliss.

The Vedas sing of a transcendental place called Brahm€pura pura, which is revealed to one whose eyes are free from illusion as ®r… M€y€pur. This topmost abode, where the son of Saci performs His eternal pastimes, is the same as Gokula Mahavana of Vraja.

®r… Gokula, the abode of gopis and gopas in Vraja, appears in Navadv…pa-dhama as the abode of br€hmana families. In the center of M€y€pur exists the supremely pure, eternal residence of the br€hmana, Jagann€tha Mi�ra.

Though eyes affected by material illusion will see only a small house, some earth, water, and a few articles, if M€y€ becomes merciful and lifts her covering, one will see a vast spiritual dwelling.

®r… Gauranga is served here by His eternal mother, father, and countless servants, all incessantly mad with love. Laksmipriya and Vi�Šupriya eternally serve the Lord's lotus feet. The Supreme Lord is seen here in His wonderful form as the Pañca-tattva.

®r… Nity€nanda, ®r… Advaita, Gad€dhara, ®r…vasa, and innumerable devotees all have their places in M€y€pur. Everywhere are the houses of the Vaisnavas. O M€y€pur, please by merciful to me!

To the southwest, the Ganges and Yamuna, considering their own good fortune, twist like a serpent as they flow. They come to serve Gaura, the jewel of the twice-born. Upon the Ganges 's banks are many ghaåas, gardens, and temples of deities such as Praudha M€y€ and V�ddha ®iva.

Throughout M€y€pur are scattered countless forests, temples, courtyards, wide roadways, and houses of br€hmanas. In the southeast, IsodyanaIIsodyana, the garden of the Lord, rests on the bank of the incessantly flowing SarasvatRiver River.

Why should the rascals of Kali-yuga, who are bound tight by material illusion, have the privilege to see these spiritual treasures? M€y€ hides the dh€ma with the erosion caused by the Ganges, Yamuna, and SarasvatRiver and thus material eyes can see only a shadow of the real M€y€pur.

By the mercy of ®r… Nity€nanda, the holder of all spiritual powers, may that M€y€pur be revealed to my eyes and beheld with proper reverence. O Nity€nanda, please bless this worthless fool with a vision of the household pastimes Gauranga performed here.

M€y€pur rests in the center of Antardv…pa like the whorl of an eight-petaled lotus. May this supremely pure abode with a golden yellow effulgence always shimmer before my eyes.

Here and there are groves, the lake of PrthuIPrthu, and many pastures for the cows. How beautiful they are to see! There are many water canals, grain fields, and wide roads lined with kadamba, bakula, and many other types of trees.

To the west, on the bank of the Ganges, stands the famous village Ganganagara where the Lord and His br€hmana friends studied in Gangad€saIGangad€sa 's house.

There also one can see BharadvajaIBharadvaja-åila -åila, where the great BharadvajaIBharadvaja Muni Muni attained prema by worshiping Gauranga. After attaining gaura-prema, he wrote sutras that instilled devotional service in many materialistic people.

North of PrthuIPrthu-kunda -kunda is Mathura, the Chand Kazi'sIChand Kazi;his village village, as well as óasåhiIóasåhi-tirtha -tirtha, and the exquisite MadhuvanaIMadhuvana, an extensive area scattered with many residences. O eyes, please become purified by seeing this scene.

Further north is attractive SaradangaISaradanga, where the sabara race, out of fear of the demon Raktabahu, secretly reside with LordIJagann€tha Lord Jagann€tha. May I always keep sight of this place.

Northwest of Mathura, I will see the splendor of Simanta-dv…pa, situated on the bank of the Ganges. This is where anxious Parvati placed the dust of the lotus feet of Gauranga on her simanta (the part of her hair).

In the distance I will see BilvapaksaIBilvapaksa forest, where the four KumarasIKumaras reside, meditating on Gauranga. Further in the distance I will see the place where Nity€nanda Prabhu enjoyed pastimes, which learned persons realize as Sankarsana-ksetra.

In the southern portion of M€y€pur, on the bank of the Ganges near its junction with the SarasvatRiver, is the grove called IsodyanaIIsodyana. May that forest be the place of my eternal devotions.

My Lord, ®r… Sacinandana, enjoys midday pastimes with His associates here. Seeing the beauty of this grove, I will remember R€dh€IR€dh€-kunda -kunda. May all this be eternally visible to my eyes.

Amid the huge trees and dense vines, various types of birds are singing the glories of Gauranga. There is a large lake and a golden temple covered with diamonds as well as blue and yellow sap phires.

The materialists whose eyes are sunk in illusion cannot see these groves. They see only a small piece of land covered with thorns, periodically thrown topsy turvy by the flooding of the Ganges.

In the middle of MadhuvanaIMadhuvana is VisramaIVisrama-sthana -sthana, the place of ®r…dharaI®r…dhara 's cottage and a clean pond. After rectifying the KaziIChand Kazi, Gauranga came here with His associates and took rest.

When will I shout “Gauranga!” and roll on the ground crying at a secluded place here at VisramaIVisrama-sthana -sthana? Then, overwhelmed in love, I will see ®r… Gaurasundara drinking water from ®r…dharaI®r…dhara 's old iron pot.

And when will I be fortune enough to see the young son of Saci, along with Nity€nanda, Advaita, Gad€dhara, and ®r…vasa, begging for love of God while chanting and dancing in the house of ®r…dharaI®r…dhara ?

To the east, I will see Suvarnavihara, the place of King Suvarna Sena'sISuvarna Sena incomparable fort. As Gauracandra dances here with His associates, His attractive golden form is most enchanting.

As I wander alone or with the devotees throughout Suvarnavihara, when will my voice waver as I weep in love? I will beg there at the lotus feet of Gauranga for a speck of service to Their Lordships ®r… ®r… R€dh€ and K��Ša. And then I will offer my very life to the shelter of ®r…mati R€dh€rani's lotus feet.

Southeast of there is Nrsiëha Puri, also known as DevapalliIDevapalli. When will I see the beauty of this place? At this abode of Nrsiëha I will roll about on the ground in ecstatic love, begging for unalloyed love of K��Ša.

In my heart reside duplicity, insincerity, the desire for fame, and the six enemies beginning with lustFThe six enemies are: kama, krodha, mada, moha, matsarya and bhaya¾that is, lust, anger, intoxication, illusion, envy, and fear.. Therefore I will pray at the feet of Lord Nrsiëha to purify my heart and give me the desire to serve K��Ša.

Weeping, I will beg at the lotus feet of Nrsiëha that I may worship R€dh€ and K��Ša in Navadv…pa, free from all obstacles. When will that Lord Hari, who strikes fear in fear personified, be pleased and bestow His mercy on me?

Although this form of the Lord is terrible for the evil, He is exceedingly auspicious for the devotees headed by PrahladaIPrahlada. When will He become pleased to mercifully speak to me, a worthless fool, and remove my fears?

“Dear child, stay here happily in Gaura-dhama. Worship R€dh€ and K��Ša, and develop attraction for the holy name. By the mercy of My devotees, all obstacles are transcended. With a purified heart just worship R€dh€ and K��Ša, the abodes of sweet nectar.”

After speaking in this way, when will that Lord joyfully place His feet upon my head? At that moment, by Lord Nrsiëha's mercy, I will exhibit symptoms of ecstatic love for R€dh€ and K��Ša, and I will roll on the ground by the door of Lord Nrsiëha's temple.

Going to the west of DevapalliIDevapalli, I will pass the GandakRiver, the AlakanandaIAlakananda River, and Kasi -ksetra. Then I will see the very pure Godruma, where Indra's surabhiISurabhi cow worshiped the Lord.

In the three worlds there is no place comparable to Godruma, where MarkandeyaIMarkandeya received the Lord's mercy. Just as IsodyanaIIsodyana, nondifferent to R€dh€IR€dh€-kunda -kunda, lies close to the bank of the Ganges, so Godruma lies close to the bank of the SarasvatRiver.

O mind, just worship the groves of Godruma ! Then very soon you will see the full wealth of Gauranga's pastimes. Seeing these pastimes, you will easily attain the pastimes of R€dh€ and K��Ša, thereby fulfilling all your desires.

Godruma is nondifferent from Nandisvara, home of Nanda Maharaja and the cowherd men. Gauranga performs various pastimes here. Having taken some milk products at a cowherd's house, Nimai would go and herd the cows with His gopa friends.

The cowherd boys tell Nimai, “O brother, You are a gopala. Your form as a br€hmana boy does not suit You. Come, I will carry You on my shoulders, and we will go herd the cows. We will head towards Your mother's place in M€y€pur.”

One gopa affectionately gives curds mixed with condensed milk, and another gopa becomes unsteady just by seeing the wonderful form of the Lord. Another gopa gives fruits and flowers, saying, “Come to my house every day.”

“You are worshiped by the br€hmanas, but You are also the Lord of us gopas. We cannot give You up. You are the object of our knowledge and meditation. Look, even the cows give up their calves and grass and begin mooing on seeing You.

“Since it is late now, go home to Your father's house, and tomorrow we will meet here again. I will keep yogurt, curds, and condensed milk for You, but if You are late, I will become upset.”

In this way Gaura and Nitai would daily play with the cowherd boys in the Godruma forest. Then, if not too late, Gauranga would bathe in the Ganges before proceeding home.

When will I see these pure love-filled pastimes of Gauranga in Godruma ? Will such a day ever be mine? Aspiring to serve the Lord in the company of the gopas with their sentiments, I will reside in a cottage in Godruma with a fixed mind.

South of Godruma lies attractive Madhyadv…pa, filled with a string of beautiful forests. Gauranga and the devotees come there at midday to give the seven rsis their darsana.

There also, on the bank of the Gomati in NaimisaranyaINaimisaranya, the rsis are listening to the Gaura Bhagavat. To hear this narration about Gauranga, Lord Lord ®iva;on Brahm€'s swan mounted ®r… HaësaIHaësa-vahana -vahana, Brahm€'s swan, to come here quickly.

When will I wander through this forest and see that assembly listening to the Gaura Purana? On the bank of the Gomati during Ekadasi in the holy month of Kartika, I will hear stories about ®r… Caitanya.

When will the audience of SaunakaISaunaka and the rsis give me mercy and put the dust of their feet on my head? I will raise my two hands and say, “O residents of Navadv…pa, attentively drink the nectar of gauranga-lila in this forest!”

South of NaimisaranyaINaimisaranya lies Br€hmana Puskara, nondifferent from Puskara. The br€hmana Divad€sa worshiped Gauranga here and was consoled by seeing the Lord's golden form.

Further south is UccahaååaIUccahaååa, nondifferent from Kuruksetra of Brahm€varta varta. All the demigods reside here, performing gaura-kirtana. Sometimes the residents can hear that kirtana.

Gauranga and His associates stroll in these forests at midday, overcome with transcendental love. When the devotees give just a hint of K��Ša's pastimes, Gauranga begins to sing and dance as He tastes the emotions of R€dh€.

When will I, alone or with the devotees, drown in the waves of the ocean of love for Lord Caitanya? Feeling destitute, I will wander in the forest of Madhyadv…pa at midday, meditating on the emotional states of the Lord.

Then the residents of Madhyadv…pa will be merciful and show me: “See, here is our Lord Gauranga, dancing with His associates in a grand kirtana in Br€hmanagara on the bank of Brahm€-kunda.”

When will I see that astounding long-armed golden form of Gaura, wearing a garland of forest flowers and loudly calling out, “O brothers, everyone together, chant the holy name!”

Just then, ®r…vasa and the devotees will begin saŠk…rtana, chanting, “Hari! Hari!” Some others may chant, “O brother, chant Gaurahari's name! Without Gauranga one cannot attain the service of R€dh€ and K��Ša.”

Near UccahaååaIUccahaååa is PañcaveniIPañcaveni, the holy place where the demigods come to rest. At this place the three streams of the Ganges (Bhagirathi, MandakiniIMandakini, and Alakananda), as well as the Yamuna and the SarasvatRiver all join together with a desire to serve Gauranga.

Gauranga and His associates purified this tirtha of the sins of Kali-yuga by taking bath here. Vyasadeva and the rsis have not seen any place in the fourteen worlds that compares with Pañcaveni.

When will I remember the lotus feet of ®r… Gauranga after bathing in the waters of the PañcaveniIPañcaveni ? After filling my hands and drinking the water that washed the lotus feet of Gaura, I will be blessed and intoxicated remembering topics of Gauranga.

Across the Ganges from PañcaveniIPañcaveni is enchanting Koladv…pa, where the Lord appeared before His devotee in the form of a boar. In the scriptures this place is called Varaha-ksetra. It is a spiritual realm rarely attained by the demigods. Also known as Kuliapahada, this is considered the topmost place of gaura-lila. After taking sannyasa, ®r… Caitanya attempted a journey to V�nd€vana but was tricked and came to this town instead.

Here is the school of Visarada's son, VidyavacaspatiIVidyavacaspati. Who did not know him? He is an unalloyed servant of the Lord, and by the power of his pure devotion he attracted the Lord by taking bath in the Ganges.

When will I stand on the bank of the Ganges at Vidyavacaspati'sIVidyavacaspati doorway and view the opulences of this place? Then after a few moments, the Lord, king of the sannyasis, will mercifully appear before my eyes on that large residential rooftop.

Seeing the golden effulgence of that sannyasi, I will fall to the earth in great eagerness, just as when the gopis saw K��Ša dressed as the King of Dvaraka, they cried while remembering His pastimes on the bank of the Yamuna.

I long to take the Lord back to M€y€pur where, shining in the dress of a young boy with long curly hair and dhoti folded thrice, He performs pastimes with His young friends in IsodyanaIIsodyana.

Of course this sannyasi is also my Lord, and I am His servant. These different appearances that the Lord assumes are just part of His unlimited pastimes. But still my heart desires to take the Lord back to ®r…vasa Pandita's temple on the bank of PrthuIPrthu-kunda -kunda!

Further on from here lies SamudragadaISamudragada, purifier of the whole universe. King Samudra SenaISamudra Sena formerly fought here with BhimaIBhima and received darsana of the Lord, who acknowledges His pure devotees.

Taking shelter of the Ganges, the ocean comes here and is overcome with love on seeing the Lord's Navadv…pa pastimes. The demigods and demons see Ganga-sagaraIGanga-sagara eternally shining here in Navadv…pa.

The fortunate living entities see Koladv…pa as nondifferent to the supemely blissful BahulavanaIBahulavana of Vraja. ®r… Gauranga and His associates, absorbed in kirtana, often come and dance here.

O Koladv…pa, be merciful to this worthless person. Allow me to reside in Navadv…pa amongst the devotees, and give me the right to the wealth of the pastimes of Gauranga, who is my Lord in life and death.

In the northern part of Koladv…pa is the village CampahaååaICampahaååa, which always adorns the land of Navadv…pa. This enchanting holy abode is where the poet JayadevaIJayadeva worshiped Gauranga.

Here in the home of Vanin€tha, the Lord and His associates performed a great festival of nama-saŠk…rtana. Gauranga showed the glories of His prema in that house.

Also in CampahaååaICampahaååa village is a campaka forest from which the gopi Campakalata gathers flowers to make garlands for R€dh€ and K��Ša. This place is nondifferent from KhadiravanaIKhadiravana of Vraja, where K��Ša and Balarama take rest.

Enchanting átudv…paIátudv…pa is filled with attractive forests. The seasons headed by spring perform eternal service to the Lord here. This átudv…paIátudv…pa is the abode of transcendental bliss, for it is part of the area of R€dh€IR€dh€-kunda -kunda in Vraja.

While singing the glories of K��Ša and remembering K��Ša's pastimes as a cowherd, sometimes Gauranga would loudly call again and again the names of the cows, “Syamali! Dhubali!” He would then cry as He called out for Subala and ®r…dama.

When will I wander in átudv…paIátudv…pa, seeing the beauty of the forest and remembering the Lord's pastimes? Then I will become stunned as the pastimes at R€dh€IR€dh€-kunda -kunda manifest before my eyes.

Here, on the bank of Manasa-ganga, K��Ša and Balarama with Dama, Bala, and Mahabala, go to solitary forests with countless cows and calves. While playing various games, all the boys sing the glories of K��Ša.

As the cowherd boys engage in various discussions, the calves go off grazing in distant forests. Losing sight of the calves, all the boys become anxious, but the calves immediately come running at the sound of K��Ša's flute.

As I see this pastime, it suddenly vanishes, and I will fall to the ground unconscious. Then, regaining my senses, I will rise up and wander slowly through the forests.

“O Gauranga! O K��Šacandra, ocean of mercy! You are the wealth of the wretched and poor, and I am the lowest rascal!” Saying this and weeping continuously, I will move onwards till suddenly I come to Vidyanagara.

This Vidyanagara is the abode of the four Vedas and the sixty-four arts and sciences. Sarasvati goddess, the goddess of learning, resides here without a doubt. At this place, Brahm€, Lord ®iva, and the rsis revealed all types of knowledge to the material world.

Knowing that the Lord would perform His educational pastimes here, Brhaspati left his residence in svarga, and, as Vasudeva Sarvabhauma ; as Brhaspati, he taught all types of knowledge according to various processes at Vidyanagara.

Whoever lives at Vidyanagara and sings the glories of Gauranga becomes a fortunate teacher and will never know grief. Whoever takes to the worship of Gauranga and receives the vision of His transcendental form will be freed from all ignorance.

Will I ever see Gaurasundara, as He goes to Vidyanagara being attracted to acquire knowledge? The Lord took the side of His devotee here and chastised Devananda Pandita with strong words for committing an offense to ®r…vasa Pandita.

Even Ananta ®e�a does not fully understand the pastimes of my Lord. When He becomes absorbed in these activities, what is His real intention? Why does He give up chanting to punish the students who criticized Him? What type of happiness does He gain by defeating His teachers?

But whatever the Lord does is a cause of bliss. The Lord is independent, and I am simply His servant. My very limited intelligence has no power to judge Him.

All the inhabitants of Navadv…pa who act as the Lord's teachers are nourishers of His eternal pastimes and are worthy of my respect. All of you please be merciful to this miserable pauper; give me the qualification for nama-saŠk…rtana.

I make this petition to the tirtha of Vidyanagara : May the ignorance which hides Gauranga's identity never cover my mind. May my mind transcend this m€y€.

North of Vidyanagara shines Jahnudv…pa, where the hermitage of Jahnu Muni is visible to all. Here Jahnu Muni drank the Ganges, who then appeared as his daughter, Jahnavi.

K��Ša's devotee Bhi�ma learned bhagavata-dharma here in the Muni's asrama. By worshiping the Lord without duplicity, Jahnu Muni easily attained the lotus feet of ®r… Caitanya.

This Jahnudv…pa is nondifferent from BhadravanaIBhadravana of Vraja. When will that forest be visible to my eyes? In that forest on top of the supremely pure Bhisma-åila, I will perform my worship.

In the evening, Bhi�ma will appear before me in his spiritual body, blackish like K��Ša, holding tulasi beads, marked with twelve tilaka marks, and constantly chanting the holy name in bliss.

“Listen, newcomer to Navadv…pa, now I am singing the glories of Gauranga. Previously, while dying on the battlefield of Kuruksetra, I was able to see Lord K��Ša with full concentration. At that time the Lord told me, ‘Previously, you had darsana of Navadv…pa, and for that pious activity, you have gained Gauranga's mercy. Now you have become an eternal resident of Navadv…pa.'

“Therefore, give up all other desires and aspirations, live in Navadv…pa and worship Gaurahari. You need no longer fear the bondage of material objects, for it is certain that you will attain the service of Gauranga's lotus feet.

“By the Lord's mercy, liberated souls can always see the pastimes of K��Ša and Gaura in this dh€ma. Lamentation, fear, death, all causes of disturbance, all material desires, and all afflictions of the conditioned soul cannot exist here.

“The pure devotees have all sunk in an ocean of happiness by drinking the intoxicating beverage of service to K��Ša. They do not know the pains of this world, they do not experience the difficulty of any wants, because they are situated in their pure bodies with pure desires.

“The Supreme Lord, who has unlimited devotee followers-eternally liberated devotees and liberated devotees coming from the material world-performs His pastimes in these forests with each devotee according to his respective emotional mood.

“This place is unlimited and has no aspect of dull matter, for here the spiritual energy is the predominating goddess. Here, place, the senses, the body, all exist beyond the illusory energy in a state of pure goodness.

“By the Lord's desire, as long as you do not give up the body in material existence and your intelligence sticks to material designations, the actual dh€ma will not be visible in its complete form.

“By the Lord's mercy, you will receive a spiritual body, and your progress here will be unobstructed. The illusion of material energy will retreat, and you will receive unlimited bliss in this eternal spiritual realm.

“But as long as you have this material body, carefully remain fixed in the principles of bhakti. Always serve the devotees, chant the name of K��Ša, worship R€dh€ and K��Ša, and remain indifferent to sense gratification.

“With the mercy of the devotees, the name, and the dh€ma, keep undesirable association far away. Soon you will attain residence in the eternal dh€ma where pure service to R€dh€ and K��Ša manifests.”

Hearing the instructions of Bhi�ma deva, I will offer my full obeisances at his feet. After blessing me he will disappear, and, weeping, I will proceed to Modadruma forest.

This forest is nondifferent from ®r… BhandiravanaIBhandiravana of Vraja, where the birds and beasts are all spiritual entities. In the branches of the trees live cuckoos who continuously sing the glories of Gauranga and Sita-Rama.

The countless banyan trees spread their branches out to block the sun. When will this place, where K��Ša and Balarama displayed Their pastimes, be visible to my eyes?

When will I wander about observing the splendor of the forest and suddenly see the cottage of Lord R€macandra. Then I will see Rama Himself, whose body is the color of durva grass and who is dressed like a brahm€cari, sitting with Laksmana and Sita.

Seeing Ramacandra's enchanting form, I will fall unconscious in the forest. I will be overwhelmed with love and unable to speak as I drink the beauty of His form with my two eyes.

Laksmana will mercifully come slowly forward to give me some fruit and place His feet upon my head. “My dear son, please eat this fruit. Living in the forest, this is all we have to offer our guests.”

As He says this, the vision will disappear, and I will weep as I begin to eat the fruit. In my heart I am thinking of that inconceivable form, “Will I ever see that greenish form of Lord Ramacandra again?”

O BhandiravanaIBhandiravana, land of transcendental gems, my heart weeps without end to leave you! At that place, on the pretext of herding cows, Balarama and K��Ša performed many pastimes. In the same way, Gauranga performed pastimes here in Modadruma, becoming drunk with the sound of kirtana in the company of His friends.

Then slowly I will go to VaikunåhaIVaikunåhapura pura, to the forest called NiésreyasaINiésreyasa, abundant with all grandeur. The Lord of Vaikunåha, who is worshiped by all the demigods, resides there along with His three energies, Lila, Bhu, and ®r….

As much as my K��Ša is endowed with utmost sweetness, so the Lord of VaikunåhaIVaikunåha is endowed with all opulences and grandeur. Although Vrajendra-nandana K��Ša never gives up these opulences, they are not seen by His devotees.

The Lord of VaikunåhaIVaikunåha was merciful to Narada Muni. Hiding His opulences, He satisfied Narada by transforming Himself into Gauranga. Seeing that form of Gauranga, I will dance, while floundering in the ocean of bliss and crying in a loud voice.

Crossing over the River and leaving Brahm€ninagara ninagara, I will climb on top of Arka-åila. As I sit there and worship Gaurahari, I will become intoxicated with nectar while singing the holy name.

The sun-god, Arkadeva, will mercifully appear before me with a red-hued complexion, long-arms, wearing pinkish cloth and tulasi-mala, sandalwood smeared on his body, the name of Gaurahari on his lips, and tears in his eyes.

He will say to me, “My son, I have appeared before you because you are a devotee of Gauranga. We demigods, directors of material affairs, are also servants of Gauranga's lotus feet. I simply aspire to be the servant of the servants of Gauranga's lotus feet. By my blessings, you will get K��Ša-bhakti, and you will have the strength to live in the dh€ma and chant the holy name. But please come here regularly and sing K��Ša's nectar-filled name for my pleasure.”

Paying obeisances at Suryadeva's feet, I will proceed to Mahatpura. This Mahatpura is nondifferent from KamyavanaIKamyavana, K��Ša's pastime place in Vraja. The associates of Gauranga raise a tumultuous sound here while chanting the name of K��Ša.

While in exile, the five Pandavas, headed by Yudhisthira, resided with Draupadi for some time in this forest. They brought Vyasadeva here and heard him speak the Gaura Purana. And they performed intensive worship of Gauranga here.

Even now the devotees can see the assembly of Yudhisthira and the rsis-Bhauma, Suka, Devala, Cyavana, Gargamuni-sitting at the base of a tree and weeping as they hear the glories of Gauranga.

When will I come to that assembly and pay my dandavats from far off? When I hear from the mouth of Vyasadeva the story of Gauranga delivering the atheists, I will sigh deeply in ecstasy.

After some time, being unable to see that assembly, I will shout the name of Gauranga, fall flat on the earth, and cry. Feeling hunger as midday approaches, I will pick fruits from that forest.

Just then the Pandava's wife, Draupadi, will approach, carrying rice and spinach. “Here, child, take this offering of mine-a few handfuls of rice that have been offered to Gauranga.”

Feeling most unworthy, I will offer my full obeisances to Draupadi and extend my hand to accept the rice and spinach. When I honor that wonderful gauranga-pras€da, my tongue will be blessed.

Whoever gets the mercy of the Lord's maha-pras€da will certainly attain pure devotional service. May that mercy be eternally mine, so that I will be able to easily give up this material world.

After honoring that pras€da given by Draupadi, when will I come to Rudradv…pa ? KailasaIKailasa, the abode of Lord ®iva, is just the effulgence of this Rudradv…pa, which shines within Navadv…pa.

At this place, the eleven Rudras headed by Nila-lohita dance and become stunned with gaura-prema. Durvasa Muni set up his asrama here and gave up his practice of yoga to worship Gauranga's lotus feet.

Other yogis headed by Asåavakra and Dattatreya, as well as Pañcamukha Lord ®iva, gave up the monistic philosophy and engaged in meditating on the lotus feet of Gauranga. No longer do they desire to merge in the effulgence of the Lord.

When will I wander in the forest and come to the place of the ®iva-linga? Sitting there, I will meditate on Gauranga's lotus feet, and then I will see a beautiful goddess not far off. When she notices me, I will pay my respects and ask, “What is your name mother?”

With tears in her eyes, she will reply, “Listen son, my sorrow is impossible to tell. There are five types of liberation, and I have been given the name of Sayujya, or Nirvana. My four sisters, Salokya, Sarupya, Samipya, and Sarsåi, have gone to VaikunåhaIVaikunåhapura pura leaving me here embarassed.

“By the mercy of Lord ®iva, Dattatreya and other sages gave me their earnest attention for some time, but finally they gave me up and people say they took up residence in Rudradv…pa. Uselessly I am now looking for them. Where and when will I find them? Gauranga has liberated everyone but is merciless to me. Therefore I will find a place to give up my life. That place will be called Nidaya [Merciless].”

Just hearing her name, Sayujya, my heart will tremble as if in fear of the witch Putana. In great fear I will close my eyes and drop to the ground. Then some great person will touch me, and I will rise and see before me the figure of Lord ®iva, dancing and singing out, “O merciful son of Saci, give mercy to all living entities. Drive away all fear!”

I will fall at Mahadeva's feet and pray for my own purification. Being merciful, he will place his feet on my head and give me the essence of all teaching.

“Listen, devotion to ®r… K��Ša is the essence; striving for jñana, karma, yoga, and mukti is useless. By my mercy you will conquer m€y€ and quickly attain the shade of Gaura's lotus feet. To the south, see ®r… Pulina, so attractive. That is V�nd€vana within Navadv…pa. Go there to witness K��Ša's pastimes. Soon you will attain R€dh€'s lotus feet.”

After giving his instructions, Lord ®iva will disappear. I will bow down and then continue on, crying all the while. Viewing ®r… Pulina for some time, I will fall unconscious to the earth with my voice choked and throat gurgling.

While devoid of external consciousness in a dreamlike state of samadhi, a wondrous figure will appear performing her constitutional service. I will recognize that it is I, Kamala-mañjari, the eternal assistant of Ananga-mañjari, the goddess of my heart.

Ananga-mañjari will introduce me to all her companions, and will give me the service of preparing camphor for Their Lordships. She will reveal to me the pastimes of the divine couple.

Near ®r… Pulina is the R€sa-mandalaIR€sa-mandala, where Gopendra-nandana K��Ša, surrounded by a billion gopis, steals the hearts of all by His dancing with ®r… R€dh€, the predominating goddess of the r€sa dance.

Such graceful dancing does not exist within the material world! By great fortune, whoever sees this pastime at once drowns in that nectar. And whoever attains such a transcendental trance will be unable to give up the happiness of that astounding sight!

I will be unable to describe the sight I will behold. I will lock it in my heart, and gaze upon it eternally. In my own grove, while cultivating that sight in my heart, I will serve constantly under the direction of the sakhis.

Ananga-mañjari, the younger sister of R€dh€rani, will bestow her mercy on me and personally show me the dh€ma. We will go west of the Rasa-mandala to ®r… Dhira-samira, and then a little further to Vaësi-vaåaIVaësi-vaåa and the bank of the Yamuna.

Rupa-mañjari will question my mistress, Ananga-mañjari, who will reply, “This new maidservant will be engaged under Lalita-sakhi's direction. Her name is Kamala-mañjari, and she is fixed in devotion to ®r… Gauranga. Be merciful and give her spontaneous devotion to our Lordships.”

Hearing this, Rupa-mañjari will touch my body with her merciful hand, suddenly imparting to me sublime spiritual emotions and the intense desire to worship in her footsteps.

My complexion is like lightning, and my ornaments and dress sparkle like the midnight stars. I will appear with a camphor tray in my hand, and I will fall flat at her feet and beg for the unalloyed shelter of ®r… R€dh€'s lotus feet.

Rupa-mañjari and Ananga-mañjari will take me to the private grove of Lalita, the charming mistress of Svananda-sukhada-kuñja, who is dwelling inside meditating on the service of R€dh€rani's lotus feet.

I will pay my full obeisances at her lotus feet, and Visakha will explain to her my identity, “This is one inhabitant of Navadv…pa, who wants to serve you and thereby serve the feet of R€dh€ and K��Ša.”

Lalita will be very pleased and will say to Ananga-mañjari, the consort of ®e�a, “Give her a place beside yours, and carefully arrange her desired service. Take her along when you go to perform your service, and gradually she will receive the mercy of ®r… R€dh€. Without R€dh€'s mercy, how can the service of R€dh€ and K��Ša attained?

Hearing Lalita's words, Ananga-mañjari will take me to her grove and make me her own maidservant. She shows her affection by graciously allowing me to accompany her when she goes to serve the divine couple.

While performing my service, I will catch a glimpse of R€dh€ and K��Ša in the distance. Then perhaps ®r… R€dh€ will display Her mercy by giving me an order and the shade of Her lotus feet.

Remaining always engaged in that service, I will gradually become expert. Thus I will please R€dh€ and K��Ša, who will sometimes give me Their ornaments as a reward.

As my dream breaks, I will weep softly. And as I cross the Ganges, I will look back at ®r… Pulina. Living near IsodyanaIIsodyana in my private grove, I will worship Gauranga, who is nondifferent from R€dh€ and K��Ša.

Remaining fixed in my vows, I will worship R€dh€ and Govinda, and I will gaze upon R€dh€IR€dh€-kunda -kunda and V�nd€vana. Remembering the feet of Ananga-mañjari and the sakhis, I will drown in love of God and in the bliss attained by my personal service to Their Lordships.

This Bhaktivinoda, servant of the servant of Lord Caitanya, is begging for residence in Navadv…pa-dhama. I am eager for the feet of Rupa and Raghun€tha Gosvamis (Rupa and Rati-mañjaris), and from them I anxiously beg to achieve my perfect spiritual body and service.

O residents of Navadv…pa and V�nd€vana, quickly establish me in IsodyanaIIsodyana, the abode of the Lord. That is certainly within your power, for it is your place. I am simply a servant, and by assisting in your service to Their Lordships, I may attain residence in the dh€ma.

O Navadv…pa-dhama, give me your mercy, for without your mercy, how can anyone attain the Lord's dh€mas? Please do not consider whether I am fit or not, particularly in the service I have just done. I have simply extracted the essence of the instructions of Jahnava (Ananga-mañjari) and Nity€nanda Prabhu, the holder of all energies.

Whoever reads this Bhava-taranga with devotional faith will experience the nectar of the pastimes of Gauranga. Svarupa DamodaraISvarupa Damodara (Lalita) will certainly give him mercy, the shade of his feet, and accept him as an associate in the spiritual dh€ma.

@ENDING = End of the Navadv…pa Bhava-taranga.