Nityananda Caritamrta

sri 

Nityananda 

Caritamrta 

“All glories to Nityänanda Prabhu! Maddened by ecstatic 

love of Godhead, He overwhelmed the universe with 

ecstasy. He slapped His hands together like a warrior who 

is about to attack, and upon seeing this, the wicked Kali 

fled in terror, fearing for his life. All souls were drowned 

in happiness because of the dancing of Çré Nityänanda and 

Çré Gauräìga. Seeing such dancing or even hearing about 

it melts the hearts of great atheists.” 

(Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura, Gétävalé)

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ÇRÉ GURU-GAURÄÌGAU JAYATAÙ 

sri 

Nityananda 

Caritamrta 

The Nectarean Life and Pastimes of Lord Nityänanda 

(SECOND EDITION) 

compiled from the writings of 

Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura 

Adapted and Published by Éçvara däsa 

Translated by Bhümipati däsa 

Second Edition Edited by Pürëaprajïa däsa

Licensed for Personal Use Only 

Çré Nityänanda-caritämåta (2nd Edition) 

Adapted and Published by Éçvara däsa 

Translated by Bhümipati däsa 

First edition edited by Deena Bandhu däsa 

Second edition edited by Pürëaprajïa däsa 

Proofread by Kåñëa-kåpä däsa 

Cover painting by Saccidänanda däsa 

Line Arts by Çatadhäma däsé 

Title Page Painting by Çyämapriyä däsé 

Layout and design by Éçvara däsa 

ISBN 81-87897-20-1 

© 2008 Éçvara däsa and Touchstone Media. No parts of 

this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, 

photocopied or transmitted, except brief extracts for the 

purpose of review, without the written permission of the 

publisher. 

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Dedication 

This book is dedicated to Çréla Gour Govinda Svämé 

Mahäräja, who was a stalwart preacher of the glories of 

Lord Nityänanda. His contribution to the spread of love of 

Gaura and Govinda will forever be remembered by the devotees 

of Lord Caitanya. 



CONTENTS 

Introduction 1 

Biographical Sketch of Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura 4 

Maìgaläcaraëa 9 

ADI-LÉLÄ 

CHAPTER ONE 

The Birth and Childhood Activities of 

Lord Nityänanda 15 

CHAPTER TWO 

Lord Nityänanda’s Traveling to the Holy Places 21 

CHAPTER THREE 

Lord Nityänanda’s Meeting with 

Çrépad Mädhavendra Puré 27 

MADHYA-LÉLÄ 

CHAPTER ONE 


Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu 35 

CHAPTER TWO 

Lord Nityänanda’s Stay With Çréväsa and 

His Vyäsa-püjä Ceremony 47 

CHAPTER THREE 

Lord Nityänanda Offers Prayers to the 

Six-armed Form of Lord Caitanya 55 



CHAPTER FOUR 

Çréväsa’s Love for Lord Nityänanda and 

the Dream of Mother Çacé 61 

CHAPTER FIVE 

Eating Pastimes of Çrémän Mahäprabhu and 


CHAPTER SIX 

Nityänanda’s Pastimes at the House of Çréväsa 69 

CHAPTER SEVEN 

Çrémän Mahäprabhu Glorifies Lord Nityänanda 75 

CHAPTER EIGHT 

The Deliverance of Jagäi and Mädhäi 81 

CHAPTER NINE 

Prayers of Jagäi and Mädhäi to Lord Nityänanda and 

Gauräìga Mahäprabhu 99 

CHAPTER TEN 

Mädhäi’s Prayers to Nityänanda Prabhu 

and His Devotional Service 103 

CHAPTER ELEVEN 

Lord Gauräìga Discusses His Sannyäsa with 


ANTYA-LÉLÄ 

CHAPTER ONE 

Lord Nityänanda and Mahäprabhu Meet 

the Residents of Navadvépa 115 

CHAPTER TWO 

Lord Nityänanda Breaks Mahäprabhu’s 

Sannyäsa-daëòa 121 

CHAPTER THREE 

Lord Nityänanda’s Darçana of Lord Jagannätha 127 

CHAPTER FOUR 

Lord Nityänanda’s Grand Bathing Ceremony at the 

House of Räghava Paëòita 131 



CHAPTER FIVE 

Lord Nityänanda’s Meeting with Gadädhara Däsa 139 

CHAPTER SIX 

Lord Nityänanda’s Deliverance of the Merchants of 

Saptagräma and His Meeting with Advaita Äcärya 145 

CHAPTER SEVEN 

Lord Nityänanda Delivers the Thieves at the 

House of Hiranya Paëòita 149 

CHAPTER EIGHT 

A Brähmaëa’s Doubt About the Character of 

Lord Nityänanda and its Removal by Lord Caitanya 159 

CHAPTER NINE 

Lord Nityänanda’s Departure for Néläcala and 

His Glorification by Lord Caitanya 169 

CHAPTER TEN 

Lord Nityänanda’s Pastimes of Accepting Lunch 

at the House of Gadädhara Paëòita 175 


Lord Caitanya Instructs Nityänanda Prabhu to Marry 179 

CHAPTER TWELVE 

The Marriage of Lord Nityänanda 185 

CHAPTER THIRTEEN 

The Birth of Véracandra Prabhu and 

Disappearance of Lord Nityänanda 195 

APPENDICES 

Descriptions of the Associates of Lord Nityänanda 205 

A Song by Vrindavana dasa Thakura 210 

Prayers to Lord Nityananda 213 

Lord Nityänanda Prabhu’s Appearance Day Lecture 229 

Glossary 237 



Introduction 

Sréla Narottama däsa Öhäkura has sung, hena nitäi bine 

bhäi rädhä kåñëa päite nai; without the mercy of Lord 

Nityänanda, no one can attain Çré Çré Rädhä and Kåñëa. 

The ultimate goal of life is the attainment of kåñëa-prema, 

or love for Kåñëa. This is possible only by the mercy of a 

sädhu-guru. Çré Nityänanda Prabhu is the sum total of all gurus 

(samañöi-guru). Indeed, He is guru-tattva. All individual 

gurus (vyañöi) are representations of Çré Nityänanda. Çréla 

Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura wrote in his Harmonist 

magazine about the manifestation of guru as the representative 

of Çré Nityänanda: 

“The guru is the embodiment of the manifestation of the 

Divinity to the pure receptive spiritual essence of the disciple. 

Nityänanda is the primary manifestive constituent of the Divinity. 

Nityänanda alone possesses the distinctive function of the 

guru. In Nityänanda the function is embodied. Nityänanda is 

the servant-God. He serves Çré Gaurasundara by the distinctive 

method of reverential servitude. He is identical with Çré Balaräma 

of kåñëa-lélä. Çré Balaräma is not the chum of Kåñëa, but 

His respected elder brother. It is an intimate relationship characterized 

by becoming reserved on one side, and of respectful 

deference on the other. Individual souls are under the direction 

of Nityänanda. They receive their service of Çré Gaurasundara, 

i.e., of Kåñëa, at His hands. Nityänanda is not a jéva. He is Divinity. 

He is the ultimate source of the jéva. The jéva is a potency 

of Nityänanda. No jéva can be the medium of the service of the 

Absolute to another jéva. The Absolute alone may communicate 

1 



ÇRÉ NITYÄNANDA CARITÄMÅTA 

His service to the separable constituents of Himself. This is the 

real nature of the function of the guru. 

“But Nityänanda does not directly instruct in the confidential 

service of Kåñëa. Çrématé Rädhikä is the guru of the 

inner circle of the servants of Kåñëa. Çrématé Rädhikä, however, 

accepts the offer of service of only those souls who are 

specially favored by Nityänanda and are deemed by Him to 

be fit for Her service. There is, therefore, a most intimate 

relationship between the function of Nityänanda and that 

of Çrématé Rädhikä, which is at once supplementary to and 

inclusive of the former. 

“But all jévas are not liable to be eclipsed by the deluding 

potency. Those who are so liable are again distinct from the 

eternally free jévas. The eternally free jévas are inseparable associates 

of Nityänanda. They are integrated parts and parcels 

of Himself. They never fall into the clutches of mäyä. When 

Nityänanda manifests His appearance on the mundane plane, 

His inseparable constituents also appear in His company. They 

sometimes manifest their function on this lower place in a visible 

form on the errands of Nityänanda. They are Vaiñëavas 

whose subordination to Nityänanda is natural and ingrained 

in their nature. It is not necessary for such souls to undergo 

the process of enlightenment for being restored to the spiritual 

plane. Unless this fact is borne in mind, the conditioned soul 

may be tempted to undervalue the constant guidance of the 

guru on the hypocritical plea of following in the footsteps of 

the eternally free pure devotees. Those, therefore, who suppose 

that deliverance from the bondage of this world should be practicable 

without the constant guidance of the spiritual preceptor, 

confound the conditioned state with the free.” 

There is no difference between Lord Caitanya and Lord 

Nityänanda. Just as Lord Kåñëa and Lord Balaräma are essentially 

the same and original forms of Godhead, Lord Caitanya 

and Lord Nityänanda, who are directly Kåñëa and Balaräma, 

are the same personality. Lord Kåñëa manifested Himself as the 

separate form of Lord Balaräma for the performance of His léläs 

and to benefit the jévas by showing them the path of cultivating 

loving service unto Himself. 

2 



Introduction 

In Çré Caitanya-caritämåta, Çréla Kåñëadäsa Kaviräja Gosvämé 

explains that Lord Kåñëa eternally enjoys Himself in 

Goloka Våndävana, along with His unlimited associates. It is 

Lord Balaräma who is the source of all spiritual and material 

manifestations. All the Näräyaëa and Viñëu expansions come 

from Lord Balaräma. As such, Lord Balaräma is the source of all 

incarnations in this material world. 

Just as Lord Caitanya’s pastimes are even more pleasing than 

Kåñëa’s pastimes, Lord Nityänanda’s pastimes are even more 

pleasing than those of Lord Balaräma. Lord Balaräma is famous 

for His pastimes of chastising the miscreants, such as His killing 

of many demons, His determination to drag the city of Hastinäpura 

into the River Ganges, and His killing of Romaharñaëa 

Sutä. Lord Balaräma’s form as Lord Nityänanda, however, is described 

as akrodha paramänanda nityänanda-räya—He never 

becomes angry. 

Lord Nityänanda is the most merciful form of Lord Kåñëa, 

for He is the giver of kåñëa-prema-bhakti. Lord Caitanya Himself 

declared (Çré Nityänanda-caritämåta, Antya-khaëòa, Chapter 

three): 

“Those who develop love, affection, and respect for Çré Nityänanda, 

develop love and affection for Me (Lord Caitanya). All 

the demigods, headed by Lord Çiva and Lord Brahmä, worship 

Nityänanda Svärüpa. If somebody thinks ill of Çré Nityänanda, 

or blasphemes Him; whoever he may be, he will fall down. Even 

if such a person professes to be My devotee, he is not really My 

devotee.” 

Çré Nityänanda-caritämåta is an authentic Vaiñëava literature 

compiled from the writings of Vedavyäsa Çréla Våndävana 

däsa Öhäkura. This book describes the transcendental glories 

of Lord Nityänanda. The birth of Nityänanda, His childhood 

pastimes, His leaving home, His travelling to holy places, His 

arrival at Navadvépa and meeting with Lord Caitanya, His 

preaching of the chanting of the holy names of the Lord by 

the order of Lord Gauräìga, His pastimes with Çré Caitanya 

Mahäprabhu at Nadia, His presence at the Lord’s pastime of accepting 

sannyäsa, His accompanying the Lord to Néläcala, His 

return to Navadvépa by the order of the Lord, His marriage, 

3 




His distribution of love of God, and His disappearance from 

this world are elaborately and properly described in this book. 

Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura is forever remembered in 

the communities of Vaiñëavas for his wonderful literary work, 

Çré Caitanya-bhägavata. The glories of Çré Caitanya-bhägavata 

were nicely described by Çréla Kåñëadäsa Kaviräja Gosvämé in 

his book Çré Caitanya-caritämåta as follows: 

manuñye racite näre aiche grantha dhanya 

våndävana-däsa-mukhe vaktä çré-caitanya 

“No human being can compose such a book. Actually, 

Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu speaks through the 

mouth of Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura.” 

(Çré Caitanya-caritämåta Ädi-léla 8:39) 

Çré Caitanya-bhägavata is a biography of Çré Caitanya 

Mahäprabhu written in the Bengali language that was compiled 

before Çré Caitanya-caritämåta. Following in the footsteps of the 

statements of Çré Caitanya-bhägavata, other books, such as Çré 

Caitanya-caritämåta, were compiled. Çré Nityänanda-caritämåta 

has been compiled from the statements of Çré Caitanya-bhägavata 

about Lord Nityänanda and additional pastimes have 

been added. These include the affection of Häòäi Paëòita for 

Lord Nityänanda, the marriage of Vasudhä and Jahnavä with 

Lord Nityänanda, and the disappearance of Lord Nityänanda. 

For this reason, Çré Nityänanda-caritämåta is very similar to Çré 

Caitanya-bhägavata. It is hoped that this book narrating the pastimes 

of Lord Nityänanda will serve as a great inspiration for 

Vaiñëavas worldwide. 

A Short Biographical Sketch of 

Çréla Våndävana Däsa Öhäkura 

Çréväsa Paëòita, an intimate associate of Çré Caitanya 

Mahäprabhu, had an elder brother named Nalina Paëòita. His 

daughter, Çré Näräyaëé-devé, was the mother of Çréla Våndävana 

4 



Introduction 

däsa Öhäkura. Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu advented in this world 

to distribute love of God. He inaugurated His pastimes of distribution 

of love of God by first giving prema to four-year-old 

Näräyaëé-devé. The Lord gave Näräyaëé-devé remnants of His 

chewed betel nuts and thus empowered her. Later on, because of 

Lord Caitanya’s favor, Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura was born 

as her son. Çré Näräyaëé-devé personally witnessed the pastimes 

of Lord Gauräìga. Whatever Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura 

heard from his mother, and whatever he later found in Muräri 

Gupta’s diary, which recorded the transcendental pastimes of 

Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu, he wrote in Çré Caitanya-bhägavata. 

Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura was a direct disciple of Lord 

Nityänanda and His associate in various pastimes. This book, 

Nityänanda-caritämåta, was compiled from his writings. 

There is no direct evidence that Çréla Våndävana däsa 

Öhäkura ever met Lord Gauräìga Mahäprabhu, but he was born 

as the Lord’s manifested pastimes were in progress. The book Çré 

Prema-viläsa describes his birth and family as follows: 

“There was a brähmaëa named Vaikuëöha däsa who lived 

in the village of Kumärahaööa. Çré Näräyaëé-devé was married 

to him. From the womb of Näräyaëé-devé, Çréla Våndävana däsa 

Öhäkura, the incarnation of Çréla Vyäsadeva, was born. When 

Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura was within the womb of his 

mother, his father, Vaikuëöha däsa, left this world and went to 

the spiritual world. When Çréväsa Paëòita saw that his niece 

was pregnant and a widow, he brought her to his home. 

Thereafter, when Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura was five 

years old, he lived with his mother at Mämagäcchi. Väsudeva 

Datta, a celebrated recipient of Lord Caitanya’s mercy, took 

responsibility for the maintenance of Çréla Våndävana däsa 

Öhäkura and his mother. At the house of Väsudeva Datta, Çréla 

Våndävana däsa Öhäkura grew up and studied various scriptures. 

After the disappearance of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu, Çré 

Nityänanda Prabhu, and Çré Advaita Prabhu, Çréla Våndävana 

däsa Öhäkura resided at a village called Denuòa.” 

Regarding the eternal identity of Çréla Våndävana däsa 

Öhäkura, Çréla Kavi Karëapüra wrote (Çré Gaura-gaëoddeçadépikä. 

verse 109): 

5 




vedavyäso ya eväsiddäso våndävanodhunä 

sakha yaù kusumäpiòa karyatstaà samävisat 

“The combined form of Vedavyäsa, the son of Satyavaté, 

and Kusumäpiòa, a cowherd boy in Vraja, is 

Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura.” 

Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura spent some time at 

Mämagächi and then went to Denuòa, where he compiled Çré 

Caitanya-bhägavata. By the causeless mercy of Lord Nityänanda, 

the storekeeper of Lord Gauräìga’s love, we hope we will be 

successful in our attempt to glorify Him. May Lord Nityänanda 

destroy all our obstacles and help us spread the understanding 

of His transcendental qualities and glories, and those of His associates. 

This is our heartfelt desire. 

We conclude this life sketch of Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura 

by singing the following songs composed by the Öhäkura 

himself. 

antare nitäi bähire nitäi nitäi jagatamaya 

nägara nitäi nägari nitäi kathä ye kaya 

sädhana nitäi bhajana nitäi nitäi nayana tärä 

daçadika maya nitäi sundara nitäi bhuvana bharä 

rädhära mädhuri anaìga maïjaré nitäi nitu se seve 

koöi çaçadhara vadana sundara sakhä sakhé baladeve 

rädhära bhagini çyämasohäginé sava sakhégaëa präëa 

jäìhära läbari mandapa säjani çré maëi mandira näma 

nitäi sundara yogapéöha dhare ratna siàhäsana seje 

basana nitäi bhuñana nitäi vilase sakhéra mäjhe 

ki kahiba ära nitäi sabära aìkhi mukha sava aìga 

nitäi nitäi nitäi nitäi nitäi nutara raìga 

nitäi baliyä dubahu tuliyä caliba vrajera pure 

däsa våndävana ei nivedana nitäi nä chäòo more 

“Nitäi is within and without. He is everywhere 

within this world. He is the lover and He is the sweetheart. 

Everyone says this. Nitäi is my regulative principles, 

my object of worship, and the light of my eyes. 

6 



Introduction 

Nitäi is in all ten directions. In fact, He fills all the 

three worlds. Nitäi as Anaìga-maïjaré eternally serves 

Çrématé Rädhikä. He is non-different from Baladeva, 

whose beautiful face resembles millions of moons, and 

who is surrounded by sakhäs and sakhés. The sister of 

Rädhäräëé, Anaìga-maïjaré, is very dear to Çré Çyäma, 

and she is the life and soul of all the sakhés. She decorates 

the arena of the temple named Maëi-mandira. Nitäi sustains 

the yogapéöha and becomes a throne for the Lord 

to rest on. Nitäi also becomes the Lord’s garments and 

ornaments. He enjoys pastimes with the sakhés. What 

more can I say? Nitäi is the eyes, mouth, and limbs of 

everyone. Nitäi, Nitäi, Nitäi, Nitäi; I see only Nitäi 

dancing. Raising my hands and chanting Nitäi, I will go 

to Vraja. I, Våndävana däsa, only request Nitäi that He 

kindly never leaves me.” 

Éçvara däsa 

This revised edition completed in January 2008, 

Çrédhäma Mäyäpura, India. 

7 





Maìgaläcaraëa 

äjänu-lambita-bhujau kanakävadätau 

sankértanaika-pitarau kamaläyatäksau 

viçvambharau dvija-varau yuga-dharma-pälau 

vande jagat priya-karau karuëävatärau 

offer my respectful obeisances unto Çré Caitanya 

I Mahäprabhu and Çré Nityänanda Prabhu, whose 

long arms extend to Their knees. They have splendid 

golden complexions, and They inaugurated the congregational 

chanting of the holy names of the Lord. Their 

eyes resemble the petals of lotus flowers. They are the 

maintainers of all the worlds, the best of the brähmaëas, 

and the protectors of the religious principles for this 

age. They bring happiness to the people of the world 

and are the most merciful of all incarnations. 

namas trikala satyäya jagannätha sutäya ca 

sa-bhåtyäya sa-puträya sa-kalaträya te namaù 

O my Lord! You eternally exist in the past, present, 

future, yet You are the son of Jagannätha Miçra. I offer 

my repeated obeisances unto You, along with Your 

servants, Your sons, and Your consorts. 

Note: In this verse, servants refers to His associates. Sons refers 

to His gosvämé disciples, or the different forms of bhakti, such as the 

chanting of the holy name. Consorts can refer to Viñëupriyä as 

9 




Bhü-çakti, Lakñmépriyä as Çré-çakté, and Navadvépa as Nélä, Lélä, 

or Durga. It can also refer to His very dear associates; Narahari, 

Rämänanda, Jagadänanda and others, and the two Gadädharas; 

Gadädhara Paëòita and Gadädhara Bhaööa. 

Muräri Gupta 1 writes in his kaòacä: 

avatirnau sa-karunyau paricchinnau sad éçvara 

çré kåñëa caitanya-nityänandau dvau bhratau bhaje 

I worship the two brothers, Çré Kåñëa Caitanya and 

Çré Nityänanda, who have descended into this world as 

the supreme controllers. Concealing Their true forms, 

They have mercifully descended to this world. 

sa jayati visuddha-vikramaù kanakäbhaù kamaläyatekñnaù 

vara-jänu-vilambi-sad-bhujo bahudhä bhakti-rasäbhinartakaù 

All glories to Çré Gaurasundara, whose powerful 

activities are supremely pure, whose bodily complexion 

is like molten gold, whose eyes are like lotus petals, 

whose six beautiful arms extend to His knees, and 

whose heart is flooded with loving devotional bliss as 

He enjoys dancing in various ways in kértana. 

1 Muräri Gupta appeared in a vaidya (physician) family at the 

village of Çré Haööa. Later he came to live in Navadvépa. He was a 

great devotee of Lord Rämacandra and is considered to be an incarnation 

of Hanumän, the foremost devotee of Lord Rämacandra. He was 

greatly learned in the medical science. Çré Gauräìgadeva disclosed 

the glories of Muräri Gupta on the pretext of enjoying His pastimes. 

After hearing the glorification of Çré Räma from his mouth, the Lord 

wrote the name “Rämadäsa” on his forehead. Muräri Gupta composed 

the pastimes of Çré Gauräìga in Sanskrit, in the form of verses known 

as the kaòacä of Muräri Gupta. This is the original Sanskrit literature 

describing the pastimes of Lord Caitanya. He composed this kaòacä 

in the month of July in the year 1435 Çaka era. 

10 



Maìgaläcaraëa 

jayati jayati devaù kåñëa-caitanya-candro 

jayati jayati kértis tasya nityä paviträ 

jayati jayati bhåtyäs tasya viçveça-mürter 

jayati jayati nåtyaà tasya sarva-priyäëäm 

All glories to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, 

Çré Kåñëa Caitanyacandra! All glories to His eternally 

pure fame! All glories to the servants of the great master 

of the worlds! All glories to the dancing of His beloved 

associates! 

First I offer my unlimited obeisances to the feet of the loving 

confidential devotees of Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu. I then 

offer my obeisances to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Çré 

Kåñëa Caitanya. He incarnated in Navadvépa and is known as 

Viçvambhara. That same Supreme Personality of Godhead has 

declared in the Vedas and in the Çrémad-Bhägavatam: 

ädaraù paricaryäyäà sarväìgair abhivandanam 

mad-bhakta-püjäbhyadhikä sarva-bhüteñu man-matiù 

“Great respect for My devotional service, offering 

obeisances with the entire body, worshipping My devotees 

more than Me, consciousness of Me in all living 

entities.” 

I therefore offered my prayers first to the devotees, as this 

is the secret for attaining perfection. I now offer my respectful 

obeisances unto my worshipable Lord, Çré Nityänanda Räya. 

By His mercy, the glories of Lord Caitanya became manifest. 

I offer my respectful obeisances unto the thousand-headed 

Lord Balaräma. His thousands of mouths are the abode of Lord 

Kåñëa’s transcendental glories. As valuable jewels are kept in a 

favorite place, so the jewel-like glories of Lord Kåñëa are kept in 

the jewellery case of Lord Ananta’s mouths. 

I thus offer my prayers to Lord Balaräma so that the glories 

of Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu will manifest from my mouth. 

Lord Balaräma is thousand-headed Lord Ananta and all His activities 

are extraordinary. The Supreme Lord, Balaräma, carries 

11 




a plough and possesses a gigantic body. Although exceptionally 

grave, He is intoxicated by the glories of Lord Caitanya. 

There is no one dearer to Lord Caitanya than Lord Nityänanda. 

Therefore, Lord Caitanya eternally enjoys pastimes with Him. 

Çré Kåñëa Caitanya becomes most satisfied with one who hears 

or chants the glories of Lord Nityänanda. I have thus described 

a portion of Lord Ananta’s glories. Please, therefore, develop attachment 

for Lord Nityänanda. 

Those who wish to cross the ocean of material existence 

and drown in the ocean of devotional service should worship 

Lord Nityänanda. My only desire at the feet of the Vaiñëavas is 

that I may worship the lotus feet of Lord Balaräma, birth after 

birth. Just as dvija, vipra, and brähmaëa are different names of 

the same person, so Nityänanda, Ananta, and Baladeva are different 

names of the same Lord. Therefore, Çré Ananta is the 

embodiment of Lord Caitanya’s glories. I have thus described a 

fragment of the glories of Lord Ananta. Hearing the pastimes of 

Çré Nityänanda brings all auspiciousness. Know for certain that 

they are revealed only by the mercy of the devotees. 

Who can understand the pastimes of Lord Nityänanda? 

They are confidential even to the Vedas. I write only what I 

have heard from the devotees. I find no beginning or end to 

the pastimes of Lord Nityänanda. I write whatever He inspires 

me to write. Just as a puppet dances only by the control of the 

puppeteer, whatever I describe is simply by the direction of Lord 

Nityänanda. Let me offer my respectful obeisances at the feet of 

the Vaiñëavas, so that I may not commit any offences to them. 

My dear brothers, please hear with rapt attention the narrations 

of the pastimes that Lord Nityänanda performs with 

His devotees. The pastimes of Lord Nityänanda are the abode 

of all happiness. These pastimes are divided into three parts; 

Ädi-khaëòa, Madhya-khaëòa and Antya-khaëòa. O Lord Gauracandra, 

please give me shelter at the lotus feet of Lord Nityänanda 

Prabhu, who sustains the universes as Ananta Çeña. O 

dear brothers, please hear attentively the topics of Ädi-khaëòa 

that describe the appearance of Lord Nityänanda. 

Accepting Çré Caitanya and Çré Nityänanda as my life and 

soul, I, Våndävana däsa, sing the glories of Their lotus feet. 

12 



ÄDI-LÉLÄ 



CHAPTER ONE 

The Birth and Childhood Activities of 

Lord Nityänanda 

All glories to Çré Kåñëa Caitanya, the ocean of mercy! 

All glories to Lord Nityänanda, the friend of the fallen 

souls! All glories to Çré Advaita Äcärya, whose life and soul are 

Çré Caitanya and Çré Nityänanda! All glories to Çréväsa and 

Gadädhara Prabhus! All glories to Çré Viçvambhara, the beloved 

son of Jagannätha and Çacé! All glories to all the devotees and 

associates of the Lord! 

There is a village called Ekacakra in Räòha-deça in West 

Bengal, where the Supreme Lord, Nityänanda, appeared. From 

the day of His appearance, the whole of Räòha-deça became 

all-auspicious. Famine, poverty, and other distresses at once disappeared. 

A short distance from Ekacakra, the Deity of Maureçvara 

is located. Lord Nityänanda, who is non-different from 

Lord Balaräma, had worshipped this Deity. In the village of 

Ekacakra lived Häòäi Paëòita. He was a qualified brähmaëa, 

very detached, and full of compassion. His wife’s name was Pad- 

15 




mavaté, who was a very chaste woman and exalted devotee. She 

was the mother of the universe. Both Häòäi Paëòita and Padmavaté-devé 

were very magnanimous. Lord Nityänanda appeared 

in their family out of His own sweet will. 

On the auspicious thirteenth day of the waxing moon in the 

month of Mägha (January-February), Lord Nityänanda made 

His appearance. He was the eldest among the sons of Häòäi 

Paëòita. Seeing His all-auspicious characteristics, everyone’s 

eyes filled with joy. In due course of time, Lord Nityänanda 

grew. Due to the influence of His illusory energy, however, no 

one could recognize Him. He concealed His real identity and 

happily played with His boyhood friends. Whatever pastimes 

He enjoyed with His childhood friends were related to the pastimes 

of Lord Kåñëa. 

Once, He and His friends formed an assembly of demigods, 

and one of them acted as mother earth praying for their mercy. 

The demigods then led mother earth to the riverbank, where 

all the children began offering prayers. One boy, hiding from 

the rest, loudly declared, “I will soon take birth in Mathurä, 

Gokula.” 

One night, the Lord and His friends enacted the marriage of 

Vasudeva and Devaké. Another night, while everyone else was 

asleep, they made a jail cell and enacted the birth of Lord Kåñëa. 

They made a place represent Gokula. Taking baby Kåñëa there, 

He was exchanged with Mahämäyä, thus tricking Kaàsa. Another 

time, they dressed someone as Pütanä. Someone climbed 

on her chest to suck her breast. One day, Lord Nityänanda and 

His friends made a çakaöa, or handcart, out of reeds and then 

broke it. Another day, the Lord and His friends stole from the 

houses of the neighboring cowherd men. 

The boys never left Nityänanda to go home, but sported 

with Him, day and night. The children’s parents never complained; 

rather they affectionately embraced Nityänanda. They 

said, “We’ve never seen such transcendental sports. How does 

this child know so many of Kåñëa’s pastimes?” 

One day the Lord made snakes out of leaves and took His 

friends to the water. One of them jumped into the water and 

did not move. Later, the Lord brought him back to conscious- 

16 



Birth and Childhood Activities of Lord Nityänanda 

ness. Another day, the Lord and His friends went to Tälavana, 

where they killed Dhenukäsura and then ate täla fruit. Lord 

Nityänanda and his childhood friends went to the fields and 

enjoyed various pastimes, such as the killing of Bakäsura, 

Aghäsura, and Vatsäsura. In the afternoon, the Lord and His 

friends returned home, blowing their buffalo horns. 

One day they enjoyed the pastime of lifting Govardhana 

Hill, and another day they created a Våndävana, where they 

enjoyed various sports. Once, they enacted Kåñëa’s pastime of 

stealing the gopés’ clothes, and another day they enacted His 

meeting the wives of the brähmaëas performing sacrifices. On 

one occasion, a boy dressed up with a false beard as Närada and 

gave Kaàsa some secret news. Another day, a boy dressed as 

Akrüra and took Kåñëa and Balaräma to Kaàsa’s capital. As 

Lord Nityänanda cried in the mood of the gopés, it seemed to 

His friends that a river flowed from His eyes. By the influence 

of Lord Viñëu’s illusory energy, no one could recognize Lord 

Nityänanda as He enjoyed pastimes with His friends. 

The children arranged a city of Mathurä and then wandered 

through its streets. Someone played the role of a gardener, 

while another accepted a flower garland from him. Someone 

dressed as Kubjä and someone else accepted sandalwood paste 

from her. They made a large bow and shouted with joy when it 

was broken. They also enacted the pastimes of killing the elephant, 

Kuvalayäpéòa, and the wrestlers, Cäëüra and Muñöika. 

Thereafter the Lord chastised Kaàsa by grabbing him by the 

hair and throwing him upon the ground. After killing Kaàsa, 

the Lord danced with His friends in such a way that everyone 

watching Him began to laugh. In this way, Lord Nityänanda 

and His friends imitated the pastimes of various incarnations. 

One day, Lord Nityänanda dressed as Vämana and went 

to cheat Bali Mahäräja out of his kingdom, which covered the 

three worlds. Someone playing an aged Çukräcärya forbade Bali 

to give the three steps of land requested by Lord Vämana. Accepting 

the gift, the Lord placed His last step on Bali’s head. 

One day, Lord Nityänanda enacted the pastime of building a 

bridge across the ocean with the boys playing the role of monkeys. 

They cut castor plants and made a bridge across the water. Then 

17 




all the boys shouted, “Jaya Raghunätha!” Nityänanda Prabhu, 

taking the role of Lakñmaëa with a bow in His hand, went in anger 

to rebuke Sugréva. He said,“O king of the monkeys, My Lord 

is in distress. Come quickly or I will kill you! How can you sit here 

enjoying with women while Lord Rämacandra is lamenting on 

Mälyavän Mountain?” 

Another day, Nityänanda spoke in anger to Paraçuräma, “O 

brähmaëa, I’m not at fault. Leave here at once.” 

Lord Nityänanda was thus absorbed in the mood of Lakñmaëa. 

The boys, unable to understand this, thought it was just 

a game. Another time, the boys took the role of five monkeys 

and the Lord took the role of Lakñmaëa. He asked, “Who are 

you monkeys, wandering in the forest? I am the servant of Lord 

Rämacandra. Please tell me who you are!” 

The boys replied: “We are wandering in fear of Bali. Please 

take us to Lord Rämacandra. We wish to take the dust of His 

lotus feet.” 

Nityänanda, in the role of Laksmana, embraced them and 

led them to Lord Rämacandra, where they all fell at His lotus 

feet. 

Once, the Lord enacted the pastime of killing Indrajit, the 

son of Rävaëa. Another day, in the mood of Lakñmaëa, He accepted 

defeat. They brought someone in the role of Vibhéñaëa 

before Lord Rämacandra, and Lord Räma crowned him as the 

King of Laìkä. 

One boy said, “I am mighty Rävaëa. Now I’ll release the 

çakti-çela weapon. Stop it if You can, Lakñmaëa!” 

Saying this, the boy threw a lotus flower at Lord Nityänanda, 

who in the mood of Lakñmaëa fell to the ground. After He fell 

unconscious, all the boys tried in vain to revive Him. When 

they found no symptom of life in the body of Lord Nityänanda, 

they all held their heads and cried. The Lord’s father and mother 

came running there and saw their son without a sign of life. They 

too fell senseless to the ground. Everyone who saw this tragedy 

was struck with wonder. As the boys described the entire incident, 

one person said, “I know why He’s unconscious. There’s a 

boy who is dressed as Hanumän. If he gives Nityänanda medicine, 

then He’ll be cured.” 

18 



Birth and Childhood Activities of Lord Nityänanda 

Before the play, the Lord had instructed His friends, “When 

I fall unconscious, you all surround Me and cry. After a while, 

send Hanumän for some medicine. I will be revived when he 

puts the medicine to My nose.” 

The Lord fell unconscious by His own sweet will, but this 

bewildered all the boys. Since everyone there was confused, 

they forgot the Lord’s instructions. They simply cried loudly, “O 

brother, please get up!” 

Hearing the people’s comments, the boys remembered Lord 

Nityänanda’s order and the boy dressed as Hanumän immediately 

went for the medicine. Another boy who was dressed as a 

renunciate welcomed Hanumän with fruits and roots. He said to 

Hanumän, “My dear sir, please stay and grace my äçrama. It’s a 

wonderful fortune to meet such a person as you.” 

“I must go and complete my important mission.” Hanumän 

replied. “I’d like to stay, but I cannot delay. You must have heard 

that Lakñmaëa, the younger brother of Lord Rämacandra, is 

unconscious from the çakti-çela weapon of Rävaëa. I’m on my 

way to Gandhamädana Hill to bring medicine. Only then He’ll 

survive.” 

The renunciate then said: “If you must go, first take a bath 

and have something to eat.” 

The two boys repeated whatever Lord Nityänanda had instructed 

them. Everyone gazed at them in astonishment as they 

listened to their dialogue. On the request of the renunciate, 

Hanumän went to take a bath in the lake where another boy 

grabbed hold of his feet. The boy playing a crocodile tried to pull 

Hanumän into the water, but Hanumän pulled the boy onto the 

shore. After a short fight, Hanumän defeated the crocodile. On 

returning to the renunciate’s äçrama, Hanumän saw a mighty 

warrior. A boy dressed as a Räkñasa tried to swallow Hanumän. 

He challenged, 

“You defeated the crocodile, but how will you defeat me? I 

will eat you. Then how will you revive Lakñmaëa?” 

Hanumän replied: “Your Rävaëa’s a dog! I think him most 

insignificant. Get out of my way.” 

After first exchanging some harsh words, Hanumän and 

the Räkñasa began pulling each other’s hair. Finally, they be- 

19 




gan striking each other with their fists. After swiftly defeating 

the demon, Hanumän went to Gandhamädana Hill. There he 

fought with some boys dressed as Gandharvas. After defeating 

the Gandharvas, Hanumän took Gandhamädana Hill on his 

head to Laìkä. Another boy playing a doctor meditated on Lord 

Räma as he held the medicine to Lakñmaëa’s nose. At that very 

moment, Lord Nityänanda came to His senses. His parents and 

others smiled in relief. Häòäi Paëòita embraced his son and all 

the boys were overjoyed. 

Everyone asked, “Dear son, where have You learned all 

these plays?” 

“These are all My pastimes,” The Lord smilingly said. 

In His early childhood, the Lord was most attractive. No one 

wanted Him to leave his lap. Everyone had more affection for 

Lord Nityänanda than for his own son, but none could recognize 

Him due to the influence of Lord Viñëu’s illusory energy. 

In His childhood, Lord Nityänanda had no other happiness 

than enjoying the pastimes of Lord Kåñëa. All His friends left 

their parents to constantly sport in the company of the Lord. I 

offer repeated obeisances at the feet of those boys who enjoyed 

the association of Lord Nityänanda. From His childhood, Lord 

Nityänanda had no interest other than enacting the pastimes 

of Lord Kåñëa. Who can describe the pastimes of Lord Ananta? 

They are only manifest to one who has received His mercy. 

Accepting Çré Caitanya and Çré Nityänanda Prabhu as my 

life and soul, I, Våndävana däsa, sing the glories of Their lotus 

feet. 

20 



CHAPTER TWO 

Lord Nityänanda’s Traveling to the Holy Places 

Lord Nityänanda enjoyed His pastimes at the house of 

Häòäi Paëòita for some time. Then, He decided to leave 

home. However, from fear of separation, His mother and father 

were unable to allow Him to leave. If His mother Padmavaté did 

not see Him for a moment, she felt this as more than a yuga. His 

father felt the same. Fearful of His leaving, Häòäi Paëòita never 

went anywhere. Whether he went to the field for farming, or 

to the temple, or the market, or anywhere else, Häòäi Paëòita 

repeatedly looked back at Lord Nityänanda, so that He might 

not leave home. Häòäi Paëòita embraced Lord Nityänanda 

again and again, and the Lord’s butter-soft body merged in 

His father’s. Häòäi went everywhere with Lord Nityänanda. 

Häòäi Paëòita’s life and soul was Lord Nityänanda and Lord 

Nityänanda’s body was Häòäi Paëòita’s. Lord Nityänanda is the 

indwelling Supersoul of everyone. Knowing all this, He tried to 

give pleasure to His father. 

21 




One day, by providence, a very attractive sannyäsé came 

to Häòäi Paëòita’s house. Knowing the etiquette for receiving 

guests, Häòäi Paëòita welcomed the sannyäsé and happily fed 

him. Lord Nityänanda and His father spent the whole night 

discussing topics of Lord Kåñëa with the sannyäsé. In the early 

morning, the sannyäsé was about to leave. He then spoke to 

Häòäi Paëòita: “I would like to request something from you.” 

“Please tell me whatever it is that you desire,” replied Häòäi 

Paëòita. 

“I wish to travel to the holy places,” the sannyäsés said, “but 

I don’t have a good brähmaëa companion. Will you please give 

me your eldest son for a few days? I’ll take good care of Him, 

treating Him as being dearer than my own life, and at the same 

time, He’ll be able to visit all the holy places.” 

Hearing the words of the sannyäsé, pure-hearted Häòäi 

Paëòita felt intense distress. He thought, “This sannyäsé has 

begged for my very life. At the same time, if I refuse his request, 

I’ll be ruined. It is a well known fact that in the past many pious 

men became glorious by offering their lives to satisfy mendicant 

sannyäsés. Lord Rämacandra was the life and soul of King 

Daçaratha. The holy sage Viçvämitra asked Daçaratha to give 

him his son. The Puräëas say that although King Daçaratha 

was unable to live without Lord Rämacandra, he still offered 

Him to the sage. Today, the same thing has happened to me. O 

Kåñëa, please protect me from this dilemma. The same situation 

is here, so why should I not have the same mind as Daçaratha? 

Lakñmaëa has now appeared in my family as Nityänanda.” 

Thinking like this, the brähmaëa, Häòäi Paëòita, went before 

his wife and explained the situation to her in detail. Hearing 

of the dilemma from her husband, the chaste Padmavaté, 

the mother of the universe, said, “My lord, do what you think is 

best. That is my opinion.” 

Häòäi Paëòita then came before the sannyäsé and, with 

his head bent down, offered him his son. Taking Nityänanda 

with him, the sannyäsé dep a r te d . I n t h i s w ay, L ord Nit y ä- 

nanda left home. As soon as Lord Nityänanda left home, 

Häòäi Paëòita fell senseless to the ground. Who can describe 

the lamentation and crying of Haòai Paëòita? Even wood and 

22 




stone melted hearing his lamentation. Häòäi became stunned 

due to his absorption in devotional mellows and people began 

to say that he had become a madman. He did not eat 

any grain for three months. He survived only by the mercy of 

Lord Kåñëa. 

It is natural that, due to attachment, both the Lord and 

His servants are unable to leave one another. This is the inconceivable 

nature of the Lord and the Vaiñëavas. Lord Kapila 

manifested indifference and left His widowed mother Devahüti. 

Çukadeva Gosvämé left his Vaiñëava father, Çréla Vyäsadeva, 

without even looking back. Lord Caitanya, the crest-jewel among 

sannyäsés, left home, leaving His mother Çacé-devé alone. From 

the spiritual point of view, such leaving is never actual leaving. 

Some intelligent persons will understand this. 

All these pastimes are performed for the deliverance of 

the fallen souls. Hearing of such pastimes melts even stones. If 

even a Muslim hears of such pastimes, as the lamentation of 

Lord Rämacandra when He lost Sétä, he will certainly cry. Lord 

Nityänanda Prabhu left home, wandering to the holy places by His 

own sweet will and ecstasy. The Lord first went to Vakreçvara, 

and then He went alone to Vaidyanätha. From Vaidyanätha, he 

went to Gayä and then to Käçé, the abode of Lord Çiva where 

the Ganges flows towards the north. 

Lord Nityänanda was extremely pleased to see the Ganges. 

He took bath and drank some water, yet this could not relieve 

His grief. In the month of Mägha (January), the Lord took early 

morning baths at Prayäga. Then He went to Mathurä, His former 

birthplace. Lord Nityänanda sported in the waters of the 

River Yamunä at Viçräma-ghäöa. Then He went with great curiosity 

to see Govardhana Hill. He visited each of the twelve 

forests, beginning with Våndävana. When He saw the house 

and courtyard of Nanda Mahäräja at Gokula, He sat down and 

cried profusely. 

After offering His obeisances to Madana-Gopäla, Lord 

Nityänanda left for Hastinäpura, the abode of the Päëòavas. 

Seeing the Päëòavas’ home, He began to cry. The local people, 

due to lack of devotion, were unable to understand the Lord’s 

sentiments. Remembering Lord Balaräma’s glorious activities in 

23 




Hastinäpura, He called out, “O Haladhara, please save Me!” and 

then offered obeisances. 

Nityananda Prabhu then went to Dvärakä, where He joyfully 

took bath in the ocean. He next went to Siddhapura, the 

place of Lord Kapila. Then He went to Matsya-tértha, where 

He served prasäda at a festival. He then visited Çiva-käïci and 

neighboring Viñëukäïci. He smiled when He saw the followers 

of Lord Viñëu and Lord Çiva quarreling with each other. 

He also visited Kurukñetra, Påthüdaka, Bindu-sarovara, 

Prabhäsa, and Sudarçana-tértha. He then visited the exalted 

holy place called Trita-küpa. He went to Viçäla, Brahma-tértha, 

and Cakra-tértha. The Lord visited Pratisrotä, where the Sarasvaté 

River flows in the opposite direction. The most magnanimous 

Lord Nityänanda then went to Naimiñäraëya. He next 

visited the city of Ayodhyä, where He cried upon seeing the 

birthplace of Lord Räma. 

From Ayodhya, He proceeded to Caëòäla-Guhaka’s kingdom, 

where He fell unconscious. By remembering the activities 

of Caëòäla-Guhaka, Lord Nityänanda remained in an ecstatic 

trance for three days. Seeing the forest where Lord Rämacandra 

had resided, He rolled on the ground in separation. He then 

went to both the Sarayü and Kauçiké rivers and took bath. He 

saw the äçrama of Pulastya Åñi and next took bath in the Gomaté, 

Gaëòaké, and Çoëa rivers. He also climbed to the top of 

Mahendra Mountain. There He offered obeisances to Lord Paraçuräma. 

He then visited Haridvära, the source of the Ganges. 

The Lord took bath in the Pampä, Bhémarathi, Veëvä, and 

Vipäçä rivers. 

After seeing Kärttikeya at Madurai, the most intelligent 

Lord Nityänanda went to Çré Çaila, the abode of Çiva and Pärvaté. 

Çiva and Pärvaté live on this mountain in the form of a 

brähmaëa couple. When Lord Nityänanda arrived there, Çiva 

and Pärvaté understood that their most worshipable Lord was 

wandering on pilgrimage as a mendicant. Most satisfied to receive 

such a guest, Pärvaté happily cooked for the Lord. They 

fed the Lord with loving affection and Lord Nityänanda smiled 

and offered them His respects. Only Lord Kåñëa knows about 

their confidential discussions. 

24 




Lord Nityänanda then continued His journey, going to 

Draviòa-deça. The Lord visited Veìkaöanätha, Kämakoñöhé 

Puri, Käïcé, and the River Käveré. There the Lord visited the 

sacred place of Çré Raìganätha. Then He went to Hari-kñetra, 

Åñabha Mountain, Madurai, and the Kåtamälä, Tämraparëé, 

and Uttara Yamunä rivers. He visited the äçrama of Agastya 

Åñi in the Malaya Hills. The residents there were all jubilant 

to see the Lord. The Lord stayed as a guest in their äçrama and 

then departed in deep ecstasy for Badarikäçrama. 

Lord Nityänanda stayed in seclusion for some days at the 

äçrama of Nara-Näräyäëa Åñis. He went to the äçrama of Çréla 

Vyäsadeva, who recognized that He was Lord Balaräma. Çréla 

Vyäsadeva personally received Lord Nityänanda as a guest, and 

the Lord offered His obeisances to him. The Lord then visited 

a Buddhist monastery where He found the residents all sitting 

together. The Lord asked a question, but no one replied. Becoming 

angry with them, the Lord kicked them in the head. They 

all simply smiled and ran away. 

Lord Nityänanda thus fearlessly continued His travels 

through the forest. He eventually arrived in Kanyä-kumäré. After 

seeing Goddess Durgä there, He went to see the Southern 

Ocean. He then went to Anantapura, and thereafter, He went 

to Païcäpsarä-kuëòa. He next visited the temple of Lord Çiva 

known as Gokarëa. He visited Kerala and the various places 

in Trigarta. He also visited Goddess Pärvaté, who dwells on an 

island near Gokarëa. The Lord then visited the Nirvindhyä, 

Payoñëé, and Täpi rivers. He went to the city of Mähiñmaté on 

the banks of the Revä River and saw Malla-tértha. The Lord 

then passed through the holy district of Sürpäraka on His way 

to the West. 

In ecstasy, Nityänanda Prabhu traveled in this way without 

fear of anyone. He had no control over His body due to ecstatic 

love for Kåñëa. Sometimes He cried and sometimes He laughed. 

Who could understand His ecstatic moods? 

Accepting Çré Caitanya and Nityänanda Prabhu as my life 

and soul, I, Våndävana däsa, sing the glories of Their lotus feet. 

25 





CHAPTER THREE 


Çrépad Mädhavendra Puré 

As Lord Nityänanda traveled, by the will of providence 

He met Çré Mädhavendra Puré. The body of Çré Mädhavendra 

Puré was imbued with ecstatic love of God and his followers 

shared the same sentiments. He did not relish anything 

other than loving sentiments for Lord Kåñëa, who enjoyed performing 

pastimes in the body of Mädhavendra Puré. What can I 

say about the devotion of he who was the spiritual master of Çré 

Advaita Äcärya? 

Seeing Mädhavendra Puré, Nityananda Prabhu at once fell 

unconscious onto the ground, stunned in ecstatic prema. Seeing 

Lord Nityänanda, Mädhavendra Puré forgot himself and also fell 

unconscious. Çré Gauracandra repeatedly said that Çré Mädhavendra 

Puré is the original root of worship in ecstatic love. After 

both Lord Nityänanda and Mädhavendra Puré swooned, the 

disciples, headed by Éçvara Puri, began to cry. 

27 




Recovering after some time, Lord Nityänanda and 

Mädhavendra Puré embraced each other and cried. Overwhelmed 

by ecstatic love for Kåñëa, they rolled on the sand and 

cried out loudly. The tears of love flowing from their eyes like 

rain soaked mother Earth, making her feel gratified. Shivering, 

shedding of tears, and the hair of their bodies standing on end, 

as well as other ecstatic symptoms manifested themselves one 

after another endlessly. This ecstasy was caused by Lord Kåñëa 

personally residing in their bodies. 

Lord Nityänanda said, “The results of visiting all the holy 

places of pilgrimage have now born fruit. Today I have seen the 

lotus feet of Mädhavendra Puré. Seeing his ecstatic love of God, 

My life has become successful.” 

Çré Mädhavendra Puré embraced Nityänanda Prabhu but 

was unable to reply because his throat was choked up due to ecstatic 

love. Mädhavendra Puré was so pleased that he was unable 

to release Nityänanda Prabhu from his embrace. Éçvara Puré, 

Brahmänanda Puré, and all the other disciples of Mädhavendra 

Puré felt intense attachment for Nityänanda Prabhu. They had 

met many sädhus, but never before had they seen such symptons 

of prema. Feeling distress at the thought of mixing with materialistic 

people, they had wandered in the forests. But now, after 

meeting Lord Nityänanda, their distress was relieved and their 

kåñëa-prema was aroused. 

Nityänanda Prabhu traveled for some time with Mädhavendra 

Puré, relishing kåñëa-kathä. The qualities of Mädhavendra 

Puré were most wonderful. He would swoon just by seeing a dark 

cloud. Out of love for Kåñëa, he laughed and cried throughout 

the day and night, shouting, “Haya! Haya!” like a drunkard. 

Lord Nityänanda was intensely absorbed in His loving sentiments 

for Govinda. He laughed loudly, swaying to and fro. 

Mädhavendra Puré’s disciples constantly chanted the holy name 

of Lord Hari, seeing the extraordinary symptoms of love manifested 

by Nityänanda Prabhu and Mädhavendra Puré. The two 

forgot whether it was day or night in their absorption of ecstatic 

love of Kåñëa. 

Although remaining together for a number of days, Nityänanda 

Prabhu and Mädhavendra Puré felt that period to be as hardly a mo- 

28 



Lord Nityänanda’s Meeting with Çrépad Mädhavendra Puré 

ment. Who knows all that took place between the Lord and Mädhavendra 

Puré? Only Kåñëa knows! Unable to give up the company 

of Nityänanda Prabhu, Mädhavendra Puré constantly remained 

with Him. 

mädhavendra bale ‘prema nä dekhilun kathä 

sei mora sarvatértha hena prema yathä 

jänilu kåñëera kåpä ache mora prati 

nityänanda hena bandhu päinu saàhati 

ye se stäne yadi nityänanda saìga haya 

sei stäna sarvatértha vaikuëöhädi maya 

nityänanda hena bhakta çunile çravane 

avaçya päiba kåñëacandra sei jane 

nityänanda yächära tilaka dveña rahe 

bhakta haile o se kåñëera priya nahe’ 

Mädhavendra Puré said, “I’ve never seen such ecstatic 

love. Wherever there is such prema is my favorite 

holy place. I know Kåñëa has given me His mercy 

because He has given me such a friend as Nityänanda. 

Wherever one finds Nityänanda’s company is the most 

sacred and transcendental place. That devotee who 

hears the name of Nityänanda will certainly attain the 

lotus feet of Kåñëacandra. If one has the slightest envy 

for Nityänanda, Kåñëa never favors him even if he’s a 

devotee.” 

Mädhavendra Puré exhibited great affection for Lord 

Nityänanda throughout the day and night with his speech 

and deeds. Nityänanda Prabhu considered Mädhavendra Puré 

to be nothing other than His guru. These two vastly learned 

personalities did not know whether it was day or night due to 

their ecstatic love for Kåñëa. After staying together for some 

days, Nityänanda Prabhu left for Setubandha (Rämeçvaram) 

and Mädhavendra Puré went to see the Sarayü River. In their absorption 

for love of Kåñëa, both Lord Nityänanda and Mädhavendra 

Puré forgot their bodies. Feelings of separation for the Lord maintain 

a devotee’s life. Otherwise, how could one tolerate such intense 

29 




feelings? Whoever hears about the meeting of Lord Nityänanda 

and Mädhavendra Puré will certainly achieve the wealth of love 

for Kåñëa. 

After traveling in an ecstatic mood for some days, Lord Nityänanda 

arrived at Setubandha. After taking bath at Dhanustértha, 

He went to see Lord Rämeçvara. Lord Nityänanda next 

went to Vijayanagara. He visited the Mäyäpuré, Avanti, and 

Godävaré rivers, and then went to the abode of Jiyaòa Nåsiàha. 

He visited Tirimalla and Kürma-kñetra, and eventually arrived at 

Jagannätha Puri to see Lord Jagannätha, the Lord of Néläcala. 

As He approached Çré Néläcala, Lord Nityänanda fell unconscious 

after seeing the flag atop the temple. He saw Lord 

Jagannätha as the source of the catur-vyüha: Väsudeva, Saìkarñaëa, 

Pradyumna and Aniruddha. Immediately upon seeing Lord 

Jagannätha, Lord Nityänanda fell into a trance of ecstatic love 

so that His hair stood on end. When He recovered his senses, 

He fell to the floor. Ecstatic symptoms of love of Krishna, such 

as shivering of the body, perspiring, crying, swooning, and loud 

roaring manifested in His body. 

After remaining at Néläcala for some time, Nityänanda 

Prabhu departed in great jubilation for Gaìgä-sägara. Who can 

describe the Lord’s pilgrimage? I have only written briefly about 

it by His mercy. After visiting many more holy places, Nityänanda 

Prabhu returned to Mathurä. He remained in Våndävana, 

being so absorbed in thought of Kåñëa that He was unable to 

tell whether it was day or night. He did not eat, but occasionally 

drank some milk if someone offered it to Him. 

Nityänanda Prabhu knew very well that Lord Gauracandra 

was residing in Navadvépa. He thought to Himself, “I will go and 

serve Lord Gauräìga when He manifests His opulence.” 

Nityänanda Prabhu therefore did not go to Navadvépa immediately, 

but remained at Mathurä. He regularly enjoyed sporting 

in the water of the Yamunä and playing with the children in 

Våndävana. Although Lord Nityänanda is omnipotent, He did 

not distribute devotional service to the Lord at that time. 

yabe gauracandra prabhu kariba prakäça 

ta’ra se äjïäya bhaktidänera viläsa 

30 



Lord Nityänanda’s Meeting with Çrépad Mädhavendra Puré 

“When Lord Gauracandra manifests His opulence, 

then I will begin to distribute bhakti on His order.” 

The devotees of Lord Caitanya did not like to do anything 

without His order, but this did not diminish their glories in the 

least. Brahmä, Ananta, Çiva, and other demigods create, maintain, 

and destroy by the order of Lord Caitanya. Sinners who do 

not like to hear such things are not fit to be seen by Vaiñëavas. 

Just see for yourself how Lord Nityänanda Prabhu blessed the 

people of this universe with the treasure of prema. Nityänanda 

Räya is the foremost devotee of Lord Caitanya because the 

glories of Lord Caitanya always dance on His tongue. Day and 

night Lord Nityänanda chants the glories of Lord Caitanya. 

When one worships Lord Nityänanda, he surely attains devotion 

for Lord Caitanya. 

All glories to Nityänanda Räya, the first manifestation of 

Lord Caitanya! The glories of Lord Caitanya became manifest 

only by the mercy of Lord Nityänanda. One becomes attached 

to Lord Nityänanda by the mercy of Lord Caitanya. One who 

knows Lord Nityänanda never faces any adversities. Those who 

wish to cross the ocean of material existence and drown in the 

ocean of devotional service must worship Nitäicända. 

Someone said, “Nityänanda is just like Balaräma.” 

Another person said: “He is most dear to Lord Caitanya.” 

Someone may consider Lord Nityänanda to be a sannyäsé, 

someone may consider Him a devotee, or someone may consider 

Him a jïäné. They may all say whatever they like. Even if Lord 

Nityänanda were the most insignificant servant of Lord Caitanya, 

I would still keep His lotus feet in my heart. Therefore, I 

kick the head of any sinner who disregards the glories of Lord 

Nityänanda and dares to criticize Him. If you find any follower 

of Lord Caitanya apparently saying something bad about Lord 

Nityänanda, you should know that what he said is actually glorification. 

Vaiñëavas are always pure and full of knowledge. So, if there 

is ever any quarrel between them, know it simply to be part of 

their pastimes. If a person takes the side of one Vaiñëava and 

criticizes another, he will certainly be vanquished. Anyone who 

31 




follows Lord Nityänanda without finding fault in Him will surely 

attain the shelter of Çré Gauracandra. 

When will that day come when I will see Lord Caitanya and 

Lord Nityänanda surrounded by Their devotees? Let me serve 

Lord Gauracandra under the instructions of Lord Nityänanda, 

who is my worshipable Lord in all respects. All glories to the Supreme 

Lord, Çré Gauräìga! I beg for Your mercy so that my mind 

may remain absorbed in the lotus feet of You both. Nityänanda 

Räya is Your greatest devotee. No one can attain Him without 

Your sanction. 

Lord Nityänanda wandered about in the forests of Våndävana 

until Lord Gauracandra displayed His opulences. Whoever 

hears these descriptions of Lord Nityänanda’s visit to the 

holy places will certainly attain the treasure of divine prema. 



END OF ÄDI LÉLÄ 

32 



MADHYA-LÉLÄ 



CHAPTER ONE 


Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu 

All glories to Çré Kåñëa Caitanya and all glories to Çré 

Nityänanda! All glories to Çré Advaita Äcärya and all 

glories to all the devotees of Çré Gaura! All glories to the Lord, 

who is the life and soul of Narahari and Gadädhara! O Lord, 

please glance mercifully upon me. All glories to Çré Gauräìga, 

along with His devotees! If one hears the topics of Lord Nityänanda, 

he will certainly achieve pure devotional service. 

The topics of Madhya-khaëòa are pure nectar. Hearing 

them destroys one’s atheistic mentality. Please behold beautiful 

Lord Nityänanda to your eyes’ full satisfaction. He is personified 

love and affection for Lord Gauräìga. Lord Nityänanda’s limbs 

are filled with transcendental mellows for Lord Gauräìga. 

Speaking in a faltering voice and unable to walk properly, 

Lord Nityänanda resided in Våndävana. Meanwhile, Çré Gauracandra 

revealed Himself in Navadvépa. Lord Gauräìga constantly 

performed saìkértana in great ecstasy. He felt distressed, 

35 




however, not seeing Lord Nityänanda. Lord Nityänanda could 

understand the manifestation of Lord Gauracandra. He resided 

in Våndävana, waiting for this auspicious moment. Understanding 

that His Lord had revealed Himself, Lord Nityänanda immediately 

went to Navadvépa and stayed at the house of Nandana 

Äcärya 2 . 

Nandana Äcärya was a mahä-bhägavata, a pure devotee of 

the Lord. He saw Lord Nityänanda, who is non-different from 

Lord Balaräma, as being as effulgent as the sun. Lord Nityänanda 

was dressed as an avadhüta, or mendicant. He possessed a very attractive 

body. He was always in a deep and sober mood. Lord 

Nityänanda chanted the holy names of Kåñëa throughout 

the day and night. He was the abode of Lord Caitanya’s mercy 

within the three worlds. He often shouted loudly because of His 

ecstasy, being maddened with love of God. 

The enchanting beauty of His face defeated millions of 

moons. His sweet smile enlivened all the people of the world. 

His beautiful brilliant teeth were just like rows of pearls, and 

His two broad lotus eyes increased the beauty of His face. His 

hands reached to His knees and His chest was very broad. His 

lotus feet were expert in walking. Lord Nityänanda spoke to 

everyone with burning compassion. Hearing the words from 

His lotus mouth completely destroyed one’s bondage to fruitive 

activities. 

When Nityananda Prabhu arrived in Nadia, all the people 

there began to chant, “Jaya Jaya!” Who is so expert to describe 

Lord Nityänanda’s glories? It is Lord Nityänanda who broke the 

sannyäsa daëòa of Lord Gaurasundara. It is He who enlivened 

all the fallen foolish traders of Bengal. If anyone simply chants 

His holy names, he will certainly be purified. Seeing Lord 

Nityänanda, Nandana Äcärya became very happy. He 

offered Him lunch and kept Him at his house. Whoever hears 

2 Nandana Äcärya was the son of Caturbhuja Paëòita, a resident 

of Navadvépa. Çrémän Mahäprabhu, Çré Nityänanda Prabhu and Çré 

Advaita Prabhu stayed at his house during the course of Their pastimes. 

36 



Lord Nityänanda’s Meeting with Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu 

about Lord Nityänanda’s arrival at Navadvépa will certainly obtain 

the treasure of love and devotion. 

Aware of Lord Nityänanda’s arrival in Navadvépa, Çré Viçvambhara 

became extremely happy within His heart. The Lord 

had already, on some pretext or other, disclosed the news of 

Nityänanda Prabhu’s arrival to the Vaiñëavas. However, none of 

them could understand the meaning of His words. Lord Viçvambhara 

had said, “Within a day or two, an exalted personality 

will come here.” 

By providence, Lord Nityänanda arrived at Navadvépa that 

very day. Lord Viçvambhara, after completing His worship of 

Lord Viñëu, came and sat with the Vaiñëavas. The Lord said 

to everyone, “Today I had a wonderful dream. I saw a beautiful 

chariot, bedecked with an auspicious flag, came and stop near 

My door. Seated upon that chariot was a remarkable personality. 

He carried a large plough on His shoulder, and He appeared 

very restless. He had a stick tucked into His clothing, and He 

carried a pitcher in His left hand. He was dressed in blue garments, 

and a blue cädara covered His chest. A wonderful earring 

hung from His left ear. By His features, I assume He is none 

other than Haladhara Balaräma. 

“He repeatedly asked, ‘Is this the house of Nimäi Paëòita?’ 

“I have never seen such a noble and powerful personality. 

He was effulgent and He was dressed as an avadhüta, or mendicant. 

I was struck with wonder just by seeing Him. I asked Him, 

‘Who are you?’ He smilingly replied, ‘I am Your brother. We will 

meet tomorrow and get to know one another.’ By hearing His 

words, My happiness increased. I consider Myself as being very 

similar to that personality.” 

Speaking like this, Lord Caitanya became absorbed in 

an ecstatic trance and began to roar loudly in the mood of 

Haladhara Balaräma. The Lord demanded, “Bring Me wine!” 

His loud voice almost shattered the ears of everyone present. 

Çréväsa Paëòita then said, “Please listen, O Gosäi! The wine 

that You are asking for is right here in front of You. Only those 

You give it to can relish it.” 

All the devotees remained trembling at a distant place. They 

all thought there must be some reason behind the Lord’s actions. The 

37 




lotus-eyed Lord loudly talked in a way that appeared incoherent. 

He smiled and moved His body to and fro in the mood of 

Saìkarñaëa. After a short while, the Lord returned to external 

consciousness. 

Explaining the meaning of His dream, The Lord was in the 

mood of Balaräma. The Lord said, “I have a feeling in My heart 

that some holy personality has arrived at Navadvépa. I already 

told all of you that we would meet Him soon. O Haridäsa, O 

Çréväsa Paëòita, go and find out who has come and where He 

has come from.” 

By the order of the Lord, both pure devotees (Haridäsa 

Öhäkura 3 and Çréväsa Paëòita 4 ) happily wandered throughout 

the town, searching all over Navadvépa for Lord Nityänanda. 

While wandering here and there, they happily talked to one 

another. They considered that Lord Saìkarñaëa might have 

come. They happily wandered through the streets of Navadvépa, 

but were unable to receive any news. After searching the entire 

town of Navadvépa for nine hours, they returned to the Lord 

without success. 

Haridäsa Öhäkura and Çréväsa Paëòita humbly reported to 

the Lord: “We did not find the person You spoke of anywhere 

in Navadvépa. We looked in the houses of sannyäsés, Vaiñëavas, 

jïänis, and atheists. We saw all of Navadvépa, but did not go to 

villages outside Navadvépa.” 

Hearing them, Çré Gaurasundara began to smile. On the 

pretext of ordering the search, He showed that Lord Nityä- 

3 Haridäsa Öhäkura was a famous devotee of Lord Gauräìga. 

He was the combined form of Lord Brahmä, the creator, and Prahläda 

Mahäräja, the devotee among the demons. Haridäsa was born in a 

Muslim family in the village of Burdwan. He took initiation from Advaita 

Äcärya and spent some time at Çäntipura and Pulia. He was 

beaten in twenty-two market places by the Muslim king of Bengal. He 

participated in the pastimes of Lord Caitanya in Navadvépa. Later, he 

came to Jagannätha Puré, where he spent the rest of his life. He left is 

body by his own sweet will while looking at the face of Lord Caitanya 

Mahäprabhu. 

38 




nanda’s presence is most confidential. Some people glorify Lord 

Gauracandra, but as soon as they hear the name of Nityänanda, 

they get up and leave. This is just like one who worships Lord 

Govinda but does not respect Lord Çiva. For that offence, such a 

person will surely go to the abode of Yamaräja. The incarnation 

of Lord Nityänanda is most confidential. Without the consent 

of Lord Caitanya, no one can even see Him. If anyone criticizes 

Lord Nityänanda’s unfathomable qualities, even though he may 

possess devotion to Lord Kåñëa, such devotion will become obstructed. 

Devotees, headed by Çréväsa Paëòita, are fully conversant 

with the understanding of Lord Nityänanda. But because 

the Lord wants to enjoy pastimes, they could not find 

Him. 

Lord Caitanya then said with a smile, “Come with Me. Let 

us go see Him.” 

All the devotees joyfully went with the Lord while chanting, 

“All glories to Lord Kåñëa!” 

On the way, Lord Caitanya called out, “Muräri, Muräri! 

Have you not seen Avadhüta Nityänanda?” Saying this, He 

began to smile. He then said, “He’s now staying at Nandana 

Äcärya’s house. Come with Me, we are going there. I’m telling 

you the truth.” 

While walking, the Lord repeatedly chanted, “Hari Hari!” 

His entire body trembled, and His voice became choked. Five or 

seven lines of tears flowed from His eyes. The lustrous golden 

Lord was unable to walk. Sometimes He leaped five steps ahead 

like a powerful lion, and sometimes He looked behind like a mad 

elephant. Out of ecstasy, the Lord repeatedly made a loud sound 

again and again that was as grave as the rumbling of clouds. In 

this way, Çré Gaurasundara, along with His associates, finally 

reached the house of Nandana Äcärya. 

Thereafter, everyone saw a jewel-like personality sitting in 

the house of Nandana Äcärya. His effulgence was equal to that 

of millions of suns. He was sitting in His own mood, deeply absorbed 

in ecstatic meditation, smiling all the while. Aware that 

Lord Nityänanda was in a deep trance of pure devotion, Lord 

Viçvambhara and His associates offered obeisances. Everyone 

39 




stood aside with awe and reverence. No one said a word; they 

simply stared at Him. 

Mahäprabhu Viçvambhara then came before Nityänanda 

Prabhu, who at once understood His beloved and worshipable 

Lord was present. The form of Viçvambhara was as beautiful 

as that of Cupid. He wore attractive garments and was decorated 

with a flower garland. Sandalwood paste decorated His 

forehead. The luster of gold appeared most insignificant before 

the transcendental body of Lord Nityänanda. Even the moongod 

hankers to see His enchanting face. The Lord’s teeth resembled 

rows of pearls, and upon seeing His attractive hair, 

one would practically lose consciousness. While gazing at His 

two broad pinkish eyes, one wonders, “Are these lotus flowers?” 

His two long arms reached to His knees. A fine thin sacred 

thread beautified His broad chest. His forehead was wonderfully 

decorated with marks of tilaka and His body looked enchanting 

even without ornaments. His fingernails defeated the 

beauty of millions of jewels. His attractive smile was sweeter 

than nectar. 

Viçvambhara stood in front of Nityänanda Prabhu, who 

at once recognized the Lord of His heart. Nityänanda Prabhu, 

out of joy, became stunned with ecstasy. He stared at Lord 

Viçvambhara without blinking His eyes. He desired to lick 

Viçvambhara with His tongue and drink His beauty through 

His eyes. Nityänanda Prabhu desired to embrace Viçvambhara 

with His arms and smell Him with His nose, but He was simply 

stunned. No one could speak or move, being astonished. Lord 

Gauräìga, the life and soul of everyone, beheld the situation 

and began to invent ways to reveal Nityänanda Prabhu. 

With a gesture, the Lord instructed Çréväsa to recite a verse 

from Çrémad-Bhägavatam. Understanding the Lord’s intention, 

Çréväsa Paëòita at once recited a verse from Çrémad Bhägavatam 

glorifying Kåñëa’s attractive form. 

barhäpéòaà naöa-vara-vapuù karëayoù karëikäraà 

bibhrad väsaù kanaka-kapiçaà vaijayantéà ca mäläm 

randhrän veëor adhara-sudhayäpürayan gopa-våndair 

våndäraëyaà sva-pada-ramaëaà präviçad géta-kértiù 

40 




“Wearing a peacock feather ornament upon His 

head, blue karëikära flowers on His ears, a yellow garment 

as brilliant as gold, and the Vaijayanté garland, 

Lord Kåñëa exhibited His transcendental form as the 

greatest of dancers as He entered the forest of Våndävana, 

beautifying it with the marks of His footprints. 

He filled the holes of His flute with the nectar of His 

lips, and the cowherd boys sang His glories” (Çrémad- 

Bhägavatam 10.21.5) 

Upon hearing this verse, Nityänanda Prabhu fell to the 

ground unconscious. In great ecstasy, He remained inert as Lord 

Gauräìga urged Çréväsa to continue. Awaking after a short 

while, Nityänanda Prabhu began to cry. Repeatedly hearing 

the verses of Çrémad-Bhägavatam, He became maddened. He 

roared like a lion, and the sound shook the universe. He jumped 

into the air, and fell to the ground so forcefully that everyone 

thought His bones would break to pieces. What to speak of others, 

even the Vaiñëavas became afraid. They prayed, “O Kåñëa, 

please save Him! O Kåñëa, please save Him!” 

Nityänanda Prabhu rolled on the ground and His entire 

body became wet with tears. While gazing at the attractive form 

of Lord Viçvambhara, He breathed heavily. Sometimes He would 

laugh loudly, and sometimes He felt great happiness within His 

heart. Sometimes He danced, sometimes He clapped His hands, 

and sometimes He jumped with great force. 

How wonderful was Nityänanda Prabhu’s transcendental 

form! A golden effulgence emanated from His beautiful body. 

Brightly shining ornaments decorated His charming bodily 

limbs. Yellow cloth adorned His waist and He wore a cloth turban 

decorated with campaka flowers on His head. Tinkling ankle-bells 

sounded as He walked. Tears filled His deer-like eyes. 

His enchanting smile appeared as if lightening had fallen upon 

the earth. His captivating smile disturbed the chastity of women. 

His grave voice resembled the rumbling of a cloud. His roaring 

subdued the mad elephant in the form of Kali. He walked like 

an intoxicated elephant. Tears of love constantly flowed down 

His smiling face. 

41 




Overflooded with love of God, Nityänanda Prabhu’s body 

displayed symptoms of ecstatic love, including shivering, standing 

of the hair on end, and perspiration. He held a golden stick 

in His hand as He defeated the pride of Kali. His lotus-like palms 

were simply wonderful. He was decorated with armlets, bangles, 

a necklace, bracelets, and ankle-bells. His two earrings were as 

bright as the sun. He rolled upon the ground. Sometimes He 

stood up saying, “Please hold Me.” Then He would ask everyone, 

“Where is that cowherd boy, Känäi (Kåñëa).” 

Sometimes Nityänanda Prabhu uttered strange words and 

sometimes He cried or laughed. Sometimes He asked for honey 

and sometimes He praised His consort, Revaté. Sometimes He 

hopped. Sometimes He said one thing and the next moment 

something else. No one could understand what He said. The 

fragrance of His bodily limbs caused all young girls and even 

married women to leave their houses without hesitation. Nityänanda 

Prabhu fell on the ground to offer obeisances to Lord 

Viçvambhara and humbly offered Him prayers with sweet words. 

He fell at the lotus feet of His Lord. Both of Them tried to catch 

hold of each other’s feet. Both the Lords embraced each other 

and cried. 

Nityänanda Prabhu looked at Viçvambhara’s face and smilingly 

said, “Where were You? I searched the entire world but 

could not find any news of You. Finally, I heard that the son of 

Nanda Mahäräja is now living at Navadvépa in Gauòadeça, hiding 

His real identity. I have come here to catch this thief. Today, 

I have caught You. How will You escape?” 

Saying this, Nityänanda Prabhu began to laugh, cry, and 

dance. Lord Gauräìga also danced with Nityänanda. Seeing 

Lord Nityänanda’s ecstatic madness for Kåñëa, Gauracandra 

cried along with all the Vaiñëavas. The happiness of Nityänanda 

increased without limit. Although everyone tried to 

pacify Him, they were unable. When all the devotees failed 

to calm Him, Viçvambhara personally embraced Nityänanda 

Prabhu. As soon as Viçvambhara embraced Him, Nityänanda 

Prabhu surrendered His life to Him and remained motionless. 

Nityänanda Prabhu offered His life to Him to whom it belongs 

and thus fell on the lap of Lord Caitanya. 

42 




Lord Nityänanda floated on the water of Lord Caitanya’s 

love just as Lakñmaëa lay on the lap of Lord Rämacandra after 

being hit by the çakti weapon of Rävaëa. Lord Nityänanda 

swooned, being pierced by the arrows of love and devotion. 

Gauracandra cried along with Nityänanda as He lay on His lap. 

Both Lords felt an indescribable happiness. Their love and affection 

for each other was like that of Çré Räma and Lakñmaëa. 

There is no other comparison that can be made of the affection 

exhibited by Lord Gauracandra and Lord Nityänanda. 

After awhile, Lord Nityänanda regained His composure. 

All the devotees began to chant, “Hari! Hari!” Seeing Lord 

Nityänanda on the lap of Viçvambhara, Gadädhara smiled 

and thought, “This is contradictory! Lord Ananta always carries 

Viçvambhara on His lap. Today His pride has been smashed 

because He is on the lap of His Lord.” 

Gadädhara Paëòita knows the influence of Lord Nityänanda, 

and Nityänanda knows the heart of Gadädhara. Seeing 

Nityänanda Prabhu, the hearts of all the devotees became filled 

with ecstasy. Nityänanda and Gauracandra simply stared at 

one another without uttering a word. Tears flowed incessantly 

from Their eyes. Indeed, the tears from Their eyes flooded the 

earth. 

Lord Viçvambhara said, “Today is a very auspicious day for 

Me because I have witnessed pure devotional symptoms that are 

the essence of the four Vedas. This manifestation of shivering, 

incessant tears, and loud chanting is not possible for anyone 

except one who is empowered by the Lord. If one personally sees 

this manifestation of pure devotional service, Kåñëa will never 

reject him. I am firmly convinced that You are the full manifestation 

of the Lord’s energy. By worshiping You, a living entity 

achieves devotion to Lord Kåñëa. 

“You can purify the fourteen worlds. Your qualities are inconceivable, 

unfathomable, and confidential. There is no one 

existing who can defy You. You are the personification of love of 

Kåñëa, and the treasury of devotional service. If anyone meets 

You even for a moment, he will be delivered, even if he has committed 

millions of sins. I think Kåñëa has a desire to deliver Me. 

That is why He brought You to Me. By great fortune I have seen 

43 




Your lotus feet. By worshiping You, I will most surely obtain the 

treasure of love for Kåñëa.” 

Fully absorbed in ecstasy, the most enchanting Lord Gauräìga 

relentlessly offered prayers to Nityananda Prabhu. There 

were many talks between the two Lords, but most of them were 

accomplished with gestures. Lord Caitanya then said, “I am 

afraid to ask You. Where are You from?” 

The mentality of Nityänanda was very childish, and He 

was overwhelmed with intense ecstasy. He spoke like a restless 

boy. Lord Nityänanda knew the cause for the appearance of His 

Lord. He thus folded His hands and spoke very humbly. Hearing 

the words of Lord Caitanya, Lord Nityänanda felt shy. Then, 

He began to reveal His real identity, saying, “I have traveled to 

many holy places. I have seen all the holy places where Kåñëa 

performed His pastimes. However, I saw only the holy places, 

but I could not find Kåñëa. 

“I asked an exalted personality, ‘Why do I see only thorns? 

The places of the Lord’s pastimes are all empty and covered. 

Can you tell Me where Kåñëa went?’ That personality told Me 

that Kåñëa has gone to Bengal. He said that recently He was at 

Gaya but now had returned to Navadvépa. 

“I have heard that joyous saìkértana of the holy names is 

being performed in Nadia. Some people say that Lord Näräyaëa 

has appeared there. I have also heard that Nadia is famous for 

the deliverance of the fallen souls. So, being most sinful as I am, 

I have come here.” 

Lord Caitanya said, “We are all immensely fortunate to see a 

pure devotee like You. Today we are most satisfied, having seen 

the flow of Your tears of ecstasy.” 

Muräri smilingly said, “O Lord, we are confused by hearing 

words such as ‘Your’ and ‘Our’ that are spoken by You.” 

Çréväsa Paëòita said, “How can we understand Their dealings? 

This is similar to how it is hard to understand how Kåñëa 

and Çiva worship each other.” 

Gadädhara Paëòita 4 said, “O Çréväsa Paëòita, what you say is 

correct. Their qualities resemble that of Räma and Lakñmaëa.” 

4 Gadädhara Paëòita was born in a village called Bekti in 

44 




Someone else said, “Both of Them are just like two Cupids.” 

Others said, “They are just like Kåñëa and Balaräma.” 

Another person said, “I do not know much about Them, but 

I have a feeling that Ananta Çeña has taken shelter of the lap 

of Kåñëa.” 

Still others said, “They are just like the two friends, Kåñëa 

and Arjuna, in the way They exchanged great affection.” 

Someone said, “It appears that They are closely related to 

one another. Whatever They say to each other is done by gestures.” 

In this way, all the devotees happily described the glories of 

Lord Nityänanda and Lord Gauracandra. Anyone who hears 

about the meeting of Nitäicäìda with Gauracandra will no 

doubt be released from material bondage. 



Caööagräma. His father was Mädhava Miçra and his mother was Ratnavaté. 

He left his native village and came to reside at Navadvépa. 

After assisting Lord Gauräìga in His scholastic and saìkértana pastimes 

in Navadvépa, he came to Néläcala and engaged in the service 

of Çré Gopénätha. He entered into the eternal pastimes of the Lord 

after the disappearance of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu. Later on, Nayänanda, 

the son of Väëénätha, who was the brother of Gadädhara, 

took the Gopénätha Deity that hung around Gadädhara’s neck, as 

well as Gadädhara’s Bhagavad-gétä, and installed them in a temple 

at Bhäratapüra. Çré Gadädhara Paëòita was a manifestation of Çré 

Rädhä combined with Rukmiëé and Lakñmé. 

45 





CHAPTER TWO 

Lord Nityänanda’s Stay With Çréväsa and 

His Vyäsa-püjä Ceremony 

Discussing topics of Kåñëa in the association of Lord 

Nityänanda overwhelmed all the devotees. All of 

them were pure devotees and most magnanimous. They remained 

intoxicated, drinking the nectar of Kåñëa’s topics and 

shouted loudly in ecstasy. Nityänanda Prabhu smiled and looked 

all around as the devotees shed tears of joy. Seeing Nityänanda, 

Mahäprabhu Viçvambhara was extremely pleased. He said to 

Lord Nityänanda, “Listen, O Çrépäda Nityänanda Gosäi, where 

will You perform Vyäsa-püjä? Tomorrow is the auspicious full 

moon day when one offers special worship to Çréla Vyäsadeva. 

Consider this matter and let us know.” 

Nityänanda Prabhu understood the intention of the Lord. 

He caught hold of Çréväsa Paëòita’s hand and brought him before 

Lord Viçvambhara. Nityänanda smilingly said, “Listen, Viçvambhara. 

I will perform Vyäsa-püjä at this brähmaëa’s house.” 

47 




Lord Viçvambhara then said to Çréväsa, “You have been entrusted 

with a very heavy responsibility.” 

Çréväsa Paëòita replied, “This is not at all difficult for me. 

By Your mercy, everything is available at my house. All the necessary 

items, such as cloth, fragrant flowers, a sacred thread, 

ghee, betel nuts, and pän leaves are there in my house. I will 

only have to borrow a book that describes how to perform the 

Vyäsa-püjä ceremony. With great fortune, I will celebrate Vyäsapüjä 

tomorrow.” 

Hearing the words of Çréväsa Paëòita, Mahäprabhu was very 

pleased and all the Vaiñëavas happily chanted the holy names of 

Lord Hari. Lord Viçvambhara then said, “Listen, Çrépäda Gosäi. 

Please give Me permission so that we can all go to Çréväsa 

Paëòita’s house.” 

Nityänanda Prabhu was very happy to hear these words 

of the Lord. Thereafter, they all started for the house of 

Çréväsa Paëòita. Nityänanda and Viçvambhara, along with all 

the devotees, exactly resembled Balaräma and Kåñëa surrounded 

by the cowherd boys of Gokula. As soon as they entered Çréväsa 

Paëòita’s house, everyone felt boundless happiness within his 

heart. The Lord ordered them to lock the main entrance of 

Çréväsa Paëòita’s house. He allowed no one except the relatives 

of Çréväsa Paëòita to remain inside. The Lord then said to begin 

kértana. Everyone began an ecstatic kértana and thus lost 

external consciousness. Both Lords jubilantly danced while the 

devotees sang around Them. 

Çré Caitanya and Çré Nityänanda, who are eternally absorbed 

in love for each other, danced together while meditating 

on one another. 

Someone loudly shouted, someone else roared, another person 

fell senseless to the ground, and others simply cried. Symptoms 

of ecstasy, such as shivering, perspiration, the standing of 

the hair on end, and being unconscious due to love of God, were 

visible on the bodies of the two Lords. The two Lords danced, 

absorbed in Their own happiness. Sometimes They embraced 

and sometimes They cried. Both of Them tried to catch the other’s 

feet, but neither attained success. They both rolled on the 

ground in infinite happiness. They forgot Themselves, absorbed 

48 



Lord Nityänanda’s Stay With Çréväsa and His Vyäsa-püjä Ceremony 

in Their internal moods. They became absorbed in an ecstatic 

trance so that They became unmindful of Their clothing. The 

Vaiñëavas tried to quiet Them, but failed in all their attempts. 

Who can hold Those who hold the three worlds? Both Lords 

were intoxicated due to relishing the kértana. 

“Chant more! Chant more!” Çré Gaurasundara loudly exclaimed. 

His entire body became wet due to His tears of ecstasy. 

Fulfilling His desire to be with Nityänanda, Lord Caitanya lost 

all external awareness and floated on the ocean of bliss. The 

dancing of Viçvambhara was so astonishing that while dancing, 

His lotus feet would often touch His head. 

As Lord Nityänanda danced, the earth shook. All the Vaiñëavas 

thought there were earthquakes. The two Lords thus 

danced in ecstasy. Who can describe Their happiness? To reveal 

the glories of Lord Nityänanda, Lord Viçvambhara suddenly 

climbed on the throne of Lord Viñëu in the mood of Lord 

Balaräma. The Lord, overwhelmed by the mood of Balaräma, 

repeatedly demanded, “Bring wine, bring wine!” 

“Give me a plough and club right away!” Çré Gaurasundara 

said to Çré Nityänanda. Instructed by Lord Caitanya, Lord Nityänanda 

placed something in His hands, and He accepted it. 

Some of the devotees saw only the movements of hands and 

nothing else. Someone directly saw the plough and club. Only 

one who favored by the Lord can understand Him. Others, even 

if they see the Lord, cannot recognize Him. This is a very confidential 

pastime. Only a few persons were that were favored by 

Lord Nityänanda were able to perceive it. 

Receiving a plough and club from Lord Nityänanda, Lord 

Gaurasundara became mad with ecstasy and asked for väruëé 

(honeyed wine). Everyone was confused, unable to decide what 

to do. They simply looked at each other’s faces. Finally, after due 

consideration, the devotees brought a pitcher of Ganges water 

and gave it to the Lord. Everyone offered water and the Lord 

drank it. On all sides, the devotees recited prayers glorifying 

Lord Balaräma. 

The Lord repeatedly called out, “Näòä! Näòä!” The Lord 

moved His head back and forth asking for Näòä repeatedly. 

None of the devotees could grasp the meaning of this word. The 

49 




devotees inquired, “O Lord, who are You calling by the name 

Näòä?” 

“It is He by whose loud call I have appeared,” the Lord replied. 

“The one you all call Advaita Äcärya 5 is known as Näòä. 

I have appeared because of Him.” 

mohare änilä näòä vaikunöha thäkiyä 

niçcinte rohila giyä haridäsa laiyä 

sankértana ärasbhe mohära avatära 

ghare ghare karimu kértana paracära 

5 Advaita Äcärya appeared on the seventh day of the waxing 

moon in the month of February in the year 1356 Çaka era, in the 

village of Çréhaööa within the subdivision of Läur. His father’s name 

was Kuvera Paëòita and His mother’s name was Labhä Devé. Kuvera 

Paëòita was a minister in the assembly of King Divya Siàha. The 

son of Kuvera Paëòita was given the name Kamaläkña and was the 

combined form of Mahä-Viñëu, Ujjvala Sakhä, Sampürëa Major, and 

Sadäçiva. Later, he was known as Advaita Äcärya. When He was 

twelve years old, Advaita Äcärya came to reside at Çäntipura. After 

the death of his parents, he went to Gayä to offer oblations to His 

forefathers. Thereafter, He traveled to many holy places of pilgrimage 

and in the course of his journey, He arrived at Våndävana. In Våndävana, 

He discovered the Deity of Madana Gopäla that was previously 

worshiped by Kubjä. He entrusted the Deity of Madana Gopäla to 

a Chaube brähmaëa of Mathurä. (This Deity became famous as the 

Madana-mohana Deity of Çréla Sanätana Gosvämé). Advaita Äcärya 

returned to Çäntipura, taking with Him a picture painted by Viçäkhä 

at Nikuïjavana. He took initiation from Mädhavendra Puré when 

he came to Çäntipura on the way to Néläcala to collect sandalwood 

for his Lord. Later Advaita Äcärya married the two daughters of 

Nåsiàha Badhuri, a resident of Saptagräma. The two girls’ names were 

Çré and Sétä Öhäkuräëé. In due course of time, He begot six sons— 

Acyutänanda, Kåñëa Miçra, Gopäla, Balaräma, Çvarüpa and Jagadéça. 

In response to the worship and prayers of Advaita Äcärya, Çré Çré 

Nitäi-Gauräìgadeva, along with Their associates, appeared upon the 

surface of the earth and delivered all the residents of the three worlds. 

After assisting Lord Caitanya in His pastimes, Advaita Äcärya disappeared 

from this world in the year 1480 Çaka era. 

50 




bidyä dhana kule jïäna tapasyära made 

mora bhakta stäne ñära äche aparädhe 

se adhama sabäre nä dimu premasoga 

nagariyä prati dimu brakñädira bhoga 

“Näòä brought Me here from Vaikuëöha, but He is 

living peacefully with Haridäsa. I descended to inaugurate 

the näma-saìkértana movement. I will preach this 

chanting in each and every house. However, I will not 

give love of God to those fallen souls who offend My 

devotees, being proud of their learning, wealth, high 

birth, knowledge, and austerity. I will freely give to 

everyone this love of God, which even Lord Brahmä 

rarely attains.” 

While hearing the Lord, all the devotees floated on the 

ocean of bliss. After some time, the son of Çacé 6 became calm. 

“What mischief have I done?” the Lord inquired. The devotees 

replied, “Nothing serious.” The Lord then embraced everyone, 

saying, “Please excuse My offenses.” 

Hearing the Lord’s words, the devotees began to smile as Nityänanda 

Prabhu rolled on the ground. He was unable to check 

His emotions. Love of God overwhelmed Lord Nityänanda, 

who is non-different from Lord Çeña. Sometimes He laughed, 

sometimes He cried, and sometimes He loosened His clothes. He 

appeared to be very childish. What remained of His sannyäsa 

daëòa, what remained of His water pot, and what remained of 

His clothes? He scattered everything all over the ground. 

6 Çacé was the mother of Lord Gauräìga. She was a combined 

form of Kauçalyä, Devaké, Påçni, Aditi, and Yaçodä. Nélämbara Cakravarté, 

a resident of Çréhaööa, came to Navadvépa and took up residence 

there. He had two sons, named Yogeçvara Paëòita and Ratnagarbha 

Äcärya, and two daughters, named Çacé and Sarvajäyä. The Lord of 

the universe agreed to become Çacé’s son. What could be more glorious 

than this? 

51 




The extremely grave Lord Nityänanda became very agitated. 

Then Lord Caitanya personally caught and pacified Him. 

Appearing like one who is intoxicated, Lord Nityänanda was 

pacified by the words of the Lord. The Lord said, “Please be 

quiet now. We will celebrate Vyäsa-püjä tomorrow.” 

After calming Lord Nityänanda, the Lord returned home. 

All the devotees also returned to their respective residences. 

Lord Nityänanda, however, remained at the house of Çréväsa 

Paëòita. That same night, Lord Nityänanda loudly shouted and 

broke His sannyäsa daëòa and water pot to pieces. Early the 

next morning, when Rämäi Paëòita got up from his bed, he 

was astonished to see the broken daëòa and water pot. Rämäi 

Paëòita at once told Çréväsa Paëòita about this. Çréväsa said, 

“Go tell this to Lord Caitanya.” 

Hearing of this incident from Rämäi Paëòita, Lord Caitanya 

hurried to Çréväsa Paëòita’s house. He saw Nityänanda 

Prabhu laughing loudly as if devoid of external perception. 

Lord Caitanya picked up the broken sannyäsa daëòa and then 

went to bathe in the Ganges with Nityänanda Prabhu. All the 

devotees, headed by Çréväsa Paëòita, also went with Them to 

bathe in the Ganges. There, the Lord personally threw the broken 

daëòa into the water. 

Unable to pacify the greatly agitated Nityänanda Prabhu 

by His words, the Lord had to chastise Him. Seeing a crocodile, 

Lord Nityänanda tried to catch it. Gadädhara and Çréväsa 

Paëòita exclaimed, “Alas! Alas!” 

Nityänanda Prabhu fearlessly swam to the middle of the 

Ganges. Only the words of the Lord made Him become somewhat 

peaceful. Viçvambhara called to Nityänanda, “Hurry up. 

Today we will celebrate Vyäsa-püjä.” 

Upon hearing the call of the Lord, Nityänanda Prabhu came 

back to the shore of the Ganges. After completing His bath, 

He returned home with Lord Caitanya. Soon all the devotees 

gathered at the house of Çréväsa Paëòita and began to perform 

näma-saìkértana. 

Çré Caitanya appointed Çréväsa Paëòita as the head priest 

for the Vyäsa-püjä ceremony. Thus, by the Lord’s order, Çréväsa 

Paëòita performed whatever was required. Everyone chanted the 

52 




holy names of the Lord in a very sweet melody. The house of 

Çréväsa Paëòita was transformed into Vaikuëöha. Knowing all 

scriptural conclusions, Çréväsa Paëòita executed the prescribed 

rituals with utmost care and expertise. Placing sandalwood paste 

and beautiful flower garlands in the hands of Nityänanda Prabhu, 

he said, “Listen, Nityänanda. Offer this garland and recite these 

prayers while offering obeisances to Çréla Vyäsadeva. It is the 

injunction of the scriptures that one should personally worship 

Çréla Vyäsadeva, for by satisfying him, one achieves all success.” 

Nityänanda kept saying, “Yes, yes,” but He did not quite 

know what prayers to recite. Nobody could understand the 

whispering sounds of Nityänanda Prabhu. Holding the garland 

in His hands, He repeatedly looked around Him. The most magnanimous 

Çréväsa Paëòita then told Nityänanda, “My dear sir, 

You are not worshiping Çréla Vyäsadeva.” 

Hearing the words of Çréväsa Paëòita, Çré Gaurasundara 

quickly rushed in front of Nityänanda and told Him, “Listen to 

Me. Please place this garland on Çréla Vyäsadeva at once and 

thus complete the Vyäsa-püjä ceremony.” 

All the Vaiñëavas were overwhelmed by ecstasy as they observed 

the Vyäsa-püjä ceremony with great pomp. Some of them 

danced, some sang, and some rolled on the ground. Everyone 

tried to catch hold of each other’s feet. Çacé, the mother of Çré 

Caitanya Mahäprabhu and the entire universe saw the fun from 

a distance. Seeing both Viçvambhara and Nityänanda, she considered 

Them equally as her sons. 

The Vyäsa-püjä was a most magnanimous event. Only Lord 

Ananta could properly describe it. I am simply trying to glorify 

the qualities of Nityänanda Prabhu in codes. If one somehow or 

other glorifies Lord Kåñëa, he will be benefited. 

Vyäsa-püjä ceremony was concluded at the end of the day. 

All of the devotees then began to dance with Viçvambhara. 

They were all maddened with feelings of jubilation. They 

cried out, “O Kåñëa!” Exhibiting His own devotional service, 

Viçvambhara was peaceful. He then advised Çréväsa Paëòita, 

“Bring all the prasäda of Vyäsadeva right away.” 

When Çréväsa Paëòita brought all the prasäda, the Lord 

personally served everyone with His own hands. Being person- 

53 




ally served by Lord Caitanya, the devotees joyfully honored 

the prasäda. The Lord personally invited and then served all 

the members of Çréväsa Paëòita’s household. The servants and 

maidservants of the Vaiñëavas easily received what the demigods, 

headed by Lord Brahmä, rarely attain. 

All these wonderful pastimes were performed at the house 

of Çréväsa Paëòita. Who can describe his good fortune? In this 

way, various wonderful pastimes were performed at Navadvépa 

that were unknown to ordinary people. Mahäprabhu then told 

everyone, “Now that the Vyäsa-püjä ceremony is completed, 

chant the holy names of Kåñëa.” 


and soul, I, Våndävana däsa, sing the glories of Their pastimes. 

54 



CHAPTER THREE 

Lord Nityänanda Offers Prayers to the 

Six-armed Form of Lord Caitanya 

One day, Çréväsa Paëòita invited Nityänanda Avadhüta 

for lunch at his house, and the Lord accepted his invitation. 

Nityänanda Prabhu was very satisfied by the service of 

Çréväsa Paëòita. After lunch, He stayed at the house of Çréväsa 

Paëòita throughout the day. At that time, Mahäprabhu Lord 

Gauräìga happily arrived there. The Lord entered the temple 

room of Çréväsa Paëòita and sat on the throne of Lord Viñëu. He 

told Nityananda Prabhu to look at Him. Hearing these words, 

Nityananda Prabhu, the topmost sannyäsé, respectfully looked 

at Viçvambhara, not understand His intention. Considering 

Nityänanda to be His most intimate associate, Mahäprabhu 

Viçvambhara made a special request of the devotees: “All of you 

go outside.” 

All the devotees were astonished to hear this. Following the 

Lord’s order, all the devotees left Çréväsa Paëòita’s house. Who 

can understand the intentions of the Lord? The Lord then spoke 

55 




something confidential to Nityananda Prabhu. No one could 

understand the meaning of Their conversation. Nityänanda 

then saw Lord Viçvambhara assume a six-armed form, holding 

a conch, club, disc, lotus, plough, and stick. Seeing this form of 

the Lord, Nityänanda Prabhu fell unconscious upon the floor. 

There were no symptoms of life visible in His body. 

All the Vaiñëavas became very afraid. They remembered 

Lord Kåñëa, praying to Him to protect Nityänanda Prabhu. 

When Lord Nityänanda fainted upon seeing His six-armed 

form, Çré Caitanya personally picked Him up, saying, “Please get 

up, Nityänanda. Calm Yourself. Hear the Lord’s holy names being 

chanted in front of You. You appeared to preach the chanting 

of the holy names. Now this is being fulfilled. What more do 

You want? You are filled with love of God and loving devotional 

service is Your property. Unless You bestow this love of God, 

no one can possess it. Please pacify Yourself and get up. Glance 

mercifully towards Your associates. Distribute love of God to 

whomever You desire. If one maintains even a tinge of envy towards 

You, he is never dear to Me, in spite of worshiping Me.” 

Hearing these sweet words of the Lord, Nityänanda returned 

to external consciousness. He had become ecstatic by 

seeing the six-armed form of His Lord. Çré Gauracandra, who 

eternally reclines on the bed of Ananta Çeña, certainly knows 

Lord Nityänanda as being non-different from Lord Ananta. 

Seeing the six-armed form of the Lord is not very astonishing 

for Nityänanda. Such are the pastimes of the Lord’s various incarnations. 

Seeing that wonderful and extraordinary form of the Lord, 

Nityänanda Avadhüta remembered His previous incarnations 

and prayed, “All glories to Lord Viçvambhara, the father of everyone! 

He incarnated to initiate the saìkértana movement of 

chanting the holy names of the Lord. All glories to the Lord, 

the protector of Vedic religious principles and maintainer of the 

brähmaëas! All glories to the time factor, a representation of 

the Lord and destroyer of all nondevotees! All glories to the Absolute 

Truth! All glories to eternal bliss personified! All glories 

to the supremely independent Lord of lords! 

“You are the source of innumerable universes, yet You 

manifested Yourself within the womb of mother Çacé. Who can 

56 



Lord Nityänanda Offers Prayers to the Six-armed Form of Lord Caitanya 

understand Your supreme will? Creation, maintenance, and destruction 

are simply parts of Your pastimes. You can easily destroy 

the entire universe simply by Your will. Are You unable 

to kill Kaàsa and Rävaëa simply by words? Still, You appeared 

in the house of Vasudeva and Daçaratha and sportingly killed 

these demons. Who can understand the cause of Your appearance? 

Only You Yourself know Your mind. Even one of Your 

servants can deliver countless universes by Your order. Yet, to 

glorify the earth and restore the principles of religion, You personally 

advent Yourself. 

“O Lord, You appeared in Satya-yuga with a white complexion. 

You taught meditation and austerity by performing them 

Yourself. Wearing a deerskin and holding a stick and water pot 

in Your hands, You appeared as a brahmacäré to establish the 

principles of religion. 

“O Lord, You appeared in Tretä-yuga in a beautiful reddish 

form. Being the only enjoyer of sacrifices, You preached 

the performance of sacrifice. Holding the articles for performing 

sacrifice in Your hands as a sacrificial priest, You personally 

performed sacrifices and thus induced others to do so. 

“O Lord, You appeared in Dväpara-yuga as a divine personality 

having a blackish complexion the color of a fresh monsoon 

cloud. You personally established the principles of temple worship. 

Dressed in yellow garments and marked with such signs as 

Çrévatsa, You engaged in gorgeous worship as a king. In Kali-yuga, 

You have appeared with a golden complexion as a brähmaëa 

preaching the performance of näma-saìkértana. This form is 

unknown to the Vedas. 

“O Lord, You have innumerable incarnations. Who has 

the power to count them all? In the form of Matsya, You enjoyed 

Your pastimes in the waters of devastation. As Kürma, 

You were the shelter of all living entities. You protected the 

Vedas as Hayagréva. In that form, You killed the two original 

demons, Madhu and Kaiöabha. O Lord, as Varäha, You delivered 

the planet earth. You took the form of Nåsiàha and tore 

apart the body of Hiraëyakaçipu. Assuming the wonderful form 

of Vämanadeva, You deceived Bali Mahäräja. As Paraçuräma, 

You killed the kñatriyas and thus rid the earth of its rulers. Appearing 

as Rämacandra, You killed Rävaëa, and in the form of 

57 




Haladhara, You enjoyed unlimited pastimes. As Buddha, You 

manifested the principles of compassion, and in the form of 

Kalki, You will kill the mlecchas. 

“As Dhanvantari, You delivered nectar to the demigods. As 

the Haàsa incarnation, You imparted transcendental knowledge 

to the demigods, headed by Lord Brahmä. As Närada, You 

hold a véëä while singing Your own glories. As Vyäsadeva, You 

explain Your own truths. As Kåñëa, You appeared in Gokula to 

enjoy transcendental pastimes. You had wonderful qualities and 

enjoyed very sweet pastimes with Your devotees. 

The opening verse of Bhakti-rasämåta-sindhu states: 

akhila-rasämåta-mürtiù prasåmara-ruci-ruddha-tärakä-päliù 

kalita-çyämä-lalito rädhä-preyän vidhur jayati 

Let Kåñëa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, 

be glorified! By virtue of His expanding attractive features, 

He subjugated the gopés named Tärakä and Päli 

and absorbed the minds of Çyämä and Lalitä. He is the 

most attractive lover of Çrématé Rädhäräëé and is the 

reservoir of pleasure for devotees in all devotional 

mellows. 

The Tenth Canto of Çrémad-Bhägavatam (33.5) states: 

valayänäà nüpuräëäà kiìkiëénäà ca yoñitäm 

sa-priyäëäm abhüc chabdas tumu,m,lo räsa-maëòale 

A tumultuous sound arose from the armlets, ankle 

bells and waist bells of the gopés as they sported with 

their beloved Kåñëa in the circle of the räsa dance. 

Nityananda Prabhu continued praying, “You will fill the 

entire universe with kåñëa-näma-saìkértana. Loving devotional 

service to the Lord will be preached in each and every house. 

You will fill the entire world with ecstasy when You dance, along 

with Your devotees. Inauspiciousness disappears simply by the 

influence of those who eternally meditate on Your lotus feet. 

Your steps will nullify the misfortune of the entire world when 

58 



Lord Nityänanda Offers Prayers to the Six-armed Form of Lord Caitanya 

You dance in kértana. You will purify all the four directions by 

Your glance. When You raise Your hands while dancing, all that 

is inauspicious on the planets will be destroyed. Such is Your 

glory, such is Your dancing, and such are Your servants. 

“O Lord, You personally appear in this world to distribute 

love of God by bestowing kåñëa-näma to the fallen conditioned 

souls. Who has the power to describe Your wonderful glories? 

You will distribute devotional services to Lord Viñëu that are 

unknown to the Vedas. We intensely desire that devotional 

service. You had formerly kept it hidden while awarding liberation. 

“O Lord, now You will distribute the hidden wealth of bhakti 

to everyone in the world. This is proof of Your causeless mercy. 

Simply by chanting the holy names of the Lord, one performs 

all kinds of sacrifice. 

“Out of compassion, You appeared at Navadvépa. Yogés meditate 

on You as the Supersoul in their hearts. This same Supersoul 

has now appeared in the village of Navadvépa. I also offer 

my respectful obeisances to Navadvépa-dhäma, where You have 

incarnated at the house of Çacé and Jagannätha Miçra. 

“All glories to Viçvambhara, the life and soul of everyone! 

All glories to Gauracandra, the ocean of mercy! All glories to 

the Lord who appears to fulfill the words of His devotees! All 

glories to Mahäprabhu, the most magnanimous incarnation! All 

glories to the beloved Lord of the goddess of fortune! All glories 

to the enchanting Personality of Godhead, who is decorated 

with the mark of Çrévatsa and the Kaustubha gem! All glories to 

the Lord, who distributes the Hare Kåñëa mahämantra! All glories 

to the Lord’s pastimes of accepting love and devotion from 

His devotees! 

“All glories to Mahäprabhu, who lies on the bed of Ananta! 

All glories to the Lord, who is the only shelter of all living entities! 

You are Lord Viñëu. You are Lord Kåñëa. You are Lord 

Näräyaëa. You are Matsya. You are Kürma. You are the original 

Personality of Godhead. You are Varäha and You are Vämana. 

“O Lord, You appear in every yuga to protect the Vedas. You 

are the killer of Rävaëa and his entire family. You are the life 

and soul of Jänaké. As Lord Räma, You blessed Guhaka-caëòäla 

and delivered Ahalyä. 

59 




To protect Your devotee, Prahläda, You incarnated as 

Nåsiàha and killed Hiraëyakaçipu. You are the crest jewel 

among the demigods. You are the best of the brähmaëas. You 

are the same Jagannätha who accepts opulent offerings at Néläcala. 

The four Vedas try to search for You, because You have 

appeared in a hidden form. You are very expert in concealing 

Yourself, but Your devotees always recognize You. You are the 

most peaceful personality. 

“To inaugurate the näma-saìkértana movement, You have 

now appeared in this world. There is no truth other than You 

within the unlimited universes. Lord Çiva and Goddess Pärvaté 

are overwhelmed by the transcendental glories of Your lotus 

feet. Lakñmé, the goddess of fortune, serves Your lotus feet. Çré 

Ananta Çeña, with His thousands of mouths, glorifies these lotus 

feet. Lord Brahmä constantly worships these lotus feet. The 

Vedas, småtis and Puräëas sing the glories of Your lotus feet. 

These lotus feet touched the topmost planet, Satyaloka. The 

head of Mahäräja Bali became glorious by the touch of these 

lotus feet. Mother Ganges emanated from these lotus feet. Lord 

Çiva became jubilant by holding the water of the Ganges on 

his head. 

“You are celebrated as the son of Vasudeva and the son of 

Nanda Mahäräja. Now You have appeared to deliver the most 

sinful Kali. By the touch of Your lotus feet, a piece of wood 

turns into gold and a stone turns into a living force.” 

Nityananda Prabhu thus offered prayers with folded hands. 

He concluded by saying, “O Lord, the three worlds worship 

You.” 

Nityänanda Prabhu then began to dance in ecstasy. He 

floated in the ocean of love of God and became fully absorbed 

in that love. Viçvambhara awards love of God not only to one 

who carefully sings these topics, but to the friends of that person 

as well. The holy names of Viçvambhara are very rarely found in 

this world. Lord Caitanya is the life and soul of everyone. Hearing 

about Nityänanda Prabhu’s witnessing the six-armed form 

of the Lord will certainly free one from material bondage. 



60 



CHAPTER FOUR 

Çréväsa’s Love for Lord Nityänanda and the 

Dream of Mother Çacé 

Nityananda Prabhu thus remained at the house of Çréväsa 

Paëòita. He was constantly absorbed in a childish mood, 

and He would not eat food with His own hand but had Mälinédevé 

feed Him just like her own son. Mäliné-devé 7 , the chaste 

wife of Çréväsa Paëòita, knew very well the glories of Lord 

Nityänanda, so she served Him as an affectionate mother. 

One day, as Lord Gauräìga discussed Kåñëa with Çréväsa 

Paëòita, He spoke as follows to test him: “Why do you keep this 

mendicant in Your house? We do not know anything about His 

7 Mäliné-devé was the wife of Çréväsa Paëòita, the beloved devotee 

of Gaurasundara. In her previous incarnation, she was an elderly 

gopé of Vraja who gave her breast milk to Kåñëa. That is why Nitäi and 

Gauräìga treated her as a mother in this incarnation. According to 

her previous mood, she lavishly nourished both Nitäi and Gauräìga. 

61 




family background. I must say that you are overly magnanimous. 

If you want to protect your family’s good name, get rid of this 

beggar at once.” 

Çréväsa Paëòita smilingly replied, “O Lord, You are certainly 

testing me. This is most unfair. Anyone who worships You even 

for a day is very dear to me. Nityänanda is nondifferent from 

You. There is no doubt about this. Even if Nityänanda is seen 

carrying a pot of wine or if He marries a Muslim girl, my heart 

will still not deviate even an inch from His glorious lotus feet, 

even though this may destroy my caste, life, and wealth. I indeed 

tell You the truth.” 

When the Lord heard this from Çréväsa Paëòita, He roared 

loudly and climbed on his chest. The Lord said, “What did you 

say, Çréväsa Paëòita? You have so much faith in Nityänanda? 

You have actually understood the most confidential glories of 

Nityänanda. I am so pleased with you that I will give you a 

benediction. Even if Lakñmé, the goddess of fortune, begs in the 

street, there will never be any poverty in your house. Everyone 

in your house, including the cats and dogs, will achieve undivided 

devotional service unto Me. I offer Nityänanda to your 

care. Therefore, please maintain Him in all respects.” 

After blessing Çréväsa Paëòita, the Lord returned home. 

Lord Nityänanda would regularly wander throughout Nadia. 

Sometimes He swam in the middle of the Ganges so that the 

current of the water carried Him away. Sometimes He happilly 

enjoyed sporting with local boys, and sometimes He would visit 

the house of Gaìgädäsa 8 and Muräri. 

8 Gaìgädäsa was the son of Çré Caturbhuja Paëòita, a resident 

of Navadvépa. He had two brothers, named Viñëudäsa and Vandana 

Äcärya. Both the Lords stayed incognito at his house during Their 

pastimes. Before the advent of Gauräìga, he was once attacked by 

Muslims, and so he came to Navadvépa with his family. When he arrived 

on the bank of the Ganges at night, he was unable to find a 

boat to cross the river. At that time, the Lord showed His affection 

for His devotees by personally sailing them to the other side of the 

River Ganges. The Lord revealed this fact during the His display of 

the pastimes of opulence at the house of Çréväsa Paëòita. 

62 



Çréväsa’s Love for Lord Nityänanda and the Dream of Mother Çacé 

Lord Nityänanda would sometimes visit the house of Lord 

Caitanya. Then mother Çacé would show great affection to 

Him. In a childish mood, Nityänanda would try to catch hold of 

mother Çacé’s feet, but she would run away. 

One day, mother Çacé saw something in a dream. She secretly 

related the story to her son, Viçvambhara, saying, “At the end of 

the night, I saw both You and Nityänanda in my dream. Both 

of You were five-year-old boys, fighting and running all over the 

house. I saw both of You enter the Deity room and then come 

out with the Deities of Kåñëa and Balaräma. Nityänanda held 

Kåñëa in His hands, and You held Balaräma in Yours. I clearly 

saw all four of You fighting amongst Yourselves. Then the Deities 

of Kåñëa and Balaräma said in an angry mood, ‘Who are You two 

pretenders? Get out of here. This house, these rooms, the milk, 

sandeça, yogurt, and everything else here belong to Us.’ 

“Then Nityänanda said: ‘Those days are gone when You 

would steal and eat butter and yogurt. The power of the cowherd 

boys is finished. Now the rule of the brähmaëas is in force. 

Now recognize Us and give up accepting all the offerings. If You 

don’t give up out of love, then We will beat You. If You continue 

to steal the offerings, We are not going to leave You alone.’ 

“Both Kåñëa and Balaräma replied: ‘Do not blame Us. We 

are going to bind both of You pretenders right now.’ 

“Balaräma then challenged Nityänanda in an angry mood: 

‘If You continue Your mischief, then I swear on Kåñëa that You 

will have to face the consequences.’ 

“Nityänanda replied, ‘I am not afraid of Your Kåñëa. My 

Lord is Gauracandra Viçvambhara.’ 

“In this way, all four of You quarreled amongst Yourselves 

while eating food by snatching it from one another. First someone 

snatched a morsel of food from another’s hand and ate 

it. Then someone else took that food right from His mouth. 

Nityänanda then called me, ‘Mother, please give Me some rice, 

for I am very hungry.’ 

“Just then I woke up. I could not understand anything of 

this dream and so I have told You about it.” 

63 




While listening to His mother, Lord Viçvambhara smiled 

and then spoke to her in a sweet voice: “O mother, You indeed 

had an auspicious dream, but please do not describe it to anyone. 

Now I am firmly convinced that the Deities worshiped in Your 

house are directly the Supreme Personality of Godhead. My 

faith has become strengthened by hearing about your dream. 

After offering food to the Lord, I repeatedly found half of it 

missing, but I was hesitant to tell this to anyone. Actually, I had 

a doubt about your daughter-law, but today that doubt has been 

removed from My mind.” 

While hearing her husband’s words, Lakñmépriyä, who is directly 

the goddess of fortune, simply smiled. She heard about the 

dream from inside an adjoining room. 

“Mother, please listen,” Viçvambhara said. “I will at once 

invite Nityänanda and feed Him.” 

Upon hearing the words of her son, Çacé was very pleased 

and began making arrangements for lunch. 



64 



CHAPTER FIVE 

Eating Pastimes of Çrémän Mahäprabhu 

and Lord Nityänanda 

Lord Viçvambhara went to the residence of Lord Nityänanda 

to invite Him for lunch. “O Gosäi, today kindly 

accept lunch at My house,” Lord Caitanya said. “But one thing 

You must remember, do not make any mischief.” 

Nityänanda closed His ears and murmured, “Viñëu, Viñëu.” 

He continued acting like a madman, being very mischievous, 

and then said, “You consider Me a to be a naughty boy. Actually, 

You see everyone as being just like Yourself.” 

At this, both began to laugh, and They left for Viçvambhara’s 

home while discussing Kåñëa on the way. When They reached 

the Lord’s house, Gadädhara and others welcomed Them. They 

sat down together inside the house after Éçäna 9 had given both 

Viçvambhara and Nityänanda water for washing Their feet. 

9 Éçäna was the family servant of Lord Gauräìga. The Lord 

65 




As the two Lords sat together to have Their lunch, all were 

reminded of Çré Räma and Lakñmaëa eating together at the 

house of Kauçalyä. They thus began eating together with loving 

exchanges just like in Their former pastimes. Mother Çacé happily 

served Them Their food. 

Suddenly, the two plates of food became three plates right in 

front of her eyes. At this, the two Lords began to smile. Mother 

Çacé then went and brought more food. However, instead of the 

two Lords, she found two small boys no more than five years of 

age sitting together. She saw two exceedingly attractive boys, 

one having a blackish complexion and the other very fair. Both 

were four-handed and naked. They held a conch, disc, club, lotus, 

plough, and stick. They were decorated with the mark of 

Çrévatsa and the Kaustubha gem, and wore shark-shaped earrings. 

Mother Çacé saw her daughter-in-law within the heart of 

her son. Then, all of a sudden, she could not see anything as she 

fell unconscious to the floor. Her entire body and clothes had 

become wet due to her tears of love. The rice she was carrying 

scattered all over the room. 

used to call him Baòäi. He was born in a brähmaëa family and took 

initiation from Advaita Äcärya. When he expressed his desire to 

serve Advaita Prabhu, He sent him to the house of mother Çacé. 

When he came to the Lord’s house, the Lord was at that time a baby. 

Çacé-mätä kept him at her house and entrusted him with the responsibility 

of protecting and nourishing Çré Gauräìga. Since that time, 

Éçäna stayed at the house of the Lord and served Him while tolerating 

all kinds of mischievous behavior from Him. After Çré Gauräìga took 

sannyäsa, Éçäna looked after mother Çacé and Viñëupriyä. When both 

Çacé and Viñëupriyä left this world, Éçäna returned to the house of Advaita 

Äcärya in Çäntipura. Later, by the order of Sétä Öhäkuräëé, the 

consort of Advaita Äcärya, he married at an elderly age. Thereafter, 

he lived in a place called Bhaìga Math. It is said that both Jagannätha 

and Baladeva used to beg food from him and eat. By the blessing 

of Sétä Öhäkuräëé, Éçäna begot three sons that delivered the entire 

world. As soon as people heard the kértana of Éçäna’s eldest son, they 

would become overwhelmed with ecstatic love of God. 

66 



Eating Pastimes of Çrémän Mahäprabhu and Lord Nityänanda 

Mahäprabhu quickly got up and washed His hands. He then 

picked up His mother, saying, “O mother, please get up. Please 

calm yourself. Why have you suddenly fallen onto the floor?” 

After awhile, mother Çacé regained her senses and quickly 

tied her hair. She spoke not a word, but simply went and cried 

within her room. While breathing heavily, her entire body 

trembled. She was filled with love of God and had forgotten 

everything else. Éçäna then cleaned the room after taking the 

leftover food and washed the kitchen paraphernalia. 

Éçäna served mother Çacé constantly. He was the most fortunate 

person within the fourteen worlds. Similar pastimes were 

enacted every day. No one but the confidential servants of the 

Lord know the actual purport of these pastimes. 

After Çré Gauräìga and Nityänanda Prabhu finished Their 

lunch, mother Çacé anointed Their bodies with sandalwood 

paste. She then offered Them various items for worship, including 

flower garlands. Seeing Nityänanda satiated the eyes of 

mother Çacé. She continued staring at Nityänanda’s face, having 

become maddened by her affection for Him. 

Çré Gauräìga told His mother, “You must treat Nityänanda 

as Your own son. Take care of Him more affectionately than 

you do Me.” 

Mother Çacé looked at Nityänanda’s face, thinking Him to 

be her own son. She said, “From now on, You are my son. Please 

be kind to my Viçvambhara. From today on, both of You are my 

sons.” 

As she spoke, tears flowed constantly from mother Çacé’s 

eyes. Out of motherly affection, she took Nityänanda on her 

lap. Nityänanda offered obeisances at mother Çacé’s feet, thinking 

her to be His affectionate mother. He sweetly said to her, 

“Mother, what you say is true. I can declare with confidence 

that I am actually your son 10 . O mother, please do not consider 

10 The meaning of this is: “I am nondifferent from your son, 

Viçvarüpa.” Çré Viçvarüpa merged within the body of Nityänanda. It 

is for this reason that mother Çacé felt the same happiness from Nityänanda 

as she felt while seeing Viçvarüpa. 

67 




My offences. Know for certain that I am without a doubt Your 

son.” 

Filled with the emotion of being Nityänanda’s mother, tears 

flowed from mother Çacé’s eyes, and her voice became choked. 

Both Çré Gauräìga and Nityänanda Prabhu merged in the 

ocean of her motherly affection. By seeing the two sons, mother 

Çacé became pleased and pacified. 



68 



CHAPTER SIX 

Nityänanda’s Pastimes at the House of Çréväsa 

Sré Nityänanda resided at the house of Çréväsa Paëòita. 

With great affection, He would address Çréväsa Paëòita 

as “father.” He was always in trance, absorbed in the mood of 

a child. He regularly drank Mäliné-devé’s breast milk. Though 

there was no milk in Maliné’s breasts, by the touch of Nityänanda’s 

hand, they became filled with an abundance of milk. 

This was possible only by Nityänanda’s inconceivable potency. 

Mother Mäliné experienced such wonderful things, but, on the 

order of Lord Caitanya, she never revealed them to anyone. 

Mäliné-devé constantly beheld the childhood pastimes of Nityänanda. 

Lord Viçvambhara once said, “Please listen, Nityänanda. I 

am afraid that You will quarrel with others. Please be calm and 

do not make any mischief at Çréväsa Paëòita’s house.” 

69 




Upon hearing this, Lord Nityänanda at once remembered 

Kåñëa and said, “I assure You that You will never find Me to be 

naughty. Do not think of Me as being like Yourself.” 

“I know You very well,” Viçvambhara said. 

“Then tell Me My faults,” Nityänanda replied. 

“You want to know Your faults?” Gauracandra smilingly 

said. “It seems that You have incarnated to shower rice all over 

the room.” 

“O Lord, only a madman does such a thing,” Nityänanda 

replied. “I think You are trying to find an excuse not to feed Me. 

You enjoy Your rice, but do not want to give Me My share. How 

long will You continue such shameful behavior?” 

“Actually, I am ashamed of Your conduct,” Lord Viçvambhara 

said. “That is why I always try to instruct You.” 

“This is indeed very good,” Nityananda Prabhu replied with 

a smile. “Please teach Me whenever You find me misbehaving. 

You clearly understand that I am a very naughty boy.” 

Saying this, Nityänanda Prabhu looked at the Lord and 

laughed heartily. In ecstatic love, Nityänanda hardly knew what 

He was doing. Suddenly, He took off His cloth and tied it around 

His head. He repeatedly jumped and laughed while wandering 

about the courtyard like a drunkard. Gadädhara, Çréväsa, and 

Haridäsa began to laugh. For the sake of understanding, they 

were allowed to see this behavior of Lord Nityänanda. 

Viçvambhara called to Nityänanda, “What are You doing? 

This is most improper behavior at the home of a householder. 

Just now You told Me that You are not a madman. Just see; You 

have proven Your words to be false.” 

How can words make a person ashamed if he is totally devoid 

of external consciousness? This was the case with Nityänanda 

Prabhu. He simply floated on the ocean of transcendental 

bliss. Lord Caitanya then personally dressed Nityänanda. 

Such were the inconceivable activities of Nityänanda 

Prabhu. Nityänanda Prabhu is just like a maddened lion. He is 

only controlled by the words of Çré Caitanya and nobody else. 

Nityänanda never ate food with His own hands. Mäliné-devé 

fed Him like a loving son. This chaste woman knew the transcendental 

glories of Nityänanda and so she served Him exactly 

70 




as a mother serves her son. One day, a crow came, picked up a 

bell metal bowl in its beak and flew away into the forest. When 

the crow flew out of sight, mother Mäliné became anxious. The 

crow left the bowl in its nest and then returned. Mäliné-devé saw 

the crow’s mouth to be empty. 

Çréväsa Paëòita was very strict in his behavior. The bowl 

taken by the crow was used to keep ghee for the service of Lord 

Kåñëa, and so she was afraid that her husband would be very upset 

when he heard about what had happened. Unable to think 

of what to do, Mäliné-devé began to cry. 

At that time, Nityänanda came there and saw Mäliné-devé 

crying. He smilingly said, “Why are you crying? Tell me about 

your distress and I will surely relieve it.” 

“Please listen, Çrépäda Gosäi,” Mäliné devé replied. “A crow 

has taken the bowl in which we keep Lord Kåñëa’s ghee.” 

“Mother, do not worry,” Nityänanda replied. “I will bring 

back the bowl.” 

Turning to the crow, Nityänanda said, “O crow, go at once 

and bring back the bowl you have taken.” 

Nityananda Prabhu is within everyone’s heart. Who can 

disobey His order? Ordered by Nityänanda Prabhu, the crow 

instantly flew away. Mäliné-devé looked on, overwhelmed with 

lamentation. Soon the crow went out of sight and in a short 

while returned with the bowl in its beak. The crow placed the 

bowl in front of Mäliné-devé and left. Mäliné-devé knew very 

well the glories of Lord Nityänanda. Seeing this wonderful incident, 

she fell to the ground in ecstatic love. 

After composing herself, Mäliné-devé stood up with folded 

hands and began to offer prayers: “He brought back the dead 

son of His guru. He maintains the entire universe. He can bring 

anyone back from the house of Yamaräja. For Him to bring the 

bowl from a crow is not at all wonderful. On His head, innumerable 

universes rest, and He maintains them by His own sweet 

pastimes. His holy names destroy all kinds of ignorance. For 

Him to bring the bowl from a crow is not at all wonderful. 

“In an earlier incarnation, You constantly protected Sétä 

while in exile as Lakñmaëa. You never saw any of Sétä’s body 

except her lotus feet. Your formidable arrows killed the family 

71 




of Rävaëa. For You to bring the bowl from a crow is not a wonderful 

thing. After seeing Your great prowess, Kälindé fell at 

Your lotus feet and offered prayers. You possess the strength to 

maintain the fourteen worlds. For You to bring the bowl from 

a crow is not a wonderful thing. Your activities are never ordinary. 

Whatever You do is an eternal truth. This is confirmed 

by all the four Vedas.” 

While hearing Mäliné-devé’s prayers, Lord Nityänanda 

smiled. In His childhood mood He said, “O mother, I want to 

eat something.” 

Whenever Mäliné-devé saw Nityänanda, milk would flow 

from her breasts. Nityänanda in the mood of a child would 

drink that milk. Nityänanda Prabhu’s activities are inconceivable. 

What more can I describe? All the world knows about His 

mysterious and extraordinary activities. One who knows them 

in truth accepts them as facts. 

Nityänanda Prabhu, the abode of effulgence, was always 

fully absorbed in ecstatic love as He wandered all over Nadia 

throughout the day and night. Someone may call Nityänanda a 

yogé, or someone else may call Him a knower of the truth. Let 

them say whatever they want. Let Nityänanda be anybody to 

Çré Caitanya. Still, I keep the treasure of His lotus feet within 

my heart. Thus, Nityänanda resided at the house of Çréväsa 

Paëòita. Çré Gauräìga constantly protected Him. 

One day, as Lord Viçvambhara sat peacefully at home with 

Lakñmépriyä, she gave Her Lord betel nuts with great happiness. 

Absorbed in the service of the Lord, Lakñmépriyä was unable 

to tell whether it was day or night. Whenever mother Çacé saw 

Lakñmépriyä and Viçvambhara together, she became extremely 

happy. Knowing that seeing Them together pleased His mother, 

the Lord would spend time with Lakñmépriyä. 

At that time, Nityänanda came to Lord Caitanya’s house, 

overwhelmed and agitated due to ecstasy. In a childish mood, 

Nityänanda stood naked before the Lord and Lakñmépriyä. Fully 

absorbed in love of God, He did not feel shy in front of anyone. 

“Nityänanda, where are Your clothes?” Çré Gauräìga asked. 

Nityänanda replied, “Yes, yes.” 

Çré Gauräìga said, “O Gosäi, why are You doing this?” 

72 




Nityänanda replied, “I can’t eat today.” 

Gauräìga then said, “I’m asking You something, so why are 

You answering something else?” 

Nityänanda replied, “I went there ten times.” 

Becoming angry, Çré Gauräìga said, “It’s not My fault.” 

Nityänanda replied, “Your mother is not here.” 

Çré Gauräìga then said, “Please get dressed.” 

Nityänanda replied, “Yes, now I’ll eat.” 

Nityänanda Prabhu was fully maddened with love for Çré 

Caitanya. He heard something and then answered something 

else. He kept on laughing. Çré Gauräìga got up and personally 

dressed Lord Nityänanda. Nityänanda, the son of Padmävaté, 

kept on laughing in a trance of ecstasy. Seeing the wonderful 

nature of Nityänanda, mother Çacé simply smiled. She considered 

Nityänanda as her son, Viçvarüpa, because she had heard 

from everyone that Nityänanda is non-different from him. She 

sometimes witnessed this truth with her own eyes. However, she 

did not reveal these secrets to anyone. She exhibited spontaneous 

affection for Nityänanda, treating Him and Viçvarüpa 

equally. 

After coming to His senses, Nityänanda dressed Himself 

properly. Mother Çacé then gave Him five pieces of sandeça. 

Nityänanda ate one of them and threw the other four pieces 

away. Mother Çacé said, “What will You eat now?” 

“If you want more, you’ll surely receive more,” Nityänanda 

replied. 

After entering her kitchen, mother Çacé found, much to 

her surprise, that the same four pieces of sandeça were there. 

Mother Çacé murmured to herself, “These sweets were thrown 

far away. How are they now inside the kitchen?” 

In jubilant wonder, Çacé brought the sweets to again offer 

to Nityänanda. To her astonishment, however, she saw that 

Nityänanda was already eating them. Mother Çacé said, “My 

son, where did You get these sweets?” 

“At first I threw them away,” Nityänanda replied, “but seeing 

your distress, I brought them back.” 

After witnessing this wonderful act, mother Çacé thought, 

“Who is there that is unaware of the glories of Nityänanda?” 

73 




She then said to Nityänanda, “Why are You deceiving me? 

I know You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, so please 

remove the influence of Your illusory energy upon me.” 

The transcendental qualities of Nityänanda are unfathomable. 

They are a source of great pleasure for the devotees and a 

cause of distress for miscreants. Even mother Ganges runs away 

from that sinful person who dares to blaspheme Lord Nityänanda. 

Lord Nityänanda, who as Lord Ananta Çeña holds the universes 

on His hoods, is the king of the devotees. This is my heart’s 

desire and prayer at the feet of the Vaiñëavas. May Lord Nityänanda, 

who is Lord Balaräma, become my life and soul. 



74 



CHAPTER SEVEN 

Çrémän Mahäprabhu Glorifies Lord Nityänanda 

Both Lord Viçvambhara and Nityänanda Prabhu resided 

at Navadvépa, enjoying Their transcendental pastimes. 

Nityänanda Prabhu was always merged in an ocean of transcendental 

love of Kåñëa. He constantly behaved like an ordinary 

child. He loved everyone and always spoke with them in a sweet 

voice. He danced, sang, played musical instruments, and laughed 

to Himself. Sometimes, out of His deep sentiment, He roared 

loudly, causing everyone to become filled with wonder. In the 

rainy season, when the Ganges was filled with fierce waves and 

crocodiles, Lord Nityänanda fearlessly swam and floated in her 

water. Although everyone who saw Him floating in the Ganges 

became afraid for Him, shouting, “Alas! Alas!” Nityänanda continued 

floating in ecstasy among the crocodiles. He floated in 

the Ganges, absorbed in the mood of Ananta. Not understanding 

this, common people lamented. 

75 




Sometimes, Nityänanda would fall down unconscious in 

ecstasy and remain in this state for three or four days. In this 

way, He enjoyed countless inconceivable pastimes. I could not 

describe them all, even if I possessed millions of mouths. 

One day, by the will of providence, Nityänanda Prabhu arrived 

where Viçvambhara was sitting. He was naked and smiling 

and tears of love were streaming from His eyes. He repeatedly 

shouted, “Nimäi Paëòita of Nadia is my life and soul.” 

Seeing Nityänanda’s enchanting and radiant naked form, 

Çré Gauräìga began to smile. He quickly took off the cloth that 

was tied around His head and put it on Nityänanda Prabhu. 

Nityänanda simply laughed. The Lord personally smeared sandalwood 

paste over the body of Nityänanda and then placed a 

flower garland around His neck. 

Çré Gauräìga then put Nityänanda in front of Him and 

began offering prayers as the devotees listened attentively. He 

prayed to Lord Nityänanda, 

name nityänanda tumi rüpe nityänanda 

ei tumi nityänanda-räma murtimanta 

nityänanda paryyaöana bhojana vyavahära 

nityänanda bine kichu nähika tomära 

tomäre bhujite çakté maëusyera kothä? 

parama susatya tumi yathä kåñëa tathä 

“Your name is Nityänanda, and Your form is 

Nityänanda. You are indeed the abode of eternal 

bliss, nondifferent from Balaräma. You wander to 

the holy places. Your pastimes of accepting food are 

filled with eternal bliss. Who has the power to understand 

You? You are the Supreme Absolute Truth 

and are as good as Lord Kåñëa.” 

Most magnanimous Nityänanda was completely absorbed in 

the mellows of love for Çré Caitanya. Lord Caitanya wholly approved 

of whatever He said and did. 

Once, Çré Gauräìga asked Nityänanda, “Please give Me one 

of Your kaupénas. I have a desire to keep it.” 

76 




After saying this, the Lord took a kaupéna from Lord 

Nityänanda and tore it into small pieces. He distributed 

those pieces of Nityänanda Prabhu’s kaupéna to all the 

Vaiñëavas. 

prabhu bale e vastra vändhana çire 

anyera ki däya ihä väïche yogeçvare 

nityänanda prasäde se haya viñëu-bhakti 

jäniha kåñëera nityänanda pürëa çakti 

krñëera dutéya nityänanda bai nähi 

saìgé-sadhä nityänanda caritra 

sarva jéva janaka rakñaka sarva mitra 

ihäna vyabhära sava kåñëa rasamaya 

ihäna sebile kåñëa premabhakti haya 

bhakti kari ihäna kaigéra väïchä çire 

mahäyatre ihä püjä kara giyäghare 

Lord Caitanya then said to all the Vaiñëavas, “All 

of you tie this piece of cloth around your heads. What 

to speak of Vaiñëavas, even masters of mystic perfection 

desire this piece of kaupéna. One can attain devotional 

service to Lord Viñëu only by the mercy of Nityänanda. 

Know that Nityänanda possesses the complete potency of 

the Supreme Lord. There is no one dearer to Kåñëa then 

Nityänanda. He eternally serves Kåñëa as a companion, 

bed, ornament, associate, and brother. The qualities of 

Nityänanda are incomprehensible even to the Vedas. He 

is the father, protector, and friend of all living entities. 

His dealings are full of the transcendental mellows of 

love for Kåñëa. 

“If one serves Nityänanda, he will attain loving devotional 

service to Kåñëa without a doubt. All of you 

should tie this piece of Nityänanda’s kaupéna around 

your head with devotion. You should worship this piece 

of cloth in your homes with great respect.” 

Receiving the order of the Lord, all the devotees respectfully 

tied the pieces of kaupéna around their heads. 

77 




prabhu bale çunaha sakala bhaktagaëa 

nityänanda pädodara karaha prahaëa 

karilehi mätra ei padodaka päna 

kåñëa dåö bhakata haya ithe nähi äna 

Çré Gauräìga continued, “Listen, My dear devotees. 

All of you drink the water that has washed Nityänanda’s 

lotus feet. Just by drinking that water, one will attain unflinching 

devotion to Kåñëa. There is no doubt of this.” 

Being thus, instructed by the Lord, all the devotees washed 

the lotus feet of Lord Nityänanda and drank the water with 

great respect. In fact, every devotee drank the water five or seven 

times. Nityänanda Prabhu was, however, completely lost in 

an ecstatic trance as He continued to laugh. 

Mahäprabhu Çré Gauräìga personally distributed the caraëämåta 

of Lord Nityänanda with great jubilation. After drinking 

the water, all the devotees became mad with ecstasy and 

loudly chanted, “Hari, Hari.” 

“Today my life has become successful,” someone said. 

“Today I have become a servant of Kåñëa,” said another 

person. 

“Today has been a very auspicious day for me,” someone 

else said. 

“The water that washed the lotus feet of Nityänanda is very 

tasty,” said still another person. “In fact, the sweetness in my 

mouth does not diminish at all.” 

What a wonderful influence the caraëämåta of Lord 

Nityänanda has! As soon as the devotees drank it, they became 

agitated, being infused with love of God. They danced, 

sang, rolled on the ground, and chanted the holy name of the 

Lord very loudly. They thus performed näma-saìkértana, overwhelmed 

with ecstasy while dancing in great jubilation. 

Soon Çré Gauracandra rose and began to dance very wonderfully. 

Instantly, Nityänanda got up and joined Mahäprabhu. 

Both the Lords began to dance all around the devotees. In great 

jubilation, one devotee fell upon another, while still another 

caught him in his arms. A devotee tried to take the dust of an- 

78 




other devotee and put it on his head. There was thus intense 

competition among the devotees as to who would take the dust 

of another devotee and place it on his head. They cried and 

repeatedly embraced one another. 

It is very difficult to describe the activities of the devotees 

at that time. Both the two Lords and Their servants danced together. 

The two Lords embraced each other joyfully and danced 

in ecstasy. Being maddened in the ecstasy of the transcendental 

loving mellows, the Lord of Vaikuëöha danced with His associates. 

The pastimes of the Lord are endless. The Vedas describe 

these pastimes from His appearance to His disappearance. 

After dancing throughout the entire day, Lord Gaurahari 

sat down, surrounded by His associates. He clapped His hands 

three times and said in a grave voice, “Whoever places his faith 

and devotion in Nityänanda Çvarüpa places his faith and devotion 

in Me. Even Lord Brahmä and Lord Çiva constantly worship 

His lotus feet. Therefore, all of you should maintain you 

love and devotion for Him. If anyone maintains even a tinge of 

enmity towards Nityänanda, although he may claim to be My 

devotee, he is not dear to Me. If the air that touched Nityänanda’s 

body touches anyone, Lord Kåñëa will never leave that person.” 

Hearing these words from the Lord, all the devotees loudly 

exclaimed, “Jaya! Jaya!” 

If one hears these topics with devotion, Lord Gauracandra 

becomes his life and soul. Those who have personally seen these 

pastimes of Nityänanda Çvarüpa certainly know His glories. 

The dear and fortunate associates of Lord Caitanya know many 

such wonderful glories of Nityänanda. 



79 





CHAPTER EIGHT 

The Deliverance of Jagäi and Mädhäi 

One day, Lord Caitanya ordered Nityänanda and Haridäsa 

Öhäkura as follows: 

çuna çuna nityänanda! çuna haridäsa! 

sarvatra ämära äjïä karaha prakäça 

prati ghare ghare giyä kara ei bhikña 

“bala kåñëa bhaja kåñëa kåñëa kara çikña” 

ihä nahi ära nä baläbe nä baliba 

dina avasäne äsi ämäre kahiba 

“Listen, listen, Nityänanda! Listen, Haridäsa. 

Go and preach My order everywhere. Beg everyone, 

‘Chant Kåñëa, worship Kåñëa, and learn the science 

of Kåñëa.’ Do not preach anything other than this. At 

the end of the day, come and report to Me. If, in spite 

81 




of Your begging, anyone refuses to accept Your offer, I 

will come with a cakra to kill him.” 

Hearing this command of Lord Caitanya, all Vaiñëavas 

smiled. No one has the power to disobey the Lord’s order. Ordered 

by the Lord, Lord Nityänanda and Haridäsa departed. 

Nityänanda Prabhu eternally carries the Lord’s orders on His 

head. Anyone who doubts this is certainly a fool. 

Following the order of Lord Caitanya, Nityänanda Prabhu 

and Haridäsa went to each house in Nadia. They requested everyone 

to chant and sing the holy names of the Lord and worship 

Kåñëa. They instructed that Kåñëa is the life, soul, and wealth of 

everyone. They said, “Dear brothers, attentively chant the holy 

names of Lord Kåñëa.” 

Dressed as sannyäsés, they wandered all over Nadia, preaching 

Mahäprabhu’s message to everyone. Whoever met them 

would immediately offer respects and invite them for lunch. 

Nityänanda Prabhu and Haridäsa Öhäkura would beg only 

one thing: “Chant Kåñëa, worship Kåñëa, and learn the topics 

of Kåñëa.” 

After pleading with people in this way, the two would leave 

that place. All saintly persons were pleased by their requests. 

Hearing the wonderful topics from the mouths of these two 

lords, people would happily respond to it in their own way. 

Someone thought, “I will certainly follow their order.” 

Another person considered, “These two have become mad 

due to their fault of chanting mantras.” 

There were people who had been forbidden to enter 

Çréväsa Paëòita’s house while Lord Caitanya danced with His 

followers. As soon as Nityänanda Prabhu and Haridäsa Öhäkura 

approached those people’s houses, they would charge at them, 

shouting, “Beat them! Beat them!” 

“You have become crazy due to bad association,” those people 

would admonish, “and now you have come here to make us 

crazy. Respected, civilized people have become crazy because of 

Nimäi Paëòita.” 

“It seems that these two are spies of a thief,” some of them 

would say. “In the guise of preaching, they are surveying each 

82 




house. If they are saintly persons, then why are they acting like 

this? If they come again, we will take them to the authorities.” 

Hearing such things, Nityänanda Prabhu and Haridäsa 

Öhäkura would simply laugh. They were not in the least afraid, 

because of the strength of Lord Caitanya’s order. Both of them 

thus regularly visited every house to preach. In the evening, they 

would return to Viçvambhara and report their days’ activities. 

One day, while preaching the message of Mahäprabhu, 

Nityänanda Prabhu and Haridäsa came across two drunkards 

that were brothers. They were plunderers and murderers, and 

addicted to wine and women. There was no end to their misdeeds. 

There was no sin they had not committed. Despite being 

born in a brähmaëa family, they regularly ate beef and drank 

wine. They plundered people’s wealth and set fire to their houses. 

Perpetually intoxicated, they roamed the streets of Navadvipa 

and severely beat whomever they caught. People watched 

them from a distance, not daring to come close. 

Nityänanda Prabhu and Haridäsa thus arrived where these 

two brothers were attracting a crowd in a drunken state. They 

were sometimes very friendly towards each other and at other 

times, they would pull each other’s hair in anger and abuse one 

another with filthy words. 

“We’ll degrade the caste of the brähmaëas of Nadia!” they 

exclaimed, fully intoxicated from drinking wine. Their bodies 

were reservoirs of innumerable sins. 

However, the sin of blaspheming Vaiñëavas was not yet 

committed by them. Since they spent their days and nights in 

the company of other drunkards, there was no opportunity for 

them to commit an offense against Vaiñëavas. 

ye sabhäya vaiñëava nindä mätra haya 

sarva dharma thäkileo tära haya kñaya 

sannyäsé sabhäya yadi haya nindyä karsma 

madyapera sabhä éte se sabhä adharsma 

madyapera niñkåti ächaye kona käle 

paracacrccakara pati kabhu nähi bhäle 

çästra paòiyäo käro käro buddhinäça 

83 




“Wherever there is blasphemy of Vaiñëavas, even 

in holy places, that place and the blasphemers will be 

destroyed. If there is blasphemy in the assembly of sannyäsés, 

then such a gathering is worse than a den of 

drunkards. A drunkard can be delivered in the course 

of time, but there is no salvation for those who criticize 

a Vaiñëava. Even after having studied the scriptures, 

such a blasphemer’s intelligence will be ruined.” 

Nityänanda Prabhu and Haridäsa watched from a distance 

as the two drunkards punched each other and abused one another 

with filthy language. Nityänanda asked some of the spectators, 

“What is the caste of these two? Why are they acting like 

this?” 

“O Gosäi, these two drunkards are brähmaëas,” the people 

replied. “They were born of respected parents in a high-class 

family. Many of their forefathers resided in Nadia. In fact, there 

is not even a tinge of fault in their dynasty. Only these two gave 

up their social responsibilities to commit all kinds of sins. They 

have been acting in this way since childhood. Considering the 

two brothers most sinful, their family members rejected them. 

The people of Nadia are always afraid of them because at any 

time they can set someone’s house on fire. There are no sins 

these brother have not committed. They rob, steal, kill, rape, eat 

meat and drink wine.” 

After hearing about these two drunkards, the most compassionate 

Nityänanda Prabhu began to ponder their deliverance: 

pätaké tärite prabhu kaiÿe avatära 

emata pätaké päibena ära 

lukäiyä kare prabhu äpanä prakäça 

prabhäva nä dekhi loke kare upahäsa 

e duiyere prabhu yadi anugraha kare 

tabe se prabhava dekhe sakala saàsäre 

tare hao nityänanda caitanyera däsa 

e duiyera karo yadi caitanya prakäça 

edhana yemana matta äpanä nä jäne 

eimata haya yadi çré kåñëera näme 

84 




‘more prabhu’ bali yadi kände duijana 

tabe se särthaka more yata paryyaöana 

ye se jana e duiyera chäyä paraçiyä 

bastrera sahita gaìgä snäna kare giyä 

sei sava jana yadi e doìhäre dekhi 

gaìgä snäna hena mäne tabe more likhi 

“Lord Caitanya has descended to deliver the fallen 

people of this age. Where will He find anyone more 

fallen than these two? The Lord has not yet revealed 

Himself to the ordinary people. Not seeing His uncommon 

influence, they are ridiculing Him. If the Lord bestows 

mercy on these two sinful drunkards, then the 

people of the entire world will see His transcendental 

glories. Being known as Nityänanda, the servant of 

Lord Caitanya, will have meaning only if I can purify 

their hearts and deliver them. How wonderful it will be 

if they become intoxicated by chanting Kåñëa’s names 

the same way they are now intoxicated. If I can make 

these two take the Lord’s name and cry, I will then consider 

all My travels to holy places a success. At present, 

whoever even touches the shadow of these two drunkards 

at once bathes in the Ganges with his clothes on. I 

will be extremely fortunate if I am able to get people to 

accept that simply seeing these drunkards is the same as 

bathing in the Ganges.” 

The glories of Lord Nityänanda are unlimited. He descended 

to save the fallen souls of this world. Thinking to deliver the 

two drunkards, Nityänanda said to Haridäsa, “Just see how miserable 

these two drunkards are. They were born in a brähmaëa 

family, but their behavior is most sinful. They will be unable to 

escape the most severe punishments of Yamaräja. 

“Dear Haridäsa, the Muslims beat you so severely that you 

almost died. Still, you desired the welfare of such people in your 

mind. If you really desire these drunkards’ welfare in your heart, 

surely they will be delivered. The Lord never ignores your will. 

He has often confirmed this fact. Let the people of the entire 

85 




world see the uncommon influence of our Lord, by which He 

will deliver these two drunkards. Just as the deliverance of 

Ajämila is described in the Puräëas, let the people of the three 

worlds directly see how the Lord delivers these drunkards.” 

Haridäsa was well-acquainted with the glories of Lord 

Nityänanda. He thought, “He will certainly deliver these 

two drunkards.” 

Haridäsa said to Nityänanda Prabhu, “Listen, O Lord. 

Whatever You desire is indeed the desire of Çré Gauräìga 

Mahäprabhu. You deceive me just as a person deceives an animal. 

You always kindly teach me in that way.” 

Smiling, Nityänanda embraced Haridäsa and very gently 

said, “Let us go and repeat the Lord’s order to these two drunkards. 

The Lord commands everyone to worship Kåñëa. This is 

particularly fitting for those who are most sinful. Our duty is 

to simply repeat the Lord’s orders. Even after repeating them, if 

they are not accepted, that is also the Lord’s will.” 

To impart the message of Lord Caitanya, both Nityänanda 

Prabhu and Haridäsa went towards Jagäi and Mädhäi 11 . Some 

pious people forbade them to go. “If you go near them, you may 

lose your lives,” they warned. “We are very much afraid of these 

two drunkards. That is why we generally remain inside our 

houses. How can you dare go near them? These two do not care 

for sannyäsés. In fact, they are accustomed to killing brähmaëas 

and cows without discrimination.” 

In spite of the warnings of many pious people, Nityänanda 

and Haridäsa approached the two brothers while chanting, 

“Kåñëa, Kåñëa!” 

11 The original names of Jagäi and Mädhäi were Jagannätha 

and Mädhava. In their previous lives, they were two doorkeepers of 

Vaikuëöha, Jaya and Vijaya. They were born in a respectable brähmaëa 

family. Çubhananda Räya, a landlord of Navadvépa, had two 

sons named Raghunätha and Janärdana. Jagäi was the son of Raghunätha 

and Mädhäi was the son of Janärdana. By bad association, 

these two brothers became sinful drunkards. Later, by the mercy of 

Gaura-Nitäi, they became pure devotees. 

86 




Approaching them, Nityänanda and Haridäsa loudly repeated 

the Lord’s message to the two debauches. They said: 

bala kåñëa bhaja kåñëa laha kåñëa näma 

kåñëa mätä kåñëa pita kåñëa dhana präëa 

“Chant Kåñëa, worship Kåñëa, and sing the glories 

of Kåñëa. Kåñëa is your mother, father, wealth, and life. 

Lord Kåñëa will mercifully deliver you. Please give up 

your sinful life and worship Him.” 

Upon hearing the loud voices of Nityänanda and Haridäsa, 

the two drunkards raised their hands and looked around. Their 

eyes became red with anger. Seeing the sannyäsa features of 

Nityänanda and Haridäsa, they began to chase them, screaming, 

‘‘Catch them, catch them!” 

Nityänanda and Haridäsa quickly fled. The two drunkards 

chased them, yelling, “Wait! Wait!” running behind Nityänanda 

and Haridäsa like a raging storm. The two Lords ran 

away as if in great fear. All the pious people thought, “We tried 

to stop these two sannyäsés from going near the drunkards. Now 

they are in great danger.” 

However, the impious persons present there smiled and said, 

“Today Lord Näräyaëa has awarded fit punishment to these 

pseudo sannyäsés.” 

The pious brähmaëas prayed, “O Kåñëa, please save them. 

O Kåñëa, please save them.” 

At this time, everyone ran away out of fear of the two brothers, 

Jagäi and Mädhäi. They chased Nityänanda Prabhu and 

Haridäsa and the two Lords ran as fast as they could. Although 

the drunkards shouted, “We have almost caught them!” still, 

they were unable to catch hold of Nityänanda and Haridäsa. 

While running, Nityänanda said to Haridäsa, “O Vaiñëava 

Haridäsa, what do you think? If we survive today, it will be our 

good fortune.” 

Haridäsa replied, “O Lord, what can I say? It is all my fault 

that we will soon lose our lives. This is the result of trying to 

87 




teach drunkards about Kåñëa. We will soon get our just reward 

in the form of death.” 

Speaking like this, both Nityänanda and Haridäsa smiled 

as they ran. Because the two drunkards were fat, they were 

unable to run as swiftly as the two Lords, even though they 

tried. They shouted, “O brothers, where are you going? How 

will you escape the grip of Jagäi and Mädhäi? You do not 

know who is chasing you. Turn around and see. We are Jagäi 

and Mädhäi.” 

Feigning great fear, the two Lords ran very swiftly while listening 

to the threats of the drunkards. They prayed, “O Kåñëa! 

O Govinda! Please save us!” 

“I cannot run anymore,” Haridäsa said. “Alas, why did I 

come with this mischievous Nityänanda, even after knowing 

about His restless nature? Kåñëa saved me before from the wrath 

of the Muslims; but now I am going to surely lose my life because 

of this mischievous person.” 

Nityänanda replied, “I am not restless. Think carefully and 

you will see that it is your Lord Caitanya who is restless. Your 

Lord is but a simple brähmaëa, yet He gives orders like a king. 

Only by His order are we going door to door to preach His message. 

Although we carry out His orders, preaching door to door, 

so far we have not found anyone heeding our request. In fact, 

people simply call us thieves, cheaters, and nothing else. If we do 

not follow His order, we will become ruined and if we follow it, 

then this is the result. I know you will not find fault with your 

Lord, so ultimately it is I who am to blame.” 

In this way, Nityänanda Prabhu and Haridäsa quarreled 

humorously while the two drunkards continued the chase. Finally, 

Nityänanda and Haridäsa reached Lord Caitanya’s house. 

Dulled by drinking wine, the two drunkards became confused 

and had lost sight of Nityänanda Prabhu and Haridäsa. Being 

baffled, they began to push and pull one another. They were too 

intoxicated to understand where they were before, or how they 

had reached this place. 

When Nityänanda Prabhu and Haridäsa Öhäkura looked 

back and did not see the two drunkards following them, they 

heaved a sigh of relief and embraced each other. Then they went 

88 




to meet Lord Viçvambhara, who was sitting inside His house. He 

appeared very charming, His beauty conquering that of Cupid. 

The Lord was seated, surrounded by many Vaiñëavas, explaining 

the truth of Himself to the assembly, just as Lord 

Näräyaëa, the Lord of Çvetadvépa, had previously instructed 

great sages, headed by Sanaka. 

In this way, Nityänanda and Haridäsa arrived before the 

Lord to report the day’s activities. They said, “Today we saw two 

drunkards who still claim to be brähmaëas. We politely asked 

them to chant the holy names of Kåñëa, but they chased us in 

anger. We are fortunate to be alive.” 

The Lord asked, “Who were those two drunkards? What 

are their names? Being brähmaëas, why are they acting in such 

a degraded manner?” 

Gaìgädäsa and Çréväsa Paëòita, who were sitting in the 

assembly, described all the sinful activities committed by the 

drunkards. “O Lord, their names are Jagäi and Mädhäi,” they 

said. “They are sons of a pious brähmaëa, but due to bad association, 

they have become exceedingly degraded. Indeed, they cannot 

live without wine for even a single day. The people of Nadia 

are very afraid of them. There is no house in Nadia where these 

two have not committed theft. There is no end to their sins. O 

Gosäi, You must have seen them and know everything.” 

“Yes, yes, I know them very well. If they come here, I will cut 

them both to pieces,” Lord Caitanya replied. 

“You can do whatever You want, but as long as these two 

drunkards are around, I am not going to preach,” Nityänanda 

said. “Why do You needlessly brag about Yourself? First, make 

them chant the names of Govinda. By nature, a pious person 

chants the holy names of Kåñëa, but these two drunkards do 

nothing but commit sinful activities. If You deliver these two 

drunkards by awarding them devotional service, then Your reputation 

as the deliverer of the fallen souls will have meaning. 

Your glories were broadcast after delivering Me, but Your reputation 

will be enhanced to a much greater extent if You deliver 

these two fallen souls.” 

“These drunkards were already delivered the moment 

they had Your darçana,” Lord Viçvambhara smilingly replied. 

89 




“Since You desire their ultimate welfare, Kåñëa will soon deliver 

them.” 

Hearing this from the lotus mouth of the Lord, all the Vaiñëavas 

chanted, “Hari, Hari.” The Lord’s statement convinced everyone 

that these two drunkards would surely be saved. 

Haridäsa Öhäkura said to Advaita Äcärya, “The Lord sent 

me with this restless boy. I remain somewhere, while He goes 

somewhere else. The Ganges is filled with crocodiles in the 

rainy season, but Nityänanda sometimes tries to catch them 

while swimming. I loudly call out to warn Him from the 

shore, but alas, He floats fearlessly on the water, along with 

the crocodiles. 

“When He comes out of the water, if He sees some of His 

friends, He chases them to beat them. When the parents of 

these boys come with sticks in their hands, I fall at their feet 

and beg pardon on His behalf. Sometimes, He steals ghee and 

yogurt from cowherd men and runs away. These cowherd men 

then catch me and try to beat me instead of Him. 

“He does things He is not supposed to do. Whenever He sees 

an unmarried girl, He tells her, ‘I will marry you.’ Sometimes 

He rides on the back of an ox and calls Himself Mahädeva. At 

other times, He milks others’ cows and drinks the milk. If I try 

to teach Him something, He scolds me. He boldly says, ‘What 

can your Advaita Äcärya do to Me?’ He also says, ‘What can 

your Caitanya, who you think is the Lord, do to Me? I am not 

afraid of Him.’ 

“I never disclose these things to the Lord. Today, providence 

saved us from imminent danger. We saw two drunkards lying in 

a stupor on the street. Nityänanda went before them, repeating 

the message of the Lord. With great anger the two drunkards 

chased us to beat us. I think it is by Your mercy alone that we 

were saved today.” 

Advaita Äcärya smilingly replied, “This does not surprise 

Me at all. A drunkard will naturally keep company with other 

drunkards. Three drunkards can nicely remain together. Being 

a strict celibate, why do you mingle with Him? You will see how 

this Nityänanda turns everyone into a drunkard. I know Him 

90 




very well. Just you wait and see. Within a few days He will bring 

those two drunkards to the assembly of devotees.” 

While speaking this way, Advaita Äcärya became somewhat 

agitated. In a grave voice, He said, “We will soon see Lord 

Caitanya’s wonderful love and devotion towards Lord Kåñëa 

become manifest, as well as His power to induce everyone to 

dance and chant for Kåñëa. Tomorrow Nimäi and Nitäi will 

bring these two drunkards here and dance with them. Nimäi 

and Nitäi will not neglect them in consideration of their degraded 

condition, but I think you and I had better leave this 

place to safeguard our social prestige.” 

Seeing Advaita Äcärya’s angry mood, Haridäsa Öhäkura 

began to laugh. He was convinced that without a doubt the two 

drunkards would soon be delivered. Who can understand the 

words of Advaita Äcärya? Only Haridäsa Prabhu understood 

their meaning. Nowadays, so many sinful persons take shelter 

of Advaita Äcärya and criticize Gadädhara Paëòita. Thus, they 

are soon vanquished. A sinful person who takes the side of one 

Vaiñëava while criticizing another will surely be destroyed. 

The two drunkards, Jagäi and Mädhäi, wandered all over 

Navadvépa. One day, they came to the bathing ghäöa at the 

Ganges where Lord Caitanya usually bathed. By the will of 

providence, the drunkards made their camp at that ghäöa. During 

the day, they would wander around Navadvépa, searching 

for their prey. All the people, including highly respectable, rich 

and famous artisans were very afraid of them. After dusk, no 

one dared go to the Ganges to bathe. If someone went, he would 

go with a group of ten or twenty men. 

At night, the two drunkards stayed near the Lord’s house 

and thus remained awake all night hearing the sounds of kértana. 

As the mådaìgas and karatälas sounded during kértana, 

the two drunkards would happily dance. They could hear the 

kértana from afar. As soon as they heard the sacred sounds of 

kértana, they would dance and drink more wine. Whenever kértana 

began, they got up and danced. Wine bewildered their intelligence 

to such a degree that they never knew where they had 

just been, nor did they consider where they would go next. 

91 




Whenever Jagäi and Mädhäi met the Lord at the ghäöa, 

they said, “Nimäi Paëòita, did You finish singing Your prayers 

to Goddess Durga? You all sing very nicely and so we like to 

hear You. We will give You everything we collect during the 

day.” 

The Lord stayed aloof from them, knowing them to be most 

sinful. Everyone else also avoided them. One day, after traveling 

around Nadia, as Nityänanda Prabhu returned home in the 

evening, He was suddenly confronted by the two brothers, Jagäi 

and Mädhäi. They screamed, “Who are You?” 

“I am going to Lord Caitanya’s house,” Nityänanda Prabhu 

replied. 

Intoxicated as usual, they asked Lord Nityänanda, “What is 

Your name?” 

“My name is Avadhüta,” Nityänanda replied. 

Absorbed in the mood of a child as one of His sweet pastimes, 

Nityananda Prabhu began conversing with the two 

drunkards. He had already decided to deliver these two fallen 

souls, and so He had purposely come to their place. Hearing the 

name “Avadhüta,” Mädhäi became extremely angry. He picked 

up his clay pitcher and struck Lord Nityänanda on the head. As 

the wound on His head bled, Nityänanda Prabhu simply remembered 

Lord Govinda. 

Seeing Nityänanda’s bleeding head, Jagäi became compassionate 

and so forbade Mädhäi from hitting Him again. “Why 

did you do such a cruel thing?” Jagäi said. “What will you gain by 

killing a beggar? Leave Him. It is not good to kill a sannyäsé.” 

People quickly went and informed Lord Caitanya of this incident. 

The Lord instantly rushed to that spot, along with His 

associates. Blood flowed from Lord Nityänanda’s head, but He 

simply smiled while standing between the two sinners. Seeing 

blood on Nityänanda Prabhu’s head, Lord Caitanya began to 

invoke His Sudarçana cakra. 

Jagäi and Mädhäi saw the Sudarçana cakra instantly come 

before them. At this time, all the devotees became bewildered in 

mind. Seeing the mood of Lord Caitanya, Nityänanda Prabhu 

implored, “O Lord, when Mädhäi tried to hit Me a second time, 

Jagäi restrained him. Although I am bleeding a little, I do not 

92 




feel any pain. O Lord, I beg that please give me these two souls 

as alms. Kindly give up Your anger.” 

When Lord Caitanya heard that Jagäi had spared Nityänanda 

Prabhu, He became pleased with him and embraced 

him. The Lord said to Jagäi, “May Kåñëa be merciful to you. You 

have purchased Me by rescuing Nityänanda. Ask for any benediction, 

according to you desire. From today you will achieve 

loving devotional service to the Lord.” 

When the Vaiñëavas heard the Lord’s benediction upon 

Jagäi, they jubilantly chanted, “All glories to Lord Hari!” 

As soon as the Lord awarded pure devotional service to 

Jagäi, he at once fell senseless onto the ground. “Jagäi, get up 

and look at Me,” the Lord said. “I have awarded you love and 

devotion for Lord Kåñëa.” 

Jagäi then saw the beautiful four-armed form of Lord 

Viçvambhara, holding a conch, disc, club, and lotus. Seeing 

this form of Lord Caitanya, Jagäi again fell senseless onto the 

ground. Çré Gauräìga then placed His lotus feet upon Jagäi’s 

chest, so that he obtained the treasure that is the life and soul 

of Lakñmé. Jagäi caught hold of those invaluable jewels that 

were placed upon his chest. Holding the Lord’s lotus feet, Jagäi 

began to cry. Such is the wonderful pastime of Çré Gauräìga. 

Jagäi and Mädhäi were one, but they had appeared in two 

different bodies. Their piety and sins were also one. As soon the 

Lord bestowed mercy upon Jagäi, Mädhäi’s heart became purified. 

With folded hands, he fell at Lord Caitanya’s lotus feet and 

said, “O Lord, both Jagäi and I committed sins together. Why 

then do You discriminate while giving Your mercy? Please be 

merciful to me, and I will surely chant Your holy names. There 

is no one else in the world that can save me.” 

“I see no hope for your salvation,” The Lord said. “You dared 

to strike Nityänanda’s body, making it bleed.” 

“O Lord, please do not say this,” Mädhäi sorrowfully replied. 

“Why are You covering Your merciful nature? When demons 

released arrows at You, why did You still give them shelter at 

Your lotus feet?” 

93 




“Your offense is much graver, because you made Nityänanda 

bleed,” the Lord said. “Actually, Nityänanda is far greater than I. 

I declare this to be the truth.” 

“O Lord, if You have indeed told me the truth, then please 

tell me how I can be saved? You are the crest jewel among physicians 

expert in curing all diseases. Only if You cure me will 

my disease be removed. O Lord of the universe, please do not 

cheat me. Now I know who You are, and so please give up Your 

pretenses.” 

“You committed a grave offense at the feet of Nityänanda,” 

The Lord said. “Now you must fall at His lotus feet and beg for 

His pardon.” 

Thus ordered by the Lord, Mädhäi went and caught hold of 

the invaluable wealth that is Lord Nityänanda’s lotus feet, the 

wealth that is the property of Revaté. Viçvambhara said to Nityänanda 

Prabhu, “Listen, Nityänanda. It is proper that if someone 

falls at Your lotus feet, You should be merciful to him. Because 

Mädhäi made You bleed, only You can forgive him. Now 

he has surrendered unto You.” 

“O Lord, what can I say?” Nityänanda replied. “You can bestow 

mercy to anyone, even a tree. If I have any piety amassed 

from previous births, I will give it all to Mädhäi. I am telling You 

the truth. I do not care for the offenses he has committed. O 

Lord, please remove Your illusory energy and be merciful. This 

Mädhäi belongs to You.” 

“If You have indeed forgiven all his offenses, then please 

embrace him so his life will be successful.” Viçvambhara said. 

As instructed by the Lord, Nityänanda Prabhu tightly embraced 

Mädhäi so that his material bondage and mass of sins 

were at once destroyed. Nityänanda Prabhu entered the body of 

Mädhäi so that he became fully empowered with all the energies 

of the Lord. In this way, both Jagäi and Mädhäi were delivered. 

They then offered prayers at the lotus feet of Çré Caitanya and 

Nityänanda Prabhu. 

Çré Gauräìga Mahäprabhu then commanded them, “Sin no 

more.” 

“Dear father, no more, not again,” Jagäi and Mädhäi 

replied. 

94 




“Listen, both of you,” The Lord continued. “I have indeed 

saved you from all your sinful reactions. If you do not sin again, 

then I will destroy all your sinful reactions from millions of 

births. This is My responsibility. I will eat offerings in your 

mouths and incarnate through your bodies.” 

While hearing these words from the Lord, both Jagäi and 

Mädhäi fell unconscious onto the ground in ecstasy. Their illusions 

thus removed, they floated in an ocean of happiness. 

The all-knowing Lord instructed His followers: “Take these two 

brothers to My house. Tonight we will perform kértana with 

them. I will reward these two with what even Lord Brahmä rarely 

attains. I will transform them into the foremost of persons in 

this world. The same people who took bath in the Ganges after 

touching these brothers will now say that they are as good as the 

Ganges. Nityänanda’s promise never goes in vain. Know that 

this is indeed the desire of Nityänanda Prabhu.” 

The Vaiñëavas carefully escorted Jagäi and Mädhäi to the 

house of the Lord. When all the associates and relatives of the 

Lord came inside, they closed the door, allowing no outsiders 

to enter. Mahäprabhu Viçvambhara sat in the middle and Nityänanda 

Prabhu sat to His right, while Gadädhara Paëòita sat to His 

left. Advaita Äcärya, the greatest recipient of the Lord’s mercy, 

sat in front of the Lord. All the Vaiñëavas, headed by Pundarika 

Vidyänidhi 12 , Garuòa, Ramäi 13 , Çréväsa, and Gaìgädäsa sat 

surrounding Their Lordships. Also present were Vakreçvara 

12 Pundarika Vidyänidhi was the spiritual master of Gadädhara 

Paëòita, a beloved associate of Lord Caitanya. In his previous incarnation, 

he was King Våñabhänu of Vraja, Çrématé Rädhäräëé’s father. 

He was a wealthy landowner of Cakrasala in the district of Caööagräma, 

which is now in Bangladesh. Later he moved to Navadvépa. Çré Gauräìga 

addressed him as “father.” Due to his loving qualities, the Lord 

awarded him the title “Premanidhi.” 

13 Ramäi Paëòita was the youngest brother of Çréväsa Paëòita. 

In his previous incarnation, he was the great sage, Parvata Muni. Being 

a constant companion of Çréväsa, he relished the love of Çré Gauräìga. 

95 




Paëòita 14 and Candraçekhara Äcärya 15 . Both of them knew 

very well the mission of Lord Caitanya. 

Many other devotees sat around Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu, 

floating in the ocean of bliss, along with Jagäi and Mädhäi. Symptoms 

of ecstatic love, including standing of the hair on end, 

shedding of tears, and trembling of the body were visible in all 

their bodies. Both Jagäi and Mädhäi continuously rolled upon 

the ground. Who could understand the intention of Lord Caitanya? 

He transformed the two notorious plunderers into exalted 

devotees. 

“These two are no longer drunkards,” the Lord said to the 

devotees. “From now on, they are My servants. All of you please 

bestow mercy on these two so that they may never forget Me, 

life after life. In whatever way you may have been offended by 

them, forgive them and bestow your mercy upon them.” 

After hearing these words of the Lord, Jagäi and Mädhäi 

fell at the feet of all the assembled Vaiñëavas and begged their 

pardon. All the great devotees then blessed Jagäi and Mädhäi, 

who were thus instantly freed from all their offenses. 

“Please get up, Jagäi and Mädhäi,” the Lord said. “Do not 

worry. From now on, you are My servants.” 

“Personally, I will no longer consider their offenses,” the 

Lord said to the devotees. “No one should think of them as sin- 

14 Vakreçvara Paëòita came in the line of Çré Gadädhara Paëòita. 

He was the combined form of Aniruddha, one of the quadruple 

forms of Çré Kåñëa, Çaçrekhä of Vraja, and Tuìgavidyä of Vraja. Once, 

he asked the Lord to give him one thousand Gandharvas and he 

would then dance. He engaged in worshiping Çré Rädhäkänta at 

Jagannätha Puré. 

15 Candraçekhara Äcärya was a resident of Navadvépa. In his 

previous incarnation, he was the moon-god. He was also known as 

Äcäryaratna. He left Çréhaööa and came to reside in Navadvépa. He 

married Sarvajayä, the youngest sister of Çacé, the mother of Lord 

Caitanya. He accompanied Lord Caitanya when He visited Gayä. He 

was also present when the Lord took sannyäsa, arranging all the required 

formalities. 

96 




ful anymore. Such an act as this is never possible in one lifetime. 

Know for certain that this was done by the mercy of 

Nityänanda Prabhu. Actually, I have personally accepted all 

their sinful reactions. My dear brothers, you can directly see 

the proof of this.” 

To convince everyone of this fact, the golden body of the 

Lord immediately turned black. Converting the two plunderers 

and drunkards into pure devotees, Lord Çré Gauräìga, who is 

nondifferent from Lord Hari, began to dance along with His 

associates. In this way, Çré Gauracandra, the life and soul of 

the universe, delivered Jagäi and Mädhäi. Çré Gauracandra will 

certainly deliver whoever hears of the salvation of Jagäi and 

Mädhäi. 



97 





CHAPTER NINE 

Prayers of Jagäi and Mädhäi to Lord Nityänanda 

and Gauräìga Mahäprabhu 

Sré Gauräìga with His associates listened as Jagäi and Mädhäi 

began to offer prayers. By the order of Çré Caitanya, 

the goddess of learning appeared on their tongues as soon as 

they began to pray. 

Jagäi and Mädhäi prayed: “All glories to Çré Caitanya 

Mahäprabhu! All glories to Çré Viçvambhara! All glories to 

Nityänanda Prabhu, the beloved of Viçvambhara! All glories 

to the Lord, the original äcärya for preaching His holy 

names! All glories to Nityänanda Prabhu, who fulfills the 

mission of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu! 

“All glories to the son of Jagannätha Miçra! All glories to 

Nityänanda Prabhu, who is completely surrendered to Lord 

Caitanya Mahäprabhu! 

“All glories to the most merciful son of mother Çacé! All glories 

to Nityänanda Prabhu, the dearest friend of Çré Caitanya! 

99 




“All glories to the beloved Lord of the daughter of the royal 

priest! All glories to Nityänanda Prabhu, the embodiment of 

compassion! 

“All glories to Your transcendental activities, O Lord! All 

glories to Nityänanda Prabhu, the king of the Vaiñëavas! 

“All glories to the Lord who holds a conch, disc, club, and 

lotus in His hands! 

All glories to Avadhüta Nityänanda, who is nondifferent 

from the Lord! 

“All glories to Gauracandra, the life and soul of Advaita 

Äcärya! All glories to thousand-headed Nityänanda Prabhu! 

“All glories to the life and soul of Gadädhara and master 

of Muräri! All glories to the benefactor of Haridäsa and Väsudeva 

16 ! 

“In Your previous incarnation, You delivered many sinful 

persons. Those wonderful pastimes are glorified throughout the 

universe. Delivering us, who are the most sinful persons, will 

certainly diminish the glory of Your previous pastimes. Our deliverance 

now overshadows Your pastime of delivering Ajämila. 

We are not exaggerating—we simply speak the truth. 

“Ajämila was a natural candidate for attaining liberation. A 

person who has killed a million brähmaëas is at once liberated if 

he simply utters Your holy names. This is the conclusion of the 

Vedas. Ajämila chanted Your holy name and so his deliverance 

was not at all astonishing. 

“You incarnate to confirm the statements of the Vedas. If 

You did not deliver the most fallen souls, then the statements of 

the Vedas would prove false. We harmed the person who is dearest 

to You and yet, You delivered us. Just consider the kind of 

16 In his previous incarnation, Väsudeva Datta was a famous 

singer-associate of Çré Kåñëa named Madhuvrata. He was born in 

the village of Cakrasala at Caööagräma, which is located in presentday 

Bangladesh. Later, he came to reside at Navadvépa. His youngest 

brother, Mukunda Datta, was a singer-associate of Çré Gauräìga. 

Once, he requested the Lord to give everyone’s sinful reactions to him, 

so that they could be delivered immediately. 

100 



Prayers of Jagäi and Mädhäi to Lord Nityänanda and Gauräìga Mahäprabhu 

persons we are. What a big difference is there between Ajämila 

and us. Upon hearing the holy name of Lord Näräyaëa being 

uttered by Ajämila, four exalted personalities instantly came to 

deliver him. Ajämila clearly saw them. 

“Because of injuring Nityänanda Prabhu, we were able to 

see You, Your weapons, Your associates, and Your entourage. 

O Lord, You had concealed these glories, but now the extent 

of Your glories has been revealed. Now, the Vedic literature 

will be more widely accepted as the supreme authority. Lord 

Ananta will sing Your glories with more pride and enthusiasm. 

Now, Your hidden transcendental qualities are exposed. 

Your quality of delivering the most unworthy sinners is now 

confirmed. 

“O Lord, You may say that demons, such as Kaàsa, were 

also liberated, despite being envious of You. However, please 

carefully consider how many good qualifications they had. Because 

of constantly seeing You and Your associates, they were 

certainly eligible for liberation. 

“Kaàsa wanted to kill You by any means possible. For this 

reason, he constantly remembered You, out of great fear. Still, 

he could not escape the offense of being envious. Thus, he with 

his entire family were destroyed. O Lord, the same devotees that 

formerly bathed in the Ganges to purify themselves if they even 

touched our shadows are now touching us without hesitation. 

This is indeed due to Your unlimited glories. How will You 

deceive anyone now? Everyone has understood Your actual 

identity. 

The great devotee, Gajendra, the king of elephants, offered 

beautiful prayers to You. Seeing his unalloyed surrender, You 

delivered him. There were many demons, such as Pütanä, Agha, 

and Baka, who were envious of You and were ultimately killed 

by You. After being killed, they left their material bodies and 

attained Your eternal abode. However, only the Vedas saw their 

destinations. On the other hand, everyone in this world directly 

saw the miracle You just performed with our most sinful bodies. 

Whatever sinners You saved until now possessed some kind of 

piety. However, now You have delivered the fiercest of demons. 

This is certainly Your causeless mercy.” 

101 




After praying in this way, both Jagäi and Mädhäi cried piteously. 

Such were the wonderful pastimes of Lord Caitanya. 

Seeing this wonderful incident, all the Vaiñëavas stood up with 

folded hands and offered prayers to the Lord. 

Jagäi and Mädhäi concluded their prayers, saying, “O Lord, 

who can understand how and upon whom You bestow Your 

causeless mercy by means of Your inconceivable potencies?” 


and soul, I Våndävana däsa, sing the glories of Their lotus feet. 

102 



CHAPTER TEN 

Mädhäi’s Prayers to Nityänanda Prabhu 

and His Devotional Service 

By the mercy of Lord Caitanya, both Jagäi and Mädhäi 

continued to reside at Nadia as the most pious persons. 

They woke up early in the morning and bathed in the Ganges 

at a solitary place. They regularly chanted the holy names of 

Kåñëa two hundred thousand times a day. They constantly condemned 

themselves for all their past misdeeds and cried while 

chanting the holy names. Receiving the mercy of Kåñëa, they 

became most magnanimous, seeing everyone as being dear to 

Kåñëa. Remembering their former envy, they would constantly 

cry and fall onto the ground. 

“Gauracandra, O dear father, You are the deliverer of the 

fallen souls.” Remembering this constantly, they constantly shed 

tears. In ecstatic love for Kåñëa, they forgot to eat. Remembering 

the causeless mercy of Lord Caitanya, they would cry piteously. 

Lord Viçvambhara and His followers repeatedly consoled 

them with sweet and assuring words. Although the 

103 




Lord personally made them take prasäda, this did not pacify 

their hearts. Mädhäi, especially, often cried while remembering 

his violence toward Nityänanda Prabhu. Though Nityänanda 

Prabhu forgave all his offenses, his mind did not become peaceful. 

“I made Nityänanda bleed.” Lamenting in this way, he would 

beat his chest with his fists. “The body in which Çré Caitanya 

enjoys pastimes, I, the most sinful man, violently struck.” 

Remembering this, Mädhäi would lose consciousness. He 

seemed to have no other activity than crying. 

Nityänanda Prabhu happily wandered all over Nadia in 

the mood of a young boy, without any pride. He was naturally 

filled with ecstasy. One day, upon seeing Nityänanda Prabhu 

alone, Mädhäi fell down and caught hold of His feet. Indeed, He 

washed Lord Nityänanda’s feet with the tears of love streaming 

from his eyes. 

Placing straw in his mouth, Mädhäi prayed, “O Lord, as 

Viñëu You maintain the entire universe. As Ananta You hold 

innumerable universes on Your hoods. You are the epitome of 

devotional service. Lord Çiva and Pärvaté always remember You. 

You bestow devotional service unto Yourself to everyone. There 

is no one dearer to Lord Caitanya than You. You chant the glories 

of Kåñëa with Your unlimited mouths. You teach people 

that devotional service to the Lord is their only duty. The great 

sage Närada forever sings Your glories. Lord Caitanya is Your 

only wealth. 

“Another of Your names is Divider of River Kälindé. King 

Janaka received transcendental knowledge by worshiping You. 

You are the embodiment of all religious principles, and You are 

the original Personality of Godhead. The Vedas describe You 

as Ädideva, or the primeval Lord. You are the father of the 

universe and master of all mystic perfections. You are the great 

wielder of the bow, Lakñmaëacandra. 

“You punish the atheists, and You are the master of all those 

who relish devotional mellows. You know the internal mood and 

mission of Lord Caitanya. By seeing You, Mahämäyä became 

worshipable. The innumerable universes desire the shade of 

Your lotus feet. You are the foremost devotee of Lord Caitanya 

104 



Mädhäi’s Prayers to Nityänanda Prabhu and His Devotional Service 

and the origin of pure devotional service. You are everything to 

Çré Caitanya. You are the omnipotent Personality of Godhead. 

“You are the companion, friend, resting place, umbrella, 

and life and soul of Çré Caitanya. No one is dearer to Kåñëa 

than You. You are the origin of all the incarnations of Çré 

Gauracandra. 

“O Lord, You deliver the fallen souls and You destroy the 

lives of the atheists. You always protect the Vaiñëavas and You 

teach everyone the principles of Vaiñëavism. By Your mercy, 

Lord Brahmä creates the universe. Your consorts, Revaté and 

Väruëé, eternally serve you. You are the original cause of everything, 

yet You are aloof from all things. You hold the Lord of 

countless universes on Your chest. Your transcendental body, 

the reservoir of all happiness, is as soft as the petals of lotus 

flowers. Lord Kåñëa enjoys His pastimes within Your body. I 

harmed Your transcendental body and so there is none more 

sinful than I. Shame on me! Shame on me! 

“Lord Çiva, and Pärvaté, as well as millions of chaste 

women, worship Your transcendental form as their very life. 

Worshiping Your form destroys one’s material bondage. It is 

I who injured Your body. By adoring Your divine form, King 

Citraketu became the foremost Vaiñëava and thus live a happy 

and prosperous life. People in innumerable universes meditate 

upon Your transcendental body. I am so sinful; I tried to 

harm Your body. Service to Your divine form freed the sages 

at Naimiñäraëya, headed by Çaunaka, from material bondage. 

Being envious of this body, Indrajit was destroyed. Being envious 

of this body, Dvivida was killed. Jaräsandha was destroyed 

because of offenses to this body. Because I cut this body, I have 

no hope for good fortune. 

“What to speak of wounding You, simply because of insulting 

Your transcendental personality, You crushed Rukmé, the 

brother-in-law of Lord Kåñëa. Romaharñaëa Süta, who had a 

lifespan equal to Lord Brahmä, disregarded You by not welcoming 

You and was burnt to ashes. By insulting You, King Duryodhana 

was killed, along with his entire family. By providence, 

renowned devotees could easily know You as the cause of all 

causes. Queen Kunté, Yudhiñöhira, Bhiñma, Vidura and Arjuna 

105 




confirm Your supremacy and greatness. By neglecting You, one’s 

life is doomed. Then, where will I, the most sinful person, go?” 

While praying in this way, Mädhäi floated on an ocean 

of love of God. Falling to the ground, he placed the lotus 

feet of Lord Nityänanda on his chest and continued, “O 

Lord Nityänanda, You are the protector of the surrendered 

souls. You are the wealth, life and soul of Mädhäi. All glories to 

the son of Padmävaté! All glories to Nityänanda, the treasure of 

the Vaiñëavas! All glories to the most blissful Nityänanda, who 

is never overcome by anger. It is befitting to forgive a person who 

has surrendered unto You. I am the most abominable dog-eater 

and ungrateful ass. O Lord, please forgive all my offenses.” 

After hearing the humble prayers of Mädhäi, Nityänanda 

Prabhu smiled and said, “Get up, get up, Mädhäi. You are My 

servant. I have manifested myself in your body. Can an affectionate 

father become upset if his child hurts him? I took your 

striking Me in this way. Anyone who hears your prayers to Me 

will become devoted to My lotus feet. You are the recipient of 

My Lord’s mercy. As far as I am concerned, I do not take even 

a hint of your offenses. Whoever worships Çré Caitanya is My 

life and soul. I deliver such a person, millennium after millennium. 

If someone worships Me alone, without worshiping Çré 

Caitanya, I feel unbearable distress.” 

After saying this, Nityänanda Prabhu embraced Mädhäi. 

All of Mädhäi’s miseries vanished at once. Mädhäi again caught 

hold of Lord Nityänanda’s feet and begged, “My Lord, I have 

one more request. You reside in the heart of every living entity. 

I was envious of and violent toward many such living entities. 

I do not even remember those who I have hurt. If I could recognize 

them, I would apologize to them all. I wish that those 

who I have offended would somehow forgive my offenses. O my 

Lord, if You kindly tell me how to accomplish this, I will forever 

remain grateful to You.” 

The Lord replied, ”Listen as I tell you the means for this. 

Regularly clean and decorate the bathing ghäöas on the shore 

of the Ganges. When people are thus able to bathe happily and 

comfortably, they will certainly bless you. This will nullify all 

your offenses and serve the Ganges as well. What more good 

106 



Mädhäi’s Prayers to Nityänanda Prabhu and His Devotional Service 

fortune do you need than this? Humbly offer obeisances to everyone. 

Then all your offenses will be forgiven.” 

Being advised in this way by Lord Nityänanda, Mädhäi circumambulated 

Him and departed. When Mädhäi chanted the 

holy names, “Kåñëa, Kåñëa,” tears flowed from his eyes. People 

were astonished to see how Mädhäi cleansed and decorated the 

bathing ghäöas at the Ganges. They considered him a wonderful 

person. He offered humble obeisances in return and appealed 

to everyone: “Please forgive all the offenses I have knowingly or 

unknowingly committed, and bestow your mercy upon me.” 

Seeing Mädhäi crying, everyone else began to cry. While 

looking at him, they remembered Lord Govinda. When the 

people of Nadia heard this, they understood that Nimäi 

Paëòita had transformed Jagäi and Mädhäi into glorious 

Vaiñëavas. Hearing this, people were highly astonished, concluding 

that Nimäi Paëòita could not be an ordinary human 

being. 

“Many sinful people criticize Nimäi Paëòita without understanding 

His real identity,” they said. “He performs wonderul 

kértana, being truly Kåñëa’s servant. Anyone who ridicules Him 

is doomed. Anyone who can rectify the most degraded persons, 

Jagäi and Mädhäi, must be God Himself, or at least empowered 

by God. Anyway, Nimäi Paëòita is not an ordinary mortal being. 

Now His actual glories have been revealed.” 

The people of Nadia spoke like this among themselves and 

gave up indulging in needless criticism of Lord Caitanya. Mädhäi 

performed severe austerities and he soon became celebrated 

in Nadia as a brahmacäré, or celibate person. Living by the shore 

of the Ganges, he always saw her flowing waves. He personally 

dug the earth with a shovel to build a bathing ghäöa. By 

the mercy of Lord Caitanya, even today, one can see the ruins 

of his ghäöa, which was popularly known as Mädhäira-ghäöa. 

The causeless mercy of Lord Caitanya and Prabhu Nityänanda 

transformed both plunderers into pure devotees. 

The topics of Madhya-khaëòa are like drops of nectar describing 

the salvation of formidable atheists. The principle cause 

of all these wonders is Mahäprabhu Gauracandra. Anyone who 

feels distress while hearing these narrations is certainly a cheater. 

107 




The topics of Çré Caitanya are unknown even to the four Vedas. 

Therefore, please continue hearing them attentively. 



108 




Lord Gauräìga Discusses His Sannyäsa 

with Lord Nityänanda 

One day, as Mahäprabhu sat, surrounded by all His followers, 

He suddenly uttered a wonderful word. No one 

understood its meaning, and so they were astonished. 

Nityänanda, however, understood the Lord’s intention; that 

He would soon leave home and accept sannyäsa. Nityänanda 

Prabhu became overwhelmed with lamentation, convinced that 

the Lord would surely accept sannyäsa. Realizing that the Lord’s 

beautiful hair would soon be cut off from His head, Nityänanda 

became almost inert. After a short while, Çré Gauräìga caught 

hold of Nityänanda’s hands and sat alone with Him in a secluded 

place. 

The Lord said, “Listen, Nityänanda. I will tell You My heart’s 

desires. I descended to deliver the people of the entire world. Instead 

of delivering them, I am simply destroying them. Instead 

of becoming free from material bondage by seeing Me, people 

are becoming more and more entangled. When they thought of 

109 




beating 17 Me, they were at once became entangled in unbreakable 

bondage simply by this thought. 

“I appeared to deliver the people of this world, but instead 

I have personally ruined them all. You will see how tomorrow I 

will shave My head and accept the renounced order, sannyäsa. I 

will then beg arms door to door. Those who wanted to kill Me, 

I will go to their doors tomorrow as a beggar. Seeing Me in that 

form, people will fall at My feet. I will thus deliver the entire 

world. People generally respect a sannyäsé and would not dare 

beat him. I will take sannyäsa and wander door to door begging 

for alms. Let us see who will beat Me. 

“I have thus disclosed My heart to You. I am determined to 

give up My household life. Please do not feel sad because of this. 

Rather, You should encourage Me to take sannyäsa. I will do 

whatever You make Me do. Suggest to Me the means whereby 

I can accept sannyäsa. If You really want to deliver the entire 

world, then do not forbid Me in this matter. Do not even feel 

distressed, for You know the reason for My incarnation. 

“Please hear one more thing, dear Çrépäda Nityänanda Gosäi. 

You should disclose My intention to only five persons. During 

the coming summer solstice, when the sun moves from one 

17 Once, Mahäprabhu, fully absorbed in gopé-bhäva in the mood 

of Rädhäräëé, chanted, “Gopé, gopé.” One of His students happened to 

hear Him. The student was unable to understand why Mahäprabhu 

was chanting, “Gopé, gopé.” He told the Lord, “Chant Kåñëa!, Kåñëa! 

What will You get by chanting gopé, gopé? The çästras say that it is 

Kåñëa’s name that bears fruit and not the name of gopé.” 

Mahäprabhu was fully absorbed in rädhä-bhäva and considered 

the student to be a messenger of Kåñëa. Mahäprabhu said, “What 

is the use of chanting the name of Kåñëa, who is full of faults and 

vices.” 

Mahäprabhu had been describing all the faults of Kåñëa, and 

the student had protested. In a fit of rage, Mahäprabhu picked up a 

stick, being ready to beat the student. The student ran away in fear 

while Mahäprabhu was ran after him. Somehow, the devotees pacified 

Mahäprabhu. The unfortunate student told everything to his friends. 

Finding fault with Mahäprabhu’s chanting the name gopé, the students 

conspired to beat Him. 

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Lord Gauräìga Discusses His Sannyäsa with Lord Nityänanda 

sign of the zodiac to the next, I will certainly leave home to take 

sannyäsa. 

“There is a village called Katwa near the village of Indräëé, 

where the renowned Keçava Bhärati resides. I am destined to 

accept sannyäsa from him. Tell this to only five persons: My 

mother, Gadädhara, Brahmänanda, Çré Candraçekara Äcärya, 

and Mukunda.” 

Upon learning that the Lord’s wonderfully attractive hair 

would be shaved, Nityänanda’s heart, mind, body and life seemed 

to shatter. He was so bewildered in mind that He could not even 

think of what to suggest. All that He knew was that the Lord 

would certainly take sannyäsa. 

“My Lord, You are supremely independent,” Nityänanda 

Prabhu said. “Whatever You desire will certainly happen. Who 

can instruct You about the rules and regulations for accepting 

sannyäsa? Whatever You desire is the confirmed truth. You are 

the maintainer and Lord of all the universes. Therefore, You 

know best what is most appropriate. Who else but You knows 

the ways and means for delivering the fallen souls of this world? 

Your nature is that You are supremely blissful and independent. 

Therefore, whatever You desire will take place. Still, You inquire 

from Your servants as a formality, just to see what they will say. 

You will do whatever You desire. Who can oppose Your will?” 

Çré Gauräìga Mahäprabhu was pleased to hear these words 

of Nityänanda Prabhu, and He embraced Him again and again. 

After discussing His plans with Nityänanda, Gaurahari returned 

to the assembly of Vaiñëavas. Realizing that the Lord 

would soon leave home and accept sannyäsa, Nityänanda was 

stunned and could hardly utter a word. 

When Nityänanda finally composed Himself, He began to 

contemplate as follows: “How will mother Çacé survive after the 

Lord’s departure? How will she spend her cruel days and nights?” 

These thoughts made magnanimous Nityänanda Prabhu 

practically lose consciousness. Thinking about the imminent 

miseries that mother Çacé would experience, He cried constantly 

in a solitary place. 



111 



END OF MADHYA LÉLÄ 



ANTYA-LÉLÄ 





CHAPTER ONE 

Lord Nityänanda and Mahäprabhu Meet the 

Residents of Navadvépa 

avatirnau sa-karunyau paricchinau sad isvarau 

çré kåñëa caitanya nityänandau dvau bhratarau bhaje 

worship the two brothers, Çré Kåñëa Caitanya 

I and Çré Nityänanda, who descended in this world 

as the Supreme Controllers. They appeared in covered 

forms as incarnations of mercy. 

All glories to Çré Kåñëa Caitanya and all glories to the beloved 

Lord of Goddess Lakñmé! All glories to Nityänanda, the 

most intimate associate of Çré Caitanya! All glories to the Lord 

of Vaikuëöha, the king of sannyäsés! All glories to all the devotees 

of Çré Caitanya! All glories to Gauracandra, the deliverer 

of fallen souls! 

O Lord, please place Your lotus feet within my heart. 

115 




My dear brothers, listen with utmost attention to the topics 

of Çeña-khaëòa that describe Lord Nityänanda’s meeting with 

His devotees. 

One auspicious day, after having taken sannyäsa, Lord Caitanya, 

along with His devotees, happily departed for Néläcala. 

“Listen, magnanimous Nityänanda. Go at once to Navadvépa,” 

the Lord said. “Try to relieve the distress of all the devotees, 

headed by Çréväsa Paëòita. Tell everyone in Navadvépa that I 

am going to Néläcala to see Lord Jagannätha. On the way to 

Néläcala, I will visit the house of Advaita Äcärya in Çäntipura, 

and I will wait there for everyone. You should gather all the 

devotees and bring them to Çäntipura. In the meantime, I will 

visit Phuliyä 18 , the place of Haridäsa Öhäkura.” 

By the order of the Lord, Nityänanda Prabhu set out for 

Navadvépa, intoxicated by transcendental mellows of love of 

God. Overwhelmed with ecstasy, Nityänanda Prabhu constantly 

roared like an intoxicated lion. His pastimes are beyond the 

Vedic prescriptions and prohibitions. Sometimes He climbed up 

a kadamba tree, and sometimes He played a flute while standing 

in a threefold bending posture. 

Sometimes He rolled in the pastures, and sometimes He 

drank milk from a cow, just like a calf. He danced along the 

entire path out of His own sweet will. He was merged so deeply 

in the ocean of bliss that He completely forgot Himself. Sometimes 

He would sit down on the road and cry. Hearing His crying 

melted the hearts of the people. Sometimes He laughed out 

loud, and sometimes He took off His cloth and tied it around 

His head. Sometimes, in His mood of Ananta, He floated enchantingly 

on the waves of the Ganges. 

The glories of Nityänanda Prabhu are inconceivable and 

unfathomable. His causeless mercy is matchless within the three 

worlds. Floating like this, Nityänanda finally reached the bathing 

ghäöas of Navadvépa. Controlling His ecstasy, Nityänanda 

18 The village of Phuliyä is in the district of Nadia. From Sealdah 

railway station one can take a train on the Lal Gola route, get off 

at Ränaghat, and then go to Çäntipura. 

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Lord Nityänanda and Mahäprabhu Meet the Residents of Navadvépa 

went to the home of Lord Caitanya, where He found that mother 

Çacé had been fasting for twelve days. She remained alive 

simply by the mercy of Lord Kåñëa. 

Mother Çacé was absorbed in the mood of Yaçodä. Tears of love 

continuously flowed from her eyes. She asked everyone she saw, 

“Are you from Mathurä? Tell me, how are Kåñëa and Balaräma?” 

Saying this, she would fall senseless to the ground. Sometimes 

mother Çacé would say, “I can hear a horn. Maybe Akrüra 

has come again to the pastures.” 

Mother Çacé, was thus completely merged in the ocean of 

separation from Kåñëa. Nityänanda Prabhu offered His obeisances 

to mother Çacé. Seeing Lord Nityänanda, all the devotees 

began to cry. Mother Çacé swooned onto the ground saying, “O 

dear father, O dear father!” 

No one knew who fell or on which side he fell. Nityänanda 

picked everyone up and embraced them. Bathing everyone with 

His tears of love, He told everyone the auspicious news of Lord 

Caitanya’s journey to Çäntipura. 

“All of you quickly go and see Lord Caitanya,” Nityänanda 

Prabhu said. “The Lord has gone to Advaita Äcärya’s house in 

Çäntipura. I came here to take you all there.” 

In separation from Çré Caitanya, all the devotees had become 

exceedingly morose and emaciated. However, the words 

of Nityänanda Prabhu brought them back to life. Overwhelmed 

with ecstasy, they began glorifying Lord Kåñëa. 

Mother Çacé had been completely fasting since the day Lord 

Caitanya left home to take sannyäsa. Thus twelve days had 

passed since she last ate. Only by the influence of Çré Caitanya 

was she able to maintain her life. 

Seeing the condition of mother Çacé, Nityänanda Prabhu 

felt very unhappy. He spoke the following sweet words to console 

her: “There is no mystery of Kåñëa that you are not aware 

of. What can I tell you? Please do not lament. Be happy. Even 

the Vedas will never receive the mercy you have attained. The 

Lord, whom the Vedas forever seek, is your son. He is the life 

and soul of everyone. 

“That same Lord has placed His hand on your heart and 

promised to take full responsibility for you. The Lord repeatedly 

117 




said that all your spiritual and worldly responsibilities are on His 

shoulders. He knows what is best for you, so please surrender to 

the Lord and live happily. 

“O mother, please go and quickly cook for Kåñëa. Let all the 

devotees honor the Lord’s remnants of food and be happy. Everyone 

hankers to relish the food cooked by you. If you fast, then 

Lord Kåñëa will fast. Quickly cook many palatable offerings for 

Kåñëa. I, too, have a great desire to eat food cooked by you.” 

Hearing the words of Nityänanda, mother Çacé forgot her 

pangs of separation and quickly went to cook. Most pious mother 

Çacé cooked numerous offerings for Kåñëa. After offering them, 

she gave the remnants to Nityänanda Svarüpa and then served 

all the Vaiñëavas. Finally, after pleasing everyone, mother Çacé 

personally honored prasäda. 

When mother Çacé finally ate after fasting for twelve days, 

the devotees became felt great satisfaction. All the devotees, 

along with Nityänanda Prabhu, jubilantly prepared to go and 

see Lord Caitanya. Soon, all the residents of Navadvépa heard 

about the sannyäsa of Gauracandra. Hearing the Lord’s wonderful 

sannyäsa name, Çré Kåñëa Caitanya, everyone chanted, 

“Hari, Hari!” and said, “May You attain glory!” 

Even the atheists who had previously criticized the Lord 

went to see Him, along with their families. They all repented: 

“We took birth as fools in Navadvépa and, unaware of the position 

of the Lord, we criticized Him. Now let us go and take 

shelter of His lotus feet. In this way we will counteract all our 

offenses.” 

In this way, the people hurried towards Çäntipura in a highly 

ecstatic mood. No one could estimate how many people there 

were. They soon reached Phuliyä, loudly chanting the names of 

Hari. Indeed, that sound pierced the coverings of the universe. 

Hearing the wonderful loud chanting of the name of Hari, the 

Lord, the crest jewel among sannyäsés, came out from His room. 

He incessantly chanted the mahä-mantra as tears of love continuously 

flowed from His eyes: 

Hare Kåñëa Hare Kåñëa Kåñëa Kåñëa Hare Hare, 

Hare Räma Hare Räma Räma Räma Hare Hare 

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Lord Nityänanda and Mahäprabhu Meet the Residents of Navadvépa 

All the people raised their hands and cried: “Save us! Save 

us!” Such were the wonderful pastimes of Gauracandra. His 

enchanting face overwhelmed everyone with ecstasy. Then 

Nityänanda Prabhu, who is Lord Ananta, arrived from Nadia, 

along with many devotees. When the devotees, headed by Çréväsa 

Paëòita, saw the Lord, they began to chant the holy names 

of Hari in ecstasy. The devotees offered obeisances at the Lord’s 

lotus feet and cried profusely. Lord Caitanya embraced all the 

devotees for they were as dear to Him as His own life. The pathetic 

cries of the devotees purified the entire universe. 

As the devotees continued singing the glories of the Lord, 

Gauracandra repeatedly shouted, “Chant! Chant!” 

How can anyone describe the sweetness of these loving 

exchanges? The Lord raised His hands and jubilantly chanted, 

“Hari! Hari!” The Lord’s dancing was full of sweet wonder. Seeing 

His dancing, all the devotees merged in an ocean of great 

happiness. Their ecstasy increased as they blissfully danced 

around the Lord. Somebody fell on someone, and someone else 

caught hold of another devotee. Someone held another’s feet to 

his chest. 

Nityänanda Prabhu, the abode of great effulgence, danced 

exuberantly around the Lord. Advaita Äcärya danced and 

shouted loudly in ecstasy. Everyone tried to grab one another’s 

feet. Any fortunate person who hears the narrations of these 

pastimes will certainly receive the service of Gauracandra’s lotus 

feet. Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu was thus reunited with His 

devotees, jubilantly performing näma-saìkértana. Anyone who 

hears the story of this meeting will attain the treasure of kåñëaprema. 



119 





CHAPTER TWO 

Lord Nityänanda Breaks Mahäprabhu’s 

Sannyäsa-daëòa 

After meeting the devotees, Çréman Mahäprabhu departed 

for Néläcala. He soon arrived on the bank of the River 

Suvarëarekhä. The Lord, along with all the Vaiñëavas, bathed 

in the crystal-clear water of the Suvarëarekhä, thus making the 

river most glorious. 

Çré Gaurasundara, the Supreme Personality of Godhead in a 

humanlike form, then proceeded towards Néläcala. Nityänanda 

Prabhu, accompanied by Sri Jagadänanda, walked far behind 

Gaurasundara. At a short distance, Gauracandra sat down, waiting 

for Nityänanda Svarüpa to join Him. Nityänanda Prabhu was 

fully absorbed in ecstatic love for Çré Caitanya. All of His dealings 

were like those of a madman. Sometimes He roared loudly, 

and sometimes He cried. Sometimes He laughed, and sometimes 

He shouted loudly. He swam in the River Suvarëarekhä and 

then smeared dust all over His body. 

121 




At times, out of love for the Lord, Nityänanda would fall to 

the ground so hard that people thought His limbs would break 

into pieces. Other times, He would simply dance according to 

His own sweet will. When He danced, the whole world seemed 

to tremble. This is not at all astonishing for Him because He is 

nondifferent from Lord Anantadeva. He has now incarnated 

in this world as Lord Nityänanda. Everything is possible by the 

mercy of Nityänanda Prabhu, in whose heart Lord Gauracandra 

constantly resides. 

Leaving Nityänanda somewhere, Jagadänanda 19 went out 

for begging alms. Çré Jagadänanda had been entrusted with the 

responsibility of carrying Lord Caitanya’s sannyäsa-daëòa, and 

so he gave it to Nityänanda Svarüpa before departing, saying, 

“Please keep the Lord’s daëòa very carefully. I am going to 

beg alms and will soon return.” 

Nityänanda took the daëòa from Jagadänanda and sat 

down, His mind somewhat agitated. Holding the daëòa, Nityänanda 

began to laugh. He then said to the daëòa, “O daëòa, it 

is wrong that the Lord I carry in My heart carries you.” 

Saying this, unlimitedly powerful Nityänanda Balaräma 

broke the daëòa into three pieces and threw them away. Only 

the Supreme Lord knows His own desires. How can I know 

why Nityänanda Prabhu broke the Lord’s daëòa? Nityänanda 

Prabhu knows the internal mood of Gauracandra, and Çré Gau- 

19 Jagadänanda Paëòita was an associate of Gauräìga Mahäprabhu. 

In his previous incarnation, he was Krñëa’s beloved queen, 

Satyabhämä. In his childhood, he stayed with Çivänanda Sena and 

studied Bhagavad-gétä and Çrémad-Bhägavatam under his guidance. 

He also learned the art of cooking from him. Çivänanda Sena brought 

Jagadänanda to Navadvépa to meet the Lord. Since the time of that 

meeting, he stayed at Navadvépa and enjoyed playing and studying 

with the Lord. After the Lord took sannyäsa, Jagadänanda accompanied 

Him to Néläcala. At Néläcala, he established the service of Çré 

Giridhäri. By the order of the Lord, he returned to Navadvépa to meet 

mother Çacé. Breaking a pot of sandalwood oil, preparing the Lord’s 

bed, and leaving for Våndävana were some of his wonderful loving 

pastimes and services. 

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Lord Nityänanda Breaks Mahäprabhu’s Sannyäsa-daëòa 

racandra knows the heart of Nityänanda. They are just like the 

two brothers, Çré Räma and Lakñmaëa. They know each other’s 

hearts. 

To teach devotional service, the one Absolute Truth appeared 

in two forms. We can understand Gauracandra only by 

the mercy of Nityänanda Prabhu. Who is there more powerful 

than Nityänanda Prabhu, who could also break the daëòa of Çré 

Caitanya? Çré Gaurasundara explains all these things in some 

way or other. Anyone who understands this pastime in truth is 

easily delivered from material existence. 

After breaking the daëòa, Nityänanda sat down peacefully. 

A short time later, Jagadänanda returned. Upon seeing 

the Lord’s daëòa broken into pieces, Jagadänanda became very 

anxious and astonished. 

“Who broke the daëòa?” Jagadänanda asked. 

“He who accepted the daëòa. The Lord Himself broke 

His daëòa,” Nityänanda replied. “Who else could break His 

daëòa?” 

Hearing this reply, Jagadänanda said nothing more. He 

picked up the broken pieces of daëòa and left at once. He went 

further along the road to where he found Çré Gaurasundara sitting 

and placed the broken pieces before Him. 

“How did the daëòa break?” The Lord asked. “You must 

have quarreled with someone on the way.” 

Jagadänanda Paëòita narrated the entire incident to the 

Lord and said, “The one overwhelmed with grief, Nityänanda, 

broke this daëòa.” 

Later, Lord Caitanya asked Nityananda Prabhu, “Tell Me; 

why did You break My daëòa.” 

“It is true that I broke this bamboo stick. If You cannot forgive 

Me, then punish Me as You like,” Nityänanda replied. 

“All the demigods are present within this daëòa and yet 

You call it a bamboo stick?” the Lord said. 

Who can understand the pastimes of Gaurasundara? If one 

understands them in a particular way, there will always remain 

something unexplained. Anyone who claims to know the heart 

of the Lord is certainly a great fool. If the Lord wants to kill 

someone, He may apparently show him affection. He displays 

123 




indifference even to those who are as dear to Him or even dearer 

to Him than His own life. Such are the inconceivable and incomprehensible 

pastimes of the Lord. Only a person favored by 

the Lord can understand them. The fact is that the Lord, out of 

His own sweet will, broke the daëòa and then became angry. 

“This daëòa was My only remaining possession,” the Lord 

said. “But today, by the will of Kåñëa, that also has been broken. 

I think I should travel alone. So, either all of you go first, or else 

I will go first.” 

“O Lord, You go first,” Mukunda 20 said. “We have some duties 

to perform and then we will follow You.” 

“Good.” Saying this, Gaurasundara departed like an invincible, 

ferocious lion. After only a few moments, the Lord reached 

the village of Jaleçvara. There, He visited the temple of Jaleçvara. 

The servants and worshipers of Lord Çiva were astonished 

to see the Lord. They concluded that it was none other than 

Lord Çiva who had personally come before them. With great 

enthusiasm and jubilation, the Çaivites sang and played musical 

instruments as the Lord danced in ecstasy. 

After awhile, the Lord’s associates, headed by Mukunda, arrived 

there, and they also began to sing. Seeing His dear devotees, 

the Lord became more blissful and continued dancing as 

they surrounded Him. 

Who has the power to describe the symptoms of prema that 

were visible on the body of Lord Caitanya? Tears poured from 

His eyes like the flow of the Ganges. This abode of Çiva became 

most glorious as the Lord of Vaikuëöha personally danced there. 

After manifesting spiritual bliss for some time, the Lord became 

calm and sat down with His dear associates. He then embraced 

everyone with love, making them happy and fearless. 

Seeing Nityänanda Prabhu, the Lord embraced Him and 

said, “You were supposed to look after Me so that I could protect 

My renounced order of life, but on the contrary, You want to 

20 Mukunda was one of the Lord’s singers. He was born in a 

Datta family of Caööagräma in present-day Bangladesh. Later, he 

came to reside at Navadvépa. His elder brother was Väsudeva Datta. 

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Lord Nityänanda Breaks Mahäprabhu’s Sannyäsa-daëòa 

make Me mad. If You continue Your mischief, it will be just like 

killing Me. Whatever You had wanted Me to do, I did. That is a 

fact and I tell this to everyone.” 

Lord Gauracandra then instructed everyone to be extremely 

careful in their dealings with Nityänanda. The Lord said, “Nityänanda 

is more dear to Me than My very life. I boldly declare 

this. The love and devotion of anyone who commits offenses at 

the lotus feet of Nityänanda will certainly be checked. There 

is no fault of Mine in this regard. Anyone who maintains even 

the slightest envy towards Nityänanda, although he may be My 

devotee, he is not dear to Me.” 

Hearing His own praise, Nityänanda Mahäçaya felt shy and 

did not raise His head. All the devotees, however, felt great joy 

upon hearing the Lord’s words. Such are the pastimes of the son 

of Çacé. 



125 





CHAPTER THREE 

Lord Nityänanda’s Darçana of Lord Jagannätha 

Lord Caitanya walked as swiftly, like an infuriated lion. He 

soon reached Jagannätha Puré and entered the temple of 

Lord Jagannätha. By the Lord’s will, Särvabhauma Bhaööäcärya 

was present in the temple, having the darçana of Jagannätha, 

Baladeva, and Subhadrä, when Gauracandra, the life and soul 

of the universe, came to see Them. 

As soon as the Lord saw Jagannätha, He loudly roared and 

went to embrace Him. While doing so, however, the Lord fell 

unconscious onto the floor in ecstasy. Who can understand the 

unfathomable qualities of the Supreme Lord? Just by seeing Jagannätha, 

who is non-different from Him, Lord Caitanya fainted 

onto the floor. 

Särvabhauma Bhaööäcärya personally attended to the Lord, 

but was unable to bring Him back to external consciousness. 

Finally, Särvabhauma Bhaööäcärya decided to take Lord Caitanya 

home. 

127 




“Brothers, please pick up this jewel-like personality, and 

bring Him to my house,” Särvabhauma instructed the temple 

guards. The guards, along with the servants of the Deities who 

participated in the Päëòu-vijaya ceremony, picked up Lord Caitanya 

and carried Him out of the temple to Särvabhauma’s 

house. As they blissfully carried the Lord, they continually 

chanted the holy names of Hari. 

At that time, the devotees who had accompanied the Lord 

from Navadvépa reached the Siàha-dvära (Lion Gate) at the 

main entrance to the temple. They were highly astonished by 

what they saw. It appeared as if ants were carrying a particle of 

grain, as many people were seen happily carrying Lord Caitanya 

to the home of Särvabhauma Bhaööäcärya. 

After offering obeisances to Jagannätha at the main entrance, 

all the devotees followed the Lord as the temple servants 

brought Him to Särvabhauma’s house. As soon as the Lord was 

brought inside, the temple servants locked the door. Seeing the 

devotees that had come with the Lord from Navadvépa, Särvabhauma 

was especially pleased. While loudly exchanging greetings 

with everyone, Särvabhauma’s doubts regarding Lord Caitanya 

were removed. He thus became very satisfied at heart. 

Who can estimate the good fortune of Särvabhauma 

Bhaööäcärya? He whose glories all the Vedas describe personally 

came to his house. Seeing Nityänanda Prabhu, Särvabhauma 

Mahäçaya humbly took the dust from His lotus feet. Särvabhauma 

arranged a guide so that the devotees could see Lord Jagannätha. 

The guide made this request of the devotees with folded 

hands: “Please remain peaceful while seeing Lord Jagannätha. 

Do not act like the previous Gosäi. I do not understand what 

kind of people you are. If you promise to remain peaceful, only 

then will I take you to see Lord Jagannätha. What can I say? 

The way that sannyäsé fell to the floor—no ordinary man could 

survive that! I request all of you to please see Lord Jagannätha 

with utmost restraint.” 

Hearing these words, all the devotees began to laugh, saying, 

“Do not worry.” All the devotes then left to see Lord Jagannätha. 

Thereafter, they entered the temple and saw the Lord of 

the universe, the origin of the first quadruple expansion, hap- 

128 



Lord Nityänanda’s Darçana of Lord Jagannätha 

pily manifested in the midst of His devotees. Seeing Lord Jagannätha, 

all the devotees began to cry. They offered obeisances to 

Him, circumambulated Him, and prayed before Him. 

Nityänanda, absorbed in love for Lord Caitanya, became 

terribly agitated upon seeing Lord Jagannätha, so that He was 

unable to remain steady. As soon as He saw Lord Jagannätha, 

Nityänanda ran to embrace Him. The guards could not check 

Him, and so Nityänanda climbed onto the altar and embraced 

the Deity of Balaräma. As Nityänanda climbed onto the Deities’ 

throne, the guards tried to stop Him, catching hold of His 

hand, but He simply pushed them away. He then took the garland 

from Lord Balaräma and placed it around His neck. 

At this time, the temple priests took garlands from Lord 

Jagannätha and happily offered them to the devotees. Receiving 

Lord Jagannätha’s mercy in the form of His garlands, all the 

devotees became extremely pleased. Thereafter, they returned 

to Särvabhauma’s house. 

Wearing the garland of Balaräma, Nityänanda walked like 

the king of elephants. The temple guards thought, “This mendicant 

is not an ordinary man. How could anyone survive after 

touching Balaräma? We control even mad elephants, and so 

what to speak of ordinary men. We tried to grab Him, but He 

scattered us like straws.” 

Remembering this incident, the temple guards showed great 

respect to Nityänanda whenever they saw Him. In His mood 

as a child, Nityänanda Svarüpa often embraced the Lord with 

loving affection. 

Meanwhile, Lord Caitanya remained unconscious at the 

house of Särvabhauma Bhaööäcärya. Särvabhauma Bhaööäcärya 

sat at His feet while the devotees surrounding the Lord chanted 

the names of Räma and Kåñëa. The transcendental qualities of 

Gauracandra are inconceivable and unfathomable. Even after 

nine hours, He did not regain consciousness. It was only after a 

long time that Lord Caitanya, the life and soul of the universe, 

returned to external consciousness. All the devotees chanted 

the holy name of Lord Hari. 

Becoming composed, the Lord asked everyone, “What happened 

to Me today?” 

129 




“When You saw Lord Jagannätha, You fell unconscious onto 

the ground,” Lord Nityänanda explained. Fortunately, Särvabhauma 

Bhaööäcärya was present at that time. He picked You 

up and brought You to his home. In ecstatic bliss, You remained 

in trance for nine hours. Here is Särvabhauma Bhaööäcärya, offering 

You his respectful obeisances.” 

The Lord embraced Särvabhauma and said, “Lord Jagannätha 

is very merciful. He kindly brought Me to the house of 

Särvabhauma Bhaööäcärya. I had grave doubts about how I 

would attain your good association. Today, Lord Kåñëa has effortlessly 

fulfilled My desire.” 

Saying this and looking at Särvabhauma, the Lord began 

to smile. He continued, “Listen. Today I saw Lord Jagannätha 

directly. Seeing Lord Jagannätha, I intensely desired to embrace 

Him, but as soon as I ran toward Him, I lost consciousness and 

so was unaware of anything thereafter. Fortunately, Särvabhauma 

was there and so I was protected from danger. I vow that, 

from today on, I will see Lord Jagannätha only from a distance. 

I will never enter the temple room, rather I will see Jagannätha 

while standing beside the Garuòa-stambha. By good fortune, I 

did not embrace Lord Jagannätha. Had I done so, it would have 

been a great impediment.” 

Nityänanda Prabhu replied, “Today You’ve been saved. Now 

it is already quite late. Please go and take bath.” 

“Nityänanda, You can control Me at all times,” Lord Caitanya 

said. “I surrender unto You.” 

The Lord happily bathed and then smilingly sat with 

the devotees. Särvabhauma Bhaööäcärya brought varieties of 

mahäprasäda and placed it before the Lord. Lord Caitanya offered 

His obeisances to the mahäprasäda and then began to 

honor it, along with His devotees. Anyone who hears of the ecstatic 

eating pastimes of Çré Gauräìga at Néläcala will obtain the 

association of Nityänanda Prabhu without a doubt. By hearing 

of Nityänanda’s visit to Néläcala as described in Antya-khaëòa, 

one will float in the ocean of kåñëa-prema. 



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CHAPTER FOUR 

Lord Nityänanda’s Grand Bathing Ceremony at 

the House of Räghava Paëòita 

brothers, listen attentively to the topics of Antyakhaëòa 

that describe the pastimes of Nitäicandra. One 

O 

day, Çré Gaurasundara, the Supreme Personality of Godhead appearing 

in a humanlike form, sat alone with Nityänanda. 

prabhu bale çuna nityänanda mahämati 

satvare calaha tumi nabadvépa prati 

pratijïä kariyä ächi äpanära mukhe 

murkha néca daridra bhäsäva prema mukhe 

tumio thäkilä yadi munidharma kari 

äpana uddäma bhäva sava parihari 

tabe murkha néca yata patita saàsära 

bala dekhi ära keba kariba uddhara 

bhakti rasa dätä tumi tumi sasvarile 

tabe avatära bä ki nimitte karile 

eteke ämära bäkya yadi satya cäo 

This book can be had from www.touchstonemedia.com 

131



tabe äbilasve tumi gauòadeça yäo 

murkha néca patita duùkhiya yata jana 

bhakti diyä kara giyä saväre mocana 

Lord Caitanya said, “Listen, magnanimous Nityänanda. 

Go immediately to Navadvépa. I had promised 

that I would drown everyone, including fools, fallen, 

and sinful people, in the ocean of kåñëa-prema. If You 

remain here with Me as an ascetic, keeping a vow of 

silence and concealing Your enthusiasm, then who will 

deliver the fallen souls of this world? You are the bestower 

of love and devotion. Please tell Me, if You always 

restrain Yourself, then what is the use of Your 

incarnation? If You want to make My words prove true, 

go to Bengal at once. Deliver everyone by giving premabhakti 

to all the foolish, fallen, low-class and distressed 

people.” 

Instructed thus by Lord Caitanya, Nityänanda Prabhu 

promptly left for Bengal, along with His own associates. Rämadäsa, 

Gadädhara däsa, and Raghunätha Vaidya, Kåñëadäsa 

Paëòita, Parameçvara däsa, and the most blissful Purandara 

Paëòita went with Nityänanda Svarüpa to Bengal. As He began 

His journey, He first induced His associates to become greatly 

ecstatic so that they practically forgot themselves. There was no 

end to the ecstatic symptoms that arose in their bodies. 

The mood of Çré Gopäla manifested in the body of Rämadäsa, 

the foremost among all the Vaiñëavas. On the way to Bengal, 

Rämadäsa transformed into a threefold bending form and 

remained unconscious for nine hours. Gadädhara däsa, absorbed 

in the mood of Rädhikä, suddenly began to laugh loudly while 

saying, “Who will buy yogurt?” Greatly magnanimous Raghunätha 

Vaidya Upädhyäya displayed the mood of Revaté. Both 

Kåñëadäsa and Parameçvara däsa constantly made mischief in 

the mood of cowherd boys. Purandara Paëòita climbed up a tree 

and then jumped down, saying, “I am the great Aìgada.” 

Nityänanda Prabhu, the origin of Çré Ananta, inspired everyone 

to revive his original constitutional mood. The devo- 

132 



Lord Nityänanda’s Grand Bathing Ceremony at the House of Räghava Paëòita 

tees walked very fast, sometimes forgetting themselves so that 

they walked in the wrong direction. They often asked the local 

people: “Brothers, please tell us how to reach the shore of the 

Ganges.” 

“Alas! Alas! You are on the wrong path,” the people would 

reply. “You just wasted six hours of your journey.” 

Getting proper directions, they would return to the correct 

path. Later on, when they again asked for the right path, the 

people told them to take a twenty-mile detour to reach the correct 

path. All of them smilingly walked along the road. They 

hardly knew their own selves, and so what to speak of the roads. 

None of them felt the urges of the body, such as hunger, thirst, 

fear, or distress. They were completely merged in transcendental 

ecstasy. No one can describe the unlimited pastimes Nityänanda 

Prabhu performed on the way to Bengal. 

Nityänanda, the origin of Çré Ananta, finally reached the 

village of Pänihäöi by the shore of the Ganges. Nityänanda 

Prabhu and His associates then arrived at the house of Räghava 

Paëòita 21 at Pänihäöi. Räghava Paëòita was overjoyed to see Nityänanda 

Prabhu. Çré Makaradhvaja Kara 22 , who was a disciple of 

Räghava Paëòita, also became very pleased. 

21 Çré Räghava Paëòita was Dhaniñöhä-sakhé in his previous incarnation. 

Every year, Räghava Paëòita would go to Jagannätha Puré. 

His sister, Damayanté-devé, would prepare varieties of sweets for Lord 

Caitanya. Räghava Paëòita would take them in a basket to Jagannätha 

Puré for the Lord. This basket was well-known as räghavera 

jhäli, or the basket of Räghava. Çréman Mahäprabhu would eat these 

preparations throughout the year. 

22 Çré Makaradhvaja Kara was the famous dancer called Candramukha 

in vraja-lélä. He appeared in the village of Pänihäöi. He 

was a disciple of Räghava Paëòita who served him with his body and 

mind. He carried the basket of Räghava to Néläcala. His ancestral 

house stands on the eastern side of Cätu Bäbä’s garden within the 

Bhavänépura wood of Pänihäöi, by the side of the road that leads to 

the village Sukhacara. 

133 




Nityänanda Prabhu, along with His associates, happily resided 

at the village of Pänihäöi for some time. Always overwhelmed 

with prema, Nityänanda would often go into a trance of ecstasy. 

When He desired to dance, three famous singers would hurriedly 

come. Greatly pious Mädhava Ghoña was very expert in 

performing kértana. Indeed, there was no better singer in the 

world. He was known as the singer of Våndävana and was very 

dear to Nityänanda Svarüpa. 

As soon as the three brothers, Mädhava, Govinda, and 

Väsudeva, would begin to sing, the Supreme Lord Nityänanda 

would begin to dance. When supremely powerful Avadhüta 

Nit-yänanda danced, the earth would shake with His every 

step. He continually chanted the Holy name of Lord Hari. Seeing 

His towering figure and ecstatic dancing, the people were 

struck with wonder. Sometimes, when He glanced at someone 

while dancing, that person would fall onto the ground, being 

filled with love of God and absorbed in transcendental mellows. 

This marked the auspicious beginning of Lord Nityänanda’s 

deliverance of the fallen conditioned souls. He would 

dance for a long time, manifesting all the signs of ecstatic love 

of Çré Kåñëa. 

After some time, Nityänanda Prabhu sat down on a throne 

and ordered His servants to perform His abhiñeka. All the devotees, 

headed by Räghava Paëòita, quickly arranged for the abhiñeka, 

bringing thousands of pitchers of Ganges water that was 

then mixed with varieties of perfume. With great satisfaction, 

they poured this scented water on Lord Nityänanda’s head. 

Everyone chanted, “Hari, Hari!” on all sides. They recited 

suitable mantras while performing the abhiñeka and sang songs 

in glorification of Nityänanda Prabhu. All the Lord’s associates 

became submerged in an ocean of bliss. After the abhiñeka, the 

devotees dressed Nityänanda Prabhu in new cloth and applied 

sandalwood paste to His body. They decorated His broad chest 

with a garland of beautiful flowers and tulasé leaves. They then 

placed a throne decorated with gold before the Lord. 

Lord Nityänanda sat upon the throne while Çré Räghavänanda 

held an umbrella above His head. The devotees began 

to glorify Nityänanda Prabhu so that there arose a great cry on 

134 




all sides. Everyone raised their hands and exclaimed, “Save us!” 

They all became absorbed in the ecstasy of kåñëa-prema. 

Lord Nityänanda, absorbed in His own blissful mood, 

glanced at everyone, showering love of God upon them. He ordered, 

“Räghava Paëòita, make a garland of kadamba flowers 

and bring it to Me quickly. I am very fond of kadamba flowers. 

In fact, I always reside in a forest of kadamba trees.” 

Räghavänanda folded his hands and said, “Lord, it is not yet 

the season for kadamba trees to flower.” 

“Go to your home and look carefully,” Lord Nityänanda told 

Räghava. “There may be a flower or two somewhere.” 

Räghava Paëòita went straight to his house. To his great 

surprise, he saw something most wonderful! Beautiful kadamba 

flowers blossomed on the lemon tree in his courtyard! How wonderful 

were the colors and fragrance of those flowers! Just seeing 

them freed one from material bondage. Seeing those beautiful 

kadamba flowers, Räghava Paëòita began losing consciousness 

in ecstasy. Controlling himself, he quickly made a garland of 

kadamba flowers and then brought it before Lord Nityänanda. 

Nityänanda Prabhu was very pleased and put the garland 

around His neck. The sweet fragrance of the kadamba flowers 

overwhelmed the Vaiñëavas and they all felt very blissful. 

Suddenly, the most wonderful thing happened. Everyone could 

smell the scent of another wonderful flower. The enchanting 

aroma of damanaka flowers filled the ten directions. 

Nityänanda Prabhu smilingly said, “Listen, brothers. Can 

you tell Me what you are smelling?” 

They all folded their hands and replied, “We smell the fragrance 

of wonderful flowers. The fragrance is coming from all 

directions.” 

Nityänanda Prabhu, out of His causeless mercy, began to 

explain a most confidential topic: “Listen all of you to this mystery, 

for you must know the truth in detail. Today, Caitanya 

Gosäi came here from Néläcala to hear our kértana. He wore a 

garland of damanaka flowers and sat in a tree, unseen. The four 

directions are filled with the aroma of that wonderful garland. 

To see your chanting and dancing, the Lord came here from 

Néläcala. Give up all other affairs and always sing the glories of 

135 




Kåñëa. May all of you forever glorify Çré Kåñëa Caitanyacandra 

and be fully merged in the ocean of kåñëa-prema.” 

Saying this, Nityänanda Prabhu shouted loudly and showered 

love of God in all directions. Being drenched by the rain of 

prema, everyone fainted in ecstasy. 

My dear brothers, please hear about the potency of Nityänanda 

Prabhu whereby He awarded prema-bhakti to everyone 

in this world. By His mercy, everyone easily received the premabhakti 

of the gopés of Våndävana that is described in Çrémad- 

Bhägavatam. 

When Nityänanda sat on the golden throne, all His associates 

danced in front of Him. Someone climbed a tree and walked 

on the leaves, and yet did not fall down. Out of ecstasy, someone 

shouted loudly and jumped from a tree. Someone roared like a 

lion and caught the root of a tree, pulling it out of the ground 

while chanting, “Hari! Hari!” Someone went to a forest of betel 

nuts and gathered five or six trees together. With immense 

strength due to love of God, he uprooted them all. 

All the symptoms of love of God mentioned in Çrémad- 

Bhägavatam, such as the shedding of tears, becoming stunned, 

breathing heavily, perspiring, the standing of the hair on end, 

roaring loudly, the faltering of the voice, paleness, and falling 

unconscious were fully manifest in the bodies of everyone by 

the causeless mercy of Lord Nityänanda. Wherever Nityänanda 

Mahäçaya mercifully glanced, He showered love and devotion. 

Anyone Nityänanda looked upon would thus fall unconscious 

due to ecstatic kåñëa-prema. 

The devotees tried to grab hold of Nityänanda Svarüpa’s 

feet as He smiled, sitting on His golden throne. The Lord invested 

His energies in all His chief associates. They became omniscient 

and their statements became infallible. They appeared 

to be as beautiful as Cupid. Whomever they touched with their 

hands became overwhelmed with love of God and thus forgot 

everything else. 

Nityänanda Prabhu resided like this in the village of Pänihäöi 

for three months, continuing His pastimes of distributing 

love and devotion. For three months, all the devotees were 

absorbed in an ecstatic trance so that they stopped perform- 

136 




ing their ordinary activities. Indeed, they did not eat for three 

months. All they did was continuously dance in ecstasy. 

The blissful pastimes Nityänanda Prabhu performed in the 

village of Pänihäöi can not even be found in the four Vedas. 

Who can describe the extent of the pastimes performed by Lord 

Nityänanda? From time to time, He would personally dance, 

surrounded by His associates. Sometimes He would sit in a hero’s 

posture and encourage all the devotees to dance. The dancing 

of only one of His servants flooded the surrounding area 

with kåñëa-prema. Just as banana trees fall flat onto the ground 

by the force of a great storm, so the devotees fell flat onto the 

ground, overwhelmed by the ecstasy of prema. 

As Lord Nityänanda was personally overwhelmed by ecstatic 

love of Kåñëa, He transformed all the devotees into images of 

Himself. He constantly engaged in the congregational chanting 

of the holy names of Kåñëa as introduced by Çré Caitanya (the 

mahä-mantra) and encouraged all the devotees to follow His 

example. Anyone who came to see Lord Nityänanda became 

overwhelmed with kåñëa-prema. Such was the example of His 

distribution of love of Kåñëa. 

Whenever a servant of Lord Nityänanda desired to have 

something, he would instantly receive it. Everyone thus merged 

into an ocean of transcendental bliss so that they did not know 

how three months passed. 

Accepting the lotus feet of Çré Caitanya and Nityänanda 

Prabhu, I, Våndävana däsa, sing the glories of Their lotus feet. 

137 





CHAPTER FIVE 


Gadädhara Däsa 

Once, Nityananda Prabhu desired to wear some fine ornaments. 

As soon He desired this, varieties of valuable 

and enchanting ornaments made with silver, gold, and diamonds 

were immediately brought before Him. Fortunate people 

brought these ornaments that were bedecked with jewels and 

coral. They also brought fine cloth and pearl necklaces, which 

they presented to the Lord while offering obeisances. 

The Lord then decorated Himself according to His own 

sweet will. He decorated His two hands with golden bangles 

and put ten golden rings beset with diamonds on each of His 

ten fingers. He decorated His neck with necklaces studded with 

jewels, pearls, and coral. To please Lord Çiva, He took a string 

of rudräkña and cat’s eyes decorated with gold and silver, respectively, 

and placed it around His neck. He placed two beautiful 

golden earrings bedecked with pearls on His ears. He decorated 

His lotus feet with silver ankle-bells and placed very attractive 


139



rings on His toes. He dressed fine white, blue, and yellow clothing. 

The Lord looked very enchanting dressed in this way. 

Garlands of Arabian jasmine and campaka flowers swung 

around His neck. Sandalwood paste was applied to His beautiful 

limbs. His head was adorned with a turban made of fine cloth 

that was decorated with flowers of various colors. The beauty 

of His supremely attractive face defeated the beauty of millions 

of moons. He continuously smiled and chanted the holy 

name of Lord Hari. In whichever direction Nityänanda Prabhu 

glanced, His lotus eyes would sprinkle showers of kåñëa-prema. 

He sported with a stick that was made of fine gold-plated sculptured 

iron. He always carried this stick in His hand in the mood 

of Lord Balaräma, who had carried a similar stick. 

Nityänanda Prabhu’s associates, who were in the mood of 

cowherd boys of Våndävana, offered varieties of ornaments, 

such as bracelets, bangles, anklets, rings, garlands, a horn, stick, 

flute, rope, and garland of guïjä to their beloved Nityänanda. 

Nityänanda, by His own sweet will, enjoyed varieties of pastimes 

with His associates. 

Lord Nityänanda, along with His associates, visited the 

houses of the devotees. He traveled to all the villages on both 

sides of the Ganges, spreading the glories of the holy name of 

Kåñëa. He constantly enjoyed the transcendental mellows of loving 

relationships. His name and form are nondifferent. Simply 

seeing Him, all living entities became captivated. Even atheists 

would immediately offer prayers to Nityänanda as soon as they 

saw Him and at once desired to offer everything to Him. 

The transcendental body of Nityänanda Svarüpa was very 

sweet and attractive. He generously bestowed His mercy upon 

everyone. Whether eating, sleeping, or traveling, He did not 

waste a moment by not performing näma-saìkértana. Wherever 

Nityänanda performed saìkértana and danced in ecstasy, 

He captivated the minds of hundreds of people. Even illiterate 

village children, being infused with the potency of Nityänanda 

Prabhu, would pull big trees out of the ground without difficulty. 

They would roar loudly as they uprooted the trees, shouting, 

“We are cowherd boys!” The strength of one child was such that 

even seven men could not control him. 

140 



Lord Nityänanda’s Meeting with Gadädhara Däsa 

The children happily roared like lions and chanted, “All 

glories to Çré Kåñëa Caitanya! All glories to Çré Nityänanda!” 

Nityänanda Prabhu, the life and soul of everyone, captivated 

the hearts of even small children. Some children ate nothing for 

an entire month. People were astonished to seeing such things. 

All the devotees became overwhelmed with ecstatic love, and 

Nityänanda Prabhu was their sole protector. Lord Nityänanda 

fed everyone with His own hands, treating them like His sons. 

Sometimes, He bound someone with rope, or even beat him, 

and then laughed loudly with joy. 

One day, to show affection to Gadädhara däsa, Nityänanda 

came to his house. Gadädhara däsa Mahäçaya was fully absorbed 

in transcendental bliss in the mood of the gopés. He placed a 

pot of Ganges water on his head and cried out, “Who will buy 

milk?” He had a beautiful Deity of Çré Bäla-gopäla at his house. 

The beauty and sweetness of this Deity were matchless. Seeing 

this enchanting Deity of Bäla-gopäla, Nityänanda Prabhu held 

Him to His chest with great love and affection. When everyone 

saw Çré Bäla-gopäla clinging to Nityänanda Prabhu’s heart, they 

loudly chanted the holy name of Lord Hari. Absorbed in the 

mood of a cowherd boy, Lord Nityänanda shouted and began 

to dance. Mädhavänanda Ghoña sang about Kåñëa’s pastime of 

demanding taxes from the gopés. 

While listening to this song, Avadhüta Nityänanda became 

very pleased. The sweet voice of fortunate Mädhavänanda 

captivated the heart of Nityänanda. The Lord danced, 

imitating the pastimes of Kåñëa in Våndävana. The fortunate 

Gadädhara däsa forgot himself, being absorbed in the mood 

of the gopés. 

While hearing the pastimes of Kåñëa in Våndävana, Nityänanda 

Prabhu danced so emotionally that it was beyond description. 

He matchlessly danced, exhibiting all the symptoms 

of ecstatic love and devotion. The movements of His dancing 

could be compared only to lightning. His legs and hands appeared 

incredibly enchanting. How wonderfully He moved His 

eyes and smiled! The shaking of His head was wonderful! He 

put His beautiful feet together and jumped up and down in a 

most spectacular way. 

141 




All the men and women floated in the happiness of 

kåñëa-prema by the merciful glance of Nityänanda. His 

merciful glance was so intense that everyone forgot himself 

in spiritual ecstasy. By His mercy, everyone easily achieved 

the love and devotion aspired to by great sages and yogés. 

When a person even as big as an elephant does not eat for 

three days, he will certainly become weak and hardly able 

to walk. Therefore, when a child eats nothing for a month 

and still behaves like a lion, it is certainly the manifestation 

of Lord Nityänanda’s mercy and potency. Still, by the 

illusory energy of Çré Caitanya, no one could understand 

this fact. 

Completely absorbed in love of God, Nityänanda Prabhu 

stayed at the house of Gadädhara däsa. Gadädhara däsa was 

absorbed in trance as he induced everyone to chant the holy 

name of Lord Hari. 

In Gadädhara däsa’s village there lived a most sinful Kazi 

who was vehemently opposed to the chanting of the holy name 

of the Lord. Fully absorbed in spiritual bliss, Gadädhara Mahäçaya 

fearlessly went one night to the house of this Kazi, of whom 

everyone was afraid. Chanting the holy names of Lord Hari, he 

entered the Kazi’s house. All the guards and servants of the Kazi 

saw him, but no one dared to confront him. 

Gadädhara said, “Where is the Kazi? Chant the name of 

Kåñëa right now or I’ll tear off all your heads.” 

The Kazi came out of his room, with anger that blazed like 

fire. Seeing Gadädhara däsa, however, he became somewhat 

calm. The Kazi asked, 

“Gadädhara, why did you come here?” 

“I have something to tell you,” Gadädhara replied. “Çré Caitanya 

and Çré Nityänanda Prabhu have appeared in this world 

and have made everyone chant the holy name of Lord Hari. 

You are the only one who has not chanted the holy name of 

the Lord. This is why I have come to you. Chant now the most 

auspicious holy names of Lord Hari, for they will deliver you 

from all your sins.” 

By nature, the Kazi was a most envious person. Becoming 

stunned, he did not utter a word. The Kazi smiled and said, 

142 



Lord Nityänanda’s Meeting with Gadädhara Däsa 

“Listen, Gadädhara, tomorrow I will chant the holy name of 

Lord Hari, but for today, please go home.” 

As soon as Gadädhara däsa heard the name of Hari from 

the mouth of the Kazi, he became filled with ecstatic love. “Why 

tomorrow?” He said. “You have just chanted the name of Hari. 

Now no misfortune will ever befall you because you have chanted 

the name of Lord Hari.” 

Saying this, Gadädhara däsa became overwhelmed with 

ecstasy so that he danced and clapped his hands. Later, Gadädhara 

däsa returned home. Lord Nityänanda resided in the 

body of Gadädhara däsa. Such was the extraordinary glory of 

Gadädhara däsa, who was considered an associate of Lord Caitanya. 

He mercifully glanced upon the Kazi, who the devotees 

avoided at a great distance. The Kazi had forcibly converted 

many Hindus into Muslims and was a most sinful person. Yet, 

even a person as sinful as the Kazi gives up his violent nature by 

the merciful association of Kåñëa’s devotees. 

It is indeed a fact that even snakes, fire, or tigers cannot 

threaten one who is absorbed in Kåñëa consciousness. By Nityänanda 

Prabhu’s mercy, His associates easily received the love 

and devotion desired by Lord Brahmä and the attachment for 

Kåñëa aspired for by the gopés. 

O brothers, please worship the lotus feet of Nityänanda 

Prabhu. It is by His mercy that one obtains the lotus feet of Çré 

Caitanya. 



143 





CHAPTER SIX 

Lord Nityänanda’s Deliverance of the Merchants 

of Saptagräma and His Meeting with 

Advaita Äcärya 

Nityänanda Prabhu stayed at Khaòadaha for some time 

and then went to Saptagräma, accompanied by His associates. 

Saptagräma is famous because the seven sages had 

previously resided there. It is also known as Triveëé-ghäöa. 

The seven sages performed austerities there on the bank of 

the Ganges and thus achieved the lotus feet of Çré Govinda. 

The three rivers—Ganges, Yamunä, and Sarasvaté—join at 

this place. Triveëé-ghäöa is well-known throughout the universe. 

Simply seeing this holy place eradicates one’s sinful 

reactions. 

With great happiness, Nityänanda Prabhu bathed at the 

confluence of the three rivers with His devotees. The Lord 

stayed at the house of the most fortunate Uddhäraëa Datta 

near the shore of Triveëé-ghäöa. Uddhäraëa Datta faithfully 

served the lotus feet of Nityänanda Prabhu with his body, mind, 

and words. Who can estimate the fortune of Uddhäraëa Datta, 


145



for he received the chance to serve the lotus feet of Nityänanda 

Prabhu? 

Nityänanda Svarüpa is the Lord of Uddhäraëa Datta, birth 

after birth, and Uddhäraëa Datta is the servant of Nityänanda 

Prabhu, birth after birth. Due to Uddhäraëa Datta, the entire 

mercantile community became purified. There is no doubt about 

this. Lord Nityänanda incarnated to deliver the merchant caste. 

He bestowed love and devotion upon all of them. 

In Saptagräma, He personally performed kértana at the 

house of each and every merchant. The merchants worshiped 

His lotus feet with their hearts and souls. Everyone became astonished 

upon seeing the merchants’ worship of Lord Kåñëa. The 

glories of Nityänanda Prabhu are unlimited. He delivered fools, 

fallen souls, and merchants. He happily enjoyed His pastimes 

of näma-saìkértana at Saptagräma. No one could adequately 

describe these ecstatic pastimes of chanting and dancing, even 

in a hundred years. 

The residents of Saptagräma now enjoyed the happiness the 

people of Nadia had previously enjoyed. Everyone performed 

näma-saìkértana without experiencing the influence of thirst, 

sleep, or fear. Lord Nityänanda performed kértana in everyone’s 

house, on every street of Saptagräma. As soon as people would 

see the wonderful emotions displayed by Nityänanda Svarüpa, 

they could not remain steady, but became overwhelmed. What 

to speak of others, even Muslims who were naturally averse to 

Lord Viñëu took shelter of Nityänanda’s lotus feet. 

When the brähmaëas of Saptagräma saw tears of love in 

the eyes of Muslims, they condemned themselves. All glories 

to Avadhüta Nityänanda, whose mercy makes these wonderful 

pastimes possible! Nityänanda Prabhu happily enjoyed His pastimes 

throughout Saptagräma. 

After some days, Nityananda Prabhu came to Çäntipura, 

to the house of His most dear Advaita Äcärya. When Advaita 

Äcärya saw the beautiful face of Nityänanda Prabhu, His happiness 

knew no bounds. He shouted and offered Him obeisances. 

He repeatedly embraced Nityänanda Prabhu, drenching His 

body with tears of ecstatic love. Seeing one another intoxicated 

both Nityänanda Prabhu and Advaita Äcärya. They experi- 

146 



Lord Nityänanda’s Deliverance of the Merchants of Saptagräma 

enced indescribable feelings. They rolled on the ground while 

holding onto each other, trying to touch one another’s feet. Both 

roared like lions and their madness could not be controlled. 

After awhile, Lord Nityänanda became calm and sat down 

in a grave mood. Magnanimous Advaita Äcärya folded His 

hands and happily began offering prayers to Nityänanda: 

tumi nityänanda murti nityänanda näma 

murtimanta tumi caitanyera suëadhäma 

sarva jéva pariträëa tumi mahähetu 

mahäpralayete tumi satya dharmasetu 

tumi se bujhao caitanyera premabhakti 

tumi se caitanya bakñe dhara pürëa çakti 

brahmä çiva näradädi bhakta näma yära 

tumi se parama upadeñöä saväkära 

viñëu bhakti sabei päyena tomä haite 

tathäpio abhimäna nä sparçe tomäte 

patita pävana tumi doya dåñöi çunya 

tomäre se jäne yära ache bahupünya 

sarva yajïamaya ei vigraha tomära 

abidya bandhana khao smareëa yähära 

yadi tumi prakäça nä kara äpanäre 

tabe kara çakti ache jänite tomäre 

akrodha paramananda tumi maheçvara 

sahasra badana ädi deba mahédhara 

rakña kula hastä tumi çrélakñmaëacandra 

tumi gopa-putra ùaladhara murtimanta 

murkha néca adhama patita uddhärite 

tumi avatérëa haiyächa påthibéte 

ye bhakti banchaye yogeçvara munigaëe 

tomä haite tähä päibe yete jane 

“Your name is Nityänanda and indeed You are nityänanda, 

eternal bliss. You are the form of Çré Caitanya’s 

transcendental qualities. You deliver all living 

beings and protect religious principles at the time of 

annihilation. You descended to give caitanyapremabhakti. 

Indeed, You are the full potency of Lord Caitanya. 

147 




You teach supreme knowledge to devotees, headed by 

Lord Brahmä, Lord Çiva, and Närada. Everyone receives 

viñëu-bhakti from You, yet You are untouched by 

pride. You deliver the fallen souls without seeing their 

faults. Only the very pious can know You. You are the 

only enjoyer of sacrifices. Simply remembering You destroys 

the bondage of ignorance at once. If You do not 

manifest Yourself, then who will understand You? 

“You are the most blissful Supreme Lord, completely 

free from anger. You are the thousand-headed 

Ananta, who holds the universes on His hoods. You are 

Çré Lakñmaëacandra, destroyer of the Räkñasa dynasty. 

You are Haladhara, the son of a cowherd. You descended 

to save the fallen, wretched, foolish, and low-class 

people. By Your mercy, everyone easily achieves the 

devotional service that is aspired for by great sages and 

mystic yogés” 

While describing the glories of Nityänanda Prabhu, Advaita 

Äcärya became absorbed in a trance of love of God. Advaita 

Äcärya knew the glories of Nityänanda Prabhu. Some rare 

great souls also know these facts. The quarreling that one sees 

between Them is nothing but an expression of transcendental 

bliss. Who can understand this statement of Advaita Äcärya: 

“Know for certain that He is nondifferent from the Supreme 

Lord.” 

Both Nityänanda Prabhu and Advaita Äcärya spent Their 

time happily discussing auspicious topics of Lord Kåñëa. After 

exchanging many jokes and increasing His love and affection 

for Him, Nityänanda Prabhu took permission from Advaita 

Äcärya and left for Navadvépa. 


and soul, I, Våndävana däsa, sing of the glories of Their lotus 

feet. 

148 



CHAPTER SEVEN 

Lord Nityänanda Delivers the Thieves at the 

House of Hiraëya Paëòita 

Nityänanda Prabhu wanted to see Lord Caitanya’s mother, 

Çacé. He left for Navadvépa on an auspicious day, along 

with His dear associates. Arriving at Navadvépa, He went to the 

house of mother Çacé and offered her His respectful obeisances. 

Seeing Nityänanda Svarüpa, mother Çacé became unlimitedly 

happy. 

“My dear son, You are indeed the Supersoul,” she said. “Just 

now, I wanted to see You. Knowing my heart, You came here at 

once. Who in this world can recognize You? 

“My dear Nityänanda, please stay at Navadvépa for some 

time so that I can see You once a month, once a fortnight, or 

once a week. I was distressed and wanted to see You. By providence, 

You have now come to relieve my distress.” 

Hearing the words of mother Çacé, Nityänanda Prabhu began 

to smile, for He knew perfectly well her glories. 


149



“Listen, mother of the universe, I came here just to see you,” 

Nityänanda said. “I want to reside here so that I can see you 

more often. By your order, I will remain at Navadvépa.” 

After conversing with mother Çacé, Nityänanda Prabhu began 

happily wandering throughout Navadvépa. Accompanied by 

His associates, Nityänanda Prabhu performed kértana in every 

house of Navadvépa. He became the personification of ecstatic 

chanting of the holy names of the Lord. He visited every house, 

performing saìkértana with His devotees. 

The pious people of Navadvépa received unlimited happiness 

by seeing the supremely enchanting saìkértana dress of 

Nityänanda. He expertly decorated His head with fine cloths 

adorned with beautiful flowers. He wore many necklaces of jewels 

and pearls and decorated His ears with beautiful gold and 

pearl earrings. He wore bangles and bracelets on His arms. I am 

unable to describe how many lovely flower garlands decorated 

His body. He smeared His entire body with sandalwood paste. 

He enjoyed His pastimes like Bäla-gopäla. 

How wonderful was the stick Nityänanda held in His hand! 

His ten fingers were decorated with ten golden rings. He dressed 

very wonderfully with fine cloths of different colors, including 

white, blue, and yellow. A stick and a flute adorned His waist. His 

enchanting beauty captivated the minds of everyone. He enhanced 

the beauty of His two lotus feet with silver ankle bells that made 

beautiful sweet sounds as He walked like an intoxicated elephant. 

Wherever Lord Nityänanda glanced, kåñëa-prema appeared. 

Nityänanda happily resided at Navadvépa, the birthplace of 

Lord Caitanya, which is nondifferent from Mathurä. I am unable 

to estimate how many types of people resided there. There 

were many holy devotees of the Lord residing at Navadvépa. 

Seeing them freed a sinner from all sinful reactions. Many miscreants 

also lived in Navadvépa. Touching their shadows just 

once destroyed one’s piety. Even those miscreants became attached 

to the lotus feet of Lord Kåñëa by Nityänanda Prabhu’s 

causeless mercy. Lord Caitanya delivered many fallen souls, and 

through Nityänanda, He liberated the three worlds. Lord Nityänanda 

saved everyone, including thieves, plunderers, and all 

other wretched and fallen souls. 

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Lord Nityänanda Delivers the Thieves at the House of Hiraëya Paëòita 

O brothers, listen to Nityänanda Prabhu’s salvation of 

thieves and plunderers. A young brähmaëa, a dreaded thief 

and plunderer, resided at Navadvépa. No one was equal to or 

greater than him in terms of plundering. Indeed, he was the 

commander-in-chief of all the thieves and plunderers in that 

locality. He was a brähmaëa in name only. Actually, he was a 

most evil-minded person. He had not a tinge of mercy in his 

body. He did not hesitate to kill others, and he associated with 

similarly minded men. 

When this rogue saw the beautiful ornaments and valuable 

necklaces worn by Nityänanda Svarüpa, he decided to steal 

them. In the guise of a friend, he wandered with Nityänanda 

Prabhu, just so that he could take His ornaments. 

Nityänanda Prabhu understood that the so-called brähmaëa 

was actually a mischievous and cunning dacoit. There was a pious 

brähmaëa named Hiraëya Paëòita who lived in Navadvépa. 

He was a most humble devotee of the Lord. Çré Nityänanda Prabhu 

stayed at the house of this fortunate soul because his house 

was in a secluded place. It was during this period that the evilminded 

brähmaëa made plans, along with his friends. 

“Brothers, why should we continue to suffer?” He addressed 

his friends. “Goddess Caëòé has blessed us with a treasure. All 

the jewellery this mendicant wears is made of gold, pearls, diamonds, 

and other precious gems. I cannot estimate how many 

millions of rupees these ornaments are worth. Goddess Caëòé 

has kindly given us a wonderful opportunity. He lives in the 

house of Hiraëya Paëòita, which is in a very lonely place. We 

can snatch all these ornaments within an hour. Prepare yourselves 

with swords and shields so that tonight, we will invade 

Hiraëya Paëòita’s house and plunder it.” 

Having made this plan, all the thieves left for home. That 

night they gathered at the designated spot. They had swords, 

knives, and tridents, and they surrounded the house where 

Nityänanda Prabhu was staying. They had sent a spy ahead to 

observe the situation in the house. The spy saw Nityänanda 

Prabhu taking His meal, surrounded by devotees that were 

chanting the holy names of the Lord. These servants of Nityänanda 

Prabhu were intoxicated with kåñëa-prema. Some roared 

151 




like lions and others shouted wildly. Some wept in ecstasy while 

others clapped their hands, laughing loudly. Some made noises 

like hai, hai. They were all absorbed in the mellows of ecstatic 

love. 

The spy returned and informed the others that Avadhüta 

was eating and the others were awake. The thieves decided: “Let 

Him eat and go to bed. Then we will invade the house. For now, 

we will simply wait and watch.” 

The thieves sat beneath a tree, waiting for the right time to 

plunder Nityänanda’s wealth. One of the thieves said, “I’ll take 

the golden bangles.” Another said, “I’ll take the pearl necklace.” 

Someone said, “The golden earrings are mine.” Yet another said, 

“I’ll take the golden necklace.” Another thief said, “I’ll take the 

silver ankle bells.” 

In this way, the thieves were living in the abode of imagination. 

That night, by the will of Nityänanda Prabhu, Nidrä-devé, 

the deity of sleep, captured all the thieves. They fell asleep right 

where they patiently waited, being bewildered by the Lord’s illusory 

energy. The night passed, and yet they did not awaken. 

At dawn, when the crows began to caw, the thieves finally 

woke up. When they found that it was morning, they became 

very sad. They hurriedly hid their weapons in the forest and 

went to bathe in the Ganges. Finally, they returned to their 

homes and began to accuse each other. 

One of the thieves said to another, “It was you who first fell 

asleep.” Another one replied, “Oh, you are talking like you were 

awake all night, keeping track of who was asleep and who was 

awake.” Then another thief said, “Stop this fighting! Goddess 

Caëòé kindly saved us from disgrace.” 

Finally, the sinful brähmaëa, the leader of the thieves, said, 

“There’s no use in fighting. By the mercy of Goddess Caëòé, 

whatever happened has happened. This does not mean that every 

day we will fail. I think Goddess Caëòé baffled us last night 

because we went to rob without first worshiping her. Therefore, 

let us go and worship Goddess Caëòé very nicely. We should offer 

her the best meat and wine.” 

After discussing in this way, the thieves worshiped Goddess 

Caëòé with offerings of meat and wine. The next day, the 

152 




thieves armed themselves again with various weapons. They 

wore dark-blue garments, like a band of warriors. In the dead of 

night, when all were sleeping, the thieves surrounded the Lord’s 

house. Then, from a distance, the thieves saw that many huge 

guards surrounded the Lord’s house. They were armed with 

fierce weapons and were loudly chanting the holy names of Lord 

Hari. They were very strongly built and decorated with garlands 

and sandalwood paste. 

The thieves understood that only one guard could kill hundreds 

of thieves like them without strain. Lord Nityänanda slept 

peacefully within the house while these guards chanted the holy 

name of Kåñëa on all sides. The thieves were astonished. They 

gave up the idea of invading the house and retreated a short 

distance to decide upon what should be done. One thief said, 

“Where did these guards come from?” Another said, “I guess 

that somehow or other Nityänanda Avadhüta came to know of 

our plans and so He hired these guards.” 

“Brothers, I have often heard people say that this Avadhüta 

is a very learned scholar,” another thief said. “This Avadhüta 

Mahäçaya is certainly a wise fellow. Just see how he has protected 

himself. The guards that we saw do not appear to be ordinary 

human beings. Because of His extraordinary powers, people address 

Him as Gosäi, or Lord.” 

“Oh, keep quiet!” another thief retorted. “How can He be a 

Gosäi when He eats such opulent food and wears such extravagant 

clothes?” 

Then the sinful brähmaëa commander-in-chief of the 

thieves then began to speak: “I know the reason for these guards’ 

presence. Many people come from distant places to see this 

avadhüta. I would guess that a very wealthy person has come 

here and these are his guards. The guards are very emotional 

and constantly chant the holy names of Lord Hari. Even though 

He has these guards today, how long can He go on avoiding us? 

Let us go home today. We will patiently wait for ten days to 

pass.” 

The thieves returned home while Avadhüta Nityänanda 

peacefully enjoyed His sleep. After some time, the sinful thieves 

planned another raid to steal Nityänanda Prabhu’s ornaments. 

153 




However, the night they chose to break into the Lord’s house 

was, by providence, the darkest night imaginable. It was so dark 

that people were unable to move about. 

At the dead of this black night, the thieves armed themselves 

with weapons and assembled. When they approached 

the Lord’s house, they were suddenly blinded and could not see 

anything. This sudden blindness so shocked the thieves that 

their minds, intelligence, and life airs almost ceased to function. 

One fell in a ditch and was immediately covered by mosquitoes, 

leeches, and gadflies. Another fell into the pit where people 

wash their hands after eating and scorpions and bugs bit him. 

Another thief fell onto a heap of thorns. He suffered miserably 

from the pricking of thorns and could not move. Another one 

fell in a ditch and broke his hands and legs. Some of the thieves 

got a very high fever. 

As the thieves were in this state of confusion, Indra, the 

king of heaven, happily sent forth showers of rain, creating 

a great storm. First, the thieves were tortured by the bites of 

leeches and bugs, and now they suffered from a hailstorm. 

They wished for death to come, but life would not leave them 

and so they floated on an ocean of miseries. The force of the 

heavy gale and pounding hail and the loud peals of thunder 

rendered them almost unconscious. The downpour completely 

drenched the thieves and due to the cold, they shivered 

uncontrollably. 

Because the thieves had come to steal from Nityänanda 

Prabhu, Indra, the king of heaven, angrily tortured them. At 

last, the sinful brähmaëa leader of the thieves had a change of 

heart. He thought to himself, “Nityänanda is not an ordinary 

human being. He must be God. What the people say is true. The 

first day, He bewildered us by making us fell into deep sleep. By 

the influence of His illusory energy, we could not understand a 

thing. Then, the next day, He displayed His prowess by manifesting 

many wonderful guards. Yet, still I could not comprehend 

His greatness. The agony we are now suffering is proper 

for a sinner like me. I dared to steal from the Lord! Who can 

save me now? There is no alternative for me. I must surrender to 

this Avadhüta Nityänanda.” 

154 




Thinking like this, the brähmaëa took shelter of the lotus 

feet of Nityänanda Prabhu with undivided attention. Remembering 

the lotus feet of the Lord frees one from all danger. 

Taking shelter of the Lord’s lotus feet instantly relieves even 

a most grave offender. When the thieves began to think like 

this, they regained their eyesight. By the remembrance of Nityänanda 

Svarüpa, the thieves were relieved from the torments of 

the storm. They soon found their way so that they could return 

home after having been on the verge of death. 

Thereafter, the thieves went to bathe in the Ganges. However, 

the brähmaëa leader of the thieves simply ran weeping to 

the shelter of Nityänanda Prabhu’s lotus feet. Nityänanda, the 

Lord of the universe, was sitting in His room, glancing mercifully 

upon His devotees, who were chanting the holy names of 

Lord Hari. The Lord, the crest jewel of avadhütas, shouted in 

ecstasy. 

When the leader of the thieves arrived, he raised his hands 

and cried out, “Please save me!” He then offered respectful obeisances. 

His hair stood on end, tears of love began flowing from 

his eyes and his entire body began to tremble. The brähmaëa 

cried out loud and then became submerged in an ocean of transcendental 

ecstasy. 

Seeing the power of Nityänanda Svarüpa, he was amazed 

and danced jubilantly. He raised his hands and repeatedly said, 

“My dear Lord Nityänanda, You are the savior of the fallen!” 

Everyone was astonished to see the behavior of the brähmaëa 

and began speculating as to its cause. “He must be pretending 

while actually planning to rob us when the chance 

arises,” someone said. “Because Lord Nityänanda is the savior 

of the fallen souls, his heart must have changed by the Lord’s 

mercy,” another person said. 

Seeing the wonderful change in the brähmaëa, Nityänanda 

Prabhu smilingly asked him, “O brähmaëa, please tell Me what 

you want? I am very surprised to see your wonderful qualities. 

Please tell Me all about the glories of Kåñëa that you have witnessed 

or heard about. Speak freely. Do not worry.” 

After hearing the Lord’s words, the brähmaëa was unable to 

utter a reply. Rather, he began to cry. He rolled on the ground 

155 




all over the courtyard. He laughed, cried, and danced in his own 

mood. Finally, the brähmaëa calmed down and narrated the entire 

story to the Lord. 

He said, “O Lord, I live in Navadvépa. I am a brähmaëa 

in name only. My behavior is worse than that of a hunter or 

dog-eater. O Lord, I always remain in the association of thieves 

whose only business is to plunder. I do nothing but commit violence 

to others. Everyone in Navadvépa trembles upon seeing 

me. There is no sin I have not committed. Seeing Your valuable 

ornaments, I wanted to steal them. 

“One day, I picked up my weapons and came with other 

thieves to steal Your riches. That day, You bewildered me with 

sleep. However, by the influence of Your illusory energy, I was 

unable to recognize You. Another day, after worshiping Goddess 

Caëòé, I came to Your house, along with my men, armed 

with swords, knives, and tridents. However, to my surprise, I saw 

a wonderful thing. Many huge guards surrounded Your house. 

Each appeared like a drunken elephant. They were adorned 

with flower garlands hanging down to their knees, and they 

constantly chanted the Holy names of Lord Hari as You peacefully 

slept inside. 

“O Lord, I was so sinful that I still could not understand 

Your glories. That night, we returned home, thinking You had 

hired some guards for Your safety. After a gap of a few days, we 

came again yesterday, but as soon as we got near Your house, 

we lost our eyesight and fell down. We suffered terribly, being 

pricked by thorns, bitten by leeches and bugs, and pounded 

by a hailstorm. We were so tormented that we could hardly 

move. 

“After being punished by Yamaräja in this way, we finally 

attained pure devotion for Your lotus feet. By Your causeless 

mercy, we can remember Your lotus feet without deviation. It is 

by Your mercy alone that we regained our sight. 

“O Lord, You are indeed the savior of the fallen. You have 

saved us from further misery. This is the glory of remembering 

You. 

“O Nityänanda, O Çré Bäla-gopäla, please protect me. You 

are the only maintainer of all living beings. They say that al- 

156 




though a person falls heavily on the ground, mother Earth again 

becomes kind to him. Similarly, even if one commits offenses 

at Your lotus feet, he is ultimately saved from further misery by 

Your remembrance. 

“O Lord, You forgive all kinds of offenses and display mercy 

on the fallen souls. I am the most sinful person because I kill 

brähmaëas and cows. You will not find anyone more offensive 

than me. Still, even the most sinful person, if he takes shelter 

of Your lotus feet, then You will liberate him without a doubt. 

You protect the lives of all living beings from their very birth. 

You are the ultimate deliverer of everyone. Anyone who remembers 

You will be freed from ignorance and easily go back 

to Godhead.” 

In this way, the brähmaëa prayed to Nityänanda Prabhu 

while crying aloud. Such are the pastimes of the Avadhüta. 

Hearing the brähmaëa’s prayers, everyone was struck with wonder. 

They all offered him respects. 

“O Lord, I now take Your leave forever,” the brähmaëa addressed 

the Lord. “I do not want to maintain this sinful body 

anymore. Because I was envious of You, I should end my life by 

jumping into the Ganges as atonement.” 

Upon hearing the brähmaëa’s truthful words, the Lord and 

all the devotees became very pleased. “O brähmaëa, you are indeed 

fortunate,” the Lord said. “You are a staunch devotee of 

Lord Kåñëa, birth after birth. Otherwise, why did He bestow 

mercy upon you like this? Who could experience such a wonderful 

influence except a devotee? Lord Çré Caitanya has incarnated 

to deliver all the fallen souls. There is no doubt about this. 

“Listen, O brähmaëa, I will accept all your sinful reactions, 

but you must not sin again. From now on, do not steal or commit 

violence toward anyone. Lead a pious life by always chanting 

the holy names of Lord Hari. You will then be able to deliver 

others. Assemble all the plunderers and preach to them that 

they should lead a pious life.” 

Lord Nityänanda took off His garland and happily placed 

it around the brähmaëa’s neck. Everyone loudly chanted, “Jaya! 

Jaya!” The brähmaëa clutched Nityänanda Prabhu’s feet and with 

a faltering voice, began to pray: “O my dear Lord Nityänanda, sav- 

157 




ior of the fallen, please give this sinner shelter at Your lotus feet. I 

dared to envy You. I am so sinful. Now, what is my destiny?” 

The ocean of mercy, Lord Nityänanda, placed His lotus feet 

on the head of the brähmaëa. Having Nityänanda’s merciful 

lotus feet on his head nullified all his offenses. Later on, this 

brähmaëa convinced many other thieves to take shelter of Çré 

Caitanya’s lotus feet. They gave up the sins of stealing and committing 

violence, and they began to behave like saintly persons. 

They chanted the holy names of Lord Hari millions of times. 

They became expert in performing viñëu-bhakti and were maddened 

with prema, always singing the glories of Lord Kåñëa. 

Such was the causeless mercy of Lord Nityänanda. 

In other incarnations, the Lord did not give such prema, 

but Lord Nityänanda convinced everyone to take up Kåñëa consciousness 

so that they could attain the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya. 

The brähmaëa, who had previously wanted to rob Nityänanda 

Svarüpa, now preached to his plunderer friends that 

they should accept Nityänanda as their deliverer. The symptoms 

of prema, such as the shedding of tears, shivering and the standing 

of the hair on end, which are eagerly desired by great mystic 

yogés were easily achieved by these plunderers. This is an exhibition 

of the wonderful prowess of Nityänanda Svarüpa. 

O brothers, please worship the lotus feet of Nityänanda. 

Only by His mercy can one attain the lotus feet of Gauräìga. 

Anyone who hears about the mercy of Lord Nityänanda will no 

doubt achieve the association of Gauracandra. One who attentively 

hears about the deliverance of these thieves will certainly 

meet Nityänanda and Çré Caitanya. One who happily sings the 

glories of Nityänanda Svarüpa will float on the ocean of transcendental 

bliss. 



158 



CHAPTER EIGHT 

A Brähmaëa’s Doubt About the Character of Lord 

Nityänanda and Its Removal by Lord Caitanya 

All glories to Çré Gauracandra! All glories to Nityänanda 

Prabhu! All glories to all the devotees of the Lord! 

Lord Nityänanda happily enjoyed pastimes of näma-saìkértana 

with His servants. As He previously enjoyed His pastimes 

in Våndävana, the Lord enacted His pastimes in Navadvépa, 

making everyone greatly attached to the lotus feet of Çré Kåñëa 

Caitanya. Nityänanda Prabhu, the abode of transcendental effulgence, 

wandered throughout Navadvépa with His enthusiastic 

associates. He decorated Himself with beautiful ornaments 

and flower garlands. Betel nuts and camphor reddened His lips. 

Seeing the extraordinary pastimes of Lord Nityänanda, many 

people became happy while others did not know what to make 

of Him. 

There was a brähmaëa who had been a classmate of Çré 

Caitanya Mahäprabhu that resided in Navadvépa. Seeing the 

mysterious behavior of Nityänanda, this brähmaëa maintained 


159



a doubt. He had firm faith in and devotion for the lotus feet of 

Caitanyacandra, but he failed to understand the influence of 

Nityänanda Svarüpa. 

Once, this brähmaëa went to Néläcala for some days. He 

regularly visited Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu, for he had firm faith 

in His lotus feet. One day, the brähmaëa said in private, “O 

Lord, I would like to ask You something, if You will allow me. If 

You really think of me as Your servant, then please answer my 

question. I do not understand what Nityänanda Avadhüta is doing 

in Navadvépa. 

“Everyone says that He is a sannyäsé, but He chews betel 

nuts with camphor. A sannyäsé is not supposed to touch gold 

and other such opulences, but Nityänanda decorates His entire 

body with gold, silver, and pearls. Abandoning the kaupéna 

and saffron robes, He dresses in gorgeous clothing. He also puts 

sandalwood paste on His body. Why does He carry an iron rod 

instead of a sannyäsa-daëòa? He always mingles with çüdras. I 

do not find His behavior in accordance with the scriptures, and 

so I have a doubt in my heart about His character. Everyone 

addresses Him as an exalted personality, but He does not follow 

the rules and regulations of His äçrama. 

“O Lord, if You think of me as Your servant, then please 

explain to me the truth.” 

Because the pious brähmaëa inquired from the Lord at an 

auspicious moment, Çré Gaurasundara explained everything to 

him. 

çuna bipra mahä adhikäré ye ba haya 

tabe täëra doya guëa kichu nä janmaya 

“Listen, my dear brähmaëa. Faults or defects do 

not affect an exalted person. 

Çrémad-Bhägavatam 11.20.36 states: 

na mayy ekänta-bhaktänäà guëa-doñodbhavä guëäù 

sädhünäà sama-cittänäà buddheù param upeyuñäm 

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A Brähmaëa’s Doubt about the Character of Lord Nityänanda and Its Removal by Lord Caitanya 

Material piety and sin, which arise from the good 

and evil of this world, cannot exist within My unalloyed 

devotees, who, being free from material hankering, 

maintain steady spiritual consciousness in all circumstances. 

Indeed, such devotees have achieved Me, 

the Supreme Lord, who am beyond anything that can 

be conceived by material intelligence. 

padma patre yena kabhu nähi loge jala 

ei mata nityänanda svärüpa nirmala 

paramärtha kåñëacandra tähäna çarére 

niçcaya jäniha bipra sarvadä bihare 

adhikäré bai kare tähäna ämära 

duùkha päya sei jana päpa janma täya 

rudra bine anye yadi kare biñagäna 

sarvathäya mare sarva puräëa pramäëa 

“Just as water does not touch a lotus leaf, no faults 

touch Nityänanda Svarüpa. O brähmaëa, know that 

Kåñëacandra eternally resides in Nityänanda’s body. 

Those disregarding an exalted person will suffer miseries 

and reap sinful reactions. The Puräëas say that 

if anyone other than Lord Çiva drinks poison, he will 

surely die. 

Çrémad-Bhägavatam (10.33.29-30) also says: 

çré-çuka uväca 

dharma-vyatikramo dåñöa éçvaräëäà ca sähasam 

tejéyasäà na doñäya vahneù sarva-bhujo yathä 

“Çukadeva Gosvämé said: The status of powerful 

controllers is not harmed by any apparently audacious 

transgression of morality we may see in them, for they 

are just like fire, which devours everything fed into it 

and remains unpolluted. 

161 




¡naitat samäcarej jätu manasäpi hy anéçvaraù 

vinaçyaty äcaran mauòhyäd yathärudro ’bdhi-jaà viñam 

“One who is not a great controller should never 

imitate the behavior of ruling personalities, even mentally. 

If out of foolishness an ordinary person does imitate 

such behavior, he will simply destroy himself, just 

as a person who is not Rudra would destroy himself if 

he tried to drink an ocean of poison. 

eteke ye nä janiyä ninda täna karma 

nija dose sei duùkha päya janma janma 

garhito karaye yadi mahä adhikäré 

nindäya ki däya tänre häsilei mari 

bhagavata haite se e sava tattva jäni 

täho yadi vaiñëava-gurura murkhe çuni 

“Those criticizing an exalted person without knowing 

his glories suffer miseries life after life from this 

fault. Even if an exalted person does something improper, 

what to speak of criticizing him, if one even laughs 

at him, he is doomed. 

“Çrémad-Bhägavatam describes all these truths. One can 

also hear this from the mouth of a bona fide spiritual master. 

Listen attentively to the results of laughing at the behavior of an 

exalted person that are described in Çrémad-Bhägavatam: 

“Once, Kåñëa and Balaräma went to the äçrama of Sändépani 

Muni to study. After completing Their studies, They wanted 

to go home. They asked Their teacher, ‘What dakñiëä should 

We give?’ After consulting his wife, the teacher asked Kåñëa 

and Balaräma to bring back his dead son. Kåñëa and Balaräma 

started at once for the abode of Yamaräja. After destroying all 

the child’s karma, They brought the boy back to Their teacher 

from the abode of Yamaräja. When Devaké heard of this most 

wonderful incident, she too asked Kåñëa to bring back her dead 

sons. 

162 




“One day, Devaké addressed both Kåñëa and Balaräma pathetically, 

‘Listen, Kåñëa and Balaräma, You are the Lords of 

all mystic perfections. You are both the eternal Personalities of 

Godhead. Both of You are the fathers of the entire universe. I 

know that both of You are the cause of all the causes. Creation, 

maintenance, and annihilation are carried out by the portion of 

Your plenary portion. Yet, to diminish the burden of the earth, 

You have descended as my sons. You brought back the dead son 

of Your teacher from the abode of Yamaräja as dakñiëä. I, too, 

have a great desire to see my six sons who were killed by Kaàsa. 

Though the son of Your teacher died long ago, You brought him 

back by Your extraordinary potency. So both of You please fulfill 

my desire by bringing back my six sons.’ 

“After hearing mother Devaké’s request, Kåñëa and Balaräma 

left at once for the abode of Bali Mahäräja. When Bali 

Mahäräja saw his own worshipable Lords, he was merged in the 

ocean of transcendental bliss. He promptly surrendered everything, 

including his house, children, body, wealth, and friends 

at the lotus feet of Kåñëa. In ecstasy, his hair stood on end, tears 

of love flowed from his eyes, and he shivered in bliss. He caught 

hold of Kåñëa’s lotus feet and began to offer prayers: ‘All glories 

to Kåñëacandra, the ornament of Gokula! All glories to 

Saìkarñaëa, who is nondifferent from Ananta! All glories to 

Haladhara, the leader of the cowherd boys! All glories to the 

merciful devotees of Kåñëa who fulfill all one’s desires! 

“‘Although the demigods and sages are situated in pure goodness, 

still Your darçana is rare for them. O Lord, You are so merciful 

that You manifest Yourself even before the demons, who 

are generally in ignorance. You do not discriminate between 

friends and enemies. The Vedas confirm it, and I can directly 

see it. Pütanä came to kill You by smearing her breast with poison, 

still You sent her to Vaikuëöha. Neither the Vedas, nor the 

scriptures, nor the great mystic yogés can understand Your heart. 

If the great mystic yogés are unable to know Your glories, then 

how can I, a sinful demon, know You? O Lord of the universe, 

please be merciful to me so that I may not fall down in the dark 

well of family life. I wish to hold Your lotus feet within my heart 

163 




and live peacefully beneath a tree. O Lord, please make me a 

servant of Your servant. I have no other desire.’ 

“‘Holding the lotus feet of Kåñëa and Balaräma within his 

heart, Bali Mahäräja offered prayers. He and his family members 

drank and touched their heads with the water that washed 

the lotus feet of the Lord and felt immensely fortunate. Such 

water purifies the abodes of Lord Brahmä and Lord Çiva, just as 

the Ganges purifies the entire three worlds. He also offered worship 

with sandalwood paste, flowers, ghee lamp, incense, cloth, 

and ornaments. Finally, he offered his respectful obeisances and 

continued: ‘O Lord, please instruct me if You really think me to 

be your servant. Anyone who follows Your instructions reaches 

beyond the jurisdiction of rules and regulations.’ 

“‘Lord Kåñëa, exceedingly pleased with Bali, began to explain 

the reason for His visit. ‘Listen, Bali Mahäräja,’ the Lord 

addressed him. “The sinful Kaàsa killed My mother’s six sons. 

Thus he also finally died. Remembering her sons, mother Devaké 

continually cries in lamentation. Those six sons are with 

you, and I want to take them back for the pleasure of My mother. 

Those six sons are actually perfected demigods, grandsons of 

Lord Brahmä. Let Me explain to you why they had to undergo 

such tribulations. These six sons were previously the sons of Prajäpati 

Maréci, a son of Brahmä. Once, Lord Brahmä was bewildered 

by lusty desires and shamelessly chased his own daughter. 

Seeing the behavior of Brahmä, the six sons of Maréci laughed 

at him. Because of this fault, they at once fell from their positions. 

Since they ridiculed the activities of an exalted person, 

they were forced to take birth among demons. Leaving their 

demigod bodies, they took birth in the family of Hiraëyakaçipu, 

who terrorized the entire universe. They suffered various miseries 

and were ultimately killed by the thunderbolt of Indra. By 

the arrangement of Yogamäyä, these six sons of Maréci took 

birth from the womb of Devaké. Simply by laughing at Brahmä’s 

misbehavior, they incurred so many sinful reactions. They thus 

had to undergo these punishments. From their birth, they suffered 

unlimited distress. Though they were nephews of Kaàsa, 

he killed them all. Devaké is unaware of these mysteries. She 

simply cries, considering them as her own sons. I wish to return 

164 




those six sons to my mother. That is why I have come here to 

you. Drinking milk from Devaké’s breast will release these six 

from Brahmä’s curse. 

“‘Lord Kåñëa continued, “O Bali, consider the consequences 

of ridiculing a Vaiñëava. If perfect personalities like these received 

so much misery, what will be the fate of ordinary men? A 

sinner who criticizes a Vaiñëava suffers misery birth after birth. 

Take this lesson to your heart. Never blaspheme or laugh at a 

Vaiñëava. If one worships Me and chants My holy names, but 

blasphemes devotees, he will be vanquished. Those who show 

love and respect to My devotees will surely obtain My favor. 

There is no doubt about this. 

‘The Varäha Puräëa states: 

siddhir bhavati va neti saàçayohucyata sevinäm 

niùsaàçayastta tadbha-garicaryyaratätmanäna 

‘One may doubt whether the servant of the Supreme 

Lord will attain perfection, but there is absolutely 

no doubt that those who are attached to serving 

His devotees will attain perfection.’ 

‘In Çré Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya it says: 

arcaittva tu govindam tadéyännäccayatmane 

na te viñëu prasädasya bhäjanaà dänbhikä janäù 

‘If one does not worship My devotees but only worships 

Me then he is simply a proud person and not a 

recipient of My mercy.’ 

‘O Bali, I explained this confidential topic to you because 

you are My eternal and dear servant.’ 

“Bali Mahäräja was very pleased to hear the teachings of 

Lord Kåñëa. Obeying the Lord’s order, he at once brought the 

six sons and offered them to the Lord. Kåñëa and Balaräma took 

these six sons and returned them to mother Devaké. When Devaké 

saw her sons, out of affection she happily fed them breast 

165 




milk. Drinking the remnants of Lord Kåñëa as Devaké’s breast 

milk, they were filled with transcendental knowledge. They 

promptly offered obeisances to the Lord, falling flat on the 

ground. Everyone witnessed this. 

“Lord Kåñëa, glancing mercifully on them, began to compassionately 

instruct them, ‘O demigods, now you may go home. 

Never blaspheme an exalted person again. Lord Brahmä is the 

energy of the Supreme Lord. Even if he acts wrongly, one should 

not blaspheme him. You have suffered so much by ridiculing 

him. Now give up such a mentality. Go to Lord Brahmä and beg 

his pardon. You will then regain your happiness.’ 

“The six demigods offered obeisances to their mother and 

father, Devaké and Vasudeva. Then, after offering their obeisances 

to Kåñëa and Balaräma, they returned to their heavenly 

abode.” 

Lord Caitanya continued, “O brähmaëa, I have explained 

the topics of Çrémad-Bhägavatam to you. Do not maintain the 

slightest doubt about Nityänanda Svarüpa. He is the most exalted 

personality. Unfortunate people are unable to understand 

Him. Accept His uncommon activities, and then you will surely 

be delivered. He incarnated simply to deliver the fallen souls, and 

so He will liberate all living beings. His dealings are above all 

Vedic rules and regulations. Who has the power to understand 

Him? Anyone who blasphemes Nityänanda without knowing 

His unfathomable qualities, even if that person has achieved 

viñëu-bhakti, is doomed. 

“O brähmaëa, go to Navadvépa and explain this truth to 

everyone. If anyone blasphemes Nityänanda Prabhu in any way, 

no one will be able to protect that person from Yamaräja’s punishment. 

One who loves Him actually loves Me. I am telling you 

the truth. Even if Nityänanda marries a Muslim girl or enters a 

wine shop, He is still worshipable by Lord Brahmä. This is My 

verdict.” 

The Lord’s words made the pious brähmaëa very happy. 

He gained immense faith in the lotus feet of Nityänanda and 

returned to Navadvépa. Arriving at Navadvépa, the fortunate 

brähmaëa first went to Nityänanda Prabhu’s house. He begged 

Nityänanda forgiveness for his offenses, and Nityänanda fully 

166 




bestowed His mercy upon him. Such are the dealings of Nityänanda 

Svarüpa. They are unknown to the Vedas and incomprehensible 

to ordinary men. 

From the spiritual point of view, Nityänanda Prabhu is the 

master of mystic yoga. He is also known as Ädideva Dharaëidhara, 

the original personality who holds the universes on His 

hoods. He has thousands of heads, and His body is eternal and 

pure. Without the mercy of Çré Caitanya, no one can know Him. 

Some said, “He is Balaräma,” while others said, “He is the dearmost 

associate of Çré Caitanya.” Other persons said, “He is the 

most effulgent plenary portion of the Personality of Godhead.” 

Still others declared, “We do not understand. If one calls Nityänanda 

a living entity, a devotee, or a learned scholar, it does 

not matter. Nityänanda Prabhu may be anyone to Çré Caitanya, 

but still I keep His lotus feet within my heart. He is my Lord, 

and I am His servant, birth after birth. I pray to everyone to 

bless me to always remain this way.” 

Çré Gaurasundara is the Lord of my Lord. I always keep this 

faith within my heart. Will that day ever come when I will see 

Caitanya and Nityänanda, surrounded by Their devotees? All 

glories to Mahäprabhu Gauracandra! You kindly gave me the 

association of Nityänanda and then took Him away from me. 

Still, O Gaurahari, favor me so that I will never forget You and 

Nityänanda Prabhu. Wherever You both appear, let me also appear 

as Your eternal servant. 



167 





CHAPTER NINE 

Lord Nityänanda’s Departure for Néläcala and 

His Glorification by Lord Caitanya 

Lord Nityänanda resided at Navadvépa, completely merged 

in an ocean of prema-bhakti. He inspired everyone to 

chant the holy names of the Lord so that singing and dancing 

for Kåñëa’s pleasure were people’s only duties. Previously, He had 

sported with the cowherd boys in every house of Gokula. Now, 

Nityänanda Balaräma manifested the same Gokula pastimes by 

happily performing näma-saìkértana. 

Once, supremely independent Nityänanda Prabhu desired 

to see Lord Caitanya and so, after taking permission from mother 

Çacé, He departed for Néläcala. He traveled with His devotees 

through the countryside, always overwhelmed with prema, while 

singing the glories of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu. The devotees 

danced, shouted, and cried with joy as Nityänanda Prabhu made 

His way to Néläcala in ecstasy. 


169



After a few days, Nityänanda Prabhu reached Néläcala. Arriving 

at Kamalapura 23 and seeing the top of the Jagannätha 

temple, He fell senseless to the ground. Tears of love incessantly 

streamed from His eyes as He called out, “Çré Kåñëa Caitanya.” 

After entering Néläcala, Nityänanda Prabhu remained within 

a flower garden. Who except Çré Caitanya can understand the 

mind of Nityänanda? 

Aware that Nityänanda had arrived, Çré Gauracandra left 

all the devotees behind and went to greet Him. He soon reached 

the spot where Nityänanda sat in deep meditation. When Çré 

Caitanya saw Nityänanda absorbed in meditation, He became 

filled with ecstatic prema. He then recited His own verses in 

glorification of Nityänanda while circumambulating Him. 

O readers, please hear the glories of Nityänanda spoken by 

Çré Caitanya. Hearing them causes one’s attachment for Him to 

increase. 

gåhniyad yavané pänià viçed ba sausnukälayam 

tathäpi brahmaëä bandyaà nityänanda padäsvujam 

“Even if Lord Nityänanda marries a meat-eater girl 

or enters a wine shop, He is still worshipable by Lord 

Brahmä.” 

Gaurahari repeatedly recited this verse with great devotion 

while circumambulating Nityänanda Prabhu. Realizing that the 

Lord had come, Nityänanda Svarüpa instantly arose with awe 

and reverence, uttering, “Hari! Hari!” 

No one would be able to describe the happiness felt by Nityänanda 

upon seeing Gauracandra. He roared like a lion and 

23 Kamalapura is a village on the bank of the River Daëòabhaìga 

in Orissa. This village comes after Mätali and Patpura railway 

stations. After taking sannyäsa, when Lord Caitanya traveled to Néläcala, 

He came to this village after visiting Bhuvaneçvara. The Lord 

became fully absorbed in ecstasy after seeing the dome of the Jagannätha 

temple from Kamalapura. 

170 



Lord Nityänanda’s Departure for Néläcala and His Glorification by Lord Caitanya 

fell forcefully onto the ground in ecstatic love. The two Lords 

circled one another and offered obeisances to each other. Then, 

both Lords embraced with love and cried. Sometimes They 

rolled on the ground with joy and roared in such a way that it 

defeated the sound of ferocious lions. The love and affection 

They exchanged was like that between Çré Rämacandra and 

Lakñmaëa. They glorified each other, reciting favorite verses 

and offered obeisances to one another with folded hands. The 

shedding of tears, shivering, laughing, becoming unconscious, 

the standing of the hairs of the body on end, paleness and many 

other symptoms of kåñëa-prema were clearly visible in both of 

Their bodies. Only the Lords’ most intimate associates saw the 

wonderful love and devotion displayed by Them. 

Lord Gaurahari folded His hands and offered prayers to Nityänanda: 

“O Nityänanda, You are actually nityänanda, eternal 

bliss. You are the support of the Vaiñëavas, and You are Lord 

Ananta. All the ornaments decorating Your body are incarnations 

of prema-bhakti. You have happily decorated Yourself with 

the ornaments of nine types of bhakti. 

“Your causeless mercy will certainly liberate all kinds of 

wretched sinners. Even demigods, great sages, and mystic yogés 

desire the devotion You awarded to the merchants of Saptagräma. 

Lord Kåñëa, who is glorified by the Vedas, is Your property, 

and so You can sell Him to anyone. 

“Who has the power to understand Your glories? You are 

ecstatic kåñëa-prema personified. When You perform nämasaìkértana, 

You lose Yourself in ecstasy. You glorify Kåñëa’s 

transcendental qualities throughout the entire day and night. 

Kåñëacandra always resides within Your heart. In fact, Your 

body is the abode of Kåñëa’s pastimes. If anyone offers love and 

respect to You, Kåñëa never ever rejects him.” 

After hearing this eulogy of Lord Caitanya, Nityänanda 

Prabhu folded His hands and spoke very humbly, “Although You 

are My Lord, somehow You are praising Me. This shows Your 

affection for Your devotees. You can circumambulate Me, offer 

obeisances to Me, kill Me, or save Me. You can do anything You 

wish. What more can I say, O Lord? 

171 




“What do You not see with Your divine vision? You are the 

supreme controller of everyone’s mind and life. Whatever You 

inspire Me to do, I will do. Before, You made Me accept the 

renounced order of life. Now You have turned Me into this. I 

left the life of an ascetic and now carry a flute, stick, horns, 

and bracelets. You gave the treasure of austerity and devotion to 

Your dear associates, headed by Çré Advaita Äcärya, but just see 

what You have done to Me. You have made Me leave the life of 

an ascetic so that ordinary people now laugh at Me. I am Your 

puppet. Make Me dance for Your pleasure. Are You are punishing 

Me or rewarding Me? Only You know. By Your causeless 

mercy, You can even make a tree chant Your holy names.” 

Lord Caitanya replied, “The ornaments You wear represent 

the nine kinds of devotional service and nothing else. Hearing, 

chanting, remembering, offering obeisances, and so on are 

eternally Your decorations. Ordinary people cannot understand 

why Lord Çiva holds the king of snakes on his head. From the 

spiritual point of view, Lord Ananta is the life and soul of Lord 

Çiva. Mahädeva holds his worshipable Lord in the guise of holding 

a snake. Without knowing the depth of his character, if anyone 

blasphemes him, his spiritual progress is checked. I do not 

find anything but bhakti-rasa in You. I am telling You this from 

My heart. 

“You are fully absorbed in the happiness of Våndävana as 

one of Nanda Mahäräja’s family members. You have decorated 

Yourself with various ornaments as an expression of Your happiness. 

A fortunate person, one who feels pleasure by seeing Your 

mysterious qualities, will surely meet Kåñëa. 

“A stick, flute, garland of guïjä and flowers, and sandalwood 

paste naturally decorate Your transcendental body. Your associates 

appear to Me as being none other than Çrédäma, Sudäma, 

and others. I consider that all the cowherd boys of Våndävana 

that formerly played with You are now Your associates. They 

all have the same mood, complexion, and potency of Nanda 

Mahäräja’s relatives. Anyone who loves You and Your devotees 

certainly loves Me.” 

Who can describe the two Lords’ glorification of one another? 

While praising each other, They were filled with transcen- 

172 



Lord Nityänanda’s Departure for Néläcala and His Glorification by Lord Caitanya 

dental ecstasy. After Caitanya and Nityänanda regained Their 

composure, They sat down together in a secluded flower garden. 

The talks between the Controller and the Supreme Controller 

in that garden are known only to the Vedas. 

Whenever Lord Nityänanda and Lord Caitanya met each 

other like this, They would do so without any associates. By the 

supreme will of Çré Caitanya, not a single person heard the blissful 

talks that the two Lords enjoyed. Knowing the Lord’s mind, 

Nityänanda Svarüpa purposely met Him alone. 

Nityänanda Prabhu always tried to conceal Himself, because 

the Lord did not wish for Him to manifest Himself to everyone. 

The heart of the Supreme Lord is most soft and mysterious. 

This is the opinion of the Vedas, as well as authorities like Lord 

Brahmä. No one knows Him in truth and yet, as far as they are 

able, they attempt to glorify Him. This is the verdict of Goddess 

Lakñmé: The Lord’s wonderful qualities are such that everyone 

thinks that He loves them the most. 

Nityananda Prabhu often spoke very confidentially to Çré 

Caitanya. He once said, “I would like to live the life of an ascetic 

and worship Kåñëa wholeheartedly. I do not know why He 

had me give up that life to carry a stick, flute, books, peacock 

feathers, guïjä-mälä, and ropes. It is understood that of all the 

devotees of the Lord, the cowherd boys and girls are the best. 

The devotional service performed by the cowherd boys and girls 

of Våndävana is the result of their severe austerities. Exalted 

personalities, such as Lord Brahmä and Lord Çiva, also desire to 

attain this mood. Only a recipient of the Lord’s mercy is qualified 

to receive vraja-bhakti. 

That Çré Uddhava desires this devotional mood of Vraja is 

found in Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.47.63. 

vande nanda-vraja-stréëäà päda-reëum abhékñëaçaù 

yäsäà hari-kathodgétaà punäti bhuvana-trayam 

“I repeatedly offer my respects to the dust from the 

feet of the women of Nanda Mahäräja’s cowherd village. 

When these gopés loudly chant the glories of Çré 

Kåñëa, the vibration purifies the three worlds.” 

173 




Whatever the Vaiñëavas offer to Çré Gauracandra, He gladly 

accepts. By the mercy of Kåñëa, all the devotees remain merged 

in the ocean of transcendental bliss. However, the devotees 

sometimes engage in mock fighting. Seeing this mock fighting, 

if a person takes the side of one devotee and criticizes another, 

then he should be considered most unfortunate. All the devotees 

of the Lord are nondifferent from the Lord, just as the 

hands, fingers, and legs are inseparable parts of the body. Still, 

it is the conviction of all Vaiñëavas that Çré Kåñëa Caitanya is 

the worshipable Lord of everyone in all respects. They always 

glorify the Lord as the supreme controller, sole maintainer, supreme 

witness, and unfathomable truth. 

One can achieve the wealth of bhakti by the mercy of those 

in whom the Supreme Lord mercifully manifests Himself. Even 

if the Lord invests all His energies and the quality of omniscience 

in a devotee, He still punishes him when he commits 

offenses. 

It is the special feature of Lord Caitanya that He never failed 

to glorify Nityänanda and Advaita. Even if these two personalities 

performed uncommon activities, Gauracandra still did not 

say anything to criticize Them. 

After spending some blissful moments with Avadhüta Nityänanda, 

Lord Gauräìga bade farewell and returned to His 

residence. Nityänanda Svarüpa then happily went to see Lord 

Jagannätha. Anyone who hears this description of the meeting 

between Caitanya and Nityänanda will be relieved from material 

bondage. 

Accepting Lord Çré Caitanya and Nityänanda Prabhu as my 


feet. 

174 



CHAPTER TEN 

Lord Nityänanda’s Pastimes of Accepting Lunch 

at the House of Gadädhara Paëòita 

When Lord Nityänanda saw Lord Jagannätha, He became 

overwhelmed with ecstasy and began to roll 

on the floor. Indeed, He repeatedly fell to the floor with great 

force, and even a hundred people could not control Him. Seeing 

Lord Jagannätha, Lord Balaräma, Subhadrä, and the Sudarçana 

cakra, Nityänanda began to weep. 

Knowing the glories of Nityänanda, the brähmaëa priest offered 

Him the flower garlands from Jagannätha, Baladeva, and 

Subhadrä. When the servants of Lord Jagannätha saw Nityänanda 

Prabhu, they became extremely joyful. Those who did 

not know Him asked others who He was. These people replied 

that He was the brother of Kåñëa Caitanya. 

Nityänanda Svarüpa embraced everyone, drenching them 

with His tears. After seeing Lord Jagannätha, Nityänanda very 

happily went to see Gadädhara Paëòita. Only the Supreme 

Lord possesses the love and affection that Nityänanda and 


175



Gadädhara exchanged. The most enchanting Deity of Lord 

Gopénätha resided at the house of Gadädhara Paëòita. He appeared 

to be directly the son of Nanda Mahäräja. Lord Caitanya 

had personally embraced this Deity. Seeing this Deity bewilders 

even a staunch atheist. 

When Nityänanda Prabhu saw the beautiful flute and attractive 

face of Gopénätha, tears of love incessantly streamed 

from His eyes. Knowing that Nityänanda had arrived, Gadädhara 

left his recitation of Çrémad-Bhägavatam and in great 

haste came to greet Him. As soon as they saw each other, they 

embraced and began to cry. They offered their obeisances to 

one another and began to glorify one another. 

One of them said, “Today my eyes are purified.” The other 

said, “Today my life is successful.” Both of them rapturously 

floated in the ocean of prema. The love and devotion manifested 

from their meeting was so intense that all the servants 

began to weep. The love and affection between Nityänanda and 

Gadädhara is so wonderful that neither spoke to the other’s enemies. 

Gadädhara’s vow was that he would never see the face 

of a person who blasphemes Nityänanda. Gadädhara Paëòita 

Gosäi does not even manifest himself to those who have no love 

for Nityänanda Gosäi. 

When they became peaceful, Gadädhara Paëòita and Nityänanda 

Prabhu sat down to discuss the auspicious glories of Çré 

Caitanya. Thereafter, Gadädhara invited Nityänanda Prabhu to 

accept lunch at his home. Nityänanda Prabhu had brought forty 

kilos of very fine white rice from Bengal for Gadädhara to offer 

to Lord Gopénätha. He also brought a beautifully colored piece 

of cloth for the Lord, which He placed before Gadädhara. 

Nityänanda said, “My dear Gadädhara, please take this rice 

and cook for Gopénätha. After offering it to the Lord, You may 

honor the remnants.” 

Seeing the fine rice, Gadädhara smilingly said, “I’ve never 

seen such rice before. Did You bring this rice from Vaikuëöha 

for Gopénätha? Mother Lakñmé cooks this rice, and Kåñëa enjoys 

it. The devotees then honor the remnants.” 

After happily praising the rice, Gadädhara took the piece 

of cloth and went before Lord Gopénätha. He dressed Gopé- 

176 



Lord Nityänanda’s Pastimes of Accepting Lunch at the House of Gadädhara Paëòita 

nätha in the divinely colored cloth and upon seeing His beauty, 

Gadädhara floated in the ocean of bliss. He then began to arrange 

for cooking by first picking spinach from the garden of 

the Öoöä-gopénätha temple. Nobody plants this spinach. It grows 

by itself. 

Gadädhara collected some spinach to cook for Gopénätha. 

He then picked the tender leaves of a tamarind tree and, after 

making a paste with them, he mixed it with the boiled spinach 

and added salt. The most fortunate Gadädhara thus cooked a 

sour preparation and then brought it before Gopénätha to offer. 

Just at that moment, Gauracandra arrived. Smiling while 

chanting the mahä-mantra, Lord Gauracandra called out, 

“Gadädhara! Gadädhara!” Gadädhara immediately appeared 

and offered his obeisances to the Lord with awe and reverence. 

The Lord smilingly said, “What is this, Gadädhara? Am I 

not fit to be invited? Actually, I am not separate from both of 

you. Even if you do not offer Me prasäda, I will eat it by force. 

The ingredients supplied by Nityänanda, the remnants of Gopénätha, 

and your cooking—I certainly deserve a share of it.” 

While listening to these words of the Lord, both Nityänanda 

and Gadädhara floated in the ocean of happiness. With 

immense satisfaction, Gadädhara brought the prasäda of Gopénätha 

and placed it before Gauracandra. The fragrance of the 

rice filled the entire compound of the Öoöä-gopénätha Temple, 

and the Lord repeatedly praised it. 

“Divide the prasäda into three parts,” the Lord said. “Today 

we will sit together and eat.” 

Attracted by Nityänanda’s rice, Mahäprabhu sat down to 

take His meal. Both Mahäprabhu and Nityänanda Prabhu sat 

down to eat, facing each other. They happily glorified the rice 

and the vegetables. The Lord said, “Just the fragrance of this 

rice guarantees one’s attainment of devotion for Kåñëa. There is 

no doubt about this. 

“O Gadädhara, what wonderful cooking! I have never eaten 

such a spinach preparation before. O Gadädhara, what an attractive 

way you have of cooking. How did you make such a 

preparation with tender tamarind leaves? I think you must cook 

for the Lord in Vaikuëöha. Why are you hiding yourself?” 

177 




While smiling and joking in this way, the three personalities 

happily enjoyed their meal. Only these three know the loving 

sentiments of each other. Gauracandra never discloses them 

to anyone else. After the Lords completed their meal and departed, 

all the devotees eagerly accepted the remnants. Anyone 

favored by the merciful glance of Gadädhara can actually know 

the science of Nityänanda Svarüpa. In the same way, anyone 

inspired by Nityänanda Svarüpa can understand the glories of 

Gadädhara. 

Nityananda Prabhu happily enjoyed the association of Gauracandra. 

Çré Kåñëa Caitanya, Nityänanda, and Gadädhara always 

resided together. They saw Lord Jagannätha together and 

became overwhelmed when they performed näma-saìkértana. 

Anyone who reads or hears about these pastimes of the Lord’s 

taking prasäda will certainly achieve Kåñëa and His devotional 

service. 



178 




Lord Caitanya Instructs 

Nityänanda Prabhu to Marry 

One day, at Néläcala, Gauracandra Mahäprabhu discussed 

something alone with Nityänanda. 

tumi yao gauòadeçe karaha saàsära 

tabe e sava lokera haibe nistära 

punaha äsiba ämi tomära mandire 

tomära gåhe habe ämära avatäre 

bhakti bilaiya punaù äriba saàsära 

gupu avatära çastre naheta pracära 

acintya ämära çakti keha nähi jäne 

sei se jänaye tumi jänäha ñahäne 

purva yadu bistära nä karilä dväpare 

ebe tomära baça-båddhi haibe saàsäre 

“Dear Çrépäda, return to Bengal and get married, then 

all the people will be delivered. I will again manifest in Your 


179



family and stay in Your home. I will distribute kåñëa-bhakti and 

deliver the entire world. These incarnations of Mine are secret 

and hidden in the scriptures. No one knows the extent of My 

inconceivable energies. Only You know them perfectly and others 

know them partially by Your mercy. In Dväpara-yuga, You 

did not expand Your family as a member of the Yadu dynasty, 

but this time Your family will increase in this world.” 

Nityänanda Prabhu replied, “You are the original cause of 

everything. You are the operator, and I am the machine. You 

can do with Me as You please. No one can direct his intelligence 

independently. You are My personal protector, benefactor, 

and maintainer. Whatever I do is dependent upon Your 

will. You made Me a mendicant who traveled all over the country. 

Yet, You put a curtain over My eyes and remained hidden 

from Me. After a time, You gave Me darçana and satisfied Me 

by keeping Me with You. You made Me dance happily in Your 

ecstatic love. You awarded Me bhakti and made Me a Vaiñëava. 

Again, You made Me a materialist by changing My duties. I 

am unable to understand what is happening to Me. Now You 

tell Me to enter family life, although You abandoned such an 

existence. You gave up all attachment to women and simply 

became attached to the chanting of Lord Kåñëa’s holy name. 

You have given up all kinds of enjoyment and taken up the 

profession of a beggar. 

“O Gosäi, why do You trouble Me like this? Actually, I have 

no one other than You. I am Your eternal servant, and so I am 

unable to deny Your order. I always follow Your order as My very 

life and soul.” 

After saying this much, Nityänanda Prabhu fell silent. The 

Lord then caught hold of His hands and said, “O Nityänanda, 

You are the form of eternal bliss and the abode of My happiness 

and prosperity. You are My energy, and I am the energetic. 

Without energy, the existence of the energetic is useless. You 

and I are not separate at any time. To fulfill Our mission, We 

have descended in this age of Kali. Just as a grain of däl has 

two parts, so You and I are not separate. We are one. My happiness 

lies in You alone. Sometimes, I experience transcendental 

happiness directly by Your presence and sometimes through 

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Lord Caitanya Instructs Nityänanda Prabhu to Marry 

inspiration. Whatever I speak and do and wherever I travel is 

all due to Your desire. All My servants are Your servants.” 

Nityänanda replied, “Your words are full of deceit because 

it is Your nature to speak in many different ways. Previously, 

You sent a message to the gopés through Uddhava, in which You 

taught them the importance of cultivating spiritual knowledge. 

They had given up everything and still, they could not attain 

Your association. It is Your eternal habit to harass Your own 

people. You even disappointed Your mother, father, sons, and 

friends, so what can be said about us? We are Your menial servants. 

I am destined to follow Your orders without fail. Who can 

deny Your infallible commands? 

“O Lord, please tell Me in truth—when will I see You again? 

How will I tolerate the agony of Your separation?” 

“You do not need to come here every year,” the Lord replied. 

“Whenever You wish to see Me, You will see Me. Whenever You 

dance in kértana, or whenever My mother cooks for Me, I will 

come there without a doubt. I am going to spend My days and 

nights absorbed in the mood of Rädhäräëé. After relishing the 

mood of separation from Kåñëa, I will wind up these pastimes 

and return home.” 

The Lord’s intimate devotees who realized these secret talks 

between Çré Caitanya and Nityänanda Prabhu have disclosed 

them. 

“This present incarnation of Mine is not known to the Vedas. 

I am revealing My mind only to You. I am telling You the truth, 

that I will certainly appear in Your house in the near future.” 

After hearing these words of Lord Caitanya, Nityänanda 

Prabhu fell to the ground. Taking advantage of this, Caitanya 

Mahäprabhu took the dust from His feet. Both the Lords 

embraced and continuously cried. They stayed awake the entire 

night. Early the next morning, both Lords finished Their 

morning duties and then went to see Lord Jagannätha in the 

temple. From that day onwards, the condition of Lord Caitanya 

became most pathetic. He constantly lamented, being afflicted 

with feelings of separation from Kåñëa. Nobody could understand 

this most confidential mood of the Lord. Only the Lord 

comprehended His own mentality. However, some intimate 

181 




devotees understood the Lord’s mood by various hints. Others 

knew nothing. 

On the plea of going on pilgrimage, all the devotees bid 

farewell to the Lord, one by one. Nityänanda Prabhu also bade 

farewell to the Lord and started for Bengal with some devotees. 

He traveled along the road, absorbed in ecstatic kåñëa-prema. 

He appeared as if intoxicated from drinking honey. After some 

time, He arrived on the bank of the Ganges and entered Räghava 

Paëòita’s house in the village of Pänihäöi. Hearing about Nityänanda 

Prabhu’s arrival, everyone, including children and 

the elderly, happily rushed to see Him. People from Pänihäöi to 

Triveëé poured in nonstop to join in the kértana. Many people 

took prasäda there, and many people carried it to their houses. 

Nobody could estimate how many people brought ingredients 

and how many people distributed prasäda. 

During the day, they distributed prasäda and at night, they 

arranged huge näma-saìkértana parties. Even Lord Ananta 

was unable to count the visitors. Many devotee singers sang and 

danced while others fanned them with peacock feather fans. 

Nityänanda Prabhu decorated His head with a turban made 

of colourful cloths. He wore beautiful earrings, and His brightly 

shining face defeated the beauty of the moon. He had bracelets 

on His hands and rings on His fingers. He wore a golden chain 

with a blue sapphire locket. His lotus feet were decorated with 

golden ankle bells whose tinkling sound banished one’s miseries. 

Tears of love flowed constantly from His lotus eyes. Honeybees 

poured their honey on His lotus feet. His head resembled 

that of a lion, and His shoulders those of an elephant. He had 

a huge body whose two arms reached to His knees. His large 

hands resembled those of a wrestler. His golden limbs exuded 

prema. He was attached to chanting the holy names of Çré 

Caitanyacandra. 

Nityänanda Prabhu swung back and forth while chanting, 

“Kåñëa! Kåñëa!” just like an elephant in rut when struck by a 

goad. Sometimes He laughed while rolling his eyes and speaking 

very sweetly. At other times, He closed His eyes and remained 

silent. He sometimes cried loudly, saying, “O My dear Kåñëa!” 

Sometimes, folding His hands, He chanted, “O My Lord!” and 

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Lord Caitanya Instructs Nityänanda Prabhu to Marry 

sometimes He covered His face with His cloth while softly uttering, 

“O Lord of My life!” and then fell to the ground with great 

force. Sometimes He laughed loudly, calling, “O My dear brother! 

O My dear brother!” Sometimes He asked Lord Brahmä for 

wings to fly in the sky. 

Nityänanda Prabhu’s manifestation of prema was thus full 

of mysteries to the common people. 

Accepting Çré Caitanya and Nityänanda as my life and soul, 

I, Våndävana däsa, sing the glories of Their lotus feet. 

183 





CHAPTER TWELVE 

The Marriage of Lord Nityänanda 

One day, Lord Nityänanda woke up early in the morning 

and set out for Ambikä-nagara. He took a servant with 

him, Uddhäraëa Datta, who was a merchant by profession and 

His intimate associate. When Lord Nityänanda arrived at the 

door of Süryadäsa Paëòita, He sent Uddhäraëa Datta inside the 

house. Uddhäraëa Datta went inside and informed Suryädäsa 

of the Lord’s arrival, and so he rushed out to greet the Lord. 

Falling at the feet of Nityänanda Prabhu, Süryadäsa offered 

his obeisances. Then, with folded hands he said, “What good 

fortune!” 

The Lord said, “I have come to you with a purpose. Please 

give Me your daughter’s hand in marriage.” 

The Paëòita knew the glories of Nityänanda Prabhu, but 

at that moment he forgot everything, being bewildered by the 

Lord’s illusory energy. “How is it possible?” the brähmaëa humbly 

said. “We first have to weigh many considerations, such 


185



caste, the stars, and family. Although You are the Supreme Personality 

of Godhead, Näräyaëa, You are an outcaste, and I am 

a brähmaëa.” 

Hearing this reply, Nityänanda Prabhu left that place while 

everyone watched in wonder. Süryadäsa Paëòita felt disappointed 

and went inside his house. 

“Will my dream come true?” He thought. “O Lord Kåñëa, 

will it ever come to be by the arrangement of providence that 

Nityänanda Prabhu will become my son-in-law?” 

Pondering over this, Süryadäsa assembled his relatives and 

informed them of the Lord’s proposal. “Last night, I had an astonishing 

dream,” he said. “I saw a wonderful person come to 

my house, sitting on a chariot with a flag. He was huge, like a 

mighty wrestler. His complexion was golden and His eyes were 

reddish. He got down from the chariot and smilingly asked, ‘Is 

this Paëòitajé’s house?’ He carried a plough on His shoulder and 

held a stick in His hand. He gestured for me to come. Flowers 

decorated His hair, and He wore golden earrings. He was dressed 

in blue garments and anklets decorated His feet. He said to me, 

‘I am going to marry your daughter. You have not recognized Me 

until today.’ Saying this, He suddenly disappeared. I then got 

out of bed and found that it was morning.” 

As Jähnavä listened to her father’s talks from within her 

room, her natural love for the Lord arose within her heart. Indeed, 

tears of love began to flow from her eyes. She covered her 

face with a cloth, but the cloth became soaked with her tears. 

“My dear friends, I have told you about my wonderful 

dream,” Paëòita continued. 

“We see so many things in our dreams, someone replied. 

“Nityänanda Prabhu is the Supreme Brahman, and we are but 

householders. How can we offer Him our daughter?” 

Süryadäsa Paëòita was naturally very soft-hearted. Upon hearing 

this, he became distressed and cried, “Save me! Save me!” 

Suddenly, everyone heard a cry coming from inside the 

house. Something had happened to Jahnavä. They rushed inside 

and picked her up and then brought her out onto the front 

veranda. She was unconscious and her eyes had rolled upwards 

in their sockets. Her entire body had become cold, and her face 

186 




was covered with perspiration. A doctor came and diagnosed 

that she had epilepsy, saying that there was no cure for this disease. 

He informed the girl’s relatives that seldom does a person 

with epilepsy live for long. He then treated her according to the 

prescriptions of the scriptures. 

“Even after applying proper medication there is no improvement,” 

the physician said. “Take your daughter to the bank of 

the Ganges and arrange for her funeral rites to be performed.” 

Süryadäsa began to cry when he heard these words. Gaurédäsa, 

while consoling him, said, “I think we have committed 

an offense at the feet of Avadhüta Nityänanda. We must beg 

His pardon, and bring Him back here as soon as possible. As 

long as we live in this world, we should try to maintain relationships. 

After death, relationships no longer exist. If He can revive 

our daughter, then we should arrange for her marriage with 

Him. This is my advice to all of you. Let us all go to Nityänanda 

Prabhu and fall at His feet.” 

Lord Nityänanda was sitting under a banyan tree on the 

bank of the Ganges. Tears glided from His eyes as He chanted 

the holy name of Kåñëa. Gaurédäsa, along with his relatives, 

went to Nityänanda Prabhu and fell at His lotus feet. The Lord 

quickly picked him up while patting him on the back. “My dear 

cowherd men, have you all forgotten Me?” the Lord said. 

Nityänanda Prabhu placed His hands on Süryadäsa’s shoulders. 

Süryadäsa Paëòita fell at the feet of Nityänanda Prabhu 

and lamented, “You completely bewildered my intelligence. Although 

You are capable of doing anything, You did not inspire 

me to give up my attachment for varëäçrama-dharma. Please 

give us the shelter of Your lotus feet and thus save us.” 

Saying this, the Paëòita took Lord Nityänanda to his home. 

His daughter, Jahnavä, was lying at the doorstep, covered with a 

cloth as the sunshine fell upon her. This appeared like lightning 

striking a cloud. Her eyes bulged in their sockets as tears incessantly 

fell from them. Her curly hair enhanced the beauty of 

her forehead. The symptoms of impending death appeared on 

her body. At that moment, the aroma of the Lord’s body entered 

her nostrils. By smelling this aroma, she immediately regained 

consciousness. 

187 




Jahnavä hurriedly covered her face with her cloth and said, 

“Where am I? What is happening?” 

She then got up and entered her house. At that time, Nityänanda 

Prabhu, the reservoir of transcendental pastimes, 

displayed His six-armed form in the courtyard of Süryadäsa 

Paëòita. His two upper hands held a bow and an arrow, His 

two middle hands held a plough and a stick, and His lower two 

hands carried a sannyäsa daëòa and water pot. His head was 

adorned with a crown, and His ears were decorated with earrings. 

His entire body was radiant with valuable jewels and ornaments. 

Upon seeing this form of the Lord, everyone fell at 

His feet. Paëòita prayed to the Lord with folded hands. All the 

brähmaëas who had gathered there were struck with wonder 

upon seeing this wonderful form of the Lord. 

Soon the six-armed form of Lord Nityänanda disappeared 

from everyone’s vision and only two-armed Lord Nityänanda 

remained. Smiling at everyone, Lord Nityänanda sat on the 

doorstep of the Viñëu temple there as all the brähmaëas and 

Vaiñëavas chanted, “Long life! Long life!” 

They then served Nityänanda Prabhu with great care and 

affection and made Him comfortable. The learned brähmaëas 

and the family priest then decided to award Nityänanda the 

sacred thread, according to the Vedic injunctions. When they 

disclosed their plan to the Lord, He accepted it with a laugh, 

saying, “Do whatever you like. I have nothing to say. Only Caitanya 

Gosäi is independent.” 

When they heard about the Lord’s approval, everyone became 

very happy. Then Paëòita then began to make arrangements 

for the marriage of his daughter. He collected whatever 

articles were necessary so that the marriage ceremony would be 

performed as opulently as that of a prince. He gathered whatever 

things he lacked by begging and then invited all his neighbors 

to attend the marriage ceremony. He then brought a large 

quantity of betel nuts and pän. 

Thereafter, the brähmaëa called for his family priest and 

carefully chose an auspicious day for the marriage. From that 

day on, there was constant celebration at the Paëòita’s house. 

Day after day, more of his friends and relatives arrived. The 

188 




musicians played and hundreds of brähmaëas were fed every 

day. The women distributed vermilion, betel nuts, pän, oil, and 

sweets to all the visiting ladies. 

On the day of the marriage, the brähmaëas came to Süryadäsa 

Paëòita’s house after finishing their regular duties. They 

brought the required paraphernalia, such as flowers, kuça grass, 

sitting mats made of kuça grass, wooden mortars, and spoons 

for performing sacrifices. They also brought a stick, water pot, 

umbrella, pair of shoes, belt, kaupéna, deerskin, sacred thread, 

and ghee. 

After the brähmaëas had prepared the sacrificial arena, the 

head priest asked Nityänanda Prabhu to come. As Nityänanda 

Prabhu sat in the midst of the brähmaëas, they offered ghee in 

the sacrificial fire while chanting Vedic mantras. After completing 

the formalities prescribed by the scriptures, the brähmaëas 

put a stick and water pot in Nityänanda’s hands. He wore 

a saffron-colored kaupéna and cädara, and carried a saffron bag 

on His shoulder. 

The Lord then begged, “Mother, please give Me alms.” 

The wife of Süryadäsa Paëòita respectfully placed gold, silver, 

and money in the Lord’s bag. When the priest told Süryadäsa 

Paëòita to bring the bride, Nityänanda Prabhu said, “Do 

that later.” Then He whispered something in the ear of the 

priest, who quickly said, “That is alright.” 

Holding a stick and water pot, Lord Nityänanda repeatedly 

laughed aloud. He wore wooden shoes and held an umbrella. 

He appeared just like a young brähmaëa and while gazing at 

His enchanting form, the ladies smilingly said, “He must be the 

younger brother of Çré Rämacandra. That is what we feel.” 

The Lord then entered a secluded inner room and continuously 

remained there for three days. Rising early in the morning 

of the forth day, the Lord looked at the sun and the brähmaëas 

before coming out of the house. All-attractive Nityänanda 

Prabhu then offered His obeisances to Lord Viñëu and sat on 

a wooden throne. Hundreds of women from Navadvépa came 

to the house of Süryadäsa Paëòita, holding each other’s hands 

and shoulders. They decorated their eyes with black ointment 

and chewed betel nuts. They arrived at the house of the Paëòita 

189 




while swinging their hands and bodies. The priest came to perform 

the necessary duties prior to the marriage, while the ladies 

made auspicious sounds on all sides. 

The priest tied yellow threads on Lord Nityänanda’s and 

Jähnavä’s hands. Jahnavä then went inside the house, bowing 

down her head. The musicians played auspicious rägas as all the 

people dove and surfaced in the ocean of great happiness. 

As the ladies brought water for the ceremony, some of them 

said, “Jähnavä is indeed most fortunate. Who else could have 

such a beautiful groom, except Revaté, who previously had such 

a wonderful husband?” 

“They look just like Çaìkara and Parvaté,” someone said. 

“They look like Lakñmé and Näräyaëa.” others said. 

“It is like the union of Kämadeva and Raté,” another said. 

Yet others said, “They are like Räma and Sétä.” 

In this way, people revealed their minds to one another. 

They laughed and fell on each other as if intoxicated. Many 

of the ladies were simple young girls, attending the marriage 

of their friend, and were unable to check their jubilation. The 

whole day passed in blissful preparation. Finally, the auspicious 

time for the marriage ceremony arrived. 

Süryadäsa Paëòita told his relatives to decorate both the 

bride and groom. Hearing this, everyone became very happy. Nityänanda 

Prabhu came out and sat in the courtyard of the Viñëu 

temple and Gaurédäsa Paëòita began to decorate Him. Nityänanda 

was naturally very enchanting. The Paëòita put tilaka and 

sandalwood paste on His forehead. Naturally intoxicated with 

prema, Nityänanda’s eyes always moved in circles. The Paëòita 

put black ointment on those eyes. The Lord’s beautifully raised 

nose was marked with tilaka and sandalwood paste. The beauty 

of His face defeated the beauty of the full moon. His broad chest 

was decorated with sandalwood paste and flower garlands. He 

wore white garments and a white sacred thread. That thread appeared 

just like Lord Ananta Çeña covering Lord Balaräma. A 

crown adorned His head, and He wore beautiful earrings. The 

golden ornaments decorating His body shone brightly. 

The artistic ladies sat in a private place and decorated Jähnavä 

with undivided attention. They combed and braided her 

190 




hair in various attractive ways. Two colourful clusters of jute 

hung from her head to her back, covering both her ears. The 

ladies made many beautiful braids with her hair, beginning from 

her forehead. Wiping her face with the corner of their särés, 

they decorated it with kuìkuma. They adorned her forehead 

with marks of tilaka and applied black ointments to her eyes. 

They enhanced the beauty of her forehead and cheeks with 

many beautiful dots of sandalwood paste. They put tilaka on 

her nose and became captivated by her beauty. 

Then the ladies began to dress Jähnavä. They put a golden 

ring with a pearl hanging from it on the tip of her nose. It swung 

on the top of her upper lip as she moved. It appeared as if honeybees 

were falling over a sesame flower. She was wearing a golden 

känti-mälä with a locket that hung to her chest. She was decorated 

in a most attractive manner and her beauty was matchless. 

Golden earrings resembling campaka flowers decorated her ears, 

appearing like lightening. The earrings were fixed at one place, 

yet they desired to touch her other limbs. Golden bracelets and 

bangles bedecked her hands. She wore golden ankle bells on her 

beautiful reddish feet. 

After decorating Jähnavä to the best of their ability, the 

ladies put betel nut in her mouth and hung garlands of fragrant 

flowers around her neck. They then sprinkled scented oil all 

over her body. 

Thereafter, all the relatives and friends of Süryadäsa Paëòita 

told him to take his daughter and circle the groom. Paëòita 

at once accepted the proposal, saying, “Whatever you all say, I 

must follow.” 

Everyone rushed in all directions to gather the necessary 

items for the marriage ceremony. They brought numerous articles 

to Süryadäsa Paëòita and then set them before Lord Nityänanda. 

They then made the Lord sit on a palanquin. The 

musicians began to play, filling the entire sky with their sound. 

The singers and dancers sang and danced perfectly in time with 

the music. Lord Nityänanda beheld all this while dressed in divine 

garments. Sitting on a palanquin, He was taken in procession 

through the streets while auspicious sounds of joy filled the 

four directions. The women of the city came out of their houses 

191 




and sat on their doorsteps with their babies on their laps to have 

a glimpse of the groom. Young boys rushed to where the procession 

was passing and became overwhelmed with happiness as 

they joined in the singing. 

After touring all over the city, Nityänanda Prabhu, resembling 

a full moon, came back to the house of Süryadäsa Paëòita. 

Süryadäsa Paëòita offered incense, a ghee lamp, sandalwood 

paste, and flower garlands to Nityänanda Prabhu. He then led 

Him by the hand to the marriage arena. Someone sprinkled 

scented water before Nityänanda as He walked. The ladies made 

auspicious sounds of ulu-dhvani. 

Nityänanda Prabhu was then made to stand on a low wooden 

platform. His radiance filled all directions. Holding ghee 

lamps and flower garlands, the brähmaëas circled Nityänanda 

seven times. The ladies smiled while covering their mouths with 

their särés and falling on one another. They then brought the 

bride on a beautiful throne and made her circle Nityänanda 

seven times. 

Jähnavä and Nityänanda glanced at each other as everyone 

threw flowers and pän. Their spontaneous love for each other 

awakened. After a long time, when Jähnavä finally saw her beloved 

Lord, she held her head down in shyness. The ladies then 

took Jähnavä inside a room while the brähmaëas completed the 

formalities, according to the scriptural injunctions. 

Süryadäsa Paëòita offered jewellery, clothes, and other items 

to Nityänanda Prabhu and formally accepted Him as a son-inlaw. 

Then he brought his daughter and offered her to Nityänanda 

Prabhu in charity, as per the Vedic injunctions. Taking 

his daughter and son-in-law inside, he made them sit on a divine 

bed decorated with flowers. Many young girls also entered the 

room, teasing the new groom and joking with Him. The whole 

night thus passed in great mirth. 

In the morning, Nityänanda Prabhu bathed and then sat 

down for the Vedic ceremony of putting sindüra (vermilion) on 

the bride’s head. The brähmaëas performed the fire sacrifice, 

according to the Vedic rules and regulations. Finally, hundreds 

of brähmaëas were served a feast. Nityänanda Prabhu thereafter 

lived happily at Süryadäsa Paëòita’s house for a few days. 

192 




One day, as Çré Jähnavä was serving Nityänanda His lunch of 

Kåñëa prasäda with utmost care, the younger daughter of Süryadäsa 

Paëòita, named Vasudhä, whose mind had been firmly attached 

to Nityänanda since her childhood, came to assist her 

sister. As she was serving prasäda to Nityänanda Prabhu, the 

part of her säré covering her head suddenly fell. Since both her 

hands were engaged in serving, she manifested two more hands 

to again cover her head with her säré. Seeing this, Nityänanda 

Prabhu caught hold of her hand and made her sit to His right. 

Nityänanda said to Süryadäsa Paëòita, “I will take your 

younger daughter with Me as dowry.” 

“I have no objection,” Süryadäsa Paëòita replied. “There is 

nothing I could refuse You. I have surrendered my caste, life, 

wealth, house, associates, and everything else at Your lotus 

feet.” 

Saying this, the Paëòita raised his hands and danced in ecstasy 

while chanting “Hari! Hari!” He then prayed: “O Kåñëa, 

O Yädava, please be merciful to me so that I may fix my mind, 

body, and speech at the lotus feet of Nityänanda Prabhu.” 

When the Paëòita explained this new development to his 

relatives, they all smilingly approved. “We have also become fortunate 

by your association,” they said. “Who has the power to 

disobey the Lord?” 

With folded hands, everyone said to Süryadäsa Paëòita, 

“You have actually purchased Kåñëa in Kali-yuga.” 

Nityänanda Prabhu thus inspired all the residents of Ambikä-kälnä 

to float in an ocean of bliss. 

Accepting the lotus feet of Caitanya and Nityänanda as my 


feet. 

193 





CHAPTER THIRTEEN 

The Birth of Véracandra Prabhu and 

Disappearance of Lord Nityänanda 

Lord Nityänanda enjoyed unlimited and inconceivable 

pastimes at Ambikä-kälnä. In spite of manifesting so 

many pastimes, no one could recognize Him, as fish are unable 

to see the moon reflected on the surface of the ocean. 

Once, Lord Nityänanda thought, “I will build an äçrama 

at Khaòadaha to follow the orders of My Lord. I will open up a 

marketplace for distributing the holy names of the Lord.” 

After contemplating in this way, Nityänanda Prabhu went 

to Khaòadaha to manifest His pastimes. He followed the principles 

of household life and manifested the service of the Deity, 

Çré Çyämasundara. 

Çré Jähnavä and Çré Vasudhä constantly worshiped the lotus 

feet of Nityänanda. The Lord empowered them with His energies. 

He enjoyed various pastimes with both consorts, fulfilling 

their hearts’ desires. The happiness of Jähnavä and Vasudhä knew 

no bounds, for they had Nityänanda Prabhu as their husband. 


195



Both had prayed to the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya that Lord 

Nityänanda would be their husband, birth after birth. 

On an auspicious day, at an auspicious time, and during a 

most auspicious conjunction of the stars, the fortunate Vasudhä 

bore a son who was as bright as the moon. The people of 

the three worlds floated in an ocean of bliss, chanting the holy 

names of Lord Hari. The multitudes in heaven and on earth 

glorified Vasudhä for having such a beautiful child. He was born 

on the fourth day in the bright fortnight of the moon in the 

month of January. Vasudhä gave birth to this child after keeping 

him in her womb for fifteen months. 

It was Lord Gauracandra who manifested as Çré Véracandra 

Prabhu. Those who never saw Gauracandra were able to see 

Him in the form of Véracandra. This most enchanting child 

enjoyed numerous childhood pastimes as he grew up. 

One day, while Lord Nityänanda was sitting in the courtyard, 

Abhiräma 24 arrived. He called out loudly, “O dear brother, 

Balaräma,” and entering the courtyard, began to laugh. Lord 

Nityänanda rushed to embrace him. Abhiräma sweetly said to 

Nityänanda, “I heard that You have a son. Let me see him. I 

want to offer him obeisances.” 

“You know everything,” Nityänanda said. “I do not know 

who has come as My son.” 

Nityänanda Prabhu and Abhiräma mostly communicated 

with each other by gestures and postures. Out of love and affection, 

they embraced one another and cried. When Vasudhä 

heard that Abhiräma had come, she thought, “I do not know 

what plan Kåñëa has. I have heard lately that any Deity Abhiräma 

offers obeisances to immediately cracks.” 

The child Véracandra was lying on a wooden cot holding a 

colorful piece of cloth on his chest, his eyes half-closed so that 

it appeared as if lotus petals were trapping bumblebees in the 

24 Abhiräma was the cowherd boy of Vraja named Çrédäma. He 

did not take birth from the womb of a mother. In his eternal spiritual 

body he came to Bengal and established his äçrama at Khänäkulakåñëa-nagara. 

196 



The Birth of Véracandra Prabhu and Disappearance of Lord Nityänanda 

evening. The mark of black ointment on his eyes extended to 

his ears. His forehead was marked with a dot of cow dung. His 

curly hair was tied in a topknot. Whoever saw him wanted to 

keep him within his heart. 

Abhiräma came and looked at the child without blinking 

his eyes. He felt as if his eyes were being smeared with an ointment 

of nectar. The sight of the child calmed his entire body. 

The child lying on his cot appeared like the morning sun arisen 

within the room. He had a raised nose and a beautiful forehead. 

His arms were long and his chest was broad. His two lotus feet 

bore the signs of an exalted personality and defeated the beauty 

of the full moon. 

Upon seeing the child, Abhiräma became very happy. He 

went near his feet and offered obeisances three times. The Lord 

in the form of a sleeping child then woke up from His yoganidrä 

and began to smile. He began licking His feet just like 

an ordinary child. Abhiräma repeatedly offered his obeisances 

and then circumambulated the child. With great joy, he began 

to chant the holy names of Lord Hari. He played his flute and 

horn before the child and then came out from the room. 

Nityänanda Prabhu respectfully offered Abhiräma a place 

to sit. Abhiräma was decorated with a peacock feather and 

guïjä bead garland. He wore earrings shaped like fish and thin 

bangles on his wrists. He had a waistband with bells and anklets 

on his feet with bells. His complexion was the color of a ketaké 

flower and he was strongly built. He was the eternally perfect 

cowherd boy, Çrédäma, the son of King Våñabhänu, having now 

appeared as Abhiräma. He stayed at the house of the Lord for 

one night and then joyfully departed for other places. 

Vérabhadra Prabhu would often reveal Himself during His 

childhood pastimes, and thus He gave immense pleasure to 

Lord Nityänanda. Advaita Äcärya came from Çäntipura and, 

after seeing the child, carefully concluded: “A child born in the 

house of a thief will naturally be a thief. But, how to catch this 

thief?” 

Advaita Äcärya was naturally expert in speaking riddles. 

Only one He favors can understand His words. After circling 

197 




the child, Advaita Prabhu returned to Çäntipura. All the Vaiñëavas 

visited the child and then returned home. 

Véracandra Prabhu continually enjoyed His attractive childhood 

pastimes. How can I describe the sweetness of Véracandra’s 

beauty? Whoever saw Him continued staring at Him. He wore 

anklets on His feet and a tiger’s claw tied on a chain around his 

neck. What a wonderful combination of beauty and transcendental 

mellows the creator made! 

There is no difference between the pastimes of Véracandra 

and Gauracandra. Çré Caitanya Gosäi is the fountainhead of 

all incarnations. His brother, Nityänanda Prabhu, is but another 

body of Çré Caitanya. Lord Nityänanda constantly lamented 

in separation from Çré Caitanya. Very seldom did He 

regain His external awareness, and that too, He used only for 

discussing topics of Caitanya. He constantly meditated on 

Lord Caitanya with His body, mind, and speech. He always 

sang loudly the glories of Caitanya. He remained in Khaòadaha 

and sometimes He saw the Deity of Lord Çyämasundara 

as Gauräìga. Who can understand the glories of Nityänanda 

Prabhu? 

One day, Nityänanda Prabhu entered His temple room and 

disappeared. After some time, He reappeared and came out of 

the Deity room. He then took Vasudhä and Jähnavä and left 

Khaòadaha. From there He went to Ekacakra, where He saw 

Lord Bäìkä Räya. After staying at Ekacakra for a few days, the 

Lord entered the temple of Bäìkä Räya and merged within the 

Deity. All the Vaiñëavas became overwhelmed by separation 

from the Lord. Somehow or other their lives did not depart due 

to the presence of Véracandra. 

Véracandra Prabhu became very restless in separation from 

the Lord. He would sit alone, contemplating, “Now, what will I 

do? Where will I go? I am completely confused. The Lord disappeared, 

leaving Me alone. The Lord, the master of the fallen 

souls, has left us drowning in an ocean of separation.” 

All the devotees cried in lamentation and repeatedly fell 

unconscious. They constantly chanted the holy names of Lord 

Hari. “What is the use of our wealth, followers, and life? Lord 

Nityänanda has left us,” they lamented. They held their heads 

198 




and forcefully slapped their chests crying, “O Lord Hari! O Lord 

Nityänanda! You have left us.” 

The devotees cried and rolled in the dust. Hearing the news 

of the Lord’s disappearance, all the people of Nadia came to Ekacakra. 

They became terribly distressed, being unable to see Lord 

Nityänanda anymore. They also held their heads and cried. All 

the local devotees cried continuously. Everyone, including children, 

the elderly, women, and men cried in separation. However, 

the atheists laughed, thinking, “We will no longer have to see 

this Nityänanda.” 

Lord Nityänanda is the deliverer of the fallen souls. Never 

serve anyone other than Him. Only a most foolish person unaware 

of the glories of Nityänanda takes shelter of others. I consider 

such a person to be the most sinful person in this world. 

jaya nityänanda caitanyera priyatama 

tri jagate ära keha nähi tomä sama 

änanda kanda mahäprabhu premabhakti dätä 

ye sebaye sei bhakti päye ta sarvathä 

sarva jévera prabhu ! karilä prasäda 

kñemilä sakala mahä mahä aparädha 

çré kåñëa caitanya deva nityänanda näma 

påthivéra bhägya avatäri anüpäma 

All glories to Lord Nityänanda, the dearest associate 

of Çré Caitanya! No one is equal to You within the 

three worlds. You are the reservoir of transcendental 

bliss who bestows prema-bhakti for Mahäprabhu. Those 

who serve You achieve pure devotional service. O Lord, 

You delivered all the fallen souls, forgiving their grave 

offenses. Çré Kåñëa Caitanya and Çré Nityänanda are 

the two matchless Lords who appeared for the good fortune 

of this world. 

ära ki kahiba kathä bhägye avadhi 

çré caitanya nityänanda mahäguëanidhi 

abhimäna duranta tathi nä päi kåñëa rati 

ihä jäni nityänanda karaha bhakati 

199 




yähära prasäde pämara päila nistära 

hena prabhu näma häya hauka galära 

Who can describe the good fortune of the people of 

this world? Çré Caitanya and Çré Nityänanda, the oceans 

of transcendental qualities, have descended to this world. 

False ego makes people devoid of attachment to Çré 

Kåñëa. Knowing this, worship Lord Nityänanda. May 

the holy names of these Lords, whose mercy delivered all 

the fallen souls, be the garland around your neck. 

jaya jaya nityänanda premamaya dhäma 

çvabhäve parama çuddha nityänanda näma 

jagata täraëa hetu yäìra avatära 

ye jana nä bhaje sei päpera äkära 

çré kåñëa caitanya nityänanda eka deha 

ihäte niçcaya kari kara eka leha 

paränanda maya duhuì murati rasäla 

nitäi caitanya prabhu çréräma gopäla 

ihäte karaye bhinna ati buddhi héna 

ära nä dekhiye tära viñëubhakti cina 

All glories to Lord Nityänanda, the abode of love 

of God. The holy name of Nityänanda is naturally 

supremely pure. To save the entire universe, He descended 

to this world. Those not worshipping Him are 

surely piles of sin. Çré Kåñëa Caitanya and Nityänanda 

are one. Firmly believe this and take shelter of Them. 

Both Lords are full of transcendental bliss and devotional 

mellows. Lord Nityänanda and Lord Caitanya are 

Lord Balaräma and Lord Kåñëa. Those who reject this 

are certainly wretched fools. There is no hope for such 

fools to achieve devotional service to Kåñëa. 

jaya jaya çacé-süta änanda bihära 

patita pävana näma bidita yäìhära 

nija näma diyä jéva nistära karilä 

dena dayämaya prabhu bhajite närilä 

200 




käya bäkyamane mora prabhura çaraëa 

mora sava patita nähika tribhuvana 

All glories to Çacé-suta, the enjoyer of transcendental 

pastimes! His name is well known as patita-pävana, 

savior of the fallen. The Lord delivered all beings, giving 

His own holy names. Unfortunate as I am, I did not 

worship such a merciful Lord. Now I take shelter of 

my Lord with body, mind, and speech. No one is more 

fallen than I in all the three worlds. 

jaya jaya gauracandra bhuvana sundara 

prakäçaha pada mora hådaya bhitara 

yata yata bihära karilä gauòadeçe 

sakala prakäça mora hauka biçeñe 

All glories to Gauracandra, the most enchanting 

personality in the world! O Lord, please reveal Your lotus 

feet within my heart. Let all Your pastimes in Bengal 

manifest within my heart. 

jaya jaya lakñmékänta tribhuvana nätha 

caraëe çaraëa mora hauka ekänta 

ära avatäre kahi nänäbidha dharma 

kevala kahila ebe premabhakti marma 

ihate yähära mati nahila änanda 

ähärei jäniha päpiñöha mahä andha 

All glories to the husband of the goddess of fortune, 

the Lord of the three worlds! Let me take shelter 

of Your lotus feet without deviation. In other incarnations, 

You gave various religious principles, but now 

You only prescribe loving devotional service. Anyone 

who is unhappy about this must be blinded by sinful 

reactions. 

I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of all 

the Vaiñëavas so that they may overlook my offenses. Anyone 

201 




who wants to cross beyond the ocean of material existence and 

merge into the ocean of devotional service must worship the lotus 

feet of Nitäicandra. Çré Gaurasundara is the Lord of my Lord 

Nitäi. I always keep this firm conviction in my heart. Someone 

says Lord Nityänanda is Lord Balaräma, and someone says He is 

the dearest associate of Lord Caitanya. Some say He is the most 

influential personality, yet others are unable to know who He is. 

Whether Nityänanda is a renunciate or a learned devotee, let 

them say whatever they want. Let Lord Nityänanda be anyone 

to Lord Caitanya, still I keep His lotus feet within my heart. 

All glories to Lord Nityänanda, the life and soul of Çré Caitanya! 

Please allow me to take shelter of Your lotus feet. O Lord, 

let me sing the glories of Çré Gauräìga, following in Your footsteps. 

Let me also remain Your eternal servant, birth after birth. 

My only wish is to have the darçana of Lord Caitanya. Anyone 

who reads or hears about Your pastimes will receive the treasure 

of kåñëa-prema. They say that Your devotees are fully dependent 

upon You, and that You are the supremely independent 

Lord. There is no end to the Your pastimes. The Vedas describe 

them as being manifest and unmanifest. 

Accepting Çré Kåñëa Caitanya and Nityänanda Prabhu as 

my life and soul, I, Våndävana däsa, sing the glories of Their 

lotus feet. 

END OF ANTYA LILA 

Thus ends the book Çré Nityänanda-caritämåta, compiled 

from the writings of Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura. 

202 



APPENDICES 





Descriptions of the Associates of 

Lord Nityänanda 

brothers, please worship Lord Nityänanda. By His 

O mercy, one can attain the lotus feet of Lord Gauracandra. 

The associates of Nityänanda Svarüpa constantly swam in 

the ocean of transcendental bliss. They had no other activity 

besides performing näma-saìkértana. Always absorbed in the 

mood of cowherd boys, they decorated themselves with bangles, 

ankle bells, and garlands of guïjä beads. They carried sticks, 

flutes, horns, and ropes in their hands. 

Symptoms of kåñëa-prema, such as tears, shivering, and 

standing of the hair on end were constantly visible in their bodies. 

Their beauty defeated the beauty of Cupid. They always engaged 

in performing näma-saìkértana. Having received their 

fearless Lord Nityänanda, all the devotees remained in a most 

happy condition of life. 

I would be unable to describe the glories of the servants of 

Nityänanda Svarüpa, even in a hundred years. Still, I will at 

least attempt to mention their names. I know that remembering 

their names will deliver me from entanglement in this material 

world. All the associates of Lord Nityänanda with whom He 


205



enjoyed His pastimes were incarnations of gopas and gopés of 

Vraja. Being forbidden by Nityänanda Svarüpa, I will not mention 

their previous names or many details of their activities. The 

foremost among Lord Nityänanda’s associates was Rämadäsa, 

who always spoke in the mood of the Supreme Lord. Nobody 

could understand his words. Lord Nityänanda always resided in 

his heart. Rämadäsa was fully absorbed in love of God. Lord 

Kåñëa once lived in his body for three months. 

Caitanya däsa 25 was a very famous associate of Nityänanda. 

Muräri Paëòita 26 was an associate of Nityänanda who sported 

with a serpent and a tiger. The most magnanimous Raghunätha 

Vaidya was an associate of Nityänanda, by whose desire one’s 

mind becomes attached to Lord Kåñëa. 

Gadädhara däsa 27 was a reservoir of devotional mellows. His 

very sight destroyed all of one’s sins. 

Çré Sundaränanda 28 was an ocean of devotional mellows 

and he was one of the principal associates of Nityänanda. 

Gaurédäsa Paëòita was a most fortunate devotee of the Lord. He 

assisted in Nityänanda’s pastimes with his body, mind, and speech. 

25 The identity of Caitanya däsa is unknown, but the book 

Prema-viläsa mentions the a Caitanya däsa who was a disciple of 

Jähnavä-devé, the consort of Nityänanda. He was a resident of Vanaviñëupura 

in the district of Baìkura. 

26 Muräri Paëòita was another name of Muräri Caitanya däsa. 

His glories are equal to those of Prahläda Mahäräja. Absorbed in 

prema, he once slapped the face of a tiger and on another occasion, 

played with a snake. 

27 Çréla Gadädhara däsa was the combined form of Candrakänti 

and Pürnänanda gopés of Vraja. His birthplace was at Ediyadaha. 

His samädhé is at Katwa, where Lord Caitanya took sannyäsa. 

28 Sundaränanda Öhäkura was the cowherd boy of Vraja named 

Sudäma. His birthplace was in the village of Halda Maheçpura in the 

district of Jessore in present-day Bangladesh. He made kadamba flowers 

appear from a blackberry tree. 

206 



Associates of Lord Nityananda 

The pious Kåñëadäsa 29 of Baòagächi was one of the associates 

of Nityänanda with whom the Lord enjoyed pastimes at his 

house. 

Purandara Paëòita 30 was the most peaceful, humble, and intimate 

associate of Nityänanda Svarüpa.* 

Another associate of Nityänanda was Parameçvara däsa 31 , 

whose life and soul was Nityänanda. Through his body, Lord 

Nityänanda enjoyed many pastimes. 

Dhanaïjaya Paëòita 32 , in whose heart the Lord constantly 

resided, was a great devotee of Lord Nityänanda . 

Balaräma däsa, who was intoxicated with bhakti-rasa, was 

a follower of Nityänanda Prabhu. If the breeze that touched 

Balaräma däsa touched someone, it would eradicate all of that 

person’s sins. Balaräma däsa lived in the village of Dogächiyä. 

His contribution to Vaiñëava song is unlimited. 

29 Kåñëadäsa was the son of Hari Hoòa, the King of Baòagächi. 

He was also known as Vihari Kåñëadäsa. He bore the entire expenditure 

of Lord Nityänanda’s marriage, and the arrangements for the 

marriage were made at his house. 

30 In his previous incarnation, Purandara Paëòita was Aìgada, 

the son of Bali. His birthplace was at Khaòadaha. After His marriage, 

Lord Nityänanda stayed in Purandara Paëòita’s home, so that at present, 

it is known as the house of Nityänanda. 

31 Parameçvara däsa was the cowherd boy of Vraja named Arjuna. 

His birthplace was in the village of Jada at Pura. He established 

the service of Çré Gopénätha in this village under the order of Çré 

Jähnavä-devé. 

32 Dhanaïjaya Paëòita was the cowherd boy of Vraja named 

Vasudäma. He was born in the village of Jaragräma. His father and 

mother were Çrépati and Kälindé and his wife was Haripriyä. After 

the disappearance of his parents, he inherited a huge fortune, but he 

renounced it, taking shelter of the lotus feet of Lord Nityänanda. 

He lived at various places, such as Kaicarapura, Jalaìgé and Çétalagräma. 

207 




Yädunätha Kavicandra was full of love of God. Lord Nityänanda 

was always merciful to him. 

The most effulgent Jagadéça Paëòita 33 was a devotee of Nityänanda. 

Lord Nityänanda was his and his family’s very life 

and wealth. 

Paëòita Puruçottama was born in Navadvépa. He was a great 

devotee of Nityänanda Svarüpa. Lord Nityänanda had previously 

resided at his house. By his mercy, one’s mind becomes 

fixed at the lotus feet of Nityänanda. 

Dvija Kåñëadäsa, who was born in Räòha-deça, was counted 

among the associates of Nityänanda. 

Käliya Kåñëadäsa 34 was a devotee famous throughout the three 

worlds. Remembering him, one attains Gauracandra’s lotus feet. 

The most fortunate Sadäçiva Kaviräja 35 was an associate of 

Nityänanda. The name of his son was Puruçottama däsa 36 . Due 

to love of God, Puruçottama däsa was always absorbed in ecstasy. 

Lord Nityänanda constantly remained within his heart. 

33 Jagadéça Paëòita was the famous dancer of Vraja named Candrahäsa. 

His birthplace was in Jessore. Maheça Paëòita was his younger 

brother. The two brothers came to Navadvépa to reside. Jagadéça’s 

wife, Duùkhiné-devé, was Gauräìga’s nurse. Jagadéça Paëòita brought 

a Deity of Jagannätha from Néläcala and installed Him at Jessore. Later, 

Mahäprabhu, out of affection for Duùkhiné-devé, came to Jessore 

and took the form of Gaura-gopäla. This Deity of Gaura-gopäla is still 

present there. 

34 In his previous incarnation, Käliya Kåñëadäsa was a friend of 

Kåñëa known as Lavaìga. He resided at the village of Akäihäöa. He 

was a companion of Çré Gauräìga when He visited South India. 

35 Sadäçiva Kaviräja was the gopé of Vraja named Candrävalé. 

He was born in the village of Bodhakhänä. His father’s name was 

Kaàsäri Sena, his son was Puruçottama däsa, and his grandson was 

Känu Öhäkura. All of them were the Lord’s associates in Vraja. 

36 Puruçottama däsa, the son of Sadäçiva Kaviräja, was a friend of 

the Lord in Vraja named Däma. He lived in the village of Sukhasägara. 

208 




Uddhäraëa Datta was a magnanimous Vaiñëava. He had 

full authority in the service of Lord Nityänanda. 

Maheça Paëòita 37 was a great devotee of Nityänanda, and 

Paramänanda Upädhyäya was also an unalloyed Vaiñëava. 

Caturbhuja Paëòita 38 and Nandana Gaìgädäsa were both 

devotees of Lord Nityänanda. The Lord had previously performed 

His pastimes in their houses. 

Äcärya Vaiñëavänanda 39 was a magnanimous devotee. He 

was previously known as Raghunätha Puré. 

Kåñëa däsa and Devänanda were both staunch followers of 

Lord Nityänanda. Mahänta Äcärya Candra’s only goal was the 

lotus feet of Nityänanda. 

The singers Mädhavänanda Ghoña 40 and Vasudeva Ghoña 

were full of love of God. 

Jéva Paëòita 41 was the most fortunate devotee. Lord Nityänanda 

enjoyed numerous pastimes at his house. Çré Manohara, 

37 Maheça Paëòita was the cowherd boy of Vraja named 

Mahäbähu. He was born in the village of Pälapäòä. 

38 Caturbhuja was a resident of Navadvépa. He had three sons, 

named Nandana Äcärya, Gaìgädäsa and Viñëudäsa. Lord Caitanya, 

Lord Nityänanda and Advaita Äcärya stayed together at the house of 

Nandana Äcärya. 

39 In his previous incarnation, Äcärya Vaiñëavänanda was 

one of the eight mystic perfections known as laghimä. The famous 

Paramänanda Gupta was a follower of Nityänanda in whose house 

the Lord remained for some time. 

40 In his previous incarnation, Mädhavänanda Ghoña was a 

gopé of Vraja named Rasolläsä. His birthplace was Tamluka. Mädhava 

Ghoña, Govinda Ghoña and Väsu Ghoña were three brothers and favorite 

singers of the Lord. They wrote many Vaiñëava songs. Being 

satisfied by Mädhava Ghoña’s singing, the Lord blessed him with a 

sweet, melodious voice. Väsudeva Ghoña was the gopé of Vraja named 

Guëatuìgä. His place of worship is at Gauräìgapura. 

41 Çré Jéva Paëòita was Indirä gopé of Vraja. He was the son of 

Ratnagarbha Äcärya, the maternal uncle of Gauräìga. 

209 




Çré Näräyaëa, Çré Kåñëadäsa, and Çré Devänanda were also associates 

of Lord Nityänanda. 

I would be unable to disclose the names of all the innumerable 

servants of Lord Nityänanda even in one hundred years. 

Each of Lord Nityänanda’s servants had innumerable followers 

and, by the mercy of Lord Nityänanda, they were equal to their 

spiritual master. All of them were absorbed in the transcendental 

mellows of loving service to Çré Caitanya. Çré Caitanya and 

Nityänanda were their life and only treasure. I have only described 

the few associates of Lord Nityänanda I knew. More will 

be disclosed later by Vedavyäsa. 

The last servant of Lord Nityänanda was Våndävana däsa 

Öhäkura, who was the son of Näräyaëé, the recipient of Lord 

Caitanya’s mercy. Even today, Näräyaëé is accepted as the recipient 

of Lord Caitanya’s mercy among the Vaiñëavas who had received 

it. Take shelter of those devotees of the Lord, O brothers, 

and worship the most merciful Nityänanda and Çré Gauräìga. 

Accepting the lotus feet of Çré Caitanya and Nityänanda 

Prabhu as my life and soul, I, Våndävana däsa, sing the glories 

of Their lotus feet. 

A Song by Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura 

mana nityänanda bali òäka 

emana dayäla prabhu ära nä päibe kabhu 

hådaya kamale kari räkha 

kiba se madura lélä naöana kértana kalä 

atéba gambhéra avatära 

äpanära gupudhane äni martte kari däne 

träëa kaila e tina saàsära 

paraça maëira guëe tuccha läge mora mane 

lei paraçile hema kare 

nitäi caitanya guëe gäna kare katajane 

210 




ratana haila ghare ghare 

ämode baliyä hari näma saìkértana kari 

premäbeçe paòe loöäiyä 

kahe våndävana däsa emata karilä äça 

banchita rahinu abhägiyä 

O my mind, please chant the name of Nityänanda. 

You will never get such a merciful Lord again. 

Keep Him within the lotus of your heart. 

His sweet pastimes of chanting and dancing are 

wonderful. 

He is the most merciful avatära. 

He distributed His hidden treasure to everyone. 

He thus delivered the three worlds. 

The touchstone’s quality of turning iron into gold 

seems insignificant to me. 

But many persons glorify the qualities of Nitäi- 

Caitanya. They made jewels in every house. 

I happily perform hari-näma-saìkértana. 

I roll on the ground in ecstatic prema. 

Våndävana däsa says, “I desire the lotus feet of 

Nitäi-Caitanya, because I am the most unfortunate.” 

211 





Prayers to Lord Nityänanda 

All Translations Adapted from Lectures of 

Çréla Gour Govinda Svämé 

Çré-Nityänandäñöaka 

Eight Prayers Glorifying Lord Nityänanda 

by Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura 

TEXT 1 

sarac-candra-bhräntià sphurad-amala-käntià gaja-gatià 

hari-premonmattaà dhåta-parama-sattvaà smita-mukham 

sadäghürëan-netraà kara-kalita-vetraà kali-bhidaà 

bhaje nityänandaà bhajana-taru-kandaà niravadhi 

Çré Nityänanda Prabhu’s face is more beautiful and 

cooling than the autumnal moon. The effulgence emanating 

from His body is supremely beautiful. He always 

moves like a maddened elephant, since He is always 

intoxicated with kåñëa-prema. He is always mad after 

kåñëa-prema. His body is completely composed of pure 

spiritual energy. He always has a smiling face. His eyes 

are very fickle, moving to and fro. His lotus hand always 

holds a glowing staff. Yes, that is Çré Nityänanda, 


213



who, by the beating of that staff, destroys all our reactions 

of Kali-yuga. We should take shelter of Çré Nityänanda 

and cry for the mercy of Çré Nityänanda! He 

is the root of kåñëa-prema bhakti-kalpa-taru, the root 

of the tree of loving devotion unto Kåñëa. I perform 

my bhajana of Lord Nityänanda, the very root of the 

kåñëa-bhakti-vrkña. 

TEXT 2 

rasänäm ägäraà svajana-gaëa-sarvasvam atulaà 

tadéyaika-präëa-pramita-vasudhä-jähnava-patim 

sadä-premonmädaà param aviditaà manda-manasäm 


Çré Nityänanda Prabhu is the reservoir of all transcendental 

mellows. He is the life and soul of all the 

devotees. Nobody can be compared to Him in all the 

three planetary systems. He is very dear to one and 

all. He is the beloved husband of Çré Vasudhä and Çré 

Jähnavä. He is always in an ecstatic mood of love and 

always maddened and intoxicated with that mellow of 

love, kåñëa-prema. He is unknown to crooked and evilminded 

persons. I perform my bhajana of Lord Nityänanda, 

the very root of the kåñëa-bhakti-vrkña. 

TEXT 3 

çacé-sünu-preñöhaà nikhila-jagad-iñöaà sukha-mayaà 

kalau majjaj-jivoddharaëa-karaëoddäma-karuëam 

harer äkhyänäd vä bhava-jaladhi-garvonnati-haraà 


Lord Nityänanda is very dear to Çréman Gauräìga 

Mahäprabhu. He always does good to the whole universe. 

He is always supremely blissful. He is the embodiment 

of supreme happiness and blissfulness. He 

214 



Prayers to Lord Nityananda 

comes to this material world in this Kali-yuga to deliver 

sinful persons. There is no limit to His mercy. He constantly 

performs näma-saìkértana, destroying the pride 

of this dreadful ocean of material existence. I perform 



TEXT 4 

aye bhrätar néëäà kali-kaluñiëäà kià nu bhavitä 

tathä präyaçcittaà racaya yad-anäyäsata ime 

vrajanti tväm itthaà saha bhagavatä mantrayati yo 


Lord Nityänanda tells Çréman Gauräìga Mahäprabhu: 

“O brother, what will happen to those most distressed 

and fallen jévas of Kaliyuga? What will happen 

to them unless You shower Your mercy upon them? 

Please show them a way for their deliverance by which 

they can approach and obtain Your lotus feet.” He always 

talks to Çréman Mahäprabhu like this. I perform 



TEXT 5 

yatheñöhaà re bhrätaù kuru hari-hari-dhvänam aniçaà 

tato vaù saàsärämbudhi-taraëa-däyo mayi laget 

idaà bähu-sphoöair aöati raöayan yaù pratigåham 


Lord Nityänanda goes to every doorstep and requests 

everyone with folded hands: “My dear brothers, 

all of you engage yourselves in the chanting of hari-näma. 

If you do this and follow My instruction, I promise that 

you will very easily cross over this dreadful ocean of 

material existence.” I perform my bhajana of Lord Nityänanda, 

the very root of the kåñëa-bhakti-vrkña. 

215 




TEXT 6 

balät saàsärämbhonidhi-harana-kumbhodbhavam aho 

satäà çreyaù-sindhünnati-kumuda-bandhuà samuditaà 

khala-çreëé-sphürjit-timira-hara-sürya-prabham ahaà 


Like Agastya Muné, who by drinking a handful of 

water made all the oceans dry up, He forcibly swallows 

the ocean of repeated birth and death. He arose like a 

moon to swell up the ocean of mercy for the welfare of 

the jévas. He very easily destroys the sinful reactions of 

the most sinful and degraded persons. He is very dear to 

the devotees. He is always busy doing good to the devotees. 

He is like the sun that dispels the darkness of the 

ignorant fools that descended by their sinful activities. I 

perform my bhajana of Lord Nityänanda, the very root 

of the kåñëa-bhakti-vrkña. 

TEXT 7 

naöantaà gäyantaà harim anuvadantaà pathi pathi 

vrajantaà paçyantaà svam api na dayantaà jana-gaëam 

prakurvantaà santaà sa-karuëa-dåg-antaà prakalanäd 


He is always dancing and chanting, “Haribol! Haribol!” 

Uttering the name of Hari, He always engages in 

hari-näma-saìkértana. He always wanders on the streets 

of every city, town, and village, casting His merciful 

glance over His dear devotees. I perform my bhajana 

of Lord Nityänanda, the very root of the kåñëa-bhaktivrkña. 

216 




TEXT 8 

su-bibhräëaà bhrätuù kara-sarasijaà komalataraà 

mitho vakträlokocchalita-paramänanda-hådayam 

bhramantaà mädhuryair ahaha madayantaà pura-janän 


He moves with Çré Gauräìga Mahäprabhu, holding 

His very soft lotus-like palm. He always looks at 

the moon-like beautiful face of Çré Gauräcandra and 

becomes ecstatic and blissful. And Çréman Gauräìga 

Mahäprabhu also looks at the moon-like, beautiful face 

of Çré Nitäi. In this way, the two of Them are completely 

filled with blissfulness. He always makes all 

the inhabitants of the towns and cities where He goes 

mad with the intoxication of His beauty. I perform my 

bhajana of Lord Nityänanda, the very root of the kåñëabhakti-vrkña. 

TEXT 9 

rasänäà ädhäraà rasika-vara-sad-vaiñëava-dhanaà 

rasägäraà säraà patita-tati-täraà smaraëataù 

paraà nityänandäñöakam idam apürvaà pathati yaù 

tad-aìghri-dvandväbjaà sphuratu nitaräà tasya hådaye 

Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura says, “Whoever 

reads and recites with firm faith this Çré Nityänandäñöakam 

will have the lotus feet of Çré Nityänanda Prabhu 

soon revealed to him. These eight verses are the 

essence of bhakti-rasa. They are the life and soul of all 

rasika-bhaktas and the reservoir of all mellows. Lord 

Nityänanda is the essence of the universe, the three 

planetary systems, and by His remembrance, the sinful 

reactions of all sinful persons are destroyed.” 

217 




Nitäi Amar Dayar Avadhi 

My Most Merciful Nitäi 

By Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura 

äre bhäi! nitäi amar doyära avadhi! 

jivere karuëä kori,’ deçe deçe phiri’ phiri’ 

prema-dhana jäche nirabadhi 

advaitera saìge raìga, dharäëe nä jäya aìga, 

gorä-preme gadä tanu khäni 

òhuliya òhuliya chale, bähu tuli’ hari bole, 

du-nayane bahe nitäiera päni 

kapäle tilaka çobhe, kutila-kuntala-lole 

guïjarä äìöuni chüòa täya 

keçarijiniyä kaöi, kaöi taöe néladhati 

bäjana nüpura ränga päya 

bhubana-mohana beça! majäila sava deça! 

rasä beçe aööa aööa häsa! 

prabhu mora nityänanda kevala änanda-kanda 

guëa gäya våndävana däsa 

TRANSLATION 

1. O Brothers! My Nitäi’s mercy is limitless. He 

wanders, village-to-village, giving prema-dhana to one 

and all. 

2. He always jokes with Çré Advaita Äcärya. His 

entire body is made of love for Gauräìga Mahäprabhu. 

He is always intoxicated with prema-rasa. An intoxicated 

person is unable to walk properly. How does He 

walk? Like this: òhuliyä òhuliyä chale. Raising His arms 

and saying, “Haribol! Haribol! Haribol!” and shedding 

tears from His two lotus eyes. 

3. Nice tilaka and curly locks beautifully decorate 

His forehead. His hair is bound with red guìjä. A blue 

belt encircles His lion-like waist. His feet appear reddish. 

He wears nupura on his reddish feet that always 

make a tinkling, tinkling sound. 

4. His beauty enchants the entire world. Always 

absorbed in prema-rasa, He smiles and laughs! Aööa aööa 

218 




häsa! Våndävana däsa sings. “Lord Nityänanda is my 

Prabhu. He is full of nothing but pleasure.” 

Nitäi Guna-Mani Ämara 

My Lord Nitäi is the Jewel Mine 

of All Transcendental Qualities 

By Çréla Locana däsa Öhäkura 

nitäi guëa-maëi ämara, nitäi guëa-maëi 

äniya premera banyä bhäsäilo avané 

premera banyä loiyä nitäi äilä gauòa-deçe 

òubilo bhakata-gaëa déna héna bhäse 

déna héna patita pämara nähi bächhe 

brahmära durlabha prema sabäkäre jäche 

äbaddha karuëä-sindhu katiyä muhäna 

ghare ghare bule prema-amiyära bäna 

lochan bole hena nitäi jebä na bhajilo 

jäniya çuniya sei ätma-ghäté hoilo 

TRANSLATION 

It is said that Çréla Nityänanda Prabhu is more 

merciful, more magnanimous, more munificent than 

Çrémän Gauräìga Mahäprabhu. 

1. My Nitäi is the jewel mine of transcendental 

qualities, the jewel mine of transcendental qualities. 

Bringing the flood of prema, He inundated the earth. 

2. Çré Nitai came to Gauòa-deça with a flood of 

kåñëa-prema. Òubilo bhakata-gaëa déna héna bhäse, 

those who are bhaktas drowned in that flood, premera 

banya, but the déna héna, the fallen souls and those who 

were unfortunate, floated on the surface! 

3. Lord Nityänanda Prabhu offers this pure love 

of Godhead, pure love of Kåñëa, indiscriminately. He 

distributes this prema with two hands! He never discriminates 

whether one is patita, most degraded or fallen, 

or one is pämara, most elevated, or whether one is 

qualified or not qualified. He never discriminates. Even 

219 




though it is very difficult for Brahmä to get such prema, 

Çré Nitäi gives it indiscriminately. 

4. That prema is karuëä-sindhu—like an ocean of 

mercy. Nitäi broke down the strong embankment of the 

ocean of love. He completely devastated that dam! That 

ocean of love is unlimited, and so there was a torrential 

flooding that inundated every home. Indeed, that flood 

of love inundated the entire world! 

5. Locana däsa says, “He is an unfortunate fellow 

who does not take shelter of Nitäi and does not perform 

the bhajana of Çré Nityänanda Prabhu, begging for the 

mercy of Çré Nitäi. He willingly commits suicide. 

Çré Nagar Kértana 

The Marketplace of the Holy Name 

By Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura 

nadéyä-godrume nityänanda mahäjana 

pätiyäche näm-haööa jévera käraëa 

(çraddhävän jana he, çraddhävän jana he) 

prabhura äjïäy, bhäi, mägi ei bhikñä 

bolo kåñëa, bhajo kåñëa, koro kåñëa-çikñä 

aparädha-çunya ho ’ye leha kåñëa-näma 

kåñëa mätä, kåñëa pitä, kåñëa dhana-präëa 

kåñëera saàsära koro chäòi anäcära 

jéve doya, kåñëa-näma-sarva-dharma-sära 

TRANSLATION 

1. Nityänanda Mahäjana so mercifully opened a 

marketplace in Godruma, Nadia, for the welfare of the 

suffering souls. In that marketplace only the holy name 

is traded. 

2. What is the price? çraddhäväna jana he! çraddhäväna 

jana he! Those who have faith in the holy 

name and faith in the words of sädhu, çästra and guru. 

This is the price! Faith! Only those persons are allowed 

to enter that marketplace. They can buy and sell the 

holy name. Çré Nityänanda Prabhu requests faithful 

220 




persons, those who have developed faith in the holy 

name, to come and take it! Çré Nityänanda Prabhu says, 

“This is the order of My Lord! My prabhu! My master! 

Therefore, I have come to your doorstep, O brother! 

I am a beggar! I beg for these alms. ‘Utter the name 

of Kåñëa! Perform kåñëa-bhajana! Accept what Kåñëa 

has taught us!’ These are the alms I am begging from 

you.” 

3. Chant this holy name without offense. Chant the 

pure name of Çré Kåñëa. Çré Kåñëa is mother, Çré Kåñëa 

is father, Çré Kåñëa is wealth and asset. Çré Kåñëa is the 

Lord of my heart, Çré Kåñëa is my life and soul, Kåñëa 

is everything. 

4. Give up all your bad dealings, habits, and behavior 

and enter into kåñëa-saàsära. The only relationship 

is with Çré Kåñëa and so establish yourself in that relationship. 

Shower mercy on all the jévas, seeing them 

as Çré Kåñëa’s, and completely surrender unto the holy 

name of Çré Kåñëa. This is the essence of all dharma. 

Madhur E Harinäm 

This Holy Name is So Sweet 


Refrain: 

hare krsna hare 

nitäi ki näm eneche re 

(nitäi) näm eneche, nämer häte 

çraddhä-mülye näm diteche re 

hare kåñëa hare kåñëa kåñëa kåñëa hare hare re 

hare räma hare räma räma räma hare hare re 

(nitäi) jéver daça malina dekhe’, 

näm eneche braja theke re 

e näm çiva jape païca-mukhe re 

(madhur e harinäm) 

e näm brahmä jape catur-mukhe re 


221 




e näm närada jape béëä-jantre re 


e näm äbase ajämilo vaikuëöhe gelo re 

e näm bolte bolte braje calo re 

(bhaktivinoda bole) 

PURPORT 

Çré Çré Gaura-Nitäi are so wonderfully merciful. They brought 

this hari-näma from Goloka-Våndävana. Golokera prema-dhana 

hari-näma saìkértana. It does not belong to this material world. 

Çré Çré Gaura-Nitäi brought it here because they are so wonderfully 

merciful. Who is the custodian of näma-haööa? Çré Nitäi! 

Näma-haööa means “marketplace.” A marketplace where the 

name is sold and purchased. What is the price? The price is unflinching 

faith. He who has strong faith, unflinching faith in 

the holy name and faith in the words of sädhu, çastra, Çré Guru 

and Çré Kåñëa—only he can purchase it. The market is always, 

eternally open. 

hare kåñëa hare kåñëa kåñëa kåñëa hare hare re 

hare räma hare räma åäma räma hare hare re 

Çré Nitäi is more merciful than Çrémän Gauräìga Mahäprabhu. 

Çré Gaurasundara is wonderfully merciful. Çré Nitäi is more 

merciful than Çré Gaurasundara. Çré Nitäi is so merciful, He saw 

that the jévas have been suffering here, drowning in this ocean of 

materialistic existence from time immemorial. His heart bleeds, 

so Çré Nitai felt love, affection and compassion for them. He became 

sympathetic toward the suffering souls, so He brought the 

holy name from Çré Vrajabhümi for the people of Kali-yuga. Lord 

Çivajé with His five faces chants this madhura e harinäm; this 

so-sweet harinäm! Lord Brahmä chants this Çré-näma with His 

four faces, because it is so sweet! Çré Närada Muni sings this holy 

name with his stringed instrument: 

hare kåñëa hare kåñëa kåñëa kåñëa hare hare 

hare räma hare räma räma räma hare hare 

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All are chanting because it is so sweet! Çréla Bhaktivinoda 

Öhäkura says, “By only obtaining the nämäbhäsa stage, Ajämila, 

a greatly sinful person, was delivered. All his sinful reactions 

were destroyed and at last he went to Vaikuëöha!” So Çréla 

Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura says, “Just chant this name, utter this 

holy name and go to Çré Vrajabhumi.” 

Akrodha Paramänanda Nityänanda Räya 

Çré Nityänanda Prabhu Never Gets Angry 

By Çréla Locana däsa Öhäkura 

akrodha paramänanda nityänanda räya 

abhimäna çünya nitäi nagare beòäya 

adhama patita jévera dväre giyä 

harinäma mahä mantra dena biläiya 

järe dekhe täre kahe dante tåëa dhori’ 

ämäre kiniyä laha bhaja gaurahari 

eta boli’ nityänanda bhüme gadi jäya 

sonära parvata jena dhüläte loöäya 

hena avatäre jära rati nä janmilo 

locana bole sei päpé elo ära gelo 

TRANSLATION 

1. Lord Nityänanda Räya never gets angry. He is 

always in the ecstasy of supreme bliss. He has no false 

ego. He wanders to every town and village in Nadia, 

chanting Hare Kåñëa, dancing, and offering kåñëaprema 

indiscriminately to everyone. 

2. Çré Nitäi goes to every doorstep and knocks on 

the door, “Tap! Tap!Tap!” He goes to those who are 

very much distressed, degraded, and fallen. He goes 

to them and gives them kåñëa-prema. He says, “Please 

Chant! Please Chant!” 

hare kåñëa hare kåñëa kåñëa kåñëa hare hare 

hare räma hare räma räma räma hare hare 

If they do not chant and shut the door, then He 

rolls there on the ground and cries! 

223 




3. Whoever He meets, catching a straw between 

His teeth, He begs, “O Brothers! Please perform the 

bhajana of Çré Gaurahari and purchase Me, purchase 

Me, purchase Me.” 

4. Saying this, Lord Nityänanda rolls on the ground 

in the dust, cries, and sheds tears, looking like a mountain 

of gold rolling on the ground. 

5. Such a merciful incarnation is Lord Nityänanda! 

If someone does not develop love for such an incarnation 

as Çré Nityänanda Räma, Locana däsa says, “Such 

a sinful person wastes his life, remaining in the cycle of 

birth and death. He cannot be delivered.” 

Doya Koro More Nitäi 

My Dear Lord Nitäi! Please Be Merciful to Me! 

By Çré1a Kanu Rämadäsa Öhäkura 

doyä koro more nitäi, doyä koro more 

agatira gati nitäi sädhu loke bole 

jaya prema bhakti dätä-patäkä tomära 

uttama adhama kichhu nä kailä bichära 

prema däne jagajanera mana kailä sukhé 

tumi hena doyära öhäkura ämi kene dukhé 

känu räma däsa bole ki boliba ämi 

e baòa bharasä more kulera öhäkura tumi 

TRANSLATION 

1. O my Nitäi, please shower your mercy upon me. 

All sädhus say, “You are so merciful, You give the right 

destination to the fallen souls.” 

2. Lord Nityänanda has a flag. That flag gives prema-bhakti. 

He never discriminates whether one is uttama 

or adhama, most elevated or most degraded. He 

gives prema-bhakti to one and all. 

3. Çré Nityänanda Prabhu gives prema to everyone 

and thus makes the whole world happy. You are such a 

merciful Öhäkura, then why am I so unhappy? 

4. Kanu Rämadäsa says, “What more shall I say? O 

224 




Lord Nityänanda, You are the Lord of our paramparä; 

so this is a great hope for me, that You are such a merciful 

Lord.” 

Nitäi-Pada-Kamala 

The Lotus Feet of Lord Nityänanda 

By Çréla Narottama däsa Öhäkura. 

nitäi-päda-kamala, koöi-candra-suçétala, 

je chäyäy jagata juräy 

heno nitäi bine bhäi, rädhä-kåñëa päite näi, 

dåòha kori’ dharo nitäir päy 

se sambandha nähi jä’r, båthä janma gelo tä’r, 

se paçu boòo duräcära 

nitäi nä bolilo mukhe, majilo saàsära-sukhe, 

vidyä-kule ki koribe tära 

ahaìkare matta hoiyä, nitäi-päda päsariyä, 

asatyere satya kori mäni 

nitäiyer karuna habe, braje rädhä-kåñëa päbe, 

dharo nitäi-caraëa du’khäni 

nitäiyer caraëa satya, täìhära sevaka nitya, 

nitäi-pada sadä koro äça 

narottama boòo dukhé, nitäi more koro sukhé, 

räkho räìga-caraëera päça 

TRANSLATION 

1. The lotus feet of Çré Nityänanda are as cooling 

as millions of moons. The entire universe attains peace 

by the shade of those lotus feet. Without the mercy of 

Çré Nityänanda, nobody can attain Rädhä and Kåñëa, 

the aim of human life. Therefore, catch hold of the two 

lotus feet of Çré Nityänanda Prabhu very tightly. 

2. One who has not established a relationship with 

Çré Nityänanda is a two-legged animal. A great beast! 

His whole life is spoiled. He cannot be called a human 

being. He never utters the name of Çré Nityänanda. He 

is forever immersed in enjoying material happiness and 

has forgotten Çré Nitäi. He may have acquired great 

225 




material scholarship and learning, but what is the value 

of such an education? This will never help him. 

3. They are so puffed-up with their mundane education 

and scholarship. They are never humble at all. 

They have forgotten the lotus feet of Çré Nitäi because 

of their false ego and pride. They are completely under 

the clutches of mäyä. They accept the untruth as truth. 

If Çré Nityänanda showers His mercy upon someone, 

he will attain Çré Çré Rädhä-Kåñëa in Vrajabhümi. So 

catch hold of the two lotus feet of Lord Nityänanda 

very tightly. 

4. The lotus feet of Çré Nityänanda are eternally 

true and the followers or servants of those lotus feet 

of Çré Nityänanda are also eternal. Always aspire for 

the lotus feet of Çré Nityänanda. Çréla Narottama däsa 

Öhäkura says, “I am a very distressed and unhappy person, 

drowning in this dreadful ocean of material existence. 

O Çré Nityänanda Prabhu, please make me very 

happy! Please keep me at Your lotus feet.” 

Dalalera Gita 


1) boro çukher khabor gai 

suräbhi-kunjete namera haööa khule’che (khoòa nitäi) 

2) boro mojara kotha taya 

çräddha-mulye çuddha-näma sei hatete bikaya 

3) jata bhakta-bånda basi’ 

adhikari dekhe’ näma becche daro käçi 

4) jadi näma kinbe, bhäi 

ämära sange calo, mahäjanera kache jai 

5) tumi kinbe kåñëa-näma 

dasturi loibo ämi, pürna ha’be käma 

6) boro dayäla nityänanda 

çräddha-mätra lo’ye den parama-änanda 

7) ek-bar dekhle cakhe jala 

‘gaura’ bole’ nitäi den sakala sambäla 

8) den çuddha kåñëa-sikña 

jäti, dhäna, bidyä, bala na kore apekha 

226 




9) amani chare mäyä-jäla 

gåhe thako, vane thako, na thake janjäl 

10) ära naiko kalir bhoy 

acandale den näma, nitäi doya-moya 

11) bhaktivinoda daki’ koy 

nitäi-caraëa binä ära nahi açraya 

TRANSLATION: 

1. I sing news of happy and holy tidings. Nitäi has 

opened a marketplace of the holy name in Surabhi-kuïja. 

2. He is selling the pure holy name in that marketplace 

for the price of only one’s faith. 

3. Lord Nityänanda, seeing all the devotees becoming 

attracted, is bargaining with them and selling them 

the holy name. 

4. O brother, if you want the holy name then come 

with me. Come to that great soul, Nityänanda. 

5. You will get the name of Kåñëa. I will take my 

commission, and all of our desires will be fulfilled. 

6. Lord Nityänanda is very merciful. Taking only 

one’s faith, He gives the highest ecstasy. 

7. If He sees only once tears in the eyes while chanting 

the name, Gaura, then He gives everything to that 

person. 

8. He gives the pure teachings of Kåñëa to everyone, 

not caring for their birth, wealth, knowledge, or 

strength. 

9. Now, giving up the illusory snare of mäyä, either 

remain in household life or in the forest as a sannyäsé, 

and no more troubles will remain. 

10. There is no more fear of the age of Kali. The 

merciful Nitäi gives the holy name to even caëòälas. 

11. Bhaktivinoda calls out, “Except for the lotus 

feet of Lord Nityänanda, there is no other shelter!” 

227 





Lord Nityänanda Prabhu’s 

Appearance Day Lecture 

By His Divine Grace 

A. C. Bhaktivedänta Swamé Prabhupäda 

Bhubaneswar, Orrisa on February 2, 1977 

Nityänanda Prabhu is Baladeva, Baladeva-tattva. 

vrajendra-nandana yei, çacé-suta haila sei, 

balaräma haila nitäi 

“Who was formerly the son of Nanda Mahäräja, He has appeared 

as the son of Çacé-devé.” Caitanya Mahäprabhu’s mother’s 

name was Çacé-devé. Kåñëa is Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu, and 

Balaräma is Nityänanda Prabhu. 

In the Vedic literature it is said, näyam ätmä bala-hénena 

labhyaù na bahunä çrutena. bala means strength. Sometimes 

some rascal philosophers take it that bala means bodily strength. 

They propagate this philosophy that unless you are bodily stout 

and strong, you cannot achieve spiritual salvation. You must be 

very strong and stout and eat meat and fight, and then you’ll get 

next spiritual birth. No. This bala, strength, is different. This is 

spiritual strength. 


229



The difficulty of the present situation is that, actually, we 

are moving on account of spiritual strength, but they have no 

information of the spiritual strength. They are thinking of material 

strength. That is expressed here, that, 

ahaìkäre matta hoiyä, nitäi-pada päsariyä, 

asatyere satya kori mäni 

This is due to ahaìkära. Ahaìkära-vimüòhätmä kartäham iti 

manyate (BG. 3.27). Those who are vimüòha, especially rascal, 

müòha, rascals, and vi means viçeña, viçeñanam, particularly. Ahankara-vimudhätmä. 

The same thing which is spoken in the Bhagavad-gétä, 

Narottama däsa Öhäkura says the same thing in a plain 

Bengali language. ahaìkäre matta haiyä, nitäi-pada. By the spell 

of mäyä—ahaìkära-vimüòhätmä kartäham iti manyate— they 

are thinking that, “We are independent. We can do whatever we 

like.” This is called ahaìkära-vimüòhätmä. Under false pretext, 

false prestige, everyone is thinking that, “We are independent. We 

can find out the solution of the problems of life by material adjustment,” 

so on, so on. So that is our material disease. 

Ahaìkära-vimüòhätmä. Bewildered, they do not understand 

that the real strength is spiritual strength. We see daily 

a very strong man, a very powerful man, a man with very good 

brain, a very good scientist and so on. So what is the strength? 

The strength is ätmä. As soon as the ätmä, or the soul, goes 

out of the body; the so-called intelligent, strength, and so many 

things, become nothing. That is the difference between dead 

man and the living man. A living man is very powerful, very 

good position, everything. As soon as he dies, he is lying down 

on the floor, and if you kick him on his face, he’ll not protest. 

So where is that strength? The strength is gone. That is spiritual 

strength. On the spiritual strength, the body moves. Suppose 

you have got a very good car, Mercedes car or Rolls Royce car, 

but when there is no petrol, how the car will move? It is not possible. 

There is spirit, petrol spirit. Similarly, real strength is spiritual 

strength. That spiritual strength is Balaräma. Bala means 

strength. Therefore we have to take shelter of the lotus feet of 

Balaräma, guru-tattva. 

230 



Lord Nityänanda Prabhu’s Appearance Day Lecture 

Balaräma means guru-tattva. Balaräma represents guru. 

Yasya prasädäd bhagavat-prasädaù. If we want to understand 

Caitanya Mahäprabhu, if we want to understand Kåñëa, then 

we must take shelter of Balaräma. Näyam ätmä bala-hénena 

labhyaù. This bala-hénena labhyaù, this Vedic injunction, 

means, “Without the mercy of Balaräma, you cannot understand, 

you cannot realize your spiritual identification. So 

that Balaräma comes as Nityänanda Prabhu, balaräma hailä 

nitäi. Therefore we must take shelter of Balaräma. 

This song has been sung by Narottama däsa Öhäkura. nitäipada-kamala, 

koöi-candra-suçétala. If we take shelter of Nityänanda 

Prabhu, then we get peace. Koöi-candra-suçétala. Just like 

in daytime, especially in the summer season, we become very 

much exasperated. But at night, in the evening, as soon as there 

is moonshine, we become very much satisfied. All day’s labor 

and fatigue is immediately vanished. So nitäi-pada-kamala, the 

shade of Nityänanda Prabhu’s lotus feet, is koöi-candra-suçétala, 

as pleasing as millions of moonshine. One moon shining gives 

us so much pleasure. So if we want actually peace of mind, if 

we actually want to be freed from this material fatigue, then we 

must take shelter of Nityänanda Prabhu. Nityänanda Prabhu is 

the strength, spiritual strength. And without spiritual strength, 

you cannot approach Kåñëa. Näyam ätmä pravacanena labhyaù. 

If you are a good speaker, that does not mean you’ll understand 

yourself. Na medhayä: “Neither by good brain.” Just because you 

have got very good brain you’ll understand Kåñëa—no. Näyam 

ätmä pravacanena labhyo na medhayä na bahunä çrutena. If 

you think that you are a very good scholar, university degreeholder, 

then you’ll understand—no. This is not possible. 

So we must have spiritual strength. That source of spiritual 

strength is Balaräma, Kåñëa’s next manifestation, prakäçavigraha. 

Kåñëa is manifesting Himself through Balaräma. So we 

have to take shelter of Nityänanda Prabhu. 

nitäi-pada-kamala, koöi-candra-suçétala, 

je chäyäy jagata juräy 

231 




The whole world is suffering, but if you want peace, then 

you take shelter of Nityänanda Prabhu. 

heno nitäi bine bhäi, rädhä-kåñëa päite näi 

dhåha kori’ dharo nitäir päy 

Our real aim of life is how to go back home back to Godhead 

and associate with Rädhä Kåñëa. In another song the same 

author says, 

manuñya-janama päiyä, rädhä-kåñëa nä bhajiyä, 

jäniyä çuniyä biña khäinu 

Unless you come to Rädhä-Kåñëa, you cannot get real pleasure. 

If you want to dance and get pleasure, don’t dance independently. 

Dance with Kåñëa. Then you’ll be happy. The dancing 

is there, but dancing without association of Kåñëa. Just like 

here, in our temple, we are also eating, but we are eating the 

remnants of foodstuff left by Kåñëa. That is real pleasure. It is 

not that we are stopping eating. We are not stopping eating. We 

are not dry philosophers. Kåñëa baro doyämoy, koribäre jihvä 

jay, sva-prasäd-anna dilo bhäi. All over the world we are eating 

Kåñëa prasädam, and we have got good experience. At least ten 

thousand men and women, they are taking Kåñëa prasädam, but 

we have no anxiety. A family consists of a few members. They 

are full of anxiety how to maintain the family. And we are maintaining 

a family of ten thousand men. We have no anxiety. Just 

see practically. We require thousands and thousands of rupees 

for maintaining Europe, America; a costly affair. But because 

we are under the shelter of Nityänanda Prabhu, Balaräma, we 

have no anxiety. That means material life means anxiety. You 

cannot avoid anxiety if you lead a material life. You will always 

be anxious. 

That is Prahläda Mahäräja’s instruction. He was asked by 

his father, “My dear son, what have you learned, the best thing 

from your teachers?” He replied, “My dear best of the asuras.” 

Tat sädhu manye ’sura-varya dehinäà sadä samudvigna-dhiyäm 

asad-grahät. The whole human society is suffering, at least suf- 

232 




fering from one disease— anxiety. Ask anybody. Take one small 

ant and take the big elephant; take the President of United 

States or take one street beggar. Ask him, “Whether you are 

free from anxiety?” Everybody will say, “No, I am full of anxiety.” 

That’s a fact. So why are they in anxiety, full of anxiety? 

That Prahläda Mahäräja had replied, “sadä samudvigna-dhiyäm 

asad-grahät.” Because we have taken to asad-vastu, what does 

not exist. Everything, whatever you have got. Our, this body will 

not exist. And this is the main platform of our existence. In the 

material world, so long the body is there, you exist. So Prahläda 

Mahäräja said that, “Real solution of problems of life is to get 

out of this material condition. That is best thing in my opinion.” 

Sadä samadvigna-dhiyäm asad. That is Vedic injunction also. 

ASATO mä sad gamaya: “Don’t live in this asat, in this material 

condition.” SAD gamaya: “Go to real existence.” That real 

existence means spiritual life. NA hanyate hanyamäne çarére. 

So if we actually want life, blissful life, then we must get out 

of this material existence. That is Prahläda Mahäräja’s instruction. 

samudvigna-dhiyäm. And if you remain in the material 

existence, you must suffer some anxiety. There is no excuse. 

So Prahläda Mahäräja advises that hitvätma-pütaà gåham 

andha-küpaà vanaà gato yad dharim äçrayeta. Real problem 

is anxiety. And this anxiety will continue so long you are in 

material existence. Therefore the real life is to get out of this 

material hitvätma-pütam. Ätma-ghätam means killing the soul. 

This material civilization is killing the soul. They have no information 

of the soul. They do not know how to become peaceful, 

how to become blissful. They are trying to be peaceful, bahirartha-mäninaù, 

by external material energy. They are thinking 

by constructing big, big buildings, just like in Bhubaneswar they 

are doing, and having good, very big, big roads and motorcars, 

that is advancement of civilization. No. That is not advancement 

of civilization. That is increasing their anxiety. There is 

no solution of the anxiety. Formerly there was no university. 

The university was in the cottage—Vyäsadeva. Vyäsadeva was 

writing Çrémad-Bhägavatam and all the Puräëas in a cottage. 

The university was there. Who can produce such literature as 

Vyäsadeva has given? From any angle of vision, from literary 

233 




point of view, from philosophical point of view—everything, so 

perfect, every literature, Mahäbhärata, Puräëas, and Vedänta. 

Veda-vyäsa has given. So there was no need of university. It 

required clear brain. That was to be done by the brahminical 

qualifications, çamo damo titikña ärjava, jïänaà-vijïänam ästikyaà 

brahma-karma svabhäva. Where is that education? This 

education, technical education, how you can very nicely hammer, 

this will not solve the problem. So if we want real solution 

of the problems, then our duty is first of all to take the shelter 

of nitäi-pada-kamala. Then we’ll be happy, and we’ll get moonshine, 

and all our fatigue will subside. 

Sambandha nähi jär, båthä janma gelo tär. So if you have 

no connection with Nityänanda Prabhu, Nityänanda means always 

blissful. Nitya means always, änanda means pleasure. This 

is another meaning you can draw. So therefore, if you have no 

connection with Nityänanda Prabhu, “It’s simply wasting time.” 

Båthä means useless. Uselessly wasting time. Sei paçu boro duräcär. 

And Narottama däsa Öhäkura has used very strong word. 

“Anyone who has no connection with Nityänanda Prabhu, is 

a paçu.” Paçu means animal. So how one animal can get happiness? 

That is not possible. The dog, from the childhood he’s 

searching after food, searching after food. And cannot get food. 

Unless a dog has got a master, he’s a street dog and he’s always 

unhappy. So better to become a dog of Nityänanda Prabhu. 

Then we shall be happy. Instead of becoming dog of so many 

other people. Everyone is searching to serve a master. But none 

of them are satisfied because that is false master. You take real 

master, Nityänanda Prabhu. You’ll be happy. se paçu boro duräcära. 

He does not know where is happiness. Where shall I 

become a dog? Our Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura, has sung, 

vaisnava öhäkur, tomära kukkura, 

boliyä jänaha more 

“My dear Vaiñëava Öhäkura, kindly accept me as your dog. 

I am a dog already, but I am mäyä’s dog. I’m not Vaiñëava’s dog. 

So kindly accept me.” If you become a Vaiñëava’s dog, chäòiyä 

vaiñëava sevä, nistära päyeche kebä. If you do not become a dog 

234 




of Nityänanda Prabhu, Vaiñëava, or guru, there is no question 

of happiness. SE sambandha nähi yär, båthä janma gelo, sei paçu 

boro duräcär. 

Nitäi nä bolilo mukhe, majilä saàsära-sukhe. He who has 

no connection with Nityänanda Prabhu, and does not say, “Jaya 

Nitäi! Jaya Gaura!” And majilo saàsära-sukhe, thinks that this 

society, family, friendship and love, are divinely bestowed upon 

man. These materialist persons say like that. That is called majilo 

saàsära sukhe. In saàsära there cannot be any sukha, but 

he’s attracted by that. MAJILO saàsära sukhe. Vidyä-kule ki 

koribe tär. What we’ll do with university education or born in 

big family? This will not help. This is not possible. Vidyä-kule 

ki karibe tär. Why they’re accepting this false? AHAÌKÄRE 

matta hoiyä, nitäi-pada päsariyä, asatyere satya kori mäni. On 

account of being misled by false prestige and false egotism, asatyere 

satya kori mäni, we are accepting this body which is asat, 

which will not exist. That we have taken as reality. Ahaìkare 

matta hoiya, nitäi pada päsariyä. But if we take shelter of Nityänanda 

Prabhu, then we get the enlightenment. 

Nitäiyer koruëä habe, braje rädhä-kåñëa päbe, dharo nitäicaraëa 

du’khäni. Therefore Narottama däsa Öhäkura advises 

that the reality is nitäi-caraëa, and anyone who is servant, 

nitäiyer caraëa satya, tähära sevaka nitya. One who has become 

the dog of Nityänanda Prabhu, he gets his eternal life. 

We are eternal, but under misconception of material identification, 

we are under the subjugation of mäyä. BHÜTVÄ bhütvä 

praléyate. TATHÄ dehäntara. It is very botheration, but they 

do not know. I am going from one body to another body. And 

that is not guaranteed, what body. They have no science, no 

knowledge about understanding tathä dehäntara, the very first 

instruction of Bhagavad-gétä. They are so rascals, and they are 

proud of their education, their universities. 

Nitäi caraëa satya, tähära sevaka nitya, nitäi-pada sadä 

koro äçä. Therefore we should always expect to be under the 

shelter of nitäi-pada-kamala. NAROTTAMA boro duùkhé, 

Narottama däsa Öhäkura, he’s äcärya. He is presenting himself. 

That is äcärya. Means he is not duùkhé, but he’s presenting himself 

as duùkhé. That is äcärya. Äcäryas are never duùkhé. But 

235 




taking the common man’s position, he says, “NAROTTAMA 

boro duùkhé.” Narottama means the best of the human beings. 

So here in this material world one may be the best of the human 

being, very exalted position, but everyone is duùkhé, unhappy. 

NAROTTAMA boro duùké, nitäi more koro sukhé: “Only Nityänanda 

can make me happy. Otherwise not possible.” 

236 



Glossary 

A 

Abhiñeka—bathing ceremony 

Aìgada—son of Bali, brother of Sugriva 

Ananta—unlimited, another name of Lord Nityänanda 

Äçrama—hermitage 

Avadhüta—transcendental madman 

B 

Bakäsura—one of demons killed by Lord Kåñëa in His Vrajalélä 

Bäla-gopäla—Kåñëa as a cowherd boy 

Bhakti—devotional service 

Bhakti-rasämåta-sindhu—nectarean ocean of devotional 

service 

Brahmacäré—celibate monk 

Brahmänanda Puré—a godbrother of Çré Ésvara Puri 

C 

Cädara—shawls 

Caëòäla-Guhaka—the tribal chief who helped Lord Rämacandra 

Campaka—a special fragrant flower 


237



Catur-vyüha—quadruple expansions of the Lord 

D 

Darçana—spiritual vision 

Daçaratha—Lord Rämacandra’s father 

Devahüti —Lord Kapila’s mother 

Devaké—Lord Kåñëa’s mother 

Dhanvantari—Lord Viñëu’s incarnation who introduced 

medicine 

E 

Ekacakrä—birthplace of Lord Nityänanda 

G 

Gadädhara Prabhu—a member of Panca-tattva 

Gaëòaké— a holy river presently in Nepal 

Gandhamädana Hill—medicinal hill carried by Hanuman 

Gandharvas—heavenly angels 

Gayä—a sacred place of pligrimage that contains Viñëu’s 

footprints 

Gopés—cowherd girlfriends of Kåñëa 

Gosäi—a shortened word of Gosvämé 

Gosvämé—a controller of his senses and a pure devotee 

H 

Haladhara—another name of Lord Balaräma 

Hanumän—considered to be one of three servants of Hari 

Häòäi Paëòita—Lord Nityänanda’s father 

Haridäsa Öhäkura—incarnation of Brahmä 

Haridvära—gate of Hari, a sacred places of pilgrimage 

Hayagréva—Horse incarnation 

I 

Indrajit—son of Rävaëa 

Éçvara Puré—spiritual master of Lord Caitanya 

J 

Jagannätha Miçra—Lord Caitanya’s father 

238 



Glossary 

Jïäné—a person who knows the scriptures, often an impersonalist 

Jiyaòa Nåsiàha—a temple of Lord Nåsiàhadeva 

K 

Kaiöabha—one of original demons 

Kälindé—river Yamunä 

Kali-yuga—age of quarrel 

Känäi—a sweet name of Kåñëa 

Kåñëa-kathä—topics about Kåñëa 

Kaòacä—diaries on the pastimes of Lord Caitanya 

Kauçalyä—Lord Rämacandra’s mother 

Kaustubha—a gem on the chest of Viñëu 

Kértana—chanting of the holy name 

Kürma—tortoise incarnation 

L 

Laìkä—kingdom of Rävaëa 

Lakñmépriyä—first wife of Lord Caitanya 

M 

Madhu—another of the original demon killed by Lord Viñëu 

Mahä-bhägavata—a topmost devotee 

Mahä-prasäda—remnants of the offerings to the Lord 

Mäliné devé—wife of Çréväsa Paëòita 

Mantras—various chants 

Matsya—fish incarnation 

Mlecchas—meat-eaters 

Muräri—killer of demon Mura 

N 

Nadia —the district in Bengal where Navadvipa is situated 

Naimiñäraëya—a sacred forest where the Bhägavatam was 

narrated 

Nandana Äcärya—Lord Nityänanda first stayed at his house 

Näòä—a name of Advaita Äcärya 

Néläcala—blue hill, Jagannätha Puri 

Nitäicända—moonlike Lord Nityänanda 

239 




P 

Padmävaté Devé—Lord Nityänanda’s mother 

Päëòu Vijaya—festival celebrating the victory of the Päëòavas 

R 

Raghunätha—another name of Lord Rämacandra 

Räkñasa—man-eating demon 

Rudräkña—a bead of Lord Çiva 

S 

Çakaöa—cart 

Çakti-çela—a special Vedic weapon 

Çacé—Lord Caitanya’s mother 

Çréväsa—incarnation of Narada Muni and member of Païcatattva 

Çrévatsa—white hair on the chest of the Lord 

Çukräcärya—spiritual master of the demons 

Çiva-käïcé—an abode of Lord Çiva in South India 

Çré Advaita Äcärya—combined form of Mahäviñëu and Lord 

Çiva 

Çré Mädhavendra Puré—the originator of prema-bhäva-bhakti 

Sädhus—saintly devotees 

Saìkértana—congregational chanting of the holy names 

Sandeça—sweet preparation from milk 

Sannyäsa daëòa—stick carried by the renunciates 

Satya-yuga—age of truthfulness 

Setubandha—bridge built to connect Rameçvara to Laìkä 

Småtis—Vedic scriptures 

T 

Täla—a tree 

Tälavana—forest of täla 

Tretä-yuga—age of sacrifice 

Tridaëòa—a rod made of three sticks carried by sannyäsis 

Triveëé-ghat—a meeting point of Gaìges, Yamunä, and 

Sarasvaté 

V 

Vaijayanté—a special flower garland worn by Lord Kåñëa 

240 



Glossary 

Varäha—boar incarnation 

Väruëé—horneyed wine which is a favorite of Lord Balaräma 

Vasudeva—Lord Kåñëa’s father in Mathurä 

Vedas—scriptures 

Véëa—stringed instrument 

Viçvambhara—maintainer of the universe 

Viñëupriyä—second wife of Lord Caitanya 

Vyäsa-püjä—worship of Çréla Vyäsadeva 

241

Nityananda Caritamrta

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