Birthplace of Lord Nityananda
The place where Nityānanda Prabhu appeared is called Garbhavāsa. There is an allotment of about forty-three bighās (fourteen acres) of land to continue the worship in a temple there. The Mahārāja of Dinājapura donated twenty bighās of land (about six and a half acres) in this connection. It is said that near the place known as Garbhavāsa, Hāḍāi Paṇḍita conducted a primary school. The priests of this place, listed in a genealogical table, were as follows: (1) Śrī Rāghavacandra, (2) Jagadānanda dāsa, (3) Kṛṣṇadāsa, (4) Nityānanda dāsa, (5) Rāmadāsa, (6) Vrajamohana dāsa, (7) Kānāi dāsa, (8) Gauradāsa, (9) Śivānanda dāsa and (10) Haridāsa. Kṛṣṇadāsa belonged to the Ciḍiyā-kuñja at Vṛndāvana. The date of his disappearance is Kṛṣṇa-janmāṣṭamī. Ciḍiyā-kuñja is a place now managed by the gosvāmīs of Śṛṅgāra-ghāṭa in Vṛndāvana. They are also known as belonging to the Nityānanda family, most probably on the basis of their relationship with Kṛṣṇadāsa.
Śrīla Nityānanda Prabhu was born in the village of Ekacakrā, in the district of Birbhum, as the son of Padmāvatī and Hāḍāi Paṇḍita. In His childhood He played like Balarāma. When He was growing up, a sannyāsī came to the house of Hāḍāi Paṇḍita and begged to have the paṇḍita’s son as his brahmacārī assistant. Hāḍāi Paṇḍita immediately agreed and delivered his son to him, although the separation was greatly shocking, so much so that Hāḍāi lost his life after the separation. Nityānanda Prabhu traveled on many pilgrimages with the sannyāsī. It is said that for many days He lived at Mathurā with him, and at that time He heard about Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s pastimes in Navadvīpa. Therefore He came down to Bengal to see the Lord. When Lord Nityānanda came to Navadvīpa, He was a guest at the house of Nandana Ācārya. Understanding that Nityānanda Prabhu had arrived, Lord Caitanya sent His devotees to Him, and thus there was a meeting between Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Nityānanda Prabhu.
COMMENTARY
By the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra, Śrī Baladeva, who is nondifferent from Ananta, appeared as Nityānanda Svarūpa in the village of Ekacakra, of Rāḍha-deśa
(CB Ādi-khaṇḍa 2.128)
(CB Ādi-khaṇḍa 2.129-130)
His father’s name was Hāḍāi Ojhā, and His mother was Padmāvatī. Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu appeared in the village of Ekacakrā as the Lord of the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas.
COMMENTARY
The surname Ojhā is a corruption of the name Upādhyāya, which is used by the Maithila brāhmaṇas. For descriptions of Hāḍāi Paṇḍita and Padmāvatī one may refer to Ādi-khaṇḍa, Chapter Two, verse 39. For a description of Ekacākā, one may refer to Ādi-khaṇḍa, Chapter Two, verse 38. The word gauḍeśvara refers to Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu, who is the Lord and master of the Gauḍīyas. Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu destroys the living entities’ anarthas, or unwanted things, and awards to the Gauḍīyas the supreme destination of service in the pure transcendental rasas of vātsalya, sakhya, and dāsya. The word yathi refers to Maureśvara Yathi. The village Maureśvara, or Mayureśvara, was a famous trade center for silk cocoons and silk thread. In some persons’ opinion this place was famous for its Śiva-liṅga. Another reading for the word yathi is tathi, which is derived from the word tatha or tathāya [meaning “there”] and is commonly used in ancient Bengali prose.
(CB Ādi-khaṇḍa 9.5)
(CC Adi 11.36 purport)
The word Rāḍha-deśa comes from the word rāṣṭra, or “state.” From rāṣṭra the corrupted word rāḍha has come. The part of Bengal on the western side of the Ganges is known as Rāḍha-deśa. Another name is Pauṇḍra-deśa or Peṇḍo-deśa. The word peṇḍo is a corrupted form of the word pauṇḍra. It appears that the capital of Rāṣṭra-deśa was situated in that part of Bengal.
(CC Madhya 3.4 purport)
The Supreme Lord, Nityānanda Prabhu, appeared in the village of Ekacakra, in Rāḍha-deśa.
COMMENTARY
The village previously known Ekacākā, or Ekacakra, is presently known as Vīrcandrapura and Garbhavāsa. It is situated 8 miles from the Mallārapura station, which is on the E.I.R loopline. In his commentary on Bhagavad-gītā (2.72) Madhvācārya quotes the Padma Purāṇa as follows: “By His own sweet will He exhibits various forms through His own internal potency. He does not appear from Vasudeva in the womb of Devakī. He is not born of Daśaratha, nor from Jamadagni. Rather, He eternally enjoys ecstasy in pure pastimes that are free from duality.”
(CB Ādi-khaṇḍa 2.38)
The exalted Hāḍāi Paṇḍita was the king of the brāhmaṇas. He was accepted as the father of Lord Nityānanda, who is the original father of all.
COMMENTARY
Hāḍāi Paṇḍita, or Hāḍo Ojhā, was born in a Maithila brāhmaṇa family. His wife’s name was Padmāvatī. Although Lord Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu is the father of all universes, the Vaikuṇṭhas, the living entities, and the viṣṇu-tattvas, He nevertheless appeared as the son of Hāḍāi Paṇḍita. Some time back a false rumor was spread that Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu was born in a non-brāhmaṇa family. This is totally baseless and born from the duplicitous smārtas’ envy and hatred of Lord Viṣṇu.
(CB Ādi-khaṇḍa 2.39)
The ocean of mercy, the giver of devotional service, and the shelter of all Vaiṣṇavas, Śrī Nityānanda Rāma, appeared in Rāḍha-deśa. At the time of Nityānanda’s appearance, all the demigods secretly showered flowers and chanted, “Jaya! Jaya!” From that day on, the land of Rāḍha began to prosper and signs of auspiciousness became visible.
The banks of the Ganges are most sanctified. Why then would a Vaiṣṇava take birth at an impious place? The Lord appeared on the bank of the Ganges, so why did His associates appear in distant places? Out of compassion, Lord Kṛṣṇa ordered His great devotees to appear in places where the Ganges does not flow, where the holy names are not chanted, and where the Pāṇḍavas did not visit.
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Ṣaṣṭhītalā: By the side of Garbhavāsa Mandira is situated Ṣaṣṭhītalā. On the sixth day of Nityānanda Prabhu’s birth, mother Ṣaṣṭhī was worshiped under a big beautiful banyan tree having many offshoots hanging from the branches.
Mālātalā: At the south of Ṣaṣṭhītalā there is a beautiful banyan tree which is called Mālātalā. There is a hearsay about this place that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu came to Ekacakrā during His travel to Rāḍhadeśa and gave His own worn garland to this tree. He asked the tree where He can find Kṛṣṇa. Thus, this place is named as Mālātalā. The elder brother of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Viśvarūpa named Śaṅkarāraṇya came here after taking sannyāsa as a traveling mendicant and took rest here. Thus, this place is also called Viśvarūpatalā or Sannyāsatalā.
Please listen to topics concerning Lord Caitanya’s dearest associate visiting the various pilgrimage sites. The Lord first went to Vakreśvara, then He went alone to Vaidyanātha. He went to Gayā and then to Lord Śiva’s abode, Kāśī, where the Ganges flows towards the north. Seeing the Ganges, Lord Nityānanda was greatly pleased. He took bath and drank some water, yet His grief was not mitigated. In the month of Māgha (January-February) the Lord took an early morning bath at Prayāga, then He went to Mathurā, His former birthplace. The Lord sported in the waters of the Yamunā at Viśrāma-ghāṭa and thereafter went with great interest to see Govardhana. The Lord visited each of the twelve forests beginning with Vṛndāvana. When He saw the house and courtyard of Nanda Mahārāja at Gokula, He sat down and cried profusely. Nityānanda offered His obeisances to Madana-gopāla and then went to Hastināpura, the abode of the Pāṇḍavas. Seeing the home of those devotees, Nityānanda began to cry. The local people, however, could not understand the Lord’s sentiments due to their lack of devotion. As Nityānanda remembered Balarāma’s glorious activities in Hastināpura, He exclaimed, “O Haladhara, please save Me!” and then offered obeisances. Thereafter Nityānanda went to Dvārakā, where He joyfully took bath in the ocean. He next went to Siddhapura, the place of Lord Kapila. Then He went to Matsya-tīrtha, where He distributed foodstuffs at a festival. Lord Nityānanda then visited Śiva-kāñcī and the adjoining Viṣṇukāñcī. He laughed when He saw the two groups of followers quarreling there. Nityānanda Prabhu also visited Kurukṣetra, Pṛthūdaka, Bindusarovara, Prabhāsa, and Sudarśana-tīrtha. He also visited the great holy place called Trita-kupa. He also went to Viśālā, Brahma-tīrtha, and Cakra-tīrtha. The Lord visited Pratisrotā, where the Sarasvatī River flows in the opposite direction. The most magnanimous Nityānanda then went to Naimiṣāraṇya. He then visited the city of Ayodhyā, where He cried upon seeing the birthplace of Lord Rāma. Nityānanda then visited the caṇḍāla Guhaka’s kingdom, where He fell unconscious. Simply by remembering the activities of the caṇḍāla Guhaka, Nityānanda lost consciousness in ecstasy for three days. On seeing the forests where Lord Rāmacandra had resided, Nityānanda rolled on the ground in separation. Thereafter the Lord took bath in the Sarayū and Kauśikī Rivers. Then He went to the āśrama of Pulastya Ṛṣi. Lord Nityānanda took bath in the Gomatī, Gaṇḍakī, and Śoṇa Rivers. Then He climbed to the top of Mahendra Mountain. There He offered obeisances to Paraśurāma. Nityānanda also visited Haridvāra, the source of the Ganges. The Lord took bath in the Pampā, Bhīmarathī, Godāvarī, Veṇvā, and Vipāśā Rivers. After seeing Kārtikeya at Madurai, the most intelligent Nityānanda went to Śrī-śaila, the abode of Śiva and Pārvatī. Śiva and Pārvatī reside on this mountain in the form of a brāhmaṇa couple. Upon Nityānanda’s arrival there, they understood that their worshipable Lord was wandering on pilgrimage as a mendicant. They were most satisfied to receive such a guest, and Pārvatī happily cooked for the Lord. They fed the Lord with great affection, and Nityānanda smiled and offered them His respects. Only Kṛṣṇa knows what they confidentially discussed. Then the Lord continued His journey to Draviḍa, or South India. The Lord visited Veṅkaṭanātha, Kāmakoṣṭhī Purī, Kāñcī, and the Kāverī, the best of rivers. Then the Lord visited the sacred place of Śrī Raṅganātha, and thereafter He went to Hari-kṣetra. He visited the Ṛṣabha Mountain, Madurai, and the Kṛtamālā, Tāmraparṇī, and Uttara Yamunā Rivers. Nityānanda Prabhu visited the āśrama of Agastya Ṛṣi in the Malaya Hills. The residents there were all jubilant to see the Lord. Nityānanda stayed as a guest in their āśrama and then departed in great ecstasy for Badrikāśrama. Lord Nityānanda resided in seclusion for some days in the āśrama of Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣis. He then went to the āśrama of Śrīla Vyāsadeva, who recognized that Nityānanda was Balarāma Himself. Śrīla Vyāsadeva personally received Nityānanda as a guest, and the Lord offered His obeisances to Śrīla Vyāsadeva. Lord Nityānanda then visited the residence of the Buddhists. When He arrived there, He saw they were all sitting together. The Lord asked a question, but no one replied. Becoming angry at them, the Lord kicked them in the head, but they all simply smiled and ran away. Nityānanda thus fearlessly continued His travels through the forest. The Lord eventually arrived in Kanyā-kumārī. After seeing Durgā there, He went to see the southern ocean. Nityānanda then went to Anantapura, and after that He went to Pañcāpsarā-kuṇḍa. He next visited the temple of Śiva known as Gokarṇa. He visited Kerala and the various places in Trigarta. He then visited goddess Pārvatī, who dwells on an island near Gokarṇa. Lord Nityānanda also visited the Nirvindhyā, Payoṣṇī, and Tāptī Rivers. He went to the city of Māhiṣmatī, on the banks of the Revā River, and He saw Malla-tīrtha. The Lord then passed through the holy district of Śūrpāraka on His way west. The fearless ecstatic Nityānanda Prabhu traveled in this way without fear of anyone. The Lord had no control of His body due to His ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa. Sometimes He cried, and sometimes He laughed—who can understand His ecstatic moods?
As the Lord traveled in this way, by the will of providence He met Śrī Mādhavendra Purī. The body of Śrī Mādhavendra Purī is imbued with ecstatic love of God, and his followers partake of those same sentiments. He did not relish anything other than loving sentiments for Lord Kṛṣṇa, who enjoyed His pastimes in the body of Mādhavendra Purī. What more can I say about the devotion of he who was the spiritual master of Śrī Advaita Ācārya? When Nityānanda saw Mādhavendra Purī, He was immediately stunned in ecstatic love and fell to the ground unconscious. Seeing Nityānanda, Mādhavendra Purī forgot himself and fell unconscious. Śrī Gauracandra has repeatedly stated that Śrī Mādhavendra Purī is the original root of worship in ecstatic love. After they both fell unconscious, the disciples headed by Īśvara Purī all began to cry. After some time, when they regained external consciousness, they held each other’s neck and began to cry. Overwhelmed in ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa, they then rolled in the sand and cried out loudly. Tears of love flowed like rivers from their eyes and soaked mother earth, thereby making her feel gratified. Shivering, shedding tears, hairs standing on end, and other ecstatic symptoms appeared without end, for Lord Caitanya personally resides in their bodies. Lord Nityānanda said, “Whatever pilgrimage I have performed till now has today born fruit. “Today I have seen the lotus feet of Mādhavendra Purī. By seeing his ecstatic love of God, My life has become successful.” Mādhavendra Purī embraced Nityānanda and was unable to reply, for his throat was choked with love. Śrī Mādhavendra Purī was so pleased that he was unable to release Nityānanda from his embrace. Īśvara Purī, Brahmānanda Purī, and the other disciples of Mādhavendra Purī all felt great attachment for Lord Nityānanda. They had previously come across many sadhus, but they had never before seen such devotional symptoms. They always felt distressed while conversing with materialistic people, so they decided to travel through the forests. Now, with this meeting, their distress was mitigated and their love for Kṛṣṇa was aroused. For some days Nityānanda Prabhu traveled with Mādhavendra Purī and relished discussing topics of Lord Kṛṣṇa. The characteristics of Mādhavendra Purī are most wonderful; he fell unconscious just by seeing a dark cloud. Out of love for Kṛṣṇa, he would day and night laugh, cry, and exclaim “Haya! Haya!” almost like a drunkard. Lord Nityānanda was intoxicated with loving sentiments for Govinda.
He would laugh loudly and sway to and fro with love of God. Mādhavendra’s disciples constantly chanted the name of Hari as they observed their extraordinary symptoms of love. The two forgot whether it was day or night in their absorption of ecstatic love. Although they remained together for a number of days, they considered that time hardly a moment. Who can know all the incidents that took place between Nityānanda and Mādhavendra Purī? Only Kṛṣṇa can know. Mādhavendra Purī was unable to give up the association of Nityānanda, so he constantly remained with Him. Mādhavendra said, “I have never seen such ecstatic love. Wherever such love of God is found, that is my favorite holy place. “I know Kṛṣṇa has bestowed His mercy on me because He has given me the association of Nityānanda. Wherever Nityānanda’s association is found, that place is most sacred and completely transcendental. If one hears the name of Nityānanda, he will certainly attain the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇacandra. “If one has the slightest envy for Nityānanda, he is never favored by Kṛṣṇa even if he appears to be a devotee.”In this way Mādhavendra Purī day and night exhibited affection for Nityānanda with his speech and activities. Nityānanda considered Mādhavendra to be His guru and nothing less. These two greatly learned personalities did not know whether it was day or night due to their ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa. After remaining together for some days, Nityānanda left for Setubandha [Rāmeśvaram]. Mādhavendra Purī went to see the Sarayū River. In their absorption of Kṛṣṇa consciousness they both forgot their own bodies. Therefore a devotee’s feelings of separation for the Lord maintain his life. Otherwise how could such intense feelings be tolerated if one were in external consciousness? Whoever hears these topics regarding the meeting between Nityānanda Prabhu and Mādhavendra Purī will certainly achieve the wealth of love for Kṛṣṇa.
After traveling in this ecstatic mood for some days, Nityānanda arrived at Setubandha. After taking bath at Dhanus-tīrtha, He went to see Lord Rāmeśvara. Then the Lord went to Vijayanagara. He visited Māyāpurī, Avantī, and the Godāvarī River, and then He went to the abode of Jiyaḍa-nṛsiṁha. He visited Trimalla and Kūrma-kṣetra, and eventually He went to see Jagannātha, the Lord of Nīlācala. As He approached Śrī Nīlācala, He fell unconscious upon seeing the temple flag. He saw Lord Jagannātha as the source of the catur-vyūha— Vāsudeva, Saṅkarṣaṇa, Pradyumna, and Aniruddha—and surrounded by His dear devotees. Immediately upon seeing the Lord, Nityānanda’s hairs stood on end and He fell unconscious. When He regained consciousness, He again fell to the ground. Shivering, perspiring, crying, falling to the ground, and loud roaring —who can describe these ecstatic transformations that were exhibited by Lord Nityānanda? After remaining in Nīlācala for some time, Nityānanda went in jubilation to Gaṅgā-sāgara. Who can describe the Lord’s pilgrimage? I have written in brief only by His mercy. After visiting various holy places in this way, Lord Nityānanda returned again to Mathurā. He continually stayed in Vṛndāvana and became so absorbed in Kṛṣṇa that He did not know whether it was day or night. He did not eat, but He occasionally drank some milk whenever someone offered it to Him. Lord Nityānanda knew well that Lord Gauracandra was living incognito in Navadvīpa. He thought to Himself. “I will go serve Lord Gaurāṅga when He manifests His opulences.” Thinking in this way, Lord Nityānanda did not go to Navadvīpa but remained at Mathurā. He regularly enjoyed sporting in the waters of the Yamunā and playing with the children in Vṛndāvana. Although Lord Nityānanda is omnipotent, He did not distribute devotional service to the Lord at that time. When Lord Gauracandra manifests His opulence, then on His order He would begin to distribute devotional service. The servants and associates of Lord Caitanya did not like to do anything without His instruction, but this does not diminish their glories in the least.
Brahmā, Ananta, Śiva, and the other demigods create, maintain, and destroy under the order of Lord Caitanya. Sinful persons who do not like to hear such things are not fit to be seen by the Vaiṣṇavas. Just see for yourself how Nityānanda Prabhu has blessed the people of this universe with the treasure of devotional service. Lord Nityānanda is the foremost devotee of Lord Caitanya, for the glories of Lord Caitanya always reside on His tongue. Day and night Lord Nityānanda chants the glories of Lord Caitanya, so when one worships Nityānanda he certainly attains devotion for Lord Caitanya. All glories to Lord Nityānanda, who is the first manifestation of Lord Caitanya. The glories of Lord Caitanya become manifest by His mercy. One becomes attached to Nityānanda by the mercy of Śrī Caitanya, and one who knows Nityānanda never faces any adversities. Those who wish to cross the ocean of material existence and drown in the ocean of devotional service must worship Lord Nityānanda. Someone said, “Nityānanda is just like Balarāma.” Another person said, “He is most dear to Śrī Caitanya.”
Someone may consider Nityānanda a sannyāsī, someone may consider Him a devotee, and someone may consider Him a jñānī. They may say whatever they like. Even if Nityānanda was a most insignificant servant of Lord Caitanya, still I would keep His lotus feet in my heart. Therefore I kick the head of any sinful person who disregards the glories of Lord Nityānanda and dares to criticize Him. If you find any follower of Lord Caitanya appear to say something bad about Nityānanda, you should know for certain that what they said was actually glorification. Vaiṣṇavas are always pure and full of knowledge, so if there is ever any quarrel between them you should know it is simply part of their pastimes. If a person takes the side of one Vaiṣṇava and criticizes another, he is certainly vanquished. Anyone who follows Nityānanda without finding fault in Him will surely attain the shelter of Śrī Gauracandra. When will that day come when I will see Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityānanda surrounded by Their devotees?
(CB Ādi-khaṇḍa 9.104 – 9.230)
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