Jhalak Darshan Temple

In Ambikā-nagara he went straight to the house of his guru in the mood of ecstatic love. In Ambikā Śrī Śyāmānanda also saw the Deity of Nityānanda that was worshiped by Śrī Gaurīdāsa Paṇḍita. The pleasure Śyāmānanda derived seeing the feet of his guru Hṛdaya Caitanya defies description. He affectionately showed Śyāmānanda the Deities of Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya and Nityānanda. Seeing the two Lords, Śyāmānanda was overwhelmed with joy, and tears rolled down his face. The two Deities graced Śyāmānanda by their great silence. How can I describe the pastimes of these two Lords to whom Paṇḍita Gaurīdāsa offered his service.

Gaurīdāsa Paṇḍita was famous throughout the world for the Lord was bound by his love. Gaurīdāsa Paṇḍita was an abode of love just like Śrī Subala, the friend of Kṛṣṇa in Vṛndāvana. Śrī Subala, the favorite friend of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, is most beautiful, and his qualities have been perfectly sung by the paṇḍits. In the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu it is said: “His bodily complexion is more brilliant than gold, he is the best friend of Kṛṣṇa, he wears a celestial necklace and a yellow-colored dress, he possesses lotus eyes, and he gives pleasure to his friends. I worship that Subala.”

In Stavāvalī it is said, “Subala is drenched in the fountain of Śrī Rādhikā’s love, and he never leaves the side of Śrī Gokula Candra even in his dreams. I bow to that loving embodiment Subala.”

In the Sahāya-bheda, the description of the book Ujjvala-nīlamaṇi, it says, “Is there any affair of Śrī Kṛṣṇa in which Subala has no right to interfere? He was even able to bring back the lady who had quarreled with her lover and separated. He would prepare a suitable bed for Śrī Kṛṣṇa for his love-making līlās in the kuñja grove. He would fan his tired and perspiring Kṛṣṇa as his Lord rested his head on the breasts of his beloved. It was well known that Gaurī was none other than Subala himself and that he was the favorite associate of Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Nityānanda. Gaura-gaṇoddeśa-dīpikā says that Gaurīdāsa Paṇḍita and Subala, the friend of Kṛṣṇa, are the same. In another part of the book it is stated that Subala Candra of Kṛṣṇa līlā is presently manifest as Śrī Gaurīdāsa Paṇḍita in Gaura līlā, and he is the favorite associate of Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Nityānanda. I worship that Gaurīdāsa Paṇḍita.

Sārkhela Sūryadāsa was a scholar and a broad-minded person. His brother was Gaurīdāsa Paṇḍita. They lived at Sāligrāma, but after taking his elder brother’s permission, Gaurīdāsa settled at Ambikā by the bank of the Gaṅgā. As an introvert, Gaurīdāsa would always live in seclusion. The Lord understood his mind very well.

One day Śrī Caitanya went to Ambikā after crossing the Gaṅgā from Śāntipura. He told the Paṇḍita, “I had gone to Śāntipura, and from there I went to the village Harinādi by boat. I crossed the Gaṅgā by rowing the boat with an oar. This is the oar; take it. I am giving it to you. With this oar mankind can cross the ocean of this material world.” Saying this, the Lord embraced Gaurīdāsa Paṇḍita. The Lord took the Paṇḍita with Him to Nadia and engaged him in wonderful activities. Who can understand the plan of Gauracandra? He gave the Paṇḍita the lyrics that he himself had composed. After some days the Paṇḍita returned to Ambikā where he regularly read the Gītā given to him by Prabhu. Simply seeing the handwriting of the Lord on the manuscripts of the Gītā gave the Paṇḍita extreme pleasure. Fortunate visitors to Ambikā can have darśana of the handwritten manuscripts of the Gītā by Prabhu and also the oar.

Who can describe the fame of the Paṇḍita, whose life and soul were Kṛṣṇa Caitanya and Nityānanda. He was constantly absorbed in singing the glory of Nitāi and Caitanya and knew nothing but their lotus feet. Nitāi and Caitanya were the lights within his eyes. Who can understand his total devotion? One sight of the Lord gave him immense pleasure, and a moment of separation threw him in great sorrow.

Understanding the mind of the Paṇḍita, Lord Gaurahari once told him to bring a nima tree from Navadvīpa and carve Deities of Caitanya and Nityānanda. He assured Gaurīdāsa that he would have no trouble carving the deities and that all of his desires would be fulfilled. The Paṇḍita was ecstatic with joy and carefully carved the wooden deities. He who made the deities was only a recipient of the Lord’s grace. It was the Lord’s own manifestation, and the others were merely instruments in the Lord’s desire.

Beholding the deities Paṇḍita Gaurīdāsa was overwhelmed with joy and could not restrain his tears. Considering himself most fortunate, he made arrangements for the installation ceremony of the Deities and took help from some of his favorite companions. Following the prescribed rituals, he bathed and anointed the Deities at an auspicious moment and then seated them on their throne. The devotees of the Lord were extremely happy to see the Deities of Nitāi and Caitanya properly installed. The beauty of these two Deities pleased the whole world, but true realization of their presence was reserved for the followers of Mahāprabhu. It was well known that Nitāi and Caitanya were bound by the love of Gaurīdāsa. The pastimes revealed by Nitāi and Caitanya at the house of Gaurīdāsa are also well known. How can I describe the activities of Gaurīdāsa Paṇḍita, who was always engaged in serving the two Lords.

Out of love Nitāi and Caitanya once told Gaurīdāsa smilingly, “Who can know your activities when you even do not know that you are always absorbed in love and devotion? O Subala, my friend, can you remember your first life? Can you remember the great fun we had when we took the cows to the bank of the Yamunā?” Saying this, the Deities turned themselves into Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma with black and fair complexions. In those forms they held the siṅga (horn), flute, cane, peacock feathers, and ornaments. How beautiful they looked in the dress of cowherd boys. Beholding their beauty, Gaurīdāsa was overwhelmed with ecstatic joy. Only by the will of the Lord could he regain his consciousness, and therefore he stared steadily at the Deities on the throne. When the two Lords displayed their pastimes in this way, Gaurīdāsa experienced ecstatic love.

One day Gaurīdāsa prepared food and requested the two Lords to eat. The Lords heard the sweet request of Gaurīdāsa, but without touching the food, they remained silent. Seeing the attitude of his two Lords, he told them in mock anger, “If you are satisfied without food, then why do you force me to cook?”

It was then Gaurīdāsa’s turn to keep quiet, and the Lord spoke gently, “Gaurīdāsa, you can never be satisfied by preparing a small quantity of food. Your habit is to prepare different varieties of dishes in large quantities. When we request you not to cook like this, you never listen. Your laborious efforts are painful to us. Remember, whatever can be prepared most easily will be most satisfying to us.”

“I shall never do it again,” replied Gaurīdāsa. “From now on I shall offer you only rice with boiled saka.”

This statement made the two Lords laugh, and then they began to eat the meal he had prepared. “You have made such tasty dishes that we are very satisfied,” said Nitāi and Caitanya in praise of Gaurīdāsa’s cooking. The sight of his Deities eating brought unlimited pleasure to the eyes of Gaurīdāsa Paṇḍita.

One day Gaurīdāsa Paṇḍita wanted to dress the two Lords with jewelry. Reading the mind of Paṇḍita, the two Deities decorated themselves with different ornaments fitted with rare jewels. When he entered the temple, Paṇḍita saw that the Deities on the throne were already decorated. He was overwhelmed with emotion, and when he regained his normal composure, he saw the Deities dressed as usual. “I have never seen that type of ornaments before,” thought Gaurīdāsa. “I wanted to decorate the body of my Lords with ornaments, but I did not know what type of ornaments to use. My ignorance has now been removed.”

As Paṇḍita was contemplating, the Lord said, “Ornaments made of flowers please me the most.” Paṇḍita decorated Nitāi and Caitanya with flower ornaments. Long flower garlands draped from the neck to the feet of the Lord created unparalleled beauty. For fun the Paṇḍita placed a mirror in front of the Lords.

The devotional activities of Gaurīdāsa Paṇḍita became well known, but I have described them only in brief.

(Bhakti-ratnākara by Sri Narahari Cakravarti, Chapter 7, Page 217-220)

Hṛdaya Caitanya, the disciple of Gaurīdāsa Paṇḍita

The sixty-second branch of the tree was Subuddhi Miśra, the sixty-third was Hṛdayānanda, the sixty-fourth was Kamala-nayana, the sixty-fifth was Maheśa Paṇḍita, the sixty-sixth was Śrīkara, and the sixty-seventh was Śrī Madhusūdana.
(CC Adi 10.111)

Hṛdaya Caitanya was a disciple of Paṇḍita Gaurīdāsa. Formerly he was known as Śrī Hṛdayānanda and was a great devotee of the Lord. I shall now narrate how Hṛdayānanda was re-named Hṛdaya Caitanya and how he received the mercy of Paṇḍita Gaurīdāsa.

Early one morning Gaurīdāsa went to meet Gadādhara Paṇḍita. With a broad smile Gadādhara cordially received Gaurīdāsa and said, “Since I have seen you in the morning, I know it will be a good day for me.”

But Gaurīdāsa sweetly replied, “No it is for my own good that I have come here.”

Gadādhara said, “With what can I please you?”

Gaurīdāsa replied, “I must pray to you for something.”

“Everything here is yours,” said Gadādhara. “Take whatever you like without any hesitation.”

“I want Hṛdayānanda,” said Gaurīdāsa, whereupon Gadādhara called for Hṛdayānanda. With an elated heart Hṛdayānanda came forward and bowed at the feet of the two Paṇḍitas. Gadādhara Paṇḍita spoke to Hṛdayānanda and then dedicated him to the care of Gaurīdāsa Paṇḍita. The manner in which Gadādhara Paṇḍita showered his mercy on Śrī Hṛdaya is well known to all. He raised Hṛdaya from his childhood and taught him the scriptures. Although Gadādhara Paṇḍita Gosvāmī was overwhelmed by his affection for the boy, he happily gave Hṛdayānanda to Gaurīdāsa Paṇḍita.

Without receiving the grace of the Lord, who can understand the aims and objectives of Gadādhara and Paṇḍita Gaurīdāsa. Gaurīdāsa spent time with Gadādhara Paṇḍita discussing the glories of the Lord. Then taking leave of Paṇḍita Gadādhara, Gaurīdāsa and Hṛdayānanda went home. In due course of time, he gave dīkṣā mantra to Hṛdayānanda and dedicated him at the feet of Nityānanda and Caitanya. Hṛdaya truly dedicated himself to the service of the Lord, and this pleased Gaurīdāsa very much. Who can understand the activities of Gaurīdāsa, who floated continually in waves of love.

One day he told Hṛdayānanda that the Lord’s birthday was approaching. “I shall visit the houses of my followers to collect provisions for the festival, and I shall return soon,” said Gaurīdāsa. “Be very careful in your service to the Lord.” Then Gaurīdāsa left his house.

Gaurīdāsa passed some time in solitary places with other devotees singing about the glories of the Lord. Meanwhile Hṛdayānanda began to think, “Why is the master so late in returning? Only two more days remain before the ceremony, and enough provisions have already been collected here.” Considering these points and remembering the feet of his spiritual master, he decided to send invitations everywhere for the great occasion. Paṇḍita Gaurīdāsa returned just one day before the festival, and when he heard that Hṛdaya had sent invitations everywhere, even without his permission, Gaurīdāsa felt happy right to the core of his heart.

Outwardly, however, he showed displeasure and scolded Hṛdaya angrily. “While I am still living, you have acted in an independent manner. You have sent invitation letters at your own will, but I shall not join you.” Hṛdaya bowed at his master’s feet and went to the bank of the Ganges where he lived under a tree.

Gaurīdāsa started the festival, and mahāntas from far and near assembled there. One wealthy man sent a large quantity of provisions in a boat. The rich man met Śrī Hṛdayānanda on the bank of the Ganges and handed the provisions to him. Hṛdayānanda sent a message to Paṇḍita Gaurīdāsa. In mock anger the Paṇḍita told the messenger to tell Hṛdayānanda that he could use the provisions for his own celebration.

On the order of his guru, Śrī Hṛdaya happily began to celebrate the occasion using those provisions. A large number of Vaiṣṇavas assembled there, and in their association Hṛdayānanda performed wonderful saṅkīrtana. As the sound of the khola and karatālas reached the sky, it seemed that the ocean of happiness would overflow its banks. Vaiṣṇavas danced in a circle, with tears flowing continuously down their faces. Suddenly Hṛdaya observed that both Lord Nitāi and Lord Caitanya, the incarnations of love, were dancing within the circle. The style of their dancing was indescribable, and their physical beauty brightened the whole world. The faces of those two Lords defeated the pride of the moon, and Hṛdayānanda cried in joy as he observed them.

Hearing the joyous sound of that saṅkīrtana, Gaurīdāsa became very pleased, although he remained in his own place. He gently told Gaṅgādāsa, “It is now time to worship. Go to the temple.” But when Hara Gaṅgādāsa entered the temple, he found no Deities on the throne. When he reported this to the Paṇḍita, Gaurīdāsa was overwhelmed in ecstasy as he realized that the two Lords had been bound by the love of Hṛdayānanda. With a smile he took his stick in his hand, and although he was happy to the core of his heart, he displayed outward anger and headed for that saṅkīrtana gathering by the side of the Gaṅgā. There he saw his two Lords dancing.

Observing the mock anger of the Paṇḍita, the two Prabhus clandestinely entered the temple again. Gaurīdāsa witnessed that Śrī Caitanya had entered into the heart of Hṛdayānanda. Seeing Caitanya present in the heart of Hṛdayānanda, Gaurīdāsa could not control his tears. He looked continually with unblinking eyes. He forgot his mock anger and unconsciously the stick fell from his hand. Stretching out his arms in ecstatic love, he went forward to embrace Hṛdaya. “How fortunate you are,” said Gaurīdāsa. “From this day I name you Hṛdaya Caitanya—the man in whose heart Śrī Caitanya always resides.” He drenched Hṛdaya with his tears, and the disciple fell at the feet of his master. Together they returned to the temple.

Acknowledging the special effulgence of the Lord, Gaurīdāsa appointed Hṛdaya Caitanya to the total service of the Deities. The Vaiṣṇavas were all happy about this, and the great festival they held defies description. The grace of the Lord on Hṛdaya became known to all. This is the story about Hṛdayānanda’s obtaining the name Hṛdaya Caitanya.

Śyāmānanda and Prabhu Hṛdaya Caitanya

Hṛdaya Caitanya was the life of Śyāmānanda. Only a drop of his mercy could help one obtain all of his desires. He blessed Śyāmānanda extensively and grew disappointed only when Śyāmānanda started for Utkala. Śyāmānanda bowed at the lotus feet of his master with tears in his eyes. Before Nitāi and Caitanya, Śyāmānanda lay prostrate on the dusty ground of the temple, and his body was smeared with the dust. After paying his respects to the associates of the Lord, Śyāmānanda prepared to leave Ambikā, but he was unable to travel because of his excessive emotions. The associates of Mahāprabhu were also filled with emotion and tried to console Śyāmānanda in various ways. “After distributing Mahāprabhu’s devotion in Utkala, please return to Ambikā,” they all requested.

Śyāmānanda then left for Utkala, holding the memory of the feet of his guru in his heart. As he traveled, he sang the glories of Nitāi and Caitanya. He grew mad with love and entangled other travelers in that same loving madness. Even great heretics began to feel fortunate when they saw Śyāmānanda and took shelter of him.

There was a village named Daṇḍeśvara in the middle of Gauḍadeśa that had formerly been the residence of Kṛṣṇamaṇḍala. Later Kṛṣṇamaṇḍala had decided to live in Utkala. How can I describe the wonderful activities that were performed in Daṇḍeśvara? Śyāmānanda chose to pass through that village on his tour and everyone was pleased to see him.

From there he reached Dharendra village, where he felt he should send letters to Śrī Ācārya Ṭhākura and Ṭhākura Mahāśaya. He wrote the two letters, which contained the particulars about his travels. Śyāmānanda sent the letters with a letter bearer to the proper places. Those letters contained statements of his love and devotion and documented the fact that he had gratified Utkala by his presence.

(Bhakti-ratnākara by Sri Narahari Cakravarti, Chapter 7, Page 220-223)