Vidyavacaspati – Brother of Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya

Here is the school of Visarada’s son. Vidyavācaspati. Who did not know him? He is an unalloyed servant of the Lord, and by the power of his pure devotion he attracted the Lord by taking bath in the Ganges.
When will I stand on the bank of the Ganges at Vidyavacaspati’s doorway and view the opulences of this place? Then after a few moments, the Lord, king of the sannyasis, will mercifully appear before my eyes on that large residential rooftop.
Seeing the golden effulgence of that sannyāsī, I will fall to the earth in great eagerness, just as when the gopis saw Kṛṣṇa dressed as the King of Dvaraka, they cried while remembering His pastimes on the bank of the Yamuna.
(Sri Navadvipa Bhava-taranga)

When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu reached Vidyānagara, Bengal, on the way to Vṛndāvana, He stopped at the house of Vidyā-vācaspati, who was the brother of Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya. When Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu suddenly arrived at his house, great crowds of people gathered. For five consecutive days all the people gathered to see the Lord, and still there was no rest. Out of fear of the crowd, Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu left at night and went to the town of Kuliyā [present-day Navadvīpa].
(CC Madhya 1.150 – 1.151)

“The Lord suddenly came to Vidyānagara with a full party and stayed there in the house of Vidyā-vācaspati.” …..When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu stayed at Vidyā-vācaspati ‘s house, many hundreds of thousands of people went to see Him and chant the holy name of Hari. It was so crowded that people could not even find a place to walk; therefore they made room by clearing out the jungles near the village. Many roads were automatically excavated, and many people also came by boat to see the Lord. So many came that it was difficult for the boatmen to get them across the river. When Vidyā-vācaspati suddenly arrived, he made arrangements for many boats to receive these people, but the people would not wait for the boats. Somehow or other they crossed the river and hurried toward the house of Vidyā-vācaspati. Due to this great crowd, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu secretly went to Kuliyā-nagara. After the Lord left Vidyānagara, however, all the people heard news of His leaving. They then accompanied Vācaspati to Kuliyā-nagara.
(CC Madhya 16.207 purport)

On the way the Lord happily stays at the house of Vidyā-vācaspati, before going on to Kuliyā. In the Antya-khaṇḍa innumerable people go to see the Lord and are thus delivered. 

(CB Ādi-khaṇḍa 1.163 – 164)

1-5) Nityandanda has come to the Marketplace of the Name. Whoever’s coming, run quickly. Those two rascals Jagai and Madhai have looted the storehouse and taken all the goods. You will find the partners Adwaita, Sanatan, the store house managers. Gadadhar Pandit is the guard, Haridas is the watch man, Sanjay and Sridhar are the bearers. Kesava Bharati and Vidyavacaspati are brokers and Krsna Das and others are managers. Srivas Pandit is the treasurer, and Kedarnath is the sweeper. The cost of the goods in the store, are nine kinds of devotional service. The gold coin is prema. There is no limit, with whatever you have, buy, there is no shortage, people take as much of the goods as they can. For obtaining love of God this is good advice. The message is the nectarean name of the Lord, so let there be no useless strife. Let everyone, whoever he may be, eat from the plate.
(Nitai Nam Hate O Ke Jabire Bhai)

​Sārvabhauma had a brother named Vidyā-vācaspati, who was peaceful, forgiving, pious, and most fortunate. The Lord suddenly came to Vidyānagara with a full party and stayed there in the house of Vidyā-vācaspati. Receiving the Lord of Vaikuṇṭha as his guest, Vidyā-vācaspati offered obeisances, falling flat before the Lord. That brāhmaṇa was so happy that he did not know what to do. The Lord embraced him and said, “Listen to My words, I have developed a desire to go to Mathurā. I will stay here a few days and take bath in the Ganges. Give Me a private room so that I can stay here and bathe in the Ganges. Then you can make arrangements so that can go to Mathurā. If you have affection for Me, then you must do this for Me.”
On hearing the Lord’s words, Vidyā-vācaspati humbly replied. The brāhmaṇa said, “It is the good fortune of my entire family that the dust from Your lotus feet has blessed our house. My house and everything in it belong to You. You remain here peacefully. No one will disturb You.” The Lord was satisfied with his words. He then blessed him by staying there a few days.
Can the rising sun ever be hidden? Everyone came to know of the Lord’s arrival. News spread throughout the area of Navadvīpa that the crest jewel of sannyāsīs had arrived in the house of Vidyā-vācaspati. The hearts of the people became so joyful that it appeared they were living in Vaikuṇṭha in their present bodies. Everyone chanted the names of Hari in ecstasy, and they forgot their wives, children, bodies, and houses. People said to each other, “Let us go and see His lotus feet.” Speaking in this way, everyone went in great joy without even informing their elders. Unlimited millions of people chanted the names of Hari as they went to see Lord Gaurāṅga. The crowd was so thick that it was difficult to see the road, so people broke through the forest on their way to see the Lord. O brothers, just hear the topics of how Lord Caitanya delivered all the living entities. Although people cut through the thorny forest, they felt such ecstasy that they did not feel any distress. The dense crowds soon filled the entire forest with many excellent paths. People chanted the name of Hari in all directions. Such are the pastimes of Lord Gaurāṅga!
Someone said, “I will grab hold of His lotus feet and beg for His mercy so that I may freed from all bondage.” Someone else said, “If I just see Him I will have everything. Why should I ask for anything?” Another said, “I did not know His glories, so I blasphemed Him without limit.  Now I will hold His lotus feet to my chest and beg Him to rescue me from those sins.” Someone else said, “My son is a habitual gambler. I will ask for the benediction that he may not gamble anymore.” Someone said, “My heartfelt request is that I may never give up His lotus feet.” Someone else said, “I will ask for the most glorious benediction that I may never forget Lord Gaurasundara.” Everyone felt transcendental ecstasy as they walked along speaking in this way.
They soon came to the boat ghāṭa, and the boatmen fell into anxiety over how to ferry everyone across the river. Thousands of people climbed into each boat, so even the large boats broke apart. People joyfully crossed the river at various points by paying their fares with even clothing. Those who could not find space in a boat swam across the river by floating on top of overturned pots. Some made boats by tying banana trees together, and some playfully swam across the river. People in all directions chanted the name of Hari, and the sound vibration penetrated the entire universe. When Vidyā-vācaspati suddenly arrived, he gathered many boats to transport the people. But the people would not wait for the boats and somehow or other crossed the river. Such was the attraction of Lord Śrī Caitanya. Is such attraction possible for anyone other than the Supreme Lord?
In this way everyone crossed the Ganges and grabbed hold of Vidyāvācaspati’s feet. “You are most pious and fortunate, for Lord Caitanya has come to your house. Therefore who can estimate your good fortune? Now please deliver us. We are sinful and have fallen in the well of material existence. Even though we lived in the same village, we did not understand His glories. Now please show us His lotus feet, then the lives of us sinners will be successful. On hearing the people’s pathetic appeals, Vidyā-vācaspati, the magnanimous brāhmaṇa, cried out of affection. As he led everyone to his house, millions of people began to chant the name of Hari. The name of Hari was the only sound that came from everyone’s mouth. They neither spoke nor heard anything else.
Lord Śrī Gaurasundara is an ocean of mercy, and He advented to deliver everyone. When the Lord heard the vibration of the name of Hari, He was greatly pleased. Feeling obliged by the people’s good fortune, He came out of the house. How sweetly enchanting was the Lord’s form! His form can be compared only with His own form. His lotus face was always pleasing, and tears of love flowed from His lotus eyes. The devotees had smeared sandalwood paste on the Lord’s body. His chest was adorned with flower garlands, and He walked like the king of elephants. The Lord raised His two long arms and roared like a lion as He chanted the name of Hari.
When people in all the directions saw the Lord, they joyfully danced and also chanted the name of Hari. They offered obeisances by falling flat on the ground, and they became absorbed in ecstasy as they chanted the name of Hari. Everyone raised their two arms and prayed, “O Lord, please deliver all of us sinners.” The Lord slightly smiled as He looked at everyone and blessed them with the words, “May your minds be fixed on Kṛṣṇa.”
(CB Antya-khaṇḍa 3.273 – 3.331)

bala kṛṣṇa bhaja kṛṣṇa śuna kṛṣṇa nāma
kṛṣṇa hau sabāra jīvana dhana-prāṇa
“Chant the name of Kṛṣṇa, worship Kṛṣṇa, and hear the names of Kṛṣṇa. May Kṛṣṇa become your life, wealth, and soul.”
(CB Antya-khaṇḍa 3.332)

On hearing the Lord’s benediction, everyone chanted the name of Hari. They then repeatedly appealed to the Lord with humility. You have appeared in a covered form from the womb of Śacī in Navadvīpa to deliver the entire world. Yet we were so sinful that we could not recognize You. We thus fell in the dark well and ruined ourselves. You are an ocean of mercy and the benefactor of all. Please be merciful on us so that we may not forget You.In this way people offered prayers from all directions. Such are the pastimes of Lord Gaurāṅga! The entire village became filled with people. There was not a single vacant place either in the street, in the village, or in the outskirts. As their eagerness to see the Lord increased more and more, thousands of people climbed each of the trees. Many people climbed on top of the houses, but by the will of the Lord, none of the houses were broken. As soon as the people saw the moonlike face of the Lord, they repeatedly roared like lions and chanted the name of Hari. People continually came from various directions, and after seeing the Lord’s lotus face, no one returned home. Lord Gaurasundara was expert in various sporting activities. He slipped away unnoticed and departed for Kuliyā. He took a few associates headed by Nityānanda and left without informing even Vācaspati.
As the Lord of Vaikuṇṭha traveled to Kuliyā, the people in Vidyānagara became afflicted with feelings of separation. Vācaspati began to look around for the Lord, but he was unable to find Him. When the brāhmaṇa gave up looking for the Lord, he began to cry loudly as he looked towards the sky. Everyone else thought that the Lord had gone into hiding inside the house. They thought the Lord came outside only when He heard the name of Hari, so they all began to loudly chant the name of Hari. Millions of people chanted the name of Hari so loudly that the sound vibration filled the three planetary systems of Svarga, Martya, and Pātāla. After some time Vācaspati came out of his house and informed everyone about the Lord’s departure. I do not know what time during the night or in what direction, but the crest jewel of sannyāsīs has deceived us sinners and departed. O brothers, I tell you the truth. I do not know where Lord Caitanya has gone. In whatever way Vācaspati tried to explain, the people did not have trust in his words. In their ecstasy the people knew that the Lord had gone to a secluded place away from the crowds. Some of them privately requested Vācaspati, “I am alone. Please let me see the Lord.” The people caught hold of Vācaspati’s feet and said, “We want to see Him just once. Then we will return home in happiness. Please put this request before the Lord.” “The Lord will not refuse your request. Please help us sinners get His darśana in this way.” In whatever way Vācaspati tried to solace them, they did not have trust in his words. When after waiting some time the people could still not see the Lord, they began to speak harshly about Vācaspati.
Vācaspati has hidden the crest jewel of sannyāsīs in his house, and he is trying to deceive us with some lies. What is the difficulty for him if we are delivered? What kind of happiness is it to be delivered alone? Someone said, “It is the duty of pious people to compassionately deliver everyone.” Only ordinary people desire their own benefit, while a pious person sacrifices his life to deliver others. Someone else said, “Even in ordinary dealings it is an offense to buy sweets and enjoy them alone.” The Lord’s sweetness is incomparable within the three worlds. Should one relish such sweetness alone?” Another person said, “This brāhmaṇa is somewhat deceitful. He does not have the compassion to help others.” Vācaspati was already unhappy because of separation from the Lord, and then people began to speak harsh words against him. That magnanimous brāhmaṇa was distressed in two ways, so he did not know what to do. At that time a brāhmaṇa came and whispered something in Vācaspati’s ear. Lord Caitanya has gone to the village of Kuliyā. Now you quickly do whatever is necessary. As soon as Vācaspati heard this news, he became greatly pleased and joyfully embraced that brāhmaṇa. He immediately went before the people and informed them of the confidential news. Without knowing the actual truth you have all accused me of hiding the Lord. Now I have come to know that the Lord is in Kuliyā. This best of the brāhmaṇas has come and told me. Let us all go. If this information is correct, you should accept me as a brāhmaṇa. In great joy everyone chanted the name of Hari and immediately departed with Vācaspati. Immediately the news spread in all directions: “The crest jewel of sannyāsīs has gone to Kuliyā.” Only the Ganges lay between Nadia and Kuliyā. Hearing the news, everyone rushed towards Kuliyā in great ecstasy. The number of people coming from Vācaspati’s village multiplied millions of times by the time they reached Kuliyā. It is not possible for anyone other than the thousand-headed Ananta to describe the huge crowds that were attracted to Kuliyā. No one knew where the hundreds of thousands of people came from or how they all crossed the river. Although many boats sunk in the Ganges, everyone got across. Not even a single person drown. Whenever a boat would begin to sink in the Ganges, it would be found that a sand bar was right below it. Such was Lord Caitanya’s merciful will. A person who even once glorifies the names and qualities of the Supreme Lord crosses over the material ocean as if it were the water contained in the hoofprint of a calf. Therefore what is the wonder that persons who were going to directly see that Lord would cross the Ganges? Hundreds of thousands of people joyfully crossed the Ganges by floating in those waters. After easily crossing the Ganges, people embraced one another and chanted the name of Hari. The boatmen earned abundant wealth, and a number of people set up shops. People in the four directions purchased whatever they desired. No one could understand who was arranging all this. Within a short time the entire village, including the streets and the outskirts, became so filled with people that there was no empty space. Unlimited millions of people chanted the name of Hari, yet the crest jewel of sannyāsīs stayed hidden and did not come out.

After a while Vācaspati Mahāśaya arrived there, yet he was also unable to find out where the Lord was. After a while, Lord Gaurasundara summoned Vācaspati to come alone to see Him. As soon as the son of Viśārada saw the Lord, he offered Him his full obeisances. He repeatedly offered obeisances and recited various verses describing the incarnation of Lord Caitanya. In the form of Lord Caitanya You have delivered the entire universe by rescuing the fallen souls from the deep well of material existence. May Gaurasundara, whose mercy is unlimited like the ocean, kindly remain seated in my heart birth after birth. On seeing everyone in the entire world drowning in the ocean of material existence, You mercifully blessed them with a constant shower of ecstatic love. May Gaurāṅga, the abode of incomparable mercy, always manifest within my heart. In this way the brāhmaṇa Vācaspati prayed to the Lord by reciting various verses and offered Him repeated obeisances. I offer my humble obeisances at the feet of Viśārada, who had Sārvabhauma and Vācaspati as his sons. Lord Gaurasundara acknowledged Vācaspati with His merciful glance.

Vācaspati then stood up with his hands folded and said, “O magnanimous Lord, please listen to my request. You are fully independent and always filled with ecstasy. All of Your activities are performed according to Your own sweet will. You stay at one place or move to another according to Your own sweet will. Only when You reveal Yourself can one know You. Therefore You alone know Your activities. Who can subject You to rules or regulations? People do not know the actual truth about You, so they accuse me of being cruel. In ignorance they claim that I hid You in my house. Therefore, O Lord, if You come out for just a moment, then people will accept me as a brāhmaṇa.” After hearing that brāhmaṇa’s request, the Lord smiled and immediately went outside to fulfill his request. As soon as Mahāprabhu went outside, everyone became merged in an ocean of ecstasy. People offered full obeisances from all directions. Everyone offered prayers according to their realization. Unlimited millions of people chanted the name of Hari and floated in an ocean of ecstasy. There were thousands and thousands of kīrtana groups, and they all sang in transcendental ecstasy. In this way the crest jewel of sannyāsīs day and night filled the entire world with the transcendental sound vibration of Kṛṣṇa’s holy names. Even a particle of the happiness distributed in this world by Kṛṣṇa in the dress of a sannyāsī freed the inhabitants of planets headed by Brahmaloka and Śivaloka from all distress and intoxicated even the best of the yogis and sages. The birth, activities, education, and brahminical behavior of a sinful person who under the control of māyā denies the existence of the Supreme Lord, who is full of all potencies, are useless. Such a sinful person is condemned by all. O brothers, just worship the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya!

By hearing His topics one is freed from the bondage of ignorance. Just worship the lotus feet of that crest jewel among sannyāsīs. By remembering Him one is liberated from all material miseries. As the Lord and His devotees saw everyone engaged in congregational chanting, they floated in an ocean of ecstasy. The tears of ecstatic love that flowed from the eyes of Śrī Gaurasundara resembled the Ganges flowing in the four directions. The Lord lost external consciousness in transcendental ecstasy. He was the incarnation of the overwhelming ecstasy of saṅkīrtana. The Lord jubilantly danced in the midst of whichever kīrtana party came before Him. The members of those kīrtana parties considered themselves most fortunate. Such are the pastimes of Śrī Gaurasundara. Lord Nityānanda was the foremost of those who were overwhelmed with ecstasy. Sometimes He would grab the Lord and induce Him to dance. Sometimes He danced with the Lord. He remained overwhelmed in His own ecstatic love. Mahāprabhu roared like a lion as He danced. The lamentation of those who heard that vibration was totally destroyed. Śaṅkara becomes intoxicated and forgets his cloth while relishing the mellows of ecstatic love for that Lord who was now dancing amongst the common people. Innumerable universes are maintained by the potency of that Lord who was now dancing in this world in the mellows of ecstatic love. All the demigods desire to see that Lord who was now dancing before the eyes of one and all. In this way everyone floated in an ocean of ecstasy. The entire world was delivered by appearance of Lord Caitanya. People came from the ten directions to see the Lord dance. Being overwhelmed with ecstatic love, the Lord lost external consciousness. On seeing this, everyone floated in an ocean of happiness. All the sinners of Kuliyāthe slightly sinful, the moderately sinful, and the greatly sinful—were delivered. One who hears about the Lord’s manifestation in Kuliyā is freed from the bondage of all fruitive activity. After giving darśana to everyone and filling their hearts with happiness, Mahāprabhu sat down with His associates and returned to external consciousness.
(CB Antya-khaṇḍa 3.333 – 441)