Month: January 2018

Uddharana Datta Thakura – Life & Teachings | Sripat Adisaptagram Thakurbari

Post author By gaudiya
Post date January 10, 2018

adisaptagram uddharana datta dutta Sri Uddharana Datta Thakura is an eternal associate of Lord Nityananda. He is one of the most prominent of the twelve cowherd boys (Dvadasha Gopala) who had assisted Lord Nitai manifest His magnanimous pastimes.Sri Gaura Ganoddesha Dipika reveals that Sri Uddharana Datta (also spelt as Uddharana Dutta) was the incarnation of Subahu, the intimate friend of Krishna and Balarama in vrindavana. Nityananda Prabhu, was his very life and soul and he had served his master in all possible ways.Prema Vilasa reveals that Lord Nitai used to relish the prasada cooked by Uddharana Datta. Not only He but even Sri Gaurahari enjoyed his cooking a lot. Srila Krishnadasa Kaviraja reveals that Sri Uddharana datta Thakura was the foremost of the Maha Bhagavata devotees who completely engaged his mind,body and words in serving Nityananda Prabhu, his eternal Gurudeva.

Maha bhagavata sreshtha datta Uddharana Sarba bhave seve Nityanandera carana (caitanya caritamrta, Adi, 11.41)

It was here at Saptagram, that Lord Nitai had performed the most magnanimous pastimes of delivering the members of the Gold mercantile community, who were looked down upon in those days.There was another reason for Lord Nityananda’s advent to Saptagram, and it was to reunite with his eternal servant, Sri Uddharana Datta Thakura.Srila Prabhupada mentions in his purport, that Sri Uddharana Datta was born with the right to worship Sri Nityananda Prabhu.Sri Uddharana belonged to the caste of suvarna baniks (gold merchants) who were looked down upon in the society, in those days.Lord Nitai however stayed in Saptagram,at the house of Sri Uddharana Datta, for many months, and by His grace and association ,all the suvarna baniks (gold mercantile community) regained their stature. Sri Caitanya Bhagavata also glorifies the ecstatic pastimes that patita pavana Lord Nitai had manifested here at Saptagram in order to deliver the members these so called outcastes.

yateka banik kula Uddharana haite pavitra haila dvidha nahika ihate (Caitanya Bhagavata)

Mayapur Nabadwip dham

Harihara kshetra & Hamsa Vahan, Mayapur Nabadwip dham – Glories of Lord Shiva

Post author By gaudiya
Post date January 10, 2018

hamsa vahan gtb

“What one attains by travelling to all the holy places is attained just by remembering the transcendental abode of Navadvipa” –
Navadvipa Dham Mahatmya

Srimad Bhagavatam reveals that Lord Shiva is the foremost of all the Vaishnavas.

vaishnavanam yatha sambhuh
purananam idam tatha
(SB – 12.13.16)

Some people with incorrect sambandha gyan (knowledge of relationship with Supreme) falsely claim that Lord Shiva is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. However the scriptures state otherwise. The scriptures unambiguously mention that Lord Shiva is a devotee of the Supreme Lord and in fact he is a devotee of the highest order. The Mohini murti pastime, wherein Lord Shiva was bewildered by the supreme Lord who took the form of a beautiful attractive woman, or the pastime of Bhasmasura , wherein Lord Shiva had to flee from the asura unto whom he had bestowed several benedictions a while before, clearly reflect the superiority and the position of Lord Krishna as the Supreme.

In fact,Shiva is always meditating and hankering to render service unto Sri Krishna who is his dear beloved Lord. In Caitanya Mangala, it is described how Lord Shiva once became mad with ecstasy after honoring a tiny morsel of Krishna Prasadam which he had received from Narada Muni. Such were his feelings, that he began loudly singing and dancing. The dance slowly became more and more vigorous and took the shape of ‘Tandava’, a dance that is usually performed at the time of annihilation. As the whole world started shaking, the helpless demigods approached mother Parvati requesting her to console her husband. We can thus clearly understand how dear Krishna and His remnants are to Lord Shiva.

hamsa vahan gtb

SantipurnPhulia Vaishnava acharyas

Advaita Acharya – Life and Pastimes | Sripat Shantipur

Post author By gaudiya
Post date January 10, 2018

santipur advaita acharya

Panca tattvatmakam krsnam bhakta-rupa-svarupakam
bhaktavataram bhaktakhyam namami bhakta saktikam

I offer my obeisances unto the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna, who is non-different from His features as a devotee (Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu), devotional manifestation (Sri Nityananda Prabhu), devotional incarnation (Sri Advaita Acarya), devotional energy (Sri Gadadhara Pandita) and pure devotee (Sri Srivasa Pandita).

In his prayers unto the Spiritual masters, Sri Krishnadasa Kaviraja Goswami has mentioned that Sri Advaita Acharya is the Lord’s partial incarnation (advaita acharya prabhura amsa-avatara.. – Caitanya Caritamrta, Adi 1.39). In Sri Gaura Gannodesha dipika, Kavi Karnapur has further clarified that Sada shiva, who had previously appeared as an avesa incarnation (one empowered by the Lord) ,has now descended as Sri Advaita Acharya. Sri Advaita was thus the combined incarnation of the potencies of Sada shiva and Lord Mahavishnu. Kavi Karnapura further writes that Kuvera pandita, the father of Advaita Acharya was an incarnation of the demigod Kuvera, the friend of Lord Shiva. The Supreme Lord’s Yogamaya potency appeared in Lord Caitanya’s pastimes as Sita Thakurani, the wife of Advaita Acharya.His second wife, Sri devi, was also an expansion of Yogamaya devi.

santipur advaita

Sri Acyutananda, the elder son of Advaita Gosai, was the combined form of the potencies of Kartikkeya and Achyuta Gopi. Sri Advaita Acharya was one of the primary trunks of Lord Caitanya’s desire tree of devotional service, from whom originated innumerable smaller branches and sub-branches of devotees. ‘The Gaudiya Treasures of Bengal’ considers itself exceedingly fortunate to have been able to visit and pray at Sri Advaita Acharya’s sripat at Shantipur, wherein such great personalities have exhibited their exalted heart melting pastimes.

Mayapur Nabadwip dham

Lord Narasimha of Narasimha Palli – History | De Para, Mayapur Nabadwip Dham

Post author By gaudiya
Post date January 9, 2018

Lord narasimha mayapur

Sri Narsimha palli is the residence of Lord Narasimha deva, the half man-half lion incarnation of the Supreme Lord. Located on the southern boundaries of Navadvipa Dham (Godrumadvipa), near the city of Mayapur, this ancient deity of Lord Narasimha deva at Narasimha palli, is worshipped here since Satya Yuga (since 2,160,000 years atleast). Lord Narasimha deva is the incarnation of the Supreme Lord who mercifully provides protection to His devotees. ‘The Gaudiya Treasures of Bengal’ shall be narrating below the beautiful appearance pastime of Lord Narasimha deva and how He had once protected His dear devotee Prahlada, by killing His father Hiranyakashipu, the ferocious demon, who wanted to murder his own child.

History of the Narasimha temple of Narasimha Palli (Near Mayapur)

So it was here at Narasimha Palli, in the waters of the Mandakini river, that Lord Narasimha deva had washed His hands stained with Hiranyakashipu’s blood in the Satya yuga. He also drank some water from this river in order to refresh Himself. The Mandakini river is reduced to a small lake today, and still exists adjacent to this ancient temple. Knowing that Lord Narasimha deva had come to take rest here, all the demigods headed by Brahma, came over and set up their residences, and engaged themselves in service of the Lord. Hence this place also came to be known as Devapalli or the neighbourhood of the Devas(demigods). Viswakarma had himself constructed thousands of houses out of stone, which served as the residences of these demigods. In course of time, the Mandakini river shifted its course and the houses were all destroyed. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu used to often come over here at Narasimha Palli, to discuss the glories of Lord Narasimha deva. The temple had been later reconstructed and restored to its present health by Maharaja Kshitish Candra in 1896 AD.

narasimha palli

“What one attains by travelling to all the holy places is attained just by remembering the transcendental abode of Navadvipa” –
Navadvipa Dham Mahatmya

Lord Jagannath serampore

Mahesh Jagannath Temple – History & Darshan | Kamalakara Pippalai

Post author By gaudiya
Post date January 9, 2018

Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada writes at length regarding Mahesh Jagannath temple and its Rath Yatra in his commentary to Chaitanya Charitamrta (Adi lila ,11.24 purport). The temple, situated near Serampore in West Bengal, has a very beautiful history. There once lived a devotee named Dhruvananda who prayed to the lordships ,Sri Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra at Jagannath Puri, desiring to offer them the food that he had cooked with his own hands. However the devotees at puri informed him that offering of such outside food to the Lordships was not allowed there. Feeling dejected , Dhruvananda began fasting and decided to put an end to his life.Lord Jagannath then being greatly pleased with Dhruvananda, appeared in his dream and instructed him to go to a sacred place called Mahesh, on the bank of the River Ganges, and there start His worship. Dhruvananda left immediately and on reaching Mahesh, found the three deities of Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra floating upon the Ganges water. Mahesh, during those days was a jungle full of carnivorous animals.

Dhruvananda was overwhelmed and installed the deities in his small cottage at Mahesh and started worshipping them there. He could now offer them the food that he had cooked himself . Lord Jagannath is very merciful towards His devotees. We have observed a very similar pastime at Navadvipa wherein Lord Jagannatha had showered His causeless mercy upon a devotee named Jagadish Ganguly and subsequently manifested His divine deity form. (‘The Gaudiya Treasures of Bengal’ has covered this pastime in a separate article entitled – ‘Lord Jagannatha at Rajapur , Navadvipa (Simantadvipa)’).

Mayapur Nabadwip dham Vaishnava acharyas

Gadadhara Pandita – Biography & Teachings | Gaur Gadadhara Gaudiya Math, Champahati, Mayapur Nabadwip dham

Post author By gaudiya
Post date January 9, 2018

gaur gadadhara math gtb

“What one attains by travelling to all the holy places is attained just by remembering the transcendental abode of Navadvipa” –
Navadvipa Dham Mahatmya

Panca tattvatmakam krsnam bhakta-rupa-svarupakam
bhaktavataram bhaktakhyam namami bhakta saktikam

Kavi Karnapura has mentioned in his Gaura Ganoddesha Dipika, that Radharani, the daughter of King Vrishabhanu, had appeared as Sri Gadadhara Pandita in Gaura Lila. Kavi Karnapura further adds that Lalita devi, who is also known as anuradha (as she always follows Srimati Radharani) had also entered the body of Gadadhara pandita.Thus Gadadhara Pandita was the combined incarnation of both Radharani and Lalita sakhi.Gadadhara Pandita was born of Sri Madhava Mishra and Srimati Ratnavati Devi who lived very close to the house of Jagannatha Mishra in Mayapur. According to Gaura Gannodesha dipika, Maharaja Vrishabhanu incarnated as Sri Madhava Mishra in the pastimes of Lord Caitanya.Sri Gadadhara Pandita was a year younger to Lord Gaurahari and they were very intimate friends since their childhood.

From His very childhood, Srila Gadadhara Pandita manifested the qualities of patience, serenity and renunciation. He and Nimai pandita, when they were very young, used to play together here at Champahati ,where this Gaur Gadadhara Temple is situated today. Both of them studied in the same tola (school).Dvija Vaninatha, the younger brother of Gadadhara Pandita, had later established the worship of Gaura Gadadhara deities over here. These are the first Gaura Gadadhara deities to be ever worshipped and this place is atleast 500 years old. At the time when these deities were installed, Sri Gauranga and Gadadhara Pandita were still manifesting their pastimes in this world.Later Sri Paramananda Brahmacari (a disciple of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura) , in the year 1921 AD, had renovated and revived the service of the Deity and established the Gaura Gadadhara Gaudiya Math here at Champahati.

Bardhaman Vaishnava acharyas

Vrindavan Das Thakur – Life and Pastimes | Sripat Denur, Burdwan, West Bengal

Post author By gaudiya
Post date January 9, 2018

Denur Vrindavan das

Srila Vrindavan Das Thakur is the original vyasadeva of Mahaprabhu’s lila. His spiritual master was none other than Lord Nityananda, the adi Guru Himself. Being empowered by his Guru, Srila Vrindavan das, has narrated an amazing heart-rendering biographical account of Lord Caitanya’s divine mood and His exalted pastimes, in his composition Sri Caitanya Bhagavata, which is today one of the most revered books of our Gaudiya Sampradaya.

Krishna-lila bhagavate kahe vedavyasa
Caitanya-lilara vyasa – vrindavan dasa
(Caitanya Caritamrta, Adi, 8.34)

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura (founder acharya of the Gaudiya Mathas) , has greatly glorified Srila Vrindavana Das in his Caitanya Bhagavata purports. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta writes that Srila Vrindavan das Thakur’s love and devotion towards his spiritual master Nityananda prabhu is simply incomparable. He mentions how Vrindavan Das was a topmost preacher of Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s philosophy and how he constantly engaged himself with all his mind, body and words, in preaching the glories of the Vaishnava acharyas. A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada has also sung great glories of this towering personality. In one of the initiation lectures in boston, Prabhupada mentions how Vrindavan Das Thakur is one of the great acharyas of our Gaudiya sampradaya, and how we should all pray for his causeless mercy.

Sri Kavi karnapura reveals in his Gaura ganoddesha dipika that :

Srila Vedavyasa incarnated as Vrindavan Das Thakur in Lord Caitanya’s pastimes. Krishna’s friend Kusumapida also entered into him for special purposes.

Bankura

Bir Hambir and Srinivas Acharya | Bishnupur, temple town of Bengal – Part 1

Post author By gaudiya
Post date January 9, 2018

bishnupur rasamancha bir hambir srinivas

Before we begin this article, ‘The Gaudiya Treasures of Bengal’ would like to apprise the reader that Bishnupur or Bana Bishnupur (as it is sometimes referred) is arguably the very best pilgrimage, where one could still get a first hand experience of the great opulence and grandeur that once punctuated the Gaudiya tradition of erstwhile Bengal. The whole town of Bishnupur, which was once the capital of the Malla kingdom, is adorned with magnificent temples, showcasing exquisite architecture, built with bricks and laterite stones, that still stand tall to tell a tale of a glorious heritage, that we people of Bengal should be exceedingly proud of. Hence, Bishnupur is sometimes also referred to as the ‘temple town of Bengal’. Bishnupur, the land of red soil, boasts of a rich culture that is second to none and is inhabited with such gentle dignified and well behaved people, who can indeed be compared to demigods. In a nutshell, Bishnupur has left a taste in us which we shall never forget in our life.

The earliest records of the Malla Kingdom of Bengal dates back to 694 AD, when king Adi Malla ascended the throne. The land ruled by these Malla Kings was known as ‘Mallabhum’ and was mainly centered around the district of bankura,but also included parts of Burdwan,Medinipur,Murshidabad stretching as far as ChotaNagpur in Bihar. The capital of Mallabhum came to be later known as Bishnupur, named after Lord Vishnu, the supreme personality of Godhead and since Bir Hambir, the 49th Malla king ,took reins of the kingdom (around the year 1565 AD), Vaishnavism became the predominant cult in these lands.

Bhaktivinoda thakur Mayapur Nabadwip dham

Svananda Sukhada Kunja & Surabhi Kunja | Bhaktivinoda Thakur Sripat, Mayapur Nabadwip dham

Post author By gaudiya
Post date January 9, 2018

svananda sukhada kunja Bhaktivinoda Thakur, who is sometimes also referred to as the seventh Goswami, is an eternal associate of the Supreme Lord. His contribution to the Brahma-Madhva Gaudiya Sampradaya is invaluable. At a time when the science of pure devotional service (Bhakti) had almost become lost due to the cultural and religious chauvinism of the ruling British, and the essence of Vaishnavism largely discredited due to the perverted actions and lifestyles of a few non bonafide Vaishnava sects, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur was largely responsible for rescuing and unearthing the timeless teachings of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. In Fact it was he who ,after conducting a painstaking research, had rediscovered the long lost birthsite of Sri Gaurasundara (refer – ‘YogPeeth, Mayapur, Navadvipa – The birthplace of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’). Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur, was not only a magistrate, but also a renowned and recognised scholar in his days, with vast knowledge in english,bengali,hindi,oriya and sanskrit.He was also a member of the royal asiatic society of London. Such was the degraded state of affairs during those days, that Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur could not find a bonafide copy of Sri Caitanya Caritamrta, the most important literature for understanding Lord Caitanya’s life and teachings, anywhere. It was only after several enquiries and a long wait, that he received a copy of this book. He subsequently published it along with his commentaries (Amrta-pravaha-bhasya). Likewise, he was instrumental in unearthing several ancient manuscripts like Caitanyopanishad ( portion of Atharva Veda) ,Sri Krishna Vijaya, etc. ‘The Gaudiya Treasures of Bengal’ considers itself an insignificant servant of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur, whose causeless mercy has enabled us fools to get a glimpse of his elevated stature and pen a few lines in his glorification.

“What one attains by travelling to all the holy places is attained just by remembering the transcendental abode of Navadvipa” –
Navadvipa Dham Mahatmya

Katwa & Srikhanda Vaishnava acharyas

Narahari Sarkar, Mukunda Das & Raghunandana | Great Vaishnavas of Srikhanda

Post author By gaudiya
Post date January 9, 2018

srikhanda narahari sarkar mukunda Raghunandana

Jai Narahari Sarkar ! Jai Mukunda das ! Jai Raghunandana ! Jai Ciranjiva and Sulochana !

O ! The residents of Srikhanda, there is no limit to your great fortune ! Srikhanda, whose glories are sung all over the three worlds, whose dust the demigods hanker to smear over their bodies , is so easily accessible to you. You are amongst the chosen few who ,having being immensely blessed by Sri Krishna Caitanya, are able to take birth in this sacred land.

khandavasi mukunda das, sri Raghunandana
Narahari das, ciranjiva, sulocana
ei saba mahasakha — caitanya-kripadhama
Prema phala phula kare yahan tahan daana
(Sri Caitanya caritamrta, Adi,10.78-79)

Sri Krishnadasa Kaviraja here reveals, the noble lineage of the residents of SriKhanda (Khandavasis). They belong to the land of the most worshipable intimate associates of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Sri Narahari Sarkar Thakura (40th branch of Mahaprabhu’s desire tree of devotional service), Sri Mukunda das (the 39th branch) and his son Raghunandana (manifestation of Pradyumna), Sri Ciranjiva (41st branch) and Sulocana(42nd branch) ,all of them have mercifully appeared and manifested their exalted pastimes here at this sacred place.

‘The Gaudiya Treasures of Bengal’ considers itself greatly fortunate to have been able to enter and serve this cintamani (wish fulfilling) dham.

Gaura amara, je-saba sthane,
koralo bhramana range
Se saba sthana, heribo ami,
Pranayi-bhakata-sange

May I visit and constantly contemplate upon all those places where Lord Caitanya performed His sweet pastimes along with His intimate associates.

We seek the blessings and compassion of the fortunate residents of Srikhanda, before attempting to narrate some of its heart-rending pastimes. The readers are here requested to excuse any of our unintentional mistakes ,as we are mere fools ,who, not knowing our limits, are trying to delve deep into this esoteric well, to excavate the mesmerizing jewels that adorn the devotees of Sri Gaurasundara.