Simantadvip

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Sri Ganga-nagara, Prthu-kunda, Simantadvipa, Saradanga, Visrama-

sthana

http://www.bvml.org/SBTP/SNM/simanta1.html

 

 

All glories to Sri Caitanya, the son of mother Saci! All glories to

Nityananda, the life of Jahnava! All glories to Advaita, the husband

of Sita. All glories to Gadadhara! And all glories to Gauranga's

associates headed by Srivasa!

Early the next morning, Nityananda went out with Srivasa and Sri

Jiva. Rama Dasa and other devotees joined as they continued on,

performing sankirtana all the while. When they came to the very edge

of Antardvipa, Nityananda pointed out Ganga-nagara to Jiva.

 

"Listen, Jiva, this Ganga-nagara was founded by Bhagiratha of the

Raghu family. When the Ganges came down, King Bhagiratha led the

way, blowing a conch shell. But when the Ganges arrived at Navadvipa-

dhama, she stopped and would not proceed. Bhagiratha saw this and

became fearful. Retracing his steps, he came towards the Ganges. At

this place, Ganga-nagara, he began to perform austerities. Satisfied

with this, Gangadcvi personally appeared before him.

 

"Bhagiratha said, 'Mother Ganges, if you do not proceed on, my

forefathers will never be delivered.'

 

"Gangadevi said, 'Listen dear child, Bhagiratha. Just stay here

patiently for a few days. Now we are in Navadvipa, and Magha month

is coming. At the end of Phalguna month I will go to deliver your

forefathers. O Bhagiratha, my waters emanate from the lotus feet of

the Supreme Lord, so now here in His own dhama I would like to have

my desires fulfilled. On the Phalguna Purnima, the birthday of the

Lord, my vow will be completed. Then certainly I will go with you.

Do not fear.' Thus Bhagiratha, the leader of the Raghu family,

stayed here in Ganga-nagara until the Phalguna Purnima.

 

"On the Phalguna Purnima, one who fasts, takes bath in the Ganges

here, and worships Gauranga will cross over the material ocean along

with his ancestors. Along with one thousand ancestors, he attains

Goloka after death no matter where he dies.

 

"O Jiva, this place is unlimitedly glorious because Sri Caitanya

danced here many times. Also see here the houses of Gangadasa and

Sanjaya Dasa, which are always pleasing.

 

"O learned one, now hear the glories of this beautiful pond to the

east. Although it is now known as Ballal-dighi, it was variously

described in Satya-yuga. At that time, Prthu Maharaja was leveling

the rough places of the earth by cutting down the hills. As he began

leveling this area, a great effulgence came forth. When the workers

told this to Prthu Maharaja, he came to see the phenomenon. As he

was a Saktyavesa-avatara, an empowered incarnation, by meditation he

understood that this place was Navadvipa. He kept the glories of

this place secret at that time and ordered that a kunda be

established there. This kunda thus became celebrated as Prthu-kunda

throughout Navadvipa-dhama. The villagers felt indescribable bliss

on drinking the pure water of this kunda.

 

"Later, King Laksmana Sena dug out the kunda and made it bigger and

deeper. Desiring to deliver his forefathers, he named it Ballal-

dighi [after his father, Ballal Sena]. See that beautiful hill.

Laksmana Sena's house, now broken with the passing of time, once

stood there.

 

"All these places are ornaments of Navadvipa which various kings

established to gain pious credits. Later, the yavana kings

desecrated this place, therefore the devotees no longer worship

here. The earth itself is very pure, but no one lives here due to

fear of the impure yavana's association. Because a great offense was

committed to the Deity of the Lord, the devotees gave up this

place ."

 

Saying this, Nityananda Prabhu roared loudly and went on to nearby

Simuliya. He then described that place to Jiva, "Know this to be

Simantadvipa. Saints know Simantadvipa to be on the border of

Navadvipa on the south bank of the Ganges. In time, the Ganges will

devour all but one sacred portion, named Simuliya, where

materialistic people will worship Parvati. Listen to the story.

 

 

"One time during Satya-yuga, Lord Siva began madly dancing, while

chanting the name of Gauranga. Parvati asked him, 'Please tell me

who is Gauranga. By seeing your astonishing dance and hearing the

name of Gauranga, my heart is melting. All that I have heard in the

way of mantra and tantra till now only leads to more entanglement

for the living entities. Dear husband, please tell me something of

this Gauranga. By worshipping Him will I receive actual life?'

 

Hearing Parvati's words, Siva meditated on Gauranga and said, 'Unto

you, who are the primordial energy, one portion of Sri Radha, I will

tell the crest-jewel of all truths. Accepting the spiritual emotions

of Sri Radha, Krsna will descend in this Kali yuga at Mayapur in the

womb of Saci. Lord Gauranga, intoxicated with pastimes of kirtana,

will distribute the jewel of prema to everyone without

discrimination. Whoever does not drown in that flood of prema is

most unfortunate. O Devi, just by remembering the Lord's promise

that He will come, I pass my life drowning in love of God. Being

unable to control myself, I have given up my own city of Kasi.

Within Mayapur, on the bank of the Ganges, I will live in a hut and

worship Gauranga.

 

"Hearing Siva's words, beautiful Parvati quickly went to

Simantadvipa. As she constantly meditated on the form of Gauranga

and chanted His name, she became immersed in prema. After some time,

Gauracandra appeared with His associates to bestow mercy on Parvati.

His complexion was like molten gold. He had long arms, wavy hair,

and beautiful limbs. He was wearing a long dhoti folded thrice, and

from His neck swung a garland of flowers, which was very attractive

to behold. In a voice choked with love, Gaura Raya said, 'O Parvati,

why have you come here?'

 

"Parvati fell at the lotus feet of the master of the universe and

with an agitated mind explained her sorrow: 'O Prabhu Jagannatha,

life of the universe, though You are merciful to all, You have

deceived me. O deliverer of the fallen, You have appointed me to

bind up all the living entities in the material world who are averse

to You. I have come into the material world to do this work, and

have thus been cheated of Your unlimited prema. People say that

wherever Krsna is there is no Maya. I am therefore forced to always

remain outside Your spiritual realm, in the material world. So how

will I ever see Your pastimes? If You do not offer a way, I am

without hope.'

 

"Saying this, Parvati put Gauranga's foot dust on her simanta (part

in the hair) in great distress. From that, the name of Simantadvipa

came. Ignorant people call the place Simuliya.

 

"Gauracandra was pleased, and He said to Parvati, 'O supreme

goddess, listen carefully to My words. You are My energy, you are

not separate or different from Me. My one energy has two forms.

Within the spiritual kingdom, My original energy has one form as Sri

Radha, but for carrying out activities in the material world She has

expanded Herself as you. Without you, My lila could not be

accomplished, for in the form of Yogamaya, you are necessary in My

pastimes. In Vraja, you are eternally present as Paurnamasi, and in

Navadvipa you are present as Praudha Maya along with Ksetrapala

Siva, guardian of the dhama.

 

"Saying this, Gauranga disappeared, and Parvati became overwhelmed

with love. Parvati stays in one form as the goddess of Simantadvipa,

and in another form as Praudha Maya in Mayapur."