Nityananda Trayodasi: Appearance day of Sri Nityananda Prabhu

[Guest guest]

Nityananda Trayodasi: Appearance day of Sri Nityananda Prabhu

 

 

Some nectar about Lord Nityananda in brief:

 

Lord Nityananda is the eternal associate of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the Supreme

Personality of Godhead. Rarely is the name Nimai (Caitanya Mahaprabhu) taken

without that of Nitai (Lord Nityananda). Mahaprabhu cannot be approached or

understood without the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu, who is the cardinal guru

of all the universes and serves as an intermediary between Mahaprabhu and

His devotees. He is the Lord's active principle in both creation and lila.

He is the second body of the Lord, manifesting as Balaram to Sri Krishna,

Lakshman to Sri Ram and Nityananda Prabhu to Caitanya Mahaprabhu. All other

forms and expansions of the Lord emanate from this second body. Nityananda

Prabhu is thus the source of Sankarshan, all the Vishu's, and Ananta Sesa.

As Vishnu tattva He and Advaita Acarya are worshipped in the same category

as Caitanya Mahaprabhu. In the manifested earthly lila, Nityananda Prabhu is

senior to Caitanya Mahaprabhu by more than a decade. He is statuesque, like

His Ma!

ster, with the whitish complexion of Lord Balarama. His garments resemble a

cluster of blue lotus flowers and His effulgence is said to surpass the

grandeur of a rising moon at sunset. He has a deep melodious voice, constant

singing the glories of Sri Krishna and carries a red stick with benedictions

for the devotees, but feared by the demoniac. He has the carefree mood of a

wild avadhuta, so absorbed is He in the love of Godhead, and no one knows

what He will do next.

 

Nityananda Prabhu was born in Ekacakra, a small village in present West

Bengal, around the year 1474. His birthsite is commemorated by a temple

named Garbhasva and is visited by throngs of pilgrims today. His father,

Hadai Ojha and mother Padmavati, were pious Brahmans originally from

Mithila. Nityananda Prabhu was born on the auspicious thirteenth day of the

bright fortnight of the month of Maga. As a child, Nitai (as Nityananda

Prabhu was called), loved to enact the pastimes of Sri Krishna or Lord Rama.

He did this so authoritatively and with such rapture, that the entire

village would be immersed in the love of Godhead.

 

Nitai's favorite part was that of Lakshman, and He enacted it with so many

apparently authentic scenes not described in the Ramayana, that people would

wonder if He was making it up or actually relishing His own pastimes. The

village of Ekacakra was completely absorbed in the love of little Nitai,

where He spend the first 12 years of his earthly life. In the 13th year, a

travelling sannyasi, said to be the famous Lakshmipati Tirtha, enchanted by

Nitai"s devotion and service, requested Nitai from his parents, as a

travelling companion. His parents, bound by Vedic culture, could not refuse

the request of a guest and reluctantly parted with Nitai. However,

devastated by the separation with Nitai, that Hadai Pandit soon gave up his

life.

 

Nitai traveled with Lakshmipati Tirtha for about 20 years, during which He

visited all the holy places in the country, reminiscent of the manner that

Balarama traveled while the battle at Kurukshetra raged on. Nitai is said to

be later on initiated by Lakshmipati Tirtha. He also associated with another

of Lakshmipati Tirtha's famous disciple, Madhavendra Puri, who although his

godbrother, was revered by Nitai was as a spiritual master. Madhavendra Puri

is famous for establishing the sweet truth of Madhurya-rasa which later

become an integral part of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Among the other disciples of

Madhavendra Puri is Advaita Acarya, and Isavara Puri (the spiritual master

of Caitanya Mahaprabhu).

 

Nityananda Prabhu met Caitanya Mahaprabhu in 1506, when He was 32 years old

and the Lord 20 years. It is said that when Nityananda Prabhu reached the

land of Nadia, He hid in the house of Nandanacarya, to heighten the ecstasy

of meeting through separation. Caitanya Mahaprabhu aware of the arrival of

His eternal associate dispatched Haridas Thakur and Srivas Pandit to search

out Nitai, but they failed. Finally unable to bear the separation any

longer, Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself went directly to Nityananda Prabhu and

the ecstasy of the meeting was so transcendental that every one witnessing

it were awed by the sublime experience. A temple called Sri Gaura-Nityananda

commemorates this meeting place in Nadia.

 

Nityananda Prabhu in His role as the original spiritual master, was

instrumental in spreading the yuga dharma of sankritana all over the Gaudia

desh (Bengal, Orrisa). His mercy knew no bounds, and people fortunate to

come in contact with Him were inundated with the love of Godhead. It was by

His mercy that Raghunatha dasa, one of the six Goswamis started the famous

Danda Mahotsava festival of Panihatti, a tradition that continues to this

day, and was thus able to serve Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He extended His mercy

to even fallen souls like Jagai and Madhai, delivering them from the sinful

lives and protecting them from the wrath of even Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Indeed

His mercy knew no bounds, and fortunate were the people who tasted the

nectar of His instructions.

 

When Nityananda Prabhu returned to Bengal at the request of Caitanya

Mahaprabhu, His decided to abandon His avadhuta status and become a

grahastha (householder). He married Jahnava devi and Vasudha, the two

daughters of Suryadasa Sarakhel, who the brother of Gauridasa Pandit (an

intimate associate of Caitanya Mahaprabhu and the spiritual master of the

famous Shyamananda Pandit). Nityananda Prabhu had a son (Virchandara) and a

daughter (Gangadevi) from Vasudha. Soon after Vasudha passed away and

Jahanva devi looked after the children. She later initiated Virchandra, and

also became an instructing spiritual master to the likes of Shyamananda

Pandit, Shrivasa Pandit and Narottama dasa Thakur. Jahnava devi is revered

as a Vaishnavi and she established the pre-eminent positon of women in the

Vaishanava tradition.

 

Lord Nityananda wound up His earthly pastimes, by merging into the deity of

Krishna, known as Bankim Ray, not far from Ekacakra. Vaishanava acaryas

emphatically state that people who try to understand Caitanya Mahaprabhu

without getting the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu will never succeed. and one

must pray very sincerely to Lord Nityananda Prabhu as the adi-guru (original

spiritual master) to be delivered to the Lotus feet of Sri Caitanya

Mahaprabhu. The presence of Nityananada Prabhu is always felt in the

presence of one's own guru, for the guru is considered to be the living

manifestation of Nityananda Prabhu's love and mercy, and his sakti (power)

is what gives the disciple the ability to perform devotional service and

experience spiritual bliss.

 

(This article is courtesy of iskcon.org)

 

---------

 

SRI NITYANANDASTAKA

 

by Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura

(Translated by Kusakratha dasa)

 

 

TEXT 1

 

sarac-candra-bhrantim sphurad-amala-kantim gaja-gatim

hari-premonmattam dhrta-parama-sattvam smita-mukham

sadaghurnan-netram kara-kalita-vetram kali-bhidam

bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi

 

I worship Lord Nityananda, the limitless root of the tree of

devotional service. As He walks with the grace of a majestic elephant, His

pure, splendid beauty shines like the full autumn moon. Though He Himself is

the Absolute Truth, He is maddened with pure love for Lord Hari. He smiles

as He rolls His eyes in apparent intoxication, He carries a stick in His

hand [in the mood of a cowherd boy], and He breaks the power of the Age of

Kali.

 

TEXT 2

 

rasanam agaram svajana-gana-sarvasvam atulam

tadiyaika-prana-pramita-vasudha-jahnava-patim

sada-premonmadam param aviditam manda-manasam

bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi

 

I worship Lord Nityananda, the limitless root of the tree of

devotional service. He is the abode of the mellows of devotional service,

and no one can be compared to Him. He is the be-all and end-all for His

devotees, and the husband of Vasudha and Jahnava, to whom He is more dear

than life itself. Because He is always maddened with pure love for Krsna,

the foolish nondevotees cannot understand that He is the Supreme Personality

of Godhead Himself.

 

TEXT 3

 

saci-sunu-prestham nikhila-jagad-istam sukha-mayam

kalau majjaj-jivoddharana-karanoddama-karunam

harer akhyanad va bhava-jaladhi-garvonnati-haram

bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi

 

I worship Lord Nityananda, the limitless root of the tree of

devotional service. He is very dear to the son of Saci-devi and is worshiped

by the entire universe. Out of His great mercy He chants the holy name of

Lord Hari, thus rescuing the souls drowning in the age of Kali and crushing

the pride of the ocean of repeated birth and death.

 

TEXT 4

 

aye bhratar ninam kali-kalusinam kim nu bhavita

tatha prayascittam racaya yad-anayasata ime

vrajanti tvam ittham saha bhagavata mantrayati yo

bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi

 

I worship Lord Nityananda, the limitless root of the tree of

devotional service. He said to Lord Caitanya, "O brother, the people are all

becoming infected by the sins of Kali-yuga. How will they atone for these

sins? Please give them a way to easily approach You."

 

TEXT 5

 

yathestham re bhratah kuru hari-hari-dhvanam aniSam

tato vah samsarambudhi-tarana-dayo mayi laget

idam bahu-sphotair atati ratayan yah pratigrham

bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi

 

I worship Lord Nityananda, the limitless root of the tree of

devotional service. He went to each house in Bengal and, raising His arms,

said, " O brother, if you will, please constantly chant athe holy name of

Lord Hari. If you do this, you will become free from the ocean of repeated a

death. Please give Me this gift of your liberation."

 

TEXT 6

 

balat samsarambhonidhi-harana-kumbhodbhavam aho

satam sreyah-sindhunnati-kumuda-bandhum samuditam

khala-sreni-sphurjit-timira-hara-surya-prabham aham

bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi

 

I worship Lord Nityananda, the limitless root of the tree of

devotional service. He is the Agastya Muni who forcibly swallows the ocean

of repated death. He is a rising full moon (friend of the night-blooming

lotus) who expands the ocean of the saintly devotees' good fortune. He is

the blazing sun who extinguishes the darkness of the community of demons.

 

TEXT 7

 

natantam gayantam harim anuvadantam pathi pathi

vrajantam pasyantam svam api na dayantam jana-ganam

prakurvantam santam sa-karuna-drg-antam prakalanad

bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi

 

I worship Lord Nityananda, the limitless root of the tree of

devotional service. He traveled on every path, dancing, singing the names of

Lord Hari, and describing His glories. Without considering His own

interests, He was merciful to the people, and He cast upon them His

merciful sidelong glance.

 

TEXT 8

 

su-bibhranam bhratuh kara-sarasijam komalataram

mitho vaktralokocchalita-paramananda-hrdayam

bhramantam madhuryair ahaha madayantam pura-janan

bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi

 

I worship Lord Nityananda, the limitless root of the tree of

devotional service. He fondly grasped His brother Lord Caitanya's soft and

beautiful lotus hand, and together they wandered here and there, delighting

the townspeople with Their sweet beauty. They both became filled with bliss

when They gazed upon each other's lotus faces.

 

TEXT 9

 

rasanam adharam rasika-vara-sad-vaisnava-dhanam

rasagaram saram patita-tati-taram smaranatah

param nityanandastakam idam apurvam pathati yah

tad-anghri-dvandvabjam sphuratu nitaram tasya hrdaye

 

These eight verses glorifying Lord Nityananda are the abode of the

mellows of devotional service, and they are the wealth of the pure devotees

expert at relishing those mellows. All the fallen, conditioned souls can get

liberation just by remembering them. These verses are very excellent,

transcendental, and unprecedented. May the two lotus feet of Lord Nityananda

appear eternally in the hearts of those who read these verses and remember

the Lord.

 

------

February 14th, 2003, Friday (Trayodasi)

Nityananda Trayodasi: Appearance day of Sri Nityananda Prabhu

 

 

 

>From Srila Dhyanacandra Gosvami's

"Sri Gaura-Govindarcana-Smarana-Paddhati"

 

(21)

 

SRI NITYANANDA PRANAMA:

 

nityanandam aham vande

karne lambita-mauktikam

caitanyagraja-rupena

pavitri-krita-bhutalam

 

I offer my humble obeisance unto Sri Nityananda Prabhu, who has a

single pearl dangling from one of His ears. He is the elder brother of Sri

Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and the purifier of the earth.

 

* * *

 

(50)

 

SRI NITYANANDA DHYANA:

 

kanjarendra-vinindi-sundara-gatim shri-padam indivara-

shreni-shyama-sad-ambaram tanu-ruca sandhyendu-sammardakam

premodghurna-sukanja-khanjana-mada-jin-netra-hasyananam

nityanandam aham smarami satatam bhushojjvalanga-shriyam

 

Let me always remember that brightly smiling face of Sri Nityananda

Prabhu, whose beautiful movement ridicules the graceful gait of an elephant.

His cloth resembles a cluster of blue lotus flowers and His bodily

effulgence conquers the splendor of the rising moon at sunset. His

prema-saturated rolling eyes defeat the pride of a restless khanjana bird

(wagtail).

 

* * *

 

(72)

 

SRI NITYANANDA MANTRA:

klim deva-jahnavi-vallabhaya svaha

 

SRI NITYANANDA DHYANA GAYATRI:

klim nityanandaya vidmahe sankarshanaya dhimahi tan no balah pracodayat

 

--

 

 

NITAI MORA JIVANA

"Lord Nityananda, the Wealth of My Life"

(by Srila Locana dasa Thakura)

 

1)

nitai mora jivana dhana nitai mora pati

nitai bihane mora ana nahi gati

 

O my Lord Nityananda, wealth of my life! O my master Nitai!

I have no other means of deliverance except the mercy of Nitai!

 

2)

samsara sukhera mukhe tuilya dia chai

nagare magiya khaba gahiya nitai

 

Leaving behind all worldly pleasures,

I want to reduce the happiness of family life to ashes.

Like a mendicant I shall live begging in town

and glorifying the holy names of Lord Nitai.

 

3)

ye dese mora nitai nai sei dehe na yaba

nitai vihina kara mukha na dekhiba

 

Places where Lord Nityananda is not present I will not enter.

At peoples faces I wish not to look. Only Nitai I want to see.

 

4)

ganga yara pada jala harasire dhara

hena nitai na bhajiya dukha paiya mare

 

The water of the Ganga has emanated from His lotus feet

and Lord Siva has accepted it on his head.

In great distress the non-devotees give up their lives

without worshipping Lord Nityananda.

 

5)

locana bale mora nitai yeba nahi mane

anala bhejai tara majha mukha kane

 

Locana dasa says, "I will light a fire in the mouths of those who do not

worship my Lord Nityananda."