Srila Jagannatha Das Babaji - Sri Rasikananda

[Guest guest]

Srila Jagannatha Das Babaji - Disappearance

Sri Rasikananda - Disappearance

 

---------------

 

Srila Jagannatha Dasa Babaji .

 

Srila Jagannatha dasa Babaji Maharaja was respected by all the Vaisnava

community and was thus known as Vaisnava Sarvabhauma, or chief amongst the

Vaisnavas. There are some nice stories connecting him with the finding of

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's birthplace recorded in Sri Navadwipa Dhama

Mahatmya.

Srila Jagannatha dasa Babaji Maharaja was born around the year 1800 AD. He

spent many years in Vrndavana where he became famous as a perfect devotee,

though more than this is not known of his early years and pastimes. What we

do know, however, is that he was particularly enthusiastic in serving the

Lord's devotees and performing 'kirtan'. In later life his servant, Bihari

Lal, used to carry him on his shoulders in a basket, though when he would

hear a 'kirtan' or himself be engaged in 'kirtan', his body would extend

itself out of the basket like a beautiful banyan tree and he would loudly

shout, "Nitai ki nam eneche re! Nitai, ki nam diteche re!O Lord

Nityananda, what a wonderful name you have brought! O Nitai, what a

wonderful name you have given!"

The stories which I will now relate are at the time when he was more than

120 years old. Living in a tent at Sri Navadwipa with Bihari Lal, his

servant, he would eat 'prasadam' from a large brass plate which someone had

given as a donation. A litter of puppies which had taken birth nearby began

to come and eat off Jagannatha dasa Babaji Maharaja's plate, but he did not

object. After a few days however, Bihari Lal saw what was happening, and

disgusted to see the dogs eat from his 'gurus' plate, he drove them away.

Jagannatha dasa Babaji chastised Bihari Lal angrily saying, "If the dogs

can't eat I won't eat!" His servant had to search out and bring back the

puppies, and as they joined Babaji Maharaja again over his plate he

exclaimed, "All glories to the 'dhama' dogs!" Thus he always displayed his

great respect for all the residents of the holy 'dhamas'. On another

occasion he had his servant purchase two hundred rupees worth of 'rasagulas'

and instructed him, "Feed them to all the 'dhamas' cows, but don't give one

to those rascal 'sahajiya babajis' (pretenders)."

 

Srila Jagannath dasa Babaji Maharaj was such a great devotee that the famous

Bhaktivinoda Thakura (Kedarnath Datta) called him the commanding chief of

the devotees. When Srila Bhaktivinoda was looking for the actual place where

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's birthplace was, he asked Jagannatha dasa Babaji

Maharaja to go with him. During the many changes in the course of flow of

the mighty Ganges River, some parts of the sacred 'dhama' of Navadwipa (nine

islands) had changed. The Ganges had revealed old and lost places and

reclaimed new ones. To his surprise Bhaktivinoda Thakura discovered that the

modern day city called Navadwipa was not more than 100 years old and

therefore wasn't the Navadwipa of Sri Caitanya. Some said the birth site was

on a place now in the Ganges, while some said it was in the city of

Navadwipa. Dissatisfied, Bhaktivinoda pushed on looking. He found some

antiquarian maps and government records, and authentic books written at the

time of Lord Caitanya, all of which agreed that Mayapur Navadwipa Dhama is

situated on the east bank of the Ganges. To Bhaktivinoda's amazement he

found several large mounds covered with sacred Tulasi plants on land owned

by Mohammedans. It was shrouded with local rumours of strange lights and

sounds, so the owner, believing it to be haunted, would not go there. Many

old babajis of the time, however, believed this to be the actual birthplace

of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Convinced it was true, Bhaktivinoda, inspired by

Jagannatha dasa Babaji, went there to the spot, with Jagannatha dasa Babaji

being carried in his basket.

Due to his old age, Srila Jagannatha dasa Babaji couldn't open his eyes,

but had to forcibly open them with his fingers, what to speak of walk. If he

went anywhere he was carried in his basket by Bihari Lal, but upon arriving

at the transcendental site, he leapt out of the basket and danced in ecstasy

shouting, "Haribol!" and "Gauranga!", definitely establishing it to be the

very same birthplace of Lord Caitanya.

 

gauravirbhava bhumes twam nirdesta sajjana priyah

vaisnava sarvabhauma sri jagannathaya te namah

 

"I offer my respectful obeisances unto Sri Jagannatha dasa Babaji Maharaja,

who is respected by the entire Vaisnava community and who discovered the

place where Lord Caitanya appeared."

 

---------

 

SRI RASKIKANANDA DEVA GOSVAMI

 

In the Christian year 1590 (Sakabda 1512), on the first day of the bright

fortnight of the month of Kartik, during the night of the festival

Dipamalika, when the houses are decorated with rows of lamps, Sri

Rasikananda Deva made his appearance in this world. His father was Sri

Acyuta Deva, the king of Rohini. After passing many years without having a

male issue, Sri Acyuta Deva, by the mercy of Sri Jagadisa (Jagannath), was

blessed with this jewel of a son. The village of Rohini or Royni was

situated within the country known as Mallabhumi, encompassed on one side by

the Suvarnarekha River (Suvarna meaning golden and rekha, a line). This

Suvarnarekha River cleansed the sins of all the local people. Near Royni was

another village of the name Barayita, by the side of which flowed the

Dolanganadi River, whose banks were adorned with beautiful gardens. Raja

Acyuta Deva very affectionately maintained his subjects and was famous for

impeccably observing the rites attendant upon kings. In the village of Royni

the son of King Acyuta appeared as the sun appears in the eastern sky and

became dearly beloved by the people. He was known as Rasikananda and also

Murari. As he grew up, shining qualities appeared by degrees in his person

that caused the further exaltation of his family, just as the waxing moon

gradually expands its influence in the night sky and causes the sea to rise.

At a very young age he became quite proficient in all of the scriptures. He

was very devoted to his parents, especially his mother, whose name was

Bhavani. His father married him at very young age. Murari's wife Syamadasi

was a mine of good character who hailed from the village of Ghonta Sila, not

far from Royni on the banks of the Suvarna Rekha, where in days of old the

Pandavas had lived in exile. One day, Murari was sitting in a lonely place,

wondering when and where he might become so fortunate as to get shelter at

the lotus feet of a spiritual preceptor. Just then a voice from the sky

addressed him, "Don't be in anxiety, you will become the disciple of Sri

Syamananda." Having heard this proclamation, Rasik Murari became very

jubilant, and began to repeatedly murmur the name Syamananda, as though

chanting japa. From moment to moment his eagerness increased without

diminition, as tears flowed from his eyes by his chanting of the name of

Syamananda. He was in such a state that he spend most of the night

sleeplessly, calling to his master Syamananda. Finally, towards the early

morning, he drifted off to the land of dreams, where he saw his spiritual

master, the very figure of charm and grace. Smilingly, Syamananda informed

him, "When tomorrow the eastern sky becomes tinged with pink, you will

obtain me." Saying this, Syamananda disappeared. Rasikananda's heart began

to swell in ecstatic bliss. Then, with the first rays of morning which

dispel the dense darkness of the world, the wise Murari sat silently

watching the path. After some time Syamananda approached from the distance,

looking as beautifully effulgent as the sun and surrounded by his disciples

like Sri Kishora dasa and others. His smiling face was like the lotus

flower that opens to greet its friend the sun, and his chest was as broad as

a door. His captivating appearance was made all the more irresistable by the

sweet sounds of 'Sri Krsna Caitanya-Nityananda' emanating from his lotus

mouth. Absorbed in intense love he moved along the path like the clouds move

in the sky. When Rasika caught sight of this divine form, he fell down in

front of him to touch his lotus feet. In great ecstasy Shyamananda embraced

him and began to bathe him with his tears of ecstatic love. Sri Rasika

Murari then felt himself to be one of the most fortunate living beings

within this universe. On an auspicious day Syamananda initiated Rasika and

his wife in Radha-Krsna mantra. After that, Rasikananda began to travel with

his guru, during which time he became a very intimate disciple. Syamananda

then bestowed upon him the service of Sri Radha- Govinda Deva at Sri

Gopiballabhapur. Rasikananda became totally engaged in their Lordships

service, and the devotees were charmed by his excellent services. At

Gopiballabhpur and other places he began to seriously take up the preaching

of the message of Sri Gaura-Nityananda. By his influence many atheists and

unbelievers were transformed into devotees of Sri Gaura-Nityananda. "By the

tremendous influence of Rasikananda's preaching, many rogues, robbers and

atheists were delivered from their sinful activities and received his mercy.

He distributed the jewel of devotion even to the infidel Mohammedans, as he

travelled from village to village, in the company of his disciples. He even

converted the wild elephant which was sent for his destruction into his

disciple and engaged him in the service of Krsna and the Vaisnavas. That

wicked miscreant who sent the elephant, a Mohammedan, bowed at his feet when

he realised his mistake. It is not possible to count the number of living

entities that were extricated from the ocean of material existence by

Rasikananda Deva's association. He was always intoxicated with the chanting

of the Holy Name. Who cannot but be overwhelmed by hearing about his

uncommon qualities?" [b.R. 15.86] By Sri Rasikananda's mercy many

Mohammedans, who were actually just impious and wicked atheists, became

worshipers of the Supreme Lord. Also many virtuous kings and zamindars such

as the king of Mayurbhanj named Vaidyanatha Bhanj, the king of Patashpur

known as Gajapati and Candrabhanu, the king of Moyna, took shelter at his

lotus feet. What to speak of those pious and noble gentlemen, even the

sinful zamindar Bhima, the Mohammedan Suba Ahmadbeg and the wicked atheist

Srikar also surrendered themselves at his lotus feet. A vicious, wild

elephant was tamed by Rasikananda's transcendental influence and

henceforward was known as Gopala das. Later, two jungle tigers likewise gave

up their ferocious nature. Accepting the order of his guru, Sri Syamananda,

on his head, Rasikananda preached the message of Sri Gaursundar in the world

for approximately 16 years. Thereafter he entered into his eternal pastimes

through the lotus feet of Gopinatha at Remuna. On the first day of the

bright fortnight in the month of Phalguna, Sakabda 1574 (Christian year

1652), Rasikananda quietly slipped out of the village Santa without anyone's

notice and walked to Remuna. Arriving there, he discussed Krsna-katha with

the devotees there for a while and instructed everyone to serve Sri Krsna

with devotion. Then, after requesting them to begin sankirtana, he entered

the temple of Sri Gopinatha, and after touching Kshira-chora Gopinatha's

lotus feet, which bestow complete fearlessness, he entered into their

ultimate shelter.

 

Rasikananda prabhu’s samadhi is at the Temple of Kshira-chora Gopinath at

Remuna just in front and to the right as you go in the main gate, with the

temple to the left, and admin’ offices straight ahead.

 

Sri Rasikananda had three sons: Sri Radhananda, Sri Krsna-Govinda and Sri

Radha-Krsna. The present servants of Sri Sri Radha-Govindadeva at

Gopiballabhapur are their descendents. He composed Sri Shyamananda-sataka,

Srimad Bhagavatastaka as well as other hymns and songs. His Sripat

Gopiballabhpur can be reached from Calcutta by taking a train to Khavagpur,

and a bus to Gopiballabhpur from there. There is also a temple of

Rasikananda at Puri. One year, during Lord Jagannatha's Ratha-yatra

festival, Rasikananda Deva was preaching somewhere in the country, but when

he realised that it was time for Ratha-yatra he dropped everything and

rushed like the wind in order to come to Nilacala in time for the festival.

But in the meantime the festival had already begun. Lord Jagannath, Who

felt reciprocal separation from His dear devotee Rasikananda, caused the

Rath to stop. Though the king summoned his elephants to push the Ratha,

under no circumstances could they budge it, not even an inch. Then Lord

Jagannatha, seeing that the king was becoming frustrated, informed him that

he was waiting for His devotee Rasika. Finally Rasikananda Deva arrived,

carrying with him many offerings of silk clothes and other presents. He fell

down to offer his dandavats before Lord Jagannatha, and the king requested

him to pull the rope at which the cart began to easily move along the road,

just as the clouds move in the sky. Later the king requested Rasikananda to

accept a gift of land so he might establish a temple there. Rasikananda

requested the place known as Fultota Math, which is now known as Kunja Math.

There he installed the Deity of Sri Bat Krsna. The Deity is now known as

Sri Sri Radha-Rasika Raya.