The Appearance of Srila Rasikananda-deva Nov 16th'2001

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The Appearance of Srila Rasikananda-deva Nov 16th'2001

 

>From Rasika-mangala by Srila Gopijanavallabha Prabhu.

 

The whole file of Rasika-mangala is attached for furthur nectar.

 

All Glories to the most auspicious appearance of the most intiimate

associate of the Lord, Srila Rasikananda-deva!

 

Third Wave

 

1 Glory to Syamananda who is the abode of all good qualities. May he

favour me so that I can sing his glories and these of Rasikadeva. In this

Rasika mangala, which is in four parts, I shall explain the purpose of Sri

Caitanya's sending him to deliver Utkala. The dwellers of Utkala were full

of sin and never cared for Harinama or to hear the glories of Lord Hari. In

Utkala, the King and all his subjects, being greedy for wealth and

intoxicated by liquor, were accustomed to killing animals, and even brahmins

and Vaisnavas. They worshipped many deities except for Sri Hari. Because of

their offenses against the Vaisnavas, Lakshmi left this place and in their

poverty they blamed any Vaisnava who came there as a thief and chased him

from the town. The devotees who remained there always prayed that the Lord

would send one of His servants to give the people love and devotion and

destroy their sins. Being moved by the appeal of His devotees the Lord, who

is always kind to His devotees, sent forth the son of Acyuta.

 

Now I shall describe the history of the birth of Rasika which took place in

Utkala. Mallabhumna was a place in this country and in it there was the

beautiful city of Rohini. This city was as large as Kataka and stood on the

banks of the Suvarnarekha. There was another river called Dolanga whose

water was just like the Ganges and nearby was Varajita which was a place

where Rama, Sita and Laksmana had taken rest. Where the Suvarnarekha ran to

the north were twelve Siva Lingas which had been worshipped by the moon of

the Raghu dynasty. Many people would come and collect water at this holy

place. Rohini was surrounded by such illustrious places and sacred rivers.

The area was full of mango groves and jackfruit trees. and there were also

orange, pomegranate and lime trees in abundance. There were many Pandava

trees in those forests along with beautiful banana groves. These forests

were so enchanting that even the demigods were in the habit of roaming here.

There were plentiful harvests of rice, betel leaves and oter such valuable

items and there was no lack of wells or ponds or meadows. In the centre of

the city stood a magnificent palace and the citizens lived on all sides of

the fort. Hundreds of brahmins inhabited this place to practice the Vedas

and smrti, They loved to perform sandhya tarpana and all around one could

hear the sound of the Vedas being recited. Ascetics with sticks (ie.

sannyasis?) lived here and were sincerely served by the brahmins. Within the

city there dwelled a new class of persons who engaged in business and who

had no want of food or money. Other classes lived at distant places and they

also had no poverty or suffering. Within every home there was a tulasi tree,

but despite this the inhabitants of the city had no love or devotion for Sri

Krsna.

 

49

80 The glory of Rohini was just like that of Navadvipa, Mathura or

Raghuvamsapuri. Wherever devotees continue to reside, the Vedas and Puranas

describe that place to be like the Vaikuntha Dhama of Sri Krsna. I bow down

to Rohini because it was the birth place of Rasikacandra. The King of that

place was Sri Acyuta and he was known as a good, kind and sober man who had

many friends and no scarcity of wealth. He never neglected to serve the

brahmins, he was very charitable and kind to all and devoted to performing

Harinama. Acyuta had four wives and many children and his pious deeds were

confirmed by having Rasika as his son. One resident of Kataka named

Haladhara lost all his property to the yavanas there and hearing about the

good qualities of Acyuta came to settle in Rohini at the house of Gopi

Mandala. With him came his wife and daughter who was full of all good

qualities. Her name was Bhavani and it was her good fortune to become the

mother of Rasika.

 

Once when Acyuta was visiting the house of Gopi Mandala he observed the girl

and immediately asked for her hand in marriage. Gopi then told the parents

to give their daughter to Pattanayaka and they were happy at this request

although they confessed that they had no dowry to offer at her marriage. On

hearing the poor appeal of the girls father, Acyuta assured him that he

would take the responsibility. He then sent his servant's to different

cities to collect the necessary paraphernalia for the marriage and on an

auspicious day the couple were married. The ceremony was equal to that held

by an emperor or even a god. The entire city was illuminated with lacs of

lamps, musicians played everywhere and the joy of the city knew no bounds. I

have kept this description brief and now I shall describe the mystery of

Rasika's birth which is a source of pleasure to all the devotees of

Syamananda. By taking the feet of Syamananda as my ornament, this son of

Rasamaya is writing this book.

 

 

Fourth Wave

 

All glories to Syamananda, the abode of all good qualities and the life of

Rasika Sekhara. After his marriage Sri Acyuta continued to rule his

territories and enjoyed passing time with his favourite wife Bhavani.

 

In Utkala the devotees of Krsna continued to appeal to the Lord to send one

of His devotees to deliver the troubled citizens there. In answer to their

prayers the Lord sent Rasika down to this earth and simultaneously his

companions took their births in different places of Utkala.

 

Now listen to how he took his birth to deliver all living entities. On an

auspicious night after having past the day in discussing topics of Lord

Krsna, the couple conceived a child. Day by day the neighbours and relatives

were astonished to see the beauty of Bhavnai increase. They thought that

most probably Brahma or Sambhu or Narayana or Vyasa, Sukadeva, Narada,

Pariksit, Maharaja Janaka or any magnaminous person had taken his birth in

the womb of Bhavani. Hearing the news that a great soul was about to take

birth all the citizens, friends, brahmins and Vaisnavas all came to the

house of Acyuta to witness the occasion. The astrologers and brahmins

blessed Bhavani and confirmed that a great King would take birth from her

womb. In this way ten months passed and then the month of Kartika came. On

the Amavasya day, Acyuta and the other Vaisnavas of Rohini began to worship

Lord Krsna. Many Vaisnavas and brahmins came to his house and the atmosphere

was filled with the sound of name of Hari. Lamps illuminated thewhole city

and it appeared that the night was over and the dawn began. At this time the

mother began to have delivery pains and hearing of this Acyuta called for

many brahmins, astrologers and tantrikas. They began to recite from the

Vedas and the sankirtana was also begun. The child, Rasika, was born in the

Saka era of 1512 on the Pratipada time of the moon.

 

24

37 It was a Sunday, the first day of the solar eclipse and the third half of

a dark night. All the good planets met at that time. Rasikendra took his

birth to remove the darkness of ignorance from Utkala and all the devotees

there, knowing the reason for his birth, became mad with joy. Everyone began

to bless the baby and even the gods of heaven showered flowers. There were

recitations from the Vedas, Gita, Mahabharata, Puranas and Ramayana. One

could also hear the sounds of the name of Hari, conches and different

musical instruments. Both the abode of the gods and human beings were happy

and they came to visit the new born child. After his birth, like an ordinary

child, Rasika began to cry and the effulgence of his body lit the whole

house. The child had a moon like face with a broad forehead, a firmly shaped

nose, eyebrows like the canons of Kama, eyes like the leaves of a lotus,

finely shaped ears and a head full of black curly hair. His lips were like

the red vimva fruit, his shoulders could be compared to those of an

elephant, his hands were like the stalk of a lotus, both palms were

decorated with kunda flower like nails and his broad chest charmed the three

worlds. His navel was very beautiful and the three fold curve of his waist

was like a lion. His knees and waist were beautifully shaped like a banana

tree. The signs of his lotus feet were very charming, his nails shone

brightly and his complexion was bright blue and black. Seeing the beauty of

her son Bhavani was overcome and could understand that a great soul had

appeared from her womb. The father, Acyuta, called for many Vedic brahmanas

and offered them tila, rice, cows and gold. He also gave many gifts to the

Vaisnavas and they were greatly satisfied to see his humility. They told the

parents that they prayed for a long life for their son, that he would be a

favourite devotee of Krsna, preach love and devotion for the Lord and

thereby deliver all the inhabitants of Utkala. Then the ladies performed

some rituals for the well being of the baby. The neighbours told Bhavani,

"You are a fortunate woman and you have gained this child as a result of

your austerities. He will enlighten his family and bring joy to everyone.

Let Krsna protect him always." When it became time to perform an auspicious

ceremony for his child Acyuta first sent his servants to various places to

collect the necessary items. The relatives came for the event along with

their full families. The Vedic brahmins were invited and ksatriyas, vaisyas

and sudras and others all gathered at the house of Acyuta. Ladies decorated

with various ornaments performed many rituals according to the laws of

scriptures. Using six pots for the worship of goddess Sasthi they all prayed

to the goddess for a long time for the child.

 

Then Bhavani sat in the assembly with her son in her lap and the women

blessed the baby with grass, rice and turmeric. Someone said, "Let Mahesh

and Parvati grant eighty years of life to this boy." Someone said, "Let

goddess Sasthi give this boy a long life." Then someone said, "Let Lord

Krsna protect him." and as soon as the name of Lord Krsna entered the ears

of the baby he began to cry emotionally.

 

99

132 Hearing his crying, the mother offered her breast milk but it could not

relieve the child. Just as Prahlada had heard about Krsna from Narada while

still in his mother's womb similarly Rasikendra had heard about Krsna from

Dayala dasi's talks to his mother while he was still in the womb. After

birth whenever anyone uttered the name of Krsna tears would come in his

eyes. He would absorb himself in meditation on Bhagavata and the words of

guru, sadhu and Krsna became his life and soul. Before the assembly of

ladies departed from their home Bhavani distributed celestial garlands to

everyone and fed them all with the utmost hospitality. She offered betel

nuts and camphor to them and satisfied them in every respect. After bidding

farewell to the ladies Bhavani touched sindhura on her head then put

collyrium in the child's eyes. All the guests were charmed to see the

wonderful qualities of the child and continued praising him as they

journeyed home. They were certain that he must be a companion of Krsna.

Acyutasatisfied the brahmins present by giving them various gifts such as

betel leaves, camphor, ornaments and gold coins. He then collected dust from

their feet and touched it to the head of Rasika. Then he called all the

Vaisnavas of the city who came to his home playing musical instruments of

various kinds. Acyuta offered them various kinds of sweetmeats and they

began to sing the glories of Krsna. As soon as the sound of their song

entered the ears of the child he began to cry and would not remain in his

mothers lap. The devotees were very happy to see this pastime and could

understand that he could certainly rescue Utkala. From his birth the palace

of Acyuta became Vaikuntha and all the citizens were eager to visit and see

the child. The wealth of Acyuta doubled and all the eight types of

accomplishments resided with Rasika.

 

The fourth wave deals with the birth of Rasika. Taking the feet of

Syamananda as my ornaments this son of Rasamaya narrates Rasika

mangala.

 

 

Fifth Wave

 

All glories to Syamananda and all glories to Rasikendra candra. Please

favour me and allow me to sing your unlimited glories. Gradually it came

time for the boys name giving ceremony and brahmins and astrologers were

invited to name to child. The Vedic brahmins came there and began to sing

songs from the Sama Veda while a square was drawn on the floor and the

child's chart made. The gopas spent the night absorbed in singing and

dancing to the accompaniment of different musical instruments. Then the

Vedic brahmins began to offer oblations according to the rules of the Vedas

and at that time the women performed many auspicious rituals. After bathing,

Bhavani, dressed in celestial garments, worshiped the senior persons present

there. She then bathed her son and sat with the child on her lap to await

the decision of the brahmins. On the basis of his horoscope the astrologers

selected Rasika as a fitting name for the child and the Vedic brahmins all

gave their blessings to the child. They told Acyuta, "Oh fortunat man, this

child will be the life of this world and he will distribute love and

devotion to all without caring for caste and creed. Even if we had hundreds

of mouths we could not fully describe the glories of your son. By his mercy

he will enable everyone to take part in Harinama." Hearing the words of the

brahmins Acyuta folded his hands respectfully and requested them, "Oh

respectful brahmins, I have a request for you. Let Sri Rasika be his name

according to the horoscope but I wish to call him Murari. Please bless him

by this name and grant that he may be a scholar of all scriptures." After

granting Acyuta this request the brahmins departed along with the other

guests. All were greatly satisfied by the respect given by Acyuta.

 

In due course the boy began to crawl on the floor breaking whatever would

come into his hands. By breaking earthen pots he mixed milk, curd and ghee

together and he would often eat something only to scatter a portion of it

everywhere. He was not afraid of fire or snakes and thorns and stones were

all the same to him as were friends and enemies. He would smear dust all

over his body as though it were aguru and sandalwood oil. He displayed sweet

laughter, the beauty of his face could defeat the moon and his eyes were

extremely large. As he moved the ornaments round his waist made a sweet

jingling sound. Round his neck he wore jewelled garlands, his wrists were

decorated with golden bangles, a golden tiger's nail hung round his neck and

his legs were decorated with jewelled ornaments making him look just like an

image of Gopala. Whenever he would fall his parents would immediately pick

him up and dust his body. His mother would wash him with scented water and

then offer him milk to drink. When it came time for te child to sleep

Bhavani would take the child in her lap and begin singing the name of Krsna.

Hearing the name of the Lord the child would invariably become perturbed

with emotion and begin to tremble and shed tears. Seeing her child cry she

would offer the child her breast and begin to sing louder hoping to pacify

him but he would only cry louder. Then she would call for a few girls to

sing with her and this would bring more tears of lamentation into Rasika's

eyes. Whenever the waves of love of Krsna overflow, a devotee always loves

to float in that wave with greater emotion. In trying to pacify the child

each of the women would take him in their laps, but without success. One

tied a protective band round his head and another cited hymns but still the

child cried. Then suddenly, remembering Lord Krsna, he became calm,

exchanged glances with those around him and began to suck his mothers

breast. The delighted and relieved mother then offered sweets to the

brahmins and they would give their blessings to the chld. In this way Rasika

passed his childhood sports. Making the feet of Syamananda my ornament this

son of Rasamaya has written this wave.