Rasikänanda

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March 3rd, 2003, Monday (Pratipat)

Disappearance day of Çré Rasikänanda

 

 

Çré Rasikänanda Deva Gosvämé

 

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

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

festival Dépamalika, when the houses are decorated with rows of lamps, Çré

Rasikänanda Deva made his appearance in this world. His father was Çré

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

son, Çré Acyuta Deva, by the mercy of Çré Jagadéça (Lord Jagannätha), was

blessed with this jewel of a son.

 

The village of Rohiné or Royné was situated within the country known

as Mallabhümi, encompassed on one side by the Suvarëarekha River (Suvarëa

meaning golden and rekha, a line). This Suvarëarekha River cleansed the sins

of all the local people. Near Royné was another village of the name

Barayita, by the side of which flowed the Dolanganadé River, whose banks

were adorned with beautiful gardens. King Acyuta Deva very affectionately

maintained his subjects and was famous for impeccably observing the rites

attendant upon kings.

 

In the village of Royné 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 Rasikänanda and also Muräri. 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 Bhävani. His father married him at very young age. Muräri's wife

Çyämadäsé was a mine of good character who hailed from the village of Ghonta

Çilä, not far from Royné on the banks of the Suvarëa Rekha, where in days of

old the Paëòavas had lived in exile.

 

One day, Muräri 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 Çré Çyämänanda."

 

Having heard this proclamation, Rasika Muräri became very jubilant,

and began to repeatedly murmur the name Çyämänanda, as though chanting japa.

>From moment to moment his eagerness increased without diminuition, as tears

flowed from his eyes by his chanting of the name of Çyämänanda. He was in

such a state that he spend most of the night sleeplessly, calling to his

master Çyämänanda.

 

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 Kisora 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 Symananda 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 worshippers 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 Gaurasundara 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 Ksira-cora Gopinatha's lotus

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

shelter.

 

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 Syamananda-staka,

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 Ratha 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

Ful-tota 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.

 

Appearance: Christian year 1590 (Sakabda 1512), on the first day of

the bright fortnight of the month of Kartika.

 

Disappearance: The first day of the bright fortnight in the month of

Phalguna, Sakabda 1574 (Christian year 1652).