Sri Advaita Acarya Appearance Day ki Jaya

[Guest guest]

(from the Vaisnava biographies)

 

The foremost of all the Vaisnavas who reside at Navadwip is Sri Advaita

Acarya, whose virtuous presence has made all the worlds blessed. He is the

most prominent preceptor in all fields including knowledge, renunciation and

devotion. In explaining Krsna-bhakti he is like unto Lord Sankara himself, and

whatever scriptures that exist within the three worlds he explains in the

light of Krsna-bhakti.

 

With the intense eagerness he continually worships Sri Krsna with Tulasi

manjaris and Ganges water. By the momentum of his spiritual force, his loud

shouts pierce the coverings of this universe and, resounding throughout

Vaikuntha, reach the ears of Sri Krsna. Hearing this loving summons saturated

with devotion, Sri Krsna advents Himself.

 

jaya jaya advaita isvara avatara

krsna avatari kaila jagat-nistara

 

"All glories to Advaita Prabhu, the incarnation of the Supreme Personality of

Godhead. He induced Krsna to descend and thus delivered the entire world." [Cc

Antya 8.4]

 

"On the seventh day of the bright fortnight of the month of Magh, the great

ocean of ecstasy swelled to its limits, being forcibly attracted by the moon

of Advaita, Who appeared from the womb of Sri Nabhadevi as the moon appears in

the autumn sky. His father, Sri Kuvera Pandit floated in that ocean of joy. In

great happiness gave many gifts in charity to the brahmanas (who voluntarily

accept vows of poverty). Very quietly he approached the maternity room to get

a glimpse of his newborn son. Then his own face began to shine by the

reflected light of that moon-like personage. The residents of Navagram came

running to see the child. Everyone remarked that they had never seen such a

beautiful baby. What a pious activities his father must have been performed to

get such a jewel of a son, and that in his old age? Thus Ghanasyama sings

about this occasion." [b.R.12.1759] The child was named Mongal and his other

name was Kamalaksa.

 

Advaita Acarya is the combined incarnation of Maha Visnu and Sadasiva (who

resides in Goloka). His two consorts, Sita and Sri are manifestations of Yoga

Maya. Once when Advaita performed worship, whatever gods and demigods He used

to meditate upon He saw all gathered at Lord Caitanya's lotus feet, offering

prayers. Raising up his two hands, Advaita exclaimed in great ecstasy, "Today

all the days of my life have produced a succesful result, as all my desires

have been fulfilled. My birth and activities have finally born fruit. I have

directly perceived Your two lotus feet, which are proclaimed throughout the

four Vedas but are unattainable thereby. Now, by Your causeless mercy, You

have revealed Yourself to Me."

 

Mahaprabhu replied, "Acarya, now you should perform My worship." First Advaita

Acarya washed the Lord's two lotus feet with water scented by flower petals

and then with water scented with sandalwood. Then He placed on His lotus feet

Tulasi manjari dipped in sandalwood paste along with arghya - an auspicious

offering of rice, durva grass, yogurt etc. His eyes brimming with tears, he

offered incense, ghee lamps, flowers, sandalwood paste, and some foodstuffs.

After offering various prayers he loudly proclaimed the Lord's glories with

auspicious shouts. "All glories to the Lord and maintainer of the universe,

the Lord of all that lives. All glories to Gauracandra, the ocean of mercy.

All glories to the most munificent incarnation of Sri Krsna Caitanya

Mahaprabhu, whose form is all-enchanting. All glories to He who is decorated

with the ornaments of Sri Vatsa and Kaustubha. All glories to He who has

revealed the Hare Krsna Maha-mantra. All glories to He who enjoys the pastimes

of accepting devotion unto Himself. All glories to Mahaprabhu who reclines on

the bed of Ananta Sesa. All glories to the refuge of all living entities.

[C.B.Mad. 6.116]

 

Hearing Advaita's prayer's Mahaprabhu replied, "My dear Acarya, I am very

pleased by your prayers. Now you can ask from me any benediction you like."

 

Then Advaita requested that, "My only request is that you distribute love of

Krsna even to women, laborers and the ignorant fools as well. [C.B. Mad.

6.167]

 

A Nrsimha-sila and Deities, fashioned after a picture of Sri Sri Madan-Gopal

that were worshiped by Advaita Acarya are still residing at Santipur in

Madan-Gopal Para. Santipur is a short distance from Krsnanagar by bus.

 

The place on the banks of the Ganga where Advaita Acarya worshipped salagram

and called out to the Lord to please descend to the world is known today as

Babla. A temple has been built in memory of Advaita Acarya's pastimes there.

This place can be reached by rickshaw from Santipur.

 

Appearance: The seventh day of the bright fortnight of the month of Magha, the

moon of Advaita appeared from the womb of Sri Nabhadevi.