Srivasa Pandita -- Yogini ekadasi

[Guest guest]

asyaartho vivrtas tair yah

sa sankshipyaa vilikhyate

bhakta-rupo gaurachandro

yato 'sau nandanandanah

bhakta-swarupo nityanando

vraje yah sri-halayudhah

bhaktaavatara acaryo

'dvaito yah sri-sadaasivah

 

bhaktaakhyaah srinivaasaadyaa

yatas te bhakta-rupinah

bhakta-shaktir dvi jaagranyah

sri-gadaadhara-panditah

 

"I shall now summarily explain the meaning of these words. In this

Pancha-tattwa, the bhakta-rupa (form of a devotee) is Lord Chaitanya

Mahaprabhu, who formerly appeared as Sri Krishna, the son of Nanda Maharaj.

The bhakta-swarupa (devotional incarnation) is Lord Nityananda, who formerly

appeared in Vrajabhumi as Lord Balarama. The bhaktaavatara (devotional

manifestation) is Lord Advaita Acarya, who is not different from Sadaashiva.

The bhataakhya (pure devotee) is Srinivasa and other great devotees as well.

The bhakta-shakti (devotional energy) is Gadadhara Pandita, the foremost of

brahmanas." (Gaura Ganodesh Dipika 11.)

 

sri-visvambharaadvaita-

nityanandaavadhutahah

atra trayah samunneyaa

vighraha prabhavaash ca te

eko mahaaprabhur jneyah

sri-caitanya dayaambudhih

prabhu dvau sri-yutau nityaa-

nandaadvaitau mahaashayau

 

goswaamino vighrash ca

te dvi jaash ca gadaadharah

pancha-tattwaatmaka ete

srinivaasas ca panditah

 

"Lord Chaitanya, Lord Nityananda Avadhuta, and Lord Advaita, are all

incarnations of the supremly exalted Personality of Godhead, and They are

all known by the title Prabhu (Master). Among Them, Lord Chaitanya, Who is

an ocean of mercy, is known as Mahaprabhu (The Great Master), and the great

personalities Lord Nityananda and Lord Advaita are known only as Prabhu

(Master). All three are also known as Goswami (Master of the Senses).

Gadaadhara is called by the title Dvija (Brahmana, and Srinivaasa is called

by the title Pandita (Learned Scholar). These are the titles of the members

of the Pancha-tattwa." (Gaura Ganodesha Dipika 13.)

 

"O my Lord Gaurahari, You are the abode of auspiciousness which is as

beautiful as the kirtana of Krsna. You are the ocean of elegance, bestower

of constant flow of devotion and mountain of love which is as bright as

gold. Your beautiful features give soothing relief to the eyes of every

living being and you are mankind's salvation from all kinds of misfortune.

You are the center of the Lila Vilasa, and the life of the devotees. Be

kind to me." (Bhakti-ratnakara. KJÄ1.)

 

"O my Prabhu, Sri Gopala Bhatta, the bee at the lotus like feet of Sri

Gaura. You are the sun which destroys the darkness of illusion, the ocean

of kindness and the greatest of all the brahmanas. You are the son of Sri

Venkata Bhatta and a valuable ornament of divine love and devotion. You are

the destroyer of worldly miseries and a resort of happiness to the misery

stricken people. O Lord save me." (Bhakti-ratnakara. KJÄ.2.)

 

"O my Prabhu, Srila Gopala Bhatta, a bee at the lotus like feet of

Mahaprabhu. You are the most skillful devotee of the Lord. O my Prabhu

Srinivasa, whose complexion is as golden as Sri Sacinandana, you are the

king amongst all the brahmanas. Please bless me." (Bhakti-ratnakara. KJÄ3.)

 

"I constantly worship the companions of Srinivasa Prabhu who is like the

wishing tree of devotional love of Sri Krsna Caitanya Candra."

(Bhakti-ratnakara. KJÄ4.)

 

"My dear listeners, please repeatedly and joyfully hear the Bhaktiratnakara

which is the life of all Vaisnavas and the destroyer of all miseries and

misfortunes." (Bhakti-ratnakara. KJÄ5.)

 

"Sri Gadadhara is expansion Radharani and Srinivasa is the expansion of

Narada Muni, or in other words they are the internal and the devotional

energy respectively." (A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad. 27th May 1970.

Letter to Tamal Krishna.)

 

srivas-pandito dhimaan

yah pura narado munih

purvataakhyo muni-varo

ya aasin narada-priyah

sa raama-panditah srimams

tat-kanistha-sahaodarah

"Intelligent Srivaasa Pandita had previously been Narada Muni, the best of

the sages. Srivaasa's younger brother, Sriman Rama Pandita, had previously

been Narada's close friend Parvata Muni" (Gaura Ganodesh Dipika 90.)

Srila Vrindavana dasa Thakura, the Vyasadeva of Sri Gaurasundara's pastimes,

has sung the praises of Srivasa Pandita in this way:

 

"It was in Srivasa Pandita's house that Sri Caitanya enacted His pastimes of

sankirtana. Those four brothers (Srivasa, Sri Rama, Sripati and Srinidhi)

were continuously engaged in singing the names of Sri Krsna. They worshipped

Sri Krsna and bathed in the Ganges thrice daily."

 

These four brothers previously lived in the district of Sri Hatta. Later on

they came to reside on the banks of the Ganges. There they regularly used to

attend the assembly of devotees who gathered at Sri Advaita Acarya's house

to hear the Srimad Bhagavatam and engage in congregational chanting of the

Holy Names. Gradually the brothers became very close friends of Sri

Jagannatha Misra, with whom they would chant and listen to the Bhagavatam.

 

In all matters Srivasa was the leader of the four brothers. By the strength

of his devotion, he could understand that Sri Krsna was going to appear in

the house of Jagannatha Misra.

 

Srivasa Pandits's wife's name was Sri Malinidevi. She was a very close

friend of Sri Sacidevi and was always very helpful to her.

 

Seeing the wretched state of the fallen living entities in Kali yuga, the

devotees began to plaintively pray to the Lord for their deliverance. Krsna

hears the call of His devotees. On the full moon day in the month of

Phalguna, in the year 1407 (Christian era 1486), the Lord incarnated

Himself. With His appearance there was the simultaneous dawning of

all-auspiciousness within the world as it became filled with Harinama. Just

as Sri Advaita Acarya, from Santipura, could understand that the Lord had

appeared, similarly, Srivasa and some of the other devotees of Navadwipa

also understood.

 

Since previously Malinidevi was engaged in attending upon Sacidevi, Srivasa

and Jagannatha Misra came to her at this time and hinted that she was

especially needed now.

 

As long as the Lord chooses not to reveal Himself, no one can possibly

recognize Him. Therefore, even though from His childhood the Lord exhibited

many supernatural abilities, still, due to His deluding potency, the

devotees could not fully understand His true nature.

 

Their hearts were simply filled with parental affection for Him, without a

trace of awe or reverence. Srivasa and Malini gave Sacidevi and Jagannatha

much advice how to raise their new son. Srivasa and Malini were just like a

mother and father to Sri Gaurasundara. Because young Nimai Pandita seemed to

have grown arrogant by His scholarship, one day Srivasa Pandita decided to

give Him good counsel.

 

"Why do people study? So that they might understand what is devotion to Sri

Krsna," he told Nimai. "If by scholarship one doesn't gain devotion to Sri

Krsna, then how will that learning help him? It becomes simply a tedious

endeavour which in the end is nothing but a waste of time. If you have

actually learned something then begin your worship of Sri Krsna now. Make

haste. This is the purpose of your life."

 

Nimai laughed as He replied, "By your mercy certainly that will come to be.

If you are all kind enough for me, then definitely I'll attain devotion to

Sri Krsna's lotus feet."

 

Shortly thereafter Mahaprabhu journeyed to Gaya where He performed the

pastimes of accepting initiation from Sri Isvara Puri. Thus gradually, He

began to take up His real work of distributing loving devotion to Sri Krsna.

 

One day, in an ecstatic mood, Lord Gauranga entered Srivasa's house asking,

"Srivas, whom do you worship? Whom do you meditate upon? Now with your own

two eyes, see that person standing before you." [C.B. Madhya 2/258]

 

Saying this, Mahaprabhu entered the Deity room within Srivasa's home temple

and sat down on the simhasana of Lord Visnu, revealing His own four-armed

form, holding the conch, disc club and lotus flower. Seeing this form,

Srivasa was totally stupefied.

 

Sri Gaurasundara then said, "Due to being called by your sankirtana and the

loud roaring of Sri Advaita Acarya, I have left Vaikuntha and have descended

upon this mortal world, accompanied by My eternal associates, will destroy

the miscreants and deliver the pious. Now, without fear, you can chant my

glories."

 

Hearing these words of His Lord, which dispelled all fear, Srivasa fell on

the ground, offering his obeisances. Then he began to recite hymns in praise

of the Lord.

 

"My obeisances at the lotus feet of the support of the entire universe

Visvambhara, Whose bodily colour is like that of a newly arrived rain cloud

and wore garments which are the color of a thunderbolt. My obeisances at the

lotus feet of the son of Saci, who is bedecked with ornaments of peacock

feathers and a garland of read beads (gunja-mala). My obeisances at the

lotus feet of the pupil of Ganga dasa, the beauty of whose lotus face

conquers that of ten million moons. My obeisances at your lotus feet, You

who carry a buffalo horn, stick and flute. The four Vedas have proclaimed

You to be the son of Nanda. Unto You my dear Lord, my obeisances I offer

again and again." [C.B.Madhya 2/272]

 

"Today my birth, my activities, my everything has become successful. Today

my very existence has been crowned with the greatest auspiciousness. Today

the race of my forefathers has finally born fruit, and my house, which was

also their house, has become blessed. Today the great fortune of my eyes is

completely beyond calculation, because I have been able to see that person

whose lotus feet are served by the goddess of fortune, LaksmiRdevi".

 

Having described the glories of Sri Gaurasundara in various ways, Sri

Gaurasundara showed even more compassion to Srivasa by revealing Himself to

all of his family members. Seeing the niece of Srivasa Pandita present

before Him, Prabhu called to her, "Narayani! Call upon Sri Krsna with tears

in your eyes."

 

And immediately this little girl, only four years of age, as if in a

delirious frenzy began to cry out, "Hari! Krsna!" while shedding tears

incessantly. In fact the flood of tears coursed down her body to such an

extent that the ground around her feet became soaked." [C.B. Madhya. 2].

 

Seeing little Narayani totally agitated in ecstatic love, Srivasa's wife and

even the household servants also began to shed tears of love. The courtyard

of Srivasa took on a very beautiful appearance, being decorated with

ecstatic love for Krsna.

 

There was one maidservant in Srivasa Pandita's house by the name Duhkhi.

Every day she used to bring water from the Ganga for Mahaprabhu's bath. One

day Gaurasundara asked Srivasa, "Who brings this water?"

 

"Duhkhi brings it," Srivasa replied.

 

"From today her name is Sukhi." Thus the Lord indicated that those who

serve the Lord and the Lord's devotees are not duhkhi (sad); rather, they

are sukhi (happy).

 

At this time Sri Gaursundor began His lila as the yuga-avatara at the house

of Srivasa Pandit. Having been reunited with Sri Nityananda Prabhu He

started congregational chanting of the Lord's Holy Names in the courtyard of

Srivasa's house. Nityananda Prabhu took up His residence there. Sri

Malinidevi served NityaRnanda as though He were her own son.

 

Sri Nityananda was actually Sri Baladeva Himself, and in His pastimes as

Lord Nityananda He behaved somewhat like a madman. He was always overwhelmed

by love of Krsna, and was not aware of the state of His outward dress or

ornaments.

 

One evening, Sri Gaurasundara, accompanied by His associates, was engaged in

chanting and dancing at the house of Srivasa Thakura when one of Srivas

Thakur's sons passed away after having suffered the effects of some disease.

Within the inner apartment of his house, the women began to wail in

lamentation at the boy's untimely death. Srivasa Pandita, who was outside in

the courtyard, understood some tragedy must have taken place.

He quickly entered the house only to find that his son had passed on to the

next world. As he was a very grave devotee and completely conversant in the

science of the Absolute Truth, he was able to console the women in their

grief.

 

"You are all aware of Krsna's glories, so please restrain yourselves and

don't cry. Whoever during his last moment hears the Lord's Holy Name, even

though he might be the greatest sinner, attains Krsna's abode. And that

incomparably wonderful Lord, He whose glories are sung by all His servants

up to and including Lord Brahma, is now personally dancing in the courtyard

of your house.

 

"This moment is so auspicious that it is sure this boy has successfully

completed his journey from this world. Is there anything to be lamented at

in this? His good fortune is completely assured. I can understand that

whatever part I have played in this is also crowned with success." [C.B.M

25.30]

 

He concluded by telling them, "If you can't control your emotions because of

your family affection to the boy, then at least don't cry now, you can cry

later. The Supreme Lord of Gokula Himself, Sri Gaurasundara, is performing

sankirtana accompanied by His devotees in this house. If, due to your

crying, the happiness that He is experiencing from dancing in ecstasy during

sankirtana is disturbed, then I will just this minute jump into the Ganges

and thus give up my own life."

 

"Not a blade of grass moves unless by Krsna's will. To see in this happiness

or distress, or knowledge or ignorance is simply imagination. Know that

whatever Krsna wills is good, and thus, giving up your own selfish desires,

become free from confusion and unnecessary botheration. Krsna is giving and

Krsna is taking away, and it is Krsna alone Who is maintaining everyone.

Someone He protects and someone He destroys, all according to His will. If

someone contemplates something contrary to Krsna's will, then as a result of

His desire He only get torment. Giving up all lamentation, simply hear

Krsna's name, and thus pass through all difficulties feeling great

happiness. Then your desires will actually be fulfilled.'

 

Having given all of these instructions to those present, Srivasa again went

outside to join Mahaprabhu in ecstatic chanting and dancing. The women,

leaving the dead body, came to hear the kirtan of Mahaprabhu. And so

Mahaprabhu continued His chanting until the middle of the night.

 

When everyone was at last leaving to take rest, Mahaprabhu spoke. "Today My

mind is feeling some tribulation. I think some sad event has occurred in

Srivasa's house."

 

The pandit replied, "What possible unhappiness could there be in that

person's house where Your divinely blissful countenance is seen?"

"Srivasa! Why wasn't I feeling bliss in kirtana today? What inauspicious

thing transpired in your house?"

 

Srivasa answered, "My Lord, You are Yourself all auspicious. Where You are

present, no sorrow can be found anywhere!" But the other devotees informed

the Lord that Srivasa's son had passed away.

 

Hearing this news, Gaura Raya cried out, "Alas, what a tragic event. Why

didn't you tell me of this unfortunate news before?"

 

"I will explain," Srivasa Pandita replied. "I couldn't tolerate disturbing

You while You were enjoying sankirtana. If one of my sons dies, what sorrow

is there in that for me? If we all die while seeing You, that would actually

be a matter of great happiness. On the other hand, if You would have to stop

dancing, then perhaps I would have died. My Lord, this was the danger that I

feared, and thus I didn't tell you at the time."

 

Seeing Srivasa Pandita's profound devotion, Sri Gaurasundara said, "How can

I give up such company as this?" With tears in His eyes He continued. "Due

to love for Me, he didn't even feel lamentation at the death of his son. How

will I abandon their companionship?"

 

The Lord continued to cry, and the devotees began to worry within, having

heard Him speak of leaving them.

 

Thereafter Mahaprabhu came to where the dead body of the infant was lying.

Touching it, He called, "Boy! Why are you going away and leaving Srivasa

Pandita?"

 

The life of the dead child returned at the touch of Mahaprabhu's hand. After

offering obeisances to the Lord, he replied, "O Prabhu! Whatever You ordain

is absolute. No one can do anything but what is sanctioned by You. As many

days as I was destined to remain here, that many days I have stayed. Now

that my time has elapsed, I have proceeded to leave.

 

"My Lord, I have taken birth and died repeatedly. But this time, at the time

of death, I passed away quite happily, having taken darsana of Your

beautiful face."

 

After saying this, the child became silent. Sri Gauranga Raya thus enjoyed a

kind of transcendental sport. Having heard the uncommon words of the dead

child, the devotees floated in the ocean of bliss. Srivasa Pandita, along

with his family members, then fell at the lotus feet of Sri Gaursundara and

cried in ecstatic love.

 

Mahaprabhu then told him, "Since Myself and Nityananda are your two sons,

please don't feel any more distress in your mind over what has happened."

Hearing these compassionate words of their Lord, the devotees cheers were

resounded throughout the heavens.

Proving the statements of sastra, Their Lordships Gaura-NityaRnanda became

deeply indebted to Srivasa due to his great love for and service to Them.

 

After Mahaprabhu took sannyasa, Srivasa Pandit came to live at Kumarhatta.

Every year he would go with His brothers to see Mahaprabhu at Puri. He also

regularly came to see Sri Sacimata in Navadwip and would spend a few days

there during those times.

 

When Mahaprabhu came from Nilacala to see His mother and the river Ganges,

He also stopped at Kumarhatta to see Srivasa.

 

"After staying some days at Advaita's house, Mahaprabhu came to Srivasa's

temple at Kumarhatta." [C.B]

 

It was at this time that Mahaprabhu gave this benediction to Srivasa: "There

will never be poverty in your house. If you simply remain indoors, never

even venturing out of your house, whatever you require for your worship will

come to your door."

 

Srivasa Pandita, along with his three brothers, eternally serve Sri

Gaurasundara. He is the incarnation of Narada and accompanied Mahaprabhu in

all His Navadwipa lilas.

 

Across the Ganges from Halisahar (the present name of the village of

Kumarhatta), there is a town of the name Chuchura. Located here are some

very beautiful Deities of Sri Sri Nitai-Gauranga. At present the seva-puja

is becoming carried on by Devananda Gaudiya Matha. The resident Swami

Maharaja recalls that when the Gaudiya Math took over the sevaitship of this

temple, its name was Srivasa- Mahaprabhu Mandir. Thus there is a strong

possibility that these are the worshippable Deities of Srivasa Pandita. The

temple is at present named 'Uddhavar Gaudiya Math.' It is near 'Chaumatha',

close to the 'Chori Mor' intersection where the town clock stands.

 

There is a rail station at Chuchura (Chinsura) on the Bandel-Navadwip line.

Chuchura may also be reached by ferry from Halisahar on the other side of

the Ganga, where Caitanya Boda, the birthplace of Sri Isvara Puri, is

located.

 

 

 

----------

Yogini Ekadasi: from the Brahma-vaivarta PurANa.

 

Yudhisthira Maharaj said, “Oh Supreme Lord, I have heard the glories of the

NirjalA EkAdasii, which occurs during the light fortnight of the month of

Jyeshtha (May – June). Now I wish to hear from You about the suddha EkAdasii

that occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of AshADha (June – July).

Kindly describe to me all bout it in detail, Oh killer of the Madhu demon

(Madhusudana).”

 

The Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna, then replied, “Oh king, I shall indeed tell

you about the best of all fasting days, the EkAdasii that comes during the

dark part of the month of AshADha. Famous as Yogini EkAdasii, it removes all

kinds of sinful reactions and awards supreme liberation.

 

“Oh best of kings, this EkAdasii delivers people who are drowning in the

vast ocean of material existence and transports them to the shore of the

spiritual world. In all the three worlds, it is the chief of all sacred

fasting days. I shall now reveal this truth to you by narrating a history

recounted in the PurANas.

 

“The king of AlakApuri – Kuvera, the treasurer of the devas (demigods) – was

a steadfast devotee of lord Shiva. He employed a servant named HemamAli as

his personal gardener. HemamAli, a Yaksha like Kuvera, was very lustfully

attracted to his gorgeous wife, SwarUpavatii, who had large, enchanting

eyes.

 

“HemamAli’s daily duty was to visit MAnasarovara Lake and bring back flowers

for his master, Kuvera, with which he would use them in the puja offerings

to lord Shiva. One day, after picking the flowers, HemamAli went to his wife

instead of returning directly to his master and fulfilling his duty by

bringing the flowers for the puja. Absorbed in loving affairs of a bodily

nature with his wife, he forgot to return to the abode of Kuvera.

 

“Oh king, while HemamAli was enjoying with his wife, Kuvera had begun the

worship of lord Shiva as normal in his palace and soon discovered that there

were no flowers ready to be offered in the midday pUjA. The lack of such an

important item (upachara) angered the great Koshad-yaksha (treasurer of the

devas) even more, and he asked a Yaksha messenger, ‘Why has dirty-hearted

HemamAli not come with the daily offering of flowers? Go find out the exact

reason and report back to me in person with your findings.’ The Yaksha

returned and told Kuvera, ‘Oh dear lord, HemamAli has become lost in freely

enjoying coitus with his wife.’

 

“Kuvera became extremely angry when he heard this and at once summoned lowly

HemamAli before him. Knowing that he had been remiss and dawdling in his

duty and exposed as meditating on his wife’s body, HemamAli approached his

master in great fear. The gardener first paid his obeisances and then stood

before his lord, whose eyes had become red with anger and whose lips

trembled in rage. So enraged, Kuvera cried out to HemamAli, ‘Oh you sinful

rascal! Oh destroyer of religious principles! You are a walking offense to

the devas! I therefore curse you to suffer from white leprosy and to become

separated from your beloved wife! Only great suffering is deservedly yours!

Oh lowborn fool, leave this place immediately and betake yourself to the

lower planets to suffer!’

 

“And so HemamAli fell at once from grace in AlakApuri and became ill with

the terrible affliction of white leprosy. He awoke in a dense and fearful

forest, where there was nothing to eat or drink. Thus he passed his days in

misery, unable to sleep at night due to pain. He suffered in both winter and

summer season, but because he continued to worship lord Shiva himself with

faith, his consciousness remained purely fixed and steady. Although

implicated by great sin and its attendant reactions, he remembered his past

life because of his piety.

 

“After wandering for some time here and there, over mountains and across

plains, HemamAli eventually came upon the vast expanse of the HimAlayan

mountain ranges. There he had the wonderful good fortune to come in contact

with the great saintly soul MarkanNDeya Rishi, the best of ascetics, whose

duration of life it is said, extends to seven of the days of BrahmA.

 

“MarkaNDeya Rishi was seated peacefully at his Ashrama, looking as effulgent

as a second BrahmA. HemamAli, feeling very sinful, stood at a distance from

the magnificent sage and offered his humble obeisances and choice prayers.

Always interested in the welfare of others, MarkaNDeya Rishi saw the leper

and called him near, “Oh you, what sort of sinful deeds have you done to

earn this dreadful affliction?’

 

“Hearing this, HemamAli painfully and ashamed replied, ‘Dear sir, I am a

Yaksha servant of lord Kuvera, and my name is HemamAli. It was my daily

service to pick the flowers from the MAnasarovara lake for my master’s

worship of lord Shiva, but one day I was negligent and was late in returning

with the offering because I had become overwhelmed with lusty passion for

enjoying bodily pleasures with my wife. When my master discovered why I was

last, he cursed me in great anger to be as I am before you. Thus I am now

bereft of my home, my wife, and my service. But fortunately I have come upon

you, and now I hope to receive from you an auspicious benediction, for I

know that devotees such as you are as merciful as the Supreme Lord (Bhakta

Vatsala) and always carry the interest of others uppermost in their hearts.

That is their – your nature. Oh best of sages, please help me!’

 

“Softhearted MarkaNDeya Rishi replied, ‘Because you have told me the truth,

I shall tell you about a fast day that will benefit you greatly. If you fast

on the EkAdasii that comes during the dark fortnight of the month of

AshADha, you will surely be freed of this terrible curse.’

 

HemamAli fell to the ground in complete gratitude and offered him his humble

obeisances again and again. But MarkaNDeya Rishi stood there and lifted poor

HemamAli u to his feet, filling him with inexpressible happiness.

 

“Thus, as the sage had instructed him, HemamAli dutifully observed the

EkAdasii fast, and by its influence he again became a handsome Yaksha. Then

he returned home, where he lived very happily with his wife.”

 

Lord Sri Krishna concluded, “So, you can readily see, Oh Yudhishthira that

fasting on Yogini EkAdasii is very powerful and auspicious. Whatever merit

one obtains by feeding eighty-eight thousand brahmins is also obtained

simply by observing a strict fast on Yogini EkAdasii. For one who fasts on

this sacred EkAdasii, she (EkAdasii Devi), destroys heaps of past sinful

reactions and makes him most pious. Oh King, thus I have explained to you

the purity of Yogini EkAdasii.”

 

Thus ends the narration of the glories of AshADha-krishna EkAdasii, or

Yogini EkAdasii,

from the Brahma-vaivarta PurANa.