SRI SWARUP DAMODAR GOSWAMI -- Sri Sivananda Sen

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SRI SWARUP DAMODAR GOSWAMI

 

Sri Swarup Damodar is the eternal associate of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. His

previous name was Sri Purusottam acarya and he resided at Navadwip. He was

always present with Mahaprabhu. When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu exhibited His

pastimes of accepting sannyasa, Swarup Damodara became like a madman and,

journeying to Baranasi he also accepted sannyasa from one sannyasi named

Caitanyananda. His sannyasa guru ordered him that, "You should yourself

study the Vedanta and also teach it to others." Sri Purusottama acarya

didn't accept the garments of sannyasa, but simply gave up his sikha and

brahmana thread. Therefore his name became Swarup (a brahmacari name).

Thereafter, by the order of his guru, he came to Sri Nilacal, where he again

met Mahaprabhu. Then one day, Swarup Damodar, who was very intimate with

Mahaprabhu, and an ocean of the mellows of devotion, came to Sri Jagannath

Puri. His previous name was Purusottam acarya and he resided at Navadwip, at

the lotus feet of Mahaprabhu. Seeing that Mahaprabhu had accepted sannyasa,

he became like a madman and also accepted sannyasa at Varanasi. [C. C. Mad.

10.102]. Though his scholarship was practically unlimited, he spoke very

little with others and preferred to remain alone. Thus very few were aware

of his actual position. He was completely conversant with the understanding

of the mellows of devotion to Sri Krsna and his body was fully imbued with

love for Him. He was as though a second Mahaprabhu. Whenever anyone wanted

to present to Mahaprabhu some book, verse or song that they had composed,

Swarup Damodar would first hear what they had written before it could be

presented to Mahaprabhu. If these compositions contained any points which

were in contradiction to the superior position of bhakti, as concluded in

scriptures, then hearing these writings would not be a source of

transcendental pleasure for Mahaprabhu. Therefore Swarup Gosai would first

examine what had been composed and if it was untainted then it could be

presented to Mahaprabhu. Usually he would recite Sri Gita Govinda, and the

writings of Candidas and Vidyapati, for the transcendental happiness of

Mahaprabhu. In music and singing he was like a Gandharva and in knowledge of

the shastras he was like Brhaspati. There was no one to compare with him in

talent and intelligence. He was extremely dear to Sri Advaita and Nityananda

Prabhu and was the life and soul of devotees like Srivas and others. When

Sri Swarup Damodar arrived in Puri from Kasi (Baranasi) he recited this

sloka in praise of Mahaprabhu: "Oh You, who are the personification of mercy

- Sri Caitanya. That which very easily causes grief to retreat far away, and

which is spotlessly pure; which causes the appearance of the highest

happiness, and by whose appearance disputation over the intricacies of

scriptural statements ceases; that which causes the spirit to become

extremely agitated in ecstatic love, by a shower of grace and beauty; may

that extremely expansive and auspicious mercy by its sweetness and dignity

shine its rays upon me." (Sri Caitanya Candrodoy Natak.) Seeing that Swarup

Damodar was offering his dandavats to Him, Mahaprabhu picked him up and as

He embraced him he said, "I saw in a dream this morning that you had come.

Just as a blind man finds unlimited happiness by regaining his eyesight, so

I am feeling by regaining your association." Swarup Damodar replied:

"Prabhu, please forgive me. By leaving You and running off to Baranasi, I

made a great mistake. I don't have even a hint of attachment to your lotus

feet, and I have actually become a great sinner by leaving you and going to

a distant country. I gave up your association, but You didn't give me up.

Binding the rope of mercy around my neck You brought me again to Your lotus

feet." [C. C. Mad 10] Hearing these words of Swarup Damodar, spoken in such

humility, Mahaprabhu again embraced him and said: "Krsna is very kind. He

has very mercifully brought us together again." Mahaprabhu kept Swarup

Damodar close to Him. Whenever Mahaprabhu became immersed in a particular

ecstatic emotion, Swarup Damodar would perform a kirtan in that particular

mood. During this period Sri Ray Ramananda also arrived from Vidyanagar in

South India. Thus the two of them, Swarup Damodar and Ramananda Ray would

enhance the ecstatic moods of Mahaprabhu by singing different songs and

reciting various poetic verses.

During the day, Mahaprabhu would engage in his pastimes of sankirtan with

His devotees, and at night He would taste the mellows of the ecstatic love

of Sri Sri Radha-Krsna in the company of these two. As Lalita and Visakha

were very intimate with Srimati Radharani, Ray Ramananda and Swarup Damodar

were similarly intimate with Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Swarup Damodar's place of

residence in Puri was the "Satasan Math". This is located near Bhaktivinode

Thakur's "bhakti kutir", near the ocean at Svarga Dwar. Mahaprabhu entrusted

him to look after and instruct Raghunath Das Goswami. Swarup Damodar Goswami

disappeared on the second day of the bright fortnight in the month of Asar.

 

 

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Sri Sivananda Sen

 

Sri Sivananda Sen was a very intimate servant of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Just before the rainy season (Caturmasya) he would lead the associates of

Caitanya Mahaprabhu from Bengal to Puri, where they would go each year, to

see the Lord. All of the expenses of this journey were born by him, Sen

Sivananda. [C. C.Adi 10.54].

 

CC Adi 10.54: Sivananda Sena, the twenty-fourth branch of the tree, was an

extremely confidential servant of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Everyone who

went to Jagannatha Puri to visit Lord Caitanya took shelter and guidance

from Sri Sivananda Sena.

 

Wealth and opulence's are properly engaged in the service of Sri Hari, the

guru and the Vaisnavas. Sivananda Sen used his property and possessions in

this way, in the service of Sri Gauranga and His devotees. His entire

family, sons and servants were all devotees of Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

 

His three sons, Sri Caitanya Das, Sri Rama das and Sri Karnapur das, were

extremely devoted to Mahaprabhu. His two nephews, Sri Ballabha Sen and Sri

Kanta Sen were also great devotees.

 

Sen Sivananda used to reside at Kumar hatta, which is presently known as

Halisahir. The location of his worshipful Deities, Sri Sri Gour-Gopal is

unknown at present. However, the Deities worshipped by Srinath Pandit, the

guru of Kavi Karnapur, are still residing at Kalyani. This is the temple of

Kesto Ray, and is located a few miles from Caitanya Doha.

 

In his Gaur-ganoddesa-dipika, the son of Sivananda, Sri Kavi Karnapur has

written that the gopi in Brindavan by the name Bira, who was the messenger

of Srimati Radharani, is presently known as Sri Sivananda Sen.

 

The devotees would depart for Puri one month before the Ratha-yatra festival

and travelling by foot, they would arrive one month later.

 

One day, the devotees set out on their trip, as it was an auspicious day to

begin a journey. At first they came to Sri Advaita Acarya's house in

Santipur. After conducting a festival there for one day, Advaita prabhu, his

wife and son accompanied the party to Mayapur where they would have the

darsan of Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mother, Saci mata. She was somehow or other

passing her days in great separation from her son.

 

The devotees all offered their obeisances to her and she in turn offered

obeisances to the feet of Advaita Acarya and his wife Sita Thakurani. Then,

while remembering her son, she began to cry. Advaita Acarya Prabhu and his

wife consoled Saci Mata as best as they could, and then, along with the

other devotees, they commenced their journey.

 

Though Lord Caitanya had ordered Nityananda Prabhu to preach in Bengal, he

would also accompany the devotees to see Mahaprabhu. Also present were Sri

Acaryaratna, Pundarika Vidyanidhi, Srivas Pandit, along with his brothers

and their wives, Vasudeva, Govinda, Madhava Ghosh, Murari Gupta Ojha, Sri

Raghava Pandit,Sri Khandavasi Narahari, Sri Gunaraja Khan, etc. Sen

Sivananda would bring his wife and their sons, and many of the other

devotees as well would bring their wives. The Thakuranis (ladies) would

prepare foodstuffs, which were the favourite preparations of Mahaprabhu.

Sivananda would make the arrangements for everyone's meal as well as the

paying of the tolls at the ferry gates.

 

Wherever they would halt for the night, they would hold a festival of

dancing and chanting of the Holy names. Sivananda Sen knew all the paths

through Orissa. One day he remained behind at the ghat to settle their

account with the toll collector, while the rest of the party went ahead.

After walking some distance they sat down to rest underneath a tree.

Sivananda, however, was held up and not able to come right away and thus

there was no arrangements for their meals. Having walked quite some distance

that day, everyone was very hungry. Nityananda began to abuse his name and

was ready to curse him.

 

"Where is that Siva? Everyone is dying of hunger but still he hasn't come.

No one is arranging any prasadam. Let his son die as well!"

 

Just then Sivananda arrived. His wife went to him with tears in her eyes,

"You didn't manage any prasadam and now Gosai is very angry. He has cursed

your sons to die." Sivananda replied, "Now don't you become crazy. No need

to cry needlessly. Just try to get a hold of yourself."

 

Consoling his wife he came to where Nityananda Prabhu was and offered his

dandavats. Nityananda, still in angry mood, gave him a good kick. Sivananda

felt great pleasure to get this mercy from Sripad Nityananda and immediately

went to the house of one Gaudiya Vaisnava to arrange prasadam and a place to

stay for the devotees. Then he went to bring Nityananda Prabhu there.

 

Nityananda Prabhu accepted prasadam with the devotees after which Sivananda

came, and offering his obeisance's at Nityananda Prabhu's lotus feet he

prayed to him; "Today in accepting me as your servant, you punished me

fittingly, according to my offence. But such is your tenderness that under

the pretence of punishment you actually awarded me such great mercy. Who

within the three worlds can understand your character? The dust of your

lotus feet is very difficult to obtain even for Lord Brahma, but even such a

low, vile wretch as me received the touch of these lotus feet on his body.

Today my birth and the heritage of my forefathers has become successful, and

today I have received devotion to Sri Krsna, as well as the ordinary objects

of attainment for human beings - religion, economic development and sense

gratification."

 

Hearing these words of Sivananda, Nityananda Prabhu became very happy and he

rose up and very lovingly embraced him. [C. C. Ant. 12.31]

 

CC Antya 12.8: Headed by Sivananda Sena, Advaita Acarya and others, all the

devotees assembled in Navadvipa.

 

CC Antya 12.9: The inhabitants of Kulina-grama and Khan?d?a village also

assembled at Navadvipa.

 

CC Antya 12.10: Because Nityananda Prabhu was preaching in Bengal, Sri

Caitanya Mahaprabhu had ordered Him not to come to Jagannatha Puri. That

year, however, He went with the rest of the party to see the Lord.

 

CC Antya 12.11: Srivasa T?hakura was also there with his three brothers and

his wife, Malini. Acaryaratna was similarly accompanied by his wife.

 

CC Antya 12.12: The wife of Sivananda Sena also came, along with their three

sons. Raghava Pan?d?ita joined them, carrying his famous bags of food.

 

CC Antya 12.13: Vasudeva Datta, Murari Gupta, Vidyanidhi and many other

devotees went to see Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. All together, they numbered

two or three hundred.

 

CC Antya 12.14: The devotees first saw Sacimata and took her permission.

Then in great happiness they started for Jagannatha Puri, congregationally

chanting the holy name of the Lord.

 

CC Antya 12.15: Sivananda Sena managed the payment of tolls at different

places. Maintaining everyone, he guided all the devotees in great happiness.

 

CC Antya 12.16: Sivananda Sena took care of everyone and gave each devotee

places to stay. He knew all the paths leading to Orissa.

 

CC Antya 12.17: One day when the party was being checked by a toll

collector, the devotees were allowed to pass, and Sivananda Sena remained

behind alone to pay the taxes.

 

CC Antya 12.18: The party went into a village and waited beneath a tree

because no one but Sivananda Sena could arrange for their residential

quarters.

 

CC Antya 12.19: Nityananda Prabhu meanwhile became very hungry and upset.

Because He had not yet obtained a suitable residence, He began calling

Sivananda Sena ill names.

 

CC Antya 12.20: "Sivananda Sena has not arranged for My residence," He

complained, "and I am so hungry I could die. Because he has not come, I

curse his three sons to die."

 

CC Antya 12.21: Hearing this curse, Sivananda Sena's wife began to cry. Just

then, Sivananda returned from the toll station.

 

CC Antya 12.22: Crying, his wife informed him, "Lord Nityananda has cursed

our sons to die because His quarters have not been provided."

 

CC Antya 12.23: Sivananda Sena replied, "You crazy woman! Why are you

needlessly crying? Let my three sons die for all the inconvenience we have

caused Nityananda Prabhu."

 

CC Antya 12.24: After saying this, Sivananda Sena went to Nityananda Prabhu,

who then stood up and kicked him.

 

CC Antya 12.25: Very pleased at being kicked, Sivananda Sena quickly

arranged for a milkman's house to be the Lord's residence.

 

CC Antya 12.26: Sivananda Sena touched the lotus feet of Nityananda Prabhu

and led Him to His residence. After giving the Lord His quarters, Sivananda

Sena, being very pleased, spoke as follows.

 

CC Antya 12.27: "Today You have accepted me as Your servant and have

properly punished me for my offense.

 

CC Antya 12.28: "My dear Lord, Your chastising me is Your causeless mercy.

Who within the three worlds can understand Your real character?

 

CC Antya 12.29: "The dust of Your lotus feet is not attainable even by Lord

Brahma, yet Your lotus feet have touched my wretched body.

 

CC Antya 12.30: "Today my birth, my family and my activities have all become

successful. Today I have achieved the fulfillment of religious principles,

economic development, satisfaction of the senses and ultimately devotional

service to Lord Kr?s?n?a."

 

CC Antya 12.31: When Lord Nityananda heard this, He was very happy. He rose

and embraced Sivananda Sena in great love.

 

CC Antya 12.32: Being very much pleased by Nityananda Prabhu's behavior,

Sivananda Sena began to arrange residential quarters for all the

Vais?n?avas, headed by Advaita Acarya.