I offer innumerable obeisances unto the lotus feet of Sri Nityananda Prabhu

February 3, 2004

LORD NITYANANDA: THE MOST DEDICATED DEVOTEE OF THE LORD

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu then told Nityananda Prabhu, "Please hear Me, O holy man: I now request something of You. Kindly grant My request. Do not come to Jagannatha Puri every year, but stay in Bengal and fulfill My desire. You can perform a task that even I cannot do. But for You, I cannot find anyone in Gauda-desa who can fulfill My mission there."

Nityananda Prabhu replied, "O Lord, You are the life, and I am the body. There is no difference between the body and life itself, but life is more important than the body. By Your inconceivable energy, You can do whatever You like, and whatever You make Me do, I do without restriction." In this way, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu embraced Nityananda Prabhu and bade Him farewell. He then bade farewell to all the other devotees.

When Lord Nityananda returned to Bengal to preach the cult of bhakti, love of Godhead, He began touring all over the country. For two purposes-to spread the cult of bhakti and to defeat and subdue the atheists-Lord Nityananda, the most dedicated devotee of the Lord, moved throughout the country. Nityananda Prabhu requested everyone to serve Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, chant His glories and utter His name. Nityananda Prabhu claimed that person to be His life and soul who rendered devotional service unto Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. In this way, Srila Nityananda Prabhu introduced the cult of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to everyone without discrimination. Even though the people were fallen souls and blasphemers, they were delivered by this process.

Lord Caitanya's mission is to deliver the fallen souls of this age. In this Age of Kali, practically cent percent of the population is fallen. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu certainly delivered many fallen souls, but His disciples mainly came from the upper classes. It was Srila Nityananda Prabhu, however, who delivered persons like Jagai and Madhai. Jagai and Madhai were delivered solely by Nityananda Prabhu's mercy. When they injured Nityananda Prabhu, Lord Caitanya became angry and decided to kill them with His Sudarshana cakra, but Nityananda Prabhu saved them from the Lord's wrath and delivered them. In the incarnation of Gaura-Nitai, the Lord is not supposed to kill demons but deliver them by preaching Krsna consciousness.

Similarly, if one is true to Gaura-Nitai's service in the disciplic succession, he can even excel Nityananda Prabhu's service. This is the process of disciplic succession. Nityananda Prabhu delivered Jagai and Madhai, but a servant of Nityananda Prabhu, by His grace, can deliver many thousands of Jagai's and Madhai's. That is the special benediction of the disciplic succession. One who is situated in the disciplic succession can be understood by the result of his activities. If we simply follow Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's instructions and follow in the footsteps of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, this Krsna consciousness movement can advance, and even more difficult tasks can be performed by the preachers remaining faithful to the service of the Lord. (CC Madya 16.63-68, Antya 3.148-149, Madya 1.29-30)

I offer innumerable obeisances unto the lotus feet of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, who is so kind that He spread the service of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu all over the world. (Krsnadasa Kaviraja Goswami CC Madya-lila 1.26)

Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

February 3, 2004

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

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Nityananda Trayodasi

Nityananda Trayodasi is the appearance anniversary of Lord Nityananda.

Lord Nityananda, whose name means "eternally blissful", is the brother of Lord Caitanya. They are traditionally worshipped together, as are Krishna and Balarama.

On Nityananda Trayodasi devotees fast till noon. The day is spent recounting the special glories of Lord Nityananda, or Nitai as He is sometimes known, and in vigorous kirtana. In temples there is a ritual bathing of Gaura Nitai deities.

Lord Nityananda is an avadhuta: one who is not bound by social customs. He acts in pure devotion to His Divine brother in the mood of His servant but His behaviour is sometimes unfathomable.

Nevertheless He is considered more merciful than Lord Caitanya because He is so eager to deliver the mercy of Lord Caitanya. If anyone can please Nitai even in the smallest way, then that person will receive a spiritual grace that will transform his life.

This festival generally falls in February. Devotees enjoy a sumptuous feast in honour of Lord Nityananda who was Himself renowned as a very enthusiastic enjoyer of Krishna prasadam, transcendentally consuming it in superhuman quantities!