Sri Nityananda Bhaja Gourango Kaho Gourango Laha Gouranger Nam Prabhu - Distributor Re of Sri Gauranga's Love Jei

Jan Gourango Bhaje Seijan Hoy Amar Pran Re In Ekchakra, Birbhum "Love Gourango, say Gourango , take Gourango's name present West Bengal in O! 1395 Saka, 1473 A.D. on the Maghi Shukla Trayodasi, 12 January Whoever loves my Gourango is my life and soul 0! " Nitaichand descended on this earth. His father was a Brahmin of Shandilya Gotra named Mukunda Bandopadhya (popularly known as Harai Pandit) and mother Padmavati Devi. After the sacred thread cermony of Nitaichand an unknown sanyasi arrived at their house and begged Harai Pandit to leave Nitaichand with him. Nitaichand left Ekchakra with the Sanyasi never to return again. For 20 long years, He travelled extensively throughout the country during which period he was initiated (diksha). While in Vrindaban, Nitaichand came to know through heresay that Lord Krishna has reincarnated in GOUD (presently Bengal). Without any further delay he proceeded towards GOUD and arrived straight at Nabadwip. Here he took incognito shelter in the house of Nandan Acharya. Thus by very nature we see that Nitaichand was averse to publicly assert Sri Sri Nityananda Mahaprabhu Himself. Just like a vessel full to the brim, which makes little noise Nitaichand chose not to be ostentious. Narottam Thakur

likened Nitaichand to a pot full of sublime love from which Sri Chaitanya drank to His hearts content and let others have a taste of it too. Even Sri Chaitanya remarked to His near and dear ones to wait for a day or two within which he expected the ascendence of a Divine personality. At last. Sri Chaitanya seeked out Nitaichand and two met for the first time on the shukla chaturdasi in the month of ASAD. The significance of this historic meeting cannot be described in a few words. It is suffice to say that it affected the total gamut of religion, culture and society and brought about a revolution. The next day was SRI GURU PURNIMA, Nitaichand offered garland at the Lotus feet of Sri Chaitanya and declared that HE-Sri Chaitanya was the only one to be worshipped. The union of Sri Chaitanya and Sri Nityananda signified the completion of a full circle. For the next six years the world was a witness to their activities which ultimately led the world towards the path of salvation. Sri Chaitanya repeatedly brought Nitaichand to the forefront and declared that it was HE who was capable of giving us a taste of heavenly love and compassion. The world remained awe struck as Nitaichand's love encompassed the despised and the down trodden, the outcaste and the unwanted, the hostile and the hermit.

In the time of despair he turned out to be our pillar of strength and inspiration. Jagganath Roy and Madhab Roy commonly known as Jagai and Madhai were well known drunkards and tyrants of Nabadwip. On being approached by Nitaichand, to mend their ways by chanting the name of the Lord they not only hurled abuses but even physically hurt Him. Although Sri Chaitanya was very much angered and had even summoned the Sudarshan Chakra to decimate these two, Nitaichand intervened and begged mercy on their behalf. Better sense prevailed and the two most unwanted men fell at the feet of Nitaichand, and the Lord - symbol of compassion and mercy embraced and blessed the two. An incident which occurred while Nitaichand was in Nabadwip in the house of Hiranya Vidyanidhi needs mention here. A Brahmin by birth and dacoit by profession, was lured by the gold ornaments of Nitaichand. He along with his armed comrades tried unsuccessfully on two successive nights to rob Nitaichand. On the third night he tried again but his efforts were threatened by inclement weather. He realized his limitations and the next dawn after a dip in the holy Ganges he went straight Nitaichand and fell prostrate at His feet. He confesses his misdeeds and also his intention to drown himself in the Ganges. The Lord came forward embraced the dacoit with his both hands. Nitaichand assured the dacoit that if he did not indulge in his profession any further then the Lord himself would forfeit the burden of his sins. Saying Nitaichand gave the dacoit his garland. In the year 1509 A.D Chaitanya renounced the world and become an ascetic-sanyasi. His pending departure brought pall of gloom on His near and dear ones foremost of which was Nitaichand. When Sri Chaitanya expressed His desire to visit Vrindaban, Nitaichand foresaw the impact it would have on the people of Nabadwip. In order refrain Sri Chaitanya, Nitaichand took Him along with Himself and meandered here and there for some days. Ultimately He brought Sri Chaitanya to Santipur and handed Him over to Sri Adwaita. On seeing, Adwaita the whole ploy became clear to Sri Chaitanya but then He could do little. Immediately Nitaichand sped to Nabadwip to bring Sachi Debi (mother of Sri Chaitanya) who was on the verge of insanity. Along with Sachi Debi came many denizens of Nabadwip and after twelve days Sachi Debi cooked prasad for Sri Chaitanya, served Him and then partook Herself. After renouncing the world, Sri Chaitanya arrived at Nilachal along with Nitaichand. Here later on Nitachand blessed the tribal from the mountains of Sherpur in

Mymansigh district (presently in Bangladesh). It was as if a stone (from the mountain) was transformed into a diamond. As Sri Chaitanya's heart ached for the salvation of society He summoned Nitaichand and ordered Him to spread "Naam & Prem" (name of God & love) irrespective of caste, creed and religion and into every nook and corner of this world. Leaving SriChaitanya in Gambhira, Nitaichand went about to fulfill his chosen task. The world got a taste of the hitherto untasted and pure love. At this time the country was struck with famine and Nitaichand with the help of Uddharan Dutta jumped in to help the hungry. An area of about 30 bighas was acquired near the present Bandel Rail station and the hungry and destitute were provided food and shelter. He broke the barriers of caste, creed, religion and wealth and placed these starving people on a common platform. Sri Chaitanya stayed at Gambhira for 18 years. During this period devotees mainly from Bengal visited Him for four months a year. Many discussions were held and important decisions reached. But it was Nitaichand who implemented these decisions. One of them was to establish cultural centers. These cultural centers helped to spread the message of The Lord and the emergence of many a great men. Next : Goddess Jahnava - Ma Ananga Manjari - Wife of Nityananda Prabhu - Sister of Sri Radharani in Braja Lila

JAHNAVA DEVI--

HALLOWED BE THY NAME

Jahnava Devi -the wife of Nityanada Prabhu was a luminary in her own light. An erudite, her indepth knowledge of religion, efficiency, mild manner, cordial relations with sundry and above all her magnanimity are beyond description in a few words. Like, HIS DIVINE GRACE -NITYANANDA PRABHU, she had this capacity to mingle with people from all strata of society. Hence she was much revered by not only the Gaudiya Vaishnavas but saints from other sects too. Even the devotees of Vrindaban had ample respect for her, notable amongst them were the venerable six Goswamis. who looked upon her as their mother and reserved the same respect and devotion as they had for Nityananda Prabhu. Jahnava Devi was often referred to as Mata. Thakurani, Iswari etc. In 1483 Saka when Jahnava Mata visited Vrindaban. Sri Rupa Goswami and Sanatan Goswami sent Srijiva Goswami to receive her and bring Her to Vrindaban. Sri Rupa Goswami vacated his Bhajan Kutir to enable Jahnava Devi stay in Vrindaban. Here. many well known Brajabasis called on her regularly to pay their respects. Javnava Mata blessed those who came and often gave religious discourses. She even stayed for some time at the Bhajan Kutirs of Sanatan Goswami,

Sri Sri Jahnava Devi - At SriPat of Sri Das Gadadhar associate of Sri Nitai - Gaur

Raghunath Bhatta Goswami and Gopal Bhatta Goswami. On the request of the Goswamis she used to cook prasad, offer them to Govinda Jew, Gopinath, Madan Mohan, Sri Radha Raman and then serve the Goswamis. At the behest of Sanatan Goswami, she had once performed Sandhya Aarti of Madanmohana quite remarkable happening. She visited Vrindaban on two other occasion and every time she was accorded the same respect and devotion. Jahnava Devi was above mundane matters and by virtue of Her greatness easily endeared all around Her irrespective of their social status. While she was visiting Vrindaban for the first time, she pitched tent for a night near a village. The villagers were well to do but they were disbelievers of Vaishnava philosophy. Theyjeered and taunted Jahnava Devi and her entourage but that did not deter Jahnava Devi from spending the night there. The next morning the village elders came and fell at the feet of Jahnava Devi. This was because Devi Chandi had appeared in their dreams and revealed the true identity of Jahnava Devi and they were also told to beg her pardon for their misbehaviour. But the epitome of mercyJahnava Devi had already pardoned the villagers, the moment she decided to spend the night in the village.

Her halt for one night extended for a few more days.

On the same journey, similar fate awaited a group of bandits who decided to rob Jahnava Devi and her associates in a deserted area. The dacoits encircled the tent of Jahnava Devi several times but could not find the entrance to it. They seemed totally lost and misdirected and continued so till dawn. The dacoits found that they were standing on the same spot from where they started their nocturnal venture. This surprised the leader of the group, Kutubuddin so much that he nearly lost his mental balance. Finding no other way out he along with his group fell at the feet of Jahnava Devi, seeking emancipation. Birchandra, who was Nityananda Prabhu's son was about seven years old when the Lord left this material world on to His heavenly journey. A few years after this, Birchandra expressed His desire to get initiated (Diksha) and chose Adwaita Prabhu of Santipur as His Gurudeva. Hearing this Adwaita Prabhu dissuaded him and convinced Birchandra to be initiated by Jahnava Devi. Birchandra returned from Santipur to Khardah and proceeded to meet His mother. Jahnava Devi at that time was engrossed in her prayers (japa), her both hands preoccupied and oblivious of the fact that her head veil had fallen off. On sensing Birchandra's arrival, miraculously Jahnava Devi produced two more hands to cover her forehead with the fallen veil. Birchandra was a spectator to the entire episode and it left Him dumbstruck. Immediately He fell at the feet of His mother and Jahnava Devi mercifully initiated Him. Incidentally it can be said that Jahnava Devi was the first woman spiritual leader. During Her lifetime many idols of Jahnava Devi were established and worrshipped both in and outside Bengal, especially in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Sitting beside Gopinath on the same throne, in the Gopinath Temple at Jahnava Ghat in Radhakunda is none other than Jahnava Devi. In the main Gopinath Temple in Jaipur, Jahnava Devi's idol is seated next to Gopinath. So also is the case in Gopinath Temple in Vrindaban and the historic Gopinath Temple in Kamyavan. Gangamani, the daughter of Nityananda Prabhu, lived in Jeerut, in Bengal. Here too a wooden idol of Jahnava Devi stands next to Gopinath. In Ariadaha, a place close to Dakshineswar lived Das Gadhadhar, a disciple of Nityananda Prabhu. He worshipped a wooden full sized idol of Jahnava Devi, which is still there. Similar idol can be found in Jagganath Tala temple in Sukh Sagar - a place where Nityananda Prabhu spent some time with both His wives - Basudha and Jahnava. Later on, Sukhsagar with its charming natural beauty attracted the attention of Warren Hastings, who built his summer residence here, known as Sukhsagar House. Warren Hastings at one time shifted the revenue department to Sukhsagar to a building named Revenue House. Like Sukhsagar, Nityananda Prabhu spent some of His post marital period at a place called Rukunpur. Nabani Hore and Krishanadas Hore were two disciples of NityanandaPrabhu who stayed at Rukunpur. In the temple at Rukunpur, we see wooden idols of not only Nityananda Prabhu, but both Basudha and Jahnava Devi along with Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Birchandra. The adopted son ofJahnava Devi - Ramchandra also established a metallic idol of His mother. Nabadwip also has many such temples where Jahnava Devi is worshipped. Suryadas Pandit was the father of Jahnava Devi and His residence was at Kalna. Even today the devotees are spell bound to see the idol of Jahnava Devi on the same throne where Her father's idol stands. All these facts emphatically establish Jahnava Devi's influence of the then society and the devotees. Till today, the auspicious Advent Ceremony of Jahnava Devi is celebrated for three days-shukla astami, navami and dasami in the month of Baisakh with due solemnity at Radhakunda. The place where Jahnava Devi sat at Radhakunda, colloquially known

as Baithak is still preserved with due respect by the sadhus of Radhakunda. All these above mentioned facts bear ample testimony that Jahnava Devi is still respected and revered and that Her legacy along with that of Nityananda Prabhu lives on. Previous - Back to Nityananda Prabhu's biography