Śrī Navadvīpa-dhāma Māhātmya – Chapter Fifteen

pañca-tattva sahita gaurāṅga jaya jaya
jaya jaya navadvīpa gaurāṅga-ālaya [1]

All glory to Śrī Gaurāṅga, the Pañca Tattva, and the abode of Śrī Gaurāṅga, Śrī Navadvīpa!

śrī-vaikuṇṭha-pure āsi’ prabhu nityānanda
śrī-jīve kahena tabe hāsi’ manda manda [2]

Arriving in Śrī Vaikuṇṭhapura, Nityānanda Prabhu smiled gently and spoke to Śrī Jīva.

“navadvīpa aṣṭa-dala eka-pārśve haya
ei ta vaikuṇṭha-purī śunaha niścaya [3]

“Please listen carefully. Here, on one side of the eight-petalled lotus of Navadvīpa, is Vaikuṇṭhapura.

paravyoma śrī-vaikuṇṭha nārāyaṇa-sthāna
virajāra pāre sthiti ei ta sandhāna [4]

“Śrī Vaikuṇṭha, the spiritual world, the abode of Nārāyaṇa, is situated beyond the Virajā River. This is its position.

māyāra nāhika tathā gati kadācana
śrī-bhū-līlā-śakti-sevya tathā nārāyaṇa [5]

“Māyā never enters there, where Nārāyaṇa is served by the śrī, bhū, and līlā energies.

cinmaya bhūmira brahma haya ta kiraṇa
carma-cakṣe jaḍa-dṛṣṭi kare sarva-jana [6]

“The effulgence of this spiritual land is Brahma. With fleshy eyes, everyone sees it to be material.

ei nārāyaṇa-dhāme nitya nirañjane
nārada dekhila kabhu cinmaya locane [7]

“Nārada once saw this pure, eternal abode of Nārāyaṇa with his spiritual eyes.

nārāyaṇe dekhe punaḥ gaurāṅga-sundara
dekhi’ hethā kata-dine rahe muni-vara [8]

“He saw Nārāyaṇa, and then saw Him as Gaurāṅga-sundara. Thereafter, Nārada, the best of the sages, stayed here for some time.

āra eka kathā gūḍha āchhe purātana
jagannātha-kṣetre āilā ācārya lakṣmaṇa [9]

“There is another ancient, confidential subject. Once, Rāmānuja Ācārya came to Jagannātha Kṣetra.

bahu stave tuṣṭa kaila deva jagannāthe
kṛpā kari’ jagannātha āila sākṣāte [10]

“He pleased Lord Jagannātha with numerous prayers, and Jagannātha mercifully came before him.

sākṣāte āsiyā prabhu balila vacana
‘navadvīpa-dhāma tumi karaha darśana [11]

“Coming before him, the Lord said, ‘Visit Navadvīpa Dhāma.

ati alpa-dine āmi nadīyā-nagare
prakaṭa ha-iba jagannātha-miśra-ghare [12]

“‘Very soon, I will appear in Nadīyā in the home of Jagannātha Miśra.

navadvīpa haya mora ati priya-sthāna
paravyoma tāra eka-deśe adhiṣṭhāna [13]

“‘Navadvīpa is My dearmost abode. The spiritual world of Vaikuṇṭha is situated within one portion of it.

tumi mora nitya-dāsa bhakata pradhāna
avaśya dekhibe tumi navadvīpa-sthāna [14]

“‘You are My eternal servant, and foremost amongst My devotees. You must see Navadvīpa Dhāma.

tava śiṣya-gaṇa dāsya-rasete magana
hethāya thākuka tumi karaha gamana [15]

“‘Let your disciples remain here immersed in dāsya-rasa. You must go.

navadvīpa nā dekhe ye pāiyā śarīra
mithyā tāra janma ohe rāmānuja dhīra [16]

“‘O wise Rāmānuja! The birth of those who obtain a body but do not see Navadvīpa is meaningless.

raṅga-sthāna śrī-veṅkaṭa yādava acala
navadvīpa-kalā mātra haya se sakala [17]

“‘Śrī Raṅgam, Śrī Veṅkaṭa, and Yādavācala are simply minor parts of Navadvīpa.

ataeva navadvīpa kariyā gamana
dekhe gaurāṅgera rūpa keśava-nandana [18]

“‘Therefore, O Rāmānuja, go to Navadvīpa and see the form of Gaurāṅga.

bhakti pracārite tumi āile dharā-tale
sārthaka ha-uka janma gaura-kṛpā-bale [19]

“‘You came to the earth to preach devotion. May your birth be successful by the mercy of Gaura.

navadvīpa dekhi’ tumi yāo kūrma-sthāna
śiṣya-gaṇa sane tathā ha-ibe milana’ [20]

“‘See Navadvīpa and then go to Kūrma Sthāna. You will meet your disciples there.’

eta śuni’ lakṣmaṇācārya yuḍi’ dui kara
jagannāthe nivedana kare ataḥpara [21]

“Hearing this, Rāmānuja Ācārya joined his palms and prayed to Jagannātha.

‘tomāra kṛpāya prabhu gaura-kathā śuni’
kona tattva gaura-candra tāhā nāhi jāni’ [22]

“‘O Lord, by Your mercy I have now heard about Gaurāṅga, but I do not know who He is.’

rāmānuje kṛpā kari’ jagabandhu bale
‘golokera nātha kṛṣṇa jānena sakale [23]

“Jagannātha mercifully replied to Rāmānuja, ‘Everyone knows that Kṛṣṇa is the Lord of Goloka.

yāṅhāra vilāsa-mūrti prabhu nārāyaṇa
sei kṛṣṇa para-tattva dhāma vṛndāvana [24]

“‘Lord Nārāyaṇa is a form Kṛṣṇa assumes to perform Pastimes. Kṛṣṇa is the supreme being, and His abode is Vṛndāvana.

sei kṛṣṇa pūrṇa rūpe nitya gaurahari
sei vṛndāvana-dhāma navadvīpa-purī [25]

“‘Kṛṣṇa also exists fully and eternally as Gaurahari, and Vṛndāvana also exists fully and eternally as Navadvīpa.

navadvīpe āmi nitya gaurāṅga-sundara
navadvīpa śreṣṭha-dhāma jagata bhitara [26]

“‘In Navadvīpa, I am eternally present as Gaurāṅga-sundara. Navadvīpa is the best abode in the world.

āmāra kṛpāya dhāma āchhe bhū-maṇḍale
māyā-gandha nāhi tathā sarva-śāstre bale [27]

“‘By My grace, Navadvīpa Dhāma is present on the earth, and all the scriptures say that there is no trace of māyā there.

bhū-maṇḍale āchhe bali’ yadi bhāva hīna
tabe tava bhakti kṣaya habe dina dina [28]

“‘If you think that Navadvīpa is degraded because it is present on the earth, then your devotion will diminish day by day.

āmāra acintya-śakti se cinmaya-dhāme
āmāra icchāya rākhiyāchhe māyāśrame [29]

“‘By My will, My inconceivable energy has manifested this spiritual abode within the realm of Māyā.

yuktira atīta tattva śāstra nāhi pāya
kevala jānena bhakta āmāra kṛpāya’ [30]

“The scriptures do not ascertain truth that is beyond reason. Only devotees understand it, by My grace.’

jagannātha-vākya śuni’ rāmānuja dhīra
śrī-gaurāṅga-preme tabe ha-ila asthira [31]

“Hearing the words of Jagannātha, the sober Rāmānuja became overwhelmed with divine love for Śrī Gaurāṅga.

bale, ‘prabhu baḍa-i āścarya līlā tava
veda-śāstra nāhi jāne tomāra vaibhava [32]

“He said, ‘O Lord, Your Pastimes are extremely astonishing. The Vedic scriptures do not know Your glories.

śāstrete viśeṣa-rūpe śrī-gaurāṅga-līlā
kena prabhu jagannātha vyakta nā karilā [33]

“‘O Lord Jagannātha, why did the scriptures not specifically describe the Pastimes of Śrī Gaurāṅga?

gāḍha-rūpe śruti-purāṇādi dekhi yabe
kabhu gaura-tattva sphurti citte pāi tabe [34]

“‘Only when I look at the Vedas, Purāṇas, and other scriptures in a deeper way do I find revelation of Gaurāṅga.

tava ājñā prāpta haye chāḍila saṁśaya
gaura-līlā-rasa hṛde ha-ila udaya [35]

“‘Receiving Your order, I have left behind my doubts. The ecstasy of the Pastimes of Gaura has arisen in my heart.

ājñā haya navadvīpa kariyā gamana
pracāriba gaura-līlā e tina bhuvana [36]

“‘If You order me, I will go to Navadvīpa and then preach about the Pastimes of Gaura throughout the three worlds.

gūḍha-śāstra vyakta kari’ jānāba sabāre
gaura-bhakta kari’ bala e tina saṁsāre’ [37]

“‘I will reveal hidden scriptures, enlighten everyone, and make every soul within the three worlds a devotee of Gaura! Please speak.’

rāmānuja-āgraha dekhiyā jagannātha
bale, ‘rāmānuja nāhi bala aichhe bāta [38]

“Seeing the eagerness of Rāmānuja, Jagannātha said, ‘O Rāmānuja, do not speak this way.

gaura-līlā ati gūḍha rākhibe gopane
se līlāra aprakaṭe pābe sarva-jane [39]

“‘My Pastimes as Gaura are very confidential; keep them secret. Only after they are unmanifest will everyone receive them.

tumi dāsya-rasa mora karaha pracāra
nije nije citte gaura bhaja anibāra’ [40]

“‘Preach dāsya-rasa, and always worship Gaura within your heart.’

saṅketa pāiyā rāmānuja mahāśaya
gopane śrī-navadvīpe ha-ila udaya [41]

“Receiving this instruction, Rāmānuja Ācārya secretly came to Navadvīpa.

pāche vyakta haya gaura-līlā asamaye
se kāraṇe rāmānuje viśvaksena laye [42]

paravyoma śrī-vaikuṇṭha-purīte rākhaya
ei sthāna dekhi’ rāmānuja mugdha haya [43]

“So that the Pastimes of Gaura were not manifest prematurely, Nārāyaṇa took Rāmānuja and kept him in Śrī Vaikuṇṭhapura. Seeing this place, Rāmānuja was charmed.

śrī-bhū-līlā-niṣevita paravyoma-pati
dekhā dila rāmānuje kṛpā kari’ ati [44]

“Nārāyaṇa, who is served by His śrī, bhū, and līlā energies, then very mercifully revealed Himself to Rāmānuja.

rāmānuja nija iṣṭa-devera darśane
āpanāre dhanya māni’ gaṇe mane mane [45]

“Seeing His worshippable Lord, Rāmānuja felt himself to be most fortunate.

kṣaṇeke lakṣmaṇa dekhe puraṭa-sundara
jagannātha-miśra-suta-rūpa manohara [46]

“Rāmānuja then suddenly saw the beautiful, enchanting, golden form of the son of Jagannātha Miśra.

rūpera chaṭāya rāmānuja mūrcchā yāya
śrī-gaura dharila pada tāṅhāra māthāya [47]

“Rāmānuja fainted in the lustre of the Lord’s form, and Śrī Gaura put His feet on Rāmānuja’s head.

divya-jñāne rāmānuja karila stavana
‘nadīyā prakaṭa-līlā pāba daraśana’ [48]

“With divine knowledge, Rāmānuja then prayed, ‘May I behold Your manifest Pastimes in Nadīyā.’

ei bali’ preme kāṅde rāmānuja-svāmī
bale, ‘navadvīpa chāḍi’ nāhi yāba āmi’ [49]

“Saying this, Rāmānuja cried with divine love. Then he said, ‘I will not leave Navadvīpa.’

kṛpā kari’ gaurahari balila vacana
‘pūrṇa habe icchā tava keśava-nandana [50]

“Mercifully, Gaurahari said, ‘O Rāmānuja, your desires will be fulfilled.

ye kāle nadīyā-līlā prakaṭa ha-ibe
takhana dvitīya janma navadvīpe pābe’ [51]

“‘When My Pastimes in Nadīyā manifest, you will be born again in Navadvīpa.’

ei bali’ gaurahari haila antardhāna
svastha haye rāmānuja karila prayāṇa [52]

“Saying this, Gaurahari disappeared. Satisfied, Rāmānuja departed.

kata-dine kūrma-sthāne haila upasthita
tathā dekhā haila śiṣya-gaṇera sahita [53]

“Eventually, Rāmānuja arrived in Kūrma Sthāna and met his disciples there.

dākṣiṇātye giyā dāsya-rasa vyakta kare
navadvīpa śrī-gaurāṅga bhāviyā antare [54]

“He proceeded south and preached about dāsya–rasa while thinking of Navadvīpa and Śrī Gaurāṅga within His heart.

gaurāṅgera kṛpā-vaśe ei nitya-dhāme
janamila rāmānuja śrī-ananta nāme” [55]

“By the mercy of Gaurāṅga, Rāmānuja took birth in this eternal abode as Śrī Ananta Ācārya.”

vallabha-ācārya-gṛhe kariyā gamana
lakṣmī-gaurāṅgera vibhā kare daraśana [56]

The party then went to the home of Vallabha Ācārya and saw the site of Lakṣmī and Gaurāṅga’s marriage.

“anantera gṛha-sthāna dekha bhakta-gaṇa
hethā nārāyaṇa-bhakta chila bahu-jana [57]

“O devotees, see the site of Ananta Ācārya’s home. Here, there were many devotees of Nārāyaṇa.

tāt-kālika rāja-gaṇa ei pīṭha-sthāne
nārāyaṇa-sevā prakāśila sabe jāne” [58]

“Everyone knows that the king of that time established worship of Nārāyaṇa in this place.”

niḥśreyasa vana ei virajāra pāra
bhakta-gaṇa dekhi’ pāya ānanda apāra [59]

Seeing the Niḥśreyasa forest on the bank of the Virajā River, the devotees felt unlimited joy.

ei rūpa pūrva-kathā balite balite
sabe upanīta mahatpura sannihite [60]

While discussing this history, the devotees arrived in Mahatpura.

prabhu bale, “ei sthāne āchhe kāmyavana
parama bhakati saha kara daraśana [61]

Nityānanda Prabhu said, “Kāmyavaan is present here. Visit it with great devotion.

pañca-vaṭa ei sthāne chila pūrva kāle
prabhura icchāya ebe gela antarāle [62]

“Previously, there were five banyan trees here, but by the will of the Lord, they have since disappeared.

ebe ei sthāna mātāpura nāma kaya
pūrva nāma śāstra-siddha mahatpura haya [63]

“This place is now called Mātāpura. The scriptures state that its previous name was Mahatpura.

draupadīra saha pāṇḍu-putra pañca-jana
ajñāta-vāsete gauḍe kaila āgamana [64]

“Once, the five Pāṇḍavas came to Gauḍa with Draupadī to live incognito.

ekacakrā-grāme svapne rājā yudhiṣṭhira
nadīyā-māhātmya jāni’ ha-ila asthira [65]

“Understanding the glories of Nadīyā through a dream in Ekacakrā, Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira became amazed.

para-dina navadvīpa darśanera āśe
ei sthāne āila sabe parama ullāse [66]

“Desiring to see Navadvīpa, the Pāṇḍavas came here the next day with great joy.

navadvīpa-śobhā heri’ pāṇḍu-putra-gaṇa
gauḍa-vāsi-gaṇa-bhāgya kare praśaṁsana [67]

“Seeing the beauty of Navadvīpa, the Pāṇḍavas praised the fortune of the residents of Gauḍa.

kata-dina karilena ei sthāne vāsa
asura-rākṣasa-gaṇe karila vināśa [68]

“They stayed here for some time and killed various demons.

yudhiṣṭhira-ṭilā ei dekha sarva-jana
draupadīra kuṇḍa hethā kare daraśana [69]

“Everyone, see there Yudhiṣṭhira Ṭilā. See here the pond of Draupadī.

sthānera māhātmya jāni’ rājā yudhiṣṭhira
ei sthāne kata-dina ha-ilena sthira [70]

“Understanding the glories of this place, Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira stayed here for some time.

eka-dina svapne dekhe gaurāṅgera rūpa
sarva-dika ālo kare ati aparūpa [71]

“One day, in a dream, he saw the extraordinary form of Gaurāṅga illuminate all directions.

hāsite hāsite gaura balila vacana
‘ati gopya rūpa ei kara daraśana [72]

“Smiling, Gaurāṅga said, ‘Behold this very secret form.

āmi kṛṣṇa nanda-suta tomāra ālaye
mitra-bhāve thāki sadā nija-jana haye [73]

“‘I am Kṛṣṇa, the son of Nanda, and I always stay in your house as your friendly companion.

ei navadvīpa-dhāma sarva-dhāma-sāra
kalite prakaṭa haye nāśe andhakāra [74]

“‘Navadvīpa Dhāma is the best of all abodes. It will manifest during Kali-yuga and dispel all darkness.

tumi sabe āchha cira-kāla dāsa mama
āmāra prakaṭa-kāle pāibe janama [75]

“‘You are all My eternal servants, and when I appear, you will also take birth.

utkala deśete sindhu-tīre tomā saha
ekatre puruṣottame raba ahaḥ-rahaḥ [76]

“‘I will live with you permanently in Puruṣottama Kṣetra on the bank of the ocean in Odisha.

ei sthāna haite ebe yāha oḍra-deśa
se deśa pavitra kari’ nāśa jīva-kleśa’ [77]

“‘From here, go to Odisha, purify the country, and remove the sorrow of the people.’

svapna dekhi’ yudhiṣṭhira bhrātṛ-gaṇe bale
yukti kari’ chaya-jane oḍra-deśe cale [78]

“After having this dream, Yudhiṣṭhira spoke to his brothers. They consulted with Draupadī and then went to Odisha.

navadvīpa chāḍite haila baḍa kleśa
tathāpi pālana kare prabhura ādeśa [79]

“They felt great sorrow to leave Navadvīpa. Still, they followed the order of the Lord.

ei sthāne madhva-muni śiṣya-gaṇa laye
rahilena kata-dina dhāma-vāsī haye [80]

“Madhva Muni also stayed here with his disciples for some time as a resident of the Dhāma.

madhvere kariyā kṛpā gaurāṅga-sundara
svapne dekhāila rūpa ati manohara [81]

“Gaurāṅga-sundara mercifully revealed His most enchanting form to Madhva Ācārya in a dream.

hāsi’ hāsi’ gaura-candra madhvācārye bale
‘tumi nitya-dāsa mama jāne ta sakale [82]

“Smiling, Gaura-candra said to Madhvācārya, ‘Everyone knows that you are My eternal servant.

navadvīpe yabe āmi prakaṭa ha-iba
tava sampradāya āmi svīkāra kariba [83]

“‘When I appear in Navadvīpa, I will follow your lineage.

ebe sarva-deśe tumi kariyā yatana
māyāvāda asac-chāstra kara utpāṭana [84]

śrī-mūrti-māhātmya tumi kara parakāśa
tava śuddha mata āmi kariba vikāśa’ [85]

“‘Now, carefully eradicate illusionism and false scriptures from all regions, and establish the glory of the Lord’s Deity form. Later, I will develop your pure conception.’

eta bali’ gaura-candra haila antardhāna
nidrā bhāṅgi’ madhva-muni ha-ila ajñāna [86]

“Saying this, Gaura-candra disappeared. Madhva Muni awoke and then fainted.

‘āra ki dekhiba rūpa puraṭa-sundara’
baliyā krandana kare madhva ataḥpara [87]

“Madhvācārya then cried, wondering, ‘Will I ever see that beautiful golden form again?’

daiva-vāṇī haila tabe nirmala ākāśe
‘āmāre gopane bhaji’ āisa mama pāśe’ [88]

“Then a divine voice came from the clear sky, ‘Serve Me secretly, and you will come to Me.’

susthira ha-iyā madhvācārya mahāśaya
māyāvādī digvijaye karila vijaya” [89]

“Madhvācārya became resolute and defeated the māyāvādīs in all directions.”

ei saba pūrva-kathā balite balite
rudradvīpe upanīta dekhite dekhite [90]

As Nityānanda Prabhu spoke about all this history, the devotees suddenly arrived in Rudradvīpa.

prabhu nityānanda bale, “ei rudra-khaṇḍa
bhāgīrathī prabhāve ha-ila dui khaṇḍa [91]

Nityānanda Prabhu said, “This is Rudradvīpa. It has been divided into two parts by the Gaṅgā.

loka-vāsa nāhi hethā prabhura icchāya
paśchimera dvīpa dekha pūrva-pāre yāya [92]

“By the will of the Lord, people do not live here. See that this western island has moved to the east bank of the river.

hethā haite dekha ai śrī-śaṅkarapura
śobhā pāya gaṅgā-tīre dekha kata dūra [93]

“From here, see Śrī Śaṅkarpura. See how far it shines along the bank of the Gaṅgā.

śaṅkara ācārya yabe kare digvijaya
navadvīpa jaye tathā upasthita haya [94]

“When Śaṅkarācārya was conquering all directions, he came there to conquer Navadvīpa.

manete vaiṣṇava-rāja ācārya śaṅkara
bāhire advaitavādī māyāra kiṅkara [95]

“At heart, Śaṅkarācārya was a great Vaiṣṇava; only externally was he acting as a nondualist and servant of Māyā.

nije rudra-aṁśa sadā pratāpe pracura
pracchanna bauddhera mata pracārete śūra [96]

“He was a highly empowered manifestation of Śiva who was expert at preaching a conception of veiled Buddhism.

prabhura ājñāya rudra ei kārya kare
āilena yabe te̐ha nadīyā-nagare [97]

svapne prabhu gaura-candra dilā daraśana
kṛpā kari’ bale tāre madhura vacana [98]

“According to the order of the Lord, Śiva performs this duty. When Śaṅkarācārya came to Nadīyā, Gaura-candra revealed Himself to Śaṅkarācārya in a dream and mercifully spoke sweet words to him.

‘tumi ta āmāra dāsa mama ājñā dhari’
pracāricha māyāvāda bahu yatna kari’ [99]

“‘You are My servant, and following My order, you are very cleverly preaching illusionism.

ei navadvīpa-dhāma mama priya ati
hethā māyāvāda kabhu nā pāibe gati [100]

“‘Navadvīpa Dhāma is very dear to Me, and illusionism will never have a place here.

vṛddha-śiva hethā prauḍhā-māyāre la-iyā
kalpita āgama-gaṇe dena pracāriyā [101]

“‘Here, Vṛddha Śiva and Prauḍhā Māyā propagate imaginary interpretations of the scriptures.

mama bhakta-gaṇe dveṣa kare yei jana
tāhāre kevala te̐ha karena vañcana [102]

“‘They deceive, however, only those who oppose My devotees.

ei sthāne sādhāraṇe mama bhakta haya
duṣṭa-mata pracārera sthāna ihā naya [103]

“‘In general, My devotees reside here. This place is not for preaching misconception.

ataeva tumi kara anyatra gamana
navadvīpa-vāsi-gaṇe nā kara pīḍana’ [104]

“‘Therefore, you should go elsewhere. Do not trouble the residents of Navadvīpa.’

svapne navadvīpa-tattva jāniyā takhana
bhaktyāveśe anya deśe karila gamana [105]

“Understanding the position of Navadvīpa through this dream, Śaṅkarācārya went elsewhere, inspired with devotion.

ei rudradvīpe haya rudra-gaṇa-sthāna
hethā rudra-gaṇa gaura-guṇa kare gāna [106]

“The eleven Rudras reside here in Rudradvīpa and chant the glories of Gaura.

śrī-nīla-lohita-rudra-gaṇa-adhipati
mahānande nṛtya hethā kare niti niti [107]

“Śrī Nīlalohita Śiva, the leader of the Nīlalohita Rudras, always dances here with great joy.

rudra-nṛtya dekhi’ ākāśete deva-gaṇa
ānandete kare sabe puṣpa-variṣaṇa [108]

“Seeing the dancing of the Rudras, the gods in the sky joyfully shower flowers upon them.

kadācit viṣṇu-svāmī āsi’ digvijaye
rudradvīpe rahe rātre śiṣya-gaṇa laye [109]

“Once, Viṣṇu Svāmī, while conquering all directions, came to Rudradvīpa with his disciples and stayed the night.

‘hari hari’ bali’ nṛtya kare śiṣya-gaṇa
viṣṇu-svāmī śruti-stuti karena paṭhana [110]

“The disciples danced, chanting, ‘Hari! Hari!’, and Viṣṇu Svāmī recited prayers from the scriptures.

bhakti ālocanā dekhi’ haye haraṣita
kṛpā kari’ dekhā dila śrī-nīla-lohita [111]

“Seeing this devotional discussion, Śrī Nīlalohita Śiva was pleased and mercifully revealed himself.

vaiṣṇava-sabhāya rudra haila upanīta
dekhi’ viṣṇu-svāmī ati haila camakita [112]

“Upon seeing that Śiva had arrived at a Vaiṣṇava assembly, Viṣṇu Svāmī became completely amazed.

kara yuḍi’ stava kare viṣṇu tata-kṣaṇa
dayārdra ha-iyā rudra balena vacana [113]

“He immediately joined his palms and prayed to Śiva. Melting with compassion, Śiva spoke to him.

‘tomarā vaiṣṇava-jana mama priya ati
bhakti ālocanā dekhi’ tuṣṭa mama mati [114]

“‘All you Vaiṣṇavas are very dear to me, and my heart is delighted to see your discussion of devotion.

vara māga diba āmi ha-iyā sadaya
vaiṣṇave adeya mora kichu nāhi haya’ [115]

“‘Request a boon, and I will kindly give it to you. There is nothing that I do not give to Vaiṣṇavas.’

daṇḍavat praṇamiyā viṣṇu mahāśaya
kara yuḍi’ vara māge premānandamaya [116]

“Filled with divine love, Viṣṇu Svāmī bowed down, joined his palms, and requested a boon.

‘ei vara deha prabhu āmā sabākāre
bhakti-sampradāya siddhi labhi ataḥpare’ [117]

“‘O Lord, give us the boon that hereafter we will establish a school of devotion.’

parama ānande rudra vara kari’ dāna
nija sampradāya bali’ karila ākhyāna [118]

“With great joy, Rudra granted this boon and named the school after himself.

sei haite viṣṇu-svāmī svīya sampradāya
śrī-rudra nāmete khyāti diyā nāce gāya [119]

“Viṣṇu Svāmī thus named his school the Śrī Rudra sampradāya, and danced and sang.

rudra-kṛpā-bale viṣṇu e sthāne rahiyā
bhajile śrī-gaura-candra premera lāgiyā [120]

“By Śiva’s mercy, Viṣṇu Svāmī stayed here and worshipped Śrī Gaura-candra, aspiring for divine love.

svapne āsi’ śrī-gaurāṅga viṣṇure balila
‘mama bhakta rudra kṛpā tomāre ha-ila [121]

“Śrī Gaurāṅga came to Viṣṇu Svāmī in a dream and said, ‘My devotee Śiva blessed you.

dhanya tumi navadvīpe pāile bhakti-dhana
śuddhādvaita-mata pracāraha ei-kṣaṇa [122]

“‘You are fortunate to have attained the wealth of devotion in Navadvīpa. For now, preach pure non-dualism.

kata-dine habe mora prakaṭa samaya
śrī-vallabha-bhaṭṭa rūpe hai-be udaya [123]

“‘Later, at the time of My appearance, you will appear as Śrī Vallabha Bhaṭṭa.

śrī-kṣetre āmāre tumi kari’ daraśane
sampradāye siddhi pābe giyā mahāvane’ [124]

“‘You will meet Me in Śrī Kṣetra, later go to Mahāvana, and establish your school.’

ohe jīva śrī-vallabha gokule ekhana
tumi tathā gele pābe tāṅra daraśana” [125]

“O Jīva, Śrī Vallabha is now in Gokula. When you go there, you will meet him.”

eta bali’ nityānanda dakṣiṇābhimukhe
pāraḍāṅgā śrī-puline chalilena sukhe [126]

Saying this, Nityānanda happily walked southbound towards Pāraḍāṅgā through Śrī Pulina.

puline yāiyā prabhu nityānanda-rāya
śrī-rāsa-maṇḍala dhīra-samīra dekhāya [127]

Passing through Śrī Pulina, Nityānanda Prabhu showed the devotees Śrī Rāsa Maṇḍala and Dhīra Samīra.

bale, “jīva ei dekha nitya-vṛndāvana
vṛndāvana-līlā hethā pāya daraśana” [128]

He said, “O Jīva, see here eternal Vṛndāvana and its Pastimes.”

vṛndāvana śuni’ jīva premete vihvala
nayanete vahe dara-dara prema-jala [129]

Hearing of Vṛndāvana, Jīva became overwhelmed with divine love, and tears of love streamed from his eyes.

prabhu bale, “śrī-gaurāṅga laye bhakta-jana
ei sthāne rāsa-padya karila kīrtana [130]

Nityānanda Prabhu said, “Śrī Gaurāṅga chanted verses about the Rāsa-līlā here with the devotees.

mahārāsa-līlā-sthāna yathā vṛndāvane
tathā ei sthāna jīva jāhnavī-puline [131]

“O Jīva, this place on the bank of the Gaṅgā is the place of the great Rāsa-līlā in Vṛndāvana.

nitya-rāsa haya hethā gopī-gaṇa sane
daraśana kare kabhu bhāgyavāna jane [132]

“Daily, the Rāsa-līlā happens here with the gopīs. Sometimes fortunate souls see this.

ihāra paścime dekha śrī-dhīra-samīra
bhajanera sthāna ei śuna ohe dhīra [133]

“See Śrī Dhīra Samīra to the west. O wise one, hear about this place of worship.

vraje dhīra-samīra ye yamunāra tīre
sei sthāna hethā gaṅgā-pulina bhitare [134]

“The place known as Dhīra Samīra on the bank of the Yamunā in Vraja is present here on the bank of the Gaṅgā.

dekhite gaṅgāra tīra vastutaḥ tā naya
gaṅgāra paścima-dhāre śrī-yamunā vaya [135]

“Actually, you do not see the bank of the Gaṅgā here. The Yamunā flows on the west side of the Gaṅgā.

yamunāra tīre ei pulina sundara
ataeva vṛndāvana bale viśvambhara [136]

“This beautiful bank is on the shore of the Yamunā. Thus, Viśvambhara called this place Vṛndāvana.

vṛndāvane yata sthāna līlāra āchaya
se saba jānaha jīva ei sthāne haya [137]

“O Jīva, know that all the places of the Pastimes in Vṛndāvana are present here.

vṛndāvane navadvīpe kichu nāhi bheda
gaura-kṛṣṇe kabhu nāhi karibe prabheda” [138]

“There is no difference between Vṛndāvana and Navadvīpa, and one should never differentiate between Gaura and Kṛṣṇa.”

mahābhāve gara-gara nityānanda-rāya
vṛndāvana dekhāiyā jīve laye yāya [139]

Exuberant with intense ecstasy, Nityānanda Rāya revealed Vṛndāvana to Jīva and then took him ahead.

kata-dūre uttarete kariyā gamana
rudradvīpe sei rātri karila yāpana [140]

They went a little ways north and spent that night in Rudradvīpa.

nitāi-jāhnavā-pada yāhāra sampada
nadīyā-māhātmya gāya se bhaktivinoda [141]

Bhaktivinoda, whose wealth is the feet of Nitāi and Jāhnavā, chants the glories of Nadīyā.