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"Srinivaasa is called by
the title Pandita (Learned Scholar)"
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
http://www.vaisnavacalendar.info/i/sri-srivasa-pandita-appearance.html
"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
bhakta-avatara
(devotional manifestation) is Lord Advaita Acarya, who is not different
from Sadaashiva. The bhata-akhya
(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, Laksmidevi".
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 Nityananda 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-Nityananda 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.
Also this...
Sivananda Sena had three
sons (Caitanya Dasa, Sri Rama Dasa, Kavi Karnapura) Before Kavi Karnapura
appeared, Lord Caitanya gave him the name "Puri Dasa." Sivananda Sena
brought Puri Dasa to meet Lord Caitanya in Jagannatha Puri. Sivananda
induced his infant son to offer dandavats to the Lord. Suddenly, in great
ecstasy, the baby grabbed Gauranga's foot and sucked the Lord's lotus
petal toe. Voicing their approval, the assembled devotees chanted Hari!
Hari!
At age seven, Kavi Karnapura received nama mantra
directly from Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Ordered and empowered by the Lord,
the boy instantly composed a wonderfully sweet, poetic Sanskrit verse.
Everyone present felt deeply moved and satisfied with his recitation.
Understanding that the boy had received Lord Caitanya's mercy, Sri Svarupa
Damodara said: "Since this boy's poetry pleases the heart, and completely
fills the ears with nectar, his name will be "Kavi Karnapura." (kavi means
poetry; karna-ear; puma-full).
At the age of sixteen, Kavi Karnapura started his
prolific writing career by producing
Caitanya-carita-mahakavya,
a masterpiece of transcendental srngara-rasa poetry.
Kavi Karnapura defines rasa: "That
dearmost sentiment which is tasted in a purified heart, absolutely purged
of all worldiness by contacting suddha-sattva (pure transcendental
goodness). That which is the fountainhead of that striking, varied,
charming sweetness, and is way beyond the realm of thought is rasa."
He also wrote Caitanya-candrodaya-nataka,
Gaura and Radha Krishna Gannodesh Dipikas, Alankara Kaustubha,
Ananda Vrndavana Campu.
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