Author Archives: Sevak

Nimbarkacharya

Nimbarkacharya.

Accurate biographies are difficult to find, yet authorities agree that Shri Nimbarkacharya preached Krishna consciousness about three-hundred years before the adventure of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

In Navadwipa Dhama Mahatyam, Shrila Bhaktivinoda Thakura says that Nimbarka had previously worshiped Lord Shiva in Bilva Paksha, Rudradwipa (Navadwipa). Lord Shiva appeared before Nimbarka instructing him to take initiation from the four Kumaras, who were meditating nearby. Nimbarka received Radha-Krishna mantra and continued living in Navadwipa. Following the teachings of the Sanat-Kumara Samhita, he worshiped Radha and Krishna with great love. Soon Radha and Krishna appeared before Nimbarka. Then the Divine Couple displayed Their unified form as Shri Gauranga Mahaprabhu.

Lord Gauranga said, "Nimbarka, in the future when I begin My sankirtana movement I will personally preach the perfect transcendental philosophy of achintya-bheda-abheda-tattva. I will take the essence of the philosophies of Madhva, Ramanuja, Vishnuswami. From you, Nimbarka, I will take two important principles: (1) The necessity of taking shelter of Shrimati Radharani. (2) The high esteem of the Vraja gopis love for Shri Krishna." Lord Gauranga disappeared after instructing Nimbarka. Shedding tears of ecstasy, Nimbarka left Navadwipa to begin his preaching mission. In Chaitanya lila, Nimbarka appeared as Keshava Kashmiri and received love of Godhead directly from Nimai Pandit.

There are striking similarities between the Gaudiyas and Nimbarkas. The followers of Nimbarka accept the six forms of surrender, practice the nine limbs of bhakti, and believe in the dasa mula (ten cardinal points of Gaudiya philosophy). They also worship Radha and Krishna in Vrindavana. They worship Shrimati Radharani as the topmost Devotee, and they accept the gopis love for Krishna is supreme. With beads, bhajans, and kirtans the Nimbarkas chant their version of the maha-mantra: Radhe Krishna Radhe Krishna Krishna Krishna Radhe.Radhe, Radhe Syama Radhe Syama Syama Syama Radhe Radhe.

In Vrindavana, about one mile from Govardhana, there is the village of Nimgaon, named after Nimbarkacharya, who lived there from childhood and later performed bhajana there. Many of Radha-Krishna's pastime places in Vrindavana are now maintained by the Nimbarka sect. In Mathura-Vrindavana, innumerable Devotees follow Nimbarka's path of bhakti. The Shriji Mandir, just off Loi Bazaar in Vrindavana, serves as the center of Nimbarka sampradaya.

From you, Nimbarka, I will take two important principles: (1) The necessity of taking shelter of Shrimati Radharani. (2) The high esteem of the Vraja gopis love for Shri Krishna." Lord Gauranga disappeared after instructing Nimbarka. Shedding tears of ecstasy, Nimbarka left Navadwipa to begin his preaching mission. In Chaitanya lila, Nimbarka appeared as Keshava Kashmiri and received love of Godhead directly from Nimai Pandit. (In the wallpaper: Shrimati Radharani, ISKCON Chowpatty, Mumbai).

Narayana Bhatta Goswami

Quoting Varaha Purana, he compiled Vraja-bhakti-vilasa, a detailed guidebook of Vraja Mandala. In this book he reveals his identity as Narada Muni. (In the image: from left to right Dhruva Maharaja and Narada Muni).

Narayana Bhatta Goswami was a disciple of Shri Krishna Dasa Brahmachari, coming in the line of Gadadhara Pandit Goswami. Narayana Bhatta was completely attached to Vraja bhumi. He saw no difference between the transcendental name, form, pastimes, and dhama of Vrindavana. He always relished the pastimes of Radha-Gopinatha in the association of rasika Vaishnavas.

Constantly, he wandered through the twelve forests of Vraja mandala. He uncovered many lost Deities and reestablished Their worship. He also revealed many of Radha-Shyamasundara's pastime places. Quoting Varaha Purana, he compiled Vraja-bhakti-vilasa, a detailed guidebook of Vraja Mandala. In this book he reveals his identity as Narada Muni. For this and other books he is known by the Vrajavasis as the Vrajacharya. His samadhi is in Unchagoan, the village of Shrimati Lalita-sakhi, located just near Shrimati Radharani's palace in Barshana.

Narahari Sarakara Thakura

arahari used to please the Lord by waving a chamara or a peacock fan. Shrila Thakura Bhaktivinoda's Gaura-aroti song glorifies this, narahari adi kori camara dhulaya. (In the image: Gaura Arati).

"Before meeting Mahaprabhu Narahari had written many Sanskrit and Bengali songs about the vraja rasa of Radha-Giridhari. Later, he and Gadadhara Pandit always stayed with Lord Chaitanya. Narahari used to please the Lord by waving a chamara or a peacock fan. Shrila Thakura Bhaktivinoda's Gaura-aroti song glorifies this, narahari adi kori camara dhulaya.

Narahari Sarakara's family was the pride of the Vaishnavas. By their influence all the people in Shri Khanda became Vaishnavas. The entire village turned into a "branch of the desire tree of love of God." Since the time of Lord Gaurachandra, Shri Khanda has been a preaching center for Gaudiya Vaishnavism. One day Shri Nityananda Prabhu came to Shri Khanda and asked Narahari, "All right, we know who you are. So where's the honey?" By his mystic power Narahari turned a pot of water into supersweet honey for the Lord's pleasure. Narahari serves Lord Shyamasundara in Vraja lila as Madhumati, a prana-sakhi who supplies mouth-watering honey for Radha-Damodara and Their dear ones.

Though not accessible, his samadhi is in Radha-kunda. (In the image: Samadhi of Shrila Narahari Sarakara Thakura).

"Shri Narahari Sarakara's very being was saturated with Radha Krishna prema. No one can fathom the depth of his devotion and pure love for Radha and Krishna. In Vraja he is Radha's dear sakhi, Madhumati (a storehoue of sweetness). And in Gauranga lila he is Narahari, a storehouse of Radha-Krishna prema." (Shri Chaitanya Mangala)

Narahari Sarakara books Padakalpataru and Krishna-bhajanamrta include wonderful intimate songs praising Lord Gauranga and Shri Nityananda Prabhu. Shripad B.V.Narayana Maharaja said, "Narahari composed many ambrosial nectarean songs that overflow with the sweetest devotion."

In Shri Krishna Bhajanamrtam, Narahari teaches how to worship Shri Krishna and Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Shri Lochana Dasa Thakura and many others were disciples of Narahari Sarakara Thakura. Though not accessible, his samadhi is in Radha-kunda.

Narahari Chakravarti Thakura

Being personally chosen by the Lord, Narahari became Radha-Govindaji's favorite cook in Vrindavana. He was known as rasuya pujari (the expert cook-priest) for mastering the art of making palatable dishes for the Lord. Wherever he traveld he established real religious principles. The Vaisnavas always received him with great respect. (In the image: Shri Govindaji, Jaipur).

Shri Narahari Chakravarti Thakura appeared in the late 1600's in West Bengal in a brahmana family. Jagannatha Vipra, his father, was a famous disciple of Shripad Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakura. Narahari (Ghanashyama Dasa) was a disciple of Narasimha Chakravarti in the line of Shrinvasa Acharya.

From youth Narahari observed a vow of celibacy. All his activities were pure and saintly. He was always meek and humble, thinking himself a mischievous rascal. He used to say, "I am unfit for serving the Lord. I have no qualifications at all." Yet he was extremely learned in the arts of dancing, singing, playing musical instruments. He knew the intricate science of using the musial arts to praise the Lord and His associates.

He was well-versed in the bhakti-shastras and in performing various kinds of devotional service. Being personally chosen by the Lord, Narahari became Radha-Govindaji's favorite cook in Vrindavana. He was known as rasuya pujari (the expert cook-priest) for mastering the art of making palatable dishes for the Lord. Wherever he traveld he established real religious principles. The Vaisnavas always received him with great respect.
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Fulfilling the desire of his father and the Supreme Lord, Narahari spent most of his life in the humble service of Govindaji. He ground sandalwood pulp, collected fire wood, cleaned the Temple courtyard, picked Tulasi leaves and manjaris, fanned Lord Govindaji from outside by pulling a rope.

Out of genuine humility he always kept himself at a distance. He did the service of ten men. The Temple pujaris would plead with him not to do such lowly service. Insisting, Narahari said, "I am most fallen. I have no right. It is really merciful of you all to let me render whatever service I can." Narahari passed his days deeply absorbed in devotional service. He would always show respect to everyone he met. Seeing Narahari's behavior, the Vrajavasis always spoke about his good qualities.

Narahari Chakravarti Thakura was always satisfied to remain in the humble service of Govindaji. He cooked for the Lord well into his seventies. He simultaneously wrote many books about the Goswamis and the lives of the Gaudiya Acharyas such as Narottama-vilasa, Namamrta-samudra, Shrinivasa-charita, Sanghita-sara-sangraha, Bhakti-ratnakar, Gaura-charitra-samudra.

Fulfilling the desire of his father and the Supreme Lord, Narahari spent most of his life in the humble service of Govindaji. He ground sandalwood pulp, collected fire wood, cleaned the Temple courtyard, picked Tulasi leaves and manjaris, fanned Lord Govindaji from outside by pulling a rope. (In the image: Paraphenalias for offering to a Deity).

Murari Gupta

Congratulating Murari Gupta, the Lord continued, "You are the incarnation of Hanuman, the eternal servant of Lord Rama. Therefore, why should you give up your worship of Lord Rama?" (In the image: Hanuman).

Shri Murari Gupta, a disciple of Shri Chandrashekhara Acharya, possessed extraordinary humility. He had an intimate lifelong relationship with Lord Chaitanya. Although senior in class, Murari would always lose in debates with Shri Nimai Pandit. During one heated argument they began pushing each other. The scuffle continued into the Ganges. They stirred up so much mud that ladies couldn't fill their pots and brahmanas couldn't bathe properly.

At the nightly kirtan in Shrivasa Angam Murari Gupta pleased Gaurahari with melodious chanting of the Bhagavata. He would also sing and dance expertly. Murari Gupta served Shri Chaitanya in all His Nadia lilas.

Lord Chaitanya once tested Murari Gupta's attachment to his worshipable Lord Ramachandra. Lord Gaurasundara preached to Murari about the supreme sweetness and position of Vrajendrakumara (Krishna): "Murari, just worship Krishna and take shelter of Him. Nothing but His service can satisfy the mind." Although Murari Gupta became somewhat inclined toward Shri Krishna, the thought of losing Lord Ramachandra's association devastated him. That night he prayed to Lord Rama to take his life. He asked for this because he couldn't stop serving Rama, nor could he defy Shri Chaitanya's request.

"What should I do? I've sold my head to the lotus feet of Lord Ramachandra. But if I break Your order to worship Lord Shri Krishna, then what can I do?" (In the image: Lord Shri Ramachandra).

After crying all night Murari approached Lord Chaitanya and said: "What should I do? I've sold my head to the lotus feet of Lord Ramachandra. But if I break Your order to worship Lord Shri Krishna, then what can I do?"

Smiling, Shri Gaura Raya replied, "All glories to Murari Gupta! You're so fixed in your worship that even My request couldn't turn your mind. This is exactly the type of love and affection the servitor must have for the lotus feet of the Lord. Even if the Lord wants separation, a Devotee cannot abandon the shelter of His lotus feet. Just to test your firm faith in your Lord I repeatedly asked you to change your worship from Lord Rama to Lord Krishna."

Congratulating Murari Gupta, the Lord continued, "You are the incarnation of Hanuman, the eternal servant of Lord Rama. Therefore, why should you give up your worship of Lord Rama?"

At another time, Lord Chaitanya showed His form as Lord Ramachandra with Janaki, Lakshmana, and a host of monkeys reciting hymns and prayers. Seeing himself amongst those monkeys in his original form as Hanuman, Murari Gupta fainted. In Katva, when Lord Chaitanya took sannyasa Murari stood by weeping like a child. And when Shriman Mahaprabhu moved to Jagannatha Puri, Murari and his wife would come every year to relish the Lord's company.

Since he was born in a dynasty of Ayur Vedic doctors Murari Gupta practiced medicine. But his practice was unique in that he cured his patient's physical ailments and also freed them from the disease of material existence. He wrote the first biography of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, an important Sanskrit work entitled Shri Chaitanya Charita Mahakavya. His samadhi is in the 64 Samadhis Area.

At another time, Lord Chaitanya showed His form as Lord Ramachandra with Janaki, Lakshmana, and a host of monkeys reciting hymns and prayers. Seeing himself amongst those monkeys in his original form as Hanuman, Murari Gupta fainted. (In the image: Shri Shri Sita Rama and Hanuman).

Mukunda Datta

Lord Chaitanya's heart melted upon seeing Mukunda's devotion and determination. The Lord blessed and accepted Mukunda, "By your faith and conviction in My words all your offenses have been immeditately destroyed." (In the image: Lord Chaitanya and His associates).

Shri Mukunda Datta was Shri Nimai Pandit's classmate at Ganga's Dasa's tol (school). Mukunda had a melodious voice and he knew the intricacies of musical meters and ragas. His sweet kirtana would please all the Vaishnavas at Navadwipa.Tuning in to Lord Gaura's heart, he would sing songs matching Lord Gauranga's feelings. Lord Chaitanya took sannyasa amidst Mukunda's kirtana. He served Shri Chaitanya in Puri as one of the Lord's humblest followers.

Once at the house of Shrivasa Pandit Lord Chaitanya blessed all the Devotees except Mukunda. Mahaprabhu overlooked him because he had offended Bhakti Devi (who gives devotional service). Mukunda placed her on an equal level with karma, jnana, or even Mayavada philosophy whenever he talked to followers of those paths. Acting like a chameleon, Mukunda would glorify bhakti to bhaktas, and then debate useless mundane topics with karmis (nondevotees). And with Mayavadis he discussed impersonalism.

Mukunda chose suicide as atonement for his serious offense to Bhakti Devi. He asked Lord Chaitanya if he would again receive His mercy in a future life. "You will receive My mercy," said Lord Chaitanya, "after passing one million births."

Happy to know he would someday get Mahaprabhu's mercy, Mukunda jumped up and down shouting, "Only a million births, only a million births!"

In Krishna lila he is Madhukantha, a person with a honey sweet throat, a sweet singer. His samadhi is located within the 64 Samadhis Area.

Mukunda Dasa

Mukunda Dasa serves Radha-Murlimanohara as Vrinda-devi in Vraja Gokula. (In the image: Shrimati Vrinda Devi, Vrindavan).

Shri Mukunda acted as the royal physician to Emperor Hussain Shah. Upon seeing a shimmering peacock fan waving before the king, he fell down in ecstasy. Seeing the peacock feathers flooded the pure heart of Mukunda with overwhelming memories of Lord Shri Krishna.

Shri Chaitanya once jokingly asked Mukunda, "Who is thy father and who is the son?" Mukunda replied, "My son, Raghunandana, is actually the father because through him I have understood Krishna consciousnes. Therefore, he is my real father."

Lord Chaitanya confirmed his realization, "Yes, whoever give us Krishna-bhakti is our guru and our real father."

To expand the preaching in Shri Khanda, Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu assigned different duties to the Sarakara family. Mukunda Sarakara, working as a doctor already, was told to make money, follow the regulative principles, and increase his spiritual wealth. Narahari Sarakara Thakura was ordered to stay with the Lord's Devotees and preach Krishna consciousness. Raghunandana, Mukunda's son, was asked to worship the family Deity of Shri Caitanya Deva. By this pastime Lord Gaurasundara teaches that by different activities everyone 'can engage in the service of Lord Krishna.

Mukunda Dasa serves Radha-Murlimanohara as Vrinda-devi in Vraja Gokula.

Madhu Pandit Goswami

Vrajanabha, Lord Krishna's great-grandson, installed the original Gopinatha Deity in Vrindavana over five-thousand years ago. (In the image: Shri Gopinath, Jaipur).

Vrajanabha, Lord Krishna's great-grandson, installed the original Gopinatha Deity in Vrindavana over five-thousand years ago. About five-hundred years ago, Paramananda Bhattacharya discovered the Deity in the earth at Vamshivata on the banks of the Yamuna. Madhu Pandit Goswami, a disciple of Shri Gadadhara Pandit, worshiped the Gopinatha Deity.

Bhakti-ratnakar says that Shri Gopinathaji, who is an ocean of mercy, forever sports along the enchanting banks of the Yamuna at Vamshivata. His bodily luster steals the mind of whoever sees Him. When the soothing sweetness of Gopinathaji's charming form enters the heart it immeditately extinguishes the burning fire of material existence. Now the original Gopinatha Deity stays in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Madhu Pandit Goswami blessed Shrinivasa Acharya with Gopinatha's garland before Shrinivasa, Narottama, and Shyamananda took the bullock cart of Goswami granthas from Vrindavana. In Goloka Vrindavana, Madhu Pandit Goswami serves as Mandali-sakhi in the group of Champakalata-sakhi. The samadhi of Madhu Pandit Goswami is on the right side of the entrance within the compound of the Radha-Gopinatha Temple in Vrindavana.

The samadhi of Madhu Pandit Goswami is on the right side of the entrance within the compound of the Radha-Gopinatha Temple in Vrindavana. (In the image: The samadhi of Madhu Pandit Goswami).

Lokanatha Goswami

His body and mind were completely attached to Vrindavanadhama. The divine Was of Radha-Vinoda played in his heart. His ears existed only to hear the Shrimad Bhagavatam. "Anyone who reads the Shrimad Bhagavatam," said Lokanatha Goswami, "he is my friend." (In the images: Shrila Lokanatha Goswami).

A personal associate of Lord Gauranga, fully absorbed in pure love, Shri Lokanatha Goswami was the eldest of the Goswamis living in Vraja-bhumi. He shunned name and fame so much that he asked Krishna Dasa Kaviraja to keep his name out of Chaitanya-charitamrta.

His body and mind were completely attached to Vrindavanadhama. The divine Was of Radha-Vinoda played in his heart. His ears existed only to hear the Shrimad Bhagavatam. "Anyone who reads the Shrimad Bhagavatam," said Lokanatha Goswami, "he is my friend."
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Once Shri Krishna Himself appeared and gave Lokanatha a Deity of Radha-Vinoda. Lokanatha Goswami carried his Deity all over Vraja in a cloth bag hung around his neck.

Although first rejecting, Lokanatha Goswami finally accepted Narottama Dasa for initiation as his only disciple. He appreciated his genuine humility and determination to serve. Every night for one year Narottama Dasa secretly served his guru by carefully cleaning the field where Lokanatha Goswami passed stool.

Lokanatha Goswamis original Deities of Radha-Vinoda are now worshiped in Jaipur, Rajasthan. A prati-bhu murti (expanded form of the original Deity) of Radha-Vinoda adorns the altar at the Radha-Gokulananda Temple in Vrindavana. The samadhi of Lokanatha Goswami is the largest one in the Temple courtyard. He serves Shrimati Radharani as Manjuali-manjari in nitya Vrindavana lila.

srimad radha vinodaika, seva sampat samanvitam
padmanabh atma jam srimal, lokanatha prabhu bhaje

"I worship the lotus feet of Shri Lokanatha Goswami Prabhu, the son of Shri Padmanabha. He is a storehouse of single-minded service to the lotus feet of Radha-Vinode." (Narottama Dasa Thakura)

Once Shri Krishna Himself appeared and gave Lokanatha a Deity of Radha-Vinoda. Lokanatha Goswami carried his Deity all over Vraja in a cloth bag hung around his neck. (In the image: Original Radha Vinoda Deities, Jaipur).

Kholavecha Shridhara

Kholavecha Shridhara serves Krishna-Balarama in Vraja dhama as Kusumasava sakha. (In the image: Lord Chaitanya revealing His Krishna-Balarama form to Kolavecha Shridhar).

Although poor, living in a broken down hut with holes in the roof, and drinking water from a cracked iron pot, Shridhar a Pandit (Kholavecha Shridhara) had the fortune of Mahaprabhu's affection. He would stay up at night chanting Hare Krishna. The neighbors thought because of poverty he had hunger pains and couldn't sleep. Everyday Nimai Pandit would buy banana-fruits, roots, stalks, flowers; gourds, and pumpkins from Kholavecha Shridhara. A sweet love quarrel would ensue because Nimai paid only half the quoted price.

"If You don't like my prices," said Shridhara, "then please buy Your banana flowers somewhere else." Then taking the banana flowers, Mahaprabhu would just walk away without paying a paisa.

Shridhara would snatch them back and chide the Lord, "I'm just a poor old brahmana. And whatever little profit comes we use to worship Ganga Devi." Finally, Shridhara agreed to give Nimai Pandit some banana flowers everyday without charge.

Kholavecha Shridhara serves Krishna-Balarama in Vraja dhama as Kusumasava sakha. His samadhi is located in the 64 Samadhis Area.