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By Satyaraja Dasa<\/strong><\/p>\n Sri Ramacandra Kaviraja, the son of Khandavasi Ciranjiva and Sunanda, was a disciple of Srinivasa Acarya and the most intimate friend of Narottama dasa Thakura, who prayed several times for his association. His youngest brother was Govinda Kaviraja. Srila Jiva Gosvami very much appreciated Sri Ramacandra Kaviraja\u2019s great devotion to Lord Krishna and therefore gave him the title Kaviraja. Sri Ramacandra Kaviraja, who was perpetually disinterested in family life, greatly assisted in the preaching work of Srinivasa Acarya and Narottama dasa Thakura. He resided at first in Srikhanda but later in the village of Kumara-nagara on the bank of the Ganges.<\/p>\n Govinda Kaviraja was the brother of Ramacandra Kaviraja and youngest son of Ciranjiva of Srikhanda. Although at first a sakta, or worshiper of Goddess Durga, he was later initiated by Srinivasa Acarya Prabhu. Govinda Kaviraja also resided first in Srikhanda and then in Kumara-nagara, but later he moved to the village known as Teliya Budhari, on the southern bank of the river Padma. Since Govinda Kaviraja, the author of two books, Sangita-madhava and Gitamrita, was a great Vaishnava kavi, or poet, Srila Jiva Gosvami gave him the title Kaviraja. He is described in the Bhakti-ratnakara (Ninth Wave). (A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Sri Chaitanya Charitamrta Adi-lila 11:51. purport.)<\/p>\n Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja took pleasure in writing the infrequent passages which glorified Gopala Bhatta, and he never told Sri Bhatta how he had written them. (Bhakti-ratnakara. KHA226.)<\/p>\n I cannot write extensively about the depth of knowledge of Sri Gopala Bhatta during his life in Vrndavana for fear the book will become too large. (Bhakti-ratnakara. KHA227.)<\/p>\n Sri Bhatta had given many comments on the book \u201dKrsnakarmamrta\u2022 which gave much pleasure to all the Vaisnavas. (Bhakti-ratnakara. KHA228.)<\/p>\n Sri Gopala Bhatta, a remarkable person in the path of pure devotion had performed many supernatural activities. (Bhakti-ratnakara. KHA229.)<\/p>\n At a much later time, Srinivasa met him and got his desires fulfilled. (Bhakti-ratnakara. KHA230.)<\/p>\n On the order of Prabhu, Srinivasa took his initiation from Gopala Bhatta and later propagated the Gosvami scriptures in Gauda. (Bhakti-ratnakara. KHA231.)<\/p>\n Prabhu empowered Sri Rupa and others to write and compile scriptures on Vaisnava religion, for the propogation of those scriptures he empowered Srinivasa. (Bhakti-ratnakara. KHA232.)<\/p>\n Acarya and Sri Thakura Mahasaya were of the same soul in their devotion to Prabhu. Thakura Mahasaya had revealed the powers of both Rupa Gosvami and Srinivasa in his slokas. (Bhakti-ratnakara. KHA233.)<\/p>\n The slokas by Thakura Mahasaya say: \u201cWhen shall I be able to find Sri Caitanya deva, the ocean of kindness, within the range of my vision? His aim was to create many Vaisnava scriptures through the intellect of Sri Rupa and others to later disseminate those scriptures to the people of the world through the efforts of Srinivasa.\u201d (Bhakti-ratnakara. KHA234.)<\/p>\n Srinivasa Acarya was a grea scholar who benedicted the world by distributing those valuable Vaisnava books.(Bhakti-ratnakara. KHA235.)<\/p>\n \u201dThe favor of Lokenatha to Narottma\u201d At that time Narottama arrived in Vrndavana and immediately engaged himself in the continous service of Sri Lokenatha. (Bhakti-ratnakara. KHA345.)<\/p>\n Lokenatha was satisfied with Narottama\u2019s attitude and gave him Diksha mantra. (Bhakti-ratnakara. KHA346.)<\/p>\n Sri Gopala Bhatta and the other Vaisnavas accepted Narottama as an intimate friend. (Bhakti-ratnakara. KHA347.)<\/p>\n Narottama got the title Thakura Mahasaya along with the affection of Sri Jiva Gosvami. (Bhakti-ratnakara. KHA348.)<\/p>\n Srinivasa Acarya met narottama in Vrndavana and gradually a dynamic new circle of Vaisnavas was established there.(Bhakti-ratnakara. KHA349.)<\/p>\n Srinivasa also met Shyamananda in Vrndavana.(Bhakti-ratnakara. KHA350.) It was the middle of the sixteenth century. Aspiring for perfection in spiritual life, young Srinivasa had tried to meet Lord Caitanya and His disciple Gadadhara. But Srinivasa came too late\u2014they passed away before he could become their student. And so too did the great Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami. But as Srinivasa journeyed to the holy town Vrindavana, Rupa and Sanatana appeared to him in a dream. Go on to Vrindavana, they told him, and learn from the great gosvamis Jiva and Gopala Bhatta.<\/p>\n PART I Srinivasa\u2019s Parents Gangadhara was himself a great devotee of the Golden Avatara, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the incarnation of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna predicted in the scriptures. Lord Caitanya had appeared in Navadvipa and was currently in the world. Gangadhara spent much of his time hearing and retelling the stories of Lord Caitanya\u2019s pastimes (lila) with the Lord\u2019s intimate associates. He wanted to see Lord Caitanya, but social and familial obligations kept him at home, so he resolved to meditate on the Lord in separation. In 1510, however, he could not tolerate the separation any longer. He set out for Navadvipa to see the Lord of his life. After only seven miles, as far as the village of Katwa, he learned that Nimai of Nadiya\u2014Caitanya Mahaprabhu\u2014was in that very village taking sannyasa, the renounced order of life.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d cried Gangadhara. \u201cWhy must my Lord take the renounced order? This austerity is reserved for human beings like me so we can overcome our attachments to this world. Certainly there is no need for Sri Nimai, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, to live the harsh life of an ascetic.\u201d \u201cNo!\u201d the onlookers were saying. \u201cPlease stop!\u201d They, like Gangadhara, could not conceive of the Lord in the renounced order of life. Even Madhu, who had the good fortune to touch the Lord\u2019s head, could cut His hair out of duty only, weeping profusely. Madhu and the others knew that the Lord had decided to set an example for the entire religious world and stress the importance of renunciation. There was nothing they could do.<\/p>\n \u201cCaitanya Dasa\u201d Journey To Puri Govinda, Lord Caitanya\u2019s personal servant, accompanied Caitanya Dasa and his wife to the temple, where they offered many prayers at the feet of Lord Jagannatha. Weeping tears of divine love, the happy brahmana couple were soon escorted to the luxurious accommodations Lord Caitanya had arranged for them. They spent several happy days with Sri Caitanya in Jagannatha Puri.<\/p>\n One day Lord Caitanya told His servant of His plans for the couple. \u201cGovinda,\u201d the Lord said, \u201calthough Caitanya Dasa and his wife have not mentioned it to Me, I know they would like to have a child. They said so in front of Lord Jagannatha, who is nondifferent from Me. They have prayed sincerely, and I know their hearts. Their desired offspring will soon appear. His name will be Srinivasa, and he will be a greatly beautiful child. Through Rupa and Sanatana I will manifest the bhakti-sastras, and through Srinivasa I will distribute them. Caitanya Dasa and his wife should quickly return to Chakandhi.\u201d<\/p>\n The Appearance of Srinivasa Srinivasa\u2019s Youth Narahari Sarakara Thakura Meanwhile, the omniscient Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was preparing His associates for Srinivasa\u2019s arrival. He had already written to Rupa, Sanatana, and Gopala Bhatta Gosvamis requesting them to teach Srinivasa spiritual life. And He asked Gadadhara Pandita in Jagannatha Puri to teach Srinivasa the Srimad-Bhagavatam. Meeting with Gadadhara Pandita Srinivasa as Gaura Sakti Association with The Navadvipa Devotees Srinivasa Meets Jahnava Devi The Journey to Vraja PART II<\/p>\n Jiva and Gopala Bhatta Gosvamis Narottama and Duhkhi Krishnadasa The Mission Begins The Journey to Bengal Stealing the Books The King\u2019s Regret Srinivasa Appears in a Dream Bhagavatam Recitation The King Surrenders The Books Are Safe! Vishnupura as a Vaishnava Center PART III (Conclusion) NOW SRINIVASA needed to see his dear friends Narottama and Syamananda again. He had written them of the developments in Vishnupura, but he knew little of what his friends were doing. He had heard that his teacher Narahari Sarakara Thakura was ill and getting ready to die, so he wanted to go to Srikhanda to see him and to nearby Jajigram to see his own aging mother.<\/p>\n Srinivasa Returns to Jajigram Srinivasa Gets Married The Passing of Narahari Sarakara Srinivasa\u2019s Disciples Hemlata Thakurani Srinivasa Returns to Vrindavana Back to Vishnupura The Glories of Vishnupura According to Dr. Sambidananda Das: Srinivasa\u2019s Daily Activities It is said that Srinivasa composed only five songs. He also wrote a commentary\u2014studied and respected to this day\u2014on the four essential verses of the Srimad-Bhagavatam. His other works include the famous Gosvamy-ashtakam (\u201cEight Prayers to the Six Gosvamis\u201d). Though his literary work is spare, its content and style are nectarean. It has left a unique mark on the Gaudiya tradition.<\/p>\n Divine Ascension NOTES Sri Ramacandra Kaviraja, the son of Khandavasi Ciranjiva and Sunanda, was a disciple of Srinivasa Acarya and the most intimate friend of Narottama dasa Thakura, who prayed several times for his association. His youngest brother was Govinda Kaviraja. Srila Jiva Gosvami very much appreciated Sri Ramacandra Kaviraja’s great devotion to Lord Krishna and therefore gave him the title Kaviraja. Sri Ramacandra Kaviraja, who was perpetually disinterested in family life, greatly assisted in the preaching work of Srinivasa Acarya and Narottama dasa Thakura. He resided at first in Srikhanda but later in the village of Kumara-nagara on the bank of the Ganges. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10650,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-52493","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-articles"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52493","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/10650"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=52493"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52493\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":117156,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52493\/revisions\/117156"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=52493"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=52493"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=52493"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nThe Embodiment of Lord Caitanya\u2019s Love
\nby Satyaraja dasa
\n[From The Lives of the Vaishnava Saints \u00a9 1991 by Steven Rosen (Satyaraja Dasa). All rights reserved. Order from Folk Books, P.O. Box 400716, Brooklyn, NY 11240.]\n
\nSRINIVASA ACARYA is one of the most important personalities in the religious history of Bengal, perhaps the most important Vaishnava teacher in the generation immediately following Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He is chiefly remembered as the illustrious disciple of Gopala Bhatta Gosvami and Jiva Gosvami. His achievements include delivering the writings of the Gosvamis from Vrindavana to Bengal, converting King Birhambir to Vaishnavism, and originating the Manohar Shoy style of kirtana. At Kheturi, Bengal, he co-organized the first Gaura Purnima Festival (celebrating the anniversary of Caitanya Mahaprabhu\u2019s appearance in this world), which Narottama, Syamananda, and thousands of other Vaishnavas attended.<\/p>\n
\nSrinivasa Acarya\u2019s parents\u2014the brahmana Gangadhara Bhattacarya and his wife, Lakshmi Priya\u2014lived in the small village of Cakhandi, on the bank of the Ganges in the Burdwan district of Bengal. They longed to raise a child who would be a great devotee, but until the birth of Srinivasa, they were child-less for many years.<\/p>\n
\nBut Gangadhara\u2019s reservations were mixed with excitement: he would soon see his Lord face to face. When he approached the sacrificial area where Sri Nimai was taking sannyasa, he saw the Lord\u2019s intimate associates\u2014Nityananda Prabhu, Candrasekhara Acarya, Mukunda Datta, and many others. He saw Madhu Sila, the barber, preparing to cut Nimai\u2019s beautiful locks of raven black hair.<\/p>\n
\nKesava Bharati, the sannyasa-guru, gave Nimai His new sannyasa name, \u201cSri Krishna Caitanya.\u201d The crowd was in shock: \u201cBeautiful Nimai is really taking sannyasa!\u201d They couldn\u2019t believe their eyes, from which tears were flowing incessantly. But the deed was done.
\nMadhu fainted. Why had he shaved the Lord\u2019s head? It was as if he had been controlled by the Lord\u2019s own hand to fulfill the Lord\u2019s own desire. \u201cCaitanya! Caitanya!\u201d said Gangadhara Bhattacarya to himself. \u201cCaitanya! Caitanya! Caitanya!\u201d he repeated again and again. His eyes pleaded with everyone there: he wanted to understand what had just happened, but all he could do was mutter in a stupor of mixed emotions.
\nGangadhara found himself calling the Lord\u2019s names aloud with uncontrollable enthusiasm\u2014\u201cCaitanya! Sri Krishna Caitanya! Sri Krishna Caitanya!\u201d
\nHe returned to Cakhandi, half mad with ecstasy, unable to stop repeating the Lord\u2019s names. He told his wife what had happened, and she too was overcome with ecstasy. As the days passed, their ecstasy increased, and the whole town of Cakhandi marveled at Gangadhara\u2019s transformation. Seeing Gangadhara\u2019s absorption in Sri Caitanya\u2019s name, his wife and the other villagers began calling him Caitanya Dasa.<\/p>\n
\nCaitanya Dasa and his wife went to Jagannatha Puri, where Lord Caitanya had gone after accepting the renounced order. When the couple arrived, they went to Sri Caitanya and surrendered at His feet.
\n\u201cLord Jagannatha is very happy that you have come here,\u201d the Lord said. \u201cGo to the temple and see His Deity form. The lotus-eyed Lord is extremely merciful, so please go see Him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nIn Cakhandi the couple had a beautiful baby boy, whom they named Srinivasa. He was born in the second or third decade of the sixteenth century on the auspicious full-moon day of the month of Vaisakha (April\u2013May). Lakshmi Priya\u2019s father, Balarama Vipra, a learned astrologer, told the happy couple that their son was a mahapurusha, a divinely empowered soul.
\nThe boy had a broad chest and a long, elegant nose, and his beautiful eyes extended like lotus petals. Like Lord Caitanya, he had a bodily luster resembling molten gold and arms that extended down to his knees. According to custom, Caitanya Dasa and Lakshmi Priya gave charity to the brahmanas, and the brahmanas blessed the child.<\/p>\n
\nLakshmi Priya would constantly sing the glories of Lord Caitanya into the child\u2019s ears, and the melodious sounds made him joyful. As Srinivasa grew, he learned to chant the names of Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Radha-Krishna. Soon this small crescent moon known as Srinivasa grew full and was known as the brightest and most beautiful boy in Cakhandi. He studied under the famed Dhananjaya Vidyavacaspati, who taught him all branches of Vedic learning, including religion, logic, poetry, political science, grammar, and Ayurveda.
\nAccording to the Prema-vilasa, Dhananjaya Vidyavacaspati said that he had nothing to teach Srinivasa. The Prema-vilasa also relates that the goddess of education appeared to Srinivasa in a dream and told him she would make him proficient in all areas of learning, especially the scriptures. Still, Srinivasa became known as Dhananjaya Vidyavacaspati\u2019s prize pupil, and as such he was the pride of Cakhandi. He was loved by all the townspeople, who saw him as a precious gem.<\/p>\n
\nBecause of Srinivasa\u2019s popularity, he met Narahari Sarakara, an intimate associate of Lord Caitanya from nearby Srikhanda. Narahari Sarakara\u2019s intense devotion had pleased Lord Caitanya, and Narahari had the distinction of being allowed to sing the Lord\u2019s glories in the Lord\u2019s presence, although the Lord, out of humility, would not let anyone else do so. This distinction impressed young Srinivasa, and he accepted Sri Narahari as his first instructing guru.
\nAfter meeting Narahari Sarakara, Srinivasa began to show signs of ecstasy. Narahari told Srinivasa to go to Puri to see Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. While Srinivasa was considering how to execute the instruction, his father passed away from this mortal world after seven days of fever. It was a shock to the family, and Srinivasa did all he could to console his mother.<\/p>\n
\nNarahari Sarakara advised Srinivasa to see to his mother\u2019s care in Jajigram, where her father and brothers had moved from Cakhandi. Then Srinivasa was to proceed to Puri to associate with Lord Caitanya. Srinivasa asked Narahari to initiate him into the chanting of Krishna\u2019s name, but Narahari told him that Lord Caitanya wanted him to take initiation from Gopala Bhatta Gosvami.<\/p>\n
\nStill a boy, Srinivasa set out with a companion for Puri. On the way, he learned that Sri Caitanya had left this world. Then Lord Caitanya\u2014along with Nityananda Prabhu, who had also passed away\u2014appeared to Srinivasa \u201con the pretext of a dream\u201d and consoled him. The phrase shopna chaley (\u201con the pretext of a dream\u201d) appears frequently in Bengali literature of the period and is usually taken to mean \u201cin a spiritual vision.\u201d
\nStill, Srinivasa remained grief-stricken. He went to the Gopinatha temple in Puri to take shelter of Gadadhara Pandita. The Pandita was overcome with separation from Lord Caitanya, and tears always flowed from his eyes. Srinivasa bowed at Sri Gadadhara\u2019s feet and introduced himself.
\nGadadhara Pandita became joyful. \u201cI\u2019m glad you have come and introduced yourself,\u201d he said. \u201cJust before passing away, Caitanya Mahaprabhu told me to teach you the Bhagavatam. He knew you would arrive in Puri one day, and He asked me to explain Krishna-lila to you.\u201d
\nGadadhara Pandita\u2019s joy\u2014he could now fulfill this order of the Lord\u2014again turned to sadness. \u201cI cannot teach you Bhagavatam at this time, O young Srinivasa,\u201d he said, \u201cfor the manuscript in my possession has become illegible from the tears I have cried onto its pages.\u201d
\nSrinivasa touched the sacred book to his head and felt ecstasy arise within himself. Nonetheless, the problem of studying a book that had been rendered illegible remained. But Sri Gadadhara and Srinivasa would not be swayed from their purpose. The will of Mahaprabhu could not be obstructed. Sri Gadadhara sent a message to Narahari Sarakara in Bengal asking him to secure another manuscript of Srimad-Bhagavatam. Narahari replied that another copy was available and that a messenger should be dispatched immediately. Gadadhara sent Srinivasa himself and told him to hurry. The separation from Lord Caitanya was intolerable, he said, and he didn\u2019t know how long he could stay in this world.
\nBefore leaving, Srinivasa fulfilled a long-cherished desire to see Lord Caitanya\u2019s associates. He went to the homes of Ramananda Raya, Sikhi Mahiti, Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya, Vakresvara Pandita, Paramananda Puri, Gopinatha Acarya, and many others. He also went to see King Prataparudra, but according to the Bhakti-ratnakara the king had gone away in solitude to lament the Lord\u2019s passing.<\/p>\n
\nSrinivasa reminded the great personalities in Puri of Lord Caitanya. Seeing his intense and unprecedented love of Godhead, the devotees could understand that he was Gaura Sakti, the embodiment of the energy of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. According to the Prema-vilasa, Srinivasa is an incarnation of Lord Caitanya\u2019s ecstasy. The Lord\u2019s intimate associates could naturally perceive this and could understand that through Srinivasa the eternal message of Lord Caitanya\u2014the message of the Vedic literature\u2014would be widely distributed.
\nLord Caitanya had broken open the storehouse of nectarean love of God, and the Gosvamis, by writing books, had taken that nectar and placed it in tangible vessels. Srinivasa would see that these vessels were circulated among all sincere souls. The intimate associates of the Lord gave Srinivasa instructions and advice for carrying on the mission.
\nWhen Srinivasa arrived in Bengal and received the copy of the Bhagavatam from Narahari Sarakara Thakura, he learned that Gadadhara Pandita had passed away. The news was a terrible blow, and Srinivasa lamented. Then Gadadhara Pandita appeared to him on the pretext of a dream and encouraged him to go forward.
\nSrinivasa reflected on the inconceivable will of the Lord. Why had He taken away the person who was to teach him the Bhagavatam? Was there a new plan? Was someone else to teach him the sacred scriptures? Some say that Srinivasa fell despondent at this time, but not much is known about the years that followed Sri Gadadhara\u2019s passing from this world. It is generally assumed that Srinivasa spent this time at first in a heartbroken state and then in serious meditation. He probably continued his studies, as he was still in his teens.
\nWhen Sri Jahnava Devi, the wife of Nityananda Prabhu, went to Vrindavana, Rupa Gosvami asked her to send Srinivasa to Vrindavana as soon as possible. On her return to Bengal, she relayed the message to Narahari. Sri Caitanya had told the Gosvamis of Vraja to train Srinivasa, and Narahari advised him to hasten to Vrindavana so that the Lord\u2019s command should not be violated.
\nThe request heightened Srinivasa\u2019s desire to study bhakti literature with Rupa and Sanatana. Had he gone to Vrindavana then, he would have met Rupa and Sanatana. But he decided to visit the homes of Lord Caitanya\u2019s principal associates on the way, stopping at Navadvipa to visit Sri Caitanya\u2019s home.<\/p>\n
\nThis was the second time Srinivasa delayed a journey: first the journey to see Gadadhara Pandita, and now Rupa and Sanatana. Perhaps Srinivasa\u2019s enthusiasm to associate with Lord Caitanya\u2019s direct followers in Puri and Navadvipa was so overwhelming that he was unable to heed the advice of his forebears. Some say that all of this was the will of providence, so that Srinivasa would take initiation from Gopala Bhatta Gosvami. Others say that Srinivasa, by his example, was teaching the importance of pilgrimage and association with devotees.
\nSrinivasa was enthralled with the home of Sri Caitanya in Navadvipa (Mayapur), where he met Vishnupriya Devi, the Lord\u2019s revered widow, and her esteemed servants, Vamsivadana Thakura and Isana Prabhu. They all blessed Srinivasa, and he stayed with them for several days, hearing the pastimes of Lord Caitanya.
\nDuring those days he watched Vishnupriya Devi perform severe austerities. For example, she would chant the maha-mantra\u2014Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare\/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare\u2014over each grain of rice she was to eat. When she was finished with her daily chanting, she would eat only the grains she had set aside.
\n\u201cTruly,\u201d Srinivasa said, \u201cthis is a wife who was worthy of Sri Caitanya.\u201d
\nSrinivasa also met Damodara Pandita, Suklambara, Murari Gupta, and other early friends and intimates of Lord Caitanya in Navadvipa. From there Srinivasa went to nearby Santipura, where he was warmly greeted by Sri Advaita\u2019s wife, Sita Thakurani, and her sons Acyuta and Gopala.<\/p>\n
\nThen Srinivasa visited the house of Nityananda Prabhu in Khardaha, where Jahnava Devi, her son Birabhadra, and others greeted Srinivasa as if he were part of their own family. But Jahnava Devi encouraged him to start for Vrindavana without delay because Rupa and Sanatana would soon rejoin the Lord in the spiritual world.
\nOn the way to Vrindavana, Srinivasa stopped at the well-known Abhirama Thakura\u2019s house in Khanakul Krishnanagar to deliver a letter from Jahnava Devi. The Thakura greeted him with three loving lashes from an extraordinary whip, but this unusual greeting was a benediction. The whip, known as Jai Mangala, would bestow love of God on anyone it touched. Sri Abhirama and his wife, Malini, showed deep affection for Srinivasa. Not only did they bless him with their famous whip, but they gave him valuable instructions and reiterated the importance of going to Vrindavana as soon as possible.
\nWhile continuing his journey, Srinivasa stopped in Katwa, where his father had seen Lord Caitanya adopt the renounced order. Next he passed through Agradvipa, where the three famous Ghosh brothers\u2014Vasudeva, Govinda, and Madhava\u2014had established their temple, and then he proceeded to Ekacakra, the birthplace of Nityananda Prabhu. Finally, Srinivasa made one last stop in Jajigram to say farewell to his aging mother and to visit Narahari Sarakara, his beloved guru. Narahari was concerned about Srinivasa\u2019s delay in going to Vrindavana and asked him to leave immediately.
\nAnd so, without further delay Srinivasa set out for Vraja. By this time he had achieved adulthood.<\/p>\n
\nMeanwhile, Sanatana Gosvami had left this mortal world, and Rupa Gosvami could not bear the separation. Sri Rupa felt that he, too, might not survive to instruct Srinivasa, so he asked his distinguished disciple (and nephew) Jiva Gosvami to care for Srinivasa.
\nTraveling in those days, mostly by foot, was difficult. Nonetheless, Srinivasa was making determined progress, stopping briefly on the way in Benares to visit the house of Candrasekhara Acarya, where Lord Caitanya had lived for two months. Here Srinivasa met an elderly disciple of Candrasekhara who invited him for a meal and showed him the places associated with Sri Caitanya.
\nNext, Srinivasa reached Prayag (known today as Allahabad) and spent the night there. Four days before arriving in Vrindavana, he heard that Sanatana had passed away four months earlier. And when he reached Mathura, he learned that Rupa Gosvami had passed away only three days earlier. Srinivasa fell to the ground, crying like a madman. He felt himself the most unfortunate person in the universe. He had failed to meet Lord Caitanya and to study the Bhagavatam with Gadadhara Pandita. Now he had failed to meet Rupa and Sanatana.
\nWhile Srinivasa sat beneath a tree wishing for his own death, Rupa and Sanatana appeared to him on the pretext of a dream and told him he was the embodiment of Lord Caitanya\u2019s love. They encouraged him to proceed to Vrindavana to take shelter of Gopala Bhatta Gosvami and to study under Sri Jiva with all his life and soul.<\/p>\n
\nTHE WORDS OF Sri Sanatana and Rupa somewhat relieved Srinivasa\u2019s heavy heart. He could travel again, and soon he felt the dust of Vrindavana beneath his feet. He approached Rupa Gosvami\u2019s Govindadeva Temple hoping to find more solace at Lord Govinda\u2019s lotus feet.
\nAs Srinivasa sat before the Deity, Jiva Gosvami and his many followers entered the temple. Srinivasa introduced himself, and Sri Jiva greeted him with warmth and loving hospitality. Srinivasa spent the night in comfortable quarters at Sri Jiva\u2019s temple, Sri Sri Radha-Damodara. The next day, Srinivasa offered his homage at the tomb of Sri Rupa in the temple courtyard.
\nThen Jiva introduced Srinivasa to Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, who greeted him with kind words and expressed his disappointment that Srinivasa had not arrived sooner, as Rupa and Sanatana had been anxious to meet him. Gopala Bhatta took Srinivasa to his Radha-Ramana Temple and asked the Deity there to bless him. Gopala Bhatta Gosvami and Jiva Gosvami gradually introduced Srinivasa to the inhabitants of Vraja.<\/p>\n
\nGopala Bhatta Gosvami initiated Srinivasa and taught him. And as Jiva Gosvami was the preeminent Vaishnava philosopher of the period, Gopala Bhatta directed Srinivasa to him for higher instruction, all in accordance with the desires of Lord Caitanya and Rupa and Sanatana Gosvamis. The Prema-vilasa states that Sri Jiva took care of Srinivasa and gave him a thorough spiritual education.
\nAnother young scholar, the illustrious Narottama, had been studying under Jiva for one year when Srinivasa arrived in Vrindavana. Narottama had been initiated by Lokanatha Gosvami, who had sent him to Sri Jiva for additional spiritual instructions. Then young Duhkhi Krishnadasa came, sent by his guru, Hridaya Caitanya. The three young devotees studied under Jiva Gosvami with the utmost enthusiasm and became his best students. They were widely known as inseparable friends. Jiva Gosvami ordered them to study the forests of Vrindavana with Raghava Pandita, who knew all the sacred groves and their significance.
\nEventually Srinivasa, Narottama, and Duhkhi Krishnadasa were given a special mission. They were to distribute the books of the Gosvamis\u2014the bhakti-rasa scriptures\u2014in Bengal and other areas. Vaishnavism was widely embraced in Bengal, but literature explaining the Vaishnava philosophy was wanting. Nityananda Prabhu\u2019s wife, Jahnava Devi, had visited Rupa and Sanatana in Vrindavana some years earlier and was well aware of the prolific spiritual literature the Vrindavana Gosvamis were producing, so she contacted Jiva Gosvami and suggested that the books be sent to Bengal. To comply, Sri Jiva summoned his three best men.<\/p>\n
\nIn a large assembly of Vaishnavas, Sri Jiva called forth Narottama Dasa: \u201cFrom this day forward, you will be known as Narottama Thakura Mahasaya.\u201d Then he called Srinivasa: \u201cYou will be known as Srinivasa Acarya.\u201d And finally, Duhkhi Krishnadasa: \u201cBecause you have brought so much pleasure [ananda] to Radharani [Syama], you will now be called Syamananda.\u201d Then Sri Jiva told them of their mission to Bengal, Orissa, and other provinces of India.
\nSrinivasa, Narottama, and Syamananda did not want to leave Vrindavana, but they understood the importance of their mission. They went to their initiating gurus, who gave their blessings, instilling in them the necessary enthusiasm for the task.
\nSri Jiva began the preparations for the long and arduous journey. These devotees were his best students, and he would spare no pains for their welfare. He had a rich merchant disciple from Mathura supply a large cart, four strong bullocks, and ten armed guards. The manuscripts\u2014original works by Rupa, Sanatana, Gopala Bhatta, Raghunatha Dasa, Jiva, and others\u2014were placed in a large wooden chest, which was bolted and covered with a waxed cloth. Sri Jiva also secured a special passport from the king of Jaipur that his three students would need to show as they traveled to eastern India. Then Srinivasa, Narottama, and Syamananda left Vrindavana.<\/p>\n
\nAs they began traveling, Sri Jiva and several other devotees accompanied them, unable to bear being separated. As the caravan neared Agra, the well-wishers stayed behind. Now the journey was underway. There could be no turning back.
\nAfter many months, the party reached a small village named Gopalapura, just within the boundaries of the Malla kingdom of Vana Vishnupura, in Bengal. When they retired that night, they felt confident that their mission was almost complete.
\nVishnupura is in the district of Birbhum, bounded on the north by the Santhal Pargannas and on the south by Midnapura. The king of Vishnupura, Virhamvir, was the leader of a strong group of bandits who were the terror of the adjoining countries. He had employed a large number of thugs and assassins who infested the highways and killed and robbed wayfarers. The astrologers of the court were ever ready to submit to him confidential reports as to what fortunes the stars would grant him if he carried on robberies in particular localities.<\/p>\n
\nThe king\u2019s dacoits had been following the cart from afar. This cart was especially interesting because the king\u2019s astrologers had said that it held a great treasure. Although the dacoits had been following the cart for quite a distance, they thought it wise to wait until the cart reached their own kingdom.
\nThe dacoits saw only fifteen men escorting the cart\u2014ten armed soldiers, two cartmen, and three holy men. The band of dacoits, numbering over two hundred, inflamed one another\u2019s imaginations with the astrologers\u2019 words: \u201cThis cart is filled with jewels more valuable than gold.\u201d They almost overtook the party in a village named Tamar, but circumstances did not permit it. They followed the party through the towns of Raghunathapura and Pancavati.
\nFinally, in Gopalapura, the party spent the night near a beautiful lake. All fifteen men slept soundly, tired from the journey. When they awakened, their worst nightmare had come to pass: the manuscripts had been stolen.
\nThey could not contain their tears. Srinivasa, the leader of the party, advised Narottama and Syamananda to proceed to Bengal and Orissa with the teachings of the six Gosvamis. He would take it upon himself to retrieve the manuscripts. He wrote to Jiva Gosvami and told him all that had happened.<\/p>\n
\nMeanwhile, as King Virhamvir was rummaging through treasures stolen from various travelers, his servants appeared with the court\u2019s most recent acquisition\u2014Srinivasa\u2019s carefully wrapped chest of \u201cthe most precious jewels.\u201d Virhamvir dropped everything else and feverishly unwrapped his latest prize. Having heard the prophesies, he could scarcely imagine what splendors awaited him. In one suspenseful moment, he removed the cloth covering and opened the trunk to reveal\u2014manuscripts.
\nWhere was the priceless treasure? Lifting out the top manuscript in disbelief, the king saw the signature \u201cSri Rupa Gosvami\u201d written on a palm leaf. When he examined further and began reading Sri Rupa\u2019s beautiful exposition of Vaishnava philosophy, he felt something change deep within. He reverentially returned the book to the trunk and retired for the evening, aware of the grave sin he had instigated.<\/p>\n
\nThat night, the king had an unusual dream. He saw a beautiful and effulgent person whose body was filled with divine energy. \u201cDo not worry,\u201d the person said with a loving smile. \u201cSoon I will come to Vishnupura and we will meet. I will retrieve my manuscripts, and you will be relieved of all sinful reactions. Your joy will be boundless. Know for certain that you are my eternal servant and I am your eternal well-wisher.\u201d
\nThe next morning the king awoke and started his life anew, waiting for the day when the mysterious prediction of his dream would come to pass.
\nMeanwhile, Srinivasa Acarya made his way to the outskirts of Vishnupura, where he met a brahmana resident named Sri Krishna Vallabha. The two became friends, and Krishna Vallabha invited Srinivasa to be a guest in his home. Gradually, Krishna Vallabha realized Srinivasa\u2019s exalted position and surrendered to him as a disciple. In due course, Krishna Vallabha mentioned that the king regularly convened a Bhagavatam study group for all who were interested. Srinivasa was curious about the nature of the Bhagavatam presentation and asked Krishna Vallabha to take him to the next meeting.<\/p>\n
\nWhen they arrived, Vyasacarya, the court pandita, was reciting and commenting upon the Bhagavatam. Srinivasa was unimpressed but said nothing. The next day, they found Vyasacarya pontificating in the same fashion. After two weeks of the court pandita, Srinivasa could not contain himself, and after the meeting he spoke to Vyasacarya.
\n\u201cYou, sir, do not follow the text,\u201d said Srinivasa, \u201cnor are your commentaries in line with Sridhara Svami or the other standard exponents of Bhagavata philosophy.\u201d
\nVyasacarya listened to Srinivasa\u2019s comments but ignored his advice. The king, however, who was nearby, overheard what was said and found it interesting.
\nThe next day at the recital Vyasacarya again attempted to elucidate the esoteric section of the Bhagavatam that delineates Sri Krishna\u2019s rasa-lila.
\nRespectful but firm, Srinivasa interrupted with a question: \u201cSir, how can you comment on such confidential subjects without referring to the statements of Sridhara Svami? You are obviously unfamiliar with his work.\u201d
\nVyasacarya became angry. He disliked being challenged in front of his sycophantic assembly, who were accustomed only to his peculiar rendition of Bhagavatam commentary.
\nBefore another word was said, however, the king began to defend Srinivasa\u2019s position: \u201cHow is it that this brahmana scholar finds fault with your explanations? Perhaps your interpretations are questionable.\u201d
\n\u201cWho can interpret the texts better than I?\u201d the arrogant Vyasacarya replied. \u201cThis newcomer is an upstart, and he dares to question me in the presence of Your Majesty.\u201d
\nThen he turned to Srinivasa. \u201cIf you are such an authority on the Bhagavatam,\u201d he said, \u201cwhy don\u2019t you come sit here and explain these verses in a better way?\u201d
\nSrinivasa rose to the challenge. He sang the Bhagavatam verses beautifully and then commented upon them with great verve and authority. He drew upon existing Vaishnava explanations and yet offered his own unique presentation. No one had ever heard such a masterly enunciation of Bhagavata philosophy.
\nThe king encouraged him to go on, allowing him to speak for several hours. When he finished, the whole assembly applauded, ecstatic with Srinivasa\u2019s contagious love for Krishna. Vyasacarya could not believe his ears. He was defeated, but he was happy.
\nKing Virhamvir was greatly moved. \u201cNo one has ever come to this kingdom and shared so much love and scholarship in the way you have,\u201d he said to Srinivasa. \u201cPlease, tell me your name and where you come from.\u201d
\n\u201cMy name is Srinivasa and I am a native of this country,\u201d said Srinivasa. \u201cI came here to see your magnificent court and to relish the Bhagavatam.\u201d
\nThe king then gave him the best accommodations in the palace and asked him to stay as long as he liked.<\/p>\n
\nLater that evening, the king asked Srinivasa to dine with him, but Srinivasa said that he took only one humble meal per day and had already eaten. Nonetheless, Virhamvir encouraged him to have some fruit, and he complied, not wanting to offend his distinguished host.
\nAs Srinivasa ate his fruit, the king sat at his side like a humble servant. The king had never felt this way about anyone: Srinivasa was that effulgent person he had seen in his dream\u2014his guru\u2014and he wanted to render some menial service.
\nThat night, he heard Srinivasa repeating the name of Krishna in his room. It seemed as if Srinivasa did not sleep. \u201cHere is a genuine saint,\u201d thought the king. \u201cHe is simply absorbed in the name of God.\u201d With this pleasant idea, the king fell asleep, listening to Srinivasa Acarya\u2019s blissful voice in the next room.
\nThe following day in the great assembly Srinivasa again spoke from the Bhagavatam. Once again, the eager, expectant audience relished every word. Srinivasa astonished all who listened. Chroniclers of the event have reported that \u201ceven the stone walls of the hall seemed to melt with emotion.\u201d Srinivasa spoke with erudition, sensitivity, and devotion, honoring his Vaishnava predecessors, and everyone present agreed that the wisdom of the orator far exceeded his years. One by one, people came and bowed at Srinivasa\u2019s feet, hoping to become his disciples.
\nLater, the king submitted himself to Srinivasa as a lowly beggar: \u201cYou are the real king,\u201d he said, \u201cfor you have love for Krishna. I am not even worthy to be in your presence.\u201d
\nSrinivasa, with all humility, merely shook his head; he was not able to accept his own exalted position.
\nBut the king persisted: \u201cAllow me to be your servant. Please! How can I serve you? My entire kingdom is at your disposal.\u201d
\n\u201cI came from the holy city of Vrindavana with a mission from Gopala Bhatta Gosvami and Jiva Gosvami,\u201d Srinivasa replied. \u201cI was to bring their writings to Bengal. But unfortunately this treasure was robbed within your kingdom. If I cannot retrieve these books, I would prefer to lose my life. Can you help me get them back?\u201d
\nThe king burst into tears. \u201cA poor worm am I,\u201d he said, \u201clost hopelessly in this land of birth and death. My own men pillaged for years and years under my order, and then they came upon your party. We were told you carried the greatest treasure in the universe, and we naturally pursued it. I cannot express my sorrow.\u201d
\nReflecting for a moment, the king said, \u201cBut there is a positive side to all of this. Our meeting would not have otherwise occurred. I would commit these sins again and again for but a moment of your association.\u201d
\nSrinivasa laughed and reassured the king that sinful life was unnecessary for attaining his association. Srinivasa then forgave the king for all his sins and asked him to sin no more.<\/p>\n
\nThe king led Srinivasa to the room where his treasures were kept, and Srinivasa saw the trunk with the Gosvamis\u2019 literature. Srinivasa felt ecstasy and took the garland of flowers from his own neck and placed it on King Virhamvir. Srinivasa asked the king to bring him tulasi leaves, flower garlands, sandalwood paste, and other items to worship the sacred books. The king brought everything, and his own initiation ceremony followed. By reciting into the king\u2019s ear the maha-mantra\u2014Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare\/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare\u2014Srinivasa initiated him.
\nAccording to the Prema-vilasa, Srinivasa gave him the name Haricarana Dasa. Jiva Gosvami later showed the king special mercy by writing a letter in which he renamed him Caitanya Dasa. The king\u2019s wife, Queen Sulakshana, and their son, Prince Dhari Hamvir, also became Srinivasa Acarya\u2019s surrendered servants. The queen\u2019s initiated name is unknown, but the boy was named Gopala Dasa. Krishna Vallabha and Vyasacarya also became dedicated disciples.<\/p>\n
\nThe initiation of the king and his loyal subjects was an important event in the history of the Gaudiya tradition. Vishnupura soon became a great center of Vaishnavism. In all of India, only in Vana Vishnupura did Gaudiya Vaishnava culture and art develop without foreign or distracting influence. Even the Muslim intrusion was minimal. Consequently, the architectural and sculptural art of Bengal, from the beginning of the seventeenth century onwards, is nowhere found in such abundance and in such pristine form as in the Vaishnava monuments of Vishnupura. This is one of the many virtues of royal patronage.
\nKing Virhamvir reigned from 1596 to 1622 and in that time wrote many songs in praise of Krishna, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and Srinivasa Acarya. Much of his exquisite poetry can be found in the Bhakti-ratnakara and the Pada-kalpataru. The king\u2019s beautiful voice, reflected in his literary work, helped him in his mission of spreading Vaishnavism throughout his domain.
\nSrinivasa had thus accomplished his mission in Vishnupura. He wrote to Jiva Gosvami that not only had the books been retrieved but the main bandit, a king, had taken up Gaudiya Vaishnavism. All of Vrindavana rejoiced and sang the glories of Srinivasa Acarya. King Virhamvir and his entire kingdom were now converted to Vaishnavism, and Srinivasa was developing an important center there.<\/p>\n
\nThieves working for the king of Vishnupura stole priceless manuscripts Srinivasa and his friends were bringing to Bengal. Srinivasa therefore sent his companions ahead while he stayed in Vishnupura. He recovered the manuscripts, made the king his disciple, and inspired him to spread Krishna consciousness throughout the kingdom.<\/p>\n
\nBidding farewell to King Virhamvir, Srinivasa took the chest of books to Jajigram. Upon arriving there, he told the devotees what had happened. All the holy town\u2019s people, especially his mother, rejoiced in his company. But they had heart-breaking news for him as well: Srimati Vishnupriya had left this world. Srimati Vishnupriya was Sri Caitanya\u2019s widow, an important person in the preaching mission of Bengal. On hearing of her passing, Srinivasa fainted, and the devotees had to revive and console him.
\nA few days later, a message came from Narahari Sarakara and Raghunandana Thakura asking Srinivasa to come to Srikhanda. Srinivasa left at once to see these two well-wishers who had guided him in his youth. During this meeting, Narahari suggested that Srinivasa get married.
\n\u201cYour mother is a great devotee,\u201d Sri Narahari said. \u201cShe has been rendering valuable service in Jajigram for many years. You should fulfill whatever small desire she might have. I know she would be happy to see you married. Since she is a great devotee, you should comply.\u201d
\nHearing this, Srinivasa resolved to marry and raise a family.
\nAfter a few more days in Srikhanda, Srinivasa left for Kanthak Nagara to visit the great Gadadhara Dasa, one of the personal associates of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. When Srinivasa arrived, Gadadhara Dasa embraced him with affection. He asked Srinivasa about the devotees of Vrindavana, especially the Gosvamis: How were they able to live in separation from the Lord and His confidential devotees? Where were they living and under what conditions? Gadadhara Dasa and Srinivasa talked about Caitanya Mahaprabhu and the plight of His devotees in His absence.
\nAfter several days, Srinivasa was to return to Jajigram. Before he left, Gadadhara Dasa blessed him: \u201cOne day you will taste the nectar of congregational chanting in the company of the Lord Himself, and in the company of His intimate associates. For now, you have my blessings to marry. May it bring you all good fortune.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThe words of Gadadhara Dasa touched Srinivasa. Meditating on their import, he returned to Jajigram, where he met Gopala Cakravarti, an elderly brahmana with a beautiful and devoted daughter named Draupadi. Observing that Srinivasa and Draupadi were attracted to each other, Sri Raghunandana Thakura arranged the wedding.
\nAfter the marriage, Draupadi was called Isvari (some say it was her initiated name), honoring her devotion to God and acknowledging her marriage to a great saint. Her father, Gopala Cakravarti, soon accepted Srinivasa as his spiritual master, as did her two brothers, Syama Dasa and Ramacandra. Srinivasa quickly became one of the most prominent gurus in all of Bengal.
\nAfter some time, Isvari bore a son, and when Srinivasa wrote about the event to Jiva Gosvami in Vrindavana, Jiva sent back an exuberant reply and named the boy Vrindavana Vallabha. Some time after, Srinivasa married again (polygamy was common then). His second wife, Padmavati, was also a great devotee, and after initiation she was known as Gauranga Priya.
\nOne may wonder why Srinivasa took a second wife. Most of the standard biographies do not elaborate, stating merely that the second marriage followed the first by a few years. But the Anuragavali informs us that his most intimate disciples asked that he remarry upon the death of his two sons from Isvari. They are said to have died young.
\nIsvari had three daughters\u2014Hemlata, Krishna-priya, and Kancana, also known as Yamuna. Gauranga Priya had a son, Gati Govinda. Both Isvari and her daughters later had many disciples, and Srinivasa\u2019s bloodline is still said to continue in Vrindavana from Gati Govinda.<\/p>\n
\nSome time after Srinivasa\u2019s marriage, Narahari Sarakara Thakura left the world, having seen Srinivasa one last time. Srinivasa organized a massive festival to honor Narahari\u2019s memory. Everyone from Srikhanda and neighboring villages attended, and Vaishnava festivals soon spread throughout the region. Ceremonies to install Deities of Krishna took place with elaborate festivities, including singing, dancing, and sharing of sacred food (prasadam). By such festivals the Hare Krishna movement spread throughout Bengal.<\/p>\n
\nIn due course, Srinivasa decided to return to Vrindavana. Ramacandra Kaviraja, one of his most renowned followers, went with him on this trip. Ramacandra was considered Srinivasa\u2019s \u201cother eye and other arm.\u201d Ramacandra and his brother, Govinda, who was also Srinivasa\u2019s disciple, were the sons of an intimate associate of Lord Caitanya. Both Ramacandra and Govinda were celebrated scholars, artists, and poets, but Ramacandra came to be widely accepted as Srinivasa\u2019s most noteworthy disciple. This was in some measure due to Narottama Dasa Thakura, who at Srinivasa\u2019s request took charge of Ramacandra and forged an intimate friendship with him while schooling him in all the details of Vaishnava philosophy.
\nWith the help of King Virhamvir of Vishnupura, Srinivasa spread his preaching in Bengal to the districts of Birbhum, Bankura, Burdwan, and as far as Tripura in the East. He taught all over Bengal and made hundreds of disciples.<\/p>\n
\nTo the list of his prominent disciples, Hemlata Thakurani, his daughter, is often added. Although as a blood relation she is not properly counted a disciple, she was one of his most notable followers. A highly educated and vigorous preacher, she has been compared to the revered Jahnava Devi in spreading the movement throughout Bengal. She was a gifted and devoted leader, initiating both men and women into the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. One of her disciples, Yadunandana Thakura, became a famous scholar and poet. He composed simple Bengali versifications of Gaudiya literature, some at her personal request.
\nIn time she married a great devotee and had several children. Today her descendants live in the villages of Maliati and Budhaipad, in the Murshidabad district of Bengal, where she revolutionized the preaching of Gaudiya Vaishnavism.<\/p>\n
\nSrinivasa had not been to Vrindavana since recovering the stolen books. The Gosvamis were eager to show their appreciation, and when Srinivasa arrived they did so gloriously. And now Srinivasa had come to Vrindavana with Ramacandra Kaviraja. Such a worthy disciple showed Srinivasa\u2019s merit as a preacher. So Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, who had wanted Srinivasa to take over the worship of the Radha-Ramana Deity in Vrindavana, gave the duty to his other disciple, Gopinatha Pujari, and insisted that Srinivasa keep preaching in Bengal. The descendants of Gopinatha\u2019s brothers are still in charge of the Radha-Ramana temple.
\nSyamananda Pandita returned to Vrindavana about the same time as Srinivasa, so they were able to deepen their friendship. Together they resumed their studies. Gradually, Srinivasa began to reveal his mystic potency, and it became apparent he was fully absorbed in the most intimate love of God.<\/p>\n
\nBut the missionary work was incomplete, and after several months Srinivasa and others returned to Bengal, encouraged by the Vrindavana Gosvamis. On the way, they stopped in Vana Vishnupura to see King Virhamvir, who was delighted by the presence of his guru and the other devotees.
\nThe king\u2019s devotion showed throughout the kingdom. In the words of D.C. Sen:
\nRaja Vira Hamvira would not do anything without the advice of his guru [Srinivasa Acarya], even in political matters. His [Srinivasa\u2019s] voice prevailed alike in the court and in the domestic circles of Vishnupura. We find that repeating the name of God a fixed number of times was made compulsory by penal law in the State. Sacrifice of animals at the altar of the gods was also discountenanced, though not actually prohibited by law. Worldly dignity attended the guru who had brought spiritual glory to the country. We find that on every occasion of Vaishnava festivities of any importance, valuable presents were given to Srinivasa, while Raja Vira Hamvira was ever ready to minister to his physical comforts in every possible manner. But true to the traditions of a brahmin scholar and saint, Srinivasa contented himself with living in a strawroofed hut, though he might have built palaces with the help of the Raja and other influential disciples. The money he received was mainly spent in feeding his disciples, of whom there was always a large number residing at his house. 1<\/p>\n
\nThe pervasiveness of Krishna consciousness in Bengal, especially in Vishnupura, lasted well after the time of Srinivasa and into the following centuries. King Virhamvir\u2019s successor, Raghunatha Singh I, built Vaishnava temples in many distant villages to make Krishna consciousness popular with the tribal people. In fact, the kings of Vishnupura from the time of Virhamvir onward assumed great responsibility for the material and spiritual wellbeing of their subjects.<\/p>\n
\nIn short, the Vaishnava kings, from Vira Hamvira downwards, developed Vaishnava culture in all its branches. The practical religious lives of the kings \u2026 made the people of Vishnupura God-fearing, virtuous, humble, and courteous in manner and pure in heart. It is not an easy matter to make the whole population happy and pious. [But] the people regarded their kings as their gurus. To this day it is their custom to offer edibles to Sri Caitanya\u2019s altar in the name of the king, on the occasion of public worship. Thus did Srinivasa, through Raja Vira Hamvira, start a new epoch in the religious life of the country.2<\/p>\n
\nThe activities of Srinivasa Acarya can fill volumes, and they have. Several books offer details of his daily life in Vishnupura and Jajigram.
\nIn the early morning he would read from scriptural books, explaining and interpreting them for his disciples. The study of these books would occupy him until ten o\u2019clock in the morning. Then, till two in the afternoon, he would chant on beads in solitude, occasionally worshiping Krshna according to his inner meditation. From four o\u2019clock to six in the evening he would perform congregational chanting with his disciples. The form of kirtana for which he became famous is called Manohar Shoy. Some say it is the only authentic classical style that has survived. At night he used to instruct his disciples and talk with them of Krishna\u2019s pastimes.
\nHis Literary Work<\/p>\n
\nJust as the authorized biographers of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu leave aside the details of His passing from this world, Srinivasa\u2019s followers are silent about Srinivasa\u2019s disappearance. But although his divine ascension remains a mystery, his life remains an inspiration.<\/p>\n
\n1. D. C. Sen, The Vaishnava Literature of Mediaeval Bengal (Calcutta University, 1917), pp. 156\u2013157.
\n2. Sambidananda Das, The History and Literature of Gaudiya Vaishnavas and Their Relation to Medieval Vaishnava Schools, Unpublished Ph. D. Thesis (Calcutta University, June 1935), p. 819.
\n![](\"https:\/\/i.imgur.com\/EjhfG6n.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![](\"https:\/\/i.imgur.com\/g90iJyo.jpg)
By Satyaraja Dasa<\/strong><\/p>\n