Narottama das Thakura gets the mercy of Srila Rupa and Sanatana Goswami

[Paramananda das]

Dear devotees

Please accept my humble obaisences

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

   This 10 Chapter of Prema Vilasa explains how Srila Narottama das Thakura recived the mercy of Lord Caitanya deposited in the Padmavati river and escaped from

home (to become a Hare Krsna) to go  Vrindavana.Actually he was running.On his way Srila Rupa and Srila Sanatana Goswami appeared to him and even provided him with milk prasadam.

Thus Srila Narottama das Thakura shows us that if we want to approach Vrindavana we should do so seeking the mercy of Rupa and Sanatana Goswamis .Srila Rupa Goswami 

also appeared to Srila Prabhupada when he resided in Radha Damodara temple , but Srila Rupa Goswami requested Srila Prabhupada to please go and spread the Krsna Consciouness movement in the west.(Srila Rupa Goswami is also known as Prabhupada).

 

Srila Narottama das Thakura is the true Rupanuga ,follower of Srila Rupa Goswami as he was on     the highest level of KC.Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has sung:

 

Song Name: Rupanuga Tattva Sara

Official Name: Rupanuga Bhajana Darpana Song 6

Author: Bhaktivinoda Thakura 

Book Name: Gitamala

Language: Bengali

 

LYRICS:

(1)

rūpānuga tattwa-sāra          bujhite akańkha jāńra

rasa-jñāna tāńra prayojana

cinmoya ānanda-rasa      sarba-tattwa jāńra baśa

akhaṇḍa parama tattwa-dhana

 

(2)

jāńra bhāṇe jñāni jana        brahmāloya-anweṣaṇa

kore nāhi bujhi' beda-marma

jāńra chāyā-mātra bore        jogī-jana joga kore

jāra chale karmi kore karma

 

(3)

bibhāba anubhāba āra          sāttwika sañcārī cāra

sthāyī bhābe milana śundara

sthāyī bhābe rasa hoya        nitya cid-ānanda-moya

parama āswādya nirantara

 

(4)

je rasa prapañca-gata         joḍa-kābye prokāśita

parama rasera asan-mūrti

asan-mūrti nitya hoya          ādarśera chāyā hoya

jena marīcikā jala-sphūrti

 

TRANSLATION

1) Whoever has a longing to understand the essential truth of the reality of rupanuga, then for him it is necessary to have some basic knowledge of transcendental mellows. And such spiritually blissful conscious mellows influence and control all other subordinate truths, for they are the hidden treasure of the supreme, absolutely undividable Truth of all Truths.

 

2) In pursuit of this same spiritual mellow, the philosophical speculators search for fusing themselves with the impersonal Brahman effugence, not understanding the real import of the Vedic conclusion. And all the desired boons of the yogis are simply shadow reflections of this rasa. On the plea of this taste, the karmis execute all their fruitiveactivities.

 

3) The permanent basis of ecstatic mellow is called "stayi bhava", and is abounding in eternal, conscious bliss. It becomes the topmost relishable euphoria when it mixes into a beautifully delicious combination with these four elements: 1) Vibhava (specific stimulants and supporting characters) 2) Anubhava (thirteen resultant ecstatic symptoms) 3)Sattvika (eigth especially disruptive ecstatic symptoms) 4) Sancari (thirty-three transitory accompanying emotions).

 

4) When rasa is expressed in the material world, it is praised throughout the materialistic literature of the world, but that is only a perverted reflection of this supreme mellow. It is temporary and is just like an imitation copy of the real thing, similar to a mirage which appears to be water in a desert.

 

 

in another song Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has sung:

 

 

 Song Name: Sri Rupa Gosai Sri Guru Rupete

Official Name: Bhajana Lalasa Song 9

Author: Bhaktivinoda Thakura 

Book Name: Saranagati

Language: Bengali

 

LYRICS:

(1)

hari he!

śrī-rūpa-gosāi,  śrī-guru-rūpete,

śikṣā dila mora kāne

“jāno mora kathā,  nāmera kāńgāla!

rati pā’be nāma-gāne

 

(2)

kṛṣṇa-nāma-rūpa-  guna-sucarita,

parama jatane kori’

rasanā-mānase,  koraho niyoga,

krama-vidhi anusari’

 

(3)

braje kori’ bāsa,  rāgānugā hoiyā,

smaraṇa kīrtana koro

e nikhila kāla,  koraho jāpana,

upadeśa-sāra dharo’ ”

 

(4)

hā! rūpa-gosāi,  doyā kori’ kabe,

dibe dine braja-bāsa

rāgātmika tumi,  tava padānuga,

hoite dāsera āśā

 

TRANSLATION

1) O Lord Hari, Sri Rupa Gosvami, in the form of the spiritual master, gave these instructions to my ears: “Try to understand my words, O you who begs for the gift of the holy name, for by these instructions you will develop attraction for chanting the holy name.

 

2) “Follow the scriptural rules and regulations and engage your tongue and mind in carefully chanting and remembering the holy names, divine forms, qualities, and wonderful pastimes of Lord Krishna.

 

3) “Dwell in the holy land of Vraja, cultivate spontaneous loving devotion (raganuga-bhakti), and spend your every moment chanting and remembering the glories of Sri Hari. Just accept these as the essence of all instructions”.

 

 

4) O Rupa Gosvami, when out of your causeless mercy, will you enable this poor wretched soul to reside in Vrndavana? You are a ragatmika devotee, an eternally liberated, intimate associate of Radha and Krsna. This humble servant of yours desires to become a follower at your lotus feet

 

In a another song he sings:

Official Name: Siddhi Lalasa Song 7

Author: Bhaktivinoda Thakura 

Book Name: Gitamala

Language: Bengali

 

LYRICS:

(1)

śrī rūpa mañjarī kabe madhura bacane

rādhā-kuṇḍa mahimā barnibe sańgopane

 

(2)

e caudda bhuvanopari vaikuntha nilaya

tad-apekṣā mathurā parama śreṣṭha haya

 

(3)

mathurā-maṇḍale rāsa-līlā sthāna yatha

vṛndāvana śreṣṭa ati śuno mama kathā

 

(4)

kṛṣṇa-līlā-sthala govardhana śreṣṭhatara

rādhā-kuṇḍa śreṣṭatam sarva-śakti-dhara

 

(5)

rādhā-kuṇḍa-mahimā to’ koriyā śravaṇa

lālayita ho’ye ami paribo takhana

 

(6)

sakhīra caraṇe kabe koribo ākuti

sakhī kṛpa kori’ dibe svārasikī sthiti

 

TRANSLATION

1) When will Sri Rupa Manjari speak to me with such sweet words in a private place, vividly explaining to me the transcendental glories of Sri Radha-kunda?

 

2) "Beyond these fourteen worlds is the spiritual abode of the Vaikuntha planets. And beyond that, the area known as Mathura is the topmost and supreme abode."

 

3) "Within that Mathura-mandala, the place known as Vrndavana is best of all, for that is where the rasa-lila takes place. Please hear me now as I narrate these glories."

 

4) "Out of all the places in Vrndavana where Krsna performs His pastimes, the place known as Govardhana is best. And the best place in Govardhana is Radha kunda, which possesses all transcendental potencies."

 

5) Whenever I hear the glories of this sacred Radha-kunda, I become sized with such an eager yearning that I will swoon and fall down on the spot.

 

6) When will I ever become so intensely eager for the lotus feet of a sakhi, which will make her so obliged to me that she will mercifully bestow upon me permanent situation 

 

 

Srila Narottama das Thakura has offered a very confidential bhajan also:

 

 

Song Name: Sri Rupa Pascate Ami Rahiba

Official Name: Lalasa Song 4

Author: Narottama Dasa Thakura

Book Name: Prarthana

Language: Bengali

 

LYRICS:

(1)

śrī rūpa paścāte āmi rohibo bhīta hoiyā

dońhe puna kohiben āmā pāne cāiyā

 

(2)

sadaya hṛdaye dońhe kohiben hāsi

kothāy pāile rūpa ei nava dāsī?

 

(3)

śrī rūpa mañjarī tabe dońha vākya śuni

mañjulālī dilo more ei dāsī āni!

 

(4)

ati namra citta āmi ihāra jānilo

sevā kārya diyā tabe hethāya rākhilo

 

(5)

heno tattva dońhākāra sākṣāte kohiyā

narottame sevāya dibe niyukta koriyā

 

TRANSLATION

1) I timidly follow behind Sri Rupa-manjari.  When will she say to me: "Fetch some water for the Divine Couple?

 

2) When will the Divine Couple, compassionately smiling, say: "Where has Rupa-manjari gotten this young maidservant?"

 

3) Hearing these words, Sri Rupa-manjari will say: "Manjunali gave this maidservant to me.”

 

4) At that time I will feel very humble at heart, and I will diligently engage in the service of the Divine Couple.

 

5) When will the Divine Couple directly speak in this way to Narottama dasa, engaging him in Their service?

 

(Manjunali is the manjari name of Srila Lokanatha das Gowami ,the Guru of Narottama das Thakura)

 

In another song Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura sings:

 

Song Name: Sri Rupa Vadane Sri Saci Kumar

Official Name: Namastakam Song 1

Author: Bhaktivinoda Thakura 

Book Name: Gitavali

Language: Bengali

 

LYRICS:

(1)

śrī-rūpa-vadane śrī-śacī-kumār

swa-nām-mahimā koralo pracār

 

(2)

jo nām, so hari—kachu nāhi bheda

so nām satya-miti gāyati veda

 

 (3)

sabu upaniṣada,  ratna-mālā-dyuti,

jhakamaki’ caraṇa-samīpe

 

(4)

mańgala-ārati,  koro-i anukṣana,

dvi-gunita-pañca-pradīpe

 

(5)

caudda bhuvana māha,  deva-nara-dānava,

bhāga jāńkara balavān

 

(6)

nāma-rasa-pīyuṣa,  pibo-i anukṣana,

choḍata karama-geyān

 

(7)

nitya-mukta punaḥ,  nāma-upāsana,

satata koro-i sāma-gāne

 

(8)

goloke baiṭhata,  gāowe nirantara,

nāma-viraha nāhi jāne

 

(9)

sabu-rasa-ākara,  `hari’ iti dvy-akṣara,

sabu-bhāve koraluń āśroy

 

(10)

nāma caraṇe pa’ḍi,  bhaktivinoda kohe,

tuwā pade māgahuń niloy

 

TRANSLATION

1) Through the mouth of Srila Rupa Gosvami, Krsna, in the form of Lord Caitanya, the son of Mother Saci, preached the glories of His own holy name.

 

2) There is no difference between that holy name of Lord Hari and Lord Hari Himself. The Vedic scriptures sing of the true value and glory of the holy name.

 

3) All the Upanisads are like a necklace of beautifully effulgent jewels shining before the lotus feet of the holy name.

 

4) They are perpetually performing mangala arati for the holy name with arati lamps of ten ghee wicks.

 

5-7) Within the fourteen worlds , those demigods, men and demons whose fortune is very great, perpetually drink the nectar of the sweet mellows of the holy name, casting aside all kinds of fruitive activities and speculative forms of knowledge.

 

8) The eternally liberated souls, however, always worship the holy name in beautifully composed hymns and songs and sit in Goloka Vrndavana constantly singing the name. Therefore they do not know any separation from the holy name.

 

9) The two syllables ha and ri are a mine of all devotional mellows. All the ecstasies of devotion have taken shelter in them.

 

10) Falling at the lotus feet of the holy name, Thakura Bhaktivinoda says, O Harinam, I pray for residence at Your lotus feet.”

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 10

 

          As soon as Narottama took birth, the musicians, sitting at the doorway of the house, began playing and continued for eight days. Hundreds of brahmanas of the village constantly chanted the Vedic hymns in celebration.

          Six months passed swiftly and his parents then performed the ceremony of offering rice to the child.  On that occasion they fed many brahmanas and relatives, and distributed wealth amongst them.  When the king heard about the beautiful boy, he sent many gifts in gold and silver, and Narayani happily decorated her son.

          At the age of five, the ceremony of piercing the ears of the boy took place.  At this time Narottama began his education and proved to be a brilliant student.  In this way the years passed and his parents where increasingly enchanted by the charming beauty of their son. When he reached the age of twelve, they decided to give their son in marriage and called on an astrologer to arrange a suitable match. Noting Narottama's growing apathy for material life, the parents were anxious to tie him down to household life.  But Narottama had other plans; he constantly thought of leaving his home. 

          One night Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared in Narottama's dream and advised him to go to the Padmavati the next morning to take his bath and receive the love that she was holding for Narottama.  The Lord also explained that marriage would create problems for him. 

          Narottama woke up and in the morning, without waking anyone, rushed towards the Padmavati, joyfully chanting the holy name all the way.  When he reached the river, he first bowed to Padmavati then entered the water, chanting the name of Gauranga.  As Mahaprabhu had predicted, immediately Padmavati's water surged forth and inundated the land.  Remembering the Lord's prediction, Padmavati appeared before Narottama and said, "For your benefit Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu previously deposited his love in me. After doing so, the Lord went to Nilacala. Now please take charge of it. I am no longer able to bear the burden of the love of these two brothers, Chaitanya and Nityananda."  Saying this, Padmavati held Narottama's hands and took him with her.  She then gave him the love, warning him not to eat it or he would become mad with love of Godhead.  But Narottama was overwhelmed with thirst, thus he drank the love and immediately his complexion changed to a golden colour.  He became so ecstatic with love that he laughed, cried, danced and sang like a madman.

          Meanwhile his absence created panic at home and all Narottama's relatives searched for him frantically.  When they heard that he was at the bank of the Padmavati, they all ran to the river.  However, the worried parents were unable to recognize their own son due to the change in his complexion.  Not finding her beloved son, Narottama's mother cried helplessly. 

          Narottama, lost in ecstacy, was oblivious to everything. After some time, due to the Lord's influence, Narottama was able to understand that his mother was crying.  "Mother," he beckoned, "I am standing right next to you, why are you crying?" 

          His mother immediately took him on her lap and kissed his face, requesting him again and again to return home. Narottama's peculiar behaviour, however, bewildered and frightened them.  Narottama, overwhelmed with ecstatic love, cried, jumped, and danced, singing the name of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.  With great difficult his mother brought him home and placed him in his bed.  His parents cried piteously, thinking that their son had gone mad.

          One day Narottama revealed to his mother that he wanted to leave home.  Shocked and bereaved, she held the neck of her son and questioned why he was behaving so strangely; what was his complaint.  Seeing the state of his mother, Narottama relented and requested her to bring something to eat.  He assured her that after eating he would explain everything.

          After accepting prasadam Narottama told his father, "I'm in great difficulty.  A golden complexioned child has entered into my body and affected my state of mind.  Therefore I feel I can no longer stay here."  While saying this Narottama was overcome with ecstatic emotions and lost control of himself.  He began to cry and his whole body trembled.  Shouting the name of Gauranga, he fell to the ground.

          Thinking that some golden complexioned deity had taken hold of there son's body, his parents cried out in misery, wondering if their child would ever return to normalcy.  They called upon an exorcist who said that no spirit had entered Narottama's body, rather, he was suffering from a wind disorder.  He advised them to bring a fox and rub the oil on the boy's stomach to cure him.

          Narottama laughed and told his father, "By killing an animal do you think you can cure me?  If a father kills an animal out of blind affection for his son, the disease will become more intense, rather than cured.  Oh my parents, it is not a disease, I simply want to go to Vrndavana."

          "We would rather drink poison than live without you," they protested.  "Do not speak about this anymore."

          Narottama fell silent, wondering if Vrndavana would remain an unattainable dream for him.  Trying another strategy, Narottama decided to pretend to be cured and behave like an obedient son attached to family life.  Thus his parents heaved a great sigh of relief.  But at night Narottama could not control his distress and was unable to sleep.

          One day the Zagirdara of the village sent a horseman with a letter in which he ordered Majumdar to send Narottama to him at once, indicating that he intended to award some special honour upon the boy.  Majumdar was uncertain as to what to do,  Out of blind affection for Narottama, he was reluctant to send him anywhere.  When he told Narottama about the letter, he laughed and said, "Well I shall go along with the horseman then."

          His mother, however, protested, "I will not allow you to go anywhere, regardless of how big the gain may me."  But Narottama insisted, "The king will be very pleased if I obey his order." Hearing this, his father consulted an astrologer and fixed a date for Narottama to go.  Narottama took this as a significant sign from Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu, feeling that their mercy was upon him.  Still, his mother lamented, "What shall I do without you my son?  Please return within ten days. When you return I shall arrange your marriage."  Although Narottama had another plan in mind, he assured his mother that he would return swiftly.  She instructed his escort to keep a strict watch on her son, then kissed Narottama's check and bade him farewell.

          Narottama eagerly awaited the right moment for his escape. In anticipation he was unable to sleep, but confident that the Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's wish is supreme.  That night all the companions of Narottama fell into a deep sleep.  Taking advantage of the situation, Narottama hurried out to the road and began walking swiftly, yet cautiously towards the west, intently chanting the names of Chaitanya and Nityananda.

          In due course of time news of Narottama's disappearance reached the ears of his parents.  Stricken with grief, his mother rushed out into the street like a mad woman, lamenting miserably for her son.  The neighbors took her back in the house and tried to console her, assuring her that they would surely catch him and bring him home.

          Yet, despite all of their efforts, their was no trace of Narottama.  His parents then offered one man a sizeable sum to search out their beloved son.  The man traveled to various places, reaching as far as Bahudiya, but being unsuccessful he returned to Gadera Hata. The news of his failure broke the heart of Narottama's mother and she fell down unconscious.

          Now I shall describe Narottama's journey to Vrndavana.  For two or three days he fasted as he rushed towards Vraja.  Due to long hours of walking, painful blisters (boils) covered his feet, making it difficult to walk.  Exhausted, he lay down under a tree and fell unconscious. When he awoke, he began to lament, "Oh Gaurachandra, Rupa, Sanatana, when will I reach Vrndavana?"

          Suddenly a golden complexioned brahmana came before Narottama carrying a bowl of milk.  He instructed Narottama to drink the milk as it would cure his blisters.  Overwhelmed with fatigue, Narottama fell asleep without drinking the milk. Towards the end of the night, Rupa and Sanatana appeared before Narottama.  Placing their hands on Narottama's chest they told him, "Narottama drink the milk.  Seeing you so tired from your journey, Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Himself personally brought you this milk.  Now get up and continue on to Vrndavana."  When Narottama's dream vanished, he woke up and began to cry in separation from the Lord and his devotees.  His misery became unbearable, then Rupa and Sanatana again appeared before him. This time Narottama could see them direct and smell the scent of their bodies.  The two brothers had golden complexions, they wore sacred threads, tulasi mala, and their foreheads were painted with beautiful tilak.  Their red lips were curved in gracious smiles, as they chanting the holy names, counting on their fingers.  Sometimes they called out the name of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.  They told Narottama, "You are still child, normally not much is expected of a boy your age, but you have received favour of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu so do not worry, just go to Vrndavana.  We know that Prabhu has empowered you to flood the universe with love of God and deliver the fallen conditioned souls.  Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu appeared in Gauda to reveal Their loving pastimes, and they have created you and Shrinivasa to carry on The mission after Their disappearance."

          Hearing this, Narottama worshiped the feet of the two brothers, then rolled on the ground crying ecstatically.  Rupa and Sanatana placed their feet on Narottama's head, then disappeared.

          By the order of my guru I have narrated these pastimes. Those who listen with devotion will soon attain the mercy of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the lotus feet of Radha Krishna.  Rupa and Sanatana will also mercy their blessings upon the devoted listeners.  Remaining faithful to the feet of Shri Jahnava and Viracandra, I, Nityananda Dasa narrate Prem Vilasa. (100-110)

[Paramananda das]

Song Name: Yan Kali Rupa Sarira Na Dharata

Official Name: None

Author: Madhavi Dasa

Book Name: None

Language: Bengali

 

LYRICS:

(1)

yań kali rūpa śarīra na dharata

tań vraja-prema-mahānidhi kuṭharīka, kon kapāṭa ughāḍata

 

(2)

nīra-kṣīra-haḿsana, pāna-vidhāyana, kon pṛthak kari pāyata

ko saba tyaji, bhaji’ vṛndāvana, ko saba grantha viracita

 

(3)

jaba pitu vana-phula, phalata nānā-vidha, manorāji aravinda

so madhukara vinu, pāna kon jānata, vidyamāna kari bandha

 

(4)

ko jānata, mathurā vṛndāvana, ko jānata vraja-nīta

ko jānata, rādhā-mādhava-rati, ko jānata soi prīta

 

(5)

jākara caraṇe, prasāde sakala jana, gāi gāoyāi sukha pāota

caraṇa-kamale, śaraṇāgata mādho, tava mahimā ura lāgata

 

TRANSLATION

1) If Rupa Gosvami had not appeared in Kali-yuga, who would have opened the great store-house of vraja-prema and distributed its contents freely?

 

2) Just as a swan separates milk from water, who could have separated the rasas to taste them? Abandoning everything, he performed bhajana in Vrndavana and wrote hisrasika literatures.

 

3) When the yellow forest flowers blossom and fruits ripen, he lived like a bee taking the nectar from lotuses – who could have understood the nectar he was collecting?

 

4) Who could have understood Krsna’s lilas in Mathura and Vrndavana? How could we have known the sweet vraja-lilas and the love between Radha-Madhava?

 

5) By the mercy of his lotus feet, all can sing about and attain such divine bliss. The surrendered Madhava dasa is always praying to embrace Rupa’s glories.

[Paramananda das]

Shri Rupanugatya-Mahatmya

The Glories of Following Shrila Rupa Gosvami

Shrila Narottama dasa Thakura

 

shuniyachi sadhu-mukhe bole sarva-jana

shri-rupa-kripaya mile yugala-carana (1)

 

From the sadhus’ lips I have heard it told to everyone - by Shri Rupa’s mercy one can

attain Shri Yugala’s lotus feet.

 

ha! ha! prabhu sanatana gaura-parivara

sabe mili’ vancha-purna karaha amara (2)

 

Alas, Sanatana Prabhu! O eternal associates of Gauranga! Only when you give your

mercy [then Shri Rupa will give his mercy], all my heart’s desires be fulfilled.

 

shri rupera kripa jena ama prati haya

se pada ashraya ja’ra, sei mahashaya (3)

 

Shri Rupa Gosvami, I want only your mercy. He who takes your lotus feet as his shelter

is mahashaya, a great personality.

 

prabhu lokanatha kabe sange laiya jabe

shri rupera pada-padme more samarpibe (4)

 

When will my holy master Lokanatha Svami [who is also master of the whole world]

take me with him and offer me at the lotus feet of Shri Rupa Manjari?

 

hena ki haibe mora - narma-sakhi-gane

anugata narottame karibe shasane (5)

 

When will that day come, when Radha’s dearmost narma sakhis will give direct

instructions to Narottama, accepting him as their intimate follower (anugata)?