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father's abode, began singing the glories of Gaura. Completely absorbed in that, they begged for the eternal treasure of Gaura prema. Very pleased by this, Brahma told his seven sons, `Go to Navadvipa, sing the glories of Gaura, and easily you shall receive prema. Whoever gets the mercy of the Dhama gets the association of devotees. Then worshipping in the association of devotees, you will sink in the ocean of prema. That is the supreme activity. Whoever gets attraction for Navadvipa, he will receive the benediction of living in Vraja. To live in the spiritual dhama and recite the name of Gaura is the only aspiration of the devotees.'"

"Taking to heart the instructions of their father, the seven rsis came here, shouting the name of Hari, dancing, begging for Gaura prema and singing the Lord's glories in a loud voice."

'`Oh Gaura Hari, be merciful just once. Being offenders, we have followed many paths, but now we are taking to the path of devotional service.'

"Firmly situated in bhakti and worshipping Gauranga, the rsis underwent austerities. Not eating, not sleeping, they simply recited the name of Gaura. Around noon time (Madhya ahna) Gauranga showed himself to the rsis. He shone like the noon day sun, attracting the minds of the yogis. He appeared in Panca tattva form. How extraordinary was that form, golden in complexion, with a garland of flowers around his neck, his glittering ornaments illuminating all directions! Beautiful was His glance, long flowed the curls of His hair. On His forehead was sandalwood pulp. He wore three folded cloth and a shining thread. Enchanted, the rsis offered worship; `We surrender to Your lotus feet. Please give us devotion.'"

"Gaura Hari said, `Listen rsis. Give up all desires, the chains of jnana and karma, and just discuss Krsna. Within a short time I shall unfold my lila in Navadvipa. Then you will see may pastimes of nama sankirtan. But now, keep this subject a secret. Worship Krsna at Kumara Hatta at the ghat made by you.'"

"When Sri Caitanya disappeared, the seven rsis went to Kumara Hatta. At that place now you see seven hillocks or tilas. These seven hills are arranged in the same pattern as the seven rsis in the sky (constellation). Living here, one will receive Gaura Hari without having to undergo a strict process of rules and regulations.

"To the south of this see one stream, the Gomati River, very pure. Beside it is the Naimisa forest. At the beginning of Kali yuga the rsis headed by Saunaka held a sacrifice. From the mouth of Suka they heard about Gauranga. Whoever reads the Puranas in Kartik month here, becomes free from all distress, becomes absorbed in the pastimes of Gauranga, and attains to Vrndavana easily. Siva, giving up his vehicle the bull, mounted Brahma's swan and came here to hear the recitation of the Puranas. Together with his followers he sang the glories of Gaura. Singing and dancing, the followers surrounded Siva, and shouting the name of Gaura Hari, threw heaps of flowers all around."

On hearing the words of Nityananda, Jiva became spiritually excited, lost control of his mind, and began muttering incoherently, tasting the influence of the Dhama.

The devotees spent the day there in the association of Nityananda and the next day they went to Puskara.

Srila Bhaktivinode, within whom the ever worshipable Jahnava and Nitai have appeared, sings the glories of Nadiya and the sweetness of the devotees while tasting transcendental flavors.

Chapter Ten

Brahmana Puskara, Parikrama sequence.

Glories to Gaura, Nityananda and Advaita, Glories to Gadadhara and Srivasa Pandit. Glories to Navadvipa, the Dhama of pure bhakti, Glories to the Name of Gaura and Nityananda.

Oh souls of Kali yuga please listen. Giving up karma and jnana, giving up all dharmas and adharmas, just worship Nitai and Caitanya, for they are the ocean of mercy, and without trouble they give out the bliss of Vrndavana Dhama.

When the darkness had lifted, Nityananda Raya took Jiva Gosvami and continued on the pilgrimage. He explained as follows.

"See this village. Everyone now calls this place Brahmana Pura, but in the scriptures it is called Brahmana Puskara. In Satya yuga a brahmana named Diva Dasa gave up family life and went on pilgrimage. Puskara tirtha was very dear to him, but in the course of his wandering he came to Navadvipa. There he had a dream which instructed him to stay there, for he would receive a great treasure. The brahmana built his cottage and lived there till he became old. Though his desire was to see Puskara, he found it impossible to move about. In this situation he began to weep."

"`Now I will never see Puskara!'"

"The personality of Puskara, being merciful, came before the brahmana in the form of a vipra and said, `Do not cry. Before you is a splendid pond. Take bath there once, and you will see Puskara before your eyes.'"

"The brahmana took his bath in the pond. By that he received transcendental eyes to see Puskara before him. Crying, the brahmana said, `I have been a great nuisance to you.'"

"Puskara replied, `Listen, fortunate brahmana. I am not coming from far off, but am present here, for in Navadvipa all the tirthas reside. By serving in Navadvipa you serve them all. I have one form in the west, but I reside here permanently. The results attained by bathing one hundred times there are actually dispensed from here. Therefore, whoever gives up Navadvipa with the desire to go to other holy places, is a fool and a rascal. One may attain results from travelling to all the tirthas, but all these tirthas reside in Navadvipa. See the raised area. That is Kuruksetra Brahmavarta. Sarasvati and Drsadvati are on its two sides. It is splendid and gives much punya.'"

"`I am speaking a very secret thing to you, oh brahmana. Very shortly, there will be great bliss here. At Mayapura in Saci's house, Gauranga will be born and distribute prema. In all those places the Lord with His devotees will dance madly in the nectar of sankirtan. The whole universe will be drowned in the flood of prema. Whoever stays at the Dhama and fixes himself there, will attain the feet of Gaura. The evil minded may worship Krsna for thousands of years, but will not get attraction to the holy name. But if one worships Gauranga, all one's wicked sentiments will be uprooted and very soon one will attain Radha Krsna in Vrndavana. Taking shelter of the sakhis, one will receive one's spiritual body, and serve the divine couple in a secluded grove. Oh brahmana, stay here and worship for you will see Gauranga and His associates.'"

"Saying this, Puskara Raja departed. Then a voice from the sky said, `Kali yuga is coming. At that time you will again take birth, and swim in the ocean of Gaura kirtana.' The brahmana made up his mind to stay at the pond to worship the Lord."

While Jiva was listening to this story, they entered Uccahatta, Kuruksetra.

Sri Nityananda spoke again. "Here all the devas came along the tirtha of Kuruksetra. Whatever tirthas are in the region of Brahmavarta between the Sarasvati and Drsadvati Rivers (Kuruksetra) are all present here. Prthudak and others reside here and do service to Navadvipa. The fruit attained by living in Kuruksetra for a hundred years is obtained by residing in Navadvipa for one night."

"Here the devas came and set up a busy village for discussing the lila of Gauranga. Therefore it is called Hatta (market) Danga. By seeing this one will receive the ocean of prema."

"This is one boundary of Navadvipa. Now let us cross the Ganga." They crossed at noon time. Nityananda Prabhu, like the sun, rose on the horizon of Koladvipa. While on the way to Kuliyapahara Pura, Nityananda Prabhu spoke.

The order in which we have proceeded till now is the authorized order of parikrama with the best effect. When Sri Caitanya with His own men came to purify the Kazi with His evening kirtana contingent of fourteen mrdangas, his starting point was Mayapura. Through the period of one night, which became one night of Brahma due to the sweet kirtan, Gauranga wandered through His land. After that, every Ekadasi tithi my Lord went on sankirtan, wandering over the sacred islands. Sometimes He wandered over the five krosas of Antardvipa, and sometimes He wandered eight krosas, according to His liking.

From His house He went first to Barakona Ghat, then around Ballal Dirghika and Sridhara's house. From there He would go to the edge of Antardvipa and thus easily complete a five krosa tour. From Simuliya He would go to the house of the Kazi. After talking to Sridhara He would go to Adigacha (Godruma), then Majida (Madhyadvipa). Crossing the Ganga at that point, on the other bank He would go up to Para Danga and China Danga, and then crossing the Ganga again, He would return home, completing eight krosas.

Now the complete tour is sixteen krosas, and if that is done, the Lord is pleased. This is the tour I am taking you on. There is no equal to this. Within this tour you will see all the twelve forests of Vrndavana which extend over sixteen krosas. This tour ends after nine nights, and thus is called Navaratra Parikrama in scripture. One does the five krosa tour in one day, and completes the eight krosa tour after three nights, spending the first night in Mayapur, the second night in Godruma, and the third night on the opposite shore line of the Ganga.

Hearing this instruction on the method of parikrama, Jiva Gosvami could not contain his love.

The worthless one, whose hope is to attain the lotus feet of Nitai and Jahnava, describes the glories of Nadiya.

Chapter Eleven

Koladvipa: Bahulavan, Samudragar, Campa Hatta, Vaninatha's house, Jayadeva's house.

All glories to Sri Caitanya, glory to Sri Nityananda, Glory to Advaita and Srivas and all the devotees of Gaura. Glory to Gaura Bhumi, topmost of all, Where Sri Caitanya descended with the Holy Name.

Nityananda spoke.

Listen everyone! The five streams of the Ganga join at this place. The Ganga mixes with the Mandakini and Alakananda, and Sarasvati appears hidden. From the west along with Yamuna comes the Bhogavati. There also the Manasa Ganga flows quickly. Since this is a Maha Prayag, the rsis with Brahma undertook hundred of thousands of sacrifices here. The glory of the place is incomparable. If one lives here, one will not take another birth. How to describe the glories? All other tirthas become like dried up rivers in comparison. From here the living entities give up earth, air and water and attain to Goloka Vrndavana. This place, known as Kuliapahara, is situated on the bank of the Ganga, and raised up like a mountain. In the scriptures this is called Koladvipa. Hear now one story from Satya yuga.

A young brahmana named Vasudeva, was busily engaged in worship of the Varaha incarnation. He did worship to Varaha murti and offered prayers.

"Please give me mercy and show Yourself. Let my eyes and life be successful." He choked up crying, "If my Lord does not show himself, my life is worthless.

Shortly thereafter, the merciful Lord showed himself to Vasudeva in the form of a boar. His body was decorated with ornaments and His feet, neck, nostrils, face, eyes were all attractive. He was towering high as a mountain.

Seeing him, the brahmana thought himself very fortunate. He fell on the earth and paid his respects. Crying and confused he could not utter words.

Seeing the devotion of the youth, Varaha spoke gently to him.

"Oh Vasudeva, as you are my devotee, I am satisfied by your worship. When Kali yuga comes I will display my pastimes here. Hear my words. In the three worlds there is no comparison to Navadvipa. It is my very dear Dhama, though hidden now. Also the tirtha places like Brahmavarta reside here. That is the verdict of scripture. When Brahma performed a sacrifice, I appeared and killed Hiranyaksa with my tusks. The powerful effect of the place in which I appeared is present right here. By serving Navadvipa all tirthas are served. By living in Navadvipa, all effects of living elsewhere are attained. You were fortunate to serve me in Navadvipa, for when Gauranga comes you will be born here again. You will see the mahasankirtan and the astounding form of Gauranga."

Varaha disappeared. The vipra searched out to understand the meaning of that message. As he was a great pandit, he came to a definite understanding by scrutinizing all scriptural evidence.

During the reign of the Vaivasvata Manu, at the beginning of Kali yuga, Gaura lila would occur at Nadiya. The sages held all this secret. It is told by hint alone, but the wise men understand the meaning. When the lila appears on earth, the sastric evidences will also become clear. Thus the brahmana received the hint about the secret truths of Gaura.

In great bliss the brahmana did sankirtan. Always he sang the name of Gaura. Having once seen the mountainous form of Varaha, Vasudeva, carefully considering, called this place Kola (boar) Parvata (mountain), but it is now known as Parvata. The devotees know that this is Giri Govardhana of Vrndavana.

See to the north is Bahulavana, whose wonderful radiance spreads out in all directions. In Vrndavana there are twelve forests one after another in sequence, but that does not occur here. By the Lord's desire there is no such order. Only the Lord knows why. The uncommon form of the forest increases the prema all the more.

Going a little further, Nityananda again spoke.

See here Samudragari. This is directly Dvaraka Puri and Ganga Sagar. Both of these are present here. For Samudra Sen, a King and great devotee, Krsna was all in all. When Bhima came here with his soldiers to conquer all opponents, he surrounded Samudragari. The king knew that Krsna was the only resort of the Pandavas, and that when they were in danger, he would come to their rescue. He thought that if he could get Bhima to show some fear and scream out, then Krsna would appear, being merciful to his devotees.

"He will come to my country, and I will see with my own eyes the black figure of Krsna." Thinking like this, he gathered together his soldiers, elephants, horses and foot soldiers and went to battle. All the time remembering Krsna, he began firing his arrows. Bhima, seeing the shower of arrows, in great danger called to Krsna. "Oh Lord, protect your Bhima, since you are merciful. I cannot fight with Samudra Sen. If I were to defeat him, he would be humiliated. It is very shameful, but I must now be defeated."

Hearing the plaintive call of Bhima, Krsna appeared on the battlefield. No one could see that form except the King. He was of youthful form with complexion the color of a new cloud. Around his neck hung a garland and on his head a crown sparkled. On all His limbs were ornaments, and yellow garments clothed His wonderful figure. Seeing that form, the king fainted in ecstasy. Controlling himself, he revealed his request to the Lord.

"Krsna, you are the master of the universe, the deliverer of the fallen. Seeing me so fallen, you have come. Everyone is singing about Your pastimes. Hearing that, I had the desire to see Your lila. My vow was that you should appear in Navadvipa. Now I see Your enchanting form here. Never will I leave Navadvipa. You have upheld my vow and have made Your appearance in the form of Krsna in Navadvipa. But my desire goes even further. Please become Gauranga before my very eyes!"

As he looked on, the king beheld the sweet lila of Radha and Krsna. In the forest of Kumuda, Krsna and His friends performed their afternoon activities of going to herd the cows. Then in an instant this lila disappeared, and he saw the form of Gauranga in a huge kirtana, with the devotees. Gauranga was dancing and singing. Brilliant gold was His complexion, all attractive His eyes drunken, body quivering. The desire of the King's eyes was fulfilled.

When he saw this, the king considered his great fortune and offered prayers at the Lord's lotus feet. In a few moments however this all vanished. Deprived, the king began to weep.

Bhima had not been able to see this incident, and thought that the king had become suddenly afraid. He was surprised when the king gave up fighting and simply begged to pay a tax to Bhima. Bhima took the levy and went off to other places. The whole world sings the praises of Bhima, conqueror of all directions.

That incident took place at Samudragari, on the edge of Navadvipa. Even Brahma cannot know the glory of this place. The ocean, one time taking shelter of the Ganga, came up this far and in devotion served the Lord's feet. Ganga Devi said, "Oh ocean, very soon, my Lord will stay in a forest on your shore."

The ocean answered, "Listen, goddess! The son of Saci will never leave Navadvipa, though unseen to the common eye. The eternal Dhama of the Lord is this Navadvipa. All the Vedas sing of His visible and invisible pastimes here. In your shelter I will stay here, Ganga, and serve Gauranga of Navadvipa."

Thus the milky ocean stayed at Navadvipa, contemplating always the eternal lila of Gauranga.

The party took rest at Vaninatha's house, and in the afternoon toured Campa Hatta.

Nityananda Prabhu explained to Sri Jiva.

Listen, son of Vallabha, at this place there was a campaka forest once. It was a portion of Khadira forest of Vrndavana. Sakhi Campalata takes campa flowers, strings garlands and offers them to Radha and Krsna as her eternal pastimes. When Kali yuga grew in influence, capitalists moved and took the flowers very eagerly. They set up market and sold them to the villagers and townsfolk. Therefore this place is called Campa Hatta, more commonly known as Campahati.

When Laksmana Sen was the King of Nadiya, Jayadeva was one of his subjects in Navadvipa. He built a hut on Ballal Dirghika's bank and lived with his wife Padma in peace. There he wrote the Dasa Avatara poem, which came into the King's hand. The king read the poem with great relish and enquired who had written it. Govardhana Acarya answered that Jayadeva had written it. The king asked where he lived, and the acarya told him. Secretly the king made a search and in the night came to Jayadeva's house. Dressed as a Vaisnava, the king entered the cottage, paid respects to the poet and seated himself. But Jayadeva knew that he was the king dressed as a penniless Vaisnava. The king then introduced himself, and begged the poet to come to his palace. Jayadeva, being very detached from materialism, could not agree to go to the house of a materialist.

He answered the king, "I will give up your kingdom and go elsewhere. Association with materialists is not auspicious. I will cross the Ganga and head for Puri."

The king said, "Do not give up Navadvipa ever. Listen to my words. Your vow should remain true but my wish also should be fulfilled. Do your activity but be merciful to me. Across the Ganga is the enchanting Campa Hatta. Stay there for a few years. I will not go there as I please, but will see you only on your wish."

Hearing the king's words, the poet agreed and replied quickly.

"Though you are endowed with so much wealth and such a kingdom, you are a devotee of Krsna, and are not bound to the material world. To test you, I called you a materialist, but you have tolerated it. Thus I know that you are a devotee of Krsna. Though taking material things, you remain unattached. I will remain some time in Campa Hatta and you can come secretly, giving up your opulent position."

The king very happily had his ministers build Jayadeva a cottage in Campa Hatta. There Jayadeva stayed for some time, engaged in worshipping Krsna according to the process of raga marga. Padmavati would bring heaps of campaka flowers, which Jayadeva would offer to Krsna. In great love the poet offered, and Krsna, seeing that, accepted the campaka.

Krsna then appeared, golden in hue, the color of the campa flower, all attractive, shining like a hundred thousand moons, with a beautiful face. He had curled hair and a garland of flowers around His neck. His arms were long. His effulgence lit the room. Seeing that form of Gauranga, Jayadeva fainted and tears streamed from his eyes. Padmavati fell to the earth unconscious.

The Lord with His two lotus hands lifted the couple up and spoke nectarean words.

"Very soon I will take birth in Nadiya in the womb of Saci. With all the devotees of all the avataras, I will distribute the gift of prema and Krsna sankirtan. After twenty four years I will take sannyasa and live in Puri. There in the association of the devotees, overcome by prema, I will taste the poems of your Gita Govinda continuously, for it is very dear to me. You will return to this Navadvipa Dhama after death. This I say for certain. Therefore, both of you go to Puri now, worship Jagannatha and attain love of God."

Gauranga disappeared. The two fainted, overcome by separation, and began to weep profusely. While weeping they made a request.

"What a form we have seen! How can we live in Your absence? Why did You order us to leave Nadiya? We must have committed some offense here. We are becoming disturbed just to think that we must leave Nadiya, the spiritual kingdom. It would have been better to be a bird or beast in Navadvipa, for then we could stay a long time, always meditating on the Dhama. We can give up living, but we cannot give up Navadvipa, for the attachment is too deep. Oh Lord, give us Your lotus feet, and let us stay here."

As they were crying, they heard a voice.

"Do not be sorrowful, but go to Puri. There are two things to keep your heart undisturbed. Some time before, you two were thinking of going to Puri for a visit. The Lord had to fulfill that wish. Jagannatha is eager for your darshan. By pleasing Him, on leaving your body, you will again come to Navadvipa and remain here eternally."

Hearing that, the two immediately left.

Turning back, they glanced once more at Navadvipa, and with tears flowing, heart throbbing, they spoke in sorrow to the residents.

"Please give your mercy to us, who have offended. Please purify us!"

While looking back they proceeded further and further away. Navadvipa out of sight, they crossed out of Gaura Bhumi, weeping as they went. Arriving at Nilachala some days later, they pleased Lord Jagannatha.

Jiva Gosvami, this is the place of Jayadeva. Only a raised portion of earth remains. This is the story the old people tell.

Seeing the place, Jiva became speechless and began weeping.

"Fortunate Jayadeva, fortunate Padmavati, Gita Govinda and Krsna rati! Be merciful to me and give me one drop of the ocean of prema that Jayadeva enjoyed!"

Saying this, Jiva fell to the earth at the feet of Nityananda.

They spent the night at Vaninatha's house, where Vaninatha and Vamsivadana attended on Nityananda Prabhu.

This vile, worthless one, whose aspiration is the shade of the lotus feet of Nitai and Jahnava, sings this glorification of Nadiya.

Chapter Twelve

Rtudvipa, Radha Kunda.

All glories to Caitanya Candra and Prabhu Nityananda, Glory to Advaita and Gadadhara, All glories to Srivas and the devotees, to the house of Jagannatha Misra, All glories to the king of Dhamas, Navadvipa.

When night lifted, the devotees stirred, and lifting their limbs, they called for Nityananda and Gaura. Then, keeping Campa Hatta behind them, they went on in bliss.

From this point Vaninatha accompanied Nityananda, saying, "When will it happen that I shall go on parikrama with Nityananda and come to Gauranga's house in Mayapur?"

They came to Ratupur and saw the beauty of that town. When they came to Rtu (spring) dvipa, Sri Nityananda said, "This place is extremely attractive. The trees are bending down their heads in respect, the breeze is blowing gently, and the flowers are blooming on the walls. The humming of the bees, and the fragrance of the flowers intoxicate the minds of the traveller here."

As he was saying this, Nityananda became like a madman.

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