Sri Navadvipa Dhama - By Harsha Lalita devi dasi

50. The Māyāpur Community: Who should live in Māyāpur? “If your heart is set on crossing over the ocean of repeated birth and death, enjoying the sweet nectar of hari-nāma, and hankering to play in the ocean of Kṛṣṇa-prema, then please reside in Māyāpur City.” (Navadvipa Sataka) “Śrīla Prabhupāda envisioned Śrī Dhāma Māyāpur as an integrated community of diverse people; all contributing to produce an exemplary social and economic atmosphere with Kṛṣṇa in the center. Such a city must be self-sufficient, or as Śrīla Prabhupāda put it, ‘The idea is we must have the necessities of our life as far as possible independently.’” (Mayapur Journal) “Regarding our proposal for West Bengal, people may come and join us without any distinction of caste and creed. The occupation will be according to one’s capacity. They will be employed in cottage industry, backed by spiritual advancement of life to understand the mission of human life, their relationship with God and how to act accordingly. “The ide...

49. ISKCON Māyāpur Project: “Of all planets in the universe, Jambudvīpa (earth) is the worthiest. Of all places on earth, Bhārata-varśa (India) is supreme. Spiritually, Gauda-maṇḍala (Bengal) is the most exclusive. And of all places in Bengal, Śrī Dhāma Māyāpur is the crest jewel.” (Jaiva Dharma) In this regard, Śrīla Prabhupāda said, “There is no place in the world like Māyāpur.” (Mayapur Journal 2.2) “The ISKCON Navadvīpa centre is situated on the Rudradvīpa island. Below Rudradvīpa, in Antardvīpa, is Māyāpur. There, Śrī Jagannātha Miśra, the father of Caitanya Mahāprabhu, used to reside. In all these different islands, Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu, as a young man, used to lead His saṅkīrtana party. He thus inundated the entire area with the waves of love of Kṛṣṇa.” (Cc. Ᾱdi 13.30 pur.) The 9 islands of Navadvīpa represent the 9 forms of devotional service mentioned in the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. Although ISKCON is continually expanding and opening new centres throughout the world, Śrīla Prab...

48. A Memorable Moment: Mayapur Festival 1975 - “Each morning after giving the class, Śrīla Prabhupāda would circumambulate the temple room, followed by his disciples. A brass bell hung from the ceiling on either side of Rādhā-Mādhava’s altar, and Prabhupāda, while circumambulating the deities, would go up to one of the bells and ring it several times, pulling the rope while the kīrtana continued wildly. Then with cane in hand, Śrīla Prabhupāda would walk around the back of the deity altar and emerge on the other side to ring the other bell. “The devotees would jump up and down close around him, singing Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare Hare Rāma Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma Hare Hare. Smiling with great pleasure, Prabhupāda would continue the length of the temple room, past the pictures of Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī, Gaurakiśora dāsa Bābājī, and Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, then come around and up the other side of the temple room to the first bell again and strongly ring it. After half a do...

47. The Mission of Māyāpur Candrodaya Mandir: “Māyāpur was formerly known as Miyapura, and it was inhabited mostly by Mohammedans. Some way or other it got converted into the name of Miyapur instead of Māyāpur.” (Srila Prabhupada Tapes 76/21/2) “Spreading Kṛṣṇa consciousness means spreading the moonlight. Therefore, we have named this temple Śrī Māyāpur Candrodaya. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is Gaura Hari, Māyāpur-candra... Caitanya-candra!” (Srila Prabhupada Tapes 76/20/2) “We established this temple, Māyāpur-candrodaya. The idea is that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is just like moon. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu appeared in this land of Māyāpur; therefore, He is said here as ‘the moon.’ Therefore, we say Māyāpur-candra. Now, Śrī Māyāpur-candra is rising. Rising means He is distributing the moonshine all over the world. “Śreyaḥ-kairava candrikā-vitaraṇaṁ. Caitanya Mahāprabhu personally said. Don’t keep Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu compact in your room and take some monetary profit. This is not required...

46. The City Begins: “Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura and Śrīla Prabhupāda Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāmī Mahārāja desired that such American and European devotees may live at Māyāpur for studies of Śrī Caitanya’s philosophy. Now the time is ripe when many American, European, and Japanese students, working as my disciples, are ready to go there for this purpose. In 1967, when I went to India, 5 American disciples were with me.” (Srila Prabhupada Letters 69/2/7) “In 1972 when Śrīla Prabhupāda arrived at our newly acquired property in Śrī Dhāma Māyāpur, the first thing he did was to lay the foundation stone for the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium. In 1977, during his last visit, he again laid the foundation stone at the new, relocated temple site. This shows how important it was for Śrīla Prabhupāda to establish this temple.” (Jananivāsa Dāsa Mayapur Journal 6.3) The devotees living with Śrīla Prabhupāda in the early days of ISKCON Māyāpur relished an especially sweet taste of devotion mix...

45. Ᾱcārya’s Vision of the City: Although the bathing ghāṭas, temples and original houses of Lord Caitanya and His associates have vanished under the Gaṅgā’s flood waters, Māyāpur will again manifest its transcendental magnificence. Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu Himself, while on parikramā of Navadvīpa dhāma, told Jīva Gosvāmī: “In due course of time, the Ganges will hide Śrī Dhāma Māyāpur, but then again it will be revealed. By Lord Caitanya’s wish people will again inhabit Māyāpur. All the lost bathing ghāṭas on the bank of the Ganges will remanifest, and devotees will build temples of the Lord. Adbhuta mandira eka haibe prakāśa, gaurāṇga nitya-sevā haibe vikāśa, ‘One exceedingly wonderful temple will also appear (in Māyāpur) which will broadcast the eternal service of Lord Gaurāṅga throughout the world.’ Prauḍhā Māyā (the eternal consort of Lord Śiva) will again manifest by the Lord’s will, and act as yogamāyā to reveal the spiritual dhāma of Navadvīpa.” (Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya) 500 years...

44. Śrī Dhāma Māyāpur: “Śrī Navadvīpa Dhāma is essentially non-different from Śrī Vṛndāvana dhāma. But Māyāpur is above both Navadvīpa and Vṛndāvana. In the middle of Śrī Māyāpur is the mahā-yogapīṭha, the temple of Jagannātha Miśra, the father of Lord Caitanya. As the incarnation of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is covered in Kali-yuga, so is His dhāma, Śrī Navadvīpa. No other holy place of pilgrimage in Kali-yuga compares with Śrī Navadvīpa. If one performs devotional service in Śrī Navadvīpa dhāma, especially in Śrī Māyāpur, one quickly gets Kṛṣṇa-prema-siddhi (the perfection of love of Kṛṣṇa).” (Jaiva Dharma) Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura said that “Māyāpur is the most sacred place in the whole universe.” “Māyāpur is considered the Mahāvana of Gokula.” (Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya) “In Navadvīpa there was a special area known as Māyāpur where the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Gauracandra, took His birth. Māyāpur is the Yogapīṭha of Navadvīpa, non-different from Rādhā-Govinda’s Yogapīṭha in Vṛn...

43. Why did Lord Caitanya appear?: May the Supreme Lord, who is known as the son of Sacidevi, be transcendentally situated in the innermost core of your heart. Resplendent with the radiance of molten gold, He has descended in the age of Kali by His causeless mercy to bestow what no other incarnation has ever offered before - the most elevated mellow of transcendental service, ujjvala-rasa, the mellow of conjugal love - Vraja-prema in the mood of the gopis. (Vidagdha Madhava) The main reason Śrī Kṛṣṇa appeared as Śrī Caitanya Mahaprabhu was to taste 3 things He didn't experience in Vrndāvana-līlā. Therefore, Krsna took the inner bhāva of Srimati Rādhikā, and in Her form came to Navadvīpa as Śrī Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Because it fulfills the Lord's desires, Navadvīpa-līlā is known as parisishta (the conclusion or fulfilment) līlā.  Śrī Krsna descended as Śrī Kṛṣņa Caitanya to fulfil 3 inner longings:  1.What is the greatness of the divine love of Śrīmatī Rādhikā, who is the person...

42. Descent of the Lord: “In Kali-yuga the people are lazy, unhappy, petty-minded, wretched, unfortunate, and devoted to pleasing the belly and genital. Their hearts and minds are polluted with many sins. For these unfortunate people there is only one way to easily attain liberation - simply by chanting Lord Krsna's holy names they will attain all happiness. "For this reason the Supreme Personality of Godhead descends to purify Kali-yuga of its sins. O child, at that time the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who has two eyes, two arms and a fair complexion splendid as molten gold, will appear as the son of Śrī Śaci-devī. "The people in that age will worship the Lord of the universes, whose complexion is fair and who is named Śrī Krsna Caitanya, with 16 holy names of the Lord and with mantras from the Tantras. "O brahmana, in that age simply by hearing of Lord Hari's glories the people will become pure devotees. For this reason, the Kali-yuga is the best of all age...

41. Advent of Lord Caitanya: Gaura Narayana: In every Kali-yuga, Lord Krsna appears as Lord Caitanya to preach the yuga-dharma of hari-nama-sankirtana. This religious function is executed merely by an amsa-avatara of the Supreme. Only once in a day of Lord Brahma does the full manifestation of svayam bhagavan Sri Krsna and svayam bhagavān Lord Caitanya come to the material world. Why does the Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Śrī Kṛṣņa and Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya come? yuga-dharma-pravartana haya amsa haite amă vină anye näre vraja-prema dite "My (amsas) plenary portions can establish the principles of religion for each age. No one but Me, however, can bestow Vraja prema, the kind of loving service performed by the residents of Vraja (Cc. Adi 3.26) When Lord Krsna comes in Kali-yuga only to propagate the yuga-dharma He is known as Gaura-Nārāyana. In this form Lord Caitanya, or Gaura Nārāyana, does not distribute Vraja-prema or mañjari- bhāva. "Whenever there is congregation...

40. Identity of Lord Caitanya: "May Lord Caitanya, whose shoulders are like a lion's, whose smiling cheeks are the sweetest of all sweet things, whose body displays various wonderful symptoms of ecstatic love of Krsna, whose features are as splendid as the whorl of a blossoming golden lotus flower, and who is Śrīmatī Rādhārānī and Śrī Kṛṣņa joined in a single form, protect you all. "Sometimes, assuming the role of Lord Krsna, Lord Caitanya dances with many graceful motions. Sometimes filled with Radha's love, Gauranga calls out: 'Alas! Alas! Alas!' Sometimes Lord Caitanya becomes like a crawling infant, and sometimes He becomes like a cowherd boy. In this way the profoundly glorious Lord Gaura astonishes the entire world." (Sri Caitanya Candramrta) Śrīla Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura said, "Krsna as the source of love of Himself is Caitanya. The two aspects of the divine personality are not complimentary but are identical. Śrī Krsna is eternally ...

39. The Hidden Avatāra: "Lord Krşņa said, 'In the age of Kali, when the sankirtana movement is inaugurated, I shall descend as the son of Śaci devī. By the Ganges shore in Navadvīpa in a brāhmana's house, I shall appear as the best of the brahmanas." (Vayu Purāṇa) "Peaceful at heart, His neck long and His complexion fair, the Supreme Lord will appear as Gauranga, surrounded by His devotees." (Agni Purana) In 1885 Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Thakura made this prophetic declaration in Sajjana-toșani: "Lord Caitanya did not advent Himself to liberate only a few men in India. Rather, His main objective was to emancipate all living entities of all countries throughout the entire universe." ittham nr-tiryag-rşi-deva jhasavata rair lokan vibhavayasi hamsi jagat pratipan dharmam mahā-purusa pasi yuganuvrttam channah kalau yad abhavas tri-yugo 'tha sa tvam "In this way, my Lord, You appear in various incarnations as a human being, an animal, a great saint, ...

38. Qualities of Lord Caitanya: "At the age of 15, Nimai Pandita spoke with eloquence and unrivalled powers of conversation. His voice was always musical. His ordinary language was always poetry, interspersed with bright and sparkling gems of thought and imagination. Before going to Gaya and receiving initiation from Śrī Iśvara Puri, Nimai Pandita was seen in Nadia as a proud arrogant scholar, 'the literary king in the city of learning." "But upon returning to Nadia, Nimai Pandita exhibited extraordinary humility. He would fall at the feet of any Krsna bhakta and render menial service. Nimai would carry their baskets of offerings for Gangā pūjā or wring out their wet garments after they bathed. The people were embarrassed to take service from such an exalted person, and they begged Nimai to stop. Nimai would reply, 'I have heard that Krsna promises to bless anyone who serves a pious man. Why then do you want to deprive Me the chance of winning His favour?" ...

37. Beauty and Form of Lord Caitanya: "As a child, Nimai was so strong and restless that women could hardly hold Him in their arms. One peculiarity of the boy was that a mere uttering of the names of Hari could pacify Him whenever He cried. It is a fact, and not a poet's creation, that Nimai's complexion resembled molten gold. His palms and foot soles were so naturally red that they appeared to be freshly painted with vermilion. "Nimai's features were beautifully formed, and the contour of His body was simply perfect. Nimai's fascinating face was brighter than the moon, and more beautiful than a blossoming golden lotus flower. His lips were ruddy like a ripe bimba fruit. His eyes, elongated like the petals of a lotus, slightly tinged with red, and appearing as if "moist with honey," were perhaps more lovely than any other part of His body. Anyone who looked at the child felt an immediate attraction towards Him." (Lord Gauranga) "Lord Gauran...

36. 108 Names of Lord Caitanya - by Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya: nāmaskṛtya pravakṣyāmi,  deva-devaṁ jagad-gurum  nāmnām-aṣṭottara-śataṁ,  caitanyasya mahātmanāh “Oh great soul! After offering obeisances unto the Lord of Lords, who is the spiritual master of the entire universe, I will now narrate 108 holy names of Lord Caitanya. viśvambharo jita-krodho,  māyā-mānuṣa-vigrāhaḥ amāyi māyināṁ śreṣṭo, varo-deśo dvijottamaḥ Gaurāṅga sustains the universe, is victorious over the influence of mundane anger, and He assumes the illusory form of a human. He is bereft of fraudulent behaviour, is the foremost of cheaters, appears in the best of lands and is the ultimate brāhmaṇa. jagannātha-priyā-sutaḥ, pitr-bhakto mahā-manāh  lakṣmī-kāntaḥ śacī-putrāh, premado bhakta-vātsalaḥ Gaurāṅga is the dearest son of Jagannātha Miśra, Gaurāṅga is the devotee of His father, and He has great mental power. He is the beloved husband of the Goddess of Fortune, the son of mother Śacī, the best...

35. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu: “All glories to Lord Śrī Gaurāṅga and His associates. One receives loving devotion to the Supreme Lord simply by hearing transcendental topics about Lord Caitanya.” (Caitanya Bhagavata) Names of Lord Caitanya: Nārada Muni said, “In Kali-yuga, he who takes Gaura’s name will get the mercy of Kṛṣṇa, and finally get to live in Vṛndāvana. He who goes on worshiping Kṛṣṇa without taking the name of Gaura will get Kṛṣṇa only after a very long time. But he who takes Gaura’s name quickly gets Kṛṣṇa, for in Gaura’s name the offenses do not persist. “In Hari Harā Kṣetra, a part of Navadvīpa dhāma, Lord Śiva resides with his consort. Here Lord Śiva continually dances and chants the name of Gaura, begging his followers to accept Kṛṣṇa-bhakti. At the time of leaving his body, a devotee will be delivered by Śiva, who will shout the name of Gaurāṅga in his ear.” (Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya) “Whether a sannyāsī or a gṛhastha, a person who somewhere in Navadvīpa calls out “Gaur...

34. Vṛndāvana Pastimes in Navadvīpa: In Kalyāṇa-kalpa-taru, Ṭhākura Bhaktivinoda prays, “By the power of the mercy of Gaura-Nitāi, I will see the transcendental splendour of Vraja at Navadvīpa. My mind being charmed thus at my residence in Ᾱnanda-sukhada kuñja in Navadvīpa, I will behold such wondrous things in my very eyes. Just nearby my kuṭira is Lalitā-kuṇḍa, surrounded by hundreds of bejewelled altars. “Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa are seen there, continuously sporting as They expand Their pastimes. All Their confidential girlfriends are also there, assisting the pastimes by doing pleasing services. This maidservant is also there, engaging in the service of Rādhā-Mādhava under the order of sakhīs.” (Kalyana Kalpa Taru)

33. Navadvīpa is the Fulfillment of Vṛndāvana: “In Śrī Vṛndāvana some portion of the tasty savour remained unrevealed. That taste has been revealed in Śrī Navadvīpa. When one is qualified to relish that taste he will realize this fact.” (Jaiva Dharma)  Śrī Jīva Gosvāmī explains that Gaura-līlā contains the parishista-līlā (concluding pastimes) of Vṛndāvana. It is something like an appendix added after the author finishes his book.  “If I see My sweetness in a mirror, I am tempted to taste it, but nevertheless I cannot. Who manifests an abundance of sweetness greater than Mine, which has never been experienced before and which causes wonder to all? Alas, I Myself, My mind bewildered upon seeing this beauty, impetuously desire to enjoy it like Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī.” (Lalitā-mādhava 8.34) This text was spoken by Lord Kṛṣṇa when He saw the beauty of His own reflection in a jewelled fountain in Dvārakā.  “All minds are attracted by hearing His sweet voice and flute, or by seeing ...

32. Vṛndāvana Equals Navadvīpa: “One should also know that Gaura-maṇḍala-bhumi--those places in Bengal where Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu stayed--are equal to Vrajabhūmi, or Vṛndāvana. There is no difference between the inhabitants of Vṛndāvana and those of Gaura-maṇḍala-bhūmi, or Śrī Dhāma Māyāpur.” (Cc. Madhya 5.113)  “Vṛndāvana within Mathurā-maṇḍala is identical with Navadvīpa within Gaura-maṇḍala. These dhāmas are but two manifestations of one principle which is infinite and purely spiritual. Only for the reasons of different pastimes of the Lord has the dhāma taken the form of two abodes. By that one infinite, inconceivable, spiritual potency, acintya-śakti, the Lord has brought these two dhāmas into the material world, to liberate the living entities dwelling here. This is simply the mercy of Kṛṣṇa!” (Navadvipa Bhava Taranga) “Navadvīpa is the best of dhāmas. After crossing the Virajā, the brahmajyoti, and the Vaikuṇṭha planets one comes to Vṛndāvana, or Kṛṣṇaloka. Kṛṣṇaloka exis...

31. Qualifying to Taste Mādhurya Rasa: Mādhurya-rasa is wonderfully expressed only in Kṛṣṇa-līlā, whereas hankering for that rasa is manifested fully in Gaura-līlā.  “Śrī Jīva Gosvāmī asked Lord Nityānanda, ‘If Navadvīpa and Vṛndāvana are non-different then why should one make the effort to go to Vṛndāvana at all?’  “Lord Nityānanda replied, ‘Navadvīpa and Vṛndāvana are one principle, neither one is less nor greater than the other. Vṛndāvana is the receptacle of rasa, the goal of the living entity, but one who is not qualified cannot receive that nectar. Therefore, by adding the quality of mercy that same Vṛndāvana Dhāma has become Navadvīpa, where the living entity can easily attain the qualification for receiving that nectar. In other words, the pastimes of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa within mādhurya-rasa provide the highest possible pleasure for the living entity, but without the proper qualification one cannot taste that rasa.’  “Only after many lifetimes of austerity does one re...

30. Gaurāṅga Gives Gaurāṅgī: “A person will never feel attraction in his heart for the transcendental name, pastimes, and abode of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, if he does not take shelter of the transcendental name, form, ecstatic pastimes and sublime abode of Lord Caitanya first.” (Prema Vivarta)  In his tīka on Manaḥ-śikṣā, Ṭhākura Bhaktivinoda says, “Without first remembering and worshiping the spiritual master and Lord Gaurāṅga, one cannot render pure loving devotional service to the divine couple Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa. Deviation from this process will curb all spiritual advancement.”  The life of Śrīnivāsa Ᾱcārya shows a perfect example of this principle of first worshiping Gaurāṅga, and then approaching Rādhā-Mādhava for service. Bhakti-ratnākara describes how Śrīnivāsa Ᾱcārya would first meditate on Gaura-līlā and then Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa-līlā. In meditation, Śrīnivāsa once offered a fragrant flower garland to Lord Gaurāṅga, who was sitting upon a jeweled siṁhāsana surrounded by His dear devotee...