8. Position of Navadvīpa Dhāma

8. Position of Navadvīpa Dhāma:

Pious people often retire to a holy place with hopes of attaining liberation by dying there. Śrī Māyāpur is the topmost of all holy places. “Of the 7 holy places giving liberation-- Ayodhyā, Mathurā, Gāya, Kāśī, Ᾱvantī (Ujjain), Dvārakā-- Śrī Māyāpur is the most important place of pilgrimage.” (Jaiva Dharma)

“The glories of other holy places are present hundreds and millions of times over in Navadvīpa in the age of Kali. Navadvīpa is filled with ever-increasing bliss. All the holy tīrthas reside in Navadvīpa, therefore, by serving in Navadvīpa one automatically serves all the tīrthas.” (Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya)

“In the age of Kali the devotees will abandon the service of other holy places and live either in Vṛndāvana or Navadvīpa.” (Garuḍa Purāṇa) 

“No place is equal to Navadvīpa. No deity is equal to Lord Gaurāṅga. No attainment is equal to pure love for Kṛṣṇa.” (Urdhvamnaya Tantra)

Vedic śāstras warn pilgrims to stay only three days in most holy places. During those three days one engages in pious acts like fasting, shaving one’s head, sacred bathing, deity darśana, giving charity, sādhu-saṅga, hearing śāstras, chanting mantras, parikramā, and serving vaiṣhṇavas. If one stays longer than the recommended three days he may become familiar, resort to mundane activities, and commit offenses for which he will suffer. The three-day restriction, however, does not apply to the all-merciful Śrī Māyāpur dhāma. Lord Caitanya is so compassionate for the conditioned souls that He overlooks the offenses of sincere souls.

“In the nine islands of Navadvīpa, the nine processes of loving devotional service, beginning with hearing about Lord Kṛṣṇa and ending with surrendering one’s life and heart to Him, shine with great glory.” (Caitanya Sataka)