9. Sri Nityanandastakam

Sri Nityanandastakam
Composed by Srila Vrindavan dasa Thakura

1

sarac-candra-bhrantim sphurad-amala-kantim gaja-gatim hari-premonmattam dhrta-parama-sattvam smita-mukham sada ghurnan-netram kara-kalita-vetram kali-bhidam bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi 

I perpetually worship Sri Nityananda Prabhu, the root of the Krsna-bhakti tree, whose bright face mocks the full autumn moon, whose pure complexion glistens, whose gait is like that of a maddened elephant, who is always intoxicated in Krsna prema, who embodies pure spiritual energy, whose face holds a gently smile, whose eyes are always rolling due to His absorption in Krsna prema, whose lotus hand holds a glowing staff, and who by the performance of nama-sankirtana pierces the influence of Kali yuga. 

2

rasanam-agaram svajana-gana-sarvasvam -atulam tadiyaika-prana-pratima-vasudha-jahnava-pati sada premonmadam param-aviditam manda-manasam bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi 

I perpetually worship Sri Nityananda Prabhu, the root of the Krsna-bhakti tree, who is the mainstay of all the rasas, who is everything to His devotees, who is incomparable, who is the master of both Vasudha and Jahnava-devi, who consider Him more dear than their own lives, who is always maddened in Krsna- prema, and who is unknown only to those of meagre intelligence. 

3

saci-sunu-prestham nikhila-jagadistam sukhamayam kalau majjaj-jivoddharana-karanoddama-karunam harer-akhyanad-va bhava-jaladhi-garvonnati haram bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi 

I perpetually worship Sri Nityananda Prabhu, the root of the Krsna-bhakti tree, who is very dear to Sri Saci-nandana, who is worshipped by the entire universe, who is the embodiment of happiness, who possesses infinite mercy for delivering the souls who are drowning in the age of Kali, and who by the performance of Sri Harinama-sankirtana thwarts the progressing false pride of the ocean of repeated birth and death. 

4

aye bhratar-nrnam kali-kalusinam kinnu bhavita tatha prayascitam racaya yad-anayasata ime vrajanti tvam-ittham saha bhagavata mantrayati yo bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi 

I perpetually worship Sri Nityananda Prabhu, the root of the Krsna-Bhakti tree, who said to Sri Krsna Chaitanya, "Hey broher Gauranga! What will be the destination of the sinful souls of Kali-yuga, and how will they be redeemed? Please devise a method by which they will easily attain You." 

5

yathestam re bhratah! kuru hari-hari-dhvanam-anisam tato vah samsarambudhi-tarana-dayo mayi laget idam bahu-sphotair-atati ratayan yah pratigrham bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi 

I perpetually worship Sri Nityananda Prabhu, the root of the Krsna-bhakti tree, who wandered around Bengal and aproaching the door of each and every home, threw open His arms and exclaimed: "Hey brothers! All of you perpetually perfom Sri Hari Nama sankirtana in union. By doing so, I will take the responsability to deliver you all from the ocean of material existence. 

6

balat samsarambhonidhi-harana-kumbhodbhavam-aho saram sreyah-sindhunnati-kumuda-bandhum samuditam khala-sreni-sphurjat-timira-hara-surya-prabham-aham bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi 

I perpetually worship Sri Nityananda Prabhu, the root of the Krsna-bhakti tree, who is the Agastya Muni who forcibly swallows the ocean of repeated birth and death, who is a rising full moon which increases the ocean of the saintly persons welfare and who is a sun which dissipates the darkness of ignorance cast by the various classes of miscreants. 

7

natantam gayantam harim-anuvadantam pathi pathi vrajantam pasyantam svam-api na dayantam jana-ganam prakurvantam santam sakurana-drgantam prakalanad bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi 

I perpetually worship Sri Nityanand Prabhu, the root of the Krsna-bhakti tree, who wandered on every path in Bengal dancing, singing and calling out: "Hari bol! Hari Bo!", and who lovingly bestowed merciful sidelong glances upon those who were not compassionate to even their own selves. 

8

subibhranam bhratuh kara-sarasi-jam komalataram mitho vaktralokocchalita-paramananda -hrdayam bhramantam madhuryair-ahaha! madayantam pura-janan bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi 

I perpetually worship Sri Nityananda Prabhu, the root of the Krsna-bhakti tree, who held the supremely soft lotus-hand of His brother Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu, whose heart became filled with the highest bliss when the two brothers gazed into each other's faces and who wandered here and there delighting the townspeople with His sweetness. 

Sri Nityananda Prabhu ki Jaya!

8. 108 Names of Lord Nityananda

Shri-Nityaananda-Ashtottara-Shata-Naama-Stotram

One Hundred and Eight Holy Names

of Lord Shri Nityaananda Prabhu

Composed by Shrila Saarvabhauma Bhattaachaarya

shrimaan-nityaananda-candraaya namah

“I offer my humble obeisances to the transcendental moon Lord Shrimaan Nityaananda Prabhu.”

nityaanandam aham vande, karne lambita-mauktikam ;

chaitanyaagraja-rupena, pavitri-krita-bhutalam . 

“I humbly bow down to and glorify Lord Shri Nityaananda Prabhu, on whose beautiful left lotus ear one elegant pearl ornament is swinging. Accepting the role as the elder brother of  the Supreme Lord Gauraanga Mahaaprabhu, Lord Nityaananda Prabhu sanctified the whole world and purified all the living entities.” 

pranamya shri-jagannaatham, nityaananda-mahaaprabhum ;

naamnaam ashtottara-shatam, pravakshyaami mudaakaram .

“I offer my repeated prostrated obeisances at the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord Shri  Nityaananda Mahaaprabhu who is known as Shri Jagannaatha, the Master of the Universe.With great felicity and blessedness , I shall now reveal His most auspicious one hundred and eight holy names, which instantly awaken divine rapture in the heart.”

1} nilaambara-dharah 2} shrimaal-laanguli-mushala-priyah ;

3} sankarshanash 4} candra-varno 5} yadunaam kula-mangalah .

1} nilaambara-dhara : Lord Nityaananda Prabhu is adorned with ravishing blue garments.

2} shrimaal-laanguli mushala-priyah : He is the most opulent possessor of a splendid golden plow and He always carries His most beloved club. 

3} sankarshana : Lor d Nityaananda is the original cause of the existence and integration of the whole cosmic manifestation.

4} candra-varna : His golden bodily complexion and radiance is much more soothing and mollifying than the full moon light.  

5} yadunaam kula-mangala : Lord Nityaananda is Lord Balaraama Himself, Who is the source of all auspiciousness and eternal propitiousness for the entire Yadu dynasty.

6} gopikaa-ramano 7} raamo 8} vrindaavana-kalaa-nidhih ;

9} kaadambari sudhaa-matto 10} gopa-gopi-ganaavritah . 

6} gopikaa-ramana : Lord Shri Nityananda Prabhu divinely rejoices while being enchanted in the company of His own beloved group of gopis in Shri Vrindaavana Dhaama.

7} raamo : He is the supreme absolute relisher and enjoyer of all mellows in creation.

8} vrindaavana-kalaa-nidhih : Lord Nityaananda is the astonishingly artful, skillful and dexterous moon of Vrindaavana.

9} kaadambari sudhaa-matto : He is gorgeously bedecked by aromatic garlands of kadamba flowers and is always intoxicated by their ambrosial nectar 

10} gopa-gopi-ganaavritah : He is always encircled and surrounded by a multitude of devoted cowherd boys and girls in Vrindaavana.

11} gopi-mandala-madhya-stho 12} raasa-taandava-panditah ;

13} ramani-ramanah 14} kaami  15} mada-ghurnita-locanah . 

11} gopi-mandala-madhya-stho : Lord Nityaananda Prabhu is constantly shining lustrously in the centre of the assembly of His own darling gopis. 

12} raasa-taandava-panditah : He is the impeccable and ace stalwart of the exuberant and prodigal raasa lilaa dance.

13} ramani-ramanah : Lord Nityaananda is the supreme savorer and relisher of the sacred love of His own supremely enjoyable gopis of Vraja.

14} kaami : He exults in amorous sentiments for His own internal energies in the form of His gopis.

15} mada-ghurnita-locanah : Lord Nityaananda’s lotus eyes constantly roll in the intoxication of pure bliss.

16} raasotsava-parishraanto gharma-niraavritaananah ;

17} kaalindi-bhedanotsaahi 18} nira-kridaa-kutuhalah . 

16} raasotsava-parishraanto gharma-niraavritaananah : Lord Nityaananda Prabhu’s lotus face is beautified by the pearl drops of His divine perspiration caused due to His ebullient dancing in the jubilant festival of the raasa dance.

17} kaalindi-bhedanotsaahi: He is greatly enthusiastic to display His terrific might by bifurcating the Kaalindi river into many streams with His golden plowshare.

18} nira-kridaa-kutuhalah : Lord Nityaananda Prabhu indulges in water sports with His own gopis with great cheer and felicity.

19} gauraashrayah 20} shamah 21} shaanto 22} maayaa-maanusha-rupa-dhrik ;

23} nityaanandaavadhutash ca 25} yajna-sutra-dharah 26} sudhih . 

19} gauraashrayah : The exclusive life and shelter of Lord Nityaananda Prabhu is Lord Gauraanga Mahaaprabhu or  Lord Nityaananda is the supreme resting place of Lord Gauraanga.

 20} shamah : He is equipoised and impartial to all souls in creation who are factually His part and parcels. 

21} shaanto : Lord Nityaananda is the personification of peacefulness, serenity and tranquility. 

22} maayaa-maanusha-rupa-dhrik: He has advented and apparently concealed Himself by accepting a human-like form.. 

23} nityaananda : He Who is constantly the fresh personification and the ever-expanding embodiment of  the eternal and supremely blissful mellows of Lord Gauraanga-Krishna’s pure unalloyed love. 

24} aavadhuta : 

25} yajna-sutra-dharah : He bears a spotlessly white sacrificial sacred thread. 

26} sudhih : He possesses an exquisite and refined intelligence.

27} patita-praana-dah 28} prithvi-paavano 29} bhakta-vatsalah ;

30} premaananda-madonmatta 31} brahmaadi-naama-gocarah . 

27} patita-praana-dah : Lord Nityaananda Prabhu is the very life and soul and the sole refuge of all the fallen conditioned souls.

28} prithvi-paavano : He sanctified, purified and lustrated the whole universe by His divine advent in this Kali Yuga.

29} bhakta-vatsalah : Lord Nityaananda Prabhu is always favourably and preferentially disposed towards His beloved devotees or He is the exclusive object of attachment and affection for His dear devotees.

30} premaananda-madonmatta : He is perpetually maddened and engulfed in the luscious honey like nectar of the bliss of pure love for Lord Gauranga.

31} brahmaadi-naama-gocarah : The glories of Lord Nityaananda’s supremely merciful Holy Name are factually realized only by exceptionally exalted devotees like Brahmaa Haridaasa Thaakura.

32} vana-maala-dharo 33} haari 34} rocanaadi-vibhushitah ; 

35} naagendra-shunda-dor-danda-svarna-kankana-manditah . 

32} vana-maala-dharo : Lord Nityaananda Prabhu is decorated by a fragrant garland of blossoming forest flowers. 

33} haari : He is ornamented with resplendant necklaces of pearls, diamonds and flowers. 

34} rocanaadi-vibhushitah : Lord Nityaananda is ornated by the yellow rochana ointment.

35} naagendra-shunda-dor-danda-svarna-kankana-manditah : His delicate lotus arms, which artistically resemble the trunk of the king of all elephants, are stunningly and profusely bedecked with golden bangles.

36} gaura-bhakti-rasollaasash calac-cancala-nupurah ; 

37} gajendra-gati-laavanya-sammohita-jagaj-janah . 

36} gaura-bhakti-rasollaasash calac-cancala-nupurah : Lord Nityaananda Prabhu becomes exceedingly and divinely agitated and His anklets resound as He triumphantly exults and delights in the nectarian waves of the mellows of pure devotion to Lord Gauraanga Mahaprabhu and His Holy name. 

37} gajendra-gati-laavanya-sammohita-jagaj-janah : The divine splendor, majesty and grandeur of Lord Nityaananda’s bodily movements is just like that of the king of elephants and thus it thoroughly enchants, enthralls, controls and floods the minds and hearts of all the living entities with pure love. 

38} samvita-shubha-lila-dhrik 39} romaancita-kalevarah ; 

40} ho! ho! dhvani-sudhaashish ca mukha-candra-viraajitah . 

38} samvita-shubha-lila-dhrik : Lord Nityaananda manifests such auspicious, confidential and blessed pleasure pastimes through His chit potency which sometimes apparently conceal His real identity as the Supreme Personality of Servitor Godhead.

39} romaancita-kalevarah : The pores and hair follicles of His transcendental body expand and stand on end due to the supreme deluge of pure love for Lord Gauraanga’s Name which He is constantly submerged in.

40} ho! ho! dhvani-sudhaashish ca mukha-candra-viraajitah : Lord Nityaananda Prabhu is ceaselessly awarding nectarian benedictions to one and all from His moon like lotus face which is embellished with the sweet and auspicious words, ho! ho!”

41} sindhuraaruna-susnigdha subimbaadhara-pallavah; 

42} sva-bhakta-gana-madhya-stho 43} revati-praana-naayakah .

41} sindhuraaruna-susnigdha subimbaadhara-pallavah : Lord Nityaananda Prabhu’s tender and delicate blossoming lotus lips are of the colour of the sun which rises from the ocean. They are so articulately red like vermilion or luscious bimba fruit. 

42} sva-bhakta-gana-madhya-stho : He is always personally situated amidst the host of His own exalted devotees.

43} revati-praana-naayakah : Lord Nityaananda Balaraama is the sole controller and dominator who holds his sway over the very life breath of  Shrimati Revati devi, His eternal wife and consort.

44} lauha-danda-dharo 45} shringi

46} venu-paanih 47} prataapavaan

48} pracanda-krita-hunkaarah

49} mattah 50} paashanda-maardanah 

44} lauha-danda-dharo : Lord Nityananda Prabhu weilds an iron staff. 

 45} shringi : He is most daintily embellished and decorated with marvelous ornamensts and clothes.

46} venu-paanih : Lord Nityananda holds and plays a small and splendid bamboo flute not more than six inches long, with six holes.

47} prataapavaan : He is very gallant, powerfully potent, and chivalrous.

48} pracanda-krita-hunkaarah : Lord Nityananda’s thunderous roar is extremely profound, esoteric and all-pervading. 

49} mattah : He is always roborantly exhilarated and intoxicated by the emotional vigor of pure love for his own holy names.

50} paashanda-maardanah : Lord Nityananda unfailingly subdues and subjugates the deceitful atheists and viciously sinful people.

51} sarva-bhakti-mayo 52} deva

53}aashramaacaara-varjitah

54} gunaatito 55} guna-mayo

56} gunavaan 57} nartana-priyah

51} sarva-bhakti-mayo: Lord Nityananda Prabhu is the personification and embodiment of each and every aspect of his own devotional service. 

 52} deva : He is the most illustrious and preeminantly worshipable Lord of creation.

53}aashramaacaara-varjitah : Lord Nityananda deliberately acts contrary to the rules and behaviour of the four orders of human life which he himself created in order to demonstrate that He is God himself and not bound and obliged to follow his own arrangements. 

54} gunaatito : He is always tanscendentally situated, untouched by his own material evergy.

 55} guna-mayo : Lord Nityananda is permeated by divine tanscendental qualities and is the master of the three material modes of goodness, passion and ignorance. 

56} gunavaan : He is the abode of supremely meritorious and auspicious virtues.

 57} nartana-priyah : Lord Nityananda celebrates and delights in dancing during Gauranga naama sankirtana.

58} tri-gunaatmaa 59} guna-graahi

60} saguno 61} guninaam varah

62} yogi 63} yoga-vidhaataa ca 

64} bhakti-yoga-pradarshakah 

58} tri-gunaatmaa : Lord NityanandaPrabhu is the original source of the three spiritual potencies- samvit {knowledge}, sandhini {eternality},and hladini { bliss} and also of the three material qualities of goodness, passion and ignorance.

 59} guna-graahi : He embraces and accepts only the good qualities of everyone. 

60} saguno : LordNityananda is not impersonal but possesses the transcendental form and qualities full of eternal knowledge and bliss.

61} guninaam varah : He is the ultimate and unsurpassed crest-jewel of all personalities endowed with sublime virtues and characteristics. 

62} yogi : Lord Nityananda is the supreme master of all mystic yogis and is always in perpetual union with LordGauranga Mahaprabhu.

 63} yoga-vidhaataa ca : He is the divine ordainer and bestower of the real yoga of our eternal relationship with Lord Gauranga Krishna. 

64} bhakti-yoga-pradarshakah : Lord Nityananda  manifests, reveals and distributes unbounded bhakti-yoga{pure devotional service} unto Lord Gauranga Krishna.

65} sarva-shakti-prakaashaangi 66} mahaananda-mayo 67} natah 

70} jnaana-do 71} mukti-dah 72} prabhuh 

65} sarva-shakti-prakaashaangi : Lord Nityananda Prabhu’s divine bodily limbs are the original source of the manifestation of all the endless potencies of the supreme Absolute Truth.  

66} mahaananda-mayo : His form is saturated and tansfused with mahaananda{ supreme joyfulness}. 

 67} natah : Lord Nityananda is the crown of the best of all dancers continually satisfying Lord Gauranga with his dancing.

68} sarvaagama-mayo : He is the supreme embodiment of all the holy scriptures in creation.

 69} dhiro : Lord Nityananda is always dignified with gravity and soberity.

70} jnaana-do : He is the supreme awarder of all the branches of knowledge in creation. 

 71} mukti-dah : Lord Nityananda is the supreme bestower of all the different types of liberation.

72} prabhuh : He is the Lord and Master of all the souls.

73} gauda-desha-paritraataa : 74}premaananda-prakaashakah 

75} premaananda-rasaanandi 76} raadhikaa-mantra-do 77} vibhuh

73} gauda-desha-paritraataa : Lord Nityannadais the saviour and rescuer of all souls specifically in the land ofGauda {Bengal}.

74}premaananda-prakaashakah : He eveinces and proclaims the pure bliss of unalloyed love for Lord Gauranga Krishna. 

75} premaananda-rasaanandi : Lord Nityananda is the pinacle of all blissful relishers of pure love of God.

76} raadhikaa-mantra-do : He confers the most confidential divine mantra for worshiping Shrimati Raadhikaa.

77} vibhuh : Lord Nityananda is measureless, infinite,all-powerful, all-pervasive and self-controlled. 

78} sarva-mantra-svarupash ca

79} krishna-paryanka-sundarah 

80} rasa-jno 81} rasa-daataa ca

82} rasa-bhoktaa 83} rasaashrayah 

78} sarva-mantra-svarupash ca : Lord NityanandaPrabhu is the personified form of all the mantraas and their meanings in creation. 

79} krishna-paryanka-sundarah : He expands as the fascinating beadstead of Lord Gauranga-Krishna and serves Him in nine other ways by becoming His friend, brother, fan, carrier, residence, umbrella, garments, ornaments, and sitting place.

80} rasa-jno : Lord Nityananda is consummately cognizant and adapt in the science of loving mellows {rasa}.

 81} rasa-daataa ca : He is the causeless bestower of pure loving mellows of love of God to anyone who chants his holy name.

82} rasa-bhoktaa : Lord Nityananda is the crown and summit of all enjoyers of pure loving mellows of the holy name of Lord Gauranga. 

83} rasaashrayah : He is the supreme and exclusive sanctuary, shelter, refuge and haven for all the necterian mellows of pure love.

84} brahmeshaa’di-mahendraadya- 

vandita-shri padaambujah

85} sahasra-mastakopeto

rasaatala-sudhaakarah 

84} brahmeshaa’di-mahendraadya-vandita-shri padaambujah : Lord Shri Nityananda Prabhu’s opulent lotus feet are devotedly and attentively worshiped and glorified by all the demigods including Brahma, Shiva, Indra etc.

85} sahasra-mastakopetorasaatala-sudhaakarah : Lord Nityananda Prabhu holds the millions of universes just like mustard seeds on the thousands of heads of  his expansion known as Lord Ananta-sesha. Simultaneously, He causes the residence of lower planetary systems {rasaatala} to relish the nectar of his holy names.

86} kshirodaarnava-sambhutah

87} kundalaikaavatamsakah

88} raktopala-dharah 89} shubhro 

90} naaraayana-paraayanah 

86} kshirodaarnava-sambhutah : Lord Nityananda Prabhu appeared in his third Purush Vishnu incarnation in the womb of the milk ocean.  

87} kundalaikaavatamsakah : He is adorned and embellished by a single ornamented ear-ring in his right ear.

88} raktopala-dharah : Lord Nityananda holds and twirls a magnificient red lotus flower in his lotus hands.

89} shubhro : His bodily complexion is sparkling white in his form of Lord Balaraama.

90} naaraayana-paraayanah : Lord Nityananda is utterly dedicated and surrendered to his Lord Gauranga Naaraayan.

91} apaara-mahimaananto 

92} nri-doshaadarshinah sadaa

93} dayaalur 94} durgati-traataa

95} kritaanto dushta-dehinaam

91} apaara-mahimaananto: Lord Nityananda Prabhu is the possessor of boundless, limitless and inestimable glories and opulences.

92} nri-doshaadarshinah sadaa : He persistently declines to consider the faults and vices of mankind and accepts only the good qualities of one and all. 

93} dayaalur : Lord Nityananda is the most merciful among all incarnations of God. 

94} durgati-traataa : He is the constant saviour and rescuer of his devotees from all kinds of catastrophic and fateful difficulties in their lives.

95} kritaanto dushta-dehinaam : Lord Nityananda effortlessly annihilates the evil and cruel embodied beings.

96} manju-daasharathir viro

97} lakshmanah 98} sarvaval-labhah 

99} sadojjvalo rasaanandi

100} vrindaavana-rasa-pradah 

96} manju-daasharathir viro : Lord Nityananda Prabhu is none other than Lord Lakshmana, the charming, graceful, valiant and heroic son of Dashratha. 

97} lakshmanah : He is Lord Lakshmna himself, the most beloved divine brother of Lord Raamachandra. 

 98} sarvaval-labhah : There is nothing in creation which cannot be achieved on attaining Lord Nityananda and his holy name.

99} sadojjvalo rasaanandi : He is the eternally effulgent connosier of loving mellows of God. 

100} vrindaavana-rasa-pradah : Lord Nityananda Balaraama is fully embued with the five different  mellows of Shri Vrindavan Dhaam and is thus the sole distributor of these mellows to all the conditioned souls.

101} purna-prema-sudhaa-sindhur

102} naatya-lilaa-vishaaradah 

103} kotindu-vaibhavah 104} shrimaan

105} jagad-aahlaada-kaarakah 

101} purna-prema-sudhaa-sindhur : Lord Nityananda Prabhu is the infinite ocean of the embrosial nectar of the supremely absolute and complete love for Lord Gauranga Krishna.  

102} naatya-lilaa-vishaaradah : He is highly proficient and has mastered the art of dramatic pastimes. 

103} kotindu-vaibhavah :  Lord Nityananda’s luxuriant opulences are more innnumerable than millions of moons.

104} shrimaan : He is celebrated husband of the Goddess of fortune.

105} jagad-aahlaada-kaarakah : Lord Nityananda’s holy presence is an antecedent for drowning the whole creation in the supreme happiness of his own love.

106} gopaalah 107} sarva-paalash ca 108} sarva-gopaavatamsakah 

106} gopaalah : Lord Nityananda Prabhu is the divine maintainer and sustainer of the cows and the senses of all the devotees. 

107} sarva-paalash ca : He is the protector and preserver of the whole creation.

108}sarva-gopaavatamsakah :Lord Nityananda is the crown jewel of all the cowherd boys of Shri Vrindaavan Dhaam. 

maaghe maasi site pakshe

trayo-dashyaam tithau sadaa 

uposhanam pujanam ca

shri-nityaananda-vaasare

yad yat sah kurute kaamam

tat tad eva labhen narah

Paatha Mahaatmya:-

The most fortunate soul, who  recites this Stotra, fasts and offers worship to the Supreme Lord Shri Nityananda Prabhu on the most auspicious thirteenth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Maagha{Jan-Feb} [ Shri Nityananda Trayodashi Tithi ], will certainly have all of ones desires quickly fulfilled.

7. 12 Holy Names of Lord Nityananda

12 Holy Names of Lord Nityananda

By Shrila Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya

Translated & Recited by His Holiness

Bhaktiratna Sadhu Swami Gaurangapada

Shri Shri Nityananda Chandrasya

Naama Dvadashaka Stotram

Twelve Beautiful Holy Names of the

Moonlike Lord Shri Nityananda Prabhu

Verse One

1} nityanando 2} avadhutendur, 3} vasudha-prana-vallabhah;

4} jahnavi-jivita-patih, 5} krishna-prema-pradah 6} prabhu. 

1}- Nityananda : He Who is constantly the fresh personification and the ever-expanding embodiment of the eternal and supreme blissful mellows of Lord Gauranga-Krishna's pure unalloyed love.

2}- Avadhutendu : The transcendental Moon of the divine Madness of love completely untinged by His own material energy.

3}- Vasudha-prana-vallabhah : The most dear and beloved life-breath of Shrimati Vasudha-devi, the direct incarnation of Lord Balarama's wife Shrimati Varuni-devi.

4}- Jahnavi-jivita-pati : The eternal divine husband of Shrimati Jahnavi-devi (the incarnation of Lord Balarama's wife Shrimati Revati-devi) and the maintainer and sustainer of Her life and soul.

5]- Krishna-prema-pradah : He Who bestows pure, unalloyed and ecstatic love for Lord Krishna's Holy Name, Form, Pastimes and Lotus Feet.

6}- Prabhu : The Supreme Lord and Master of all the devotees and all souls in the spiritual and material creation. 

Verse Two: 

7} padmavati-sutah 8} shriman, 9} saci-nandana-purvajah;

10} bhavonmatto 11} jagat-trata, 12} rakta-gaura-kalevarah.

7}- Padmavati-suta : The most beloved darling and divine son of Shrimati Padmavati-devi.

8}- Shriman : He is of splendrous transcendental majesty and He is the eternal Husband and Consort of the Goddess of Fortune.

9}- Saci-nandana-purvaja : The most beloved elder brother of the Supreme Lord Gauranga, the divine son of mother Shachi.

10}- Bhavonmatta : He Whose bodily form is continuously maddened and inundated with overwhelming ecstatic emotions of pure love.

11}- Jagat-trata : The saviour of the whole creation including the spiritual and material worlds.

12}- Rakta-gaura-kalevara : He Whose divine bodily complexion and radiance is golden tinged with red. 

Patha Mahatmya

Glories of Reciting These Twelve

Holy Names of Lord Nityananda

By Shrila Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya

Verse Three

shri nityaananda chandrasya naama-dvaadashakam shubham

ya idam pratyaham praatah praty utthaaya pathen narah

"That most fortunate person who recites these twelve most auspicious Holy names of the moonlike Lord Nityananda-chandra each and every day upon arising in the morning…

Verse 4 

sa klesha-rahito bhutvaa praapnuyaat sva-mano-ratham

turnam chaitanya-devasya karunaa-bhaajanam bhavet

...such a person very quickly becomes free from all miseries, obstacles and difficulties in life and attains the fulfillment of all his or her most cherished and intimate desires in life. Very soon such a person becomes the object and recepient of the supremely causeless mercy and compassion of the Supreme Lord Gauranga-deva.''

6. 16 Reasons To Regularly Chant 'Nityananda'

16 Reasons To Regularly Chant 'Nityananda' -- By Swami Gaurangapada


16 reasons to regularly chant 'Nityananda' along with the chanting of
the 'Gauranga' Mantra & Maha-mantra.

[Note: Pancha-tattva Mantra has to be chanted before each round of
maha-mantra as per the instructions of Shrila Prabhupada].

(1) BECAUSE GREAT ACHARYAS HAVE DONE IT IN THE PAST:

Cc Adi 11.33:
navadvipe purusottama pandita mahasaya, nityananda-name yanra
mahonmada haya

Purusottama Pandita, a resident of Navadvipa, was the Krishna's
eighth gopala, Stoka-Krishna for Vrindavan. He would become almost mad
as soon as he chanted or heard the holy name 'Nityananda'.

Cc Adi 11.34
balarama dasa--krishna-prema-rasasvadi, nityananda-name haya parama
unmadi

Balarama dasa always fully tasted the nectar of love of Krishna. Upon
chanting or hearing the name of 'Nityananda', he would become
extremely maddened.

(2) BECAUSE THE NAME 'NITYANANDA' IMMEDIATELY EVOKES PURE LOVE OF
KRISHNA EVEN IN A SINFUL PERSON

Chaitanya-charitamrita Adi-lila 8.23:
'nityananda' balite haya krishna-premodaya;aulaya sakala anga,asru-
ganga vaya.

"Simply by chanting the name 'Nityananda' one awakens his love for
Krishna.

Thus all his bodily limbs are agitated by ecstasy of love of God, and
tears flow from his eyes like the waters of the Ganges."

(3) BECAUSE ANYONE WHO EVEN HEARS 'NITYANANDA' ONCE CERTAINLY
ACHIEVES KRISHNA

Chaitanya-bhagavata, Adi-khanda 9.385:
nityananda-hena bhakta sunile sravane; avasya paibe krishnacandra sei
jane.

Shripada Madhavendera Puri states:

"If one simply hears the name 'Nityananda', he will most certainly
attain the lotus feet of Lord Krishnacandra irrespective of any other
consideration."

(4) BECAUSE WITHOUT NITYANANDA ONE CAN NEVER ACHIEVE THE MERCY OF
GAURANGA EVEN AFTER WORSHIPING GAURANGA FOR A MINIMUM 100 LIVES

From Shri Navadvipa-dhama-mahatmya, Chp 4:
tumi yabe kara daya sei anayase; shri chaitanya-pada paya prema-jale
bhase.

Shrila Jiva tells Lord Nityananda, "If You are merciful on someone,
that person will effortlessly achieve the lotus feet of Lord Gauranga
Mahaprabhu and thus drown in the ocean of pure ecstatic love for Lord
Krishna.

tomara karuna vina gaura nahi paya, sata janma bhaje yadi gauranga
hiyaya.

"But if someone does not get Your mercy, then such a person will
never achieve Lord Gaura even if he or she worships Lord Gauranga for
a minimum of 100 lifetimes."

Chaitanya-charitamrita Antya 6.131:
tomara krpa vina keha'chaitanya' na paya;tumi krpa kaile tanre
adhameha paya.

"No one can attain the shelter of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu without
Your (Lord Nityananda's) mercy, but if You are merciful, even the
lowest of men can attain shelter at His lotus feet."

(5) BECAUSE IF GAURANGA'S PUNISHES, NITYANANDA PROTECTS US BUT IF
NITYANANDA PUNISHES THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO HOPE

From Shri Navadvipa-dhama-mahatmya, Chp 4: Jiva Goswami to Lord
Nityananda:
gaura danta kara yadi tumi raksa kara, tumi yare danta kara gaura
tara para.

"If Lord Gauranga punishes a devotee, You (Nityananda) protect him
and somehow engage him in Gauranga's service (like in the example of
Kala Krishnadasa), but if You punish a devotee, he eternally becomes
estranged from Lord Gauranga."

(6) BECAUSE NITYANANDA'S NAME ARE FORM ARE FULL OF SUPREME ETERNAL
BLISS

Chaitanya-bhagavata, Madhya-khanda 12.18:
name nityananda tumi, rupe nityananda; ei tumi nityananda rama
murttimanta.

Lord Gauranga tells Lord Nityananda:

"Your name is Nityananda (eternally full of eternal bliss). Your form
is also Nityananda (eternally full of eternal bliss). Your are
Nityananda (unlimited bliss) in personified form because You are Lord
Balarama Himself."

(7) BECAUSE WITHOUT NITYANANDA ONE CAN NEVER ACHIEVE RADHA-KRSNA AND
VRINDAVNA-DHAMA

Chaitanya-charitamrita Adi 5.204:
jaya jaya nityananda-caranaravinda, yanha haite painu shri-radha-
govinda

"All glory, all glory to the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda, by whose
mercy I have attained Shri Radha-Govinda!"

Shrila Narottama das Thakura sings:
heno nitai vine bhai, radha-krishna paite nai

"Unless one worships Nityananda, one can never achieve Radha-Krishna."

nitae karuna habe vraje radha-krishna pabe

"If Nityananda is merciful,only then one will achieve the direct
service of Radha-Krishna in Vraja."

(8) BECAUSE NO ONE IN THIS CREATION BUT ONLY NITYANANDA CAN BESTOW
MERCY ON THE MOST FALLEN SOULS LIKE US

Chaitanya-charitamrita Adi 5.207:
emana nirghrna more keba krpa kare, eka nityananda vinu jagat bhitare

"Who in this creation but Lord Nityananda could show His mercy to
such an abominable, comtemptible and the lowest person as me?

(9) BECAUSE LORD NITYANANDA BESTOWS MERCY WITHOUT EVEN CONSIDERING
OUR QUALIFICATION

Chaitanya-charitamrita Adi 5.208-9:
preme matta nityananda krpa-avatara, uttama, adhama, kichu na kare
vicara

"Because He is always fully intoxicated by ecstatic love for Lord
Gauranga, He is an incarnation of causeless mercy. Thus He does not
distinguish between the good and the bad people because He Himself is
always intoxicated in pure love.

ye age padaye, tare karaye nistara, ataeva nistarila mo-hena duracara

"He indiscriminately delivers all those who simply fall down before
Him.

Therefore He has delivered such a sinful and fallen person as me."

(10) BECAUSE LORD NITYANANDA IMMEDIATELY BESTOWS HIS TOPMOST MERCY
PLEASED AT A SLIGHTEST SERVICE RENDERED BY US

Cc Adi 5.181:
bhaike bhartsinu muni, lana ei guna, sei ratre prabhu more dila
darasana

"That night Lord Nityananda personally appeared to me in a dream in
His most enchanting form and placed His lotus feet on my head and
gave me eternal residence in Shri Vrindavana-dhama simply because I
defended His glories and that of His intimate associate Minaketana
Ramadasa while quarelling with my brother who had faith in Lord
Gauranga but only a shadow of faith in Lord Nityananda." (WHAT A
MERCIFUL LORD!)

(11) BECAUSE THE NAME 'NITYANANDA' IN A MANTRA ALSO

According to Jaiva Dharma all the names of Gauranga are actually
mantras, and the Lord should be worshiped through these namatmaka-
mantras. Thus the name 'Nityananda' is also actually a mantra and He
should be worshiped by chanting this namatmaka-mantra.

(12) BECAUSE ANYONE WHO HAS NO RELATION WITH NITYANANDA BY THE
REGULAR CHANTING OF HIS NAME HAS WASTED HIS LIFE AND IS JUST LIKE AN
ANIMAL

se sambandha nahi ja'r, brtha janma gelo ta'r
sei pasu boro duracar
nitai na bolilo mukhe, majilo samsara-sukhe
vidya-kule ki koribe tar (Narottama das Thakura)

"Anyone who has not established his relationship with Nityananda
Prabhu by chanting His name 'Nityananda' is understood to have
spoiled his valuable human birth. Such a human being is actually an
uncontrollable animal.

Because he never uttered the holy name 'Nityananda', he has become
merged into so-called material happiness. What can his useless
education and family tradition do to save him from the cycle of birth
and death?"

(13) BECAUSE BY CHANTING NITYANANDA'S NAME SINFUL REACTIONS OF
UNLIMITED NO. OF LIVES ARE IMMEDIATELY DESTROYED

Shri Navadvipa-dhama-mahatmya, Chp 1, states:

gauranga-nitai yei bale eka bara; ananta karama-dosa anta haya tara.

"The most fortunate person who chants the names Nityananda and
Gauranga just once immediately destroys the unlimited sinful
reactions accumulated for unlimited number of lives in the past."

(14) BECAUSE BY CHANTING NITYANANDA'S NAME, KRISHNA-PREM COMES
SEARCHING AFTER THAT PERSON. ONE ACHIEVES KRISHNA-PREM EVEN WITH
OFFENSES IN HIS HEART AND THEN OFFENSES FLEE. WHAT A SUBLIME AND EASY
WAY TO GET KRISHNA-PREM.

nitai-chaitanya bali yei jiva dake; suvimala krishna-prema anvesaye
thake.

"If one feelingly and loudly calls out the names of Nityananda and
Gauranga, the purest Krishna-prema (pure love of Krishna) comes searching
after such a person."

aparadha badha tara kichu nahi kare; nirmala krishna-preme tara ankhi
jhare.

"The offenses (which may be present) don't create any obstacles in
path of achieving this love and tears start flowing from his eyes in
pure ecstatic love."

svalpa kale aparadha apani palaya; hrdaya sodhita haya prema bade
taya.

"In a very short, the offenses themselves flee and the heart becomes
completely purified and thus the love furthur increases.

(15) BECAUSE IN THE NAME OF NITYANANDA THERE ARE NO OFFENSES

Cc Adi 8.31
chaitanya-nityanande nahi esaba vicara, nama laite prema dena, vahe
asrudhara

"But if one only chants, with some slight faith, the holy names of
Lord Gauranga and Nityananda, very quickly he is cleansed of all
offenses. Since in the chanting of the names of Nityananda-Gauranga
there is no consideration of offenses, one will very quickly come to
the stage of love of God, simply by chanting Their names and tears of
pure love for Krishna will flow from the eyes."

PURPORT BY SRILA PRABHUPADA:

 There are offenses to be considered in chanting the Hare Krishna
maha-mantra, but there are no such considerations in chanting the
names of Gaura-Nityananda. Therefore, if one chants the Hare Krishna
maha-mantra but his life is still full of sinful activities, it will
be very difficult for him to achieve the platform of loving service
to the Lord. But if in spite of being an offender one chants the holy
names of Gaura-Nityananda, he is very quickly freed from the
reactions to his offenses. Therefore, one should first approach Lord
Chaitanya and Nityananda, or worship Guru-Gauranga, and then come to
the stage of worshiping Radha-Krishna.  One should first take
shelter of Gaura-Nityananda in order to reach, ultimately, Radha-
Krishna."

"For an ordinary man, worship of Shri Chaitanya and Nityananda
Prabhu or the Panca-tattva is easier than worship of Radha and Krishna.
Unless one is very fortunate, he should not be induced to worship
Radha-Krishna directly. A neophyte student who is not sufficiently
educated or enlightened should not indulge in the worship of Shri
Radha and Krishna or the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra. Even if he
does so, he cannot get the desired result. One should therefore chant
the names of Nitai-Gaura and worship Them without false prestige."

PURPORT BY SHRILA BHAKTISIDDHANTA SARASVATI THAKURA PRABHUPADA:

 "The Hare Krishna maha-mantra considers the offenses whereas the
names of Gaura-Nityananda don't consider offenses. An offensive
chanter will never achieve the fruit of chanting (pure love for
Krishna) by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. Therefore till the
time he is commiting offenses, he should chant the names of Gaura-
Nityananda. Due the repeated chanting of the names of Gaura-
Nityananda, the offenses will destroyed and he will achieve the fruit
of chanting."

"The name of Krishna and Gaura-Both are non-different than the
named Lord. Those who think that Krishna is any way inferior or limited
than Gaura are in gross ignorance. But in practical considerations
with respect to benefit awarded to the conditioned souls, the
chanting of Shri Gaura-Nityananda's Name is more useful and helpful
for everyone. Krishna's mercy is generally only upon liberated or
perfected souls who are surrendered to Him. But the magnanimity of
Lord Gaura-Nityananda is especially for the souls who are offenders
and full of anarthas and desires for material sense-gratification.
The chanting of Lord Gaura-Nityananda's name and Their worship
quickly delivers the soul from all the offenses and thus the soul
achieves shelter at the lotus feet of Lord Gaura-Krishna."

(16) BECAUSE ONE CAN NEVER EVEN VISIT VRINDAVANA WITHOUT ACHIEVING
THE MERCY OF NITYANANDA AND GAURANGA

Cc Adi 8.3 purport:

"In the beginning one should very regularly chant Shri Gaurasundara's
holy name and then chant the holy name of Lord Nityananda. Thus one's
heart will be cleansed of impure desires for material enjoyment. Then
one can approach Vrndavana-dhama to worship Lord Krishna. Unless one is
favored by Lord Chaitanya and Nityananda, there is no need to go to
Vrndavana, for unless one's mind is purified, he cannot see
Vrndavana, even if he goes there."

The glories of Lord Nityananda as the incarnation of Lord Balarama,
the origin of both the spiritual and material world, are given in the
revealed scriptures as follows:

Vayu Purana

(1) balaramo mamaivamsah, so 'pi mat-prstham esyati;
nityananda iti khyato nyasi-cudamanih ksitau

In the Vayu Purana, the Lord tells Brahma: "Lord Balarama, who is My
first expansion and non-different from Me will also appear by My side
as Lord Shri Nityananda. He will become the crest jewel of all
renunciants on the earth."

(2) krtvavadhuta-vesam sa, dharman bhagavatan bahun;
grahayitva janan ittham grhinam asramam tatah.

"Assuming the dress of an avadhuta, He will freely distribute
bhagavata dharma i.e. love of God. He will distribute this pure love
through various means and deliver all the living entities. He will do
so first as a brahmacari and later as a householder."

(3) jahnavy-adibhir atmanam, darsayisyati manavan.

"Accompanied by His eternal consort Shrimati Jahnavi-devi and many
other intimate associates, He (Nityananda) will reveal His
transcendental pastimes to the people."

Ananta-Samhita

nityanando maha-kayo, bhutva mat-kirtane ratah;
vimudhan bhakti-rahitan, mama bhaktan karisyasi.

In the Ananta-Samhita, the Lord states to Anantadeva: "When I appear
in Navadvipa in Kali-yuga, You will become Nityananda. You will have
a very tall, beautiful and large body, and You will be constantly
absorbed in chanting My name and glories. In this way, by Your
causeless mercy You will convert many bewildered fools who are devoid
of devotion into My pure unalloyed devotees."

Shri Chaitanya-Charitamrita, Adi 1.8-9

sankarsanah karana-toya-sayi
garbhoda-sayi ca payobdhi-sayi
sesas ca yasyamsa-kalah sa nitya-
nandakhya-ramah saranam mamastu

May Shri Nityananda Rama be the object of my constant remembrance.

Sankarsana, Sesa Naga and the Vishnus who lie on the Karana Ocean,
Garbha Ocean and ocean of milk are His plenary portions and the
portions of His plenary portions.

mayatite vyapi-vaikuntha-loke
purnaisvarye shri-catur-vyuha-madhye
rupam yasyodbhati sankarsanakhyam
tam shri-nityananda-ramam prapadye

I surrender unto the lotus feet of Shri Nityananda Rama, who is known
as Sankarsana in the midst of the catur-vyuha [consisting of
Vasudeva, Sankarsana, Pradyumna and Aniruddha]. He possesses full
opulences and resides in Vaikunthaloka, far beyond the material
creation.

CONCLUSION:

One can worship Lord Nityananda in the topmost manner by chanting His
name (atleast 1008 times or 10 rounds) daily and by daily reading (1 chapter of) Chaitanya-Bhagavata daily which is the topmost scripture
on the glories of Lord Nityananda composed by His most confidential
associate Shrila Vrindavana das Thakura. And also by daily worshiping
the Deities of Lord Nitai-Gauranga! Nitai-Gaura Premanande!

5. The Lotus Handprints of Sri Nityananda Prabhu

The Lotus Handprints of Sri Nityananda Prabhu

Left Lotus Hand: 14 Auspicious Marks 01. Conch on tip of thumb 02. Conch on tip of index finger 03. Conch on tip of middle finger 04. Conch on tip of Ring finger 05. Conch on tip of Little finger 06. Plow 07. Umbrella 08. Long Flag 09. Unstrung Bow 10. Arrow 11. Fish 12. Life Line 13. Fate Line 14. Good Fortune/Enjoyment Line

Right Lotus Hand: 14 Auspicious Marks 01. Conch on tip of thumb 02. Conch on tip of index finger 03. Conch on tip of middle finger 04. Conch on tip of Ring finger 05. Conch on tip of Little finger 06. Broom 07. Whisk 08. Fan 09. Sacrificial Altar 10. Club 11. Lotus 12. Life Line 13. Fate Line 14. Good Fortune/Enjoyment Line

Total Marks on the Right and Left Lotus Hands of
Lord Nityananda Prabhu = 28

Text 1

vyajanam api gadabje camaram marjjanincan
guli-mukha gata sankhan vedi saubhagya rekha
nikhila-sukhada-nityananda candrasya dakse
karatala iti citra bhakti purva smarami

I meditate upon the right lotus hand-palm of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, the giver of all happiness, which is decorated with the following auspicious markings: fan, club, lotus, camara, broom, conch-shells at the tip of the fingers, sacrificial altar and fate lines.

Text 2

dhvaja-kara-jhesa-capan langalam chatra kancam
gulimukhagata sankhan saubhagadyasca rekhah
nikhila-sukhada-nityananda candrasya savye
karatala iti citra bhakti purva smarami

I meditate with devotion upon the left lotus hand-palm of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, the giver of all kinds of boons, decorated with the following auspicious markings: flag, arrow, fish, bow, plow, umbrella and conch-shell at the tips of the fingers, and fortune lines.

Descriptions of the markings and their locations on the lotus hands of Lord Nityananda Prabhu.

daksa kare caturdasa cihndni dharati prabhuh
tesdm kramam pravaksyami bhaktanam dhyanakaranam
daksakarasya tarjani-madhyama-sandhitah prabhuh
paramayuh surekhikamakarabhat virbhati ca
tatha karabhaparyantam tarjjanyam gustha sandhitah
divya-saubhagya rekhikam nityanando dadhati ca
manibaddham samarabhya vakrabhavotthatam tu ha
saubhagya rekhikam tarjanyamgusthayostale smara

Soman Nityananda Prabhu possesses fourteen signs on His right hand. I describe these in their respective order for the meditation of the devotees.
Please remember the right lotus hand-palm of Nityananda Prabhu with the following descriptions of the auspicious markings:There is a great life line, which is long and beautiful and which ends at the middle of the fore and middle fingers. Similarly there is a divine fortune line which starts from the wrists in a crooked way and ends at a point between the forefinger and the thumb.


bhogarekham dadhati ca srajana-bhoga-hetave
angulinam purah pahca darani dharati prabhuh
marjanim tarjarii-tala angusthadhas ca camaram
tasya adho vyajanam jneyam vedinca tattale subham
tattale ca gadam dhatte svabhaktari-praghatikam
manibandhod rdhva bhage ca kamalam karabha tale

Prabhu's right lotus hand-palm also possesses the enjoyment line, which provides all pleasures to the devotees. There are five conch-shells at the tip of the five fingers. There is a broom and a whisk below the forefinger and thumb respectively. Below the whisk is a fan and below that is a sacred sacrificial altar. Below the sacrificial altar is a club by which Prabhu crushes the enemies of His devotees. Above the wrist in the middle of the palm is a lotus.

vamakare caturdasa cihnani dharati prabhuh
tesam kramam pravaksyami natanam dhyana-hetave
ayam kare ca purvavat saubhagya adi-surekhikam
tatha angulyagratah pahca sankhan ati manoharam
madhyamayastale halamanamika karnisthayoh
sandhi tale ca vai chatram tasya adho 'dhah kramattatha
amanibandha vadhi sri nityanando virbhati ca
dhvajam dhanur vanim jhesam savya karamiti smara

Similarly, Nityananda Prabhu has fourteen signs on the palm of His left hand. I now mention them in their respective order for the meditation of the devotees.
Please remember the left lotus hand-palm of Sri Nityananda Prabhu with the fol¬lowing descriptions of the auspicious markings:On the surface of the palm are three beautiful lines like fortune, fate and enjoyment. At the tip of the five fingers are beautiful conch-shells. Below the middle finger is a plow, and below the junction of the ring and index fingers is a beautiful looking umbrella. Below the umbrella is a flag which goes up to the wrist. Then there is a bow, an arrow, and a fish.

4. The Lotus Footprints of Lord Nityananda

The Lotus Footprints of Lord Nityananda

  

Right Lotus Foot: 12 Most Auspicious Marks 01. Barleycorn 02. Lotus 03. Conch 04. Disc 05. Plough 06. Victory Flag 07. Four Arrows 08. Thunderbolt  09. Unstrung Bow  10. Half Moon  11. Sacrificial Altar  12. Blackberry Fruit

Left Lotus Foot: 12 Most Auspicious Marks 01. Sacrificial Altar 02. Sky 03. Lotus  04. Elephant Goad  05. Club  06. Umbrella  07. Flower  08. Cow's hoofprint  09. Spear  10. Flowery Creeper  11. Four pitchers  12. Fish

Thus the total Auspicious Marks on both the Lotus Feet of Lord Nityananda Prabhu = 24 



Text 1

dhvaja-pavi yava-jambunyambujam sankha cakra
hala-visikha catuskam vedi-capa arddha-candran
nikhila-sukhada-nityananda candrasya dakse
padatala iti citrah prema rekhah smarami

I meditate upon the right lotus foot of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, the bestowal of all types of boons, which is decorated with the following auspicious markings: flag, thunderbolt, barleycorn, black-berry fruit, lotus, conch-shell, disc, plow, four arrows, sacrificial altar, bow, half-moon and three love lines.

Text 2

musala-gagana-chatrabja ahkusam vedi sakti
jhesa-kalasa catuskam gospadam puspa vallim
nikhila-sukhada-nityanandacandrasya savye
padatale iti citrah premarekhah smarami

I meditate upon the left lotus foot of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, the giver of all types of happiness, which is decorated with the following auspicious markings: club, sky or space, umbrella, lotus, elephant goad, sacrificial altar, shakti, fish, four pots, cow-hoof, creeper, and three love lines.

Descriptions of the imprints and their locations on the sole of the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda Prabhu.

daksina-caranam gustha mule sahkham manoharam
nityanando virbhati ca sarvavidya prakasakam
cakram dharati tattale bhakta-sadavinasanam
parsno jambuphala dhatte tad urpayarddha candrakam
jyasunyam dhanusam tatha suvisikha catustayam
tad upari dadhati ca tad upari halam smrtam
madhyamayastale yavam padmanamika-tale
saivan artha jayadhvajam tattale dharati prabhuh
bhakta dukhadrinasanam vajram dhatte ca tattale
vedihca tattale dhatte tatha vamapade smara

I remember the right lotus foot of Sri Nityananda Prabhu which is decorated with the following auspicious markings: at the root of the big toe of the right foot is a beauti¬fully decorated conch-shell, which exhibits the presence of all branches of science and education. Below the conch, is a disc which destroys lust, anger, pride, greed, illusion and envy, representing the six faults. On the heel is a blackberry fruit, and above that is an unstrung bow, and above that are four beautiful arrows. Above these is a plow. Below the middle toe is an imprint of a barleycorn. Below the ring toe is a beautiful lotus. Prabhupada (the feet of Lord Nityananda), possesses a victory flag, the crusher of all obstacles below the lotus. Below that is a thunderbolt which brings the miseries and poverties of the devotees to an end. There is a sacrificial altar below the thunderbolt.

ahgusthasya mule vedim chatram saktith kramat tale
parsno matsyam tad urdbhe ca kumbhacatustayam subham
tad upari ca gospadam akasam madhyama tale
anamika tale padmam tattale musalam smrtam
kanisthayastale 'nkusam puspanca tattale smara
valllnca tattale dhatte sumanah sahitam tada
caturvihsatis cihnani nityananda padambuje

Please remember the left lotus foot of Sri Nityananda Prabhu that is decorated with the following auspicious markings:At the root of the big toe is a sacrificial altar, below that is an umbrella, and below that is a decorated shakti. On the heel is a fish, and above that are four pots. There is a sign of a cow-hoof above the four pots. Below the middle toe is a sky. Below the ring toe is a lotus, and below that is a decorated club. Below the little toe is an ele¬phant goad, and below that is a flower. Below the flower is a beautiful looking flow¬ery creeper. Thus, with these twenty-four imprints, I meditate upon the lotus feet of the Most Magnanimous Nityananda Prabhu.

Prayers to the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda by Srlla Narottama dasa Thakura

nitai-pada-kamala, koti-candra-susltala,
je chayay jagata juray
heno nitai bine bhai, radha-krsna paite nai,
drdha kori' dharo nitairpay
se sambandha nahija'r, brtha janma gelo ta'r,
se pasu bodo duracara
nitai na bolilo mukhe, majilo sariisara-sukhe,
vidya-kule ki koribe tara
ahahkare matta hoiya, nitai-pada pasariya,
asatyere satya kori mani
nitaiyer karuna habe, braje radha-krsna pabe,
dharo nitai-carana du'khani
nitaiyer carana satya, tanhara sevaka nitya,
nitai-pada sada koro asa
narottama bodo dukhi, nitai more koro sukhi,
rakho ranga-caranera pasa

Translation by Srila Gaura Govinda Svami

The lotus feet of Sri Nityananda are as cool as millions of moons. The whole uni¬verse gets peace by the shade of those lotus feet. Without the mercy of Sri Nityananda, nobody can get Radha and Krsna, the aim of human life. Therefore catch hold of the two lotus feet of Sri Nityananda Prabhu very tightly.One who has not established a relationship with Sri Nityananda is a two-legged animal. A great beast! His whole life is finished. He cannot be called a human being. He never utters the name of Sri Nityananda. He is always immersed in enjoying material happiness and has forgotten Sri Nitai. He may have acquired all material scholarship and learning, but what is the value of such education? This will never help.They are so puffed up with their mundane education and scholarship. They are never humble at all. They have forgotten the lotus feet of Sri Nitai because of their false ego and pride. They are completely under the clutches of Maya. They accept the untruth as truth. If.Sri Nityananda showers His mercy upon someone, he will get Sri Sri Radha Krsna iri Vrajabhumi. So catch hold of the two lotus feet of Lord Nityananda very tightly.
The lotus feet of Sri Nityananda are eternally true. And those who are followers or servants of those lotus feet of Sri Nityananda are also eternal. Always aspire for the lotus feet of Sri Nityananda. Srila Narottama dasa Thakura says, "I am very dis¬tressed and an unhappy person. I am drowning in this dreadful ocean of material existence. O Sri Nityananda Prabhu, please make me very happy! Please keep me at Your lotus feet."

3. The Glories of Nityananda Prabhu

The Glories of Nityananda Prabhu

5.9
jagat mataya nitai premera malasate
palaya durdanta kali padiya vibhrate
ki sukhe bhasila jiva gauracandera nate
dekhiya suniya pashandira buk phate

 [All glories to Nityananda Prabhu!] Maddened by ecstatic love of Godhead, he overwhelmed the universe with ecstasy. He slapped his hands together like a warrior who is about to attack, and upon seeing this, the wicked Kali fled in terror, fearing for his life. All souls were drowned in happiness because of the dancing of Shri Gauranga [and Nityananda]. Seeing such dancing, or even hearing of it, melts the hearts even of great atheists. (Gitavali, Nagara-kirtana, 8)

5.10
jaya jaya nityananda, nityananda-rama
yaohara kripate painu vrindavana-dhama
jaya jaya nityananda, jaya kripa-maya
yaoha haite painu rupa-sanatanasraya
yaoha haite painu raghunatha-mahasaya
yaoha haite painu shri-svarupa-asraya
sanatana-kripaya painu bhaktira siddhanta
shri-rupa-kripaya painu bhakti-rasa-pranta
jaya jaya nityananda-caranaravinda
yaoha haite painu shri-radha-govinda

 All glory, all glory to Lord Nityananda Balarama, by whose mercy I have attained shelter in the transcendental abode of Vrindavana. All glory, all glory to the merciful Lord Nityananda, by whose mercy I have attained shelter of Shri Rupa and Sanatana. By His mercy, I have attained the shelter of the great Shri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, and by His mercy I have found the refuge of Shri Svarupa Damodara. By the mercy of Sanatana Gosvami I have learned the final conclusions of devotional service, and by the grace of Shri Rupa Gosvami I have tasted the highest nectar of devotional service. All glory, all glory to the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda, by whose mercy I have attained Shri Radha-Govinda. (Cc. Adi. 5.200-204)

Nityananda is the Savior of the Most Fallen

5.11
jagai madhai haite muni se papishtha
purishera kita haite muni se laghishtha
mora nama sune yei tara punya kshaya
mora nama laya yei tara papa haya
emana nirghrina more keba kripa kare
eka nityananda vinu jagat bhitare
preme matta nityananda kripa-avatara
uttama, adhama, kichu na kare vicara
ye age padaye, tare karaye nistara
ataeva nistarila mo-hena duracara

I am more sinful than Jagai and Madhai and even lower than the worms in stool. Anyone who hears my name loses the results of his pious activities. Whoever utters my name becomes sinful. Who in this world but Nityananda could show His mercy to such an abominable person as me? Because He is intoxicated by ecstatic love and is an incarnation of mercy, He does not distinguish between the good and the bad. He delivers all those who fall down before Him. Therefore He has delivered such a sinful and fallen person as me. (Cc. Adi 5.205-209)

Freedom from Anarthas and the Desire for Bhakti is Strengthened by the Mercy of Nitai

5.12
samsarera para hai' bhaktira sagare
ye dubibe se bhajuk nitai-candere

 One who would cross over the ocean of material existence and swim in the bhakti ocean should worship the lotus feet of Nityananda. (Cb. Adi 1.77)

Nityananda is the Foremost Preacher

5.13
caitanyera adi-bhakta nityananda-raya
caitanyera yaso vaise yanhara jihvaya
aharnisa caitanyera katha prabhu kaya
tan're bhajile se caitanye bhakti haya

 Lord Chaitanya's first and foremost devotee is Nityananda Raya. The glories of Lord Chaitanya are always on his tongue. Day and night Lord Nityananda speaks only of Lord Chaitanya. Whoever worships Him is a real devotee of Shri Chaitanya. (Cb. Adi 9.217-218)

Nityananda mad About Serving Shri Chaitanya

5.14
nityananda avadhuta sabate agala
caitanyera dasya-preme ha-ila pagala

 Nityananda, the wandering mendicant, is the foremost of all the servants of Lord Chaitanya. He is like the gateway through which all service to Lord Chaitanya must pass. He became mad in the ecstasy of service to Lord Chaitanya. (Cc. Adi 6.48)

Those who Have no Faith that Gaura and Nitai
are Inseparable are Offenders and Atheists

5.15
dui bhai eka-tanu samana-prakasa
nityananda na mana, tomara habe sarva-nasa
ekete visvasa, anye na kara sammana
"ardha-kukkuti-nyaya" tomara pramana

 These two brothers (Gaura and Nitai) are like one body; they are identical manifestations. If you do not believe in Lord Nityananda, you will fall down. If you have faith in one, but disrespect the other, your logic is like the logic of accepting half a hen. (Cc. Adi 5.175,176)

Faith in Gaura Without Nitai, or Nitai Without Gaura, is Flickering Faith and in Opposition to Pure Devotional Service

5.16
kimva, dooha na manina hao ta' pashanda
eke mani' are na mani, ei-mata bhanda

 It would be better to be an atheist by slighting both brothers than a hypocrite by believing in one and slighting the other. (Cc. Adi 5.177)


MORE GLORIES

sankarsanah karana-toya-sayigarbhoda-sayi ca payobdhi-sayi 

sesas ca yasyamsa-kalah sa nitya-nandakhya-ramah saranam mamastu

"May Sri Nityananda Rama be the object of my constant remembrance. Sankarsana, Mahavisnu, GarbhodaksayiVisnu, and Ksirodaksayi Visnu, as well as Sesa are His expansions and the expansions of His expansions." (Cc. Adi1.7)

mayatite vyapi-vaikuntha-lokepurnaisvarye sri-catur-vyuha-madhye

rupam yasyodbhati sankarsanakhyamtam sri-nityananda-ramam prapadye

"I surrender unto the lotus feet of Sri Nityananda Rama,who is known as Sankarsana in the midst of the catur-vyuha. He has full opulences and resides in Vaikunthaloka far beyond the material creation." (Cc. Adi1.8)

maya-bhartajanda-sanghasrayangahsete saksat karanambhodhi-madhye

yasyaikamsah sri-puman adi-devastam sri-nityananda-ramam prapadye

"I offer my full obeisances unto the feet of Sri Nityananda Rama, whose partial representation called Karanodakasayi Visnu, lying on the Karana ocean, is the original Purusa, the master of the illusory energy and the shelter of all the universes." (Cc. Adi 1.9)

yasyamsamsah srila-garbhoda-sayi yan-nabhy-abjam loka-sanghata-nalam

loka-srastuh sutika-dhama dhatus tam sri-nityananda-ramam prapadye

"I offer my full obeisances unto the feet of Sri Nityananda Rama, a partial part of whom is Garbhodaksayi Visnu.From the navel of Garbhodaksayi Visnu sprouts the lotus stem that is the birthplace of Brahma, the engineer of the Universe. The stem of that lotus is the resting place of themultitude of planets." (Cc. Adi 1.10)

yasyamsamsamsah paratmakhilanam posta visnur bhati dugdhabdhi-sayi

ksauni-bharta yat-kala so 'py anantas tam sri-nityananda-ramam prapadye

"I offer my full obeisances unto the feet of Sri Nityananda Rama, whose secondary part is the Visnu lying in the ocean of milk. That Ksirodaksayi Visnu is the Supersoul of all living entities and the maintainer of all the universe.Sesa Naga is His further sub-part." (Cc. Adi 1.11)

nityananda' balite hayakrsna-premodaya

aulaya sakala angaasru-ganga vaya

"Simply by talking of Nityananda Prabhu one awakens his love for Krsna. Thus all his bodily limbs are agitated byecstasy, and tears flow from his eyes like the waters of the Ganges." (Cc Adi 8.23)

bada guta nityananda eha avatare

caitanya dekhaya yare, se' dekhite pare

"In this incarnation Lord Nityananda is carefully hidden.Only if Lord Caitanya Himself reveals Him can anyone see Lord Nityananda." (C.Bhag. Madhya 3.171)

name nityananda tuni, rupe nityananda

ei tumi nityananda rama-murttimanta

"Your name is Nityananda. Your form is also Nityananda,or full of eternal (nitya) bliss (ananda). You are Nityananda because You are Lord Balarama personified." (C.Bhag.Madhya 12.18)

nityananda-parjyatana, bhojana, bebhara

nityananda bina kicchu nahika tomara

"With great bliss You wander here and there, You eat,and You act in different ways. There is never a time when You are not blissful." (C.Bhag. Madhya 12.9)

nityananda prasade se haya visnu-bhakti

janiha-krsnera nityananda purna-sakti

"By Lord Nityananda's mercy one attains devotion to Lord Visnu (Krsna). Please know that Lord Nityananda has all the power of Lord Krsna." (C.Bhag. Madhya12.26)

krsnera dvitya-nityananda bai nai

sangi, sakha, sayana, bhujana, bandhu, bhai

"Lord Nityananda is not different from Lord Krsna. Lord Nityananda is Lord Krsna's associate, friend, couch,ornaments, and kinsmen." (C.Bhag. Madhya 12.27)

bedera agamya nityananda carita

sarvajiva-janaka, raksaka, sarvamitra

"Even the Vedas cannot approach Lord Nityananda's pastimes. Lord Nityananda is the father of all living entities. He is their protector and their friend." (C.Bhag.Madhya 12.28)

ihara vyabhara saba krsnarasamaya

ihane sebile krsna-premabhakti haya

"His every action is filled with the nectar of love for LordKrsna. By serving Lord Nityananda one attains pure love and devotion to Lord Krsna." (C.Bhag. Madhya12.18-29)

bhakti kari' ihana kaupina bandha sire

mahayatma iha puja kara giya ghara

"Therefore with great devotion please tie around your heads these pieces of Lord Nityananda's kaupina. Take them home and worship them with care." (C.Bhag.Madhya 12.30)

prabhu bale-eha nityananda svarupere

se karaye bhakti-sraddha se kare amare

"One who has faith and devotion for Lord Nityananda has faith and devotion for Me(Lord Caitanya) also." (C.Bhag.Madhya 12.55)

ihana carana-siva braksara vandita

ateava ihane kariha sabe prita

"Lord Siva and Lord Brahma bow down before Lord Nityananda's feet. Therefore all of you should place your love in Lord Nityananda's feet." (C.Bhag. Madhya 12.56)

nityananda avadhuta sabate agala

caitanyera dasya-preme ha-ila pagala

"Nityananda, the wandering mendicant, is the foremost of all the servants of Lord Caitanya. He is the gateway through which all service to Lord Caitanya must pass. He became mad in the ecstasy of service to Lord Caitanya."(Cc. Adi 6.48)

samsarera para hai' bhaktira sagare

ye dubile se bhajuk nitai-candere

"One who would cross over the ocean of material existence and swim in the bhakti ocean should worship the lotus feet of Nityananda." (C.Bhag. Adi 1.77)

"Lord Nityananda alone possesses the distinctive function of the guru. Nityananda is the servant of God, serving Gaurasundara by the distinctive method of reverential servitude. He is identical with Sri Balarama of Krishna-lila. Sri Balarama is not a chum of Krishna, but His respected elder brother. Individual souls are under the direction of Nityananda. They receive the service of Sri Gaurasundara or Krishna at His hands.

Nityananda is the ultimate source of the jiva and the jiva is a potency of Nityananda. Nityananda and His companions form one of the five groups of the associates of Lord Caitanya, whose distinctive function is that of guru. But Nityananda does not directly instruct in the confidential service of Krishna.

Srimati Radhika is the guru of the inner circle of the servants of Krishna. Srimati Radharani however accepts the offering of service of only those souls who are especially favored by Nityananda and are deemed by Him to be fit for Her service. There is therefore a most intimate relationship between the function of Nityananda and that of Srimati Radharani." ( Harmonist, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur)

Nityananda Prabhu requested everyone to serve Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, chant His glories and utter His name. Nityananda Prabhu claimed that person to be His life and soul who rendered devotional service unto Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. In this way, Srila Nityananda Prabhu introduced the cult of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to everyone without discrimination. Even though thepeople were fallen souls and blasphemers, they were delivered by this process." (Cc. Madhya 29-30)

dui bhai eka-tanu----samana-prakasa

nityananda na mana, tomara habe sarva-nasa

"These two brothers(Gaura and Nitai) are like one body;They are identical manifestations. If you do not believe in Lord Nityananda, you will fall down." (Cc. Adi 5.175)

ara kabe nitai-cander koruna hoibe

samsara-basana mora kabe tuccha ha'be

"We are all asking about the mercy of Lord Nityananda. Nityananda is supposed to be the original spiritual master, so we have to approach Gauranga, Lord Caitanya, through the mercy of Lord Nityananda. What is the symptom of a person who has achieved the causeless mercy of Lord Nityananda? Narottama Dasa Thakur says that the symptom of one who has actually received the causeless mercy of Lord Nityananda is that he has no more material desire. Samsara-basana means 'desire for material enjoyment' and Narottama Dasa wonders when it will become very insignificant. Of course as long as we have bodies we have to accept so many material things, but not in the spirit of enjoyment, but only to keep body and soul together." (Srila Prabhupada's purport to Narottama Dasa Thakur's Lalasamayi Prarthana)

ha ha prabhu nityananda, premananda sukhi

krpabalokana koro ami boro duhki

"My dear Lord Nityananda, You are always joyful in spiritual bliss. Since You always appear very happy, I have come to You because I am most unhappy. If You kindly put your glance over me, I may also become happy." (Narottama Dasa Thakur, Savarana-sri-gaura-pada-padme, from Prarthana)

dina hina patita pamara nahi bache

brahmar durlabha prema sabakare jace

"Lord Nityananda freely offered this exhalted prema,which is difficult for Lord Brahma to attain, even to the fallen and wretched souls who did not desire it." (Nitai Guna Mani---from the Caitanya Mangala, by Locana dasaThakur)

nitayer karuna habe, braje radha-krsna pabe

"If you actually want to approach the association of Radha-Krsna, you must achieve the mercy of Lord Nityananda first. When he is merciful toward you, then you will be able to approach Radha-Krsna."(Nitai-pada-kamala by Narottama dasa Thakur)

"When the devotee develops his love for Nityananda Prabhu, he is freed from all attachment to the material world, and at that time he becomes eligible to understand the Lord's pastimes in Vrndavana." (SrilaPrabhupada-Cc. Adi 7.18 purport)

For reading the Glories of Lord Nityananda in detail, please refer to the 5th Chapter of the Adil Lila of Chaitanya Charitamrita. Click Here to read it online.