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.

1. Who is Lord Nityananda?

Lord Nityananda is the eternal associate of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Rarely is the name Nimai (Chaitanya Mahaprabhu) taken without that of Nitai (Lord Nityananda).Mahaprabhu cannot be approached or understood without the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu, who is the cardinal guru of all the universes and serves as an intermediary between Mahaprabhu and His Devotees. He is the Lord's active principle in both creation and lila. He is the second body of the Lord, manifesting as Balaram to Shri Krishna, Lakshman to Shri Ram and Nityananda Prabhu to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. All other forms and expansions of the Lord emanate from this second body. Nityananda Prabhu is thus the source of Sankarshan, all the Vishu's, and Ananta Shesha. As Vishnu tattva He and Advaita Acharya are worshipped in the same category as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. In the manifested earthly lila, Nityananda Prabhu is senior to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu by more than a decade. He is statue like His Master, with the whitish complexion of Lord Balarama. His garments resemble a cluster of blue lotus flowers and His effulgence is said to surpass the grandeur of a rising moon at sunset. He has a deep melodious voice, constant singing the glories of Shri Krishna and carries a red stick with benedictions for the Devotees, but feared by the demoniac. He has the carefree mood of a wild avadhuta, so absorbed is He in the love of Godhead, and no one knows what He will do next.

   Nityananda Prabhu was born in Ekachakra, a small village in present West Bengal, around the year 1474. His birthsite is commemorated by a Temple named Garbhashva and is visited by throngs of pilgrims today. His father, Hadai Ojha and mother Padmavati, were pious Brahmans originally from Mithila. Nityananda Prabhu was born on the auspicious thirteenth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Maga. As a child, Nitai (as Nityananda Prabhu was called), loved to enact the pastimes of Shri Krishna or Lord Rama. He did this so authoritatively and with such rapture, that the entire village would be immersed in the love of Godhead.

   Nitai's favorite part was that of Lakshman, and He enacted it with so many apparently authentic scenes not described in the Ramayana, that people would wonder if He was making it up or actually relishing His own pastimes. The village of Ekachakra was completely absorbed in the love of little Nitai, where He spend the first 12 years of his earthly life. In the 13th year, a travelling sannyasi, said to be the famous Lakshmipati Tirtha, enchanted by Nitai's devotion and service, requested Nitai from his parents, as a travelling companion. His parents, bound by Vedic culture, could not refuse the request of a guest and reluctantly parted with Nitai. However, devastated by the separation with Nitai, that Hadai Pandit soon gave up his life.

   Nitai traveled with Lakshmipati Tirtha for about 20 years, during which He visited all the holy places in the country, reminiscent of the manner that Balarama traveled while the battle at Kurukshetra raged on. Nitai is said to be later on initiated by Lakshmipati Tirtha. He also associated with another of Lakshmipati Tirtha's famous disciple, Madhavendra Puri, who although his godbrother, was revered by Nitai was as a spiritual master. Madhavendra Puri is famous for establishing the sweet truth of Madhurya-rasa which later become an integral part of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Among the other disciples of Madhavendra Puri is Advaita Acharya, and Ishavara Puri (the spiritual master of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu).

   Nityananda Prabhu met Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in 1506, when He was 32 years old and the Lord 20 years. It is said that when Nityananda Prabhu reached the land of Nadia, He hid in the house of Nandanacharya, to heighten the ecstasy of meeting through separation. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu aware of the arrival of His eternal associate dispatched Haridas Thakur and Shrivas Pandit to search out Nitai, but they failed. Finally unable to bear the separation any longer, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Himself went directly to Nityananda Prabhu and the ecstasy of the meeting was so transcendental that every one witnessing it were awed by the sublime experience. A Temple called Shri Gaura-Nityananda commemorates this meeting place in Nadia.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu aware of the arrival of His eternal associate dispatched Haridas Thakur and Shrivas Pandit to search out Nitai, but they failed. Finally unable to bear the separation any longer, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Himself went directly to Nityananda Prabhu and the ecstasy of the meeting was so transcendental that every one witnessing it were awed by the sublime experience. (In the wallpaper: Meeting of Lords Nimai and Nitai at Nandanacharya's house).

   Nityananda Prabhu in His role as the original spiritual master, was instrumental in spreading the yuga dharma of sankritana all over the Gaudia desh (Bengal, Orrisa). His mercy knew no bounds, and people fortunate to come in contact with Him were inundated with the love of Godhead. It was by His mercy that Raghunatha dasa, one of the six Goswamis started the famous Danda Mahotsava festival of Panihatti, a tradition that continues to this day, and was thus able to serve Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He extended His mercy to even fallen souls like Jagai and Madhai, delivering them from the sinful lives and protecting them from the wrath of even Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Indeed His mercy knew no bounds, and fortunate were the people who tasted the nectar of His instructions.

   When Nityananda Prabhu returned to Bengal at the request of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, He decided to abandon His avadhuta status and become a grahastha (householder). He married Jahnava Devi and Vashudha, the two daughters of Suryadasa Sarakhel, who the brother of Gauridasa Pandit (an intimate associate of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the spiritual master of the famous Shyamananda Pandit). Nityananda Prabhu had a son (Virchandara) and a daughter (Ganga Devi) from Vashudha. Soon after Vashudha passed away and Jahanva Devi looked after the children. She later initiated Virchandra, and also became an instructing spiritual master to the likes of Shyamananda Pandit, Shrivasa Pandit and Narottama dasa Thakur. Jahnava Devi is revered as a Vaishnavi and she established the pre-eminent positon of women in the Vaishanava tradition.

   Lord Nityananda wound up His earthly pastimes, by merging into the Deity of Krishna, known as Bankim Ray, not far from Ekachakra. Vaishanava acharyas emphatically state that people who try to understand Chaitanya Mahaprabhu without getting the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu will never succeed. One must pray very sincerely to Lord Nityananda Prabhu as the adi-guru (original spiritual master) to be delivered to the Lotus feet of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. The presence of Nityananada Prabhu is always felt in the presence of one's own guru, for the guru is considered to be the living manifestation of Nityananda Prabhu's love and mercy, and his shakti (power) is what gives the disciple the ability to perform devotional service and experience spiritual bliss. (http://gaudiyahistory.com/lord-nityananda-prabhu)

Always Chant:

Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare!

For more, visit http://www.nitaigaurnam.org/