Shyamananda Prabhu

Shyamananda Prabhu was a great devotee of Lord Chaitanya. He was a contemporary of the great Acharyas Srinivasa Acharya and Narottama Dasa Thakura. The three were eternal associates of Lord Chaitanya incarnated to spread His teachings after the Lord’s disappearance. They studied under Srila Jiva Goswami in Vrindavan. They created a resurgence of Lord Chaitanya’s Bhakti movement in Bengal and Orissa, where it was flagging in the period after the Lord had left the planet.

Birth & Childhood

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Shri Syamananda made his appearance at Utkala in the village of Dharenda Bahadurpur. His father’s name was Shri Krishna Mandal and his mother’s name was Shri Durika. Shri Krishna Mandal, who descended in the line of sad-gopas, had many sons and daughters who unfortunately passed away before the birth of this son. For this reason this son was named Dukhiya.

   Everyone said that this child would be a very high-souled saintly person. “On the full moon day of the month of Caitra he has taken his birth at a very auspicious moment, by the mercy of Lord Jagannatha. It is as though Lord Jagannatha has personally brought him here in order to propagate His teachings, and therefore He is personally maintaining him. He looks just like a new cupid. One’s eyes and mind are soothed just to look upon him.”

   As time passed, the purificatory rites, his first taking of grains, tonsure (the hair-cutting ceremony) and the rites for beginning his education were performed, one after the other. The scholars were astounded to see his profound intellect. Within a short period he completed his studies of grammar, poetry and rhetoric. When he heard of the glories of Shri Gaura-Nityananda from the Vaishnavas of his village, a very deep attachment to Their lotus feet developed in him.

   Shri Krishna Mandal was himself a very advanced devotee. Seeing that his son was always absorbed in thinking of Gaura-Nityananda. He told him that he should be initiated into the divine mantra.

   The boy replied, “Shri Hrdaya Chaitanya is my guru. He is at Ambika Kalna. His guru is Shri Gauri dasa Pandita. The two brothers, Shri Gaura-Nityananda, are eternally present in his house. If you give your permission, I will proceed to there to become his disciple.” His father asked, “But Duhkhiya, how will you get there?” “Father, there are many people from here who go there to bath in the Ganges. I will go with them.”

Meeting his Guru and got Initation 

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   His father deliberated for a great while on this matter and after going so he finally gave his permission. Thus Duhkhiya set out for Gaudadesa. Gradually he came to Navadwipa, then Santipur and finally Ambika Kalna, where he inquired from the local people where he might find the house of Gauri dasa Pandita. Outside the gate of the mandira, he fell down and offered his dandavats. Shri Hrdaya Chaitanya happened to be passing by at this time. Hrdaya Chaitanya Prabhu looked at him for a few moments and then asked, “Who are you?”

   Dukhiya replied, “I have come to serve Your lotus feet. My home is at Dharenda Bahadurpur. I was born in the caste of sad-gopas. My father’s name is Shri Krishna Mandal. My name is Duhkhiya.”

   Shri Hrdaya Chaitanya was very pleased by this sweet speech. He told the boy, “From now your name is Krishna das. Since early this morning I was feeling that someone would come today.”

   Shri Krishna dasa began his service with great devotion, and on an auspicious day his guru initiated him into the divine mantra. Shri Hrdaya Chaitanya could see that his new disciple was extremely intelligent and at the same time very devoted, so he ordered him to go to Vrindavana to study the literatures of the under the tutelage of Shrila Jiva Gosvami. Shri Krishna das bowed his head in assent, and on an auspicious day he set out for the holy dhama. At the time of his departure, his guru gave him many instructions and conveyed through his disciple his obeisances to the lotus feet of the Gosvamis of Vrindavan.

Vrindavan yatra  and meeting Jiva Goswami

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   Duhkhi Krishna das first came to Navadwipa. After inquiring from someone as to the whereabouts of Shri Jagannatha Misra Bhavan, he came there and went inside. Seeing Shri Isana Thakura, he fell down and offered his obeisances. Isana Thakura then asked him who he was, and so the boy introduced himself. Isana Thakura blessed him and he remained there that day.

   The next day he set out for Mathura with a party of pilgrims. Upon coming to Gaya Dham he took of the lotus feet of Shri Visnu there. He remembered Mahaprabhu’s lila of accepting initiation from Shri Ishvara Puri here and became overwhelmed in ecstatic love. From Gaya he came to Kasi Dham where he met with Tapan Misra, Candrasekhara and the other devotees, and he offered his salutations to their lotus feet. They in turn blessed him.

   He finally entered Mathura Dhama. After taking bath at Visrama Ghata, he took darsana of Shri Adikesava and rolled on the ground in the dust of the birthplace of Shri Krishna. From here he proceeded towards Vrindavana where, after learning the where abouts of Shrila Jiva Gosvami, he offered his obeisances to the lotus feet of that great acharya. After being asked, he introduced himself with full particulars.

   “Gurudeva has committed me to your charge. His petition to Your Divine Grace is, ‘I am entrusting Duhkhi Krishna das to your care. Please fulfill his mind’s desire and send him back to me after some time.’”

   Shrila Jiva Gosvami was extremely happy to receive Duhkhi Krishna dasa into his care. Krishna das very carefully began to serve Jiva Gosvami as well as study the literatures of the Gosvamis.

Srinivasa Acharya and Narottama dasa Thakura also came to Shri Jiva at this time to study under him. Thus Krishna das had the opportunity to meet them.

Meeting with Srimati Radharani

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   Krishna das requested Shrila Jiva Gosvami for a special service. Shri Jiva instructed him to sweep the forest grove of Sevakunja everyday. From that day he began to carry out this service with great pleasure. He felt that his life had become successful. As he swept, tears flowed from his eyes. Sometimes he would loudly chant the names of Shri Shri Radha-Govinda and sometimes he would become inert while remembering Their pastimes. Sometimes he would put the broom, which was full of dust, on his head. Even Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva pray to receive a little of this dust of Vrindavana on their heads.

   The Lord of Vrindavana and His consort were very pleased with the service of Krishna das, and desired to grant him Their darshan. One day while Krishna das was cleaning the kunja, his heart filled with love. Just then he happened to notice a very beautiful ankle bracelet lying in the dust. He picked it up, touched it to his head and then bound it in the corner of his upper cloth. “I’ll give it to whom ever it belongs to when they come to look for it,” he thought.

   The next morning the were quite shocked when they noticed that Shrimati Radharani’s left ankle bracelet was missing. Radharani explained, “Last night, when I was dancing in the kunja, it must have fallen off. Please look for it and bring it back to me, who ever finds it.”

   When the gopis came to search for the bracelet, Visakha devi noticed Krishna das sweeping the grove. She asked him, “Have you found an ankle bracelet here?” Duhkhi Krishna dasa was so mesmerized by her sweet words and radiant form, which was like that of a demigoddess descended from heaven, that he simply stared at her dumbfounded. Again she asked him, “Have you found an ankle bracelet here?”

   Duhkhi Krishna made obeisances and humbly replied, “Yes, I found it. Who are you?”

“I am a cowherd girl.”

“Where do you stay?”

“In this village.”

“Is it your ankle bracelet?”

“No it isn’t mine. It belongs to a new bride in our house.”

“How did it get here?”

“She came here yesterday to pick flowers and it must have fallen off then.”

“All right, then please tell her she can come and collect it from me.”

“No, you can just give it to me.”

“No, I want to give it to her personally.”

   After a few moments, Visakha devi returned with Shrimati Radha Thakurani who stood in the shade at the foot of a large tree. Visakha called out to Krishna dasa, “Bhakta, the person who lost her ankle bracelet has come to receive it.”

   Duhkhi Krishna das completely forgot himself while gazing, even though it was from some distance, at the unparalleled, brilliant splendor of Shri Vrsabhanunandini. In great joy he handed the ankle bracelet to Visakha. At this point, Duhkhi Krishna dasa could sense that something very profound was about to take place. His eyes filled with tears and he fell down on the ground to offer his obeisances. In great ecstasy he rolled in the dust.

   Visakha then told him, “O best of the devotees! Our Sakhi wants to give you a benediction to express her gratitude.”

   Duhkhi Krishna dasa saw the holy waters of Radha kunda before him. After offering his obeisances, he immersed himself in her waters. Thus he attained a transcendentally beautiful feminine form. Coming out of the sacred kunda, he stood before Visakha devi and offered prayers. Taking this ‘forest sakhi’ by the hand, Visakha approached Shrimati Radha Thakurani, and the new sakhi fell down at Her lotus feet. Then Shrimati Radharani decorated her forehead with tilaka using the ankle bracelet and the kumkum of her lotus feet.

   “This tilak will remain on your forehead. From today you will be known as Syamananda. Now you can go.” After She said this, Shrimati Radha Thakurani and Her sakhis were no longer to be seen. Dukhi Krishna dasa’s trance broke and he found himself as before, alone and in his male body: yet with the tilaka applied by Shrimati Radharani still on his forehead. Being overwhelmed with emotion, he repeated over and over, “What have I seen?”

“What have I seen?”, while tears of ecstasy rolled down his cheeks.

   After reciting prayers hundreds and hundreds of times to Shri Radhika, he finally returned to Shrila Jiva Gosvami. Shri Jiva Prabhu was struck with wonder when he saw the brilliant new design of tilaka on his young student’s forehead. After offering his prostrated obeisances, Dukhi Krishna dasa, his eyes brimming with tears, recounted at Jiva Goswami’s request his experience in Sevakunja.

 Hearing of his great fortune, Shri Jiva was elated, but cautioned Dukhi, “Don’t reveal this blessed event to anyone. From today, just carry on with the name Syamananda.”

 

   Noticing that Dukhi Krishna dasa’s name and style of tilaka had for reasons unknown been changed, the Vaishnavas naturally began to discuss this strange development amongst themselves. The news finally reached Ambika Kalna. When he heard of the seemingly unauthorized behavior of his disciple, Hrdaya Chaitanya Prabhu was unsettled and angered. He immediately set out for Vrindavana.

Arriving there some months later, he let it be known he wished to see the rest while Dukhi Krishna dasa, Syamananda came and offered his prostrated obeisances at his gurudeva’s lotus feet. 

Seeing his disciple’s tilaka, Hrdaya Chaitanya Prabhu was enraged and exclaimed, “Your conduct towards me is completely abominable.”

 

   “I had fixed the form of your tilak, but you’ve erased it. In its place you have adopted a new form. I hereby renounce you. Leave this ashram this very moment” he commanded.

 He continued to chastise him The Vaishnavas finally managed to restrain and pacify him by offering various explanations on Syamananda’s behalf. Syamananda simply tolerated it all with an unfaded countenance and continued to serve his gurudeva faithfully.

Eyes filled with tears, Shyamananda looked on silently. Feeling a bit sorry for him, Hriday-Chaitanya said, “if you wash away that tilak and put on the old one again, I can withdraw my order.”

 

But poor Shyamananda could not wipe out the tilak mark from his forehead. As soon as he wiped it, it emerged by itself on his forehead again.

 

   Shyamananda left the ashram and went away.  He stayed on the banks of the yamuna without taking any food.

 

That night, Shri Hrdaya Chaitanya Prabhu had a dream in which Shri Radha Thakurani appeared in a very severe mood. She rebuked him by saying, “I am the one who, being very satisfied by Dukhi Krishna dasa’s service, changed his tilaka and his name. What do you or anyone else have to say about it?” Hrdaya Chaitanya Prabhu prayed for forgiveness at the lotus feet of Shri Vrajesvari and considered what an offender he had become.

 

Hriday-Chaitanya realized his mistake and ran all the way to the river and gathered Shyamananda in his embrace. Placing him in his lap, he embraced him again and again in great affection. With his eyes brimming with tears he repeated, “You are so fortunate.”

Shri Hrdaya Chaitanya Prabhu remained at Vrajadhama for a while and then, after instructing Syamananda to remain with Shri Jiva Gosvami for some more days, he returned to Gaudadesa.

Leaving Vrindavan and going out for Preaching 

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Shri Syamananda, Srinivasa and Shri Narottama began to pass their days in great bliss, studying the literatures of the goswamis and begging a little to eat from door to door. The three of them resolved to continue in this way and thus devote the better part of their time to serving and worshipping Shri Krishna in Vrindavana.

The goswamis held a council together and decided that these three should be sent to Gaudadesa to preach the teachings of Mahaprabhu as presented in the gosvami literature. One day Shrila Jiva Gosvami called the three of them together and informed them of this decision. Thus the three of them accepted that order on their bowed heads.

Thereafter, on an auspicious day Shrila Jiva Gosvami sent them on their way with a large, nicely decorated container filled with scriptures. But the books were stolen by the dacoit king, Sir Hambhir, in Bisnupur. There Srinivasa Acharya prabhu remained behind to recover the books while Narottama continued on towards Kheturi and Syamananda proceeded to Ambika Kalna. Arriving there, Syamananda paid his obeisances to his guru, and Shri Hrday Chaitanya Prabhu embraced him and inquired about the well being of the gosvamis of Vrindavana. When he heard that the books of the gosvamis had been stolen in Bishnupur, he was very concerned.

   Syamananda served the lotus feet of his guru in great happiness and in this way passed his days. At this time most of the devotees of Lord Chaitanya in Orissa had all passed away. Thus the preaching of Mahaprabhu’s teachings had all but come to a halt. Hrdaya Chaitanya Prabhu considered this a very serious problem and finally instructed Shyamananda Prabhu to go there to carry on the preaching of Mahaprabhu’s mission.

Syamananda was at first very sad that he would have to be separated again so soon from his spiritual master, but Shri Hrdaya Chaitanya Prabhu explained clearly that he had no other alternative but to accept this order on his head.

The Story of Sher Khan

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When his studies were complete. Syamananda travelled to re spread the teachings of Chaitanya Mahapisho. Even though wa only one generation since the presence of Lord Chaitanya, Orissa til already become a bad place to live People were living in fear of the violent Afghan rulers who didy tiike Vaisbaas at all. One such Pathan ruler was named Sher Khan

At this time. Shyamananda had many of his own disciples. One day he was leading them in a unirtan party dancing and chanting in the streets Hearing the blissful chanting, Sher Khan became extremely angry and forcibly stopped the kirtan party ordering them never to chant and dance in this way again. The devotees didn't care The very next day Shyamananda gathered even more devotees and led them through the streets Sher Khan now became infuriated. He and his soldiers stopped the devotees, broke the mrdangas and threw the karatals into the river. At this point Shyamananda began to shout the holy names of Radha and Krishna very loudly Immediately Sher Khan and his followers began to cough blood, and their beards caught fire. They panicked and took to their heels.

Sher Khan Surrenders

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The next day Shyamananda again led the dancing sankirtan party into the streets. This time, when Sher Khan heard them he ran towards them and fell before them in the dust, offering his obeisances to Shyamananda. In a shaken voice he revealed, "Last night I had the most terrible nightmare. The Supreme Lord, Allah, appeared before me and was very angry. He slapped my face again and again and told me that He is the same as your God. He revealed to me His golden form as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and He told me that you should initiate me into the chanting of the Holy Name." Shyamananda felt satisfied with the surrender of Sher Khan. According to the will of the Lord, he initiated him, giving him the name Chaitanya Das. In this way Shyamananda converted many Muslim Pathans into devotees of Lord Krishna Eventually the whole of Orissa was again turned into a Vaishnava.

His Final Days

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One day Shyamananda received the message that his dear guru, Hridoy Chaitanya, had passed away. This broke his heart, and he felt unable to continue his preaching activities. With the help of his disciples, he over came his sorrow and pressed on. Then shortly afterwards, he received another message-his dear disciple Damodar had also passed away. This was a great shock for Shyamananda. He fell sick, and although he received the best medical care, he never recovered. In the middle of the seventeenth century he passed away in a town called Narasinghapur in Orissa. His foremost disciple and follower, Rasikananda, built a beautiful samadhi for his guru, which can be seen even today.

Shyamananda Prabhu’s puspa samadhi and the place where he found Shrimati Radharani’s ankle bracelet is just across the street from Shri Shri Radha-Syamsundara’s temple in Vrndavana. Shri Shri Radha-Syamsundara are his worshippable Deities.

Shrila Shyamananda Pandit ki jay!

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Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

 

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Hare Krishna 🙏

 

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King Yayati.

 

King Nahusha, had six sons named Yati, Yayati, Samyati, Ayati, Viyati, and Kriti. 

    Knowing that the acceptance of the royal throne makes one blind to self-realization, Yati refused to accept the rule of the kingdom, even though his father offered it to him. Because Agastya Rishi cursed Nahusha after he had molested Indra’s wife, he fell down from heaven and accepted the body of a python. Consequently, Yayati became the king, and allowed his four younger brothers to rule the four directions. 

Once upon a time, Sharmistha, the daughter of King Vrishaparva, who was innocent but angry by nature, was walking in the palace garden along with Devayani, the daughter of Sukracharya, and thousands of other girlfriends. The garden was full of flowering trees and inhabited by sweetly singing birds, and when the girls came to the shore of a lotus pond, they decided to play in the water. After leaving their clothes on the shore, the girls entered the lake and began enjoying themselves by throwing water upon one another and swimming about.  

     

Then, suddenly, the lotus-eyed young girls saw Lord Shiva pass by, seated on the back of his bull-carrier, along with his wife, Parvati. Ashamed at their nakedness, the girls quickly got out of the water and began covering themselves with their garments. At this time, Sharmistha unknowingly put on Devayani’s dress. 

When the daughter of Sukracharya understood this, she angrily rebuked the princess by saying, “Oh, just see what this maidservant Sharmistha has done! Disregarding all etiquette, she has put on my dress, just like a dog that snatches ghee meant for use in sacrifice. We are among the qualified brahmanas who have created the universe by their austerity, and who always keep the Absolute Truth within the core of their hearts. Because the brahmanas are the only worshipble objects within this world, not only the great demigods offer them prayers, but even the Supreme Lord Himself. And yet, although this girl’s father is our disciple, she has put on my dress, exactly like a shudra trying to take charge of Vedic knowledge.”      

Sharmishtha became very angry after being rebuked with such cruel words. While breathing heavily and biting her lower lip, she replied to Devayani, “You beggar. Without knowing your actual position, why do you unnecessarily talk so much? Don’t you all wait at our father’s house, depending upon us for your livlihood just like crows?”

    After retaliating with these unkind words, the infuriated Sharmishtha took away all of Devayani’s clothes, threw her into a well, and then returned home along with her friends. 

    Soon thereafter, while wandering in the forest on a hunting excursion, King Yayati approached that well to drink some water. When he saw the naked Devayani within, the surprised king very kindly offered her his upper cloth, and then lifted her out of the well by taking hold of her hand. 

    After being rescued, Devayani spoke to Yayati in a voice that was saturated with love and affection: “O great hero, by taking my hand, you have accepted me as your married wife. Because our relationship has been arranged by providence, let me not have to be touched by others. After I cursed Kacha, the son of Brihaspati, he also cursed me by saying that I would not get a brahmana for a husband. Therefore, our union is quite appropriate.”

    Devayani had spoken in this way, because, although an anuloma marriage (between a brahmana man and a kshatriya girl) was socially accepted, a pratiloma marriage (between a kshatriya man and a brahmana girl) was not. Actually, because such a marriage is not sanctioned by shastra, King Yayati did not like it.But, because his meeting with Devayani had been providentially arranged, and he was attracted by her youthful beauty, King Yayati agreed to accept her nonetheless.

    The two then parted ways, and Devayani went home crying to her father. When Sukracharya heard from his daughter about Sharmishtha’s misbehavior, his mind became very aggrieved. While condemning professional priesthood, which obliged him to take sides in such a childish matter, and praising the life of uncha-vritti (collecting grains from the field), Sukracharya took his daughter and departed for the king’s palace. 

    The intelligent King Vrishaparva could understand that Sukracharya was coming to either chastise or curse him, and so before his arrival, he went out into the street and fell down at his preceptor’s feet, in an attempt to pacify him. Sukracharya was certainly angry for a few minutes, but upon seeing Vrishaparva’s very humble and submissive behavior, he gave up his wrath and then said, “My dear King, please fulfill Devayani’s desire. Because she is my daughter, I cannot neglect her.”

    Vrishaparva gave his consent, and awaited Devayani’s words. Sukracharya’s daughter then expressed her desire as follows: “Whenever I marry, by the order of my father, my friend Sharmishtha must go with me as a maidservant, along with all of her companions.”

    Vrishaparva wisely thought that Sukracharya’s displeasure would bring danger, whereas his pleasure would bring material gain. Therefore, when his preceptor gave his daughter in marriage to King Yayati, Vrishaparva had Sharmishtha go with Devayani, along with thousands of other women, to serve her like a slave. At the time of Devayani’s marriage, Sukracharya warned Yayati, “My dear King, take my advice and never allow this girl Sharmishtha to lie down with you in your bed.”

    In due course of time, Devayani gave birth to a nice son. Upon seeing this, Sharmishtha also desired to beget children, and so she approached Yayati in a secluded place, at the appropriate time for conception, and begged him to give her a son. The king was well aware of the religious principle that a kshatriya cannot refuse any woman who approaches him for the purpose of begetting offspring. Thus, in spite of remembering his father-in-law’s warning, Yayati considered the union with Sharmishtha to be the desire of the Supreme, and so he engaged in sexual intercourse with her. 

    Later on, however, when the proud Devayani understood from various sources that Sharmishtha was pregnant by union with her husband, she became frenzied with rage. After storming out of the palace, she departed for her father’s house. The lusty King Yayati followed his wife, and after catching up to her, he tried to appease her by speaking very sweet words and massaging her feet. But Devayani was not to be pacified by such means, and so she continued on until she reached her father’s cottage. 

     When Sukracharya understood the whole situation, he very angrily chastised King Yayati: “You untruthful fool, lusting after women! Because of your great fault, I hereby curse you to be immediately attacked by invalidity and old age.”

    King Yayati pleaded, “O learned and worshipable brahmana, I have not yet satisfied my lusty desires with your daughter.”

    Sukracharya could understand that his curse was also not in the interest of his lusty daughter. Therefore, he replied, “As a concession, you may exchange your old age with someone who will agree to transfer his youth to you.”

    Through Devayani, Yayati had begotten two sons- Yadu and Turvasu- and through Sharmishtha he had begotten three- Druhyu, Anu and Puru. Yayati first went and requested his eldest son, “My dear Yadu, please give me your youth in exchange for my old age and invalidity, for I have not yet satisfied my sexual desires. If you are merciful to me, I can utilize your youth and thus enjoy life for a few more years.”

    Yadu was ready to accept his father’s request, but because he was very eager to engage fully in the devotional service of the Lord, and accelerate the appearance of Lord Krishna in his dynasty, he was afraid that unsatiated material desires might prove to be an impediment. 

He therefore replied, “My dear father, I do not welcome your old age and invalidity, for unless one enjoys material happiness, he cannot attain renunciation.”      

Yadu’s refusal of his father’s order was religious. On the other hand, Turvasu, Druhyu and Anu irreligiously refused Yayati’s proposal, due to considering their flickering youthful life to be eternal. Next, Yayati approached Puru, who was younger than these three brothers, but more qualified. The King requested, “My dear son, do not become disobedient like your elder brothers, for that is not your duty.”

    Puru replied, “Who in this world can repay the debt he owes to his father? It is by his mercy that one gets a human body whereby he can become an associate of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. A son who anticipates his father’s desire and then executes it is first class. One who acts only after receiving his father’s order is second class, and one who executes his father’s command irreverently is third class. But, a son who flatly refuses to obey his father’s order is no better than his stool.”

    Puru regretted that he did not accept his father’s proposal before being asked to do so, but still, he was determined not to become the lowest type of son, who is no better than his father’s stool.

    After taking Puru’s youth in exchange for his old age, King Yayati became the emperor of the entire earth, consisting of seven islands, and ruled his subjects just like an affectionate father. With unimpaired senses, Maharaja Yayati enjoyed the greatest amount of material happiness possible in the company of his dear wife. By engaging her mind, words, and body as well as various paraphernalia, Devayani always brought her husband as much sensual pleasure as he desired.

    King Yayati also performed many sacrifices, and gave abundant charity to the brahmanas, for the satisvaction of the Supreme Lord, who is the reservoir of all the demigods. Although externally King Yayati appeared to be very fond of material enjoyment, internally he desired to become an eternal servant of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Narayana, and thus he worshiped the Lord without material motive. 

    Maharaja Yayati ruled the earth for one thousand years, and yet, despite engaging his mind and senses in enjoying material objects for such a long period of time, he found that he could never achieve satisfaction. Although the king had been very much attached to women, in due course of time, he became disgusted with sexual enjoyment and its bad effects. 

    While thus thinking of renouncing the materialistic way of life, Yayati narrated the following story to his beloved wife: “O daughter of Sukracharya, please listen as I tell you about someone who was just like me. While wandering in the forest, a he-goat happened by chance to approach a well, and within it he saw a she-goat helplessly standing, having fallen in as a result of her past karma.”

    “After planning how to get the she-goat out of the well, the he-goat laboriously dug up the earth with his horns, so that she could easily climb up. After being rescued, the she-goat, who had very nice hips, wanted to accept the he-goat as her husband, because of his handsome body, nice moustache, and expertise in discharginrg semen during sexual intercourse. Along with this she-goat, many other she-goats desired to have the he-goat as their husband, and thus, in their association, he engaged in erotic activities, completely forgetting his real business of self-realization,”

    “Once, when the she-goat saw her husband engaged in sexual affairs with another she-goat, she could not tolerate it. Considering the he-goat to be a hard-hearted, temporary friend only interested in enjoying sense gratification, the she-goat departed for the residence of a brahmana who was the maintainer of another she-goat. The aggrieved he-goat, being subservient to his wife, followed her on the road, and although he tried his best to flatter her, she could not be pacified. The brahmana angrily cut off the he-goat’s dangling testicles, but then, at his request, he later on rejoined them by utilizing his mystic power. Thereafter, the he-goat continued to enjoy with the she-goat for many years, and yet even now he has not beome satisfied.”

    King Yayati continued, “My dear wife, I am exactly like that he-goat, for I have been captivated by your beauty and thus have forgotten the real task of self-realization. A lusty person cannot satisfy his mind, even if he possesses enough of everything that is desirable within this world. Just as supplying ghee to a fire does not diminish it, but instead increases it more and more, the endeavor to quench lusty desires by continual enjoyment only aggrevates them.”

     “Therefore, one must voluntarily cease from trying to fulfill his desires for sense enjoyment, if he at all hopes to get free from them. Of course, it is very difficult for those who are too attached to material enjoyment to give up the activities of sense gratification. Even when one is invalid due to old age, he cannot give up desires for sensual pleasure, for that has been his life-long habit.”

     “Still, one who actually wants to become happy must give up such unsatisfied desires, knowing them very well to be the cause of all tribulations. One should not allow himself to sit on the same seat with even his own mother, sister or daughter, for the senses are so strong that even though one may be very advanced in knowledge, he may become attracted by desires for sex.”

    “My dear wife, even though I have spent one thousand years enjoying sense gratification, my desire to enjoy such pleasure still increases daily. Therefore, I shall now give up these desires, and meditate upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Free from the dualities of mental concoction and devoid of false prestige, I shall wander in the forest along with the animals. One who knows that material happiness, whether pious or impious, on earth or in heaven, in this life or the next is temporary and useless, and thus should not even be thought of, and so what to speak of engaged in, is the true knower of the self.”

    After speaking to his wife, King Yayati, who was now detached from all material desires, called for his son Puru and returned to him his youth in exchange for his old age. Yayati then enthroned Puru as the emperor of the world, and made his elder sons subordinate kings of the various directions. 

    Thus, even though King Yayati had become accustomed to sense enjoyment, due to having indulged in it for many, many years- he gave it up entirely in a moment, just as a bird flies away from its nest, as soon as its wings have grown. This was possible because King Yayati completely surrendered himself at the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and thus achieved his original position as the Lord’s associate. 

    After hearing Yayati’s story of the he-goat and the she-goat, even though it was presented as joking between husband and wife, Devayani understood its meaning and was also awakened to self-realization. As a faithful wife, she followed the path of her husband and thus also gave up her imaginary position in the material world and fixed her mind upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Thus, by the mercy of King Yayati, Devayani was not only rescued from a well, but she achieved liberation from material bondage as well.

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Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

 

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Hare Krishna 🙏

 

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Srimati Gangamata Gosvamini

 

 She was the only daughter of King Naresanarayana of Puntiya in the district of Rajsahi (now in Bangladesh). During her childhood she was called Saci. She was endowed with a religious temperament from youth and within a short time Saci became conversant with Vyakarana, Kavya and various scriptures.

   When Saci grew up, her beauty and grace charmed everyone. However, Saci felt no attraction for any man however handsome or wealthy he may be. Her heart belonged to her Madanagopala.

When she came to know that her parents were concerned about her marriage, Saci very firmly told them that she would never marry a mortal being. The king and queen were so disturbed by their daughter"s decision that they both passed away, leaving Saci to shoulder the responsibility of running the royal administration. She performed her royal duties for some time, but after a short while she set out on a pilgrimage, leaving the royal administration in the charge of her relatives.

   Saci could not find peace of mind anywhere. Finally in her search for a sat-guru, she came to Puri. She felt inspired after spending a few days there and then left for Vrndavana.

There Saci had the good fortunate to meet Haridasa Pandita, an ardent devotee of Gaura-Nitai and a disciple of Ananta Acharya. Saci fell prostrate at the feet of Haridasa and with tears in her eyes prayed for his refuge.

   Haridasa tested Saci's conviction: "Since it is not possible for a princess to practice bhajana in Vrndavana without relinquishing all worldly possessions, it would be better for you to go back and perform your bhajana at your own house." Although Saci understood the significance of Haridasa's remark, she did not pay and heed to his words and instead, continued performing her bhajana with great renunciation. Gradually she gave up wearing costly garments and refrained from using any ornaments.

   One day Haridasa said to Saci, "If you can give up your sense of pride, dignity, and fear and go out in Vraja with a begging bowl (madhukari), then and then only the divine grace shall be showered upon you."

   Saci was very pleased to hear Haridasa's advice and from then on went out regularly on madhukari, covering herself with only a tattered garment.

Despite being dressed as vairagi, when she went from door to door in Vraja, her graceful appearance led people to believe that she was not a common woman.

Saci gradually became very thin and looked emaciated.

Nevertheless, she went on with her daily routine; bathing in the Yamuna, cleaning the temple yard, parikrama, attending arati and religious discourses.

   Seeing Saci meticulously carrying out his instructions, Haridasa became compassionate towards her. One day he called Saci before him and said: "Although you are a princess, your personal sacrifice and devotion to Krishna has pleased me greatly. You may prepare yourself to receive mantra diksa right now."

   Thus Saci devi was initiated in Radha Krishna mantra from Haridasa on the thirteenth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Chaitra, and thereafter devoted herself fully to the service of guru and Govinda. Everyday she attended discourses on Gosvami sastra given by Haridasa and listened with rapt attention. Within a short period of time, to everyone's pleasure, Sacidevi became thoroughly conversant with Gosvami-siddhanta.

   Around that time Laksmipriya, an ardent devotee of Haridasa who was known to regularly chant Harinama three lakhs daily, arrived in Vrndavana. Under Haridasa's instructions, Laksmipriya and Sacidevi began regularly practicing bhajana at Radhakunda. They also performed Govardhana parikrama together daily. When Haridasa was convinced of Saci's purity in bhajana and total devotion, he called her one day and instructed her to move to Puridhama to perform her bhajana there and to preach the teachings of Lord Chaitanya among the respectable residents of Puri.

   By the time she arrived at Puri the majority of Lord Chaitanya's companions had disappeared from the world. In Puri Saci devi lived and performed her bhajana in the dilapidated house of Sarvabhauma Pandita. Of all the Deities worshipped during Sarvabhauma's time only the Damodara saligrama still remained there.

   Everyday Sacidevi would recite from Shrimad Bhagavatam in the presence of the respectable residents of Puri. Very shortly she became well-known as an accomplished commentator of Shrimad Bhagavatam.

   One day Mukunda-deva, the Maharaja of Puri, came to hear Saci devi's recital from Shrimad-Bhagavatam. He was very impressed by her speaking and felt inspired to offer her something as a token of his appreciation. That very night Lord Jagannatha appeared to the Maharaja in a dream and commanded him to award Saci devi a site close to Sveta-ganga. Accordingly, Mukunda-deva met Saci devi the following morning, explained his dream, and requested Saci to accept his humble offering of the land near Sveta-ganga. At first Saci devi declined, but later, in consideration of the command of Lord Jagannatha, and repeated requests of the Maharaja, Saci devi accepted the offer and the land was eventually turned over to her.

   Incidentally, the fact that Saci devi was a princess by birth was generally known to the people of Puri. Once Saci devi expressed her desire to take a bath in the Ganges on the auspicious day of Varuni. However, she gave up the idea as it was her guru's order that she stay at Sriksetra.

That night Lord Jagannatha appeared in her dream and said, "Saci, do not worry, on the day of Varuni you take your bath in Sveta-Ganga, the Ganges will flow to meet you at your bathing place."

   When the auspicious day came Saci devi went out alone at midnight to take a dip in Sveta-Ganga.

As soon as she touched the water, Saci felt herself being swept away by swelling waves, similar to that of the Ganges. Saci devi was carried along in the current until she finally found herself inside the private restricted bathing place within Lord Jagannatha's temple premises.

Therein Saci devi saw herself amidst thousands of people of Puri taking bath in great joy while the chanting of hymns filled the air.

   Hearing unusual sounds emanating from within the temple, the security staff of the temple woke up. The Maharaja was informed of the incident and under his order the temple door was opened.

To everyone's surprise they found the well known reader of Shrimad Bhagavatam, Saci devi, standing alone inside the temple. The sevaka pandas of the temple suspected that she had intended to steal the ornaments of Lord Jagannatha, although some others thought the idea of Saci devi being a thief was incredible.

   Ultimately, Saci devi was taken away and locked up in prison. Saci devi, completely oblivious to the external circumstances, simply chanted Krishna nama happily.

   Very late that night Maharaja Mukunda-deva saw Lord Jagannatha in a dream. This time the Lord angrily commanded him: "It is I who brought the Ganges, under My feet, in order to enable Saci to take a bath in the Ganges as she desired. Go and release Saci immediately. Also you, along with your priests and pandas, pray at her feet for forgiveness and receive mantra-diksa from her."

   Early the following morning Maharaja took his bath and went to Saci devi. After releasing her from prison he fell prostrate at her feet, begging for mercy. He explained his dream to her and sought refuge at her feet. In compliance with the Lord's wish, on the next auspicious day Saci devi gave Mukunda, and numerous priests, Radha Krishna mantra diksa. From that day Saci devi came to be known as Gangamata Gosvamini.

   As a token offering to his guru, Maharaja Mukundadeva expressed his desire to donate some land to Gangamata. At first she declined to accept any material gift, but after repeated humble requests from Mukundadeva, Gangamata had to relent. She permitted the Maharaja to offer certain items and nothing else; two vessels full of mahaprasada of Lord Jagannatha for the Vaisnavas to relish, one vessel of vegetable, one piece of cloth first offered to the Lord, and 160 paise. These items were to be sent to the Matha of Gangamata daily after the noon offering. This custom is still continued today.

🔆🔆🔆🔆🔆🔆🔆 🔆🔆🔆🔆🔆🔆🔆 🔆🔆🔆🔆🔆🔆🔆

 

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

 

🔆🔆🔆🔆🔆🔆🔆 🔆🔆🔆🔆🔆🔆🔆 🔆🔆🔆🔆🔆🔆🔆

 

Hare Krishna 🙏

 

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