Navadvipa Bhava Taranga

By

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

Excerpt

(Srila Prabhupada points out the seeing the Holy Dhama is achieved by service to the Six Goswamis)

Oh, when will I attain that state? When will I see Sri Navadvipa Dhama, transcending the bounds of material existence? More cooling then the illumination of ten million moons, more effulgent than the brilliance of ten million suns, when will that Dhama appear before my eyes?

In the middle of the eight islands, which are the eight petals of the lotus, is the supreme island called Antardvipa, and in the centre of that dvipa rests Mayapur, appearance place of the Lord on earth. Upon seeing that, I shall achieve overwhelming bliss. The Vedas sing of the transcendental place called Brahmapura. When my eyes are free from illusion, I shall see that place as identical with Sree Mayapura. It is in this place the supreme Gokula or Mahavana of Vraja, that the son of Saci performed His eternal pastimes.

What was the bode of Gopas & Gopis (vaisyas) in Vraja has become the abode of brahmin families in Navadvipa Dhama. In the centre of Mayapur exist eternally the dwelling of brahmin Jagannath Misra, the supreme purifying agent. "Though eyes affected by material illusion will see there only a small house, some earth, water and a few articles, if Maya becomes merciful &lifts her covering, one will see the vast spiritual dwelling where Sri Gauranga is served by His eternal mother, father and countless servants, all incessantly mad with love. There Laksmipriya and Visnupriya , eternally serve the Lord`s lotus feet, Sri Gauranga, embodying the whole Panca Tattva in His wonderful body. Sri Nityananda & Sri Advaita, Gadadhara & Srivasa, and innumerable devotees have their individual places in Mayapur. Everywhere are the houses of the Vaisnavas. O Mayapur, please be merciful to me.

To the south west, the Ganaga or Yamuna, twisting like serpent, for her own benefit comes to serve Gaura, the jewel of twice born. Upon her banks are many ghats, temples, the images of Praudha Maya & Vrddha Siva, and multitude of groves. Throughout Mayapur are scattered countless houses of brahmins, wide roadways, courtyards woods and temples. In the south east, on the bank of the Sarasvati river is the eternal area known as Isodyana, the garden of the Lord.

Why should the rascals of Kali yuga, bound up tight by material illusion, have the privilege to see all this treasures of the spiritual realm? Maya has thus hidden the Dhama, taking advantage of the erosive nature of the Ganga. Thus the eyes of the materialist can see only the shadow of the real Mayapur. By the mercy of Sri Nityananda, holder of all spiritual powers, may that Mayapur be revealed to my eyes, imbued with proper reverence. O Nityananda, please bless this hopeless fool with a vision of the household pastimes of the Lord which took place in this land. O Mayapur, centre of the eight petalled lotus, golden, glowing, yellow, effulgent and pure, please shine before my eyes.

Here and there are groves, the lake of Prthu, and many pastures for the cows. How beautiful they are to see! There are many water canals, grain fields, and wide roads lined with kadamba, bakul and other kinds of trees. To the west of this, on the bank of the Ganga, stands Ganga Nagar, where in Ganga Das' house, the Lord and His brahmin friends carried out their studies. There also, one can see Bharadvaja Tila, where the great muni Bharadvaj, by worshiping Gauranga, attained prema, and then wrote sutras in order to bestow this devotional service upon materialistic men.

North of Prthu Kunda is the village of the Chand Kazi (Mathura in Krishna lila), and there also is Sasthi Tirth and the exquisite Madhuvan, an extensive area scattered with many residences. O eyes please become purified by seeing this scene. Further north is attractive Saradanga, where the sabara race, out of fear of the demon Bahurakta, reside secretly with Lord Jagannath. May I always keep sight of this place.