Sri Srivasa Pandita
asyaartho vivrtas tair yah
sa sankshipyaa vilikhyate
bhakta-rupo gaurachandro
yato ‘sau nandanandanah
bhakta-swarupo nityanando
vraje yah sri-halayudhah
bhaktaavatara acaryo
‘dvaito yah sri-sadaasivah
bhaktaakhyaah srinivaasaadyaa
yatas te bhakta-rupinah
bhakta-shaktir dvi jaagranyah
sri-gadaadhara-panditah
“I shall now summarily explain the meaning of these words. In this Pancha-tattwa, the bhakta-rupa (form of a devotee) is Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who formerly appeared as Sri Krishna, the son of Nanda Maharaj. The bhakta-swarupa (devotional incarnation) is Lord Nityananda, who formerly appeared in Vrajabhumi as Lord Balarama. The bhaktaavatara (devotional manifestation) is Lord Advaita Acarya, who is not different from Sadaashiva. The bhataakhya (pure devotee) is Srinivasa and other great devotees as well. The bhakta-shakti (devotional energy) is Gadadhara Pandita, the foremost of brahmanas.” (Gaura Ganodesh Dipika 11.)
sri-visvambharaadvaita-
nityanandaavadhutahah
atra trayah samunneyaa
vighraha prabhavaash ca te
eko mahaaprabhur jneyah
sri-caitanya dayaambudhih
prabhu dvau sri-yutau nityaa-
nandaadvaitau mahaashayau
goswaamino vighrash ca
te dvi jaash ca gadaadharah
pancha-tattwaatmaka ete
srinivaasas ca panditah
“Lord Chaitanya, Lord Nityananda Avadhuta, and Lord Advaita, are all incarnations of the supremly exalted Personality of Godhead, and They are all known by the title Prabhu (Master). Among Them, Lord Chaitanya, Who is an ocean of mercy, is known as Mahaprabhu (The Great Master), and the great personalities Lord Nityananda and Lord Advaita are known only as Prabhu (Master). All three are also known as Goswami (Master of the Senses). Gadaadhara is called by the title Dvija (Brahmana, and Srinivaasa is called by the title Pandita (Learned Scholar). These are the titles of the members of the Pancha-tattwa.” (Gaura Ganodesha Dipika 13.)
“O my Lord Gaurahari, You are the abode of auspiciousness which is as beautiful as the kirtana of Krsna. You are the ocean of elegance, bestower of constant flow of devotion and mountain of love which is as bright as gold. Your beautiful features give soothing relief to the eyes of every living being and you are mankind’s salvation from all kinds of misfortune. You are the center of the Lila Vilasa, and the life of the devotees. Be kind to me.” (Bhakti-ratnakara. KJÄ1.)
“O my Prabhu, Sri Gopala Bhatta, the bee at the lotus like feet of Sri Gaura. You are the sun which destroys the darkness of illusion, the ocean of kindness and the greatest of all the brahmanas. You are the son of Sri Venkata Bhatta and a valuable ornament of divine love and devotion. You are the destroyer of worldly miseries and a resort of happiness to the misery stricken people. O Lord save me.” (Bhakti-ratnakara. KJÄ.2.)
“O my Prabhu, Srila Gopala Bhatta, a bee at the lotus like feet of Mahaprabhu. You are the most skillful devotee of the Lord. O my Prabhu Srinivasa, whose complexion is as golden as Sri Sacinandana, you are the king amongst all the brahmanas. Please bless me.” (Bhakti-ratnakara. KJÄ3.)
“I constantly worship the companions of Srinivasa Prabhu who is like the wishing tree of devotional love of Sri Krsna Caitanya Candra.” (Bhakti-ratnakara. KJÄ4.)
“My dear listeners, please repeatedly and joyfully hear the Bhaktiratnakara which is the life of all Vaisnavas and the destroyer of all miseries and misfortunes.” (Bhakti-ratnakara. KJÄ5.)
“Sri Gadadhara is expansion Radharani and Srinivasa is the expansion of Narada Muni, or in other words they are the internal and the devotional energy respectively.” (A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad. 27th May 1970. Letter to Tamal Krishna.)
srivas-pandito dhimaan
yah pura narado munih
purvataakhyo muni-varo
ya aasin narada-priyah
sa raama-panditah srimams
tat-kanistha-sahaodarah
“Intelligent Srivaasa Pandita had previously been Narada Muni, the best of the sages. Srivaasa’s younger brother, Sriman Rama Pandita, had previously been Narada’s close friend Parvata Muni” (Gaura Ganodesh Dipika 90.)
Srila Vrindavana dasa Thakura, the Vyasadeva of Sri Gaurasundara’s pastimes, has sung the praises of Srivasa Pandita in this way:
“It was in Srivasa Pandita’s house that Sri Caitanya enacted His pastimes of sankirtana. Those four brothers (Srivasa, Sri Rama, Sripati and Srinidhi) were continuously engaged in singing the names of Sri Krsna. They worshipped Sri Krsna and bathed in the Ganges thrice daily.”
These four brothers previously lived in the district of Sri Hatta. Later on they came to reside on the banks of the Ganges. There they regularly used to attend the assembly of devotees who gathered at Sri Advaita Acarya’s house to hear the Srimad Bhagavatam and engage in congregational chanting of the Holy Names. Gradually the brothers became very close friends of Sri Jagannatha Misra, with whom they would chant and listen to the Bhagavatam.
In all matters Srivasa was the leader of the four brothers. By the strength of his devotion, he could understand that Sri Krsna was going to appear in the house of Jagannatha Misra.
Srivasa Pandits’s wife’s name was Sri Malinidevi. She was a very close friend of Sri Sacidevi and was always very helpful to her.
Seeing the wretched state of the fallen living entities in Kali yuga, the devotees began to plaintively pray to the Lord for their deliverance. Krsna hears the call of His devotees. On the full moon day in the month of Phalguna, in the year 1407 (Christian era 1486), the Lord incarnated Himself. With His appearance there was the simultaneous dawning of all-auspiciousness within the world as it became filled with Harinama. Just as Sri Advaita Acarya, from Santipura, could understand that the Lord had appeared, similarly, Srivasa and some of the other devotees of Navadwipa also understood.
Since previously Malinidevi was engaged in attending upon Sacidevi, Srivasa and Jagannatha Misra came to her at this time and hinted that she was especially needed now.
As long as the Lord chooses not to reveal Himself, no one can possibly recognize Him. Therefore, even though from His childhood the Lord exhibited many supernatural abilities, still, due to His deluding potency, the devotees could not fully understand His true nature.
Their hearts were simply filled with parental affection for Him, without a trace of awe or reverence. Srivasa and Malini gave Sacidevi and Jagannatha much advice how to raise their new son. Srivasa and Malini were just like a mother and father to Sri Gaurasundara. Because young Nimai Pandita seemed to have grown arrogant by His scholarship, one day Srivasa Pandita decided to give Him good counsel.
“Why do people study? So that they might understand what is devotion to Sri Krsna,” he told Nimai. “If by scholarship one doesn’t gain devotion to Sri Krsna, then how will that learning help him? It becomes simply a tedious endeavour which in the end is nothing but a waste of time. If you have actually learned something then begin your worship of Sri Krsna now. Make haste. This is the purpose of your life.”
Nimai laughed as He replied, “By your mercy certainly that will come to be. If you are all kind enough for me, then definitely I’ll attain devotion to Sri Krsna’s lotus feet.”
Shortly thereafter Mahaprabhu journeyed to Gaya where He performed the pastimes of accepting initiation from Sri Isvara Puri. Thus gradually, He began to take up His real work of distributing loving devotion to Sri Krsna.
One day, in an ecstatic mood, Lord Gauranga entered Srivasa’s house asking, “Srivas, whom do you worship? Whom do you meditate upon? Now with your own two eyes, see that person standing before you.” [C.B. Madhya 2/258]
Saying this, Mahaprabhu entered the Deity room within Srivasa’s home temple and sat down on the simhasana of Lord Visnu, revealing His own four-armed form, holding the conch, disc club and lotus flower. Seeing this form, Srivasa was totally stupefied.
Sri Gaurasundara then said, “Due to being called by your sankirtana and the loud roaring of Sri Advaita Acarya, I have left Vaikuntha and have descended upon this mortal world, accompanied by My eternal associates, will destroy the miscreants and deliver the pious. Now, without fear, you can chant my glories.”
Hearing these words of His Lord, which dispelled all fear, Srivasa fell on the ground, offering his obeisances. Then he began to recite hymns in praise of the Lord.
“My obeisances at the lotus feet of the support of the entire universe Visvambhara, Whose bodily colour is like that of a newly arrived rain cloud and wore garments which are the color of a thunderbolt. My obeisances at the lotus feet of the son of Saci, who is bedecked with ornaments of peacock feathers and a garland of read beads (gunja-mala). My obeisances at the lotus feet of the pupil of Ganga dasa, the beauty of whose lotus face conquers that of ten million moons. My obeisances at your lotus feet, You who carry a buffalo horn, stick and flute. The four Vedas have proclaimed You to be the son of Nanda. Unto You my dear Lord, my obeisances I offer again and again.” [C.B.Madhya 2/272]
“Today my birth, my activities, my everything has become successful. Today my very existence has been crowned with the greatest auspiciousness. Today the race of my forefathers has finally born fruit, and my house, which was also their house, has become blessed. Today the great fortune of my eyes is completely beyond calculation, because I have been able to see that person whose lotus feet are served by the goddess of fortune, Laksmidevi”.
Having described the glories of Sri Gaurasundara in various ways, Sri Gaurasundara showed even more compassion to Srivasa by revealing Himself to all of his family members. Seeing the niece of Srivasa Pandita present before Him, Prabhu called to her, “Narayani! Call upon Sri Krsna with tears in your eyes.”
And immediately this little girl, only four years of age, as if in a delirious frenzy began to cry out, “Hari! Krsna!” while shedding tears incessantly. In fact the flood of tears coursed down her body to such an extent that the ground around her feet became soaked.” [C.B. Madhya. 2].
Seeing little Narayani totally agitated in ecstatic love, Srivasa’s wife and even the household servants also began to shed tears of love. The courtyard of Srivasa took on a very beautiful appearance, being decorated with ecstatic love for Krsna.
There was one maidservant in Srivasa Pandita’s house by the name Duhkhi. Every day she used to bring water from the Ganga for Mahaprabhu’s bath. One day Gaurasundara asked Srivasa, “Who brings this water?”
“Duhkhi brings it,” Srivasa replied.
“From today her name is Sukhi.” Thus the Lord indicated that those who serve the Lord and the Lord’s devotees are not duhkhi (sad); rather, they are sukhi (happy).
At this time Sri Gaursundor began His lila as the yuga-avatara at the house of Srivasa Pandit. Having been reunited with Sri Nityananda Prabhu He started congregational chanting of the Lord’s Holy Names in the courtyard of Srivasa’s house. Nityananda Prabhu took up His residence there. Sri Malinidevi served Nityananda as though He were her own son.
Sri Nityananda was actually Sri Baladeva Himself, and in His pastimes as Lord Nityananda He behaved somewhat like a madman. He was always overwhelmed by love of Krsna, and was not aware of the state of His outward dress or ornaments.
One evening, Sri Gaurasundara, accompanied by His associates, was engaged in chanting and dancing at the house of Srivasa Thakura when one of Srivas Thakur’s sons passed away after having suffered the effects of some disease. Within the inner apartment of his house, the women began to wail in lamentation at the boy’s untimely death. Srivasa Pandita, who was outside in the courtyard, understood some tragedy must have taken place.
He quickly entered the house only to find that his son had passed on to the next world. As he was a very grave devotee and completely conversant in the science of the Absolute Truth, he was able to console the women in their grief.
“You are all aware of Krsna’s glories, so please restrain yourselves and don’t cry. Whoever during his last moment hears the Lord’s Holy Name, even though he might be the greatest sinner, attains Krsna’s abode. And that incomparably wonderful Lord, He whose glories are sung by all His servants up to and including Lord Brahma, is now personally dancing in the courtyard of your house.
“This moment is so auspicious that it is sure this boy has successfully completed his journey from this world. Is there anything to be lamented at in this? His good fortune is completely assured. I can understand that whatever part I have played in this is also crowned with success.” [C.B.M 25.30]
He concluded by telling them, “If you can’t control your emotions because of your family affection to the boy, then at least don’t cry now, you can cry later. The Supreme Lord of Gokula Himself, Sri Gaurasundara, is performing sankirtana accompanied by His devotees in this house. If, due to your crying, the happiness that He is experiencing from dancing in ecstasy during sankirtana is disturbed, then I will just this minute jump into the Ganges and thus give up my own life.”
“Not a blade of grass moves unless by Krsna’s will. To see in this happiness or distress, or knowledge or ignorance is simply imagination. Know that whatever Krsna wills is good, and thus, giving up your own selfish desires, become free from confusion and unnecessary botheration. Krsna is giving and Krsna is taking away, and it is Krsna alone Who is maintaining everyone. Someone He protects and someone He destroys, all according to His will. If someone contemplates something contrary to Krsna’s will, then as a result of His desire He only get torment. Giving up all lamentation, simply hear Krsna’s name, and thus pass through all difficulties feeling great happiness. Then your desires will actually be fulfilled.’
Having given all of these instructions to those present, Srivasa again went outside to join Mahaprabhu in ecstatic chanting and dancing. The women, leaving the dead body, came to hear the kirtan of Mahaprabhu. And so Mahaprabhu continued His chanting until the middle of the night.
When everyone was at last leaving to take rest, Mahaprabhu spoke. “Today My mind is feeling some tribulation. I think some sad event has occurred in Srivasa’s house.”
The pandit replied, “What possible unhappiness could there be in that person’s house where Your divinely blissful countenance is seen?”
“Srivasa! Why wasn’t I feeling bliss in kirtana today? What inauspicious thing transpired in your house?”
Srivasa answered, “My Lord, You are Yourself all auspicious. Where You are present, no sorrow can be found anywhere!” But the other devotees informed the Lord that Srivasa’s son had passed away.
Hearing this news, Gaura Raya cried out, “Alas, what a tragic event. Why didn’t you tell me of this unfortunate news before?”
“I will explain,” Srivasa Pandita replied. “I couldn’t tolerate disturbing You while You were enjoying sankirtana. If one of my sons dies, what sorrow is there in that for me? If we all die while seeing You, that would actually be a matter of great happiness. On the other hand, if You would have to stop dancing, then perhaps I would have died. My Lord, this was the danger that I feared, and thus I didn’t tell you at the time.”
Seeing Srivasa Pandita’s profound devotion, Sri Gaurasundara said, “How can I give up such company as this?” With tears in His eyes He continued. “Due to love for Me, he didn’t even feel lamentation at the death of his son. How will I abandon their companionship?”
The Lord continued to cry, and the devotees began to worry within, having heard Him speak of leaving them.
Thereafter Mahaprabhu came to where the dead body of the infant was lying. Touching it, He called, “Boy! Why are you going away and leaving Srivasa Pandita?”
The life of the dead child returned at the touch of Mahaprabhu’s hand. After offering obeisances to the Lord, he replied, “O Prabhu! Whatever You ordain is absolute. No one can do anything but what is sanctioned by You. As many days as I was destined to remain here, that many days I have stayed. Now that my time has elapsed, I have proceeded to leave.
“My Lord, I have taken birth and died repeatedly. But this time, at the time of death, I passed away quite happily, having taken darsana of Your beautiful face.”
After saying this, the child became silent. Sri Gauranga Raya thus enjoyed a kind of transcendental sport. Having heard the uncommon words of the dead child, the devotees floated in the ocean of bliss. Srivasa Pandita, along with his family members, then fell at the lotus feet of Sri Gaursundara and cried in ecstatic love.
Mahaprabhu then told him, “Since Myself and Nityananda are your two sons, please don’t feel any more distress in your mind over what has happened.” Hearing these compassionate words of their Lord, the devotees cheers were resounded throughout the heavens.
Proving the statements of sastra, Their Lordships Gaura-Nityananda became deeply indebted to Srivasa due to his great love for and service to Them.
After Mahaprabhu took sannyasa, Srivasa Pandit came to live at Kumarhatta. Every year he would go with His brothers to see Mahaprabhu at Puri. He also regularly came to see Sri Sacimata in Navadwip and would spend a few days there during those times.
When Mahaprabhu came from Nilacala to see His mother and the river Ganges, He also stopped at Kumarhatta to see Srivasa.
“After staying some days at Advaita’s house, Mahaprabhu came to Srivasa’s temple at Kumarhatta.” [C.B]
It was at this time that Mahaprabhu gave this benediction to Srivasa: “There will never be poverty in your house. If you simply remain indoors, never even venturing out of your house, whatever you require for your worship will come to your door.”
Srivasa Pandita, along with his three brothers, eternally serve Sri Gaurasundara. He is the incarnation of Narada and accompanied Mahaprabhu in all His Navadwipa lilas.
Across the Ganges from Halisahar (the present name of the village of Kumarhatta), there is a town of the name Chuchura. Located here are some very beautiful Deities of Sri Sri Nitai-Gauranga. At present the seva-puja is becoming carried on by Devananda Gaudiya Matha. The resident Swami Maharaja recalls that when the Gaudiya Math took over the sevaitship of this temple, its name was Srivasa- Mahaprabhu Mandir. Thus there is a strong possibility that these are the worshippable Deities of Srivasa Pandita. The temple is at present named ‘Uddhavar Gaudiya Math.’ It is near ‘Chaumatha’, close to the ‘Chori Mor’ intersection where the town clock stands.
There is a rail station at Chuchura (Chinsura) on the Bandel-Navadwip line. Chuchura may also be reached by ferry from Halisahar on the other side of the Ganga, where Caitanya Boda, the birthplace of Sri Isvara Puri, is located.
asyaartho vivrtas tair yah
sa sankshipyaa vilikhyate
bhakta-rupo gaurachandro
yato ‘sau nandanandanah
bhakta-swarupo nityanando
vraje yah sri-halayudhah
bhaktaavatara acaryo
‘dvaito yah sri-sadaasivah
bhaktaakhyaah srinivaasaadyaa
yatas te bhakta-rupinah
bhakta-shaktir dvi jaagranyah
sri-gadaadhara-panditah
“I shall now summarily explain the meaning of these words. In this Pancha-tattwa, the bhakta-rupa (form of a devotee) is Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who formerly appeared as Sri Krishna, the son of Nanda Maharaj. The bhakta-swarupa (devotional incarnation) is Lord Nityananda, who formerly appeared in Vrajabhumi as Lord Balarama. The bhaktaavatara (devotional manifestation) is Lord Advaita Acarya, who is not different from Sadaashiva. The bhataakhya (pure devotee) is Srinivasa and other great devotees as well. The bhakta-shakti (devotional energy) is Gadadhara Pandita, the foremost of brahmanas.” (Gaura Ganodesh Dipika 11.)
sri-visvambharaadvaita-
nityanandaavadhutahah
atra trayah samunneyaa
vighraha prabhavaash ca te
eko mahaaprabhur jneyah
sri-caitanya dayaambudhih
prabhu dvau sri-yutau nityaa-
nandaadvaitau mahaashayau
goswaamino vighrash ca
te dvi jaash ca gadaadharah
pancha-tattwaatmaka ete
srinivaasas ca panditah
“Lord Chaitanya, Lord Nityananda Avadhuta, and Lord Advaita, are all incarnations of the supremly exalted Personality of Godhead, and They are all known by the title Prabhu (Master). Among Them, Lord Chaitanya, Who is an ocean of mercy, is known as Mahaprabhu (The Great Master), and the great personalities Lord Nityananda and Lord Advaita are known only as Prabhu (Master). All three are also known as Goswami (Master of the Senses). Gadaadhara is called by the title Dvija (Brahmana, and Srinivaasa is called by the title Pandita (Learned Scholar). These are the titles of the members of the Pancha-tattwa.” (Gaura Ganodesha Dipika 13.)
“O my Lord Gaurahari, You are the abode of auspiciousness which is as beautiful as the kirtana of Krsna. You are the ocean of elegance, bestower of constant flow of devotion and mountain of love which is as bright as gold. Your beautiful features give soothing relief to the eyes of every living being and you are mankind’s salvation from all kinds of misfortune. You are the center of the Lila Vilasa, and the life of the devotees. Be kind to me.” (Bhakti-ratnakara. KJÄ1.)
“O my Prabhu, Sri Gopala Bhatta, the bee at the lotus like feet of Sri Gaura. You are the sun which destroys the darkness of illusion, the ocean of kindness and the greatest of all the brahmanas. You are the son of Sri Venkata Bhatta and a valuable ornament of divine love and devotion. You are the destroyer of worldly miseries and a resort of happiness to the misery stricken people. O Lord save me.” (Bhakti-ratnakara. KJÄ.2.)
“O my Prabhu, Srila Gopala Bhatta, a bee at the lotus like feet of Mahaprabhu. You are the most skillful devotee of the Lord. O my Prabhu Srinivasa, whose complexion is as golden as Sri Sacinandana, you are the king amongst all the brahmanas. Please bless me.” (Bhakti-ratnakara. KJÄ3.)
“I constantly worship the companions of Srinivasa Prabhu who is like the wishing tree of devotional love of Sri Krsna Caitanya Candra.” (Bhakti-ratnakara. KJÄ4.)
“My dear listeners, please repeatedly and joyfully hear the Bhaktiratnakara which is the life of all Vaisnavas and the destroyer of all miseries and misfortunes.” (Bhakti-ratnakara. KJÄ5.)
“Sri Gadadhara is expansion Radharani and Srinivasa is the expansion of Narada Muni, or in other words they are the internal and the devotional energy respectively.” (A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad. 27th May 1970. Letter to Tamal Krishna.)
srivas-pandito dhimaan
yah pura narado munih
purvataakhyo muni-varo
ya aasin narada-priyah
sa raama-panditah srimams
tat-kanistha-sahaodarah
“Intelligent Srivaasa Pandita had previously been Narada Muni, the best of the sages. Srivaasa’s younger brother, Sriman Rama Pandita, had previously been Narada’s close friend Parvata Muni” (Gaura Ganodesh Dipika 90.)
Srila Vrindavana dasa Thakura, the Vyasadeva of Sri Gaurasundara’s pastimes, has sung the praises of Srivasa Pandita in this way:
“It was in Srivasa Pandita’s house that Sri Caitanya enacted His pastimes of sankirtana. Those four brothers (Srivasa, Sri Rama, Sripati and Srinidhi) were continuously engaged in singing the names of Sri Krsna. They worshipped Sri Krsna and bathed in the Ganges thrice daily.”
These four brothers previously lived in the district of Sri Hatta. Later on they came to reside on the banks of the Ganges. There they regularly used to attend the assembly of devotees who gathered at Sri Advaita Acarya’s house to hear the Srimad Bhagavatam and engage in congregational chanting of the Holy Names. Gradually the brothers became very close friends of Sri Jagannatha Misra, with whom they would chant and listen to the Bhagavatam.
In all matters Srivasa was the leader of the four brothers. By the strength of his devotion, he could understand that Sri Krsna was going to appear in the house of Jagannatha Misra.
Srivasa Pandits’s wife’s name was Sri Malinidevi. She was a very close friend of Sri Sacidevi and was always very helpful to her.
Seeing the wretched state of the fallen living entities in Kali yuga, the devotees began to plaintively pray to the Lord for their deliverance. Krsna hears the call of His devotees. On the full moon day in the month of Phalguna, in the year 1407 (Christian era 1486), the Lord incarnated Himself. With His appearance there was the simultaneous dawning of all-auspiciousness within the world as it became filled with Harinama. Just as Sri Advaita Acarya, from Santipura, could understand that the Lord had appeared, similarly, Srivasa and some of the other devotees of Navadwipa also understood.
Since previously Malinidevi was engaged in attending upon Sacidevi, Srivasa and Jagannatha Misra came to her at this time and hinted that she was especially needed now.
As long as the Lord chooses not to reveal Himself, no one can possibly recognize Him. Therefore, even though from His childhood the Lord exhibited many supernatural abilities, still, due to His deluding potency, the devotees could not fully understand His true nature.
Their hearts were simply filled with parental affection for Him, without a trace of awe or reverence. Srivasa and Malini gave Sacidevi and Jagannatha much advice how to raise their new son. Srivasa and Malini were just like a mother and father to Sri Gaurasundara. Because young Nimai Pandita seemed to have grown arrogant by His scholarship, one day Srivasa Pandita decided to give Him good counsel.
“Why do people study? So that they might understand what is devotion to Sri Krsna,” he told Nimai. “If by scholarship one doesn’t gain devotion to Sri Krsna, then how will that learning help him? It becomes simply a tedious endeavour which in the end is nothing but a waste of time. If you have actually learned something then begin your worship of Sri Krsna now. Make haste. This is the purpose of your life.”
Nimai laughed as He replied, “By your mercy certainly that will come to be. If you are all kind enough for me, then definitely I’ll attain devotion to Sri Krsna’s lotus feet.”
Shortly thereafter Mahaprabhu journeyed to Gaya where He performed the pastimes of accepting initiation from Sri Isvara Puri. Thus gradually, He began to take up His real work of distributing loving devotion to Sri Krsna.
One day, in an ecstatic mood, Lord Gauranga entered Srivasa’s house asking, “Srivas, whom do you worship? Whom do you meditate upon? Now with your own two eyes, see that person standing before you.” [C.B. Madhya 2/258]
Saying this, Mahaprabhu entered the Deity room within Srivasa’s home temple and sat down on the simhasana of Lord Visnu, revealing His own four-armed form, holding the conch, disc club and lotus flower. Seeing this form, Srivasa was totally stupefied.
Sri Gaurasundara then said, “Due to being called by your sankirtana and the loud roaring of Sri Advaita Acarya, I have left Vaikuntha and have descended upon this mortal world, accompanied by My eternal associates, will destroy the miscreants and deliver the pious. Now, without fear, you can chant my glories.”
Hearing these words of His Lord, which dispelled all fear, Srivasa fell on the ground, offering his obeisances. Then he began to recite hymns in praise of the Lord.
“My obeisances at the lotus feet of the support of the entire universe Visvambhara, Whose bodily colour is like that of a newly arrived rain cloud and wore garments which are the color of a thunderbolt. My obeisances at the lotus feet of the son of Saci, who is bedecked with ornaments of peacock feathers and a garland of read beads (gunja-mala). My obeisances at the lotus feet of the pupil of Ganga dasa, the beauty of whose lotus face conquers that of ten million moons. My obeisances at your lotus feet, You who carry a buffalo horn, stick and flute. The four Vedas have proclaimed You to be the son of Nanda. Unto You my dear Lord, my obeisances I offer again and again.” [C.B.Madhya 2/272]
“Today my birth, my activities, my everything has become successful. Today my very existence has been crowned with the greatest auspiciousness. Today the race of my forefathers has finally born fruit, and my house, which was also their house, has become blessed. Today the great fortune of my eyes is completely beyond calculation, because I have been able to see that person whose lotus feet are served by the goddess of fortune, Laksmidevi”.
Having described the glories of Sri Gaurasundara in various ways, Sri Gaurasundara showed even more compassion to Srivasa by revealing Himself to all of his family members. Seeing the niece of Srivasa Pandita present before Him, Prabhu called to her, “Narayani! Call upon Sri Krsna with tears in your eyes.”
And immediately this little girl, only four years of age, as if in a delirious frenzy began to cry out, “Hari! Krsna!” while shedding tears incessantly. In fact the flood of tears coursed down her body to such an extent that the ground around her feet became soaked.” [C.B. Madhya. 2].
Seeing little Narayani totally agitated in ecstatic love, Srivasa’s wife and even the household servants also began to shed tears of love. The courtyard of Srivasa took on a very beautiful appearance, being decorated with ecstatic love for Krsna.
There was one maidservant in Srivasa Pandita’s house by the name Duhkhi. Every day she used to bring water from the Ganga for Mahaprabhu’s bath. One day Gaurasundara asked Srivasa, “Who brings this water?”
“Duhkhi brings it,” Srivasa replied.
“From today her name is Sukhi.” Thus the Lord indicated that those who serve the Lord and the Lord’s devotees are not duhkhi (sad); rather, they are sukhi (happy).
At this time Sri Gaursundor began His lila as the yuga-avatara at the house of Srivasa Pandit. Having been reunited with Sri Nityananda Prabhu He started congregational chanting of the Lord’s Holy Names in the courtyard of Srivasa’s house. Nityananda Prabhu took up His residence there. Sri Malinidevi served Nityananda as though He were her own son.
Sri Nityananda was actually Sri Baladeva Himself, and in His pastimes as Lord Nityananda He behaved somewhat like a madman. He was always overwhelmed by love of Krsna, and was not aware of the state of His outward dress or ornaments.
One evening, Sri Gaurasundara, accompanied by His associates, was engaged in chanting and dancing at the house of Srivasa Thakura when one of Srivas Thakur’s sons passed away after having suffered the effects of some disease. Within the inner apartment of his house, the women began to wail in lamentation at the boy’s untimely death. Srivasa Pandita, who was outside in the courtyard, understood some tragedy must have taken place.
He quickly entered the house only to find that his son had passed on to the next world. As he was a very grave devotee and completely conversant in the science of the Absolute Truth, he was able to console the women in their grief.
“You are all aware of Krsna’s glories, so please restrain yourselves and don’t cry. Whoever during his last moment hears the Lord’s Holy Name, even though he might be the greatest sinner, attains Krsna’s abode. And that incomparably wonderful Lord, He whose glories are sung by all His servants up to and including Lord Brahma, is now personally dancing in the courtyard of your house.
“This moment is so auspicious that it is sure this boy has successfully completed his journey from this world. Is there anything to be lamented at in this? His good fortune is completely assured. I can understand that whatever part I have played in this is also crowned with success.” [C.B.M 25.30]
He concluded by telling them, “If you can’t control your emotions because of your family affection to the boy, then at least don’t cry now, you can cry later. The Supreme Lord of Gokula Himself, Sri Gaurasundara, is performing sankirtana accompanied by His devotees in this house. If, due to your crying, the happiness that He is experiencing from dancing in ecstasy during sankirtana is disturbed, then I will just this minute jump into the Ganges and thus give up my own life.”
“Not a blade of grass moves unless by Krsna’s will. To see in this happiness or distress, or knowledge or ignorance is simply imagination. Know that whatever Krsna wills is good, and thus, giving up your own selfish desires, become free from confusion and unnecessary botheration. Krsna is giving and Krsna is taking away, and it is Krsna alone Who is maintaining everyone. Someone He protects and someone He destroys, all according to His will. If someone contemplates something contrary to Krsna’s will, then as a result of His desire He only get torment. Giving up all lamentation, simply hear Krsna’s name, and thus pass through all difficulties feeling great happiness. Then your desires will actually be fulfilled.’
Having given all of these instructions to those present, Srivasa again went outside to join Mahaprabhu in ecstatic chanting and dancing. The women, leaving the dead body, came to hear the kirtan of Mahaprabhu. And so Mahaprabhu continued His chanting until the middle of the night.
When everyone was at last leaving to take rest, Mahaprabhu spoke. “Today My mind is feeling some tribulation. I think some sad event has occurred in Srivasa’s house.”
The pandit replied, “What possible unhappiness could there be in that person’s house where Your divinely blissful countenance is seen?”
“Srivasa! Why wasn’t I feeling bliss in kirtana today? What inauspicious thing transpired in your house?”
Srivasa answered, “My Lord, You are Yourself all auspicious. Where You are present, no sorrow can be found anywhere!” But the other devotees informed the Lord that Srivasa’s son had passed away.
Hearing this news, Gaura Raya cried out, “Alas, what a tragic event. Why didn’t you tell me of this unfortunate news before?”
“I will explain,” Srivasa Pandita replied. “I couldn’t tolerate disturbing You while You were enjoying sankirtana. If one of my sons dies, what sorrow is there in that for me? If we all die while seeing You, that would actually be a matter of great happiness. On the other hand, if You would have to stop dancing, then perhaps I would have died. My Lord, this was the danger that I feared, and thus I didn’t tell you at the time.”
Seeing Srivasa Pandita’s profound devotion, Sri Gaurasundara said, “How can I give up such company as this?” With tears in His eyes He continued. “Due to love for Me, he didn’t even feel lamentation at the death of his son. How will I abandon their companionship?”
The Lord continued to cry, and the devotees began to worry within, having heard Him speak of leaving them.
Thereafter Mahaprabhu came to where the dead body of the infant was lying. Touching it, He called, “Boy! Why are you going away and leaving Srivasa Pandita?”
The life of the dead child returned at the touch of Mahaprabhu’s hand. After offering obeisances to the Lord, he replied, “O Prabhu! Whatever You ordain is absolute. No one can do anything but what is sanctioned by You. As many days as I was destined to remain here, that many days I have stayed. Now that my time has elapsed, I have proceeded to leave.
“My Lord, I have taken birth and died repeatedly. But this time, at the time of death, I passed away quite happily, having taken darsana of Your beautiful face.”
After saying this, the child became silent. Sri Gauranga Raya thus enjoyed a kind of transcendental sport. Having heard the uncommon words of the dead child, the devotees floated in the ocean of bliss. Srivasa Pandita, along with his family members, then fell at the lotus feet of Sri Gaursundara and cried in ecstatic love.
Mahaprabhu then told him, “Since Myself and Nityananda are your two sons, please don’t feel any more distress in your mind over what has happened.” Hearing these compassionate words of their Lord, the devotees cheers were resounded throughout the heavens.
Proving the statements of sastra, Their Lordships Gaura-Nityananda became deeply indebted to Srivasa due to his great love for and service to Them.
After Mahaprabhu took sannyasa, Srivasa Pandit came to live at Kumarhatta. Every year he would go with His brothers to see Mahaprabhu at Puri. He also regularly came to see Sri Sacimata in Navadwip and would spend a few days there during those times.
When Mahaprabhu came from Nilacala to see His mother and the river Ganges, He also stopped at Kumarhatta to see Srivasa.
“After staying some days at Advaita’s house, Mahaprabhu came to Srivasa’s temple at Kumarhatta.” [C.B]
It was at this time that Mahaprabhu gave this benediction to Srivasa: “There will never be poverty in your house. If you simply remain indoors, never even venturing out of your house, whatever you require for your worship will come to your door.”
Srivasa Pandita, along with his three brothers, eternally serve Sri Gaurasundara. He is the incarnation of Narada and accompanied Mahaprabhu in all His Navadwipa lilas.
Across the Ganges from Halisahar (the present name of the village of Kumarhatta), there is a town of the name Chuchura. Located here are some very beautiful Deities of Sri Sri Nitai-Gauranga. At present the seva-puja is becoming carried on by Devananda Gaudiya Matha. The resident Swami Maharaja recalls that when the Gaudiya Math took over the sevaitship of this temple, its name was Srivasa- Mahaprabhu Mandir. Thus there is a strong possibility that these are the worshippable Deities of Srivasa Pandita. The temple is at present named ‘Uddhavar Gaudiya Math.’ It is near ‘Chaumatha’, close to the ‘Chori Mor’ intersection where the town clock stands.
There is a rail station at Chuchura (Chinsura) on the Bandel-Navadwip line. Chuchura may also be reached by ferry from Halisahar on the other side of the Ganga, where Caitanya Boda, the birthplace of Sri Isvara Puri, is located.
Shrivasa Thakura
(By-Stephen-Knapp)
That person who was the Vyasa of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's pastimes—Shrimad Vrindavan Das Thakura—speaks of Shrivas Pandit in his Shri Chaitanya Bhagavata:
"In Navadwip Dham lived the holy Pandit Shri Shrivas,
And at his temple Caitanya performed his sweet vilas.
Srivas and his brothers always sang the holy name,
And did their Krishna-puja and Ganges bath three times a day."
Shrivas, Shrirama, Shripati and Shrinidhi were four brothers. They used to live in Shri Hatta, but after some time they moved to Navadwip Dham and lived there. The four brothers used to go to the house of Advaita Acharya to listen to the Bhagavatam class, to perform Nam-sankirtan, and to participate in different Vaishnava activities. They were all great friends with Shri Jagannatha Mishra, the father of Shri Chaitanya. The four of them used to love to hear the Bhagavatam and perform sankirtan together. As a result of their devotion, they could understand that Shri Krishna Himself would soon appear in the house of Jagannatha Mishra. Shrivas Pandit's wife was Malinidevi. She was the contant friend of Sachidevi and the two of them would derive great satisfaction in one another's company.
Seeing the terrible situation of the living entities in Kaliyuga, the devotees were greatly distressed, and, in order to deliver the fallen souls, began to pray for the appearance of God Himself. The Lord heard the prayers of his devotees. In 1407 Saka era, in the month of Phalguana, on the full moon night Shri Hari Himself advented in the home of Jagannatha Mishra in Mayapura. With his appearance in this world, everything became auspicious. The world was filled with the holy name. When Shri Advaita, who came from Shantipura, could understand that Shri Hari himself had appeared, he went to Shrivasa and all the other devotees and made them understand as well the importance of His divine appearance. Shrivas Pandit's wife Malini was devoted to Sachidevi and took care of her like a personal nurse. Shrivas Pandit was constantly at the house of Jagannatha Mishra; it was as if he was Jagannatha Mishra's shadow.
What the Supreme Lord may do from one moment to the next even he himself may not know; how than can anyone else understand his movements? At the time of Mahaprabhu's childhood, he exhibited many supernatural pastimes, but being bewildered by the Lord's Yogamaya potency, the devotees could not understand them. At the time of his advent all the hearts of the devotees were filled with parental affection. Shrivas Pandita and Malini Devi, in nurturing and raising up the darling boy of Shachi Devi and Jagannatha Mishra gave him instruction on many subjects. And so, Shri Gaurasundara came to accept Shrivasa Pandit and Malini Devi as a second mother and father.
One day, during the time of Mahaprabhu's impudent schoolboy pranks and his pastimes of scholarship, Shrivasa Pandit came to the boy and instructed him as follows: "Why do people study? What do they really want to know and understand? What is the true object of knowledge? Krishna and Krishna-bhakti. For if one studies so many subjects, but has no understanding of Krishna, all his learning is useless. You are reading and studying and hearing so many lectures on different subjects. But you should perform Krishna-bhajan and apply your intelligence to that." Hearing this, mahaprabhu smiled and said, "By your mercy it shall certainly come to pass. By your mercy I shall certainly attain Krishna bhakti."
At length, Mahaprabhu, having gone to the holy city of Gaya where He accepted mantra initiation from Ishvara Puri, began to play the role for which he had come to this world. He began to manifest prema-bhakti within this world. One day, Mahaprabhu, manifesting his mood of the Supreme Controller, God Himself, came to the house of Shrivas Thakura and spoke as follows: "To whom have you performed worship? On whom have you meditated? Now see Him! Look upon the object of your worship! Shirvasa! Who have you worshipped? Look directly upon Him whom you have worshipped." Saying these words, Mahaprabhu entered the Deity room of Vishnu and boldly sat upon the altar, manifesting a four-armed form with conch, lotus, club, and chakra. Upon seeing Chaitanya Mahparabhu in this divine form, Shrivas Pandit was shocked and paralyzed with wonder.
At that time the Lord told Shrivas, "I have heard your loud Sankirtan and Advaita's roaring of the holy name of Krishna! And hearing their calls I have left Vaikuntha and appeared here in this material world with my eternal associates. I have come to punish the wicked and deliver the saintly. If you want to become fearless perform my sankirtan. Listening to these fearless words of Mahaprabhu Shrivasa Pandit fell to the earth offering his prostrated obeisances and recited the following prayers:
"Unto the lotus feet of Shri Chaitanya Vishvambhara
(whose dress is like a yellow cloud) I make my namaskara.
I bow before that Krishna (who is mother Sachi's son)
Bedecked with gunja-mala and peacock plume, bright as the sun,
Bright as a million moons whose cooling rays eclipse the stars;
To Ganga Das Pandit's Nimai, a hundred namaskaras.
With horn of buffalo, and cowherd stick, and bamboo flute,
Lord Krishna played, and you are He, the Godhead, Supreme Truth.
The Vedas sing the glories of Krishna—Nanda Kumara;
And thou art he, and so before your feet, my namaskara.
My birth and work have reached complete fulfillment here today.
My life has dawned anew, auspiciousness is mine today.
My ancestors have surely found salvation on this day.
My home and wealth have reached their true perfection on this day.
My fortune knows no earthly bounds upon this holy day--
The blissful vision of your holy feet blessed me today."
In this way, Shrivasa offered different prayers and hymns. Shri Chaitanya Maharpabhu was very kind to Shrivas, and within the house of Shrivasa he gave darshan of his divine form to all his eternal associates and devotees. When Shrivasa Pandit's niece Narayani came before him, Mahaprabhu, upon seeing her, said, "Narayani, chant Krishna, Krishna!" Chaitanya Bhagvata records, "Although she was only a four year old girl, her behavior was unusual. Chanting "Krishna, Krishna!" again and again, she fell on the ground stunned in ecstasy with tears in her eyes."
The little girl, Narayani, was stunned in ecstasy and chanted Krishna again and again with tears in her eyes. Seeing her tears of ecstasy, Shrivasa Pandit's wife as well as all the other devotees also cried tears of ecstasy. As a consequence, Shrivasa Angana was filled with a wonderful and beautiful impression of Krishna-prema.
In the house of Shrivasa there was a maidservant named Dukhi (unhappy). Every day she would bring water to bathe Mahaprabhu. One day the Lord asked Shrivasa, "Who is bringing this water?" Shrivasa said, "Dukhi is bringing the water." The Lord said, "From now own her name will be Sukhi (happy). Since she is engaged in service to Bhagavan and the Vaishnavas, she cannot be Dukhi (unhappy). She must be Sukhi (happy).
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu performed many different pastimes in the house of Shrivasa. Gradually, Nityananda Prabhu came to Nabadwip dham and met Shri Chaitanya. In the company of Shri Nityananda Prabhu, Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu began performing different Sankirtana pastimes. Their Sankirtana headquarters was Shrivas Angan. Shri Nityananda Prabhu Himself personally resided at Shrivasa Angan, and Shri Malini Devi, the wife of Shrivasa served Him as if he were her very own son. Nityananda Prabhu is Baladev Himself. He used to perform the pastimes of an avadhuta. He would dwell in the plane of Krishna prema, always overwhelmed by divine ecstasy. He was never burdened by any consideration of bodily ornamentation. Thus he was known as an avadhuta.
One day, Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, along with his personal expansions and eternal associates, went to the house of Shrivasa to perform Sankirtan and dance. At that time the only son of Shrivasa became stricken with some unusual ailment and passed away. Within the ladies chambers all the women were crying and lamenting with great sobs and weeping and wailing. Shrivasa Pandit, understanding everything, entered into the ladies chambers. There he saw that his son had passed away, returning to the spiritual abode. With supreme gravity, this great knower of divine truth consoled the women. "You all know the glories of Krishna," he said, "Therefore, please don't cry. Check your tears. Even a great sinner who hears the holy name at the time of death attains the divine abode of Krishna. That very Krishna Himself—whose glories are sung by his servants like Brahma and Shiva—is dancing among you. It is certain, therefore, that this boy has returned to the Lord's supreme abode. Why then should there be any cause for lamentation. At this time you should rather honor this boy as one who was blessed with the supreme good fortune of attaining the ultimate goal of life."
In this way, Shrivasa Thakura, after giving many different instructions on divine truth to the ladies, finally said, "If you are unable to check your family sentiment and stop crying right now, I will give you good reason to cry later. At this moment, Shri Gaurasundara, the Lord of Gokula Himself, is performing sankirtan with his devotees in my house. If by your crying you disturb his happiness for one moment, then I shall immediately go jump in the Ganges and give up my life by drowning!"
"It is by Krishna's will alone that every blade of grass moves. Nothing comes to pass without his will. Whatever we may imagine to be good, bad, knowledge, or ignorance is all his will. Knowing whatever Krishna wants to be divine good, reject your own desires as so much useless garbage. Lord Krishna gives, and Krishna takes away. Krishna protects and nurtures all. Krishna gives life and takes it away according to his will. According to his will everything lives and dies. To contradict the will of God will be a useless attempt. It will only bring sorrow. Therefore, giving up all your lamentation, listen to the holy name of Krishna; by doing so you will attain the highest ecstasy and completely fulfill your heart's desire.
After giving all these instructions, Shrivasa Thakura went outside and rejoined the great kirtan of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in which the Lord was absorbed in singing the holy name of Krishna and dancing. Leaving the thought of their dead child behind, the ladies listened to the kirtan of Shri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. In this way the kirtan continued until late at night. The sankirtan gradually came to an end and everyone rested. At that time Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said, "Today within my mind I felt that some great sorrow has struck this house." Shrivasa Pandit said, "O my Lord, how can there be any sorrow here? You have brought the highest delight to this house by the sweet kirtan that has emanated from your lotus mouth."
The Lord said, "Shrivasa, how is it that there was no ananda in the kirtan today? Has something inauspicious befallen your family?" Shrivasa said, "O my Lord! You are all-auspicious. As long as you are present here how can anything inauspicious take place? At last the devotees came to know that Shrivasa Thakur's only son had just died.
Upon hearing this, Lord Gauranga cried, "Alas, alas! The thought of this great tragedy pains me worse than death. Why did you not tell me of this most unfortunate event?" At this, Shrivasa Pandit said, "Hear me, O Lord; I could not break the flow of your rasa-kirtan. A body died, O Lord, what need is there for sorrow? If everyone in the universe had died, I would still experience the greatest happiness just by looking upon You. If I had broken the flow of your kirtan and stopped you from dancing, taht would have been a fate worse than death. And so I did not want to disturb your kirtan, for fear of the great disaster that would have taken place as a result of such ugly talk."
Seeing such deep determination in Shrivasa Thakura, Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu began to weep. He said, "Not knowing of this lamentation for the son of Shrivasa, but bewildered by the ecstasy of Krishna-prema, how could I renounce such association?" Hearing these words, everyone thought deeply within themselves.
After this, Mahaprabhu went to the place where the dead child lay and touched him, saying, "O boy! Why did you renounce Shrivasa Pandit and go away?" At his touch, life returned to the boy and, after offering obeisances to Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the boy said, "O my Lord! You are the creator and destroyer of everything. You give life and take it away. You are the Supreme Lord of all. Nothing can be done without your decree. As long as it is decreed by you, one can stay here; when you decree, they can no longer remain. When your sanction for our short stay on earth is removed we must move on. O Lord. Many times I have taken birth, and many times I have died. But this time is different. This time I died while having darshan of your beautiful lotus feet, and so I have left this earth in complete happiness."
Saying this, the boy fell silent, having satisfied the inquiry of Shri Gauranga Mahaprabhu. Hearing this unprecedented discourse from the mouth of the dead child, everyone was astonished and all the devotees floated in the waves of the ocean of bliss. In this way, beholding the wondrous pastimes of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Shrivasa Pandit fell before the lotus feet of the Lord and wept tears of ecstasy. Whereupon Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said, "Nityananda and I are your two sons. Always think of this and you will never experience the sorrow of having lost a son. Nityananda and I are your sons. Therefore why should you lament?" Hearing these words of mercy, the devotees filled the four directions with cries of joy. Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Shri Nityananda Prabhu were indebted to Shrivasa on account of his devotion and service. This is proof that The Lord becomes indebted to his devotees.
When Chaitanya Mahaprabhu took sannyasa Shrivasa Pandit returned to Kumara Hatta and lived there. Now and then he and his brothers would go to Jagannatha Puri to have darshan of Mahaprabhu. Sometimes he would go to Nabadwipa-Mayapura to see Sachidevi, and at that time he would stay in his house there for a few days.
When Chaitanya Mahaprabhu returned to Bengal from Jagannatha Puri after five years of his sannyasa, he would take darshan of Sachimata and the Ganges he went by Kumarhatta and visited the house of Shrivasa Thakura there. Chaitanya Bhagavata says, "After staying for a few days at the house of Advaita, Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu visited the home and temple of Shrivasa. Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu gave Shrivasa a boon, saying, "There shall never be any poverty or shortage in your home." Shrivasa Pandit with his three brothers always served Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu with great happiness. Shrivasa Pandit is the avatara of Narada Muni. He is a constant associate of the Lord who is plays a role in all of the Lord's important pastimes.
(By-Stephen-Knapp)
That person who was the Vyasa of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's pastimes—Shrimad Vrindavan Das Thakura—speaks of Shrivas Pandit in his Shri Chaitanya Bhagavata:
"In Navadwip Dham lived the holy Pandit Shri Shrivas,
And at his temple Caitanya performed his sweet vilas.
Srivas and his brothers always sang the holy name,
And did their Krishna-puja and Ganges bath three times a day."
Shrivas, Shrirama, Shripati and Shrinidhi were four brothers. They used to live in Shri Hatta, but after some time they moved to Navadwip Dham and lived there. The four brothers used to go to the house of Advaita Acharya to listen to the Bhagavatam class, to perform Nam-sankirtan, and to participate in different Vaishnava activities. They were all great friends with Shri Jagannatha Mishra, the father of Shri Chaitanya. The four of them used to love to hear the Bhagavatam and perform sankirtan together. As a result of their devotion, they could understand that Shri Krishna Himself would soon appear in the house of Jagannatha Mishra. Shrivas Pandit's wife was Malinidevi. She was the contant friend of Sachidevi and the two of them would derive great satisfaction in one another's company.
Seeing the terrible situation of the living entities in Kaliyuga, the devotees were greatly distressed, and, in order to deliver the fallen souls, began to pray for the appearance of God Himself. The Lord heard the prayers of his devotees. In 1407 Saka era, in the month of Phalguana, on the full moon night Shri Hari Himself advented in the home of Jagannatha Mishra in Mayapura. With his appearance in this world, everything became auspicious. The world was filled with the holy name. When Shri Advaita, who came from Shantipura, could understand that Shri Hari himself had appeared, he went to Shrivasa and all the other devotees and made them understand as well the importance of His divine appearance. Shrivas Pandit's wife Malini was devoted to Sachidevi and took care of her like a personal nurse. Shrivas Pandit was constantly at the house of Jagannatha Mishra; it was as if he was Jagannatha Mishra's shadow.
What the Supreme Lord may do from one moment to the next even he himself may not know; how than can anyone else understand his movements? At the time of Mahaprabhu's childhood, he exhibited many supernatural pastimes, but being bewildered by the Lord's Yogamaya potency, the devotees could not understand them. At the time of his advent all the hearts of the devotees were filled with parental affection. Shrivas Pandita and Malini Devi, in nurturing and raising up the darling boy of Shachi Devi and Jagannatha Mishra gave him instruction on many subjects. And so, Shri Gaurasundara came to accept Shrivasa Pandit and Malini Devi as a second mother and father.
One day, during the time of Mahaprabhu's impudent schoolboy pranks and his pastimes of scholarship, Shrivasa Pandit came to the boy and instructed him as follows: "Why do people study? What do they really want to know and understand? What is the true object of knowledge? Krishna and Krishna-bhakti. For if one studies so many subjects, but has no understanding of Krishna, all his learning is useless. You are reading and studying and hearing so many lectures on different subjects. But you should perform Krishna-bhajan and apply your intelligence to that." Hearing this, mahaprabhu smiled and said, "By your mercy it shall certainly come to pass. By your mercy I shall certainly attain Krishna bhakti."
At length, Mahaprabhu, having gone to the holy city of Gaya where He accepted mantra initiation from Ishvara Puri, began to play the role for which he had come to this world. He began to manifest prema-bhakti within this world. One day, Mahaprabhu, manifesting his mood of the Supreme Controller, God Himself, came to the house of Shrivas Thakura and spoke as follows: "To whom have you performed worship? On whom have you meditated? Now see Him! Look upon the object of your worship! Shirvasa! Who have you worshipped? Look directly upon Him whom you have worshipped." Saying these words, Mahaprabhu entered the Deity room of Vishnu and boldly sat upon the altar, manifesting a four-armed form with conch, lotus, club, and chakra. Upon seeing Chaitanya Mahparabhu in this divine form, Shrivas Pandit was shocked and paralyzed with wonder.
At that time the Lord told Shrivas, "I have heard your loud Sankirtan and Advaita's roaring of the holy name of Krishna! And hearing their calls I have left Vaikuntha and appeared here in this material world with my eternal associates. I have come to punish the wicked and deliver the saintly. If you want to become fearless perform my sankirtan. Listening to these fearless words of Mahaprabhu Shrivasa Pandit fell to the earth offering his prostrated obeisances and recited the following prayers:
"Unto the lotus feet of Shri Chaitanya Vishvambhara
(whose dress is like a yellow cloud) I make my namaskara.
I bow before that Krishna (who is mother Sachi's son)
Bedecked with gunja-mala and peacock plume, bright as the sun,
Bright as a million moons whose cooling rays eclipse the stars;
To Ganga Das Pandit's Nimai, a hundred namaskaras.
With horn of buffalo, and cowherd stick, and bamboo flute,
Lord Krishna played, and you are He, the Godhead, Supreme Truth.
The Vedas sing the glories of Krishna—Nanda Kumara;
And thou art he, and so before your feet, my namaskara.
My birth and work have reached complete fulfillment here today.
My life has dawned anew, auspiciousness is mine today.
My ancestors have surely found salvation on this day.
My home and wealth have reached their true perfection on this day.
My fortune knows no earthly bounds upon this holy day--
The blissful vision of your holy feet blessed me today."
In this way, Shrivasa offered different prayers and hymns. Shri Chaitanya Maharpabhu was very kind to Shrivas, and within the house of Shrivasa he gave darshan of his divine form to all his eternal associates and devotees. When Shrivasa Pandit's niece Narayani came before him, Mahaprabhu, upon seeing her, said, "Narayani, chant Krishna, Krishna!" Chaitanya Bhagvata records, "Although she was only a four year old girl, her behavior was unusual. Chanting "Krishna, Krishna!" again and again, she fell on the ground stunned in ecstasy with tears in her eyes."
The little girl, Narayani, was stunned in ecstasy and chanted Krishna again and again with tears in her eyes. Seeing her tears of ecstasy, Shrivasa Pandit's wife as well as all the other devotees also cried tears of ecstasy. As a consequence, Shrivasa Angana was filled with a wonderful and beautiful impression of Krishna-prema.
In the house of Shrivasa there was a maidservant named Dukhi (unhappy). Every day she would bring water to bathe Mahaprabhu. One day the Lord asked Shrivasa, "Who is bringing this water?" Shrivasa said, "Dukhi is bringing the water." The Lord said, "From now own her name will be Sukhi (happy). Since she is engaged in service to Bhagavan and the Vaishnavas, she cannot be Dukhi (unhappy). She must be Sukhi (happy).
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu performed many different pastimes in the house of Shrivasa. Gradually, Nityananda Prabhu came to Nabadwip dham and met Shri Chaitanya. In the company of Shri Nityananda Prabhu, Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu began performing different Sankirtana pastimes. Their Sankirtana headquarters was Shrivas Angan. Shri Nityananda Prabhu Himself personally resided at Shrivasa Angan, and Shri Malini Devi, the wife of Shrivasa served Him as if he were her very own son. Nityananda Prabhu is Baladev Himself. He used to perform the pastimes of an avadhuta. He would dwell in the plane of Krishna prema, always overwhelmed by divine ecstasy. He was never burdened by any consideration of bodily ornamentation. Thus he was known as an avadhuta.
One day, Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, along with his personal expansions and eternal associates, went to the house of Shrivasa to perform Sankirtan and dance. At that time the only son of Shrivasa became stricken with some unusual ailment and passed away. Within the ladies chambers all the women were crying and lamenting with great sobs and weeping and wailing. Shrivasa Pandit, understanding everything, entered into the ladies chambers. There he saw that his son had passed away, returning to the spiritual abode. With supreme gravity, this great knower of divine truth consoled the women. "You all know the glories of Krishna," he said, "Therefore, please don't cry. Check your tears. Even a great sinner who hears the holy name at the time of death attains the divine abode of Krishna. That very Krishna Himself—whose glories are sung by his servants like Brahma and Shiva—is dancing among you. It is certain, therefore, that this boy has returned to the Lord's supreme abode. Why then should there be any cause for lamentation. At this time you should rather honor this boy as one who was blessed with the supreme good fortune of attaining the ultimate goal of life."
In this way, Shrivasa Thakura, after giving many different instructions on divine truth to the ladies, finally said, "If you are unable to check your family sentiment and stop crying right now, I will give you good reason to cry later. At this moment, Shri Gaurasundara, the Lord of Gokula Himself, is performing sankirtan with his devotees in my house. If by your crying you disturb his happiness for one moment, then I shall immediately go jump in the Ganges and give up my life by drowning!"
"It is by Krishna's will alone that every blade of grass moves. Nothing comes to pass without his will. Whatever we may imagine to be good, bad, knowledge, or ignorance is all his will. Knowing whatever Krishna wants to be divine good, reject your own desires as so much useless garbage. Lord Krishna gives, and Krishna takes away. Krishna protects and nurtures all. Krishna gives life and takes it away according to his will. According to his will everything lives and dies. To contradict the will of God will be a useless attempt. It will only bring sorrow. Therefore, giving up all your lamentation, listen to the holy name of Krishna; by doing so you will attain the highest ecstasy and completely fulfill your heart's desire.
After giving all these instructions, Shrivasa Thakura went outside and rejoined the great kirtan of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in which the Lord was absorbed in singing the holy name of Krishna and dancing. Leaving the thought of their dead child behind, the ladies listened to the kirtan of Shri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. In this way the kirtan continued until late at night. The sankirtan gradually came to an end and everyone rested. At that time Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said, "Today within my mind I felt that some great sorrow has struck this house." Shrivasa Pandit said, "O my Lord, how can there be any sorrow here? You have brought the highest delight to this house by the sweet kirtan that has emanated from your lotus mouth."
The Lord said, "Shrivasa, how is it that there was no ananda in the kirtan today? Has something inauspicious befallen your family?" Shrivasa said, "O my Lord! You are all-auspicious. As long as you are present here how can anything inauspicious take place? At last the devotees came to know that Shrivasa Thakur's only son had just died.
Upon hearing this, Lord Gauranga cried, "Alas, alas! The thought of this great tragedy pains me worse than death. Why did you not tell me of this most unfortunate event?" At this, Shrivasa Pandit said, "Hear me, O Lord; I could not break the flow of your rasa-kirtan. A body died, O Lord, what need is there for sorrow? If everyone in the universe had died, I would still experience the greatest happiness just by looking upon You. If I had broken the flow of your kirtan and stopped you from dancing, taht would have been a fate worse than death. And so I did not want to disturb your kirtan, for fear of the great disaster that would have taken place as a result of such ugly talk."
Seeing such deep determination in Shrivasa Thakura, Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu began to weep. He said, "Not knowing of this lamentation for the son of Shrivasa, but bewildered by the ecstasy of Krishna-prema, how could I renounce such association?" Hearing these words, everyone thought deeply within themselves.
After this, Mahaprabhu went to the place where the dead child lay and touched him, saying, "O boy! Why did you renounce Shrivasa Pandit and go away?" At his touch, life returned to the boy and, after offering obeisances to Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the boy said, "O my Lord! You are the creator and destroyer of everything. You give life and take it away. You are the Supreme Lord of all. Nothing can be done without your decree. As long as it is decreed by you, one can stay here; when you decree, they can no longer remain. When your sanction for our short stay on earth is removed we must move on. O Lord. Many times I have taken birth, and many times I have died. But this time is different. This time I died while having darshan of your beautiful lotus feet, and so I have left this earth in complete happiness."
Saying this, the boy fell silent, having satisfied the inquiry of Shri Gauranga Mahaprabhu. Hearing this unprecedented discourse from the mouth of the dead child, everyone was astonished and all the devotees floated in the waves of the ocean of bliss. In this way, beholding the wondrous pastimes of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Shrivasa Pandit fell before the lotus feet of the Lord and wept tears of ecstasy. Whereupon Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said, "Nityananda and I are your two sons. Always think of this and you will never experience the sorrow of having lost a son. Nityananda and I are your sons. Therefore why should you lament?" Hearing these words of mercy, the devotees filled the four directions with cries of joy. Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Shri Nityananda Prabhu were indebted to Shrivasa on account of his devotion and service. This is proof that The Lord becomes indebted to his devotees.
When Chaitanya Mahaprabhu took sannyasa Shrivasa Pandit returned to Kumara Hatta and lived there. Now and then he and his brothers would go to Jagannatha Puri to have darshan of Mahaprabhu. Sometimes he would go to Nabadwipa-Mayapura to see Sachidevi, and at that time he would stay in his house there for a few days.
When Chaitanya Mahaprabhu returned to Bengal from Jagannatha Puri after five years of his sannyasa, he would take darshan of Sachimata and the Ganges he went by Kumarhatta and visited the house of Shrivasa Thakura there. Chaitanya Bhagavata says, "After staying for a few days at the house of Advaita, Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu visited the home and temple of Shrivasa. Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu gave Shrivasa a boon, saying, "There shall never be any poverty or shortage in your home." Shrivasa Pandit with his three brothers always served Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu with great happiness. Shrivasa Pandit is the avatara of Narada Muni. He is a constant associate of the Lord who is plays a role in all of the Lord's important pastimes.