Sri Rasikananda Deva Goswami
In the Christian year 1590 (Sakabda 1512), on the first day of the bright
fortnight of the month of Kartik, during the night of the festival Dipamalika,
when the houses are decorated with rows of lamps, Sri Rasikananda Deva made his
appearance in this world. His father was Sri Acyuta Deva, the king of Rohini.
After passing many years without having a male issue, Sri Acyuta Deva, by the
mercy of Sri Jagadisa (Jagannath), was blessed with this jewel of a son. The
village of Rohini or Royni was situated within the country known as Mallabhumi,
encompassed on one side by the Suvarnarekha River (Suvarna meaning golden and
rekha, a line). This Suvarnarekha River cleansed the sins of all the local
people. Near Royni was another village of the name Barayita, by the side of
which flowed the Dolanganadi River, whose banks were adorned with beautiful
gardens. Raja Acyuta Deva very affectionately maintained his subjects and was
famous for impeccably observing the rites attendant upon kings. In the village
of Royni the son of King Acyuta appeared as the sun appears in the eastern sky
and became dearly beloved by the people. He was known as Rasikananda and also
Murari. As he grew up, shining qualities appeared by degrees in his person that
caused the further exaltation of his family, just as the waxing moon gradually
expands its influence in the night sky and causes the sea to rise. At a very
young age he became quite proficient in all of the scriptures. He was very
devoted to his parents, especially his mother, whose name was Bhavani. His
father married him at very young age. Murari's wife Syamadasi was a mine of good
character who hailed from the village of Ghonta Sila, not far from Royni on the
banks of the Suvarna Rekha, where in days of old the Pandavas had lived in
exile. One day, Murari was sitting in a lonely place, wondering when and where
he might become so fortunate as to get shelter at the lotus feet of a spiritual
preceptor. Just then a voice from the sky addressed him, "Don't be in anxiety,
you will become the disciple of Sri Syamananda." Having heard this proclamation,
Rasik Murari became very jubilant, and began to repeatedly murmur the name
Syamananda, as though chanting japa. From moment to moment his eagerness
increased without diminition, as tears flowed from his eyes by his chanting of
the name of Syamananda. He was in such a state that he spend most of the night
sleeplessly, calling to his master Syamananda. Finally, towards the early
morning, he drifted off to the land of dreams, where he saw his spiritual
master, the very figure of charm and grace. Smilingly, Syamananda informed him,
"When tomorrow the eastern sky becomes tinged with pink, you will obtain me."
Saying this, Syamananda disappeared. Rasikananda's heart began to swell in
ecstatic bliss. Then, with the first rays of morning which dispel the dense
darkness of the world, the wise Murari sat silently watching the path. After
some time Syamananda approached from the distance, looking as beautifully
effulgent as the sun and surrounded by his disciples like Sri Kishora dasa and
others. His smiling face was like the lotus flower that opens to greet its
friend the sun, and his chest was as broad as a door. His captivating appearance
was made all the more irresistable by the sweet sounds of 'Sri Krsna
Caitanya-Nityananda' emanating from his lotus mouth. Absorbed in intense love he
moved along the path like the clouds move in the sky. When Rasika caught sight
of this divine form, he fell down in front of him to touch his lotus feet. In
great ecstasy Shyamananda embraced him and began to bathe him with his tears of
ecstatic love. Sri Rasika Murari then felt himself to be one of the most
fortunate living beings within this universe. On an auspicious day Syamananda
initiated Rasika and his wife in Radha-Krsna mantra. After that, Rasikananda
began to travel with his guru, during which time he became a very intimate
disciple. Syamananda then bestowed upon him the service of Sri Radha- Govinda
Deva at Sri Gopiballabhapur. Rasikananda became totally engaged in their
Lordships service, and the devotees were charmed by his excellent services. At
Gopiballabhpur and other places he began to seriously take up the preaching of
the message of Sri Gaura-Nityananda. By his influence many atheists and
unbelievers were transformed into devotees of Sri Gaura-Nityananda. "By the
tremendous influence of Rasikananda's preaching, many rogues, robbers and
atheists were delivered from their sinful activities and received his mercy. He
distributed the jewel of devotion even to the infidel Mohammedans, as he
travelled from village to village, in the company of his disciples. He even
converted the wild elephant which was sent for his destruction into his disciple
and engaged him in the service of Krsna and the Vaisnavas. That wicked miscreant
who sent the elephant, a Mohammedan, bowed at his feet when he realised his
mistake. It is not possible to count the number of living entities that were
extricated from the ocean of material existence by Rasikananda Deva's
association. He was always intoxicated with the chanting of the Holy Name. Who
cannot but be overwhelmed by hearing about his uncommon qualities?" [B.R. 15.86]
By Sri Rasikananda's mercy many Mohammedans, who were actually just impious and
wicked atheists, became worshipers of the Supreme Lord. Also many virtuous kings
and zamindars such as the king of Mayurbhanj named Vaidyanatha Bhanj, the king
of Patashpur known as Gajapati and Candrabhanu, the king of Moyna, took shelter
at his lotus feet. What to speak of those pious and noble gentlemen, even the
sinful zamindar Bhima, the Mohammedan Suba Ahmadbeg and the wicked atheist
Srikar also surrendered themselves at his lotus feet. A vicious, wild elephant
was tamed by Rasikananda's transcendental influence and henceforward was known
as Gopala das. Later, two jungle tigers likewise gave up their ferocious nature.
Accepting the order of his guru, Sri Syamananda, on his head, Rasikananda
preached the message of Sri Gaursundar in the world for approximately 16 years.
Thereafter he entered into his eternal pastimes through the lotus feet of
Gopinatha at Remuna. On the first day of the bright fortnight in the month of
Phalguna, Sakabda 1574 (Christian year 1652), Rasikananda quietly slipped out of
the village Santa without anyone's notice and walked to Remuna. Arriving there,
he discussed Krsna-katha with the devotees there for a while and instructed
everyone to serve Sri Krsna with devotion. Then, after requesting them to begin
sankirtana, he entered the temple of Sri Gopinatha, and after touching
Kshira-chora Gopinatha's lotus feet, which bestow complete fearlessness, he
entered into their ultimate shelter.
Rasikananda prabhu’s samadhi is at the Temple of Kshira-chora Gopinath at Remuna
just in front and to the right as you go in the main gate, with the temple to
the left, and admin’ offices straight ahead.
Sri Rasikananda had three sons: Sri Radhananda, Sri Krsna-Govinda and Sri
Radha-Krsna. The present servants of Sri Sri Radha-Govindadeva at
Gopiballabhapur are their descendents. He composed Sri Shyamananda-sataka,
Srimad Bhagavatastaka as well as other hymns and songs. His Sripat
Gopiballabhpur can be reached from Calcutta by taking a train to Khavagpur, and
a bus to Gopiballabhpur from there. There is also a temple of Rasikananda at
Puri. One year, during Lord Jagannatha's Ratha-yatra festival, Rasikananda Deva
was preaching somewhere in the country, but when he realised that it was time
for Ratha-yatra he dropped everything and rushed like the wind in order to come
to Nilacala in time for the festival.
But in the meantime the festival had already begun. Lord Jagannath, Who felt
reciprocal separation from His dear devotee Rasikananda, caused the Rath to
stop. Though the king summoned his elephants to push the Ratha, under no
circumstances could they budge it, not even an inch. Then Lord Jagannatha,
seeing that the king was becoming frustrated, informed him that he was waiting
for His devotee Rasika. Finally Rasikananda Deva arrived, carrying with him many
offerings of silk clothes and other presents. He fell down to offer his
dandavats before Lord Jagannatha, and the king requested him to pull the rope at
which the cart began to easily move along the road, just as the clouds move in
the sky. Later the king requested Rasikananda to accept a gift of land so he
might establish a temple there. Rasikananda requested the place known as Fultota
Math, which is now known as Kunja Math. There he installed the Deity of Sri Bat
Krsna. The Deity is now known as Sri Sri Radha-Rasika Raya.
Note: Special thanks to Jaya Tirtha Caran prabhu from NZ for allowing us to use some of the content from his site to compile these pages - http://www.hknet.org.nz
Home
| About the Calendar
| Desktop Reminder Program Downloads
Desktop
Reminder CSV Location Files |
Add the Calendar to Your
Website | Tell a
Friend
Look up
Future Events - Web Calendar Community
Poster
Info - Festivals, Personalities, Ekadasi |
Links
| Contact
Us
