Sri Syamananda prabhu
Those who know the associates of Sri Gauranga to be eternally liberated souls
will attain their place by the side of the son of the king of Vraja.
Sri Syamananda Prabhu, Srinivasa Acarya and Sri Narottama dasa Thakura were the
internal associates of Sri Gaurasundara. They incarnated in this world in order
to spread the teachings of Sri Gaura-Krsna after His departure from it.
Sri Syamananda made his appearance at Utkala in the village of Dharenda
Bahadurpur. His father's name was Sri Krsna Mandal and his mother's name was Sri
Durika. Sri Krsna 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 Sri Gaura-Nityananda from the Vaishnavas of his
village, a very deep attachment to Their lotus feet developed in him.
Sri Krsna 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, "Sri Hrdaya Caitanya is my guru. He is at Ambika Kalna. His
guru is Sri Gauri dasa Pandita. The two brothers, Sri 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."
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. Sri
Hrdaya Caitanya happened to be passing by at this time. Hrdaya Caitanya 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 Sri Krsna
Mandal. My name is Duhkhiya."
Sri Hrdaya Caitanya was very pleased by this sweet speech. He told the boy,
"From now your name is Krsna das. Since early this morning I was feeling that
someone would come today."
Sri Krsna dasa began his service with great devotion, and on an auspicious day
his guru initiated him into the divine mantra. Sri Hrdaya Caitanya 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 Srila Jiva Gosvami. Sri Krsna 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.
Duhkhi Krsna das first came to Navadwipa. After inquiring from someone as to the
whereabouts of Sri Jagannatha Misra Bhavan, he came there and went inside.
Seeing Sri 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 Sri Visnu there. He remembered
Mahaprabhu's lila of accepting initiation from Sri Isvara 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 Sri Adikesava and rolled on the ground in the dust of the birthplace
of Sri Krsna. From here he proceeded towards Vrindavana where, after learning
the where abouts of Srila Jiva Gosvami, he offered his obeisances to the lotus
feet of that great acarya. 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 Krsna das to your care. Please fulfill his mind's desire
and send him back to me after some time.'"
Srila Jiva Gosvami was extremely happy to receive Duhkhi Krsna dasa into his
care. Krsna das very carefully began to serve Jiva Gosvami as well as study the
literatures of the Gosvamis.
Srinivasa Acarya and Narottama dasa Thakura also came to Sri Jiva at this time
to study under him. Thus Krsna das had the opportunity to meet them.
Krsna das requested Srila Jiva Gosvami for a special service. Sri 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 Sri Sri 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
Krsna das, and desired to grant him Their darshan. One day while Krsna 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 Srimati
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 Krsna das
sweeping the grove. She asked him, "Have you found an ankle bracelet here?"
Duhkhi Krsna 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 Krsna 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 Srimati Radha Thakurani who
stood in the shade at the foot of a large tree. Visakha called out to Krsna dasa,
"Bhakta, the person who lost her ankle bracelet has come to receive it."
Duhkhi Krsna das completely forgot himself while gazing, even though it was from
some distance, at the unparalleled, brilliant splendor of Sri Vrsabhanunandini.
In great joy he handed the ankle bracelet to Visakha. At this point, Duhkhi
Krsna dasa could sense hat 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 Krsna 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 Srimati Radha Thakurani, and the new sakhi fell down at
Her lotus feet. Then Srimati 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, Srimati Radha Thakurani and
Her sakhis were no longer to be seen. Dukhi Krsna dasa's trance broke and he
found himself as before, alone and in his male body: yet with the tilaka applied
by Srimati 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 Sri Radhika, he finally
returned to Srila Jiva Gosvami. Sri 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 Krsna dasa, his eyes brimming with
tears, recounted at Jiva Goswami's request his experience in Sevakunja. Hearing
of his great fortune, Sri 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 Krsna 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 Caitanya
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 Krsna dasa, Syamananda came and offered his prostrated obeisances at
his gurudeva's lotus feet. Seeing his disciple's tilaka, Hrdaya Caitanya Prabhu
was enraged and exclaimed, "Your conduct towards me is completely abominable."
He continued to chastise him and eventually even began beating him. The
Vaishnavas finally managed to restrain and pacify him by offering various
explanations on Syamananda's behalf. Shyamananda simply tolerated it all with an
unfaded countenance and continued to serve his gurudeva faithfully.
That night, Sri Hrdaya Caitanya Prabhu had a dream in which Sri Radha Thakurani
appeared in a very severe mood. She rebuked him by saying, "I am the one who,
being very satisfied by Dukhi Krsna dasa's service, changed his tilaka and his
name. What do you or anyone else have to say about it?" Hrdaya Caitanya Prabhu
prayed for forgiveness at the lotus feet of Sri Vrajesvari and considered what
an offender he had become.
The next morning he called for Syamananda. Taking 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."
Sri Hrdaya Caitanya Prabhu remained at Vrajadhama for a while and then, after
instructing Syamananda to remain with Sri Jiva Gosvami for some more days, he
returned to Gaudadesa.
Sri Syamananda, Srinivasa and Sri 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 Sri Krsna 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 Srila 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 Srila 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 Acarya
prabhu remained behind to recover the books while Narottama continued on towards
Kheturi and Shyamananda proceeded to Ambika Kalna. Arriving there, Syamananda
paid his obeisances to his guru, and Sri Hrday Caitanya 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 Caitanya in Orissa
had all passed away. Thus the preaching of Mahaprabhu's teachings had all but
come to a halt. Hrdaya Caitanya Prabhu considered this a very serious problem
and finally instructed Syamananda 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 Sri Hrdaya Caitanya Prabhu explained clearly
that he had other alternative but to accept this order on his head.
Syamananda set out for Utkaladesh (Orissa). After entering Orissa he first went
to his birth place at Dharenda Bahadurpur. The villagers were overjoyed to see
him after so many years. He remained there for some days and preached Krsna
consciousness, the result of which was that many people became attracted and
took shelter at his lotus feet. From there he came to Dandeshwar, where his
father, Sri Krsna Mandal, had previously resided. The people there were
similarly delighted to receive him and a festival of Hari katha was held there
for a few days. Here also many people were attracted by his spiritual potency
and became his disciples. Thus, by the auspicious arrival of Syamananda Prabhu
in Utkala the teachings of Mahaprabhu revived.
On the banks of the Suvarna Rekha River lived one pious and devoted landholder
by the name Sri Acyuta deva. His only son was called Rasik. From his very
childhood Rasik was very devoted to Lord Krsna. As he gradually attained the
appropriate, age his father engaged some panditas to see to his education.
However he didn't have much regard for material knowledge. He had already
ascertained that the greatest goal in life is devotion to Lord Hari. Rasik
became anxious to take shelter at the lotus feet of a bonafide spiritual master.
One day as he was sitting alone, contemplating on this subject, when he heard a
divine voice: "Rasik! Don't be in anxiety anymore. Very soon a very great
personality of the name Syamananda will arrive here. Just take shelter of his
lotus feet."
Hearing this, Rasika was encouraged and took to continuously waiting and
watching for the arrival of Prabhu Syamananda. After a few days Shyamananda
prabhu, accompanied by his disciples, came to the village of Rohini, situated
very beautifully on the banks of the Suvarna Rekha River. Rasik's happiness knew
no bounds. After offering his prostrated obeisances, he very humbly led
Syamananda prabhu into his house and worshipped his lotus feet along with his
family members, wife and sons, who all surrendered completely to Shyamananda.
On an auspicious day Syamananda prabhu initiated Rasika into the Radha-Krsna
mantra and Sri Rasik Deva began a festival of namasankirtan in his home. He
invited all of his friends as well as the tenants of his estates and everyone
was so attracted by the teachings of Sri Gaura Nityananda, as expounded by
Syamananda prabhu, that they immediately wanted to take shelter at his lotus
feet. Thus many people of Rohini became disciples of Syamananda prabhu.
There lived a very well known yogi in Rohini by the name Damodara. One day he
came to have darsana of Syamananda prabhu. He became captivated. Even from a
distance he saw a brilliant effulgence emanating from his body. Coming closer he
offered salutations at the Acarya's lotus feet. Syamananda in turn offered his
greetings. With tears in his eyes, Shyamananda requested the yogi, "In your
purified state you should always chant the holy names of Sri Gaura-Nityananda.
They are extremely merciful, and they will bestow upon you love of Krsna."
Hearing these statements of the Acarya, the yogi Damodara's mind became softened
in love, and he replied, "I will worship the lotus feet of Gaura Nityananda.
Please be merciful to me." And so the Acarya blessed him. Thus the yogi became a
great devotee and continuously sang the glories of Gaura-Nityananda with tears
in his eyes.
Many wealthy gentlemen lives in the village of Balarampur. When they heard of
the glories of Syamananda, they became very eager to see him, and a few came to
beseech him to visit their town. Syamananda very mercifully accepted their
invitation and, with Rasikananda, Damodar and some of his other disciples, he
very triumphantly entered Balarampur, where the noble and up right citizens very
ecstatically received him by worshipping his lotus feet and making arrangements
for his meal. A festival of Hari-katha was held over the next few days during
which many people accepted shelter at his lotus feet.
From here Sri Syamananda Prabhu went to Sri Nrsimhapur, where many atheists
lived. But when Syamananda stayed a few days, these atheists got the chance to
hear his necterian talks, which melted their hard hearts in love for Krsna.
Thus, in this place also, he gained many disciples.
Day by day the glories of Syamananda spread throughout Utkaladesa. From
Nrsimhapur he came to Gopiballabhpur. Here again, many well to do people were
attracted to his lotus feet and so took shelter there. The people here
especially requested him to install the Sri Vigraha of Radha-Krsna. Thus from
their contributions, a temple for the deity complete with a hall for sankirtana,
a kitchen, quarters for the devotees, a pond (bathing tank) and surrounding
gardens were constructed.
Thereafter Acarya Sri Syamananda performed the installation of Sri Sri
Radha-Govinda and a great festival was held at which it seemed the greater part
of the population of Bengal, Orissa was present. Seeing the graceful, sweet
loveliness of the transcendental forms of Sri Radha and Govinda, the peoples'
hearts were fully satisfied. Syamananda Prabhu entrusted Sri Rasikananda with
the worship. After traveling throughout the length and breath of Orissa and
preaching the message of Sri Gaura-Nityananda, Syamananda returned to the lotus
feet of Sri Hrdaya Caitanya Prabhu at Ambika Kalna. After offering his
prostrated obeisances at the lotus feet of his guru, Syamananda narrated how the
victory banner of Sri Gaura Nitai was now flying throughout Utkaladesa. Sri
Hrdaya Caitanya very affectionately embraced him in gratitude.
Syamananda was invited to the festival at Kheturi, which he attended with his
disciples. Once again he was united with his old friends Srinivasa and Sri
Narottama. These three floated in an ocean of happiness as they exchanged
affections and embraces. Sri Jahnava Mata, Sri Raghunanandana Thakura, Sri
Acyutananda, Sri Vrindavana dasa Thakura, as well as many other stalwart leaders
of the preaching mission of Mahaprabhu of this time, were also present. After
the conclusion of the celebrations, Syamananda took leave from the Vaishnavas
there and set out for Utkaladesa.
When he came to Kantaknagar, he again met with Srinivasa Acarya Prabhu, and in
Jajigram he saw Sri Raghunandana Thakura once more. He was informed that by this
time many of the last remaining personal associates of Mahaprabhu had recently
disappeared from this world.
Gradually, Syamananda Prabhu entered Utkaladesa. Along the way he stayed at the
homes of different devotees and blessed them with his mercy. In this way he
again came to Gopiballabhpur. Here he received the news that his guru, Sri
Hrdaya Caitanya prabhu, had also departed from this world, he fainted dead away.
After recovering his consciousness, he wept for some time, terribly distraught.
Sri Hrdaya Caitanya appeared to him in a dream and comforted him.
The greatness of Syamananda became known throughout all of Orissa and the
worship of Sri Gaura-Nityananda was inaugurated in many, many places. Sri Rasika
Murari, Sri Radhananda, Sri Purusottama, Sri Manohara, Cintamani, Balabhadra,
Sri Jagadisvara, Sri Uddhava, Akrura Madhurana, Sri Govinda, Sri Jagannatha,
Gadadhar, Anandanandana and Sri Radha Mohan were among the intimate and dear
disciples of Sri Syamananda prabhu.
After conquering in all directions Syamananda returned to Gopi-ballabhpur where
he observed a great festival for some days. Then he came to Uddanda Raya Bhui's
house, at Nrsimhapur where he held a great festival. On the first day of the
dark fortnight in the month of Asar Sri Syamananda Prabhu left this world.
Syamananda Prabhu's puspa samadhi and the place where he found Srimati
Radharani's ankle bracelet is just across the street from Sri Sri
Radha-Syamsundara's temple in Vrndavana. Sri Sri Radha-Syamsundara are his
worshippable Deities.
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
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