At Kanai Natshala

Srila Prabhupada’s auspicious arrival at Kanai Natshala:

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Prabhupada took the Kashi Express from Howrah station on 12th October 1929, at 7.48 pm. His purpose was to set up Sri Chaitanya’s footprint at Kanai Natshala, a place visited by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. 

Srila Prabhupada’s companions:

In this auspicious journey there were Sripad Kunjabihari Vidyabhushana prabhu, Sripad Ananta Vasudeva Paravidyabhusana prabhu, Sripad Rasvihari Brahmachari prabhu, Ratna Vidyalankara Sripad Pramod Bhusana Chakrabarty: the editor of “Dainik Nadiya Prakash”, Sripad Vrajamohan Goswami, Sriyukta Sakhicharan Ray Bhaktivijay, Sriyukta Madan mohan Bhakti-madhukar, Sriyukta Gopal Chandra Roy Bhakti Ratna, Sri Kirtanananda Brahmachari, Sriyukta Yashoda Nandan Bhagavata Bhushan, Sriyukta Krishnadas Roy, Sriyukta Bankimchandra Dasadhikari, Sriyukta Sajjanananda Brahmachari and the editor of “Gaudiya”: Sriyukta Sundarananda Vidyavinod with Srila Prabhupada.

Geographical location of Kanai Natshala 

Kanai Natshala is located on the banks of the Ganges in Rajmahal district of present Jharkhand. The other side of the Ganga is Manikchak in Malda district of West Bengal. From Manikchak, he crossed the Ganges and reached the Rajmahal Ghat by launching. From there he took an autorickshaw upto Mangala Hat. Kanai Natshala is located nearby. Local people call it “Kanaiya sthana” (the place of Krsna). Srila Prabhupada along with his associates took the Kashi Express from Howrah station to Tinpahar station in Jharkhand. Then from there he reached Kanai Natshala via Mangalar Hat.

Construction of Sri Chaitanya’s footprint temple:

Kanai Natshala has an ancient temple and a natya-mandira (temple hall) on the top of a small hill. Inside the temple the deities of Radha-krishna are present. As directed by Srila Prabhupada, the footprint temple was built in the south side adjacent to the temple. In another temple nearby the footprints of Sri Radha & Krishna are present. 

The transcendental scenic beauty of Kanai Natshala:-

At the foot of the mountain to the east, flows the holy river Ganges.The surroundings are adorned with Tamala trees, various vines, creepers, bushes and wild flowers. Bumblebees were humming sweetly. A variety of birds and animals created a natural harmony in this secluded forest. The place stimulates the desire of bhajans and is ideal for sincere bhajananandis (devotees who are exclusively dedicated to bhajana). 

Installation of Sri Chaitanya’s footprint by Srila Prabhupada:-

Om Vishnupada Sri Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupada installed the footprint with his own auspicious hands inside that newly built temple on Sunday, October 13, 1929 AD. The whole forests, rocks, rivers, skies and wind were resonated with the loud jaya-dhvani (victory sound) by the devotees in the name of Sri Guru & Gauranga. Srila Prabhupada first washed Sri Caitanya’s lotus feet in the Ganges water before installing them as archa (worshippable deity). Then he offered Tulasi Manjari, some wild flowers and Ganga water to the footprint deity.

Srila Prabhupada’s supra-mundane trance in Kanai Natshala:-

Srila Prabhupada sat on a rock on the mountain. Suddenly a wonderful ecstasy arose in his mind. A divine expression appeared on his auspicious face. His eyes filled with tears. Goosebumps, trembling, tears and others symptoms of sattvika bhava appeared all over the body. At this moment he indicated Sripad Ananta Vasudeva Vidyabhusana through his gestures to sing Mahaprabhu’s pastimes in this Kanai Natsala. Being instructed by Srila Prabhupada, Ananta Vasudeva prabhu started singing Mahaprabhu’s pastimes in Kanai Natsala from Chaitanya Bhagavata and Chaitanya Charitamrita in beautiful rhythm. 

Srila Prabhupada delivered hari-katha in Kanai Natsala:

Srila Prabhupada became engrossed in transcendental ecstasy while listening to Gaur-lila-kirtan (the singing of Gauranga Mahaprabhu’s pastimes). Then he himself started speaking on Mahaprabhu’s pastimes to the assembled devotees. 

The beginning of Mahaprabhu’s pastimes in separation from Krishna:-

Mahaprabhu went to Gaya dhama to misguide the mundane karmis and smartas. But His original purpose was to set an example of seeking a genuine vaishnava guru and taking refuge at his lotus feet. That is why He visited the lotus foot print of Lord Vishnu in Gaya dhama. On His way back to Navadvipa, He manifested His “atma-prakasha lila” (pastimes of revealing Himself) for the first time. Sri Gaurasundar is the embodiment of the mood of separation. At this very place His pastime of hankering for Krishna and as well as His original mission began. Here Mahaprabhu showed how a person getting initiated by a Vaishnava guru, can easily see Krishna in His divine adolescent boy form.  

prabhu bale,”mohara duhkhera anta nai

paiyao harainu jivana kanai”

Translation: Mahaprabhu said, “I have no end of sorrow. At first I got Kanai, my life. But I lost Him. 

sabara santosha haila rahasya sunite

sraddha Kari sabe basileka chari bhite

Translation: Everybody was eager to hear the mystery. They say surrounding Mahaprabhu with great respect. 

kanayinra natasala nāme eka grama

gaya haite asite dekhinu sei sthana

Translation: There is a village named “Kanai Natasala”. On My way back from Gaya, I visited that village. 

tamala syamala eka valaka sundara

nava gunja sahita kuntala manohara

Translation: I saw a beautiful boy Who has the complexion of Tamala tree. His beautiful hair is adorned with fresh gunja seed. 

vichitra mayura puccha sobhe tadupari

jhalamala manigana dekhite na pari

Translation: There is a colourful peacock-feather on His hair. The jewels allover His body were shining. My eyes were dazzled. 

hātete mohana bansi parama sundara

charane nupura sobhe ati manohara

Translation: He holds the mohana bansi (flute which produces attractive sounds) in His hands. Very beautiful anklets are at His feet.

nila stambha jini bhuja ratna alankara

srivatsa kaustubha vakshe sobhe manihara

Translation: His bluish arms are stronger than stone pillars. On His chest, there are Srivatsa mark, Kaustubha jewel and necklace made of gems. 

ki kahiba se pita dhatira paridhana

makara kundala sobhe kamala nayana

Translation: What to speak of His yellow outfit? In His ears He wears makara (a puranic creature) shaped earings. His eyes are like lotus petals. 

“amara samipe aila hasite hasite

ama alingiya palaila kon bhite

Translation: He was smiling and came to Me. He embraced Me and suddenly disappeared. Where did He go ? 

“kirupe kahena katha gaura sundare

tara kripa bina keha bujhite na pare”

Translation: What Mahaprabhu is talking about? Nobody could understand except those who attained His mercy. 

“kahite kahite murchha gela visvambhara

parila ha Krsna Bali prithibi upara

Translation: by telling this Mahaprabhu Visvambhara lost His consciousness and fell down on earth saying “ha krsna” (oh krsna!) 

athe byathe jhare sabe krsna krsna bali

sthira kari jharilena sri angera dhuli

Translation: Immediately everybody caught Him and started uttering the names of Lord Krsna. They cooled Him down and shook off the dust from His body. 

sthira haileo prabhu sthira nahi haya

kotha krshna, kotha krsna baliya kāndaya

Translation: Although He became quiet, He was not pacified. He was crying by saying, “Where is Krsna”, “Where is Krsna?” 

(Chaitanya Bhagavata, Madhya, Chapter 2) 

Mahaprabhu came here in Kanai Natshala for the first time on His way back to Navadvipa from Gaya in 1426 Shaka era.

Mahaprabhu’s arrival at village Ramkeli and meeting with Sri Rupa and Sanatana:-

After accepting the renounce order, Mahaprabhu first went to Nilachal. Then He expressed His desire to go to Vrindavan and came to Gauda-mandala from Nilachal. At Bidyanagar, He met Vidya Vachaspati, the son of Mahesvara Visharada and brother of Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya. He spent five days at his place. Seeing the large crowd there, Mahaprabhu left the place at night and came to Kulia, the present city of Nabadwip. From Kulia He started for Sri Vrindavan. A large number of people were anxious to see Mahaprabhu and started following the Him. On His way, Mahaprabhu came to the village of Ramakeli on the banks of the Ganges. At that time, Sri Rupa & Sanatana were known as “Dabir Khas” and “Sakar Mallik”. They were the chief assistant in the administration of Hussain Shah’s kingdom.

King Hussain Shah of Gauda paid his respects to Mahaprabhu:-

The Badshah, Hussain Shah heard about the influence of the Mahaprabhu. He gave the order to his employees not to create any kind of obstacle wherever He would like to go. In fact he considered Mahaprabhu as ‘God’. Meanwhile, a Kshatriya servant of the king, Keshav, secretly sent a Brahmin to request Mahaprabhu to leave the capital of the yavana king and go elsewhere. Dabir Khas and Sakar Mallik put on a disguise and came to see the lotus feet of Mahaprabhu with the help of Sri Nityananda and Haridasa at midnight. Mahaprabhu accepted them as His former servants and gave the name “Rupa” and “Sanatana” respectively. While leaving Sri Sanatana prayed to Mahaprabhu to move away from Ramkeli soon. Sri Sanatana prayed to Mahaprabhu to leave Ramkeli soon. Although the king showed his respect to Mahaprabhu, yet he is non-hindu. He cannot be trusted. 

Sri Sanatana prohibits Mahaprabhu from going to Vrindavan:-

Sri Sanatana further said to Mahaprabhu, “My Lord, please no longer advance towards Vrindavan; It is not good to have so many people on a pilgrimage.

“yāṅra saṅge haya ei loka lakṣa koṭi

vṛndāvana yāibāra ei nahe paripāṭī”

Translation: ‘It is not appropriate for one to be followed by a crowd of thousands when going to Vṛndāvana.’ 

Under the rule of a non-hindu king, the internal condition of the state had deteriorated further. Sanatana Goswami was devoted to the service of the Lord and equal to Brihaspati in intellect. So he advised Mahaprabhu to leave the place. Mahaprabhu is the master of all fourteen planets. Even the fear itself feels afraid of Him. But Mahaprabhu was manifesting human-like pastimes and behaved like an ordinary human being. Especially He wanted to appreciate Sanatana’s concern and his intense mood of service towards Him. Therefore He gave up the journey to Vrindavan and even the desire to see Lord Krishna’s deities there. 

Mahaprabhu’s affection for His devotees:-

The wonderful exchanges between the Lord and His devotees is a matter of perception only for the devotees. A devotee can even give up his pilgrimage, Kshetra sannyasa and regular deity worship for serving the Lord directly. And the Lord also gives up going to Vrindavan at once to reveal the glory of the devotee’s mood of service and love. After this meeting and discussion with Srila Sanatana at night, Mahaprabhu arrived at the Kanai Natshala in the next morning and saw the pastimes of Krsna there.

The wonderful service of Sri Nrisimhananda Brahmachari:-

Meanwhile, at the time when Mahaprabhu decided to go to Sri Vrindavan from Kulia, Nrsimhananda Brahmachari thought that the route to Vrindavan must be impassable. Therefore he started meditation. And in his trance he began to build a road from Kulia (now Municipal Town Nabadwip) to Vrindavan for Mahaprabhu. He thought that if the Lord walks on the thorny and pebbled path, His tender feet would be hurt. Therefore Sri Nrisimhananda made a flower path for Mahaprabhu  with delicate stalkless flowers through his bhava. Nrisimhananda planted bakula trees in rows on both sides of the path to prevent the heat of the sun. Both the cool shade and the fragrance of the bakula flowers will provide comfort to the Lord. If the Lord feels thirsty during travel, Nrisimhananda excavated divine lakes full of nectarine water and blossoming lotuses in them. He constructed ghatas (steps leading down to the lakes) with various kinds of jewels. The lakes were surrounded by birds singing melodiously. The air was fragrant with the mild smell of flowers. He arranged everything for the service of the Lord. When Nrisimhananda constructed the road in his meditation starting from Kulia to Kanai Natshala close to Gauda, his meditation broke. Then he made a prophecy and said to the devotees, “This time Mahaprabhu will only go upto Kanai Natshala, not Vrindavan. You will know this later.”

“vṛndāvana yābena prabhu śuni’ nṛsiṁhānanda

patha sājāila mane pāiyā ānanda

Translation: When Śrī Nṛsiṁhānanda Brahmacārī heard that Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu would go to Vṛndāvana, he became very pleased and mentally began decorating the way there.

kuliyā nagara haite patha ratne bāndhāila

nivṛnta puṣpa-śayyā upare pātila

Translation: First Nṛsiṁhānanda Brahmacārī contemplated a broad road starting from the city of Kuliyā. He bedecked the road with jewels, upon which he then laid a bed of stemless flowers.

“pathe dui dike puṣpa-bakulera śreṇī

madhye madhye dui-pāśe divya puṣkariṇī”

Translation: He mentally decorated both sides of the road with bakula flower trees, and at intervals on both sides he placed lakes of a transcendental nature.

ratna-bāṅdhā ghāṭa, tāhe praphulla kamala

nānā pakṣi-kolāhala, sudhā-sama jala

Translation: These lakes had bathing places constructed with jewels, and they were filled with blossoming lotus flowers. There were various birds chirping, and the water was exactly like nectar.

śītala samīra vahe nānā gandha lañā

‘kānāira nāṭaśālā’ paryanta la-ila bāndhiñā

Translation: The entire road was surcharged with cool breezes, which carried the fragrances from various flowers. He carried the construction of this road as far as Kānāi Nāṭaśālā

āge mana nāhi cale, nā pāre bāndhite

patha-bāndhā nā yāya, nṛsiṁha hailā vismite

Translation: Within the mind of Nṛsiṁhānanda Brahmacārī, the road could not be constructed beyond Kānāi Nāṭaśālā. He could not understand why the road’s construction could not be completed, and thus he was astonished.

niścaya kariyā kahi, śuna, bhakta-gaṇa

ebāra nā yābena prabhu śrī-vṛndāvana

Translation: With great assurance he then told the devotees that Lord Caitanya would not go to Vṛndāvana at that time.

Return to Nilachal and glorification of Kanai Natshala by Mahaprabhu:-

So it happened. To appreciate the concern of Sri Rupa Goswami and Sanatana Goswami and to fulfill the prophecy of Sri Nrisimhananda, Mahaprabhu came to Kanai Natshala on His way to Vrindavan. There He watched various plays based on Krishna’s pastimes. Then He gave up His desire to go to Vrindavan and came to Shantipur. At Shantipur He stayed at the residence of Advaita Acharya (Advaita Bhavan) for seven days. Then He returned back to Nilachal. Mahaprabhu manifested the pastime of visiting Sri Vrindavan Dham at Kanai Natshala. Thus this place is non different from Sri Vrindavan. This is the place where Sri Radha and Kanai (Krishna) manifest Their pastimes everyday. A theater must be established here. The date of Mahaprabhu’s second visit to this place is 1434 Shaka era.

Placing stone plaques:-

Srila Prabhupada’s associates installed two stone plaques, one in Bengali and another English in front of the padapitha temple. Those were established to mark the arrival of Mahaprabhu at Kanai Natshala and as a commemorative of the service of Srila Prabhupada and his associates.

The stone plaque bears the following inscription in Bengali

“Sri Sri Guru Gauranga jayatah

kalyavde śara śunyartu vede padayugam vabhau

kanai nataśalayam śri Caitanya dayānidhe

paramahamsa varya Sri gaudiyeika suraksakah

sa srimad bhaktisiddhanta sarasvati mahodayah

rayasaheba sajnasya śañkhaturiya nivasinah

śrimad upendranathasya mandalsya mahatmanah

arthanukulya mādāya padañkam nidadhau prabhoh

gaurabe punya kshetre’smin triveda nigamatmake”

Stone blade in English — 

Foot prints of Chaitanya Deva 

who visited Kanai Natsala in 1505. A. D. installed 

by Goswami Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati 

at the expense of Rai Sahib Upendra Nath Mandal in 

443 Chaitanya Era.