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Original articles of Srila Prabhupada & other Guruvargas, translated & transcribed.

Sri Rama Navami - PrabhupadaRays.com

Sri Ram Navami

Sri Ram Navami Pranam Mantra of Lord Rama: “Namo brahmanya devaya ramaya kuntha medhase Uttamah shloka dhuryaya nyasta danda arpita anghraye Sitabhiramam  jagadabhiramam lokabhiramam nayanabhiramam Dharmaika dhamamala kirtiramam namami ramam

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March 30, 2023
Nabadwip Dham Parikrama Significance of Parikrama: Dhama Parikrama means the end of Samsara Parikrama. It delivers the soul from the tritapa (three kinds of) sufferings caused by the material prkrtī (nature) of Bhagavan. This Dhama Parikrama is one of the sixty-four limbs of Bhakti. Srila Rupa Goswami Pada said: "Abhyutthanam Anuvrajyah gatih sthane Parikrama". (Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu, Purva) Srila Rupa Goswami pada considered dhama parikrama as a part of sixty-four components of Bhakti. The mundane people travel the material world keeping the griha (household life) at the center. Therefore, they struggle in the turbulent ocean of the material world. Similarly, the devotees circumambulate the deity of the Lord and the places where the Lord manifested His pastimes. In this way, they attain unconditional love for Bhagavan and His devotees. Ultimately, they give up this material world and enter the abode of God to serve Him as His eternal servants. Sri Navadvipa Dhama is non-different from Sri Vrindavan Dhama: Sridhama Navadvipa is equivalent to Vrndavana. The nine islands have conjointly formed a colossal lotus. Eight islands are like eight petals with surrounding Antardvipa which is the seed vessel of the lotus. The expansion of Sridhama Vrndavana is 84 Kosha. Similarly, Sri Navadvipa Dhama extends 16 Kosha. The eight islands of Navadvipa are eight dear most sakhis. We came to know about the magnanimous glories of Navadvipa Dhama from the scriptures and the sadhus. Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura Mahashay said: "Sri Gaura mandala bhumi yeva jane cintamani tar hay vraja bhume vasa" Meaning: Those who see Gaura Mandala nondifferent from the transcendental abode of the Lord, are eligible to enter Vraja Dhama. Therefore, a mere particle of dust of Dhama is completely transcendental. One can have a darshan of Dhama after worshipping Bhagavan or accumulating "sukriti" (devotional services) for numerous births. The Mahajanas said: Adyapiha nitya lila kare Gora Raya। Kono kono bhagyavana dekhivare paya।। Meaning: Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu is still manifesting His pastimes in Navadvipa. Only the fortunate souls can view those. Sri Nityananda Prabhu first introduced Navadvipa Parikrama: Sri Nityananda Prabhu first introduced the Navadvipa Dhama Parikrama to His beloved devotee Sri Jiva Goswami. The entire account was described in Bhakti Ratnakara by Narahari Sarkar Thakura. Sri Jiva Goswami meets Sri Nityananda Prabhu: Sri Nityananda Prabhu came to Navadvipa from Khardaha. There He was happily spending His days in the house of Srivasa Pandita. One day He smiled and said to Srivasa Pandita, "I think the nephew of Sri Rupa & Sanatana: Sri Jiva is coming today'. At once a Vaishnava told Sri Nityananda Prabhu that Sri Jiva had come to Navadvipa. Sri Jiva Goswami was waiting at the gate of Srivasa Pandita. "Shuni Nityananda Prabhu anandita haila Sri Jivere shighra loka dvare anaila" Meaning: The news of Sri Jiva's arrival made Sri Nityananda Prabhu very happy. He sent a man to receive and bring Sri Jiva. "Sri Jiva adhairya haila prabhura darshane Nivarite pare ashrudhara du nayane" Meaning: Sri Jiva Goswami became very ecstatic as soon as he saw Prabhu Nityananda. He could not control his tears. "Karaye yateka dainya kahane na Yay Lotaiya pade prabhu Nityananda pay" Meaning: His humility cannot be estimated. He fell at the feet of Prabhu Nityananda. Later Sri Nityananda Prabhu pacified Sri Jiva with His warm words and requested Srivasa and other devotees to keep Sri Jiva there for some days. Sri Nityananda Prabhu explained the glory of Sri Navadvipa Dhama to Sri Jiva Goswami. Sri Jiva saw the aged mother of Sri Gaurasundara, Saci Mata sitting in the corridor. Her eyes were closed, and her mind was absorbed in her beloved son's thoughts. Sri Nityananda Prabhu introduced Sri Jiva to her. Saci Mata fed them prasada. The date of Navadvipa Parikrama by Sri Jiva Goswami under the guidance of Sri Nityananda Prabhu: As stated by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura in Sajjana Toshani, vol.2 (1885 AD) on Six Goswamis- Sri Jiva Goswami appeared in the Shaka era 1455. He lived 85 years in this world. He spent 20 years at home and studied shastras and 65 years in Vraja. He started for Sri Mayapur- Navadvipa at the age of 20-21 after the departure of his father, Anupam. Within a few days, he reached there. Meanwhile, Sri Nityananda Prabhu left Kharda ha and arrived at Navadvipa where He joyfully lived at Srivasa Paṇḍita's house with other devotees. He took Sri Jiva for the parikrama surrounding the nine islands of Navadvipa. After completing the parikrama Nityananda Prabhu instructed Sri Jiva to go to Vrindavana. It was likely 1415-16. Navadvipa Parikrama by Sri Ishana Thakura, as an associate of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: After Sri Nityananda Prabhu, the Navadvipa Parikrama was performed by Sri Saci Mata and Ishana Thakura, the household servant of Sri Jagannath Mishra. They were accompanied by Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura, Srinivasa Acharya & his disciple Sri Ramachandra Prabhu. Sri Narahari Chakravarty accounted for this in his book Bhaktib Ratnakara. Sri Jiva Goswami inspired the trio: Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura, Srila Shyamananda Prabhu, and Srinivasa Acharya to spread the message of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu throughout Gauda Desha. Meanwhile, the manuscripts of Goswami literature were looted by the king of Vishnupur, Veera Hamvira. After the restoration of the manuscripts, Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura and Srinivasa Acharya became very eager to visit the birthplace of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. They arrived at Navadvipa and met Sri Saci mata, Sri Vishnupriya Devi, and Sri Ishana Thakura there. By that time Sri Ishana Thakura took Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura to perform Sri Navadvipa Dhama Parikrama. As stated in Bhakti Ratnakara: "Rajani prabhate Sri Ishana Mahashay' Nadiya bhramane cale ullasa hrdaya" Translation: As the night dawned, Sri Ishana Thakura Mahashaya went to travel to Nadita in great joy. "Srinivasa acarya, Narottama, Ramachandra Ishanera sange cale uthale ananda" Translation: Sri Ishana Thakura was accompanied by Srinivasa Acharya, Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura, and Sri Ramachandra Prabhu. Everyone was in the mood of ecstatic joy. Revival of Sri Navadvipa Dhama Parikrama by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura: The Navadvipa Parikrama was initiated by Sri Nityananda Prabhu with Sri Jiva Goswami and followed by Sri Ishana Thakura along with Srinivasa Acharya. But the tradition was lost in course of time. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura discovered the birthplace of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He hosted a meeting called Navadvipa Dhama Pracarini Sabha in January 1894, the 2nd of the Bengali month Magha. On the 8th day of Chaitra, he installed the deities of Sri Gaura & Vishnupriya and started nitya seva. At that time, he performed parikrama following shastras with a few devotees. He authored the book "Navadvipa Dhama Parikrama". In this book, he demonstrated the position of the nine islands of Navadvipa and their pilgrimages. Arrangement of Navadvipa Parikrama by Prabhupada Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati: Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura instructed Srila Prabhupada to lead the Navadvipa Parikrama started by him. As per the order of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Srila Prabhupada re-started the Navadvipa Parikrama on 29th February 1920, Sunday from Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's birthplace: Sri Mayapur. The tradition has been followed to date under the guidance of scriptures. Devotees from different world countries visit Navadvipa and execute parikrama through Hari Nama Sankirtana. The shape & area of Sri Navadvipa: The area of the Gauda mandala spreads 120 yojanas (8 Kosas or 8 miles = 1 yojana). It is like a hundred-petalled lotus. In the middle Sri Navadvipa Dhama is situated. It is like an eight-petalled lotus and expands 16 Kosas. There are eight islands in the eight petals of Navadvipa and Sri Mayapur at its seed vessel. Sri Bhakti Ratnakara considers Navadvipa as a group of nine islands. Only four (Antardvipa, Simantadvipa, Godrumadvipa & Madhyadvipa) are situated on the eastern side of the Ganga and five (Koladvipa, Writudvipa, Jahnudvipa, Modadrumadvipa & Rudradvipa) are at west. Since Ganga has changed its direction, Rudrdvipa is now on the eastern side of Ganga. Long before, Ganga, Saraswati (Jalangi/ Khariya), and their tributaries spread in Navadvipa like nets, and the islands were visible distinctly. Gradually the islands are not seen like before. Though their geographical locations are not impossible to ascertain. Navadvipa: The place of nine limbs of Bhakti Navadha Bhakti (nine limbs of Bhakti) is described in the words of Sri Prahlada Maharaj in Srimad Bhagavatam 7.5.23: "śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ, smaraṇaṁ pāda-sevanam arcanaṁ vandanaṁ dāsyaṁ, sakhyam ātma-nivedanam iti puṁsārpitā viṣṇau, bhaktiś cen nava-lakṣaṇā kriyeta bhagavaty addhā, tan manye ’dhītam uttamam" Translation: Hearing and chanting about the transcendental holy name, form, qualities, paraphernalia, and pastimes of Lord Vishnu, remembering them, serving the lotus feet of the Lord, offering the Lord respectful worship with sixteen types of paraphernalia, offering prayers to the Lord, becoming His servant, considering the Lord one’s best friend, and surrendering everything unto Him (in other words, serving Him with the body, mind, and words) — these nine processes are accepted as pure devotional service. One who has dedicated his life to the service of Krishna through these nine methods should be understood to be the most learned person, for he has acquired complete knowledge. Sri Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu, Purva Section (2.129) says, King Parikshita through hearing, Sri Sukadeva through kirtana, Sri Prahlada through remembering, Lakshmi Devi through serving the feet, Prthu Maharaj through worships, Akrura through prayers, Hanumana through servitorship, Arjuna through divine friendship and Vali Maharaj through utmost surrender attained Bhagavan. This Navadvipa Dhama is considered the seat of the nine limbs of Bhakti. Because the nine islands are the symbols of the nine limbs of Bhakti individually. Those are: Sri Mayapur- Atmanivedana (surrender), Simantadvipa, Godrumadvipa, Madhyadvipa, Koladvipa, Writudvipa, Jahnudvipa, Modadrumadvipa & Rudradvipa are hearing, chanting, remembering, serving the feet, worship, prayers, servitorship & divine friendship respectively. Sri Navadvipa Dhama Parikrama, in light of its centenary: Jagadguru Srila Prabhupada restarted the Navadvipa Parikrama on 29th February 1920, Sunday from the birthplace of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: Sri Mayapur. Hence, the year 2020 was the centenary of that historical event. This has tied devotees throughout the globe irrespective of religion, caste, and creed. The dream of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has been fulfilled. It is said: "Anya tirthe aparadhi dandera bhajana Navadvipe aparadhe sadai marjana" Meaning: If a person commits an offense on any pilgrimage, he should be punished. But there is no punishment in Navadvipa Dhama. Everyone is forgiven here. Both Sri Krishna and Sri Gauranga are indifferent. Sri Krishna has no beginning but is the origin of everything. He is the cause of all causes. He is the supreme personality of Godhead having the form of sat- cid - ananda. Sri Krishna is in the mood of madhurya and manifests Himself in the mood of audarya (benevolence) in the Gauranga incarnation. Therefore, Sri Navadvipa Dhama is nondifferent from Vraja Dhama, the abode of Sri Krishna. The entire Navadvipa Dhama is the place where Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu and His associates manifested their pastimes. One of the six Goswamis, Sri Jiva Goswami got the darshan of Sri Nityananda Prabhu at the house of Sriman Mahaprabhu at Mayapur Yogapith. After meeting with Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu at the house of Nandanachaya, Sri Nityananda Prabhu traveled the 16 Krosha Navadvipa with Him. "badai dayalu prabhu Nityananda Raya (Sri Nityananda Prabhu was very merciful. He manifested the knowledge of Gaura in the heart of Jivas.) Devotees travel and circumambulate this place of audarya (benevolence) with suddha bhaktas. Those who get an opportunity for parikrama are very lucky. Gaudiya Goshtipati Jagadguru Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Prabhupada re-started the Navadvipa Parikrama from Mayapur Sri Chaitanya Matha with thousands of devotees to make this opportunity available for everyone. Currently, the tradition has been popularized by Mayapur Sri Chaitanya Matha, Sri Gaudiya matha, Sri Gaudiya Vedanta Trust, Iskcon, and other branches of Gaudiya math throughout the world. This was the desire of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura that devotees from different parts of the globe would visit Sri Navadvipa Dhama, attain the mercy of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, chant "Gaura Haribol", sing and dance together in ecstasy. His desire has been fulfilled. "Navadvipa darashana kare yei Jana Janme janme labhe sei gaura Prema dhana" (Those who visit Navadvipa, attain Krishna Prema certainly in every birth)

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