ABHIRAMA GOSWAMI
By Vidhubhusana Bhattacharya
CHAPTER ONE
Appearance of Sri Caitanyadeva and His associates.
The Hindu kingdom in India had come to an end. The glorious flag of the Muslims had been flying very proudly in the sky of India. The huge tree like Hundu religion with its many branches and twigs had become uprooted by the blow of the bigotry of the Muslims of their inclination towards one particular religion. The Mohamedan preachers had been trying to seduce the low caste people of the Hindu society to convert themselves into Muslims. The low caste Hindus being hated by the brahmins began to run after muslim religion. The Muslim kings began to destroy the Hindu temples to erect their Musjids there. At this precarious condition of India, the brahmins who were once very powerful and influential in India, had graduallybecome helpless to protect the Hindu religion with all its sanctity. They began to regrard the new Muslims as sinners and their shadows as most harmful.
The spiritually superior Hindu society had been heading towards destruction due to the lack of proper religious teachings. Above all the laws and rituals of Hindu religion were very stiff and hard to grasp.
The socialist brahmins paid no heed to this tremendous draw back and never tried to reform all these things. They used to absorb in their studies. As they tried to relaise God through these dry dry scriptures, gradully they became less devotional and lover of God. The once religious minded Hindus now bcame most professional in their outlook. Soselfish intersts began to preoccupy their minds and cheap enjoyment of life became predominent.
Observing the wretched condition India which had once been the abode of God Himself, Advaitacarya and some of the great men became very much aggrieved and they began to pray to God, "oh God why this eternally blissful India which had once been the abode of your divine sports and had once given birth to great men like Dhruva, Prahlada etc. has now become so devoid of love and devotion and has become full of selfish people?"
"Oh Narayana, why this India which had always been rewarded by your grace and had been the place of great sages like Suka, Narada and others, has now become the fighting ground of the heretic Muslims? Whose sins have made India like this?"
"Even if any place in India used to face any impure attack or religion, you used to appear there yourself taking any feature to protecrt the wise and virteious and to destroy the sinners and to deliver them from damnation. But why do not you do this this time, oh my deliverer of sinners!" "Hey Prabhu, when India had been suffering from the tyrannical rule of Kamsa and Jarasandha, you appeared as Hari, the destroyer of demons to protect the helpless and to ruin the tyrants."
"Oh Prabhu why aren't you hearing us? Where is you our Lord of life, why aren't you coming to rescue us? Please do come oh my Lord in yuor loving feature and wipe the whole countryby the wave of your grace and favour. This place has become a desert. Please come one as an oasis in it."
These earnest prayers of the devotees most probably moved the hearf of God. He Himself began to cry to observe the helpless conmdition of His favortie land." So he decided to appear in India.
At the end of the Dvapara yuga, God had appeared in Vrndavana, washed bythe water of Yamuna and had performed many sports not only with the gopa boys and girls but also with the grown upgopinies, the most significant of whom was Sri Radhika, daughter of Vrsabhanu and she had no other love than Krsna. That God i.e. Krsna Himself reappeared in a brahmin family of Navadvipa village situated near the bank of Janhavi (Ganga).
CHAPTER TWO
Sri Caitanyadeva sent Nityananda to Vrndavana to Bring Sridama to Navadvipa.
Having appeared in Navadvipa, Narayana became known as Nimai. Nimai was a love to everybody in Navadvipa because of his divine beauty, extreme knowledge and wonderful gestures and psotures. Even the great scholars of Navadvipa could not feel offended though invariably they used to be defeated by Nimai in debates.
When Nimai was a bright youngman, he left his house as an ascetic. From that time he became known as Sri Caitanya. He used to be ecstatic in the love for Sri Krsna like Sri Radha to whom Krsna was the life. He became very eager to distribute this divine love to one and all. To assist him in this job God Nityananda, great devotee Advaitacarya etc. used to meet him. Prabhu Nityananda being the right hand of Caitanya, began to help Caitanya to great extent. Even the laymen became so impressed by the qualities of Nityananda that when Nityananda used to request them to do or sing Harinama, however heretics they might be, they used to do that unhesitantly. Even getting the company of Nityananda, Caitanya could not be satisfied because he began to think that if he could not get the company of Sridama who had been the main help to Krsna in His Vrndavanalila, his project of distributing the love for Krsna would be half-hearted. After thinking a lot, he told Nityananda, "Oh my brother, though there is no flaw in your sincere service in distributing Krsna love, yet itis my request to you that you should go to Vrndavana and fetch Sridama who has been lying in the cave of Govardhana hill in a trance. It is my assumption that without him, we aren't be able to accomplish this great job."
Prabhu Nityananda became glad to hear this and without hesitation started for Vrndavana to fetch Sridama.
Now in modern times, it may be seemed doubtful, was he really Sridama of Dvapara yuga who came to Navadvipa come four or five thousand years later at the time of Sri Caitanya? Could he live for such a long time? Was Sridama of Dvapara yuga be Abhirama of kaliyuga? To remove them doubt, I request them to think seriuoslythat there will be no impossibility in the dictionary of a superman who has transcendental power like God Himself. In period after period all incarnated persons had appeared in this world having some transcendental powers by which they used to enlighten this world. Thinking about their great contributions tomankind, our heads used to bow down spontanesouly. So allthese assumptions about ABhirama mya not be exaggerations at all.
CHAPTER THREE
The meeting of Nityananda and Sridama in Vrndavana.
Nityananda reached Vrndavana. While taking rest on the bank of Yamuna, he could commemorate the Vrajalila of dvapara. He could see howhe as Balarama used to play with Krsna and Sridama and other gopa boys in Vrndavana. So he became so restless that without any delay he started for Govardhana hill to fetch Sridama.
Coming near to the hill, Nityananda became absorbed into trance. He began to feel as if he had been living in Vrndavana as Balarama of Dvapara yuga, as if Krsna to protect Vrajabhumifrom the fury of King Indra had been lifting Govardhana most easily. The continuous rain had become a failure to do any harm to Vrajabhumi.
Nityananda in a trance to walk round Govardhana and to shout in name of Sridama. His sincere call awakened the eternal sleep of Sridama who had been lying in the cave of the hill. He came out of the cave and found that a divinely beautiful person had been standing there. As soon as Sridama looked at Nityananda, his heart seemed to leap in joy as if he had seen some one very dear to him. His heart became full of divine pleasure and most lovingly he asked Nityananda, "Who are you? Your sight has been giving me a wonde3rful divinelypleasure which one can get only from a dear one. Speak out quickly who are you? I cannot keep my patience any longer."
Nityananda answered, "Oh mydear friend Sridama, doyou not recognize me? I am your most favorite Valai." These words at once made Sridama dumbfounded and he used to stare at Nityananda for a while. Then he asked, "If you are Valai, nhow see I am starting to tun and catch me." Saying so Sridama began to run very fast. Nityanadna began to run after him. While Sridama completed four rounds of Govardhana by running, he found that Valaihad been standing behind him. Then Sridama embraced Nityananda very lovingly and said, "Ah, you are my Valai because no one exceptyou can catch me in this way. I failed to recognise you because you are lacking that georgious dress and that mesmerising beauty, oh my brother, you are very tired. Now take some rest." After some discussions, Sridama asked Nityananda whyhe had come to Vrndavana.
Nityananda said, "The human being of Kali yuga has become veryheretical and has given up sadhana and bhajana fully. The aly people are giving up theirown eternal Hindu religion and are becoming interested in teh religion of the heretics. To remove this type of obstacle from the path of Hindu religion Krsna has appeared in the brahmin family of Navadvipa in the name of Nimai. The aim of Sri Krsna is to bring the flood of love in the country and to do this He himself will practise it in this life. He will guide the people how to obtain the grace of God. We, the friends of His Vrajalila, have all appeared with him. Only you are absent. So Nimai has become very much eager to get youwith him and for this reason he has sent me here to fetch you. So don't make any delay and go with me."
After listening to Nityananda, Sridama told him, "My dear brother, I do not want to go to Navadvipa in this utterly dark kali yuga. I shall stay here and spend my days in the practice of yoga. I don't want to suffer the pain of remaining in anyone's womb again. If I want to be with you I have to do this. So goback to Navadvipa and tell Krsna that I am helpless to keep the request."
Nityananda told Sridama, "Oh my brother Sridama, go with me in this body. If Sri Caitanyam, the incarnation of Sri Krsna permits you to be in this body, then with this body and energy, you can assist him in his task."
So Sridama without leaving his Dvapara feature started for Navadvipa with Nityananda for meeting Sri Caitanya. Being very inquisitive about the different changes in the kali yuga, Sridama began to askmany questions to Nityananda on their way to Navadvipa by taking the bankside road of the river Ganga.
CHAPTER FOUR
Sridama came to Navadvipa and met Sri Caitanya.
Sri aitanya heartily welcomed Sridama in Navadvipa and asked, "Oh my brother Sridama, why were you living in a cave of Govardhana lonely without coming to us? Don't you know that I used to appear with my cmpanion in period after peiod in this Bharatabhumi to protect the religion? You are my best help. So I had sent Nityananda to you. Now come on and help me to my complete sport! Meeting Sri Caitanya as the incarnation of Sri Krsna, Sridama became overwhelmed in joy and began to shed tears of joy. Embracing Mahaprabhu, he began to say in a schocked voice, "Krsna, why do you appear in Vangadesa instead of Vrndavana? And where is Sri Radha, the supreme power of yours? Why have you given up your gorgeous dresses of Vrndavana and are wearing a dress of an ascetic? I cannot bear this."
Sri Caitanya seeing him so eprturbed said in a smiling face, "This Navadvipa has become the center of all knowledge and scriptures in the whole of Bharatabhumi. But the over educated and proud brahmanas by their dry discussions have become less interested in God Himself. I have taken my birth here to defeat them in debates and for this reason I had made myself a great scholar. The heretics of Kali have no faith in Prematattva. They understand bodily pleasure only. So I avoided to appear with Sri Radha. Iin this Kaliyuga, I shall be Sri Radha and teach a lesson to the people how to attain God through divine love. So to attract their attention towards devotion, I have rejected my "mohanavesa" (beautiful dress) and accepted the dress of an ascetic. I want to teach the mankind what is Krsnalila and for this reason I have to perform Caitanyalila. So I shall be known as Sri Krsna Caitanya in Bharata and you will be Abhirama."
Then Caitanya told Nityananda, "From now on you should call Sridama as Abhirama and mind that as Sridama was to Krsna, so Abhirama is to me." Nityananda said, "Sridama can be Abhirama but his big and staut physique won't be suitable for this Kaliyuga."
The super-human power by which Krsna had done so many tarnscendnetal activities in Vraja, that said power, Sri Caitanya, the incarnation of Krsna, wanted to use to minimize Sridama into Abhirama.
Nityananda and Sri Caitanya began to swing from the shoulder of Sridama by holding his two hands with the help of the power of the Godhead, Abhirama became short in his figure. He became ecstatic in joy and began to dance madly. Then Sri Caitanya told the ecstatic ABhirama, "Friend, all my friends of Vraja have come here and met me but where are the loving Gopinies of Vraja?"
Realising the mind of Sri Caitanya, Abhirama said, "Oh the great lover, you know everything. But I know that you have raised this question just to test me. However I am telling you about the Vraja ladies. All of them to satisfy and complete your sports have given up their women features and appeared in Navadvipa in male features. Except me and Vrndavati will help you by remaining in two opposite sex."
Caitanya said, "Oh my friend, you are a genius. Sri Krsna and you are the same. Ihave no objection if you7 and Vrndavati want to teach lesson of love to the world. You are so powerful that still you are able to keep your Dvapara feature with the help of yoga. You are addicted to the love of Krsna in such a great extent that if the change of your feature tried to stand as a hinderance in the way of Krsna love, youused to lie in the cave for such a long time because your desire was to disappear in the soul of Krsna at long last. You are the embodiment of divine love. Let you with your Vrndavati madden the men and women of Bengal in the love for Krsna. But my firend, your appearance has filled my heart with blissful pleasure. Now I am very eager to observe the holy places of Vrndavana where Krsna used to perform his sports with Sri Radha and the Gopinies who were mad for Krsna."
Observing the ecstatic condition of Sri Caitanya, Abhirama said, "My friend if you really wish to visit Vrndavana, then hand over all the duties to Nityananda and start for Vrndavana."
CHAPTER FIVE
Conversation Between Sri Caitanya and Abhirama in Vrndavana
Sri Caitanya being ecstatic in love for Krsna started for Vrndadavana with Abhirama. Then he used to visit all the places of Vrndavana one by one where Krsna used to perform his sports with Sri Radha. He became overwhelmed in jy.
He asked Abhirama, "Friend, you are dearer to me more than my heart. I cannot explain how I feel excited when I used to listen to the episodes of Vrajalila from you. I am always bound by your extraordinary qualities." On hearing this ABhirama said humbly, "oh my dear, my Prabh, I am a worthless man. I have only Radha in my heart. As Radha used to be maddened in love while looking at the face of her love Krsna, so I am to look at your face. I used to forget my own entity and only try to please you by any means." "I used tofetch fruit for my sadha Krsna when he used to remain in the duty of cattle grazing. I used to be mad in joy if my sakha used to be happy to take the taste of the fruits. I used to regard myself the most fortunate creature if I can please my Kanai. His hapiness was mine, his sorrow was mine. Both of us used to become the single unseparable soul."
"Now my dear friend, you have created a madhura bhava in me. You are Radha and Krsna both and you have become absorbed in your created love. As fire and fuels are the same, so also Krsna and Radha. The love Radhakrsna is divine and it is above the touch of material pleasure. To make people realise this sort of love, you have appeared in this world."
CHAPTER SIX
SRI CAITANYA'S RETURN TO NAVADVIPA
In this way while conversing happily over the topic of Radha Krsnalila, Abhirama and Sri Caitanya used to spend their days in Vrndavana. Being ecstatic in love for Krsna, Caitanya forgot everything. His all world became full of Krsna. So he forgot the duty of teaching the maya and kama-bound mankind the lessons of divine love for which he had appeared in this world. Speculating all these bhavas of Caitanya, Abhirama began to think in his mind, "Kaliyuga you are fortunate and Navadvipa, you too. Radha Krsna in one feature like Sri Caitanya has appeared in this world to flood the whole country in the waves of divine love. But Prabhu by coming to this place of sport of Dvapara yuga has become absorbed in that bhava of Dvapara."
One day Caitanya used to float in the water of Yamuna which was full of the fragrance of sandal and began to cry like RAdha in the name of Krsna and his lotus like eyes began to shed tears like streams of a river. He used to laugh sometimes and to crysometimes. Sometimes he used to request invisible somebody. His whole body began to shed sweats and tremble. At that time Abhirama by putting his hand on the body of Caitanya, began to say, "Oh my friend, have you forgotten the aim of your taking human feature? Your devotees of Navadvipa have become very restless for not seeing you. So control yourself and let us return to Navadvipa."
The words of Abhirama brought back Caitanya to senses. He became very eager to perform his duty. He said to Abhirama, "Come on my friend, let us return to Navadvipa. As you and me are the same, I don't want to return to Navadvipa alone."
Being unable to avoid the request of Sri Caitanya, Abhirama told him, "Oh my friend, it is impossible for me to disobey your request. Your happiness is mine. When in the Dvapara Yuga, you had left me without my knowing, I used to remain absorbed in your dedication from that day. Oh Gauranga, now you are the united entities of Radha and Krsna and you are now grown up enough. But I have not got my Vrndavati as yet I shall stay in Vrndavana until I find Vrndavati."
Caitanyadeva replied, "s Radhakrsna in one feature had appeared in this world for teaching divine love to loveless mankind of Kaliyuga, then Vrndavati, the foremost sakhi of Sri Radha also had appeared in this world no doubt. Go with me and I am sure you will get Vrndavati in VAngadesa."
Abhirama said, "Oh my friend, let me see through mediation where is my Vrndavati now. In the meantime you go to Navadvipa. Very soon I shall meet you there."
Caitanya said, "No it cannot be!"
Abhirama said, "Gauranga, you should not waste your time here. It will hamper you sport there. You won't be going alone because Ramadasa, a great Krsna devotee will go with you. This Ramadasa is empowered by me. Accept him due to my wish." Adhering tohis advice, Caitanyadeva with Ramadasa Mahanta left Vrndavana and after a few days reached Navadvipa.
CHAPTER SEVEN
APPEARANCE OF VRNDAVATI
Caitanyadeva started for Navadvipa and Abhirama sat for his meditation. In his trance, he came to know that Vrndavati had taken her birth in Kalipura vilage of Vangadesa. Nowadays Kalipura is known as Khanakula in the Arambag jurisdiction of Hoogly district. Some of the Vaisnava poets have written that after attracting Vrndavati in this world Abhirama had empowered her and made her a beautiful woman by his power of Godhead. Then he used to put her into a wooden box and threw in to the wave of Yamuna which at last reached the bank of Triveni near Hoogly. Here Ganga has been divided into three courses and began to flow towards the sea. That wooden box floating in the river Sarasvati at last reached at a flower garden on the side of the river near Kajipura. As soon as the wooden box touched the land of the garden, all the dry branches of the trees begtan to bloom into leaves and flowers. Their fragrance used to fill the air of that place. The sudden change of the trees made everyone started. The gardeners ran to the garden and saw the miraculous scene. They became overwhelmed in joy and thought that perhaps a certain saintly person had come their place and had done all these things.
They began to search in the garden but had not got anything. Then one of them in searching went to the river side and found a wooden box. He became overwhelmed in awe and began to remble suddenlyhe fell on teh ground being unconscious. The other men came running to him and helped him to come to sense. The former person attracted their attention towards the wooden box. He said "This wooden box has done all these. Come on and carry this toour home."
They all agreed and did that gladly. Then they opened the box and found a beautiful woman in it. They took her as a Deity and paid their respect. That beautiful woman sat on a seat near the door. Her glitering beautylightened the whole atmosphere.
That gardener with his family bowed to her feet. The women of the gardener class washed her feet and drank that water with all their family members. Then the housekepper asked her with folded hands, "Oh mother, have you come on this place to favor us all? As you are kind enough to us, then please tell me who you are." Hearing this humble question of the gardener, Vrndavati in sweet smile said, "You are a verypure hearted man. I shall stay at your home like your daughter. You all will call me as Malini. I haven't ate a long time. Oh my father, give me some food soon. After eating I will give my identity." The gardener became very pleased and gave her differant varieties of food and sweets. Malini first of all offered all those food to Krsna and after saying "Jai Abhirama" began to eat. After taking ehr food, she said to the gardener, "Father, I am the Sakhi of SRidama, the friend of Krsna. Sridama had appeared in this world for distributing love for Krsna to mankind. He will come here soon taking the name as Abhirama. To help my Prabhu, I hve come here in a wooden box floating in the streams of Ganga, Yamuna and Sarasvati. On my coming your dry garden has become full of flwoers. Now I am completely under your control. Please look after me until I get the darsana of Abhirama."
The gardener became very glad to get the sakhi of Sri Radha as his daughter and began to look after her very carefully. With her touch all miseries and poverty of the gardener vanishes. The villagers became very jealous at this prosperity of the gardener and went o the Kazi and explained everything to him. They also revealed their suspicion that she mst be a magician and for some forbidden cause she used to take shelter in the house fo the gardener.
CHAPTER EIGHT
KAZI LISTENS TO THE REPORT ON MALINI
The Kazi became very astonished to hear these reports on Malini. He sent his armed men to bring the gardeners to his as prisoners. That person who led the team of armed men went to the house of the gardener, "You allshould go at once with us as it is the order of His Highness Kazi Sahib. If you show any reluctancy, then we shall take you binding with ropes. So don't make delay and go with me."
The gardeners became veryfrightened at this and became at a loss what to do. The man harshly asked them what they would do. Otherwise they would be taken as prisoners. Then the head gardener asked them in a trembling voice, "Mahasay, the order of Kazi Sahib is all tous but please explain the real charge against us." That man replied loudly that he did not know anything about the charge. If theymade delayanymore, they would be taken as prisoners. Saying so, he started walking and the gardeners began to follow him without any word. After some time they reached to the Kazi's place. The gardeners bowed before the Kazi in trembling bodies and politely submitted to him. Kazi asked them whether theyhad got any golden box full of precious stones, jewels and ornaments which they had kept hidden in the houses. They replied submissively that his charge was correct but that box was wooden and not golden and it did not have any precious thing what he had been asking.
The Kaxi became furious and ordered his men to blind them by chains. Out of anger he ordered them to speak the truth. Otherwise he would behead them. Then the gardeners tried to establish their truth and began to describe what they had found in it. So they described the episode of Malini and from her auspicious appearance, all their miseries had gone. After a long time of listening to the story, the mind of the Kazi became soft and his heart became full of devotion. He at once released the gardeners and told them politely that he had become ashamed of his misbehaviour. Now he requested then to bring that goddess lady before him. He is very eager to meet her. The gardeners told him, "This cannot be possible because you are a Muslim. How can you accept a Hindu goddess whom we used to worship. We cannot do this by any means." "Apart from this, if you take her as an ordinary Hindu woman and feel and infactuation for her, then mind that you will be perished with your family. So leave that desire. We can show you that box only."
The Kazi became very sorry to hear this and told them, "I have become very sorry tohear this and told them, "I have become very much eager to see the goddess because hearing about her episode my mind has become full of devotion. I want to gratify myself by seeing her. I am a siner as I have possessed so many misconceptions about her. Please bring her to me and I shall look after her as my own daughter. God never thinks of caste discrimination. I am sure when she will hear all these, she will be agreed to see me."
The gardeners became very happy and took to their heels to report everything to Malini. Malini had already understood the mind of Kazi and told them that God had appeared in this earth in a human form to distribute divine love to allwhether they belonged to high or low castes. She also told, "As I have appeared as the power of Abhirama, then I cannot ignore the prayer of the Kazi who has become a devotee. But one of you first go to him and tell him about certain rules which he should take into mind. I won't take any other things to eat except sweets and won't live anywhere except in the room where cows used to live."
One gardener went to the Kazi and informed him about the conditions of Malini. He directed the Kazi to clean the room of the cows by his own hand. The Kazi became very glad and accepted all the conditons. That person reurned to Malini in singing the glory of the Kazi. He reported her about the devotional qualities of the Kazi and told her that they all had understood that it was all her grace that had made the Kazi to behave like that.
CHAPTER NINE
MALINI WENT TO THE HOUSE OF THE KAZI
So Malini agreed to go the house of the Kazi. The gardener father went with her. The wife of the gardener began to cry in grief. Malini conoled her and blessed them all. She assured them that from time to time she would meet them.
While Malini had been going to the house fo the Kazi, the whole circumpherance used to be glittering by the brightness of her body. A huge crowd used to assemble on both sides of the road to observe her going. The women of the village used to throw their pranamas, shower flowers on her and blow the conch. The whole of Kajipura became full of joyful sounds.
So long Kaxi had been waiting eagerly for her. When he heard tha tshe was advancing to his house, his heart leaped in joy. He at once advanced forwarded with a beautiful chariot to welcome her. He saw in the way that a huge crowd was coing with her. He almost ran to her and fell on her feet. The big crowd was coming with her. He almost ran to her and fell on her feet. The big crowd began to make sounds of ovation. Malini lifted the Kazi very affectionately be holding his arms. The Kazi with his knee folding told her, "I am very fortunate as today I have your darsana. Be merciful to a sinner like me." Malini devi became very pleased and told him, "Criticising or torturing the saintly persons is a terrible sin because the saints have come on this earth to do good to mankind. Those who try to oppress them become very unpleasing to God. Now with the feeling of devotion in you, you have become free of all guilts. Now for your misbehaviour to the wise gardener, you must ask for his mercy."
The Kazi at once held the feet of the gardener byhis hands and asked for his mercy. Everyone present there began to praise the Kazi. The gardener also felt very awkward at this.
Then Kazi requested Malini devi to forgive him for all his sisn and cast a favorabvle look at him. Malini Devi got on the chariot but there was so big a crowd in the road that the chariot could not advance a step forward. Then due tot he transcendental power of Malini Devi, the chariot climbed up in the sky. Everyone became started at this when the chariot vanished in the sky, all of them began to shout in sorrow. The condition of the Kazi became out of any saying. He began to behave like a mad man. When he tried to cut his own head by his sword, suddenly the chariot came down and Malini appeared before him. Observing her ilgtening like beauty, he fell on the ground in a trance. All the people began to sing loudlythe glory of the Devi.
Devi hurriedly got down of the chariot and lifted the Kazi from the ground and put him into the chariot. She began tochant the name of Krsna and gradually the Kazi came back to his sense. He saw as if a goddess mother had been sitting by his side singing the name of Krsna which had began to shower necter into his ears. He became ecstatic and his eyes begant to shed tears. After a long time he controlled himself and began to sing the eulogy of Malini Devi.
The chariot reached the gate of the Kazi's house. He took her to the dwelling place of the cows. The gardener and others also accompanied them. Kazi welcimed them properly and offered seats. Kazi sent somebody to call the sellers of sweets. But he meet the sweetsmakers in the way who had been coming to the Kazi's house with many buckets of sweets. The sweetmakers came to the Kaxi and told him, "Oh lord, whyhave you sent a person tous? We have already heard about the coming of a devi in your house and for her we have brought so may sweets." Kazi told them, "Today my life has become successful. You should bring sweets everyday in my house for her eating. I will reward you." They told him, "Today we won't take any price for these sweets because they are for the devi. From tomorrow, do as you please." Saying so they all bowed to the feet of devi. Devi blessed them and asked them to take their seats. Then the gardener father offered the sweets of Malini for eating. After her eating they all took the prasada. In this way Malini Devi very happily began to spend her days in the house of the Kazi. The villagers used to stay there by giving up their eating and drinking. The whole of Kazipura became full of bliss.
CHAPTER TEN
ABHIRAMA CAME TO VIRBHUMA AND MANIFESTED HIS TRANSCENDENTAL POWERS
After leaving Vrndavana, Abhirama alone advanced towards Bengal and at last reached the western frontier of Bengal (i.e. in Virbhuma). He saw there all the people in irreligious activities. They were practising all sorts of illegal ways of life. Observing all these tortures toward the eternal Hindu religion, the soft heart of Abhirama began to ache. A strong desire to correct these ill directed people arose in his mind. He became determined to use his supernatural powers for the sake of attracting the devotion of the people. Because he realised that this would be the suitable way to fulfill his desires. Being guided by this of judgement, Abhirama, a highly powerful man began to visit all the Deities of Virbhuma. But all the idols began to crack by his single glance. He explained to the overwhelmed people that all these idols had become powerless. So there was no use of worshiping these idols. The ordinary people took him as a superman and a deity. They lost every faith on those idols. On the contrary they became very devotional minded towards Abhirama. They began to ask questions to Abhirama on religion. So the desire of Abhirama became fulfilled. He started sowing seeds of devotion in their minds. Their devotionless hearts began to be soaked in nectar like Krsna nama.
Abhirama began to teach religion indiscrimaanating high and low castes. He did not bother about caste or creed. The untouchable class was all along hated by the high caste people. No one had ever tried to correct them and bring back into a dvotional life. Now finding Abhirama as a superman, they began to worship him as a God and became fully devoted to him. The transcendental activities of Abhirama Gosvami might not be accepted by the modern people but as Sri Caitanya Deva, an incarnation of Krsna, needed the help of Abhirama in completing his sport, then Abhirama can not be an ordinary person. It is also to be noted that the Hindu devotees would be very much shocked to deny the supernatural powers of Abhirama who was a friend of Krsna in Vrajalila and who could live 3/4 thousands years at a stretch.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
ABHIRAMA VISITS VILLAGE KENDUVILVA,
THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE VAISNAVA POET JAYADEVA
Due to Abhirama's efforts, the neglected casts of the Hindu society began to feel gratified by Abhirama and the hatred of the high caste towards the low caste began to vanish from the country. The principle of fraternity again was established in the country. The people began to worship Abhirama as god and Abhirama salso began to spend his days very gladly in doing nama sankirtana with them. People from various parts of the country began to come and observe Abhirama in crowd.
One day, some Vaisnava from Kenduvilva village came to see Abhirama and began to sing sweet songs from Gita Govinda. Hearing those beautiful songs based on the love of Radha Krsna, Abhirama became ecstatic and went to faint again and again. He began to think as if he had been with his dear friend Sri KRsna and he had been sending Suvala to Sri Radha to inform her about grievous condition of Shyama caused by ehr separation. As if hearing the news of the condition of her lord, she took to her heels and jumped into the love ocean of her lover.
On hearing Gita Govinda, Abhirama in an ecstatic mood began to visualise the divine Radha Krsna lila. He also began to visulaise the rasa lila in his mind. He was observing that all the trees and creepers had been undulating in soft spring breeze. The trees had been burdened by fully blossomed flowers and the cuckoos had been cooing being covered by the flowers. Their cooing had created a nectar like atmosphere there. In this beautiful weather, Rasabehari KRsna had been engaged in his rasa sport. On seeing Krsna sporting with other sakhis, Radha became very much hurt and had entered into a flower grove toshow her huff. Her moon like face had become wet in tears and her soft body had been shivering in the fire of separation. While thinking about her Shyama, she sometimes fainted and sometimes began to laugh hysterically. Sometiems she used to wear the dresses of KRsna and thought of herself as Krsan. Again she used to fall unconscious.
The lover of His devotees, Rajraj Krsna understood everything and by leaving the gopies, he had been searching Sri Radha earnestly. Then coming to Radha, KRsna began to say, "Oh my beloved, please give up your meaningless huff on me and look at my face by lifting your moonlike face. Your beautiful white teeth can destroy the darkness of my mind. My love, you are my ornament, you are my life." Radhavallava saw that his so many words failed to break the ice like huff of Srimati. Then he used to take the feet of Radha in his hands and put them on his head. Observing this, Abhirama cried out saying, "You are great Srimati. Your devotion like love is uncomparable in this world." "And you, the God Himself, what am I to say to you? It is quite impossible for an ordinary man like me. Insulation, rebuking, negligence of a dvotee are more desirable to you than the eulogies of Vedas." Devotee and you are same and so also you and Sri Radha."
Then Abhirama addressed the singers of Gita Govinda by saying, "Oh the great devotee Vaisnavas, I am very glad to hear your songs. Now please disclose to me the life history of that great devotee Jayadeva." The singers very humbly began to describe that Jayadeva, the writer of the Gita Govinda was born in Kenduvilva village in a brahmana family. In his boyhood, this poor son of a brahmana took an ascetic life and went to Purusottama (Puri) Kshetra without a penny and began to live under a tree. God Jagannatha also became very favorable on him. One day a brahmana offered his daughter to Jagannatha for he had to fulfill his vow of doing so to Jagannatha. Jagannatha ordered the brahmana to dedicate her daughter to his great devotee Jayadeva. So did the brahmana and told his daughter that from now on due to the order of Jagannatha Deva, he (Jayadeva) was her husband. So after leaving her there, the brahmana went away. The beautiful girl Padmavati remained sitting there in front of Jayadeva. When Jayadeva ordered her to go awaya, her lotus like eyes became full of water. She told him, "Oh my prabhu, my father has left me here due to the order of Jagannatha and offered me in your hands. Now you are my husband. You may leave me but I cannot evan for my life's sake." So helpless Jayadeva married her and began to live in a cottage. He employed his wife in the worship of his Radha Madhava. At that time Jayadeva had written his beautiful book Gita Govinda on the love of Radha Krsna. The love poetry is uncomparable in this world. Jayadeva once began to hesitate to write a pada when he reached that part of the episode where Krsna had been holding the feet of Radha on His head. So he left the duty of writing and went for a bath. In the meantime Sri Krsna in the form of Jayadeva finished the unfinished line of the verse that is "dehi padapallavamudram" and disappeared. After some time Jayadeva came back from his bathing. His wife Padmavati astonishgly told him, "You have just come to home to complete the line of your book. How do you come back from your bathing in such a short time?" Being very astonished on hearing her, Jayadva hurriedly opened his book and what he saw was enough to make him mad in the love for Krsna. He began to cry ecstatically and by holding the feet of Padmavati said, "You are great Padmavati, your life is precious because in a short while ago whom you have seen in my form was Krsna Himself. He is your real husband. He is the husband of the world."
So Abhirama took Jayadeva as a great devotee and wanted to visit his place. The Kenduvilva dwellers gladly became the guide of Abhirama in his visit to Kenduvilva. ABhirama, whose Krsna is the life, became overwhelmed to observe the beautiful feature of Jayadeva. He sang the glory of Jayadeva in various ways and paid his homage to Jayadeva regarding him as his master. Fromerly the idols of the deities used to be cracked by the bowing of Abhirama, but now the idol of Radha Madhava of Jayadeva became very bright by the bowing of Abhirama. That idol became alive and all the peiple witnessing the sight fell to the ground in devotion. The nectar like Radha Krsna nama began to be uttered in millions of mouths filling the atmosphere in sublime bliss.
CHAPTER TWELVE
VISIT TO VISNUPURA AND DARSANA OF DEITY MADANA MOHANA
From Virbhuma, Abhirama came to Bankura. The people of this place became overwhelmed to observe the devotion and supernatural power of Abhirama and became very devotional in their minds. The king of Visnupura heartily welcomed Abhirama and requested him to impart religious lessons to his subject.
One day Abhirama with some of his devotees started Krsnanama sankirtana and advanced towards the temple of Madana Mohana. Before entering into the temple, his whole body began to tremble in ecstasy. He with his devotees started going round the temple in singing sankirtana. When he bowed his head on the door of the temple, the whole temple began to tremble as if an earthquake had been started.
Abhirama with a thrilling heart entered into the temple. He began to feel a divine joy to see the deity as a dear friend as a dear friend always used to feel like when he met his dear friend after a long time. He wanted to see to the people whethre there was any power in the deity or not. So by his first bow the deity remained as usual but by his see and bow the deity in the pretext of return bow, mimicked a little bit. Everyone bvecame startled to see it and bowed to the feet of Abhirama Gosvami.
Abhirama told everybody, "To deliver the manking of Kaliyuga, Sri Krsna has appeared in Navadvipa. In this life he will be a great example of Krsna devotee and will show this to the whole world. Due to his wish, I have also come here in Bengal. To show you that the idols of Krsna are not only lifeless. I am doing all these miraculous activities. All of you become devotees of Krsna, sink into the depth of love of Krsna, all your miseries and agonies will be gone. Your lives will be full of bliss and you will be able to obtain the favor of Krsna.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
DARSANA OF KRSNA RAYA OF VAGADI (VAGUDA)
By living in Visnupura for some days Abhirama maddened the people of that place in love of Krsna. Then he went to Vagadi to see the deity of Krsna Raya. Abhirama began to sing the glory of Krsna Raya by standing before th beautiful idol. The whole body of Krsna Raya became sweatly. Then Abhirama told everybody in shouting, "look, my dear friend's beautiful body has become sweaty. He is miling sweetly. It seems my friend has become very tired after grazing his cattle and is now standing under a tree in his usual three fold posture. As if my friend is calling me helplessly. Please give me a fan and I shall fan my friend to take away his tiredness." The devotees hastily gave him a fan. Abhirama was then in complete trance and in that condition he began to fan his friend. The devotees observing this beautiful scene began to sing Harinama loudly. Everyone came to know that Abhirama was truly a friend of Sri Krsna.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
VISIT TO BAYADA
Then Abhirama Gosvami came to Bayada. At that time Bayada had been ruled by a powerful sakta King Ranajit Raya. He used to dig a big lake. King Ranjit tried to build a huge "Maljat" (a pillar made of iron) in the middle of the lake. Many strong persons were employed to do this job but they could not even pick it up by their strength.
Endowed by supernatural power, Abhirama in the meantime had been pasing by that place. He became queer to know what had been going on there and so he halted for sometime on the bank of the lake. When he saw that those strong persons could not even pick up that pillar, Abhirama wished todo the job by himself. When Abhirama expressed his desire to the king, the latter agreed to his proposal. Then the friend of Govardhana lifter Krsna, Abhirama very easily lifted the pillar and threw it into the lake. Everyone began to appreciate his strength. King Ranjit became so happy that he began to pat on the back of Abhirama.
Abhirama became very much annoyed at this and looked at the king angrily. Though his glance even had pierced the stone idols of different deities, yet this time the king could bear his look and this very much astonished Abhirama. Then through deep meditation, he came to know of the supernatural power of the king. He now realised that the king was a great sakta and some supernatural power was always protecting him. He also realised that being over powerful the king had become an upstart. So kind hearted man Abhirama for the good of the earth, decided to correct the king by exacting all his powers.
The king had been able to establish a vast kingdom due to the grace of Devi Sakti. Being an ordinary Hindu Zamindar, he was able to defeat the Nawab's armies and became a well known hero in Bengal. None of the then kings were a match to him. All these powers and fame had made him a very proud person. He just forgot the grace of the supernatural power by which he had become so powerful a king and was about to misuse that power. He became indulged in material pleasure like an ordinary human being. For this reason God decided to curb his person and sent Abhirama to carry out His plan. A great powerful man Abhirama without doing any harm to Ranjit only had exacted his supernatural power. Then Abhirama left Bayada and advanced towards Krsnanagara. On the way all persons being impressed by his simplicity, kindness and love and transcndental powers became his great admirers and devotees.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
ABHIRAMA MEETS MALINI
Abhirama reached the outskirts of Kajipura village near Krsnanagara. One day in the morning he had been in morning walk on the bank of the river and saw that Malini Devi was bathing with her companions on the other bank of the river. Abhirama became very glad to see his life like lady love Malini and being overwhelmed he addressed her. Malinidevi also saw him and at once jumped into the river and swam across it to come to him. All the female companions of Malini devi became stunned to see her swimming across the river and stood like wooden dolls. They could not even speak a word.
Malini devi reaching to him, fell flat on the feet of her love. The great lover Abhirama lifted her by holding her hands and then they began to walk elsewhere in talking to each other. When the companions saw that she had gone with an unknown saintly man they rushed to the home and reported everything to the Kaji.
After hearing all the incidents, the Kaji became very angry. He at once called his armies and went across the river to search her. He reached the vllage named Villoka and after searching for some time, he got her sitting with a saintly man on the bank of the river. This scene broke his patience and he burst into anger. The sword in his hand began to dazzle. With a view to beheading the saint, he advanced towards them. But as soon as he looked at the dazzling eyes of the saint, all his powers seemed to be destroyed. His body began to lose its balance and his head began to reel. He became very afraid. He then put his sword in its case and advanced towards them slowly. He told the saint in a scolding tone "You are a sannyasi, you have given up all material pleasures, then why do you want the company of a woman? If you are not satisfied even then enter into family life again and marry. Don't spoil the santity of asceticism by accepting an unkown woman."
With an awed heart, the Kaji went on scolding Abhirama but the latter kept on sitting like a dumb. In the meantime the villagers came to speculate the incident. They all began to criticise teh sannyasi. They decided to oust the sannyasi from their village. While everyone began to criticise Abhirama the latter began to think of demonstrating the transcendnetal power of Malini before them. While thinking in this way, he saw a huge piece of wood fallen on the bank of the river. He knew that all the persons gathered there, could not lift the wood. Abhirama at once went to the river bank and lifted the wood and he addressed all of them to lift it by their hands. The people in wondered gaze had been observing his strength. They began to think that this sannyasi must be a very powerful person whose strength had been God gifted. They all surrendered to Abhirama. The Abhiramam addressed Malini to do the job. Malini devi understood Abhirama and walked up to him slowly and lifted the piece of wood at ease. Everyone became startled to observe her strength and thought that this woman was not an ordinary human being.
Abhirama understood the pulse of the people and easily transformed the huge piece of wood into a small flute. Then he with Malini sat under a tree and began to sing Radha Krsna nama with the flute. The people became so astonished that they began to lsiten to the nama forgetting everything and in a short time they became ecsatatic in emotion. They also began to sin Harinama kirtana and at last fell to the feet of Abhirama and Malini devi. They repeatedly asked for their mercy for thinking otherwise about them.
The Kaji also in folded knees before Malini Devi began to ask for her mercy and favor. Malini Devi told him that he was fortunate enough that she had come to his house. Now he had been fully purified and eligible to lead a life of a devotee. She assured him that from now on her powers would always protect him from any kind of misfortune and miseries. This Kajipura would be known as Khanakula. The Kaji became very glad but he asked Malini Devi why she had changed the name of the village. Then Malini Devi smilingly explained the incident by saying, "Among the food which you used to offer me, I sometimes used to reject some kinds regarding them as impure and used to dig them on the bank of the river. As "Khana" (means food) used to be dug in the ground on the "Kula" (bank) of the river, so the name became "Khanakula." Now go to your home."
Then Kaji leaving Malini Devi there returned to his house with a disheartened mind. But since then he became a completely changed man. He gave up all Muslim rituals and became a Vaisnava. He used to be absorbed in RAdha Krsna nama all the time. Peace now began to overrule his heart by filling it with nectar like devotion.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
KEEPING MALINI IN A HIDDEN PLACE AT KHANAKULA,
ABHIRAMA GOSVAMI CAME TO NAVADVIPA AND MET CAITANYA
UN BELLO PASATIEMPO
QUE UNE Y ATRAVIESA DOS YUGAS
Cierto día, Krishna, Balarama y sus amigos vaqueritos estaban jugando a las “escondidas”.
En el medio de Su juego, Krishna decidió ir a Nadia para disfrutar de Sus pasatiempos allá, y de esta manera, llevando consigo a Balarama y a todos Sus amigos, Él advino a Si Mismo en Navadwipa.
De alguna forma u otra, Él olvidó a Sridama, quien permaneció en su escondite en un cierto lugar de una cueva.
Luego de un rato, Krishna se dio cuenta que Sridam había sido dejado detrás y que no los había acompañado a Nadia, por lo cual envió a Balarama, ahora como Nityananda, Quien llegó hasta la cueva y encontró a Sridam, y le dijo:
“¡Vamos, todos nos hemos ido a Nadia a jugar allá!”
Sridama preguntó: “¿Quién eres Tú?”
“Soy tu Señor Balarama. ¿No puedes reconocerme?”
“Tú no puedes ser my Señor Balarama. Tú eres muy pequeño.”
(Se explica que en Kali yuga la medida del cuerpo es la mitad de alto de lo que era en Dwapara-yuga).
“Si no Me crees, entonces da un salto y sal corriendo, y si yo no puedo atraparte en menos de diez pasos, entonces podrás decir que no soy Balarama”.
“¡Muy bien! ¡Atrápame si puedes!
Sridama salió corriendo velozmente, pero Nityananda Prabhu inmediatamente lo atrapó. Entonces Sridama le dijo que no debieron dejarlo atrás y que ahora sus sentimientos estaban heridos y que había decidido no acompañarlo.
Nityananda Prabhu trataba de convencerlo mediante suaves palabras de que fuera con ellos y que deje de estar enojado, pero Sridama se mantuvo firme en su negativa de ir con Él. Al final, él manifestó una expansión de si mismo: Rama das (conocido más tarde como Abhirama Thakura) , quien consintió en ir con Nityananda, pero Sridama aún deseaba quedarse atrás debido a que sus sentimientos había sido enormemente lastimados.
Rama dasa también estaba descontento e insatisfecho y siempre era propenso a entrar en ira y tenía la tendencia a enojarse o enfadarse con facilidad. Cuando nació el primer hijo de Nityananda Prabhu, Abhirama Thakura fue a ofrecerle sus reverencias respetuosas al niño, quien murió en el acto luego de recibir las reverencias de Abhirama.
De esta misma manera, siete de los hijos de Nityananda tuvieron que abandonar este mundo justo después de tomar nacimiento. Finalmente, una hija, Ganga-devi, nació de Nityananda Prabhu y de Vasudha devi. Cuando, luego de ofrecerle sus reverencias a la niña, Abhirama Thakur vio que ella no estaba afectada por sus reverencias, exclamó: “¡Esta vez no nos han engañado!” Entonces, él inmediatamente compuso cien versos de alabanza en honor de Ganga-devi. Cuando Viracandra Prabhu tomó nacimiento, Abhirama nuevamente vino a ofrecerle sus reverencias, y cuando él vio que Viracandra no estaba afectado, compuso el Sri Birbhadrastakam.
Se dice que si Abhirama Thakura le ofrecía sus reverencias a cualquier piedra que nos sea una verdadera Shalagram-sila, esa piedra se quebraba. Cierta vez, Abhirama Thakura fue a Sri Khanda, deseando encontrarse con Raghunandana Thakura. Mukunda dasa estaba consciente de su reputación y por lo tanto le dijo a Abhirama que Raghunandana no se encontraba allí. Sintiendo decepcionado, Abhirama se fue. Cuando Raghunandana se enteró que Abhirama Thakura había venido a reunirse con él, corrió para alcanzarlo. Al final lo alcanzó en el Bor Danga, en donde ellos bailaron juntos en éxtasis. Cuando Raghunandana estaba bailando, su nupur (brazalete tobillero) se le salió y fue a caer al Akaihat, en donde Kaliya Krishna dasa solía realizar su bhajan. Este nupur aún está siendo adorado junto con la Deidad de Kaliya Krishna Takhura en Karvi, no muy lejos de Katwa.
Gopala guru Goswami también fue puesto a prueba por Ahirama Thakura cuando éste era solamente un pequeño niño que estaba viviendo con Mahaprabhu en Puri. Por la misericordia de Mahaprabhu, Quien invistió Su potencia en Gopala guru, el niño salió ileso de la prueba.
El nombre de su esposa era Sri Malini-devi. Su Deidad adorable era Sri Gopinathji, Quien, luego de aparecérsele a Abhirama en un sueño, se manifestó a Si Misma en Khanakhul Krishnagar.
La leyenda dice que Él se le apareció en un sueño a Abhirama Thakura y le dijo:
“Ahora Yo estoy dentro de la tierra. Por favor, Sácame afuera y Adórame.”
Abhirama dasa excavó en aquel lugar y encontró dentro del vientre de la tierra a la toda encantadora forma de Sri Gopinathjee. Aquel lugar en donde la Deidad fue encontrada se comenzó a conocerse como el Ram Kund.
“En el lugar donde Sri Gopinathjee se manifestó a Si Mismo, un lago se formó, y el agua contenida en él era dulce como néctar. Cualquiera que se bañaba en el lago o bebía de su agua quedaba fuera de si sumido en éxtasis. A partir de entonces, esta tierra se ha vuelto famosa y conocida como el Ram Kund. Habiendo escuchado estos divinos pasatiempos de Sri Gopinathjee un incesante fluir de personas se acercaron a aquel lugar, tal como los afluentes del río Ganges.” (Bhakti-Ratnakar Taranga 4)
Cierto día, encontrándose en un estado de éxtasis por recordar a Sri Krishna, Abhirama Thakura, en la modalidad de un vaquerito, deseó tocar la flauta. En la locura del amor extático él comenzó a buscar en todos lados una flauta. Entonces él vio tirado frente a él un enorme tronco de un árbol bambú, el cual ni siquiera podía ser levantado por dieciséis hombres. Sin darse cuenta de ello, y fuera de la realidad, él fabricó una flauta con el árbol y comenzó a tocarla.
Esto se confirma en el Verso 116 del Capítulo 10 del Caitanya Caritamrita - Adi lila, en donde se puede leer lo siguiente:
ramadasa abhirama sakhya-premarasi
solasangera kastha tuli' ye karila vansi
“Ramadasa Abhirama estaba totalmente absorto en la dulzura de la amistad. Hizo una flauta con un bambú que tenía dieciséis nudos.”
Sri Abhirama Thakura tenía un célebre látigo, cuyo nombre era Jaya – Mangala. A cualquier persona que fuera tocada con aquél látigo se le despertaban los síntomas de amor por Krishna.
Cierto día, Srinivasa Acarya fue a encontrarse con Abhirama Thakura. Luego de tocarlo a él tres veces con su látigo, su esposa Malini-devi exclamó, “¡Thakura, no le pegues más! ¡Cálmate! Él es solamente un muchacho. Él quedará demasiado excitado por el toque de tu látigo.” Mientras tanto, Srinivasa se había sumergido completamente en el éxtasis del Krishna prema.
Cuando Sri Gaurasundara le ordenó a Nityananda Prabhu que predicara en Gaudadesa (Bengala), él lo envió junto a Sri Rama das, Sri Gadadhara dasa y otros. Los ateos temblaban de miedo ante la sola visión de Abhirama Thakura. Él era un estudioso erudito de las escrituras. De acuerdo al deseo de Nityananda Prabhu él se casó. Su desaparición es el séptimo día de la quincena obscura del mes de Caitra. Los descendientes de los discípulos de Abhirama Thakura aún se encuentran viviendo en los distritos de Hugli y Bankura, en Krisnanagar, Amta, Visnupur y Kotalpur.
Extraído del siguiente sitio:
http://www.vaisnavacalendar.info/i/sri-abhirama-thakura-disappearance.html
Adaptado y traducido por:
dasavatara das (Santa Fe, Argentina)
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