Advaita Prakash

Contents

ChapterOne . 1

Meeting of Maha-Visnu with Lord Siva; Labhadevi becomes pregnant; Kuvera Misra goes to Laucla and talks with King Divyasimha; Astrologer's prediction; Labhadevi's dream; Appearance of Advaita.

Chapter Two 6

Labhadevi's wonderful dream; Creation of Panatirtha; Advaita's sacred thread ceremony and His transcendental mood; Father and son debate; Advaita's first display of divinity and His journey to Santipura.

Chapter Three 12

The lamentation of Advaita's parents; The parents receive Advaita's letter and go to Santipura; Advaita studies the Vedas; Advaita as sruti-dhara; Advaita Prabhu receives a title.

Chapter Four 1

Disappearance of Advaita's parents; Offering sraddha in Gaya; Pilgrimage; Meeting Madhavendra Purl; Expressing grief due to the living entities' unhappiness; Madhavendra Puri instructs and consoles Advaita Prabhu; Anantasarhhita; In Vrndavana, Advaita receives instructions in a dream; Kubja's Deity; The story of Madana-gopala; Visakha's painting.

Chapter FIve 28

Madhavendra Puri goes to santipura; Advaita Prabhu receives mantra; Gopinatha of Remuna; Madhavendra Puri collects sandalwood and leaves his body.

Chapter Six 33

Digvijayi's arrival in Santipura; The glories of Tulasi and the Ganges; Syamadasa's past history; Advaita-tattva; Syamadasa takes initiation; King Divyasimha arrives and takes initiation.

Chapter Seven 39

Past history of Brahma Haridasa; Haridasa's birth; Haridasa in Santipura; Perfection by chanting the holy names; Haridasa in Vaisnava dress; Yadunandana Acarya, the crown-jewel.

Chapter Eight 48

The story of Sri and Sitadevi; Advaita's four-armed form; Sri and Sitadevi's transcendental potency.

Chapter Nine 55

Haridasa goes to Phuliya; The brahmana Ramadasa; Delivering the prostitute in Benapola; Delivering the Yavanas; Delivering a snake; The glories of Haridasa; Advaita's vow.

Chapter Ten 65

Sri AdvaitaPrabhu's flower offering; Establishing a school in Navadvipa, Giving mantra to Saci and Jagannatha; The secrets of the Lord's birth; Gaurariga's appearance; Advaita's darsana of child; Conversation and blessings; The Lord's first lesson and learning grammar.

Chapter Eleven 74

Birth of Acyutananda; Arrival of Isana; Sri's child dies; Birth of Krsna Misra and Gopaladasa.

Chapter Twelve 78

Gauranga studies the scriptures; The story of the canpa bananas; Gaura mantra; Why the Gaura mantra is independent of the Krsna mantra; Lokanatha studies Bhagavatam; Accepting mantra; Gauranga receives a title; Gaura's departure; Gaura's marriage.

Chapter Thirteen 86

Isvara Puri's arrival in Navadvipa; Gauranga in Padmana~bha's house; Assembly of scholars; Tapana Misra; Visnupriya, embodiment of hladini-sakti; The Lord's second marriage.

Chapter Fourteen .91

Gauranga meets Isvara Purl in Gaya; Accepting initiation; Nimai's Krsna-prema; Nityananda; Advaita preaches jnana; The Lord's anger; Advaita's uncommon ecstasy; The three Lords eat.

ChapterFifteen 100

The birth of Balarama and Jagadisa; The condition of Saci, Visnupriya, and Advaita Prabhu on hearing that Nimai took sannyasa; The arrival of Acaryaratna and Saci; The Lord consoles mother Saci; Journey to Jagannatha Purl; Sarvabhauma.

Chapter Sixteen 109

Mahaprabhu arrives in Santipura; Rupa and Sanatana; Raghunatha dasa; Giving prema to the animals; Mathura Acyuta goes to Vraja; The glories of Radha-kunda; Govardhana.

Chapter Seventeen 122

Meeting with Sri Rupa; Gauranga in Kasi; Acyuta's discussion with the naked sannyasi; The sannyasi attains prema; Prabodhananda's deliverance.

Chapter Eighteen 130

Advaita goes to Puri; Ratha-yatra; Gopala Dasa; Inviting Mahaprabhu; Isana Dasa; The Lord's instructions; Kavikarnapura; The devotee dog; Banishing Chota Haridasa.

Chapter Nineteen 139

Sri Rupa's drama; Mahaprabhu's commentary on Srimad Bhagavatam and the logician's commentary; Sanatana recovers from skin disease; Ratha-yatra festival; Disappearance of Haridasa.

ChapterTwenty 148

Suryadasa; Nityananda's marriage proposal; Establishing Gaura-Nitai Deities; Worship of Gauranga by Krsna mantra in Ambika and Gaura mantra in Srikhanda; Vasudha brought back to life; Nitai's marriage; Advaita again explains jnana; The Lord in Santipura; Explanation on bhakti.

Chapter Twenty-one 156

Jagadananda; News for Saci; Advaita's riddle; Visnupriya; Mahaprabhu's disappearance; Advaita Prabhu's lamentation; Consoling Advaita in a dream; Advaita's two sons; Darsana in a dream; Entrusting the worship to Krsna Misra; Balarama and Jagadisa establish a Krsna Deity.

ChapterTwenty-two 165

Advaita and Nityananda's feelings of separation; Advaita goes to Khadadaha; Nityananda Prabhu's disappearance; Festival; Visnupriya's strict vow; Visnupriya; Virabhadra's messenger; Advaita's vow; Advaita's final instruction Advaita's disappearance; Advaita's manifestation; The author visits Gauda; The writing and completion of this book.

Chapter One

mangalacarana

sniadvaita gururh vande han'na~dvaitam eva tath

prakasitam param brahma yo 'vaurnah ksitau harih

"I offer my respectful obeisances to my spiritual master, Sri Advaita Prabhu, who is nondifferent from Lord Han. He induced the Supreme Lord Han to manifest in this world."

antah ~ am bahir goram krs.na-caitanya sam jnakam

premabdhim sac-cid-anandam sarva-s'aktas'rayam bhaje

"I worship Lord Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who is outwardly of a fair complexion but is inwardly Krsna Himself. He is an ocean of love, eternally full of knowledge and bliss, and the origin of all energies."

Sn nilyananda-ramam hi davalum' prema-dipakam

gadadharam ca snyasam vande radhesa sevinam

"I offer my obeisances unto Sri Nityananda Rama, who is most merciful and who illuminates love of God. I offer my obeisances to Gadadhara and Srivasa, who are engaged in the service of the Lord of Radharani."

All glories to Sri Caitanya! All glories to Sitanatha! All glories to Nityananda, along with all the devotees!

When the five-headed Lord Siva saw Kali-yuga was filled with terrible sins, he thought, "How can I deliver the living entities?" After a long discussion with Yogamaya, he concluded that no one other than Lord Han could deliver the fallen souls. Sadasiva, who is always joyful at heart, then went to the shore of the Causal Ocean. That great yogi then sat in yogic meditation for seven hundred years, until Maha-Visnu, the Lord of the universe, was pleased by his severe austerities and appeared before him. When the five-headed Siva saw Lord Narayan.a there, he offered many indescribable prayers. Maha-Visnu then said, "You and I are non-different except for our separate bodies."

Saying this, He embraced Lord Siva and their two bodies became one. Who could understand His mind? It was most wonderful how they became one form with pure golden effulgent limbs, chanting, "Krsna! Krsna!" Suddenly there was a miraculous voice from the sky saying, "Listen, Maha-Visnu! You first descend in this form in the womb of Labha, later I will descend in the district of Nadia in the house of Saci and Jagannatha. Balarama and other devotees will also take birth in order to deliver the living entities."

On hearing this, Maha-visnu, who is nondifferent from Lord Siva, entered the womb of Labha in Santipura. Labha was the austere, chaste, religious-minded wife of Kuvera Pandita. Previously, the well-to-do Kuvera Pandita had devotedly performed austerities and chanted mantras to get Lord Siva as his son. Lord Siva was pleased by his austerities and agreed by saying, "So be it. Your desire will be fulfilled." That is why Kuvera took birth in this world. He was given the name Sriman Kuvera Acarya, and by dint of his knowledge and religiousness he was worshipable by all. I am unable to describe all his good qualities. People glorify him as the son of Nrsimha.

Nrsimha was a descendant of Aru Ojha and was also known as Nadiyala. He could remember anything he heard and was famous throughout the three worlds for being well-versed in the scriptures and expert in their explanations. By the strength of Nrsimha's counsel, Sri Ganesa captured the throne of Gauda-desa by killing the Badasaha. The class of Kapa brahmanas who resided in Lauda were formed by his daughter's marriage.

Kuvera Acarya was an inspiration to his family line by his role as the King's Pandita. After marriage he gradually had many sons, but when they all died he had some realization. He went to beautiful Santipura on the bank of the Ganges and stayed there with Labha for some days. One day he noted symptoms of pregnancy in Labha's form. He therefore worshiped Lord Narayana with various articles and satisfied the brahmanas, the poor, and the blind by feeding them.

At that time Kuvera got a letter from the King, so he returned home with his wife. His residence was in Nava-grama, in the district of Lauda, where Divyasimha was reigning. 'When he returned to Nava-grama, the residents offered him a warm reception. Delighted on seeing the Acarya after many days, the King greeted him and inquired about his well-being. The King said, "Tell me some good news. Why have you been delayed? Your good association is a source of joy for me. I consider my kingdom void without you.',

The Acarya replied, "You are an ocean of mercy. You are always kind to the poor brahmanas. The bank of the Ganges is an enchanting holy place. Living there is equal to living in Svarga. I returned because of your order, otherwise I had no desire to leave that place. By the will of the Lord, my wife has again became pregnant, for whatever is destined becomes manifest."

The King said, "As she became pregnant in a holy place, I'm sure the result will be auspicious. Forget your past lamentation. Pray to the Lord, and He will bless you with a wonderful son"'

In this way they had many discussions. At that time a brahmana astrologer came there. The astrologer said, "Listen, Pandita Mahasaya. There is no doubt that you will get a divine son. He will live a long life and be fully conversant with the religious codes of the scriptures. I can see that He will widely preach devotional service."

Saying this, the astrologer disappeared. Later, the King searched for him, but he could not be found. Considering this very astounding, people considered that the astrologer must have been some demigod.

The Acarya was pleased by the astrologer's prediction. He returned home and explained everything to Labha, who replied, "The Lord's glories are unlimited. By His grace our miseries may disappear. Saintly persons say that whoever worships Lord Visnu with devotion will meet good fortune everywhere."

On hearing this, Acarya, who is situated in pure knowledge, said, "Yes, dear, this is the Vedic conclusion. By worshiping Visnu, all demigods are worshiped, all perfection is attained, and one is freed from all illusion."

Kuvera then devotedly worshiped Lord Narayana in great opulence with many articles. He offered visnu-prasada to the brahmanas and gave clothes to the poor, the blind, and the distressed.

Now listen to a wonderful story. Once at the end of night Labha Thakurani had a dream in which she saw Lord Harihara appear in her lotus heart. The beauty of the Lord's limbs illumined all directions. He sweetly chanted the holy name of Hari and danced with raised arms. Tears of love flowed from His eyes, and He lost all external consciousness. He chanted Hare Krsna and roared loudly. Hearing His chanting, Yamaraja, the son of Surya, came there.

Yamaraja saw that the sweetness of Harihara's combined form resembled that of Hara-Gauri. The enchanting effulgence of His body defeated the shining of millions of suns. Who has the capacity to describe that beauty? As He chanted Hare Krsna, His hairs stood on end and tears incessantly flowed from His eyes like the Ganges. His body was inundated with ecstatic love, and the waves of that love expanded as He danced. Seeing His transcendental mood, the beloved son of Surya offered full obeisances and various prayers.

With folded hands, Yamaraja sweetly said, "0 Lord, please listen. This Kali-yuga is covered with the darkness of ignorance. It is certainly wonderful that You incarnate in such an age. By seeing You, the sinful will be delivered and my authority will be finished. Therefore, dear Lord, kindly remain unmanifest and deliver this servant of Yours from danger."

Hearing Yamarija's appeal, the Lord slightly smiled and said, "0 Dharmaraja, you are in illusion. Be peaceful. Don't you realize how much the sinful living entities are suffering? Learned persons and saints feel sorry for the sufferings of others. If someone is suffering the reactions of his karma, then who has the power to free him? Being covered by illusion, the living entity does not know his own self-interest. He foolishly considers insignificant sense enjoyment as his self-interest. One who is attached to material life is bound by his fruitive work just as a diseased person suffers when he takes the wrong food. Particularly in Kali-yuga the living entity becomes whimsical and suffers in the blazing fire of material life. Seeing their unbearable distress, My mind became impatient and I made a vow. The maha-mantra counteracts the bondage of karma and enables one to attain pure krsna-prema. By teaching sinful persons the transcendental holy name, I will empower and deliver them. That is why I will take birth now. Later, saints will sing the glories of Kali-yuga.

"I have one more staunch vow. I will without doubt make the Lord Himself descend. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu will descend along with His followers, and the whole country will be over-flooded with pure krsna-prema. Your authority will not be lost by this, however, for blasphemers and atheists will never be delivered."

On hearing this, Yamaraja returned to his abode. Labhadevi then woke from her dream and described the wonderful vision to her husband, Kuvera Pandita, who was amazed to hear the story.

The chaste Labhadevi passed ten months in pregnancy, and then Advaita Prabhu took birth on the auspicious seventh day of the waxing moon in the month of Magha [January-Februaryj. On that auspicious day all the ladies took bath, gave charity, chanted the holy names, and made auspicious sounds of hulu. Although the devotees did not understand the cause of their happiness, their bliss knew no bounds.

In due course of time Kuvera called an astrologer, who after calculation named the child Kamalaksa. At the age of five the child looked strikingly wonderful. He didn't eat anything other than krsna-prasada. Thereafter, on an auspicious day, Kuvera gave his son His first lesson, and within a month Advaita Prabhu mastered the entire alphabet.

Praying at the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya and Sri Advaita, always desiring Their mercy, I, Isana Nagara, narrate Sn Advaita Prakasa.

All glories to Sri Caitanya! MI glories to Sitanatha! All glories to Nityananda, along with all the devotees!

Sri Lauda-dhama is the Causal Ocean wherein Sri Advaita Prabhu performed His childhood pastimes. Listen now to a wonderful story. One day Labhadevi fell asleep with her son on her lap. At the end of the night she had a dream. She perceived that the son on her lap was the source of Lord Siva. That white colored form of Maha-Visnu had four hands, decorated with the conchshell, club, disc, and lotus. He was beyond the vision of the demigods. The luster of His body resembled that of the autumn moon, which removes the threefold miseries and gives peace.

Seeing the transcendental form of the Lord, the chaste Labhadevi offered her full obeisances. She folded her hands and offered various prayers with love and devotion. The Lord then inquired, "Why are you praying to Me?"

Labhadevi said, "Please give me the water that has washed Your lotus feet."

The Lord said, "How can I do that? One's mother and father are as respectable as the Guru."

Labhadevi said, "You are Sadasiva, the spiritual master of the entire creation. You remain everywhere in innumerable living entities. You are the origin of all creations, so who can be Your mother? You are Maha-Vi~nu, the father of all living entities. Your holy reddish feet are the seat of millions of places of pilgrimage. Simply by drinking the water that has washed Your lotus feet, the living entity attains liberation. Therefore, 0 Lord, please give me the water that has washed Your feet."

Advaita Prabhu said, "Do not ask for this again. If you like, I will call all the holy places of pilgrimage here. Then you may bathe, drink, and execute religious duties."

Û¯ÿ'â_ _When Labhadevi awoke after that wonderful dream, she remembered Lord Narayana and sat down. She exclaimed, "What a wonderful dream I had! According to astrology, whatever one dreams at the end of night comes true."

Advaita woke up and asked, "Mother, what are you saying?"

Labha said, "I had a dream."

Advaita inquired, "Please tell Me what you have seen."

Labhadevi said, "There is no need for You to hear about it."

Advaita said, "Please tell Me about the dream, otherwise I will stop chanting and dancing."

Labhadevi said, "Listen, darling, You are just a child and will not understand. And if I tell You, what benefit will You get?"

She then narrated the whole amazing dream, from beginning to end, and shed tears in ecstasy. Advaita Prabhu then promised her, "I will bring all the places of pilgrimage and establish them here."

On hearing this, Labha~ Thakura- ni's hairs stood on end and she said, "If you do that, then I will consider the dream was true."

Advaita said, "Tonight all the places of pilgrimage will come, and tomorrow you can take bath and become successful in all respects."

Labhadevi said, "Who will believe this?"

Advaita Prabhu said, "My words will certainly come true." That night in meditation Advaita Prabhu called all the personified holy places by His mystic power. As the Lord remembered them, each holy place came there just like iron is attracted by the force of a magnet. All the sacred ti'ihas like the beautiful Ganges and Yamuna came and worshiped the Lord. As Advaita cordially received them, the Yamun& offered obeisances at His feet.

The personified tirthas asked, "0 Lord, why did You call us here?"

Advaita told them, "I want you to stay on the top of that mountain."

The personified tirthas then said, "If we stay there, the glories of many holy places will be ruined."

Advaita Prabhu said, "My words should not prove false. You must come here for one day every year."

ÿÿÿ‰á_ _The personified tirthas then asked, "0 Lord, please decide which day we should come on top of this mountain."

Advaita Prabhu said, "You should promise to appear on the auspicious thirteenth day of the waning moon in the month of Madhu tMarch-April]."

The personified tirthas replied, "We certainly promise to come. We cannot disobey Your order."

From that time the place became known as Pana-tirtha, the holy place where the personified tirthas made a promise to the Lord. If someone drinks or bathes in that water his desires are fulfilled.

Advaita Prabhu ordered the ti~rthas to remain on top of the mountain as waterfalls. The tiThrthas accepted the Lord's order and performed pastimes on top of the mountain.

In the morning Advaitacandra informed His mother that all the holy places have appeared on the top of the mountain. When mother Labhadevi inquired as to how she could believe this, Advaita replied, "You will soon see something wonderful."

Advaita Prabhu took His mother and went near the mountain. He then blew a conchshell, played a gong, and loudly chanted the name of Han. All of a sudden streams of water began falling from the top of the mountain.

"Dear mother, see how your body is bathed by the nectarean blackish water of the Yamuna. See the other side, where the pious nectarean water of the Ganges, which derides the transparency of quartz, is coming to bath you. Again, see the other pious rivers-some red and some yellow-all showering on your head with a sweet melodious sound."

LAbhadevi was amazed, and she offered obeisances. Then with love and dev'otion she took bath and gave charity. Since then, that place has become a renowned holy place of pilgrimage. If one takes bath there during the Varuni-yoga, he gets many auspicious results.

Sf1 Kuvera then joyfully let his son, Kamalaksa, study with the son of the king. Advaita Prabhu was a sruti-dhara who could memorize anything by hearing once. When He studied Kalapa

ÿuá_ _grammar, He understood the meaning of each aphorism by reading it only once. In three years He completed the entire book. People remarked, "Kamalaksa has attained transcendental knowledge."

Now listen to this amazing incident. One day Kamalaksa and the son of King Divyasirhha went to the temple of goddess Kali. The Prince devotedly offered obeisances to the stone deity. As Kan~alaksa was standing there enjoying the beauty of the deity, the prince told Him to offer obeisances. Kamalaksa didn't hear him and remained standing there, so the prince got angry and rebuked him.

Then Advaita Prabhu became angry and roared out, and the prince fell unconscious to the ground. The servants cried out, "Alas!" and rushed to inform King Divyasimha.

When the king heard this painful news, he immediately went along with his ministers to see his son. Meanwhile, Kamal&ksa ran away like an ordinary person and hid Himself inside an ant hill.

On seeing his lifeless son, the king lamented, "Alas! Alas!" Meanwhile Kuvera rushed off to find his son. After searching for a long time, Advaita Prabhu was found and taken to His residence. The king said to Advaita, "You are the greatest amongst the bra~hman as. Why did You do such a heinous thing?"

Advaita Prabhu felt embarrassed and said, "He is not dead yet. He is just unconscious. I will bring him back to his senses." Advaita then made the king's son drink caranamrta, the water that has washed the lotus feet of Lord Vi~nu, and the prince regained his consciousness.

Water that has washed the lotus feet of Lord Visnu has transcendental power that even Lord Brahma and Lord Siva cannot fathom. By simply remembering the water that has washed the feet of Lord Visnu, one gets the same auspicious results as obtained by visiting holy places and bathing in sacred rivers.

Seeing his son come back to life, the King became joyful and satisfied the poor and the brahmanas by distributing wealth in charity. When people said that everything was auspicious now, Sri Kuvera thought that the disturbance was over.

ÿ-á_ _Thereafter, on an auspicious day, the wise Kuvera gave his son the sacred brahmana thread. In this way Advaita Prabhu was sanctified by entering the Brahminical order in His paugand.~a age [six to ten years]. He looked pure and sublime. Advaita then studied various literatures as well as the art of literary embellishments and the science of Astrology.

Now listen to this wonderful incident that occurred during the festival of Kali-pi~ja. As all classes of people gathered at the temple of goddess Kali, there was customary dancing and singing. At that time Kamala~ksa came and took His seat in the assembly. The King said, "Kamalaksa, what kind of behavior is this? Why didn't You offer obeisances to Kali?"

Advaita replied, "The Supreme Brahman is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He alone is My worshipable Lord. Those who follow various philosophies get bewildered, whereas those who are wise fix their minds on one worshipable Lord."

Hearing his son's scholarly statement, Tarka Pailcanana gave arguments supporting the King. He explained to Kamalak~a, "You don't understand the final conclusion. The Supreme Brahman has many forms-this is the conclusion of the Vedas. All the demigods and demigoddesses are worshipable, and those who are envious of them are most sinful. In Treta-yuga even the Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Ramacandra worshiped Devi to deliver Sita. Because Devi is the mother of the universe, she is most merciful. Those who engage in cultivating knowledge get liberation by worshiping her. Therefore You should offer obeisances to mother Kali to be free from all calamities and attain fulfillment of Your desires."

Kamalik~ said, "Listen, father. Please don't get angry, but unless there is only one worshipable Lord there will be many discrepancies. If one pours water on the root of a tree, then its branches and leaves are satisfied. Similarly, if one worships Narayan.a, the origin of all demigods and demigoddesses, then worship of all gods is complete. Bhagavati Devi is the external energy of Lord Vi~nu, and by her potency the living entities are bewildered about the Absolute Truth. One who delights in the

ÿÿÿÍà_ _sacrifice of living entities is not worthy of worship. If she is the mother of the universe and all living entities are her offspring, then how will she be pleased by the sacrifice of her children?"

Kuvera said, "What benefit will You get from inappropriate arguments? You simply invite misfortune by blaspheming Devi. A King punishes the offenders and rewards the pious according to the laws of religion. Similarly, Devi gives liberation to saintly persons and leaves ordinary living entities in the ocean of ignorance. Killing animals for the purpose of sacrifice is not violence because the animals are delivered and promoted to the heavenly planets."

Advaita Prabhu said, "When there is an easier method for achieving perfection, why should one separately endeavor to deliver his parents?"

In this way the father and son argued in various ways, and all the people in the assembly were amazed. As one's father is considered his worshipable Guru, Advaita Prabhu then stopped speaking out of respect. He said, "Dear father, please forgive My offense. I will now offer obeisances to Devi."

Saying this, He offered obeisances before the deity of Devi. At that time something amazing happened. Those who were present were astonished to see the deity of Devi break to pieces. Because the deity was conscious, she was embarrassed that her master had bowed down before her. The king along with his ministers and Kuvera Acarya were all struck with wonder on seeing that amazing event.

Kamaliksa, who is nondifferent from Hara and Han, then disappeared from that place while chanting Gaurin ga's name. At the age of twelve He went to Santipura, where He gradually studied the six branches of philosophy.

Praying at the the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya and Sri Advaita, always desiring Their mercy, I, Is ana Nagara, narrate Sd Advaita Prakas~a.

Chapter Three

All glories to Sri Caitanya! All glories to Sitanatha! All glories to Nityananda, along with all the devotees!

One day Advaita Prabhu wrote a letter to His parents and sent it with someone to Lauda-dhama. Kuvera Acarya had looked for his son everywhere, and he was feeling great distress out of separation. Tears flowed from his eyes, and he repeatedly called out the name of Lord Gopala. By the mercy of Lord Kisna, he felt somewhat relieved, and he returned to his house. Labhadevi was also grief-stricken because of the disappearance of her beloved son. She wandered here and there and sometimes rolled on the ground. Tears flowed incessantly from her eyes, and she sometimes asked incoherent questions like an insane woman. Sometimes she fell unconscious and appeared as if dead, and Kuvera Acarya would try to console her in various ways.

Kuvera said, "The Lord does not act without consideration. He returns whatever He takes from someone. Persons who are absorbed in remembering Krsna's lotus feet are the best of all beings, while those who are bodily conscious are the lowest of all. Material enjoyment leads one to an ocean of misery, just as one finds deadly poison when trying to enjoy the touch of a snake. As a medicinal tonic has the power to give one the happiness of renewed health, worshiping Lord Han in difficult circumstances leads one to a reservoir of bliss."

After hearing many instructions in this way, Labha Thakurani felt somewhat relieved. Feeling distressed one night, Kuvera Pandita entered his temple room and remained there fasting. In the morning he had a dream in which Gopala told him, "Your son is happily living on the bank of the Ganges. Kamalaksa is not an ordinary person, He has incarnated as a devotee. He will send a servant to you in a few days."

Eâ_ _Kuvera Acarya related his dream in detail to Labhadevi, and by hearing the Lord's prophesy she became pacified.

Then one day Kuvera Acarya and Lab hadevi were overjoyed to receive Kamalaksa's letter. Kuvera said, "What is the use to remain here? Let us go live on the bank of the Ganges, where one easily attains liberation."

Labha said, "I have a desire to stay there for the rest of my life."

The couple departed from that place and joyfully went by boat to Santipura. Seeing His mother and father, Advaita Prabhu ran to greet them and devotedly offered obeisances at their feet. They both lovingly embraced their son, kissed His forehead, and offered Him their blessings.

Labha said, "Separated from my son, I felt like a fish out of water."

Kuvera inquired, "Dear sdn, what are You studying now?"

Advaita replied, "I am just about to finish studying the six branches of philosophy."

Kuvera then said, "Now You should study the four Vedas, so that You may be enlightened with knowledge of Brahman."

Advaita Prabhu said, "I will go to Pu mavati to study at the house of one peaceful, learned br~hman a."

Kuvera Acarya said, "Knowledge is not under anyone's control. But under the proper guidance of a bona fide teacher one can acquire knowledge. You go there, but inform us of Your welfare. Study without interruption and everything will be auspicious."

Advaita Prabhu then offered obeisances to His parents and departed with His books for Pu mavati while remembering Lord Hari. He soon arrived in Pu mavati and offered His obeisances to a peaceful first-class bn~hmana there.

The br~hmana was astonished to see Advaita's handsome features. He offered his blessings and inquired about Advaita's identity. After discussing the scriptures with Advaita, that topmost bra~hman~a admired and praised Advaita, saying, "Dear child, study whatever You desire here."

Taking guidance from that brahmana, Advaita began studying the Vedas. In His pastimes as a human being, Advaita Prabhu

9á_ _acted as a s'mIi-dhara, and He thus studied all the Vedas in two years.

Now listen to this wonderful incident that took place one day. The peaceful brahmana went with his disciples to the Ganges for taking bath. Next to the Ganges was one large deep lake that had many thorny plants growing in it. In the middle of the lake they saw a beautiful lotus whose fragrance spread throughout all directions. There were many black snakes sporting in that lake, so no one was able to pick the lotus. The learned brahmana smiled and said to his students, "Who is able to pick that lotus?"

The students said, "There is no way to get it.,'

Advaita, however, replied, "I'm not afraid to go if ordered."

The brahmana said, "There are many thorns and snakes. Don't vainly boast that you can traverse that most difficult path."

Hearing this, Advaita Prabhu slightly smiled and then ran, stepping from flower to flower, across the lake. He picked that most fragrant lotus and then devotedly offered it to His teacher.

Seeing this magical feat, the brahmana was struck with wonder. He considered himself blessed to have such a student. Calling Advaita to a secluded place, the brahmana inquired, "My dear son, how did You do this superhuman feat? Do You have some art or divine power? Are You a demigod?"

Advaita Prabhu said, "The three worlds are expanded from Lord Hari. If someone dedicates his life in the service of Lord K~~na with a pure heart, the eight yogic perfections all come under his control."

When that topmost, peaceful, learned brdhmana heard this confidential conclusion from the Lord's mouth, he thought, "It is beyond the ability of an ordinary person to speak like this." He therefore concluded that Advaita was the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

One day Kamal~k~ told His teacher, "If you are pleased with Me, give Me permission to return home."

The peaceful brahmana said, "Your name is Veda PancAnana. My heart becomes restless at the thought of letting You return home. If You seriously want to leave, then I simply request that You should visit me whenever I desire."

Advaita Prabhu offered obeisances to His teacher, who embraced the Lord and began crying. The other students and the teacher's wife all began to cry, and Advaita consoled them with sweet words, "Don't lament on My account. We will meet again. Don't forget our affectionate relationship."

Saying this, Advaita disappeared, and they quickly searched here and there, but could not find Him. Advaita Prabhu returned home and offered obeisances to His mother and father. He displayed His love for them by profusely glorifying them. The couple was greatly pleased to see their son again. They kissed His head and showered their blessings on Him.

Praying at the the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya and Sri Advaita, always desiring Their mercy, I, Is ana Nagara, narrate Sn Advaita Prakasa.

Chapter Four

All glories to Sri Caitanya! All glories to Sitanatha! All glories to Nityananda, along with all the devdtees!

Advaita Prabhu then engaged in the service of His parents, obediently carrying out their orders. For the next one year the two were immensely pleased to accept service in this way from the Lord.

Then one day Kuvera said to Kamalaksa, "You have appropriately served Your father and mother. Whoever devotedly serves his father and inother will enjoy increased life span, wealth, and fame. Now listen as I tell You something confidential. Your mother and I have both passed ninety years. A flower airplane will soon come for us. After we leave this world, please offer oblations at the feet of Visnu on our behalf."

As he spoke, a celestial airplane that was visible only through eyes of knowledge arrived there. The couple rode in that airplane to Vaikuntha, while Advaita Prabhu chanted the name of Han and roared loudly. After performing the standard rituals, Advaita Prabhu lamented like an ordinary person. The son of Labha then remembered His father's instructions and went to Gaya, the abode of Visnu, where He offered oblations at the lotus feet of Visnu. He passed a few days there in order to complete His forefather's rites.

Advaita Prabhu then thought, "If Jagannatha is merciful to Me, I will go to Nabhi-gaya (near Yajapura, Orrisa) from here." On the way to Jagannatha Purl, Advaita Prabhu went to Remuna and had darsana of Gopinatha. Seeing the sweetness of Gopinatha, Advaita was overwhelmed in ecstasy. One moment He laughed, the next moment He cried, and another moment He danced. After some time Advaita Prabhu regained His external consciousness and then offered obeisances and prayers to Gopinatha. After leaving that place, He went to Nabhi-gayi and offered oblations to His forefathers. In this way He felt gratified. From Nabhi-gaya,

Advaita Prabhu went to Purl, where Jagannatha, Baladeva, and Subhadra perform their pastimes.

Advaita Prabhu offered dandavats to Lord Jagannatha by fallmg on the ground like a rod. He offered many prayers to the Lord, who manifested as Kisna before Advaita Prabhu. Seeing Lord Jagannatha in this way, Advaita was overwhelmed in ecstasy and exclaimed, "0 Lord of My life!" He then fainted. When Advaita regained His consciousness after some time, He cried out, '~Now I have obtained Kisna!" He jumped high and danced beyond description. One moment He laughed, and the next moment He cried loudly. Advaita Prabhu was absorbed in great ecstasy throughout the whole day and night until the next morning when the sun rose and He regained external consciousness. After Advaita took bath in that king of holy places, He was delighted to obtain Lord Jagannatha's maha-prasa-da. Advaita noted how all the temples in Sri K~etra-dhama were overflowing with love of God.

After passing some time in Purl, Advaita Prabhu departed for Ramesvaram. On the way He took bath in the Godavari River and visited many places of pilgrimage. Sometimes He went east and sometimes He went west. There was no particular sequence in His travels, for He was always mad in ecstasy. Advaita Prabhu visited Visnu-kan~ ci, Siva-kafici, and so many other places of pilgrimage that they cannot be described.

Advaita Prabhu took bath in the Kaveri River, and then He visited Papanasanam and other places like Madurai. Eventually Advaita arrived at the great pilgrimage place of Setubandha, Rames'varam, where He joyfully took bath at Dhanustirtha. He offered respects to Ramesvara-Siva, and devotedly worshiped and offered many prayers to Siva. "Lord Ramacandra is his Lord, and he is Rama's servant." Saying this, Advaita felt great bliss. Raising His arms, Advaita began dancing-sometimes laughing, sometimes crying, and sometimes losing consciousness. Sometimes He cried, "Where is Rama, the Lord of My life?" Thinking in this way, He slapped His cheeks and clapped His hands. Restraining His ecstatic feelings, He passed that night reading Ramdyana.

ïÿ_á_ _Thereafter Advaita Prabhu visited many other holy places until He eventually arrived in Udupi. Many saintly followers of S'rlla Madhvacarya were residing there, relishing the nectar of devotional service. They expounded the science of devotional service from the S'a~ndilya-su~tras and Na~rada-sutras with full devotion. On hearing their explanations, the Lord displayed ecstatic symptoms. He repeatedly prayed to Bhaktidevi to be merciful to them. He danced wonderfully with His arms raised and ran here and there crying. Gradually the waves of the ocean of love overflowed and the Lord fell unconscious to the ground.

Seeing this, Madhavendra Purl said, "He must be situated on the highest platform of devotional service. An ordinary living entity cannot display such symptoms of love. He must be situated in transcendence, on the spiritual platform. He is drinking the elixlr of pure love and enjoying internal bliss, with no external conscious-ness. All the symptoms of a great personality are manifest in His body. I can understand that He has appeared to deliver the whole world."

All the saintly persons there surrounded Advaita Prabhu and jubilantly chanted, "Han, Han!" Drinking the powerful medicine of the holy names, Advaita begged for devotional service and roared loudly. All the devotees floated in the waves of love as Advaita Prabhu manifested various ecstatic symptoms.

After some time, when Advaita calmed down, He offered His obeisances to Madhavendra Purl, who is like a desire tree. Overwhelmed in ecstasy, Madhavendra Purl embraced Advaita and then inquired about His name and residence. "You are a storehouse of pure love. We are most fortunate to have You here."

Advaita Prabhu replied, "My name is Kamalaksa, and My residence is in Santipura, on the bank of the Ganges. You are the aca~ya of devotional scriptures, and you are most renounced. Please accept Me as your servant and teach Me the science of devotional service."

Greatly pleased to hear His earnest request, Madhavendra kept Advaita Prabhu with him. MAdhavendra Purl explained Srl Madhvacarya's commentary on the Sdmad Bha~gavatam to Advaita

þáà_ _Prabhu. Just by hearing that explanation, Advaita committed it to memory. The devotees there were amazed to see this.

Then one day Advaita told Madhavendra Purl, "By the present influence of Kali, living entities are not accepting devotional service. Wherever one goes, he sees only unclean habits. One will never even hear the name of Krsna. I don't find any means for the people's deliverance. Please suggest some means."

Madhavendra Purl said, "Kamalak~a, You are an ocean of compassion. You are always thinking of the welfare of the living entities. This sort of consciousness is not manifest in ordinary people. Only one who is divinely empowered manifests such godly opulence. Unless the Supreme Personality of Godhead incarnates, there is no easy way to deliver the living entities. Therefore the original Supreme Lord will appear in order to establish religion in Kali-yuga. The primary evidence about His appearance is in the Ananta-samhita~, and there is further reference in the Srtmad Bh~gavatam."

Advaita Prabhu said, "Where in the Ananta-sam'hita may this be found? I have a strong desire to see it."

Hearing His request, Madhavendra Purl showed Him the reference in the Ananta-sam hita~. Advaita Prabhu was most delighted to read it and said, "The son of Nanda Maharaja, who is full in six opulences, will appear in Navadvipa as Lord Gauraiiga! He will deliver the entire world by giving people love of God through the chanting of the holy names. Thus He will fulfill the desire of this fallen soul."

As Advaita said this, He was filled with ecstatic symptoms, and He chanted Gaurai~iga's name for three hours:

gaura mora pranapati ya~nha~ tare pa~na

veda-dhanna langhi mui ta~ha cali ya~na

"Lord Gaurai~ga is the Lord of My life. I will go wherever I find Him, even if I have to transgress the Vedic injunctions."

Advaita sang this verse and danced as other devotees joined along. Gradually the waves of pure love swelled up like the Ganges in flood. They cried in ecstasy as they chanted the name of

åà_ _Gauringa. Exclaiming, ~'I've attained Gauranga!" the Lord rushed to and fro, sometimes losing consciousness and rolling on the ground. Later, after the Lord restrained His ecstatic symptoms, He had that reference in the Ananta-samhita copied down.

Then one day Advaita Prabhu got up in the morning, offered obeisances to Madhavendra Purl, and left. Continuing on His travels, He visited hundreds of holy places until He came to Dandakaranya. He visited the sites around Nasika, and then He left for Dvaraka. Absorbed in love, He offered His respects and prayers to Laksmi, Vasudeva, and others. He then went to other holy places like Prabhasa and Puskara, until He eventually arrived at Kuruk~etra. As He continued His pilgrimage, He went to Haridvara to take bath in the Ganges. Thereafter He visited Sri Badrikasrama, the topmost holy place, where He had darsana of Nara-narayana and Vyasadeva. After He danced in ecstasy and offered His obeisances, He continued with His travels. In a few days He arrived at Gomukha, the source of the Ganges. Then He went to the Gandaki River, where satagrama-silas are found. He took bath there and after resting He incessantly chanted the holy name of the Lord. He found a sa-lagrama-sila marked with a cakra and other auspicious marks, and He devotedly took it with Him when He left. Then Advaita Prabhu went to Mithila, the birthplace of Sita. He rolled on the ground there and then chanted and danced in ecstasy.

Now hear about the wonderful incident that took place at that time. The Lord heard a sweet, melodious song in glorification of Krsna. He rushed in the direction of the sound and found a first-class brahmana sitting under a banyan tree singing the nectarean glories of Lord Krsna like a Gandharva. Advaita Prabhu was struck with wonder on hearing the descriptions of Krsna's form. He was filled with love and embraced the bra-hmana. On the pretext of embracing the bra-hmana, Advaita bestowed His mercy by giving him love of God just as iron is turned to gold by the contact of touchstone.

The bra-hman,a understood that Advaita was the Supreme Lord and offered Him obeisances. Advaita remembered Lord Vis,nu and asked the bra-hmana his name and the name of the author of the nectarean song.

Advaita Prabhu said, "Such a sweet composition is hardly heard, and the pleasing sound of your voice is most excellent. I became intoxicated by hearing that nectarean song of yours, and out of attraction I came running here."

The brahmana said, "My name is vidyapati. Since I am maintained by the king, my consciousness is contaminated. I composed this song in this maddened condition. You became pleased with the song because You are a paramahainsa, who has accepted the essence of everything. Otherwise, who has the power to attract You? You have delivered me simply due to Your saintly qualities."

Advaita Prabhu said, "What to speak of ordinary living entities, even Kisna Himself is attracted by your nectarean song. By some great fortune Kisna has bestowed His mercy on Me and I am able to associate with Vidyapati, the composer of this song."

Saying this, Advaita embraced him again and then started for Ayodhya while remembering Lord Han. At Ayodhya, He saw the birthplace of Lord Ramacandra. He offered His obeisances and His hairs stood on end. Remembering the wonderful pastimes of Lord Ramacandra, He cried profusely in ecstasy. As the waves of the ocean of love overflowed, He shouted, "Kill Ravana!"

In this ecstatic mood He imitated the pastimes of Lord Ramacajidra. After some time Advaita Prabhu regained His composure and then He took bath in the Sarayu River, where He saw the pastimes of Lord Rama's bathing. Thereafter, He continued on His travels.

Eventually Advaita Prabhu arrived in varanasi, where He took bath in the Ganges River at Manikarnika-ghat.a. Seeing the Adikesava Deity, Advaita blissfully offered His obeisances and many prayers. Advaita Prabhu then went and chanted and danced before Bindu Madhava in ecstatic love. His ecstatic feelings grew as He repeatedly offered obeisances and prayers.

With folded hands, He prayed to the Lord, "0 Madhava! 0 Hari' How wonderful is Your mercy on Me! Your transcendental form is like a kalpa-vr~a tree that fulfills the desires of Your devotees. You give liberation here even to one who is spiritually dead. Your glories are not understood by even Lord Brahma or Lord Siva, so how can an insignificant being like Me describe Your glories?"

Advaita Prabhu then went in an ecstatic mood to the temple of Visvesvara in order to instruct people how to worship Lord Siva Advaita Prabhu requested Lord Siva for the benediction of devotional service. He offered prayers and then chanted and danced with raised arms. After offering His obeisances, Advaita went to the temple of Annapurna Devi and offered prayers to the goddess. Advaita Prabhu offered His respects to the goddess and then went to visit various other holy places, where He had darsana of Lord Siva and other demigods.

In His travels, Advaita explained the supremacy of devotional service to many yogis, sannya-sis, and renounced saintly persons. One evening Advaita Prabhu met Srl Vijaya Purl, a topmost devotee of the Lord. They blissfully discussed topics of Lord Kisna and then laughed and cried while chanting the name of Govinda. Sometimes they rolled on the ground, sometimes they lost consciousness, and sometimes they embraced each other in ecstasy. After that auspicious night passed, they suffered greatly as they parted ways.

Advaita Prabhu traveled on in this way until He arrived at Prayaga. There He had His head shaved, and then He bathed in the confluence of the holy rivers and devotedly offered oblations to His forefathers according to regulations. Next He went and offered prayers and obeisances to VenT Midhava, and then He saw Bhima's club, which He repeatedly glorified.

S'rl Advaita Prabhu then left for Mathura, the site of Lord Kisna's eternal pastimes. When He arrived in the transcendental abode of the Lord, He manifested ecstatic feelings and cried out, "Alas, Krsna!" The entire city of Mathura was inundated with love~hildren, youth, and old were all drowned in that flood. Upon seeing the Yamuna, Advaita felt overjoyed. He offered so many prayers and obeisances that it cannot be described.

ÿÿ%á_ _In ancient times there was a devotee by the name Dhruva. The place where he worshiped Kisna is known as Dhruva-gha~ ta. Anyone who offers oblations to his forefathers there will achieve one hundred times the results as obtained in Gaya.

After taking bath in the Yamuna at Dhruva-ghata, Advaita offered oblations with love and devotion. He next went to see the Deity of Krs.na there and became stunned in ecstasy. Advaita experienced unlimited bliss as He visited the sites of Kisna's pastimes.

Advaita Prabhu then went on to visit Sri Vraja-dhama. Just by touching that transcendental abode, He was enchanted with love. Even though Mathura is a transcendental abode, the ecstasy of love is greater in Vraja because of the gopi's presence.

When Advaita came to His external consciousness, He cried and said, "Where is the Lord of My heart?" Intoxicated in ecstasy, He ran to and fro. Then He rolled in the dust while glorifying its spiritual nature. Sometimes He laughed, sometimes He jumped high dancing, and sometimes He called the name of Kisna and roared loudly. From time to time He manifested symptoms of ecstasy like perspiring, shivering, and being stunned. In this mood He approached Govardhana Hill.

Upon seeing Govardhana, Advaita was overcome with feelings of ecstasy, and He began dancing with His arms raised high. He then visited other sites of Radha-Krsna's pastimes and finally took rest at the base of a banyan tree. Towards the end of night, Advaita had a dream in which S'rl Nanda-nandana appeared to Him.

Krsna appeared with the complexion of a newly-formed rain cloud, enchanting to the whole world. He had a peacock feather in Hi. crown, and He danced while playing His flute. He was dressed in yellow cloth, and golden ankle-bells adorned His feet. His body was as soft as butter and full of transcendental mellows. Seeing K~ na's exquisitely beautiful form, Advaita felt overjoyed and begin dancing with His two arms raised.

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Srl Kisna, said, "You arc part of My body. Your association inundates Me with jubilatioL As Gopes'vara Mahadeva, You are most merciful. Now You have appeared for the welfare of the living entities. You are reestablishing the lost holy places, You are establishing the supremacy of devotional service, and You are delivering the living entities by distributing the name of Kisna. My transcendental Deity form named Madana-mohana is situated within one kui~a. The Deity is hidden slightly under the ground on the bank of the Yamuna at Dvadas'aditya-tila. Previously this Deity was nicely served by Kubja, but the Deity was hidden in fear of rogues. Bring some people from the village and uncover My Deity. Establish My Deity's worship for the benefit of the world."

Lord Krsna then disappeared, and Advaita Prabhu awoke, filled with loving sentiments. He began loudly singing the holy names and dancing with His arms raised. When Advaita entered the village, the people were pleased to see a saintly person and they gathered around Him. Advaita Prabhu told them, "All of you come quickly to Dvadas'aditya-tila on the bank of the Yamuna. Everyone-young and old~ome with Me and we will uncover a beautiful threefold bending Deity of Krsna."

Everyone became jubilant on hearing His words. They quickly brought their axes and shovels and hurried to the spot. Then with great efforts the Vrajavasis took the Deity out. When they saw the Deity's wonderful form, everyone became completely enchanted. They built a straw hut under the banyan tree and then bathed and installed the Deity there. Advaita Prabhu engaged one qualified bra-hmana Vaisnava in the service of the Deity and then went on Vrndavana partkrama.

Now hear what took place by the will of Providence. Some wicked Yavanas heard about the Deity installation. They considered breaking the Deity and thus smashing the Hindu's pride. They conspired together in this way, and then they went with weapons to Advaita-vata. Fearing the wicked mlecchas, Madanamohana hid under some flowers as a cowherd boy. When the mlecchas entered the temple they could not find the Deity, so they went away frustrated.

When the brahmana priest came to worship the Deity and found Him missing, he cried out in lamentation. Then one child

told the bra-hmana that some mlecchas had come to create mischief. Thinking that the mlecchas had taken away the Deity, the bra-hmana thought that he had lost the Lord's favor. He was thus aggrieved and abstained from eating. Later, in the evening, Srl Advaita Prabhu arrived there. The bra-hmana related the incidents to Advaita, who wept on seeing the empty temple. Advaita Prabhu said, "Being kind on us, the Lord came by His own will. Now perhaps due to some offense He has left us."

Advaita felt greatly distressed, and He abstained even from water as He passed the night under the tree. That night Madanamohana appeared to Advaita in a dream and pacified Him with sweet words, "Wake up Advaita! I hid Myself under the flowers out of fear from the mlecchas. Even Lord Brahma is unable to see this form, which You see due to Your loving devotion. I will again appear in the same transcendental form, and people will enjoy unlimited happiness by seeing Me."

After seeing that dream, Advaita rushed to the temple and found Gopala under the flowers. Finding that Deity, the embodiment of transcendental mellows and full of all sweetness, Advaita was overwhelmed in unalloyed love and lost His external consciousness. One moment He was stunned, the next moment His hairs stood on end, one moment He chanted the name of Han, another moment He danced, and then He lost consciousness. After some time He regained His external consciousness and offered fruits and water to S'rl Gopala.

Advaita Prabhu then accepted Lord Gopala's prasa-da and meditated on His incomparable mercy. Early the next morning as Advaita went to the Yamuna for taking bath He saw the bra-hmaNa priest on the bank. Advaita told him, "Go quickly to the temple. Wake the Lord and offer Him worship. The Deity should now be worshiped by the name of Madana-gopala. There is no need for you to know exactly why."

The bra-hmana said, "The Deity is not in the temple."

Advaita replied, "Kisna cannot leave His devotee."

In wonder, the bra-hmana went to the temple, opened the door, and saw the Deity on the altar. Overwhelmed in love, the brahmana offered many prayers and worshiped the Deity in the name of Madana-gopala. From that day on the Deity became known as Madana-gopala.

One day Madana-gopala again appeared to Advaita Prabhu in a dream. In a sweet voice, Madana-gopala said, "0 Advaita Acarya, a man by the name of Caube will come here from Mathura. There is danger from the wicked mlecchas here. Therefore hand Me over to Caube, so that he can keep Me safe."

Advaita Prabhu said, "0 Madana-gopala, You are the treasure of My life. You give Me happiness and strength. Without You, how can I maintain My life? Can a fish live without water?"

Madana-gopala smiled and replied, "I am forever under Your control. Without You, My pastimes are incomplete. I always reside with You. Kindly fulfill My devotee's desire by offering the Deity to him. Remember what has been previously described. This Deity is nondifferent from the painting that Srl Vis'akha made. Srl Radhika Herself became enchanted on seeing that painting. That transcendental painting is still there in Nikufijavana. Go there, and without doubt You will easily find it. Take that picture to Santipura and deliver the living entities by inaugurating its worship."

Seeing that dream, Advaita Prabhu was inundated with love. He began chanting the Lord's name and dancing with raised arms. After a couple of hours He became perfectly calm. At that time Caube arrived there from Mathura. With grass between his teeth and folded hands, Caube came before Advaita Prabhu, offered his obeisances, and said, "You are the incarnation of the Lord. You know everything. You have recovered the Deity that was worshiped by Kubja. Madana-gopala ordered me in a dream to promptly take Him to Mathura and install Him there. Therefore I have come here to visit You. Please entrust the Deity in my care and make me fortunate."

On hearing his supplication, Advaita handed the Deity over to Caube and began crying in separation. Leaving that place, Advaita wandered around and eventually came to Nikufijavana. Finding that picture, He drown in an ocean of love. Advaita Prabhu care fully took that transcendental picture and returned to His residence in Santipura.

Praying at the the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya and Sri Advaita, always desiring Their mercy, I, Is ana Nagara, narrate Sd Advaita Praka-sa.

Chapter Five

All glories to Sri Caitanya! All glories to Sitanatha! All glories to Nityananda, along with all the devotees!

One day the best of the sannya-sLs, Srl Madhavendra Purl, appeared in Santipura as the moon appears in the sky. The name of Kisna always adorned his lips, and his body was filled with the topmost ecstasy of love of God. He was the incarnation of a desire-tree of Vraja. He was most renounced, for he had no external dependence. Still, out of affection, he came to Advaita Prabhu's residence.

Advaita Prabhu was filled with ecstasy on seeing Madhavendra Purl. Putting a cloth around His neck as a sign of humility, Advaita offered dandavats by falling on the ground like a rod before Madhavendra Purl. Madhavendra Purl embraced Advaita and inquired about His well-being. Advaita Prabhu said, "Madana-gopala has bestowed His mercy on Me."

Madhavendra Purl said, "Devotional service is full of transcendental potency by which the living entity can attain the Lord's supreme abode."

Madhavendra Purl was overwhelmed in ecstasy~ometimes he laughed, sometimes he cried, and sometimes he danced. Who can understand the position of Madhavendra Purl? After some time he regained his external senses and revealed an easy way to attain Kisna.

He said, "Dear Advaita, You have pure love of Godhead. Now make a painting of Srl Radhika, for by seeing Radha and Kisna one develops the loving sentiments of the gopis. Therefore the worship of both Radha and Krsna is the topmost process. Please hear attentively one other thing I have to say. You should get married and lead a Kisna conscious life. By Krsna's grace, You will father many sons who will distribute the holy names and thus deliver the living entities."

ÿeâ_ _Advaita Prabhu said, "Deity worship is very auspicious, but if someone commits an offense, his family goes to heli."

Madhavendra Purl said, "Kisna is an ocean of mercy and is controlled by You. He will not consider any offense from the next fourteen generations of Your family."

Following His guru's instruction, Advaita Prabhu joyfully prepared a painting of S'rl Radhika. By seeing those two paintings, one easily develops love for S'rl S'rl Radha-Kisna.

Madhavendra Purl then delightedly bathed Radha-Madanagopila. He offered the Lord various kinds of sweets, water for washing the mouth, camphor, and betel nut. Everyone who came to see the divine couple offered obeisances and various prayers. Being attracted by the transcendental aroma of the maha--prasa-da, they honored Kisna's remnants with love and devotion.

Then, to teach people the process of Kisna consciousness, Advaita Prabhu accepted the topmost Kisna mantra from S'rl Madhavendra Purl. After some days Madhavendra Purl expressed a desire to leave, but Advaita Prabhu earnestly4~gged him to stay.

Madhavendra Purl said, "I want to go to Jagannatha Purl. Gopila has ordered me to collect sandalwood."

Advaita Prabhu said, 'Why has Gopala asked for sandalwood? I am eager to hear the reason."

Midhavendra Purl said, "Gopala is the completely independent Supreme Lord. He has appeared out of compassion on this fallen soul. Recently S'rl Gopila told me in a dream, 'I am feeling warm. Bring some Malayan sandalwood from Jagannitha PurL If I am smeared with that fragrant sandalwood, My body will cool down.'

"Who can violate Gopila's firm order? Therefore I came this gide to look for sandalwood. I have come now to Your abode of peace here in Sintipura due to being attracted by the strong desire of Your shining sunlike devotion to Lord Krsna."

Hearing from Midhavendra Purl about the extent of Krsna's ,~rcy, Advaita Acarya loudly cried out in loving ecstasy. He said, ~~acandra is most merciful. He is the reservoir of supreme ~oIency and is always affectionate to His devotees. He always

ÿ_á_ _increases the transcendental qualities of His devotee. For the sake of His devotee He appears without consideration of time."

After speaking in this way, Advaita Prabhu became stunned. Midhavendra Purl helped Advaita recover and then asked to take leave. Advaita Prabhu offered obeisances to Madhavendra Purl, and Madhavendra Purl embraced Advaita.

Then Ma~dhavendra Purl went in great ecstasy to Remuna, where Goplnatha resides. He took da~ana of Gopinatha there, and chanted and danced with raised arms. After some time Srl Midhavendra Purl regained his external consciousness ancf offered obeisances to Gopinatha. As he sat and chanted the holy name in the temple, one bra-hmana came. Madhavendra inquired from him, "0 best of the bra-hmanas, please tell me which fortunate person has made this Deity."

The bra-hmana said, "0 saintly one, listen and I will tell you what wise men have previously told me. Lord Ramacandra, the Supreme Brahman, dressed as a mendicant and went to live in the forest with His wife, Sita, to fulfill His father's promise. One day Lord Ramacandra slightly smiled as He watched a herd of cows wander with their calves in the forest. Seeing Him smile, Sita inquired as to the reason. Rima, however, replied, "It is not necessary for you to know."

"Siti said, 'I fall at Your lotus feet. Please tell me.'

"Out of affection, the Supreme Lord is always controlled by His devotees. The Lord always bestows ecstatic love on His devotees. Sri Sitidevi is the pleasure potency of the Lord and the crest-jewel of devotional service. Therefore, in order to please her, the jewel of the Raghu dynasty said, 'Listen, Jinaki, at the close of Dviparayuga I will perform My pastimes as Kisna in the land of Vraja. I will be known by~he name of Gopala, and I will engage in protecting cows in the association of other cowherd boys and girls.'

"Sri Jinaki said, '0 Lord, You are full of mercy. Please show me that form.'

"The Supreme Lord and master of the universe then personally prepared this Deity of Kisna from a precious stone. Seeing that Deity of K~sna, Siti was astounded and said, 'I have never seen

Õà_ _such a sweet form. This form of Kisna is the reservoir of transcendental mellows and He attracts the minds of all. The beauty of His transcendental form is more attractive than a newly formed rain-cloud.'

"The chaste Sitadevi then devotedly worshiped the Deity with various fruits and flowers. This Deity is now famous by the name Gopinatha. Whoever sees this Deity obtains pure devotion to Lord Kisna. This is a brief description of the Deity's history. By hearing this narration, all one's desires are fulfilled."

After Madhavendra Purl heard the wonderful pastimes of Gopinatha, he worshiped the Deity with love and devotion. Again and again he pleaded, "0 Gopinatha, please be merciful to me!"

Everyone present was amazed to see his devotional sentiments. Mter seeing the a-rati, Madhavendra left the temple. He went and sat under a tree and chanted japa. Later that night the p~ja-d came there with a pot of ks~a [condensed milk] in his hand, calling, 'Where is Madhavendra Purl?"

Madhavendra Purl said, "I am that contemptible person."

The bra-hmana said, "The ocean of your good fortune is over-flowing. Gopinatha has stolen ksira on your behalf. He ordered me in a dream to bring that Ics Ira to you."

The bra-hmana then gave the ksL-ra to Madhavendra Purl and returned home. Madhavendra Purl exclaimed, "Krsna has bestowed inconceivably wonderful mercy on me!" and then he lost external consciousness. After weeping profusely, he settled his mind and honored that krIra-prasa-da with great devotion. Again, after honoring the prasa-da, he was filled with ecstasy. He danced with raised arms for a long time.

I offer millions of obeisances at the feet of Sri Madhavendra Puyi, by whose devotion Gopinatha was named Ksira-cora.

Madhavendra Purl then continued on until he arrived at When he saw Lord Jagannatha, he danced jubilantly. He