Nityananda and Laksman

Act one

Scene one

(Nityananda and His friends. All of them are about seven eight years old)

Nityananda: Today we will play a new game. (All the boys come close to him with great eagerness Nityananda: Lord Ram with His brother Laxman fighting with the king of demons Ravana in order to rescue Sita devi. Ram with the help of the monkeys built a bridge across the ocean in order to go to Lanka, the capital of Ravana.

One boy: Yes, the day before yesterday we built a bridge. It was such a great fun. Nitai, let us play the same game again!

Boy two: No, yesterday we were fighting with Ravana. That was even greater fun. Nitai, let us play that game!

Nityananda: Yew, but today we will play a new pastime. Lord Ram along with His brother and the monkey soldiers are fighting valiantly with Ravana. Although the demoniac king and the soldiers are very powerful, but the Lord's army is killing them in thousands. Of course, the Supreme Personality of Godhead could kill Ravana's entire army in no time. But He was just playing His pastime.

(The scene changes. All the boys are dressed up in different characters, Lord Ramchandras pastimes, and the village people along with Harey Pandit and Padyavati Devi. Nityananda's parents watch the play in great joy.)

Nityananda as Laxman: Ravana, you dare to steal the goddess of fortune, Sita Devi, the eternal consort of Lord Ram. Because of your heinous act so many of your relatives, friends and soldiers are dying. Still now you can beg forgiveness and return Sita Devi, otherwise you will be killed and your body will become food for jackals and vulgers.

Ravana: Who ever dares to speak like that to Ravana, the king of demons, who conquered the three worlds. The demigods like Indra and Chandra have left their abode, hiding in the mountain caves out of fear, and you little human beings and monkeys dare to threaten me like this. Ravana does whatever he wants. I will kill Ram very soon, but before that I will send you to the abode of Yama.

(He releases sakti arrow. Struck of that Laxman faints and falls on the ground. Ravana starts to laugh gloriously.)

Ravana: (still laughing) I have taken care of Laxman, who I hear is the life and soul of Ram.

(Ram gets to know that His dear brother is dead. His life air was almost out of His body.

Then I will come and take care of the rest.

(Ravana exits. Ram and other monkeys come running and start to lament seeing Laxman's condition. Soon other monkeys arrive there with Susen, the physician.

Susen: (after checking His condition) The only thing that can save Him is Visalyakarani.

Everyone: Where can we find that?

Susen: It can be found only in Gandamadhav mountain, which is situated thousands of yojanas away.

Everyone: How can we get that?

Susen: Someone has to go there. And that medicine must be brought before the sunrise, otherwise Laxman will be dead.

Everyone starts crying: Oh Laxman! Oh Laxman! How shall we survive without You. If you die then we will also go with You to the other world.

Jambavan: We must first try to get the medicine.

Ram: But how? Gandamadhav mountain is so far away.
Sugriva: But Hanuman can go there and bring that medicine.

Jambavan: But how will Hanuman recognize the plant.

Sugriva: Then Hanuman can carry Susen on his back. Susen, what do you think of that?

Susen: I have a terrible back ache and I do not think I can go through such an arduous ride.

Jambavan: Then please tell us how Hanuman can find that plant.

Susen: That is not very difficult. I will tell Hanuman. Visalyakarani will be available only in the very depth of the forest in the mountain. It is about three and three and a half feet tall. It's leaves are green. In the spring there will be some white flours but now it is autumn. But I am quite confident that Hanuman will be able to recognize that plant.

Hanuman, standing there with the club in his hand scratches his head with the other hand and says: I guess so.

Susen: Then go there and get it as soon as possible. If you can't get it before sunrise then you won't see Laxman anymore.

Hanuman comes to the foot of a mountain in front of a lake. A demon dressed as a ascetic comes to Hanuman: Oh Hanuman! So nice to see you. Please come dear Hanuman and grace my humble hermitage. I feel greatly fortunate to be able to meet a personality like your good self.
Hanuman: But my mission is urgent and grave, I must have some ..; I cannot remain. You must have heard that Laxman, Lord Rama's younger brother, is lying in a coma hit by the powerful sakti shell weapon of Ravana. So I must rush to Gandha Madan hill to get medicine and save his live.

The ascetic: If you must leave then at least take your bath, and after eating something, you can continue your victorious journey.

Hanuman: Yes, that's not a bad idea. I'm also feeling quite hungry but please prepare the food quickly. I'll just go and have a dip in the lake and come back immediately. ( The ascetic smiles dubiously) As soon as Hanuman enters in the water a huge crocodile attacks him. Hanuman fights with the crocodile and kills it in no time. As Hanuman comes out of the water a demon chases him with the intend of eating him.

The demon: You have killed the crocodile, but how do you propose to kill me? I shall defy you. Then who will safe Laxman's live? (The demon attacks Hanuman with thunderous roar.)

Hanuman: Now I can see that you are an agent of Ravana. Your Ravana is a dog. I despise him. You had better run far away.

They start to fight but soon Hanuman destroyed the demon and continues to the Gandha Madan mountain, Some Gandharvas come and ask Hanuman who he was.

Hanuman: I'm the servant of Lord Rama. Rama's brother Laxman has been struck by the sakti shell of Ravana, and lying unconsciously. The only thing what can safe him is visalvakarini which is available here in Gandh Madan mountain. And I have come here to collect it.

Gandharvas: But this our domain. And we do not allow anyone to trespass into this territory. If you want to collect something from here then you must have the permission of the king. Wait till tomorrow and then with his permission you may be able to take it from here.

Hanuman: But I have to take it before the sun rises.

Ganharvas: Sorry Sir, but we can't let you in our territory without the permission of our king.

Hanuman: But please try to understand that this a matter of live and death.

Gandharvas: We are sorry. Now please get out of here.

Hanuman: It seems that you are not going to listen to any reasoning. Please try to understand that we need it badly.

Gandharvas: You monkey, get out of here.

Hanuman: Yes I will after I have taken that medicine.

He walks towards the mountain. The Gandharvas attack him. There is a fight and Hanuman defeats them. Some lie there unconscious and others run away. Hanuman goes to the forest desperately looking for the herb, but couldn't find it.

Hanuman: Time is running out.I don't know what to do. There are so many herbs that are about three and half feet tall with green leaves. Maybe I should carry the whole mountain. ( Hanuman picks up the mountain and carries it to Lanka. Everyone is very exited to see Hanuman came with the whole mountain. Susen goes and picks up visalakarini and makes Laxman to smell it. Laxman comes back to his senses. Everybody starts to clap.

Hadai Pandit hurries to Nimai and took him fondly on his lap.
Hadai Pandit: Dear boy, where did you learn to play all this pastimes?

Nitai: This are all my transcendental activities.

Scene two

Hadai Pandit's house. A sannyasi and Haday Pandit.

Hadai Pandit: I feel so grateful that you graced my house in this way and allowed me to render some service to you.

Sannyasi: Householders like yourself are worshippable even by sannyasis. Actually I feel myself very fortunate to have your darshan.

Hadai Pandit: Please do not speak like that. I am just an ordinary householder, attached to sense gratification and family life and if renunciates like yourself did not bless us then we would not have any way to become free from this material bondage.

Sannyasi: Hadai Pandit! I can see that you have been especially blessed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The demigods, sages and saintly people all over the world are aware of your good fortune and your glory will be sung by all forever. You are not aware of your good fortune. It is only due to the Yogamaya of the Lord.

Hadai Pandit: Please, do not embarrass me like this! You are a learned person, therefore you know that unnecessary glorification may cause pride in the heart of a conditioned soul.

Sannyasi: Please allow me to offer my humble obeisances unto you.

Hadai Pandit: (holds his hands) No, no! This would be a transgression of etiquette. A sannyasi should never offer obeisances to a householder.(They look at each other fondly) Now that you are leaving my house, what can I give you as departing gift.

Sannyasi: I am a wondering mendicant. All my needs are wonderfully taken care of by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. I am satisfied with whatever I have. I do not need anything more. Hadai Pandit: But please allow me to offer you something. Householders acquire piety by offering things in charity to the sannyasis. Please tell me what I can offer you. If you fulfill this desire of mine, my heart will experience boundless joy.
Sannyasi: (thinks for a while) Hadai Pandit! If you really want to give me something, then give me your son, Nitai!

Hadai Pandit: (shocked to hear that, but then recovers himself) If you want Him, then sure I will give Him. I gave you my words that whatever you want I will give to you. Now that you want my son, no matter how dear He is to me, I will give Him to you. (He goes in side the house and comes back with Nitai. Holding Him by His hand and gives Him to the sannyasi.) Please take Him. From now on He is yours.

Sannyasi: Hadai Pandit! You are not a human being, you are someone from the other world. I am eternally indebted to you, and I do not know how to pay you back. (The sannyasi walks away with Nityananda. Hadai Pandit keeps looking at them like a statue, but as they disappear from his vision he starts to call out Nityananda by his name and starts to cry just as Dasarath was crying when Ram was going to the forest. Padyavati, Nityananda's mother, comes out, and enquires from him anxiously what happened.

Hadai Pandit: I gave Nityananda away to the sannyasi. (sob) I have given my heart away to the sannyasi. What shall I do, oh Nityananda, how shall I maintain my life without you.

Padyavati: No! It cannot be true. Please tell me that what you said is not true. (she breaks down in tears)

Scene three

Jagannath Misra is about to leave his body. Nimai is kneeling in front of his bed. Sacimata and other neighbors are standing nearby.

Nimai: Oh father! Where are you going leaving me behind? They are telling me that you are going away. Please don't go!

Jagannath Misra: (Tears rolling from the corner from his eyes) My son! I'm following the natural course of every living entity of this world. When someone is born he is bound to die. Therefore don't lament unnescessarely. Don't become afraid of anything and always remember that the Supreme Personality of Godhead will protect you.

Saying this Jagannath Misra fixed his eyes on Nimai and said: Oh Lord Hari! Please have mercy upon me.

Everyone present there started to cry. Sacimata became very much afflicted.

Nimai: Oh father! What are you doing; Where are you going leaving your child behind? Please do not go away like this. My elderly brother recently left home and went away. Now you are also going
away to the other world. Alas! How shall I maintain my live now. Please tell me who will become my shelter now?

Sacimata: Oh Lord of my live! Leaving me alone in this house in such a helpless condition you are going away to the other world. I used to think we will always stay together but now you are going away. Don't you have any compassion and mercy upon me? You have become so cruel that although my heart is breaking you do not even look at me. You want to go away leaving me behind that is alright but how can you leave this child behind so mercilessly. (The neighbors started to console her)

Scene 5

Sacimata and Nimai

Sacimata: Nimai why are you behaving like this. You can see that now we are completely helpless. You are a young boy and I am a widow mother. Your father left this world and your brother took sannyas. There is no one to look after us. We do not have any source of income. But the other day you became so angry and started to break everything in the house. Don't you realize that we are so poor and we don't have any means to buy those things again.

Nimai: Please forgive me mother. I never behave like this again. I don't know what happens when I become angry. I loose myself completely.

Sacimata: I feel such acute anxiety thinking how we are going to maintain ourselves. What's going to happen to us. Friends and neighbors are helping us. But for how long? Some day when they are stopping giving us their support then we have to go probably to the street.

Nimai: Mother don't speak like that. In this world no one is poor. Everyone is maintained by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The supreme proprietor Krsna is also the supreme father. Can a rich fathers son be ever poverty stricken?

Sacimata: Yes, I know that Nimai. But sometimes I feel so helpless and get in so much anxiety about our future.

Nimai: Mother, just wait for a minute. I'm coming back. (He runs out of the house. Soon he comes back. Nimai gives his mother some gold.)

Nimai: Mother, keep it. This will take care of you for the time being.

Sacimata (extremely surprised): Gold! Where did you get this Nimai? Did you steel it from somewhere?

Nimai: No mother don't be worried. This gold is completely free from any dishonesty. Didn't I tell you that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is taking care of everything? He will always take care of you, mother, have that confidence. Now let me go to school. (Nimai leaves for school. Sacimata keeps staring at him with her heart melting out of affection.

Scene 6

Sacimata and Vanamali Acarya in Sacimatas house.

Vanamali Acarya: Why aren't you seriously considering your sons marriage? In Navadvipa there is a very pious and elevated brahmana named Vallabhacarya and his daughter is certainly not
inferior to Laxmidevi in character and qualification.

Sacimata: My son has lost his father. Let him study further and grow a little bit older; then I shall certainly consider his marriage.

Vallavhacarya: But don't you notice that your son has grown in a handsome young man and it's time that you should get him married. Laxmipriya is the perfect match for him. Rukmini was the perfect match for Krsna.

Sacimata: No, I'm sorry I can't let him get married unless he has finished his studies and becomes a qualified teacher. He has to become self sufficient otherwise how can he maintain his family? In future, after he completes his studies and becomes self sufficient then we will arrange his marriage.

Vanamali Acarya (disappointed): Okay, as you desire that will be.

Scene 7

On the way Nimai meets Vanamali Acarya.
Nimai:Vanamali Acarya! Where are you going? Why your face looks so pale and morose?

Vanamali Acarya: I approached your mother with the desire in my mind. But unfortunately she did not approve of it.

Nimai just smiles and walks towards his house. Nimai asks his mother: Vanamali Acarya is a very pure hearted person. Why did not you respect his proposal? We have thousands of friends in this world but no one is as simple hearted and wellwishing as Vanamali Acarya. Therefore his disappointment causes pain in my heart also.

Sacimata smiles and tells Nimai: If that is your desire, for the sake of your pleasure I will accept Vanamali Acarya's proposal. (She calls her servant): Isan, Isan.

Isan: Yes, mother, why are you calling me?

Sacimata: Please go to Vanamali Acaryas house and call him immediately. Tell him that I accepted his proposal and he should act on it immediately.

Scene 8

Nimai's marriage with Laxmipriya

On the day of his wedding Nimai respectfully offered oblations to his forefathers and don. The sound of sweet music chilled the whole atmosphere. Innumerable guests ...the place. Many relatives and respectable brahmanas came. Mother Saci satisfied everyone with sumptuous prasad and gifts. Different demigods along with their wives, in human forms also came to see the marriage of the Lord. In the evening just before sunset Nimai went to the house of Vallabhacarya at a chosen auspicious time. He was accompanied by many people and when he arrived all the guests felt submerged in waves of ecstasy.

Vallabhacarya offered the Lord a seat with utmost respect strictly according to the rules of the scriptures and he felt an indescribable joy within. Finally he brought his daughter Laxmidevi, fully decorated with beautiful ornaments and presented her to the Lord. According of the marriage customs, Laxmidevi was lifted of the ground on a wooden seat and carried seven times around the Lord. The chanting of Hari's name resounded but Laxmi sat with folded hands and offered silent prayers to the Lord.During the auspicious ceremony of exchanging glances between bright and bright... people showered flowers jubilantly from all directions on Sri Laxmi and Narayan. Sri Laxmi offered Him a garland of flowers at His lotus feet. She worshipped Him surrendering herself as...flowers. Joyous sound accompanied by loud chanting of the Lord Hari's Name rend the air. It was the only sound to be heard in any direction. The blooming youthful beauty of Gaurasundar excelled the attractiveness of cupid himself. Next morning Nimai returned to his house with Laxmidevi. They where carried in a palanquin and people came from everywhere to the Lord and His bright. Beautifully decorated with flowers, gold ornaments, studded crowns and sandalwood paste artistically... over the beautiful faces of Laxmidevi and Lord Narayana were effulgent with the transcendental... People around acknowledged their own good fortune had seen this divine couple. The ladies especially stood ...at the sublime beautiful sight.

One lady: She must have worshipped Lord Siva and Parvati for a long time with great devotion. Otherwise it would not be possible to have a husband like Him. Perhaps they themselves are Lord Siva and Parvati.

Second lady: They are either Lord Indra and Saci or Lord Madan and Rati.

Third lady: No, they must be Laxmi and Narayan.

Fourth woman: They look exactly like Sita and Lord Ramacandra. They look so beautiful as they ride on the palanquin. Mother Saci comes out to meet the newly married couple and brings them into the house. She felt infinite joy and... around distributing valuable gifts to everyone and pleasing the guests with sweet words.

Scene 9

Nimai's house looks more opulent than ever. It seems that the house is glowing with a new iridescent light. Now that Laxmidevi was in her rightful position next to Narayan, Sri Gauranga, Sacidevi saw an extraordinary light everywhere inside as well as outside the house. She could not describe the wonderful phenomena. Sometimes she saw a very beautiful light next to her son but when she looked again it was no longer there. At other times she could smell the divine fragrance of flowers of lotuses and this surprised her beyond description.

Sacidevi to herself:I think I know the reason for all this, my daughter in law must be an incarnation of Laxmidevi. That is why I see sometimes a brilliant light or smell a divine lotus fragrance. My previous suffering and our poverty seem to be vanished. I do not know how I have received this girl as my daughter in law because she is certainly Laxmidevi.

End of Act 4