Welcome back! One more book that has made a lasting impression on my mind is Navadwip Dham Mahatmaya by Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur. After briefly glorifying Sri Navadwip dham, he says: “There is one other topic I would like to mention. As it is a confidential matter, I hesitate to disclose it. But, on the other hand, I cannot resist telling it, for Lord Caitanya instructed His devotees to publicize the glories of His pastimes and abode after His disappearance. Though Lord Caitanya is the most concealed of all avataras, I know well that He is all in all. But because His confidential activities are described ambiguously in scripture, the non-devotees are unable to realize them. For a long time Maya devi kept hidden the confidential scriptures that describe Lord Caitanya’s pastimes. These topics are described in both the unmanifest scriptures, which were scattered here and there, as well as in the manifest scriptures. Maya kept all these scriptures hidden from view by covering the eyes of the scholars.”
Indeed those who claim to be scholars but are not able to accept the glory of Sri Navadwip dham as truth are the most unfortunate souls for they are refusing to accept it even after hearing about it. Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur confirms:
“If one remains doubtful in spite of the scriptural evidence, he is most unfortunate and useless. Why should he continue living? When Nityananda Prabhu distributed the mercy, the fortunate living entities accepted and reached the perfection of happiness. Everyone should know the symptoms of the unfortunate living entity as well; it is he who is overconfident of the power of his own intelligence. Such a person rejects the mercy of the Lord, and by the force of false logic he falls repeatedly into the pit of illusion.”
“After Gauranga completed His pastimes on earth, however, His obedient servant, Maya devi, understood the desire of the Lord. She lifted the veil of illusion from the eyes of the living entities and revealed the true nature of Lord Gauranga within this material universe. Thus the hidden meaning in the scriptures became easily revealed, and the arguments inhibiting understanding Lord Caitanya were dispelled. It was the all‑merciful Nityananda Prabhu who revealed the truth about Gauranga in the hearts of the living entities. On His command, Maya pulled away the covering so that the pure devotee scholars could receive this precious treasure of the scriptures.”
One may argue that Thakur Bhaktivinod is talking from his own perception and realization, and that it cannot be taken as scriptural evidence. Such arguments can contaminate one’s mind only if he has not read the scriptures with favorable attitude. Even in the same book, Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur quotes from the Vedic scriptures to substantiate his statements. We will look into it later.
The author explains why these people do not accept such wonderful love of God: “In pursuit of happiness, living entities in the material world follow various processes, such as logic or mystic yoga. And, in quest of happiness, some give up the material world and go to the forest, while kings constantly wage wars amongst themselves. Desiring happiness, others run after women and wealth, while others take to arts and sciences. In pursuit of happiness, others reject happiness and learn to tolerate the miseries of life, and still others simply drown themselves in the ocean.”
“Raising His lotus hands in the air, Lord Nityananda exclaims, “Come, living entities! Give up the troubles of karma and gyana. Since you are endeavoring for happiness, I will give you happiness without asking anything in exchange. In this happiness there is no trouble, loss, or pain. Just chant the name of Gauranga and dance without anxiety. There’s nothing equal to the happiness that I am giving. That happiness is pure, eternal ecstasy-beyond all illusion!
“In this way, Nitynanda Prabhu begged everyone to take pure ecstatic love. Still, unfortunate persons, influenced by previous sinful activities, did not even want it. But if such persons chant even once the names of Gauranga and Nitai, the effects of unlimited sinful activities are destroyed.”
Srila Prabhupada, following in the footsteps of Lord Nityananda and the previous acharyas, took up this mission to all corners of the world. He requested, instructed, encouraged and ordered, his disciples to carry on the same mission wherever they go. He says: “It is all Grace of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Srila Haridas Thakur said that the transcendental sound of Hari Nama would even purify the heart of birds and beasts. Today this statement of Thakur Haridas is corroborated. These American can not understand even a word’s meaning of the Sankirtan and yet they were so much attracted? It is all Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s power”.
Hare Krishna
(Quotes taken from Nabadwip Dham Mahatmaya)
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