Abirama Gopala Thakura (Krsna-lila in Gaura-lila)

Sri Abhirama Thakura was known as Abhirama Gopala and also as Rama dasa Bhirama dasa. "Who was previously known as Sridama, a gopa during Krsna-lila, is now renowned as Abhirama or Rama dasa. He was the favorite of Nityananda Prabhu.

One day, Krsna, Balarama and their cowherd friends were playing a game of hide and seek. In the middle of Their game, Krsna decided to go to Nadia to enjoy His pastimes there, and so, taking with Him Balarama and all Their friends, He advented Himself in Navadwipa. Somehow or other, He forgot Sridama, who remained in his hiding place in a cave. After a while Krsna noticed that Sridam had been left behind and sent Balarama as Nityananda, Who found Sridam and told him: "Come on! We've all gone to Nadia to play there!"

Sridama asked, "Who are You?"

"I'm your Lord Balarama. Can't you recognize me?"

"You can't be my Lord Balaram. You're too small." [In Kali yuga the measurement of the body is 3.5 hands, whereas in Dwapara-yuga it is 7 hands.]

"If you don't believe Me, then take off running. If I can't catch you within ten paces, then you'll know I'm not Balarama."

"All right! Catch me if You can!"

Sridama took off running, but Nityananda Prabhu immediately caught him. But now Sridama told Him, "Now look here, You dudes left me behind, so I ain't goin' to yer Nuddia or whatever the joint is called."

Nityananda Prabhu kept coaxing him but Sridama was adamant. Finally he manifested an expansion of himself, Rama dasa, who agreed to go. But Sridam

still wanted to remain behind as his feelings were greatly hurt.

Rama dasa was also dissatisfied and very prone to anger. When Nityananda Prabhu's first child was born, Abhirama Thakura came to offer his obeisances to the child, who died on the spot. In this way, seven of Nityananda's children had to depart from this world just after taking birth. Finally a daughter, Ganga-devi, was born to Nityananda Prabhu and Vasudha devi. When, after offering his obeisances to the child, Abhirama Thakur saw that the baby was unaffected he exclaimed, "This time we haven't been deceived!" Then he immediately composed one hundred verses in praise of Ganga-devi. When Viracandra Prabhu took his birth, Abhirama again came to offer his obeisances. When he saw that Viracandra was unaffected, he composed Sri Virbhadrastakam.

If Abhirama Thakura would offer his obeisances to any stone other then a salagram-sila, that stone would crack. One time, Abhirama Thakur came to Sri Khanda, wanting to meet Raghunandana Thakura. Mukunda dasa was aware of his reputation and thus told the Thakura that Raghunandana wasn't there. Feeling disappointed, Abhirama departed. When Raghunandana heard that Abhirama Thakura had come to meet him, he ran to catch up with the Thakura. Finally he met him at Bor Danga, where they danced together in ecstasy. When Raghunandana was dancing his nupur (ankle bracelet) came off and fell down at Akaihat, where Kaliya Krsna dasa used to do his bhajan. This nupur is still being worshiped along with Kaliya Krsna Thakura's Deity at Karvi, not far from Katwa.

Gopala Guru Gosvami was also similarly tested by Abhirama Thakura when he was only a small boy living with Mahaprabhu in Puri. By the mercy of Mahaprabhu, Who invested His potency in Gopala guru, the boy emerged unscathed.