SRI RAGHAVA PANDITA

On his return to Nilacala from Ramakeli (after He decided not to go to Vrindavana), Mahaprabhu came from Srivasa Pandita's house at Kumar Hatta to Raghava Pandita's house at Panihati. [C.B.Ant. 5.75]

Arriving there, Mahaprabhu remarked, "Now that I am here in Raghava Pandita's house, all the fatigue of my journey has completely left me. The same result that one gets by immersing himself in the Ganges is achieved by coming to Raghava Pandita's house. Today we will have a festival here."

In Raghava Pandita's house, Srimati Radharani herself cooked. Thus within a short time, with Raghava Pandita's expert assistance, many varieties of items were prepared. After the bhoga was offered to the Deity, the two prabhus, Sri Gauranga and Nityananda, sat down to honor the prasadam. "What excellent cooking," the Lord declared. "I never have eaten such tasteful sak anywhere else."

Raghava Pandita knew that the Lord was very fond of green vegetables and thus he would prepare many varieties of sak. After finishing their meal and washing their hands, the two Lords sat down at which time Sri Gadadhara dasa (P.T. Gadadhara?) arrived. He made dandavats to Mahaprabhu who in turn showed His mercy to Gadadhara. Then Purandara Pandita and Paramesvari dasa Thakura arrived. After a little while, Sri Raghunatha Vaidya came there. In great happiness Mahaprabhu discussed various matters with all of them. Gradually many devotees arrived and a great sankirtana festival began.

Damayanti was Raghava Pandit's sister. She was extremely devoted to the service of Mahaprabhu.

One day Mahaprabhu told Raghava, "My second body is Nityananda, whatever He makes me do, I do. Whatever pastimes of mine are secret I perform through Him. Later on you will be able to undestand all of this. What is very difficult to obtain even by the master of all mystics, you can very easily attain by Nityananda Prabhu's Name." Saying this, Mahaprabhu set out for Varaha Nagar. As he was leaving, he told Makaradhuraj Kar, "You should serve Raghava Pandit."

After a few days Nityananda Prabhu arrived at Raghava Bhavan at which Raghava's happiness soared to the limits. Raghava Pandita was spontaneously attracted to Nityananda in ecstatic love. Nityananda took up his residence there and Makaradhwaj Kar along with his family began to engage in His service. By the order of Nityananda Prabhu, many devotees began to assemble for a sankirtan festival. The great singer Madhava Ghosh arrived along with his two brothers, Vasu Ghosh and Govinda Ghosh. The three of them were the emperors of song.

Finally Nityananda Prabhu inaugaurated the sankirtan festival by beginning His ecstatic dancing and singing. Soon Raghava Pandita's house became transformed into an ocean of ecstasy. Eventually Nityananda sat down on the bedstead and ordered the devotees to perform His abhiseka. Raghava Pandita brought the necessary paraphernalia - sandalwood paste, flowers, lamps, offerings of foodstuffs and water. To the accompaniment of ecstatic chanting and dancing, the devotees began to pour water on Nitynanda Prabhu's head. Then, after he had put on fresh cloth, they began to smear sandalwood paste all over his body. A flower garland of forest flowers was placed on his neck while Raghava Pandita held an umbrella over his head. Two devotees on each side began to fan him with yaktail whisks. Thus all directions were filled with an uproar produced by the ecstatic emotions of the devotees, which were generated by the loving glances of Nityananda Prabhu.

At that time Nityananda told Raghava, "Bring me a garland of kadamba flowers." Raghava Pandita asked, "Prabhu, where will I get kadamba flowers? It isn't the rainy season now." Nityananda told him, "Go and look in the garden." Raghava Pandita went into to the garden and saw a miraculous sight. On a lemon tree were many kadamba flowers in full blossom. Thus he became completely subdued by ecstatic love and his external consciousness receded. He at once picked all the flowers and strung a beautiful garland. Bringing this garland to Nityananda Prabhu, he placed it on His shoulders while the devotees roared with ecstasy. Seeing the glories of Nityandanda Prabhu, the devotees were completely transported to the world of utter amazement.

Then Nityananda Prabhu revealed to their eyes even further transcendental pastimes. At one point, as all the devotees were sitting down, the room became pervaded with the scent of a flower called Damanak. (donna?) Nityananda asked them, "Now which flower scent do you smell?" Everyone replied, "Damanak."

Nityananda Prabhu told them, "I will explain to you this mystery. Today Caitanya Gosai has come here from Nilacal, being attracted by your kirtana. On his transcendental body is a garland of damanak flowers, all picked from one tree. Thus this room has been filled with the ecstasy of that scent. Simply due to your ecstatic dancing and chanting, Mahaprabhu has come here from Nilacala." [C.B.Ant 5/294-297]

Hearing His words the devotees became filled with wonder.

"While eating, while lying down to rest, while wandering about, Nityananda Prabhu spent not a single moment without the accompaniment of sankirtan." [C.B. Ant 5/360]