Sri Nityananda Rama, Nitai, Nityananda Prabhu!
Meditating on the Lotus Feet of Lord Nityananda, who extinguishes the blazing fire of material nature providing relief more cooling than the combination of millions of moons to the fallen conditioned souls, we shall attempt to meditate on the most purifying pastimes He performed around 500 years ago.
From His Holy Name itself, Nitya means eternal and Ananda means pleasure. Lord Nityananda is the one who is in eternal pleasure.
In Gaura Lila, Lord Nityananda is 12 years older to Lord Gauranga.
Lord Nityananda - Baldeva in Truth
One should carefully note and remember that svayam prakasha Nityananda - Baldeva is the source of the following Vishnu Tattvas - Mūla Sankarshana, Maha Sankarshana, three Purusa Avataras- Karanodakasayi Vishnu, Garbhodakasayi Vishnu and Ksirodakasayi Vishnu, as well as thousand-headed Ananta Sesa.
Sri Nityananda Prabhu is the predominating deity of the sandhini energy, the sustainer of the spiritual world and the source of pure goodness.
He is Lord's active principle in both creation and lila. Lord Nityananda has unlimited incarnations. In transcendental emotions, sometimes he serves Lord Chaitanya has His Guru, sometimes as His friend and sometimes as His servant, just as Lord Balarama played with Lord Krsna in these three different modes in Vraj. Lord Nityananda fulfils all the desires of Lord Chaitanya.
The book 'Demystifying The Mystical Vrindavan' is the essence and crux of this entire website.
If you are considering to dive into the final goal of our Vedic Scriptures and spiritual life, and if Radharani inspires you, do get a copy of the book .
Bodily Appearance
mukutā jiniyā sri-dasanera jyotihāyata
Aruna dui locana subhātiThe effulgence of His teeth defeated that of pearls, and His two broad reddish eyes increased the beauty of his face. (Chaitanya Bhagavat, Madhya 3.130)
vetra bāndhā eka kamandalu vāma hāte
nīla - vastra paridhāna, nīla - vastra mātheLike Baldeva, He wore blue cloth on his upper and lower limbs. He held a water pot made of cane in His left hand.(Chaitanya Bhagavat, Madhya 3.145)
Avadhuta Sri Nityananda Rama, nityānando 'vadhūtendur! Meaning Lord Nityananda is the moon among all Avadhutas. He has a carefree mood, so much absorbed in the love of Godhead that no one knows what He will do next.
To show his waywardness, and always being absorbed in the ecstasy of holy names, he once broke his own kamandalu and Sannyasa Danda (stick).
Birth and Early Pastimes
On the auspicious land of Ekacakra Dham, Sri Nityananda Rama appeared on the thirteenth day (trayodasi) of the waxing moon in the month of Magha (nityānanda - janma māghī suklā trayodasī) to His father Hadai Pandit and mother Padmavati. In a place known as Garbhavasa, little Nitai advented to deliver all three worlds.
His attractive face defeated the beauty of millions of moons, and his enchanting smile was the life and source of the universe.
krpā - sindhu, bhakti-dātā, prabhu balrāma avatīrna hailā dhari nityanandā nāma
- CB (Adi 2.132)
Lord Balarama is an ocean of mercy and bestower of devotional service. He appeared as Sri Nityananda Prabhu.
Thus being the same Lord Balarama of Vrindavan, Lord Nityananda sported activities known as jhala jhapeta with his boys friends at Bakulatala. It's also the same place where Ananta Dev manifested himself in the form of bakula tree whose branches and sub-branches resembled the hoods of serpents thus fulfilling the wish of Lord Nityananda.
During the first 12 years of his manifested lila, Lord Nityananda Rama gave pleasure to his parents and friends by enacting the Pastimes of Lord Krishna and Lord Rama. Seeing the impeccable way in which child Nitai enacted, the fortunate audience used to get struck with wonder and were completely bounded by the love of little Nitai.
To them, Nitai was a treasure dearer than life itself.
At a place known as Hantugada, Lord Nityananda used to perform his famous dadhi-cida festival wherein he used to reciprocate lovingly with his surrendered devotees by distributing chipped rice with yoghurt prasad. Srila Prabhupada writes in CC Adi 3.13.61 (Page 86) that Hantugada is also the place where Nityananda Prabhu brought all the holy places. So residents of Radhadesa instead of bathing in Ganga, used to bathe there.
Mystery of Visvarupa
tabe putra janamilā ‘viśvarūpa’ nāmamahā-guṇavān teṅha—‘baladeva’-dhāma
CC Adi 3.13.74
After this, Jagannātha Miśra got a son of the name Viśvarūpa, who was most powerful and highly qualified because He was an incarnation of Baladeva.
Jagannatha Misra is the father of Lord Gauranga (also known as Visvambhar) but prior to the appearance of Lord Gauranga, Jagannath Misra had 8 daughters who died one after the other, and after that their first and eldest son, Visvarupa took birth.
Both Chaitanya Charitamrta and Gaura Ganoddesha Dipika (60-64) as well confirm the fact that Lord Chaitanya's elder brother, Visvarupa is identical to Lord Sankarshana and that Lord Nityananda is also non-different from Lord Sankarshana.
Lord Balaram is the first expansion of Krishna and thus is the knower of all mystic powers. Yet at the same time, He serves the Lord in various ways to give Him pleasure. As Visvarupa, the elder brother of little Gaurasundar, he served the Lord by taking Him on his lap.
bhāire dekhiyā visvarūpa bhagavān
hāsiyā karena kole ānandera dhāma
- Chaitanya Bhagavat (Adi 4.5)
When the most powerful Visvarupa would see His brother, the reservoir of pleasure, He would smile and take Him on his lap.
As time passed, seeing Visvarupa grow up in His youth, Jagannath Misra decided, "I must find a girl and arrange a marriage ceremony for Him".
As soon as Visvarupa heard this, He immediately left home and went away to accept sanyas.
Srila Prabhupada gives reference of Gaura Candrodaya in Chaitanya Charitamrta wherein it is quoted that Visvarupa, after His so-called demise, remained mixed with Sri Nityananda Prabhu.
Lakshmipati Tirtha asks for Lord Nityananda from his parents
For the first 12 years, Lord Nityananda drowned the residents of Ekacakra Dham in his unparalleled sweetness yet his heart aspired for the service of Lord Gauranga. In his 13th year, he decided of going on a pilgrimage and thought, "āpana-aisvarya prabhu prakāsibe yabe, åmi giyā karimu āpana sevā tabe (I will go serve Lord Gauranga when He manifests His opulences - CB Adi 9.208).
Thinking this way, Sri Nityananda Rama got ready to perform His next pastime. Who can know the unfathomable glories and the very heart of Lord Nityananda? One day, a sannyasi named Lakshmipati Tirtha came at the door of Hadai Pandit. Seeing a pious sannyasi at his doorstep, Hadai Pandit immediately welcomed him and offered palatable foodstuffs.
Lakshmipati Tirtha stayed the following night at Hadai Pandit's house and the next day begged alms.
In that, he asked for their dear son Sri Nityananda Rama. Unable to refuse the Vedic customs, mother Padmavati and Hadai Pandit parted with their son whose charming loveliness defeated that of millions of Cupids.
Thus for the next 20 years, Lord Nityananda travelled to many holy places (CB Adi Khanda 9.104).
In His ecstatic mood, fearless Nitai travelled to many pilgrimage sites including Mathura, Gokul, Govardhan, Ayodhya, Haridwar and many more. At each place, Sri Nityānanda Rama experienced separation from the Lord and thus exhibited symptoms that no one could understand.
Thus while traveling this way, Sri Nityananda Rama met Madhavendra Puri.
Sri Nityānanda Rama meets Madhavendra Puri
Sri Madhavendra Puri is the spiritual master of Isvara Puri and Advaita Acharya. He understood the mellows of conjugal love and gave this fruit of devotion to Madhava Gaudiya Sampradaya which was not known before!
When the two oceans of mercy saw each other, out of ecstatic love, they fell to the ground, unconscious. During this auspicious time, Sriman Isvara Puri was present (CB Adi 9.162).
When both regained consciousness, they shivered. Tears of love flowed like rivers from their eyes. Who can understand the love between them? Lord Chaitanya personally resided in their bodies. Intoxicated with the love of Krishna, both of them constantly chanted the name of Hari swaying to and fro. How beautiful they looked to the fortunate devotees present there!
Having each other's association for many days, Sri Nityānanda Prabhu left for Ramesvarama and later went to see Jagannath, the Lord of Nilacala.
After visiting many holy places in this way, the lotus eyes lord returned back to Mathura.
Until Lord Gaurasundar did not manifest his most magnanimous form to the fallen souls of Kali Yuga in full opulence, Sri Nityānanda Rama too did not preach the Holy name of Krsna, neither exhibited mercy of which he was a personified form!
Meeting with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
While Nityānanda Prabhu resided in Vrindavan, Lord Gaurasundar who was staying incognito in Navadvipa after returning from Gaya, manifested His identity as being most merciful to the fallen souls of Kali Yuga.
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu constantly engaged in Harinama Sankirtan, yet the missing association of Nityānanda Rama made Him unhappy.
Realising that this was the moment for which Nityānanda Prabhu was waiting so eagerly, He immediately left for Navadvipa where He stayed at the house of Nandana Acharya.
The knower of all activities, Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was well aware of this fact and sent out Srivas Pandit to search out for Nitai, unfortunately, he failed.
The ecstasy of separation heightened when Lord Gaurasundar was unable to bear even a moment's separation from Nitaichandra thus He Himself went directly to meet Nityānanda Rama.
How shall one even attempt to put in words, the loving ecstasy Sri Nityananda felt on seeing the Lord of his very life! Nityānanda Prabhu floated in the water of Gaurasundar's love and lost all consciousness. Taking him on His lap, Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu began to cry.
All this happened in the year 1506 when Nityānanda Prabhu was 32 and the Lord was 20.
There's also a temple called Sri Gaura Nityānanda which marks this auspicious event.
Nityānanda Prabhu breaks Mahaprabhu's Sannyasa Danda
Being directly Lord Balarama, Nityānanda Prabhu is incomparably glorious. Although being non-different from Lord Gauranga yet being His eternal servitor, Sri Nityānanda Rama transgressed the exhibition of subordination to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu by breaking His Sannyasa Danda which the Lord had accepted out of formality.
The Lord of fourteen worlds, Sri Krishna Himself, personally came to distribute the fruit of Prema in the form of a devotee. He taught by example, how to perform pure devotional service to Krishna and follow the prescribed rules and regulations.
Although He enacted the pastimes acting as a devotee, He still was the original Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna Himself. Thus Sri Nityānanda Rama became intolerant seeing Gaura- Krishna following rules and regulations.
kapoteśvara dekhite gelā bhakta-gaṇa saṅge
ethā nityānanda-prabhu kaila daṇḍa-bhaṅge
tina khaṇḍa kari’ daṇḍa dila bhāsāñā
bhakta-saṅge āilā prabhu maheśa dekhiña.When Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu went to the temple of Lord Śiva known as Kapoteśvara, Nityānanda Prabhu, who was keeping His sannyāsa staff in custody, broke the staff in three parts and threw it into the river Bhārgīnadī. Later this river became known as Daṇḍa-Bhāṅgā-Nadī.
(CC Madhya 5.143)
Srila Prabhupada explains in purport of this verse in Chaitanya Charitamrta, "In Sannyasa order, there are four divisions kuṭīcaka, bahūdaka, haṁsa and paramahaṁsa. Only when the sannyāsī remains on the kuṭīcaka and bahūdaka platforms can he carry a staff. However, when one is elevated to the status of haṁsa or paramahaṁsa, after touring and preaching the bhakti cult, he must give up the sannyāsa staff."
Knowing the absolute truth about Gaura Krsna, Sri Nityānanda Rama who has achieved the limit of servitude to the Lord, yet whose bliss of service constantly increases, reasoned the fact that Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu being the Supreme Personality of Godhead is automatically on the Paramhansa stage, thus there is no need for Him to carry Sannyasa Danda and therefore he broke it into 3 pieces and threw into the water.
Nityananda Svarupa organizes Vyasa Puja and sees Lord's various forms
The brahmchari name of Lord Nityananda is Sri Nityānanda Svarupa. Nityānanda Prabhu was acting as the servant of Lakshmipati Tirtha and was practising strict celibacy so "svarupa" was the word by which brahmchari disciples of Tirtha were addressed, thus the name, "Sri Nityānanda Svarupa".
One day, Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu along with His intimate associates headed with Nityānanda Rama went to the house of Srivas Thakur where the two merciful Lordships performed ecstatic sankirtan making some fortunate devotees cry, some roared loudly while others fell unconscious.
After the kirtan, Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu exhibited His various forms to Lord Nityānanda. The description can be found in Sri Chaitanya Charitamrta.
prathame ṣaḍ-bhuja tāṅre dekhāila īśvara
śaṅkha-cakra-gadā-padma-śārṅga-veṇu-dhara
- CC 17.13
One day Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu exhibited to Lord Nityānanda Prabhu a six-armed form bearing a conchshell, disc, club, lotus flower, bow and flute.tabe catur-bhuja hailā, tina aṅga vakra
dui haste veṇu bājāya, duye śaṅkha-cakra
- CC 17.14
Thereafter the Lord showed Him His four-armed form, standing in a three-curved posture. With two hands He played upon a flute, and in the other two He carried a conchshell and disc. ¶tabe ta’ dvi-bhuja kevala vaṁśī-vadana
śyāma-aṅga pīta-vastra vrajendra-nandana
- CC 17.15
Finally the Lord showed Nityānanda Prabhu His two-armed form of Kṛṣṇa, the son of Mahārāja Nanda, simply playing on His flute, His bluish body dressed in yellow garments.
Seeing the various forms of Lord, Sri Nityānanda Rama fell unconscious due to ecstacy. By exhibiting these forms, Lord also authoritatively declared that He is Himself the same Lord Krishna, the original Supreme Personality of Godhead who has come here to save the wretched sould by drowning them in Prema!
Lord Gaurasundar picked up Lord Nityānanda with His own lotus hands and reminded Him that the kirtan He inaugurated to distribute the love of Godhead is going on. Hearing the Holy Name of Krishna, Sri Nityānanda Rama regained consciousness.
Although being non-different to Lord Gauranga, Nityānanda Prabhu acted in accordance with the pastimes of the Lord which further gave pleasure to the Lord.
At the end, Lord Gaurasundar told Lord Nityananda to worship Vyasadeva the next day on Purnima. Vyas Puja is held to worship one's spiritual master as Vyasadeva is the original Guru of all those who follow Vedic principles.
Of that auspicious event, Srivasa Thakur was appointed as head priest by Lord Chaitanya Himself. Srivasa Thakur recited the mantras and handed a garland to Lord Nityānanda to make the offering.
Amidst sankirtan, when Lord Nityananda tried to garland the most munificent Lord Chaitanya, whose shine put to shame the brightness of million suns, Lord Nityānanda saw his own reflection appear in Lord Chaitanya. This is certainly not astonishing as it reestablishes the fact that Lord Nityananda is non-different from Lord Gaurasundar! (CC Adi 17.16)
Mercy Personified Lord Nityananda
Lord Gaurasundar who advented Himself personally to distribute the love of Godhead had asked Sri Nityānanda Rama and Haridasa Thakur to go to every home and preach the holy names.
These two forms of personified mercy went from door to door and asked everyone to chant Hare Krishna Mahamantra! Knowing Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu as their very life, these two lords carried out the order of Lord Gauranga, distributing His mercy everywhere.
In the same holy land of Navadvipa, there were also two caste Brahmans named Jagai and Madhai. These two brothers were drunkards, meat eaters, plundered others wealth and burned their houses.
There was no sin that the two brothers did not commit thus creating great disturbance in the society.
When Lord Nityananda came to know about these two, He thought that these were the perfect recipients of Lord Chaitanya's mercy and that Lord Chaitanya will be glorified in all three worlds if He delivers these two fallen souls. Thinking this way, Sri Nityananda Rama approached the two brothers to distribute them the wealth of Krsna's Holy Name.
As the two lords were approaching Jagai and Madhai, saintly persons warned them not to go near these two drunkards as previously they both had killed unlimited cows and Brahmans.
Ignoring the plea, Lord Nityananda went to Jagai and Madhai and began preaching the Holy names of Krishna. Seeing Lord Nityananda and Haridas Thakur, Jagai and Madhai became enraged and started swearing and chasing Sri Nityānanda Rama.
Again the next day, Lotus eyed Nityānanda Prabhu approached the two brothers, but this time Madhai threw a piece of earthen pot at Him, striking Him on His forehead, causing blood to flow. Even though it was a great offence, yet Sri Nityānanda Rama humbly requested them to chant Hare Krishna. Thus Lord Nityananda taught the devotees to be tolerant and humble, simply not by preaching but also by practically behaving that way.
tṛṇād api sunīcenataror api sahiṣṇunāamāninā mānadenakīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ
One can chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking himself lower than the straw in the street. One should be more tolerant than the tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige and ready to offer all respects to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly (Śikṣāṣṭaka 3).
Jagai was astonished to see that even after being harmed, the Lord was not furious but instead kept humbly requesting them. Thus melted the heart of Jagai who at once fell at the feet of Nityānanda Rama begging for forgiveness. Of course most merciful than all mercy combined, Sri Nityānanda Rama's every glance forgave the two brothers.
When Madhai again tried harming Lord Nityananda, Jagai stopped him and asked him to surrender to Nityanandā Rama's feet.
Suddenly the Golden Lord Sri Gaurasundar appeared at the scene extremely furious knowing that someone had tried offending Sri Nityānanda Rama. Being the original Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, Lord Gauranga invoked His Sudarshan Chakra to kill the two degraded brothers.
Immediately Lord Nityananda fell on the feet of Lord Gauranga and tried to pacify Him. He told Him, "My dear Lord , you have appeared to distribute the love of Godhead and deliver the most fallen wretched souls. If you kill these two, who will be merciful upon them?" Thus Lord Nityananda spoke in such a manner which calmed down Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's anger.
Sri Gaurasundar agreed to nullify the offences of these two brothers if they surrender to Lord Nityānanda and never commit any debauchery in future. Transforming their hearts, Sri Nityānanda Rama and Lord Gauranga along with Jagai Madhai chanted Hare Krishna.
Such is the glory of Lord Nityananda, what words are appropriate to collect His pearl-like pastimes, and what lines are enough to weave all those pearls in a beautiful necklace? It's only a humble attempt, by Lord Nityananda's personal mercy to offer that necklace into His lotus feet so He may be pleased with us.
Lord Balaram had two wives, Srimati Varuni Devi and Srimati Revati Devi. Both of them later expanded themselves in Gaura Lila as Srimati Vasudha Devi and Srimati Jhanava Devi respectively.
These two internal energies of Nityananda Prabhu were born to Sri Surya Das who himself was a great personality, of which Jhanava Maiya was the youngest.
Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu had persuaded Lord Nityananda for marriage, knowing that His internal energies had already descended and will play a vital role in the spreading of the Krishna Consciousness Movement.
For the Divine Marriage of Lord Nityananda first with Mata Vasudha and later on with Mata Jhanava, blessings poured in and everyone in the 14 worlds was joyful. Lord Nityananda stayed at Shaligram and later left to see Sachi Mata.
Jhanava Maiya is famous as Nityananda Swarupini. She did not bear any children, instead took great care of son Virbhadra and daughter Ganga, who were born to Mata Vasudha. She even initiated Virbhadra Prabhu later.
Original Guru Tattva and His internal mood in Sringar Vat as Ananga Manjari
So, Balarama Ji or Nityananda Prabhu (who are non-different) are considered as Param Guru by exalted Gaudiya Saints. It is also said that Krishna is the original Guru Tattva who manifests as Balarama Ji (in Krishna Lila) or Nityananda Prabhu (in Gaur Lila).
Nityananda Prabhu is the ocean of mercy, and more merciful than Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
Mahaprabhu is none other than Krishna in the mood of Srimati Radharani and came to experience the topmost Radha Dashyam and Radha Snehadika Bhav (which is the core inner confidential rasa or mode of worship of Gaudiya Vaishnavas).
In keeping in line with this and relating it to Nityananda Prabhu, the confidential aspect about Nityananda Prabhu is that he also cherishes the Radha Dashyam Bhav as he is none other than Ananga Manjari, who is the younger sister of Srimati Radharani in Nitya Goloka Vrindavan.
In Gaur Lila, Nityananda Prabhu is more in the bhav (mood) of Ananga Manjari rather than Balarama Ji if one looks at it from an inner perspective of Prema-Bhajan.
It is evident in the fact that Nityananda Prabhu (while in Gaur Lila) used to sit and meditate at Nityananda Vat, or Sringar Vat on the banks of Yamuna in Vrindavan.
Sringar Vat is a Rasa Sthali and it is here that Krishna ties the hairs of Sri Radha after the confidential rasa-dance (which is well described in the book Krishna Bhavanamrta). Though, one should not jump to read this book directly and follow this order of books to approach confidential Vraj-Prema-Bhakti.
Many might get bewildered that how can Balarama Ji enter Rasa Sthali and meditate. Rasika Vaishnavas explain that the inner mood of Nityananda Prabhu at Sringar Vat is not in the mood of Balarama Ji but rather of Ananga Manjari.
Nityananda Prabhu is Nitya Ananda (or he is eternally in bliss). Ananda here means not only pleasure but the Hladini Sakti of Lord (who is none other than Radharani who offers pleasure to Krishna). Therefore, only Ananga Manjari as Nityananda Prabhu can give the Nitya Ananda to devotees and is the most merciful, even more than Krishna!
Krishna is the only Purush and everything else is Prakriti. You might read this inner meaning of Hladini Sakti and all other Sakti of Lord to understand the inner tattva.
Without the mercy (kripa) of Nityananda Prabhu (Ananga Manjari), it is impossible to gain entry in Vrindavan Prema Rasa.
Famous Panihti Festival - Dahi Chida Prasad
This festival is a yearly celebration of the meeting pastime of Sri Raghunath Das Goswami with Nityānanda Prabhu.
Sri Raghunath Das Goswami is one of the Six Gosvamis of Vrindavan and a primary disciple of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
Born in a family whose wealth compared to the opulence of Indra, Sri Raghunath Das Goswami did not have the slightest bit of attraction and attachment to it.
Blessed by Namacharya Sri Haridas Thakur and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Himself, Sri Raghunath Das Goswami always tried to flee his home and serve the Lord in Puri. Due to trying many times, the family members of Sri Raghunath Das Goswami grew alarmed and tried to marry him to a very beautiful girl. Yet by the supreme will of Lord Gauranga, Sri Raghunath Das Goswami was able to flee his home.
The next day, he came to Panihati. Knowing that Lord Nityananda was residing there on the banks of the Ganges, with utter humility Sri Raghunath Das Goswami approached the Lord of his very life, Sri Nityānanda Rama.
Sitting on a rock under a tree, Lord Nityananda seemed as effulgent as hundreds and thousands of rising suns.
Considering himself to be the most fallen, Raghunath Das Goswami paid full obeisances to Lord Nityānanda from a distance. This was informed to Lord Nityānanda by one of His accompanied servitors. Hearing this information, Sri Nityānanda said, "You are a thief. Now you have come to see Me. Come here, come here. Today I shall punish you!".
Due to the above statement, the Dahi Chida festival is also known as Danda Mahotsav (Festival of Punishment).
The Lord called Sri Raghunath Das Goswami but Raghunath Das Goswami did not go near the Lord. Then the Lord forcibly caught him and placed His Lotus Feet upon Raghunath Das Goswami's head. Lord Nityānanda is the epitome of mercifulness. His transcendental pastimes cools the fire of material existence and softens the heart making it fit for Krsna to reside.
After giving him all his mercy, Lord Nityananda asked Raghunath Das to organise a festival and feed all His associates yoghurt and chipped rice.
Thus on Jyestha Masa Shukla Paksha Trayodasi, the festival of Dahi Chida began!
Innumerable preparations of chipped rice with yoghurt, and chipped rice with condensed milk were made. Fortunate devotees started coming in great numbers. It was Nityānanda Rama's own way of merciful reciprocation with those who were surrendered to Him.
When chipped rice had been served to everyone, Lord Nityananda Prabhu in meditation, brought Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
From each and every pot, Lord Nityananda used to take a morsel and lovingly push it in Lord Gauranga's lotus mouth and similarly Lord Gauranga used to make Lord Nityananda eat. Not everyone could understand what Sri Nityananda Rama was doing, yet there were some fortunate devotees who could see Chaitanya Mahaprabhu personally standing there and seeing all the fun while honouring Dahi Chida Prasadam.
Sri Nityananda Rama ordered all devotees to chant 'Hari' 'Hari'. The whole atmosphere turned divinely euphoric with the chants of Krishna's Holy Name.
Whatever chipped rice remained in the earthen pots were further given for distribution. Srila Raghunath Das Goswami, writer of Vilapa Kusumanjali relished Gaura Nitai's personal mercy.
All glories to the famous Panihati festival, where the flow of mercy put is incessant.
Bankim Raya- Found and Installed by Lord Nityananda Himself
One time Sri Nityananda Rama founded the Deity of Banke Raya floating in the Yamuna River at Kadamba Khandi. He picked up and installed this deity of Krishna in a temple. Later, a Deity of Srimati Radharani was discovered in Bhaddhapur, in the locality of Viracandrapura, underneath the roots of a neem tree, about ½ mile west. This Deity was installed to the left of Banke Raya. For this reason, the Radharani of Banke Raya was known as Bhaddapurera Thakurani, the mistress of Bhaddhapura.
Nityananda Prabhu worshipped Bankim Raya. Soon after Mahaprabhu finished His manifest lilas and disappeared into the Deity of Tota Gopinath, Nityananda Prabhu finished His manifest pastimes and disappeared into the Deity of Banke Raya.
After Lord Nityananda’s disappearance, the Deity of Jahnava Maiya was placed to the right of Banke Raya.
Glories of Nityananda Prabhu
Shri Nitai is Isha Prakasha (CC 1.1.7-11), the cherished goal of Gaudiyas (CC 1.1.18-19), and is depicted as the trunk of the tree of bhakti (CC 1.9.21, 1.10.115).
Srila Narottama Das Thakur, the crest jewel of the Paramhansa has sung:
nitai-pada-kamala, koti-candra-susitala
je chayay jagata juray
heno nitai bine bhai, radha-krishna paite nai
dridha kori’ dharo nitair pay
The lotus feet of Lord Nityananda are as soothing as the rays of millions of moons. The entire World can be solaced by the shelter of His lotus feet. Dear brother, without the mercy of Lord Nityananda no one can attain the lotus feet of Radha Krishna. Therefore, catch hold of the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda with great determination.
Srila Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya has sung Nityanando ‘Vadhutendur', wherein he glorifies Lord Nityananda.
padmāvatī-sutaḥ śrīmān
śacī-nandana-pūrvajaḥ
bhāvonmatto jagat-trātā rakta-gaura-kalevaraḥ
Sri Nityananda is the dear son of Padmavati and He is full of splendorous transcendental majesty. Nitai is the older brother of Sacimata's son Nimai. Nityananda Avadhuta is maddened by overwhelming ecstatic emotions. Sri Nityananda Prabhu is the saviour of the universe. His complexion is golden-tinged with red.
Chaitanya Candrera Rase Matta Mahadhira
Although He is exceptionally grave, He is intoxicated by the transcendental mellows of Lord Chaitanya!
Without the mercy of Lord Nityananda, no one can attain the lotus feet of Gaurasundar. If one somehow takes to shelter of the Lotus Feet of Lord Nityanada, he will certainly attain Krishna's Lotus Feet. All glories to Sri Nityananda Rama , the original spiritual master of all souls.
Jai Jai Shri Radhe!
Nitaiiiii Gaur Hari Bol!!
Hare Krishna!!!