Narottam Vilas part II

 
THE SEVENTH VILASA
 

All glories to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Nityananda Prabhu, Advaita Acarya and
all the associates of the Lord. Please bestow your mercy upon this fallen soul.
All glories to the merciful listeners. Kindly listen attentively to this
narration.

As news of the Kheturi festival spread throughout the country, everywhere people
were heard speaking about it: "Oh brother, Sri Khetari has become beautified by
the association of the devotees. It is now the most fortunate village on the
earth and is the abode of eternal joy." Everyone in Sri Kheturi; men, women,
aged and even the children could not check their tears upon seeing the assembly
of devotees. Someone said, "Many more Vaisnavas have arrived today, they look
as effulgent as the brilliant sun. " Another person commented, "By the power of
these Vaisnavas even the atheistic offenders feel compelled to utter the name of
Krsna." Someone else remarked, "Sri Santosa is certainly the most fortunate
King, just see how carefully he has arranged accommodations for all the
devotees." Others said, "The King is very attentive to the well-being of all
mankind." Someone else commented, "The flower-men have been told to supply
beautiful garlands, while others were requested to prepare sandalwood paste.
The instrumentalists have been ordered to begin playing on the Sukla Pancami day
of Phalguna." Everywhere bustling preparations for the festival were under way,
as people chattered excitedly in anticipation: "The king has invited all the
neighbouring kings to the abhiseka ceremony. Tomorrow is the auspicious full
moon day, exactly the appropriate time for the Deities to be installed in the
temple." Other's said, "Thakura Mahasaya has transformed this land. Previously
the area was overrun with wicked thieves and rogues who knew nothing about
religion. Neither could they understand what the results of their inauspicious
behaviour would be. These ignorant people were accustomed to severing the heads
of goats, lambs and buffalos. Some of them were even so degraded that they would
dance with the heads of men fixed on the top of their swords. Such persons were
accustomed to indulge in intoxication and illicit sex. Yet, by the influence of
Narottama, even such atrocious persons have become exempt from the results of
their sinful activities." In this way, the glories of Narottama were sung
continually throughout the town. People came from far and wide carrying all
varieties of commodities for the imminent festival. Everyone who entered into
Kheturi was immediately freed from all distress. The association of Sri Thakura
Mahasaya soothed the hearts of all.

In the evening one devotee told Acarya that many kholas and kartalas had been
made and stocked in a suitable place, and requested that he come to inspect
them. Sri Acarya, along with Gauranga, Gokula and Devidasa happily went to
inspect the instruments. They first worshipped the instruments while chanting
the names of Gaura Nityananda. Thereafter they went to see Sri Iswari and
informed her about the abhiseka ceremony.

In the morning, when all the mahantas had finished their morning duties, Sri
Acarya and Thakura Mahasaya came to them and offered them beautiful new clothes.

Meanwhile, King Sri Santosa Raya noted with pleasure that all the arrangements
for the opening ceremony were complete. The gorgeous canopy which had been hung
in the courtyard increased the charm of the festival arena. Many seats were
arranged for the mahantas under the canopy, and the wide courtyard of the temple
was tastefully decorated with innumerable banana trees, coconuts, flowers,
mango twigs, and pitchers filled with water. Seeing that the arrangements were
complete, Sri Acarya personally informed Her Holiness Jahnava mata, and she came
and sat in her private seat. At the request of Srinivasa, all the mahantas took
their seats. The atmosphere in the courtyard was most pleasing, as the mahantas
chatted mildly amongst themselves. Sri Acarya then requested their permission to
begin the auspicious abhiseka ceremony.

Having received the blessings of all, Srinivasa performed the bathing ceremony
and other rites swiftly, in accordance with the instructions given by Srila
Rupa Gosvami. After completing the bathing, Srinivasa revealed the names of the
Deities as had been prophesied in his dream. He then placed the Deities on the
throne in the following order: Sri Gauranga, Vallabhi Kanta, Sri Braj Mohan,
Sri Krsna, Sri Radha Kanta, and Sri Radha Ramana. He worshipped the Lords,
performed arati and offered their Lordships sumptuous food. The bhoga was
removed after some time and the place was thoroughly cleansed. Srinivasa then
placed a garland around the neck of each Deity. He then gave the offered
garlands and sandalwood paste to the mahantas, who happily wore the garlands
and smeared their bodies with the paste while gleefully shouting out the glories
of the Lord.

Meanwhile the musical instruments played melodiously and it appeared that the
evils of the world were minimized simply by that sound. Permission was then
given to Sri Thakura Mahasaya to begin sankirtana. His heart full of joyful
anticipation, Sri Thakura told Devidasa to get ready. Devidasa, Vallabha,
Gokula and Gauranga quickly gathered their instruments and entered the
courtyard. Standing in front of Devidasa, Narottama's appearance charmed the
hearts of all. The tilak on his forehead and the tulsi beads around his neck
appeared to glitter brilliantly. Narottama called out to Gaura, Nitai, Advaita
and others, then bowed to all the mahantas. Smiling brightly, he began sankirtan
in a soft voice, accompanied by the kartals. His body was drenched in sweat
mixed with tears of joy. The sound of drums joined in, mingling with the voices
of the singers, creating celestial music. Unable to control himself,
Raghunandana began to chant the glories of the Lord at the top of his voice,
roaring like an enraged lion. At that moment, Sri Acarya gave Raghunandana
garlands and sandalwood paste which he at once touched to the drums and cymbals.
Totally immersed in the ecstasy of transcendental love, Raghunandana smeared
the body of Narottama with the sandalwood paste, garlanded him with flowers and
embraced him warmly. He also extended the same treatment to the other devotees
present. They all bowed at the feet of Raghunandana and started to sing the
preamble, beginning at a low pitch and gradually increasing until finally
the atmosphere became so surcharged that everyone marvelled at the occasion.

Charmed by the marvellous voice of Narottama, the mahantas commented that
Narottama was certainly directly empowered by the Lord to act as the custodian
of transcendental music. Thinking in this way, they all embraced Narottama and
began to dance with him jubilantly. The sandalwood paste on their bodies and
the flowing garlands added extra luster to the occasion. At this point, Gauranga
and His associates could no longer remain unmoved and thus personally appeared
at the scene. The atmosphere was suddenly surcharged with emotion and the
devotees entered into a state of trance as they beheld the appearance of
Sri Caitanya, Lord Nityananda, Advaita, Srinivasa, Gadadhara, Murari, Svarupa,
Haridasa, Vakresvara, Jagadisa, Gauridasa. The son of Saci began to dance
ecstatically with Sri Acyutananda and the others. Similarly, Sri Nityananda
danced with Narottama, Sri Advaita danced with Ramacandra and others, while
Pandita Gadadhara danced with Srinivasa Acarya. The whole assembly thus became
caught up in the mood of great ecstasy and innumerable associates of the Lord
including Srivas Pandit, Murari Gupta, Svarupa, Haridasa, Suklambara Brahmacari,
Vasudeva Datta, Vakresvara Pandit, Gadadhara Dasa, Mukunda, Narahari, Gauri Dasa
Pandita, Nakula Brahmacari, Jagadisa, Sujadasa, Acarya Nandana, Srinatha,
Mahesha, Jodu, Madhusudana, Govinda, Madhava Basurai, Ramananda, Vijaya,
Dhananjaya Datta, Sanatana, Rupa, Raghunatha, Kasisvara also began to dance.

It seemed that the visible and invisible had convened at that place as everyone
sang and clapped their hands along with the throbbing beating of the drums.
Glancing in every direction the Lord showered His love on all present and in
reciprocation the devotes chanted the names of Sri Krsna Caitanya. The promises
which the Lord had made to Narottama in his dream were now realized to the
amazement of the devotees. Who can understand the inconceivable potency of the
Lord?

Suddenly the Lord and His associates disappeared from the scene, and immediately
everyone's trance was broken. The devotees lamented piteously, feeling intense
separation from Gaura, Nityananda, Advaita, Srivasa, Gadadhara, Murari,
Haridasa, Vakresvara Pandita, Narahari, Gauradasa and the others. Sri
Acyutananda and others began to ask themselves if indeed it had actually taken
place or whether they had simply been dreaming. Narottama, Srinivasa,
Ramacandra, Syamananda and others fell to the ground. Grief stricken, they
cried out to the Lord. Even the non-believers who attended the festival simply
out of curiosity or seeking some entertainment or fun, left the area as changed
men. The brahmana Baninath was first to regain consciousness. Seeing the
devotees lying in various stages of collapse, he and others immediately began
to nurse the devotees and gradually they returned to external consciousness.

Her Holiness Jahnavi Devi told Narottama and Srinivasa that she fully
appreciated their ? and advised them to hold it. She then told them that
according to the scriptures it was time to play fagu, with coloured powder.
Srinivasa and Narottama then went to meet all the other mahantas who praised
the two acknowledging them as eternal associates of the Lord. Sri Nityananda
expressed His satisfaction by stating that neither He, nor anyone else present,
would ever forget the wonderful experience which the festival afforded them.

Srinivasa and Narottama then invited the mahantas to participate in the fagu
play and this idea was greeted with everyone's full approval. Sri Santosh Rai
brought pots filled with different kinds of scented fagu. Narottama, with the
help of Ramacandra, gave the first pot of fagu to Her Holiness. Together they
entered the temple and placed it on the body of the Lord. Then Sri Acyutananda,
Raghunandana, Srinidhi, Kasinatha, Hrdaya Caitanya, Jodu and others put fagu on
the body of Sri Gauranga, Radha Kanta, Sri Vallabha Kanta, Sri Braj Mohan, Sri
Radha Raman. While playing some of the devotees recited poetry, while others
chanted the glories of the Lord's Vrndavana and Navadvipa pastimes. In this way
everyone was totally absorbed in chanting, dancing, reciting the Lord's glories
and engaging in the fagu festival. Thousands of people joined in and the fagu
thrown about was sufficient to cover the sky. This continued until evening when
everyone attended the arati of the Lord and chanted His glories. After some
time they all assembled in the courtyard where Sri Acarya carefully performed
the necessary rituals observing the birthday of the Lord. To mark the occasion
the Vaisnavas conducted all night kirtanas to the accompaniment of various
percussion instruments.

In the morning everyone performed their morning ablutions. Her Holiness bathed
with tepid water and said her daily prayers. Then along with Srinivas she went
along to the kitchen to make sure it was stocked with all the necessary
requirements. Smiling, she said to Srinivasa, "I wanted you to know the
ingredients needed for the cooking and now I see that everything is ready. How
did you know that I intended to cook everything with my own hands?" Saying this
she sat down on a stool and began to prepare everything very carefully. Very
quickly she prepared rice as well as various vegetable preparations and placed
them with great care in trays and pots. She then presented these foodstuffs as
an offering to the Lord.

Absorbed in ecstatic devotion, she watched lovingly as the Deities of Gauranga,
Vallabha Kanta, Radha Mohana, Radha Kanta, Radha Krsna and Braj Mohana all
partook of her mouthwatering preparations with great relish. After this, as was
the custom, she then came out and closed the door. After waiting for some time
she again entered the sanctum of the temple, removed the preparations, offered
water for washing the mouths of the Lords and then offered the betel nuts.
After this offering Srinivasa distributed the offered foodstuffs among the
mahantas, who ate it all with great satisfaction. Next they all went to the
Rajbhoga arati of the Lord, after which the performing priest presented them
all with garlands of Tulsi leaves. The priest then placed the Deities to rest
on soft beds and covered Their bodies with beautiful soft cloth and began to
fan them with a yak tail fan. After doing so for some time he then came out,
closed the door and offered his obeisances on the ground while reciting prayers.

Thereafter Srinivasa invited everyone to take prasada in the courtyard of the
temple and then he cleaned the dust from the area and all the mahants sat in
a circle. One devotee provided the banana leaf plates, while other devotees
came around with salt, clarified butter, curd and milk. Her Holiness was very
pleased to see such an assembly of devotees and ordered that the prasada be
served promptly. The preparations included fried leafy vegetables, rice, soup,
sour soup and condensed milk, and everyone was served to their full
satisfaction. The aroma and the taste of the food was so tantalising that
everyone ate much more than they needed and Sri Acyutananda remarked, "I cannot
understand how I ate so much." Sripati, Srinidhi and Baninath replied that it
was all by the grace of Her Holiness that this was possible. Sri Raghunandana
and others remarked that they would never again receive the same pleasure from
eating as they had received on this auspicious occasion.

Srinivasa and Narottama then went to Her Holiness and requested, "You have
worked very hard, now it is our desire that you sit down and take prasada."

She replied, "My great desire is that I want to feed you all first and then
I shall eat. For my sake please go and sit in the courtyard along with the
others." Sri Acarya and others then went and sat in the courtyard and they were
served the feast in the same way as was before mentioned. Wit great affection,
Her Holiness personally served prasada thus making everyone eat to their heart's
content. As the devotees happily ate they talked amongst themselves happily:
"This is heavenly cooking, has anyone ever eaten such a fried leafy vegetable in
all their life?" In this way they praised her culinary expertise and when they
finished Raghunandana and a few others went to retire. Srinivasa then ate in
the company of Narottama, Ramacandra, Govinda dasa, Rama Krsna, Mukunda,
Gokulananda, Vyasa, Syamananda, Sri Krsna Vallabha, Devidasa, Bhagavan, Nrsimha,
Gokula, Karnapura, Kishore, Rasikananda, Gauranga Thakura, Gopiramu and others.
After finishing, they all washed their hands and took betel nuts. Sri Acarya
then made a seat for Her Holiness and she happily took a small quantity of each
of the items that had been prepared. Then with the help of Syamananda, Sri
Acarya fed many other men and finally Balarama the priest and a few others were
the last to partake.

After eating, Her Holiness bathed in tepid water in a private place and her
personal attendant, a brahmana lady, wiped her body gently with a fine cloth.
Jahnava mata had a slim figure and a golden complexion and was overcome by
intense feelings of separation from her beloved Lord. Another lady brought Her
Holiness a set of clean clothes. After changing and washing her mouth, Her
Holiness took some betel nut while sitting on a sheet on the ground. As tears
of gratitude rolled down her cheeks, she affectionately told Narottama, "Today
I have made my eating complete." Srinivasa and Syamananda also came before
Jahnava mata and she said in a sweet voice, "We don't think we should stay here
any longer. I consider it best to start for Vrndavana tomorrow morning. To this
Sri Acarya replied, "Though it pains us to hear this, I have nothing to reply.
I know that there is nothing I can say to change your decision. The festival
has now come to close so how can I object to the journey." Her Holiness simply
smiled in reply to this remark. Then, on Srinivasa's request, she lay down on
the sheet to rest for awhile.

Srinivasa, Narottama and Syamananda went to another place where they also took
some rest. Thereafter they proceeded to the residence of Sri Acyutananda where
all the mahantas were assembled and discussing topics of Sri Krsna's life.
Pleased to see their three hosts, the mahantas requested Sri Acarya, "We are
sorry but we must now beg your permission to go. We would like to depart." The
Acarya replied, "What you have decided cannot be changed. If early tomorrow
morning you arise and prepare your own food that will be convenient for us."
The mahants were amused by his suggestion and agreed to it and then returned to
their respective lodgings.

Sri Acarya, along with Narottama and Syamananda went to the abode of the Lord
along with Sri Santosh Rai and others and Sri Acarya told them everything.

He who derives pleasure from hearing these pastimes will no doubt have all his
desires fulfilled.

Please listen attentively to Narottama Vilasa as told by Narahari.
 

THE EIGHTH VILASA
 

Glory to Gaura, Nityananda, Advaita and others. Be kind to this poor soul.
Glory to the merciful listeners.

At the time of evening ceremony of waving light before Sri Gauracandra all the
mahantas came to the temple. They became very happy to observe the ceremony.
The priest gave them offered garlands and Tulsi. Then they began sankirtana.
After that they went to their own rooms. Many items of food were offered to
Prabhu. After Prabhu's eating, Sri Acarya took prasadam for Iswari and then
distributed that separately and served to every room. All of them became very
happy to eat the tasteful prasadam. Sri Acarya told everybody to bless Santosa
Raya who had arranged everything by giving the full financial help. They also
blessed him. Being happy Acarya Mahasaya with his companions came to the temple
of Prabhu. Sri Acarya, Thakura Mahasaya and Syamananda ate some prasadam. Again
Sri Acarya cautioned those whom he had engaged in the service of the mahantas.
As it was late at night, they all entered into their rooms and went to sleep.
In the morning, they completed their morning duties. Now the cooks of the
mahantas took their baths first, did their `Anhika' and going round the Tulsi.
Then they entered into the separate kitchens. Ramacandra Kaviraja with others
supplied the necesary commodities to the cooks in each kitchen. Then the cooks
began to cook varieties of items very gladly. At the time of cooking, Ramacandra
and others used to be standing cautiously beside the kitchens if any cook needed
any help.

Sri Santosa Raya was engaged in arranging separate containers decorated with
betel leaves, gold and silver coins, beautiful silk dreses what he would offer
to the mahantas. Sri Santosa Raya went to Sri Iswari and asked for her
permission. Then he went to all the mahantas and offered them those things one
by one. They all wore the silk cloths and sat for doing Anhika. Santosa Raya
gave beautiful cloth and coins to each and everyone who came with the mahantas.
At the time Acarya came to that place and became very glad to see the charity
of Santosa Raya. In the meantime the priest informed that he had arranged
prasadam separately. Sri Acarya requested them to take seats and began to serve
food to them. The mahantas sat in rows and became very happy to eat prasadam.

In the courtyard of Sri Jahnava Iswari's house, some Vaisnavas took their seats
for taking meals. They were Krsnadasa Sarakhela, Madhava Acarya, Raghupati
Upadhyaya, Krsna Bhaktavarya, Sri Minaketana, Ramadasa, Mahidhara, Murari,
Caitanya, Jnanadasa, Manohara, Kamalakara Pippalai, Nrsimha Caitanya, Sri Jiva
Pandita, Sri Gaurangadasa, Vrndavana, Sri Sankara, Kanai, Nakari, Krsnadasa,
Paramesvaradasa, Balarama, Damodara and Mukunda. I am giving the names of these
who sat with Sri Acyutananda for eating. They were Sri Gopala, younger brother
of Acyutananda, Sri Kanu Pandita, Visnudasa, Narayana, Banamali dasa, Sri
Ananta, Janardana, Sri Mahava, Lokanatha Bhagavatacarya. Raghunathacarya with
his companions, Sri Caitanyadasa, son of Sri Vansivadana, with his companions,
Sri Hrdaya Caitanya with his companions. All were enjoying the prasadam by
sitting in their own rooms. What a beautiful scene there, all were enjoying
prasadam delightfully. In another room were eating Sripati, Srinidhi, Krsnadasa,
Sri Sanjaya, Kasinatha, Mukunda, Paramananda, Sekhar Pandita, Krsnadasa Vaisya,
Subhananda, Sri Gopala Acarya, Kavicandra Kirtaniya and Sasthivara.
Krsnadasa of Akaihata with his companions were eating in their place most
gladly. Vaninatha, Sivananda, Vallabha Caitanya, Nartaka Gopala, Bhagavatacarya
Jita Misra, Raghu, Sri Uddhava, Kasinatha, Sri Narayana Misra and Sri Mangala
sat in one place and were eating all along very happily.
Sri Raghunandana, Sulocana and others were eating in their room. Sri Yadunandana
Cakravarty and his companions were taking prasadam by siting in their own
place. Sri Acarya and Sri Thakura Mahasaya were inspecting their eating very
carefully. When all the mahantas finished their eating, they were offered water
for washing their mouths. After that they took prasadam. At last the priest fed
all the Vaisnava guests there. Even the untouchable persons also got the
highest respect there. At long last, Acarya and Thakura Mahasaya took their
prasadam.

Who has witnessed such a big festival in his life? People used to say that they
had never seen such a great festival. Some persons said that how it was possible
for a human being to perform such a festival which was even totally impossible
for the gods. Some persons said that those who had performed this festival, they
were no human beings because all the devotees of Sri Caitanya were even
worshipped by the gods. Some persons said that they had even moved the heretics
by the topics on Krsna. Above all, the heretics had eaten the left over food of
the Vaisnavas and prayed to them to rescue them from damnation. Some persons
said that Narottama would rescue all the heretics from damnation and there would
be not a single heretic in this country. In this way, the people began to
glorify Narottama.

Now listen, Sri Acarya after taking some rest, told Thakura Mahasaya privately,
"They will take their leave in the morning. They will take their baths after
crossing Padmavati. We should pack some food for them, so that they can eat
after bath." Hearing this, Thakura Mahasaya did not lose time. He quickly
ordered to prepare food. After food had been ready, he first of all offered
them to Prabhu and then packed them separately. He reported Acarya that
everything was ready but all these preparations could be done by the evening.
Here all the mahantas being eager to observe the waving light ceremony came out
of their rooms and gathered in the courtyard of Prabhu. The priest offered them
garlands, and Tulsi. After the ceremony, the mahantas started sankirtana.

Within a while, the river of nectar began to flow there and all the mahantas
began to swim in the ocean of love. They could not control themselves and fell
on the ground out of ecstasy. Their beautiful bodies became smeared with dust.
After a long time, they observed the Sayana Arati of Prabhu. Again the priest
gave garlands and Tulsi to them. Then the mahantas returned to their own
places. Acarya with Narotama supplied prasadam separately to each room.

He told the mahantas, "Tomorrow Khetari will sink into utter darkness. I am
giving some prasadam with you so that you can eat after crossing Padmavati. At
noon, you can reach Budhari. Govinda with some men and the cooks should enter
first to the village. Ramacandra and others will go with them up to Budhari.
Then they will be back here for accompanying Sri Iswari to Vrndavana. Now
please accept these prasadam and eat all of your Srinivasa fed all of them with
a broken heart. Even the mahantas became so emotional that they all kept mum.
Then Acarya reported everything to Sri Iswari. Observing the disturbed condition
of Srinivasa, Sri Iswari consoled him and most affectionately gave him her left
over food. In a delighted mind, Acarya asked Santosa to make the boats ready for
the mahantas. Santosa said that he had already done that. Hearing this Acarya
became very glad and went his room to take some rest.

In the morning all of them did their morning duties and observed the morning
ceremony of waving lights. Sri Govinda Kaviraja with some companions and cooks
started first. They crossed Padmavati and at noon reached Budhari. Here the
mahantas in the morning went to take leave of Sri Iswari. Sri Acyutananda told
her in crying, "Most probably, I may not see you again." Sri Gopala and others
told something which could break the heart. Sripati, Srinidhi and others,
Vaninatha and others, Raghunatha Acarya and others, all of them became perturbed
and grief-stricken at the time of taking leave.
Sri Hrdaya Caitanya said, "Please, let me see your feet again." Sri Canda
Haldara, Mitu Haldara, Sri Caitanya and others could not speak anything. Sri
Raghunandana told her, "Please, be kind to us to see you soon." Sri Yadunandana
said, "Please come back. Pippalai and others go back to Khardaha." After bidding
farewell to them, she became extremely sad. Other mahantas gathered in the
courtyard of Prabhu and became ecstatic in emotion. They laid prostrate on the
ground and their bodies became smeared with dust. They all asked for the
well-being of Acarya and others from Prabhu and prayed to him to favor them to
listen to this sankirtana life after life. The priest gave them the clothes used
by Prabhu. By holding the clothes on their hands, they started with broken
hearts.

Sri Hrdaya Caitanya by holding Acarya in his lap, told mildly, "Visit Amvika
time to time and let me see you. Syamananda is yours." Acarya said, "Syamananda
is my life. I do not think of him anything other than this. To Narottama and
Ramacandra, Syamananda and his companions are most precious things." Hrdaya
Caitanya most affectionately dedicated Syamananda to Srinivasa.

When they left Khetari village, an outcry of despair arose in that village. The
people of that village became mad in sorrow. On the bank of Padmavati, Acarya
consoled everybody. After embracing everyone, the mahantas with Ramacandra and
others boarded on the boats which started at once. Acarya and others rolled on
the ground with loud crying. Observing them, the mahantas could not resist
their tears. By the wish of Prabhu, they somehow crossed Padmavati. They took
their baths and ate prasadam and then started for Budhari village.

Acarya and others returned to Khetari. Srinivasa with Sri Thakura Mahasaya and
Syamananda went to the temple of Prabhu. The priest told Acarya Thakura, "Just
now, Sri Iswari took her bath. After the leaving of the mahantas, she had been
sitting alone in a pool of tears. Sri Madhava Acarya and others also took their
baths just now."

Hearing this, Sri Acarya again became restless and hastily went to see Sri
Iswari. Sri Iswari eagerly asked Srinivasa about the going of the mahantas and
he reported everything in brief. On hearing the report, Sri Iswari looked at
the face of Srinivasa whom she found very thin not only for the misery of
separation but also for his fasting since last night. She thought, "Today they
are not at all thinking of their eating. I m afraid of their health. If I do
not take the initiative of feeding them they won't get anything to eat."
Thinking so, she told Acarya sweetly, "You had already taken your bath and it
is now afternoon. But you are still in fasting. It is paining me. So be quiet
and take food in my house." Hearing this, Acarya became so obliged that he
called Narottama and others to that place. Sri Iswari affectionately ordered
Nrsimha Caitanya and other to call everyone and sit in a row on the ground.
Someone arranged the banana leaves and someone filled the glasses with water.
Then Sri Iswari served various kinds of food to them. Being ordered by Sri
Iswari they all ate happily. Sri Iswari out of affection again and again served
a profuse quantity of food to them. They all ate voraciously. After their
eating, the servants cleaned the place.

Sri Acarya and others happily went to gather in the courtyard of Prabhu.
Someone gave them offered betel leaves. When they returned to their own rooms,
they found many presons were waiting for mahaprasadam. So they were also served
prasadam. In this way a huge number of Vaisnavas were fed. Sri Iswari's loving
service cooled their miseries of separation. So a day ended happily. Sri Iswari
went to the temple and became ecstatic in observing the beauty of Prabhu. The
priest gave her the offered garland.

In the evening during the ceremony of waving light, millions of people gathered
in the courtyard. Next started the sankirtan whose divine sound covered the
world. Aged, young, respectable became mad in sankirtana. Even the gods
amalgamated themselves with the people to join in that sankirtana. Some persons
began to roll on the ground while some began to roar like lions. Who will
describe the happiness of Sri Nama sankirtana? In this way they spent the whole
night unconsciously. Due to the wish of Prabhu, they stopped at last. Sri
Jahnava Iswari happily returned to her house. In the morning, after finishing
her daily duties, she took bath in hot water. After doing worship, she began
cooking preparations. Here Sri Acarya and others after taking their baths and
observing the rajbhoga arati of Prabhu came to see Sri Iswari. In the meantime,
Sri Iswari offered food to Prabhu and after his eating she took away the bowls
from the temple. Then she sat among Sri Acarya and others. She asked Acarya
anxiously about Ramacandra and others. At the same time, they returned from
Vudhuri.

They reported, "Everything could be completed perfectly and the mahantas could
eat at Vudhuri very timely. The mahantas did sankirtana after their eating. At
late night they slept a little and in the early morning, everyone became very
much perturbed to bid farewell to us. Most probabaly, we all became
stone-hearted at that time of separation so that we became able to cross
Padmavati to come here very easily." Saying so, they became silent. Sri Iswari
consoled them and fed them. Sri Acarya ate the left over food of Sri Iswari and
then fed the rest of the Vaisnavas who had been waiting for prasadam. Everyone
showed their respect to Sri Acarya who consoled Santosa and others by saying,
"Due to the wish of Sri Iswari, everything is over very succesfully. Now she is
eager to go to Vrndavana and I should not stop her from going. When she will be
back from Vrndavana, you can see her feet again. Now don't show her your
restlessness of minds. Tomorrow morning, she will start." Hearing this, Sri
Santosa Raya slowly went to Iswari and stood there very humbly. Knowing his
mind, Sri Iswari consoled him and Santosa requested her to come back soon to
them. Sri Iswari assured him. Then Sri Santosa Raya most gladly brought all the
things what he would give to Sri Iswari for carrying to Vraja. He gave fine
silky clothes, ornaments, jewelleries for Sri Govinda, Gopinatha, Madanamohana,
Sri Radhavinoda, Sri Radha-ramana and Radha Damodara. Apart from these, he also
gave gold and silver coins to Sri Iswari. Sri Jahnava became very happy to see
that every arrangement had become complete very perfectly.

At the time of waving the light ceremony of the evening, Sri Iswari told
something silently to Prabhu and the garland of Prabhu fell on the ground. The
priest gave that to Sri Iswari who held that on her head. After Sri Nama
sankirtana, Sri Iswari sleep. In the morning, she first went to take her leave
of Prabhu. The priest gave her offered garlands.

Now I shall give the names of companions who went with Sri Iswari. They were
Sri Pandita Krsnadasa, son of Suryadasa, Madhava Acarya, Murari, Caitanya,
Krsnadasa brahmana, Nrsimha Caitanya, Balarama, Mohindhara, Kanai, Nakaridasa,
Gauranga, Sankara, Sri Paramesvara dasa, Dasa Damodara, Raghupati Vaidya,
Upadhyaya Manohara, Jnanadasa, Mukundadasa and others. From Khetari, Sri Iswari
took Sri Govinda, Sri Gopiramana, Bhagavana, Gokula, Nrsimha, Vasudeva and
others. The people of Khetari lost their patience and began to cry.
Sri Narottama, Acarya and other began to follow them for some distance in
crying. The feature of love, Sri Jahnava Iswari, pacified them in various ways
and forbade them to follow her anymore. So she got up in a palanquin and
started her journey. Sri Acarya, Narottama and Syamananda could not check their
tears at the time of their going. In a broken heart, they returned to Khetari.
The people of Khetari in a dying condition began to sing the glory of Sri
Jahnava.

Someone told to another, "She will be back very soon from Vrndavana." Some
said, "She will go to her village in another way. What is the use of coming
here?" Someone said, "This Acarya Mahasaya has won over Sri Iswari by his love
and devotion." All these discussions made them very happy.

Here Sri Acarya, Sri Thakura Mahasaya and Syamananda returned to the temple.
Due to the wish of Sri Iswari, they pacified themselves and completed their
baths and worship and then went to observe the waving light ceremony of Prabhu.
They visited all the Vaisnava houses, met them and talked with them. Then they
fed others the prasadam and took their seats in the courtyard of Prabhu. The
cook of Prabhu began to serve food to them. After eating they washed their
mouths and took betel leaves. Acarya along with others became engaged in talking
about Krsna.

In the morning Acarya came to the temple courtyard and told the Vaisnavas who
were about to take their leave, "It is your place. Please come here from time
to time. Now it is evening and too late to start today. Tomorow morning you
should start for your own villages. Now please accept the things which Santosa
Raya had cherished in his mind to give." All of them became glad to hear the
nectar-like words of Acarya. Thus Sri Santosa Raya, according to their
permission, offered fine clothes and coins to them. In the evening, all of them
observed the waving light and then went to their rooms to sleep. Srinivasa with
his companions sat there for sometime in discussing the topic of Krsna and then
went to bed. In the morning, Acarya and others gathered in the courtyard of
Prabhu and observed the morning waving light. The Vaisnavas who would like their
leave then, also gathered and observed the ceremony. The priest gave them
garlands of Prabhu.

Gradually all the Vaisnava guests took their leave of Khetari in singing the
glory of the great festival. The brahmanas, the singers, the dancers and the
instrumentalists also took their leaves in tears. On observing the procession
of men from Khetari, the people of that place began to say, "Who is able to
count the heads"? Someone said, "Everything has been possible for Narottama."
In this way, they began to sing the glory of Narottama. Here Narottama and
Srinivasa took their baths and after doing their worship, ate some sweets.

We don't know on what topic Narottama and Srinivasa were engaged in talking
about but we see them wet with the tears from their eyes. They observed the
beauty of Prabhu and rajbhoga arati of Prabhu. Then they ate prasadam and after
that took betel leaves. Then they took their seats.

Acarya very affectionately told Sri Thakura Mahasaya and Syamananda, "I shall
start tomorow morning with Syamananda and by crossing Padmavati, I shall go to
Vudhuri village. From there I shall go to Yajigrama, I won't stay there long
and shall go to Vana-Visnupura. Again I shall be back to Yajigrama.

And Syamananda will first visit Navadvipa and Amvika and then should go and
settle at Vahadurapura in Dharenda. He should preach devotion in all those
places and should send me a letter with all reports. I shall send a letter with
detailed reports of Yajigrama to him very soon. When Sri Iswari will be back
here, do send me a letter as soon as possible. Sri Iswari will take this course
and from here some persons should accompany her. Then all of us will come to
Khetari again very soon."

Though this news of his going was a shock to Thakura Mahasaya, yet he pacified
himself and went to prepare arrangements for Acarya's going. He sent a letter
quickly to Vudhuri and arranged the boats for crossing Padmavati. The things
which would go with Syamananda were handed over in charge of Rasikananda. The
things which would go with Sri Acarya were handed over in the charge of
Karnapura Kaviraja. Sri Santosa arranged all these things and reported to Sri
Thakura Mahasaya. Hearing this, Acarya became very happy and along with others
went to inspect the store room of Prabhu. He found that the store room was full
of commodities and praised Santosa for this superb deed. They all spent the
evening in enjoying the waving light ceremony. The priest put on the garlands
around their necks for which they began to look very beautiful.

Observing the beauty of Prabhu, Acarya again and again glanced at Narottama
knowing his intention, Sri Thakura Mahasaya started sankirtana. The other
singers and instrumentalists began to arrange their instruments such as khola
and kartalas. Devidasa, Gokula, Gauranga and others began to play khola and
kartalas.

Sri Thakura Mahasaya began to sing a song written by Sri Vasu Ghosa: "Oh Sakhi,
look at the feature of Gaura. See, his beautiful face defeating milions of
moons, his hands defeating the elephants, his eyes defeating the Khanjana
birds. See, his beautiful forehead bedecked with tilaka, his long stretching
hands and flower garland around his neck, his conch like throat and broad
chest, bedecked with sandal and ornaments. See, his thigh and knee defeating
the banana tree and his saffron dress, his white nails defeating millions of
moons." Vasu Ghosa says, "Gora where have you been? Has the providence created
your beauty to charm the maids"?

How can I describe the sweet tune of the song? Mrdanga accompaniment with the
song attracted everone's heart. On listening the sweet sound of the mrdanga and
the melting voice of Narottama made Sri Acarya Thakura mad in love. He stood up
to dance in a beautiful posture which maddened the listeners. He began to shine
in his beautiful golden complexion. How magnetic was his smile in his moon-like
face. How attractive were his lips with kunda-like white teeth. How big were
his lotus eyes stretching up to his ears. How beautiful were his bee-like
eyebrows and parrot beak-like nose. How long were his hands and broad was his
chest. How deep was his navel and beautiful were his legs and feet. Viewers
became mesmerised to see his dancing. The whole of Khetari was present there.
Even many respected persons from distant places were present there. The whole
festival area was lighted up with lamps. Sometimes the people used to sing
loudly the glory of all singing and dancing there.

Even the gods in their carriers appeared on the scene to enjoy the dancing of
Srinivasa. The gods began to say that it was not at all possible for human
being to dance like this. Only the servants of Sri Caitanya could do this. The
gods began to shower flowers on the head of Acarya. While dancing, Srinivasa
forgot his own entity and in emotion he began to embrace Devidasa in a pool of
tears. Who can restrain himself from being moved to listen to the khola recital
of Devidasa and kirtana recital of Sri Gokula? Sri Thakura Mahasaya began to
shout, "Speak, speak" by embracing him. Syamananda, Ramacandra Kaviraja and
others became overwhelmed with emotion and began to weep. Thus the ocean of
happiness overflowed there for the beautiful sankirtana. Due to the wish of
Prabhu, they stopped at late night. After completing kirtana, all of them began
to roll on the ground and smeared the dust of that place. After embracing each
and everyone, they returned to their own houses to take some rest.

In the morning, Sri Acarya dressed up and came to the courtyard of Prabhu.
Syamananda with his companions also came to that place. Narottama with
Ramacandra and Santosa and others in a broken heart came too. Even the people
of Khetari on hearing the leaving of Acarya, came running to the place. The
courtyard of Prabhu became a crowded place. Syamananda bowed before Prabhu. The
priest gave garland and clothes offering of Prabhu to Acarya who distributed
those among others. Though inwardly Acarya was very much moved, yet outwardly
he consoled everybody and started from Khetari. Sri Thakura Mahasaya became
down with misery. Ramacandra pacified him very lovingly. On reaching the bank
of Padmavati, Acarya Thakura hastily boarded on the boat to conceal his emotion.
Sri Thakura Mahasaya told many things to Syamananda who began to float in
a stream of tears. Narottama by taking Syamananda in his lap began to weep
helplessly. Ramacandra pacified them. Syamananda got on the boat which started
at once. They crossed the river and reached Vudhuri.

Here Thakura Mahasaya and others took their baths and returned to the courtyard
of Prabhu. Sudenly the happy memories of Prabhu's dancing with his associates
made Narttama so happy that he began to sing the glory of the courtyard. The
priest informed Sri Thakura Mahasaya that Prabhu's arati was over and now they
could eat prasadam. Sri Thakura Mahasaya with others ate happily and distributed
prasadam among the villagers of Khetari.

On that day many heretics also ate prasadam. Now a change came to their minds
and they began to talk to others in this way, "Oh brothers, how fruitless our
own lives are. Who will rescue us from the judgement of Yama? This Thakura
Narottama can do this." Someone said, "I am scared of going near him." Someone
said, "Let us fall on his feet." In saying this, they in crying fell on the
feet of Narottama.
Sri Thakura Mahasaya who is an ocean of mercy, very sweetly told them, "Don't
cry. You are very fortunate. Sri Krsna Caitanya will favor you and rescue you
from damnation."
On hearing these hopeful words, the poor souls cried out, "Oh my lord, we had
done all types of evil deeds. We are not afraid of doing those deeds. We had
gone elsewhere for dacoity and only had returned last night. Those who did not
go with us, rebuked us to a great extent. They were also dangerous dacoits but
now due to you, they have become Vaisnavas. Oh my lord, be merciful to us."
These pathetic confessions melted the heart of Thakura Mahasaya who favored
them all. He advised them, "Always do wise company and being very humble always
listen and sing kirtana. Always be careful about behaving with Vaisnavas. Don't
do anything which may humiliate them. And always cite Harinama." Saying so he
embraced them all. All of them ran to fall on his feet and he put his feet on
the heads of each and everyone. So devotion most automatically came to reign
over them.

Sri Thakura Mahasaya became very anxious for not getting any news from Acarya.
He decided to send Ramacandra to Acarya but in the meantime a man came with the
letter of Acarya from Yajigrama. Being very glad, Thakura Mahasaya sent a reply
to Acarya and began to sing the glory of Acarya.

All these episodes can purify your mind, so be kind to listen to Narottama
Vilasa by Narahari.
 

THE NINTH VILASA
 

Glory to Gaura, Nityananda, Advaita and others. Be favorable to this poor soul.
Glory to the merciful listeners.

While going to Vrndavana from Khetari, Sri Jahnava Iswari had done some
transcendental deeds. Many wicked heretics got favor and mercy from her and
obtained the most valuable gem-like devotion. Those who came in contact with
her, got the favor of Sri Krsna Caitanya and became mad in singing the glory of
Him. The road which Sri Iswari had taken for her travel, the local people used
to follow her in that way. The village which she used to choose for her halt,
the villagers there used to get extreme pleasure. In this way, favoring many
poor souls, she went to Madhupuri (Mathura) quickly via Prayaga. She with all
her followers took bath in Sri Visrama Ghata. She paid respect to a brahmana of
Mathura and stayed there for that night. In the morning, after taking bath,
again started her journey.

The news of her coming to Mathura, spread all over the country. The Gosvamis of
Vrndavana quickly came forward to receive her. Here Sri Iswari became charmed
to see the beauty of the forests of Vrndavana. She could not control her tears.
So she got down from her palanquin and started walking on foot. Sri Paramesvara
dasa told slowly to Iswari, "Sri Gopala Bhatta, Sri Bhugarbha, Lokanatha, Sri
Jiva, Sri Krsna Pandita and others have come here to receive you." Saying so,
he showed her their coming towards her. Seeing them, Sri Jahnava became
overwhelmed with joy. The Gosvamis began to shed tears on seeing Sri Iswari and
fell on her feet. They were introduced to Krsnadasa Sarkhela, Madhavacarya etc.
Sri Paramesvara dasa introduced Sri Govinda and others to them. Sri Govinda
Kaviraja and others bowed to the feet of the Gosvamis. The Gosvamis most
cordially and affectionately embraced them. Sri Jiva Gosvami talked alot with
Sri Iswari and very carefully helped her to get on the palanquin. He took all
of them very quickly to a lonely house. The people took to their heels to meet
Sri Iswari. The priests of Sri Govinda, Gopinatha and Madanamohana came also to
meet her. How can I describe the highest of pleasure which occurred in Vrndavana
after this meeting?

When Sri Iswari with her followers settled themselves in that house, many items
of food came to them. Sri Iswari first fed her men and then took something
herself. Sri Gopala Bhatta and others most gladly returned to their houses. For
observing the rajabhoga arati of Sri Govinda Sri Jiva Gosvami took all of them
to the temple. Sri Jahnava Iswari became charmed to see the beauty of Sri Radha
Govinda after entering into the temple. Sri Madhavacarya and others also became
overwhelmed to observe Sri Govinda. After arati, they took mahaprasadam and
returned to their house for taking rest. Sri Jiva Gosvami returned to his house.
In the afternoon, Sri Jahnava Iswari and others quickly took their baths. Then
they observed Madanamohana, Gopinatha, Sri Radhavinoda, Sri Radharamana and Sri
Radha Damodara. She offered those clothes and ornaments to the deities which she
had brought with her. Then they took prasadam.

She reported to Lokanatha about the great festival at Khetari and the course of
her coming to Vrndavana. The Gosvamis became very glad to hear those incidents.
The Gosvamis also narrated the happenings in Vrndavana. Sri Iswari became very
perturbed to listen to the narrations. After checking her emotion, she told all
of them to listen to the poetry composed by Govinda. His compositions so charmed
the Gosvamis that they conferred the title of Kaviraja on Govinda.

After taking permission from them, Sri Iswari started for Bahulavana and then
for Srikunda. Those who came from Srikunda, now accompanied Sri Iswari to that
place. After visiting Radhakunda and Syamakunda, they went to Sri Manasa Ganga
and Govardhana. Then they went to Vrsabhanupura and from there to Nandisvara.
They also visited Sri Javata village where Balarama had done His rasalila sport.
Again they returned to Vrndavana.

Sri Iswari cooked food for the deities and offered them. Then she distributed
that prasadam among the Gosvamis. In this way, Sri Jahnava stayed a few days
there. Sri Jiva Gosvami read out from his books for Sri Iswari. Now Sri Iswari
with her followers visited the twelve forests of Vraja. Then she began to think
returning to Gauda. The Gosvamis permitted her to go. She took her leave of Sri
Govinda, Gopinatha, Madanamohana, Radha Damodara, Sri Radharamana and Sri Radha
Vinoda. I am unable to describe her pathetic state of mind at the time of
leaving. Madhava Acarya and others pacified her. That day they stayed there.

Gauridasa Pandita had a favorite disciple whose name was Varu Gangadasa, a man
of fine qualities. Once he had come to Vrndavana but he could not live in one
place for a long time and used to travel always here and there. Sri Iswari
favored him and ordered him to go with her to Gauda. Thus by her order, he
prepared himself to go with her. Here Govinda and others went to the houses of
the Gosvamis to take farewell. They bowed to the feet of Sri Gopala Bhatta and
Lokanatha. The Gosvamis blessed them by putting their feet on their heads and
conveyed their blessings to Srinivasa and Narottama. From there they went to
the house of Bhugarbha Gosvami and then to the house of Sri Jiva Gosvami. There
they found Sri Krsnadasa Kaviraja and others. So getting all of them there, they
fell on their feet. The Gosvamis blessed them wholeheartedly.

So Jiva Gosvami affectionately told Govinda, "Report everything to Acarya and
send me a copy of your book Gitamrta. I shall finish this book which I am
writting now very soon. I shall send it with a letter to you there." Saying so,
he gave his book Gopala Virudavali to Govinda. Krsnadasa Kaviraja highly
recommended that book. In this way, they visited all the Gosvami houses and
returned to their house for some rest.

Sri Iswari at late night went to bed and during her sleep Sri Gopinatha appeared
before her in her dream. He gave His own garland to Iswari and in a sweet smile
told her, "What you have thought about my lady-love, send me from Gauda as soon
as possible. She will sit by my left side and this will remain on my right side.
The beauty which will come out of that, you can see later on." Saying so He
entered into the temple.

She woke up and hid the garland in a private place. She went to observe the
morning ceremony of waving light. Then she came back very gladly to her house.
On that morning, in an auspicious moment, she started from there. The Gosvamis
came to bid farewell and acompanied her for some distance. Then being ordered
by Sri Iswari, they stopped following her but burst into tears. Sri Jahnava
Iswari also began to weep. Krsnadasa Pandita, Madhava Acarya, Murari, Caitanya
and others began to weep to. With them wept the people of Vraja. After a long
time, the people of Vraja stopped following them and returned to their houses.

Sri Iswari with others came to Sri Mathura and decided to do a night halt there.
She very carefully fed the Mathura brahmana. From there she started for Gauda.
After a few days, she reached Khetari. Having got the news of her coming,
Narottama out of joy, forgot his own entity. He sent a message to Ramacandra who
with others at once came to Narottama's house. They moved forward with the
people of Khetari to receive Sri Iswari. Who can describe the flood of happiness
when all of them met one another?

Narottama and others fell on the ground to bow to her feet. She became glad too
to see Narottama and others again. Then with a big crowd she entered into
Khetari proper. Sri Iswari was given the same house of the time of festival.
Many Vaisnavas were engaged to serve her. Her companions were also given the
same houses. Varu Gangadasa felt charmed to see the loneliness of the place.
Ramacandra Kaviraja very carefully carried many necessary things to their houses
separately. Sri Thakura Mahasaya earnestly requested Sri Iswari to take her
bath. Thus she took hot bath and then ate some prasadam. Then she quickly cooked
for Prabhu and offered Him. When the mahantas finished their baths, Sri Santosa
offered them new clothes and some prasadam. Then the cooks prepared food,
offered Sri Krsna and then served the prasadam to the mahantas. Then Sri Govinda
Kaviraja and others with the cooks sat for taking food. After that, all of them
took a little nap. Sri Iswari also took a litte nap and then got up quickly to
complete her bath.

Narottama, Ramacandra, Santosa and others gladly came to meet Sri Iswari. Sri
Iswari ordered them to take their seats. Narottama cherished the hope of telling
something to her and she at once realised that. For his satisfaction, Sri Iswari
explained the incidents that had happened at Vrndavana. She also very subtly
explained the order of Sri Gopinatha. When she told them that she would start
soon, Ramacandra with folded hands told her, "We hope that you will stay here
for sometime but your decision has made us very much disappointed."
Iswari said, "I cannot think anything at all you better suggest me what to do."
Sri Thakura Mahasaya said slowly, "It is good to start for Khardaha within
a couple of days for your presence is necessary at the time of building the
image. It is not wise to waste time in relation to this type of job. It will
take some time to reach Khardaha. Tomorrow I shall send a man to Khardaha."
Saying so, in the presence of Sri Jahnava Iswari, he wrote a letter and handed
over to Santosa. He also wrote a letter to Sri Acarya and despatched both the
letters without delay through two persons.

In the evening Sri Iswari went to the courtyard of Prabhu to observe the waving
light ceremony. She remained there for a long time in listening to kirtana.
Then she returned to her house Madhava Acarya and others also returned to their
places. Ramacandra and others remained in the courtyard of Prabhu. After the
offering of food to Prabhu, they distributed the food among the mahantas. After
eating they relaxed on the beds and Sri Santosa and others remained engaged in
massagingg their legs. Ramacandra with a little milk offering of Prabhu, went
to Sri Iswari and requested her to drink that. The brahmana ladies who were
with Sri Iswari, were given food also. While Sri Iswari went to sleep,
Ramacandra returned to the temple of Prabhu. He with Govinda and others took
some prasadam. Thakura Mahasaya also ate something. In an opportune moment,
Thakura Mahasaya instructed Govinda Kaviraja about some duties to be done
towards the Gosvamis on their journey and handed over the book Gopala Virudavali
to Govinda. Govinda gave that to Ramacandra. Then all of them went to sleep.

In the dream of Narottama, Sri Lokanatha Gosvami appeared. Narottama fell on
his feet and soaked his lotus feet with his tears. Lokanatha embraced Narottama
and consoled him with very sweet words. Then he disappeared. Sri Thakura
Mahasaya became very happy and spent the whole night in singing Sri Nama
kirtana.

In the morning all the mahantas took the pleasure of discussing about Sri
Vrndavana with Narottama. They spent four days in this way during which Sri
Iswari took the pleasure of cooking for them. Sri Thakura Mahasaya after
discussing with Ramacandra, fixed up a date of Iswari's going. He sent Sri
Govinda Kaviraja and some others to Vudhuri. Sri Santosa said, "Tomorow they
will start in the morning. So let us prepare the arrangements. He instructed
the priests, "Be careful in serving Prabhu and the Vaisnava's." Warning them in
this way, he reported everything to Sri Iswari. Sri Santosa Raya prepared
everything and handed over the things for Sri Iswari to Paramesvara dasa. In
the morning they all took their leave of Prabhu. The priest gave them Prabhu's
garlands and clothes. They all bowed to Prabhu by lying on the ground. We do
not know what Sri Iswari had prayed to Prabhu silently. She held the garland
and clothes on her head.

Then she started with all from the courtyard. Sri Thakura Mahasaya bade her
farewellby citing a hymn written by himself: "Gauranga Vallabhi Kanta Sri Krsna
Vrajamohana. Radharamana he Radhe Radhakanta Namahastute." Ramacandra with
those who would accompany her, became very perturbed at the time of their
leaving. The people of Khetari village became very perturbed also. They followed
her up to the bank of Padmavati. After consoling everybody Sri Iswari got up on
the boat. Sri Thakura Mahasaya ordered the boatman to cross the Padmavati
quickly. The people of Khetari in a perturbed mind returned to their village.

After crossing the river, they quickly came to Vudhuri. The people of that
village came running to see the mahantas entering into their village. The
mahantas became very satisfied with them and blessed them. Sri Iswari with all
went to stay in a lonely place. Sri Govinda Kaviraja ordered the cooks to start
cooking. Then they offered food to Krsna and kept aside the prasadam after
sometime. Sri Iswari completed her cooking very briefly and offered them with
milk to Krsna. Then she ate very gladly. After taking another bath, she came to
take her seat. The cooks distributed prasadam among the mahantas. Then Sri
Thakura Mahasaya with the rest of all ate very gladly.

On that day, Sri Iswari became very happy and negotiated the marriage of Varu
Gangadasa who was a very apathetic type of man and had no intention to marry.
But due to the order of Sri Iswari, he had to marry. Syama Raya, which was
a beautiful image in looking, appeared in the dream of Sri Iswari and told her,
"Now hand me over to Varu Gangadasa." Being ordered in her dream, Sri Iswari
became very happy and did that what he had said. She arranged the food offering
to Syama Raya and a great festival took place on the next day. We do not know
what she had instructed Varu Gangadasa but we can see that since that day, he
was engaged in the service of Syama Raya and began to settle at Vudhuri.

Sri Iswari with all came to Kantakanagara. Sri Yadunandana and others came
forward to receive them and brought them in the temple of Prabhu at the time of
Prabhu's just going to bed. All of them became very happy to see Gauracandra
and then went to an arranged house. Sri Thakura Mahasaya and other also were
given beautiful but solitary houses. They went to take bath in the Ganges.

Sri Yadunandana sent a message to Yajigrama and Sri Acarya Thakura with his men
came quickly to that place. Then all of them ate prasadam. They became very
glad to see Acarya. Srinivasa bowed to the feet of all the mahantas who
affectionately embraced him. They asked Acarya about his well being. The persons
who came with Srinivasa, bowed to the feet of the mahantas. The cooks prepared
the food and offered Krsna. After that they kept aside the prasada. Sri Iswari
cooked quickly in brief and offered to Krsna. Then she ate something and after
taking another bath, she requested the mahantas to eat. The mahantas along with
Srinivasa and others ate most gladly. Then Srinivasa went to Sri Iswari and they
remained engaged in talking to each other. Then Srinivasa went to the house of
Narottama. Sri Govinda Kaviraja reported everything to Srinivasa what the
Gosvamis had instructed him. Ramacandra Kaviraja gave the book Gopala Virudavali
to Acarya who held it on his head.

He with all the mahantas observed the ceremony of waving light before Prabhu.
They they started sankirtana. Sri Jahnava became overwhelmed to see the beauty
of Prabhu. After a long time, she returned to her house. Sri Gauranga also was
led to the bed to sleep. Srinivasa and the mahantas also went to their places
to sleep.

At the end of the night Sri Gopala Bhatta appeared in the dream of Srinivasa
who at once fell on his feet and washed the lotus feet of his religious master
by his tears. Sri Bhatta Gosvami embraced him and told Srinivasa sweetly, "I am
always with you. You are my principal disciple in birth after birth." Saying so
he put his feet on the head of Srinivasa and then disappeared. Srinivasa in the
memory of Sri Gopala Bhatta, got up on his bed and sang the glory of Sri Krsna
Caitanya.

In the morning he finished his morning duties and bathing in the Ganges. He
visited the temple of Sri Gauranga and the place of Sri Bharati. At the time of
departing all of them became perturbed with misery. Srinivasa consoled Sri
Yadunandana and others. Then with Sri Iswari Srinivasa came to Yajigrama. Acarya
Thakura sent a message to Khanda which made the people of that place mad in joy.

Sri Raghunandana came to Yajigrama and observed the feet of Sri Jahnava. He
stayed at Yajigrama for a long time during which he became restless in listening
to the incidents of Vraja. Again with Srinivasa, he went to meet Sri Iswari and
told her mildly, "I have heard everything from Srinivasa. There should be no
delay to go to Khardaha. Tomorrow, do come to Sri Khanda. I have to go now."
Saying so, after bowing to her feet, Sri Raghunandana returned to Khanda
happily. He collected all necessary things for her service and cleaned the house
for her. The people of Khanda began to wait eagerly for Sri Iswari.

There at Yajigrama, Sri Iswari with others quickly finished their eating. Acarya
read out from the devotional books for some time and they started sankirtana.
In the morning, Sri Iswari with others went to Sri Khanda. Quickly they moved to
the courtyard of Prabhu and became glad to observe the beauty of Prabhu.

They became overwhelmed with emotion to see the places where Nityananda Prabhu
had danced, where He had drank honey in a trance of love, where Nitai had
observed the dance of Narahari. After enjoying the pleasure of those places,
they returned to their houses. On that day they quickly finished their cooking
and after offering food to Prabhu, they finished their eating quickly.

Knowing the mind of Sri Iswari, Sri Raghunandana started beautiful kirtana and
in the flood of sankirtana, everyone began to swim happily. They began to roll
on the ground forgetting their own entities. Playing of musical instruments was
as beautiful as dancing. They began to sing the glory of singing, dancing and
playing of instruments in that way. In a trance of emotion, they spent the whole
night in singing kirtana. Due to the wish of Prabhu they stopped at last and
went to their houses to take rest.

In the morning they did their morning duties. Sri Iswari hastily finished her
bath, cooked for Prabhu and then fed all of them by her own hand. Who knows how
they had enjoyed the eating on that day? Sri Raghunandana became overwhelmed
with emotion observing the affection of Sri Iswari towards them. The people of
Sri Khanda were greatly moved by the high qualities of the associates of Sri
Iswari. Sri Iswari again took her bath and sat among Srinivasa and others. She
told him, "From here, we should move to Khetari. Tomorrow morning, we should
start for Khardaha. I shall send a messege from there soon." Saying in this
way, she came to the courtyard of Prabhu and observed the evening waving light.
Then all of them started Sri Nama kirtana.

When all of them went to their houses Sri Raghunandana and his men met Sri
Iswari and told her softly, "We heard that tomorow morning you will start from
here. We don't dare to forbid you to go now. As you are independent one, we are
seared to request you that we will be obliged if you please visit our place
from time to time. There is no one so shameless creature like me. My worthless
life is still alive though it is always burning in the fire of separation."
Hearing these humble utterances of Sri Raghunandana, Sri Iswari could not check
her tears. After a long time Sri Iswari and Raghunandana pacified themselves.
Raghunandana distributed prasadam to everybody though they were not at all
hungry. He handed over the things what were for Sri Iswari to Sri Madhava
Acarya. As it was already late for going to bed, they hastily went to their
houses.

In the morning, apathetic scene occurred there when all of them began to say
goodbye to one another. Sri Iswari took the same course to go to Khardaha.

Here Sri Thakura Raghunandana at Sri Khanda used to be very glad to get the
company of Acarya and his associates. Sri Acarya stayed that day at Sri Khanda.
In the morning he went back to Yajigrama. After spending 2-3 days at Yajigrama,
Acarya went to Nadia with two persons. His Navadvipa tour had been discussed in
Bhakti-ratnakara.

From there, he came back to Yajigrama and spent that day in sankirtana. On the
next day, he started in the morning and within 4-5 days came to Vudhuri. He
ordered Sri Govinda Kaviraja and others to stay at Vudhuri and he himself came
to Khetari on the next day. The people of Khetari came to meet him. He with
Thakura Mahasaya talked to them very sweetly. All of them came to the courtyard
of Gauranga and observed Him. In the meantime, a letter from Khardaha arrived.
Being relieved to know about the well-being of Khardaha, he sent a reply with
the news of well being of Khetari to Khardaha. After going back to their house,
Acarya and Thakura Mahasaya remained engaged in discussing about Krsna. We do
not know what Acarya, Thakura Mahasaya and Ramacandra had discussed alone. Sri
Acarya stayed there for 15 days and then went to Kancanagaria via Vudhuri. There
they stayed for 5 days and then went to Yajigrama.

At Yajigrama, Sri Acarya remained engaged in teaching his disciples all the
devotional scriptures. Who will dare to interfere in his discussions? The
debate-loving persons used to flee from that place. Students from distant places
used to come to him to study. Acarya used to visit many places as a professor of
devotional scriptures due to the favor of Sri Caitanya. Sinners and heretics due
to the favor of Acarya began to sing the glory of Sri Krsna Caitanya.

Sri Thakura Narottama who was an ocean of qualities and a non-detachable?
feature of Sri Acarya, began to spend his days happily with Ramacandra who was
more favorite to him than his own life. Sri Thakura Mahasaya and Ramacandra
remained engaged in teaching Srimad Bhagavata and the books of the Gosvamis to
their students. On listening to the analysis of devotional scriptures by
Narottama, the believers in karma and jnana began to criticise Thakura Mahasaya
by saying, "Being a Vaisnava, he is criticising karma and jnana." But even the
brahmanas of distant places used to come to Khetari to study Gosvami books along
with the Vaisnavas and then began to teach others.

One day, Narottama with Ramacandra had been discussing the topic of Krsna. In
the meantime, a distinguished brahmana came to Narottama and told him in crying,
"Oh being proud, I told so many things against you to many students but on that
particular day I had criticised you, I became a prey to the disease of leprosy.
I took many medicines and performed many rituals, but alas, apart from cure,
the disease began to aggravate day by day. I thought of commiting suicide by
jumping into the Ganges. In my dream, Devi Bhagavati apeared and angrily told
me, "You will face a severe misfortune. Being proud, you have insulted Narottama
by calling him a sudra. You are still a fool after studying so many scriptures.
He who has taken Narottama as an ordinary man, has no chance of averting
misfortune in any life. If he forgives you, then you will get rid of
misfortune." Saying so, she disappeared. In the morning, I have come straight
to you. First of all, I became afraid of facing you but a brahmana in my way
told me that you are ever merciful. I looked at you from a distance but your
merciful feature at once has cooled my eyes as if I have got back my life. Oh
lord, be merciful to me. I am taking refuge to your feet." Saying so, the
brahmana began to cry loudly. He fell on the ground to touch the feet of
Narottama.

Sri Thakura Mahasaya said, "You have done nothing to humiliate me." The brahmana
said, "Do put your feet on my head, then a sinner's mind will be pacified."
Narottama thinking of Sri Krsna Caitanya, embraced the brahmana. The brahmana
being very glad took the dust of Narottama's feet and began to dance by raising
his hands. After a long time, he became quiet but by that time his disease had
gone and he became purified at long last. The feeling of love and devotion arose
in the mind of the brahmana which led him to think, "This cure seems to me very
dangerous. I hope I could get the disease again for this cure may create pride
in my mind." So this thought made him a Vaisnava and his followers became
Vaisnavas too.

These news spread all over the village which made all the brahmanas scared.
They began to warn one another in this way, "Be careful in your behaviour about
Narottama. Don't call Narottama a low caste person." Someone said, "Being proud
of our brahmanism, we have failed to acknowledge a jewel like Narottama."
Someone said, "There is no question of being a brahmana or a high caste person.
Without his mercy, it is not possible to identify him." Someone said, "Narottama
is himself an abode of mercy. He by his own quality can save the sinners."
Someone said, "So many qualities do not belong to an ordinary man. He is a man
only in appearance. He is an incarnation to save the beings from damnation."
The brahmana warned his followers by singing the glory of Narottama. Narottama's
qualities were above any discussion. He used to visit Yajigrama from time to
time to meet Acarya.

I have elaborately discussed the meeting of Narottama and Acarya with Vira
Hamvira in Bhakti-ratnakara. So be patient in listening to Narottama Vilasa by
Narahari.
 

THE TENTH VILASA
 

Glory to Gaura, Nityananda, Advaita and their associates. Be kind to this poor
soul. Glory to the merciful listeners.

Now listen, Sri Rama and Sri Raghunandana, two disciples of Acarya, came back
from Vrndavana. They reported gladly to Thakura Mahasaya about the well-being
of Vraja. They told excitedly, "How can we describe the beauty of Radha
Thakurani sent by Sri Jahnava Iswari? She had created a magnificent glory by
sitting in the left side of Gopinatha who Himself had ordered the Gosvamis to
do that. They had held a great festival on this occassion that we had seen by
our own eyes. The Vaisnavas of Vraja had become mad in joy." Hearing this
incident, all of them became very glad and Ramacandra requested those two to
take their baths quickly.

Sri Thakura Mahasaya with Ramacandra went gladly to take their bath in
Padmavati. On their way, they saw two brahmana boys were coming wtih many cubs
of goats, sheeps and buffaloes. Looking at them, Sri Mahasaya told Ramacandra
that these two boys had fine devotional qualities for worshipping Krsna.
Ramacandra began to discuss different scriptures in the presence of those two
boys. The boys on hearing the discussion from some distance began to tell to
each other, "Most probably these two Vaisnavas are Sri Thakura Mahasaya and
Kaviraja. We have already heard about their glory. Today is an auspicious day
that we can meet them now." Saying so, they put aside the cubs and came near to
Ramacandra and Thakura Mahasaya with a heart swinging like a pendulum. Thakura
Mahasaya sweetly asked them, "Who are you? Whose son s you are?" One boy told,
"I am Harirama and he is my younger brother, Ramakrsna. Sivai Acarya is our
father. He used to spend a lot of money on the occassion of Bhavani worship.
Balarama Kaviraja is a good physician. Being ordered by our father, we came here
to buy these cubs. My father believes that sacrifice of these cubs before the
goddess will grant him the happiness of heaven." After saying so, he called on
his men and ordered them to cross Padmavati leaving those cubs here. Being
ordered by Harirama Acarya, they crossed the river without the cubs and these
two brahmana boys. Harirama told Thakura Mahasaya, "True, we came here to buy
the cubs, but now our visions have become cleaned by your teachings. Now be
favorable to us and accept us and give once again the proof of your glory."
Saying so the two brothers fell on the ground to touch his feet.

Observing the humble disposition of these two brothers, both Thakura Mahasaya
and Ramacandra became very much perturbed and embraced them. After taking bath,
they took those boys to the temple of Prabhu most happily. That day was an
auspicious day and Sri Kaviraja initiated Harirama. Thakura Mahasaya intitiated
Ramakrsna Acarya. Harirama and Ramakrsna were very fortunate because at once
they could get the feeling of the unattachable identity of Ramacandra and
Narottama. They fell prostrate on the feet of their religious masters who
empowered their disciples to a great extent. They dedicated their disciples to
the feet of Radha-Krsna and Caitanya. They helped their disciples to know Sri
Bhakti Sidhantas thoroughly. Harirama and Ramakrsna became mad in the juices of
love and devotion.

On the eleventh day i.e. the day after Vijaya Dasami (the tenth day of the
worship of goddess Bhavani), they asked for their farewell from their religious
masters and came back to Goyasa village from Khetari. They first of all got
Balarama Kaviraja and spent that night in his house. They told everything to
Balarama who is turn reported everything about their father. In the morning
they became face to face with their father. On seeing his sons, Sivai became
fire with anger and shouted at them by saying, "Oh fools, which one among
the scriptures has said that the Vaisnavas are superior to brahamanas? By
offending Bhagavati, you have spoilt your lives. What type of Vaisnava he is
that he made to accept defeat and humiliation before the society of scholars?
I know I must be successful due the favor of Durga towards me. Thus further,
he won't dare to do this." Harirama became furious and cried out again and
again, "Let the Panditas come here and let me see their powers. They have to
defeat me first otherwise all their shoutings will be proven fake." On hearing
the utterances of his son, Sivai Acarya became impatient in anger and forced
his son to appear before the Pandita Society. Harirama, proud like a lion,
refuted all the explanations of the Panditas and established the superiority of
devotion. He proved that the Vedas have said that the Vaisnavas are worshipped
by all. The Panditas being defeated from all respects, began to stare at
Harirama. Someone said, "How can he know all the scriptures?" Another one
replied, "From the favor of Vaisnavas, do you know the glory of Ramacandra
and Narottama? These two brothers had obtained favor from those great Vaisnavas.
No one can defeat them." The Panditas became ashamed and went back to their
house after saying, "The Vaisnavas have power, no doubt." Out of blind anger,
Sivai called forth Murari who was a world conquering scholar of Mithila. He was
so proud of his knowledge that he used to look upon the other scholars like
grass under his feet. He came with many students and supporters. Balarama
Kaviraja very easily defeated him in the debate. Being defeated, he said, "It
is impossible for me to grasp the limit of glory of the Vaisnavas." Saying so,
he distributed all his belongings among others and took self-banishment by not
going back to his own country. He accepted the life of a beggar. Sivai being
ashamed, reached to the dying condition. He became very sorry for insulting the
Vaisnavas. He was rightly served by goddess Bhagavati.

The news of the people being converted into Vaisnavism spread all over the
countries. The Vaisnavas became very glad for this. Harirama and Ramakrsna
Acarya gladly engaged themselves in nama-sankirtana. They became most apathetic
towards material life after getting the valuable wealth like devotion. They
began to stay with Balarama Kaviraja being always engaged in singing the glory
of Sri Krsna Caitanya. One day, on some personal purpose, the two brothers came
to Gamvila village on the bank of Suradhuni (Ganga). That place had many
scholars among whom Ganganarayana Cakravarti was the foremost one. He was a man
of devotional disposition and had conquered the desire for material pleasure.
He was a good teacher. Secretly he had been watching Harirama and Ramakrsna and
began to think after observing their transcendental brightness, "They were not
like this before, but now what a change has come in them. Kaviraja and Sri
Thakura Mahasaya had favored them for which they have become great Vaisnavas
and great scholars in all scriptures. Many scholars had accepted defeat from
them. Being ashamed the world-conqueror scholar became a beggar. These two
brothers are very fortunate. He who had criticised Thakura Mahasaya, had been
rightly served by Bhagavati. I, the worst brahmana, being proud of my knowledge
had neglected him. The only way of my survival is to get favor from him. It is
known that he is very merciful."

Thinking in this way, Ganganarayana began to weep and to lament in this way,
"There is no religion above Vaisnavism and worthless person like me get no
interest in that religion. Fie, fie to my life. Without worshipping Krsna, I
had spent the whole life on trifle things. Oh, lord Narottama, help me to
obtain love and devotion. I am taking refuge to your lotus feet."
In lamentation he spent most of the night. At late night, he fell asleep and
dreamt of Thakura Mahasaya in shinning glory and full of mercy. He was telling
him smilingly, "You are my servant, don't lament. All your desires will be
fulfilled. Tomorrow, at the time of your bath in the Ganges, you will see me. I
have come here from Khetari. That time I shall talk to you." As he disappeared,
Ganganarayana became very sad.

In the morning, after quickly finishing his daily duties, he came on the bank
of Ganga and sat there in silent prayer. Harirama and Ramakrsna came to that
place. Cakravarty greeted them very humbly and told them, "Please do stay here
for a few days with me. If I am fortunate enough to get Prabhu here, please
tell him about me." Most fortunately, Mahasaya with some disciples came to the
bank of the Ganges. Harirama and Ganganarayana told, "Look, prabhu by chance
has come to take bath in the Ganges." Ganganarayana became highly satisfied
because he found Thakura Mahasaya just the same, he had seen in his dream.
Cakravarty asked Harirama about the identities of the Vaisnavas coming with
Narottama. Harirama helped Ganganarayana to get the identities of them and
moved forward to Narottama to give the identity of Ganganarayana. With a smile,
Thakura Mahasaya said, "Bring Ganganarayana to me soon."

Ganganarayana came with Harirama and fell on the feet of Narottama who in
a trance of love embraced Ganganarayana. In a sweet voice, he asked
Ganganarayana, "Well, gentleman, won't the other brahmanas mind for this type
of your behaviour? Ganganarayana said, 'Oh my lord, if your favor goes to the
poor soul, he never cares for those devotionless brahmanas." Saying so he
worhipped the feet of Ramacandra. Ganganarayana was introduced to everybody.
The people out of astonishment whispered to one another, "We found him in
Gamvila many times but what a surprise, he is now a completely changed person."
Someone said, "He who was always proud of his knowledge, now how he has became so humble? Someone said, "How this type of devotion arose in him? It was totally
imposible for him." Someone said, "Oh brothers, I think that everything has
become posible due to the presence of this Mahasaya." Then everyone began to
praise the fortune of Ganganarayana who being a staunch brahmana, had become
a devout Vaisnava.

Anticipating that Ganganarayana was trying to tell something to him, Thakura
Mahasaya told him, "Don't think anything else. After taking bath, I shall go to
Vudhuri and tomorrow I shall go back to Khetari for I have some important
business to do in the temple of Gauranga. You should stay here today with
Harirama and Ramakrsna and tomorrow you all should go to Vudhuri. There you can meet Karnapura and others. On the next morning you all should go to Khetari
quickly." Saying so, after a quick bath, Mahasaya went to Vudhuri with others.
Ganganarayana after his bath went to home with Harirama and Ramakrsna and stayed at Gamvila for that day. In the early morning they went to Vudhuri gladly and stayed in the house of Sri Govinda Kaviraja. Divyasimha, son of Govinda became astonished to observe the devotional efforts Ganganarayana. There, Karnapura Kaviraja and others were also present. In the morning they hastily came to Khetari and observed the image of Sri Gauranga. Ganganarayana prayed before
Prabhu for the fulfilment of his desire. That day they spent in the pleasure of
sankirtana.

On the next morning, after finishing bath and daily duties, Thakura Mahasaya
thought that today was the most auspicious day to initiate Ganganarayana. So
did he and dedicated Ganganarayana to the lotus feet of Sri Krsna Caitanya.
Narottama, who was an incarnation of devotion, empowered Ganganarayana with his own power. Being overwhelmed with joy, Ganganarayana could not check his tears and lay prostrate on the lotus feet of Narottama who took him to his bosom.
Narottama dedicated Ganganarayana to Ramacandra. Ganganarayana worshipped the feet of Ramacandra, Govinda Kaviraja and others. All the Vaisnavas there became very happy. Ganganarayana, the genius of all scriptures, began to study the
Gosvami books. He began to swim continuously in the stream of happiness derived
from sankirtana. In this way, Ganganarayana achieved some extra high qualities
of love and devotion.

Jagannatha Acarya who was a devout worshipper of Bhagavati, was ordered by her
to take refuge to the lotus feet of Narottama. She told him, "Without
worshipping Krsna, life is a futile one. Go and touch the feet of Narottama
who will give you salvation." Being ordered by her, he in the next morning came
to Khetari and fell on the feet of Thakura Mahasaya. With tears he told Thakura
Mahasaya, "Being ordered by Bhagavati, I have come to you. Now I am at your
feet. Oh lord, please initiate me and save me from damnation." Hearing this
humble confession, Thakura Narottama initiated that brahmana. In this way,
Narottama got many disciples. For this incident, some became happy while some
became angry.

There was a king in a distant place, named Narasimha who was a great patron of
scholar brahmanas. One of those brahmanas angrily complained to the king,
"There is no one to think about religion which is in stake now. Narottama dasa,
son of Krsnananda Datta, had become a Vaisnava and now he is initiating the
brahmanas. I don't know what type of a magician he is in doing all these
miracles. If you say that he is a scholar, then my opinion is this is his false
pride before the ignorants. Will he dare to face us? Let us go to his place and
let see the fun. I know he must make haste to flee from there. If you can
accomplish this, you will be praised by all the countries for keeping the
prestige and superiority of the brahmanas. The king is the saviour and the only
judge due to the order of God. Otherwise the brahmana class will be perished."

On hearing this, the king made arrangements to go to Khetari with others among
whom there was Rupanarayana also. The professors with many books started
proudly. The king with his men halted at Kumarapura village near Khetari. Here,
on getting the news of the king's coming, Mahasaya told Ramacandra slowly, "We
have to face the professors and I know a great debate will occur." Ramacandra
smiled and said, "They can be defeated very easily and will come to fall on
your feet." Thus Ramacandra and Ganganarayana came to Kumarapura and took the guises of two shopkeepers. One of them became the seller of betel leaf in shop
to buy betel leaf. When he asked the price for betel leaf, the seller replied
in sanskrit. The student accepted his defeat. The seller said, "You are a fool,
you know nothing. If you want to keep your prestige, go and bring your
teacher."

The student being ashamed informed everything to his professor and said, "That
young sellers of Khetari, the place of Narottama, are great scholars. If you
want to defeat Narottama, first defeat these young sellers. Otherwise stop
going to Khetari." Hearing this the Pandits became furious and ordered the
student to guide them to that place. They began debate on different scriptures.
Gradually Narasimha, Rupanarayana and many people came to that place to witness
the battle of scriptures. The seller men began to refute one by one all the
explanations given by the Pandita in a very polite way. Thus very easily the
Panditas were defeated by the sellers. Someone said, "When the Panditas had
come here they were just like lions. But now after defeat they have become
dogs." Then the people began to sing the glory of Thakura Mahasaya.

These hearsays made the king nervous. He asked Rupanarayana very slowly, "What is the way out now"? Rupanarayana said, "Vaisnavism is superior to all
religions. Humiliating the Vaisnavas leads to the path of hell. Let us go and
take refuge to his feet. Otherwise there is no way out from damnation."
Narasimha said, "I am also thinking so. Let us go quickly." Rupanarayana said,
"Stay here today. Tomorrow start with your men." This news spread all over that
tomorrow the king with his men would go to Khetari. The condition of the
professors was undoubtedly most miserable. They could not face the king due to
shame. They confined themselves in a lonely place. They used to tell one
another about the forthcoming situation they had to face tomorrow.

Here after defeating the professors, the two shopkeepers started for Khetari.
Ramacandra distributed the betel leaves among the poor and Ganganarayana also
distributed his earthen materials among the poor villagers. Being satisfied,
they returned to Khetari and reported everything to Thakura Mahasaya. Here King
Narasimha began to think silently whether a wicked person like him would get
the mercy of Thakura Mahasaya. In extreme lamentation, he told Rupanarayana,
"My life will be totally futile unless I get his mercy." Certain invisible
one throw the words, "He will forgive by his own forgiveful nature." The king
became very much perturbed to hear this and began to wait for the morning in
a swinging heart.

How pity was the condition of the professors. The most proud professor among
them fell asleep at late night and saw in his dream goddess Bhagavati with
a sword in her hand. She told in an angry voice, "Oh you rogue, how futile is
your whole life study. You will go to hell as you have criticised the Vaisnavas.
I shall be satisfied if I sever you head. Oh wicked soul, I don't know how to
give you a lesson. Only Narottama can save you from damnation."
Then with blood-shot eyes, the goddess vanished. Waking up from sleep, the
professor began to tremble in fear. He awakened others with a shout and told
others, "Luckily I am saved. Bhagavati came to kill me as I had underestimated
Narottama. Now only he can save me from the sufferings of the hell." In the
morning, he went to report everything to the king. The king told, "I had forbade
you before to criticise Narottama as an ordinary man. Is it posible for a human
being to perform all these transcendental deeds? Sri Thakura Mahasaya is
respected person to us all." Saying so, he consoled the pandita.

After taking their baths, the king with all the professors started for Khetari
on foot. Reaching Khetari, they hastily went to the courtyard of Gauranga.
Being very humble, the king with others lay prostrate on the ground to bow
to Sri Gauranga. Ramacandra, the most wise person, with Govinda and others,
took great care of them. All of them became very eager to meet Sri Thakura
Mahasaya who had been sitting in a lonely place. After a while, Sri Thakura
Mahasaya came to that place and everyone had been observing his beauty. King
Narasimha and Rupanarayana advanced forward first towards Narottama and said
humbly, "Oh lord, how can we introduce ourselves? We are full materialists and
wicked persons. We are dedicating ourselves to you but we are afraid of telling
anything to you. Please kindly initiate us and fulfil our desires." Saying so,
they fell on his feet with tears in their eyes. Observing their perturbed
condition, Thakura Mahasaya very affectionately consoled them and embraced them.
Narasimha and Rupanarayana fell on the ground to touch his feet and at once all
their agonies were vanished and they got extreme peace in their minds.

The king brought that illustrious professor to Narotama and said, "He is the
head of the professors. His pride has gone and now forgive and favor him." That
brahmana stood before Mahasaya and sorrowfully reported about the anger of the
goddess. He fell on the ground in crying and sought the refuge of Narottama.
Sri Thakura Mahasaya, the image of mercy, favored him by embracing him. Then
Ramacandra pacified him by lifting him from the ground. Then all of them became
devotees of Krsna Caitanya.

Thakura Mahasaya with all of them came to the courtyard of Prabhu and observed
the waving light ceremony of Prabhu. Sri Santosa Raya most heartily took them
to a house and brought many things for their eating. He most humbly requested
them to cook their food but Narasimha and others begged prasadam from Santosa
Raya who most gladly granted this proposal. So Narasimha, Rupanarayana and
others went to that place where Sri Thakura Mahasaya with his followers had
been sitting. How can I describe the divine pleasure they got in eating
prasadam? Then they spent the whole day in extreme pleasure.

On the next day, in an auspicious moment all of them took initiation from Sri
Thakura Narottama who dedicated them to the feet of Prabhu. Rupanarayana and
others stayed there for a few days during which they began to study the Gosvami
books. In due course of time all of them became possessors of love and devotion
and extremely interested in doing sankirtana. They used to enjoy the songs
written by Sri Govinda Kaviraja. They used to listen to Srimad Bhagavata from
Ganganarayana Cakravarty. In this way, they forgot the difference between day
and night. He who once came to Khetari forgot to go elsewhere leaving this type
of divine pleasure. King Narasimha and Rupanarayana hurriedly went to their
country to bring the queen Rupamala who was a devoted wife and a lady of
beautiful disposition. Thakura Mahasaya became very happy to observe her
beautiful nature and gave her initiation. Rupamala became so happy that she
sweared to take one lakh of Harinama in a day. Everyone began to sing the glory
of Thakura Mahasaya.

Haricandra Raya was a dacoit. He heard about the qualitites of Thakura Mahasaya
and came to take refuge to his feet. Thakura Mahasaya saved him from damnation
by giving him initiation. After initiation, he was renamed as Haridasa and
became the possessor of precious gem-like devotion. He gave up? his Zamindari
of Jalapantha. Everyone became astonished to see the change in a dacoit. The
people began to whisper, "Sri Thakura Mahasaya is a man of transcendental
qualitites by which he subdued a dacoit very easily. But Canda Raya is the most
notorious of all dacoits. If he can overcome Canda Raya, the whole country
can heave a sigh of relief." Someone said, "Don't worry, Canda Raya will soon
be favored and with all his men will be great Vaisnavas. Due to that favor, he
must give up his dacoity."

In the meantime, one brahmana came to them to inform about the rescue of Canda
Raya by Thakura Mahasaya. Canda Raya was a terror before but now his only
appearance could give pleasure to the eyes. The brahmana further said, "I have
seen in my own eyes that Canda Raya and his men are dancing in sankirtana on
the courtyard of Prabhu." Hearing this miraculous incident, the people in
a crowd went to see Canda Raya whom they found lying on the dust of the ground
and his whole body was trembling with emotion. Everyone got relief for averting
the tyranny of Canda Raya.

In the meantime, some unkown persons with arms and weapons came to that place
and asked the people how Canda Raya had become a Vaisnava. The people explained the whole event in nutshell. Canda Raya with his followers were devotees of goddess Bhagavati. Canda Raya was a powerful Zamindar and the head of the
dacoits. Goddess Bhagavati became so angry upon him that she punished him with
the help of a brahmana ghost. When again she found that Canda's life was at
stake, she ordered him to take refuge to the feet of Narottama. Thakura Mahasaya
favored him and rescued him from damnation. Canda Raya became a most humble
Vaisnava.

Taking advantage of his weakness, the Yavana king tried to torture him. But
Canda Raya did not bother about his pains and remained loyal to the feet of
Narottama. The Yavana king brought a mad elephant to kill Canda Raya but the
elephant fled away instead of moving forward towards Canda Raya. Being highly
disturbed the king ordered to imprison Canda Raya. Instead of being sad, Canda
Raya thought gladly that he had been rightly served for his misdeeds. Someone
suggested him to cite hymns praising the goddess but Canda Raya refused to cite
any other hymns that hymns of Lord Krsna. Observing his sincerity, Prabhu became so glad that due to him the Yavana king became so afraid that he released Raya after begging to him. He came to Khetari to meet Thakura Mahasaya.

Hearing all these incidents, the unknown persons, throwing out their weapons,
laid prostrate on the ground before Thakura Mahasaya. Thakura Mahasaya asked
them sweetly about their particulars. They replied in tears, "We are dacoits of
Bengal and the most disgracing thing is that we are brahmanas and Canda Raya is
our leader. We used to do dacoity on the river. This time we had come here to
consult with Raya but we heard about the episode of Canda Raya from the people.
Now we have changed our minds. Observing your lotus feet from distance, a sudden change came to our mind. We are wicked and robbers. Please save us from
damnation." Now they began to cry miserably. In the meantime Canda Raya came to that place and all of them became very happy to see him. Canda Raya very humbly greeted them all. After a few days, Thakura Mahasaya initiated them all.

If anyone listens to these episodes, can get rid of damnation. So be attentive
to Narottama Vilasa by Narahari.
 

THE ELEVENTH VILASA
 

Glory to Gaura, Nityananda, Advaita and their associates favor the poor soul.
Glory to the merciful listeners.

Now listen to me. Kaviraja Thakura and Thakura Mahasaya wrote two separate
letters in which they enclosed the songs written by Sri Govinda to Vrndavana
very carefully. In reply from Vrndavana, they got the news of the well-being of
that place. Thus gladly they conveyed this news to Yajigrama. At Yajigrama,
Acarya with his students and followers used to spend the days in discussing
about devotional scriptures. On knowing the efforts of Sri Narottama by which
he had favored and saved many heretics and wicked dacoits, pleased Acarya to
a great extent. He at once decided to go to Khetari.

In the meantime, someone informed that Virabhadra had come to their place.
Being delighted, Acarya Thakura advanced forward to meet Viracandra who on
seeing Acarya coming towards him, got down from his palanquin quickly. Acarya
and his followers fell on the ground to show their respect to Virabhadra who at
once embraced Acarya and asked about his well being. Viracandra started walking
slowly with Acarya by holding the hand of Acarya.

Acarya very humbly asked Viracandra Prabhu, "I thought one day at Khardaha that
I will go to Khetari via Yajigrama. With my followers I had already visited the
places of Nadia. Then I went to Sri Khanda and from there quickly I have come
here." Saying so, he entered into a house and took his seat. The visit of Prabhu
so delighted Acarya that it seemed to him as if the actual owner had come to his
own place. Draupadi Iswari and Sri Gauranga-priya, wives of Acarya, bowed to
the feet of Viracandra Prabhu. They washed the feet of Prabhu with cold water.
The eldest son of Acarya, who had been named by Sri Jiva Gosvami as Vrndavana,
was a boy of very beautiful intellect. Vrndavana with his two brothers,
Radhakrsna and Sri Gitagovinda fell on the feet of Prabhu who blessed them very
affectionately. He put his feet on the heads of the three respectively. The
three daughters of Acarya, Hemalata, Krsnapriya and Sri Kancanalata were very
devotional minded. They also bowed to the feet of Prabhu Viracandra who blessed
them too. Prabhu asked about their well being very sweetly and the three girls
spontaneously dedicated themselves to the feet of Prabhu. After sometime, Prabhu
with his followers went to take bath.

Here, the wives of Acarya quickly took their bath and started cooking for
Prabhu various items of food. They decorated the rice plate with scented rice
and other items. One wise disciple of Acarya offered food first to Salagrama
Candra and also to that Govardhana Sila given by Prabhu Nityananda to
Viracandra. The two Thakuranis decorated the rice plates for two Prabhus. After
the eating of Govardhana Sila and Sri Vansivadana, the priest offered the water
for washing mouth. Then he offered betel leaves to them. After that they went
to bed.

Here after coming back from the river, Viracandra and his followers took their
seats for eating by sitting in the courtyard of Gauranga. Prabhu Viracandra
told Sri Acarya to sit with him and to take food. Acarya Thakura said humbly,
"It is not fair to sit with you for eating for I want to eat after you all."
Hearing this, Prabhu caught Acarya's hand and said with a smile, "There is no
one to blame you if you sit by my side and take food with me." Acarya was
unable to violate Prabhu's request. Thus he sat with Prabhu Viracandra.

Everyone became charmed to observe the beauty of all the great Vaisnavas
sitting in a row. Banana leaves were placed before them and Prabhu ordered to
serve the food. Then wives of Acarya began to serve food. Sridasa, Gokulananda
and Vyasa decorated the plates filled with bowls full of delicious curries. All
of them with Viracandra ate most happily. After eating, they washed their mouths
and took betel leaves. Prabhu took rest a little and then spent the rest of day
and night in discussing about Krsna.

In the morning, Sri Viracandra with Acarya started for Khetari most gladly. All
of them reached Vudhuri via Kantakanagara. Govinda and others getting the news
of their coming, had been waiting on the path. Viracandra Prabhu with Acarya
and others met Govinda and others on the way. Govinda most gladly took them to
the house. Viracandra and Acarya became very pleased to get beautiful resting
places and delicious food. They stayed two days at Vudhuri. All the Vaisnavas
of that place came to meet Prabhu, Acarya and others. After taking bath in
Padmavati River, all of them crossed the river and most happily moved towards
Khetari.

On knowing the coming of Prabhu, Thakura Mahasaya ordered his cooks to prepare various items of food. He collected different kinds of fruits and sweets. He
ordered his men to clean the houses. Then he with his men stood on the road and
waited for Prabhu. Prabhu with his followers appeared just like the million
moons to soothe the heat of the sun. Thakura Mahasaya advanced forward and bowed to the feet of Viracandra. Prabhu embraced Narottama who could not hold his tears and touched the feet of Prabhu again and again. Acarya Thakura and Sri
Thakura Mahasaya took Prabhu to the courtyard and temple of Gauranga. They
observed the images of Gauranga, Vallabhikanta, Sri Vrajamohana, Radhakrsna,
Radhakanta, Sri Radharamana. Viracandra could not control his tears after
observing the beautiful images. He fell on the ground again and again to bow to
the images. When he checked his emotion, the priest gave him the offered garland
of Prabhu. Acarya Thakura then very carefully took him to the house. The priest
also gave offered garlands to all the Vaisnavas who came with Viracandra. The
people of Khetari came to see Prabhu Viracandra. On their way back to their
houses, one said to another, "Nityananda is Balarama himself and Prabhu
Virabhadra is his son and is an abode of qualities. His beautiful feature can
increase the thirst of the eyes to see him again." Someone said, "We are very
fortunate to have the chance of seeing him most easily." Someone said, "All
these have become possible only due to Sri Thakura Mahasaya."

Here Viracandra took his seat with his followers in the beautiful house. Acarya
Thakura told very sweetly to Viracandra Prabhu, "Your food is ready because it
has been prepared before your coming to the house." Prabhu took out his
Govardhana Sila from his cloth bag and offered food before Him. After His
eating, he again put Him in his cloth bag. Then varieties of prasadam came from
the temple. Prabhu told Acarya, "Now I am hungry. So let us not waste time."

He with all his followers sat down to eat. Harirama, Ramakrsna, Ganganarayana,
Sri Govinda Cakravarti and others began to serve various items of food to
Viracandra and other Vaisnavas. Due to the superb taste of all items, Prabhu
and others ate too much. Then they washed their mouths. After that Acarya
Thakura with his followers began to discuss about Radhakrsna and Caitanya and
in this way they spent the whole day and night.

In the morning, Prabhu took his bath. Then Sri Santosa stood before Prabhu with
a beautiful cloth in his hand and requested Prabhu to wear it. He also offered
new clothes to all the Vaisnava followers of Prabhu. Prabhu then decorated his
Govardhana Sila with flowers, sandalpaste and Tulasi and offered food before
Him. Then he distributed the prasadam among all. After them Prabhu ate himself.
With the permission of Prabhu, Acarya and Thakura Mahasaya decided to start
sankirtana.

On hearing the announcement of sankirtana, people from every corner of Khetari
came running to throng all around the courtyard. In the afternoon, after
Viracandra's coming with his associates to the courtyard of Gauranga, the
Utthvapana arati ceremony took place. The priest gave him the garland and sadal
offerings. Acarya delightfully decorated Prabhu with sandalpaste and flower
garlands and began to weep in joy to observe the beauty of Prabhu. Thakura
Mahasaya with other singers and instrumentalists started sankirtana gladly.
Within a second the whole atmosphere changed into a divine-like feelings.

Devidasa started playing khola and kartala. Gokula started singing nectar-like
kirtana, the sound of which pierced the heaven. The voice of Sri Mahasaya led
to the ocean of happiness to overflow its bank. Viracandra amidst the group of
Vaisnavas began to shine like the sun. He in his beautiful feature began to
dance magnificiently with the music and kirtana. With raised hands he began to
utter "Haribola" very sweetly. His big deep eyes began to shed tears of joy.
His restless lotus-like fet began to move very beautifully. The gods began to
shower flowers upon the heads of the Vaisnavas. Prabhu Viracandra in the hope
of dancing with all of them, began to stare here and there. In the meantime, he
found that Sri Acarya with his follwers were dancing by his side. The earth
began to tremble by the feet steppings of the dancers. Gradually all of them
forgot their own entities and began to roar like lions.

Someone began to tremble out of trance. Someone began to hold the feet of
Viracandra. Someone began to roll on the ground out of ecstasy. Prabhu out of
ecstasy tightly embraced Narottama and did not let him go out of his embrace.
Sometimes he began to caress the face of Gokula. Sometimes he began to praise
Sri Govinda Kaviraja for his songs. Then he began to encourage Gokula to sing
more. Sri Gokula thus began to sing more beautifully the songs written by Sri
Govinda in a very expert manner. In this way midnight came. Then they stopped
sankirtana and took their seats in the courtyard of Gauranga.

In the morning all the Vaisnavas came to the house of Viracandra who requested
Ramacandra to sing the songs of Sri Rasa Vilasa. Ramacandra's voice was just
like nectar. His beautiful analysis of Bhagavatam highly pleased Viracandra.
Viracandra told Acarya, "I am afraid, can I meet you all again and have this
valuable company of yours?" Saying so, he began to weep. Acarya also began to
weep with him. Somehow they checked their emotions and then Sri Rupa Ghataka,
Ganganarayana, Syamadasa, Govinda and others brought fruit and sweets offerings
for Sri Govardhana Sila. Prabhu offered them to Him. After that he offered
betel leaves to Him and then put Him in a gold casket inside his cloth bag.
After observing the image of Sri Gauranga, they all took prasadam.

Prabhu then took some rest and after that he told Acarya, "I want to back to
Khardaha via Ekacakra. Tomorrow morning I have decided to start. You should go
with me for some distance." Acarya said, "Who will stand before your decision?
Do what you want to do." Prabhu Viracandra said with a smile, "I cannot turn
down your request. I have just tell you about my programme, now do what you
think better." Acarya told Narottama, "Tomorrow, Prabhu will leave Khetari with
me." Hearing this Thakura Mahasaya became very much perturbed and Acarya
pacified him. He ordered Santosa to make arrangements for Prabhu's going. He
ordered Thakura Kanai to pack the things what they would send with Prabhu. He
ordered Rupa Ghataka to pack the things what Acarya would carry. He sent
a messenger to Vudhuri very quickly and ordered his men to arrange a large
number of boats for Prabhu on the bank of Padmavati.

Next morning, Prabhu Viracandra with Acarya and others stood before Gauranga.
Then Prabhu returned to his house where many persons came to say farewell to
Prabhu. Prabhu then started for the bank of Padmavati. The disciples of Thakura
Mahasaya very humbly touched the feet of Prabhu Viracandra who blessed them
all. Viracandra consoled Thakura Mahasaya and Ramacandra Kaviraja in variuos
ways and took leave of them for some months. Acarya also consoled the villagers
of Khetari. Then he with Viracandra boarded on the boat. Ramacandra and others
also took another boat. The boatmen started the boats. The remaining Vaisnavas
along with Thakura Mahasaya who had been standing on the bank of Padmavati
started crying loudly. Viracandra with his followers reached Vudhuri by crosing
Padmavati.

With a clouded heart, Thakura Mahasaya returned to the temple of Gauranga. All
of them observed Gauranga, Vallabhikanta, Sri Vrajamohana, Radhakanta,
Radhakrsna and Sri Radharamana whose faces at once removed the clouds from
their minds. Thakura Mahasaya with others quickly took their baths and then ate
mahaprasadam. They spent that day in discussing about Krsna. But since that
day, Thakura Mahasaya became quite restless.

After a few days, Ramacandra came from Yajigrama. Thakura Mahasaya became very glad to get back Ramacandra and became engaged in sankirtana for the days and nights with Govinda and others in the courtyard of Gauranga. Even king Narasimha and Canda Raya joined them in that wave of happiness. After a few days, Thakura Mahasaya told his disciples, "For a long time you have not gone to your own houses. This time pay a quick visit to your places." Though no one really wanted to leave Thakura Mahsaya, yet being ordered by him, they had to start for their houses. Only Ramacandra stayed with him.

One day, sitting in a lonely place, Thakura Mahasaya and Ramacandra discussed
something secret. Ramacandra Kaviraja after soetimes went to Yajigrama with
a perturbed mind. A message came from Yajigrama that Sri Acarya Thakura had
gone to Vrndavana with Ramacandra Kaviraja. Who could understand the mind of
those two?

One day Sri Mahasaya could not control his mind and began to lament for some
unprecedented happenings. He began to sing:
"The associates of Gauranga are Srinivasa, Gadadhara, Narahari, Mukunda,
Murari. Svarupa Damodara, Haridasa, Vakresvara are possessors of divine love.
The sports what they had performed could melt the stone, but how unforunate I
am for not able to witness them. I failed to be born at that time and remained
ignorant, how can I forget this sorrow? Prabhu Sanatana, Rupa, Raghunatha
Bhatta, Bhugarbha, Sri Jiva, Lokanatha, all these Prabhus did beautiful sports
in Vrndavana with other devotees. Now all of them have disapeared, leaving this
world empty, my eyes have become blind to whom I shall disclose my sorrow? Thus I am living like an animal. Acarya Srinivasa to whom I got the refuge and whose words used to cool my mind, he also has left me, and Ramacandra is absent, how can I live without them? The sorrows which I am bearing in my mind, cannot be told to others. So I have lost interest in my own life. The food I used to eat
is just like poison to me, yet I am still living. Then what is the value of
Narottama dasa?"

At that moment, the news came to him that Ramacandra Kaviraja had disappeared
from the world. Sri Thakura Mahasaya completely broke down and ran to a dense
forest. He began to cry loudly and lamented for Ramacandra. His voice became
chocked and he fell on the ground. King Narasimha, Rupanarayana, Sri Govinda,
Santosa could do nothing to pacify him. They could only cry along with Thakura
Mahasaya. Due to the wish of Prabhu, he pacified himself after a long time.
After 5-7 days, he decided to go for a bath in the Ganges. So some of his
disciples very carefully took him to Vudhuri and from there to Gamvila near the
bank of the Ganges. Suddenly he got tremendous temperature and he ordered his
disciples to prepare a pyre for him. Then he remained completely silent. His
disciples became completely at a loss. Ganganarayana pacified others. Many
brahmana panditas came to meet him but he did not speak to them. In this state,
he spent three days. He remained detached from the people. His disciples bathed
him in the Ganges and placed him on a celestial seat on the pyre. The brahmanas
began to jeer at Narottama by saying in this way, "This is the result of his
effort of making brahmanas, his disicples. Now Narottama is dying after losing
the power of speaking. Ganganarayana being a brahmana has become his disciple
after discarding the customs of a brahmana. Now he is witnessing the condition
of his religious master. We don't know what is expecting for him also."

In this way, they began to throw the arrows of words towards Ganganarayana.
Instead of being angry, Ganganarayana felt sorry for those heretics. He came
and stood before the pyre with folded hands and prayed to Narottama, "You had
saved many heretics before. This time these heretics being ignorant of your
power, are criticising you. Your disciples are feeling very sad to hear their
bad words. Please be favorable to them and save them from damnation."

On hearing the helpless utterances of Ganganarayana Mahasaya again came back
into sense. He got up on the pyre uttering "Radhakrsna Caitanya" and came out
of the pyre shinning like the sun. The people around him began to shout
Haribola. Suddenly the gods began to shower flowers on him.

The now-believer brahmanas watching everything from distance became horrified.
They began to repent for their evil mentality. With tears in their eyes, they
fell on the feet of Ganganarayana and asked for mercy. Being moved by their
prayers, Ganganarayana went to Mahasaya and requested him to forgive those
brahmanas. The brahmanas then fell on the feet of Narottama and completely
surrendered themselves after confessing all their sins. Thakura Mahasaya became
so moved that he at once embraced them and empowered them with devotion. He
ordered them to study devotional books to Ganganarayana.

He then told everybody, "After few days I shall go to Khetari and you all
should go with me. Today I shall go to Vudhuri." Saying so he quickly took bath
in the Ganges. This incident spread all over the country. From the bank of the
Ganges, Mahasaya with others went to the house of Ganganarayana. There they ate
prasadam. Then he started for Vudhuri very gladly. He went back to Khetari with
Sri Govinda, Kaviraja, Karnapura, Kaviraja Gokula, Valabhi Majumdar and others
and remained engaged on the topics of Krsna. Narottama used to serve the
Prabhus all the time. Sometimes he used to roll in the dust of the courtyard of
Gauranga and used to pray to the Prabhu in this way, "Oh Lord Gauranga, Vallabhi
Kanta Krsna, be merciful to me like a materialist. Oh Lord, Radhakanta, Sri
Vrajamohana, let me get rid of the agonies of this material world. Oh Lord
Radharamana, let me lie under your feet and do help me to remember you in this
life and life after death." In this way, he used to lament everyday.

In order to avoid crowd, he used to enter into the dense forest and cry out
loudly, "Oh Lord Gauranga Sundara, the moon of Navadvipa, oh Lord Nityananda,
son of Padmavati, oh Lord Advaita, the husband of Sita, oh Lord Sri Pandita
Gadadhara, the abode of love, oh Lord, Pandita Srivasa, the ocean of mercy, oh
lords Vakresvara, Sri Murari, Haridasa, Sri Svarupa, Ramananda, Damodara, Sri
Acarya Gopinatha, Kasisvara, oh lords Vacaspati, Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya, oh
lords Suryadasa, Gauridasa, oh Sri Pandita Jagadisa Suklamvara, oh Sri Govinda
Ghosa, Dasa Gadadhara, oh Pundarika Vidyanidhi Mahasaya, Mukunda, Madhava, Vasu Ghosa, Dhananjaya, oh Sri Jagadananda, Sankara, Sridhara, oh Sri Mukunda,
Narahari, oh Sri Rupa, Sanatana, Sri Bhugarbha, Lokanatha, oh Sri Gopala Bhatta,
Raghunatha Bhatta, oh Svarupa Raghunatha, the dwellers of Sri Kunda, oh Sri Jiva
Gosvami and oh the devotees of Gaura Nityananda, be merciful to me, I am at your
feet. Don't neglect me because I am a sinner. Please fulfill my desires."

With these prayers his eyes began to shed continuous tears. He began to roll on
the ground. He began to pray to Sri Govinda, Gopinatha, Madanamohana, Radha
Damodara, Sri Radharamana, Radhavinoda and the Queen of Vrndavana. He also
prayed to Lalita, Visakha, Sucitra, Sri Campakalatika, Rangadevi, Sudevi,
Tungavidya, Indulekha, Sri Rupamanjari, Ratimanjari, Kasturi, Lavangamanjari,
Manjulali to help him to stay under the feet of Radharani.

He prayed to Sri Radha, "Oh Sri Radharani, Krsna is yours, you are always
engaged in His service. Please give me the chance of worshipping You both.
I want to place you on a jewelled throne and I shall fan you at that time.
Being directed by the sakhis, I shall offer betel leaves to your moon-like
mouths. Will any desires be fulfilled?"

Saying so, he sighed. Then he tried to remember the sports of Gauranga with his
asociates in Nadia. Observing the restless state of mind of Thakura Mahasaya,
Sri Radhavallabha became very anxious. Sometimes Thakura Mahasaya used to
console his dear disciples and used to concentrate them in sankirtana. One day
he asked his disciples about the delay of Ganganarayana in coming to Khetari.
In the meantime, Ramakrsna and Ganganarayana came with those brahmanas. All of them bowed to the feet of Thakura Mahasaya and expressed their desires of being
initiated by Thakura Mahasaya. Thakura Mahasaya became glad. He intitiated some
of them and some of them got initiation from Ganganarayana. After that, all of
them went to the courtyard of Gauranga. The priest gave them offered garlands.
Sri Govinda Kaviraja and others became satisfied to observe the sincere efforts
of the brahmanas. Sri Sankara Bhattacarya and other brahmanas very humbly bowed to the feet of the Vaisnavas.

On the next day, a great festival took place. The brahmanas became mad in
sankirtana. One day, Mahasaya in the morning, began to shed tears helplessly
with fire-like sighs. He laid down on the ground for sometime and his lotus
face became dry. He with a chocked voice, began to lament in this way, "How
cruel is the providence to me, where Srinivasa has gone after giving me so much
pain? I had Ramacandra but he also had left me and I cannot hear a word from
him any longer. Can I have him again in my life, my life has become futile.
Svarupa, Rupa, Sanatana, Raghunatha, the merciful, and the Bhattas, be kind to
me. Acarya Srinivasa whose servant is Ramacandra, can I have them again? Without observing their faces my heart is getting pierced, just like a doe pierced by
poisonous arrow. I kept some jewels hidden under my cloth, who has stolen them
why Narottama is suffering so much misery?"

Saying so, he kept mum and everyone became aware of some unforeseen incidents.
On knowing the state of mind of his dear disciples, Mahasaya consoled them all.
Thakura Mahasaya came to the courtyard of Gauranga and dedicated himself once
again to the feet of Prabhu. He started for Vudhuri with Govinda and others. He
stayed one day at Vudhuri and Sri Govinda Cakravarti and others came to meet
him. After talking very sweetly with them, Mahasaya spent the day and night in
sankirtana. From Vudhuri, he quickly moved to Gamvila.

After taking bath in the Ganges, he sat in the water and ordered Ramakrsna and
Ganganarayana to massage his body. But there was no chance of massaging his
body because only the touch of their hands, Thakura Mahasaya's body melted like
milk and vanished in the Ganges. Suddenly the river became turbulent. Everyone
became puzzled at this. The gods began to shower flowers from the heaven on
seeing this type of disappearance. The cry of Hari Hari filled the air. The
disciples of Sri Mahasaya went to the house of Ganganarayana and very patiently
they kept themselves calm and quiet. Sri Govinda Kaviraja and others quickly
arranged for a funeral ceremony at Gamvila. Then they went hastily to Khetari
via Vudhuri. There king Narasimha, Rupanarayana, Krsnasimha, Canda Raya, Sri
Gopiramana, Sri Govinda, King Santosa and others started preparations for
a great festival.

Due to the fear of exaggeration, I restrain myself from describing the festival
in toto but when they started sankirtana in the courtyard of Gauranga, within
a short time, Devidasa, Gauranga, Gokula, Sri Govinda Kaviraja and others forgot
their own entities. They began to roll of the ground. They began to roar like
lions and they began to soak the ground with their tears. Suddenly due to the
favor of guru, Krsna and Vaisnavas, everyone witnessed Narottama dancing with
them. When he vanished everyone lost their patience. So Narotatma again appeared
and consoled them all. Who can realise the qualities of Thakura Mahasaya?

So to get his favor, be attentive to Narottama Vilasa, narrating by Narahari.
 

THE TWELFTH VILASA
 

All glories to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Nityananda Prabhu, Advaita Acarya and
their associates. Please be kind to this poor soul. All glories to the merciful
listeners.

Who could possibly describe all the wonderful disciples of Sri Thakura Mahasaya?
Although I am unqualified and ignorant, I shall try to describe some of the
branches and twigs who descended from the tree of Sri Narottama dasa Thakura.
Please forgive my frailties and bestow your mercy upon me as I am always at your
service.

All glories to the disciples of Sri Mahasaya. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu,
Nityananda and Advaita are their very life. Glory to Sri Pujari Balarama who
satisfied the Lord by his intense devotion. Glory to Cakravarti Sri Gopiramana
to whom Gauracandra and his associates are the life. Glory to Sri Acarya
Ramakrsna, the mine of qualities whose branches and twigs covered the whole
world. Glory to Sri Pujari Ravi Raya who derived immense pleasure from simply
serving the Vaisnavas. All glories to Cakravarti Ganganarayana who also has
many disciples. Glory to Radhavallabha Caudhuri who bound Sri Thakura Mahasaya by his love. Ramakanta is the elder brother of Sri Mahasaya and Sri
Radhavallabha is the son of Ramakanta. Glory to Sri Ghosa whose songs charmed
Sri Thakura Mahasaya. Glory to Krsna Sinha who is better known as Sinha Vikrama.
He is always mad with love, and is an expert musician. Glory to Sri Santosa Raya
whose service charmed Sri Thakura Mahasaya. Narottama Thakura is very
affectionate towards Sri Govinda Kaviraja who expressed his realizations through
his songs. Being requested by Santosa, Kaviraja gladly wrote a drama named
Sangita Madhava. Glory to King Sri Govindarama whose tongue used to chant
Harinama incessantly. Glory to Sri Vinoda Raya who used to dance madly in
sankirtana. Glory to Phagu Caudhuri, a great scholar whose songs could even
charm the Gandharvas. Glory to the great scholar Sri Casanta Raya who is always
absorbed in the pastimes of Krsna Caitanya. Glory to Sri Sitala Raya whose calm
disposition always charms the Vaisnavas. Glory to Prabhu Ramadatta whose eyes
always shed tears of love. Glory to apathetic Dharmadasa Caudhuri who practises
firm belief in the Vaisnavas. Glory to Nityanandadasa who is mad in love for
Prabhu Nityananda. Glory to Candidasa, an abode of good qualities, who is kind
to the wicked and poor. Glory to Dhiru Caudhuri whose qualities used to make
the animals and birds cry. Glory to Vonka Ramabhadra, a very humourous person.
Glory to the friend of the poor, Ramabhadra Raya. Glory to Rupanarayana whose
songs used to melt everyone's heart. Glory to Janakivallabha Caudhuri Thakura.
Glory to Sri Srimanta Datta Bhandari Glory to Rupanarayana Pujari Thakura.
Glory to apathetic Vaisnava Carana. Glory to broadminded Sivarama dasa. Glory
to Krsnadasa Vairagi Thakura. Glory to king Narasimha. Glory to Queen Rupamala.
Glory to Canda Raya. Glory to Narayana Raya. Glory to Ramacandra Raya. Glory to the kirtana singer Devidasa whose songs madden the Vaisnavas. Glory to
Radhakrsna Bhattacarya of Navadvipa. Glory to wise Sri Thakura Krsnadasa. Glory
to Catna Ramadasa. Glory to Sankara Visvasa. Glory to the great singer Gandharva
Raya. Glory to Madana Raya, son of Gandharva Raya. Glory to Gangadasa Raya.
Glory to the instrumentalist Gauranga dasa whose mrdanga playing removes
the agony of everyone. Glory to Sri Acarya Jayakrsna. Glory to Varu
Caitanyadasa. Glory to Vraja Raya. Glory to Radhakrsna dasa. Glory to Krsna
Raya. Glory to Thakura Sri Dayarama dasa. Glory to Sri Purusottama. Glory to
the great singer Gokula dasa. Glory to Haridasa whose only desire is to live in
Navadvipa. Glory, glory to Ganga Haridasa. Glory to Sri Thakura Haridasa. Glory
to Sri Jagata Raya. Glory to the singer Rupa Raya. Glory to Dhiru Caudhuri.
Glory to Sri Kanta. Glory to Sri Mathura dasa. Glory to Sri Bhagavata dasa.
Glory to Jagadisa Raya. Glory to Thakura Sri Mahesa Caudhuri. Glory to Ganesa
Caudhuri. Glory to Candrasekhara. Glory to Sri Govinda Raya. Glory to Narottama
a Majumdara. Glory to Sri Sri Sankara Bhattacarya. Glory to Sri Gosvami dasa.
Glory to Sri Murari dasa. Glory to Sri Vasanta Datta. Glory to Thakura Sri
Syama dasa. Glory to Sri Jayagopala Datta. Glory to Ramadeva Datta. Glory to
Gangadasa Datta. Glory to Manohara Ghosa. Glory to Sri Mukuta Maitra. Glory to
Sri Manohara Visvasa. Glory to Sri Arjuna Visvasa. Glory to Sri Govardhana
Bhandari. All glories to Sri Valakadasa Vairagi Thakura, Sri Gaurangadasa
Vairagi, Sri Viharidasa Vairagi Thakura, Sri Gokuldasa Vairagi, Sri Prasada dasa
Vairagi. There is no limit in describing the qualities of all these Vaisnavas.
Their fame spread all over the world. I desire to worship them and sing their
glories without any attraction towards material pleasure.

Now I give further description of the branches and twigs of Narottama dasa
Thakura. Ramakrsna Acarya has a big branch having many disciples. Kanakalatika
is the wife of Sri Acarya. She is a devoted wife and a great devotee of Krsna.
Radhakrsnacarya, the eldest son of Acarya died at an early age. Radhakrsna
Cakravarti of Vetula is a great devotee. Sri Svarupa Cakravarti of Husanapura
is a sincere servant of Sri Govinda. Sri Gopala Cakravarti of Kumarapura whose
topic is on everyone's lips. There is no limit of the branches and twigs to whom
Sri Krsna Caitanya is the life.

Ganganarayana is the branch of Sri Thakura Mahasaya. Ganganarayana got the
title of Sri Thakura Cakravarti. Everyone used to sing his glory even today in
Vrndavana. He has many branches and twigs of disciples. Narahari, wife of Sri
Cakravarti is the mother of Visnupriya. Krsnapriya, daughter of Visnupriya is
favored by Sri Radharani of Sri Radha Kunda. Sri Krsna Carana Cakravarti is the
youngest son of Ramakrsna Acarya. How can I sing the glory of Sri Krsnacarana.
I am trying to present a brief account of his branches and twigs. Rama Krsna
and Ganganarayana are the same entity. Sri Thakura Cakravarti has no son. Acarya
realising his desire, favored Ganganarayana by giving a son. And that son is
Sri Krsnacarana, son of Sri Acarya. Sri Krsnacarana became a great scholar in
a short time. Sri Madhusudana Cakravarti is another branch to whom Ganganarayan is the life. Raghudeva Cakravarti is a great devotee of Sri Cakravarti Thakura.

I restrain myself from narrating all the branches and twigs of Sri Cakravarti
Thakura. The branches of Sri Mahasaya's disciples are all abodes of exemplary
qualities who were always absorbed in the joy of sankirtana. I have no capacity
to descibe the transcendental pastimes of Sri Thakura Mahasaya, therefore I am
fully dependent on the mercy of the Vaishnava Gosvamis.

Thus listen attentively to the narration of Narottama Vilasa by Narahari.

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